A city slicker bought a horse from a weathered cowboy.  The cowboy was God-fearing and had trained the horse using biblical terms.   Instead of “giddy-up,” the command to go was “Praise the Lord.”  “Amen” was the signal to stop.  He coached the new owner on the importance of using these phrases and these alone.

Now fully prepped and astride his new steed, the city slicker said to the horse, “Praise the Lord!”  Off they trotted.  Soon enough, a rabbit darted in front of the horse and startled him.  The horse began to gallop at full speed.  The rider saw that they were quickly approaching a cliff with a sheer drop of a couple hundred feet.

He forgot the coaching he’d received.  He shouted “Whoa!”  “Stop!”  He pulled back on the reins.  But nothing slowed the horse.  Finally, he remembered the necessary word.  “Amen!” he shouted.  At that the horse came to a screeching stop at the brink of the canyon.  The rider sighed with relief, lifted his hands heavenward, and said with sincerity, “Praise the Lord.”

That may be the only situation where a heart-felt “Praise the Lord” would be inappropriate!  God’s word makes it abundantly clear that we are to praise the Lord at all times and in all places. 

This Sunday we wrap up our summer series through the Psalms.  We have ascended to the very peak of the book as we come to Psalm 150.  The unrelenting cry of this Psalm is that the Lord is to be praised.  In it we will learn the “who,” the “where,” the “why,” and the “how” of biblical praise. 

Join us as we praise the Lord!

Songs of the Summer

“Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 150

1. The who of praise

Praise the Lord! . . . Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (150:1a, 6)

1. The Lord gets the praise
2. The living give the praise

2. The where of praise

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!(150:1b)

1. Praise Him in church
2. Praise Him in creation

3. The why of praise

Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! (150:2)

1. Praise Him for His deeds
2. Praise Him for His deity

4. The how of praise

Praise him with trumpet sound; . . . with lute and harp! . . . with tambourine and dance; . . . with strings and pipe! . . . with sounding cymbals; . . . with loud clashing cymbals! (150:3-5)

1. Praise Him with variety
2. Praise Him with vitality

Buckminster Fuller studied the accumulation of information. He created what is known as the “Knowledge Doubling Curve.”  He noticed that until 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every century.  By the end of World War II, knowledge was doubling every 25 years.  Today, on average, human knowledge is doubling every 13 months!  According to IBM, the build out of  the “internet of things” will lead to the doubling of knowledge every 12 hours. 

We may be getting smarter, but are we getting wiser?

A young, university graduate crossed a large, dangerous river on a barge. An elderly, seasoned fellow was steering the barge.  As they made the crossing, the odd couple struck up a conversation.  The university student asked the old man three questions. 

The first one was: “Do you know anything about physics?” “Nope”, replied the old man. “Then a third of your life has been wasted!” decried the young student.  His second question was:  “Do you know anything about philosophy?” “Nope”, answered the old man with no note of angst. “Then another third of your life has been wasted!”  protested the collegiate.  Finally, he asked: “Do you know anything about the social sciences?” “Nope”, dryly replied the old man. “Then another third of your life has been wasted!”

Suddenly, the barge hit a large object, took on water rapidly, and overturned. Both men were thrown into the water. The old man cried out to the young student, “Do you know anything about swimming?” The young man replied “Nope.” “Then your whole life is wasted!” replied the old man.

The young man thought the accumulation of knowledge about certain subjects was essential to life. The old barge pilot knew that none of that mattered in the world of piloting a barge if you can’t swim.  What was essential in his life was knowing how to swim.

What knowledge is essential?  What is it that we should know in a world where knowledge is doubling virtually every year?  We may have a tremendous amount of knowledge about the things of life, but, without a proper knowledge of who God is, all of life (and eternity) can be wasted.

This morning we will learn “How to Stay Ahead of the Knowledge Curve.”  Psalm 139 celebrates the attributes of God and how they impact our lives.  David is the inspired author and he is amazed by the nature of God.  There may be no other place in Scripture where the magnitude and immensity of God are more explicitly revealed.

Songs of the Summer

“How to Stay Ahead of the Knowledge Curve”

Psalm 139

1. Know God’s infinite perception

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! (139:1)

1. He knows our movements
2. He knows our minds

2. Know God’s inescapable presence

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? (139:7)

1. Distancedoes not separate us from Him
2. Darknessdoes not separate us from Him

3. Know God’s innovative power

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb (139:13).

1. He is the source of life
2. He is the sustainer of life

4. Know God’s incisive purity

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (139:23-24)

1. He searches the wrong
2. He shows the way

Mike Holmes

n the book, Amazing Grace, an interesting story is told about a young man named Arlo.  He had a godly grandfather.  When Arlo got married to his wife, his grandfather gave them a wedding gift.  It was a beautiful, leather-bound Bible with their names engraved on its cover.  Arlo and his wife appreciated the gift of a Bible, but never took it out of the box.  He stored it away. 

Every once in a while, his grandfather would ask, “Did you like the Bible I gave you?” They assured him that they did.  They sent him a thank-you note.  But he wouldn’t let it rest.  “What did you think about the Bible I gave you?” he would ask with frequency.

Finally, Arlo took the Bible from its box and began to leaf through it.  When he did, he discovered that his grandfather had put a $20 bill at the beginning of Genesis, and $20 at the beginning of Exodus, and $20 at the beginning of every book in the Bible—$1320 in total in cash!  Arlo says that he never would have discovered how valuable that gift was had his grandfather not kept prompting him.

I am a grandfather now and I want to imitate Arlo’s grandfather.  Do you like the Bible that you hold in your hands today?  Do you like the Bible that you have on your shelf or night stand?  Have you leafed through its pages and discovered the unbelievable wealth of wisdom it contains?  It is not worth $20 or $1320.  It is worth more than all the silver and all gold the world contains.

It is “God’s Wisdom for Your Way.”  In today’s message, God’s word will remind us of the treasure it is both for our day-to-day living and for all of eternity.

Songs of the Summer

“God’s Wisdom for Your Way”

Psalm 119:9-11

1. A common struggle

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word (119:9).

1. The way is hazardous
2. The word is helpful

2. A certain spirit

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments (119:10)!

1. A spirit of determination
2. A spirit of dependence

3. A crucial strategy

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (119:11).

1. Learn the word
2. Live the word

The sports world is caught up in World Cup fever [slide with World Cup logo].  On June 17 Mexico played Germany.  Germany is a soccer powerhouse.  They have won the World Cup four times (second only to Brazil’s five).  Mexico has never won the World Cup but they are officially soccer crazy and desperately hungry for a title.

Estimates are that 75,000 people jammed the main square in Mexico City to watch the televised game.  When Mexico scored the winning goal, the fans erupted in pandemonium.  Nearby seismic meters registered their celebration.  There was, on a small level, an earthquake.

Is it possible that a crowd could get so excited that the earth could quake?  Yes!  And I say, “Let the earth quake again!”  But this time, let the earth quake for the celebration of God’s people for the victories that He has won on our behalf.

Psalm 100 encourages and even commands God’s people to exalt Him in exuberant praise.  Let’s dive into the truths of this Psalm and “let the earth quake.”

Songs of the Summer

“Let the Earth Quake”

Psalm 100

1. Sing to the Lord

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. . . . Come into his presence with singing (100:1-2).

1. With all enthusiasm
2. With all the earth

2. Serve the Lord

Serve the Lord with gladness!  (100:2a)

1. With a clear focus
2. With a correct feeling

3. Study the Lord

Know that the Lord, he is God!  (100:3a)

1. Then thank Him for His actions
2. Then thank Him for His attributes

Martin Luther was a devout Roman Catholic priest.  He loved the word of God and held to its truths tenaciously.  He came to question some of the practices and teachings of his church.  He posted 95 theses (or points of concern) to the door of the parish church in Wittenberg, Germany where he often preached. 

For his protests, he was ultimately put on trial before the emperor and ecclesiastical leaders.  He was ordered to recant but he refused.  He famously said,

Your Imperial Majesty and Your Lordships demand a simple answer. Here it is, plain and unvarnished. Unless I am convicted [convinced] of error by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of Pope or councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning, I stand convicted [convinced] by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us.  On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me.

For his disobediences he was excommunicated by the Pope and condemned as an outlaw by the Holy Roman Emperor.  He could be killed with immunity.

A German prince gave him refuge in the Wartburg Castle.  It became his temporal fortress and there he translated the Scriptures into the German language.   But his true and eternal fortress was the Lord God. 

To this point he wrote one of if not the best-loved hymn of all time: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”  Some of the lyrics are:

A mighty Fortress is our God,

A Bulwark never failing;

Our Helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth His Name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through Him who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill:

God’s truth abideth still,

His Kingdom is forever.

For Martin Luther, God was his fortress.  In that confidence he defied emperor and pope.  In God he trusted. 

What is your fortress?  In what or in whom do you trust?  To whom do you run in times of trouble?

Psalm 91 makes clear who ought to be our fortress and refuge. It also makes crystal clear the blessings that come when our God is our fortress.  Let’s open our Bibles and our hearts to these truths this morning.

Songs of the Summer

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Psalm 91:1-16

1. Dwellin the Lord

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty (91:1).

1. Enter His shelter
2. Enjoy His shadow

2. Dependon the Lord

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (91:2)

1. Proclaimyour trust in Him
2. Personalizeyour trust in Him

3. Deliveranceby the Lord

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence(91:3).

1. He will deliver from evil
2. He will deliver for eternity

In August of 2016 a terrible flood hit the greater Baton Rouge area.  The financial impact was catastrophic.  Thousands of homes and businesses were flooded and lives were lost.

The people of the United States, through their elected officials, stepped forward to help meet the need.  According to reports, approximately 1.3 billion dollars were granted to Louisiana for restoration efforts.  Nell and I are grateful recipients of some of that money.  I know that many of you have been too.

Would anyone care to venture how much of that amount has actually been distributed to needy families?  Approximately $60 million.  That may sound like a lot (and it is); however, relative to the amount allotted.  It is a small percentage.  It is a little less than 5%!  In fact, more money has been spent on administration of the program than has actually been given to those who suffered losses in the floods (see attached jpg).

For those who’ve suffered in the flood, you might want to say to the agency , “That money was given to you so that it might be channeled through you to the hurting!  Please pass it on!”

We instinctively know that it is not right to hoard resources that have been entrusted to us that were intended to bless others. 

But before we get embittered at governmental ineptitude, could it be that we too have been guilty of keeping the blessings of God that have been entrusted to us to ourselves?  Instead of being rivers of blessings, we’ve become reservoirs of God’s bounty.   Instead of being channels of blessings, we’ve siphoned off inordinate amounts for ourselves.

Songs of the Summer

“Blessed to Be a Blessing”

Psalm 67:1-7

1. Prayerto God

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us (67:1).

1. This prayer has a progression
2. This prayer has a precedent

2. Purpose of God

For that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations (67:2).

1. His purpose is gracious
2. His purpose is global

3. Praisefor God

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you (67:3).

1. For gladness(v. 4a)
2. For governance(v. 4b)
3. For guidance(v. 4c)
4. For gifts(vs. 5-6)

This morning God will challenge us to lives of greater generosity from Psalm 67 in a message I’m entitling, “Blessed to Be a Blessing.”

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.”  We probably all recognize that quote and the truth of it, but let me tweak it: “To err is human; to botch the confession is too!” 

