NPPBC Audio Sermons

Opening Remarks and Introduction The Holy Spirit is moving and filling those present. Many attendees shared testimonies. Expressing gratitude for the morning’s events. Reference to Matthew 8:23-27, the story of Jesus calming the storm. Invitation to be saved, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s presence and potential impact. Going to the Other Side Jesus told the disciples, “let us go to the other side.” God is working in ways we may not understand. Personal testimony of faith since 1976, trusting in God’s promises. Jesus was going to the other side to free a man possessed by many devils. Everything the Lord does is on purpose. The Lord showed up with a purpose. Entering the Ship The story in Matthew is a real event with spiritual significance. The Word of God will help, even if it’s bitter at first. Personal testimony about when Christ entered Pastor Tommy’s life. Giving up ownership and control to Jesus as captain. Jesus found Pastor Tommy when he was destitute and lost. Encouragement that nothing can repel the King of Glory from loving you. The Lamb of God wants to come aboard, regardless of the state of the “ship.” The Lordship of Christ To have Christ in your ship, you must give Him the right to run it. He is Lord and Master, not just a friend or co-pilot. Trusting God even when His plans are unclear. Reminder that He is in control and will bring you to the other side. The Tempest Having Jesus in your boat doesn’t mean you won’t face rough waters. The boat may rock and fill with water, but it will float if Jesus is in it. Personal anecdote about forgetting to put the plug in a boat. Feeling in jeopardy and not knowing which way to turn. Assurance that if He’s in the ship, it will keep floating. Don’t let the storm surprise you. There will be winds and news that you can’t control. There is only one that can save you. If he’s in the boat, you’re saved. The Storms of Life There will be times of sweetness and ease, but also times of hardship. God allows winds to rock the boat to keep us awake and ready for His return. Hard times and experiences are a part of the journey. Assurance that He will stay in the boat with you, and it won’t go down. Jesus Asleep There are times when we wonder if He is asleep or has left the boat. Good news: He sleeps no more since the resurrection. He is always awake and able to calm the storm. Reference to Elijah teasing the prophets of Baal, whose god was asleep. In despair, we may think He doesn’t care. One of the disciples asked, “Master, do you not care that we perish?” At some point, we realize we need the Master’s help. Reference to the song “Somebody Woke Up the Master.” Access to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace. Call on the Master Personal testimony of calling on the Master in times of trouble. The boat was riddled, but it stayed afloat. The course is set, and it will make it to the other side. Even in dark places, He is there and sees everything. Reference to John’s message that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Asking for Help Spiritually, waking up the Master is equivalent to asking for assistance. We have not because we ask not. It’s better to call on Him when your ankles are wet than when your knees are. Eventually, you may have to bow and admit you need help. The disciples woke Him up, explaining their situation in a few words. “Lord, save us, we perish.” Why Are You Fearful? Jesus’ first response was, “Why are you so fearful?” He then answered their question, pointing to their lack of faith. Our problem is not letting Him and the miracles of God be greater than our circumstances. We give more credit to what we see and taste than to the God of glory. He has never lied, and His promises never fail. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “Those that believe in him will never perish.” Peace, Be Still Jesus stepped up and said, “Peace, be still.” Both the wind and the waves obeyed Him, and there was a great calm. What is a greater miracle: calming the storm or keeping a full boat afloat? Reference to the story of the man with palsy being lowered through the ceiling. Jesus forgave his sins and then healed him, demonstrating His power. Often, we don’t recognize the miracles occurring during our storms. Even if the boat is full, you are going to the other side. He is in the Ship Jesus was asleep because He knew they were going to make it. Some expect a calm, but God helps even when it’s not calm. The best part is that even when you think you’re sinking, you’re still floating. You’re not going down because He is in the ship. If He’s not in your ship, you’re going down. As a pastor, Pastor Tommy can assure you that you’re not going down if Jesus is in the ship. All Things Work Together for Good Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love God.” If God is for us, who can be against us? It wasn’t the calm that got them to the other side, but the word of Jesus. The circumstances were irrelevant. The promise of God will sustain you in spite of your faith. It wasn’t their faith that would have drowned them, but their fear. Whether it’s calm or the boat is full, His word doesn’t change. You will go to the other side just like He promised. Closing Remarks There are days when faith won’t cut it, but we’re still here because He’s in the boat. Learning to like the storms because that’s when the greater miracles occur. The question is not if you’re going to make it, but if He’s in your boat. If He’s not in your boat, you have a real problem: you’re without remedy, savior, or hope. You must be born again for the promises to take place. Invitation to let Him in.

Reflection on Preaching and Unworthiness Feeling unworthy to preach, considering the great men who have preached before. Feeling like “the least of the least.” Finding strength in God’s presence and help. Acknowledging dependence on God, stating, “It has to be God in it or nothing good will come out of it.” Requesting prayers due to feeling unwell and facing spiritual opposition. Experiencing difficulties in studying due to various distractions. Finding peace through God’s assurance: “I’ve got you. We can do this.” Focusing on magnifying God through testimony. Sharing personal testimony as a way to magnify God. Experiencing blessings from God for this approach. Testimony of Past Struggles and Salvation Having a tough life and experiencing bad things. Being raised in church with a preacher father, but still making wrong choices. Acknowledging that upbringing doesn’t guarantee salvation. Recognizing personal responsibility for choices. Experiencing a difficult breakup 25 years ago and seeking to fill a void. Turning to drugs and alcohol, which provided temporary relief but worsened problems. Facing dangerous situations and engaging in harmful behaviors. Having guns pulled, being stabbed, and experiencing jail time. Acknowledging having done “about every bad thing you can do.” Experiencing a turning point about a year ago when God intervened. Overdosing on drugs and being revived multiple times. Feeling death approaching and hearing a voice offering a choice between God and goodbye. Promising to live for God if given another chance. Waking up in the hospital without withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Experiencing no withdrawal symptoms from heroin addiction. Having no desire to return to a former lifestyle. Being called to preach and share testimony. Seeking to share testimony in jail to prevent others from making similar mistakes. Expressing gratitude for God’s unwavering hold and protection. Believing that God maintains a “hedge of protection” even when one strays. Scripture Reading and Prayer Reading Proverbs 3:5-9 about trusting in the Lord, acknowledging Him, and honoring Him with substance. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding.” “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of thine increase.” Offering a prayer for guidance and help in delivering God’s message. Feeling inadequate but acknowledging that “little is much when you’re in it, God.” Asking God to remove self and use Brother Dan to help others avoid a destructive path. Praying for God to anoint Brother Dan and use the message for His purpose. God’s Plan and Protection Reflecting on God’s goodness and protection even during times of sin. Recognizing God’s “shield of protection” during past sinful behavior. Believing God knew Brother Dan would return and live for Him. Emphasizing God’s plan for everyone and His ability to redirect those who stray. Referencing James 4:8: “Draw near to God and He’ll draw near to you. Submit yourselves to God and resist the devil and he’ll flee.” Highlighting the need for faith, trust, and reliance on God. Asserting that God is the answer to every problem, including drug addiction. Sharing personal experience as proof of God’s power to overcome addiction. Expressing gratitude for prayers offered during times of living in the world. Acknowledging the impact of prayers from family and others. Recognizing the importance of serving God fully and consistently. Feeling convicted about not always giving 100% to serving God. Emphasizing the need to serve God not only for oneself but also for loved ones and co-workers. Highlighting the importance of living a consistent Christian life. Recognizing that one may be the only “Bible” some people read. Promises of God and Personal Reliance Reading Psalm 91 about dwelling in God’s secret place and finding refuge. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” Trusting in God more and experiencing positive changes. Noting that things work out when relying on God, unlike when living for the devil. Describing the deceptive nature of worldly temptations. Drugs initially seem good but ultimately lead to destruction. Emphasizing that God sees the whole picture and desires what is best. Recognizing that God’s plan may differ from personal desires but is ultimately better. Acknowledging God’s deliverance from the snare of the fowler. Expressing gratitude for being delivered from the devil’s grip. Realizing that personal stubbornness and the devil’s influence contributed to past struggles. Taking responsibility for past choices and acknowledging the importance of staying near God. Stating, “God didn’t put me there. I put myself there.” Highlighting the importance of being a doer of the word, not just a hearer. Referencing Hebrews on the importance of acting on what is heard. Overcoming Temptation and Sin Recognizing the tendency to be mentally absent during church services. Acknowledging the struggle with the “old flesh” that resists participation. Finding prayer as an escape route from temptation. Believing that God provides a way out of temptation. Understanding that sin separates us from God. Referencing Isaiah 59:1-2 about iniquities separating us from God. Emphasizing the importance of repentance and forgiveness. Recognizing that living in sin leads to missed blessings. Expressing gratitude for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and conviction. Appreciating the conscience that helps in making good decisions. Finding protection under God’s wings and truth as a shield. “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Letting God Work and the Assurance of Salvation Recognizing that we often hinder God’s work due to worldly desires. Prioritizing work over church and making excuses to avoid serving God. Highlighting God’s care, guidance, and protection. Acknowledging God’s role in making crooked places straight. Sharing personal experiences of God’s faithfulness and protection. Recalling near-death experiences where God intervened. Emphasizing the importance of prayer and righteous living for the salvation of loved ones. Recognizing the power of prayer and its impact on daily life. Understanding that trials grow faith. Comparing trials to working out muscles at the gym. Expressing gratitude for God’s sacrifice and the promise of heaven. Knowing that God created heaven for everyone, even sinners. Reiterating that God will do anything for our betterment if we trust and believe. Encouraging everyone to have the assurance of salvation. Inviting those without assurance to seek guidance. Expressing hope that something said will be helpful. Acknowledging the message may be scattered but trusting God’s word will accomplish its purpose. Offering encouragement to those struggling with addiction or having loved ones who are. Believing that the same God who delivered Brother Dan can deliver others. Urging the church to focus on serving God and living righteously. Emphasizing the importance of speaking boldly about God.

Colossians 2:18-19 and the Danger of Being Beguiled The message focuses on Colossians 2:18-19, warning against being beguiled and losing one’s reward. Colossians 2:18-19: “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the head from which all the body, by joints and bands having nourishment, ministered and knit together, increases with the increase of God.” Being beguiled is likened to Eve being deceived by the serpent in Genesis. The serpent beguiled Eve, leading to consequences. The reward at stake is salvation. Matthew 10:22: Enduring to the end is necessary for salvation. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Endurance is crucial, like in an Enduro motorcycle race, requiring persistence to reach the destination. Enduring means continuing to do what one should, even when facing opposition. Example: Continuing to profess Jesus even when facing opposition. The Colossian church faced various theories about God and worship, including Gnosticism. Gnostics believed Jesus was not truly a man but a spirit. Many churches today are not focused on the blood of Jesus, salvation, sanctification, or separation from the world. Instead, they seek worldly things. If there is no discernible difference between the behavior of the world and that of church members, something is wrong. Those walking with God should hate what they once loved and love what they once hated, with Jesus being central. Revelation 2 and the Church of Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7 is referenced, focusing on God’s potential “awe” (displeasure) against the church. Revelation 2:1-7: Addresses the church in Ephesus, acknowledging their works, labor, and patience, but noting they have forsaken their first love. The church in Ephesus is commended for not tolerating evil and for exposing false apostles as liars. Many who start strong in faith eventually fade away, leaving behind only the faithful members who were already committed. Example: Some television ministries and churches initially appear to have revivals but later prove to be superficial. It’s important to make the Bible personal, as if God is speaking directly to the individual. This involves recognizing God’s word, mind, and character and assessing whether one is aligned with them. Works alone are not enough; faith with works is essential. Being “washed in the blood” makes one a “first draft pick” and puts them on the front line. Being on God’s team requires prioritizing His business and what He considers important. It’s not comfortable when the world hates you for your faith. One must endure and be found faithful, not compromising with worldly influences. Attending church should be a purposeful act of seeking heavenly manna to sustain the soul. Heavenly food (God’s word) clears the mind and encourages one to persevere in prayer, even when the world is discouraging. Jesus cleansed the temple, driving out the money changers and declaring it a house of prayer. He then healed and ministered in the temple, and children praised Him. Those who didn’t leave or get run out questioned Jesus about the children’s praise, but He did not answer, acknowledging their praise. Revelation warns to “let him that hath an ear hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.” Overcoming leads to eating from the tree of life in paradise. One must surrender to God as their master and not be beguiled by the world. The remedy for losing one’s first love is to repent and return to it. If one has not been born again, these concepts may be a mystery. Born-again believers need to return to their initial zeal and get right with God. Remembering one’s former state helps one appreciate the transformation God has made. The Example of Eli and His Sons The story of Eli and his sons in 1 Samuel 4 is used as a cautionary tale. Eli was beguiled and profited from his position, while his sons were ungodly. God will intervene if people do not address unrighteousness. Eli’s sons took the Ark of the Covenant into battle, thinking it would solve their problems, but they were defeated and died. Relying on religious rituals or leaders without personal righteousness is futile. One must personally repent and get right with God. The news of the defeat and the death of his sons led to Eli’s death. Eli’s daughter-in-law named her son Ichabod, meaning “the glory has departed.” It’s a dire situation when God’s glory departs from someone. One needs to rekindle the fire of their initial salvation experience. David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation.”

Genesis 6:11-17 and Noah’s Ark The earth was corrupt and filled with violence. God saw the corruption of all flesh. God told Noah the end of all flesh had come. God would destroy them with the earth. Noah was instructed to build an ark of gopher wood, with rooms, and to pitch it within and without. God would bring a flood to destroy all flesh with the breath of life. God would establish a covenant with Noah, his sons, wife, and sons’ wives to enter the ark. Jesus Christ and Salvation Before the foundation of the earth, Jesus was with God. John 1:1 states the Word was God and with God. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, referring to Jesus Christ. Man was created perfect in God’s image but became corrupt through sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent, leading to sin entering the world. Everyone needs to be saved. Many people build their “ark” on worldly things, which provide temporary happiness but will ultimately fail. Build hopes on eternal things. Nehemiah’s story is an example of opposition when building for God. Sandalot mocked Nehemiah and those building. Like Nehemiah, Christians face mockery for their faith. Noah’s Ark as a Metaphor for Salvation People likely mocked Noah for building an ark, as they had never seen rain. Similarly, people mock those who worship God. God established a covenant with Noah. Noah preached to get on the ark before the flood came. The door of the ark is open now for those who are not saved. Accept the extended hand of mercy to enter the “ark.” Revelation speaks of the river of life and abundant life in heaven. John saw the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. Old Testament covenants required animal sacrifices, which were imperfect. God sought one worthy to come to earth and found Jesus. John wept because no one was found worthy to open the seals, but a lamb (Jesus) was found worthy. Jesus ministered to the world, but his own people did not receive him. The door to salvation is open now, but there will come a time when it is too late. Like Noah preaching before the flood, Christians must share the gospel. A fire drill experience served as an analogy. People are looking for a sign to be saved, but when the trumpet sounds, it will be too late. During the fire drill, people were running everywhere, similar to what will happen when the Lord returns. You can’t find grace from family. Put hope and trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly gave his life on the cross for salvation. He could have come off the cross but chose to give his blood. He was placed in a borrowed tomb, signifying his temporary stay. He rose on the third day and appeared in the flesh. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only hope. Without it, preaching would be in vain. Jesus is alive and interceding for us. Testimony of salvation as a 15-year-old boy. Growing up Methodist, the gospel wasn’t heard in the same way as in the Baptist church. Being dunked in the river doesn’t save you, only the blood of Jesus Christ does. The Lord knew the heart and saved the lost soul. The passing of Alvin Davis, a mentor, led to seeking salvation. Alvin Davis was a hero and taught Sunday school for 40 years. It doesn’t matter if you can read the Bible front to back, you must be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. His sudden death was a shock. Crying out to God at Alvin’s grave. Prayed to God for an hour and a half. The Lord saved his soul at the graveyard. All that was needed was to ask the Lord into the heart. If your heart is far from Him, He won’t hear you. If your heart’s intent is to get right with the Lord, He will hear you. Prayed at the altar for any sin to be taken away. Didn’t want to be a hindrance to anyone. Being saved by Alvin’s grave is something that will be carried for the rest of life. It wasn’t the rock or the grave that saved, but God coming into the heart. Noah preached about the coming flood, warning people to get on the ark or perish. The next flood will be with fire, not water. The fiery furnace example. Those who threw others into the furnace were slain by the heat. Faith was strong enough to walk into the furnace, knowing God would take care of them. Judgment and Choice The fiery furnace is where God will throw his enemies. God doesn’t send you to hell; it’s your own choice. The devil tempts, but it’s your own will that decides. The ark (Jesus) has come, and the door is still open. The Lord stands at the door and knocks. There is no hope in anything in this world except Jesus Christ. If you are lost, get saved before it’s too late. Nothing in this life gives hope and joy like Jesus Christ. The covenant with Noah is the covenant through Jesus Christ, who came to be the sacrifice for our sins. Praying for those who are lost to be saved before it’s everlasting too late.

