"Taking “Inventory”

Scripture Text

Psalms 26:2 (NKJV)
^“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”

Intro: When was the last time you asked God to examine you and show you where you stand with Him? When you let God examine your spiritual life it will truly bless you.

I. Allow God’s Spirit to examine you. (v:2) Means to study you in a very careful way. Ask God how He sees you? Ask Him to show you where you need to change! God’s will for all His people in this life is to conform them to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 (NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Conform means to be in agreement on every point. Is your life being brought into agreement with Christ’s way of doing things? Let God examine and show you the truth. Are you fulfilling the purpose of God in your life? Do you even know your purpose? Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Our purpose in life is to constantly be changed into that new person He created us to be. We are changed in our thinking as we pray and read God’s word. In it We find His will for us. We were created to bring praise, honor and glory to Him while we are in this world.

II. Allow God to prove you through your actions. (v:2) Prove means to show the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions. Are you most like Jesus in your actions or more like the world? Is your life being shaped more by others’ expectations of you than by God’s priorities? Are some of the things you are doing based on guilt, a desire for approval, or a need to make a good impression? Does God see the motive for your actions based on His will, yours, or to impress someone? Take note each week as to the use of your time. How much time is spent on the things of God? Are the activities you are involved in each week on His agenda for you? When your activities have a reason, God’s reason, you can be less affected by the opinions of those who may not understand why you do what you do. God blesses His agenda!

III. Allow God to try you in mind and heart! (v:2) Try means to test! Test means to subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, trouble; or duty. Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV) If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. James 1:3 (NKJV) Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. A lot of people talk the talk of faith, but do not walk the walk of faith when tested. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG) Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. James 2:17 Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Philippians 1:20-21 (NLT) ²⁰ For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. ²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

Conclusion: What you and I are seeking is the freedom to be who God has called us to be. Not just in theory, but in everyday practice. This should be the goal for our lives this year and every year!

Invitation: Will you allow God to examine your heart right now? Allow Him to show you your heart as He sees it. Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Do you even have a relationship with God? If not, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. Will you allow God to test your motives and purposes for what you do? Will you take action and look at your life and see how much it fit God’s plan for your and change what you need to change?

 

Great Faith

 

Scripture Texts

Mark 6:6

Luke 7:1-10

Intro: There are only two times in the bible that Jesus marveled at people’s faith. Marvel means to be impressed, amazed, be surprised and stand in wonder of. There are two kinds of faith that makes Jesus marvel. We will look at those two kinds of faith. Take note of which kind of faith you have.

I. Jesus marvels at the lack of faith. Mark 6:5–7 (NKJV) ⁵Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. a. Unbelief ties Jesus’ hands so that He can do no mighty work among us. (v:5) Unbelief or lack of faith prevents Jesus’ mighty working power in our lives. God works by faith!

b. "Jesus marveled because of their unbelief!" (v:6) He stood in amazement and shock of their total disbelief. They had His presence, His wisdom, and the testimony of His mighty works. They had His power to help them in all their need, yet they stayed away from His meetings. They would not come to Him. In pride, they refused to trust and believe Him. The situation amazed Jesus. Their unbelief was just incredible, but He had to accept their rejection. He could not force Himself upon them, so He left town and traveled to the villages around Nazareth.

II. Jesus marvels at great faith. (Luke 7:1-7) Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” a. A Roman centurion had a servant very dear to him who was sick. Note that the centurion built the Jews a synagogue. He diligently sought Jesus. The centurion was a very humble man who sought Jesus through the Jews because he did not feel worthy to approach Jesus. The centurion was a man of faith. He believed Jesus could meet his need. The centurion illustrated perfectly what great faith is. Jesus marveled at his faith. (v:9)

1. Great Faith believes that "God is": that He is sovereign Lord over all. Believing God takes faith. (Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” All power is subject to Him.

2. Great Faith believes that "God rewards those that diligently seek Him." Faith in Jesus words believes He will use His power on behalf of those who diligently seek Him. The great faith of the Roman centurion believed God had given Jesus supreme authority over every other power and authority that exists. Philippians 2:10 (NKJV) At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth. Many believers diligently seek the Lord, but the centurion's faith was so much greater than most believers. Why? Because he believed that the Word of Christ was all that was needed. Jesus did not have to be present for the need to be met. As a centurion, he was under the Roman government’s authority and he had been given authority over men. All he had to do was issue an order and it was carried out, whether he was present or not. He was a sovereign commander. He was saying, "How much more authority you have, O' Lord. Your authority is supreme. Speak the word only, and my need shall be met."