I can illustrate this with several recent blunders and the gaffes in the accompanying “apologies.”  Let me begin with a relatively insignificant example and then ratchet up to more significant ones.

1. R. Smith crushed the hearts of his teammates and the whole Cavalier nation in an epic error in game 1 of this year’s NBA Finals.  A mental error cost them that game (and maybe the whole series).  Rather than coming clean and admitting that he didn’t know that the score was tied as time elapsed, he stumbled through an incoherent “apology” that actually threw his teammates under the bus! 

To err is human; to botch the confession is too.

Roseanne Barr, riding a wave of popularity for the reboot of her namesake show, tweets a cruel and widely-viewed-as-racist comment about another lady.  Her “confession” was that she was not really responsible.  It was the Ambien she was taking. 

To err is human; to botch the confession is too.

In a still more serious example, the governor of Missouri cheats on his wife and gets into all sorts of problems.  He ends up resigning.  Here’s a portion of his speech:

"Today I am announcing that I will resign as governor of Missouri . . . . We have accomplished a lot. I am proud of . . . all our work. The last few months have been incredibly difficult for me, for my family, for my team, for my friends and for many, many people. This ordeal has been designed to cause an incredible amount of strain on my family; millions of dollars of mounting legal bills, endless personal attacks designed to cause maximum damage to family and friends; legal harassment of colleagues, friends and campaign workers. . . .  I know, and people of good faith know, that I am not perfect. But I have not broken any laws or committed any offense worthy of this treatment. . . .  This is not the end of our fight. I will always be a fighter. . . . So for the moment, let us walk off the battlefield with our heads held high.  We have a good and a proud story to tell our children. Let's love them and each other every day. May God continue to bless you and to bless the great state of Missouri."

To err is human; to botch the confession is too. 

In all three of these examples, their “confessions” made their errors worse, not better.  Before we, as erring, sinning humans can get to divine forgiveness, we must learn to confess.  To say it another way, “To come clean, we’ve got to come clean.”  We’ll never be forgiven, unless we learn to confess humbly and genuinely our sins.

King David was human.  He erred often and greatly.  But the good news is that his great sins were covered by a greater grace. 

Psalm 51 is the account of David’s confession.  God will teach us that we too have to “come clean to come clean.”

Songs of the Summer

“Come Clean to Come Clean”

Psalm 51:1-12

1. A humble request

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!  (51:1-2)

1. The backgroundof the request
2. The basisfor the request

2. A heartfelt remorse

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment(51:3-4).

1. For our guilt
2. For our God

3. A happy restoration

Restore to me the joy of your salvation (51:12a).

1. The Lord restores our witness
2. The Lord restores our worship

Recently I took our grandkids to an ice cream shop.  We got our goodies and sat down outdoors at a picnic table to enjoy them.  Our grandson, Forest, finished his ice cream (stuffed with gummy worms) quickly.  Apparently he didn’t get his fill.  He happened to spot a gummy worm on the ground that someone else had dropped earlier.  He reached down, grabbed it, and was about to eat it when I said, “No!” 

It broke his heart.  He welled up with tears and began to cry.  He couldn’t understand it.  There was a perfectly, delicious gummy worm that he had found fair-and-square.  Now here I was, Grumpy Grampa, denying him the delight of eating it!  He didn’t know that it was dirty and covered with germs.   From his preschool perspective, this was grossly unfair. 

Little did he know what I had planned.  On the other side of the “no” was a giant “yes.”  I scooped him up in my arms and carried him to the window of the shop for a gift of a whole cup of fresh, clean gummy worms.

I think the Lord must look at us much like I looked at Forest that afternoon.  He wants the best for us.  But He sees us digging in the dirt for polluted pleasures.  He must say to Himself, “If only they could grasp what I intend for them!”

I also think we tend to view the Lord much like Forest must have viewed me that afternoon.  We think He is aiming to rob us of pleasure, happiness, and joy when the exact opposite is true.

Psalm 37 drives these lessons home in an unforgettable way.  Join me there for this morning’s message.

Songs of the Summer

“Gummy Worms and God”

Psalm 37:1-4

1. Disillusioned with the Lord

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb (37:1-2).

1. The cause of disillusionment
2. The cure for disillusionment

2. Dependent on the Lord

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness(37:3).

1. Rely on the Lord
2. Receive from the Lord

3. Delighted in the Lord

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (37:4).

1. The command to delight in the Lord
2. The consequence of delighting in the Lord

Canciones que confortan

“Aguas con el agua”

Salmo 37.1-5

1. Desilusionadoscon el Señor.

“No te inquietes a causa de los malvados, ni tengas envidia de los que hacen lo malo. Pues como la hierba, pronto se desvanecen;como las flores de primavera, pronto se marchitan.”(37.1-2)

1. La causade la desilusión.

1. La curapara la desilusión.

2. Depender del Señor.

“Confía en el Señor y haz el bien;entonces vivirás seguro en la tierra y prosperarás.”(37.3)

1. Confiar en el Señor.

1. Recibir del Señor.

3. Deleitarseen el Señor.

“Deléitateel Señor, yél te concederá los deseos de tu corazón.” (37.4)

1. El mandamientode deleitarnos en el Señor.

1. La consecuenciade deleitarnos en el Señor.

Dwayne Pitre

Mike Holmes

About five years ago a wildly popular song was released.  It is entitled simply, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.  You can’t help but smile when you hear the lyrics and the music [may play a snippet].

The official video of the song was released on YouTube on November 21, 2013, and, as of March 2018, it has had over 1 billion views.  Maybe its popularity is tied to the fact that everybody wants to be happy.

Here in America we’re so committed to the pursuit of happiness that we put it into the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

But in spite of our longing for it and our pursuit of it, happiness so often eludes us. 

Here’s an important truth to grasp: “Pursue happiness and it evades you.  Pursue Him--pursue holiness--and happiness comes to you as a by-product.”

God’s word never tells us to pursue happiness but it does promise us happiness, real joy, if we will live according to God’s word.

These principles are laid out for us clearly in God’s word.  Let’s open our Bibles to Psalm 1 for a message entitled, “Happy

Songs of the Summer

“Happy”

Psalm 1

1. Dangers to avoid

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers” (1:1).

1. Discouraging companions
2. Downward cycle

2. Disciplines to acquire

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night (1:2).

1. Prize the word of God
2. Ponder the word of God

3. Destinies to assess

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment (1:3-5a).

1. Everyday consequences
2. Eternal consequences

In our nation’s capital is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. For 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, a platoon of 30 honor guards protects the tomb through rain, snow, and even hurricanes! It's been guarded every minute of every day since 1937.  The Unknown Soldiers laid to rest at the Tomb represent all missing and unknown service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

Typically a single sentinel at a time guards the tomb, pacing back and forth throughout his watch. The soldier walks exactly 21 steps then pauses for 21 seconds before turning around and continuing his duty. The number 21 is in reference to the 21 gun salute which is the military's highest honor given to a soldier.

When the changing of the guard takes place, orders are passed from one soldier to his relief: Here is the heart of that dialog: " Post and orders, remain as directed.”  Orders remain as directed.  Their original charge remains their current charge.  No change.

There is another tomb—empty now in Jerusalem.  Our Lord, after his victorious resurrection, gave orders to his disciples some 2000 years ago and those orders remain as directed! 

Do you know what our marching orders are as followers of Christ?  Today we will revisit those orders.

Please open your Bibles to Matthew 28:18-20.

Bless Every Home

“Make Disciples”

Matthew 28:18-20

1. We have the powerto make disciples

 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples . . .” (28:18-19a).

1. Jesus’ power is stated
2. Jesus’ power is shared

2. We have the planto make disciples

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”(28:19-20a).

1. Jesus calls us to mobilize disciples
2. Jesus calls us to mark disciples
3. Jesus calls us to mature disciples
4. We have the partner to make disciples

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (28:20b).

1. Jesus is our personal companion
2. Jesus is our perpetual companion

Bendice cada hogar

"haced discípulos"

(Mateo 28:18-20

1. Tenemos el poder de hacer discípulos

“Jesús se acercó y dijo a sus discípulos: «Se me ha dado toda autoridad en el cielo y en la tierra.Por lo tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos ..." (28:18-19a).

1. El poder de Jesús es declarado
2. El poder de Jesús es compartido

2. Tenemos el plande hacer discípulos

"Por lo tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones,bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo.Enseñen a los nuevos discípulos a obedecer todos los mandatos que les he dado." (Mt 28, 19-20a).

1. Jesús nos llama a hacerdiscípulos
2. Jesús nos llama a bautizardiscípulos
3. Jesús nos llama a desarrollardiscípulos

3. Tenemos la promesaal hacer discípulos.

"Y tengan por seguro esto: que estoy con ustedes hasta el fin del mundo" (Mt 28, 20b).

1. Jesús es nuestro compañero personal
2. Jesús es nuestro compañero perpetuo

God’s heart is to bless every home.  God wants to bless you and, through you, bless others.  This is his missiological strategy and has been from time immemorial.  Gen. 12:2 says, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

We are issuing a challenge this month to “bless every home” in our sphere of influence.  We do this when we pray for, care for and share with others the story of Jesus.

We bless others when we share the story of what God has done for us.  That’s the theme of today’s message.  I’m going to relay to you the story of four desperate men who were blessed and became a blessing to others because they shared the story of what God had done on their behalf.  This enabled virtually a whole city to experience the abundant goodness of God! 

We can experience the same in our lives—receiving and relaying the blessings of God!

Bless Every Home

“Share”

2 Kings 7:3-9

1. A serious dilemma

Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate.  And they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” (7:3)

1. Deteriorating condition
2. Deadly complacency

2. A strategic decision

If we say, “Let us enter the city,” the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians (7:4a).

1. Consider the alternatives
2. Choose the action

3. A surprising discovery

But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no one there . . . . they went into a tent and ate and drank, and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and went and hid them (7:5b, 8b).

1. Available provision
2. Abundant provision

4. A subsequent duty

Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household” (7:9).  

1. We must realize our sin
2. We must repent for our sin

The entire nation of China was rocked in 2011 by an incident involving a single two-year-old Chinese girl named Wang Yue.  Her family called her “Little Yue Yue.”  She innocently wandered onto a narrow, crowded road in Foshan, Guangdong Province.  She was hit by a vehicle, in fact, two.  Neither stopped.  She lay broken and wounded on the road for more than seven minutes. 

During that span of time, eighteen people either walked or cycled past the toddler before a scrap peddler named Chen Xianmei, finally stopped to attend to her injuries.  The little girl was whisked to a hospital for treatment but succumbed to her injuries and died eight days later.

The whole incident, including the fact that so many people passed by the little girl and refused to render aid, was captured on a security camera.   That footage was uploaded onto the Internet and it quickly stirred widespread reaction in China and even overseas. Many commentators saw this as indicative of a growing apathy in contemporary Chinese society.  It has been referred to as China’s “good Samaritan problem”—widespread apathy for the hurting.

But we all know, this is not just a Chinese problem.  It’s an American problem.  It’s a global problem.  It’s an ancient problem, because it is a human problem. 

Thankfully our human problems have a divine solution.  There is a true “good Samaritan” and we will meet him today.  His impact on us can transform even the most cruel or calloused into good Samaritans who care for others.

Bless Every Home

“Care”

Luke 10:25-37

1. We can be cruel

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead”(10:30).

