Two Destinations

Scripture Text

Luke 16: 22-24

 Intro: Why do we spend our time, effort, energy, and money to support the church? Why do we preach and teach the word of God every week?  Why do we put the gospel on the internet? The answer is because we believe what Jesus said in His word. “I have come to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) He also said go into all the earth with the gospel. (Matt. 28:18-20)

I. Jesus says there are two final destinations for mankind Revelation 20:15 (NKJV) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 21:27 (NKJV) But there shall by no means enter the city of God (Heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

a. We are created with a soul and spirit that will live forever.

 b. When we die we continue to exist.

 c. We will live forever either in a place the bible calls Heaven or in a place called Hell.

 d. Each of us is responsible for our final destination. Either eternal life or Hell, the lake of fire!

II. A place called Hell. Luke 16:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  ²⁴ Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' According to [Rev. 20:15] Hell is a Lake of fire!

  a. Hell is a place for the wicked.

  b. Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 (NKJV) Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. It’s a place for the unsaved, evil and condemned spirits. Those who have rejected God’s Son Jesus Christ, His deity, and the salvation that He purchased on the cross. Hell is a place of eternal torment, punishment and fire for the lost. Luke 16:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴ Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' Hell exists for the penalty and payback of evil deeds committed on earth. Hell is the place of God's final judgment. Here God, our King and Supreme Judge, finally rectifies wrongs through his avenging wrath. The damned will be paid back for the harm they have done.  Matthew 16:27 (NKJV)  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

    III. A place called Heaven. Luke 16:22 (NKJV)  So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

a. Heaven is a place for the righteous.  For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation. (John 3:16) Abraham’s bosom was a place of the righteous dead in the O.T. until Jesus could come and die for their sins. Then when Jesus was resurrected, He took them to Heaven. Heaven is the abode of God, Jesus, the angels, and the spirits of the saved after death; the place of existence of the blessed after the mortal life. Heaven is described in Revelation 21:1-4 (NKJV) ¹ Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

That’s why Jesus Christ paid the price for your sins and mine! He took upon Himself the death and punishment that you and I deserve through His death on the cross. That’s why the church exists, that’s why we continue to tell the same old story about Jesus and His love, that’s why we try to reach those who are lost, that don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior, regardless of their age. That’s why we have mission offerings, they are to send our missionaries around the world with the gospel message. The bible tells us in; Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

INVITATION: Have you made the choice for the Heavenly destination?  If you do not choose Heaven then Hell is your destination. God’s desire is that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) God chooses eternal life for you but you must accept His invitation. You do this by confessing your sins against God and asking Jesus to forgive and save you. You have the right to reject God’s invitation for salvation and Heaven. But if you do He will become your judge and you will face His judgment in Hell. The bible says “Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation.” The choice is yours! Consider the everlasting alternatives and choose wisely!

"THE CHOICE “ Father’s Day 2017

Scripture Text Joshua 24:15 (NKJV) 

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." 

INTRO: "Choose you this day."  Man was created in the image of God. God gave man a free will to make his own choices. This is necessary if God is to receive meaningful love and worship from man. I can choose to love God or not and I can choose to serve God or not.

 I. MAN HAS THE CAPACITY OF CHOICE. It is a God-given capacity.

A. Every day we choose whom we will serve, either Satan, ourselves, or God our Creator. It is an awesome but rewarding responsibility to choose to serve God every day. God honors the choices we make or otherwise the power of choice would be meaningless. I have the power to determine my destiny which will in turn influence my family’s choice. No one can force you to believe in God and No one can force you to serve God. No one can force you to go to heaven.These are all choices you must make dad for yourself and for your family’s good. There are two powerful forces seeking to influence your choice dads; Satan and God. Satan appeals to your body appetites and pride. He uses fear, worry, and doubt. These are strong motivational forces and must be resisted in the power of the Holy Spirit. He also uses lies and deceit, such as; Happiness is free sex, booze and Happiness is a conscience that is free of God. The Holy Spirit uses the motivational force of love. He seeks to appeal to your reason. "Come now let us reason together." He seeks to lead you to truth. To follow body appetites will never lead to satisfaction. "Choose you this day... for yourself and for the good of your family."

