True Worship

 

Scripture Text

Text Psalm 95:6-7

Intro: The ‘Dictionary of Bible Themes” states that worship is mentioned hundreds of times in the bible. Scripture stresses the importance of regular corporate worship, while at the same time recognizing that believers may worship God spontaneously. When was the last time you truly worshiped God?

I. What is “True Worship”? [v:6] Psalms 95:6 (NKJV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Worship means to show reverence and adoration for a deity. True worship is bowing down and kneeling in surrender to the Lord our Maker. [v:6 above] Worship in the truest sense takes place only when our full attention is on God, on His beauty, His glory, magnificence, and majesty, His power, splendor, love and compassion. It’s not in doing religious things but being in complete awe of God and all He is!        If we are honest this doesn’t happen very often. Even in church or in times of quiet devotion, we get distracted and fail to see God as He truly is. It’s easy to be distracted! We must “cast down arguments [about God] and every high thing [rebellious thoughts] that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV)   When your mind wants to wander bring it back into the obedience of Christ.

II. Things That Prompt Worship. Psalms 95:3-5 (NKJV)
³ For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.
⁴ In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.
⁵ The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. True worship recognizes that God is the Lord. He is the sovereign, supreme, all-powerful over-all so-called gods (idols). God made everything and holds in place the universe.     True worship recognizes that God made us. [v:7] Psalms 95:7 (NKJV) For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: Psalms 139:13-18 (NLT) ¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. ¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. ¹⁶ You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. ¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! ¹⁸ I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! We are not here by accident. We are here by God’s perfect design and He has a plan for each of our lives. When we  worship God we draw close to Him and we find His direction for our lives. He restores our soul and fills us with His Holy Spirit power. Then He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. [Ps. 23:3] True worship recognizes God has made us a part of His forever family. [v:7] We are part of His flock which means We are under His care. God constantly watches over us. Psalms 139:7 (NLT) I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! God also provides for our every need. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [Ps. 23:1] True worship recognizes that we can never be separated from God and His love. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion: We must learn to shut out the distractions that keep us from truly worshiping God. We must turn our mind and heart to Him every day, praising Him for who He is, what He has done for us, what He is doing and what He has already prepared for our future. We must not to forget to thank Him for His everlasting, faithful love for us in Christ Jesus.

Invitation: You cannot worship God until you have a personal relationship with Him. If you do not have a personal relationship with God, it comes by confessing your sins to Jesus Christ and asking Him to forgive you and save you from Hell. Then invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you and your daily affairs. Then be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then you can begin to truly worship God and receive His blessings for the rest of your life here on earth and then forever throughout eternity.

"The Truth”

 

Scripture Text

(John 14:6)

INTRODUCTION: The most remarkable statement by Jesus is found in this one verse. This statement was made in a discussion with His disciples as He prepared them for His impending death. Jesus claims to be three things: "The Way, The Truth, And The Life." Last time we looked at Jesus as “The Way.” Today we will take a closer look at this scripture, where we observe that Jesus is..THE TRUTH. If it's anything the world needs today in the midst of so much lies, deception is truth, because Jesus said it sets us free.

I. WHAT IS TRUTH...? [John 18:37-38] John 18:37-38 (NKJV)
³⁷  Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
³⁸  Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.” In verse 37 Jesus told Pilate He came to bear witness to the truth. Then in verse 38 Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, what is truth? Consider the meaning of the Greek words translated as "true" and "truth." True means opposed to a lie." It means “real, ideal, genuine.'" Truth means The facts, certainty, reality, honesty, integrity. Truth is what Jesus came to this earth to bear witness to. Truth never changes!

