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The following sermon was written and contributed by Diane Harrington who resides in South Carolina. It is obvious that the Lord has blessed Diane with a writing and teaching gift. Thanks to her for this message.
THE ECONOMY OF SCARCITY
VS
THE ECONOMY OF ABUNDANCE
Introduction:
Fred Craddock, author of Preaching Through the Christian Year, tells about a Benedictine monk who was spending the weekend at the Trappist Monastery in Conyers, Georgia. At mealtime they were served the most delicious bread…..and there was plenty of it. All were enjoying it, and no one was saying a word. Everyone was caught up in the moment of eating this delicious bread, and the Monk said to the brother seated next to him, ‘Did we make this or did someone give it to us?’ And the brother answered, ‘Yes.’” (repeat question/answer) The brother was saying “Yes, we made it!” and “Yes, God gave it to us.” [1]
“YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.” We’re not sure just how Jesus said those words. It could have been in a still, quiet, voice: “You give them something to eat.” Or a pleading, urging voice: “You give them something to eat.” Or a commanding voice: “You give them something to eat.” While, it may have been all of the above, the word “YOU” in Greek is emphatic, [2] giving the sense of a command. The food did not come as manna from heaven, from a flock of quail, from water changed into wine, or oil and meal that mysteriously replenished itself. The bread and fish not only came from God, but was also administered through the work and kindness of human hands. Christ takes our contribution, no matter how modest, and makes it enough. [3] “YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.”
Economy of Scarcity:
Our world economy operates under the principle of scarcity or supply and demand. Markets are supposed to regulate scarcity by gathering information about our wants and needs, and harmonizing supply and demand through the price mechanism. Money is a unit of information, a conveyer of price signals, a store of the world’s value, and a means of exchange. When supply is plentiful, prices are low. When supply is scarce, prices are high.
Man has seemingly infinite wants but finite resources. Mismatches in supply and demand occur when we fail to efficiently allocate these resources to their optimum level. Economics is the study of how societies use scarce resources to produce valuable commodities and distribute them among different people. This classical concept of scarcity – unlimited wants vs limited resources – is flawed because of man’s fear of not having enough. [4] We fear scarcity for many reasons. It’s the “What if” dilemma – what if we lose our job, what if natural disasters like Tsunamis, famine, hurricanes, forest fires, earthquakes, etc. destroy our homes and take the lives of our loved ones, especially the breadwinners. What if terrorists attack us, dictators control us, or thieves steal our identities. This fear leads to hoarding, gathering more and more, trying to fill the void that fear leaves in us. How many times have we heard the comment, “You have to take care of yourself, because no one else is going to.” We forget that God sent manna each day, and instructed the Israelites to eat their fill, but not to save what was left over. God faithfully provided what they needed.
I am reminded of the story of a minister who had just begun to preach his sermon when a mighty thunderstorm struck. The congregation was obviously distracted by the loud thunder and sheets of rain hitting the windows. The minister stopped for a moment, and then said “Isn’t the Lord wonderful? Here we are, comfortable and dry, and the Lord has arranged for the storm to wash our cars while we worship.” [5]
Another negative offshoot of the world’s economy of scarcity is the tendency to look for weaknesses in others. While intellectual capacity, knowledge, and technology have become valuable resources in our society, the tendency has grown to not only look for weaknesses in others, but to use them to our advantage – either you win or I do. Though God does call us to use our gifts and talents to fullest advantage for his glory, we often use them for our own glory. We strive to be the best, to make more money, to buy more things because deep down, we’re scared to death of losing it all. We buy into the world’s “economy of scarcity” principles instead of God’s “economy of abundance” principles. As Paul Harvey would have said after hearing today’s sermon title, and now let’s hear the rest of the story, the story about God’s Economy of Abundance. Our needs are met in direct proportion to our level of trust in God. A man by the name of Henry Ward Beecher said that “Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.” Jesus chose the handle of faith, giving God’s principle of multiplication room to not only feed the masses, but to give glory to God. Jesus also taught, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all the rest will be added unto you.”
