Celebration of Unity

 

Ephesians 4:3-6

Intro: When we study the church, we cannot miss the sad fact that there are many divisions and denominations. Even within denominations there are divisions. There are some good reasons for different denominations. But we should be sad that the body of Christ has experienced this type of fragmentation. Even in light of the situation in the church today, we must hear the apostle Paul when he encourages and pleads with Christians: 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) By the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. How can a church—a church with so many diverse personalities—achieve harmonious feelings and one mind? I believe the answer lies in our scripture text for today. Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. As this verse tells us, we are to each one work, exert, put forth an effort toward unity in the Holy Spirit by binding ourselves together with peace. Peace that comes from God. Believers are to work at keeping the peace so that they can stay bound together in the unity of God's Spirit. Jesus Christ has broken down all walls and barriers existing between men. There is one essential for serving Christ that must be stressed among God's people: cooperation—a nature and willingness to serve together. The point is this: when a person comes to Christ, the Spirit of God enters his life and binds the person to all other believers. There is a great spiritual bond of peace wrought by the Spirit of God between all believers. All divisiveness, differences, and prejudices are set aside; and a spirit of love, peace, and unity exist. There are seven basic reasons why we should walk worthy and strive to keep the peace and unity of God's Spirit in the church.

1. Ephesians 4:4a For there is one body There are neither two bodies nor several bodies of believers. However, in this imperfect world, there are many different denominations and churches. But note what God is doing: God is creating only one body of people who trust and follow His dear Son. There is no way a believer can be in conflict with another believer unless he is walking after the flesh and is in a backslidden condition. There are just some things that are contrary to love and joy and peace that hurt and damage the body.

2. Ephesians 4:4b and one Spirit, There is only "one Spirit." The same Spirit that dwells within one member of the body dwells in all members of the body.  It is God's Spirit that causes a man to be born again. God’s Spirit is not divided. Acting independent of the body is of another spirit, for there is only One Spirit creating the body of Christ.

3. Ephesians 4:4c just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.  Every genuine believer has the same hope: the great day of redemption. It is to be a new world created perfectly for Christ Jesus and His people. Life in the new heavens and earth will be a life of love and joy and peace—a life of oneness and unity and brotherhood—all perfected. What God is after is for us to live as we shall live in the future. Our future lives in the new heavens and earth are to be the pattern for the way we live together now.

4. Ephesians 5:5a There is one Lord, Every believer has bowed before the same Lord to become His subject and to receive His orders. As His subjects, believers are unequivocally instructed to live as one as He said.

5. Ephesians 5:5b There is only "one faith." There are neither two faiths nor several faiths. The point is this: every believer has come to God in the very same way—by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Faith in Him is the only way, the only true faith. Therefore, standing before God and having come to Him through the same faith, there is no room for any differences.

6. Ephesians 5:5c  There is only "one baptism." All believers have given public witness to their faith by submitting to the ordinance of water baptism. Each has been identified as being members of the same body because each has been initiated through the same ritual. Therefore, having entered the church through the same ordinance, we should not become divisive. Divisiveness denies and brings shame to the meaning of the ordinance. It shows that our sincerity in being baptized was lacking, greatly lacking. It shows that we care little for Christ and for our baptism experience, for the great ordinance which initiated us into the church.

7. Ephesians 6:6 There is only "one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.” If there is only one God and Father of all believers, how then could He be leading two believers to stand toe to toe against each other? The answer is obvious: He could not. One or both believers are following their own fleshly carnal ways. Someone is not following the only God and Father and will have to stand before Christ's bema (the enclosed space surrounding the altar seat of Christ) and be judged for their actions.

Invitation: We must be saved by Jesus to love one another and have unity and peace with one another. Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to save your soul from hell and for heaven? If not, the bible says your eternal destination will be hell. Be wise and make the right choice, choose heaven. Your decision will last for an eternity!

The Main Goal in Life

 

THE THRONE OF GOD

 Scripture Text

Psalm 93

 

INTRO; We see, hear and experience many things in this life that are not right. Every day some evil and wrong is before our eyes. We don’t understand how a people can drift so far from the truth of God’s word and way. Question is, how are we to live in this world with all that is going on around us on a daily basis? We can't live relying on anything in this world, but there is one thing for sure that we can rely on, and that is our God reigns from His throne on high. Let’s look at the world from a view point of God’s throne instead of man.

