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.

God Finishes What He Starts

Scripture Text 
Philippians 1:6

Intro: Have you ever started a project you didn’t finish? You may have an unfinished task hanging over your head right now. Sometimes we start a project with the best of intentions, but we don’t finish the job. This is a common problem for many, but it is not at all a problem for God. The bible tells us that God always finishes what He starts! God’s good work in us has three steps!

I. Salvation is the first step of God’s good work in us. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)  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. 

 a. God began His good work of grace when He saved us through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. This first step is called justification! Romans 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We had to be justified because we were alienated from God because of our rebellion and sin against Him and His righteous character. Our Sin aroused God's anger and wrath against us. But in the fullness of time the bible says in Gal. 4:4-5, when the time was right God sent forth His Son to redeem us who were under the law. Jesus became the propitiation for our sin and the sins of the world.

     1 John 2:2 (NKJV) And He [Jesus] Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Propitiation means to turn away anger or to make reconciliation between God and man. Jesus turned away God’s anger toward us by becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus reconciled and united us to God.

II. Second step of God’s good work in us is Sanctification. Romans 6:12-13

 a. Sanctification means that we grow in holy living in our relationship with God. Romans 6:12-13 ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. ¹³ And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. The believer is to yield the parts of his body to serve righteousness, and he is to let righteousness sanctify him more and more. He is to live righteously and become more and more holy like God. Philippians 2:12-13 (NKJV) ¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. God’s Spirit is working to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Living holy lives each day for God becomes our priority.

III. Third step of God’s good work in us is Glorification. Romans 8:30 (NKJV) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 

 a. Glorification used in this verse is of man being made glorious in this life by means of the glorious gifts and graces of God, which are a foretaste of the glory that shall be revealed. When applied to man it always means the progressive act of being made perfect, as God is perfect as in 2 Cor. 3:18 (NKJV) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Our final Glorification will take place at the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (NKJV) ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 (NKJV) ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

     Hallelujah, one day Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to become glorious just like His body! Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV) ²⁰ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.  

Conclusion: In the final glorification, resurrected saints will attain to the glory that Adam and Eve had before the time of the fall. We will be all that God created us to be when He first thought of us and planned our lives. We will be like our Savior and Lord for we shall see Him as He is. We will rule and reign with Christ forever. We have a marvelous future ahead of us and God will continue to work in our lives until He has accomplished His plan for each of us. We can be as confident as the apostle Paul was when he penned Philippians 1:6. “God always finishes what He starts!” Remember you are a continuing work of the Lord until the day of Jesus Christ.

 Invitation:  Right now is your opportunity to respond to the Spirit of God as He calls you to confess and repent of your sins and to ask His Son Jesus Christ to forgive you and save you for His Kingdom. Jesus died on the cross for you so you could be forgiven of all your sins. If there is anything the Spirit of God is pointing out in your life, now is the time to get it right with Him while He is tenderly calling you today.

Top Priority for This Year

                                         

Scripture Text Matthew 6:33

      Intro: In this one verse of scripture Jesus tells us what the key to a successful year and life is. Let us examine Jesus’ words in this verse and understand what He is talking about when He tells His disciples to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness?   When we do what Jesus commands in this verse He promises we will be successful and prosperous this coming year.

                                                          

I. Seek first God’s kingdom. (Matt. 6:33) Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 a. Seek first means it must have the priority over all else in our lives.

     Seek means to go in search or quest of. Seeking God’s kingdom starts with a new birth. Jesus said” you must be born again.” (John 3:3) Jesus tells us how to be “born again” in John 3:16 (NKJV)  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. After we enter the kingdom through the salvation that Jesus provided for us we are to seek to live our lives in the righteous standing that Jesus purchased for us when He died on the cross for our sins. Salvation is the beginning of a new abundant life in Jesus Christ. He empowers us by His Spirit within and we have the word of God to be our guide each day of our lives. We are to: “Keep seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness by reading, studying and meditating on His word” and speaking it over our lives so that it changes and shapes our lives into His perfect will for us.

    

II. What is God’s kingdom?

  a. It is where God as King rules, reigns over all that belongs to Him. It’s where He has supreme authority over those in His kingdom. We are His servants, He is our King and we obey Him.

  b. The kingdom of God is not external but internal. Romans 14:17 (NKJV) It is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It’s more important what we feed our souls than it is our bodies. The kingdom of God is about a change in our heart and soul.

 The kingdom of God is in righteous living . 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) For God made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  In Christ we have become the righteousness of God. Because Jesus has made us the righteousness of God, we are to work out the righteousness that is characteristic of God’s kingdom. This is to be the priority of our lives here on this earth. We must seek to be holy in righteous living as a part of our daily lives.