Today’s scripture lesson starts with Jesus withdrawing after hearing of John’s death. Most commentaries speculate that Jesus was tired and terribly grieved, but that when he saw the hoards of people that were waiting on the seashore, he had compassion for them. They looked like sheep without a shepherd. The Greek word for compassion comes from the common word for the spleen or intestines. We might say “he felt it in his gut.” [6]
At the end of the day, the Disciples suggested to Jesus that they should send the people to nearby towns to buy food. They were thinking practically. We only have 5 loaves and 2 fish and that’s not enough. What if the crowd gets unruly? Of course, the Disciples were feeling compassion for the people and probably wanted to give Jesus some time to rest. Just like the Disciples, we add 2 + 5 to get 7, instead of doing math God’s way: 2 + 5+ Jesus = 8. When faced with overwhelming need, we should learn to count to 8. [7] In God’s math, one person plus God is a majority.
Jesus’s command “You give them something to eat” challenges Christians today. We live in a world where people are hungry for food, clothes, love, a safe place to live, escape from many different life conditions. We pray that Jesus will do something, but he responds “You give them something to eat.” The church has risen to the occasion many times with food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, but we often see problems instead of possibilities. There is a guy in my company that when a problem crops up, always says “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an opportunity.” We are tempted to believe that we have nothing to offer, or even if we do, we feel that our effort is insignificant – not enough to solve the problem so what’s the use in trying. Do we really believe that God can and will intervene in our world? What are the impossibilities in your life? What crowds or battles do you have to face? We can face them hand in hand with the one who makes things possible. We can read the Word, kneel before God in prayer, and then work in God’s strength. You, plus God, adds up to whatever God wants.
Dr. Jerry Fuller in his sermon “Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes” tells the story of Rob and Jackay, who opened their own restaurant. As opening day neared, all that needed to be done was the health inspection and the issuing of their business permit. Both were to be done early morning and then “Our Place,” as they called it, would be in business. But that morning, Hurricane Hugo hit unexpectedly, making its way 200 miles inland to their North Carolina town. Sound familiar? Trees were uprooted, power lines were down, homes and stores destroyed. Rob and Jackay hurried to the restaurant, but everything was intact. A deputy sheriff pulled up and told them that their restaurant, the fire station next door, and a service station down the road were the only businesses with electricity. Rob and Jackay called the health inspector to come immediately, so they could open, but he couldn’t get to his office to issue the permit. No permit, no business opening. With a refrigerator stocked with 300 pounds of bacon and beef, plus bushels of tomatoes, lettuce, and bread, there was only thing they could do – give the food away. So, they told the deputy to call his coworkers and other emergency personnel that the Restaurant would have free BLT’s and coffee for anyone who came by. Soon, firemen, policemen, linemen, and other workers filled “Our Place.” When Rob and Jackay heard that another restaurant was scalping people by charging $10 for 2 eggs, toast, and bacon, they put a sign in their window: “Free BLT’s – FREE COFFEE. Families, travelers, and street people were welcomed. Then, something began to happen. People started to clean counters and sweep floors. Volunteers took over the dish washing from Jackay and helped Rob at the grill. Hearing about what was happening at Our Place from the local radio station, people from a neighboring town that didn’t have much damage from the storm, brought food from their freezers. Stores and dairies sent chicken, milk, and foodstuffs of all kinds. Those first cups of coffee and BLT’s somehow stretched to 16,000 meals. The restaurant’s small stock increased by 500 loaves of bread, cases of mayonnaise, 350 pots of coffee, and bushels of produce. [8]
Five loaves and two fish, which Pastor David DeWitt calls “One Little Lunch” – fed the masses of people in body and spirit. What should we draw from God’s economy of abundance?
(1) Never underestimate God;
(2) Never doubt God’s ability to provide in BIG ways; and
(3) Jesus can turn the broken pieces of your life into blessings for yourself and for others.
One little lunch satisfied many; one little lunch made a difference. It revealed the power of God, changed lives, and strengthened people’s faith.
[9] Jesus commands us, “YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.”
Amen.
[1] Craddock, Fred B; Hayes, John H.; Holladay, Carl R.; Tucker, Gene M.; Preaching Through the Christian Year, A (Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1992)
[2] Johnson, Sherman E., and Buttrick, George A., The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 7 (Nashville: Abingdon, 1951), page 431.
[3] Ibid. Johnson, Sherman, and Buttrick
[6] Fuller, Dr. Jerry, “Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes,” http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/a-or18-js.php
[7] Ibid, Donovan, Richard Niell, page 13 of 16
[8] Ibid, Fuller, Dr. Jerry, pages 1-2 (ref. “A Grand Opening,” Connections, 18
th Sunday of the Year, August 1, 1999.
