The Church Triumphant

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

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

"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.

God’s Love

 

Scripture Text

Eph. 3:14-19

Intro: In this passage of scripture the apostle Paul said when he thought of the wisdom and scope of God’s love, in His plan of salvation, he bowed his knees in prayer to God for the Ephesians that they would be able to comprehend and experience this great love that God had for them and all Christians everywhere.

 I. Paul prayed for inner strength. Ephesians 3:14-16 (NLT)¹⁴  When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵  the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. a. Paul’s first request is for strength and might in the inner man, the strength and power of God's Spirit, for His presence and might in their lives. Believer’s must be strengthened with spiritual power and might in order to break loose from the sins of the flesh, and focus upon the richness of the eternal love of God which He has poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [Romans 5:5]

2: Paul prayed for Christ to rule and reign in their hearts. Ephesians 3:17 (NLT) ¹⁷  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Paul prayed that by faith, our [belief] that Christ would be at home and would live in a permanent sense within the believer. Paul prayed that the believer would be aware and conscious of Christ within his heart and that Christ has taken up residence within him. He prayed for Christ to control and guide their life—continually. In [v:17b] When Christ rules and reigns in our hearts, we become rooted and grounded in His love, just like a tree planted by streams of running water! We become fruitful and productive and we will prosper in Christ’s love! When Christ is ruling and reigning in our hearts we will be able to understand the scope of God’s love.  Ephesians 3:18 (NLT) ¹⁸  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. The width of God’s love. It’s boundless. A scientific report said the observable universe is 93 billion light years wide and growing. The unobservable universe is 23 trillion light years in diameter. God’s love encompasses the entire observable and unobservable universe and beyond. It’s wide enough to all forgive all of mankind’s sin. It covers every experience of mankind. The length of God’s love. It’s endless! It reaches from eternity past covering our lifetime in the presence and reaches to eternity future. God’s love will never run out! It has No end! The depth of God’s love. God’s love is fathomless. God’s love reaches to the lowest hurting soul, to the depths of sin and shame. The height of God’s love. God’s love reaches to the highest heavens. Solomon said in 1 Kings 8:27 (NKJV)  But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. Paul prayed for all Christians to know the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)¹⁹  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. That passes all human knowledge! Paul prayed in verse:18 that believers might “understand” the greatness of Christ’s love. Here he prayed that they might experience it. Paul also recognized that Christ’s love is so great that people will never fully understand it. Believers cannot rationally explain Christ’s love; they can only know it by experiencing it. This knowledge requires a continuous growing experience.  A key to growing in love for God is to be aware of what He has done, is doing, and will do for us, and to remain grateful for it.  Thess. 3:5  Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. As we grow in Christ’s love and get to know Him better, we will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (v:19b)This “fullness” means that there is nothing lacking in our relationship to the Father. God pours his love and power into believers, making us complete for this life and preparing us for the life to come. This “fullness” of life and power is expressed only in Christ’s love. We need not look anywhere else. The ultimate goal is for believers to become Christ like individuals, filled so totally with Christs’ love that He is seen in us as we share His love with others. Apostle Paul Closes praising God! Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT2) ²⁰  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Invitation: Have you experienced God’s loving salvation of your soul? If not the bible says that now is the accepted time and today is the day of salvation. Let the Spirit of God speak to your heart right now about where you stand with God. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins against God and ask Him to save your soul before its eternally to late!

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.

WORD OF GOD

Intro: God’s word is the primary means by which He is present and working in the world. We can not see God with our physical eyes, but He acts in this world by means of His word. He becomes personally known to us through His word. His word is powerfully creative. He spoke everything into existence and sustains it by His word.