Privilege of Being in God’s House Gratitude for the freedom and presence of the Spirit of God. Many people would love to be in a place where the spirit of God is free. It is a privilege to be in God’s house. Romans Chapter 4 Reading of Romans 4:17-25 and verse 16. Focus on faith and grace. It is of faith that it might be by grace. The promise might be sure to all the seed. Not to that only which is of the law, but also which is of the faith of Abraham. Abraham: Father of Many Nations Abraham as the father of many nations, not just Israel. God told Abraham, “I’m going to make you a father of many nations.” All are children of Abraham through faith, not the law. Abraham pleased God through belief, not law-keeping. The law had yet to be given. Abraham came because he believed God. Abraham’s Faith God’s promise to Abraham to make him a father of many nations. Sarah was barren. Abraham didn’t have any children. Abraham believed God despite his age (100 years old) and Sarah’s age (90 years old). Abraham believed God. It was imputed to him for righteousness. Righteousness imputed to Abraham because of belief, not personal righteousness or worthiness. Not because Abraham was righteous. Not because Abraham deserved righteousness. Not because he was worthy of righteousness. But because he believed God. Importance of Faith Without faith, it is impossible to please God. God puts such a value on faith. When any soul will simply believe God in spite of all the circumstances, in spite of all the situations. God imputes righteousness to those who believe. Righteousness of Christ imputed at the moment of faith. We believed. Hope in a Hopeless World Hope is very important. The world has lost hope, even the lost. Wickedness abounds and it’s getting worse. Political changes have not brought righteousness. A lot of people thought when Trump got in office that somehow this country would turn around and get righteous. We’re no closer to God than we were two years ago. Evidence of lack of revival: no abandonment of sin, no church filling. If things were really getting right, brother, we’d see it in the church. It ain’t here. It’s growing more wicked every day. Encouragement to keep hope. Don’t let anything steal your hope. Advice to avoid negative influences: turn off TV and radio, open the Bible. Turn your TV off. Turn your radio off. And open up your Bible. Stop the influences of the devil. Hope as a Necessity Hope is absolutely necessary for the people of God. Despair and worry heard in voices of men at a gathering. There were some of them that were sharing before church, and some of them shared even after we had started. I could hear the despair in their voice. I could hear the worry and the concern. Concern is valid, but must be balanced with hope in God. Without a vision, you’ll perish. We cannot as the people of God in good faith talk about it without still having hope in God. Faith and hope are linked; faith precedes hope. If you’ve got faith hope’s right behind you. The more faith you have, the greater hope you’ll have as well. 1 Corinthians 13: faith, hope, and charity (love). Love is the greatest, but in good company with faith and hope. Now abideth these three. Faith, hope, and charity. But the greatest of these is charity. Need for hope in the church. We need to have hope in our heart tonight. We need to have a hope down in our soul. With God, anything can happen. When God’s involved, anything can happen. Believe God and let hope save each day. What we need to do is believe God and then let hope save us each and every day. Hope as Verb and Noun Hope is both an action (verb) and a thing (noun). Hope is both a verb and a noun. It is both an action and a thing. Like faith and love, hope is a real thing. Faith is an action, but faith is also a thing. Love is an action, but it is also a noun. It is a thing. Appreciation for people with hope who haven’t given up on God. I love to meet people that have got hope. I like to meet people that ain’t give up on God. They’ve not laid down on God. They’ve not quit believing in God. Hope leads to expecting God to move in unexpected ways. God’s going to do something that they ain’t expecting, that God’s going to move in a way they’ve never seen, that God’s going to come in and help them in a way that they can’t even understand or foresee. Hope should follow faith. If you’ve got faith, you ought to have some hope with you. Hope ought to follow your faith. Many Christians seem to lack hope. I see a lot of people that ain’t got much hope. I talk to Christian people, good Christian people. And when you talk to them, it seems like they don’t give up. They just throw it in the towel. Losing belief in God leads to hopelessness. When they quit believing in God, they quit believing God can do something. Focus on the present and the work to be done. I’m still breathing. I’ve still got a day ahead of me if God wakes me up and the sun shines again. We’ve got work to do. Need for hope to avoid emotional and spiritual backsliding. You’ll get so far down the ditch that you’ll end up backslidden emotionally and spiritually. You’ll get to the place where you sell out on faith and you sit down on God and suddenly, amen, everything that is wrong begins to come your way. Reaping hard things from sowing bad things. You’ll begin to reap hard things because you’ve sown bad things. Even without understanding God’s plan, hope is essential. Even though we cannot see what God is doing, we do not know what moment in time, what dispensation we’re in. What I can tell you is that we still need hope today. Abraham believed against hope. Abraham, who against hope, believed in hope. Hope is part of faith. Hope’s part of our faith. These three abideth, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is hope. Believing Against Hope Abraham believed against hope (Romans 4:18). Every earthly argument or sense was not supporting what God was telling Abraham. Everything that God told Abraham, the worldly argument, the worldly sense, the worldly rationality, The worldly experience would tell Abraham that’s not going to happen. Worldly rationality says it’s impossible, but God can do anything. It cannot be. It is impossible. There’s no need to believe in that because that is not reality. It is not something that can occur. Believing God despite circumstances allows hope to flourish. When everything says it cannot be. It still can be. Believing in God Believing in hope means believing in God (verse 17). Before him whom he believed even God. Believing in God overrides worldly rationale and human experience. If you’re believing in God today, all bets are off as far as the world’s rationale. All bets are off is on human experience. God can change situations even when doctors say nothing can be done. You may have been to a thousand doctors and every one of them tell you, Nope, there is nothing that can be done. But brother, when you put it in God’s hands, it can change. Question of who to believe: doctors, lawyers, personal experience, or God. Do you believe the doctors? Do you believe the lawyer? Do you believe that person? Do you believe your experience, your own rationale, your own common sense? God can do anything, including wondrous miracles. All of those things are nothing to my God. Because God can do anything. God acts when humans cannot. God did it because you couldn’t do it. God did it because nobody else could do it. God did it to show you He could do it. Believing in God despite terrible circumstances. There are circumstances in my life that are terrible, and I have no idea how this is going to turn out. Anything is possible with prayer and belief. If you’ll keep praying and you’ll keep believing, friend, anything is possible. God’s timing differs from human timing; patience is needed. God’s timing ain’t your timing. So just be patient. Human solutions to God problems don’t work. His wife said, I’ve come up with a human solution to a God problem. What you need is not a human solution, but you need the God solution. Trusting God with all your heart leads to directed steps. If I trust in Him with all my heart and lean not to my own understanding but in all my ways acknowledge Him that He will direct my steps. God fixes what humans cannot. You’re liable to find out He fixes what can’t be fixed by humans. God’s Abilities Believing in God who is able to do all things. Abraham believed in any help because he was believing, number one, in God who is able to do all things. Believing in God who can quicken the dead. He was believing that God was able to quicken the dead. This God had power to raise someone up from the dead. Believing in God who calls things that are not as though they were. When God talks about something that has not happened, he’s speaking to it as if it will happen because he will make it happen. God will speak it as if it has already happened. Need for More Faith Need for more faith. I need more faith. I need to believe God for more than what I’m believing. Trusting God for things that are impossible for humans. When you trust God and believe Him for things that you can’t fix, you can’t do. Daily choice to believe God or the world. Every day when you get up, you’re going to have to make a choice. Am I going to believe God today or am I going to believe the world? Believing God leads to the birth of hope. If you believe God, friend, hope is born again right in your soul. Abraham’s Strength in Faith Abraham was not weak in faith. Abraham was strong in the faith. Abraham believed God when asked to sacrifice Isaac. Take your only son Isaac up there and offer him up as a sacrifice unto me. Abraham believed God would provide a sacrifice. God will provide himself a lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead. He believed in his heart that if God allowed him to take that boy, that he’d raise him from the dead. Overcoming Weakness in Faith Problem of weakness in faith. I think that’s part of our problem today. Faith can move mountains (Matthew 21:21). If we had faith we’d say to the mountain be you moved and cast into the sea and it would be. Abraham’s example of not considering his own body as dead. Being not weak in the faith, he considered not his own body, now need. Not letting the mind dictate faith. Abraham did not let his mind dictate what God was saying, whether it be possible or impossible. Not staggering at the promise of God through unbelief. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in the faith, giving glory to God. Being fully persuaded that God could perform what He promised. Being fully persuaded what he had promised, he was also able to perform. Value of Hope Faith, hope, and charity (love) are all important. These three things abide. Faith, hope, and charity. The greatest of these is charity. Need for hope. You need a lot of hope, by the way. Wake up with enough faith to produce hope for the day. You need to wake up in the morning with enough faith to produce more hope so that you have hope to do you all day long. Losing hope leads to stopping. The minute you run out of hope, the minute you sit down. The minute you quit working for God, the minute we quit living for God and serving God and reading and studying and seeking God, when you lose hope, you just stop. Hope is essential for survival, like for prisoners of war. The main thing that those prisoners of war in Vietnam needed, the main thing they needed was hope that they’d get out. Hope can lift one out of pits, depression, and hurt. It’ll lift you up out of that pit that you’re in, that depression that you’re in, that hurt that you’re feeling. Hope is powerful and can save. Hope will save you. It’s that powerful. Hope from the Scriptures Hope comes from the Scriptures (Romans 15:4). Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning. That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Increased faith leads to bold hope. As your faith is increased, brother, hope becomes bold within yourself. Need for hope at all times, not just in church. You don’t need it on Wednesday and Sunday. You need hope on Thursday morning. You need some good hope on Friday morning. The world should see hope in Christians. Reckon why they’d ever ask you about Christ if when they see or hear you, all they see is somebody that has no hope. The lost are the most hopeless. If there’s anybody hopeless, It’s the lost. Without hope in Christ, life is miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19). If I had hope in this life only in Christ, I’d be of all men most miserable. God of Hope The Word of God gives hope and sustains belief. The Word of God was meant to give us hope because it gives us faith. Hope keeps serving and fighting and helping and it’ll sustain you. God is the God of hope (Romans 15:13). Now the God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace and believing. Prayer for God to fill with joy, peace, and belief. I pray that He fill you with all joy and peace and believing. Abounding in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. That ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. Supercharged Hope The Holy Ghost supercharges hope. The Holy Ghost then gets into hope. It gets supercharged at that point. Hope begins to do unexpected things. Suddenly hope begins to do things you didn’t know hope could do. The power of the Holy Ghost brings action. When you get the power of the Holy Ghost into something, you better get out of its way. Because it’s fixing to do something. Hopelessness leads to despair. So many people have got their head down, which infers to me they’ve lost hope, which means they’re not believing God. Christians should never be hopeless. You’re never hopeless. Simple faith in Christ produces supercharged hope. That simple faith in Christ produces a supercharged hope that has power to lift you up out of depression, lift you up out of the pit, lift you up out of that hard place. God can do what no one else can do. God can do what no one else can do. Hope as an Anchor Hebrews 6:18-19: hope as a strong consolation. By two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation. Lay hold upon the hope set before us. Who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Hope is both an action and a thing. Hope is both a verb and a noun. Hope is an action and a thing. Hope is the answer and a supercharged power. Out there in front of you is hope. Out there in front of you is the answer, the hope that you need. You’ll experience hope as a thing. A supercharged. Holy Spirit-filled thing. A power unlike anything else on the earth. Hope changes perspective. Give somebody real hope. Their perspective changes on every circumstance. Loss of hope leads to despair and suicide. If you take their hope away, you know what they do these days? They try to kill themselves. Need to exercise faith to increase hope. You better keep working on hope. Hope will rescue and save. Hope’s going to rescue you. Hope’s going to save you. Hope as an anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19). Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul. Hope leads to Christ’s presence. Hope will lead you into His presence. Need to be at the feet of the One who can do all things. The one thing you need, more than anything else, is to be at the feet of the One who can do all things. Hope takes one to Christ. Your hope took you there. Hopelessness leads to quitting. You take a person that’s hopeless and you know what they want to do? They want to quit. Hope leads to seeking Jesus. Somebody that’s filled with hope is going to find themselves at the feet of Jesus one more time. Hope is supercharged by the Holy Ghost. Hope is supercharged of the Holy Ghost. Hope is brought by the Scriptures. It is brought to us by the Scriptures. Hope is a refuge and a sure anchor. God has said it before us that we might lay hold upon it as a refuge. It is a sure and steadfast anchor of our… Hope leads into the presence of Christ. It takes me into the presence of Christ. Creation’s Groaning and Hope’s Saving Power All creation groans (Romans 8:22). We know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Everyone experiences problems. Every one of you have got problems. Choice to believe God and have hope or go farther down. They can either believe God. In that moment, they can either believe God and watch hope be born and supercharged powerfully enter into their life and lift them out of that circumstance or they will go farther down. Saved by hope (Romans 8:24). For we are saved by hope. Hope saves like a life preserver. Like a life preserver, when I’m going under it, Hope saves me. Hope lifts one up when feeling overwhelmed. When it feels like you’re just so far down that you ain’t going to come up again, and suddenly you feel like something grabbed a hold of you and just hit you right back down. That was hope. Hope replaces negative emotions with positive ones. A smile replaced the frame. And confidence the worry. And boldness the fear. Hope is always available in Christ. In Christ, there is always hope. Hope rescues and lifts up. Hope, it didn’t rescue you. It didn’t lift you up out of that where you said it didn’t pull you right back up to hope it saved you. Waiting with Patience Hope is born of faith. Hope is born of faith. When there is no faith, there is no hope. More faith leads to more hope. The more faith you have, the more hope is born. Hope lifts above the world’s troubles. Hope will save you. Hope will lift you above the waves of this world and the wretchedness we live in and the groaning and the pain. Hope is for things not seen (Romans 8:24-25). Hope that is seen is not hope. If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Patience is needed while waiting for God’s promise. If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Hope sustains while waiting. That hope will be what sustains you as you wait for it. Hope is an anchor of the soul. Hope will hold you. As an anchor of the soul. Hope leads closer to God. That hope is taking you right into him. Hope leads into the holiest of holies. It’s walking you closer and closer to him. Until it goes right inside, within the veil, behind the curtain, to the holies of holies. God does what no one else can do. God did something that nobody else could do. Patience allows hope to work until God fulfills His promise. With patience while hope did its work in sustaining and saving day after day moment after moment until finally God does what God said he’d do. Once the promise is seen, there is no more need for hope. Once you see it, you no longer have to hope for it no more. Faith, hope, and charity (love) are essential. Faith, hope, and charity. These three. Gratitude for hope. Thank God for Hope. Believing and carrying on despite uncertainty. You just keep carrying on. And you keep believing. Hope it keeps up. God’s plan is good. What a good plan He came up with, honey. Use faith, hope, and love. You’ve got them. Use them. Invitation to be filled with hope. I’d like to see you leave here filled with hope. Filled with hope. Let God save and help. Let him save you tonight. Let him help you.

Assurance of Salvation Many people assume they are saved, but lack a deep, confident assurance. They cannot articulate a specific experience or transformation that confirms their salvation. They rely on assumptions rather than a solid foundation of faith. The Pharisees believed they had eternal life because of their knowledge of scripture, but they did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. They failed to see Christ in the Old Testament, which is full of references and pictures of Him. They knew the scriptures but did not believe in Jesus. It’s not enough to just think you are saved; you must know you are saved. Relying on feelings is unreliable because feelings can fluctuate. Assurance comes from God’s Word and His Spirit working together. Avoid trying to figure out salvation through your own thinking. Salvation is not achieved by accident; it requires being born again. God offers grace to everyone, teaching us to deny ungodliness and live righteously. Some Christians struggle with assurance, but there comes a day when the Holy Spirit and the Word of God confirm their salvation. The goal is to move from thinking you are saved to knowing you are saved. Personal experience: There was a period of wrestling with salvation, but eventually came to a place of knowing through the Word and the Spirit. How to Know You Are Saved These points also reveal if you are not saved. The converse statements are present in the scriptures. Don’t let your mind dictate truth; rely on simple faith and belief from the heart. 1. Walking in the Light (1 John 1:7) If you are saved, you have come out of the darkness of the world and into the light of Christ. When a light is turned on in a dark room, you know it. There is an assurance that the darkness has been dispelled from your life. This is not about intellectual comprehension but about a transformational experience. It’s not about reasoning or understanding the English language. It’s about no longer living in darkness. Personal Testimony: Once lived in darkness, but no longer there. Something happened at salvation that changed everything. It’s not of this world; it’s of God. 2. Keeping His Commandments (1 John 2:3-4) You know that you know Him if you keep His commandments. If you claim to know Him but do not keep His commandments, you are a liar. We often lie to ourselves, convincing ourselves that our sin doesn’t matter. Jesus summarized the commandments as: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you are born again, you will have a desire to keep God’s commandments. If you are not saved, you have no desire to please God. Even though we fail, there is an internal desire to do what God says. When lost, there was no desire to please God, but after salvation, there is a desire to obey Him. Rules from parents were for good, teaching right and wrong. Being born again submits you to the desire to do right. Those who deceive themselves about salvation are still trying to figure it out within themselves. If you are not born again, you won’t stick with it. Flesh is contrary to serving God, but something greater within makes you want to obey God. 3. Keeping His Word (1 John 2:5) If you keep His word, the love of God is perfected in you. You will want to do what He said to do. You will want to keep all of His word, not just the “do’s and don’ts.” Psalm 119: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto, to every word that cometh from him. Every word is beneficial. His Word is hidden in the heart so that you might not sin against God. Thinking about being saved is how you confuse yourself if you have not really been saved. People die every day thinking they are alright with God but have never been born again. 4. Loving Not the World (1 John 2:15-16) If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. James 4:4: If you are a friend of the world, you are an enemy to God. The things of the world include the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. When you are saved, you no longer love the world; you love God. Nothing in the world truly satisfies your soul. Allegiance shifts from following the devil to following God. Salvation is an event, not a process. It happens right here, right now. Your name is written down, and you become a child of God. You cannot love the world and love the Father. You cannot have two masters. If you still love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. The reason for preaching is because you are not yet condemned. God has made a way through the death, resurrection, and shed blood of His Son. A transformation occurs within your life that changes you. 2 Corinthians 5:17: If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. If you are born again, your love comes, and the love of the world dissipates. 5. Having the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20) You have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. When you get saved, the Holy Spirit of God is given to you. The Holy Ghost of God lives inside of you. The first four points are to the heart, but the mind can still get involved. You can think yourself into a righteous position, but God said you never could do that. Your righteousness is filthy rags in His eyes. Being indwelt by the Holy Ghost separates things. You cannot fight that. The Spirit of God bears witness within you. If you have the Holy Spirit, you know it. It’s like having a $100 bill in your pocket; you know you have it. If you get saved, you will know. The Holy Spirit of Christ dwells in you. You are born of the Spirit. The power to beget you was the Spirit. The Holy Spirit purges, cleanses, and seals you. That’s why you cannot be untamed or lost tomorrow. The Holy Spirit did the work; you could not do it yourself. 6. Not Practicing Sin (1 John 3:9) Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin, for His seed remaineth in him. This does not mean you never sin, but that you do not practice sin. You do not live in sin. Those born of God do not live in sin. They may sin and find forgiveness through repentance. But they do not practice it. If you are still practicing your old sins, you are probably not born again. He takes away the desire to do the things of this world and gives you a new desire. What you once loved, you now hate; what you once hated, you now love. Romans 8:9: If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. You do not wake up thinking about partying. If that has not left you, you have never been changed. There is something on the inside that is greater than the world. You can overcome the lust of the world, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 7. Loving the Brethren (1 John 3:14, 4:7) You know that you have passed from death unto life because you love the brethren. If you hate your brother, you are in darkness even until now. The old song: “It makes me love everybody.” We know that we have passed from death unto life because we keep on loving. Even those who are unlovable. Love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. If the Holy Spirit of God is not dealing with you, you cannot be saved. It is not a thinking thing; it is an order thing. The Holy Spirit of God rests in your soul. The Holy Spirit captures you and explains that you are against God, a sinner, and going to hell. You believe Him. You know you are wrong. If the Holy Spirit of God has said to you that you are lost, in doubt, and want to stay eternally, you are going to be saved. The process starts with knowing that you are lost and asking Him to save you. In that same instant, you can know that you are saved. Search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, but they testify of me. If you search the scriptures and do not see Christ, you are not saved. Stay with us if you are not right with God.

God Likes to Be Outnumbered The message focuses on the idea that God often chooses to work when the odds are stacked against His people, so that when victory comes, it is clear that it was His doing, not their own. Gideon’s Army God told Gideon he had too many men (32,000) to fight the Midianites, lest Israel take credit for the victory. God instructed Gideon to allow those who were fearful to leave, resulting in 22,000 departing, leaving 10,000. God further reduced the number by having them drink water from a river, selecting only the 300 who lapped the water like dogs. The 300 were equipped with trumpets and pitchers with torches inside. They surrounded the Midianite camp and, at a signal, broke the pitchers, revealed the torches, blew the trumpets, and shouted, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” God caused the Midianites to turn on each other, and they were defeated. Pride and God’s Glory God likes to be outnumbered because when He wins the battle, He doesn’t want people taking credit for it. Pride can lead people to believe they are capable and strong on their own. God ensures that when victory comes, it is clear that it was His doing, leading to proper worship and praise. Examples of God Being Outnumbered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Nebuchadnezzar built a statue and commanded everyone to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow. Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a fiery furnace. The king saw four figures in the furnace, the fourth resembling the Son of God. They emerged unharmed, demonstrating God’s presence and protection. Noah: Eight souls (Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives) worked on the ark for 120 years. They were against an entire race of people. God sent the flood, and only those on the ark survived. Moses: Moses confronted Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. He faced the entire Egyptian army. He led the Israelites to the Red Sea, where God parted the waters, allowing them to cross safely and drowning the pursuing Egyptian army. Jonathan: Jonathan and his armor bearer went to fight the Philistines. Jonathan told his armor bearer that there is no restraint to God to save whether by few or many. They climbed a cliff and attacked a Philistine outpost, killing 20 men. Samson: The Israelites bound Samson with new cords and handed him over to the Philistines. Samson broke free and killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. David: David, a young shepherd, volunteered to fight Goliath. He went into the valley with five stones and a slingshot. He struck Goliath with a stone, killing him, and then cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword. Hezekiah: Sennacherib and the Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem. Hezekiah prayed to God, laying Sennacherib’s threatening letter before Him. God sent an angel who killed 186,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. Asa: Zerah the Ethiopian came against Asa with an army of a million men and 300 chariots. Asa prayed to God for help, acknowledging that it is nothing for God to help, whether with many or with those who have no power. God smote the Ethiopians, and they fled. Romans 8:31-39 If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword? In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature. Application Encouragement to have faith and trust in God, regardless of the circumstances. Even when feeling outnumbered, outmanned, or outgunned, God is always greater and can deliver. The importance of recognizing God’s hand in victories and giving Him the glory. The reminder that God is always with His people and will fight their battles.

Introduction Expressing gratitude and acknowledging a shift in the intended message. Originally planned to preach from scriptures. Felt divinely led to share a personal experience and message. Overcoming Paralysis Through Faith Sharing a personal experience of paralysis and recovery. Paralyzed from the neck down for nine months. Doctors predicted permanent paralysis. Experienced divine intervention and regained mobility. Able to walk and use arms again. God’s Purpose in Suffering God communicated a purpose during paralysis: to preach. Emphasizing that God has a purpose regardless of physical condition. Whether on a bike, in a wheelchair, or on the phone. Importance of obedience to God’s will. Striving for perfection and following God’s guidance. The Nature of Faith and Trust Acknowledging the universality of worry and doubt. Everyone experiences worry at some point. Worry leads to doubting faith. People often try to handle problems independently. Defining faith and trust from a pocket Bible dictionary. Faith: Belief and confidence in the testimony of another, especially God’s promise of salvation and eternal life through Jesus. Highlighting the importance of trust. Trust: Putting confidence in a person or thing; God’s name and words are worthy of trust. Emphasizing total confidence in God. Relying on God’s Understanding Admonition to not lean on one’s own understanding. Personal admission of making mistakes when relying on self. Decision to follow God’s guidance without looking back. Overcoming shyness and discomfort with public speaking. God’s Purpose for Everyone God has a purpose for every individual. Challenging the notion that all roles in the church are filled. There is always work to be done for God. Suggesting that a lack of need indicates the Lord’s return. Hebrews 11:6 and the Importance of Faith Reading and emphasizing Hebrews 11:6. “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” Belief in God and His ability to do all things. Faith and Overcoming Obstacles Faith can move mountains with God’s help. Necessity of work and effort alongside faith. Using the analogy of digging with a shovel. God wants people to work and trust in Him. The Story of Doubting Thomas Paraphrasing and reading from Matthew 20:24 about Doubting Thomas. Thomas’s disbelief in Jesus’s resurrection without physical proof. Thomas wanted to see the nail prints and touch Jesus’ side. Personal Testimony of Faith Without Seeing Never seen Jesus face-to-face but has heard His voice. Belief in the Bible’s promise of seeing Jesus one day. Knowing Jesus before meeting Him physically. Experiencing Christ’s Call Describing the unique experience of hearing Christ’s voice. Recalling the moment of conviction before turning life over to God. Hearing “Tony!” while driving and immediately stopping to pray. Transformation and commitment to following God. The Better Life with God Life is better with God, despite not being perfect. Earth is not our permanent home; heaven is the ultimate destination. Heaven and Hell Addressing the reality of hell, which many preachers avoid. Critique of churches focused on superficial aspects. Latte bars and donut shops instead of spiritual depth. Holding the Original Promise Christ holds the key to the gates of heaven. The Uncertainty of Life and the Need to Be Ready The day of birth is also the day one could die. The Bible instructs to always be ready. Need to be ready always. Avoiding Complacency Worrying about forgetting to thank God for blessings. The importance of praying without ceasing. Starting the day with gratitude to God. Thankfulness for blessings and answered prayers. Faith as Essential None of the above is good without faith. Hebrews 20:13 and the Desire for a Heavenly Country Reading from Hebrews 20:13 about dying in faith and seeking a better country. Confessing to being strangers and pilgrims on earth. Desiring a heavenly country prepared by God. Belief in Heaven Asking if the audience believes God has prepared a place in heaven. Maintaining faith and trust in God to reach that place. The Choice Between Heaven and Hell It is not God’s intention for anyone to stay on earth permanently. The choice between dying and going to hell or dying and living forever. The soul will lift up after the body is gone. Scripture says, absent from the body, present in the Lord. Readiness for Home Expressing readiness to go home to heaven. Looking forward to seeing Jesus, family, and friends. Meeting Jesus Jesus will come to get believers and lead them across the river. Envisioning this to overcome life’s turmoil. Envisioning seeing Jesus helps with burdens and trials. Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace Paul’s prayer to remove a thorn in his side. The nature of the thorn is unknown, possibly cancer. God’s response: “My grace is sufficient.” The Power of Grace and Faith Seeking grace and keeping trust in God. The devil cannot overcome those with faith and grace. The Devil’s Attacks The devil attacks those who step up and do something for God. Experiencing increased challenges after answering God’s call. Maintaining Composure Through Faith Letting go of anger and trusting God to handle situations. God will take care of and get us through any situation. Repentance Striving daily and acknowledging imperfections. God provided repentance at Calvary. The need for daily repentance. Avoiding Frustration Avoiding frustration, especially while driving. Letting others pass and trusting in God’s protection. Life is going by fast enough. Final Thoughts and Admonitions Pray with faith. Seek Him daily. Be obedient to what God reveals to your own heart. Not what God reveals to others. Focusing on personal obedience avoids being a busybody. Mind Your Business Avoid being in everyone else’s business. Checking on sick or needy brothers and sisters is different. Judging others is being too busy. Focus on personal problems and self-improvement. Expect His Reward Trust God for peace, direction, healing, provisions, and understanding. Always according to His will and timing. Don’t Forget Him Leave it with God. Don’t try to take care of God. Trust, don’t just perform rituals or works. God is pleased by genuine faith and a surrendered heart. Everyone needs to get out of here talking to the Lord. Not just the preacher. Testimony Every child of God has a testimony. Sharing testimonies can touch the world. Those who have been saved have a testimony. God’s Grace Saved by God’s amazing grace, undeservedly. Name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. A merciful God who saves by grace. Feeling God’s Presence The great feeling of feeling God’s loving arms. Being lifted up in prayer. The Power of Faith A mustard seed can spread and grow. Faith will get stronger and mightier. God’s Presence in the Church God is here to meet needs. Contrast between churches with a cold feeling and those filled with the Spirit. The importance of letting God run a mince between all of us. Spirit-Filled Churches Spirit-filled churches allow people to shout and express joy. Avoiding long-windedness and focusing on God’s presence. Being on God’s side, not one’s own. Taking as much time as God wants. Needing more people to get that way for more blessings and joy. Praising God It’s impossible to please God. Wondering if we’re pleasing Him.

