Southside Bible Fellowship: Recent Episodes
When the world pushes back against us and calls our message intolerant, primitive, or foolish, we need to stand firm in the authority God has given us through His word.
In Psalm 13, David, a figure of great faith, grapples with feelings of abandonment and despair that resonate with many of us. In his darkest moments, he cries for God's attention and intervention.
When Jesus held up the cup, saying, -This cup is the new covenant in my blood,- He declared that He identified with the amazing promises made in Jeremiah 31-33, 34. This profound act holds immense spiritual significance for us, the believers. Can we afford to forget this--
Without God's Word, we cannot tell what the real problem is and what God has done to address the issue. The pause between the sixth and seventh trumpets is a time for contemplation and understanding God's plan. This powerful image should reassure us of God's control and fill us with confidence in His plans and purposes.--Will the Lord do in the future what He did in the past--
Chapter 7 shifts from the judgment of God on the wicked at the end of chapter 6 to what happens to the people of God. The message is clear- We can be confident that no matter how dreadful things get, we will not suffer more than God allows.
Chapter 8 begins with the opening of the seventh seal. The trumpet blasts pronounce God's judgment in response to His people's prayers. If you think God is overreacting, your view of God is too small.
The accomplishments of the Lamb, as witnessed by John, hold the key to our future and the destiny of all creation. Behold the Lamb of God-
Revelation 6 reveals how judgment accompanies the opening of the seven seals. The Lord is the Lamb they pierced and now must face in judgment. Who can stand it--
Without Jesus, there would be no way, truth, or life. Without Jesus, this world would be a meaningless wilderness of suffering and pain. Without Jesus, we would not have justice, righteousness, or mercy.
Behold your God in His Holiness- -The truth is that God's holiness is a scary thing. Like an unexpected flash of lightning that suddenly brings to light what you're doing. Like thunder that rattles your whole house. God's mercy and justice are seen in the Rainbow that encircles the throne.
Despite its size, limited resources, and various challenges, such as health issues, this church, with little strength, remains faithful. -This is a testimony of the power of faithfulness in the face of limitations.
This focus on the Passover amplifies the symbolism of Jesus as the Passover lamb, inviting us to marvel at the depth of His understanding and foresight and enhancing our understanding of Jesus' mission as the Messiah.
The Empty Tomb is not the only sign that Jesus is alive, but it is a good start. To make sense of the Empty Tomb, we must return to the Empty Cross. Before we experience the resurrection, we must experience the Cross.
The congregation must turn from the sin of tolerating evil and trust in Jesus' forgiveness. Failure to repent will lead to judgment. Every single one of you must listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
Realizing how far we have fallen is the first step toward our restoration. Repentance involves a complete change of mind that moves the heart from one direction to another.
John has been banished to the island of Patmos because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He is about 95 years old. On a Sunday, he sees visions, which he is instructed to report in writing to seven churches in Asia Minor. The letters are sent to each church along with a copy of the whole of the vision. Since 7 signifies completeness, the seven churches represent the complete church. This is a message that God expects believers to read, take to heart, and apply to their lives.
John 1-29, The complete burning of the offering is an expression of complete surrender to the Lord, an act of total devotion-
One of the biggest problems the church has is with Christians who don't want to hear God-.
Hebrews 2-18, -Because he suffered when he was tempted, he can help those who are being tempted.-
Imagine facing a Judge who is only interested in his benefits and has no regard for anyone else-
When you think of the tragic situation of the world and the country, can you look forward to the new year with hope-- Think of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, and the instability in other countries. Can we hope that 2024 will be better than 2023--
On his way to Rome, Paul is under the custody of a kindly Roman centurion named Julius. While sailing, they face the test of their lives. They are so terrified that they lose hope even after throwing away their business merchandise to survive. --What happens when we give up hope--
The presence of Agrippa and Bernice arrayed in purple and Festus in red makes Paul appear insignificant in everyone's eyes. Paul's decision to share his story is a brave opportunity to spread the gospel. But his testimony makes no sense to Festus.
When you keep turning away from God, your heart becomes hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Paul, one of the most devoted disciples of the Lord, is experiencing hatred, persecution, and false accusations from his Jewish brothers. He has been exiled from Jerusalem, and as if that's not enough, they want him dead so they can stop hearing the Gospel.--Paul probably asks, -What have I done to deserve this treatment--
Even though we know the Lord is present, we are still tempted to despair. In our loneliness, we are tempted to ask, -Where is Jesus----
Paul knows what the Lord wants him to do. He knows that the path of righteousness is one of pain, prison, and suffering. But Paul is a recipient of God's sufficient grace. He knows his weakness and has learned to rely on the Lord's strength. Even though the Will of God is leading him to a place of pain and intense suffering, his conviction assures him that God's grace will sustain him.
Our passage shows Paul as a human being caught in the complicated process of saying goodbye to his brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, against the better judgment of many Christians. He stops near Ephesus to speak with the elders of the Ephesian church. -How do we finish strong despite the difficulties we face--
Psalms 30-11,12, -You turned my wailing into dancing- you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.--Please listen if you are facing a tragedy or recovering from one. Do not let your painful experience turn you away from the Lord. Please draw closer to the Lord.
-Self-Made Man- is a common characterization nowadays. -I made it- is a great celebration -- Believe in yourself, -you gonna make it-, is an ingredient for many motivational speeches- Sleepless nights and days are many that we spend busy looking at how to become lifetime achievers or whining about what we have not been able to have, achieve, or acquire.--That self-centered attitude makes us lose the great picture of the God Almighty- The One who is due all credit for any achievement we call ours. James 5-15 teaches a better way to phrase the outcomes of our busy working life- --If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that-...--Previous verses rebuke any boast in one's capacity to handle today or tomorrow---What a pitiful picture if we take out the Lord's role in our accomplishments. It should start with Him and end with Him. The parable of a rich fool in Luke 12-20 warns us about how plans outside of the Lord are meant to collapse, even badly.
Our passage gives us a glimpse of a riot against Paul and the new church in Ephesus. This riot occurs after the professing believers confess their secret sins to demonstrate their repentance from sorcery. This riot is against -the Way- -19-23-. --Why do people oppose the gospel--
The event, recorded in 1 Samuel 31, occurs on Mount Gilboa. At the heart of the disaster is what Saul does to himself. -Therefore, Saul took his sword and fell upon it.- These sad words in the Bible report the tragedy of the death of the first King of Israel. Saul's suicide is as tragic as any other suicide case. It forces us to reflect seriously on the tragedy of self-inflicted death. -Why is suicide so tragic---
When we insist on their way, God steps aside to let us face the consequences of our choices. -1 Corinthians 10-12, -So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall--
Those who desperately turn to Jesus for help will never go unnoticed. Whether you come to Jesus publicly or privately, Jesus will be Compassionate-
Sometimes, God does His greatest miracles when it is dark-. when Jesus was born, it was dark-when Nicodemus came to Jesus, it was dark-when Paul and Silas were set free, it was dark-.
One of the greatest challenges we face as Christians is our unwillingness to unlearn what we have believed for so long. We claim to believe the Bible is the living infallible Word of God. But at the same time, we are tempted to hold on to our unscriptural religious practices contradicting God's Word.
Have you ever been tempted to LOSE HEART---Paul's mission in Europe has been one of mixed feelings. Even though many believe his message, he suffers a terrible beating in Philippi, civil rejection in Thessalonica and Berea, and indifference in Athens. The more people come to Christ, the more his suffering increases. Paul is discouraged, afraid, and insecure despite a synagogue ruler and many Corinthians coming to Christ. He is tempted to lose Heart. To -Lose heart- is to become discouraged. It is to stop believing that you can succeed. It is the same as losing courage or confidence. -Almost always, when we are afraid, we Lose Heart.
Paul leaves Berea and goes down to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind. Paul, one of the most passionate ministers of the gospel who ever lived, comes face to face with the religious and intellectuals of Athens. This is the glorious city of renowned Philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Zeno. Despite all her past glory, Athens is empty and lost in the echoes of men long gone. This city of about 10,000 people has 3,000 statues of gods. Every idol demonstrates the hunger for God because every idol reveals spiritual emptiness.--How do Christians respond to the increase of ungodliness around them--
The first miracle of Jesus Christ is His earthly ministry was much more than a miracle. Scripture tells us it was a 'sign.' A sign to His disciples of the heart of God and His desire to bless and care for His people. It is THE sign that sets the stage for His entire earthly ministry and affects His people and the world to this very day.--How important it is that we understand the message of this miracle.
Thessalonica is the largest port city in Macedonia. For Paul, this is a strategic city. In Thessalonica, Paul goes into a synagogue where he reasons with the Jews and Gentiles from the Scriptures explaining to them the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While some Jews, Greeks, and a few prominent women are persuaded to accept the Gospel, some of the Jews reject it and recruit a mob against Paul.--But that night, the brothers send Paul and Silas away to Berea.--Is Paul tempted to quit--
In Lystra, Paul meets Timothy and takes him on his mission to bring help to Macedonia. They meet a wealthy Gentile woman called Lydia in a prayer meeting who listens and believes their message. Then they meet a possessed slave girl whom they set free. But when her masters realize what they have done, they falsely accuse them. Paul and Silas are arrested, but Timothy and Luke escape.--Despite the whirlwinds of Satan's opposition, the Holy Spirit accomplishes the Lord's purpose. Will God give us joy in times of trial--
Luke helps us see two types of conflicts Christians engage in. One is always theological, while the other concerns personal preference. When Jews believers from Judea claim that Gentile believers must be circumcised to be saved, Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem, and the matter is settled. But when they return to Antioch with the good news from Jerusalem, they disagree and go separate ways.--The relationship between two great men of God fails- What do these conflicts reveal about God--
Job embodies faith in the middle of extreme pain, grief, and terrible loss. Job's attitude gives us a learning opportunity when we are tested and our faith is under attack by the enemy. Another learning opportunity comes from the prophet Habakkuk. He cried for justice but he got a discouraging answer that the Babylon nation was going to invade and destroy Israel.--As believers we have a long list of prayer requests, we cry, complain, and grieve to the Lord to change the course. While answers may come, delay, or come in a different format than what we expected- our attitude and positioning matter to keep Faith in Jesus. Habakkuk -Hab. 2-1 -, was terrified by what was happening and what was imminent, he decided to be on guard post to keep closeness to the Lord. This morning we look into how we keep faith in the midst of our struggles.