1. Attitude: “What’s yoursis mineand I’ll take”
2. Action: The cruel inflictsuffering

2. We can be calloused

Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.  So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side(10:31-32).

1. Attitude: “What’s mineis mineand I’ll keep”
2. Action: The calloused ignoresuffering

3. We can be compassionate

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion(10:33)

1. Attitude: “What’s mineis yoursand I’ll give”
2. Action: The compassionate intervenein suffering

Oprah Winfrey is an America pop icon.  Her rags-to-riches story is remarkable.  Her long-time talk show was famous for generous giveaways.  While I don’t see eye-to-eye with her on theology and politics, I do admire her giving spirit.

One her most famous giveaways happened when all 276 members of her studio audience were blessed with a new Pontiac G-6 sedan. The cars carried an individual retail price tag of about $28,500. 

The last giveaway was to celebrate her 25 years as hostess of the show.  Every person in the audience was blessed with an 8-day, all-expense paid vacation to Australia!

Her favorite giveaway was in 2006.  Every audience member was blessed with a bank card for $1,000 and a camera.  Their assignment was to go home and within one week give that money away in a creative, charitable act and by so doing bless someone else.  The camera was to video their respective acts of kindness.  That giveaway unleashed some remarkable stories of generosity. 

One example was a lady from Illinois named Minnie.  She did not know whom she would bless with the $1,000.  Upon returning home she learned about a father of nine children who had brain cancer.  His name was John Newcomb.  She not only was prepared to give that John’s family the $1,000, she rallied other people and businesses in the city to help.  Within a week she had raised over $70,000.  They paid off the Newcomb’s mortgage, his medical bills, provided groceries, and a two-year college scholarship for their oldest son. 

Minnie was blessed to be a blessing.  And she complied with that intent!

Did you know that you have been blessed to be a blessing?  That is God’s heart and His missiological strategy.  He has blessed us so that we might be a blessing.

We are launching today a 4-part sermon series entitled, “Bless Every Home.”  Even more than that, what we’re truly hoping is to launch or augment a lifetime of missional living by each of us.

Please open your Bibles to Genesis 12 as we open our hearts to embrace God’s call on our lives to “Bless Every Home.”

Bless Every Home

Genesis 12:1-3, 8b

1. The requirementsfor God’s blessings

Now the Lordsaid to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you . . . (12:1).

1. Go from our oldlife
2. Go to our newlife

2. The realitiesof God’s blessings

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (12:2-3).

1. We receiveHis blessings
2. We relayHis blessings

3. The responsesto God’s blessings

. . . And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD(12:8b).

1. Make worship a priority
2. Make worship a practice

Yogi Berra was a catcher for the New York Yankees.  He won 10 World Series and was an 18-time all-star. 

But he is probably better known for his “Yogi-isms.”  His quotes often mangled the English language in light-hearted ways, but also had a grain of truth in them.  Here’s a sampling of five of his finest.

1. Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.
2. Pair up in threes.
3. A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.
4. Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.
5. You should always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise, they won’t come to yours.

He was so well known for his sayings that sometimes he was given credit for things he didn’t even say.  Thus another Yogi-ism: “I never said most of the things I said.”

Here’s one more he said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”  The “Yogi-ness” of that quote is that it is redundant.  Déjà vu literally means “already seen.”  It’s a feeling that you get that you’ve been in place before.  You’ve heard this conversation before.  So to say, “Déjà vu all over again” is to say the same thing twice.  Classic!

This morning “it’s déjà vu all over again.”  We’re going to wrap up the “Final Word” by opening our Bibles to the 21st chapter of John’s gospel.  In this story the disciples are going to encounter the risen Lord Jesus and hear his final words.  They are words they’ve heard before but that bear repeating.  In fact, we too need to hear them again.

It’s déjà vu all over again.

The Final Word

“Déjà Vu All Over Again”

John 21:1-22

1. Called to fish
   1. Apply the instructions Jesus gives
   2. Appreciate the increase Jesus gives
2. Called to feed
   1. Love the shepherd
   2. Love the sheep
3. Called to follow
   1. Follow regardless of the cost
   2. Follow regardless of the comparison

If you've read any of Mark Twain's famous The Adventures of Tom Sawyer you know that Sawyer was quite the prankster.  One time Sawyer convinced friends Huck Finn and Joe Harper to run away. By cover of night, the three left their homes, snuck down to the river, and set out down-river on a raft. They end up on Jackson's Island where have fun pretending to be pirates for several days.

Meanwhile, back at home, their families and the town at large are in state of near hysteria. After a few days they conclude the boys have drowned, and plan their funeral for the following Sunday. Tom quietly returns to town and discovers the plans for the funeral. He returns to the island where he convinces Huck and Joe they should all stay put until the end of the week when they will return to town and march in on their own funerals.

On Sunday almost the entire town gathers at the church building where the preacher leads the sad and grieving crowd in eulogizing and mourning the poor boys whom death has claimed so early in life.  The congregation became more and more moved till the whole company broke down and joined the weeping mourners in a chorus of anguished sobs.

At that moment the three boys come through the church doors.  They had been listening to their own funeral!  The ones who were dead now are alive.  Gloom gives way to gladness.  Can you imagine attending a funeral and seeing the one for whom you grieve appear in your midst?

That’s exactly what actually happened to the disciples of Jesus.  They saw him crucified.  They knew that he had been buried.  On that first Sunday evening they were gathered in fear, mourning, and bewilderment.  Gloom prevailed.  But into that room came the risen Lord Jesus and gloom gives way to gladness. 

We too can rejoice on this Easter morning because Jesus crashed his own funeral!

The Final Word

“From Gloom to Gladness”

John 20:19-22

1. Easter gloom
   1. Jesus’ disciples are afraid
   2. Jesus’ disciples are assembled
2. Easter gladness
   1. Jesus’ disciples rejoice for His presence
   2. Jesus’ disciples rejoice for His peace
3. Easter gifts
   1. Jesus’ disciples receive a commission
   2. Jesus’ disciples receive a companion

“Del pesimismo al gozo”

Juan 20:19-22

1. La Pascua y su Oscuridad
   1. Ellos tienen miedo
   2. Ellos están juntos
2. La Pascua y su Gozo
   1. Por su Presencia
   2. Por su Paz
3. La Pascua y sus Obsequios
   1. El regalo de la Tarea
   2. El regalo de su compañía

There is a common sight across the southeast region of the United States.  It is a trio of crosses placed in a field near a highway or crossroads.  They are the work of a man named Bernard Coffindaffer.  He was a veteran of WWII and Iwo Jima.  When he came back from the war, he came to know Christ as his savior.  He became a successful businessman but never lost his gratitude for what Jesus did for us.

He spent his personal fortune to erect more than 1,800 trios of crosses.

But what is the significance of these three crosses?

The Final Word

“The Crosses of Calvary”

John 19:16b-18

1. The cross of rejection: one died in sin
2. The cross of reception: one died to sin
3. The cross of redemption: one died for sin

Tom Watson Jr., CEO of IBM between 1956 and 1971, was a key figure in the information revolution. Watson repeatedly demonstrated his abilities as a leader.

One example of his skill as a leader had to do with a young executive who made some bad decisions that cost the company several million dollars. He was summoned to Watson’s office.  He fully expected that he would be fired. As he entered the office, the young executive said to Watson, “I suppose after that set of mistakes you will want to fire me.” Watson was said to have replied,  “Fire you?!  Not at all, young man, we have just spent a couple of million dollars educating you” (Source: Edgar Schein in his book, Organisational Culture and Leadership). 

Watson was telling the young executive that he was more valuable now than before.  His failures were not final. 

Let’s face it, we have all failed.  The devil would have you think that that your failures are final—that you are of no value to the Lord.  But that’s a lie.  God is too compassionate, too redeeming for that.  He says to us, “Your failures need not be final.  There is more for you to do!”

The biography of Peter is a case study of the truth that “failure is not final.”  Today we will look at Peter’s life and find encouragement for our own.

The Final Word

“Failure Is Not Final”

John 18:15-18 and 25-27

1. Dangerous confidence
2. Disheartening collapse
3. Deep contrition
4. Dynamic comeback

In recent years our nation has been rocked by a string of mass shootings—Stoneman Douglas High School, Charleston, SC, Newton, CT, Virginia Tech, and the list goes on.  From these horrific incidents, some touching stories of courage and self-sacrifice have surfaced.

On December 2, 2015 county employees in San Bernadino, CA had gathered for a Christmas party.  Two gunmen stormed the center where they were gathered and opened fire on the unsuspecting crowd.  In the melee, coworkers Denise Peraza and Shannon Johnson took refuge behind an over-turned chair.  Shannon, an old Georgia boy, wrapped his arm around Denise and said, “I got you.”  With that, a bullet struck him.  He died while sheltering Denise.  She credits him with saving her life. 

This morning I want to show you that God in Christ would gladly wrap you in His embrace.  Despite all that it cost Him, He still says, “I got you.  I got you.”  John 18:1-11 shows us plainly that He will die that we might live.

La  Carrera de La  Fe

2 Timoteo 4:6-8

Hebreos 12:1-2

1. UNA CARRERA PUBLICA

1. UNA CARRERA PERSONAL

• UNA CARRERA PURA

1. UNA CARRERA PESADA

1. UNA CARRERA ENFOCADA

I’ve always been fascinated by people’s last words.  I heard last week about a Union General during the Civil War.  His name was John Sedgwick.  He was a respected and high-ranking general.  In 1864 he led his troops to Spotsylvania, Virginia for one of the last battles of the war. 

Confederate sharpshooters had been peppering the area all morning on May 9, wounding, among others, General William Morris. Staff officers cautioned Sedgwick not to approach the road, but he disregarded their warnings in his desire to encourage his men to face the enemy.  When his men warned him to take cover, Sedgwick responded by joking, "They couldn’t hit an elephant at that distance." Just then, a sharpshooter’s bullet crashed into his skull, right below his left eye, killing him instantly. 

He was the highest ranking Union officer to be killed during the war.

It’s dangerous to underestimate your enemy.  Don’t do it. 

Jesus did not do that.  He understood full well the spiritual battle in which we are engaged.  Because of it he turned to a vital piece of our spiritual arsenal—prayer.   We have a record of his prayer offered the night of his greatest battle—just as he faced arrest, trial, and execution.  This prayer opens our eyes as nothing else to the deepest longings of Jesus’ heart.  It teaches us what He values and how we, too, can overcome the world.

The Final Word

“The Real ‘Lord’s Prayer’”

John 17:1-26

1. Timing of Jesus’ prayer
   1. Reinforces a pattern
   2. Releases a power
2. Targets of Jesus’ prayer
   1. I pray for me
   2. I pray for mine
   3. I pray for missions
3. Triumph of Jesus’ prayer

La verdadera Oración de Jesús

Juan 17:1-26

1. Sincronicémonos con la oración de Jesús
2. Refuerza un modelo
3. Libera un poder
4. Los objetivos de la oración de Jesús
5. Ruego por mí

.           b. Ruego por los míos

1. Ruego por los demás
2. El Triunfo de la oración de Jesús

Ventaja de los Discípulos

Juan 16:6-14a

1. La preocupación de los discípulos (16:6)
2. Jesús es honesto con ellos (16:1-3)

.           b. Jesús confía en ellos (16:1-3)

2. La ventaja de los discípulos (16:7)
3. Jesús se va (16:7)
4. Jesús les deja algo (16:7)
5. El defensor de los discípulos (16:7)
6. El Espíritu Santo nos convence (16:8-11)
7. El Espíritu Santo nos aconseja (16:12-14a)

I Have Called You Friends

John 15:9-17

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. -John 15:15

Friendship starts with God

As the father has loved…John 15-9

We need friends because we are created in God’s image

Then the Lord God said, “it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”….Genesis 2:18

A friend lets you in

No longer do I call you servants….but I have called you friends.  John 15:15

Friendship involves sacrifice

Greater love has no one that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

The most important question: “Are you a friend of God?”