Seeking God and His Guidance The importance of seeking God with one’s whole heart and soul. When out in the world, there was no seeking of God. After giving life to God, seeking Him became a priority. God came seeking when lost, now seeking Him for guidance. Encouragement to seek God, ask for help, and get closer to Him. People wandering in the wilderness need only seek God for help. Seek God expecting an answer and guidance. Avoid being half-hearted in seeking God. Listening for God’s Answer The need to listen for God’s answer after asking for help. God’s answer may not be what one wants to hear. Obey the Word of God and do what He wants you to do. Personal experiences of God speaking. God speaks in different ways, sometimes strongly, sometimes as a whisper. God has never failed to answer prayers, though timing is on His time. Faith that prayers for salvation for others will be answered. Humbling oneself before God in prayer. Praying at the altar for lost people, the church, and the pastor. God hears prayers and will heal. God’s Unwavering Presence and the Comforter God will never leave nor forsake. Acknowledging times of leaving God, but the sweetness of returning. God is present when one can’t go any further without Him. God’s welcome upon returning to Him. After being away from faith, God restored faith and welcomed back. God puts His arm around and welcomes back with love. The promise of the Comforter (Holy Ghost). Jesus sent a Comforter. The importance of the Holy Ghost in life and ministry. Fear that the true Holy Spirit would scare some people. Altar Call and Invitation to Prayer Offering an altar call for those in need of prayer. The altar is not just for the lost, but for the saved as well. If there is a need, talk it over with God. Any place can be a place to talk to God. Home, car, truck, tractor, or lawn mower. The altar is a good place to come and talk to God. Invitation to come forward and pray.

Desire for Prayers and Direction Expressing a struggle to discern the Lord’s direction. Acknowledging uncertainty about the current path. Trusting in the Lord’s plan despite a lack of understanding. Requesting prayers for the morning service. Hoping for worship and spiritual awakening. Seeking guidance for those who are lost or not living right. Numbers 11:1-2 – Complaining and Moses’ Prayer Reading from Numbers 11:1-2 about the people’s complaints and God’s anger. Focusing on Moses’ intercession and the power of prayer. Highlighting the quenching of the fire through Moses’ prayer. Acknowledging dependence on the Lord’s help, power, and spirit. Trusting in God’s goodness and mercy for guidance. Seeking exaltation of God’s words and help for every soul. The Power of Prayer Emphasizing the power of prayer for salvation. Highlighting the need for sinners to cry out to God. Sharing a personal experience of feeling the Holy Spirit’s presence. Mentioning the calling out of number 16 and feeling the Lord’s confirmation. Expressing the importance of knowing that the Lord hears prayers. Reflecting on people who need prayer. Mentioning Valerie’s prayer requests for Joseph’s salvation. Sharing Brother Bobby Whitehead’s testimony of praying for his son for 15 years. The son was saved and talked about the Lord during a trip to Kentucky. Encouraging persistence in prayer. Highlighting that answers may not come immediately. Referencing praying for little Audrey for years before she got saved. Exodus 32 – Moses’ Intercession Referring to Exodus 32:8-14 about Moses interceding for the people after they worshipped a golden calf. God wanted to destroy them but Moses pleaded with God not to. Moses reminded God of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. The Lord repented of the evil He thought to do. Questioning how often God’s people pray for the lost. Highlighting the power of the church. Asking how burdened the church is for the lost. Urging listeners to call out the names of their family members in prayer. Emphasizing the need for brokenhearted prayer. Reminding listeners that some people may die and end up in hell. The Importance of Prayer in Everyday Life Acknowledging personal guilt in getting busy and letting life get in the way. Stating that family’s salvation is the greatest need. Sharing Brother Bill’s testimony of praying for Paulette for 13-15 years before she was saved. Encouraging continued prayer for young people and the church. Highlighting the need to pray for those who are lost and may be playing games. Emphasizing prayer as a great tool and a powerful weapon. Highlighting the ability to pray anytime, anywhere. Acknowledging that prayers may not always be answered as desired. Examples of Prayer in Scripture Sharing the story of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19. Hezekiah received a threatening letter and spread it out before the Lord in prayer. Hezekiah asked God for help. Acknowledging times of doing everything possible and then surrendering to God. Referencing Abraham’s intercession for Sodom. Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom if there were righteous people. God destroyed Sodom because they couldn’t find five righteous people. Emphasizing that praying for something does not always guarantee getting it. Reiterating the importance of acknowledging and thanking God when He answers prayers. The Battle Against the Enemy Highlighting the importance of acknowledging when God hears prayers. Emphasizing the need to return to a place of prayer. Acknowledging the battle against the enemy. The enemy tries to deceive, divide, and create conflict in the church. The enemy knows there are people who need to be saved or rededicate their lives. Acknowledging personal struggles with being consumed by the world. Highlighting the importance of others praying for those who are lost. Sharing a personal testimony of being lost and headed to hell. Expressing gratitude for those who interceded and encouraged a relationship with God. Repaying the Favor and Praying for Others Questioning whether the favor of being prayed for is being repaid. Urging listeners to ask God for their families and those among them. Asking God to visit and reveal Himself to children and those being revived. Acknowledging personal shortcomings in realizing those who are lost and dying. Recognizing the need to improve in praying for others. Challenging the excuse of being too busy. Emphasizing the importance of making time for prayer. Believing that dedication and sacrifice in prayer will lead to a closer relationship with God and the salvation of others. Reiterating the church’s purpose. The church is not just here to sit idly by. It is the church’s job to ensure people hear the word and know there is a place to escape from. Standing in the Gap and Making Intercession Emphasizing the job of bowing in prayer for family and the church. Highlighting that it is not just the pastor’s job, but everyone’s responsibility. Referencing the Roman soldier in Matthew 8:5. The soldier beseeched Jesus to heal his servant. The soldier had to ask for help. Emphasizing the need to stand in the gap and make up the hedge. Ensuring people know there are others praying for them. Caring enough to spend time in prayer. Highlighting the encouragement of receiving a message saying someone is praying for you. Emphasizing the job of praying for both the lost and the saved. Sharing the story of the poor friend who needed help. Highlighting the effort and determination to get their friend to Jesus. Knowing that Jesus is able to fix the problem. The Power of the Church in Prayer Expressing the belief that God is able to save others because He saved Elder Dustin. Emphasizing the need to help others get to Jesus. Acknowledging personal guilt in not encouraging and reaching out to others enough. Highlighting the need for help for everyone. Emphasizing that sometimes only the Holy Spirit can move and speak. Reiterating the importance of doing everything possible to get people to Jesus. Referencing Acts 12:5 about the church praying without ceasing for Peter. Peter was freed from prison. Emphasizing the need for the church to pray for the chains holding souls captive to be broken. Highlighting that only Jesus can save. Emphasizing the need to pray for every lost soul encountered. Personal Testimony and Burden for the Lost Sharing a personal testimony of God’s miracle in Shana’s life. Reflecting on God’s miracle in Elder Dustin’s life. God changed Elder Dustin’s life instantly. Listing examples of people God has done miracles for. Expressing the belief that God can do it for anyone. Asking the Lord to burden the heart with the lost. Acknowledging the problem of not having time to be burdened. Asking God to put a burden on them where they can’t escape it. Acknowledging that this is not popular or familiar. Highlighting the need for willingness and sacrifice. Understanding that serving God is not always convenient. Acknowledging the busyness of life with kids. Emphasizing that children should not come before God. Raising a Godly Generation Expressing thankfulness that children are understanding the importance of God. Highlighting the need for children to know that they are not more important than God. Emphasizing the importance of being present for children. Recognizing that children will be the ones standing in the future. Highlighting the job of raising young people who know the power of God. Emphasizing the need to pray for God to raise up a generation. Sharing a story about praying for kids to be missionaries. Acknowledging the difficulty of allowing a child to go to a foreign country. Emphasizing the need to not stand in God’s way. Recognizing that these things are not popular. Emphasizing that the world needs Jesus. Highlighting the need to pray for God to raise up people. Emphasizing the need for laborers to be sent into the harvest. Personal Conviction and Call to Action Sharing an observation about Tillman bringing young boys to the revival. Highlighting Tillman’s effort to bring his friends to Jesus. Acknowledging that Elder Dustin has not brought anyone all week. Admitting to not inviting anyone to the revival. Asking for prayer for Elder Dustin’s sisters. Asking the Lord to break them and get them to a place where they mean what they say. Expressing a desire to see families get things right. Emphasizing that people won’t come unless they are asked. Reiterating that the church made intercession for Peter. Emphasizing the job of the church to pray and do their best to get people to church. Acknowledging that they don’t get sayings because they don’t even ask for them. James 5 – Prayer and Healing Acknowledging not having the scripture studied out. Reading from James 5:13-20 about prayer and healing. Encouraging prayer for those who are afflicted, merry, or sick. Emphasizing the power of the prayer of faith. Encouraging confession of faults and praying for one another. Highlighting the effectiveness of fervent prayer. Defining “effectual fervent prayer” as active and continuous prayer. Emphasizing the need to keep praying until God tells them not to. Sharing Brother Robbie’s testimony of turning a family member over to the Lord. Highlighting that sometimes people get so far down the rabbit hole that only God can help them. Sharing the story of Elias praying for rain. Emphasizing the importance of prayer as the body of Christ. Highlighting the need for an active prayer life. Luke 22 – Praying for Faith Referencing Luke 22 about Jesus praying for Simon Peter. Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. Asking the Lord to stand on their behalf and pray for them. Acknowledging personal problems and the need for prayer. Emphasizing that they have not because they ask not. Reflecting on Paul on the Damascus Road. Paul fell to his face. Emphasizing the need to fall to their face and ask God for help. Acknowledging that they cannot tell others what to say. Sharing that all they remember saying was, “Lord, I’m sorry.” Believing that God heard them and saved them. Suggesting that some may be like Paul preaching to King Agrippa. King Agrippa was almost convinced. Wishing that everyone would be converted. Personal Testimony and Call to Salvation Suggesting that some may be sitting there knowing they are lost. Sharing a personal testimony of sitting for a month after Sammy got saved. Being scared of what everyone would think. Running from God. Highlighting that hell became real during that time. Sharing a vivid memory of waking up with numb hands and feeling like they were about to die. Receiving a call from Sam inviting them to his baptism. Sharing the story of a little woman asking everyone if they knew how it felt to be saved. Acknowledging that they didn’t say a word because they weren’t going to lie. Sharing that they came back the next Sunday because of Samuel’s baptism. Sharing that they found themselves on the altar and told God they were sorry. Sharing that they felt a peace and joy they had never felt before. Emphasizing that it took movement and action. Believing that if they hadn’t moved, they wouldn’t be where they are today. Believing they would have been in hell. Acknowledging that they never thought they were a bad person. Sharing that they liked to get together and have a little fun. The Negative Influence and the Need for Positive Impact Reflecting on their past actions and the people they involved. Sharing a story of a young man they influenced negatively. The young man was raised in church and had never done anything wrong. Elder Dustin introduced him to drinking and drugs. The young man became addicted and lost everything. Acknowledging the negative influence they had on people. Emphasizing the need to make up for that. Highlighting the need to have a positive impact on people. Emphasizing the need to do whatever it takes to ensure people get to Christ. Acknowledging that they cannot save anyone. Emphasizing that it will take brokenness and the Holy Spirit drawing them. Believing that God wants to save and help people. Emphasizing the need to call out to Him. Acknowledging that asking doesn’t guarantee getting. Promising that if they are lost and call upon Him, He will save them.

Faith and Commitment The importance of making a firm choice for God, despite distractions. Personal reflection on faith and the need for growth. During Melissa’s singing, a deep admiration for her faith was felt. On Friday night, while handing out cards asking about personal areas for improvement in 2026, faith was identified as a key area to work on. The exercise involved writing down God’s promises and hearing Him speak through the process. The goal is to grow in faith, depending on God and His Word. The urgency of spiritual growth and dedication. Time is running out, and there’s a need to improve and lift up Christ. Prayers have been offered for weeks for God to speak to the people. A challenge was given on New Year’s Eve to be faithful. The Sermon on the Mount: No Middle Ground Focus on Matthew 7:13-14, emphasizing the straight gate and narrow way versus the wide gate and broad way. The core message is that there is no middle ground with Christ. The sermon challenges the idea of living in between right and wrong. Critique of creating a God that accepts compromise and partial devotion. Religion can become a middle ground, a way to feel satisfied without true closeness to God. The need for daily choices to serve God fully. Personal commitment, like Joshua’s, to serve the Lord. The importance of exercising faith and commitment in daily life. Either for or against God, gathering or scattering. God’s unchanging holiness and expectations. God expects holiness, and there’s a way of repentance and forgiveness. Believers should live differently from the world, set apart and identified by righteous living. Two Gates: Narrow vs. Broad Emphasis on the two paths: the narrow, straight gate and the wide gate leading to destruction. No other options or ways to live are acceptable. One is either for Christ or against Him, with no middle ground. Examples illustrating the lack of middle ground: Hot or cold: Lukewarmness is rejected. Revelation reference: God will spew lukewarm believers out of His mouth. Many Christians live in a comfortable middle ground, avoiding challenges. In or out, right or wrong, love of God or love of the world. Carrying one’s cross or not, yes or no, bitter or sweet. Saved or lost: No partial or in-progress salvation. The importance of choosing the narrow way. The broad way is filled with people who think they are going to heaven but lack true salvation. The Spirit of God calls for adherence to the narrow way and straight path. Preaching a straight way is necessary to lead people to salvation. Simply carrying a Bible, joining a church, or being baptized is insufficient without being born again. Two Trees: Good vs. Corrupt Beware of false prophets in sheep’s clothing, identifiable by their fruits. The illustration of two types of trees: good trees bearing good fruit and corrupt trees bearing evil fruit. No middle ground: a tree is either corrupt or good, not partially one or the other. The importance of honesty in self-assessment. If there was a middle ground, people would create their own paths and churches. The challenge to decide to live fully for Christ and repent of sins. God hasn’t changed and doesn’t compromise on holiness. Identifying trees by their fruit. Good trees should bear good fruit, though the quantity and edibility may vary. Corrupt trees may produce fruit that looks appealing but is harmful. Example of inedible fruit found while hunting, which looked delicious but was avoided by animals. The source of good fruit: being grafted into Jesus, the true vine. Bearing fruit is a result of being connected to Jesus. Jesus wants believers to be either cold or hot, not lukewarm. Being warm (lukewarm) is comfortable but spiritually dangerous. The need to step out and determine one’s true standing with God. Either for or against Him, gathering or scattering. God wants 100% devotion, or perhaps one doesn’t know Him at all. The danger of creating an environment where people think it’s alright to do what they want. God is holy and requires holiness. Honesty about one’s spiritual condition. It’s better to admit being lost than to falsely believe one is saved. There is hope in acknowledging one’s need for a Savior. Being born again leads to a straight, narrow path and the production of good fruit. Goodness and the Rich Young Ruler According to Jesus, there is nothing good but the Father. The story of the rich young ruler who claimed to have kept all the commandments since his youth. Jesus identified that the man’s wealth was his real God. The man was in middle ground, thinking he had it all figured out. Jesus’s challenge to sell all possessions and follow Him. The man walked away sorrowful because he couldn’t give up his middle ground. He couldn’t believe that God is holy and expects holiness. He couldn’t believe that he could live right through the Holy Spirit’s help. The necessity of the Holy Ghost to stay on course. There is no middle ground; any such place is fictitious and meaningless to God. Professions of Faith: Real vs. False Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of the Father will enter. Two different professions: one real and one false. A real profession is based on complete surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A false profession involves doing great works but being unknown by God. “Depart from me, for I never knew you.” The danger of creating a comfortable, middle-ground world that allows one to live as they please. This place is a figment of one’s imagination, denying the Spirit of God and His Word. The judgment of God will reveal the truth. Claiming to have gone to church, read the Bible, and prayed is insufficient. “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, for I did not know you.” The world is on middle ground, but honesty is essential. It’s better to admit being an unbeliever, as that ground can be plowed by God. Living in the middle means one doesn’t truly care. Many claim to be saved but have never been born again. It’s better to be honest about being lost, as the Holy Spirit can help. Living in the middle pleases no one: not the church, the preacher, or God. Two Foundations: Rock vs. Sand Two foundations: one built on solid rock (Jesus Christ) and one built on sand. The solid rock foundation is forever settled in heaven and stands firm. The consequences of building on sand. When storms come, the foundation will be exposed. Building salvation on anything other than Jesus Christ is building on sand. Examples: “I’m building my salvation on the Baptist faith,” or “I’m a good Catholic.” The challenge to know for sure which foundation one is on as 2026 begins. If on solid rock, step up and give all for God. If on sand, acknowledge being lost and let the Holy Spirit put you on the solid foundation. The fate of those on sand: great will be the fall. The invitation to come to Him and be placed on the solid foundation.

Scribes and Pharisees Seeking a Sign The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to prove who He was. Their intent was not to confirm faith but to find something to condemn Him for. They wanted to tempt or trap Him. The Nature of Seeking Signs Seeking signs is human nature. Examples: Gideon sought confirmation from God, and God honored his request. Gideon asked for a wet fleece with dry ground, then a dry fleece with wet ground. If the motivation is to increase faith, God will provide a sign. Signs can be tokens or indications to obey, pay attention, or learn. Some seek signs not to believe but to avoid dealing with something in their hearts. Abundance of Existing Signs Many signs had already been given in the preceding 11 chapters of Matthew. Jesus had already done much to prove He was God. If the motivation is disbelief, no additional signs will be given. The desire should be to know Christ and be saved. Evil and Adulterous Generation Jesus called them an evil and adulterous generation for seeking a sign. These were the same people who would crucify Christ. They wanted something new, but there is nothing new in the Word of God. The Word of God is a sign for all. Seeking a sign to justify disbelief is an evil and adulterous thought pattern. Signs They Rejected The preaching of John the Baptist: John preached repentance and the coming Messiah. He identified Jesus as the Lamb of God. They went to hear John but did not receive the sign. Testimonies of those healed by Christ: The blind man testified that he was healed by Jesus, regardless of whether Jesus was a sinner. Testimonies of God’s people are a sign to the world. The Word of Christ Himself: God spoke to the heart, revealing Himself. The greatest sign is when the Holy Ghost speaks to the heart. Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and taught in the temple. Refusing to hear Jesus means one will never be saved. Evil and Adulterous Hearts Seeking something different indicates evil in the heart. Looking for something other than what God has given is adulterous. It means wanting a different God or something else entirely. The Sign of Jonah The only sign to be given would be the sign of Jonah. Jonah went into the belly of death and was delivered. Jesus would go into the heart of the earth, die for sins, and rise again. The resurrection is the greatest sign. The discomfort of the scribes and Pharisees can be imagined when they learned of the empty tomb. The guards reported an angel descending, rolling back the stone, and their falling like dead men. Proofs of Christ’s Resurrection Many people have made a profession of faith and testify that Jesus is alive. Mary recognized Jesus when He spoke her name in the garden. Jesus is on the throne of glory. Signs in Matthew’s Gospel The leper: Jesus healed a leper, cleansing him from his disease. The centurion’s servant: Jesus healed the centurion’s servant sick with palsy. The centurion demonstrated great faith. The crippled man: Four men lowered a crippled man through the roof to reach Jesus. Jesus forgave his sins and healed him, telling him to take up his bed and walk. The scribes and Pharisees murmured because they didn’t believe Jesus had the power to forgive sins. The blind man: Jesus healed a blind man, which was unprecedented. The woman with the issue of blood: She touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was immediately healed. Jesus stopped and asked who touched Him, revealing the miracle to the crowd. Jairus’ daughter: Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. He told them she was only sleeping, but they laughed at Him. Conviction and Belief These signs should lead to conviction and belief. Seeing these miracles should cause one to question why they don’t believe. Personal experience of being born again is a sign. God is not hiding what He has done. If the reason for seeking a sign is to confirm doubt, no more will be given. Everything already given is sufficient. The Importance of the Word and Spirit The only signs needed are from the Word of God and the Spirit of God. What matters is the Word of God and the Holy Ghost. The question is whether one wants to believe. Creation as a Sign Creation itself is a sign of God’s eternal power and Godhead. Romans 1:20 states that these things are clearly seen from the creation of the world. People are without excuse because they have this sign. The Rainbow as a Sign The rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant not to flood the earth again. Genesis 9 establishes the rainbow as a token of this covenant. It serves as a reminder of God’s promise. Conclusion The problem is not the lack of signs but the lack of belief in the signs already given. Signs include preaching, testimonies, and the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The only thing needed to be saved is to believe. The invitation is to run to Jesus and respond to the signs that have been given.

The Anticipation of Christ’s Birth Angels anticipated the day of Jesus’s birth. They had seen Him at the right hand of the Father. They had worshipped Him. Now He had left heaven’s throne and become something they didn’t understand yet. For nine months, the angels waited while Jesus was 100% man from the embryonic stage until Mary birthed him. The angels knew when Joseph led Mary to Bethlehem, the home of his lineage, that it was close to the time of Jesus’s birth. The angels waited on the rims of glory as the Lamb of God was to be born. Gabriel announced to the shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” The angels flooded the heavenly poison, shouting, “He’s not in that womb no more. He’s not awaiting anymore. He’s here. He’s here. Our Lord is once more here.” The Fullness of Time Galatians 4:4-5 explains what Christmas is all about. God had a time in His calendar for His Son to be born of a virgin and come as a savior to the world. Many people before that time knew He was coming. Adam and Eve were told that by his heel he would bruise Satan’s head. Abraham was told that of his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Isaac and Jacob received that covenant promise. The time had not occurred when Jacob would birth 12 children and from him would become the nation of Israel. The book of Hebrews says that they died in faith, believing that it would come. Moses understood about a coming Christ, but Jesus didn’t come during his time. From the foundation of the world, God had ordained a time that His Son would come and take care of the sin of this world. David knew and sung about the cross that would come. Isaiah spoke of Emmanuel coming, God with us, born of a virgin. Isaiah 53 wrote about the Savior who would suffer greatly and bear the sins of mankind. After 400 years of God’s silence, an angel came to Mary in Nazareth. She was chosen to conceive of the Holy Ghost. Mary and Joseph’s Roles Mary was perplexed about the angel’s words, asking how she could conceive without knowing a man. In a dream, the angel Gabriel spoke to Joseph, telling him not to fear taking Mary as his wife because the child conceived in her was of the Holy Ghost. Joseph took Mary as his betrothed wife and kept her until the child was born. Simeon’s Revelation Simeon, a devout priest, was revealed by the Holy Ghost that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. On the eighth day after Jesus’s birth, Simeon saw Jesus and knew that the fullness of time had come. Simeon snatched the baby from Mary and said, “Now let me depart in peace for mine eyes have seen the salvation of Israel.” Personal Salvation The reason Jesus came was so that there would be a time for each individual. Before the foundation of the world, God knew who would believe. There was a day in 1976 when God declared it would be a personal time of salvation. There wasn’t any way to pay the penalty except some flesh stand in your half, in your behalf. Jesus is the fullness of God in the flesh and the only savior of the world. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. Jesus Christ was the one answer for the sin that mankind owned. Jesus had to become flesh and be made under the law, keeping every part of God’s holy law in the flesh. The imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ was given while he took on all sinful flesh. As a nine-year-old boy, Pastor Tommy found out that there was a Savior that died for his sin. When Pastor Tommy called upon Jesus to save him, He redeemed him. All heaven’s angels rejoice over one sinner that repents. When someone receives Christ, the angels remember Bethlehem and shout again. Pastor Tommy remembers the day he got saved and felt like all of heaven had filled his soul. Paul never had to get saved again. The angels are still rejoicing over sinners who repent unto God. Jesus was made under the law to redeem those who were under the law. Through Jesus, people receive the adoption of sons. Because the Holy Spirit has been imparted into hearts, people can cry, “Father.” The Significance of Jesus’s Birth Life begins at conception. Jesus was alive from the very instant he was conceived in Mary’s womb. John’s Gospel didn’t record Jesus’s birth but said He was in the beginning. The Word was made flesh when Gabriel spoke to Mary and the Holy Ghost came upon her. Thousands of years since Adam had gone by. There was a day that God looked over at Jesus and said, “It’s time.” Nine months later, Joseph held that holy child. The Second Coming There is another time coming when Jesus will return. No man knows the time, not even Jesus, only the Father. At any minute, He could look at the Son again and say, “It’s time.” Those trusting in Christ who are asleep in the grave will resurrect. Those who are alive and remain shall be changed in the moment in the twinkling of an eye. All will be called up. Pastor Tommy is anticipating the time when He’s going to gather us home. It’s important to have a time when your name got wrote in the Lamb’s Book of Life. If you don’t have that time, you need to prepare because another time is coming. You can get prepared to know Him today. If you don’t have a time, call on Him today. If He’s calling you, today’s the day. This is the day He must write your name down. This is the day the angels want to shout throughout heaven, “One more is come.”

