SUNDAY SERMONS

Reservations Required

2011-03-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Three women die and all three reach Heaven at the same time. There they meet St. Peter. He tells them he has some other important business to transact and asks them to wait outside. Finally he returns and calls the first woman into his office. He apologizes for making her wait so long. "Oh, I don't mind at all," the woman says. "I'm so thrilled just to be here in Heaven." St. Peter is delighted by her attitude. "Well, then, if you can just answer one question for me, we can finish processing your papers. Now tell me, how do you spell `God'?" The woman spells it for him, then she goes on into the celestial realm. St. Peter calls in the next woman and also apologizes to her for making her wait. "It will be worth it, I'm sure," she answers. "I am willing to wait one thousand years if necessary in order to see God face to face." Peter is very pleased. He insists, though, on asking her one more question for the Records. "Tell me, dear lady, how do you spell `God'?" The woman spells it perfectly, then enters the Pearly Gates. Finally, St. Peter calls in the third woman. He also apologizes to her, but she refuses to accept his apology. "It was quite rude," she says angrily. “All my life on earth I had to wait in lines. Wait at the checkout counter, wait at the bus stop, wait for the kids to get home from school, wait for my coffee break. And now you expect me to wait to get into Heaven? Well, I just won't stand for it!" St. Peter said, "I'm so sorry. If you'll just answer

one more question for our records, then you can go on in. Tell me, how do you spell Czechoslovakia'?"

2 Tim. 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Question: DO YOU WANT TO SPEND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN?

"In January 2000, church leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. "After wonderful things were said about him, The aged Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist. "Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it. "The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it." Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. "The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one." Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.’" "Having said that, Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. I went out and bought this suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. "You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am…I also know where I’m going!"

There are only two categories of people in the world:

…sinners in need of the Savior

... or sinners saved by the grace of God!

I. It is important to know who we are…

a. Sinners in need of the Savior:

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Ezekiel 18:4b “The soul who sins is the one who will die.”

Matt 9:13 For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners , Christ died for us.

Every one of us is nothing more than a sinner in need of a Savior.

Man who would not admit he had sinned.

II. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE WE’RE GOING!

a. We are Sinners saved by grace:

When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit." Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid -- but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"

G - God's

R - Riches

A - At

C - Christ's

E – Expense

Romans. 10:12-13 “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Romans 3:24 “…being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”

b. It is important to know that we CAN know.

c. Hebrews 9:27 “it is appointed unto men to die once, but after this the judgment”

d. It must be terrible to live every day knowing that and not knowing where you will spend your eternity.

e. 2 Timothy 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”.

f. Later in the course of that same letter to Timothy, Paul wrote,

g. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

III. It is important to know that there is a Hell to escape:

a. Sinners seeking salvation!

Author C. S. Lewis makes Screwtape say, "Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."

In the light of God’s Word, it is ridiculous for a Christian to deny the existence of a literal hell.

Matthew 13:49-50 “So it will be at the close and consummation of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) and cast them [the wicked] into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth.”

A preacher was describing the events of Judgment Day and, of course, he used Biblical phraseology whenever he could. "Oh, my friends," he intoned, "imagine the suffering of the sinners as they find themselves cast into the outer darkness, removed from the presence of the Lord and given to eternal flames. My friends, at such a time there will be weeping, wailing and a great gnashing of teeth!" At this point, one of the elders of the congregation interrupted to say, "But Reverend, what if one of those hopeless sinners has no teeth?" The preacher crashed his fist on the pulpit, "My friends, the Lord is not put out by details. Rest assured...teeth will be provided!"

Preach on Meek and lowly Jesus

IV. It is important to know that there is a Heaven to be gained!

a. Saints assured of a final destination

Some years ago, radio evangelist, Charles E. Fuller, announced that he would speak the following Sunday on "Heaven." It was to be broadcast on radio. During that week he received a letter from an elderly gentleman who was very ill. Here is part of that letter: "Next Sunday you are to talk about 'Heaven.' I am interested in that land because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over 55 years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without price. But the donor purchased it for me at a tremendous sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation since the title is non-transferable. It is not a vacant lot. For more than a half-century I have been sending material out of which the greatest architect and builder of the universe has been building a home for me, which will never need to be repaired because it will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old. Termites can never undermine its foundation for it rests upon the Rock of Ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no vicious person can ever enter that land where my dwelling stands, now almost completed and ready for me to enter it and abide in peace eternally without fear of being ejected. My friend has stuck by me through thick and thin since we first met and became acquainted 55 years ago. I hold His promise in printed form, never to forsake nor to leave me alone. He will be with me as I walk through the valley of shadows, and I shall not lose my way when He is with me. …. I hope to hear your sermon on "Heaven" next Sunday from my home, but I have no assurance that I shall be able to do so. My ticket to heaven has no date marked for the journey...no return coupon...and no permit for baggage. Yes, I am ready to go and may not be here while you are talking next Sunday, but I shall meet you there some day."

….

A rich man showed a preacher around his estate. Pointing to the north, the man said, "As far as you can see, I own." Then pointing to the east, then the south, then the west, he repeated, "As far as you can see, I own." It was the preacher's turn. Pointing skyward, he asked "How much do you own up there?"

John 14::2 “I go to prepare a place for you.”

I Corinthians 2:9"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” NIV

When you breathe your last breath, your eternal destiny is forever determined. NOT BY RIGHTS OR WRONGS COMMITTED … BUT BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this: "My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

What Happens When Jesus is in the House

2011-03-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

What do we absolutely need to Worship? … a building? … soft pews? … a sound system? … a projector? … a piano / keyboard? … a pulpit? … a music leader? … a preacher? … an offering plate?

What do we really need to worship?

ALL WE REALLY NEED TO TRULY WORSHIP IS JESUS!

What happens when Jesus is in the House?

Mark 2:1-12 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

What Happens when Jesus is in the House?

WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE…

I. People Come to see Jesus

V.1-2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door.

a. When Jesus is in the house, people will come to be near Jesus!

b. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, people came from miles around to be near Jesus!

c. They would leave their work, their families their homes, their friends all to come be near Jesus.

d. Many came because they wanted something from Him.

e. But they came

Ps 42:4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude , leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

f. When Jesus is in the house, people will come to see Jesus!

WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE…

II. The Word is Preached.

There was a butcher who ran a little shop on the edge of London. He decided one Sunday that he would go into town and hear the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon. His wife chose not to go with him. So the butcher went to town, went to church, and returned home. That afternoon his wife began to question him about the service. "What songs did they sing?" He said, "I do not remember." "Well, what was his text?" Again he said, "I do not remember." Somewhat exasperated, his wife wanted to know: "What good did it do for you to go to church this morning?" The butcher was quiet for a moment. And then he said, "What good? I will tell you what good. You know those scales out in the shop that really weigh just 14 ounces to the pound? Well, before we open for business in the morning, I am going to correct those scales to where they weight a full 16 ounces to the pound."

V.2 he preached the word to them.

a. When Jesus was in the house, the Word was in the house

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

b. I deliver to you that which I received.

Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,

c. Jesus came into the house for one reason … TO TELL HIS STORY! … the Gospel Message of salvation through faith in Him!

WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE…

III. Faith is Persistent

Michael Faraday, the great scientist, was taken ill. When it became evident that the sickness would soon result in his death, a group of fellow scientists came to see him--not so much to talk about science as to talk about death. One of them said to him: "Mr. Faraday, what are your speculations about your future?" With evident surprise to them he replied: "Speculations! I have none. I am resting on certainities." Then he quoted

2 Tim. 1:12: "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

V. 3-4 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.

a. Baptist would have gone home.

b. These men would not take NO for an answer

c. Most of you were first invited to come to church by a friend. In fact, 97% of first time attendees come because someone, a friend, invited them. (brought them)

d. His friends saw his need and did whatever they could to help him.

1 Tim 4:9-10 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive ), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE…

IV. Forgiveness was present

V.5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

a. What is the greatest miracle that God has ever performed? … Forgiveness is greatest miracle God can perform!

b. As a group, people won’t come to church to see a child they don’t know accept Christ … but they will come if you tell them a man will get up out of a wheelchair and walk!

c. Forgiveness is our greatest need!

d. Forgiveness cost the greatest price.

e. Forgiveness brings the greatest results

Col 1:21-22 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

5 -“son, your sins are forgiven”

f. Son = family

g. Forgiven = fellowship of God

Jer 31:34 "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

A man in England who was troubled with guilt, He was resting behind a hedge and overheard two girls talking. They were discussing a sermon they had heard. One of the girls said, "I heard him preach once, and I shall never forget one thing that he said. It gave me a big lift." The other girl asked what the preacher said, and the girl replied, "The world will always say, You made your bed and you must lie in it'; but One greater than the world has said, "Take up thy bed and walk. Thy sins are forgiven.'" The despairing man on the other side of the hedge heard that good report, the discouragement lifted, and he went on his way rejoicing.

WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE…

V. Doubt is on the prowl

V. 6-7 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

a. Scribes … Sanhedrin … these are the “Old Church” people. They believed that

Sin = suffering. If you were suffering, it was because you sinned and had not gotten right about your sin.

b. Remember Job’s friends that told him …

Job 4:7 "Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?

c. When Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven, the scribes were upset because on ly God could forgive sins and they didn’t believe Jesus was God!

d. Which is easier? To forgive sin or to heal?

e. Forgiveness = metamorphosis … transformation

WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE…

VI. Deity is Proven

V. 10 …He said to the paralytic, 11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

When Jesus forgave the man’s sin, the scribes were skeptical … when he healed the man and he got up and walked … their fears were proven to be the truth …JESUS IS GOD!!

a. Jesus is either Lord or He’s crazy!

b. Present with Jesus is the power to forgive our sins!

c. There is a road from earth to HELL. There is a road from earth to HEAVEN. There is not a road from hell to heaven or from heaven to hell!

d. If you were saved in a church service, you went to church on a road headed to hell and you left church on a road headed to Heaven.

Acts 7:49-50 "'Heaven is my throne , and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? 50 Has not my hand made all these things?'

A man came home from church one Sunday. He ate lunch and then sat down in his easy chair all tired. He got his Sunday newspaper and he started to read it. He had had a long hard week and he was totally exhausted. He just wanted to sit down and relax. He just wanted everyone to leave him alone. His little five year old girl came running into the room. She ran up to him and said, "Daddy, please come and play with me!" He said, "Honey, not right now. Daddy's tired from working all week. Let me just sit hear and read the newspaper." Her response was, "Please come and play with me, Daddy." He realized he had to think of some-thing so he grabbed a paper he had gotten at church. Tore it up into many small pieces and said to his little girl, "Honey, take this into your room. If you can put the pieces back together in the right place again Daddy will play with you." She said OK." And off she went. He thought to himself, "I've got it made now. I will take her hours to put that back together." Ten minutes later she came running back into the room. She had taken the scotch tape and put every piece right back where it belonged. The Father thought to himself, "Even I couldn't have done it that fast." He said, "Your Mom helped you right?" The little girl replied, "No one helped me. I did it all by myself." He said, "Well, how in the world did you do it?" He held it up and said, "How did you do that so fast?" She said, "Look Daddy," and turned the paper around. "There's a picture of Jesus on the other side. When I got Jesus in the right place all the other pieces just fit."

WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE…

VII. God is Praised

V. 12 This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

a. The man and his friends came to Jesus to get healed … Jesus wanted him to get saved.

b. Healing allowed the man to walk home

c. Forgiveness allowed the man to walk into Heaven!

2 Cor 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

The Power of Words

2011-03-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

The power of words and combinations of words is amazing!

Shakespeare – 10 Words

“To be or not to be , that is the question.”

The wife of an inventor gave him a sign for his desk … it had 6 words .. he went to his drawing board and began a new design … when he finished the design he went into his shop and began fabricating what he had designed. When finished, he went to the pentagon and showed his design to the officers there. He took them out to a field and drove them through a challenging obstacle course. The words on the sign were … “Find a need and fill it!” His name was Henry J. Kaiser … his invention was the Kaiser Jeep.

With 5 words Hitler almost conquered the world

“Today Germany, tomorrow the world.”