 I. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY. [Ps. 93:1] The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved. His authority, rule, dominion. We can take comfort in the truth that Jehovah has supreme overall and reigns gloriously from His throne in Heaven. His royal power and authority prevail everywhere over all His creation. There is no earthly or heavenly power greater than God. He clothes Himself with Majesty- [Glory, honor, beauty, splendor, excellence in form and appearance]. He is Very grand, dignified, and exalted above all others. None like Him. He girds Himself with strength just like putting on a belt. His unlimited power can resist any attack, and by that power He can act upon and change things. God has a plan for this world and He will carry it out, we can be sure of that. He made the world and holds it in place. Jeremiah 10: 12 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion. All things are created by Him, for Him and are under His authority.

II. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S STABILITY. [Ps. 93:2] Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. Nothing down here is ever stable, it's constantly changing, but God's throne is unchanging, firm in the heavens. His throne has no beginning or end. Established from everlasting past to everlasting future. All false gods are man-made. All other thrones have a beginning and an end. His throne has always been and will always be. There can never be a period in which he shall cease to exist as God.

III. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S STRENGTH. [Ps.93:3-4] The floods have lifted up, O Lord,The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier Than the noise of many waters, Than the mighty waves of the sea. Floods represent the enemies of God's kingdom. People, terrors and uproars rise against Jehovah. There are those who want to do away with God and His Son Jesus. People have always resisted God and His way from the beginning of time. God's word declares that His enemies will rise up against Him, His Son, His people and His throne. War in Israel! His enemies don’t want God reigning over them. Still goes on today! Psalms 2:2-3 ² The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ³ "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." The Lord is amused and angered at those who rise up against Him. Psalms 2:4-5 ⁴ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. ⁵ Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: distress means great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical and mental suffering; Since Jehovah reigns triumphantly, Jesus will eventually rule over all the kings and people's of the earth because God has decreed it. Psalms 2:6 -9 ⁶ "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." ⁷ "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' " God the Father has given all dominion over the earth to Jesus. No one can change that! God’s unlimited authority and irresistible power is a comfort to all His people. God rules over Satan and all is evil angels. He limits Satan’s power and influence. We can be assured of that fact from the book of Job, chapter 1:12. One day God will cast Satan into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. Revelation 20:10 (NKJV) The devil, who deceived the people, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. No one can change that established truth! The bible says the devil and his angels tremble knowing their final destination.

IV. WE CAN COUNT ON GOD’S WORD [Ps. 93:5] Your testimonies are very sure; Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord, forever. God's throne is established in truth and holiness. The word from God’s throne is very sure because His promises stand true forever. Jesus said in John 17:17 Your word is truth. Psalms 119:89-91 ⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. ⁹¹ They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. God tells us how things will end in the book of REVELATION. In view of all these facts, we don't have to worry or rely on things of this world God has it all under His control. Because of this God is deserving of our deep respect, awe, reverence and adoration. Holiness adorns Your house, O Lord for ever. God's holiness and divine nature adds beauty, splendor and distinction to our worship. Holiness is the quality that sets the Lord apart from all others.

Conclusion: No one can thwart the purpose of God. He is the Lord God, who reigns and is clothed with majesty. This psalm has praised God's unchanging nature and power, the evidence that He is alive and active, unlike pagan gods. Since He has supreme authority, Colossians 3:1-2, We are seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ²  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. The things above are revealed in God's word. With God in control from His throne we have nothing to worry about and much to be thankful for. God will work out His plan not only for this world, but for your life and mine as we trust in Him and we can count on that.

INVITATION: God's word says that if you don’t know His Son you cannot make it to heaven, but instead you are condemned and headed to a place called hell. God has given His Son Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. If you haven't been saved and you would like to be, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins against God. Invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you. Then you will not be condemned by God and He will allow you into heaven when this life is over.

Complete Freedom

Scripture Text 

Rom. 8:1-11

Intro: Thank God for our spiritual freedom. Freedom means to be liberated from whatever has you in bondage. Sin had us in bondage. Complete freedom comes from only one source, and that is God Almighty. Are we truly thankful for the spiritual freedom we have in Christ? We cannot lose sight of the One who died to set us spiritually free. Let us thank Him for the spiritual freedom we enjoy today. Let us not take it for granted.