The Importance and Power of God’s Word The Word of God is essential and powerful. Begotten by the Word. Reconciles us. Jesus is the good Word. The Bible can save souls, get people out of trouble, and change their thinking and actions. If it doesn’t change you, your salvation should be questioned. Matthew 11:2-6 – John’s Question John, in prison, questions if Jesus is the Messiah. Sends disciples to ask Jesus, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Everything that happened in Jesus’s ministry got people’s attention. Brought them to a place where they wanted to find out more. Many were in trouble and needed help. God was able to supply that help like no one else. The message of Jesus is still being broadcast throughout the world. Information travels quickly today. The Word of God is still being proclaimed. Surrendering to God’s Will People often try to control everything, preventing God from demonstrating His love and power. It’s necessary to surrender to God’s will. God accomplishes good in those who yield to His Spirit. The most important thing is to see souls saved. Testimony and Faith Sharing testimonies releases the power of God. The Hebrew word for testimony means “to tell what God has done.” Sharing what God has done releases the same power that was present in the original event. God can move again as He did in the beginning. Never give up on sharing what God has done in your life. God came to save the lost. John’s Example John’s life got worse, but he will rejoice in heaven for fulfilling his purpose. Preparing the way of the Lord. We should weigh our lives to determine if our actions bring glory to God or are just for personal satisfaction. The world can lead in many directions that don’t glorify God. Children of God should focus on seeing others come to Christ. The Active Word of God The Word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12. Not a genie in a bottle, but the Word of Faith, God Almighty. John had doubts, even though he knew Jesus from the womb. It’s okay to question and wonder. John’s beheading may seem like a loss, but it was a godly life. He stepped aside and said, “Not my will, but thy will.” John had the testimony from the beginning: “I must decrease, and he must increase.” He lived it out. The Power and Reach of God’s Word The Word of God is real, powerful, and accomplishes its task. It hits the target. Defeats the enemy. Impacts the hearts of men. Nothing can interfere with the Word of God. Preaching in jail shares the message that “who the Son sets free is free indeed.” God loves those with life sentences. Have mercy on all people, as God has had mercy on you. God can turn anyone back to Him if they call on His name. God Hears and Reveals God always hears prayers and complaints. Worldly desires can become enslaving. God questions the motivations behind accumulating things. John’s life was about God’s business. John called out a man for his sin and was imprisoned. People will do anything to stay in their sin. Only Jesus can fix oneself. Jesus’s Response to John Jesus told John’s disciples to “go and show John again.” Show him the miracles and works being done. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached. It’s still Jesus, and nothing has changed. The gospel is that Christ came, was crucified, buried, and rose again. The greatest event is to be arrested by the Holy Ghost and cry out for Jesus. The Great Commission Five principles based on loving God and loving your neighbor. Worship: Love the Lord with all your heart. Born-again people worship God freely. Question your salvation if you can’t worship God. Ministry: Love your neighbor as yourself. Everyone is called to be a minister in some way. Evangelism: Go make disciples. Share your testimony. Fellowship: Baptize men in His name. Become part of the body of Christ. Discipleship: Teaching the Word of God. Tell of God’s exploits. Ephatha – Open Ephatha means “open” in Arabic. Pray that God opens the hearts of the lost to receive the Word. Looking for an eternal house in heaven, whose builder and maker is God.

Colossians Chapter 1 Study: The Preeminence of Christ and Reconciliation Introduction Encouragement to study Colossians chapter 1, focusing on the preeminence of Christ and the power of God. Acknowledging personal feelings of inadequacy but emphasizing trust in God’s power to feed His sheep. God uses “foolishness of preaching” to save believers. Reference to Colossians 1:18-22 as the text for the message. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;” “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight” Prayer for God’s help and for the truth to find its place in hearts. The Inward Man vs. The Outward Man Concept of Inner and Outer Self Most people don’t understand the concept of the inward and outward man. There is an unseen man on the inside. God looks at the heart (inward man), not just the outward appearance. Example: Samuel anointing a new king for Israel. Salvation of the Inward Man God saves the inward man, not the outward man (which returns to dust). The inward man must be reconciled to God. The Second Death If one is only born once (physically), there are two deaths in the future. It’s dangerous to be unreconciled to God, even momentarily. If you die without being born again, your soul is unprepared to meet God. Eternity is the most important subject to consider. Need to call on God before it’s too late. God’s Work of Reconciliation and Cleansing Miraculous Work of Salvation Personal testimony of being saved in 1976. Salvation is a miraculous, irreversible work that provides eternal life. Promise of never perishing. Ephesians 1:3-4, 7 Blessed with spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame. Redemption through His blood and forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace. Colossians 1:22 Presented holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight through the body of His flesh through death. Reconciliation Through Christ’s Blood God reconciled us through the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid for and cleansed us of all sin (past, present, and future). God paid the penalty for our sin debt before we ever could. Calvary’s cross provided forgiveness for all future sins. Promise of being presented to the Father as holy, unblameable, and unreprovable. Purity of the Bride of Christ The bride of Christ (the church) has been made pure. God chose us before the foundation of the world and made a way for all sins to be paid for on the cross. We are made holy, unblameable, and unreprovable through Jesus’ sacrifice. Ephesians 1:4 Confirmation We should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Eternal Security Once born again, one is forever taken care of and will never be lost again. God’s plan at Calvary satisfied the justice of God for the penalty of man’s sin. God recognizes the work of His Son in us, making us holy, unblameable, and unreprovable. We are the sons of God because of the blood shed for our souls. We go to heaven because of what Jesus did, not what we’ve done. Addressing the Misconception of License to Sin Addressing the Misconception Addressing the idea that being forever clean gives a license to sin. Apostle Paul’s response in Romans: “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Born-again individuals cannot live in sin. A new creature inside loves what was once hated and hates what was once loved. If truly born again, something bigger on the inside will chastise and bring one home. Isaiah 1:18 Though sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice makes us white and clean in the blood of the Lamb. Everything we’ve ever done falls under the blood of Jesus Christ. Desire to Live Righteously Desire to live the way God wants us to live, not alienated from God or the church. Wanting to live without sin in our hearts. Payment for All Sin At salvation, all sins (past, present, and future) were paid for with Jesus’ blood. God accepted that payment and purged us of sin. Sealed to the Day of Redemption God sealed what He made white, pure, holy, unblameable, and unreprovable with the power of His Holy Spirit. Sins are gone and under the blood of Jesus Christ. Importance of Repentance and Fellowship Fellowship with God depends on willingness to repent daily. Repentance restores fellowship with God. Even if death occurs without a moment to repent, one dies clean, holy, unblameable, and unreprovable because the blood paid for all sin. Everything needed to make us perfect in Christ has been done. Freedom from Fear Freedom from living in fear over salvation. Belief in Jesus’ words: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” This statement is valid only if all sins were paid for, not just in part. Made holy, unblameable, and unreprovable and sealed to the day of redemption. Holiness and Righteousness Imputed Through Christ Being Holy as God is Holy The only way to be holy is through Christ. Romans 4:22-25 Righteousness was imputed to Abraham because of his faith. This was written for us also, to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Jesus was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification. Presented as Holy Jesus will present us to God the Father as holy. Holy means righteous, all right, not wrong. Focus on the inward man, not the outward man. Righteousness of Christ Imputed The righteousness of Jesus Christ, not our own, is imputed to us when we turn our hearts over to Christ. It was laid to our account and placed in our hearts, sealed until the day of redemption. Assurance of Salvation Not worrying about sin because, according to the Word of God, sins are gone. Sins are under the blood and gone forever. Living as Holy in Heart Desire to live as holy in the flesh as we are in the heart. God doesn’t halfway forgive sin; He forgives all sin. We are clean and white in the eyes of God. God’s Justice Satisfied The blood of Jesus Christ satisfied God’s justice. We are presented holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight. This is only possible if He deals with our sin, which He did. Eternal Payment for Sin Jesus forever paid our sin debt, and we are saved forevermore. If He didn’t preserve us in that white, holy condition, we wouldn’t have a chance of getting into heaven. Every hope is anchored in the blood of the Lamb. Saved because of what Jesus did, the propitiation for all our sin. Unblameable and Unreprovable: A Miraculous Work Unblameable and Unreprovable Holy, unblameable, and unreprovable are the same concept. A person who cannot be blamed cannot be reproved. Reproving in the flesh helps us walk according to what’s in the heart. Cannot reprove what’s inside the soul; it’s either right with God or not. God had to do something miraculous to make our souls unblameable. Superiority of New Covenant We have something Job didn’t have. Job had great faith, but the blood of Jesus Christ had not yet been shed. Jesus rose from the dead, gathered up that blood, and presented it to God the Father as payment for our sins. Everyone who bows in the name of Jesus Christ can be born again and have their sins washed away. Perfection Through Christ Cannot be saved again because you can’t make perfect water. Cannot go to heaven if you aren’t perfect. Hebrews 9:11-12 Christ came as a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle. He entered the holy place once with His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption for us. He made us perfect on the inside. John 1:29 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus died for sins we’ve yet to commit. Salvation wouldn’t be worth anything if it only covered past sins. He died for the sin of the whole world. God’s Perspective God will present us to the Father as holy, unblameable, and unreprovable. If God says we are unblameable and unreprovable in His sight, we should rejoice. No boasting or works are involved; we have no means of getting to God except through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Cleansing from All Sin and the New Birth 1 John 1:7 If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. Cleansing from all sin is not about turning over a new leaf. Worthlessness of Self-Righteousness Salvation is not about what we do or will do. Kicking habits or stopping addictions doesn’t merit favor with God. Our righteousness is nothing but filthy rags. The flesh will return to dust, but something inside us was forever made holy and unblameable. Necessity of New Birth Either Jesus’ blood was sufficient for all our sins, or we need to live in constant fear. God knew saving the flesh was impossible because its nature is sinful. Jesus told Nicodemus we must be born again. We are new creatures in Christ because we are born again in the Spirit of God. Two Births, One Death Born once, die twice (physical death and lake of fire). Born twice, die once (only physical death). Boasting in the Lamb of God Boasting about the Lamb of God who shed His blood for our souls. Because we’ve been born again, we get to go to heaven, holy, unblameable, and unreprovable. Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Justified means there is no condemnation, sin, or culpability. Devil’s Accusations The devil tries to blame, accuse, and reprove us. We end up at the altar where we bow our knee to Him, and the Holy Ghost of God purges us of sin. We have been made clean in the sight of God. We have something to be grateful for; God made a way. We can’t mess this up. Eternal Security and the Gift of Salvation No Need for Retuning No need to get “tuned up” on the inside man again. There is no “black” (sin) inside; it’s all in the nature of the flesh. That which He bought, purged, cleansed, and sealed to the day of redemption must be perfect and holy. Jesus’ promises of eternal life and never perishing would mean nothing if our sins weren’t gone forever. Justification Through Grace Being justified just as if we’d never sinned, freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus. God set forth Jesus to be a propitiation through faith in His blood. Assurance of Salvation The gift we got will never be in question. Hope that others have experienced the same and will get there. If you die tonight and have been born again, He will present you unto God holy, unblameable, and unreprovable. He did the work once, immediately, for all, and then sealed it. Salvation by Grace, Not Works We get to go to heaven not because of anything we’ve done that was good. No message preached or good deed done will get us into heaven. For the same reason good works won’t get us in, bad works cannot keep us out. Purged and Sealed He purged our sin, looked into the inward man, and identified all the dark past and future sins. The blood has paid for all sin, and it was cleansed and made white that day. He sealed it until the day He redeems us. Day of Redemption The day of redemption is when this old body expires. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. The Holy Spirit will no longer need to be sealed on us; we will be with Him. Doctrinal Belief This is doctrinal to our faith and what we believe. Sometimes we don’t remind ourselves of what great gift God has given us. Illustration of the Slave Girl and the Auction Block Story of the Slave Girl A young slave girl was being sold on the auction block, stripped from her family. She grew hateful toward all those bidding for her. One man bid a price far above what anyone else could pay and bought her. He tore up her papers and said, “You’re free.” She went after him and said she would serve him for the rest of her life. He bought her so he could set her free. Application to Salvation We serve God because we are debtors to Him. We will never be able to repay Him for what He did for us that day as a child. After millions of years, we will still be thanking Him for saving our souls. God’s Perspective When we see our regret, God sees the cross. When we see our sin debt, God sees the price paid in full by His only begotten Son. When we see our multitude of sins, God sees the blood of the spotless Lamb. When we say, “O wretched man that I am,” God says we are righteous because of Jesus Christ and what has been imputed into our hearts. Living a Life Worthy of Salvation Sons of God Whether we act like it or not, if we’ve been born again, the blood of Jesus Christ has made us sons of God. We ought to act like it and live every day of our lives 100% sold out and surrendered to the will of Jesus Christ. He’s worthy of no less than that. Assurance of Salvation If you’ve been born again, you’re going to heaven. He’s going to present you unto the Father, holy, unblameable, and unreprovable. You don’t deserve to go, but He made you worthy. That’s worth living for; whatever He says to do, we ought to do it. There aren’t enough devils in hell to keep us out of it if we’ve been born again. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. The only thing you can do with a gift is receive it. Invitation to Receive the Gift God made a way for you to be saved tonight. Religion won’t get you there; you must know Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you know Him in the free pardon of sin, who has done a work in you and made you holy, unblameable, and imputed the righteousness of the perfect one, then you can raise your hand and say thank you. Come forward if you don’t know Him tonight and receive this gift. Gratitude for Salvation Thank God for the blood of Jesus Christ. We have a lot to be grateful for. We can fall on our knees every day and shout hallelujah; He’s made us clean through the blood of the Lamb.

Tears and Preaching Personal anecdote about crying and preaching Preacher Billy Kelly: “I’m too big to care what you think about me crying.” Tears as an immediate result of the Holy Spirit Tears, snot, etc. as an excuse John 14:11 Philip’s request: “Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.” Jesus’ response: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” “I am in the Father, and the Father in me.” “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” Jesus Christ: The God-Man 100% God and 100% man Mathematicians would say this is an impossibility People do not believe that Jesus is God Pharisees upset when Jesus equated himself to God Reason for wanting to kill Jesus: He said he was the Son of God Old Testament scriptures: indication of a Son of God? Spirit mentioned often Son of God references: prophecies about the Messiah, Emmanuel (God with us) Problem of the human heart: believing that Jesus Christ is God The Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Hard for the human mind to grasp Three are one and one are three Analogy: cherry pie with crust and filling God chose to reveal himself in three persons One no greater than the other, one no less than the other Importance of believing Jesus is God: Must bow to Christ to get to God One mediator between God and man: Jesus Christ Must be born again Reconciled unto the Father through the mediator (Jesus) The Only Begotten Son of God People take great liberties with the word of God Translations changed: “only begotten Son” to “unique one,” “only son,” or something else If Jesus is the only son, what are we? 1 John: “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we have been called the sons of God.” Born-again believers are grafted in and adopted into the family of God Adopted in, not begotten in God’s only begotten son is Jesus Christ Trust must go into Christ Plan of God from the beginning: Recognized the way to present salvation to a sinner Had to send his only begotten son God had to become one of us for the supreme sacrifice Jesus had to take on flesh Jesus had to become what only Mary could be: a son conceived of the Holy Ghost Relevance of the birth of Jesus Christ: Virgin conceived of the Holy Ghost Not just another man born into the world The God-man was born Apart from Christ, you can’t be saved Must believe in Jesus and that he was virgin born Otherwise, he couldn’t have been God’s Son or the spotless Lamb God sent His Son, who became flesh and was God in the flesh Believe for the Very Works’ Sake Jesus’ words in John 14: “Believe me for the very works’ sake.” Raised the dead Gave sight to the blind Caused the deaf to speak and hear These works can only be done by the power of God Question to Philip: How long will you stand on the outside of simply believing in Jesus Christ? Challenge: If you truly believe in Jesus Christ, why don’t you trust him, serve him, surrender to him, and seek salvation? Jesus wasn’t just a good man, he was the God-man Many believe Jesus was a prophet They believe that Jesus existed He was a good man, a prophet, but more than that If Jesus is not the God-man to you, you’ll miss who he really was He was the only begotten Son of God Matthew 1:23 Quoting Isaiah 7:14 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.” Somebody needs to believe in Jesus because of who He is If he had been like you or me, he would not have been spotless, perfect, and acceptable unto God the Father There had to be a body for the sacrifice God searched heaven, earth, and under the earth, and there was none worthy Jesus prayed in the garden: “Father, if it be any other way, let it pass from me. Nevertheless, thy will be done.” No other way to save us but to send His own Son In order to be sacrificed, there had to be a body born of man God made a way for a virgin to bear his son Jesus has always existed; he did not begin in Bethlehem God had to make a way for his son to become flesh in order for him to become a sacrifice Jesus could suffer in your place, die in your place, and offer up his blood unto God as the eternal atonement and sacrifice for sin Either God sent his son to die for you, or Jesus was a fake Either Jesus was a liar, or he is the Lord Jesus was either a liar or he is the king of glory today God’s plan from the beginning was to make his son one of us, except without sin Wise Men and the Birth of Jesus Matthew 23: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.” Wise men came from afar, traveled a great distance, and bowed before the young child Kings from the Orient presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh They saw a star and concluded that a king had been born They weren’t coming to find an earthly king They went to Herod and asked, “Where is he that is born king of the Jews?” God made a way for mankind to be saved through Jesus Christ The only means of salvation still is Jesus Christ John 1:14 Matthew begins with the genealogy and birth of Jesus Christ Luke tells much about the birth of Jesus Christ John introduces him this way: “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” “In the beginning was God, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” The Word refers to Jesus Christ himself Jesus is the word of God, the bread of life, the sustenance Jesus was the manna and the water that kept the children of Israel alive God recognized that Jesus had to be born John concluded that the Word was made flesh No man was involved in the birth of Jesus Christ Mary asked, “How can this be, since I know not a man?” The angel Gabriel explained: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Thank God for the son given that day to become the sacrifice for my soul God-man born in the lowliest of conditions All John knew to say was, “The Word was made flesh.” Relevancy of who Jesus really is He’s the God of it John said the word he said it was made flesh he said and he dwelt among us he was trying to put this down he said we beheld his glory beheld his glory he said yes We beheld His glory as of the only begotten Son of God. Salvation is 100% dependent upon His Son God made no other way of salvation but through His Son Everything that we have concerning Jesus is of necessity John 10:28 Jesus said, “And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” No man or priest can give you eternal life The only way to get saved is through Jesus Jesus Christ is the giver of life “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” He is the God-man, the King of glory incarnate “My Father, which is greater than I, which gave them to me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” “I and my Father are one.” Eternal life that Jesus gives is able to keep you to everlasting Jesus made a clear statement concerning his position in God This declaration fired up the Pharisees to the point they wanted to stone him Jesus is God today He’s the God-man, sent to become our sacrifice 1 John 5:7 The Holy Ghost moving through the Apostle John to clarify the position of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost “For there are three that bear record in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.” The record needs to make the difference for you Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” John concludes that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one If Jesus was just a man, he couldn’t save you God had to send his son because there was no other way to be saved We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ because God sent his son He was born of the virgin, having conceived of the Holy Spirit of God What was born that day was God in the flesh, the second part of Godhead, the God of man You’re believing in God, not just another man The only way to get reconciled with God is to believe in Jesus Christ, His Son Distinctions in the God-Man On his mother’s side, he’s the Son of Man On his father’s side, he’s the Son of God On his mother’s side, his name is Jesus On his father’s side, his name is Emmanuel, God with us On his mother’s side, he was a carpenter On his father’s side, he’s the creator of all heaven and earth On his mother’s side, he was born in a manger On his father’s side, he’s sitting on a throne today On his mother’s side, he was visited by shepherds and worshiped by wise men On his father’s side, he’s worshipped by the entire host of heaven On his mother’s side, he had no place to lay his head On his father’s side, he has a throne that’s sitting beside the holy and sovereign Lord of all On his mother’s side, they pierced him in his side and nailed him to his hands, and he bled out and died for us On his father’s side, he lives forever and still bears the scars of the man Jesus is the only mediator between God and man On his mother’s side, he had no keys to anything of his own On his father’s side, he has the keys of hell and death On his mother’s side, he had a birth date and a death date On his father’s side, he’s Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last “I am he that liveth and was dead and am alive forevermore.” On his mother’s side, he was baptized of John in the waters of the Jordan River On his father’s side, he baptizes all the believers with the Holy Spirit On his mother’s side, he was the healer of men On his father’s side, he’s the healer of our soul On his mother’s side, he calmed the raging sea On his father’s side, he created the sea itself On his mother’s side, he thirsted on the cross On his father’s side, he’s the fountain of living water for all that will believe him On his mother’s side, he was falsely condemned by the high priest On his father’s side, he sits as my high priest and ever makes intercession for me On his mother’s side, he shed his own blood for our sins On his father’s side, he took all that blood back and carried it up unto the Father as the payment for my sin On his mother’s side, he died on the cross On his father’s side, he had power to raise from the dead On his mother’s side, he was judged and condemned by sinful men On his father’s side, he is a judge and will judge rightly in that day Invitation “No man can come to the Father but by me.” God made a way for you to be saved All He’s asking you today is to come, trust Him, believe in yourself, confess your sin, and call upon the one that can forgive you of it Jesus Christ will do the very thing that he died to do for you today We can make this your birthday spiritually if you’ll trust Christ and believe him Consider in your heart today where you’re going to spend eternity If you’re not ready right now, read If you know right now that Jesus is not your Savior and you have never bowed to Christ, then you need to come, obey God, believe Him, trust Him, and call upon Him If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his You cannot claim to be going to heaven today unless you have the Holy Spirit living in you, that Jesus Christ is your Lord, that you have made Him your Savior You’ve received Christ as your own and you know that God is your Father today These three are one You cannot separate them but to distinguish the power of their work in all of our lives