I. God's word and its purposes are irresistible. [Isaiah 55:10-11] ¹⁰ "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, ¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. The meaning of these verses is plain. The hearts of people by nature are what the earth would be without the rains of heaven—barren and sterile. But God says that his truth shall certainly accomplish an effect similar to that produced by descending showers. The rain never descends in vain. It makes the earth fertile, beautiful, and lovely and causes it to produce. So it is with his truth in the moral world. The comparison of truth with descending rain or dews is exceedingly beautiful. Deuteronomy 32:1-3 (NKJV) ¹  "Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. ²  Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. ³  For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. The appeal to the heavens and the earth meant that the word of God has significance for the entire created order. Anyone who follows the teaching of God's word becomes fruitful and prosperous in the way rain and dew refresh the new grass and tender plants. The scriptures are a proclamation of the name of the Lord, it is a description of His character and works. Anyone who gives serious consideration to the character and work of God, and puts their trust in Him, can expect to enjoy a blessed and abundant life.

II. God’s word is totally dependable. [Isaiah 40:8] The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

God's word represents His everlasting commitment. In contrast to the grass and flowers, God's Word never fails but it endures forever. This fact greatly comforts and encourages those who read God's words and live accordingly. We can not depend on the words of others but we can put full trust and confidence in the word of God.
When heard and responded to, God's word meets deep needs in the human heart and provides joy, satisfaction, and confident direction that can be achieved in no other manner. Luke 4:4 Jesus answered the devil saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' " Just as our bodies can not live without bread, neither can our soul live and prosper without God's word.

III. God's word is powerful. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 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. The word powerful translated means energy. It means to say that God’s word has God’s power and energy behind it. Because it is God’s word, it can not be defeated in its purpose. The Bible has all the essentials of the life and power of God to do his work! Not only that, its penetrating power is greater than any double-edged sword and reaches the innermost being of a person so that it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. It is able to discriminate between what is spiritual in man and what is merely “soulish” or natural (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), and does so even when these inner elements are interwoven as closely as joints and marrow. The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivations, both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh.

Invitation: God's word says you must be born again! If you have not been born again now is the perfect time right where you are. Just confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. Then invite Him into your life to take charge of you. Then go to a church that preaches the true gospel and be baptized to show that you are sincere.

The Importance of Fathers!

Intro: I want to thank God for all our fathers. Fathers are important to their families. Families today are hurting without the presence of a father. For a family to be complete as God ordained it must have a father to help steer the children in the right direction. A father helps children develop emotionally, psychologically, physically and spiritually.

I. Fathers are responsible for their family decisions. Genesis 2:7 (NKJV) ⁷  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:15-17 (NKJV) ¹⁵  Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. ¹⁶  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
a. God appointed Adam as spiritual leader of his family and expected Adam to obey Him. In neglecting the tree of life, of which he was allowed to eat, and eating of the tree of knowledge, which was forbidden, Adam plainly showed a contempt of what God had bestowed on him, and he desired what God did not see fit to give him. He would have what he pleased, and do what he pleased. His sin was, in one word, disobedience to a plain, easy, and express command. His decision would have consequences. So do your decisions dad!

II. Disobedience to God by fathers bring suffering to their families. a. [Gen. 3:8] Because Adam did not obey God's command, he and his wife lost that sweet fellowship with God. In Gen3:15 there would always be a battle between good and evil which has been the cause of mankind's misery. Even Jesus would suffer horrible because of Adam's disobedience. In Gen: 17-19 the ground was cursed because of Adam's disobedience. Later Adam, his wife and his children suffered because of his disobedience and rebellion against God. READ [Gen. 4:1-8] Their first child Cain murdered his brother Abel. Cain indulged malignant anger against Abel. He harbored an evil spirit of discontent and rebellion against God. He wanted his own way. He committed the same sin of disobedience that his father Adam.
Disobedience to God's commands always brings suffering and heartaches. King David was a man after God's own heart but he also disobeyed God's commands and he and his family suffered greatly because of it. How many families are suffering today because of a fathers wrong choices and decisions?

So a father must be sure he is obedient to God's leading. His children are watching.

III. Obedience & service to God brings blessings to a father's family, church and nation. a. Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua's choice to serve God not only affected his family but it also had positive affects on the nation of Israel. Joshua 24:31 (NKJV) ³¹  Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.