I. Trying to keep God's law brings us into bondage. Romans 3:19-20 (NKJV) ¹⁹  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.²⁰  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. We are unable to keep the righteous requirements of God' law. The law was given to show us what sin is. No one has been able to fully keep God's law since the creation of mankind. Therefore, all mankind needs to be set completely free from this bondage because the penalty for sin is eternal separation from God and His Heaven. Because of the weakness of the flesh, we are unable to fulfill the righteous requirements of God's law. Therefore, All are under God's condemnation.

II. Jesus sets us completely free from God's condemnation. Romans 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The condemnation that the law brings can only be changed by Jesus Christ and by walking or living our lives in the power of His Spirit instead of the sins of the flesh. A lot of Christians are still in bondage by believing they have to perform some kind of good work to please God. They never know when they have done enough good works and so they live in bondage to the devil.

III. We are completely free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2-4 (NKJV) ²  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ³  For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. What the law could not do for us, Jesus did in setting us free from the law of sin and death. The law of God was just and right in telling us what God wanted us to do and not to do but it did not give us the power to keep those perfect laws of God. We could not keep God's law because of the weakness of our sinful fleshly nature. Christ took on humanity in order to be a sacrifice for our sins. God condemned sin through the flesh of His perfect Son Jesus Christ. Jesus took the full wrath of God against our sin and gave us who live according to the Spirit His righteousness. Because Christ was sinless, his death passed the “death sentence” on sin for all of us, destroying sin’s control over us. For mankind to be able to reach the righteous requirement of the law takes more than our sinful nature can produce. Only through Christ’s death and the resulting freedom from sin can we no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit and thus fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us become holy. The Holy Spirit provides the power we need to help us do what the law required of us.

IV. The benefits of our spiritual freedom. [Rom. 8:5-11]Romans 8:5-11 (NKJV)⁵  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.⁸  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the flesh, the things of this world. But we who have been set free live by the Spirit by setting our minds on the things of the Spirit who lives within us. Even though our bodies will die because of sin, the Spirit gives us eternal life because we have been made right with God thru Christ. Spiritual freedom means the same Spirit of God who raised Christ from the dead lives in us and will also raise our mortal bodies to glorious, resurrected bodies that will live forever. So, we do not do what our sinful nature urges us to do. We are free from bondage to live for Christ.

Invitation: Are you completely free from the bondage of sin and death? If not, Jesus waits to free you from all that has you bound. Simply confess your sin to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and then invite Him into your life and help you live in complete freedom now and when you pass from this world your home will be in heaven. 

Be Ready

 

Scripture Text

Luke 12:35-40

Intro: Jesus warns those who are only concerned about material things and have no time for the Lord. In these scriptures before us today Jesus has a strong warning for all Christians today. Jesus says to be ready for His return. We are to be found faithfully living and serving Jesus and looking for His return.

The reasons we should Be watching and ready. (v.35-40)

I. Because the Lord is returning. Luke 12:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵  "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶  and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. The believer is to be in a state of readiness. We are to always to be prepared, always watching and waiting for our Lord's return. The attitude of the believer to the return of Christ is to be one of the readiness, having "the loins... girded" -- doing all we can for Him, and living in expectation of His return. In biblical days, men servants would wear robes. When they needed to serve in work they would tuck their robes in the belt. Faithful servants would stay awake with the lamps burning while waiting for their master’s return from the wedding feast. They were dressed so that they can do service for him at all times. No matter how late the master may come, the servants are prepared to open the door immediately upon his arrival. In the same way, God’s people must be awaiting his arrival so they too can welcome Him the moment he arrives. Servants who are faithfully serving, ready and waiting for the master’s arrival will be eternally rewarded by Him.

II. Because you shall be served by Christ Himself. Luke 12:37 (NKJV) Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. We are to stay ready because we will be served by Christ Himself at the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is a most precious and wonderful promise. It's a most unusual promise. Imagine the Lord of the universe serving us at a banquet, yet it is the promise made by Jesus! Why would such a promise be made to the believer? Jesus promises to take any person who honors and serves Him and elevate that person to the highest of positions. Any person who honors Jesus will be highly honored by God. He will put upon a person a very high honor and dignity, and satisfy them with a fullness of happiness and glory, and they shall rest for ever. The person who honors Jesus is adopted as a child of God's, and that person becomes a brother and joint heir with Christ and an heir of God.

