I can't say it any better than the Psalmist did! Happy Thanksgiving!
Psalm 100
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
NKJV
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Christian's Glory
On Wednesday evening, November 11, 2009, Taylor Swift made Country Music history as she became the youngest singer to ever win the Entertainer of the Year award.
By night’s end she had won all four categories in which she was nominated. She won, “Album of the Year,” “Music Video of the Year,” “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Entertainer of the Year.”
When she was awarded the Entertainer of the Year award, she called to stage her band, gave them a big hug and said; “I’ll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me.”
On Wednesday evening, Taylor Swift experienced the highest glory a Country artist can experience.
But for Christians, our glory is not an award or the recognition of an accomplishment. Our glory is far more precious. Our glory is so special that it is literally supernatural. Let me explain.
In Acts 16: 16-34, you find the Apostle’s Paul and Silas. They had been traveling from city to city preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and now find themselves in a Philippian Jail. What was their crime? Preaching the Gospel and casting a demon out of a young slave girl. It’s important to note that not everyone in this world gets excited when you and I share Jesus with them. The slave girl’s owners had Paul and Silas thrown into prison.
There they were, two great men of God, cold, beaten and bloodied, chained like common criminals. But God was with them. At midnight, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing hymns to God. They encouraged themselves in the Lord and God moved mightily upon their stand of faith. The foundations of the prison were shaken and the chains fell off their feet. God had delivered them.
If we were there we probably would have shouted; “Let’s go!” “Let’s get out of here!” But Paul and Silas did not leave. They had a bigger picture in their mind then simply running from the prison. The guard came in and would have killed himself because he thought he prisoners had all escaped. Yet, Paul yelled to the man and told him they were still there. The man trembling, fell to his knees, convicted of his sin, believing that the God Paul and Silas preached about was strong and mighty. The man cried out; “What must I do to be saved?”
That is what Paul and Silas were waiting for. The Christian’s glory is not an award or the recognition of some feat. The Christian’s glory is when God uses the experiences and testimonies of our lives to bring another person to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Savior. On that day for Paul and Silas, the jailer and his family were their glory.
Someone once said that we cannot take anything to Heaven with us except the souls we led to Jesus while here on earth.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20:
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. NKJV
By night’s end she had won all four categories in which she was nominated. She won, “Album of the Year,” “Music Video of the Year,” “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Entertainer of the Year.”
When she was awarded the Entertainer of the Year award, she called to stage her band, gave them a big hug and said; “I’ll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me.”
On Wednesday evening, Taylor Swift experienced the highest glory a Country artist can experience.
But for Christians, our glory is not an award or the recognition of an accomplishment. Our glory is far more precious. Our glory is so special that it is literally supernatural. Let me explain.
In Acts 16: 16-34, you find the Apostle’s Paul and Silas. They had been traveling from city to city preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and now find themselves in a Philippian Jail. What was their crime? Preaching the Gospel and casting a demon out of a young slave girl. It’s important to note that not everyone in this world gets excited when you and I share Jesus with them. The slave girl’s owners had Paul and Silas thrown into prison.
There they were, two great men of God, cold, beaten and bloodied, chained like common criminals. But God was with them. At midnight, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing hymns to God. They encouraged themselves in the Lord and God moved mightily upon their stand of faith. The foundations of the prison were shaken and the chains fell off their feet. God had delivered them.
If we were there we probably would have shouted; “Let’s go!” “Let’s get out of here!” But Paul and Silas did not leave. They had a bigger picture in their mind then simply running from the prison. The guard came in and would have killed himself because he thought he prisoners had all escaped. Yet, Paul yelled to the man and told him they were still there. The man trembling, fell to his knees, convicted of his sin, believing that the God Paul and Silas preached about was strong and mighty. The man cried out; “What must I do to be saved?”
That is what Paul and Silas were waiting for. The Christian’s glory is not an award or the recognition of some feat. The Christian’s glory is when God uses the experiences and testimonies of our lives to bring another person to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Savior. On that day for Paul and Silas, the jailer and his family were their glory.
Someone once said that we cannot take anything to Heaven with us except the souls we led to Jesus while here on earth.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20:
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. NKJV
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Because He Lives!
There are few songs that seem to stir the hearts of a congregation like Gospel songwriter, William Gather’s, Because He Lives. Read the beautiful words of the first verse and chorus:
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
My friends, the great hope in this song is the truth that Jesus is Alive! For Christians, we are not serving a dead deity! We serve the Living Lord Jesus Christ! All our hope and faith is in the resurrection of Christ.
I. Because He Lives You Can Have HOPE!
a. You don’t have to live a life dominated by worry
Matthew 6: 25-31
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (31) "Therefore do not worry, NKJV
b. You can be forgiven of your sins!
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." NKJV
1 John 2:1-2:
"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." NKJV
II. Because He Lives You Can Face LIFE!
Hebrews 4: 15-16: "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
NKJV
We are victorious in life because He was victorious in life. When we come to Jesus, He understands. What a great truth!