  The kingdom of God is in Peaceful living. The kind of peace that Jesus gives.  John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

   In God’s kingdom there is perfect peace and we are to allow His peace to rule in our hearts. Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let God’s peace govern and control your mind and actions. Peace will settle any friction and strife so we believers can remain strong and unified as one body in Christ. Real peace is a fruit of the Spirit who is at work in us. In God’s kingdom there is Joyful living. Christian joy is not just happiness that knows no gloom, but is the result of the triumph of faith over our adverse and trying circumstances, which, instead of hindering, actually enhances our joy in the Lord. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! It comes from His working in our lives. God’s very presence within us by His Holy Spirit brings assurance, confidence, and security in the love and care of God. Real joy comes from knowing that God will take care of us no matter the problem or circumstance. God’s joy comes from knowing we can be absolutely assured of victory through Christ and that God will allow nothing to overcome or defeat us. This brings us joy unspeakable and full of glory.

III. Where is God’s kingdom at this time? Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)
²⁰ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹ nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."  

 a. Until Jesus returns and sets up God’s kingdom here on earth, His kingdom is now in the hearts and lives of His people that have been born again by His Spirit, having been purchased by the blood of Christ. We Christians are to allow God’s will to be done in all that we think, say, and do here on this earth. We do not question His authority over us nor do we argue with Him. We are to pray for His kingdom to come and his will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matt. 6:10)

   Conclusion: When our priority is God’s kingdom, His righteousness and His rule over our lives, God will take care of the material things we need, for where God guides, He provides. [Matt. 6:33b]      This is God’s “social security” program. The believer’s responsibility is to live for the Lord as He commands in His word, trusting God for the future with unshakable confidence that He will provide. We are called to live one day at a time: tomorrow can worry about its own things. [Matt.6:34] We simply trust God our Father to do exactly what He said He would do each day of our lives that remain on this earth. This year may you seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and you will be successful and prosperous in God’s eyes!

 Invitation: You can never be completely successful in this life or the one to come unless you have entered God’s kingdom. You enter by being be born again. When you put your faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross as payment for your sins, you are born again by the Spirit of God. Make sure of your salvation! Allow the Spirit of God to examine your heart. His Spirit will confirm with your spirit whether you are saved or not. If you are not sure about your salvation, now is the time to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you from the penalty of your sins. Then be baptized and live for Him.

Why Jesus Came!

Scripture Text

Luke 19:10

Intro: Jesus in this scripture tells us His number one reason for His coming to this earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives forever by empowering the lost to be saved. With over 269 million lost people, North America and its major cities are some of the most spiritually dark places in the world. Please tell someone about this website or tell them your testimony how you came to be saved and how they can too.   

I. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10 (NKJV)  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

The word seek means; to go after; to strive; to pursue; to desire; to aim at; to search for; to endeavor to get; to make that which is most important your primary concern. Save means to deliver, to cure; to make well; to preserve. Jesus saves mankind, He cures all sin problems. Makes people spiritually well and preserves their souls from Hell. At salvation God seals His people as His own through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives according to [Eph. 1:13]. The Spirit is a once-and-for-all identification that gives continued assurance that a person is God’s child, entitled to his riches and goodness. God in His word says in [2 Tim. 4-5] “He desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. That truth is there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us which is the testimony to be given at the proper time.” God loves all mankind and wants them to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ so they can be saved and made a part of His forever family!

Since we are the disciples of Jesus Christ, having been saved by His blood, and sealed with God’s Spirit, our primary concern should be to help seek and save the lost also. To tell them God desires for them to be saved. Many Christians seem to be concerned only about themselves and their families. We must look beyond ourselves to a lost and dying world.

II. Jesus seeks the lost by taking the initiative. John 1:14 (NKJV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. He came from Heaven to mankind. Philippians 2:7-8 (NKJV) He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

 a. Jesus didn’t wait for people to come to Him. Jesus had to take the initiative because the bible says in Romans 3:10-11 (NKJV) "There is none righteous, no, not one; ¹¹ There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.   All other religions teach you must do good works in order to somehow work your way up to God and hope He lets you into Heaven. But the bible says that we have all sinned and come short of God’s glory, which excludes work. Jesus said a person must be born again. Without God drawing a person to Jesus for salvation, they cannot be saved. Jesus Himself plainly taught in John 6:44 (NKJV) No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

III. We overcome evil by carrying on Jesus’ good work. Romans 12:21 (NKJV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 a. We all want to overcome the evil in our nation and beyond. We can only conquer evil by doing good. Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and His salvation is a good way to overcome the evil in our nation and the world. When we remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and share it with others, we will be overcoming evil by bringing people into the kingdom of God and His righteousness. All of this will be accomplished to the degree that we allow God to create in us a sincere desire to join Jesus as He seeks to save the lost today.