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WHAT A FATHER GIVES
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this message, we will look at what Peter wrote as he blessed His his Heavenly Father and apply that as well as a tribute and a challenge to our earthly Fathers.
1. A FATHER GIVES MERCY (v3)
-If God who is perfect is willing to extend mercy to us, how much more should earthly father’s who need mercy be willing to extend it to their children.
ILLUS– (Share an example of a time you or someone you know were given mercy when it could have been really bad)
2. A FATHER GIVES LIFE (v3)
-"begotten us again" Regardless of a person’s relationship with their father, they can be thankful for being begotten by them.
-We should also be grateful for the things a father does to lead their child to experience the new birth
ILLUS–(Give a personal snapshot of what it was like to see your child for the first time. If you do not have children, then share what it was like for a father you witnessed in their first days with their child)
3. A FATHER GIVES HOPE (v3)
WORD STUDY–Peter is fond of the word "living" (present active participle of \za“\) as in
1:23; 2:4,5,24; 4:5,6. The Pharisees cherished the hope of the
resurrection (Ac 23:6), but the resurrection of Jesus gave it
proof and permanence (1Co 15:14,17). It is no longer a dead
hope like dead faith (Jas 2:17,26). This revival of hope was
wrought "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (\dia anastase“s\).
Hope rose up with Christ from the dead,…(A.T. Robertson’s Word Pictures)
-Heavenly Father had in His heart a desire to see His children living with a life and meaningful hope
-There is such power in the words of a father spoken to a child. It means so much when words of promise and hope are exchanged from a father’s heart to their children’s hearts. This is part of giving a generational blessing to our children. Speak over them the promises of God.
ILLUS–(Think of a time when you have witnessed the power of hope given to someone who was really facing huge obstacles and how it affected them OR maybe there was a time when your father gave you a word of promise that you lived for.)
4. A FATHER BELIEVES IN RESURRECTION (v3)
-Just as God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. There will be times when a Father reaches down to his child and helps them experience a second chance. Giving children the ability to fail but get up and go again is key to living a successful life. The resurrection truth gives us all the assurance that in no way will we be ultimately defeated.
ILLUS-(This is a great place for that story of the time when you thought it was all over and got your miracle.)
5. A FATHER LEAVES INHERITANCE (v4)
-an inheritance of treasure (it is not the amount here but the heart of wanting one’s children to have all that you have. This is a blessing financially.)
-an inheritance of truth (This is a blessings spiritually, morally, and ethically) To see one’s children in heaven for eternity is the greatest blessing you could give them.
-an inheritance of tradition (This is a blessing memorially to carry on the blessings that were received in previous generations)
ILLUS–(Choose one of the above and give an example in your own life–a family tradition that uniquely identifies your family, some treasure that is very meaningful you have received from a loved one, or how a family member’s faith has influenced your own.)
6. A FATHER PROTECTS (v5)
-The word Peter uses "kept" is a word that means to guard and protect. Heavenly Father with all HIs power watches over us. A good father protects his children from those things that will corrupt and destroy.
WORD STUDY–1:5 {By the power of God} (\en dunamei theou\). No other
\dunamis\ (power) like this (Col 1:3). {Are guarded}
(\phrouroumenous\). Present (continuous process) passive
articular (\tous\) participle of \phroure“\, to garrison, old
verb (from \phrouros\ sentinel), a military term (Ac 9:24; 2Co
11:32), used of God’s love (Php 4:7) as here. "The inheritance
is kept; the heirs are guarded" (Bengel). {Through faith} (\dia
piste“s\). Intermediate agency (\dia\), the immediate being
(\en\, in, by) God’s power. (A.T. Robertson’s Word Pictures)
ILLUS– We all have fears. In what way growing up did your father rescue you from fear?
CONCLUSION — Just as Peter begins the above passage by saying "Blessed be the God and Father…", let us now speak blessing over our fathers.
Honor the father’s present, but also acknowledge those present who did not have a good relationship with their father and encourage them that a loving Heavenly Father is present to love them and give them all these things.