In a meeting between a major manufacturer and it’s advertizing company. The advertizing executive made a comment to the president of the manufacturer… He said you guys at Nike just seem to do it! From that comment came an advertizing phrase that has created its own identity…

“Just Do It”

Deut 32:2-4 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

Matt 7:21-29 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

I. Salvation

a. “To be or not to be, that is the question”

b. Shakespeare was close to the perfect question.

c. It is the perfect question when we apply it to our spiritual lives!

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ; the old has gone, the new has come!

d. When Christ comes into our lives, He makes us over anew!

e. There are two different words that are translated as “NEW.”

f. New =noos / kinos (spelling may not be correct)

g. Noos – new in kind … never used before.

i. On my desk is a box of pens … when I can’t find one, I reach into the box and get a new (NOOS) pen from the box.

h.Kinos – new by nature

i. unique

ii. If you sit down at an artist easel and paint a painting (no matter what talent you have) that painting will be new (KINOS) unique … no other painting like it will ever exist exactly like it.

i. You are a (new) kinos person

Matt 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

As a new unique person having been made new by the infilling of the Holy Spirit of God you are completely changed into someone uniquely designed to do God’s work in your life.

II. Ministry

a. “Find a need and fill it”

b. For many who call themselves Christians, there is a great disconnect between what we say we believe and what we actually do.

c. When God saved you and made you into a new creation, He did so in order for you to have your own personal ministry!

d. God did not save us to be part of a “HOLY CLUB”. He saved us so that we would be about building HIS kingdom.

e. Remember Paul? Paul headed up a posse charged with hunting down Christians and in many cases executing them because they were different.

f. On the road to Damascus in a blinding light experience, Paul met Jesus. It was a life changing experience. Paul was made new (unique) through his relationship with God.

1 Cor 9:19-23 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

g. Paul gained a relationship

h.Paul gained a Heavenly Father.

i. Paul gained a ministry.

j. Paul became a servant for God.

Paul “found a need and filled it”

III. Evangelism

a. As we’ve seen, Words have great power.

b. They have the power to achieve great good.

c. They also have the power to achieve great evil!

Hitler told Germany - “Today Germany, tomorrow the world” and with that he began building a nation to conquer the whole world. And they almost succeeded. Fortunately the world recognized the evil that was hidden in their agenda and defeated Germany.

What if we could win over the world for GOOD!

Matt 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

d. The only sword we battle with to conquer the world is The Word of God.

e. The power that keeps us working toward our goal is the power of the Holy Spirit!

f. We work to win the world for Jesus Christ!

g. We win them one by one as we spread His Kingdom!

IV. Victory

On Sunday nights we have been working on Vision for our church. In the discussion, someone pointed out that while Brother Greg was you interim, you studied Vision. The last two months I have preached on Vision and Taught Vision on Sunday nights. The question was asked … “We know academically what vision is, then why don’t we just do it?

THAT IS A FAIR QUESTION!

WHY DO WE THINK THAT WE CAN LIVE WITH DISREGARD FOR WHAT GOD TELLS US TO DO AND STILL EXPECT GOD TO BLESS OUR CHURCH?

Matt 7:29 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

a. Just do it!

Jesus at the wedding feast…

John 2:1-9 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding . 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." … 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

b. We read our Bibles … we know our Scripture … JUST DO IT!

c. We know what God wants us to do…We know what He says … JUST DO IT!

d. Ok … How do we just do it?

e. Two things

First – SET ASIDE YOUR FEAR!

f. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” – Truman

An Elderly Man who lived with his daughter had a great hobby. He spent his days entering contests. One day the phone rang and his daughter answered the phone. “Is this ‘so and so’?” the caller asked. “This is ‘so and so’s’ daughter she replied. The caller identified himself as the representative of a certain company. “Your father has just won $100,000 in the companies contest. After her excitement had subsided she began to worry that the shock might cause her father to have a heart attack kill him. She did what any person would do, she called their Pastor and asked him to break the news. The pastor came to tell him. “ Jim, are you still entering all those contests?”, The Pastor asked him. “Have you ever won anything?” “ No, not much” Well what would you do if you won $100 000”, the pastor asked. Jim said, “That’s easy I would give it all to the church!” The Preacher dropped dead with a heart attack right there!

Luke 11:28 "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

g. We read the Bible … we know the stories .. We just need to do it!

h.Children of Israel could have had God’s best but fear stopped them …

i. If God asks you to do something. No matter how great or small,

i. God will give you tools.

ii. God will give you the resourses.

iii. Do NOT fear

iv. Trust Him and

v. JUST DO IT!

Second - Trust your faith

Matt 19:26 … with God all things are possible."

We are told to share our faith

Christ in me is the hope of Glory.

Why don’t we accomplish more than we are accomplishing

It was the Olympics marksmanship competition. Sven from Austria stepped to the line. One hundred shots from a pistol at 100 yards. 96 shots in the bullseye. Only 4 misses. He won the event. He was proclaimed a national hero in Austria. Their first Gold medal! Sven’s regular job was working in a factory that made shirts. One day at work Sven’s shirt sleeve caught in a piece of equipment. Before he could free himself the machine had pulled his shooting hand into the machine. The doctors had no choice but to amputate Sven’s shooting hand. After two weeks, Sven returned home from the hospital. The next morning Sven kissed his children good bye as they left for school. Sven’s wife was doing the breakfast dishes as Sven came out of bedroom with his gun she watched as her husband walked out back door fear gripped her stomach. When the shot rang out she crumpled to the floor in grief. But then she heard another shot… then another and another. She ran out the back door to find him practicing with his other hand… next Olympics shooting with his left hand he shot a perfect 100 out of one hundred bulls eyes. The first perfect score in that event in Olympic history.

Just Do It!