One of the greatest struggles we have as Christians has to do with attitude. We think that because we are Christians we have a good attitude or we are always right. That's why I am asking, have you checked your attitude-
John saw and believed even though he was slow to grasp the implications of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene saw, and she confessed, -I have seen the Lord-- The evidence is indisputable. Apart from the Word of God itself, the truth of this resurrection is our transformed lives. Hallelujah- We have a New Story- -Unfortunately, many are still living under the old system. Some of us are reliving memories, and because we store our memories in images, you have a picture of an experience you would love to forget.
Christ so identifies with His people that when they are persecuted, He feels the pain. This attribute of Christ makes the cross more understandable to Saul. Jesus indeed did suffer for our sins at Calvary. This revelation overwhelms Saul with terror as he lies down. Then the voice instructs him to go into the city, where he will be told what to do. So, Saul enters Damascus as a blind man in fear and despair, reflecting his spiritual darkness.
When Barnabas hears Saul out and takes him by the hand, he demonstrates his faith in God's transforming power. He says to Saul and to the world, I get you-I feel your pain-I understand what you are going through-you are safe with me-this is what can encourage others to be part of God's Family. -If the apostles believe in God's power to save and transform any life, they don't show it until Barnabas does.
Philip has enough spiritual understanding not to resist the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Philip has seen God direct him by His Holy Spirit through persecution, but he also understands that God has many ways. So, when an angel of the Lord tells Philip to go, he obeys without asking questions. -Because Philip is sensitive to the Holy Spirit, he is open to God's voice and is willing to be used by God anywhere and in any way.
Opposition to Christianity does end with Stephen's death. Instead, his death raises a great Like persecution that forces believers to leave Jerusalem. Like a wild animal tearing a victim's body apart, Saul persecutes the Church going from house to house, dragging men and women and putting them in prison. -The bad news here is that Christians face persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The good news is that they are persecuted and scattered but not shuttered-
Acts 6 shows us how Satan can disrupt the peace and growth of the Church from within by sowing a spirit of murmuring and gossip among believers, hoping to set them against each other. Greek-speaking women who outlive their husbands complain of being discriminated against by native Aramaic-speaking Jews. --The offense may be more imagined than actual, but that makes no difference to those who feel overlooked.-How do we respond to discrimination as Christians--
Mark's Gospel is full of healing and exorcisms. However, before we are tempted to think that Mark views forgiveness as a lesser priority than healing, we should consider what is happening in this context. When the four friends bring their paralytic friend to Jesus, they encounter an obstacle. The four friends must either leave their friend at the door, carry him back home paralyzed or find a way of getting him to Jesus. --Will they stop at the entrance of discouragement and return to our hopelessness--
The LORD has given Abraham and his wife the desired heir at an old age. And now that his son has grown into a young man, the LORD asks Abraham to offer him up for a burnt offering, upon one of the mountains which He will show him. This is the kind of test that produces a severe internal conflict in one's mind. --Abraham does not question the truth of God's Word even though obeying it may bring him tears. --Who is this God--
In our text, the apostles return to Jerusalem in compliance with the Lord's command to wait for the Spirit and the other Christians in the Upper Room, where they devote themselves to fervent prayer. Prayer is a hallmark of the church. There can be no spiritual empowerment without prayer.--A crucial moment in life is also a moment of prayer.
The final words of Jesus to His followers are intended to last so they can continue reverberating in the believer's ears. Jesus clearly lays out His Mission for everyone who believes in Him. Verse 8 sums up that Mission as the foundation for the proclamation of our faith. Since we are called to be witnesses for Christ, our lives must revolve around witnessing for Christ.
The book of Acts is the only one in the Bible that continues the sacred account of the Lord as the second part of the Gospel of Luke. This connection between the Gospel and the book Acts is profound and significant enough for us because of the experiences of the Apostles and the indwelling Holy Spirit. In the Gospels, Jesus Christ offers His life. In the Book of Acts, the Son of God gives His power. --The Book of Acts is particularly essential because it teaches us how we experience the work of the Holy Spirit and how we can make our lives count for God's glory.--The Book of Acts is God's Word for us-
Here is a parable that ought to get our attention. In it, we encounter a self-righteous Pharisee and a lowly tax collector praying in the temple. The Pharisee clearly possesses a better moral character than the tax collector, at least from the perspective of his society. He is not a thief, an evildoer, or an adulterer. He keeps the law outwardly far better than the tax collector. --Through this parable, we learn that our justification can only come from God's mercy alone and that the Lord will not despise a contrite heart. When we cry to God He hears us. We may not see what He is doing but we can trust Him-
In his effort to keep believers from falling prey to the seductive sounds of false teaching, Paul tells us the truth about Jesus Christ. Paul believes that the Colossians can only withstand false teachings if they correctly understand Jesus Christ.--This truth can help us avoid the enticing sounds that might lead us astray. Will we remain firm in the faith, not moved from the hope we have in the gospel--
People seem to enjoy seeing Jesus challenging the religious authorities. However, the officials are outraged and demand to know the source of Jesus' authority. They know that He is acting on divine authority, yet if he says it bluntly, they will easily accuse Him of blasphemy. Instead of answering their question, Jesus redirects their attention to the source of John the Baptist's ministry. The temple authorities immediately recognize what Jesus is up to but they are not prepared to admit it publicly. --Instead of submitting to the truth, religious leaders choose to lie. Time may be running out for these self-righteous leaders but according to Jesus, they still have a chance.
Mark takes us from the house in Capernaum to the lakeshore where Jesus is preaching. Here, we see the crowd again, but it quickly fades into the background. Jesus' attention is now drawn to a tax collector named Levi. He is the lowest of the lowest in Jewish society but a prime prospect for God's kingdom in Jesus' mission.--Can we claim to follow Jesus and fail to accept those He accepts--
Jacob stood as a central figure between Joseph and his brothers. And now that he is dead, the vacuum hits hard on the brother's conscience, and their guilt is rekindled. Even though Joseph forgave them 17 years ago, their behavior brings back memories of their evil actions against him. Once, they sold him for a slave, and they now offer themselves as his servants. --The LORD has turned Joseph's predicament into deliverance of many souls. This revelation points us to God who transforms what is meant for evil into blessing and salvation.
Even though his journey to Egypt will reunite his family, Jacob is afraid of what would happen in Egypt and of what could happen to the promised land. So, he stops at Beersheba to express his fears to the LORD.--Jacob's journey to Egypt after a long period of grief mirrors our spiritual journey. We all start as sinners, desperately in need of God's grace. And as we grow we realize that God's promises can help us realize something greater about God.
The answer to the above question may not be as clear to many of us. In fact, the question itself may be disturbing to some of us as it seems to question God's goodness. When you look at Joseph's life, especially in Genesis 45 when he reveals himself to his brothers. As Joseph looks back, recalling his brother's hatred and desire to kill him and how the LORD has protected and provided for him, he can only say, -the LORD sent me.- Do you think that's what Joseph thought when he was thrown into a pit by his brothers-- --That's why I am asking, does God always mean well--
In Genesis 44, we can imagine the brothers celebrating as they gather themselves to return home. Simeon is free, Benjamin is safe, they still have the silver from their first visit, and after such a royal reception, they also have food to bring home. But then their journey is cut short when Joseph's steward stops them and retrieves Joseph's golden cup from Benjamin's sac.--When Joseph insists that Benjamin should remain and serve him as an enslaved person, Judah steps up to offer himself to stay in Egypt as a substitute for his brother. --What is it that God is teaching us through these brothers that we can learn as we acknowledge what the Lord is doing in our lives--
Genesis 43 uses Joseph's account to give us a glimpse of God's big heart. The foundation of this truth is highlighted in Jacob's heartwarming prayer. -May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved- -v. 14-. This prayer does not only express Jacob's surrender to the LORD, it invites us to see a Character of God that we are often tempted to take for granted. --Here we are invited to see a God who has many ways of getting our attention and melting our hearts as He sets right all that has gone wrong in our lives-
It's thirteen years now since Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites. When the brothers arrive in Egypt, they meet beardless, clean-shaven Joseph, dressed in flowing white linen decked with gold, speaking the language of the Egyptians. Unaware that he is their brother, they bow before him with their faces to the ground. A gesture of submission that is necessary for their survival. When Joseph recognizes his brothers, he remembers his dream. But then he tests his brothers to see their sincerity by accusing them of being spies.--Something is going on in Joseph's heart. The memories of his painful experience. Will Joseph overcome the temptation to revenge now that he is in power--
When Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, he credits God as the source of the meaning. Pharaoh is so overwhelmed that he puts Joseph in charge of everything in Egypt except the throne. Joseph's life is dramatically transformed when he meets with Pharaoh. He turns from being a prisoner falsely accused of raping to the most decorating man sitting in the palace, dressed in designer clothing, with servants beside him, second only to Pharaoh.--Joseph's struggles, suffering, and success in Egypt prove God's goodness. Does He still need to rely on the LORD when he's got what he wants--
Last week we saw Joseph as an enslaved person in Egypt, helpless and with plenty of reasons to be bitter against his brothers. This young man with a bright future appears to be abandoned by God and his family. Logic demands that Joseph must be angry, bitter, resentful, cynical, fearful, self-serving, and self-pitying.--Today it must be confusing for Joseph. His dreams never showed him as an enslaved person or even as a prisoner.--And where is the LORD when this is happening----THE LORD IS WITH JOSEPH-
Joseph's account occupies more space in the book of Genesis than any other individual. Here is a narrative filled with love and hate, jealousy and fury, tears of joy and tears of grief. A gripping masterpiece of deception, endurance, and forgiveness.----Joseph's life echoes the nation of Israel. Like Joseph, the Israelites will be enslaved in Egypt before their deliverance and triumph over Egypt. Like the nation of Israel, Joseph's life reveals the power, the grace, and the presence of God.----This is an account of God working His will in the face of human frailties.