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE MONDAY MORNING PREACHER’S PACKAGE. In last week’s package, a great Father’s Day message was included along with four other solid sermon outlines. Each Monday morning I deliver 20-30 pages to your inbox filled with preaching content much more detailed than the above. These are fresh relevant messages. View a sample of one of the packages to see for yourself. For only $14.97 per month you get 80-120 pages of preaching material put together in a way that you can take it, add your own style and preach!) For the cost of a cup of coffee, you get 20-30 pages of fresh content!
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This is another Mother’s Day sermon outline among our free sermons for you to use and enjoy in your online bible study and bible preaching.
The 1122 Motherhood Principle
1 Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
1 Samuel 1:22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there forever.”
Verse 11 demonstrates Hannah’s desire for Samuel and her devotion to the Lord.
Verse 22 demonstrates Hannah’s dedication to Samuel and her devotion to the Lord
Desire, Devotion, and Dedication are the three words that make up the core of what I am calling the 1122 Principle of Motherhood. It comes from this two verses in 1 Samuel. It also speaks of all that transpires in a woman’s life and a child life’s between the time the child is conceived until the child is released from the home. In Samuel’s case, it was only three short years. In most cases, it is the period of time from birth until marriage or moving away from home to pursue a career.
Let’s think about these three words. First let’s look at:
1. DESIRE FOR MOTHERHOOD
-God placed a special nurturing love within the heart of women toward little ones.
-The yearning for a child can be very deep and intense as it was with Hannah
-Stop and pray for all women who desire a child and have been unable to have one
-Pray blessing upon those who have stepped forward to adopt a child (this also reflects God’s heart who has adopted us)
2. DEVOTION TO THE LORD
-Hannah had a deep devotion to the Lord
-She was in the house of the Lord praying
-She was overwhelmed with emotion
-She knew God could grant her the longing of her heart
-She was a worshipping woman
-Pause and pray blessing over all mothers for their devotion to the Lord and its effect upon their children. Honor them.
3. DEDICATION TO A CHILD
-Hannah vowed early on to give her child to the Lord
-She was faithful to her promise to give him to the Lord
-She did all she could do to prepare Samuel to live for the Lord
-She knew God had a special purpose for him
-A mother sacrifices like no one else selflessly in order to see their children grow and succeed.
-Pause and pray thanking God for the sacrifices mothers have made for their families.
-Pray blessing over all children present and remember to pray for those who are away from the Lord.
Conclusion– If you are a person who has a mother that desires you, is devoted to the Lord, and has dedicated her life to release you to the purposes of God, you are blessed indeed.
(Remember to provide encouragement and ministry to those who have been abandoned by their mothers, have conflict with their mothers, or have lost their mothers through death).
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Changing Your Look
This is a relevant message which I will be sharing in the morning where I minister. It is to challenge people to change the way they view a person who is seen as ungodly, they way they view Jesus and the way they view themselves as believers. Of course, you will need to expand the following thoughts, but there are enough of them to get you started down a good trail of thought, hopefully "inspired" thought.
The Central Challenge of this Message is “We have to change the way we look at lost people.”
The CentralTruth of This Message is "Christ Died for the Ungodly."
Key Passage
Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (NKJV) For different version, click here.
1. What is the meaning of ungodly?
Illustration–Remember the advertising campaign that 7-up ran where 7-Up was called the UN-cola? In other words it was not dark and like other colas? Well, GOD is GOD and the ungodly are not like him.
Godly = like God
Ungodly = unlike God
We are to become more and more like Jesus (The God Man).
2. Who are the ungodly?
We have all been UN-done or done by the UN.
We often speak of the ungodly as them. The ungrammatical truth is THEM IS US and US is THEM
Before we are saved, we are without Christ. Even after we saved, we can experience time when we choose to do what we do as if we were without Christ.
Christ died for the ungodly v6
Christ died for us v8
All of us were saved as ungodly people.
There is still ungodliness in us all that the Spirit of God will expose and change if we allow Him. This is the process of sanctification. We are complete in Christ but we are not yet completely like Christ. I am not saying we are all still in rebellion. I am saying that within us all there are still areas that can lead to rebellion if we do not allow Jesus to change us.
3. We need to reorient our thinking.
We often view people who are lost and even believers who are struggling with ungodly behavior in a way that causes us to avoid them. Yet Jesus came across the galaxies to become a man in order to seek them (us) out.