II. YOU'VE GOT TO SERVE SOMEBODY.

A. No man is an independent island. Each man is ruled by some guiding force or principle. Everyone serves some religious idea.  Certain ideas or principles guide each of our actions and decisions. Every man serves his gods or the only true God. The gods your fathers served on the other side of the flood, the gods of the Amorites. Who were these gods? [v:15b] In our day these gods are the; Gods of pleasure and gods of force, power. There is the god of man's intellectual powers. If you do not choose to serve the true and living God, you are serving some god.Every man has his master passion which becomes the guiding principle of his life.

III. "AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."

A. How great it is when the father can speak for the house. He rules his house well. So many dads today seeking to escape the responsibilities of the family and home. They are strangers to their own children. What a strong influence the father has on his family. Your children are learning from your father role. The influence can be for good or evil. Some children never have a chance because of their dad.

Conclusion: How beautiful when a man will lead his whole family to serve the Lord. How blessed are his children. How rewarding it is when dad’s pray for their families daily. The greatest thing a dad can do is fulfill his role as spiritual leader of his family is to dedicate or commit his wife and children to the Lord, Even if they are grown and married. 

Invitation: It’s time to Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, either the gods of this world or Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and earth.  Are you willing to choose to know God personally and become His child by confessing your sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive your sins and save you from Hell? Dads are you living each day for God and leading your family in a way that honors your Savior and Lord?  God will hold you responsible as the spiritual leader of your family.

Doers of the Word

James1:22-25

Intro: How can we hope in God’s word unless we read it? How can we claim His promises if we don’t know what they are? How can we expect God’s word to help us unless we do what it says?

1. A hearer only deceives himself.  James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

  a. If a person thinks that he can hear and learn the Word of God and then go out and live like he wants, he deceives himself. There are many who sit under the Word of God week after week, and they learn and know as much of the Word as anyone. They think that their listening and learning makes them acceptable to God, that it makes them safe and secure. When they slip into sin, they feel that they can ask God for forgiveness and that He will forgive them.

      They just feel that God would never reject them or what they do.

  b. God does not accept us because we hear and know His Word. These are necessary and very important, but they are not enough. It’s when we take action on His word that He accepts us.

      God accepts us because we [confess and repent]. Repentance means that we turn away from our sins and turn to God. God accepts us because we turn to Him and live for Him. When we believe God—really believe Him—then it is that we trust and follow Him and do exactly what He says. Worthwhile knowledge is a prelude to action; but God’s word can only grow in the soil of obedience. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. The devil doesn’t care how much we read and know God’s word as long as we don’t use it. He only fears when we claim God’s word, live by it and use it against him.

2. A hearer only forgets what he has heard. James 1:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

  a. The person who only hears and knows the Word soon forgets what he has heard. If a person does not practice what he learns, it soon fades from memory. Some people take a casual look at God’s word without letting it affect their lives, like the person who looks so quickly into a mirror that flaws go undetected and nothing is changed. It is just forgotten, and it never becomes a part of the person's life. He is like the person who looks in a mirror to see if he needs to do anything to his appearance, then walks away and thinks of something else and forgets what needed to be cared for. Some listen and maybe study God’s word but don’t act on it. So it’s soon forgotten! Does a person no good!

3. A doer of the word is blessed.  James 1:25 (NKJV)  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

 a. People who look steadily into God’s word and studies it with serious attention and then makes God’s law their chosen lifestyle, are blessed of God.  They study with attention not only once, but continuously; as a result, they remember God’s word and do what it says. Note that the Word of God is called the perfect law of liberty. This law is perfect; it cannot be improved. This law sets people free because it is only in obeying God’s law that true freedom can be found. John 8:31-32 (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."                                      As Christians, we are saved by God’s grace, and salvation frees us from sin’s control. As believers we are free to live as God created us to live.  We are not free to live as we would. God will bless these people who look steadily, continually at God’s word, do what it says, don’t forget what they have heard, and obey it. The person who hears and does the Word of God is blessed. He is freed from all that enslaves his soul upon earth. He will discover love, joy, peace, and a soul that soars above every circumstance and situation he finds himself in. This means that the Word of God will set a person free from the bondages of sin and death. The Word of God will free a person from all the temptations of this life and give him the full and victorious life for which his soul longs—a life that will continue on and on eternally with God.

