Casting Your Cares

Scripture Text

1 Peter5:6-7 & 2Kings 5: 10-15

Intro: The scripture texts for this message tells us in very specific terms what we are to do when we have a problem, situation, or circumstance we can’t handle or solve on our own. Our Father in Heaven wants to help us through everything we have to face in this life, but we must come to Him on His terms and not ours. 

I. We are to humble ourselves before God. 

1 Peter 5:6 (NKJV) ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, First we are to humble ourselves before God. 1081This means to offer oneself as lowly and submissive; in a spirit of lowliness; to present oneself as lowly; to be of low degree and low rank; not to be high-minded, proud, haughty, arrogant, or assertive.

     A humble person may have a high position, power, wealth, fame, and much more; but he carries himself in a spirit of lowliness and submission.

     He denies himself for the sake of Christ, his Savior and Lord.

II. We are to cast all our cares on God. 

   a. 1 Peter 5:7 ^acasting all your care upon Him, Care here means (worry, anxiety, or concern). Then we are to cast our cares. Cast means to fling; to throw; to hurl; to toss. Let go of them completely, not holding on or taking those cares back.

   b. Why you should cast all our cares on Him. [1 Peter 5:7b]  because He cares for you! The word cares here means God is the One who supplies the provisions of what is needed for the well-being or protection of His children.

III. We are to be obedient to what God tells us to do. 

 a. God tells Naaman through the man of God what he is to do for his healing. 2 Kings 5:10 (NKJV) And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean."

 God has told us in the scripture text for today what we are to do. [1 Peter 5:6-7 above]

 b. We are not to argue or try to rationalize what God tells us to do as Naaman did. 2 Kings 5:11-13 (NKJV) ¹¹ But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.'
¹² Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. ¹³ And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"

     Disobedience can cause us to miss God’s best blessings for us.

 c. Obedience brings results. 2 Kings 5:14-15 (NKJV) ¹⁴ So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. ¹⁵ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, "Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.

    Obedience is a test of how real our faith is. When we do what God says to do then He will do what only He can do. Will we trust God enough to take action on what He says and leave the results to Him? God says “Cast all your cares on Me.”

Conclusion: To show our faith in God and to give Him all the glory we have the privilege of bringing our concerns to Him because Jesus’ died on the cross for our salvation, healing or whatever we need as we ask, seek, and knock on Heaven’s door.

     When we do what He is showing us to do, He will do what only He can do!

Invitation: Have you been healed of your sins against God? If not now is the time to call on Jesus confessing your sins and asking Him to forgive and save you. The bible says in Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is eternal death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus waits to save you right now.

      Now is the accepted time for your salvation! The decision is yours to make! 

Set Your Mind

Scripture Text

Colossians 3:1-4

Intro: If you’re wondering why it’s so difficult to control your thoughts and maintain your faith, remember that your mind reflects what you feed it. The apostle Paul in these verses, knowing how important our thoughts are, gives us some wise advice on how to help control our thoughts and maintain our faith. We should think on these things!

I. Think about our resurrection with Christ. Colossians 3:1 (NKJV) ¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Romans 6:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. A believer's life is a life that is raised with Christ. When a person believes, asks for forgiveness of their sins and really surrenders their life to Christ, God forgives the person's sins and accepts them in Christ. God begins to consider the person as having died to sin and risen with Christ

II. Think on things above. Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. If you desire to become all that the Father created you to be, you must (set) or put (your mind) in a particular place, prioritize that which is above and not here below. Fill your mind with His ways and the principles found in His word! We are to not let the things of this earth control the thoughts of our mind and heart. The things on earth are temporary and the Things above are permanent.

III. Think of having died to this life. Colossians 3:3 (NKJV) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. This is the reason we are to set our minds on things above. The moment we received Jesus Christ as our Savior, we were made new creations, we died to our old life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Paul explains true Christian behavior is putting on the new self in Christ and regarding the earthly nature as dead. We change our moral and ethical behavior by letting Christ live and reign within us, controlling our minds so that he can shape us into what we should be. The resurrected Christ gives us power through His Spirit to live victoriously over the sins and trials of this world and to bear the fruit of God's Spirit as we walk throughout this world. Our life now is hidden with Christ in God, it is not in this world.

IV. Think of your resurrected body.Colossians 3:4 (NKJV) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Our thoughts and praise should center upon the wonderful the new and glorious body God has promised us. The resurrection of Christ gives us a living hope, the hope of glory. The resurrection of Christ Jesus guarantees our resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (NKJV) 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.

 Our minds and praise should focus upon the glory of heaven which shall be ours when either God takes us home or Christ returns. The resurrection assures that God will judge the world by Christ.