A. Why is truth important? To many government officials, our society and social media, truth is whatever the majority of people agree with or whatever helps advance their own personal power and political goals. To many, the rulings of the Supreme Court are truth. Without the truth of God's word as a foundation, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Today, Justice and truth has become whatever works or whatever helps those in power. When the government, the Supreme Court or society goes against the truth found in God's Holy Bible; we stay with the truth of the bible. There is no room for compromise on God’s word. When we change the truth of God’s word for a lie, God’s judgment is right around the corner. In Jesus and His word we have the standard for truth and our moral behavior.            B. JESUS IS THE TRUTH. By proclaiming that truth is real and knowable. [John 8:31-36(NKJV) ³¹  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³²  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ³³  They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" ³⁴  Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.                             1. To know the truth we must study and live in God’s word. It is the standard for truth. Jesus urged those who really wanted to live by the truth and be His disciples, we are to abide, which means to hold on to, and continue in, and conform to his teachings. [V:31] Jesus proclaims when we abide (continue in) the truth and conform to its teaching, it can set one free from the bondage of sin, lies and deception of Satan and the world. (v:32)

2. People who don’t know the truth are unaware of their bondage to Satan and sin. (v:33-35) The Jews had been in bondage ever since they had rejected God's word and Jesus as their Messiah and King. Those living in lifestyles that are contrary to God’s word don’t realize they are slaves to Satan, sin and death, both physical and spiritual. God’s truth as taught by Jesus and found in Him can set people free of their bondage to Satan, sin and the deception of the world and the flesh. We are to help spread His truth.

3. Jesus as God's Son abides forever and He can set slaves totally free from bondage. (v:36)

4. Jesus speaks truth because He faithfully proclaimed His Father's Word. [John 17:17] Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. The Father’s word is truth. It sanctifies or sets us apart for God's use, it makes us holy. It purifies and frees us from sin!

Conclusion: In John 17:18 Jesus said He has sent us into the world just as God sent Him. We must carry His message of truth to the world regardless of the situation or circumstance, trusting God for his protection. As we pray and give to the Easter mission offering we support our missionaries that are going into all of North America with the truth of the gospel. The gospel is the only cure for all the problems that people have. You and I have the opportunity through the Easter offering to fulfill the command of Jesus and bring honor and glory to Him. Jesus came to this earth to bear witness of the truth which is the word of God. The world needs that truth and it can change a person's life for the good. Will you help spread the gospel? When we hear, read and study the word of God and obey it, and share it with others, Freedom from the bondage of sin and death becomes even more meaningful as we consider how Jesus is...the Truth and has the answers to the world's sin problems.

Invitation: Do you know the truth about whether you are saved or not? If not now is the time to find out the truth about where you stand with God and His Son Jesus. Jesus said you must be born again by the Spirit to ever see the kingdom of God. That is the truth! Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life and He will guide you into all truth by His Spirit.

Peace In the Midst of the Storm

 

Scripture Text

Mark 4: 35-41

Intro: There is so much we can learn from this story that Mark gives us in these verses for today. This story should inspire and encourage each of us to put our trust in Jesus and His word no matter what we are facing in life. He is truly worthy of our complete trust in Him to take care of every situation and circumstance.

1 Jesus seeks rest after a tiring day. Mark 4:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵  On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."³⁶  Now when they had left the multitude, they  took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. We All get fatigued in life and need rest! Even though Jesus was all God, He was also all man and He got tired.

a. Jesus also became fatigued! It was evening of the same day when Jesus sought rest. He had been teaching all day to a multitude of people. The crowd had been so massive and pressing that they had forced Him into a boat and from there He taught them. When evening had come Jesus took the initiative and gives the command to His 12 disciples to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, the disciples would be taught an unforgettable lesson about his power.

b. Because Jesus was so fatigued, He went as He was—tired and give out from ministering. Even though He was all God, He was also all man.

c. Other ships went also. The people wanted to be with Jesus wherever He went.

II. Jesus is with us through whatever storm we face. Mark 4:37-38 (NKJV) ³⁷  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

a. The storm was so great that the Ship began to be filled with water. We have all experienced some storms in our lives or we are going thru one now. We may feel like we are going under from the immensity of our storm.

b. While this great storm was going on Jesus slept in the midst of it. The disciples feared lest they perish. Have you ever felt that Jesus has turned a blind eye to your situation? That the door to Heaven is closed! We pray and nothing seems to happen!Just when we think it's too late, Jesus shows up right on time. c. Jesus can bring peace in your storm. [Mark 4:39] (NKJV) Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Jesus can still the storm in your life and bring peace to your soul if you call on Him and trust Him. It does not matter what the storm or trial is or how terrifying it may be—Jesus is able to deliver and bring about the most assuring calm. Few trials could be as terrifying as being caught in a life-threatening storm at sea. In this experience God has demonstrated His wonderful care and power to deliver the believer through all the storms of life.