Invitation: Have you been set free from the slavery and bondage of sin? Have you found the blessed life that Jesus Christ can bring you? Call on Jesus today to forgive your sins and save you from Hell! The bible says in Romans 10:9 (NKJV)  That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. If you have been saved, are you a doer of God’s word or a hearer only? Is God’s word a part of your daily life and actions? Remember, the one who does the word is blessed!

No More War

                                                            Scripture Text 

                                                         Micah 4:1-8 (NLT)
¹ In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all— the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. ² People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. ³ The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore. ⁴ Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has made this promise! ⁵ Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever. ⁶ “In that coming day,” says the Lord, “I will gather together those who are lame, those who have been exiles, and those whom I have filled with grief.
⁷ Those who are weak will survive as a remnant; those who were exiles will become a strong nation. Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem as their king forever.”
⁸ As for you, Jerusalem, the citadel of God’s people, your royal might and power will come back to you again. The kingship will be restored to my precious Jerusalem.

Intro: Today is Memorial Day. It’s a time to remember all those who have died in war for the freedom and liberty for all peoples. They have given the ultimate sacrifice not only for us, but also for other nations. The bible tells us in these scriptures today there is coming a day when there will be no more war. When that day comes the word of God tells us what a peaceful world will be like under Jesus’ government. May it be soon! Even so come quickly Lord Jesus. 

A. The millennial temple of God will be prominent in the world - Micah 4:1a

      God’s Temple on Mount Zion, which is to be built in the future, shall be established in the top of the mountains. In other words, it will be the center of government over all the kingdoms of the world. Israel and its political-religious system will be predominant over other nations in the world.  

             1. Peoples of the world will be attracted to Jerusalem - Micah 4:1b

       Many people will travel to Jerusalem and God’s temple. People from many nations will go to Jerusalem to be taught His ways so that they may walk in His paths. In the kingdom Gentiles will want to learn the ways of the Lord.

B. Jerusalem will be the place of instruction for the entire world - 4:2a

     In Micah's day the Jews were not interested in learning the LORD's ways. Today there are not a lot of people interested in learning God’s ways; however, in the millennium it will be that the Gentiles will want to learn the LORD's ways. It was a rebuke to the Jews in Micah's day and is a rebuke to unbelievers of this day and time. In the millennial reign of Christ, the Gentiles and Jews are committing themselves to live their lives in the way the LORD desires for them.

C. Revelation will go forth from Jerusalem - Micah 4:2b

     For the law [not the Mosaic Law, but the law of Christ] shall go forth of Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. God's will disclose Himself and His will to His creatures, both Jew and gentile. God will tell the Gentiles as well as the Jews what He expects from them.

D. The Lord will be the Judge from Jerusalem - Micah 4:3a

     And He [the LORD] shall judge between many people and will render decisions for all distant nations. Many peoples and even strong nations will bring their disputes to the Lord. They will submit willingly to God’s judgment, realizing that He will decide what and who is right. Those of Micah’s day did not want to be told what God wanted, but in the last days, disputes between nations will be settled by the LORD, and the nations will submit willingly to His judgment and His Word.

E. Peace will be universal – No more war - Micah 4:3b

      Implements and weapons of war will be changed into agricultural tools, and there will no longer be a need to train for war. Under the reign of King Jesus there will be no more wars. All men will be made to live in peace with each other.