III. Because He Lives You Are NEVER ALONE!
Matthew 28:20: Jesus said; “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. NKJV
IV. Because He Lives You Can FACE DEATH!
1 Corinthians 15: 55; 57
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
James S. Hewett once said: “What death did to Jesus is nothing compared to what Jesus did to death.”
V. Because He Lives You Can Go To HEAVEN!
John 14: 1-3:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." NKJV
What about you? Can you face your concerns? Your fears? Can you face Life? Death? Are You Prepared for Heaven? If not, you can be. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive your sins by faith. He is alive and you can face life, death and eternity when you follow Him!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Who do you say Jesus is?
In the Old Testament, the Israelites had at least 12 different Hebrew and Aramaic names for God. Each of the names had a specific meaning.
I. The most Holy name for God in the Bible is Jehovah
• Jehovah = “Self-existent, eternal God”
In the New Testament, the angel told Mary that she was to name her baby…JESUS! Matthew 1:21
• Jesus = “Jehovah Saves” – God had come down to man!
II. The Jesus in the New Testament is the Jehovah in the Old.
When the Lord Jesus asked the disciples whom men said He was, various answers came back. Just think if these people were asked…
1. Blind Bartimaeus: He would have said that Jesus was…
i. Jehovah – Rophe – “The God that heals me.”
2. The boy with the sack lunch: He would have said Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Jireh: “God my Provider.”
3. The Woman caught in Adultery would have said that Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Tsidkenu: “God is my Righteousness” “Forgiver”
4. The Apostle Paul would say that Jesus was his…
1. Jehovah-M’Kiddish: “The God who Sanctifies me, makes me Holy”
5. The man called Legion would say that Jesus was his…
1. Jehovah-Shalom: “The God who gives me Peace.”
6. Lazarus would say that Jesus was his…
1. Jehovah-Shammah: “The God who is Always with Me.”
Even in death, Lazarus was not alone!
7. Andrew and Peter could have said that Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Rohi: “God is my Shepherd” He leads me and guides me.
8. John the Baptist could have said that Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Nissi: “God is my Banner” He is my Victory!
Oh! But there’s more….If you were to ask…
9. The disciples on the boat during the great storm they would have said that Jesus was…
1. Adonai: “Master of All”
10. Paul and Silas in the Philippians’ jail would say Jesus was their…
1. EL: ‘Strong One”
11. The birds of the air, the animals of the land and the fish of the Sea, they would say He is…
1. Elohim: “The All powerful Creator”
Let me give you just ONE MORE!!
If you were to ask Barabbas, he would say… HE IS MY SUBSTITUTE!
He is Heaven’s Sacrificial Lamb!!!
III. Jesus is All These Wrapped into One!
Jesus said unto them, “But whom do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!” Matthew 16:15-16
He is the Christ! The Messiah! He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings! He is all the Old Testament Names wrapped into One!
Revelation 22:13: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." NKJV
Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
I. The most Holy name for God in the Bible is Jehovah
• Jehovah = “Self-existent, eternal God”
In the New Testament, the angel told Mary that she was to name her baby…JESUS! Matthew 1:21
• Jesus = “Jehovah Saves” – God had come down to man!
II. The Jesus in the New Testament is the Jehovah in the Old.
When the Lord Jesus asked the disciples whom men said He was, various answers came back. Just think if these people were asked…
1. Blind Bartimaeus: He would have said that Jesus was…
i. Jehovah – Rophe – “The God that heals me.”
2. The boy with the sack lunch: He would have said Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Jireh: “God my Provider.”
3. The Woman caught in Adultery would have said that Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Tsidkenu: “God is my Righteousness” “Forgiver”
4. The Apostle Paul would say that Jesus was his…
1. Jehovah-M’Kiddish: “The God who Sanctifies me, makes me Holy”
5. The man called Legion would say that Jesus was his…
1. Jehovah-Shalom: “The God who gives me Peace.”
6. Lazarus would say that Jesus was his…
1. Jehovah-Shammah: “The God who is Always with Me.”
Even in death, Lazarus was not alone!
7. Andrew and Peter could have said that Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Rohi: “God is my Shepherd” He leads me and guides me.
8. John the Baptist could have said that Jesus was…
1. Jehovah-Nissi: “God is my Banner” He is my Victory!
Oh! But there’s more….If you were to ask…
9. The disciples on the boat during the great storm they would have said that Jesus was…
1. Adonai: “Master of All”
10. Paul and Silas in the Philippians’ jail would say Jesus was their…
1. EL: ‘Strong One”
11. The birds of the air, the animals of the land and the fish of the Sea, they would say He is…
1. Elohim: “The All powerful Creator”
Let me give you just ONE MORE!!
If you were to ask Barabbas, he would say… HE IS MY SUBSTITUTE!
He is Heaven’s Sacrificial Lamb!!!
III. Jesus is All These Wrapped into One!
Jesus said unto them, “But whom do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!” Matthew 16:15-16
He is the Christ! The Messiah! He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings! He is all the Old Testament Names wrapped into One!