III. The results of great faith. The centurion’s servant was healed right then. Luke 7:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Conclusion: Believing, that is, great faith, is a rare thing. Not many believe with great faith; yet belief in Christ is one of the greatest qualities of human life—a quality ignored, neglected, and in some cases denied. Often Christians limit Jesus’ power from working in their lives by not believing He is able to deal with their particular circumstance. May we determine right now to have great faith in Jesus!

Invitation: Have you put total faith in Jesus for your salvation? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked His forgiveness? If you do, He will save you from hell! Where is your faith level on a scale from 1-10? We either allow Jesus to work in our lives or we limit Him by our faith! Jesus always wants to do more in our lives if we will allow Him!

Chosen of God 😊

 

Scripture Text

Isaiah 43:10-11

Intro: There are so many Christians that go through life never making an attempt to know what God chose them to do. God wants us to focus on Him and get to know Him better. When we get to know God more intimately, all other things will find their place.

A. We Christians have been chosen by the Lord. Isaiah 43:10 (NKJV) "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. This passage is for Israel but it is good for us as we are made one with the Jews in Christ. Some Christians believe that they chose God but the bible is plain in Isaiah 43:10 that says God chose us. Ephesians 1:3-5 ³  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵  having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Just like Israel we are His chosen people and there are four things that God has chosen us to do.

I. God chose us to be His witnesses. Isaiah 43:10 Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. What are we to witness? That There are no other gods besides Jehovah, the God of Israel. There were no gods before Him and there will be none after Him. There are many different religions that say they worship god, but there is only one true God Jehovah the God of Israel. He alone is the Lord our Savior. There are not many different ways to God but only one, that is Christ God's Holy Son. [John 14:6] There is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved. [Acts 4:12] All religions are not the same! Any religion that teaches another way to God is false. We are to be witnesses to that fact!

2. We were chosen to know the one true God. Isaiah 43:10b (NKJV) That you may know Me, The bible tells us we come to personally know God by confessing our sins to Jesus and then asking Him to forgive us and save our souls for heaven. This is the beginning of our knowledge of God. We are then to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus until the day He takes us home to be with Him and the Father. 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. We as Christians “grow in grace” as we understand that we are living by God’s grace alone—so everything we do is a result of that grace. Its not by our effort we have anything, its by God's grace that we have everything. We are to grow into an experiential knowledge of God whereby we experience Him in our lives every day. To grow in knowledge of our Lord Jesus we must make Him first in our lives by Reading the bible, meditating on what we it says and communing with God in prayer!

3. Third reason we are chosen is to believe God. Isaiah 43:10b (NKJV) “That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.” Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) ⁶  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
To believe God is to have trust in Him and His word. We must believe He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Believing God means that you build your life on God’s Word; you conduct yourself according to God’s Word and reckon that God guides everything and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. There are many who say they are Christians but they don't believe everything that God says in His word because they show it by their lifestyle. God truly rewards those who diligently with careful and persistent effort or attention: seek Him. We seek Him through prayer, reading and meditating on His word. He tells us this lifestyle will bring His favor and blessings.

4. We were chosen is to understand God. Isaiah 43:10b (NKJV)And understand that I am He. We will never understand God completely but we are to understand God as He presents Himself in His word. He is the only God. There was no other god before Him and there will be none after Him. (Isiah 43:10b) Understanding the works of God is an important part of understanding Him. God created the world (Genesis 1:1) There was no big bang. God created mankind in (Genesis 1:27) We didn't evolve. He sustains everything by His power. (Colossians 1:17). He is now fulfilling His eternal plan for the world (Ephesians 1:10) God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:4). He will judge the world (Revelation 20:11-15). The way to understand God a little more is a study of His attributes. His characteristics, as revealed in the Bible, are crucial to understanding the truth about God, who He is, what He is like, and what He does. Reading the bible and studying it is the only way to begin to understand what God wants us to know about Him.