We can avoid the ungodly
We can attack the ungodly
We can approach the ungodly
—To share with them
–To serve them
–To sacrifice for them. Jesus died for them.
4. Christ died for us.
If he died for us then we have to remember he did what he did when we were totally ungodly. It was not because of our great merit and the need of the Kingdom for our great gifts and talents. It was because of the heart of God toward us, certainly not our heart toward Him.
5. We have to look at lost people the way Jesus looks at them.
Illus—Dying for others
There have been men who have won the Congressional Medal of Honor for throwing themselves on a grenade to save their buddies. This is an extreme example of laying your life down for your friends. But the passage we study today says Jesus laid his life down for his enemies. Imagine a soldier throwing himself on a live grenade to save the person who threw it. This is what Jesus did. Each of us in our own ways have thrown a grenade at God.
6. We have to look at Father the way the Jesus looks at him.
Illustration – Franklin Graham and His Daddy
Jesus only did what He saw the Father do. So his responses to lost and ungodly people reveal to us God’s heart for them as well.
7. We need the revelation that Father looks at us the way He looks at Jesus.
We have been reconciled. We have been justified by his blood. We have peace with God. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We receive all the benefits that belong to Jesus.
Conclusion — WE MUST CHANGE THE WAY WE LOOK AT GOD, OURSELVES AND LOST PEOPLE.
To hear this message preached as I preached it, click here.
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Who is the Holy Spirit?
A Study on the Holy Spirit
Nicean Council 323-325 A.D.
God is three persons but one in nature, essence, and being.
Six possible combinations
Father, Son, Spirit (Matt. 28:19)
Son, Father, Spirit (John 14:16)
Son, Spirit, Father (Eph. 2:18)
Father, Spirit, Son (Rev. 1:4-5)
Spirit, Father, Son (Matt.3:16)
Spirit, Son, Father (John 15:26)
Think of the Ages…
The age of the Father – O.T.
The age of the Son – Life and Ministry of Jesus
The age of the Spirit – Pentecost onward
Conclusions…
The Bible presents the Holy Spirit as God.
The evidence demonstrates that the Holy Spirit could not be a created being.
1. The Eternal Spirit
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
No one is eternal but God.
We possess eternal life but we are not eternal.
2. All Knowing (Omniscience)
1 Corinthians 2: 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
The Holy Spirit is able to understand the very deepest things of God.
That is He possesses the fullness of the knowledge of God.
3. All Powerful (Omnipotent)
John 3: 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Acts 1: 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Imparts spiritual gifts — dispensing His power through believers.
Gen. 1:1-3 — active in creating the universe.WOW what power!
Mary’s womb — the miraculous conception
4. Ever Present (Omnipresence)
Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there]. 9 [If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee].
5. Holy
His name is Holy Spirit
The deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit stand together or fall together.
6. Personhood
Force?
Influence?
Co-eternal with God
Possesses personality
Three traits that demonstrate personality:
Knowledge
Feeling
Will
Knowledge—He has a mind
1 Corinthians 2: 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Feeling—He can be grieved
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Will—He wills and acts
He leads
He prompts
He convicts
He comforts
He loves
He rejoices
Think about it…
Electricity and wind are both powerful in their influence but they do not possess personality.
The Holy Spirit is a powerful influencer and has all the traits of personality.
There are those who attempt to depersonalize the Holy Spirit.
Some even make Him equal with the Bible. But The Bible makes Him equal with God.
Conclusion of the Matter
The conclusion of the matter is that the Holy Spirit is distinctive from the Father and the son yet equal with them.
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A Background Check on Jesus!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend[a] it.
Introduction: We live in a world where due to darkness in men’s heart we have to do background checks on people to see if they are who they say they are. We look for their criminal history to see if there are issues that would disqualify them from the particular position or service they offer. Jesus has been presented as one of the greatest men who ever lived. More significantly, he has been presented as divine. Let’s go to Scripture and do a background checkn on him.
John 1:14 helps us immensely in interpreting this passage by informing us that the identity of the Word is Jesus. The first five verses of John reveal the following:
1. In the Beginning Jesus Was
"In the beginning was the Word,"
2. Jesus Existed with God before He Existed as a Man
"and the Word was with God,"
3. Jesus is God
"and the Word was God."
4. Jesus Has Always Existed
"He was in the beginning with God."