La Ultima Palabra

Guillermo Mangieri

Amigos y Enemigos

Juan 15.12-27

1. Amigos de Jesús (12-16)
   1. Se aman unos a otros
   2. Le obedecen
   3. Ellos Conocen la verdad
   4. Son escogidos por El
2. Enemigos del mundo (17-25)
   1. Rechazan a quienes no son como ellos
   2. Odian a los creyentes porque odian a Jesús
   3. Odian a los creyentes porque no conocen a Dios
3. Amigo Poderoso (26-27)
   1. Testimonio que viene del Padre
   2. Testimonio que es acerca del hijo
   3. Testimonio por medio del creyente

Costco has a great “returns” policy.  It is very generous.  You can return virtually anything, for any reason, and get a refund.  This was put to the test earlier this year.

On January 4, 2018 a woman in Santa Clarita, CA trudged into the local Costco lugging a large, dead, “real” Christmas tree.  She made her way through the returns line until she stood before the customer service representative.  “I’d like to return this tree.”  When asked why, she responded.  “Because it’s dead.” 

The other customers waiting in line were blown away.  One of them, Scott Bentley, took a photo of the lady and her disheveled tree.  “I can’t make this stuff up,” he posted on Facebook below the photo. 

Time magazine carried the story.  In the article it says: “. . . most people tend to accept that trees — once cut down for decorative holiday purposes — have a finite life span. . . .  But others seem less willing to accept this unfortunate fact of life.”

It is a fact of life.  Roots and fruits are inseparable.  Roots and life and flourishing are all inextricably linked.  Today Jesus will make this clear to us in John 15:1-11.

The Final Word

“Roots and Fruits”

John 15:1-11

1. Our relationship with Jesus
   1. The fruitless are cuts off
   2. The fruitful are cultivated
2. Our responsibility to Jesus
   1. Remain in him
   2. Rely on him
3. Our results through Jesus
   1. Glory to God
   2. Gladness from God

La palabra final

 “Ramas y Frutos”

Juan 15: 1-11

1. Nuestra relación con Jesús
2. Los que no lleva frutos, son cortados.
3. Los que lleva frutos, son cuidados.
4. Nuestra responsabilidad con Jesús
5. Permanecer en él
6. Confiar en él
7. Nuestros resultados a través de Jesús
8. Glorifica a Dios
9. Gozo de Dios.

If we are honest, there are moments in life when our hearts are troubled.  We get agitated; anxiety and worry overtake us. 

Last week we actually talked about some of the common causes for worry.  These include: health problems, marriage dynamics, parenting, money, and growing old.  We saw that a lot of us are squandering huge hunks of our lives worrying needlessly. 

Last Sunday I began a message entitled “Truths for Troubled Hearts” from John 14:1-6.  We focused on three truths:

1. The promise of a peace
2. The promise of a place
3. The promise of a path that leads to that place!

Our focal passage today will be John 14:12-16.  This morning’s message will be part 2 of “Truths for Troubled Hearts.”  In it Jesus has three more encouraging promises for us to claim—the promise of power, the promise of prayer, and the promise of His presence!  Let’s explore and embrace these “truths for troubled hearts.”

The Final Word

“Truths for Troubled Hearts”

Part 2

John 14:12-16

1. The promise of power
   1. The extravagance of this power
   2. The explanation for this power
2. The promise of prayer
   1. The parameter of prayer
   2. The purpose of prayer
3. The promise of presence
   1. A personal gift
   2. A permanent gift

Un Dios de Amor, Tiene Hijos que Aman

Text: 1 Juan 4:7-11

Domingo 28 de Enero

 Dr. Edgar R. Aponte

1. Introducción
   1. Referencia sobre 1 Cor 13
      1. ¿Qué nos dice acerca del amor?
   2. ¿Pero qué pasa si no somos así…cómo podemos convertirnos en personas de amor?
   3. 1 Juan 4: 7-11
2. Lectura del Texto
   1. Contexto del pasaje bíblico
3. Principal Mensaje
   1. Un Dios de Amor, Tiene Hijos que Aman.
      1. Dios es Amor (v.7-8)
         1. La Naturaleza de Dios
         2. El Nuevo Nacimiento
            1. Unión con Dios
         3. El Amor de Dios se revela en su Hijo (v. 9-11)
            1. La manifestación del amor de Dios
            2. El propósito de esa manifestación
         4. Ilustraciones
            1. El Caso de la Familia en Chicago (Primera Ilustración)
               1. La señal de la esa congregación local
               2. El Amor distingue el verdadero cristianismo del falso cristianismo
            2. El Gimnasio y el Cristiano (Segunda ilustración)
         5. Amor y Perdón
         6. Implicaciones
            1. Esté presente
            2. Ore
            3. Amor: Evangelismo y las Misiones
               1. La necesidad de ser salvo
               2. Amando a Dios

Amando las naciones             

La última palabra

"verdades para corazones atribulados"  

Juan 14:1-6

1. Jesús promete la Paz
2. Anulando el temor.
3. Animando la fe.
4. Jesús prepara un Lugar
5. Él se ira por su propia cuenta.
6. Él regresará por su propia cuenta.
7. Jesús ofrece el Camino
8. Que es efectivo.
9. Que es único.

There are a lot of things that can trouble our hearts.  A list was recently published that catalogs the types of things that tend to trouble our hearts—that cause us to worry.  Here is a partial list:

5. Health and weight.
6. Marriage.
7. Parenting and children/grandchildren.
8. Lack of savings and an uncertain financial future.  And the number one worry is:
9. Getting old!

We spend a lot of time worrying and fretting.  Statistics indicate that the average person spends over 14 hours per week worrying.  That would total over 700 hours worrying a year.  That would be the equivalent of close to 30 days a year!  If you lived to be 80, you would have worried away over 6years of your life!

The good news is that you do not need to worry.  Your heart does not need to be troubled.  Today I want to share with you “truths for troubled hearts” that will encourage and help you.

Let’s open our Bibles to John 14:1-6.

The Final Word

“Truths for Troubled Hearts”

John 14:1-6

1. Jesus promises a peace
   1. By forbidding fear
   2. By fostering faith
2. Jesus prepares a place
   1. He will return for His own
   2. He will reunite with His own
3. Jesus provides a path
   1. That is effective
   2. That is exclusive

How can you identify a Christian?  What is the chief characteristic of the Christian?

A cross necklace has been used by many across the years to identify as a Christian; however, as you know, for many it has little to no significance whatsoever.   It certainly doesn’t make one a Christian.

More recently there’s been a trend in Christian tattoos.  Many devout young believers have inked themselves to say, as permanently as they know how, I am a follower of Jesus.

A less painful and permanent way that some people use is a bumper sticker.  But be careful with that!  I heard about a lady who was impatiently driving down a busy street.  She became infuriated when the car in front of her slowed to a stop at a yellow light instead of speeding through.  This, of course, delayed her. Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage.  Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car. He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell.

A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge.

The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology.

The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, ma’am, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the ‘Honk if you love Jesus’ bumper sticker, the Christian fish emblem on the trunk, and the ‘Choose Life’ license plate.  Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car."

Ouch!

While cross necklaces, tattoos, and bumper stickers all may have their place, none of these is the fool-proof evidence of a true Christian.  What is that distinguishing trait?  Jesus tells us in our passage today.

The Final Word

“The Chief Characteristic of the Christian”

John 13:34-35

1. Command to love one another
   1. The substance of the command
   2. The scope of the command
2. Comparison of loving one another
   1. An unending love
   2. An unmerited love
3. Consequence of loving one another
   1. Reflects on Christians
   2. Reflects on Christ

La última palabra

"El camino a la felicidad"

Juan 13:1-17

1. Vivir en humildad
2. La fuente de la humildad
3. El ejemplo de humildad
4. Vivir en santidad
5. La conversión nos limpia completamente
6. La confesión nos limpia continuamente
7. Vivir en felicidad
8. El principio de ser un siervo
9. La práctica de ser un siervo

A 2014 study by Harvard University listed the happiest cities in America.  The results surprised many and were broadcast widely.  The five happiest cities in America were all in the same state—Louisiana!  These cities included our own Baton Rouge along with Lafayette, Houma, Shreveport-Bossier City, and Alexandria.

In 2017 National Geographic produced a new list.  There was not one Louisiana city in the top 25!  Boulder, Colorado topped the list.  I was curious as to why there was this radical change in the rankings.  After a little bit of digging, I discovered the reason.  They changed the criteria for how happiness is measured! 

In the 2014 survey, researchers asked the people the following question: “In general, how satisfied are you with your life?”  Responders could choose from the following answers: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied.  Louisiana folk were more satisfied than most with their lives.

In the 2017 the researchers did not ask people to self-assess.  Instead, the researchers themselves determined the kinds of things that they believe make people happy—things like eating healthy, exercising regularly, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups.  On those grounds, we here in Louisiana didn’t fare so well!

That raises the question: What are the criteria for happiness?  What truly does make a person happy?  What gives deep, abiding, unquenchable joy?

The good news is that we don’t have to be in doubt about that.  Jesus tells us.  Better than that, Jesus shows us.  Please open your Bible to John 13:1-17.  In these verses Jesus leads us down what I’m going to call “The Highway to Happiness.”  He will show us how to have happiness and joy that is inexplicable and full.

The Final Word

“The Highway to Happiness”

John 13:1-17

1. Live in humility
   1. The source of humility
   2. The sample of humility
2. Live in holiness
   1. Conversion cleanses us completely
   2. Confession cleanses us continually
3. Live in happiness
   1. The principle of being a servant
   2. The practice of being a servant

The Big Story

“Chapter 6: Revelation”

Revelation 5:9-14

1. The lamb is worthy
   1. Because of his character
   2. Because of his conquest
2. The lamb is working
   1. To ransom people
   2. To restore people
3. The lamb is worshipped
   1. In song
   2. By singers

La Gran Historia

"Capítulo 6: Revelación"

Apocalipsis 5: 9-14

1. El cordero es digno

a. Por su carácter

b.Por su conquista

2. El cordero está trabajando

a. Para rescatar personas

b. Para restaurar personas

3. El cordero es adorado

a. A través de oraciones

b. A través de la alabanza

In the span of a single day, an Argentinian woman received the two biggest shocks of her life.  First she heard the heartbreaking news that her newborn baby was stillborn.  Devastation.  Later that day she discovered in the morgue that her baby girl was actually still alive.

The infant, named, Luz Milagros, or “Miracle Light,” was pronounced a stillborn on April 3rd, 2012. Twelve hours after she “died,” her parents went down to the morgue to uncover the baby’s body in its coffin. They wanted a picture for the funeral.