III. Because you shall be blessed. Luke 12:38 (NKJV) And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
We believers are to stay ready because we will be blessed if we are living for the Lord, serving Him and awaiting His arrival. The word "blessed" means to pronounce a person happy, fortunate or to be envied. The idea is that Christ is going to make the believer happy and blessed. The night was divided into three watches by the Jews. First, second, and third. (Sunset -10:00 p:m), (10:00 p:m-2:00 a:m), (2:00 a:m-sunrise). The point is the importance of being ready: the hour of His return is unknown, but He is returning. It may be very soon; it may be later. The idea is that no one knows the time, but be ready—be prepared—if you wish to be blessed.
Happiness and blessedness will become an eternal state of being, it will be the constant experience of the believer who is waiting and prepared for the Master's return.

IV. Because Christ shall come suddenly, unexpectedly. Luke 12:39 (NKJV) But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Jesus' return is going to be unexpected. The burglar always comes in an unexpected hour, so we must watch and be prepared as much as a homeowner would watch and prepare if he knew a burglar was coming. The believer must not be careless: get tired of serving and waiting, be caught off guard, slip into sin, and begin to disbelieve. We must watch, be spiritually awake, listen, look, and take notice of all distractions.

V. Because Christ shall come when least expected. Luke 12:40 (NKJV) Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." The believer is to stay ready since Christ will come when least expected. Jesus could not have stated it any clearer; He could not have spoken any plainer. " He is Coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus warns us “Therefore you also be ready!" The bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NKJV) For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Conclusion: Christ’s return at an unexpected time is not a trick by which God hopes to catch his people off guard. In fact, Jesus is delaying his return so that more people will have the opportunity to know him and serve Him. Before Christ’s return, we believers must be busy living out our beliefs and reflecting Jesus’ love to others. We have time to bring more people with us into the Kingdom. We are to keep on for Christ as long as we have the health and strength to do it. Luke 12:43-44 ⁴³  Blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied) is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁴  Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

Invitation: Are you ready for His return? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you? If not, right now is the time. If you have been saved, are you living for Christ and are you serving Him in some way? Are you telling others about Jesus and His desire to save them?

Blessings of the Believer

 

Scripture Text

Ps. 36:7-9

Intro: We who are children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the most blessed people on earth. Some envy the wicked, but they are not blessed of God. Psalms 1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

I. There is security in the Lord. Psalm 36:7 (NLT) How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

A. His unfailing love endures forever. We have the Security of a merciful, loving, kind, caring God. (Psalm 57:1) Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. God’s loyal love is precious, because humans can take refuge in the Lord like chicks taking refuge under their mother hen’s wings. If we are in God’s will, nothing can touch us without His permission.

II. There are abundant provisions. Psalm 36:8 (NLT) You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.

A. The fullness of God’s house. The psalmist here uses the imagery of the temple to say that believers enjoy the provisions of God’s house. (Isaiah 55:1-2) ¹ "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; and you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come; buy wine and milk Without money and without price. ² Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. God invites people to come to Him. The blessings God gives are available without cost. Salvation is a free gift of God; it refers to spiritual redemption and physical deliverance. Both are intended here. The Lord asks how people could be interested in other things besides Himself as He is the only One who can bring genuine satisfaction. Throughout all history people have tried to find satisfaction through many things other than God.

III. There is life in the Lord. Psalm 36:9 (NLT) For you are the fountain of life,                                                                                                                A. Jesus came for this purpose. John 7:37-38 (NLT) ³⁷  On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! ³⁸  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” Understanding, joy, and abundant life come from the Lord, our Source. John 10:10 (NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

IV. There is light in the Lord. Psalm 36:9 (NKJV) In Your light we see light.                                                                                                                                       A. The light of the Lord overcomes darkness. John 8:12 — Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Jesus lights our way through the darkest of times. His Spirit guides us. 2Cor. 4:6 — For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: So, in contrast with the corruptions of the wicked, an obedient believer’s life is characterized by security in the Lord, abundant provisions, life, and understanding in God’s presence.

Invitation: If you are enjoying these provisions of the Lord, you should give thanks right now. If you are not enjoying all these provisions of the Lord, now is the time to correct that. Simply confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. Do its now before it's too late.

A Full Reward

 

Scripture Text

2 John 1:8 warns us to, "Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what you have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward" (Amplified Bible).