F. Everyone will dwell in security and peace - Micah 4:4

      The people of all nations including the Jews shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree is evidence of peace and security in the kingdom age. None shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. In Micah's day, there was no security for Israel and no lasting security for the other nations. A stronger nation could come along at any time and conquer any other nation. The only way to have peace and security is to submit to God. He is our only hope for real and lasting peace and security. The LORD of hosts has given His word that there will be No More War.

G. Israel will be spiritually sensitive to God - Micah 4:5

      Micah says although all the people of that day walked in the name of their god, whatever his name, we Jews, in the millennium, will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever. The name of the LORD our God suggests all that He is and represents. Walking in His name suggests living lives that are pleasing to Him.

H. Israel will be regathered - Micah 4:6

      Micah says in the last days, the Lord will gather her that is driven out of her homeland. I will gather the outcasts or the exiles of Israel, and her that I have afflicted.  God will gather Israel on whom He had sent evil. This is being fulfilled in our lifetime.

I. Israel will be made strong - Micah 4:7

   In contrast to Israel's spiritual lameness in Micah's day and in contrast to her being exiled, in the millennium the returning remnant of believing Jews will become a strong nation.

J. Jerusalem will have dominion over the whole world – Micah 4:8

    God's government centered in Jerusalem will be preeminent in the world. Christ Himself will reign from Zion. Jerusalem’s dominion will be restored to her since the Messiah Himself will reign from Zion. The nation will no longer be under the domination of others, for “the times of the Gentiles” will be ended.

     Conclusion:  When these things happen then the prophecy of the angel Gabriel to Mary will come to pass. Luke 1:32-33 (NKJV) ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." No more war through all eternity.

     Invitation: Are you prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven? Do you know Him as your personal Savior and Lord? If not it would be wise to do that now because we never know how much time we have left on this earth! Confess your sins to Christ and ask Him to forgive and save you from the penalty of your sins which is an eternity in Hell. Jesus says in John 16:4 that no person can come to the Father God except through Him. Call on Him now before it’s too late!

Temptation

Scripture Text

James 1:12-16

Intro: In these scriptures before us today we are given a better understanding of temptations and where temptation comes from, ways to resist temptation, and the reward for doing so.

I. Understand the source of temptation. James 1:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. To resist sin we must understand the source of temptation.

  1. First step in understand the source of temptation is to acknowledge it isn’t from God. We must have a correct view of God in order to persevere during times of trial. Specifically, we need to understand God’s view of our temptations. Trials and temptations always present us with choices. God wants us to make good choices, not evil ones. We give in to temptation. And when we fail, we often use all kinds of excuses and reasons for our actions. The most dangerous of these is to say, “God is tempting me.” It is crucial for us to remember that God tests people for good; he does not tempt people for evil.

  2. We are tempted when we are drawn away from God and His word by our own desires. Temptations come from within, from the lure of our own evil desires. James highlights individual responsibility for sin. These evil desires draw us away from God and His word. Desires can be either fed or starved. If the desire itself is evil, we must deny its wish. It is up to us, with God’s help by the power of His Holy Spirit. Does James take Satan off the hook by placing responsibility for temptation on our desires? No, he does not. We may be led by our desires, but it is the Devil behind the evil impulse prompting us to go in an evil direction. Temptation comes from evil desires within us, not from God.

II. Understand the steps in temptation. James 1:15 (NKJV) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. There are three steps in temptation.

  1. Entertaining sin. James traces the result of temptation when a person yields to it. Note that the first two steps in the process (evil desires lead to evil actions) emphasize the internal nature of sin. Desire to Sin comes from our heart and soul. The kind of desire James is describing here is desire out of control. It is selfish and seductive.

 2. Yielding to sin. When we yield to sin and entertain it in our minds long enough, it becomes an action. Instead of just thinking about the sin we carry it out. Our thoughts soon become actions. The blame for sin is ours alone.