As he opened the box, the baby let out a sudden cry and the mother fell to her knees in shock.  She said in a TeleNoticias interview: "That's where I heard a tiny little cry. I told myself I was imagining it—it was my imagination. And then I stepped back and saw her waking up. It was as if she was saying 'Mama, you came for me!'  That was when I fell to my knees. My husband didn't know what to do. We were just crying and I laughed and cried, cries and laughter.  We must have seemed crazy.  I'm a believer. All of this was a miracle from God''

There was a miracle in the morgue that day!  The little one that they thought was dead now is very much alive! 

This morning I want to take you to another family whose baby had brought them laughter.  In fact, his name, Isaac, meant “laughter.”  As we will see, that laughter was silenced for a time when it seemed that Isaac, now a vibrant young man, was as good as dead.  But God in His mercy spared Isaac’s life and, in so doing, pointed beyond that boy to another beloved Son who would die, yet live again.  It’s all a part of “the big story” of God’s redeeming love. 

The Big Story

“Chapter 3: Redemption”

Genesis 22:1-14

1. The purpose of a faithful God
   1. A difficult order
   2. A direct obedience
   3. A definite optimism
2. The provision of a faithful God
   1. A costly price
   2. A clear prophecy
3. The promise of a faithful God
   1. We can receive his blessings
   2. We can relay his blessings

Johnella Howard, 72-years-old, and her caretaker, Susan Snow, entered a Publix grocery store in Florida.  In the course of their shopping, Johnella apparently suffered a nasty fall.  Her caretaker rushed to the management of the store to report the fall.  Employees called 911 and first responders attended to her.

It was a nasty fall, because it was staged.  Truth be told, she didn’t fall as much as she took a dive! The whole episode was captured on camera.  The pair had come across some water in an aisle.  The footage shows Johnella smearing the water around with her foot.  She then kneels, and turns to sit, before lying down.  In fact, the camera catches her adjusting her hair before getting into position.

The motive?  Money.  They sued the store for $300,000, but an investigation revealed the ruse. 

What a fall from grace it turned out to be!  Instead of  getting $300,000, they were prosecuted and faced 35 years in prison.  The temptation and transgression came back to bite them—hard!

I thought of this bumbling pair as I prepared for this week’s message.  We are going to look at the story of the “fall of man.”  That is how Genesis 3 is typically described.  But the truth is, Adam and Eve didn’t fall as much as they took a dive.  They knew God’s will but purposefully transgressed it in hopes of some payoff, but oh the heartache their fall unleashed!

As we will see this morning, all of us too have fallen and, in most cases, the reality is that we’ve just taken a dive.  Like Adam and Eve, we’ve know what is right, but have often fallen for the wrong.  Their story is really ours as well.

But here’s the good news: though we are fallen, we can be forgiven! 

The Big Story

“Chapter 2: The Fall”

Genesis 3:1-9 and 21

1. The choice to sin
   1. Our enemy has a target
   2. Our enemy has a tactic
2. The consequences of sin
   1. Sin brings shame
   2. Sin brings separation
3. The covering for sin
   1. Is an innocent sacrifice
   2. Is an invincible savior

La Gran Historia

“Capitulo 2: La Caída”

Génesis 3.1-10 & 21

1. El Pecado tiene elección
2. Nuestro enemigo tiene un objetivo
3. Nuestro enemigo tiene una estrategia
4. El pecado tiene efectos
5. El pecado trae vergüenza
6. El pecado trae separación
7. El pecado tiene esperanza
8. Un Sacrificio inocente
9. Un Salvador invencible

The Big Story

“Chapter 1: Creation”

Genesis 1:1, 26-28 & 31

1. The Creator

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (v. 1)

1. His person
2. His power

2. The Created

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good (v. 31a).

1. His imagination
2. His image

3. The Causes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion . . . “ (v. 26)

1. That we might relate to Him
2. That we might reign with Him

Guest speaker: Pr. Aroldo Vargas

“Tres motivos para Celebrar y Agradecer”

1 Pedro 1:3-9

Dios es el que da, el hombre es el que agradece. Dios es quien concede su Gracia y el hombre es el que le da Gracias por ella.

1. Primer motivo: Como cristianos tenemos en nuestro corazón un profundo agradecimiento por la ________ y ____________del Hijo de Dios. (1 Pedro 1.3-4)

2. Segundo motivo: El Cristiano vive agradecido a Dios por las ___________ que enfrentó y sobrepasó durante todo el año. (1 Pedro 1.5-8)

3. Tercer motivo: Como Cristianos celebramos en el presente la Gran ______________ de Salvación. (1 Pedro 1.5,7,9)

Generous

“Sowing and Reaping”

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

1. The principles of giving

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (vv. 6-7).

1. How to give

1. Heart to give

2. The provisions for giving

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (v. 8).

1. Divine source

1. Divine supply

3. The purposes for giving

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. . . while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift (vv. 12-15)!

1. Compassion

1. Celebration
2. Community

Generoso

"Siembra y Cosecha"

2 Corintios 9:6-15

1. Sembrar generosamente

Recuerden esto: El que siembra escasamente, escasamente cosechará, y el que siembra en abundancia, en abundancia cosechará (v. 6).

1. La provisión de las semillas

1. Los principios de la siembra

2. Sembrar alegremente

Cada uno debe dar según lo que haya decidido en su corazón, no de mala gana ni por obligación, porque Dios ama al que da con alegría (v. 7).

1. Algunos dan por culpabilidad

1. Algunos dan por codicia

1. Algunos dan con alegría

3. Sembrar agradecido

                  ¡Gracias a Dios por su don inefable! (v. 15)

1. Satisface las necesidades

1. Construye una comunidad

1. Glorifica a Dios

On the night Nell and I were commissioned as missionaries, a former missionary shared the following story with us.  She and her husband had served the Lord in the Far East.  One evening they hosted other missionaries in their home for a nice dinner.  She set the table with their fine china.  She prepared a delicious meal of favorite dishes.  For the centerpiece she chose a beautiful orchid from their flower garden.  It was a gorgeous bloom and, as they and their guests enjoyed their time together, comments were made about the flower’s exquisite beauty.

After they had eaten, the guests moved to the living room to continue their fellowship.  In the course of their conversation, her husband asked the guests if any of them had noticed the container that held the flower.  None of them had noticed it.  After all, it was a simple, small, unadorned glass star that had doubled at other times as a candle holder.  He then made a point.  The flower was the centerpiece and rightly got the attention.  The container did its job by putting the glory of the blossom on display.  No one needed to have noticed the small, glass star. 

We, as believers, are like that small, glass container.  Nothing too special about us.  But we are to put on display the glory of God’s goodness—His grace in Jesus Christ.  We hold this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7).  We are to be “grace displays.”  When people see our lives, they should see a living demonstration of the goodness of our Lord. 

There were some believers who lived this way.  They were “grace displays.”  We meet them in 2 Corinthians 8:1-7.

Generous

“Grace Displays”

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

1. Generosity is a proof

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part (vv. 1-2).

1. Tough realities

1. Tender response

2. Generosity is a privilege

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints (vv. 3-4).

1. It is extravagant

1. It is enthusiastic

3. Generosity is a process

And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also (vv. 5-7).

1. Starts with conversion

1. Strengthened by community
2. Shows through compassion

This Lord’s Day we will celebrate “Go Global” Sunday.  It is our special yearly emphasis on taking the good news of God’s grace to the far corners of the globe.

The basis for our global goal is the grace of God in Christ.  Because we have come to know His grace experientially, we are motivated to give generously and go courageously till all the world has had an opportunity to experience the same gift.

William Borden was heir to his family’s massive wealth.  As a young man he was already a millionaire.  His parents gave him a trip around the world as a graduation present from high school.  He was sixteen. 

He went to Yale University and there impacted his campus powerfully for Christ.  He eventually surrendered his future to become a missionary to Muslims and to “go global.”  He renounced the wealth and comforts that could have been his and set sail. 

He never made it there.  He died at 25 years of age of spinal meningitis, contracted in Cairo, as he studied Arabic.  When the news of William Borden's death was cabled back to the U.S., the story was carried by nearly every American newspaper.  "A wave of sorrow went round the world . . . Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice" wrote Mary Taylor in her introduction to his biography.  He had written in his Bible, “No retreat, no reserves, no regrets.”  God wants us to live that way as well.  He wants us to “go global” because his grace is global.

In the mid-1900s Detroit, Michigan was one of America’s greatest cities.  Its population swelled to some 2 million.  Its industrial base, centered on the production of automobiles, made it affluent.  The architecture of the city reflected its optimism and wealth. 

But in more recent years its fortunes have changed.  People began to move out into the suburbs.  The population plummeted.  Buildings fell into disrepair and ruins.

The demise of Detroit was captured in a series of photos by a pair of Parisian photographers named Marchand and Maffre.  There’s a heavy sadness that these photos prompt (show photos).  The sadness arises from the chasm that exists between what once was and now is.

This morning we’re going to take a closer look at a majestic, ancient city that once stood proudly.  It enjoyed the blessings of heaven—Jerusalem, the city of David, the capital city of God’s people.  It gleamed with golden facades beneath the sun’s rays.  But that once mighty city fell tragically.  Thankfully, that fall was not the final chapter in its story.

The reason its fall was not its final chapter is because of the amazing faithfulness of our God.

Now you may wonder, “What does Detroit, much less an ancient city like Jerusalem, have to do with me?”   Good question.  I want you to consider whether they might be a parable of our own lives.  Is there a gap between what once was in your spiritual life and what now is?  If so, that doesn’t have to be the final chapter in your story.  In God we all have a future and hope!

God Is

“God Is Faithful”

Lamentations 3:21-24

Key verses: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (3:22-23).

1. Great fall
   1. Rooted in disobedience
   2. Results in discipline
2. Greater faithfulness
   1. That is never-ending
   2. That is new
3. Greatest future
   1. Linked to a person
   2. Launched with a plea

One of the first choruses I learned to sing is entitled “God Is So Good.”  It is simple and child-like, but it is also true and priceless.  Here are the lyrics:

God is so good,

God is so good,

God is so good,

He’s so good to me!

The famous and brilliant Swiss theologian Karl Barth was once asked if he could summarize his life’s work in theological studies in one sentence.  He answered that he could.  He said it could be summarized in a sentence he learned at his mother’s knee, “Jesus love me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.” 

“God is so good” is another summary statement that could encompass the whole of theology and Bible truth.  It will be our focus in this message from Psalm 34:1-10.

God Is

“God Is Good”

Psalm 34:1-10

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8)!

1. God Is Worthy
   1. Of unending praise
   2. Of unequalled praise
   3. Of united praise
2. God Is Working
   1. He responds to our cries
   2. He rescues from our crises
3. God Is Wonderful
   1. Accept his proposal
   2. Accept his provisions

Dios es

"Dios es bueno"

Salmo 34:1-10

“…Prueben, y vean que el Señor es bueno. ¡Feliz el hombre que en él confía! “ (Salmo 34:8)

1. Dios es digno
   1. De una adoración ininterrumpida
   2. De una adoración inigualable
   3. De una adoración unida
2. Dios está trabajando
   1. El responde a nuestras oraciones
   2. El nos rescata de nuestras aflicciones
3. Dios es Maravilloso
   1. Aceptemos su invitación
   2. Aceptemos su provisión

Todo comienza en Dios

“…Todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.” (col. 1.16)

1. Fuiste creado para AGRADAR a Dios (Apocalipsis. 4.11)
   1. Dios quiere que DISFRUTEMOS la vida.
   2. La relación con Dios es una DESICION.