Tomorrow

It is never too late to do it. He was going to be all that a man could be – tomorrow. None would be braver or stronger than he – tomorrow. A friend who was troubled and weary He knew, Who wanted some help and needed it to, On him he would call and see what he could do – tomorrow. The greatest of mortals this man would have been – tomorrow. The world would have known him if he had only seen – tomorrow. But the fact is he died and faded from view and all that was left when his living was through

Was a mountain of things that he intended to do - tomorrow

Heavy Construction

2011-03-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

John Smith was a loyal carpenter, working for a very successful building contractor who called him into his office one day and said, "John, I'm putting you in charge of the next house we build. I want you to order all the materials and oversee the whole job from the ground up." John accepted the assignment with great enthusiasm and excitement. For ten days before ground was broken at the building site, John studied the blueprints. He checked every measurement, every specification. Suddenly he had a thought. "If I am really in charge," he said to himself, "why couldn't I cut a few corners, use less expensive materials, and put the extra money in my pocket? Who would know the difference? Once the house is painted, it will look just great." So John set about his scheme. He ordered second-grade lumber, but his reports indicated that it was top-grade. He ordered inexpensive concrete for the foundation, put in cheap wiring, and cut every corner he could, yet he reported the purchase of much better materials. When the home was completed and fully painted, he asked the contractor to come and see it. "John," said the contractor, "what a magnificent job you have done! You have been such a good and faithful carpenter all these years that I have decided to show my gratitude by giving you this house you have built, as a gift!"

Ps 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

2 Kings 6:1-7 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live." And he said, "Go." 3 Then one of them said, "Won't you please come with your servants?" "I will," Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was borrowed!" 6 The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

I. They Had a Problem.

a. 2 Kings 6:1 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, "Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us.

2 Cor 12:9-10 But he (Jesus) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties . For when I am weak, then I am strong.

b. To the company ( Elisha’s students) of the prophets the problem was that the place where they were meeting was too small.

c. Problems are simply opportunities for God to do Miracles.

d. God’s Vision is in response to the problems we face.

i. Problem … more people

ii. Problem … more money

iii. Problem … more room

e. Whatever our problem is, God’s Vision will address those problems!

Peter Marshall - God does not leave us comfortless, but we have to be in dire need of comfort to know the truth of his promise. It is in time of calamity . . . in days and nights of sorrow and trouble that the presence, the sufficiency, and the sympathy of God grow very sure and very wonderful. Then we find out that the grace of God is sufficient for all our needs, for every problem, and for every difficulty, for every broken heart, and for every human sorrow.

II. They Had a Vision.

2 Kings 6:2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to live."

a. Ezek 8:4 And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel, as in the vision I had seen in the plain.

b. Ezek 12:23 'The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.

c. Vision addresses problems.

d. It is a plan of action, a direction to take!

e. You identify the problem and then ask God to show you the solution to the problem.

f. The vision of the company with Elisha was that they needed to build a new place to meet.

VISION IS SIMPLY A DREAM WITH FEET!

"Where is the church at 11:25 on Monday morning?" The church then is in the dentist's office, in the automobile sales room and repair shop, and out in the truck. It is in the hospital, in the classroom, and It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? in the home. It is in the offices, insurance, law, real estate, whatever it is. That is where the church is, wherever God's people are. They are doing what they ought to be doing. They are honoring God, not just while they worship in a building but out there. A Christian church is a body or collection of persons, voluntarily associated together, professing to believe what Christ teaches, to do what Christ enjoins, to imitate his example, cherish his spirit, and make known his gospel to others.

g. Part of our vision is that the church will decide to be the church!

III. They Had Work to Do.

2 Kings 6:4 They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees.

Matt 21:28-31 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 29 "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. 31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.

A man related this story, … My eight-year-old son told me a joke one morning while I was frying eggs for the family's breakfast. "Dad, how can you eat an egg without cracking the shell?" I thought about it for several moments before finally conceding that I did not know. He replied, "Have someone else crack it for you." // Now this reminded me of some church people. They want the benefits the church has to offer without sharing the responsibilities. They want revival as long as someone else does the praying. They want good programs as long as someone else does the work. If you want to eat eggs, you're going to have to break some shells.

It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?

Fly with the eagles! Don't run around with the Henny Pennys who are looking up chanting, "The sky is falling!" Your best friends should be individuals who are the "No problem, it's just a little, temporary inconvenience" type.

IV. They Had an Obstacle to Overcome.

2 Kings 6:5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water.

a. Rom 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

b. One of the men was cutting down a tree and the axe head flew off the axe and landed in the water… not only that it was a borrowed axe!

c. What were his options?

i. Get another axe? … no

ii. Keep beating on the tree with the axe handle?

iii. Recover the axe head.

Obstacles? The first thing that Jesus promises is suffering: "I tell you . . . you will be weeping and wailing . . . and you will be sorrowful." But he calls these pains birth pains. And so, what seems a hindrance becomes a way; what seems an obstacle becomes a door; and what seems a misfit becomes a cornerstone. Jesus changes our history from a random series of sad incidents and accidents into a constant opportunity for a change of heart.

On November 8, 1970, there was a hard-fought game between the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions. The game was nip and tuck, and it came down to the last final seconds to see who would win. The crowd gasped as they realized that the Saints were going to try a field goal of sixty-three yards. It had never been done before. The crowd looked for a man with a size 45 shoe and a chest as big as the back of a semi. But instead they saw a man run out onto the field who had no fingers on his right hand, no toes on his right foot, and only half of his kicking foot. When Tom Dempsey kicked that ball he set a world record that had never been done before.

Don’t let obstacles stop you!

V. They Had a Godly Solution to a Worldly Problem.

2 Kings 6:6 The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.

Oneday you may drop a brown seed in the black soil and up comes a green shoot. You let it grow and by and by you pull up its root and find it red. You cut the root and it has a white heart. Can anyone tell how this comes about--how brown cast into black results in green and then red and white? Yet you eat your radish without troubling your mind over miracles.

a. To recover the axe head, they needed a miracle!

b. We may face obstacles as we pursue God’s Vision. When we do, God will provide a miracle.

c. Not enough money?

i. God will provide a miracle!

d. Not enough People?

i. God will provide a miracle.

ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A METAL AXE HEAD SWIM TO THE TOP OF THE POND!!