There are many ways to lose your rewards. Being seduced by false teachers is one way that Christians can lose their reward at the judgment. With this in mind, John writes that the reason to guard against deceivers is our own desire not to lose our reward at the judgment seat of Christ. Another way to lose rewards is listening to what people say instead of what God says in His word. Other ways of losing your rewards is not praying or reading God's word and putting other things before God. Habitual sin will also rob us of our full reward. Jesus cautioned the church at Philadelphia to “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (see Rev. 3:11). Every believer has the potential of a full reward or a complete loss of reward.                        1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NKJV) ¹¹  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹²  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³  each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴  If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵  If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. The determining factor is our faithfulness to Christ. Justification is not in view here because it is not something we worked for, but something we received as a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) ⁸  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹  not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. One thing is certain, no one wants to lose their full reward! Our desire is to run our race, finish our course, and receive our full reward. Paul did exactly that: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7 NAS). We can receive our full reward just like Paul! But we must be attentive to the things that come our way just like he did. We cannot allow ourselves to be sidetracked or distracted by sin or the things of this world. We cannot lose what we have accomplished. We want to receive our full reward! Our first priority is to focus on the task which God has assigned to us, whatever it is. Then, we must make frequent "checks" along the way. We must be certain that we have not allowed something that is second or third in importance, to take first place in our lives. We must pay close attention to what we do in life in order to continue in the right direction. There are signs to help to gauge our progress. Should we see an unfamiliar sign on our path, something that does not point in the direction of God's will, we must stop and see if we have taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way. We must continually ask for God's guidance in our lives. We must obey the commandment to love God with all we are and our neighbor as ourselves. Mark 12:30-31 (NKJV) ³⁰  And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. ³¹  And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Invitation: If you have never received Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you will not even make it to heaven, much less have a reward. To receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord simply confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you and save your soul from hell. Be baptized to show you are sincere. Then you too, can begin to lay up treasures and rewards in Heaven.

The Church Triumphant

We who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are the church. Jesus calls us His body. He calls us that because He is the Head and we are the hands, feet, and mouth for Christ on this earth. He works thru His church. Matthew 5:13 (NKJV) ¹³ "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Jesus in these verses describes us Christians, His church as salt and light. First Jesus says that we are to be the salt of the earth. Salt is distinctively different from the thing upon which it is put. By nature, and by purpose it is different. So are believers, because we are new creations of Jesus Christ, our nature and purpose is different from the world. Salt preserves. It keeps things from going bad and decaying. It cleanses and disinfects. Believers, just as salt, are to cleanse and preserve the world for Christ’s Kingdom. We are to disinfect the evil of the world and keep the germs of sin from causing things to go bad. Salt changes the taste and adds flavor to whatever it is put on. We are to penetrate and flavor the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ to help save the world from sin, corruption and Hell. Matthew 5:¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus describes His body, the church as light. Jesus called Himself the light of the world, and we are like lamps made to shine forth the light of His glorious salvation. We are to light a dark and evil world. Where light shines darkness has to flee. We were saved to shine forth with good works for all to see and give glory to God. We are to be the light that overcomes the world and all its darkness and evil. We the church have the most powerful weapons on the face of the earth. First is the Holy Spirit who lives within us. We are commanded in Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is that power through which we fight the battle against Satan. The Holy Spirit anoints us for the battle. Second most powerful weapon we have is the word of God as our offensive weapon with which we fight Satan. In Ephesians 6:17 the word of God is called “the sword of the Spirit.” Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. The apostle Paul says this about God’s word in; Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." This precious gospel saved each of us who are Christians and it can save others. Jesus said We are not to be ashamed of the gospel and hide it from the world, but we are to let it shine forth by telling others about Christ and His salvation. We are to shine forth by doing good deeds for all to see so that everyone will give glory to our heavenly Father. The gospel message is the power God used to create the church and keep it going. It’s the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. This gospel has saved millions and is working even now to save others. The gospel of Christ is the power that has kept His churches open and going for all these years and there will be many more years of the body of Christ proclaiming the glorious gospel message if He tarries. In this gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. The church survives and lives by faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and it’s our duty and privilege to proclaim it to all who will listen. In this gospel is power! It’s the power by which we are saved, by which we live and serve God, Hallelujah! We are the church triumphant! We are a special people in God’s eyes. He says in; Psalms 16:3 (NKJV) ³ As for the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."

Invitation: Are you a saint? Have you responded to the gospel of salvation? Have you confessed you are a sinner and have you asked Jesus Christ to forgive you? Have you invited Him into your life? He died on the cross as payment for the penalty of your sins and on the third day He arose from the dead where He now sits at God’s right hand ever making intercession for you. Call on Him right now if you have never done that and you will become part of the church triumphant!