2. Fuiste hecho para la FAMILIA de Dios (Romanos 12.5)
   1. Dios le da importancia a las RELACIONES en la familia.
   2. Fuiste llamado a PERTENECER.

3. Fuiste creado para SER como Cristo (Romanos. 8.29)
   1. La meta es el CARACTER
   2. Debes CAMBIAR tu manera de pensar

4. Fuiste formado para SERVIR a Dios (Efesios 2.10)
   1. Tú eres UNICO.
   2. Dios usa personas ORDINARIAS para hacer cosas

5. Fuiste hecho con una MISION (Juan 17.18)
   1. Tu misión es CONTINUAR la tarea de Jesús
   2. Dios quiere DECIR algo a través de ti.

An elementary school teacher gave her children the assignment to draw anything of their choosing.  The children happily began to draw.  She went from seat to seat, looking at each child’s work.  She offered them encouraging comments.

One boy was drawing a fireman.  A girl was drawing a pony.  She came to Johnny’s seat and stopped.  She watched him work for a moment but could not quite make out what he was drawing. 

“What are you drawing, Johnny?”  “A picture of God,” he responded.  “But,” she gently offered, “no one knows what God looks like.” Without looking up, he continued drawing unfazed, “They will in a minute.”

That boy was confident that he could portray God for those who didn’t yet know what He is like.  What about you?  Do you know what God is like—who He truly is? 

We can know Him because He has drawn us a portrait of Himself in the world and in the word.  Today we begin a three-part series entitled simply, “God Is.”  The opening message is “Getting to Know the Unknown God.”  It will be based on Acts 17:22-34.

It is vital that we know God. How vital?  Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).  Let’s get to know Him and by so doing experience life at its fullest!

God Is

“Getting to Know the Unknown God”

Acts 17:22-34

1. The Audience

“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For . . . I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’” (17:22-23).

1. People are religious
2. People are restless

2. The Almighty

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man” (17:24).

1. He is sovereign
2. He is sufficient
3. He is savior

3. The Answers

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” . . .  But some men joined him and believed (17:32-34).

1. Some respond with contempt
2. Some respond with curiosity
3. Some respond with commitment

DIOS ES

“Conociendo al Dios no conocido”

Hechos 17.22-34

1. La audiencia

22  Hombres de Atenas, veo que ustedes son muy religiosos en todo sentido,23 porque mientras caminaba observé la gran cantidad de lugares sagrados. Y uno de sus altares tenía la siguiente inscripción: “A un Dios Desconocido”. (17.22-23)

1. Ellos eran religiosos
2. Ellos eran inquietos

2. El Todopoderoso

24 Él es el Dios que hizo el mundo y todo lo que hay en él. Ya que es el Señor del cielo y de la tierra, no vive en templos hechos por hombres, (17.24)

1. El es Soberano
2. El es Suficiente
3. El es Salvador

3. Las Respuestas

32 Cuando oyeron a Pablo hablar acerca de la resurrección de los muertos, algunos se rieron con desprecio, pero otros dijeron: «Queremos oír más sobre este tema más tarde…34 pero algunos se unieron a él y se convirtieron en creyentes. (17.32-34)

1. Algunos lo despreciaron
2. Algunos fueron curiosos
3. Algunos creyeron

I want to share with you the story of a beautiful young woman named Lauryn Lax.  She is a doctor and nutritionist.  Her mission is to help people struggling with eating disorders and similar issues. 

I’ll pick up her story several years ago when she was in her 20s.  She was a fitness fanatic.  She fixated on her weight.  She worked out at the local YMCA every day for hours at a time.  She ate little to nothing.

Her friends at the gym took note of the remarkable intensity and consistency of her workouts.  She was growing alarmingly slender.  They began to worry about her well-being.

They decided that they would intervene.  One morning they agreed to get to the gym parking lot before daylight.  They saw her park her car.  They converged around it.

What they did not know is that Lauryn had prayed that morning for help.  When she weighed herself at 4 am, she tipped the scales at 79 pounds.  She knew it wasn’t healthy.  These friends were to be the answer to her prayers.

They gently and lovingly insisted that she go to the hospital.  She resisted at first but reluctantly yielded to them.  Upon examination, doctors discovered that her heart rate was in the 30s.  She was in ICU for 3 days then the cardiac unit for 3 weeks.  For a while it looked like she might have to have a pace maker installed due to heart damage from the anorexia. 

But God was gracious.  For a year she worked her way back to a healthier place.  She pursued her studies with a new zeal and vision to help others.  She now has a story of help and healing that is benefitting others. 

She attributes the positive turn in her life to these friends.  She calls them her “angels.”  They loved her enough to confront her—painful though it must have been for all involved.  She was blessed to have friends like these that risked their own comfort to confront Lauryn.  We all need friends like these and we need to be friends like these.

God’s word calls us to this kind of friendship.  Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

In this message we will learn that faithful wounds hurt, help, and, ultimately, heal.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Faithful Wounds”

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6).

1. Faithful wounds hurt
   1. The affection behind the wounds
   2. The aim beyond the wounds
2. Faithful wounds help
   1. Promises of help
   2. Protection from harm
3. Faithful wounds heal

Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos

Proverbios 27:5-6

5 ¡Una reprensión sincera, es mejor que amar en secreto! 6 Las heridas de un amigo sincero  son mejores que muchos besos de un enemigo.

“Correcciones”

1. Correcciones que lastiman

2. Correcciones que ayudan

3. Correcciones que sanan

Nitroglycerin is a fascinating product.  It is a liquid compound.  It can kill or it can heal.

It is a primary component of dynamite and explosives.  Alfred Nobel used it in the creation of dynamite and armaments. 

At the same time, nitroglycerin can heal.  Doctors discovered that it is a vasodilator.  It is used to dilate the vascular system and is used for heart conditions.  Heart patients can ingest a pill and the effect can be life-saving.

That’s crazy isn’t it?  The same thing can either kill or heal.

The tongue is like that.  Proverbs 18:21 makes this truth clear: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Over 150 times Proverbs refers to our lips, our mouth, and our tongue.        Proverbs may have more to say about our words than about any other subject.  It gives us God’s counsel on communication--His wisdom for our words. 

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Wisdom for Our Words”

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21).

1. Power of our words
   1. Words have an amazing power
   2. Words have an ambiguous power
2. Parameters for our words
   1. Let’s curtail our words
   2. Let’s clean up our words
3. Possibilities of our words
   1. Words can cure
   2. Words can cheer
   3. Words can correct

Proverbios: La sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos

"Sabiduría en nuestras palabras"

" La vida y la muerte dependen de la lengua;

los que hablan mucho sufrirán las consecuencias.”

(Proverbios 18:21).

1. El poder de nuestras palabras
2. Las palabras tienen un poder asombroso
3. Las palabras tienen un poder ambiguo

2. Los parámetros de nuestras palabras
3. Vamos a limitar nuestras palabras
4. Vamos a limpiar nuestras palabras

3. Las posibilidades de nuestras palabras
4. Las palabras pueden curar
5. Las palabras pueden corregir

Once there was a frog who made friends with a flock of Canadian geese.  He dreamed of flying with them to exotic locations.  He came up with an idea.  He told a pair of the geese that if they would each hold an end of a stick in their beaks, he could hold onto it with his mouth and he could go with them when they flew south for the winter.

Sure enough, two of his geese friends held a stick in their beaks and he jumped up and clamped onto the stick with his mouth.  Off the odd trio flew.  All was going well until they flew over a farmer in his field.  He looked up and saw the geese and the frog suspended by the stick.  He whistled and with admiration said, “Well, look at that.  That’s amazing!  A flying frog.  Whose idea was that?”

The frog said proudly, “It was miiiinnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeee.”  Splat.

All was going well until pride caused his downfall.

Pride has caused the fall of many more besides.  Today’s message is: “The Peril of Pride.”  We are in a series of messages entitled, “Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days.”  In its wisdom, Proverbs has much to say about pride—and none of it especially good.

Proverbs 29:23 says, “One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”  Another translation, the New American Bible (revised edition), puts it this way, “Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

In the NAB translation, there are four key words: haughtiness, humiliation, humble (or humility) and honor.  I want to use those four words as the hooks upon which we will hang our thoughts for our message today.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“The Price of Pride”

“One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).

1. Haughtiness

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

2. Humiliation

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

3. Humility

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

4. Honor

“Haughtiness brings humiliation, but the humble of spirit acquire honor.”

Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para los tiempos modernos

"El precio de la soberbia"

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

(Proverbios 29:23)

1. La Soberbia

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

2. La Humillación

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

3. La Humildad

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

4. La Honra

"La soberbia termina en humillación, mientras que la humildad trae honra”

Ray Raney, Adm. Pastor

This Sunday we will have a guest preacher.  He is embarrassingly short of stature, has six legs, and no voice.  Yet this little messenger has a big message for us.  Our preacher is the ant.

His Bible text is Proverbs 6:6-11:

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;

    consider her ways, and be wise.

7 Without having any chief,

    officer, or ruler,

8 she prepares her bread in summer

    and gathers her food in harvest.

9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?

    When will you arise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

    a little folding of the hands to rest,

11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

    and want like an armed man.

The story is told about a man just taking up the sport of golf.  As you may know, it’s a lot harder than it looks.  He got on the first tee box and placed his ball on the tee.  He happened to tee it up right beside an anthill.  When he took his first swing, he completely missed the ball and hit the anthill instead.  Ants went flying in every direction.  Unfazed, he took a second giant swing and, again, he missed and hit the anthill.  As he wound up for a third try, one ant said to the other, “We’d better get on that ball or we’re gonna’ get killed!”

In short, that’s the message of the ant: “Get on the ball!”  He offers us wisdom about work.  Let’s learn the lesson God wants to teach us through the ant.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Wisdom about Work”

Proverbs 6:6-11

1. Illustration of work

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).

1. Consider the ant
2. Copy the ant

2. Initiative to work

“Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:7-8).

1. No leader
2. No laziness

3. Incentive for work

“How long will you lie there, O sluggard?  When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:9-11).

1. Avoid poverty
2. Assure plenty

"Sabiduria sobre el trabajo

Proverbios 6.6-11

1. Una Ilustración del trabajo

a. Considere la hormiga

b. Imite a la hormiga

2. La Iniciativa para  el trabajo

a. Sin supervisión

b. Sin pereza

3. El Incentivo al trabajo

a. Asequrar el presente

b. Asegurar el futuro

Water is good for you.  It’s one of God’s great gifts.  But water can kill you too.  Drinking water gives life.  But drinking water can also end life. If you drink too much water in too short a period of time, it can throw off your body's balance of electrolytes, cause brain swelling and lead to seizures, coma, or even death.  It is called “water intoxication.”

In 2007 a radio station held a contest to win a Nintendo video game.  The objective of the contest was to drink the most water possible in a 3-hour period. One of the entrants was Jennifer Strange.  She wanted to win a Wii system for her 11-year-old son.   Jennifer drank some 2 gallons of water.  She got second place in the contest.  Her prize was a pair of tickets to a Justin Timberlake concert for that same night.  The tickets went unused.  Jennifer was dead by 3 that afternoon due to the effects of acute water intoxication.