The holiness of God should leave us weeping and rejoicing at the same time. If you stand before the throne of our perfectly holy God, you will have reason for both. I am persuaded this is why we are called to both of these responses in Scripture and why they are both important pieces of a spiritually healthy life. God's word calls us to mourn, actually pronouncing blessing on those who do -Matt. 5-4-. How could you stand before the holiness of God and not weep at the condition of your own heart and the sin everywhere in your world-- God's word also calls us to rejoice -1 Thess. 5-16-18-. When we gaze upon the holiness of God, we have reason to rejoice. How unshakable is your joy, when you wake up each day knowing that your world is under the rule of the one who is perfectly holy in every way, all the time, and that this Holy One is your Father by grace----So, weep- Your Lord is holy. Don't stop rejoicing- Your Lord is holy. Live the life of a sad celebrant. Mourn the ways that you are far from the holy goal God has set for you, while you rejoice in the potential you now have to be what you could have never dreamed of being if this Holy One had not met you with his heart-and life-transforming grace. May your tears mix with joy until you are on the other side with him and like him forever and ever.
Please welcome our guest speaker, Pastor Funwayo He comes to us from Medway Village Church in Medway. Massachusetts and will be sharing the word that God has impressed upon his heart----When the rooster crows it is time to get things right.- God wants a living and dynamic relationship in which he molds and forms us with his words. There are times we do not hear him, and he wakes us up to hear what he is saying He has many reminders for us. Peter became the leader for his friends after he got awakened by the crowing of a rooster.--What are the reminders you are missing in your life-- Is God leading and speaking to you, but you can't hear-- Pay attention to the roosters in your life.
We live in a secular society in which Fathers are marginalized by many and considered superfluous to the needs of growing children. Also, many Fathers are abdicating their God-given roles as leaders and providers for the family. Is it any wonder then that crime and violence are so endemic to our country.--What does the Bible say about this and do secular studies shed any light on the veracity of God's mandates-- It is a subject important on Father's Day but also important every day. Studies show that the role of fatherhood is vital to the well-being of children in ways many have never thought of.--Malachi 4-1-6-Malachi 1-6-8-Malachi 2-11-17-Malachi 3-1-5-Malachi 4-1-6-Deuteronomy 11-18-21-1 Thessalonians 2-11-1 Thessalonians 2-7-1 Thessalonians 2-12-Genesis 18-19
It had now been evening after Jesus spent the day preaching and teaching in parables. He turned to his disciples and said, -Let's cross to the other side of the lake.- Shortly after the boat set sail, a ferocious storm came up, but Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat. The disciples, gripped with fear, woke Jesus up saying, -Teacher don't you care that we're going to drown.- Upon arising, at Jesus' command the winds ceased and became totally calm. Turning to the disciples Jesus said, -Why are you afraid-- Do you still have no faith-----Three main points of the text---1. Storms should be expected--2. Storms have a purpose--3. Storms are temporary
The disciples are troubled by Jesus' words concerning His imminent betrayal, denial, and death. And because Jesus knows their anguish, He addresses their emotional turmoil in the opening words of John chapter 14. The Lord's words are to the disciples and each of us who follow him, for we too live in an age of anxiety. Rising crime rates, rising living costs, international crises, political intolerance, escalating violence in our neighborhoods, etc. And as if that's not enough, we tend to imagine the worse.--So, how can we keep our hearts from being anxious in this troubled world--
The disciples are still in the upper room when Peter responds to Jesus that he would lay his life for Him. Peter loves the Lord. He cannot bear the thought of being separated from the Lord.--When we think of Peter, we should think of ourselves---When we look at Peter, we realize that following Christ is perhaps the most difficult challenge in our lives. It requires the life of Christ in us. Because what we count as our greatest strength is really a great weakness by God's standards.
Judas' tragic exit into the night exemplifies the tragic end of our lives when we turn our backs to the one who loves us and wants to save us. Whatever drives such a follower of Christ to a humiliating end certainly makes one sorrowful. Judas may be a victim of life, but he is also a man who chooses his crooked path and who will answer to God for it like any of us.
John 13-1-17 invites us to see Jesus' intimate teaching about love by becoming the Lord of the towel, fully conscious of his divine supremacy- --In this act, Jesus says to us that if we want to be His servants if we're going to grow in this authentic aspect of discipleship if that is what we really desire, we must allow our hearts to deepen in love, we must be willing to wash one another's feet.
Our text records perhaps the last public discourse of Jesus before his crucifixion. His words are meant to affect us as well, and they will if we allow them. --When your soul is troubled, think of the personal pain Christ endured for your salvation and peace, then remember that now, as an object of redemption, he continues to lavish that same self-sacrificing care upon you.
This account occupies a very serious place in Luke's Gospel because it is Jesus' last personal encounter before he arrives in Jerusalem and the events leading to his death. We see here Zacchaeus seeking Jesus and Jesus seeking Zacchaeus.--The sovereignty of God is at work here. Jesus comes to the lost as a friend. He is a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Like the rich young ruler, Zacchaeus has it all, but his salvation helps us see what is possible with God.--Jesus evidently has a soft spot for sinners like Zacchaeus-
Even though the disciples are aware of Jesus' resurrection, they are still unsure of their mission. Confused, Peter and the others return to their old occupation of fishing, but with little success. It is here that Jesus appears and directs His disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat. When they return to shore, the disciples find that Jesus has prepared fish and bread for their breakfast.--Jesus meets the needs of His disciples, even when the catch of fish is not necessary for their mission. Jesus' response shows us that in our concern for others, we are not to judge them but rather are to give each of our brothers and sisters the freedom and encouragement to be responsive to Jesus as Lord.
Because of our limited view of life, when we see the chaos in our world, we are tempted to react as if God is not in control, has stopped caring, or cannot be trusted. --We see this truth unfolding in Lazarus' demise when Jesus failed to come to see his friend and perhaps heal him from his sickness. From the human perspective, it appears as though Jesus does not care when He visits the family on the fourth day of Lazarus' death. The day when the mourning ritual reaches its highest point because the body is decaying, and there is no more hope. --However, something very unusual will bring Christ glory and joy to the family-
- There are many kinds of laws. Laws of Nature, Federal laws, Civil laws, Local laws, Laws of Logic, and Spiritual and Eternal Laws.--2. When kept, they are beneficial, when violated there are consequences.--3. Asking and receiving for certain things involves the--Law of Prayer.--4. There are conditions for activating the Law of Prayer.--5. Examples- Exodus 32-31-32, 1 Kings 18-1, 41-45, 2 Chronicals 7-14, Daniel 9-2-4, John 14-16, 17-20-24.--6. Illustrations- A baby bunny and a broken gas gauge.
One of the best things about Prayer is that even when no one else pays attention, we know that God, our Father, listens to every word we speak.
In Matthew's Gospel, this man is called young -Matt. 19-20-, and Luke's Gospel identifies him as a ruler -Luke 18-18-. The rich young man is the opposite of a helpless, dependent child. He is both affluent and influential.--From this account, we learn that when we come to Jesus, we must put away our other gods, whether possessions, position, power, a person, or a passion- This truth highlights that Salvation is to be entered through responsive faith and obedience and received as a gift. The rich man is an example of one who tried to enter it by doing something. It is impossible for anyone who trusts in anything else to get into heaven-
There is a tendency in the Christian community to regard Martha as a symbol of an active life and Mary as an exemplar of the contemplative life. In many ways, Martha is unfairly put down, and Mary is exalted as an example of the life of a devoted Christian.--That characterization misses the author's intent.--This account should be seen as an exaltation to prioritize God's Word in a life of active service. Those of us who are anxious about many things of this life realize that the time we invest in fellowship with Jesus should inform how we serve Him.
The Hebrews had heard those preaching Jesus and had believed, but Jesus had ascended to the Father some 35 years before, so this church of Jewish Christians, like us, lacked eye-witnesses. This -word of exhortation- was delivered to a church of old and tired Christians who were wavering in their faith. The Hebrew's spiritual eyes had grown dim, and they didn't love and treasure Jesus how they once did, dangerously looking back at Judaism and Paganism for help. The truths in this opening passage keep our spiritual senses sharp and laser-focused on the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
Our text records a continuing conflict between Christ and the religious leaders of Judaism, a conflict sustained by Jesus' aggressiveness.--The remarkable setting for this conflict is the Feast of the Tabernacles when Jesus announces, -I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life- -8-12-. As Christ leaves the temple, we are reminded of what happens when the light goes into the world. Jesus approaches a blind man and gently spits upon the ground, then applies the damp clay to his eyes commanding Him to, -Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam.- In his obedience, as he washes in Siloam, his eyes are opened, and he begins to see---This is one of the miracles that remind us that Jesus is the source of our spiritual sight.