 3. Reaping the consequences of sin. [v:16] We are not to deceive ourselves. When we yield to temptation and sin, our sin sets deadly events into motion—evil actions lead to death. How strange that sin gives birth to death. Unchecked habitual sin will always lead to death. This means eternal death for an unbeliever and physical death for a Christian. Not only does it lead to physical death for a Christian, but those actions will be judged by Jesus Christ and you will suffer tremendous loss. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NKJV) ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

III. The reward of enduring trials and resisting temptation. James 1:12 (NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 

 a. We must have the right attitude about our trials and temptations. We must see the advantage of enduring in trials and resisting temptations when they present themselves to us. James 1:2-4 (NKJV) ² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

But if it is difficult to see the advantages, you can ask for wisdom and, if you ask correctly, God will give you the wisdom you need to understand. James 1:5 (NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 

You can rejoice in trials and be able to resist temptations that come your way. God blesses those who persevere under trial and temptations. He blesses a person with a crown of life. The Crown of Life is for those believers who persevere in their faith even under persecution. Church history abounds with the stories of believers remaining faithful in cases of severe persecution and trial, and the Bible promises them a special reward. God’s long-term goal for us is maturity and completeness, but his eternal goal for us is the crown of life, a rich expression of God’s love for His people. The believer who patiently endures and resists temptations by trusting God will have a life full of glory and honor, truly abundant, joyful, and victorious, now and forever more, throughout eternity.

      Conclusion: Standing the tests and temptations of life gives believers even now a taste of eternity. Looking  forward to this wonderful reward, and to the one who will present it to us, can be a source of strength and encouragement in times of trial.

      Invitation: It is impossible to endure trials and resist temptations unless you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord and there will be no Crown of Life for you. Has there been a time in your life where you confessed your sins to Christ and ask Him to forgive and save you from the penalty of those sins? If not now is the time and today is the day of salvation. If you need help with this or any other decision, come down the aisle after the prayer and I will be glad to help you.

Mother Called of God

Scriptures: [Luke 1:34-38, 45-55]  [John 19:25]

I. A mother called by God submits completely to God's will. [Luke1:34-38]

        a. When Mary was only a teen-ager, she was confronted with the challenge to be completely submitted to God's will. When Gabriel gave her the angelic message that she was to carry the Christ, Mary was stunned. The key phrase is: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be …unto me."

     Mary never wavered from her complete submission to God's will.

Was she nervous? Certainly! Was she unsure of her own abilities?  Who wouldn't be? Was she anxious about the prophecy that part of her future would include pain?  Of course!

Mary was like any parent in this room, who wanted only the best, only the most protection, for her child ... and fully aware that life happens, and not all of life is pleasant. But Mary was unlike a lot of parents in the world today. Mary was first of all completely committed to God. She was so surrendered to God she had no room for commitment to anything else. And that makes her a mother worth imitating.

II. A mother called by God should know God’s word. [Luke1:45-55]

  a. Mary made God’s word a part of her daily life. She read and memorized God’s word.

 She believed the promises of His word and realized she was a part of God’s plan to bring these things to pass. She believed that God was using her to bring forth His Son to be Savior of the world and save His people from their sins. God is using you mother just as He did Mary. You are a part of God’s plan just as assuredly as Mary was. Mary’s habit of reading, studying, and memorizing God’s word makes her a mother worth imitating.

III. A mother called by God never relinquishes the title. [John19:25]

 a. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother. She never left her Son in the darkest hours of his life. Mary didn't stand passively by at the foot of the cross, she crumpled at the cross. She fell down to the depths there, moaning and wailing and begging the God of heaven to stop her hell on earth. Mary felt the pain, humiliation and agony of her son’s suffering!

The truth of Simeon's prophecy at the birth of Jesus was suddenly true. The cross cut        deeply into Mary's heart. Despite the pain, however, Mary was there. She was a mother        from the beginning, and a mother at the end. A mother called by God never relinquishes      the title. You'll find mothers like that in the halls of children's hospitals, in funeral homes and in the counselor's' offices. Mothers never relinquish the title, even if the child is rebellious, harsh, or cruel. Her heart just will not allow it. Not when she is called by God. When a woman becomes a mother, when a man becomes a father, there is an instant realization that the day will almost certainly come when pain will dominate the picture. The crosses are different for every family, but frankly, the crosses usually come. There may be a divorce, or disease, or death. There may be harsh words, and unacceptable actions. There may be tough love, and impossible nights. Through it all, mothers called by God never relinquish the title, never. There is nothing like a mother's love.