d. Jesus cares for you more than you could ever know. [1 Peter 5:6-7] ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Jesus has the power to control every situation. Whatever we are facing or will face in the future Jesus is well able to help us through it as He brings calm and peace to our souls. He invites us to ask, seek, and knock. They had Jesus in the boat but they still had to ask Him to intervene. We can bring every situation to Him in prayer. If Jesus is in your boat (life) it will not sink. Jesus should be our Savior, to whom we turn with all our needs and fears, knowing that he does care and will help. Last part of Hebrews 13:5 For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

III. Jesus says peace and calmness comes through faith. [Mark 4:40-41] ⁴⁰ But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" They wanted him to do something; he wanted them to trust him, to use their faith! Despite all that the disciples had seen and heard thus far, and despite their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, they still had not grasped that Jesus was himself God, given God’s power and authority over all of creation.

a. Faith comes through God's word! Faith means trust. Jesus asked them “where is your faith”? Romans 10:17 says “Faith-trust comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” When we read God’s word over our situation it is sure to bring the faith and peace we need in every situation we have to face. By acting on God's Word and not merely reacting to the situation, we'll be able to manage our emotions instead of allowing them to manage us. Confess the Word of God over your situation. Even though what you confess may be the opposite of how you feel, keep doing it. God's word is greater than your feelings. God's Word has inherent power in it to change our feelings, bring comfort to us, and quiet our distraught emotions and change situations. The word is living and powerful; sharper than a two edged sword. (Heb. 4:12) Through the word we are born again. Then the word of God continues to work faith in us; and through the word faith is activated. Read the word of God over your situation. Keep yourself occupied with the word, and give it time. The word has divine life in it; memorize it and carry it in your inmost being, and it will work life in you. It will work in you a faith strong and able for anything as you continue in it. It will give you calm and peace beyond human understanding in the midst of the storm!

Invitation: Is Jesus in your boat (life)? Has He saved you from the penalty of sin and Hell? If not confess your sins against God and ask Jesus to forgive you and invite Him into your life to take charge of you and give you a home in Heaven with Him and the Father. Then as you look to Him, He will help you through life’s great storms that we all have to face.

Time for Revival

INTRO: Psalm 85:6 (NKJV)  Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? What does revival mean? It means to restore to life something that is almost dead.

Revival comes when we realize we have lost our zeal for God. When we realize we have become self-satisfied in our worship and we begin to cry out for the Spirit of God to have His way in us. Revival is when God does awesome things in our lives that we have not even looked for. As He revives us it changes those around us. Why doesn’t God move this way now? Why doesn’t He Just come and straighten things out. Why does revival tarry? It's because revival is waiting on you and me. We are the ones to blame. The Lord's just waiting on you and me. Revival is waiting on me and you, and that's why revival tarries. I. REVIVAL IS DEPENDENT ON US CHRISTIANS. I believe this great revival and change in America that all us Christians are waiting for is a lot more dependent on us than we realize. With any real revival, we understanding that we are not where we should be. Whether it be in our lifestyle, our effectiveness for God or our love relationship with Jesus, we recognize that things need to change and that it needs to begin with us. We need to start with some deep soul searching. We are no longer satisfied with the status quo of our spiritual life and start seeking God from a deep-felt need within our soul. Revelation 2:1-5 (NKJV) ¹  "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ²  I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; ³  and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. ⁴  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
So often, our prayers for revival consist of us asking the Lord to change everyone else so that revival will come. And, don't get me wrong, those prayers are needed for revival to truly happen in other people who need to be changed.
But there's something that the Lord's Holy Spirit brings into the light. It's the idea that revival - this big, huge wave of change in our nation where people turn back to the Lord uncompromisingly and permanently - starts with me. Revival starts with you. It starts with us. Revival has to come to us as individuals before it can (or will) ever touch others. Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. We must arise and let the light of Jesus shine in us so bright we can lighten this dark world by our good works that bring glory to the Father. Only we Christians can help change this world as we live and witness for Jesus.