The account of the transfiguration of Christ is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. And it invites us to see the glory of the Lamb of God in the New Testament. Israel saw the same Shekinah glory when they left Egypt when the Lord demonstrated His presence as a Pilar of cloud and fire -Exodus 13-21-.--In our text, we see the same glory in the person of Jesus as reflected in His transfiguration. The chief representatives of the Law and the Prophets, Moses, and Elijah, also appear carrying on a conversation with Jesus. here, the veil of Jesus' humanity is lifted, and his true essence is allowed to shine through. Then the Father's voice is heard saying, -This is my Son, whom I have chosen- listen to him.- Like Peter, James, and John, you and I must hold on to this revelation for our comfort and a reason for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. --Jesus is the for us, the pillar of fire and cloud that guides God's children in this dark world. Does this truth mean anything to you-
The story of Jesus walking on the water takes place right after the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus made his disciples get into the boat then He went to the hills for solitude and a time of prayer. Meanwhile, the disciples began to struggle as the wind pounded against their boat. It is in that chilling sight that Jesus came walking on water, adding to the disciples' dismay. And because they mistook Him for a ghost, Jesus spoke to their fear commanding them not to be afraid and assuring them of His presence, saying, -Take courage- It is I. Don't be afraid.- And the rest is history.--We may not always know why the Lord waits, but we can be sure that he knows everything and that He is ministering and caring for us and will never leave us. We can trust in the Lord when we are exhausted and in deepest despair to reveal Himself to us as the one, we can always rely on-
After facing opposition from unbelieving Pharisees and scribes, Jesus withdraws from the crowds and then heads north, away from them to the Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon along the Mediterranean Sea. Here, He encounters a gentile woman who pleads with Him on behalf of her daughter. Jesus' response to the disciples and the consequent dialogue with the woman invites us to see the woman's unwavering Faith and Jesus' willingness to accept and commend those who trust Him, even though they may be outsiders.--Unwavering Faith does not give up even when it is difficult or when other people want you to stop. Unwavering Faith is great Faith because it persistently focuses on Jesus Christ.
Our text is occasioned by friends who bring a friend to encounter. The encounter of the blind man resembles our experiences in many ways. Like the blind man most of us, even though Jesus has touched us, we still have a long way to go. We are not where we need to be in our faith. We haven't fully comprehended what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Some of us feel ready to start running while still learning how to walk. Like the blind man, we may not be entirely blind, but we are still partially blind. We don't see ourselves and others the way God wants us to see.--The truth is, we are not ready to walk with Jesus. We still need Jesus to walk us around until He sets us free to walk with Him. Wouldn't it be great to experience a touch like that from Jesus today-
It had been a long day of ministry that began with confrontations that continued amidst the press of immense crowds. So as the shadows lengthened, Jesus moved to the stern of the boat, where he wearily reclined and soon fell into a deep sleep. The disciples hoisted sail and began the five-mile trip across the lake, followed by a group of admirers in their boats.--It must have made a beautiful scene as they moved slowly across the calm sea with their patched sails backlit by the rising stars, when suddenly -without warning- -Matthew 8-24-, they encountered a terrific storm. The Lord was fast asleep, and he remained asleep despite the howling wind and the wet spray. Does he know or care- The storm did not disturb the Master, but the unbelief of his disciples did. -He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, 'Quiet- Be still'--Perhaps there's a storm raging in your life. Maybe your relationship is floundering and about to sink. Or there's stress in your job. Your storm could be some terrible disease or an errant child or grandchild. Amid the fury and confusion, you can trust that the Lord can use such an act of trust to bring us into more profound grace.
James, was present when the Lord ascended into His glory, covered by the luminous cloud of God's presence that overshadowed the mount -Acts 1-9-. It was then that the angels said to the stunned disciples, -Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky- This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven- -Acts 1-11-. --The message is clear, Jesus will come back in the same way He left- But if He comes back in 2022, will He find us doing what He saved us for- Will He find us expecting Him-
Like many other Psalms, Psalm 107 is familiar to us because it speaks to our wrestling experience with the chaos we face and our view of God. This Psalm points us to the God of all comfort when facing trials, suffering, and sin. The words of Psalm 107 resonate with us today because they express our need for God. After all, it is a celebration of God's praise for His merciful providence to all the redeemed.--God's people in this Psalm have gone through several predicaments such as captivity and bondage, wanderings by land and sea, and famine. Even though some of the difficulties happened as evidence of God's displeasure, all the deliverances are evidence of God's goodness and mercy to those who humbly seek Him for help.--Because of God's faithfulness, all the redeemed will rejoice, and the wicked will be stopped, and all those who turn to the Lord for help will appreciate God for His unfailing mercy and unbounded love.
The four Gospels are amazing because through them we get a complete picture of Jesus' life and the impact it brings to our lives. Mathew and Luke take us through the unfolding events from Mary's conception to the birth of Jesus. Through these two gospels, we know that an Angel brought the news first to Mary, then to Joseph, and others concerning Jesus Christ. We also know that what happens is in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the birth of the Savior of the world. Mark, begins with John the Baptist urging people to prepare the way for the Lord.--But is it John, the beloved apostle takes us to eternity past reminding us that before the Word became flesh in Bethlehem, He was with God, and He was God from the beginning, and without Him, nothing was made. This is the Jesus that we proclaim today. The light of the world.--Who is Jesus to you-
Matthew tailors his narrative to bring out many similarities of prophecies that are being fulfilled in the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus. The real message of Christmas revolves around the act of God coming down in the form of a child to save His people. This is the message that calls us to consider what God intends to accomplish through the virgin birth. As enjoyable as it may be for most of us, this festive season must find its meaning in the fulfillment of God's will for each one of us.--I pray that as we dive into God's Word, we may find the Joy and hope that the Lord wills us to have. May the Lord lead us into a sense of peace and fulfillment that we all long for so that in His Word, we may find His will for us through the greatest gift God has ever given us.
Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus to dine in his home but omits the common courtesies accorded to honored dinner guests. Customarily guests' sandals are removed, and their feet are washed to remove the street's dust and refresh them. Jesus' feet are left embarrassingly dirty. Dinner guests are also anointed with a touch of olive oil. But there is no such kindness for Jesus.--But when a woman who appears to be in a state of emotional breakdown emerges from the shadows and silently stands at the feet of Jesus, everything stands still. To the shock of the guests and the onlookers, the poor woman begins to anoint the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her long hair while kissing them. This disruption annoys the host. When we have difficulty showing love for Christ it is because we are yet to realize how great He is and sinful we are, and that we are in need of His forgiveness.
Our text begins with Jesus meeting a woman who is grieving the loss of her only son. Her husband is deceased. She has already experienced that grief. And now, the only person that cared for her is gone. --This is the kind of loss that makes you feel lonely even when surrounded by friends and family. Because no one can really understand your pain. Those of us that have lost a loved one know that the pain never goes away. --But nothing can replace the comfort we get from the Lord.
The Pool of Bethesda, the setting of this passage, is within the environs of Jerusalem. The Pool periodically ripples, and someone sick would jump into it for healing. As a result, hundreds of sick people would come from the countryside to the Pool. The withered and the lame could only make it to the waters by crawling over others weaker than themselves.- -It is a horrible sight, except for one thing, Jesus is here.- -When Jesus surveys the miserable heaps of humanity around the Pool, His gaze rests on one of the worst cases, a man who has been in the confines of his bed for thirty eight years, and He heals him. We can picture the man standing up to his feet and feeling his muscles become firm and his legs enlarge.- -The account of this man's healing is one that helps us learn about ourselves and our Savior.- -This is one of the encounters that is meant to make us focus on our brokenness so we can appreciate the healing Christ brings to our lives. As we get to know ourselves, we find more and more that we need His healing. We need healing from bitterness, unresolved conflicts, and things that lie hidden within us. Such issues can hinder us from experiencing God's power and the Do you wish to get well- grace that sets us free.- -Do you wish to get well-
The royal official's encounter with Jesus Christ, reveals his growing faith. When Jesus commands him to go, he takes Him at His Word and his dying son is restored to life.--We can see what happens to this loving father and focus on the healing instead of focusing on who Jesus is. When we turn to the Lord only because of what we want Him to do for us, we miss the joy of knowing Him, and the relationship He wants us to have with Him. However, when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, and turn to the Lord, listen to His Word, and obey His voice, we will grow in faith.
Our text records a classic conversation between Jesus and a Jewish teacher of the law called Nicodemus. On that quiet Palestinian evening, a perplexed Nicodemus walked along the winding backstreets of old Jerusalem to talk to Jesus Christ.--In their conversation, Jesus does not mince His words, he tells Nicodemus that, --no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.- Being born again is a radical change in a sinner's life whereby one is given a new nature through repentance. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we hear God's Word, and when we believe it in our hearts we are born again. Because of the new nature we receive by the indwelling Holy Spirit, we begin a new lifestyle.
The Samaritans came from some of the Jews who intermarried with other Canaanites. They took parts of the Jewish religion and aspects of the Canaanite religion and created their faith. To the Jews, Samaritans are considered racially inferior and religious heretics. The existing barriers between the two make it impossible for the Jews to minister to their neighbors.--However, Jesus refuses to allow the existing barriers to hinder His mission. He has come to seek and save the lost, and the Samaritan woman fits the profile. She has come to draw water at noon because she is a moral outcast, even within her marginalized community. No wonder the Samaritan woman is stunned when Jesus speaks to her.--Here, we are all invited to encounter Jesus' ministering heart that reaches across racial barriers, cultural barriers. gender barriers, moral barriers, and religious barriers to connecting with those who thirst for lasting satisfaction. Jesus comes to each one of us, inviting us to a relationship that transforms our lives.--Through Jesus, God puts in us his fountain of life, filling our empty, parched lives with God's living water that continues to quench our deepest thirst.