5. Jesus is Creator
"All things were made through Him"
6. Everything Owes its Existence to Jesus
"and without Him nothing was made that was made."
7. He is the Source of Life
"In Him was life,"
8. His Life Exhibits itself in Illuminating Man’s Life
"and the life was the light of men."
9. Jesus Light is in Contrast to Man’s Darkness
"And the light shines in the darkness,"
10. His Light Overcomes Darkness.
"and the darkness did not comprehend[a] it".
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GOD IS STILL GOD!
Mal. 3:6; Heb.11:6; Heb. 13:8
Introduction- Today is my 16th anniversary in the ministry. I can say “God is still God!”
1. GOD STILL SPEAKS Prov. 3:5-6, Ps. 34:8
Through The Scripture
Through the Holy Spirit
Through Circumstances
Through His People
How many of you need to hear from God today?
2. GOD STILL HEALS Exodus 15:26
Through His Son Jesus Christ. Is. 53; 1 Peter 2
Through Prayer
Through the prayer of the Elders
Sovereignly
How many of you need a healing touch today?
3. GOD STILL FILLS John 7:37-38; Acts 1:8; Acts 2, 4
With Joy
With Peace
With the Holy Spirit
How many of you need to be filled with His Spirit today?
4. GOD STILL ANSWERS PRAYER Jer. 33:3, Ps. 65:2
Prayed in Faith
Prayed according to His Will
Prayed with the right heart motive
Prayed in desperation
How many of you need prayer answered today?
5. GOD STILL SETS FREE Is. 61; Luke 4
Through His Son Jesus Christ.
Through the Truth of His Word (John 8:31-31)
Through the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:14)
How many of you need set free today from bondage?
6. GOD STILL SAVES Romans 10:10, 13’ 2 Pet. 3:
Through His Son Jesus Christ.
By using you as a witness
By preaching and teaching about Jesus
How many of you need saved today?
God is still God. God still speaks. God still heals. God still fills. God still answers prayer. God still sets free. God still saves. Have you confessed Him as your God.
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The Ways of the Lord
A couple may know each other when they get married, but it takes time, experience, and intimacy to know someone’s ways. We need to know the ways of the Lord.
There is a difference between the accumulation of Bible information and learning the ways of the Lord. Take the time to look up the following references and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you these truths about the ways of the Lord.
1. THE LORD’S WAYS ARE DIFFERENT THAN OUR WAYS.
Isaiah 55:6-9
*What does this passage teach us about God’s ways and thoughts?
*What comparison is given to show us how much different that God’s ways are to ours?
*With this in mind, should we be surprised that God’s ways would contradict our thinking?
We are to adjust to His ways instead of trying to get Him to adjust to ours.
2. FATIH IS NESESSARY TO KNOW HIS WAYS
Prov. 3:5-6
*What level of commitment is called for in these verses?
*What are we told “not to do” in these verses?
*What promise does the Lord give us?
James 1:8
*What does doubt do to our prayers?
*Whose “ways” are unstable?
3. HIS WAYS ARE LEARNED THROUGH REVELATION
Psalm 25:4
*What does the Psalmist request of the Lord?
Rom. 11:33-36
*After reading these verses, is it presumptuous of us to think we fully understand God?
Ps. 103:7
*What did God do for Moses? Will He do it for you?
4. WE NEED TO EXAMINE OUR WAYS TO SEE IF THEY ARE HIS WAYS
Read the following verses and do accordingly.
Lam. 3:40-41
Haggai 1:5
5. OUR WAY NAILED JESUS TO THE CROSS
What warnings and truths about our “own ways” are found in these verses?
Is. 53:6
Heb. 3:7-10
Prov. 14:12
6. JESUS IS THE WAY
Jesus Christ is the way to God and the way of life.
John 14:6, Luke 1:76-79,
Note the following verses and how they relate to our lives as Christians.1 Cor. 4:17, Early Church—Acts 9:2, 19:9,23
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The Offer of Divine Aid
Isaiah 1:16 “ Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;[a]
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
18 “ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,
“ Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken
Opening Statement: Living the Christian Life can be simplified to three statements for simplicity sake.
1. A person must stop doing the wrong things.
2. A person must start doing the right things.
Both of these actions require life change and the proper exercise of the power of choice. Truthfully however, both of these actions have to embedded in a single realization–the inability in of ourselves to do either one.