Conclusion: We are not chosen to focus on what we can do for God but we are chosen to focus totally on who He is, what He is like, and what He does. God chose us to glorify Him by putting Him first in our lives and surrender ourselves totally to Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, those of us who have been chosen by You are so very thankful that we belong to You. Now help us to fulfill the reason that we were chosen to be Yours! If there is one viewing this message and has not accepted Your invitation to be saved may right now be the time that they confess their sins to Jesus and ask Him to save them before its eternally too late I pray in Jesus' name.

Being a Christian is Like Being a Pumpkin

Intro: I thought I would bring a message with a fall theme. It is amazing how nature presents us a picture of God's handiwork in mankind in a way we can't easily forget.

I. God picks you from the patch and brings you in. John 15:16 (NKJV)  You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. We did not choose Christ. He chose us. Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) ⁴  Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Christians are the chosen and ordained of Christ, and they have been given the very same purpose of Christ Himself: to go into all the world and bear fruit among men.

II. God washes all the dirt off you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Whereas we were living in sin and immorality, we now are a new creature living in righteousness and holiness. Whereas we had to face death, we are now a new creature that never has to die. Whereas we were doomed to judgment and eternal separation from God, we are now a new creature in Christ. We are destined to live eternally in the presence of God.

III. God opens you up and scoops out all the yucky stuff. Ephesians 2:1-7 (NKJV)¹  And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ²  in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³  among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. ⁴  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:6-8 ] (NLT) ⁶  We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. ⁷  For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. ⁸  And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. All of our sin has been removed by the blood of Jesus. We are free from our old sinful way of life. We are clean inside!

IV. God carves you a new smiling face. [Psalm 71:23; 32:11] My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, And my soul, which You have redeemed. Psalm 32:11 (NKJV) Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! The Lord gives His people much to smile about and bring about rejoicing in our hearts. Our future in heaven with God is assured because of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf on the cross. We are now children of God and joint heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ.

V. God puts His light inside you to shine for all to see. [Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) 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. “In the same way” that a light shines from a pumpkin, we as Christ’s disciples must let our light shine before others by letting our “good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise our heavenly Father.” Jesus made it clear that there would be no mistaking the source of a believer’s good works. Our light shines not for our self but to reflect the light back to the Father who chose us and so direct people to him.

Invitation: God has chosen for all mankind to be saved but you must respond to His invitation by confessing your sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive you and save your soul from hell and for heaven. If you have never done that now is the perfect time!

First Love!

               Scripture Text Revelation 2:2-5 (NKJV) 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.

Intro: In the Song of Solomon we have metaphors of our relationship with Jesus. We need to take seriously our intimacy with our beloved Savior and Lord. We are admonished in the scripture text for today to make and keep Jesus our first love. That is what revival is. Being awakened to our constant need to put Jesus first in our lives.

I. Shulamite bride discovers her beloved is missing. [Song of Solomon 3:1]
¹ By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. Many are asleep in their relationship with Jesus and do not know He is missing in their lives. They are going through life alone and feeling distant in their relationship with Jesus? In a night season, a time of trouble and strife, some Christians seek for Jesus and they have a hard time finding Him. Divorce rate same as world. They never read the bible or look to Jesus in prayer until they have a need that no one else can meet and then Jesus seems so far away and hard to find. He seems to be missing! They began to seek Him in prayer but can not find Him. He seems to be so far away. They seek Jesus without Him being first in their lives and so they don't have a closeness to Him. They feel Jesus is not concerned about them and what they are going through.

II. She searches for her beloved. [Song of Solomon 3:2] "I will rise now," I said, "And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love." I sought him, but I did not find him. When some have a need for Jesus in their lives then they rise up from their spiritual deadness. As Christians we should be on a search, a search for more of Jesus in our lives, it is not a momentary request for His help, but a hunger and thirst for more of Him and His power in our lives.
How long has it been since you really sought to put Jesus first in your life? How much time do you take each day in search for Him by reading His word and then seeking Him in private prayer? When you make decisions do they glorify Him? Does your life show Jesus is number one in your life? When Christians can't find Jesus in private prayer, and meditation, they seek him in the church and in fellowship with other believers. Because they are not close to Him, they seek out someone else to pray and seek God's face for them. They seek sympathy from others. They can not find Him alone – Jesus sometimes delays the blessings of his grace. Sometimes Jesus does not answer our prayers right away to test the sincerity of our faith and to encourage us to draw closer to Him. He wants us to seek after Him and His will for us. When you seek Jesus, is it always because of a need? Few seek Him in the context of love, but that is where the deep fellowship and the blessings of Jesus' heart is revealed.