VI. They Had to receive the solution to the problem.

2 Kings 6:7 "Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.

Matt 10:41… a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Kim Duk-Soo will never forget November 20, 1950. That was the day North Korean Communist troops found him hiding with his father in a root cellar. "My Daddy told me we could not tell a lie to save our lives." Kim's father had pastored the same church for 42 years. He had helped his wife hide their children ut after two days of hiding, Kim uncovered himself. Just then, Communist troops approached the house. Kim and his father ran to the back yard and hid in the root cellar. "I told God I would serve him all my life if I got out of the root cellar alive." The soldiers found Kim and his father and took them off to a makeshift prison. They were to be executed the next morning. That evening, a captain approached Kim. "Are you a Christian?" he asked. For a fleeting moment, life for a lie seemed the only logical way to go. But the young boy remembered his father's instruction. "I am a Christian," Kim said. The captain drew closer, and whispered, "I am a Christian too. I used to be a Sunday school teacher before the war. You must escape tonight. I will help you." Kim fled that night, having to leave his father under heavy guard awaiting his eventual death. The young Kim reached an American army base, and while "hanging around" there discovered an organ and began teaching himself to play. For the next ten years, Kim played that organ for chapel services at the base. It is Mother's Day at First Presbyterian in Taegu. "A Mighty Fortress" reverberates from 2,000 Korean voices. As he has done for 30 years, Kim plays the organ. "I should have been killed after the Communists found me, but God sent that Christian guard to help me escape. When I play the organ at church. I am doing it for God."

Slaying Giants

2011-03-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Singer Johnny Cash says religion has kept him inspired during his 36-year career. "I make my daily commitment to God. And so long as I keep the commitment, the day goes really good," said Cash. "If I try to break it and run everything myself, I usually mess it up." The 59- year-old country singer was addicted to drugs in the 1960s and was jailed several times. Cash says he overcame his addiction by renewing his faith. He tells how a shoeshine man taught him a lesson for living back in 1956. "I was expecting a fast, snappy job like the young folks do, and he was going real slow, and I said, 'You don't seem to be doing too much snapping.' He said, 'That's the problem with the world today--there's too much snapping and not enough shining.'"

1 Sam 17:40-50 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" 45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone;

I. When Facing Giants, We are often Under Qualified.

a. Goliath

1 Sam 17:4-7 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall.

i. Goliath was a giant!

ii. He was raised as a child to go into battle.

iii. He was a warrior.

I remember Andre the giant from watching wrestling as a child. The biggest meanest dude in town!

b. David

1 Sam 17: 12 – 15 Now David was the son of … Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, … 13 Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: … 14 David was the youngest. … 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

i. David was a shepherd.

ii. He was used to leading harmless sheep.

iii. His older brothers were used to fighting (warriors … probably not) but not David.

iv. David was the most under qualified warrior that they could find!

v. Common sense says he could never win a battle against a giant.

A woman who was called to jury duty told the presiding judge that she was not qualified to serve because she did not believe in capital punishment. The judge said, "You don't understand, madam. This is a civil case involving a man who spent five thousand dollars of his wife's money on gambling and other women." To which the woman replied eagerly, "I'll be happy to serve, your honor, and I've changed my mind about capital punishment."

c. When we examine the prospect of the future, we find ourselves woefully under qualified to tackle the challenges. However, we only have two options… give up or push ahead.

d. Gideon –

Judg 6:15 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

Samuel - 1 Sam 9:21 Saul answered, "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?

Paul - 1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle,

II. When Facing Giants, We are often Under Equipped.

a. Goliath

i. The Message –

1 Sam 17:4-7 A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor — 126 pounds of it! 6 He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. 7 His spear was like a fence rail — the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds. His shield bearer walked ahead of him.

ii. Goliath came prepared to do battle!

b. David

i. The Message

1 Sam 17:38-40 Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. 39 David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off. 40 Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.

c. God gave us a Great Commission

Matt 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

d. We are woefully under equipped to win the World!

An office worker in a San Francisco company applied through channels for a job with a government agency in Washington. While he was waiting for a reply, the head of the agency heard about him from a mutual friend in California and hired him for the job. Several months later, while the man was working in Washington, a letter was forwarded to him from his old address in San Francisco. It contained his original application for the job he now held, together with a letter from the agency regretfully turning him down because he was not equipped for the position. Looking more closely at the letter, the man found that he had signed it himself.

III. When Facing Giants, We are often Inexperienced.

a. Goliath

i. V.4 A champion named Goliath

ii. 11 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

iii. 24 When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.

b. David

i. 14 David was the youngest.

ii. 20 Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd,

iii. 33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."

Eugene Peterson tells how he saw a family of birds teaching their young to fly. Three young swallows were perched on a dead branch that stretched out over a lake. "One adult swallow got alongside the chicks and started shoving them out toward the end of the branch--pushing, pushing, pushing. Finally one fell off. Somewhere between the branch and the water four feet below, the wings started working, and the fledgling was off on his own. Then the second one. "The third was not to be bullied. At the last possible moment his grip on the branch loosened just enough so that he swung downward, then tightened again, bulldog tenacious. The parent was without sentiment. He pecked at the desperately clinging talons until it was more painful for the poor chick to hang on than risk the insecurities of flying. The grip was released, and the inexperienced wings began pumping. The mature swallow knew what the chick did not--that it would fly--that there was no danger in making it do what it was perfectly designed to do. "Birds have feet and can walk. Birds have talons and can grasp a branch securely. They can walk; they can cling. But flying is their characteristic action, and not until they fly are they living at their best, gracefully and beautifully.

IV. When Facing Giants, You have to know the secret!

37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

45-47 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

a. Did you see it yet?

b. One more example …

c. Matt 14:15-17 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

d. Here is the secret …

e. WHAT YOU HAVE … PLUS GOD … EQUALS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

f. In our human reasoning … there is no way a little boy can defeat a warrior giant! … but with God everything is possible.

g. In our human reasoning … there is no way a little country church can win the world … But with God all things are possible!

h.What we have … plus God … is more than enough!

A man told the story … In a small town in the Midwest where I spent six years of my early youth, there lived a mentally retarded adult named Myron. It was during Depression years and there was no place for Myron to be "kept" but at home. He lived there with his mother and they survived on the work that Myron did as a gardener. He had a proverbial "green thumb," and the places where he did the gardening were easy to identify. The lawns, shrubs, hedges, flowers--all showed care, skill, and loving attention. Myron also did "volunteer" work. He cut grass, raked leaves, and planted flowers in what would otherwise have been unsightly vacant lots. He was probably best known for his "oil can." He always carried a small can of lubricating oil in his hip pocket. A squeaky door or hinge or gate always got a "free" dose from Myron's oil can. Never a Sunday went by that Myron was not in church with his mother. Myron died a few years after I left town to attend college. It was not easy to arrange, but I went back for the funeral. I was not prepared for what I saw. It seemed that everyone in town had decided to attend the funeral and there were scores of others, like myself, who had traveled from distant places to be there. Without consciously attempting to do so, Myron had patterned for us the kind of life that really matters. No, he had not achieved fame, fortune, or honor. But he had been a worker, an optimist, an "easer of tensions" and a faithful churchman. He was a man who "overcame" a handicap that he didn't even know he had.