Conclusion: Mary had a chance to see God's entire plan played out. She suffered through the crucifixion, celebrated the resurrection, and even was part of the small group that witnessed the powerful presentation of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14). What a gift from God, to live long enough for parenting to make sense! Some parents live long enough to see God's plan for their children. Some see God take their children to be with Him. Some see God working in the lives of their grandchildren.

Some surely only see God's plan from the halls of heaven.

Invitation: There is not a mother alive who does not want to see her children saved and living for Jesus. So I ask you today, have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive and save you from the penalty of your sins, which is an eternity in hell? Have you invited Jesus to take charge of your life to lead, guide, and direct you each day you have left on earth? If not, the bible says “today is the accepted time and today is the day of salvation” if you will only respond to Christ’s invitation to come to Him for forgiveness and salvation. What is your decision today?

Sowing and Reaping

Scripture Text

Galatians 6:7

2 Corinthians 9:6

Intro: In these verses before us today there are rules or principles of God at work. These natural laws He has put into motion also work in the spirit realm. These principles taken from God’s word have a dramatic impact on our lives and our spiritual condition.

I. Principle number one! We will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 

 A. While people can deceive one another, and even themselves, they cannot deceive God. Paul said that these believers themselves must not be misled. People can’t ignore God principles and get away with it. What they sow, they will reap. Sow means “spread seeds for a crop.” Whatever we use as key values determines the course of our life. Reap means “get in return.” God does not change the positive and negative of the natural law that people will reap or get in return what they sow. From farming, finances, or any part of life this saying holds true. A farmer plants corn and grows corn; he should not expect nor desire anything else. Believers must decide what crop they want and plant accordingly, for what they get back will be directly related to what they put in. What would you like to accomplish in life? Are you seeking to fulfill the purpose for which God created you? If so, what kind of seeds are you sowing?

    B. Types of seeds we can sow.  There are seeds that will produce a bad harvest.

       1. If you sow seeds of worry, doubts, and fear, guess what you will get in return? If you sow seeds of anger, unforgiveness, envy, pride, jealousy, guess what you will get in return? If you speak negative words about every situation and have a negative attitude about everything, guess what you will receive? What you sow into life you will get out of life the same thing. These seeds will destroy your health, your relationships with others and your relationship with God. It will limit His willingness to work in your behalf! It will limit others abilities to help you! These seeds will isolate you from all help and bring depression and sickness into your life.

   C. There are seeds that will produce an abundance of good harvests in your life.

      1. If you sow seeds of behavior such as prayer, bible reading and studying, fellowship             with other Christians, service for God, you will reap an abundance of God’s blessings.

 Being generous with the gifts and talents God has given you will bring a good harvest.

 Sowing seeds of the fruit of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control in your relationship with others will bring you an overflowing, abundant harvest of God’s blessings and favors into your life now  and also bring you eternal rewards in Heaven.

II. Principle number  two! We will reap in accordance with how much we sow. 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NKJV) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.   A. Like the foolish farmer, he who plants only a few seeds and refuses to trust God with their future financial and spiritual security—will inevitably lose out on God’s rich blessings. Few seeds bring a small crop. He who sows generously will get a generous crop. One thing to remember, the eternal harvest will exceed your expectations.

   Conclusion: We must be conscience of the choices we make every day because each one is a seed that we are planting for our future. Invest wisely, bountifully, in honoring and obeying God and you will surely be glad when harvest time comes and you hear Jesus say: ²³ 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)

   Invitation: Will you at this time plant a seed of faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save your soul? If you will confess your sins to Him and ask Jesus to forgive you and save you for heaven, He will bring a harvest of eternal life and blessings to you. The choice is yours, invest your soul into His keeping for all eternity or suffer the consequences of you choice!