III. She inquires of her beloveds whereabouts. [Song of Solomon 3:3]

³  The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, "Have you seen the one I love?" The ministers and elders are the watchmen of the church who go about helping those who have slipped away from Jesus and are in the darkness of sin and don't know where to turn. They help guide people in the direction of Jesus and His salvation whatever their situation. James 5:19-20¹⁹  Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. It is the priority of the watchmen of the church to always lift up Jesus so that all may may be drawn to Him. Jesus said in John 12:32  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
Jesus must always be first in the church above all other things. He is to always be the focus of the church, not people, events or even fellowship with other believers. The watchmen seem to have been helpful in directing the Shulamite to her Beloved because:

IV. She finds her beloved. [Song of Solomon 3:4] [ Eph. 3:19-20]

⁴  Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, Until I had brought him to the house of my mother, And into the chamber of her who conceived me. When we truly find Jesus in a very deep, private relationship we will not let Him go. When we make Him first in our lives, We will never be the same again. But Jesus does not allow just anyone to tap into the desires of His heart. Those secrets are reserved for those who search for Him with the longing of love for Him, for those who crave His presence and fullness of His Spirit to work in their lives. When we spend private time with Jesus in reading and studying His word and in private communion with Him in prayer, we allow Him into the private places of our hearts and then we will experience true revival in our lives. This takes us into a deeper intimacy than others dare to expect. When the Shulamite found her beloved, she was rewarded with a tight embrace. Her heart clung to her beloved in unity. This is where heart to heart thoughts, feelings, and desires are shared freely. The Shulamite brought Him into her place where she lived. We should bring Jesus into the deepest recesses, the private places of our hearts. When you do you will be able > ¹⁹  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; and you will be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰  and God will be able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think, according to His Holy Spirit power that works in you. Ephesians 3:19-20

Conclusion: Allow the Holy Spirit to take a good look at the private places in your heart and life. Let Him show you the place Jesus truly has is in your life. Is He first or have you allowed other things to occupy your time and thoughts. You may be missing out. Jesus has much more for those who are searching for Him.

Invitation: Have you found the salvation Jesus died to give you? Have you confessed your sins to Him and asked Him to save you? Have you invited Him into your life? If you haven't, now is the right time to do that. The choice is yours to make!

When Fearful Times Come!

Scripture Text

Psalm 56:3-4

Intro: Anxieties arise in our lives, not only because this is a fallen world, but God can use our anxieties in order to teach us faith. Sometimes we must be brought to the end of ourselves so we will choose to trust the Father. This is a necessary lesson and a vital part of maturing us as believers. God desires that we grow in our trust of Him.

I. Times of fearfulness will come. [Psalms 56:3a] (NKJV) Whenever I am afraid,

a. David said when I am afraid. There will be times when we are afraid. David had many enemies and problems to face each day. [v:2]

b. There are physical and spiritual enemies who hound and fight against us. Enemies are sent of Satan to destroy us. They come to keep us from experiencing God’s best for our lives. Fighting against these enemies burden us down and put pressure on us. So what do we do in these situations?

II. When fearful times come we choose our course of action. Psalm 56:3b (NKJV)  Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

a. Every day we either choose to be afraid and succumb to our fears or we can trust in God. It’s a matter of the will. David said “I will trust in God.” The bible says in Philippians 4:6-7 ⁶ Be anxious (fearful) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, (with thanksgiving,) let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. In troubled times our hearts and minds need protection. Prayer is the key! Take everything to God in prayer and leave it there.                                                                                                                               

III. Our trust is in the character of God and the faithfulness of His word. [Psalms 56:4] In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? David wills [chooses] to honor God's word and not fear.

a. God is more powerful than all our foes combined, and He has promised in His word to protect us from harm. Nothing can penetrate the protective hedge which He sets up around us except by His permissive will. This is why we can trust in God without a fear. If you are not close to God and growing in Him you won't be able to trust Him and you will be afraid. God has to be first in our life.