Upon This Rock I Stand!

2011-02-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

Ron and Kim were doing some shopping. Having purchased everything they needed, they returned to the parking lot to drive home. "Where's the car? Good golly, someone has stolen it!" They notified the police from a phone booth inside the mall and made a report at the Police station. A young detective drove them back to see if any evidence remained from the scene of the crime. But, what do you know, there is the stolen car, back in the exact spot! A note is on the windshield with two tickets to a concert attached. The note thanks the young couple for the use of their car, but the culprit's wife was about to give birth and had to be rushed to the hospital. The young couple's faith in humanity is restored and they go to the concert and have a wonderful time. They arrive home late that night to find their entire house robbed, with a note on the door reading, "Well, I gotta put the kid through college, don't I?"

Ex 33:12-23 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." 18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock . 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

I.          Who Will Go with Me?

a. Ex. 33:12 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.

b. God does not have any Secret Agents!

A European explorer in Africa, anxious to press ahead on his journey, paid his porters extra for a series of forced marches. Almost within reach of their destination, they stopped and refused to go forward. No amount of extra money would persuade them. They said they had to wait for their souls to catch up.
…
A. W. Tozer - The average Christian these days is a harmless enough thing.                                           …. He is a child wearing with considerable self-consciousness the harness of the warrior;                    … he is a sick eaglet that can never mount up with wings;                               …. he is a spent pilgrim who has given up the journey and sits with a waxy smile trying to get what pleasure he can from sniffing the wilted flowers he has plucked by the way.

c. Judg 1:1 …"Who will be the first to go up and fight for us ..?"

d. 1 Sam 2:35 … who will do according to what is in my heart and mind.

e. 2 Sam 7:13 … who will build a house for my Name

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is our hope today. It is our assurance that we have a living Savior to help us live as we should now, and that when, in the end, we set forth on that last great journey, we shall not travel an uncharted course, but rather we shall go on a planned voyage-life to death to eternal living.

II.       Who Else is Going With Us?

a. Ex 33:13 …Remember that this nation is your people."

b. Ex 33:17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

c. John 10:3-6 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

d. Conversion may occur in an instant, but the process of coming from sinfulness into a new life can be a long and arduous journey.

Have you ever watched a trapeze act at the circus? Breathtaking isn’t it? We are amazed at the dexterity and timing. We gasp at near-misses. In most cases, there is a net underneath. When they fall, they jump up and bounce back to the trapeze. In Christ, we live on the trapeze. The whole world should be able to watch and say, "Look how they live, how they love one another. Look how well the husbands treat their wives. And aren't they the best workers in the factories and offices, the best neighbors, the best students?" That is to live on the trapeze, being an example to the world. But what happens when we slip? The net is surely there. The blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, has provided forgiveness for "all" our trespasses. Both the net and the trapeze are works of God's grace. When we slip and fall into the net … We Must Not Stay There! We must climb from the net back to the trapeze!
One step at a time … we continue the journey!

III.    Where Are We Going?

a. Dr. Charles L. Allen wrote - The Christian is not one who has gone all the way with Christ. None of us has. The Christian is one who has found the right road.

b. Ex 33:14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

In 1938, Douglas Corrigan left New York to fly to Los Angeles. It was foggy when he took off, and he turned east. Twenty-eight hours later he landed in Dublin, Ireland. Corrigan had made the journey alone with only a pressure gauge, a compass, and a map of the United States. Ever afterward he was known as Wrong Way Corrigan.
When we think of the moral direction of life, is it possible you or I should be called Wrong Way Smith, or Jones, or whatever our family name might be?

c. Ex 13:21-22 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

d. Remember the Israelites being led through the wilderness by God?

e. In front of them was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

f.   It was constantly in front of them leading them. When it stopped … they stopped … when it went ahead they went ahead.

g. They didn’t have a map. They had never been there before … they just trusted God to see them through!

WE ARE GOING WHEREVER GOD LEADS US … THE QUESTION IS … ARE YOU COMING WITH US?

IV.    What Will We Do When We Get There?

a. Ex 33:18-19 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

b. We will expect to see the Glory of God!

c. His promise to us is that if we remain faithful and obedient to Him, He will reveal His Glory to us!

d. Jonathan Edwards - Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God. Resolved second: That whether others do or not, I will.

e. The glory of God, and, as our only means to glorifying him, the salvation of human souls, is the real business of life. -- C.S. Lewis,

Mercy Me –
I can only imagine, What it will be like, When I walk By your side.
I can only imagine, What my eyes will see, When your face Is before me, I can only imagine
[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel … Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still …
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall … Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all … I can only imagine … I can only imagine!

V.        What Will God Do?

a. Ex 33:20-23 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock . 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

b. He will give us a place chosen by Him!

c. 22 … When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock.

House For Sale!
the six acre McCune mansion in Paradise Valley, Arizona. It was built in the 1960's by Walker McCune for his young bride. The house contains fifty-three thousand square feet and includes an ice skating rink, an Olympic swimming pool, a fourteen car garage, its own beauty salon, guest house, and a ballroom with an $80,000 chandelier. Oddly enough, Mrs. McCune didn't like it and refused to move in. She never lived in it.
No one will be dissatisfied with the mansion Christ has prepared for his bride.

d. He will protect us

e. 22 (I will) cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

During an earthquake, the inhabitants of a small village were very much alarmed, but they were at the same time surprised at the calmness and apparent joy of an old lady whom they all knew. At length one of them, addressing the old lady, said, "Ma'am, are you not afraid?" "No," said the woman, "I rejoice to know that I have a God who can shake the world."

f.   He will give us all of Him that we can stand!

g. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

In the mountains I found a stone--a small one, about the size of a half-dollar, with smooth rounded edges. This stone instantly caught my eye. It was special. Glinting in the sunlight, it seemed to reflect all the surrounding colors. Into my pocket went the stone. All the way home I thought about where I should display it so its beauty could be most enjoyed. I finally placed it on a book shelf in my office. I forgot it for a while. Then one day, while looking for a book, I was surprised to see that the stone had completely lost its luster. It sat on the shelf a hard, gray chunk of nothing, downright ugly. What had happened to my prize? Where was the sparkle and the colors that had attracted me so much? Disgusted, I snatched it up threw it into the trash can. I headed out to dump the trash, a beam of light struck the stone. As though by magic, it began to shimmer, to glow again. In an instant the beautiful jewel tones shone brilliantly. They had always been there, dormant, waiting to be released, I glanced up at the sky. Sunlight? That was the answer. The rays from the sun were all my stone needed to come alive. How much like each of us!