So when A dad chooses to Serve God in sincerity and truth, it can only result in blessings for all of his family, his church and his nation. God gives us a choice as to which way we can go. God says in: Deuteronomy 30:15-16 ¹⁵  "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, ¹⁶  in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. Dad, the way of life and good is to love the Lord and walk in His ways and as spiritual leader of your family bring up your children to do the same.
Ephesians 6:4  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

Conclusion: When a man takes his spiritual leadership role and leads his family to worship, serve, and live for God and when he loves his wife and children and puts them first in his priorities, the entire family will have God's blessings on it.
Each father stands responsible to God for his decisions that he makes as spiritual leader of his family. How are you doing in your responsibilities dad? I pray that you are making wise decisions and choices for your family even if your children are grown. We dads must continue to be spiritual leaders and lift up our children in prayer.

Invitation: Every dad wants his children to be saved and go to Heaven. The way to be saved if you have not been is to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. Jesus said He would not turn away those who come to Him in faith. Let the Holy Spirit show you where you stand with God and make choices accordingly.

God is Working

Intro: As we look at what is happening in this nation and around the world we may be tempted to believe that God doesn't isn't working but God's word tells us the very opposite. God is working in us and for us through this unsettled time and at all times.

I. God is working to complete the good work He has started in our lives. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) ⁶  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
This is the mark of confidence in God's salvation. God will complete His good work in believers. That's His promise to His people. Confidence and assurance are two of the outstanding traits of genuine believers. The good work God has started refers to His salvation of our souls and His continued sanctification of believers. Do you realize that God is at work in your life? Paul in this scripture is describing the process of Christian growth and maturity that begins when people accept Jesus. God who began a good work of redemption in us will continue his work until it is finally finished when we believers meet Christ Jesus face to face. God works in us both to will and do His good pleasure. [Phil. 2:13] God will never stop working in our lives no matter what.                                                

II. God is working all things together for our good. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that (all) things work together for good to (those who love God,) to those who are (the called according to His purpose.) He didn't say all things are good but He is working all things together for our good. We tend to draw closer to God when things aren't going so good such as what we are going thru right now with this pandemic. As we do we are growing in our relationship with God. We are learning to trust and rely on Him more and more no matter the situation in life we might face.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” A person can make all the plans they want in this life but God directs their steps. If God is directing a Christian's steps then nothing can happen to him until God calls him home. These Scriptures should give us an incredible sense of assurance in God’s faithfulness toward us who believe. It should bring a certain level of hope and encouragement to our hearts. He is the good and faithful Shepherd of our lives, God will never leave us nor forsake us, He can be trusted through every circumstance. He is the one who began the good work in us and will carry it on to completion. Yes, even now in the midst of this pandemic in our nation or whatever trial we might be going thru, He is working all things together for our good, to conform us to the image of Christ. [Rom. 8:29] This is what God is working out, it's His goal for us!

III. God works through His word. 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. God's word separates a rebellious soul from an obedient spirit, a sinful soul from a righteous spirit. Our solid foundation is not based on the things of this earth. Most books may just sit on a shelf collecting dust, but the word of God vibrates with life. The Word of God is living and powerful, speaking truth into our lives, helping us establish a firm foundation to base our lives on while we go through life on this side of eternity. The word of God is active, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. The demands of the word of God require decisions. It guides our path in life. It is to be believed and obeyed above all other things we might read or hear. We not only listen to God's word, we let it shape our lives. Because the word of God is living and powerful, He uses it to accomplish His work in our lives for as long as we live on this earth. His word can be counted on when you can't count on anything else!

Conclusion: How should you respond to this truth? Begin to spend more of your time reading God's word and praying while you are staying in. Let to the Holy Spirit speak to you from God's word instead of the news report about how bad things are.

Invitation: Has God begun His good work in you? If not now is the time to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to to forgive you and save you for heaven and from hell. Don't delay! You may not have another opportunity like you have right now. As you give your life to Him He will complete His good work in you!