II. REVIVAL BEGINS WITH ONE. Gypsy Smith, a British evangelist in the early 1900's, was once asked how to start a revival. He answered: "Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of your floor. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (NKJV) ²⁰  Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. ²¹  And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. If we entered into a personal revival first, (a "revival of one") it would change things around us. Just like it did with Israel thru Hezekiah. If each of us were to become even a little closer to the Lord and become more obedient to Him, the fires of revival would burn that much brighter. There is not a one of us that have perfected our relationship with the Father. If each of us decided to follow after the Lord with a passion to where our actions, attitudes, and appetites were changed - to where we actually follow and chase after God instead of just talking about it – we would change the atmosphere in our church and nation to the place where the Lord might release revival in our land. King David gives us an excellent example of a personal revival in: Psalms 63:1-8¹ A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. ² So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. ³ Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. ⁴ Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. ⁵ My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. ⁶ When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. ⁷ Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. ⁸ My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. Sixteen times David used personal pronouns to describe his fervent desire for a revival in his relationship with God. Verse 8 shows us David's surrender to God and his determination to follow Him. He would chase after God and the things that pertain to Him depending on God to uphold him in his efforts.

Conclusion: Revival has to start somewhere. And the best place for it to start is with me and you! With us. Then our personal revival spills over into the lives of those around us, until “the whole world comes to the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab 2:14). So revival is waiting on you and I. How sincerely do you really desire a revival of God in your life? If you feel satisfied with your relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son then you will never have revival in your life. You must have a hunger and a thirst for God.

INVITATION: Have you ever taken time to ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God. Have you invited Him to be your Savior and Lord? If you will salvation will come to you. Will you Christian stop right where you are and ask Jesus to forgive you for your disobedience, unconcern and lack of love for Him? Then you can rejoice in the Lord your God! Then revival will come to you and those around you.

Because of His Grace

Scripture Text

Luke 23:34, 39-43

Intro: This Friday is called good Friday. It was not good for Jesus, but because of His grace, it was good for us. It is the day that Jesus was crucified for the sins of all mankind. Why would Jesus leave heaven and come to this sinful earth? Why was Jesus crucified? Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to stop His crucifixion. Why didn't He do that? He was innocent. He did it because of His grace toward us sinners.

I. Christ' grace was illustrated on the cross. [v:34] Luke 23:34 (NKJV) Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Jesus' grace was never more fully expressed than it was on the cross. In His grace He prayed for those who were crucifying Him. They didn't deserve His forgiveness. They were His enemies. Before we blame those who crucified Jesus, we need to look at ourselves. We are also responsible for Jesus crucifixion because of our sins against God. It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross. He had no sin, but because of His grace toward us, He died as payment for the sins of all mankind against a Holy God.

II. We all need Christ' grace. Mark 15:32 (NKJV) Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

We were all like the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus. This verse says they both reviled Jesus. This means they assailed Him with abusive and scornful language.

Who knows what kind of life they had led? Had they murdered someone? Were they robbers who preyed on innocent families hard earned possessions? How many lives had they ruined? How much wreckage had they left behind? Whatever the case they both had led lives of crime. They didn't deserve grace. They deserved punishment. We are no better then them. We don't deserve Jesus' grace, we deserve punishment. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. This includes you!

III. The way of grace. Luke 23:40-42 (NKJV) ⁴⁰  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." ⁴²  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." One confessed and repented. This is the way of Jesus' grace. When one confesses His sin against God and asks for forgiveness, he can become the recipient of Jesus' grace. That's what crucifixion day is all about. That's why Jesus went to the cross and shed His precious blood. One criminal recognized his sin and confessed his actions were sinful and cried out to Jesus for His mercy, grace, and forgiveness. He knew more about Jesus' forgiveness than most people in the world.

IV. Result of Jesus' grace. Luke 23:43 (NKJV) And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

Jesus told the repentant criminal he would be with Him in paradise. Even though he was not worthy, even though he was a criminal and had done nothing at all to receive Jesus' grace, Jesus gave it to Him anyway. Jesus will do the same thing for anyone who confesses his sin and asks Jesus for His saving grace. Because of His grace, we can be forgiven of all sins. There is a hymn called “Amazing Grace.” This “Friday” remember to thank Jesus for His amazing grace that saved a wretch like you.

Invitation: If by chance you have never confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you, now is the perfect time to do that. Then you will become the recipient of His amazing grace and you will spend eternity in Heaven with Father God and Jesus.