When Jesus enters the city's gates, the congestion worsens, with sellers on all sides. -In the temple courts, he finds men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money- in the great court of the Gentiles. It is here that a loving Jesus reveals His anger---Jesus' anger is rooted in his reaction to the religious irreverence toward God. The hypocrisy of the religious authorities is that while they loudly proclaim the holiness of God, they deny it in practice. We need to listen to the spirit of worship inside us to meet God because the hand that stretches out on the cross is the same hand that grasps the whip.
This account of Jesus' first sign has nothing to do with Jesus blessing a wedding, neither does it have anything to do with Jesus endorsing alcohol, it has everything to do with God's mission through Jesus Christ.--The shortage of wine is enough to turn childhood dreams of the ideal wedding into a nightmare. That's what makes Jesus' intervention in this encounter so wonderful- The Son of God in this story is the problem solver. Here is an abounding, joyous, leaping lesson of what Christ can do for each one of us-
In our text, the finding process leads Philip to make another critical confession, -the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote,- seems to catch the point of the text pretty well. This means that God's Word bears witness to Jesus Christ. As we reflect on Philip's response, we need to remember that outreach is not usually advanced much by defending our faith because our theological arguments generally convince those who are already convinced or are at the point of seeking to be persuaded. We should always approach evangelism with a genuine, concern, loving proclamation and invitation to experience Christ. Because only through Christ can the lost be found and be born again. What is your 'come and see' experience-
Just so you may know, even though the series focuses on the impact of encounters Jesus had with people, we should also remember that not everyone responded favorably to Jesus and His ministry. Throughout our sessions in these series, we will be sensitive to the Lord's voice as He speaks to us by his Holy Spirit, through His Word, Prayer, circumstances, and others. --May the Holy spirit provoke our thoughts and stir our emotions so that we can think and act more like Jesus for the glory of the one who first loved us and gave himself to die for us.
When we are tempted to sin, some of the questions we tend to ask are, 'how can I get out of this-' or 'can I get out of this-' And many are the times when we give in to temptation when we believe that there is no way out.--Like the Israelites and the Corinthians, when we face tempting situations, we may find ourselves believing a lie in our lives. But God wants us to know the truth so that we can face every temptation with the confidence that He is with us. The Lord wants us to know that when we rely on Him, we will find the way out because He is faithful.--God's faithfulness is the basis for our hope and confidence in every trial we face, even though it may appear impossible to us.
Paul's desire to know Christ, in Philippians 3-10, expresses our more profound need. We are living in a culture that indulges and passionately distorts the person of Jesus. Ours is a culture that seeks to alter the portrait of the real Jesus to suit man's imagination. We are tempted to long for a Jesus who agrees with us and accepts our misconceptions of him and our misguided opinions as to the truth.--Nevertheless, we must not lose heart because the real Jesus is available for us to know personally. That's why He asks His disciples, -whom do you say I am-- a question that we must all ask ourselves continually and sincerely.--Who is Jesus to you-
Divine wisdom has determined that the thorn is necessary to prevent the apostle from becoming conceited. If you or your loved one has suffered from afflictions such as earaches, headaches, depression, kidney stones, arthritis, dental infection, cancer, or shingles, then you understand the feeling of having a thorn in the flesh.--In Paul's case, the thorn is a humiliating experience. And the painful truth is that it is God who has allowed it. This does not suggest that we should enjoy suffering, however, because of the same Lord who walks with us through the pain, the thorn in us becomes the tool that points us to the one who gives us hope. We may still groan, and cry, and shed tears. But He will also give us the strength we need to endure because the God of the thorns is also the God of grace.
Our answer to that question reflects what we believe about the Lord. If we believe that God can meet all our needs and that He will meet all our needs in His way, then we will be ready to trust God in the good times and in the bad times. According to Paul, the Philippians ' giving shows their willingness to identify with Jesus and His work. Their giving is good because it demonstrates that they understand God's working in the world and willingly support the Lord's work through His servants.
In the gospel of John, we have the account of the Samaritan woman and the greatest evangelist the world has ever seen. As the story unfolds, Jesus makes a statement that causes us to pause and ponder. In verses 23 and 24, the Lord says, -Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.---In our churches today, we hear of 'worship' songs, 'worship' leaders, 'worship' service, and many other forms of worship. But what really is worship- And what role does the indwelling Holy Spirit play in our worship---Can we worship with the Spirit-
Growing up, I used to listen to Paul Harvey's -The Rest of the Story- on the radio. His segment wasn't very long, but it always made me stop and listen. Just when you thought he was done, he would say -Stay tuned - for the 'rest of the story' when we return-, in his classic voice. These stories while entertaining usually carried a teaching moment for life which was revealed when he returned with the -rest of the story.---I couldn't help thinking as I left the service, that there was more to this story. Later, I returned to 2 Corinthians 3-12 -Since we have such a hope, we are very bold...- One of the verses Vallerian had shared in a message of his. As I was reading, I realized that there was more to the story - -The Rest of the Story...- if you will.--In 2 Corinthians Chapters 3 and 4, the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians -and us today-, that our confidence is in Christ and our sufficiency is from God. In Christ, God -has made us to be ministers of a new covenant, not the letter but the Spirit.- Is this the -Rest of the Story-- COME AND SEE-
The agon of the cross is now history. All pain has been swallowed up in the joy of Resurrection. Jesus is about to ascend to heaven, and His disciples are about to be initiated into the most extraordinary mission the world has ever known, stepping out of their comfort zone to share the message of the risen Savior. God is going to move beyond the boundaries of Israel to let all people know that a relationship with Him is possible through Jesus Christ.--While the filling of the Holy Spirit has been a controversial subject in the modern church, we should remember that the Holy Spirit is Jesus indwelling us to transform our experiences as individuals and as a community. And the Holy Spirit, living in each of us, constitutes a lasting bond that binds us together as a family of God. This is what makes the church the playground of the Holy Spirit.--Do you know what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit-
Jesus has come from Galilee to Bethany, the other side of Jordan River where John is Baptizing people. To John's surprise, Jesus also wants to be baptized. Everything happening here contradicts John's beliefs and expectations about Jesus. Isn't that what happens to us- We set ourselves to do what we believe God has called us to do. Then God, in His own way, shows up and shocks us with a surprise. Not with the kind of surprise that confuses us or discourages us, but one that affirms the ministry He has given us. God uses such shocks to assure us that we are obeying His call. His surprises are the seal of approval that we all need---What are some of the surprises you are facing right now-
Israel as a nation is facing a leadership crisis. Everyone is doing what is right in their eyes. But there is also one woman who is facing her unique problem. Hanna is barren and her childlessness is depressing her. So, Hanna takes her bitterness to the only one who can give her peace. Even though Eli, the High Priest, thinks that she is drunk and rebukes her, her tearful prayer reveals that she has had enough and wants the Lord to intervene.--And because the Lord works in mysterious ways, the answer to Hanna's prayer becomes the answer that shapes the history of Israel. The answer to Hanna's prayer does not only meets her need but the need of the nation of Israel as well.--When is the last time you cried in your prayers-
When you read 2 Kings 5, apart from Naaman's military accomplishments and terminal illness, it is the slave girl who gets your attention. We would expect her to be bitter and unhelpful, especially because she has been separated from her friends and family and brought into a foreign land to serve her master's wife. And, even though she is not the main character of the story, it is her faith in the Lord that gives the story its substance. --One young girl in exile becomes a vessel that God uses to bring healing to a gentile commander.--How many times have we looked down upon ourselves because we felt that we were the most unlikely people God could use- Maybe we should listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in us for us to realize that greater is He who is in us than the one that is in the world.--Do you still feel like the most unlikely person, God could use-
Jeremiah 29 addresses the reason God's people need to seek the Lord and their motivation for doing so. In this text, God's people were taken captive to discipline them to turn away from the Lord their God. It was a painful experience. Some of them remained in denial as false prophets continued to misguide them. But then, through his prophet who was still in Jerusalem, the Lord spoke to His people, letting them know why they were in the foreign land, what they needed to do and what His plans were.--Because the Lord is involved in their lives, God's people must arrive at the practical idea of seeking the Lord with all their hearts. Not because all is well with them. Not because their prayers are being answered, but because the Lord wants them to do so- --What motivates you to seek the Lord-
The Assyrians want total surrender, and their threats distress the King. If he hoped that his payment would satisfy Sennacherib, he's must be highly disappointed. So as an act of humility, mourning, and supplication, Hezekiah puts on sackcloth and goes to the temple. His actions reveal his dependence on God. King Hezekiah knows that the Lord is aware of what is going on. He knows that he needs to hear a word from the Lord. So, he sends his officials to the prophet Isaiah. This is not a simple act of desperation like other kings. This is an act of personal conviction. Hezekiah is clinging to the belief that hope is alive because the Lord is in control---Many of us have wondered what we should do next. Even though the enemy may speak to us in many ways, the Lord's voice is all we want to hear. We may be tempted to doubt His care and plan, but we will trust and wait to listen to His voice because we know Him and want to do His will.--What is the Lord saying to you today- Right now-
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. --Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do- forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. --I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
In Luke 18-9-15, Jesus shares the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. It is a parable that we have heard so many times that for some of us, it has become like a comfortable old flipflop on other people's feet. Like the self-righteous Pharisee, many of us approach the Lord with a self-centered attitude. We have turned the grace of God which he has freely given to us into a personal accomplishment.--What is the point of praying when we feel so confident of our own righteousness, that we look down on everybody else-
-He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.- --Jim Elliot's words are very relevant today. In a culture of individualism, the Lord calls us to find our security in Him. In the face of intimidation, the Lord wants us to find our confidence in Him and proclaim His message even to death.--The pain and trials endured by Paul and others made it possible for the Corinthians to have eternal life in Christ. Those who suffered gained by losing-
The Lord Jesus is surrounded by well-wishers, detractors, and enemies. Jews gather around him with questions. -How long will you keep us in suspense- If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.- Jesus focusing on their spiritual darkness speaks to them about the image of the Shepherd and the sheep. He clarifies that their problem has to do with their failure to believe. The image of the Shepherd and the sheep highlights the relationship that provides security, guidance, and comfort in all situations. --Because of Jesus, all believers are safe in the Father's hands regardless of what happens to us-
You've been in those meetings, maybe at work, perhaps at the Parents Association at school, maybe in a church meeting...the person presiding asks you a question, but then follows it up with the same question a second and a third time...what's going on- Would you get a little squirmy---In the face of ministry ups and downs, Jesus reminds us that people are -job one- and that our involvement goes beyond a mental acknowledgement to involvement and service.