Confession and Prayer Confess faults to one another and pray for one another for healing. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person has great power. Elijah was a man with similar passions, prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three and a half years. He prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 1 Kings 18:41 Elijah told Ahab to eat and drink, for there was a sound of abundance of rain. Ahab went to eat and drink, and Elijah went to the top of Carmel. Elijah cast himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He told his servant to look toward the sea. The servant looked and said there was nothing. Elijah told him to go again seven times. At the seventh time, the servant said there was a small cloud like a man’s hand rising out of the sea. Elijah told the servant to tell Ahab to prepare his chariot and go down, so the rain would not stop him. The heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Faith Under Attack The apostle James believed a man could pray like a lion. Faith is under attack in these last days. The devil is trying to cause people to give up their cross. James believed that if people got right with God and each other, they could pray prayers that would have great effect. Looking for God to do something that will turn things upside down. Conditions for Effective Prayer Being right with God: Getting righteous. Turning loose from sin. Letting go of the things of this world. Being right with one another: Forgiving one another. Praying for one another. When in line with God, prayer can accomplish work. Introspection through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God should move one to pray and seek God. Effectual Fervent Prayer Effectual fervent prayer is for those who have sought God and one another, and are in line with both. They don’t have sin or trespasses, and have gotten clean with God and man. There is a place in prayer that becomes effectual fervent. The word “effectual” is one word in the original Greek, “energeo.” It is used 18 times in the King James Version. 12 of those times, it is translated as “work.” The King James translators identified the word by context. Need to be reminded that effectual fervent prayer is work. Need to pray better. God can strip away the blinders and show what one can’t see. Need to open hearts and become earnest before God, and see prayers make a difference. The choir needs reminded that there is more to God than what we think. We get complacent, pray little prayers, check off lists, and think God is satisfied. Until God has looked into the depths of the soul, and one becomes submissive and surrenders to the will of God and yields to the Holy Ghost, one is not praying yet. Energeo: Energized Prayer The Greek word for effectual is “energeo,” from which we get the English words “energy” or “energize.” Engage in energized prayer, built of hard work. Of the 18 times “energeo” is used in the King James Version, 12 times it is translated as “work” (75%). Prayer is not a side deal or something to play around with. Prayer should change you, make you humble and weak before God, make you want to carry a heavier load, love people more, and help sinners get saved and prodigals come home. The basic premise behind “energeo” is hard, passionate work. The flesh is contrary to prayer and will never enjoy it. Tell the flesh it doesn’t matter and focus on getting right with God. Prayer should be hard, passionate work. If we added up the minutes spent in prayer this week, would we be impressed? How many have really gotten into the place where hard, passionate prayer comes from us? Elijah: An Example of Effectual Fervent Prayer Elijah got to see extraordinary things within hours of each other. Don’t give up praying. Get to the hard work, passionate prayer that God is listening for. Consider it a worthy occupation to be a prayer warrior. Make sure to identify and define correctly what kind of prayer we’re trying to pray. Not just “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer, but more like Peter’s prayer when he was drowning: “Lord, save me.” Be willing to do the hard work prayer, not just any prayer, but a prayer that reaches the portals of God. Hard work prayer is not very enticing to many. On days when you don’t feel like it, put your flesh behind you and try. Hard work prayer gets into the throne room of God. Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane understood hard work praying. His sweat became great drops of blood. He asked if there was any other way, but ultimately submitted to the Father’s will. Years ago, people would pray in barns during the day, giving up their time and flesh. Romans 12:1: Present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God, which is your reasonable service. Need hard work prayer. James gave liberty to pray personally. Elijah’s Humanity and Obedience James said Elijah was a righteous man, but also a man subject to like passions as we are. Elijah went through everything we’re going through and experienced the same temptations. He made a choice to stand for God and do the hard work of praying and staying honest before God. God blessed him for it. God had sustained Elijah for three and a half years. God gave Elijah liberty, and he stepped out of hiding. Elijah lived in Zarephath, Jezebel’s hometown, while she had the whole army hunting for him. Elijah told Obadiah to tell Ahab that he wanted to talk to him. Ahab blamed the drought on Elijah. Elijah told Ahab to gather all the people of Israel, the prophets of Baal, and the prophets of the groves to Mount Carmel. They had a contest to see whose God would answer by fire. God answered Elijah’s simple prayer with fire, consuming the sacrifice, the dust, the stones, and the water in the trenches. God answered by fire with a simple prayer. Elijah was obedient to God. If we’re going to see the power of God through hard work prayer, we’re going to have to be obedient servants. We need to be willing to do what God tells us to do, when he tells us to do it, and how he tells us to do it. Line up when we pray and say, “God, I prayed it. Now here I am. Send me. Use me for this work.” When you pray hard, you’ll find out there’s work for you in it. It’s not all on God; we have to be obedient. The problems they had were Jezebel and the adulterous hearts of the people. They had 850 false prophets corrupting the minds of the people. God dealt with it, and Elijah was obedient. Deliberate Faith and Diligence Elijah was deliberate. After one of the prophets was slain, Elijah told Ahab to get out of there because he heard the sound of abundance of rain. The fire had fallen, and people got right with God. Need some fire first to burn up the chaff and purge the dross from our souls. Need the power of God to come in. Won’t have revival until fire has come in through our soul and hard work praying has made us shine like new before God. The rain is the extra, what produces the fruits, but you won’t have rain until you’ve got fire. In Africa, they burn the old, dead grass to allow new growth to come after the rain. There was nothing growing through that messed up, useless grass that had no fire to it. Need some fire, even though it’s not comfortable. All 850 prophets had to be dealt with. Elijah went to the bottom of Carmel to be obedient to God. When he finished what God had assigned him, he told Ahab to leave. Elijah went back up the mountain because he believed. The same place that Elijah called fire down was where he went back to call for rain. There’s some consistency about where we choose to pray. Deliberately make a place to hard work pray. Hard work prayer becomes a part of our daily life. Elijah was tired after killing 850 people, but he went back up the mountain with faith. He told Ahab he heard rain, even though he didn’t physically hear it. He believed God because the fire had fallen. Elijah was diligent. He fell on his knees, put his face between his knees, and cried out to God. Between verses 42 and 43, there was some serious praying. The first time Elijah looked up, his servant was just standing there. Elijah told him to go look out over the ocean and tell him what he saw. The servant said he didn’t see anything. Been in hard work praying and not seeing anything. God knows when we’re frustrated, down, and the devil’s after us. Get serious about praying and talking with God Almighty. Hard work praying. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. This was the hard work part of the prayer. The first time he prayed, there was nothing. Weary of praying for certain things because you can’t see anything. When you think your prayer didn’t do any good, go back. Try again. Pray harder. Keep working at it. Dig in. Do the hard work praying. Believe God for it. If it’s as a grain of a mustard seed, if we just believe that he can do all things. Go back seven times. Each time, be doing what you’ve got to do, and that’s hard work prayer. Elijah put his face between his knees again and cried out to God. God sent the rain. Hard work praying is about not giving up, not giving in, and not believing the lies of the devil. God can do anything, and hard work prayer gets to his ears. It shocked the little fellow when he went that seven times. It wasn’t his faith that Elijah was dependent on, but that hard work praying and Elijah’s own faith in God. The servant came back and said he saw something about the size of a man’s hand rising up out of the sea. Elijah said that’s all he needed to know. God started to move. Personal Testimony Stripped naked in prayer this morning. Needed a word from God. Justin told a story about a man who had preached and evangelized for all of his life and then got called to be a pastor. He packed everything into his worn-out van and headed to the new pastorate. The transmission went out at the top of a hill, and he coasted to a car dealership at the bottom. Within two hours, men had unpacked his belongings and packed them into a new van that was just like the old one, but eight years newer. God said, “This is my church. I’ll fix it just like a car. Don’t you doubt it.” Asked God to speak to me. Quit worrying about this. It ain’t your church. It’s mine. Them ain’t your children, they’re mine. I’ll fix it. Needed to hear it again. Elijah told the servant to tell Ahab to get off the mountain because it was fixing to rain. The clouds rolled in, the sky turned black, and it rained. Commitment to Prayer We ain’t where we’re supposed to be prayer-wise. There’s another gear to prayer building. You’ve got to be stripped clean of the fire. Hard work praying will set in. It’ll come from your soul like a fountain. Your guts will pour out of you and lay at his feet. You’ll feel it. We can get closer to God with some hard praying. It’s going to take a commitment. You won’t accidentally get to this place. You’re going to have to really want it. When you get low, that’s when your heart gets nearest to it. It feels like ain’t nothing happening. It feels like it ain’t gonna happen. It’s the best time to pray. Allow God to step in and strip aside everything that’s keeping your heart from bursting open with all your care, worry, fear, and requests. Commit to hard work prayer. Effectual, fervent prayer. If Elijah could do it, James said, you can too. If Elijah seen the results of the fire and the rain, God is not a respecter of persons. He’ll bless you just like he blessed Elijah. Both fire and rain. Before we do anything else tonight, I want us to pray. If you ain’t got nobody else to pray for, please pray for me. Time’s running out on us. Our people ain’t saved. I want to get it right. I can’t do it. I ain’t got the power. I’m of little strength and little ability. I need God to help me. We need help tonight. We need revival. We need to see the fruit of rain. That all has to come from God.

Introduction The message focuses on the throne of God, its significance, and its relevance to individuals. The goal is to understand who God is and recognize the need to come to Him. There are three aspects of the throne: the throne of God, the throne of glory, and the throne of grace. The Throne of God John the Revelator’s vision: Exiled on the island of Patmos. In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. Saw a throne set in heaven with one sitting on it. The throne as a focal point: The focal point of everything in the glory world. The earth is God’s footstool. Description of the one on the throne: Impossible to fully describe or draw. Described using gemstones to depict its exquisite beauty. God’s sovereignty: God is in control of everything, all the time. He is sovereign, omniscient, omnipresent, and almighty. He rules from the throne as the king of all creation. Rainbow around the throne: Reminds of the covenant with Noah, promising never to flood the earth again. A reminder of God’s promises. Four and twenty elders: Represent the redeemed people of God from every kindred, tongue, and nation. They are around the throne. Out of the throne: Proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. A clear crystal river flows from the throne, representing the peace and grace of God. God’s eternal reign: God will never leave or be dethroned from His eternal throne. The throne is the center of heaven, with all focus on God. The Throne of Glory Shared with believers: Experiencing God’s glory when lifting up Jesus Christ. Experiencing God’s glory and power. The throne of God and the Lamb: A pure river of water of life proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb. God and the Lamb rule together. The Throne of Grace Hebrews 4:16: Come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. Access to the throne: The veil has been rent, and the door has been opened. Glimpses of the throne room are available now in the spirit. Experiencing the power, mercy, and grace of His throne through prayer. God’s help: God wants to help those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Judgment and the Throne The fate of the lost: Those who reject Jesus Christ will bow before the great white throne of God in judgment. The dead will stand before God, and the books will be opened. Those whose names are not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. The throne’s representation: Represents God’s authority and power. Everyone will see the throne at some point. The call to salvation: Accept Jesus to escape the great white throne judgment. Jesus is the door to the throne of God. Bowing in worship: Bowing now in repentance and acceptance leads to being ushered into the place where His throne is forever. Worshiping God with a number that no man can number.

The World’s Hopelessness and the Need for Comfort Many people, especially young individuals, feel hopeless and see no reason to live, leading to tragic events like suicide. Example: A recent suicide of a freshman in the community. The enemy (evil forces) plays on these feelings, suggesting that ending life is the only solution. The world is full of darkness, and people are oppressed by evil forces. Divine help is necessary to combat these forces, as individuals cannot fight them alone. Many seek comfort in worldly things like relationships, alcohol, or drugs, which only provide temporary relief. God as the God of All Comfort God is the God of all comfort, offering peace and hope that surpasses worldly solutions. Experiencing God’s comfort involves a transformation, where darkness is replaced by the light of Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of suffering and pain, believers have access to God’s comfort. Pastor Tommy emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the source of comfort. The Apostle Paul attributed all comfort to God, even amidst his own tribulations. Paul’s hardships: stonings, beatings, hunger, and cold. Pastor Tommy shares a personal testimony of finding comfort in God at a young age. At nine years old, feeling lost and scared, Pastor Tommy turned to God and found salvation and comfort. The Nature of Comfort Comfort is both a noun (something received) and a verb (something actively done). God’s comfort empowers, encourages, strengthens, aids, and helps. It is not just a passive experience but an active working of God in one’s life. True comfort comes from God, not from the things of this world. God’s Comfort in Tribulation God comforts in all tribulations, and there is nothing that He cannot help with. He offers peace and hope, even in the face of loss and sorrow. The Apostle Paul’s life demonstrates that tribulations can lead to patience, experience, and hope. The comfort of God can step into dark and bleak situations, offering deliverance. Worldly solutions only numb the senses, while God offers real and lasting comfort. Means of Receiving God’s Comfort Jesus Christ: Jesus is the conduit of God’s comfort. The story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment illustrates how faith in Jesus can bring healing and comfort. The woman had spent all her money on doctors and was desperate for healing. She believed that if she could just touch Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. Jesus acknowledged her faith and declared her whole. The story of the blind man who cried out to Jesus for mercy demonstrates the importance of persistence in seeking God’s help. The blind man kept calling on Jesus despite others telling him to be quiet. Jesus heard his cry and healed him, telling him that his faith had made him whole. The Holy Spirit: Jesus promised not to leave His disciples comfortless but to send the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth and brings to remembrance the teachings of Jesus. The Holy Spirit indwells believers and provides constant comfort. Even when feeling down or discouraged, believers should remember that the Holy Spirit is within them, offering comfort. Acts 9:31 mentions that the Holy Spirit comforted the churches. The Scriptures: The Bible is a source of comfort, offering hope and encouragement through its teachings. Isaiah 41:10 is cited as an example of a comforting scripture. “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Pastor Tommy shares a personal experience of receiving comfort from Isaiah 41:10 during a difficult time. While feeling discouraged in a hotel room, Pastor Tommy prayed for help. Pastor Tommy received a text message with Isaiah 41:10, which brought immediate comfort and reassurance. The People of God: Believers can comfort one another through their presence, words, and actions. The example of people gathering to comfort Mary and Martha after the death of Lazarus is given. Simply being in the house of God and among fellow believers can provide comfort. Conclusion The message concludes with an invitation to seek comfort in Jesus Christ. True comfort is found in Christ, not in the things of this world. Rejecting Christ means missing out on the comfort and hope that He offers. Pastor Tommy encourages listeners to call on the Lord and experience His saving and comforting power.

Opening Remarks The purpose of gathering is to worship God, not to focus on Elder Roger or songs. Expresses being 70 years old, soon to be 71, and aware of having more past than future. There is no fear of death because of knowing what awaits after life. The message has been on Elder Roger's heart, waiting for divine guidance on when to share it. Decided to speak after being asked by Brother Tommy and seeking God's direction. Relying on the Lord and aiming to convey what God has laid on their heart. Scripture Reading and Prayer Reading from Isaiah 41. Specific verses mentioned: Isaiah 41:10, 41:13, 2 Timothy 1:7 Prayer for divine help in delivering the message. Asking God to step aside and allow God's will to be done. Overcoming Fear Through Faith Reiterates not fearing what is coming because of faith in God. God loves people enough to help them through difficulties. Criticizes Christians who worry excessively. Example: People walking around with their heads down and wringing their hands. If you have God in your heart, don't worry about what's going to happen. Reference to the story of the three men in the fiery furnace. God brought them out unharmed. Reference to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. God opened the sea to save them from the pursuing army. God will not let you perish and loves you enough to save your soul. God's Unfailing Support Emphasizes the phrase "Fear not" from Isaiah 41:13. Personal testimony of experiencing God's support through difficult times. God was holding my hand. God lifts people up when they are down and out. God can take you up out of the marty clay. Just call upon his holy name. God will not let his children down. Personal belief in God's love and sacrifice. God sent his only begotten son to die for his old boy. Serving God and Rejecting Fear Many people don't want to call on God anymore. God wants people to serve him and have access to all available blessings. God has a storehouse of blessings. Reference to 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Acknowledges not having a great natural mind but knowing that God loves them. That's the most important thing in my life at this time, that God loves me and he watches over me. Sound Mind Through God God gives a sound mind to know right from wrong. A sound mind helps recognize when one is acting against God's will. When God changes your heart, he gives you a sound mind to know what you're doing good or doing wrong. That's our mission.

Appreciation and Introduction Gratitude for songs, testimonies, and prayer requests. Expresses contentment and appreciation for being in God's house. Acknowledges the presence and importance of the Holy Spirit. Reference to Acts 2:1-4 about the day of Pentecost. All were in one accord in one place. Sound from heaven like a rushing, mighty wind. Cloven tongues like fire appeared. All were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in other tongues. Worship and the Holy Spirit People worship differently, and that's okay. Anticipation of uninhibited worship in heaven. Appreciation for times when the "wind blows" in church (the Holy Spirit is present). There are times for stillness for the seed to fall. Desire for the Holy Ghost in the church. If the Holy Ghost wasn't present, would seek it elsewhere. If one doesn't feel the Spirit, there may be something wrong in their heart. Not the fault of others or external factors. God is not a respecter of persons; He blesses all equally. If you want the Holy Ghost, He will give you all you want of Him. If one doesn't like the Holy Spirit, this church may not be a good fit. The Holy Ghost needs to lead in everything done in the church. The Pastor's Perspective The more people filled with the Holy Ghost, the better for the pastor. Contrast between preaching to an unresponsive crowd and a Spirit-filled congregation. Signs of a Spirit-filled congregation: raised hands, tears, smiles, recognition of God's presence. God is the answer, and the question is when. God administers through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost dwells within, not just visits. The Holy Ghost stays until the job is done, taking believers to the end. Belief that one couldn't make it without the Holy Spirit's help. Old Testament Examples of the Holy Spirit (Wind) The Word of God is discerned by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps people get what they need from the Word. Exodus 14:21 - Deliverance at the Red Sea Moses stretched out his hand, and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind. The wind blew all night, dividing the waters. The Holy Ghost has been a deliverer. The Holy Ghost is a wind that will deliver the people of God all the time. The Holy Ghost is always working, whether one is conscious of it or not. The Holy Ghost frustrates the devil. Reference to Job, whose hedge was removed, but his life was protected. The Holy Spirit's deliverance is still moving today. Numbers 11:31 - Sustenance in the Wilderness The children of Israel murmured and were hungry. God sent a wind that brought quails from the sea. The quails fell around the camp, two cubits high (three feet deep). The Holy Ghost brings what is needed to make it another day. The wind of sustenance feeds the soul. The Holy Ghost moves to make sinners uncomfortable and saints rejoice. God used the Spirit to gather billions of quail. The wind brought sustenance when it was needed most. Reference to Ezekiel, where the Lord asked if dry bones could live. The bones came together, but they were still dead until the wind blew into them. 2 Samuel 5 - Assurance David sought God before going into battle. David asked if he should go up against the enemy and if God would deliver them. God loves zeal but also gives assurance. God told David to wait for a sign: the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees. The wind will start blowing, and you'll know it's time to go. The wind gives assurance. The unction is needed to preach. Without the unction, it's just teaching. The Holy Ghost won't bear witness to anything untrue or false. The Holy Ghost will bear witness if your heart is for God. Jonah 1:4 - Repentance Jonah ran from God because he didn't want to preach to the people of Nineveh. You can't run from God; the Holy Ghost is everywhere. The Lord sent a great wind into the sea, causing a mighty tempest. The wind of God can break, stop, or wake one up. The wind of God blows to bring repentance. God can use the Holy Ghost to bring you to a place of repentance. New Testament Promise and Provision of the Holy Spirit (Wind) John 16:7 - Promise of the Comforter It is expedient that Jesus go away so the Comforter (Holy Ghost) can come. The Comforter is the Holy Ghost. Jesus had bound Himself to an earthly body and couldn't be everywhere. The Holy Ghost isn't bound to anything. Jesus promised to send the wind of God (the Holy Spirit). Acts 1:4-5 - Promise of Baptism with the Holy Ghost Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. John baptized with water, but they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will lead and guide in all truth and righteousness. Acts 2:1 - Provision of the Holy Spirit On the day of Pentecost, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind. It filled all the house where they were sitting. The Spirit of God still does that today. When people are walking with God, the wind will blow in their lives. All that Jesus was trying to tell them became clear when the wind started blowing. John 3:7 - Born of the Spirit Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth. So is everyone that is born of the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; Jesus was talking about being born again in the spirit. The Holy Ghost had to blow over and be partaking in your salvation. God is saving your spirit, not your flesh. The Holy Spirit has blown in the lives of His children from the time He left them until now. The wind is still moving as long as the people of God are on planet Earth. Discernment of Spirits There are strange winds blowing today that are not of God. These winds are false and imitate the Spirit of God. They are a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. Try the spirits to see of what sort they are. Not every spirit that blows in your life is of God. People are getting caught up in smoke, mirrors, darkness, and strobe lights. These things appeal to the flesh and stimulate the emotions but are not of God. If it ain't of God, you ain't getting born again. Be sure every spirit you face is Him. Gratitude for the rushing mighty wind that blew into the hearts of those men and forever changed them. The wind leads or stops them, making them go to the left or right because He knows. Invitation and Closing Invitation for those who need the Lord to come forward. If you haven't felt the wind of God in a while, get right with Him. Repent of your sin, turn from it, yield yourself to God, and trust Him. He will forgive you of your sin and purge you of all unrighteousness. He will forgive you if you confess it. The wind of the Holy Spirit will start blowing in your life again.