Time for an Eye Examination

Scripture Text

Matthew 6:19-24

Intro: Our spiritual vision is critical to our well being. Jesus says we are to give ourselves an eye examination to see if our spiritual vision is what it needs to be.

I. There are two treasures. Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
¹⁹  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus speaks of two treasures that mankind can choose from. He gives His advice on which is the wisest choice. Each person will make a choice. Then Jesus tells us our choice will be determined by our spiritual eyesight.

II. There is the good eye. Matthew 6:22 (NKJV) "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. The eye is a gate that gives entrance to the mind of man. What man looks at is what he thinks about, and what he thinks about is what he actually becomes (Proverbs 23:7 says “As a man thinks so he is.”). If a person’s spiritual eye focuses upon Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the world, then their mind and heart will be full of light. Therefore, the deeds of their body will be deeds of light. Singleness of the eye and heart means that a person sets his attention upon the Lord Jesus for the purpose of doing His will. If a person's eye is good and healthy, then he is able to focus upon the heavenly treasures and grasp the truth. A good eye seeks the treasures of heaven which are eternal: Eternal treasures are incorruptible and secure. Matthew 6:20 (NKJV) 

 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. They cause a person’s "whole body to be full of light."  Matthew 6:22 (NKJV) "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

Eternal treasures consume a person’s whole being in all the meaning and   purpose and significance of life. Eternal treasures cause a person to love and to serve God and draw a person near to God. Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. A person's heart is precisely where his treasure is. If his healthy spiritual eye is on treasures in heaven, then his heart is on heavenly treasures. Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.      

III. There is the bad eye. Matthew 6:23 (NKJV) But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!  A bad evil eye is one that focuses upon anything that is not of God. If the eye is unhealthy, it is not able to focus upon the true treasures of heaven. It is blind and in darkness. If a person’s focus is on treasures of this earth, his heart is on earth. A bad eye is not able to focus upon the true treasures; it’s not able to focus upon the things of God. A bad eye is blind and in darkness. So it is with the heart.  An unhealthy heart is like an unhealthy eye. It is in darkness, unable to see the heavenly treasures. Christ says that a person is not to set his heart upon earthly treasures. Why? Such a person focuses his eyes (heart, attention, mind, thoughts, energy, and effort) on evil. What does Christ call earthly treasures evil? Earthly treasures are evil because they are deceiving; they are not true treasures at all.

1. Earthly treasures are corruptible; they age, die, waste away, deteriorate, and decay. (V:19) (2.) They are insecure; they will be stolen or taken away or left behind. (V:23)

 3. They cause a person's heart to be full of darkness (V:23).

 4. They will consume a person (V:24).

 5. They cause a person to hate, despise, and reject God and alienate a person from God (V:24). Then the shadows of darkness set in upon him. He becomes deceived.

6.  He is deceived in that he becomes covetous and greedy (to get more and more).

 7. He becomes apprehensive and fearful (of losing everything).

 8. He begins to complain about his situation in life and hold grudges against others.

 9. He becomes a cold hard hearted person. He is close-minded to the things of God.

Conclusion: The choice is clear. A man either serves God or material things.

 There are only two treasures: the earth and its treasures or God and His treasures,    physical and material things or spiritual and eternal things.

Every man without exception will commit his life to one of two treasures: mammon or God. He will focus his heart, eyes, mind, attention, thoughts, hands, and energy upon earthly things or upon heavenly things. He cannot "serve God and mammon."

Invitation: Has your eye focused on Jesus and His salvation or are you still blind to your need for His forgiveness? If you have never stopped and confessed your sins to Christ and asked Him to forgive you, now is the perfect time.

         If you know Christ as your Savior, is your eye good and focused on Him and the treasures of Heaven? Are you living for Christ each day and serving Him in some way? If not, now is the time to correct you vision! Don’t live another day with bad eye sight!

HOW TO RELEASE GOD’S POWER IN OUR LIVES

Intro: All Christians need to release God’s power in their lives because we can’t live the victorious life God intends for us to live without His power working in us.