If God is first in our lives What can man or anything else do to us? Romans 8:31 -32 (NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

CONCLUSION: So today, is your heart in despair? Are questions, painful thoughts, or fears flooding your mind? Is there overwhelming situations that you cannot handle? Do as David did and come back to the truth of your Father’s perfect provision and unfailing care for your every need. God has not and never will abandon you. He has made His people a promise in His unfailing word. Isaiah 41:13 ¹³ For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that God is holding you by your right hand. Nothing can separate you from His presence. Trust Him to help you!

Invitation: You can never trust in God or His word until you have confessed your sins to God’s Son Jesus and asked Him to forgive your sins against Father God and save you from Hell? You can choose this day to be forgiven and set free from the penalty of your sin by Asking Jesus to forgive you and save you!

Prayer: Lord, speak to the heart of those who may need to trust in Jesus for their salvation and give them the grace to respond. Lord, help us that are Your children to put our trust in You and Your word when we are afraid. Help us to have faith in Your provisions and protection. Thank You for loving us and drawing us all closer to You in Jesus’ holy name. Amen!

Understanding Authority

Luke 7:1-10

Intro: All of us live under some kind of authority. God designed life to be lived that way. We live in a world today where nobody wants any authority over them. They want to be their own authority. We see lawlessness abounding all over the world and especially in America because of rebellion against authority. There is little respect even for God’s authority anymore because of the great falling away that the bible tells us about. There is a story in these scriptures today of one who understood authority and used it to his advantage.

I. The importance of authority. Luke 7:1-3 (NKJV) ¹ Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. ²  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. ³  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.

a. Society cannot exist without authority. Romans 13:1-3 (NKJV) ¹  Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ²  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. God’s kingdom also can’t exist without authority.

b. There is an order of authority. The officer had heard about Jesus, so he certainly knew of Jesus ‘healing power. He sent a request for healing to Jesus apparently because he understood and believed Jesus was sent from God and acted under His authority.

c. The centurion recognized God’s total authority over all and everything. Luke 7:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, ⁵  "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue." He had rejected all the Roman gods of his time. He was a God fearing man and showed interest in the Jewish synagogue and worship of God. He had built God’s people a synagogue. The centurion understood the importance of God’s authority over all! He recognized that Jesus had been sent by God to this earth with power no one else had.

II. We must learn to humble ourselves under God’s authority. Luke 7:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶  Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

a. The centurion humbled himself. He felt he was not worthy for Jesus to come under his roof. Many today have an elevated view of themselves and their importance. They think God and society owes them something. God hates pride! Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. [ Proverbs 16:18]

b. The centurion understood and believed in Jesus’ authority. Luke 7:8 (NKJV)
⁸  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

1. He was a man under another’s authority and he was also in authority over others.

He took orders from his superiors and gave orders to those under his authority. He knew how Jesus’ authority worked over spiritual matters. He knew he needed an authority that was greater than his own or any other authority. He understood that Jesus was over every other authority in this world and in the spiritual realm. Ps. 33:9 says “When God created everything, He spoke and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast.”

III. Faith that amazes Jesus. Luke 7:9 (NKJV) ⁹  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"

a. Jesus was amazed (He marveled) at this man’s faith in Him and His authority.

The Jews who had been looking for Jesus couldn’t see him for who he was, the One sent of God with all authority, yet this Gentile did. Jesus was amazed and exclaimed to the crowd that he had not seen faith like this in all the land of Israel. This did not mean that no one in Israel had faith, but not to this extent. Without the benefit of really knowing the Old Testament Scriptures and learning from esteemed Jewish leaders, this Gentile man understood from what he had heard the need to depend totally on Jesus’ authority and power. He knew, without a doubt, that Jesus could do what seemed impossible. He didn’t question Jesus’ power and authority. Such faith both astonished and pleased Jesus.

IV. Amazing faith in Jesus’ authority and power brings results. Luke 7:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

A. Because of this man’s understanding and belief in the power and authority of Jesus, he was rewarded for his amazing faith. Where is your faith level in God’s supreme authority over your situation and circumstance?

Conclusion: When we exercise faith in Jesus’ supreme authority as this Roman centurion did, we will receive a like reward. There is no partiality with God.

What do you need to trust Christ for? 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” Only Believe and receive. Don’t carry that burden any longer. Look to Jesus and trust in His authority over all and everything!

Invitation: God in His authority says a person must personally know His Son Jesus as their Savior to enter His Kingdom. This means confessing and repenting of your sins and asking Jesus to forgive and save you from Hell. If you have never done this, now is the time. He will give you assurance of your home in Heaven.