Revelation 22:13: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." NKJV
Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Giant Slaying
This week I am preaching a Revival at Antioch General Baptist Church just outside of Leitchfield, KY. As I was praying, studying and pondering as to what the Holy Spirit wanted me to begin this series of meetings with, the Lord led me to 1 Samuel chapter 17. Here is a short summary of the message I preached on Monday night. God wants you to slay the Giants in your life!
1 Samuel 17: 20-24:
David had no clue as to what awaited him on this fateful day as he crawled out of bed. The day began like any other ordinary day. Yet, shortly after getting up, his father, Jesse, told David to take some bread and cheese down to his brothers who were fighting with King Saul against the Philistines. Shortly after arriving at camp, David heard the voice of Goliath the giant as he stood in defiance of the army of Israel and against God Himself.
A day that seemed to be an ordinary day, turned into a day that David would have to face a Giant. How about you? Have you ever experienced a day when you thought everything was normal, everything was o.k. only to find yourself face to face with a giant? Giants come when you lest expect them. Friend, what is your Giant?
1 Samuel 17: 25-29:
As David heard the giant defy God and the Israelites, David noticed a troubling condition in the hearts of the soldiers..."FEAR!" The armies were at a standstill, they were in array. No one was fighting and when the giant spoke, the men trembled.
Friends, that happens to us too! The Bible teaches us that we are in Spiritual Warfare. Ephesians chapter 6 tells us to put on the whole armor of God. Yet, many of us are no longer fighting, we are standing around, abiding our time and allowing the giants in our lives put fear in our hearts!
And until we get mad at the devil, Nothing Will Change!!!
1 Samuel 17: 25:
David learns a valuable lesson. David learns that whoever kills the giant gets riches, gets to marry the King's daughter and that his family will be free from taxes. David says; "Man! There are some things worth fighting for!!!" (paraphrase mine).
Friends, do you know that there are some things worth fighting for?!! Let me give you a few examples. When you know the freedom Christ gives from your sin, you will never again be satisfied with unconfessed sin in your heart! When you know the joy of a happy relationship, you will never be happy with trouble in the home. When you know the peace of God, you will never be satisfied living a life of worry! Friends, whatever your giants are, freedom from your giants is worth the fight!!! Jesus came that we may be free from the giants of the enemy.
You can't run from your Giants, You Must Face Them!
1 Samuel 17: 34-37:
I am sure David was nervous about facing Goliath. However, he found the courage to fight his giant. Where did he find strength and courage? He found it in reminding himself of the past victories that God had given him. He remembered how God delivered the lion and the bear into his hands and he said; "...He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
Where do you find courage to fight your giants? You find courage in the past victories God has given you!
1 Samuel 17: 20-24:
David had no clue as to what awaited him on this fateful day as he crawled out of bed. The day began like any other ordinary day. Yet, shortly after getting up, his father, Jesse, told David to take some bread and cheese down to his brothers who were fighting with King Saul against the Philistines. Shortly after arriving at camp, David heard the voice of Goliath the giant as he stood in defiance of the army of Israel and against God Himself.
A day that seemed to be an ordinary day, turned into a day that David would have to face a Giant. How about you? Have you ever experienced a day when you thought everything was normal, everything was o.k. only to find yourself face to face with a giant? Giants come when you lest expect them. Friend, what is your Giant?
1 Samuel 17: 25-29:
As David heard the giant defy God and the Israelites, David noticed a troubling condition in the hearts of the soldiers..."FEAR!" The armies were at a standstill, they were in array. No one was fighting and when the giant spoke, the men trembled.
Friends, that happens to us too! The Bible teaches us that we are in Spiritual Warfare. Ephesians chapter 6 tells us to put on the whole armor of God. Yet, many of us are no longer fighting, we are standing around, abiding our time and allowing the giants in our lives put fear in our hearts!
And until we get mad at the devil, Nothing Will Change!!!
1 Samuel 17: 25:
David learns a valuable lesson. David learns that whoever kills the giant gets riches, gets to marry the King's daughter and that his family will be free from taxes. David says; "Man! There are some things worth fighting for!!!" (paraphrase mine).
Friends, do you know that there are some things worth fighting for?!! Let me give you a few examples. When you know the freedom Christ gives from your sin, you will never again be satisfied with unconfessed sin in your heart! When you know the joy of a happy relationship, you will never be happy with trouble in the home. When you know the peace of God, you will never be satisfied living a life of worry! Friends, whatever your giants are, freedom from your giants is worth the fight!!! Jesus came that we may be free from the giants of the enemy.
You can't run from your Giants, You Must Face Them!
1 Samuel 17: 34-37:
I am sure David was nervous about facing Goliath. However, he found the courage to fight his giant. Where did he find strength and courage? He found it in reminding himself of the past victories that God had given him. He remembered how God delivered the lion and the bear into his hands and he said; "...He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
Where do you find courage to fight your giants? You find courage in the past victories God has given you!
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