I. PRAYER RELEASES GOD’S POWER IN OUR LIVES. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. We need God’s mercy and grace to help us live in His power. WE MUST BE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. WE WILL NEVER LIVE IN GOD’S KINGDOM POWER UNTIL WE SPEND SOME TIME COMMUNICATING WITH HIM. PRAYER SHOWS THAT WE DON’T HAVE DEAD FAITH, BUT THAT WE HAVE ACTIVE FAITH THAT’S SINCERE ABOUT LIVING IN ALL GOD’S POWER THAT’S AVAILABLE TO US. James 4:2b “You have not because you ask not.” If we want God’s power released in our lives we must ask for it in earnest prayer. We must pray to be filled with His Spirit. As we live in step with His Spirit God releases His power in our lives. WE MUST HAVE AN EARNEST DESIRE FOR GOD’S KINGDOM TO COME AND HIS WILL BE DONE IN OUR LIVES AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!

2. Worship releases God’s power in our lives. Worship is paying reverent honor and respect to God. a. True Worship is the means by which God makes Himself known in our lives. John 4:23-24 ²³  But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."  Worship of God can be done only through Jesus who expresses God’s invisible nature. He does this by the Holy Spirit who releases to a believer the power of God. Where true worship is, God’s presence will be made known. Our hearts are the ground in which the decision is made to give God His rightful place in our lives. When we decide to worship God in Spirit and truth, His power and rule is established in us so we can live victorious over Satan and sin. Spirit worship involves the person’s awareness that God has planted in him or her His Spirit. God indwells believers—that is where true worship takes place. Our body can be anywhere, yet worship occurs as our attention and praise are turned toward God. We need to consciously focus on God when we are in a house of worship because we easily assume that our presence in church is all that we need in order to worship. We can usually remember how long the worship service lasted, but can we remember exactly when we actually worshiped the Lord?
When we worship in spirit, we allow God’s Spirit to become active in our lives by submitting to His will for right living, witnessing, giving, and breaking up the strongholds of sin in our lives. We through submission to the Spirit’s power cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. [2 Cor. 10:5] To worship in truth means sincere and pure worship without hypocrisy.

3. READING GOD’S WORD ON A DAILY BASIS RELEASES GOD’S POWER IN OUR LIVES. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Whenever we allow the word of God to work in our lives, it is effectual in power. The Holy Spirit takes God’s word and makes it alive in us. The Spirit through God’s word, sanctifies us and delivers us from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing us both inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing our hearts.  [2 Peter 1:3-4] ³ His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
⁴ by God’s glory and virtue [excellence] we have been given exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Conclusion: PRAYER, WORSHIP AND READING GOD’S WORD WILL HELP US LIVE IN HIS KINGDOM POWER. WHEN WE PUT PRAYER, WORSHIP AND THE WORD OF GOD IN OUR MIND AND HEART IT BECOMES A LIVING POWER WITHIN OUR BEING. THE HOLY SPIRIT USES GOD’S WORD TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL IN OUR LIVES. THE SPIRIT TAKES THE WORD AND TRANSFORMS US. THEN WE BEGIN TO LIVE IN THE KINGDOM POWER THAT HE INTENDS FOR US TO DO. HE WANTS US TO BE OVERCOMERS IN THIS LIFE. WE WILL HAVE TRIALS AND TESTS, BUT GOD’S WORD TELLS US THAT HE WILL BE WITH US THROUGH WHATEVER WE FACE. THEN WE WILL GO THROUGH THEM IN A VICTORIOUS WAY JUST AS JESUS DID.

INVITATION: IF YOU HAVE NEVER RECEIVED JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, YOU HAVE NO POWER OPERATING IN YOUR LIFE AND YOU ARE HEADED FOR HELL, BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THAT RIGHT NOW IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO. JUST CONFESS YOUR SINS TO JESUS, THEN ASK HIM TO FORGIVE YOU AND INVITE HIM INTO YOUR HEART. ASK HIM TO GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE. THEN YOU CAN BEGIN TO LIVE IN GOD’S KINGDOM POWER AND WHEN YOUR TIME COMES TO LEAVE THIS EARTH YOU WILL BE IN HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM FOREVER.

Honoring Christ

Intro: This year we must continue to lift up Jesus through the gospel and by the way we live. As we lift Him up through the word and live our lives to honor Jesus, then the church will continue to exist and on judgment day we will all praise and give glory to Jesus and be honored along with Him.