The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus The rich man lived luxuriously. Lazarus, a beggar, was full of sores and longed for scraps from the rich man's table. Lazarus died and was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom (paradise). The rich man died and was buried, and in hell, he was in torment. The rich man saw Abraham and Lazarus and asked for mercy, requesting Lazarus to bring him water. Abraham reminded him that he had received good things in his lifetime, while Lazarus had suffered. A great gulf was fixed between them, making it impossible to cross over. The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his father's house to warn his five brothers. Abraham said they have Moses and the prophets and should listen to them. The rich man argued that if someone rose from the dead, they would repent. Abraham concluded that if they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. The Significance of the Story The story provides an eyewitness account of what happens to an unbeliever after death (before Christ's death and resurrection). Lazarus went to Abraham's paradise, which Jesus later emptied when he opened the way to heaven. The focus is on the rich man's fate and the reality of hell. If someone could return from hell, they would be the best evangelist. The Importance of Preaching About Hell The word of God should inspire zeal to tell others they do not have to go to hell. It's important to be soul winners and convey the message of heaven and hell. Dying without Christ means rejecting Christ and going to hell. Jesus came to provide a way to avoid hell. It is not pleasurable to declare that lost people go to hell, but it is the truth. Hell was created for the devil and his angels, but those not born again will go there. The world and many churches have stopped preaching about hell. Jesus preached more about hell than heaven because he wanted to keep people out of it. The Need for Saved Individuals to Understand Hell Some saved people do not act saved because they have not considered what they were saved from. A vision of hell should inspire gratitude for salvation. Excitement about not going to hell should be maintained. Hell is Real Hell is not a figment of imagination but the words of Jesus Christ. Jesus cannot lie, and he said the rich man went to hell. There cannot be a heaven without a hell. Many people do not believe in the concept of an afterlife. People often think they are good enough to go to heaven based on self-righteousness. The Bible concludes that all are under sin, but can be made dead to sin through Jesus' resurrection. The Confusion of the Rich Man The rich man thought someone returning from the dead would cause belief and repentance. There is plenty of good preaching available, but people do not want to escape hell's flames. People need to believe Jesus Christ, who cannot lie. It is wrong to tell someone to go to hell. The Holy Ghost convinces people of the reality of hell, not just preachers. Example: At nine years old, the Holy Ghost convinced Pastor Tommy that hell was real, leading to fear and repentance. People are leaving the world daily and going to a place they do not believe exists. It is not God's will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The Reality of Hell One can sit smugly in self-righteousness, but there is a hell. If one is undone without God and not born again, hell will be their eternal home. God calls people to tell the truth about hell so others might hear, believe, and avoid it. Living hell on earth is not comparable to the reality of hell. Hell is Immediate There is no purgatory or holding place after death. The idea of a waiting place is a lie from the devil. When you die, there is no encouragement in scripture to want to die without Christ. Hell is real and immediate; there is no waiting period. A story about a man who believed one does not know where they are going until they are dead is shared as an example of heresy. Confidence in what God did on the day of salvation is essential. When the rich man died and was buried, he immediately lifted up his eyes in hell. God has a blind marked for each person, and when they reach it, they will die. Everyone who has died without Christ for the past six thousand years has gone to a place of torment. The Holy Ghost must get to people, or they will go to hell. Hell is Torment In hell, the rich man lifted up his eyes, being in torments. The torments of hell are beyond comprehension. God sends people to hell if their name is not in the Book of Life. God has done everything possible to keep people out of hell, including sacrificing his son. If one goes to hell, it is not God's fault. The rich man spoke of the fire in hell. There are no gaps in the flames of hell, meaning no relief. One should not play around with eternity's truths as if they are in charge. God will not change his mind if someone dies without Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus Christ will be honored, and no one having rejected Christ will escape hell. Graphic Descriptions of Hell If a hand offends, cut it off to avoid going to hell with both hands. It is better to enter heaven maimed than to go to hell with both feet. Hell is a place where the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. The fire of hell will never go out; there is an endless supply to keep it going. The worm that does not die refers to the conscious remembrance of a man. There will be constant regret for having rejected Christ as Savior. There will be no relief from the torment. Hell is Unchangeable There is a great gulf fixed, making it impossible to escape. The only change is being pulled out of hell for a moment to be judged before going to the lake of fire. The only chance to escape hell is today, right now. It is foolish to assume there will be another chance. A Message Out of Hell The rich man wanted his brothers to be warned about hell. The message is to tell them it is real, immediate, torturous, and unchangeable. Preachers are called to preach about hell to save people from it. The rich man's brothers have the chance to get to heaven through Moses and the prophets (the Bible). The world will not know about the Word of God unless someone tells them. Some may learn new things about hell, but it is from the pages of the Bible. The question is not whether one will die, but whether they will go to heaven. Believing in Jesus Christ as Savior is the only way to be certain of going to heaven. Invitation If the Holy Ghost has visited one's soul, they know they are lost and heading to hell. One should pray, "Lord, save me. I believe in you. Repent of my sins. Save me. I'm lost. Save me." When fear sets in and the reality of hell is understood, one must trust Christ. Bow your heart to him and ask him to save you. Do not worry about what others think; people in hell wish they had not cared and had bowed in need of Christ. One needs to be saved today if they are lost. No one can come to the Father unless they are drawn. Bow in need of Christ and be saved.

Trusting God's Plan Trust in God's plan, even if it seems different or unconventional. The world already perceives Christians as different. 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Focus on 2 Timothy 4:1-8. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." A time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but will seek teachers who cater to their desires. Turn away from the truth and embrace fables. Be watchful, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. Elder Dustin is ready to be offered, the time of departure is at hand. Elder Dustin has fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. A crown of righteousness awaits, not only for Elder Dustin but for all who love His appearing. Personal Reflections and Struggles Elder Dustin keeps a notebook by the bed to record thoughts from the Lord. Once lost a message by not writing it down immediately. Elder Dustin wants strength to fight harder and do more for God. It's easy to quit, walk away, and follow the world's path. Pastors and preachers are charged to preach the word, but lay members also have a responsibility to preach the word and be instant in and out of season. Elder Dustin needs help and feels surrounded by the enemy. The enemy tempts Elder Dustin to quit and return to a life before Christ. Contemplated returning to the world because it seems easier. If truly saved, something inside won't let you quit for life. The more the flesh is crucified, the easier it is to do what Christ wants. The more disobedient, the easier it becomes to do what one wants. Elder Dustin recalled announcing the call to preach and being on fire for God. The enemy questioned the call, suggesting to be a teacher instead. Elder Dustin listened to the enemy and sat down for over a year. Attended church but wasn't doing what God asked. Attending services is meaningless without obedience. Brother Danny Greger told Elder Dustin that coming to the altar every Sunday wouldn't help until Elder Dustin accepted God's calling. Elder Dustin knew all along that God was asking to stand and preach. Elder Dustin initially didn't struggle with the call to preach but later listened to the enemy. The enemy suggested stopping after getting what was wanted. God doesn't make mistakes when calling someone to preach. It was easy to walk away and listen to the enemy, questioning the call due to a questionable past. Elder Dustin was miserable while sitting down, despite attending church. The enemy tempted Elder Dustin to quit, suggesting calling Brian and Tommy to cancel commitments. Elder Dustin understands the enemy's tactics and started praying for strength. Elder Dustin doesn't want out of the battle but wants strength to stand and do more for Christ. Elder Dustin wants to be concerned about people hearing about Jesus Christ, not personal struggles. Many have "tucked tail" and gone home, needing others not to give up. Brother Greg's testimony of walking away from the Lord and feeling conviction upon seeing godly people was mentioned. People need to see the preacher and feel conviction from the Holy Ghost. Elder Dustin isn't advocating beating people over the head to drag them to church. Things will start happening, and God will get attention. If truly saved, people will return. The enemy will try to make even those who are faithful quit. An older saint said the "hot steamy breath of the enemy" will be on the doorknob when entering heaven. The enemy won't give up, even if you sing, attend church, or preach. The enemy will keep coming harder. Without strength, reading the Word, prayer, and fellowship, one will walk away. James 4:17: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Introduction Appreciation for Brother David for managing the video. Gratitude for the Wednesday night message and how it spoke to Pastor Tommy on Thursday evening. Prayer request for the message to touch hearts. Acknowledging that some may assume everyone is ready, but God knows each person's soul. Personal testimony of getting saved unexpectedly. Encouragement to obey God and trust Him as Lord and Savior. Reminder of the inevitability of death and the importance of being ready to meet God. Reference to Brother Bobby's scripture reading. Mark 5:1-6 Reading of Mark 5:1-6, the story of Legion. "They came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes." "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit." "Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains." "Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him." "And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones." "But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him." Prayer for the word to bring conviction and faith to unbelievers. Appreciation for the personal aspect of the brother's Wednesday sermon. The Holy Spirit touched Pastor Tommy's heart concerning the tombs. Are You Dwelling in the Tombs? Question posed: "Are you dwelling in the tombs?" Even saved individuals can have a propensity to return to the tombs (dead stuff, dark places). There is no peace, comfort, or fellowship in the tombs. The world is lost in dark places. A tomb is a place without light. Born-again individuals have received the light of Jesus Christ and should not dwell among the tombs. Tombs are full of people bound with fetters and chains, unable to free themselves. True freedom comes through being born again. Three Things About the Tombs No Light Tombs are dark, signaling that they are not a place for God's people. Jesus crossed the sea specifically for Legion. Personal testimony of Jesus showing up for Pastor Tommy and saving him. No Life The world is full of dead places. Before salvation, individuals are dead in their sins and trespasses. The tombs will give up their dead (those who are dead to Christ). Salvation is necessary to escape the tomb. No Warmth Analogy of an old cave near Big Cully: turning off the flashlight reveals a coldness that sinks into the skin. Spiritual places can be cold to God, lacking light and life. The tombs of this world are real, and one can get stuck in them. Coming Out of the Tombs Legion saw Jesus coming. The Holy Ghost can do what humans cannot. One must see Jesus coming and admit to being in the tomb, unable to break free from bondage. God can save individuals today, just as He saved Legion and Pastor Tommy. When the Holy Ghost comes, it is unmistakable. To be saved, one must turn from sin, darkness, deadness, and coldness. Legion came out of the tomb. Giving up worldly things is worth it when compared to what God gives. One can drink from God's fountain, which is superior to anything in the tombs. Legion's Transformation Legion went to meet God. The devils possessing him were named Legion, inhabiting 2,000 swine. The devils feared Christ and knew who He was. Legion fell before Jesus. Legion's dwelling place was among the tombs, a choice to live in darkness. People of God have light and life, which can make those in darkness uncomfortable. People live in darkness because their deeds are evil, and light exposes their evilness. Lost people often avoid church because the light exposes their evil. Believers are the light of Christ wherever they go. Life in the Tombs

Humble Heart & Gratitude Expressing honor and gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lord. Acknowledging a "big old humble heart" and constant thoughts of people and Jesus. Expressing gratitude for being saved, recognizing it as an undeserved act of grace. Saved at 38, felt lost before salvation. Mark Chapter 5 & Personal Connection Reading from Mark chapter 5, focusing on Legion. Brother Tommy asked to speak Tuesday morning. Prayed about the message, feeling a connection to Legion. Recognizing a past behavior mirroring Legion's self-harm. Cutting self with razor blades as a teenager (17-18 years old). Devil trying to "kill, steal, and destroy." Encounters with Evil Recounting three experiences of feeling strangled while asleep. First at 18 at dad's place, felt someone on chest, could not breathe. Saying "Jesus" three times stopped it. Second time at home before being called to preach. Again, saying "Jesus" three times stopped it. Third time, saw a black demon sitting on chest, choking. Demon described as black with scaly skin and large black wings. Not scared this time, realized the demon was trying to prevent future ministry. Devil's Tactics & Vulnerable Targets The devil targets the vulnerable, like babies or weak church members. The devil seeks easy prey, those easily swayed or killed spiritually. The devil uses the weakest link in the church to cause division. Awareness is crucial to resist the devil's influence. Personal vulnerability to returning to self-harm ("cutting arms") if yielding to the devil. Close Calls & Divine Intervention Recounting incidents where divine intervention prevented potential disasters. Drag racing incident where a truck stopped unexpectedly. Driving through a field in a 73 Dodge Charger at night and narrowly avoiding a tree. Realizing the danger but still not listening to God. Fighting the Devil with Scripture Cannot fight the devil spiritually. Emphasizing the need to use scripture against the devil, as Jesus did. Devils bow down to Jesus. Legion's Story & Personal Reflection Relating to Legion's torment and self-harm. Remembering cutting self and apologizing to the Lord. Acknowledging God's repeated rescue from dangerous situations. Driving a mixer truck on a mountain, fearing it wouldn't make it. Praying for help and reaching safe ground. The Power of Jesus & Transformation Legion recognized Jesus and worshipped him. The devil knows who Jesus is. Jesus cast out the demons from Legion into swine. Two thousand swine ran into the sea. Legion, now in his right mind, wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus instructed him to share his story with his community. Living a Transformed Life Expressing a commitment to staying "in the boat" with Jesus. Refusing to tolerate sinful behavior in personal space ("my house"). Avoiding involvement with friends engaged in harmful activities (drinking, drugging). Recognizing the heavy price paid for salvation. Repenting from sins and not letting them accumulate. Prioritizing God's will over worldly desires. The Preciousness of Ministry Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to preach God's word. Desiring to continue preaching about salvation and the promise of eternal life. Acknowledging God's goodness and the transformative power of salvation. Quitting bad habits and starting a life for Jesus. Family & Faith Family members talking behind back about going to church all the time. Celebrating family members getting saved, including son and granddaughter. Prayers are heard by God. The Danger of Turning Away The worst thing is knowing the righteousness of God and walking away from it. Sharing the story of mother's 42-year backslide due to disobedience. Describing a difficult childhood marked by tension and fear.

The Essence of Friendship with Jesus Pastor Tommy reflects on the concept of friendship, noting the difference between acquaintances and true friends. Many people have acquaintances but few genuine friends. He recalls Arthur McMillan's statement: "I consider you my friend, but my best friend is Jesus." Pastor Tommy emphasizes that friendship with Jesus is a constant challenge, pushing one to become more like Him. Friendship with Jesus challenges individuals to become less like themselves and more like Him. Qualities of Jesus as a Friend Jesus Talks to Me Unlike casual friends, Jesus communicates regularly, even when Pastor Tommy isn't actively seeking Him. His voice dispels darkness and changes perspective. Pastor Tommy references Exodus 33, where God spoke to Moses as a man speaks to his friend. God's voice brings life and reveals the need for salvation, unlike the condemnation from the enemy. There is no confusion in the voice of God. God has shared eternal truth. The Holy Spirit speaks the Word of God into the soul, rescuing with that Word. Jesus Loves Me A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). God's love is unconditional, even when one is unlovable. 1 John 4:10: God loved us and sent His Son as propitiation for our sins. Jesus proved His love by laying down His life for His friends (John 15:13). If Jesus didn't love you for even a second, you would know it. Jesus Protects Me Jesus protects from worldly fears and the enemy's snares (Luke 12:4). He is always present, like a brother who sticks close. He puts a hedge and wall of love around. Jesus Corrects Me Faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6). Correction and chastening are signs of God's love (Hebrews 12:6). A true friend will point out when you are going down the wrong path. The Holy Ghost arrested Pastor Tommy's soul and revealed the reality of hell. Jesus offers a better way and salvation. Jesus Died for Me Jesus left heaven and became flesh to pay the penalty for sin. A search was made in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and only Jesus was found worthy to go. The angel announced the birth of a Savior in Bethlehem. Jesus was born to die and become the greatest friend. Story of a New Friend at the Airport Pastor Tommy shares an anecdote about meeting a man at the airport who wanted to be his friend. The man was outgoing, calling multiple people to share that he made a new friend. He asked Pastor Tommy to play Uno and wanted to text him regularly. Pastor Tommy reflects that God was sharing something with him about a person that didn't have another motive, he just wanted to be my friend. How to Know Jesus as a Friend Believe in Him Faith and trust are essential. Abraham was called the friend of God because he believed God (James 2:23). John 3:16: Believe in Jesus to have everlasting life. Obey Him Jesus said, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). Trust and obey.

Call to Faith and Repentance Personal Testimony Inability to preach without God's presence. Acknowledges reliance on God since being called to preach. Admits personal failings but emphasizes God's faithfulness. Invitation to approach the altar for prayer and repentance. Encouragement to seek humility and communicate with God. Reassurance of God's willingness to listen to His children. Accessibility of prayer beyond the church setting. Personal experience of conversing with God while driving. Urgency to address spiritual needs immediately rather than delaying. Scriptural Reflection (Job 14) Acknowledgement of life's brevity and challenges. Reference to the fleeting nature of life, comparing it to a flower. Prayer for divine guidance and blessing. Request for the Holy Spirit's presence and direction in words and actions. The Universality of Trouble Life before salvation as a troubled time. Personal experience of being "doomed for a devil's hell" before salvation. Troubles persist even after salvation. Troubles are incomparable to the trouble of not knowing Jesus Christ. Salvation through Jesus Christ as the ultimate solution to life's troubles. The Cleansing Power of Jesus Christ The Unique Ability of Jesus to Cleanse Only Jesus can make a man's vessel fair. Salvation comes from Jesus Christ, not from any man. Rejection of the idea that signing a card can guarantee salvation. Emphasis on the necessity of the Holy Spirit's conviction and repentance. Importance of touching Jesus' blood for salvation. Personal Testimony of Salvation Personal experience of being saved at the altar. The preacher could not cleanse the heart, only Jesus could. God's love demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus experienced human suffering to save humanity. God knows what individuals are going through and wants to help. Caution and Discernment in Seeking Spiritual Guidance The Importance of Sound Doctrine Doctors and scientists can cure diseases, but only Jesus can save from hell. Caution against false teachers and preachers. Some preachers distort the gospel and remove the blood of Jesus from their teachings. Need to ensure preachers are teaching the true gospel. The need to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel should be preached in truth and spirit. The Corrupting Influence of Sin and the Cleansing Power of Christ The Inevitability of Sin As people live longer, they become more corrupt. The heart becomes filled with sin. Only Jesus can cleanse a dirty heart. Jesus' willingness to be crucified demonstrates His love. His sacrifice allows people to be eternally with Him in heaven. The Importance of Repentance and Forgiveness Elder Roger still sins, but has a place to return to for forgiveness. The Holy Spirit convicts the heart when one sins. One can ask for forgiveness and receive it immediately. God is still in control, no matter how bad things get. Those saved by Jesus Christ have a better place waiting for them. The Promise of Heaven and the Importance of Salvation The Hope of Heaven Looking forward to going home to heaven. Anticipation of seeing castles, streets of gold, and a mansion. God built a mansion in heaven for Elder Roger. Jesus laid down His life and bled for humanity. He was beaten so that people could have a mansion in heaven. The Call to Salvation God knows each person's heart and what troubles them. There is no shame in talking to God. It is more shameful not to talk to God. One should not carry burdens alone. One can come to God's house and praise Him. Give Him honor for what He has done. If one needs His honors,

Magnifying the Holy Ghost Getting enough of God's people together magnifies the Holy Ghost. This magnification goes straight to God. God will be looking at it for you. Backsliders and the Hard Life The message is about backsliders and how bad it can get. It's not an easy life if you backslide on God and then come back to Him. 2 Peter 2:20-22 is referenced. "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." It's better not to have known God than to know Him and turn away. Pollution of the World The pollution of the world is a key concept. Specific examples of pollution from the Bible: Taking a wife to her sister to vex her. Uncovering nakedness during uncleanness. Lying carnally with a neighbor's wife. Passing seed through the fire to Malak. Profaning God's name. Lying with mankind as with womankind (homosexuality). Lying with any beast. Women standing before a beast to lie down. These things defile the nations that God cast out. Backsliding: Stomping on the Cross Backsliding is like stomping on the cross and Christ's sacrifice. It means you don't care about the blood-stained banner. It ultimately comes down to temptation. Results of Backsliding Self-Absorption The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways. They think whatever they do is right and everyone else is wrong. They look at people like they can "burn a hole through them." They are miserable because they willingly went back into bondage. Religious Indifference Iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. They become cold towards God. They start to disbelieve in God. Playing in the devil's playground leads to being taken home by the devil. Personal Example of Backsliding Mother backslid for 42 years. She blamed someone else for her backsliding. She was told to take the accuser's hand and go to the altar, but she didn't. This goes on in a lot of churches. Confession and Repentance Backsliders need to confess their sins and ask for repentance. They may be hiding things like drinking or engaging in the "pollution of the world." God knows everything, even if family doesn't. God is waiting for them to come back, confess, and repent. Self-Absorption and Its Consequences Backsliders think what they're doing is okay, but it's not. God will bring them back one way or another. His son is not going to be mocked. Jesus made a way of escape for a better life. The Devil's Playground The devil's playground is a place of killing, stealing, and destroying. He gets creatures in his playground by tempting them. The devil never bothered Brother Bobby until after he got saved. The devil uses family members and tells lies to cause division. God doesn't teach division or lies. The devil tries to take what you have away from God by tempting you with something shiny. Divine Displeasure Hebrews 10:38 is referenced. "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." God will draw back from you if you draw back from Him. It's terrible to go to bed not knowing if you'll wake up. God may take someone you love away from you. Example: David pleading with God for his child's life. Backsliders are not yielding to temptation. The devil uses friends, coworkers, or new acquaintances to draw you away from God.

David's Sin as an Example David, a man after God's own heart, fell into sin due to a moment of weakness. He saw Bathsheba and allowed lust to take over. The enemy uses attractive images to entice people. David saw a "beautiful image" that the enemy had painted. Repentance should be immediate, but David didn't repent. Dustin acknowledges that everyone is susceptible to temptation. If it could happen to David, it can happen to anyone. Death in the Pot - Dr. Carl Lackey Dustin references a message by Dr. Carl Lackey titled "Death in the Pot." Lackey identified things that were creeping into the church and killing it. Some of these things are now accepted in the church. Lackey brought a pot to the congregation and pulled out items representing these issues. Examples from Lackey's Message Playing Cards: Initially seen as harmless fun (solitaire). Lackey explained the negative consequences and related issues. Led to legal gambling becoming widespread (online, college campuses). If people had stood against it earlier, it might not have become so prevalent. Dirty Magazines: Now easily accessible (JCPenney ads with lingerie). These images are not meant for men's eyes unless married to the woman. Society has become too casual about dress and modesty. Lust ruins marriages and friendships. Robbing God: Not just in tithes and offerings, but also in time. People prioritize other activities over church and God. Should make time for God first, even if it means missing other events. Television: Keeps people from serving God. Even "good Christian shows" are not a substitute for the Word of God and personal time with God. People make time for everything else but should prioritize time with God. The Enemy's Deception The enemy deceives people into thinking certain things are harmless. The Bible says to seek the old ways and walk therein. The enemy doesn't reveal the consequences of sin. He doesn't tell you that you're going to die or be separated from God. He says, "Surely you won't die." Adam and Eve example: The fruit was "pleasant to the eyes." The enemy didn't tell them the consequences of eating the fruit. Alcoholism example: People start drinking for fun, but it can lead to addiction and destruction. Advertisements (Budweiser horses) don't show the negative consequences. God's Provision and Protection The only way to overcome these things is through Jesus. God knows our thoughts and desires, even the ones we try to hide. God will not fulfill selfish desires. Sometimes, what we see as a curse is actually a blessing from God to keep us in line. Example: Danny Greger's MS prevents him from being on the river on Sundays. The enemy is always trying to deceive us, even after we are saved. "The devil will be hot on my trail... when I step through" the gates of heaven. Covetousness and Materialism Beware of covetousness because life is not about material possessions. The parable of the rich man who built bigger barns: God called him a fool because he was focused on earthly possessions instead of his soul. The things we strive for will eventually perish. The enemy paints a picture that we need material things to be successful and fit in. We often sacrifice time with family, friends, and church to get these things. The love of money is the root of all evil. Don't worry about tomorrow; focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ today. It doesn't matter how rich you are; what matters is whether you are saved. Hell is Real The story of the rich man and Lazarus: The rich man lived a life of luxury but ended up in hell. Lazarus was a beggar but went to heaven. Hell is not a party; it is a place of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. There is no escape from hell,

Psalms Chapter 8 - Reflection on God's Greatness and Man's Position Personal reflection on the overwhelming nature of God's faithfulness and the desire to express gratitude. Feeling inadequate to fully praise God. Acknowledging God's personal visits and interactions. God's Name Above All Names Emphasis on the unparalleled greatness of Jesus' name. A name above every name, at which every knee shall bow. The only name through which salvation is possible. The Psalmist's Overwhelmed Praise The psalmist's attempt to praise God for His deeds and experiences. Desire to testify about the Lord and His goodness. Recognizing God's glory is above all earthly things. God's Glory Above the Heavens God's glory is set above the heavens, emphasizing His transcendence. God created the earth and all that exists. The creation is not God, but a product of His power. God is not dead or mute but real and able to do all things. Even with advanced technology, the end of the cosmos cannot be seen. God loves and sustains individuals. Strength Ordained from Babes and Sucklings God uses the least among us to demonstrate His strength. Reference to David's victory over Goliath as an example. David's recollection of God's past interventions (lion and bear). God can do great things through those who seem insignificant. David and Goliath David's preparation to fight Goliath. David's father sending him to check on his brothers at battle. David's youth and lack of traditional armor. David's faith in God's protection based on past experiences. Saul's initial disbelief in David's ability to fight Goliath. David's reliance on his sling and staff, tools he was familiar with. Confrontation in the Valley David's encounter with Goliath. Goliath's mockery and cursing. David's declaration of coming in the name of the Lord. The battle belongs to God. God can take the least and slay the greatest. Victory Through God's Name David's victory over Goliath through faith in God. One smooth stone was enough to defeat the giant. Encouragement to believe in God's power to conquer any challenge. If God is for us, who can be against us? David running towards Goliath. David using Goliath's sword to cut off his head. Considering the Heavens Reflection on the vastness of the heavens and God's creation. Feeling small when considering the cosmos. Questioning man's significance in light of God's creation. Contemplation and meditation on God's wonders. Everything was created by God, not by accident. Man's Status: A Little Lower Than Angels Man is made a little lower than the angels but crowned with glory and honor. Clarification that humans do not become angels after death. God chose to socialize with humans despite having angels. Crowned with glory (the Holy Spirit). Angels do not have the Holy Spirit. Crowned with Glory and Honor The glory of the Lord is His presence. The Holy Ghost filled the soul. Wear the crown of glory that God has given. The glory of God in the Old Testament was always His presence. If you don't have the presence of God, you aren't one of His. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Crowned with honor. Not the honor of men or the world. Called the sons of God. Adopted and given His name. An heir to God and a joint heir with Christ. Given a new name. God gave His only begotten Son. Made in His image. Dominion Over Creation Man is given dominion over all of God's creation. Sheep, oxen, beasts of the field, fowls of the air, fish of the sea. Responsibility to be good stewards of what has been entrusted. Death as a Shadow Death is merely a shadow for those crowned with glory and honor. The Holy Spirit's glory gets us through death.