     Our minds and prayers should be focused upon evangelism and the terrible fact that the wrath of God’s judgment is upon all unbelievers. Every Christian will have to give an account to Christ and all those who have rejected Him will be eternally separated from God in Hell, a place of unimaginable fire, darkness and eternal torment.

Conclusion: You must ask God to help you sift through everything that enters your mind each day and choose for God’s truth to take precedence in your life. It’s your choice, an act of your will.

 Prayer and Invitation: Lord Jesus we want to honor You by the way we think. Please reveal and purge the thoughts that displease You, and if there is anyone reading this today that does not know You as their personal Savior and Lord, we ask that You might have Your way in those hearts and call them unto You this day. We pray and ask these blessings in Your name Lord Jesus. Amen!

Stand Fast in Freedom!

Scripture Text

1 Tim.2:1-5

Intro: America will celebrate its 241^st year since the declaration of independence from Great Britain was signed. Faith in God and prayer has played a major role in the establishment of this nation. Galatians 5:1a “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore.” We are to stand firm in our Christ given freedom by continuing to spread the gospel by which we were set free, and by praying for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Over 300 times in the bible prayer is mentioned. If we love the freedom we have in this nation we must pray for God to continue to have His way in America. Only then can we be blessed of Him. Every nation that has turned its back on God has fallen from within.

1 We are to Pray for all men! 1 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.      It is both a privilege and an obligation. It is a sheer privilege for us to have audience with God on behalf of our nation and fellow men. And it is an obligation, too, for we are debtors to all with the good news of salvation.

    a. There are four aspects of prayer mentioned in this verse,—supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks. In modern usage, supplication has the thought of strong and earnest request, making specific requests for specific needs. The word here translated prayers is a very general term, covering all kinds of reverent requests to God. Intercessions describe petitions in which we address God as Supreme Authority in behalf of others. Giving of thanks describes prayer in which we realize the grace and kindness of our Lord, and pour out our hearts in gratitude to Him for the privilege of coming before His throne with our needs.

2 We are to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV) For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. Our prayers include Kings, presidents and all who are in authority. These must occupy a special place in our prayers. In (Rom. 13:1) Paul reminds us that the authorities that exist are ordained of God and in (Rom. 13:4) he says they are ministers of God to us for good. Without government we would have chaos. The NT teaches that a Christian is to be loyal to the government under which he lives. Part of that loyalty for the Christian is to pray for all those in our government as commanded in this verse. A Christian should not engage in revolution or in violence against the government, but take lawful ways to change government when we believe the government is wrong.  The reason Paul gives for praying for rulers is that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness [conforming to the laws of God] and reverence [deep respect for God]. It is for our own good that the government should be stable and God fearing so that the country is preserved from revolution, civil war, turmoil, and anarchy and have God’s blessings. We should also pray for those that protect and serve us, such as our military men and women, firefighters, policemen and all civil servants.

3 Prayer is the will of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

     God is pleased and accepts our prayers when we pray for all mankind, including all who are in authority over us. Therefore, to pray for all men is to promote the will of God in this regard. Prayer proves we depend on God for everything that we need in this world! We don’t depend on mankind alone because mankind is fallible. God alone is Supreme! He is our Savior, protector, and defender against all evil.

4 We are to pray for a spiritual awakening. 1 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV)  God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. We must pray for the salvation of people in America. Only by being saved will people turn from their wicked ways. No one is beyond salvation if they desire it. In order to be saved, man must come to the knowledge of the truth. God does not save men against their will. He does not populate heaven with rebellious subjects. Man of his own free will must come to Jesus who is: “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” because Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. So we are to pray for lost people to be saved and for God to open the eyes of the spiritually blind and open their hearts to the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

5. We are to pray for all mankind to know the truth about salvation! 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

      God says He is one; He is the God of all men, no matter what their race or nationality, and prayer should be made to Him in behalf of all men. He desires the salvation of all mankind and that they may know the truth, which is, there is One God, and there is only One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. This declares the deity of the Lord Jesus. In order to be the Mediator between God and men, He must be both God and Man. The Lord Jesus is God from all eternity, but He became Man in Bethlehem’s manger for us. He represents the whole race of humanity. No man can come to God in any other way. (John 14:6)

 Conclusion: If we love our nation we will pray for it daily to come to know the truth of God’s word. Without God this nation will never be what He intended it to be and that is one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. A nation established on faith in God and prayer. This is why we must continue in prayer and continue to proclaim the gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Invitation: Have there been a time in your life where you have stopped and asked Jesus to forgive your sins and save you from Hell? If not, now is the perfect time to do that. Jesus said “no one comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6) God wants you in His kingdom but the choice is yours to make. How will you respond as we give the invitation to come to Christ right now?

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.