Conclusion:  We have the opportunity in the coming days and weeks to help carry on the purpose for which our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ came to earth. He commanded in Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) ¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. We start here locally, then the state, North America and the world! May we join in prayer “Together For the Kingdom!”

Invitation: Jesus came to seek and save you personally! Have you responded to His invitation to be saved? If not now is the time, today is the day to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save your soul from Hell and for Heaven. Don’t put it off!

What Do You Need?

Scripture Text

Luke 18:35-43

Intro: Many people go through life doing things the same old way and expecting different results. This story from the bible gives us five things that a person must do to change an unwanted lifestyle or to receive any need from God. May God reveal to us today through His Spirit the power, compassion and love of Jesus Christ toward people who seek Him.

I. We must recognize our need. Luke 18:35 (NKJV) Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.

 a. What is the greatest need in your life? Be very specific!

 b. This man was blind and poor. He was as needful as one could be!

II. People must hear about Jesus. Luke 18:36-37 (NKJV) ³⁶ And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

 a. The purpose of the church. Romans 10:14 (NKJV) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? The very reason the church exists is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 9:35 (NKJV)  Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

III. We must believe the word concerning who Jesus is? Luke 18:38 (NKJV)  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 a. The blind man believed the Old Testament scriptures concerning who Jesus really was.

 b. Son of David was the Jewish name for the Messiah whom God prophesied would come to save them and be their King and rule and reign over the earth.

 c. The New testament tells us that Jesus is the only begotten of the Father. He has come so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. We must believe He is the Son of God and possesses the awesome power and authority of God over everything.

     Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

IV. We must cry out in earnest and persistent prayer to Jesus. Luke 18:38-39 (NKJV) ³⁸ And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" ³⁹ Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" What if he hadn’t asked? There  were many people around Jesus but they didn’t ask!

 a. Don’t be discouraged by people. Some will try to dissuade you from praying for your earnest need. Some of the people with Jesus rebuked the blind man. They tried to silence and stop him from crying out to the Lord. He had every reason to be discouraged, for he was blind and could not see to make his way through the crowd. All he could do was shout out even though they were trying to stop him from doing that. He could have easily quit and given up, for it seemed so useless. He would not quit and would not be silenced. Jesus was his hope, the only chance he had for mercy. No other man could have mercy upon him or meet his need. For a true change in your life to happen, Jesus is the only One who can make the change needed.

     We must come to Him in believing, trusting faith. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)  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.]

V. Jesus responds to our earnest persistent prayer of faith.  Luke 18:40-41 (NKJV) ⁴⁰ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, ⁴¹ saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."

 a. Must be specific in our prayers. [v:41] Sincere prayers are to be specific.

 b. The blind man believed in the One who stood before Him, believing what he had heard: that this Jesus was the Messiah who possessed the very power of God. He was able to do anything, so the blind man asked for the greatest need in his life to be met. There was no need to ask for anything less, for Jesus was the One possessing the power of God. In verse 42 Jesus answered his prayer request! his faith had made him whole Jesus said! Jesus is asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?

Invitation: If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you definitely need a change in your life. You need the change that Christ’s forgiveness brings. You must be born again the bible says to be able to have eternal life in Heaven. Confess your sins against God to Jesus and ask Him to forgive and save you from Hell right now.

When!

Scripture Text Psalms 56:3-4

Intro: Anxieties will arise in our lives, not only because this is a fallen world, but God can use them also 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 into our lives. Psalms 56:3 (NKJV) Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

 a. David said when I am afraid. We have many enemies and problems to face each day. Psalms 56:2 (NKJV) My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High. 

 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.

II. When fearful times come we choose our course of action. Psalms 56:3b I will trust in You. I will not fear!

 a. We either choose to be afraid and succumb to those fears or we can trust in God. It’s a matter of the will. David 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.

  III. Our trust is in the character of God and the faithfulness of His promises. Psalms 56:4 (NKJV) In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

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. What can man 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 an overwhelming situation that you cannot handle? So 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. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵b For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" [Isaiah 41:11-13] Isaiah 41:11-13 (NKJV) ¹¹ "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. ¹² You shall seek them and not find them-- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. 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: Have you trusted in God’s Son Jesus to forgive your sins against Father God and save you from Hell? If not 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 when we are afraid. Help us to trust You and have faith in Your provisions and protection. Thank You for loving us and draw us all closer to You in Jesus’ holy name. Amen!