Introduction The real problem is the condition of the heart. Example: People freed from addiction were changed because God moved into their hearts, not just because they stopped the addiction. The problem with alcohol is not the alcohol, it's the heart. If one's heart is right, their direction changes. The message is for the heart, not just the mind or intellect. Being changed by the Holy Spirit is essential for being born again. There is no middle ground. Churches that focus on drawing crowds without the gospel fail to address the heart. Good music or preaching alone cannot fix the heart. Only a visit from God can fix the heart. The flesh is temporary, but the soul will live forever. Death will come, but it's the saving of the soul that matters. David's Heart God acknowledged David's heart to build a house for Him. God said it was good that it was in David's heart. Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Acts 13:22: God found David to be a man after His own heart, who would fulfill all His will. God knew David's heart, which Samuel could not see. God rejected Saul and chose David, knowing David's heart. God is not fooled by outward appearances or pretenses. God wants to transform the heart. God saw David as a man after his own heart, loving God even as a shepherd. David wanted to build God a house, even though he was living in a tent. God recognized David's intention but did not allow him to build the house because he had shed too much blood. God allowed David's son to build the house. David prepared materials for the temple, showing his heart for God. Importance of Knowing the Heart Words Words come from the heart (Matthew 12:34). "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." Words can betray one's true nature. A good person brings forth good things from the good treasure of their heart, and an evil person brings forth evil things from the evil treasure. Every idle word will be accounted for in the day of judgment. The heart is what drives what is said. Good and bad water cannot come from the same well. Actions Actions are influenced by the heart. Matthew 5:28: Lusting after someone in the heart is equivalent to committing adultery. The heart directs actions. Matthew 15:19: Evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies proceed from the heart. The heart is the root of the problem. Zacchaeus' transformation occurred when Jesus visited him, changing his heart. Zacchaeus got right with God and was changed in his heart forever. Words betray witness if the heart is not right. Giving should be done according to what one purposes in their heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). The will of God should be done from the heart (Ephesians 6:6). Cleaning up one's act is impossible without Christ. God had to do something for the heart because humans cannot fix it themselves. Testimony Testimony is affected by the heart (Matthew 6:21). "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." David left a testimony of his heart for God. A testimony should reflect a changed heart. Words and actions establish what is in the heart. A testimony statement can be left behind for others. Children, grandchildren, and neighbors should see Christ in one's life. Relationship with God Relationship with God is based on the heart. The love of Christ constrains (2 Corinthians 5). Conviction of the Holy Ghost breaks the heart. Salvation comes when the Holy Spirit convicts the heart. With the heart, man believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10). The heart drives the relationship with God. If there is no relationship with Jesus Christ, there is a big heart problem. Salvation Romans 10:8-10 explains how God transforms the heart. The word is near,

The Greatest of All The greatest of all is the one that hung on the cross. Christ could have done anything he wanted. John said he could have called 12 legions of angels. He loved you and me. Luke 15:11 A certain man had two sons. The younger son asked for his inheritance. The father divided his living between them. The younger son gathered his goods and journeyed to a far country. He wasted his substance with riotous living. He spent all he had. A mighty famine arose in the land. He began to be in want. He joined himself to a citizen of that country. He sent him into the fields to feed swine. He would have filled his belly with the husks that the swine ate. No man gave to him. He came to himself and said: How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare. I perish with hunger. I will arise and go to my father. I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee. I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as one of thy hired servants. He arose and came to his father. When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion. It wasn't judgment or condemnation. He ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. The son said, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son. The father said to his servants: Bring forth the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. Bring hither the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry. For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. They began to be merry. Be Reconciled to God Need to get right with God. Inference that you ain't right. People don't like to hear that. Fellowship with God was broken in the Garden of Eden. The only thing that reconciled man back to God was the blood of Jesus Christ. Christ died for my sin. God made a way for me to be right. The day I got born again, the Holy Ghost of God imputed the righteousness of Christ to me. I stand here today right with God. The blood of Jesus Christ has taken my sin dead. My sins have been cast into a sea of forgetfulness. Believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who died for your sins and rose again. In believing Him, you can be saved today. You can be made right with God. The young man woke up one day and decided he didn't need his father. He didn't need his brothers. He didn't need father's house. He didn't need the father's help. He made up his mind to require his inheritance. He was tired of his father's rules and ways. The father has rules. He won't let me drink, do dope, listen to bad music, or watch pornography. He loves me too much. He knows what a detriment it is to my life. He knows that when I go down that road, there ain't nothing but pain and suffering and hard things to be born. There's more do's in that book than there are don'ts. If you'll focus on the do's, you won't have time for the don'ts. This young man was the child of the Father, so I'm not questioning his birthright. Even when he was out there strung out on dope or alcohol or women, whatever else it was that was his particular vice that caused him to waste everything. The devil took everything he had. There he was without anything when the famine hit. To be right with God: Be in a place where I'm doing what God has called me to do. If you ain't doing what God called you to do, you're wrong. You're living wrong. You're not right with God. You won't be right with God until you line up and do what God has told you to do. Quit comparing ourselves to an earthly standard and get right with the Holy God today. That will make a difference in you. You want to see your life changed? You want to see your life transformed?

Eli Hatcher's Funeral Reflection on preaching at the funeral of Eli Hatcher, an eight-year-old boy. The feeling of everyone expecting an answer to "why." Acknowledging the inability to explain certain things, like why young people die or why bad things happen to good people. Sustaining belief anchored in the blood of Jesus. Reliance on the grace of God and the Holy Spirit. Scripture References Mark 2:1 - Jesus in Capernaum, news spreading that he was in the house. Mark 9:33 - Jesus in Capernaum asking what the disciples were arguing about in the house. Mark 10:10 - Disciples asking Jesus about a matter in the house. Mark 14:3 - Jesus in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. 2 Chronicles 5:14 - Priests unable to minister because the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. The Glory of God in the House Desire for God's glory. Moses' experience on the mountain, wanting to see God's glory. God allowed Moses to see a portion of His glory. Moses' face glowed, making it difficult for others to look at him. Comfort in God's promise to meet where two or three are gathered. The need for God's glory to change lives and save people. Solomon's dedication to building an elaborate temple for God's presence. Solomon's Preparation for God's Glory Assembling People came together, making an effort to be present. COVID-19 pandemic and church closures. Closing the church for five months was a mistake. Trusting God in the midst of uncertainty. Importance of physical presence in the church. Online streaming is beneficial for those unable to attend. Those who are part of the church should prioritize being there in person. Experiencing God in person. God is an "in-person kind of God." Nothing better than being in God's house. Looking forward to the Holy Ghost's presence. Talented singers and musicians in the congregation. The importance of God's presence over talent alone. Need for more of God, not more of the world. References to Jesus going into houses in the book of Mark. Woman with the issue of blood. When people gather and seek God, He will show up. Encouragement to attend services despite scheduling difficulties. Praying for those who listen online to be convicted and drawn to the church. Nehemiah and Ezra gathering people in the street, resulting in God's presence. God showing up in the midst of a "ragtag" group. Promise of God being in the midst when people gather. Sacrificing/Repenting King Solomon and the congregation sacrificed sheep and oxen. The need for repentance before God's glory can manifest. Acknowledging and repenting of sins. Living in sin alienates individuals from God's presence. Sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Sacrificing sheep and oxen. The number of sacrifices was so great it couldn't be counted. Sinful nature of people. Need for help to maintain fellowship with God. People choosing to live in sin and avoid the church. Feeling singled out by God when the glory falls. Encouragement to return to church and then get right with God. The Holy Ghost doesn't play favorites or mess around with sin. Being present is not enough; sacrifice is necessary. Compromise with sin drains the power of churches. Turning and repenting is the only response to sin. Desire to see people get right with God during worship. Strategic surgery to remove things that hinder fellowship with God. Placing the Promises of God in the Rightful Place The priests brought in the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark contained the tables of stone (Word of God). After repentance, the promises of God should be honored. The Word of God should be the highest priority. The reason God calls men is so there could be no boasting. Exalting the Word of God. The Word of God is above all.

Jezebel Spirit and the State of the Church Brother Tillman reflects on reading about Jezebel in 2 Kings 9:33 while dove hunting. The passage describes Jezebel's death, where only her skull, feet, and palms remained after being thrown down and trampled. Brother Tillman connects this to the idea that Jezebel's thoughts, deeds, and walk were evil. Preachers and Sinful Living There is concern about preachers whose "deeds and faults and their walk is so evil" yet they still preach in churches. These preachers proclaim Jesus but live sinful lives. There is concern about preachers allowing others with sinful lifestyles to preach. The Presence of Satan in the Church If Satan isn't fighting in a church, the church is "dead." Satan fights hardest where there's something of value he wants to destroy. The church needs to pray about the "Jezebels" within and ask God to reveal them. Changing Jezebels and the Power of God It's impossible to change "Jezebels" without God's help. Salvation and witnessing are only possible through God's power. Reference to 2 Corinthians, discussing Paul's perspective on earthly achievements versus actions for God. Paul believed that earthly achievements are meaningless compared to serving God. Being ridiculed for faith is an honor. Paul's Transformation and New Life in Christ Paul's life changed on the Damascus Road. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, and all things are become new." If someone claims to be saved but continues living the same sinful life, they haven't truly received Jesus. Salvation results in a changed life, leaving behind old habits and sins. The Deacon's Loss and the Deceptive Nature of Satan A deacon called, weeping, because his 19-year-old grandson died in an accident. The grandson had expressed feeling lost and struggled to commit to Jesus. Brother Tillman emphasizes that good deeds alone won't lead to salvation. Alcohol and Satan's Pretty Lies Alcohol is "raging" in Grand County, leading to negative consequences like drunk driving and death. Satan presents alcohol as appealing, but hides the resulting pain and destruction. Satan paints a pretty lie, while Jesus offers the painful truth. Wicked Times and the Hope in Jesus Christ The world is in a "wicked, woke" state. Cites examples of violence and persecution against Christians. Man shot for standing up for Jesus Christ. Woman stabbed to death in Charlotte, North Carolina. The only hope is Jesus Christ, not worldly solutions like drugs or alcohol. The missing "puzzle piece" in life is Jesus Christ. Psalms 118: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Rejection of "New" Preaching and Compromise A preacher criticized Brother Tillman's "old" preaching style. The preacher claimed the Bible is outdated and that music leads people to the Lord. The preacher said people with addictions feel uncomfortable in church, so he meets them at bars to drink wine with them. Brother Tillman strongly disagrees, stating that God is not found in bars or at the bottom of a bottle. If people truly want Jesus, they will find Him in church and at the altar. Evil Deeds, Thoughts, and Walk Some preachers' "deeds is evil, their thoughts is evil, and their walk is evil." Brother Tillman expresses disgust at this behavior. Compares it to dogs eating their own vomit, referencing a biblical concept of returning to sin. The Cleansing Power of Christ and a New Life Relates washing pigs in FFA to Christians who return to their old sins after being cleansed. If someone keeps returning to the same sins, they haven't truly received Jesus. Salvation means becoming a new creature, with old things passing away. This includes old thoughts, language, and lifestyle.

Dread and Hope A personal reflection on mortality and faith. Expresses a fear of losing his wife of 40 years. Hopes to be taken first, acknowledging her strength. Affirms conviction in God's unchanging nature and goodness. Finds specialization in God during times of heartbreak. Believes God helps during times of tears, heartbreak, compassion, concern, worry, or fear. Psalms 106:1 Focus on praising and thanking God for His goodness and enduring mercy. "Praise ye the Lord. Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever." A prayer for God to bless the word, songs, and testimonies shared. Asks for guidance and for God to speak to hearts. Requests that the message be food for souls, salve for wounds, and a fix for what is broken. Prays for the lost to find repentance and recognize God as their Lord. Trusts God to do what is needed in the hearts of those present. God's Unchanging Goodness God's goodness is a constant reminder in the Word. Even when circumstances seem bad, God remains good. God knows exactly what is needed. Comfort in knowing God is faithful and unchanging. God is good to sinners, saints, those who trust Him, and even those who don't. God's goodness is irrespective of who you are. Salvation through being born again is necessary to enter heaven. God reigns on the just and the unjust. Gratitude for being safe in God's hand and within the shepherd's view. Even when wandering, God remains a good shepherd who saves, feeds, protects, and guides. Remembering God's Goodness Times of uncertainty and not knowing what to do. Finding God to still be good, regardless of circumstances. The importance of remembering what God has done. Reflection on being lost and the gratitude for no longer being in that state. Regardless of past struggles, being able to thank God for the present state. God's goodness is not just a little, but "real good." A comment made in jest about the righteous being made fat, referencing scripture. God's constant presence and unchanging nature. God will be there when no one else is. Thankfulness for not being raised in a Buddhist home or worshipping statues. Crying out to God for help in desperate times. Praising God and His Mercy Praising the Lord is a personal responsibility. "Praise ye the Lord... Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever." Gratitude that God's mercy has no expiration date. Acknowledging personal struggles and discouragement. Battling the devil's lies and finding reassurance in God's Word. Thanking God for His faithfulness in every step. God's goodness during times of financial hardship, uncertainty, sickness, and seeking salvation. Good Family and Salvation Gratitude for a good family. Thankfulness for being raised in church. Saved at a young age. Testimony of Tracy, who believes God saved her from addiction. Recognizing tendencies towards addiction in her family. God did something she couldn't do, organizing and creating something out of nothing. God is the author and finisher of faith. The first and the last, the beginning and the end, and good through it all. Having a good extended family. Rodney's testimony of finding joy and a great big family after being brought back into the fold. The support and love received from the church family during surgery. Good Life and God's Faithfulness Gladness for a good family in God and love for the church. God's goodness in every circumstance. Faithfulness through sorrow, repentance, and all situations. Recommending God to others. God lifting from a horrible pit and setting feet on solid rock. Acknowledging troubles and God's role in them. Growth through struggles.

Story of Cow Pile and Flies Sitting on a tractor, waiting for Ronnie with hay. Observed flies getting sustenance from a cow pile. Led to reflection on God's greatness and self insignificance. God can do without us, but we cannot do without Him. The tendency to think and act small, despite God's greatness. Mark 8:31-38 Jesus teaches about his suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. Peter rebukes Jesus, but Jesus rebukes Peter, calling him Satan. Peter is focused on human perspectives, not God's. Following Jesus requires self-denial, taking up one's cross. Saving one's life leads to losing it, but losing it for Jesus' sake saves it. The worthlessness of gaining the whole world but losing one's soul. What can a man give in exchange for his soul? The Value of a Human Soul The value of something is determined by what the buyer is willing to pay. Example: A cow may be valued at $3,000 by the seller, but its true value is what someone will pay. Examining the value of a human soul through Jesus' words. Two perspectives: God's valuation of a soul. Personal valuation of a soul. God's Valuation of the Soul Overwhelmed by the price God paid for the soul. God values the human soul above everything else. God created man from the dust and breathed life into him, making him a living soul. Humans are unique from animals, as only humans have souls. Animals have life but no eternal soul. Belief that the soul has infinite value based on what God has paid. Difficulty in explaining something spiritual/eternal with a finite mind. Consequences of Sin God warned Adam and Eve about the consequences of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil: death. 100% of people born into this world will die. The flesh will die, but the soul will live on eternally. God was willing to pay a price for the soul that no one else could pay. After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God. Like people today, who run from God when they sin. God had to kill an animal to provide coverings for Adam and Eve. Symbolic of the value of a soul. Desensitization to the Value of Human Life Disturbed by society's desensitization to the value of human life. The most innocent (unborn babies) should have the greatest protection. Society's inability to ponder the essence of life and its inception. Something is wrong when people don't value human life. Cain and Abel God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's. Cain slew Abel, the first murder in the Bible. God knew what happened and confronted Cain. Cain's response: "Am I my brother's keeper?" God heard the voice of Abel's blood crying out. The Wickedness of the Heart Terrible things happen because people are wicked. Every imagination of the heart is continually evil. Without the influence of the Holy Spirit, anyone is capable of terrible acts. The sin nature remains in the flesh. Old Testament Offerings Throughout the Old Testament, offerings were given to cover sin. Millions of animals were slain as blood was shed. These offerings covered sin but did not remove it. God removed sin with the blood of His only begotten Son. The Tree of Life After Adam and Eve sinned, God put them out of the garden to prevent them from eating from the tree of life and living forever. Jesus Christ is the tree of life. The solution (Jesus) was present before the problem (sin) occurred. God highly values the soul, which will live forever. The Birth of Jesus Angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds. The multitude of heavenly hosts praised God. From the foundations of the world, God determined that Jesus would give His life as the sin-debt of man. Jesus would become a man and give His life as the perfect, sinless Lamb of God. The Ultimate Price There is no greater value than Jesus Christ, His life, death,

Scripture Reading and Prayer The thought for the message is the inheritance of a blessing. Read 1 Peter 3:8-9. Verse 8: "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." Verse 9: "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." Prayer for guidance and blessings. Unity in Worship Emphasis on being of one mind. The word "all" in the Bible means everyone. Critique of division based on church names or personal beliefs. Importance of coming together to worship God Almighty. Worship should transcend church names and focus on Jesus Christ. Call to self-examination for those who struggle to worship with others. The Bible calls for unity. Warning against attending church for superficial reasons. Coming to worship God, not to be seen or to observe others. The Holy Spirit descends when worship is directed towards God. Need to stand for God in all aspects of life. Critique of those who seek attention without substance. Need to worship the King of Kings who saved souls. The Call to Salvation Salvation is a personal calling from God. Not initiated by others. Involved conviction and a realization of the consequences of sin. Critique of superficial conversions. True salvation involves a complete transformation. Putting away old habits and being cleansed. Personal testimony of transformation after salvation. Old desires were replaced with blessings. Urging those who are struggling with sin to seek genuine repentance. God knows all, even hidden sins. Cannot hide from God. Inheriting Blessings Questioning why some may not feel blessed. Possible hidden sins hindering blessings. Personal experience of immediate blessings after genuine repentance. Blessings diminished when trying to hide something. Call to search hearts for hidden sins. Acknowledging personal need for daily self-examination. God knows we will sin and fall short. Jesus is our advocate. God wants to bless his children. Need to come to Him for cleansing. Living a Godly Life God loves us and wants to bless us. Personal testimony of God's continued blessings. Not based on position or status. Based on knowing who to turn to for guidance. Desire to align actions and words with God's will. Gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice. God sees all and knows our hearts and minds. Need to walk and talk in a way that pleases God. Prayer and Humility God's ears are open to our prayers. Urging those with burdens to come to the altar. No shame in seeking prayer and forgiveness. God is waiting to hear from us. It is a blessing to be able to talk to God. God listens to everyone, regardless of status. Never hold a political office. Assurance that God hears prayers of repentance. Willingness to talk to God is all that is required. Closing Remarks Invitation to come to the altar for prayer. Urging to receive God's blessings. Reflecting on the initial feelings of salvation. Questioning if those blessings are still felt. Call to search hearts and identify any hindrances to blessings. God is merciful and wants us to return to Him. Invitation to come back to God in repentance and prayer. Questioning if attendees are receiving the blessings they received when they were saved.