Upon This Rock I Stand!

2011-02-15T05:11:00.000-08:00

Ex 33:12-23 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." 18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock . 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

I. Who Will Go with Me?

a. Ex. 33:12 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.

b. God does not have any Secret Agents!

A European explorer in Africa, anxious to press ahead on his journey, paid his porters extra for a series of forced marches. Almost within reach of their destination, they stopped and refused to go forward. No amount of extra money would persuade them. They said they had to wait for their souls to catch up.

…

A. W. Tozer - The average Christian these days is a harmless enough thing. …. He is a child wearing with considerable self-consciousness the harness of the warrior; … he is a sick eaglet that can never mount up with wings; …. he is a spent pilgrim who has given up the journey and sits with a waxy smile trying to get what pleasure he can from sniffing the wilted flowers he has plucked by the way.

c. Judg 1:1 …"Who will be the first to go up and fight for us ..?"

d. 1 Sam 2:35 … who will do according to what is in my heart and mind.

e. 2 Sam 7:13 … who will build a house for my Name

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is our hope today. It is our assurance that we have a living Savior to help us live as we should now, and that when, in the end, we set forth on that last great journey, we shall not travel an uncharted course, but rather we shall go on a planned voyage-life to death to eternal living.

II. Who Else is Going With Us?

a. Ex 33:13 …Remember that this nation is your people."

b. Ex 33:17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

c. John 10:3-6 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

d. Conversion may occur in an instant, but the process of coming from sinfulness into a new life can be a long and arduous journey.

Have you ever watched a trapeze act at the circus? Breathtaking isn’t it? We are amazed at the dexterity and timing. We gasp at near-misses. In most cases, there is a net underneath. When they fall, they jump up and bounce back to the trapeze. In Christ, we live on the trapeze. The whole world should be able to watch and say, "Look how they live, how they love one another. Look how well the husbands treat their wives. And aren't they the best workers in the factories and offices, the best neighbors, the best students?" That is to live on the trapeze, being an example to the world. But what happens when we slip? The net is surely there. The blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, has provided forgiveness for "all" our trespasses. Both the net and the trapeze are works of God's grace. When we slip and fall into the net … We Must Not Stay There! We must climb from the net back to the trapeze!

One step at a time … we continue the journey!

III. Where Are We Going?

a. Dr. Charles L. Allen wrote - The Christian is not one who has gone all the way with Christ. None of us has. The Christian is one who has found the right road.

b. Ex 33:14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

In 1938, Douglas Corrigan left New York to fly to Los Angeles. It was foggy when he took off, and he turned east. Twenty-eight hours later he landed in Dublin, Ireland. Corrigan had made the journey alone with only a pressure gauge, a compass, and a map of the United States. Ever afterward he was known as Wrong Way Corrigan.

When we think of the moral direction of life, is it possible you or I should be called Wrong Way Smith, or Jones, or whatever our family name might be?

c. Ex 13:21-22 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

d. Remember the Israelites being led through the wilderness by God?

e. In front of them was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

f. It was constantly in front of them leading them. When it stopped … they stopped … when it went ahead they went ahead.

g. They didn’t have a map. They had never been there before … they just trusted God to see them through!

WE ARE GOING WHEREVER GOD LEADS US … THE QUESTION IS … ARE YOU COMING WITH US?

IV. What Will We Do When We Get There?

a. Ex 33:18-19 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

b. We will expect to see the Glory of God!

c. His promise to us is that if we remain faithful and obedient to Him, He will reveal His Glory to us!

d. Jonathan Edwards - Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God. Resolved second: That whether others do or not, I will.

e. The glory of God, and, as our only means to glorifying him, the salvation of human souls, is the real business of life. -- C.S. Lewis,

Mercy Me –

I can only imagine, What it will be like, When I walk By your side.
I can only imagine, What my eyes will see, When your face Is before me, I can only imagine
[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel … Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still …
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall … Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all … I can only imagine … I can only imagine!

V. What Will God Do?

a. Ex 33:20-23 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." 21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock . 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

b. He will give us a place chosen by Him!

c. 22 … When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock.

House For Sale!

the six acre McCune mansion in Paradise Valley, Arizona. It was built in the 1960's by Walker McCune for his young bride. The house contains fifty-three thousand square feet and includes an ice skating rink, an Olympic swimming pool, a fourteen car garage, its own beauty salon, guest house, and a ballroom with an $80,000 chandelier. Oddly enough, Mrs. McCune didn't like it and refused to move in. She never lived in it.

No one will be dissatisfied with the mansion Christ has prepared for his bride.

d. He will protect us

e. 22 (I will) cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

During an earthquake, the inhabitants of a small village were very much alarmed, but they were at the same time surprised at the calmness and apparent joy of an old lady whom they all knew. At length one of them, addressing the old lady, said, "Ma'am, are you not afraid?" "No," said the woman, "I rejoice to know that I have a God who can shake the world."

f. He will give us all of Him that we can stand!

g. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

In the mountains I found a stone--a small one, about the size of a half-dollar, with smooth rounded edges. This stone instantly caught my eye. It was special. Glinting in the sunlight, it seemed to reflect all the surrounding colors. Into my pocket went the stone. All the way home I thought about where I should display it so its beauty could be most enjoyed. I finally placed it on a book shelf in my office. I forgot it for a while. Then one day, while looking for a book, I was surprised to see that the stone had completely lost its luster. It sat on the shelf a hard, gray chunk of nothing, downright ugly. What had happened to my prize? Where was the sparkle and the colors that had attracted me so much? Disgusted, I snatched it up threw it into the trash can. I headed out to dump the trash, a beam of light struck the stone. As though by magic, it began to shimmer, to glow again. In an instant the beautiful jewel tones shone brilliantly. They had always been there, dormant, waiting to be released, I glanced up at the sky. Sunlight? That was the answer. The rays from the sun were all my stone needed to come alive. How much like each of us!