The account of Jesus and Nicodemus contains a fair share of a fair share of darkness, skepticism, and hope. We are first introduced to this religious leader, Nicodemus, who comes to Jesus at night. Well, that makes a lot of sense because Jesus is the Light. Through faith in Christ alone, looking to the cross. All of us who do not know Christ must give up our dependence on ourselves, our cleverness, self-improvement, our plans to become religious and just turn to Jesus Christ, like Nicodemus- Whether we turn to Him by day or by night, Jesus will receive us-
One of the oldest sayings about the Bible that should be essential to all of us is that -The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.- I believe this saying remains true even today. Because as Christians, if we are not being transformed by Christ through God's Word, we might be conforming to the world. If we don't allow the Word of God to shape us into the persons God intends us to be, the world will squeeze each of us into its mold. We will be tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine that comes our way. That is why at Southside Bible Fellowship, we believe since the Bible is God's Word and we are God's children, then the Bible is God's Word for us.
Peter is one name that stands out whenever we think of the disciples of Jesus. He is the only disciple who attempted to reprove the Lord- Peter is impulsive. By exposing Peter's failings in this context, Mark makes us aware of human weakness and the necessity to rely on God. Because His grace is sufficient for us. That is why, for Christ's sake, every believer can delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, in difficulties. Because we know that we have the Rock that doesn't crack-
The story of Israel is a story that has a direct connection with God's glory. The great and glorious God of the Exodus reveals His glory in the form of a glorious cloud to stay close to His people and guide them to the promised land. The story of Exodus ends with these words- -So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and the fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels- These words give the Israelites the assurance that the God of all glory would be present to grant them all the blessings of his saving grace. Like every believer's story, the story of Israel is the story of God-
Moses descends from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the Testimony, containing the Ten Commandments. These Tablets of stone confirm the covenant between Yahweh and the Israelites.--However, as great as it may be, the radiance of God's glory on Moses' face is temporary. But the glory of His presence in the believer's life is permanent. Everyone who has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ bears with him or her the great glory of God's Presence because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. --What does the glory of His Presence mean to you-
The Israelites had broken the first edition of the Ten Commandments -Exodus 32-19-. But since God is still willing to pick up the pieces of that broken relationship and renew his covenant with his people, He asks Moses to make a fresh set of tablets. By restoring the Israelites to the new covenant, the Lord demonstrating that even a broken covenant can be renewed. This is encouraging news for us and for those who are lost. The Lord who restores His people is the God whom we need.
It is possible to read the account of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection and fail to recognize that it actually happened for our benefit. As painful and shameful as it was, on that cross, Jesus died a horrible death for you and me. He took the penalty for our sin so that by trusting Him, we can be saved. --Because of his death and resurrection, our view of life and death is transformed. We know that our life on earth is not permanent, but our life with Jesus Christ is eternal. --Does His resurrection mean anything to you-
Luke 19-41-44 ushers us closer to the heart of Jesus as it relates to the lost. In His last week, Jesus makes His way to the Holy City of Jerusalem sitting on a Donkey. The crowd receives Him with expectant joy by spreading robes and leafy palm branches in his pathway to create a royal red carpet. When some of the Pharisees instruct Jesus to rebuke the people to avoid a political insurrection, Jesus refuses. Jesus' actions this Sunday sets in motion a series of events that would lead to his brutal death.--But what should get our attention are the tears He sheds as He approaches the city. His tears speak louder than the actions of the crowd. His tears express the value of our souls-
When we are desperate for God, we hunger and thirst for His presence. We develop a deep longing for God that nothing can replace. When God's people become desperate for God, they refuse to be satisfied with what they possess and what they know about God. What will it take for our desire for God to reach a new high-
When we interact with Pastor Vallerian or the Gilberts -recent guests and Missionaries to Spain- we hear about their -calling- - a claim and conviction that God has placed upon their lives, that they recognize and want to obey...but what about the rest of us- We are not vocational ministers- in fact, we usually identify as something else - Nurse, Sales-Marketing-guy, Accountant, Engineer, IT Person, VP, Mom or Dad.--Are we strategically placed by God into circumstances for His purposes- Are roles like Nursery worker, choir member, clean-up crew, Sunday School teacher, usher truly callings- How about Elder or Deacon -they certainly sound very spiritual-- Our sense of calling is pivotal, it impacts our view of service to one another, especially in times when the path grows difficult. This morning we will look closer at our calling, our response, and the things God does through His -non-vocational servants.-
The lesson we learn from Peter's experience walking on water can be helpful to us in these unique times we are living in.
In Exodus 33-1-11, while God remains faithful to His promise of giving Israel a land flowing with milk and honey, He also declares to Moses that He would not go with them lest He destroys them on the way. --Will the Israelites settle for God's blessings now that God wants to leave them alone-
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai holding the two tablets of stones written by God's hands, he may not have expected to see what he saw. Right at the foot of the mountain, he smashed the two tablets into pieces. His reactions reveal his understanding of the impact of the Israelites sins against God. --This scene mirrors our lives. When we turn against the one who cares for us, the who has loved us, we set ourselves up for punishment as individuals or a nation. The golden calf may be irrelevant today, but God's Word is still relevant. As we rely on God's grace through Christ, we should desire to be more like Jesus-
From beginning to end, God's purpose throughout human history has been His glory. His glory is why we are being saved, His glory is the cornerstone on which all human history has been built, and His glory is the source and goal of all true and lasting joy and happiness.--Isaiah 43-6-7, Isaiah 60-21, Isaiah 37-20, Isaiah 35, Isaiah 43-25, Isaiah 66-23, 1 Samuel 12-22, Exodus 9-16, Psalm 19-1, Psalm 106-7---8, Ezekiel 36-20-27, Joshua 7-6-9, Luke 11-12, John 9-3, John 11-4, 1 John 2-12, Ephesians 1-5-6, Ephesians 1-11-12, Isaiah 6-3, Psalm 69-30, Psalm 136, Romans 3-23, Romans 1-23, Genesis 3-3-6, John 16-33b, Isaiah 64-4, Acts 17-25, Romans 9-22-23, John 3-16, Ephesians 2-4, Hebrews 1-1-3, John 1-14, Psalm 50-13-15, Romans 15-8-9, 2 Corinthians 4-15, Psalm 51-12, Psalm 34-8, John 5-44, John 17-17, Luke 6-45, 2 Corinthians 5-18
1 Thessalonians is one of the Apostle Paul's earliest letters. He wrote it to the Church that he and Silas had planted in Thessalonica. He ministered there for a short time but was soon forced to leave because of persecution. In his letter, Paul describes his great desire to be with the church and how Satan had hindered his return. In 1 Thessalonians 2-9-12, Paul recounts his ministry of presence to the Thessalonians, and in doing so, he gives us the essential elements of making disciples of Jesus Christ. As we study this text, we will learn that God calls us to be present and persistent disciple-makers.
Apostle Peter is addressing followers of Jesus Christ scattered and are going through various kinds of trials. Because in their grief, they may be tempted to despair, this message is meant to remind them that they have something that cannot be taken away. As followers of Christ, we are assured that our trials and the grief they bring are temporary, but our joy is eternal because it is contingent on our Jesus Christ, our Ling Hope-
Moses is up on the mountain, having a meeting with God, and the Israelites' are busy inventing other ways of worship. They are not aware of what is keeping Moses from coming down the mountain. So, they invent their own golden god. Just like the Israelites, we are also tempted to turn away from God. When we are tempted to think that God will not really work all things for our Good, we are tempted to turn to our own ways. We formulate our own strategies for making life work on our own terms. We bow to the false gods of success and control, beauty, and pleasure instead of trusting the true God. Does any of this ring a bell-
-The older son was not at home when his brother came. He was away on his father's farm, working as usual. And even though he has been serving his father, his heart is completely out of sync with the father's heart. He does not share the father's compassion nor his father's joy. He says, -Look- All these years I've been slaving for you -- What the older son fails to realize is that it is not the years of service that matter, but the relationship with the father--
In Luke 15-11-24, God's unconditional love is expressed in a parable. God's Son has come, bringing with Him the salvation that He is offering to the lost. We know that the party does not begin with us. It begins with the Father. The joy of the party described in Luke is no exaggeration. Jesus said, -There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent- -Luke 15-7-.
Exodus 20 presents us with a revelation of God's character and desire for His people. God is speaking to the Israelites gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai. Exodus 19 articulates how God descended on the mountain in great power and glory, with thunder and lightning, fire, and smoke. Unlike the garden of Eden, God's people are forbidden to come closer, lest they die. This is a special occasion for God's people, and we must give it our full attention. As the Israelites are struck by the awesomeness of God's glory, the LORD makes full disclosure of His character when He speaks.