Overcoming Problems

Scripture Text John 11

Intro: In John Chapter 11 we are given some keys as to how to overcome every problem we might face in this life. If we do what Lazarus’ family did, we will have the same result. All we need is faith that Jesus hears our prayers, loves us, and cares for us at all times.

I. We are to call on Jesus for help. John 11:3 (NKJV) Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."

 a. The very first step in overcoming life’s situations is to call on Jesus. This family had a very serious problem but they knew what to do because they had an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus is waiting for us to call on Him. He is always near!

II. Remember Jesus is never late. John 11:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. ⁷ Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."

 a. Jesus knows when it’s the right time to answer our prayers. He is always working out His plan for our life. When He seems to delay the answer it is for a good reason. In this case Jesus waited two days before He begins to answer their prayer, but there was a very good reason. John 11:4 (NKJV)  When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." John 11:15 (NKJV)  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, “that you may believe.” Nevertheless let us go to him." These underlined scriptures give us the reason why Jesus waited. We are to wait on Jesus to answer our prayers knowing He is working out His will for all concerned. Every prayer Jesus answers is to bring glory to God and Himself and to increase our faith in Him and His love for us. A strong faith in God can overcome every obstacle.

III. Remember Jesus loves and cares for us greatly. John 11:5 (NKJV)  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

  a. They loved Jesus and He loved them in verse 5. If you ever doubt Jesus’ love for you look at the cross. Look at what God says in His word in Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV) ³¹ 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?

 God handed His own Son over to die for us—in our behalf, in our stead, in our place, as our substitute. God spared not His own Son; He delivered Christ Jesus up for us all. What a glorious, marvelous, wonderful love! And just how wonderful His love is can be clearly seen in this: it was while we were sinners, acting and rebelling against God, that He gave His Son to die for us. Then He asks us a question. Will God not also freely give us all things through this same Jesus who died for us all?

IV. Remember Jesus has power over every circumstance we face. John 11:41-42 (NKJV)
⁴¹ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."

 a. Lazarus had been in that tomb four days so there was no doubt that he was truly dead. Jesus told them to take the stone away from the tomb. Jesus had prayed and then He thanked the Father for the assurance that He always heard Him. God also hears every prayer we pray if we have that faith in His word because His word tells us so.

 b. The great shout of power! John 11:43-44 (NKJV) ⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

     Jesus’ voice is effective and life giving!

     Jesus cried out with a loud voice and dead Lazarus came forth out of the tomb bound in his grave cloths and face wrapped in a cloth. Then Jesus commanded them to take off his grave wrappings and let him go.

Conclusion: Jesus will always answer the prayer of faith! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He did then He will do today when we go to Him in earnest and mountain moving faith just believing Him to always answer us with the right answer. Sometimes we will have to wait for His timing because He is working out His plan for the good of all concerned. We must remember Jesus loves us greatly and cares deeply about our situation. We are to always remember that Jesus has the power over all situations and circumstances.

Invitation: Have you asked Jesus to forgive and save you from your sins? If not, the bible says today is the accepted time, the day of salvation if you will hear His voice. May this message today penetrate your heart and soul so you never forget it and may you live with the assurance of Jesus’ love and care for you and your family forever!

True Worship

Scripture Text Ps. 95:6-7

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

When was the last time you truly worshiped God?

I. What is “True Worship”? [v:6] Psalms 95:6 (NKJV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Worship means to show reverence and adoration for a deity.

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

 

II. Things That Prompt Worship. Psalms 95:3-5 (NKJV)
³ For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.
⁴ In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.
⁵ The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.

 1. True worship recognizes that God is the Lord. He is the sovereign, supreme, all-powerful over all so called gods (idols). God made everything and holds in place the universe. [Vs:3-5]

 2. True worship recognizes that God made us. [v:7] Psalms 95:7 (NKJV) For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: Psalms 139:13-18 (NLT) ¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. ¹⁶ You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸ I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

We are not here by accident. We are here by God’s perfect design and He has a plan for each of our lives. When we worship God we draw close to Him and we find His direction for our lives. He restores our soul and fills us with His Holy Spirit power.

Then He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. [Ps. 23:3]

 3. True worship recognizes God has made us a part of His forever family. [v:7] We are part of His flock which means We are under His care. God constantly watches over us.

     Psalms 139:7 (NLT) I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!  God also provides for our every need.

     The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [Ps. 23:1]

 4. True worship recognizes that we can never be separated from God and His love. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

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