What makes it even more sad is that it was so preventable.  During the contest, she could be heard complaining about experiencing pain to disc jockeys at 107.9 "The End." "Oh, it hurts," Strange said, while one male disc jockey remarked that she looked pregnant and another, a woman, said "That is so funny."  Warnings were called in by listeners.  One caller (named Eva Brooks) said (and they have the tape of her call):  "Those people that are drinking all that water can get sick and possibly die from water intoxication."  The disc jockeys replied that they "were aware of that" and that contestants had signed a release "so we're not responsible."

A jury disagreed with that and awarded Jennifer’s widower and children $16.5 million dollars in damages. 

Water is good for you, but even water can kill.  It’s ok for the boat to be in the ocean, but it’s not ok for the ocean to be in the boat. 

There’s another gift that God has given us.  It too is essential for life.  It is the marriage union.  It is good.  Sexual intimacy gives life.  But sexual intimacy can also end life—and that’s not hyperbole.

Good’s good gifts, like marriage, are meant to be enjoyed!  God has given us guardrails--boundaries and guidelines--so that we can rejoice in His good gifts.  As long as we honor God’s design—one man faithfully married to one woman—we are safe.  But when we violate that design, destruction lurks. 

An encompassing term for violating God’s design in marriage is adultery.  Today we will look at some of God’s counsel in a message entitled, “The ABCs of Adultery.”  We will see the allure, the bitterness, and the cure for adultery.

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“The ABCs of Adultery”

Proverbs 5:1-23

1. The allure of adultery

“For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil” (5:3).

1. Lips are alluring
2. Looks are alluring

2. The bitterness of adultery

“But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol” (5:4-5).

1. Expectations will be crushed
2. End will be costly

3. The cure for adultery

“Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house. . . .  Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.  Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love” (5:8, 18-19).

1. Distance yourself from lust
2. Delight yourself in love

During my college days, I served as a summer missionary.  My partner was a guy from Arkansas State University named Dave McKinney.  He was different from me in many ways—shy, quiet, calm, patient, slow, methodical, and meticulous.  At times his character traits drove me crazy.  And I’m sure my outgoing nature, quick pace, and impatience irked him.  The summer ended and we went our separate ways. 

Sometime later a group of students from my college went to an event where he was.  They all ran into each other and discovered that David and I had served together.  They talked for some time.  Their comment to me upon their return was, “Jeff, we met a guy named Dave McKinney.  He said he knew you and that you had served together as summer missionaries.  You guys are just alike!”  The comment stunned me. 

We were not at all alike—when we started that summer.  But I believe that the time we spent together changed the two of us.  I’m not even sure that we were aware of the impact we were having on one another.  I learned to slow down a bit; he learned to speed up a little bit.  I learned to listen better; he learned to interact more readily.  We rubbed off on each other.  As iron sharpens iron, we had shaped one another hopefully to be more like Jesus!

God wants something similar to happen in our lives on a daily basis.  He intends that our friendship with others be a means of growing in Christlikeness.

The book of Proverbs has some great counsel on friends.  Our focus verse for Sunday will be Proverbs 13:20, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” 

May God bless the study of friendship that we undertake so that our relationships become more and more redemptive!

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

“Friends”

Proverbs 13:20

1. Companionship of friends

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).

1. Our design
2. Our duty

2. Choice of friends

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).

1. Those who are wise
2. Those who are wayward

3. Consequence of friends

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).

1. Friends can help us
2. Friends can harm us

Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Days

Proverbs 1:1-7

1. Encouraging start
   1. Despite his parents’ failings
   2. Due to his prayer’s focus
2. Exhaustive search
   1. Through learning
   2. Through laughter
   3. Through luxury
   4. Through lust
3. End summary
   1. Fear the Lord
   2. Follow the Lord

Proverbios: Sabiduría antigua para el día de hoy

 (Proverbios 1:1-7)

1. Un gran comienzo
2. A pesar del pecado de sus padres
3. Debido al enfoque de su oración

2. Consecuencias de una caída
3. Desobedeció el mandato de Dios
4. Su corazón se alejo de Dios.

3. Al final de cuentas
4. Teme al Señor
5. Sigue al Señor

July 30, 2017

What Would You Ask?

Mike Holmes 

Can God be sovereign and mankind be free?

Yes

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20

God possesses__all_____power and is the ruler of __all______ things. God rules and works according to His eternal purpose, even though events that seemingly contradict His rule. 

Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; Prov 16:4, 9

We__freely_____make choices, and we _responsible______for those choices. Our choices have real and eternally significant results. 

God is setting and fixing absolutely everything the way he wants it to be, but He doesn't  do that__despite___our choices, but _through__ them.

Prov. 16:1; Acts 27:22-32

Implications on:

Fear- Rom. 8:28

Hope-Eph. 3:20

Thanksgiving-Col. 3:15

Hard Choices-Prov. 16:33, Prov.  21:5

Evangelism-Acts 18:9-11, Rom. 10:13-15, 2 Tim. 2:10

Salvation-Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 10:9-13, John 6:44, John 16:15

Assurance-Rom.  8:39-39

ThisJesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.  Acts2:23

La Soberanía de Dios y la libertad del hombre

Colosenses 1.16

“Porque por él fueron creadas todas las cosas, las que hay en los cielos y las que hay en la tierra, las visibles y las invisibles; sean tronos, sean dominios, sean principados, sean potestades; todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.”

1. La Soberanía de Dios

Se refiere al control absoluto que Dios tiene sobre todo, incluyendo la humanidad.

            _____________________________________________________________________

            _____________________________________________________________________

2. La libertad y la responsabilidad del hombre

Dios nos dio la libertad de elegir, y el hombre eligió desobedecer, y echarle la culpa al otro. 

            _____________________________________________________________________            _____________________________________________________________________ 

3. La Soberanía de Dios trabajando a través de nuestras decisiones.

Dios esta en control y todo se hace a la manera de Dios, pero no a pesar de nuestras decisiones, sino a través de ellas.

            _____________________________________________________________________          ____________________________________________________________________ 

"Can Faith and Science Coexist"

Hebrews 11:1-3

The reality of Faith

The reason for Science

The real issues of Life

¿Pueden coexistir la fe y la ciencia?

Hebreos 11.1-3

1. La realidad de la fe
2. Confianza
3. Garantía

2. La razón de la ciencia
3. La especulación
4. La revelación

3. La realidad de la vida
4. Argumento cosmológico
5. Argumento del diseño
6. Argumento moral

One of the popular tv shows during my childhood years was “I Dream of Genie.”  It was a show about a genie that lived in a bottle.  She had to do the bidding of her master.  Wouldn’t you love to have that?

We have something far better.  We have Almighty God to whom we can take our requests and He will answer them in a way that is best for us.

Sometimes it may seem that He is not answering our prayers.  We pray but it seems that our prayers don’t get beyond the ceiling.  Let’s look into the Word of God for an answer to the question, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?”

What Would You Ask?

“Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?”

James 4:1-3

1. Hope in prayer
   1. It is promising
   2. It is puzzling
2. Hindrances to prayer
   1. Our silence
   2. Our sin
   3. Our scriptural ignorance
3. Help for prayer
   1. Call to God
   2. Confess to God
   3. Cling to God’s word

¿Porque Dios no contesta mis oraciones?

Santiago 4:1-3

1. Esperanza en la oración
2. Es garantizada
3. Es desconcertante

2. Obstáculos en la oración
3. Nuestro silencio
4. Nuestro pecado
5. Nuestra ignorancia de las escrituras

3. Ayuda para la oración
4. Clamar a Dios
5. Confesar a Dios
6. Aferrarse a la palabra de Dios

What Would You Ask?

“What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?”

Genesis 1

1. Rooted in creation
   1. Number of genders
   2. Nature of genders
2. Reflected in conduct
   1. Sexual boundaries
   2. Sexual brokenness
3. Redeemed by change
   1. Checkered past
   2. Clean present

¿Qué dice Dios acerca de la identidad sexual?".

Génesis 1.27-28 / 1 Corintios  6.9-11

1. Su raíz esta en la creación
2. Número de géneros
3. Naturaleza del género
4. Reflejado en la conducta
5. Purezas sexuales
6. Desviaciones sexuales
7. Redención produce un cambio
8. Un pasado turbio
9. Un presente limpio

It happened on June 8, 2017.  A volunteer student mission team from Birmingham, AL was headed to Africa on a mission trip.  Their bus was involved in a crash.  Over 20 team members were injured and one of the teens, Sarah Harmening, 17 years old, was killed [picture of Sarah with her family]. 

Here was a text she sent to her younger sister, Katelyn, just before her death: “We are like a wisp of smoke. We are only here for a moment and this not about us, life is not about us, it’s about God who is eternal. So, I want to dedicate the one moment I am here, completely and entirely to Him” [Slide with full text of her quote].

Why would such a sweet girl, devoted to God, on a mission of kindness to impoverished people have her life come to such an abrupt end?  Why are there wars? Diseases?  Natural disasters?  Why do bad things happen to good people?  This is an ancient question.

Job, in what is believed to be the oldest book of the Bible, asked it.  Job 3:11, “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?”

David asked it.  Psalm 44:24, “Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?” 

Jesus asked it.  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

At its root it wrestles with the problem of evil.  Here is how this dilemma was stated by the ancient philosopher Epicurus [put quote on screen]:

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. [1]

Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

The Bible affirms that God is omnipotent.  The Bible teaches that God is love.  How then does evil exist?  Why do bad things happen to good people?

Let’s launch today’s message from the words of Jesus in John 16:33b, “In the world you will have (C)tribulation. But (D)take heart; (E)I have overcome the world.”

What Would You Ask?

“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”

John 16:33b

1. The reality of suffering
   1. Guaranteed trouble
   2. Guaranteed triumph
2. The reasons for suffering
   1. Transgressions against God
   2. Transformation by God
3. The response to suffering
   1. Trust in the Lord
   2. Testify for the Lord

"¿Por qué le suceden cosas malas a gente buena?"

 “… En el mundo tendréis aflicción; pero confiad, yo he vencido al mundo” (Juan 16:33b)

1. La realidad del sufrimiento
2. Problemas garantizados
3. Victoria garantizada

2. Las razones del sufrimiento
3. La transgresión contra Dios
4. La transformación de Dios

3. La respuesta al sufrimiento
4. Confianza en el Señor
5. Compartir del Señor

This morning we’re starting a brand new summer sermon series called, “What Would You Ask?”  We invited you to submit questions that you would ask the Lord.  And you accepted the invitation!  We received dozens of questions.  From them we’ve chosen six that we will try to answer from God’s word over the next six Sundays. 

Let me give you an idea of some of the questions that we will tackle in coming weeks:

              “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”

              “What Does God Say about Sexual Identity?”

              “Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?”

              “Can Faith and Science Coexist?”

              “Can Man Be Free and God Be Sovereign?”

I hope you will join us for the entire series.  We also are planning to do a Facebook live chat each week to answer questions that arise from the questions we answer. 

We begin today by tackling a question that could be seen by some as offensive.  I want to ask you beforehand not to take offense.  I’ll read the questions as it was submitted, “Will Catholics go to heaven?” 