3. In order to stop the wrong and start the right we need Divine Aid.
We must reach the conclusion that we need to stop doing the wrong things and we need Divine help to stop.
We need to start doing the right things and we need Divine help to start.
Please note that the passage above from Isaiah 1–
* Was written to a nation in rebellion. They were doing the wrong things and not the right things.
*The Lord told them Judgment was on the way if things did not change.
The fascinating thing to me about the above passage is the revelation of God’s heart toward those in rebellion.
He in essence says:
1. Stop doing the wrong things v16
-wash yourselves
-put away evil
-cease to do evil
2. Start doing the right things v17
-learn to do good
-seek justice
-rebuke the oppressor
-defend the fatherless (orphans)
-please for the widow
3. I Will Do What You Cannot v18
I am amazed that the God of the Universe would invite us to join Him in the discussion
about what is needed in our lives.
-He says come and let us reason together
-Come is the issuance of an invitation. To whom? To a people in rebellion. What a heart of Grace God has!
-When He says "let us reason together" He again shows His heart toward us. God wants to do something in us and with us. He invites us to partner with Him even though He rightfully owns all the stock in the company and we have nothing to offer other than ourselves. What a deal!
-"reason together" shows that God wants our hearts and our thoughts to be involved in the process. This is what He is after. The core of who we are. He wants us to want Him. He wants our desire to be a desire for Him. He invites us to let Him save us. Wow!
-He promises the giving of the power necessary to transform us. From scarlet to snow…what a change.
-God wills for us to will for Him. He has willed for us. He has chosen us. He has called us. He died for us. All that waits is for us to say to HIm "I will."
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5 Truths to Remember in Uncertain Times
(Alternate Title :5 Truths to Remember in 2009) by Eddie Lawrence
Photo by Baltimore Heritage
Phil. 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote the Philippians from a Roman prison cell. Yet we find Him encouraging them to rejoice in tough times. He did not allow the circumstances he was in to bring defeat into his life. He had something he clung to and that was stronger than the bands of men that were around his feet. Listen to his declaration and it is one we all need to learn to use and use regularly to keep our heart properly aligned with our true source of strength!
1. He is the God Who is Personal 'My God"
-Paul could say He is "My God." God desires a personal relationship with each person on the planet.
-He wants us to acknowledge Him as our God. The deeper our intimacy with Him, the more secure we become in knowing we belong to Him.
-Sometimes you just need to declare "He is My God!" to yourself and to your circumstances.
-What an intoxicating thought–The God Who has all power knows me and wants me to know Him personally.
2. He is the God Who Promises "shall"
-This does not say He "might" supply our need but He "shall"
-God has the power and will to keep all His promises
-When you are staring at a need, remember to stand on a promise!
-Trade in what the News broadcast says for what God says!
-God has the power to shift the facts in your favor
3. He is the God Who Provides "shall supply"
-It is one thing to have the power and resources to provide, but the willingness to do it, is the key.
-A billionaire may have the resources to help you in your circumstance but if he is not willing then you are still without help.
-You have access to God Who has it all, and He wants you to come to Him. He has a big willing Father's heart.
4. He is the God Who is Powerful "all your need"
-There is not an area of legitimate need in your life that God is unable to respond to.
-He is aware of all your needs and is willing to be involved in meeting all of your needs
-When Paul wrote this verse he was in prison. Yet, he knew God knew right where he was and just what he needed.
-He knows your address and your need and has the power to meet it.
-Make the choice right now to trust God to meet your need.
-Don't assume or be blind to how God will meet it.
-Pray for the sensitivity to recognize when and how God meets your need and praise Him for it.
-Exercise your faith right now and go ahead and thank God that He is going to meet your need.
5. He is the God Who is Parent "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
-Jesus came to introduce us to the Father and reconnect us to the Father.
-We have authority as children of God through the atoning work of Jesus.
-All Heaven's resources are accessible to us because we are part of the royal family.
-A good Parent always desires to know where the kids are, what they are doing, and what they need. God knows all this about you.
-One of the greatest breakthroughs in the Christian life comes when the child of God really recognizes that they are "a child of God."
-Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7. If we are evil and want to give good things to our kids, how much more will Father do
so,
-We have been given heaven's checkbook and it has been signed by Jesus in his own blood and Father has declared he will honor all checks issued in the name of His Son.
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