I. Paul prays for the church. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NKJV) ¹¹ Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, ¹² that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul and his companions were praying that God would give the Thessalonians power to fulfill all their good intentions that their faith prompted them to do so that Jesus Christ would be honored by their lifestyle. The name of Christ must be glorified in us and us in Him. This simply means that...• We must let Him live and move and have His being in us—every day. • We must live and move and have our being in Him—every day.

The ultimate goal of all believers’ faith ought to be to glorify and honor Christ through their actions, words, thoughts, and motives. When we live to honor Christ, Christ is honored in us.

The apostle Paul says this is made possible because of the grace of our Father God and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

II. Jesus tells us how to honor Him and the Father. 

Matthew 5:3 (NKJV) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

To be blessed means more than happiness; it means to be highly favored and approved by God. One day soon kingdom of heaven will be our home. We Christians can already share in the Kingdom (as far as it has been revealed) by recognizing our need for Christ and living out Jesus’ words and thereby bring honor to Christ.

V:4 Matthew 5:4 (NKJV) Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. When Jesus’ followers mourn for sin, theirs and others, God’s promise is sure that they will be comforted. Only God can take away true sorrow for our sin; only God can forgive and erase it. Only God can give comfort and when we allow Him to embrace us and forgive us, we have our reward in Him. We are comforted of God when we honor Him and His Son Jesus Christ this way. Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

The word translated meek means gentle and lowly. It expresses humility and trust in God. Gentle and lowly people do not look down on themselves, but they do not think too highly of themselves either. It will not be the arrogant and wealthy people who get everything. Instead, the whole earth will belong to the meek. The gentle and lowly will receive the future inheritance of the kingdom Christ will set up here on earth.

Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

The words hungry and thirsty picture intense longings for food and water that people desire to satisfy—necessities that they cannot live without. Those who have an intense longing for (righteousness) are blessed (highly favored) of God.

Most likely, this refers to personal righteousness—being so filled with God’s Spirit that the person completely does God’s will. Righteousness refers to total discipleship and complete obedience to Christ. It may also refer to righteousness for the entire world—an end to the sin and evil that fill it. In both cases, God’s promise is sure; we will be filled!

Matthew 5:7 (NKJV) Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Merciful people realize that, because we have received mercy from God, we must extend mercy to others. When we live this way we honor Christ. Mercy implies generosity, forgiveness, and compassion, and a desire to remove the wrong as well as alleviate the suffering. This promise does not guarantee mercy from people. Our comfort comes in the knowledge that, no matter how the world treats us, God will show us mercy both now and when he returns.

Matthew 5:8 (NKJV) Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

We honor Christ when we are morally pure in heart, honest, and sincere. We are to be people of integrity and single-minded commitment to God. Because of our sincere honor and devotion to Christ in our minds and hearts, we will see God now through the eyes of faith, Heb. 11:1 and finally face-to-face (1 John 3:2).

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. God calls his children to be peacemakers. This involves action, not just passive compliance. Peacemakers actively work for peace, to cause reconciliation, to end bitterness and strife. This peace is not appeasement but dealing with and solving problems to maintain peace. Nothing could honor Christ more! 
Matthew 5:10 (NKJV) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Persecution should not surprise Christians. People who put others before themselves will seldom receive applause and honors. Often, we will be persecuted instead. Because we live for God, we stand out from the world and become marks for enemy attacks. The world is under Satan’s control, and believers belong to Christ's army. The reward for us believers will be the Kingdom of Heaven. God will make up for the suffering that His children have undergone because of their loyalty in living for Christ and honoring Him.

Matthew 5:11-12 (NKJV) ¹¹ "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus described the way we Christians should respond to persecution: “Be happy, rejoice about it! Be very glad!” This refers to deep, spiritual joy that is unhindered and unchanged by what happens in this present life. A person who lives right and honors Christ can rejoice and be glad because of the promise: a great reward awaits you in heaven. The persecution we might receive now will pale in comparison to His great reward and being honored along with Jesus.

Invitation: Have you honored Christ as your personal Savior by asking Him to forgive your sins and save you? Have you invited Him into your life to take charge of you? If you have not, today would be a good time!

You'll be so glad you did.