When you read Exodus 17-8-16, you will realize that the Israelites are fighting the Amalekites with real weapons. It looks like a physical battle, and to some extent, it is. But when you read verse 11, -As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.- You get a totally different perspective on the same battle. Their victory does not depend on their weapons. Instead, it depends on their submission to the one who has the power to win every battle we face.--We must ask ourselves, 'how do we engage the enemy of our faith-' We know that the LORD must win the war, but what role should we play- When the Israelites counterattack, Moses takes up a position on the hillside overlooking the battlefield. His only weapon is his faith in the LORD's promises. With his hands raised, Moses is acknowledging his surrender to the LORD. We may not know what he is saying while standing on that hill. Nevertheless, his actions demonstrate that he is submitting to God alone to win the battle-
The problem with God's people here is their lack of total reliance on God. Even though they are out of Egypt and away from Pharaoh, Egypt is still in them. It is hard for God's people to progress when they see themselves as victims, even when they have been set free.--The Lord is using the wilderness of our lives to form our character. The Lord is teaching us to depend on Him for our daily bread. We need to depend on him for everything because He is our all-sufficient provider-
In Exodus 16, the Israelites need for water is followed by a need for food. Despite seeing God protect them from the Egyptians and provide for them in the most uncompromising of circumstances, the Israelites continue to be ungrateful. In their grumbling, they accuse Moses of bringing them to the wilderness only to kill them. The problem with God's people here is their lack of total reliance on God. Even though they are out of Egypt, and away from Pharaoh, Egypt is still in them.--It is hard for God's people to progress when they see themselves as victims, even when they have been set free. The Lord walks with His people even in the wilderness. The Lord is using the wilderness of our lives to form our character. And even though we may be dissatisfied by the process, God continues to graciously provide for our needs. Whenever we need something, God is testing our faith, just as he tested the faith of Israel. The Lord is teaching us to depend on Him for our daily bread. We need to depend on him for everything because He is our all sufficient provider-
When we look at our culture and how it's drifting away from God, we can't help but ask, 'will God come through-' As fear and despair grip our hearts when we think of the lives that we have lost through the pandemic, we ask, 'will God come through-'--In Lamentations 3, Jeremiah highlights his despair at a personal level. But as he remembers God's great faithfulness, he moves from despair to hope. Jeremiah remembers who God is and what He has in the past. He knows that God is faithful. He remembers that God is good. His perspective on God changes the perspective of his circumstances. Instead of giving up, he responds in praise and trust. He's not sure of how God will come through, but he trusts that He will. --Here is a response that we can follow as well. When our hearts are broken over tragedy, evil, and sin in the world, we need to bring our grief, sorrow, and fear before the Lord. We need to cry out to God for help. We need to trust in God's goodness and wait because He is faithful-
God's people may well have expected to head straight for Canaan, going from grace right on to glory. Instead their triumph was followed by tribulation. God's plan did not call for any shortcuts. The Promised Land could only be reached by way of the wilderness.
I WILL PRAISE THE LORD WITH ALL---The Israelites in Exodus 15-1-21, expressed their joy, their faith, and their hope in singing praise to the Lord after experiencing the wonder of His power in rescuing them and in defeating their enemies- the Bible points out various occasions when God's people praised the Lord- Whenever God saved his people, they sang his praises.--Every believer's heart dances with praises for the Lord because of His excellent work. Whether it is for salvation, for healing, for guidance, or any other kind of blessing. It should always be the desire of our hearts to praise the Lord- We need to praise the Lord with all because He deserves to be praised with all-
God knows that the children of Israel are weak. The Israelites are not ready for a fight. The shorter route to the promised land would bring them face to face with the philistines. They could be discouraged and return to Egypt. The God who sees everything changes the course and leads His people in the opposite direction. It may not be the most obvious way. It may not be the shortest way. But it is God's way. --As God's people when the LORD leads us to unfamiliar territory, We know reminds ourselves that the Lord knows what He is doing. And as long as He is present with us, then we can be sure that we are safe.
Exodus 12-31-40 There are moments in life where it feels like God will not show up. I believe when the Israelites were going through a tough time in Egypt, they must have felt like the Lord had left them to suffer. So, they cried out to Him. But when the Lord responded to their cry, things got worse instead of getting better. Pharaoh dealt harshly with them and refused to let them go. God's people must have wondered what the Lord was going to do for Pharaoh to let them go. When we are tempted to give up, we should remind ourselves that our God is faithful in keeping His promise. The enemy may think that he is in control. But the Lord our God has never lost control because He does not leave His people.
The text of Exodus 12-21-30 captures the last plague on the Egyptian soil. The LORD has given Pharaoh a chance after another. We cannot blame the LORD for the final deadly plague. The death of the Egyptian's firstborn is the final blow. In this deadliest plague, we the LORD inviting the Israelites to participate in their deliverance while punishing the rebellious Egyptians. -In reality, what happens in this night of death will never happen again. The Israelites will not need to smear the blood of the lambs on their doors again. But the distinction that God makes between his people and those who refuse to trust and obey him will remain. The LORD will always respond to those who trust in the sacrifice he provides and those who reject it. This distinction determines the eternal judgment of all human beings. -That is the truth of the scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus offers salvation on the same basis when he shed his blood for our sins on that cursed cross. The truth is eternal life depends on faith in the blood of the sacrifice that God provides. Sadly, like many in our day, the Egyptians refused to trust and obey the LORD. And because they refused, not one single family escaped. The Bible says, -there was not a house without someone dead- -Exod. 12-30-.
The parable of the laborer's in the vineyard in Matthew 20-1-16 highlights for us the fact that in God's Kingdom, we are all equal.--The master pays the same wages to all the workers regardless of the time they have worked. The Lord wants us to know that it's not about what we do, but about what He does.--The Lord is teaching us through this parable, His grace levels the playing field for each one of us. This parable should encourage us to share the gospel with our friends and relatives, regardless of their age or lifestyle. This parable should motivate us to invite people to join God's Kingdom, where those who feel rejected can find love, acceptance, and forgiveness.
The message in this text is given through a parable. The King has prepared a wedding for his son, and he has extended an invitation to various guests. Many who receive the invitation refuse to attend. They treat the King's servants shamefully, killing some of them. The responds in anger, he punishes the guests for mistreating him. Then he extends his invitation to other guests.--The King in this parable is God, and we the invited guests. What is our response-
This sermon seeks to encourage a thoughtful magnification of God because of God's power. We are drawing lessons from Paul's exaltation of God in the middle of his admonition of the believers in Ephesus in their newfound faith in Jesus Christ.
The ninth plague is a judgment not only to Pharaoh and the Egyptians but to the sun god. Pharaoh has consistently rejected the Word of the Lord. The Lord has hardened his heart as an act of judgment. Egypt is in darkness for three days. Pharaoh's magicians have given up. The sun god cannot help. Egypt is in the dark. Egypt is without hope. There's no turning back now. The Lord is determined to humiliate Pharaoh and his gods.- -This passage is a reminder that there's always hope for God's people because they are in the light.
The eight plague brings us closer to the exodus. The Lord's demand to Pharaoh is the same- -Let my people go so they can worship me.- The Lord warns Pharaoh that He would send Locusts that will cover the land of Egypt. Pharaoh is unwilling to humble himself because his heart is hardened. And the harder his heart becomes, the tougher the Lord responds. The Lord tells Moses to tell the story of Israel to their children and their grandchildren.
The seventh plague is about to hit Egypt. But, the Lord does not bring it without giving Pharaoh a chance. Together with his officials, Pharaoh is given a forecast of an oncoming storm. He is told what to do to avoid it. To avoid the oncoming destruction. He knows what he needs to do to protect himself, his people and their property.-Will Pharaoh obey the Lord this time and let His people go-
We saw Pharaoh asking for prayers during the second plague. Then in the third plague, when the magicians failed to mimic the Lord's miracle, they confessed saying, -this is the finger of God.---The Lord is using these plagues to show that all power belongs to Him. In the fourth plague the Lord warns Pharaoh before striking. Then He releases a swarm of biting and non-biting flies in the land of Egypt. The miracle in this plague is that, the Lord shields His people from the same flies. Through the flies, the Lord shows a clear distinction between His people, and the Egyptians. The Israelites, even though they are still in slavery, they are experiencing God's-protection. --The Egyptians must have wondered, why are we the only ones attracting flies-
This passage reveals that, the Lord can use even the smallest insects to show his power against the strongest. There's no creature that the Lord cannot use to demonstrate His power. There's no animal that the Lord cannot use. There's no man that the Lord cannot use. There's no man that the Lord cannot use. When the Lord decides to use anything or anyone, to accomplish His purpose he will do it- The Lord is famous for using the highly unlikely things to show that the power belongs to Him-
The Egyptians could not kill the frogs because they are sacred to them. By allowing Frogs to invade the Egypt, God is playing with their symbol of worship. Imagine the frogs dying and their decaying bodies stinking all over the palace and the town. Frogs are showing up under Pharaoh's bedcovers. He calls his magicians. They bring up more frogs. Pharaoh is not impressed. This plague proves that no power can resist the mighty hand of the Lord. Frogs are everywhere-and even though Pharaoh considers them to be sacred, he is tired of them. --It is clear that God is punishing the Egyptians for their sins. The river that Pharaoh used as an instrument of genocide was turned to blood, and now the frog goddess is being humiliated. --The worse things get, the more desperate Pharaoh becomes, until finally he does the unthinkable. He ordered Moses and Aaron to return to the palace so he can share a prayer request. For the first time, Pharaoh acknowledges the power of the Lord. But the Lord is not concerned with Frogs, he is concerned with His people.