Spiritual Warfare

Scripture Text

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Intro: Every day we wake up, we will be fighting spiritual battles all day long. The battleground is our mind. Selfish, evil, sinful ideas are not of God. God is not evil, selfish, or sinful; therefore, such evil thoughts and reasoning's are often injected into the mind of men by fleshly spiritual forces that stand opposed to God.

I. Spiritual warfare is not fought with fleshly or worldly weapons. 2 Corinthians 10:3 (NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. Paul says in this verse that although we believers "walk in the flesh"; that is, we live in a body just like all other people. But we do not war in the flesh. We do not fight the struggles of life using only our own strength. Why? Because we know that there is spiritual warfare going on for the minds and lives of people. We Believers know that the evil forces of the spiritual world lie behind sin and evil, disorder and devastation, corruption and deterioration· *death and hell. Believers know that we cannot "war after the flesh"; that no man nor any combination of men can conquer the spiritual forces that fight and eat away at man until they destroy him. No matter how strong, educated, or scientific man may become, he cannot deliver himself from the spiritual forces that cause evil, sin and death. There is no worldly weapon that can defeat evil spiritual forces.

II. The believer's weapons against evil forces are spiritual and mighty. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. God's word says our bodies are the temple of the Lord, the place where His Spirit dwells. We know that there is nothing in this world that can conquer the spiritual forces that lie behind the evil and death of this world. Therefore, we fight the spiritual battles of this life with spiritual weapons, weapons that are of God and are made mighty and powerful by God. We believers use spiritual weapons to "pull down strongholds." The evils of this world that are deeply entrenched and fortified in the minds and hearts of men. These strongholds are clearly seen in the daily newscasts and behavior of people day by day. Evil, sin, destruction and death can never be permanently overcome by carnal or worldly weapons. Only the spiritual weapons of God can permanently conquer evil. God has given us the weapons of prayer, His word, and His Spirit!

3. The method of conquering the forces of evil. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

a. The believer casts down imaginations: thoughts and imaginations that are uncontrolled, wild, evil, lustful, immoral, unjust, wrong, untrue, devilish, and set against God and His word. Through prayer, God's word, and the power of the Spirit the believer wars, fights, and struggles to "cast down" evil imaginations. He fights to bring down his imaginations,those mental images and thoughts that fights against the knowledge of God.

b.  The believer casts down "every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God": false ideas about God, false doctrine and teaching, false reasoning's; human pride and arrogance, sensuality, self-sufficiency and self-righteousness that set themselves up against God.

c.  The believer seeks to captivate every thought to the obedience of Christ. A phenomenal statement—every thought controlled and subjected to Christ! This is the spiritual objective of the true Christian believer. God created man for fellowship and communion with Him, therefore, the believer wars—struggles and fights—to captivate every thought and focus it upon God and His righteousness. He seeks to walk in an unbroken fellowship and communion with God. How is the control of every thought possible? Through the power of the Holy Spirit of God “we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.” [Romans 12:1] Our bodies are all we have to offer—we live in our bodies. The body is the home of our emotions, our mind, thoughts, desires, and plans. The body represents the total person; it is the instrument by which all our service is given to God. In order to live for God, we must give him all that we are, represented by our body. If our body is at God’s disposal, he will have our free time, our pleasures, and all our behavior. Since the battleground is the mind and it is, we have to renew our minds with the word of God. We filter what comes through our minds by the word of God. If it doesn't fit God's word, we reject it. To be able to use God's word as a filter for your thoughts, you must know what His word says. The most important weapon against wrong thoughts is the knowledge of God's word. We hide it in our hearts that we might not sin against God.

Conclusion: Begin to filter your thoughts and make sure the devil has not got a stronghold in your life. It is important what you think! You are what you think. The bible says as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

Invitation: Are you completely sure that Heaven will be your home when you die. Does the Holy Spirit confirm with your spirit that you belong to Christ? If not, now is the time to make sure. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you! Follow Him in believer's baptism.

From Death to God's Kingdom

Scripture Text

1 Corinthians 15:21-28

Intro: It only takes three chapters from the beginning of the bible to where mankind lost their relationship with God. It only took one act of disobedience to bring God's curse of death on all mankind and all of nature. But in verse 15 of Genesis chapter three, God promises a Savior who would crush the head of the devil. What Adam and Eve lost by their sin, Jesus regained on Calvary's cross by His death, burial, and resurrection.