Who Was That Masked Man

2011-02-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

Audio Link

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=2211106480

As a child growing up one of my fond memories was that of watching The Lone Ranger. The “bad guys” in their black hats would be terrorizing the “good guys” in their white hats. When thigs would look the darkest in would come riding “The Lone Ranger” along with his companion Tonto. The Lone Ranger would shoot straighter, hit harder and ride fater than any other cowboy on TV. When the battle was over the Lone Ranger would be seen riding off in the sunset and someone would ask, “Who was that masked man?”

Mark 8:22-29 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village." 27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

I. What Does the Future Look Like?

a. Dan 10:14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future , for the vision concerns a time yet to come."

b. Matt 26:64 Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

c. Mark 8:22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.

d. Some people in town heard that Jesus was coming their direction. They had a friend (?) who was blind. They thought IF they could take him to Jesus, IF Jesus would heal him, then he would experience a different future than what he currently faced.

e. You can’t truly meet Jesus and not have your future changed.

Someone said, "My past is gone; my present is passing; my future is arriving." The best thing about the future is that it comes upon us by degrees, a day at a time. We can manage that! Whatever it holds, my future is mine: if it be fair weather, let me bask in the sun; if it be storms, let me bend with the wind. The future belongs to those who can make adjustments.

……..

For centuries the islands of New Zealand were unpopulated. No human had ever set foot on them. Then the first settlers arrived. They were Polynesians from other Pacific islands who had sailed a thousand miles in outrigger canoes. The Polynesians came with the purpose of settling in New Zealand. How did they know the land was there? How did they know they would not simply sail across empty seas until food and water ran out and they perished? The Polynesians had known for generations that land was there because their voyagers had seen a long white cloud on the distant horizon. They knew that when a cloud stayed in one place over a very long period of time, there was land beneath it. They called New Zealand the Land of the Long White Cloud. Faith is like that. It is voyaging to an unseen land, journeying to an unknown future. But it is not mere guesswork, or chance, or superstition. There are facts behind faith, facts that suggest conclusions.

f. OUR FUTURE LOOKS LIKE WHATEVER OUR DEPENDANCE ON GOD ALLOWS IT TO LOOK LIKE

II. Will We Follow Jesus?

a. Mark 8:23 He (Jesus) took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.

b. Matt 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

c. Matt 10:38 … anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Rom 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

d. If you follow Jesus, what will change?

i. Lifestyle might change

ii. Friends might change

iii. Thoughts might change

iv. Heart will change

v. Future will change

The blind man had to decide would he allow this stranger to lead him to an unfamiliar place!

"Babies are our business, our only business." So runs the ad of a famous maker of baby food. No one expects a baby to eat the food adults eat. So we read in the Bible of the "milk of the word" and of "meat." Everyone expects that a baby will grow. Parents know that babies do not all grow at the same rate nor do things at the same age but they do expect every baby to grow. We must be patient with those who are "babes in Christ" but we must never stop encouraging them to follow Peter's instruction and grow in grace and knowledge.

Painted on the inside wall of a little church in Yugoslavia were two verses. Isaiah 55:6: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." The other was Matthew 16:24: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Christ is reaching out to take your hand … what do you do? Do you jerk your hand back out of fear or do you trust him to lead you to a greater place?

III. Will We Put Aside Our Pride?

Mark 8:24 - 25… When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Matt 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Rev 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

a. Let’s see how this goes … a man you don’t know takes you by the hand and leads you to a place you haven’t been to before. When you get there … he spits on you and asks if you can see???

b. Can you see pride getting in the way of this God moment?

In every Christian's heart there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross; if he refuses the cross, he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of the backsliding and worldliness among gospel believers today. We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility.

c. Who is sitting on the throne of your life right now?

IV. Will We Persevere?

Mark 8:24-25 When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Luke 18:2-8 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

a. Will we persevere in our faith? Some have already given up in fighting the good fight of faith.

Several years ago a thirteen-year-old boy who attended Mohawk Central School at Paines Hollow in New York heard an appeal for contributions to Santa Claus Anonymous, a group that provides gifts for unfortunate children that otherwise would go without Christmas presents. The boy struggled to save a few pennies for this purpose. On the Friday before Christmas vacation he had fifteen cents and planned to turn in this small treasure at the school that day. But a furious blizzard blasted the area that Friday and the school buses could not run. So the boy waded a considerable distance through deep snow to give his fifteen cents to the school principal. The principal found it difficult to control his emotions as he accepted the gift, for the youngster was one of the destitute children listed to receive a Christmas present from Santa Claus Anonymous.

Myanmar … Youth Minister workshop. B’Dan a 40 year (chin) old man who worked with youth in his village. (youth up to 35) wanted to attend the workshop. The workshop was held in Rangoon the capital. B’Dan lived over 500 miles from the capital. He had never seen a white man. He walked 75 miles to catch a river boat. The boat stopped at every port along the river. It took three days to make the boat trip. Where he got off the boat was 100 miles from Rangon. He walked to Rangon. In his village, he was a miner working in the ruby mines near his village. The mine owner had given B’Dan a small bag of rubies to sell to pay for his trip. It took two weeks for him to come to the conference… attend and return home.

So tell me…. What is it that keeps us from being sold out to God?

V. Who Will Make a Difference?

Mark 8:27-29 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

a. Remember the encounter that Jesus had with the woman at the well.

i. He knew all about her history.

ii. She was amazed ay His understanding of her.

iii. She went into town and told them come and meet this man who told me everything I ever did.

iv. Jesus knew her and still loved her.

b. Jesus knows you and still He loves you.

c. Rom 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

d. Rom 5:8 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Cor 15:3-8 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.