While we would like to avoid chaos in our churches, at our homes, and in our society, chaos still happens. While we would like to enjoy a deep and intimate fellowship with God and with one another chaos still happens. Yet God, tells that it is in the process of working through the chaos that we achieve the community we want. So, if we truly desire to see a meaningful Christian community-if we truly want to have an impact in our society, we must ask ourselves- How do we work our way through chaos-
Judgement has begun in the land of Egypt. The Lord is stretching his mighty hand, pointing a finger at the Egyptian's gods. This is the countdown to Exodus. This judgement begins with blood, and it will end with blood. The final blood will bring salvation to God's people. But this blood doesn't save. It doesn't heal. It's not the kind that washes away our sins. This blood is deadly blood. It makes the water smell. It kills the fish. It threatens life. It makes it difficult to continue life as usual. This blood is the Lord's judgement to Egypt and their false gods.
When Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh asking him to let God's people go, Pharaoh responded by making life harder for the children of Israel. He forced them to fetch their own straws, and still make the required number of bricks. The children of Israel had a glimpse of hope when they were told that the LORD heard their cry, and that he was concerned about them. They felt like the time for their deliverance was at hand. But now that their pain is increasing, they are probably asking, 'what kind of God is this-
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a problem becomes worse after you have prayed- You cry out to God knowing that He's able. You know it's only a matter of time and you will be healed. It's only a matter of time, and your problem will be no more. It's only a matter of time, and your pain will be taken away. It's only a matter of time, and your marriage will be restored. It's only a matter of time, and you will find a better job. But then, the situation gets worse. The pain increases. The conflict intensifies. Your health declines. You lose your house. Your loved one dies. You find yourself asking, what in my life is the LORD doing- I believe this is what the children of Israel found themselves asking when Pharaoh decided to increase their burden.
It's amazing how God works. He invites Moses to His mission, responds to all of his objections, gives him signs, tells him what to say to Pharaoh, warns him to expect resistance, and allows his brother Aron to go with him. Moses has all he needs to do what the Lord requires of him, but the Lord is not done with him. He must now adjust to God. He cannot remain who he is and go with God. Just as the Lord wants to work through us, he also wants to work on us. The Lord's second appearance is a call for us to deal with our own circumcision. A call for us to get rid of our distractions. A call for us to deal with those issues in our lives that might make us ineffective in the task ahead of us.
Psalm 23 brings us closer to David's love, and appreciation for the LORD. It's one of those Psalms that makes you identify with the author. David begins the Psalm by affirming that the Lord is his Shepherd. This Shepherd assures him of his presence, his peace, his provision, his protection, his guidance, and his blessings. This Shepherd does not only meet the physical needs. He provides emotional stability during life threatening situations. This Psalm is a confession that demonstrates to everyone, what a special relationship with the LORD looks like.
This chapter completes Moses experience with God from the Burning bush. God's message for Moses has not changed. He's still reminding Moses that He will be with him. The signs He's giving him, are supposed to remind Moses of His presence and power. He's still going to be everything Moses needs to deliver his people. Moses on the other hand, has more objections. He's so self-centered that he's failing to see the situation from God's perspective.
The disciples are still in a lock-down, one week after Jesus resurrection. They just don't know what to do about his resurrection. They are still afraid. The image of his suffering and death is still fresh in their mind. They are hiding from the world around them for fear of facing the same fate as Jesus. That's why they are staying at home. They are hopeless, helpless, and most likely, faithless- Their dreams were shuttered. Their hope was crucified. That's why they are in a lock-down-
Moses left Egypt after his attempt to save his fellow Hebrews in his own way failed. He was 40 years old when he left Egypt. He has been in Midian for 40 more years now. He's now a husband, a father, and a shepherd. The God who led His people to Egypt and promised to return them to their land of promise is following up with Moses. Moses may have escaped in his own terms, but the Lord has him where He wants to meet with him.
It's tough, isn't it- Just think of the the challenge we are facing today. It's overwhelming. It feels we are out of control. Like Moses and the children of Israel, we have never been in control...and we will never be in control. It's by God's grace. It's all part of God's great plan. It's not an accident- The Lord allows us to live...to move...and to have all that we have. The Lord owns each of us...we are the work of His mighty hands-
One of my favorite hymns goes something like, -All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give-I will ever love and trust Him,In His presence daily live.- While the hymn deeply expresses the desires of heart that is sold out for Christ, it is also a call for all of us to deeply consider our submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. --Moses' mother, Jochebed, didn't know this hymn, but she is teaching us by her actions, that when we surrender our cares to the Lord, He has a way of taking care of us- But surrendering doesn't come easy to anyone. Jochebed tried to hide Moses for three months, before she gave up to the Lord. As she let go of the small Ark carrying baby Moses through the reeds of the Nile River, she was letting the Lord take over. And the Lord did not disappoint her. In fact, that act of surrender, led to her, nursing her child, and getting paid for it- How marvelous- May we be encouraged to surrender 'All to Jesus' and find our peace at the feet of the cross- ---Trust in the Lord with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding- in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.- Proverbs 3-5,6-QUESTIONS-1. What do you think were some of Jochebed's struggles to let go of her son--2. According to our text-message, how does God show His care for us--3. Do you believe we need to surrender, ALL TO JESUS- Why-
Whenever a person is introduced to us as a man or woman of faith, we are tempted to see a humble and fearful person who takes all the insults without moving a finger. As if faith is another reference for being timid, unhappy, and foolish. While our faith in Christ does make us humble, it does not make us timid. In fact, our humility reflects our strength. We are humble because we believe in a powerful God---This is exactly what is exemplified by the two midwives in the first chapter of Exodus. The author affirms that they disregarded Pharaoh's command because they feared God. Shephrah and Pua are women of faith. That's why they can stand against an evil command. They know that the God they believe in is faithful and more powerful than Pharaoh and his army. They have faith in the Lord, and their faith is the source of their courage- These women are women of courage because they are women of faith- Just the kind of Christians we need today. Christians who are not afraid to stand as witnesses for Christ even when it is not fashionable to do so----For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,-but gives us power,-love and self--discipline.- 2 Timothy 1-7--Study Questions and additional Passages--1. What do you think would have happened if the Shephrah and Pua had obeyed Pharaoh---2. How does 2 Timothy 1-7, help us understand our attitude as believers- According to Joshua 1-9, why should we be courageous---3. How does today's message-text impact your relationship with Christ and others-
The Lord let the children of Israel to Egypt to protect them from the famine that was coming to their land. Earlier on, God had sent Joseph to Egypt to prepare for the rescue plan. The Lord knew beforehand what was going to happen and had revealed His intentions to Joseph because He was going to use him in His plan. Suffice to say that the children of Israel were in Egypt because the Lord wanted them to be there -Genesis 15-12-15-.--The children of Israel may have forgotten God's promises and focused on achieving the Egyptian dream. But as they increased in number, the Egyptians were concerned. Joseph was long dead and forgotten. Only his bones remained in a coffin waiting for a return to the land of promise. Another Pharaoh arose, and mistreated God's people in a way that made them remember God's promises. So, they cried to God for help and the Lord heard their cry and saw their suffering, He appeared to Moses, revealing His rescue plan for His people. The Lord who led them in, is the one who would lead them out-
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the same story is told, of how parents brought their children to Jesus in the hopes that He would just lay hands upon them. At this particular time, Jesus was teaching followers and debating with the Pharisees. So, naturally, His disciples could see that He had no time for the children. -They were wrong----Jesus, in His loving way, took this opportunity to not only re-instruct His disciples, but also teach all who were in attendance something very important about the Kingdom of Heaven and the gift of salvation. The lesson Christ taught that day, to all who were in attendance, is still very important for us to remember today.--Your Brother in Christ,--Rory
In first Peter -3-15-16-, we are encouraged to revere Christ in our hearts as Lord. This is a call to submission in recognition of his Lordship in our lives. As an act of our obedience we should be prepared to give an answer-to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the HOPE-that we have. In this passage, the good apostle underscores that, anyone who is in Christ has HOPE. It's like we cannot separate Christ and true HOPE. We cannot have HOPE without having Christ, and we cannot have Christ and not have HOPE- --But, how do we prepare to give a reason for our HOPE- I believe one of the most effective ways is to always be ready to tell our story. And we should do it with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear con conscience,-so that those who are against our faith in Christ may be ashamed and those who believe may find HOPE. Our story is an effective tool in sharing the gospel, because it is always a story of HOPE. Our HOPE in Christ is our story----If in Christ we have hope in this life only,-we are of all people most to be pitied.---The primary purpose for sharing our faith is to give HOPE while using PEPSI-
The man in Luke eight is possessed and tormented by a legion of demons. He is isolated from his community. His dwelling place is a cemetery, a very unlikely place for a living soul. Only Jesus can set him free from his current predicament. Like the demoniac, many of us live under various kinds of bondage, ranging from bitterness, to addictions and other sinful pleasures. While some of these may be habitual behaviors that are part of this fallen world, the enemy finds through them, an invitation to torment even Christians.----Since our daily growth is incumbent on the fellowship we have with Christ and with one another, we should realize that our story in Christ is the backbone of our ministry. This reality dawns on us the moment we enter into a loving relationship with Christ. Through it, we are forgiven and made new again. This is why the delivered man wants to remain with Jesus. However, Jesus, instead of saying, -follow me,- he asks him to return to his home to tell his story. The new believer already has a ministry, with just one tool on his disposal, his story------Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.---2 Corinthians 3-17