Old Paths vs. New Ways The message focuses on adhering to the "old path" of faith and salvation through Jesus Christ, contrasting it with "new ways" that deviate from traditional Christian beliefs. The "old path" is not defined by a specific point in time or past practices, but by the unchanging truths of the Bible and salvation through Jesus Christ. Example: It's not about whether there was electricity or carpet in the past, but about the belief in Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. The "new ways" are presented as alternatives that compromise or contradict the core tenets of Christianity. Example: Teachings that suggest other methods of salvation or deny God's role in creation. The Unchanging Nature of Salvation Salvation is exclusively through Jesus Christ. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess. Being "born again" is essential. This involves recognizing oneself as a sinner, convicted by the Holy Spirit, and accepting Jesus Christ. External actions alone (raising hands, signing cards, joining a church, attending services) do not guarantee salvation. Salvation is not achieved through personal effort or works, but through faith in Jesus Christ. It is by grace through faith, not of works. Walking the Old Path The "old path" is described as a straight and narrow path, requiring adherence to God's Word and a rejection of worldly temptations. Staying on the "old path" requires a conscious decision to follow Jesus Christ, regardless of external pressures or societal norms. The "old path" is not about outward appearances or material possessions, but about the condition of one's heart. It's not about what you have, what you wear, or what you look like, but what's in your heart. The "old path" extends back to the creation of man, emphasizing its timeless and foundational nature. It goes back to when God breathed life into man. Resisting the New Ways The "new ways" are portrayed as deceptive and leading to hardship and misery. The enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy constantly presents "new paths" as easier or more appealing alternatives to the "old path." The devil shows up and asks if you've considered this path. Resisting the "new ways" requires a firm commitment to Jesus Christ and a willingness to stand against opposition. The Example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is used as an example of unwavering faith and commitment to the "old path." They refused to bow down to a false idol, even when threatened with death in a fiery furnace. Their refusal to compromise their faith demonstrates the importance of standing firm in one's convictions, regardless of the consequences. Their story illustrates that God is with those who remain faithful, even in the midst of trials. The fourth man in the fire was like the Son of God. The Goodness of the Old Path The "old path" is described as good, despite not being easy or offering the least resistance. Walking the "old path" leads to experiencing the goodness of God. The "old path" is associated with eternal life and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Even in the face of death, those on the "old path" have the assurance of salvation and eternal life. Even if the body is buried, the soul will not be in the grave. Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition The message emphasizes the importance of making a decision to follow Jesus Christ before facing trials or temptations. Believers should be prepared to stand firm in their faith, even when facing pressure to conform to worldly standards. The "old path" may lead to being seen as foolish or fanatical by the world, but it is the path that leads to salvation. The "old path" is not a solitary journey; believers have the presence of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) with them. The Exclusive Nature of Salvation

Opening Remarks and Introduction A message from Psalms will be shared. Trust in God is essential. Like when the song was played, trusting God is key. Reading Psalms 5:11-12. Those who trust in God should rejoice and shout for joy. God defends them and brings joy to those who believe in His name. God blesses the righteous with favor, surrounding them like a shield. The Significance of "Because" "Because" introduces an expectation, whether good or bad. The word itself is indifferent to the nature of what follows. It sets up an understanding that reasons will follow. There are countless reasons to consider what God is saying. There are a thousand reasons to consider what God has done. We only glean handfuls of purpose that God shares. Rejoicing in God is essential because what He does is eternal. God redeemed from a dark place and set feet on solid rock. The devil can't undo that. God's goodness outweighs any bad. People of God should rejoice, worship, and have joy because of God's goodness. We haven't earned anything, but God pours out goodness. Salvation is eternal. Saved on best and worst days. God doesn't change, even if we waver. Hope and Rejoicing Hope comes from truth, not worldly circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. Reasons to rejoice despite hard circumstances. God is still in heaven and able to help. Paul and Silas in jail: Even beaten and chained, they praised God. The Holy Ghost filled the jail cell with hope. Rejoicing is a commandment to the people of God. Perspective should be focused on God, not worldly circumstances. God has always been good. Focusing on Him changes the heart's position. The Power of Prayer and Gratitude To experience God's power, don't quit praying. Pray continually throughout the day. Rejoice in hard times by conversing with God. In everything give thanks, for this is God's will. Trust in God with all your heart, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. A hard conversation with a friend who lost his job. The friend chose to look up instead of down. It's better to be better than bitter. There's nothing in this world that keeps me here. Longing for a fairer land where everything is right. The Word "Because" in Scripture The word "because" is used over 1200 times in the Bible. Sometimes followed by bad reasons, sometimes good. David in the Psalms: Motivated by good and bad things. God has always been good, in ups and downs. God is the hope of salvation and the joy in every circumstance. Reasons to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. Trusting God's Plan We don't know what's best for us. Born into a family of God that knows what we need. God has been faithful through everything. 1 John 4:19: We love Him because He first loved us. God's love is unconditional, unlike human love. He loves us in spite of ourselves. God's love saved an unworthy soul. Goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. God doesn't do bad things; it's our perspective that categorizes them as such. God is good even when we think it's bad or over. Rejoice always. Whatever has come to you, I'm not exempt from it. If you know what I know, you've still got something to shout about. Rejoicing in God's Defense Psalms 5:11: Let those who trust in God rejoice and shout for joy because He defends them. Story of defending from bullies as a child. The father went with him to fight the bully. God is always there defending. God puts you in the fight, but He's there. He won't let the enemy get over His children. Rejoice because He defends me. Good news for those who worry and can't sleep. God defends even while we sleep. David and Goliath: David knew God would deliver him. Rejoice because God defends you. No enemy can strike without God's knowledge and control...

Scripture Reading and Introduction 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 read. Paul's boasting not of the Lord, but foolishly. Details of Paul's suffering: stripes, imprisonment, shipwrecks, perils, weariness, hunger, and concern for the churches. Paul's escape from Damascus. Thankfulness for the opportunity to be present and receive what the Lord has to offer. Acknowledging uncertainty about the direction of the message but trusting in the Lord's guidance. The Song: "Sweet Things Out of Dark Places" A song has been implanted in the soul for about a month. The song's message is particularly relevant given the current trials and tribulations. The song's lyrics: Wanting to know Him better and walk closer. Willingness to suffer for a clearer vision in the valley. Sweet things and heavenly light emerging from dark places. A sweeter touch and deeper love from Him. Brokenness leading to precious words and a revelation of God's glory. The sweetness of darkness when the Father is near. Apostle Paul as an Example Paul as an example of someone in darkness who gloried in his infirmities. Dark places are common, with trials and heartaches affecting many. Comfort in knowing that darkness is temporary and light will come through Jesus Christ. Excitement to share what the Lord has revealed. Dark valleys as a recurring experience. The tendency to let challenges slow down or derail progress. Sweetness emerging from dark places. Recalling the darkness before finding Jesus Christ. Blindness and a misguided pursuit of worldly pleasures. Realization of being disliked by others due to negative behaviors. Sweetness found in a calling from God. A calling once abandoned for two years. The joy and fulfillment experienced when fulfilling that calling. Feeling God's presence and glory while serving Him. Light replacing darkness. Paul's intelligence and upbringing, yet not glorying in himself. Paul's apostleship not of man but by Jesus Christ and God. Galatians 1:1 referenced. Contrast with the replacement of Judas through casting lots. Caution against boasting in what God is doing in one's life. Gratitude for God's grace and what He has done. Boasting only in Jesus Christ and His work. Sweetness will come if one sticks to it. Paul's perilous situations and distress, yet glorying in infirmities. Glorying in Infirmities A personal anecdote about waking up to a car that wouldn't start. Initial reaction of worry and frustration. Failure to glory in infirmities. Even in darkness, God provides a way for light to shine. Paul's suffering: whippings, beatings, shipwrecks, and betrayal. Choosing to glory in infirmities and taking pleasure in knowing Jesus Christ is present. Not bragging about success. Paul preached to kings. Paul started about 20 churches. Paul did not want credit for those things. Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible. Paul did not boast about writing 13 books. Paul preached for around 30 years. Paul saw a vision of the third heaven. Paul did not boast about the vision. Inability to thank God for bad things happening. Admitting the difficulty of willingly enduring suffering. The problem of thinking one shouldn't have to deal with suffering. Paul as second only to Jesus Christ in contributions to the Christian community. Paul confronted Peter for not associating with Gentiles. Philippians 3:7-14 Philippians 3:7-14 referenced. Counting past gains as loss for Christ. Suffering the loss of all things to win Christ. Counting worldly things as dung. Seeking righteousness through faith in Christ. Knowing Him and the power of His resurrection. Fellowship of His sufferings. Pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Forsaking the world. Not advocating quitting one's job but providing for oneself.

The Significance of the Altar The word "altar" (A-L-T-A-R) and "altered" (A-L-T-E-R) are homophones, highlighting the connection between going to the altar and being changed. Altar (A-L-T-A-R) is a place for prayer. Altered (A-L-T-E-R) means to edit or change. Hebrews 13:8-15 was referenced. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hearts should be established with grace, not with meats. Christ suffered without the gate to sanctify the people. Offer a sacrifice of praise continually, giving thanks to God's name. Altars in Genesis and the Importance of Thanksgiving Altars are mentioned 10 times in Genesis. Cain and Abel had to have an altar for their sacrifices, even though it's not explicitly stated. The altar is not being used properly or enough today. Noah offered a sacrifice for thanksgiving after the flood. The altar should be used more for giving thanks and seeking God. A reminder is needed to pray more and offer intentional thanksgiving and prayer to God. Time should be spent seeking God instead of other things. The Anointing and Being with Jesus Everyone wants the anointing, which is the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers witnessing and sharing what God has done in one's life. The Holy Spirit works through those who spend time with God. People should be known for having been with Jesus. The impact of one's presence should leave behind the presence of God. Like John the Baptist, one must decrease so that God may increase. Cain and Abel: Attitudes Towards God Cain and Abel's story illustrates the importance of proper motivation and attitude towards God. Cain's offering was rejected because he knew God but did not glorify Him. Abel offered a sacrifice with gratitude and dependence on God. Abel knew he had nothing good to offer. Abel's sacrifice was acceptable because of his attitude. Noah: Faithfulness and Salvation Noah preached for 120 years while building the ark. Noah's story is one of enduring hardship and trusting in God. Noah was saved, and his children were saved with him. Noah had access to God. Access to God and the Altar Born of incorruptible seed, believers have access to the throne of God for prayer, thanksgiving, and supplication. Even the smallest concerns can be brought to God. God cares deeply for His people. The altar in the Old Testament was a place where God encountered man. The Holy Spirit is the glory of God living inside believers. The encounter with God at the altar brings relief, deliverance, and the kingdom of God. Old things pass away, and all things become new. The Purpose of Altars and Offerings Altars were places of burnt offerings (Noah) and offerings for sin (Cain and Abel). Cain and Abel knew what had been lost through their parents' sin. There are many unanswered questions about the early world. Focus should be on holiness, love, and seeking things above. Directions from God are pinpointed and laser-beam guiding. Prayer and Warfare Revelation speaks of an altar where the prayers of the saints ascend to God. Jacob built an altar after encountering God and seeing angels ascending and descending. Angels do the bidding and work of God. Each person has an angel that beholds their face in the presence of God. Engage in warfare against discord, which has infiltrated the house of God. Thoughts and imaginations that oppose God's love should be pulled down. Everything should be brought before the Lord in prayer. If you think you don't have anything to pray about, you are deceived. Some people are not praying or seeking God's kingdom. Trouble, heartache, pain, and suffering are inevitable. Guilt, shame, and other negative emotions separate people from God. Relationship with God vs. Works Some people do things in the house of God without a relationship with God. God hears every prayer,

Personal Testimony and Introduction Expresses appreciation for a song, emphasizing the importance of having Jesus above worldly desires. "I got everything. You got Jesus, you got everything." Rejects the idea of "living the dream" in a worldly sense, preferring to focus on reaching the "other side of the honor." An encounter with an acquaintance who claimed to be "living the dream" prompted reflection on priorities. Acknowledges personal imperfection but emphasizes striving for salvation through Jesus Christ. Salvation is achieved through being "born again by the blood of Jesus Christ." Emphasizes that the Father must call on you to go through the door. Malachi 3: God the Refiner The sermon is based on Malachi 3, focusing on God as a refiner. Key verses: Malachi 3:2-3 "But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap." "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." Understanding the Refiner's Process Fuller's Soap: Definition: A strong alkaline substance used to clean and whiten cloth, especially wool, in ancient times. Made from harsh substances from plants and ashes to remove impurities or stains. The Refiner's Role: Heating: The refiner heats silver and gold to bring impurities to the surface. In Christian life, this is likened to God "turning up the heat," revealing impurities. Separation: Impurities are separated, skimmed, and removed. Saved individuals must separate themselves from sin, requiring God's help. The devil tempts with things that appear "shiny," but one must remain steadfast in faith. Patience and Observation: The refiner carefully monitors the process to prevent damage to the metal. God is patient, dealing with individuals to ensure they are not damaged during trials. Purification: Fire refines gold and silver; God uses trials and challenges to purify His people, removing their sinful nature. God is present during trials, ensuring individuals are not alone in the "fire." God's Constant Presence and Faith Trust in God is essential during trials and tribulations, strengthening faith. The refining process involves God removing impurities. Recognizing Completion: A refiner knows the process is complete when they can see their reflection in the refined metal. God considers the process complete when He sees His Son (Jesus) reflected in an individual. Even during tribulations and trials, God is always present. Turning away from God requires a greater effort to return. Stepping away from God requires walking "20 miles away and 60 back to Him." God bought individuals with a precious price, and they should not disregard His sacrifice. Personal Struggles and Reliance on God Acknowledges the need for ongoing refinement by God to remove impurities. Expresses a desire to maintain a "clean slate" with God, free from accumulated sin. Shares past experiences of facing challenges and relying on God's support. There was a time of praying to God, asking "which devil am I going to meet tonight?" The refiner (God) never encourages neglecting prayer, Bible reading, or church attendance. Personal experiences of being "melded" and "burnt" by preachers, requiring repentance and forgiveness. God's forgiveness leads to Him seeing Himself in the individual again. The Significance of Jesus Christ Every mention of "Jesus Christ" and the sight of a "bloody cross" evokes a sense of gratitude for the sacrifice made. No one but Jesus Christ could pay the debt of sin. Expresses a desire to avoid worldly actions and sins, preferring to face consequences in this life rather than in the afterlife.

Naomi's Return to Bethlehem Naomi returns to Bethlehem after hearing that the famine is over. She had left Bethlehem during the famine, thinking they would fare better elsewhere. She realizes that leaving God was a mistake that cost her dearly. The townspeople recognize her and ask, "Is this Naomi?" Naomi asks them to call her Mara, meaning bitter, instead of Naomi, meaning pleasant and delightful. She feels that the Lord has dealt very bitterly with her. Grace on the Road Back Home Even when one thinks they have lost everything, God sees the choice to return home and helps on the journey. Naomi says she "went out full, but he hath brought me back again empty." There is grace on the road back to full. Many people feel they have gone too far from God to ever feel His presence again. When one chooses to head back toward God, He helps along the way. God was helping Naomi even before she left Moab. The very day she decided to return home, God began blessing her again. Help on the Journey Naomi decides to return home and tells her daughters-in-law to go back to their families. Orpah returns, but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi. God gave Naomi a helper in Ruth, who loved her more than seven sons. Naomi didn't realize that Ruth would be instrumental in bringing her back to fullness. Everyone needs help, and God provides it. God put "stick to it" in Ruth, who was determined to stay with Naomi. God's Orchestration Naomi is an elderly woman, beaten down by the loss of her husband and sons. She only has Ruth, a Moabite widow, with her. No upstanding Jewish man would consider marrying a Moabite. God moves for those who decide to return to fullness. Even if one feels half full, God wants them completely full of Him. While the choice to return is personal, it is God who ultimately brings one home. There is a drawing in the heart to return to God. The Holy Ghost never stops prompting one to return home. God doesn't forsake His own and brings them back. Even if one arrives empty, God is already helping and working in their path. Naomi acknowledges that God brought her back. Emptiness and Filling Sometimes God has to empty things in order to fill them again. Like emptying water from a fuel tank before adding good octane. God removes what isn't supposed to be there to prepare for filling. Naomi couldn't see that Ruth was the best helper she could have. The journey from Moab to Bethlehem is treacherous, about 50-60 miles, taking 7-10 days. Ruth and Naomi had to choose every day to continue the journey. God helps when one heads back home. God had to empty Naomi to fill her up for His glory. The Road to Fullness The journey back to fullness is orchestrated by God. Naomi was still a landowner but had no husband or sons, so she had to sell. As a backslider, one never forgets the day they gained ownership of something from God. Ruth goes to glean in the fields and happens to end up in Boaz's field. There are no coincidences when trying to get back to fullness. God orchestrates the needs for one to be full. Boaz arrives and notices Ruth. He has heard of her kindness to Naomi and her commitment to the Jehovah God. He tells her to stay in his field and eat and drink with his maids. Ruth asks why Boaz has shown her such grace. When one is on the way back to fullness, they have someone helping them. Boaz instructs his workers to let Ruth glean as much as she wants and to drop extra for her. God wants one to be full again. Heavenly Help Ruth returns with a sack full of grain. She also brings Naomi food from Boaz's table. Naomi asks about the man whose field she was in. When she hears the name Boaz, hope is rekindled in her soul. Hearing the name of Jesus restores hope.

The Devil's Recognition of Jesus The message focuses on what can be learned from the devil in Luke 4:31-37. The devil knew more about God than many people do today. James 2:19 - devils believe and tremble. The devil's purpose is to destroy people, but he works in different ways today. He convinces people that religion is all there is to it. He blinds people to God, even if they think they know how to get to Him. Going to Church The man possessed with the unclean devil went to church (synagogue). He had been there many times before. He found peace in religion but never met Jesus. There was a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof. The hope is that unclean spirits would be uncomfortable in the church. They would see Jesus in the hearts of the people. Responding to Jesus People have grown quiet on God. The Lamb of God is worthy of praise. It's important to be in a place where the Holy Ghost can move. In the synagogue, the only one crying out was an unclean devil. He acknowledged the glory and lordship of Jesus Christ. When Jesus moves in the midst, people should respond. Many churches are controlled by the enemy. People hunt for comfortable places where Jesus isn't present. Worship must be from the heart. When Jesus shows up, people often sit there without responding. They link their experience to how someone else gets blessed. Need to pay attention to the devil, who cried with a loud voice and acknowledged Jesus. It's a problem when a devil responds better to Christ than His own people do. The man possessed with the devil was convinced that showing up at the synagogue and listening to the Old Testament reading was enough. Worship is about opening one's heart and acknowledging the reality of a king. He has written our name in the book and given us eternal promise in heaven. The Holy Ghost abides within us. When the Spirit of God begins to move, there ought to be a response. Grateful for God's faithfulness. Do your best to praise and honor Him. Acknowledge the King of Glory when He shows up. Jesus is in the midst of this place. When people of a glad heart and a humble spirit come before Him, He'll show up. The unclean devil went to church, but when Jesus showed up, he responded with a loud voice. Some people in the church used to shout and run up and down the aisles. They were responding to Jesus. Don't be ashamed to honor God's name when the power of God shows up. You can't worship God in the flesh. Pray, and God will give you what you pray for. Get hooked up with the Holy Ghost. When Jesus came in the room, the devil got nervous and cried out with a loud voice. He said, "Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?" The devil knew Jesus' voice. He had likely been cast out with Lucifer. He was one of the demonic angels and had possessed this man. There ought to be some kind of response for Jesus. If it didn't come from the heart, keep your mouth shut. The real thing ought to produce some kind of movement in our soul. He's a living spirit, not a dead one. He is alive and well today and lives in our hearts. Fear of Jesus When Jesus is present, there ought to be some fear. The devil had his own reason for fear. Like the devils in old legion, they knew who Jesus was and feared Him. They asked if He had come to cast them into the abyss before their time. The heart of the problem in most churches is the lack of worship and response to Christ's presence. People sit back and let others do the hand raising and the amen. If you've been born again, you've got something to shout about. If you ain't going to hell, you ought to be happy. The devil knew that Christ had the power to cast him into the place that had been prepa...

Introduction The message focuses on hidden sin and the importance of dealing with it. Uses the analogy of a piece of masking tape in the sanctuary to illustrate how sin can be small, concealed, left behind, and yet still significant to God. References Psalms 69:5, James 2:10, and 1 John 1:8-9 to emphasize the omnipresence of God's knowledge of sin and the need for confession and repentance. The Futility of Hiding Sin Human nature compels people to hide things from God, but it is impossible. God knows everything, including unspoken thoughts and the contents of the heart. God knows what has been overlooked, swept under the rug, or neglected. The Masking Tape Analogy A piece of masking tape in the sanctuary serves as an analogy for hidden sin. The tape is small, and people often convince themselves that small sins don't matter. Examples: responses in prayer, reactions to others, thoughts. The tape is in plain sight, yet unnoticed by most. Illustrates how sin can be present but ignored. The Significance of "Small" Sins According to James 2:10, offending in one point of the law makes one guilty of all. Anything not of faith is sin. Sin separates individuals from fellowship and communion with God. Assigning a size to sin based on comparison to others is flawed. God did not excuse sin at Calvary but paid for it through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Buford's Wisdom Recollection of a conversation with Buford, who expressed that if he could do it all over again, he would preach harder on sin. People allow sin to linger in their hearts. God is holy and calls people to be holy. There is no excuse for undealt with sin. The Nature of Sin Sin is a violation of God's holiness. If God gave an inch for any sin, it would open the door to all sin. All sin was condemned in the flesh when Jesus was nailed to the cross. Even seemingly small sins were significant enough for Jesus to bear the punishment. Concealed Sin The masking tape is partially out of view, in a place where people don't typically look. Sin may seem concealed, but it is not hidden from God. God will expose sin at some point. Sin is "Left Behind" The masking tape was left behind, implying someone was involved with it and had a purpose for it. Sin is not someone else's fault; individuals are responsible for their own sin. People often repent of the symptoms of sin but leave behind the root cause, such as a broken heart, malice, jealousy, or a wrong attitude. God wants to deal with what has been left behind. Sin is in Clear View to God The masking tape is in clear view, but most people haven't noticed it. The devil wants people to forget about their sin, but God doesn't work that way. If something was sin then, it is still sin. 1 John 1:9 states that if people confess their sins, God is faithful to forgive them. The Importance of Confession Confessing sin is key to dealing with it. Sin impairs worship and hinders fellowship with God. There is nothing more important than fellowship with Christ. Individuals should ask God to search them and reveal any wicked ways. God will make sin apparent, providing an opportunity to turn away from it. There should be no shame in seeking God's help with sin. Evidence of Sin The masking tape had evidence of where it had been, including a hair and carpet fiber. Sin leaves marks and bears evidence of what is still in the flesh. The heart is extremely wicked and cannot be trusted. Sin Sticks Sin sticks and hangs on until it is dealt with. Dealing with sin requires honesty, guilt acknowledgement, repentance, and turning away from it. God casts forgiven sin as far as the east is from the west. Sin is Near the Altar The masking tape was near the altar. Sin has always been near the altar. God can deal with whatever has been said about sin. Conclusion

Personal Testimony and Introduction Expressing gratitude for salvation through Jesus Christ. Acknowledging that salvation is solely due to Jesus's actions. Sharing a personal experience of conviction and salvation at age 17 during a revival. Experiencing a difficult night after initially resisting the call to salvation. Emphasizing the importance of not delaying obedience to God's call. Expressing nervousness before preaching despite years of experience. Desiring prayers for the ability to deliver the intended message. Scripture Reading and Theme Introduction Reading Isaiah 1:19: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." Focusing on the words "willing and obedient" as the central theme. Highlighting Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of willingness and obedience. Jesus's willingness to go to the cross as essential for humanity's hope. His obedience in not calling upon angels as crucial for salvation. Emphasizing that the initial call to obedience is accepting Jesus as Savior. Expressing continued thankfulness for salvation. The Necessity of Continued Willingness and Obedience Highlighting that salvation is not a passive state but requires ongoing willingness and obedience to God. God provides talents and abilities for kingdom work, requiring individuals to be willing to use them. Experiencing spiritual blessings through personal obedience and the obedience of others. Referencing Isaiah 6, where Isaiah volunteers to go when God asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Acknowledging past failures to seize opportunities to work for God due to succumbing to worldly influences. Emphasizing the importance of willingness in serving God. Examples of Willingness and Obedience David's willingness to face Goliath, questioning, "Is there not a cause?" David's confidence in God's power over the giant. Rejecting Saul's armor to rely on personal experience and faith in God's Word. David's past experiences as a shepherd, where God strengthened him to kill a lion and a bear. Sticking with what is known to work, which is God's Word. Highlighting the importance of God's Word as the source of help, contrasting it with reliance on worldly programs or other people. Expressing gratitude for those who wrote down God's word. Consequences of Disobedience and the Mercy of God Experiencing misery when failing to seize opportunities to serve God. Feeling conviction and needing to seek forgiveness and restoration. God's loving and merciful nature, offering forgiveness and restoration. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22. Abraham's prompt action: "rose up early in the morning." Isaac's question about the sacrifice and Abraham's response that "God will provide himself a lamb." Relating this to Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice. God's blessings for willingness and obedience. Practical Application and Personal Reflection God expects action on the tasks already given before providing new ones. Recalling a prayer to do whatever God wants, initially with exceptions (e.g., not wanting to be a missionary). Opportunities arose when the exceptions were removed, and a willingness to do anything was expressed. God blesses those who are willing and obedient, allowing them to "eat of the fat of the lamb." Recognizing the world's need for salvation and the opportunity to work for the Lord. Acknowledging the gift of gab and the importance of using talents for God's kingdom work. Seeking forgiveness for past refusals to act when God called. Highlighting the danger of becoming complacent and missing opportunities for God to work through us. Living Sacrifice and Family in Christ Referencing Romans 12:1, urging believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice. Emphasizing that this is a reasonable service to God.