Out of curiosity I googled this question and the first result that popped up (after an ad) was “Can Non-Catholics Go to Heaven?”  Isn’t that funny?  The same question that some may have about Catholics, Catholics have about some of us!   This morning’s question could actually be posed for all denominations: “Will Baptists go to heaven?”  “Will Methodists go to heaven?”  That same question could be broadened beyond denominations to other faiths or religions.  Mormons?  Muslims?  Jews?

I’m reminded of an oft-told story about heaven.  A new arrival was getting a tour.  As he walked alongside an angel down a long hallway, they came to a room where the folks where excited.  They were shouting, clapping, shaking a tambourine, and running.  “Those are the Pentecostals,” said the angel.  Soon they came to another room.  The folks were solemn.  A priest in a colorful robe was in procession with candles and liturgy.  They were sharing the Holy Eucharist.  “Those are the Anglicans,” said the angel.  Soon they approached a third room.  The angel began tiptoeing and whispered, “Shhhh. Those are the Baptists and they think they’re the only ones here.”

Ouch.  Sometimes we might think that we are the only ones that are going to be in heaven.  It’s been said that when we get to heaven, two things will surprise us: who’s there and who’s not there. 

We are going to look at God’s word in an effort to answer this question: “Will [You Fill in the Blank] Go to Heaven?”

What Would You Ask?

“Will [You-Fill-in-the-Blank] Go to Heaven?”

John 3:1-16

1. Religious denomination
   1. His high rank
   2. His healthy roots
2. Real dilemma
   1. We are dead before Christ
   2. We are dependent on Christ
3. Remarkable deliverance
   1. Heaven responded
   2. Heart receives

¿Que le preguntarías a Dios?

¿quiénes serán los que irán al cielo?

Juan 3.1-16

1. Sincera Religiosidad
2. Alta posición
3. Raíces sanas

2. Verdadero Dilema
3. Nacer de nuevo
4. Nacer del Espíritu

3. Extraordinaria Relación
4. El cielo responde
5. El Corazón recibe

Fight

“God’s Playbook on Parenting”

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

• Parental don’ts
• • Don’t be absent
  • Don’t be hypocritical
  • Don’t be abusive
  • Don’t be permissive
• Parental do’s
• • Do be jealous
  • Do be angry
  • Do be surrendered
  • Do be sacrificial

El Plan de Dios para los Padres

“Padres, no hagan enojar a sus hijos con la forma en que los tratan. Más bien, críenlos con la disciplina e instrucción que proviene del Señor.” (Efesios 6.4)

1. Lo que los padres no deben hacer
2. No ser ausentes
3. No ser hipócritas
4. No ser abusivos
5. No ser permisivos

2. Lo que los padres deben hacer
3. Deben ser protectores
4. Deben dar libertad
5. Deben disciplinar
6. Deben sacrificarse

A young man, newly married, went to see his pastor.  He said, “I think I love my wife too much.”  The pastor was surprised and a bit curious.  “What makes you say that?”  “Well,” replied the young man, “I can’t get my mind off her.  I think of her first thing in the morning.  I think of her throughout the day and can barely get my work done.  I can’t wait to get home to see her in the evening.  I even dream about her.” 

The pastor thought for a moment and then asked, “Do you love her as much as Christ loved the Church?”  “Well, I guess I don’t love her that much.”  “Well, then,” said the pastor, “Get busy!”

Men, a lot of us need to get busy loving our wives!  God is going to teach us this morning how to love her well.  Please turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 5:25-33 . .

Fight

“Husbands, Get Busy!”

Ephesians 5:25-33

• Summary of his responsibility

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25).

• • Love is commanded
  • Love is compared
• Specifics of his responsibility
• • Sacrificial love

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (v. 25b).

That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by . . . the word (v. 26)

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church (v. 28-29).

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother . . .” (v. 31a).

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (v. 31).

• Symbolism of his responsibility

This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church (v. 32).

There have been some long wars in human history.  For example, the U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 14 years (by comparison, WWII lasted only 4 years).

In Europe, the French and English actually fought for 116 years over the rights to the French crown.  That war was called the “Hundred Years’ War.”

But the longest-standing battle in human history hasn’t lasted 10 years or 100 years or even 1000 years.  It has raged since Adam and Eve.  I’m talking about the “battle between the sexes.”   

Today God’s word offers us hope for history’s longest battle.  You can end this battle and have a home of peace and harmony!

Let’s open our Bible to Ephesians 5:21-25 for God’s battle plan as we fight for our families!

Fight

“Hope for History’s Longest Battle”

Ephesians 5:21-25

1. Establish the context

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21).

1. The principle of context
2. The passage in context

2. Embrace the counsel

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord (Eph. 5:22).

1. The wife is to submit willingly
2. The wife is to submit worshipfully

3. Experience the companionship

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior (Eph. 5:23).

1. The husband is to submit by leading
2. The husband is to submit by loving

For the adventurous among us, there are some exciting and dangerous treks that you can take.  I’ll mention three (see attached photos) that I’ve taken from a list of the world’s top ten most dangerous hikes.

One is Mount Huashan in China.  It is a very steep mountain, with sheer drops of hundreds of feet.  The trail leaves you breathless.  In Spain there is a similar trail called the “Caminito del Rey.”  Many have died hiking that trail.  In fact, for some years the government closed the trail because of a spate of deaths there. 

My family and I have actually hiked the third trail I’ll mention.  It is called the Bright Angel Trail.  It is in the Grand Canyon.  Strangely enough, it may be the most dangerous of all.  Part of the reason it is so dangerous is because it is so close to civilization.  The beauty is alluring but the dangers are real.  110 degree temps in the summer.  Lack of water.  Dehydration.  Steep cliffs.  Overconfident hikers.  Strenuous climb—basically one mile up over 9.5 mile hike.  Each year there are about 200 rescues attempted.  About 12 people per year die at the Canyon. 

Life itself is a hike.  It’s a trek.  There is alluring beauty all around us but also hidden dangers.  This is true for your family.  You’re on a journey together and God wants you to make it to the destination safely.  To do so we must “watch our walk.”

In Ephesians 5:15-21 we will learn how to fight for our family by walking a secure, sensible, and spiritual path.

Fight

“Watch Your Walk!”

Ephesians 5:15-21

• Walk securely (Eph. 5:15-16)
• • Time is passing
  • Time is perilous
• Walk sensibly (Eph. 5:17)
• • Be saved
  • Be sanctified
  • Be submissive
  • Be Spirit-filled
• Walk spiritually (Eph. 5:18-21)
• • Understand the requirement (Eph. 5:18)
  • Understand the results (Eph. 5:19-21)

I suppose we all know what it is to fight with our family.  Even the best of families fight each other. 

One of the most famous figures of the 20th century was Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was a preacher and a dreamer.  He dreamed that the day would come when, as he put it, “my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”  For his dream and labors, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

After his death, his three surviving children were the heirs of his estate.  When money ran low, the two sons proposed that they sell their dad’s peace prize and Bible to generate some cash.  Estimates put the value of those items at some $20 million.  Their sister protested and eventually it went to court. 

That’s ironic.  Fighting over the peace prize.

But it’s not just the King family that fights.  We all fight with each other.

But in this new series we are calling you to put your sights on a different enemy.  Let’s stop fighting with our family and start fighting for our family!

The call to fight for our family comes straight from the Bible.  Nehemiah 4:14b says, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”

Let’s fight!

Go225

“Fight for Your Family”

Nehemiah 4:14

1. Your family has an adversary
   1. Recognize your adversary
   2. Respond to your adversary
2. Your family has an ally
   1. Pray to God
   2. Post a guard
3. Your family has an aim
   1. The aim is your family’s good
   2. The aim is your Father’s glory

I love “Fixer Upper.”  It is a show starring Chip and Joanna Gaines [show pic].  They take dilapted, dated houses and transform them into beautiful, welcoming homes [show pic of before & after of a home they’ve renovated].   The climax of each episode is the “reveal” when an old photo of the home obscuring their view is removed.  Now the new façade is unveiled to the delight of the owners. 

This morning we’re going meet a man that was totally transformed by Jesus.  We will see his before pic and his after pic.  His transformation touched many of his family and friends.

What happened to him Jesus wants to happen to us.  He wants to transform us and, in turn, impact the world through us.  That’s really what “Go Day” was all about—transformed people being used by God to touch the 225 for Jesus!

Go225

“Fixer Upper”

Mark 5:1-20

1. The mercy Jesus shows (5:1-17)
   1. He comes to us (5:1)
   2. He changes us (5:2-17)
2. The mission Jesus shares (5:18-19)
   1. The place: Go home
   2. The plan: Go tell
3. The marvel Jesus inspires (5:20)
   1. The obedience of the man
   2. The outcome of the mission

A well-known jingle says, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.”  The ad campaign is built on the whimsical idea that you can sing that jingle and, “poof,” a State Farm agent will appear and save you from whatever danger or disaster you face.  That’d be nice, wouldn’t it?  But we know that there are times when our need is so great, no insurance agent or any other person can meet it. 

Fortunately, there is hope.  Like a good neighbor, Jesus is there!  He comes to us in our brokenness and, with compassion, takes care of our needs with abundant mercy and grace.  That’s apart of the point of the story of the “Good Samaritan.”  Not only is Jesus the ultimate “neighbor.”  He’s an example for how we are to live.  After all, he told his audience to “Go and do likewise.”

As we face “Go Day” and all of its opportunities to be a good neighbor, we will take a fresh look at the story of the Good Samaritan.  From it we will be challenged to see Jesus as the ultimate good neighbor, trust in his gracious provision for our desperate need, and to “go” and be a good neighbor to all!

Go225

“Like a Good Neighbor, Jesus Is There”

Luke 10:25-37

1. The good neighbor and the lawyer
   1. The lawyer’s hypocrisy
   2. The Lord’s heart
2. The good neighbor and the law
   1. The law is correct
   2. The law is convicting
3. The good neighbor and the lesson
   1. A lesson about life
   2. A lesson about love

In March of 1836 Mexican forces under General Santa Anna besieged the Alamo in San Antonio, TX.  The Alamo was defended by a ragtag band of less than 200.  The Mexicans numbered in the thousands.  The Alamo’s acting leader, Colonel Travis, could see the gravity of their situation.  In a voice trembling with emotion he described the hopelessness of their plight.  He drew a line in the sand and said, “those prepared to give their lives in freedom’s cause, come over to me.”  All did except two.  Co-commander Jim Bowie, lying sick on a cot, asked some of his men to carry him across. That left only one--Louis Moses Rose, a French soldier of fortune.  He escaped and lore has it that he was the one who told this story.

Without hesitation, every man, save one, crossed the line, Colonel James Bowie, stricken with pneumonia, asked that his cot be carried over. 189 of 190 men at the Alamo came over.  Only one escaped to tell the tale.

They volunteered for a cause that seemed doomed.  Yet “Remember the Alamo” became the rallying cry that ultimately led to victory.

There is a call going out today for volunteers for a cause that is destined for ultimate victory.  The Lord Himself has drawn a line in the sand and has asked for those who will step across it.  He asks, “Whom shall I send?”  And, “who will go for us?”  He asks us to step across the line to worship Him and witness for Him.

Go225

“A Line in the Sand”

Isaiah 6:1-8

1. Vision of the Lord
   1. The cause of the vision
   2. The content of the vision
   3. The consequence of the vision
2. Voice of the Lord
   1. Speaks of his resources
   2. Speaks of his representatives
3. Volunteer for the Lord
   1. Be ready
   2. Be reliant