I. The futility of life without the resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (NKJV) ¹² Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵ Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

a. Some were saying that there is no resurrection of the dead. The Apostle Paul said If no resurrection,our faith is useless, and we are still in our sins. Christ has not risen. If no resurrection, those who have died have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. [v:19]

II. Christ assures life, guarantees the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NKJV) ²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 a.  He has risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of the dead(v.20)

 The hypothetical “if” statements in the previous verses acknowledge the certain facts of history. "But now is Christ risen!" Because Christ was raised from the dead, he has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. Christ was the first to be raised to never die again. He is the forerunner for those who believe in him, the proof of their eventual resurrection to eternal life." Christ is not dead; He is not lying as a decayed corpse in the grave. We are not living in hopeless misery. In fact, the very opposite is true. We have the greatest hope in the world, the hope of being resurrected from the dead. And the great guarantee of our resurrection is the resurrection of Jesus Christ Himself. He has risen; therefore, we shall arise. He is the first fruit—the guarantee, the seal, the assurance of our Resurrection. Because He lives we shall also live etrenally!

 b.  He has counteracted what Adam did: Reversed sin and death. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (NKJV) ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

 Christ has reversed the sin and death of Adam. He did this through His own perfect life, death, and resurrection to eternal life. Adam and Christ are pictured as the two pivotal points of human history. Adam stands as the head of the human race, the first to bring death to man [Gen.3:17-19]. Christ stands as the head of the human race, the first to intervene in the process of death and to arise from the dead. Very simply stated, the sin of Adam brought death into the world, but the Man Jesus Christ brought the resurrection of life to the world. Those who believe in him will be given eternal life in Heaven.

 c. His purpose was fulfilled, having Been the first to arise from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:23 (NKJV) But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.

Paul wanted to clarify, however, that there is an order to this resurrection. It had not already happened, as perhaps some of the false teachers were claiming. Rather, Christ was raised first. The “harvest” will be taken in when Christ comes back at his second coming. At that time, his people, those who believed in him as Savior, will be raised from death to eternal life. Those who are alive at that time will be changed in the twinkling of an eye.

III.  Christ assures the coming reign of God's Kingdom: (v.24-28)

  a.It will be the end of all evil because of;

 His subjection of all evil power and enemies. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 (NKJV) ²⁴ Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

Following the resurrection of the church, a 7 year period of tribulation on earth intervenes until Christ returns and sets up His millennial kingdom. At the end of His 1,000 year reign, the resurrected Christ will conquer the last enemy which is death. (Revelation 20:10-14 says Satan, the beast, and the false prophet, death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.) At Christ’s resurrection, Christ began the destruction of Satan and all his dominion. Christ must reign over all because God has ordained it so; what God has said cannot be changed. Christ will reign as the ultimate ruler, having put Satan and all his enemies beneath his feet. This means He will reign in total conquest. Because the resurrection of Christ is an accomplished fact and because the promise of the resurrection is a future fact, the promise of Christ’s ultimate and final reign can be trusted as fact and anticipated by every believer.

 c. His subjection of all things except God Himself. 1 Corinthians 15:26-28 (NKJV) ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. ²⁸ Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

After Christ puts all enemies under His feet during His millennial reign, then the end will come when Christ will deliver His kingdom to God the Father.

Then the work of the Son will find ultimate completion in the glory of the Father. When Jesus subjects Himself to the Father and God is all in all, the new creation will be brought to completion and the resurrected Christ and His church will share in that experience. Revelation 22:1-5 (NKJV) ¹ And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. ² In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which ³ And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. ⁴ They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. ⁵ There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

It is significant also that the Lamb is pictured on the throne (mentioned also in v. 3). Christ sits on the throne as King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity under the head of God the Father so He may be all in all and we will rule reign with Him.

Invitation: Have you been raised from spiritual death to life in God's Kingdom? If you have not, now is the time to make sure you have eternal life residing in you in the person of Jesus Christ. Confess you sins to Christ and ask Him to forgive your sins against the Father God. Then invite Him into your life and ask Him to take charge of you. Then follow Him in believers baptism. You will be so thankful that you did.