More than Conquerors

Scripture Text 

Romans 35-37

Intro: All of us who are in the family of God go through things in life that are very unpleasant, stressful, and at times painful. We all need assurance at times like that everything is going to be o.k. and that God is not mad at us or punishing us. Let’s look at God’s word and see what He has to say about our life situations and circumstances from His point of view.

I. Believers will have many trials and tribulations. Romans 8:35-36 (NKJV) 

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

 a. In verse 35 Paul doesn’t hide the truth. He reminds the believers that people who trust in God must expect to go through some things as a result of their faith in Christ. Paul asked at the beginning of verse 35, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? The context shows that “the love of Christ” is His love for us believers, not our love for Him. The apostle then listed these seven things a believer might experience.

   1. Tribulations} means to undergo struggle, trials, temptation, suffering, or affliction.

   2. Distress:} means to suffer anguish, trouble, strain, agony; not knowing which        way to turn or what to do.

  3. Persecution:} means to be abused, mocked, ridiculed, shamed, mistreated,      ignored, neglected, harassed, attacked, or injured.

   4. Famine:} means to have no food, to be starving and have no way to secure food.

   5. Nakedness:} means to be stripped of all clothes and earthly comforts; to be bare, having all earthly possessions taken away.

   6. Peril:} means to be exposed to the most severe risks; to be confronted with the most terrible dangers to one's body, mind, soul, property, family, and loved ones.

   7. Sword:} means to be killed; to suffer martyrdom.

Our Lord Jesus suffered all of these! Paul experienced all of them; (2 Cor. 11:23-28) and he says no matter how intense these things are, they do not separate Christians from Christ; instead they are part of the “all things God works together for good” (Rom. 8:28) God uses these things to bring us into conformity to His Son. In verse 36 Paul quoted Psalm 44:22 to remind his readers that in this life the people of God have always had to face much affliction including even martyrdom for some and they will till Jesus returns. There is absolutely nothing—no matter how dark and depressing, no matter how severe—that can separate the believer from the love of Christ. Circumstances such as these are not evidence that God does not love us because God loves us no matter what the circumstances may be. The things we go through on this earth are proof of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! He said if the world hates Me, they will hate you!

II. We are more than conquers. Romans 8:37 (NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 

 a. In this verse, Paul says even though we go through all these things, we are more than conquers through Him who loves us. This does not mean that we are superheroes, but that our victory will be assured because of our union with Christ. No matter the situations and their severity, Christ will carry us through it all, strengthening and encouraging us. We cannot lose, no matter the severity of the situation. There are many examples in the bible such as Daniel in the lions den!

Christ loves us and is going to look after and take care of us as He promised.

The believer can rest assured; Christ protects us in the severest circumstances:

Christ meets all the spiritual and material necessities of life. He gives us rest, peace, and escape from temptations as we look to Him. He supplies all our needs and comforts us through whatever we have to face. [Ps. 34:19 says “many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them out of them all.”]

Christ will always show Himself strong on our behalf and deliver us one way or the other. If we are called upon to be martyred for our faith Him, Christ delivers us into His very presence, giving us eternal life. Christ enables us to overcome the world and all its troubles. "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4).

Conclusion: So to conclude the matter, we must keep our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ strong and vibrant, always growing in our relationship with Him, moving from victory to victory. We must read and study God’s word, pray, seeking His face in every situation. Jesus came to give us all that we need to live the abundant life. He assures us of victory, so all is definitely well. We must therefore because we have the victory; “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” [1 Corinthians 15:58] And finally, we are to always give; “Thanks to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 

Invitation: Have you experienced the victory that Christ died to give you? Without Christ you cannot have the victory over the world, the devil, sin and hell. If you have not gained the victory, now is the time to confess your sins to Christ and ask Him to forgive you and give you eternal life and commit to live your life for Him. Then be baptized to show you are sincere in your commitment to Jesus.