Rise & Shine

Romans 11:33-Romans 12:2 Let us resolve to... I. Consider God's greatness Romans 11:33-36 II. Commit to Him Romans 12:1 III. Convert our thinking Romans 12:2

Take time to be holy... 1. The need to take time to be holy 2. The way to take time to be holy 3. The benefits of taking time to be holy

Is the dark cloud of apathy settling over the church? Have we stopped asking questions? have we stopped being curious? Has the flame of zeal gone out? Luke 9:43-46 I. Definition and expression of Apathy II. Causes of Apathy Deuteronomy 8:11-14; Amos 6:3-6; Revelation 3:14-18 III. Cure for Apathy Revelation 3:19,20; Hebrews 10:32,33; (Luke 24:32; Luke 8:11,12; Romans 10:17)

(Sunday Sermon 10/3/2021) Beware of the doctrine of the Pharisee and Sadducee Mt. 16:12 Beware of any man made doctrine or traditions of men Matthew 15:8-9; Mark 7:7-12 The way of Christ and cross lead home I. The Conviction of the church Matt. 16:13-20 II. The Cross of Christ Matt. 16:21-23 III. The Commitment of the church to the cross Matt. 16:24-26

The glory of the church can be seen when the church is living as it was designed to live. I. Unity Psalm 133:1, Gal. 3:26-28, Eph. 4:1-3 II. Confession Matt. 5:13-16 III. Purity Ephesians 5:26-28 This is the sermon portion of our worship. All other acts of worship can be found on our facebook page

A parents mission field is not around the world but rather living in their house. Direct your children toward God. As Fredrick Douglass said, “It's easier to build strong children than repair broken men”. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

The battle is not with flesh and blood per se but rather flesh and blood whose hearts are not governed by God. The corrupt politicians who serve self not the interests of their people, the teacher or professor who indoctrinate their students with godlessness and not virtue, it's economic systems intoxicated by the power of money, it's doctor who dismember babies in abortion, it's human trafficker who've dehumanized their victims and sell them as commodities until they are done with them and throw them away. Christians reflect light into a world ruled by darkness. We must stand firm and continue the rescue mission. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #LoveLikeJesusLoves

Knowledge is good and should be sought after. Obedience to and reverence for God must be the foundation and source of it; without it all other knowledge is vain and useless. The stubborn and self-willed will find this verse absurd, they are the fools of which this verse speaks. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Scientist, of every belief from theist to atheist, have long ago understood the 5 manifestations of natural phenomena: Time, force, action, space and matter. In the first sentence we have a viable explanation of the origins of the earth, the universe, life itself. "In the beginning" (Time) God (Force) created (Motion/action) the heavens (Space) and earth (matter). God created all things! #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Jesus did not come to earth to bring a wealth and prosperity gospel. He didn't come so pain and suffering would end. He didn't come to remove the occupying forces of the Roman tyrants and restore Israel to the world stage. Jesus primary reason for coming to earth in the flesh is to rescue His people from their sins. Sin is what separates us from God and will be the reason for eternal separation in hell. Jesus came to rescue His people from sin, death and hell. Today is the day of salvation, won't you come to Jesus today? #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Our faith is fueled and built by listening to, observing and applying Gods word to our lives. If we are not feeding on the Word daily we are starving our souls and depleting our faith. Open the word of God today and pursue God. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Many are the people who have all their lives rejected Jesus yet at their funeral everyone seems convinced that the one who has died is in a “better place” and/or “at least the suffering is over now”. Please know and understand that if one dies without Jesus, neither statement is true. They are not in a “better place” and the “suffering” has just begun. (Warning: John 8:24, Matthew 7:13-23, Hebrews 10:31) (Remedy: John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:26-27; 2 Corinthians 5:17) #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #LoveLikeJesusLoves

Being easily offended and quick to be angry shows a lack of maturity, wisdom and discipline. The ungodly and immature throw temper tantrums and demand to have things their way. Let us grow in the grace and knowledge of God. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves.

It's not quantity but quality. Long prayers that are not thoughtful or genuine are useless, especially if prayer is done by rote. Pray and pray often but by faith with reverence for God. Pour your heart out to Him! #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Jesus said “follow me”. When we resolve to follow Him, the affections of our hearts and the desires of our minds are transformed. The things of this world begin to mean less and less and the things of Jesus and His Kingdom begin to mean more and more. Where are your affection and desires? Sex, Money, material and temporal things or things eternal and lasting?#looktoJesus #liveforJesus #LoveLikeJesusLoves

By the abundant grace of God through the blood of Jesus we have redemption and forgiveness. Redemption means Jesus purchased our freedom from the slavery of sin (Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 6:20) and Forgiveness means the debt we owed has been removed. Jesus paid the debt he didn't owe, we had a debt that we could not pay, no wonder its called amazing grace! #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

“By His grace, He made us accepted in the Beloved” Ephesians 1:6. The verb translated “accepted” is the same as in Luke 1:28 where Mary was called “highly favored by God”. In Christ we are “highly favored by God”. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Worthy of all praise is our God because he has blessed us with blessings from heaven in Christ. From Genesis to Revelation we read that God is good and continually gives to supply our needs. Especially those who are in Christ. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Children will have characteristics of their parents. The physical appearance and mannerisms will many times be undeniable. In much the same way the children of God should show characteristics of their Heavenly Father, like love, grace and mercy just to name a few. Let's be imitators of our God. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusLoves

What will make man complete? What will bring man a great sense of peace and contentment? what is man's purpose in life? what will bring meaning to life? Here it is in one verse, a deep respect and reverence for the true and living, one and only God AND keep His commandments. Blessings are sure to follow the one who will faithfully follow and live out this verse. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

"How beautiful heaven must be, sweet home of the happy and free; fair haven a rest for the weary, how beautiful heaven must be" A.S. Bridgwater. Not only will heaven be beautiful to behold but beautiful because there will be no more separation, no more sin, no more sorrow or sadness, and no more disease and death. Please understand, NO one will see it without being in Jesus! #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

Every person has sinned! Men and women, rich and poor, every race, every ethnic group, the jovial old man, the sweet little old lady, the generous neighbor, everyone! To say that we haven't sinned is to deceive ourselves and live in denial, 1 Jn. 1:8. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ, Romans 6:23. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #lovelikeJesusloves

God doesn't look at outward appearances but on the heart. He judges based on the content of character not the way we look, which is the way it ought to be. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #LoveLikeJesusLoves

Reading the the Bible and turning it into action are two different things. The rich young ruler in Matthew 19 was familiar with the scripture but didn't make the application. Felix in Acts 24, and King Agrippa in Acts 26, heard but refused to do what the scripture said. If we hear but don't do, then we are simply wasting our time. #looktoJesus #liveforJesus #LoveLikeJesusLoves

God has established his throne God reigns from heaven God rules over all To God belongs all praise, honor and glory!

Many have come and gone, (human beings, teachers, false Christs and false prophets, people who want a following), all have been flawed, inconsistent, hypocritical and contradictory, but Jesus is for ever and always the same in truth, wisdom, power, grace and mercy.

One verse full of intense language. 1. Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God! 2. They that come to God MUST BELIEVE that He is! 3. God is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek Him!

Blessed is the man whose sin is removed and erased. King David was called out for the sin of adultery, lying and murder. He wrestled with it (Psalm 38 He owned and repented (Psalm 51) and now in (Psalm 32) he enjoys the blessed feeling of forgiveness. when was the last time you acknowledge, addressed and repented of your sins?

We all need hope and we all want joy and peace. All three are abundantly given by God through believing in and following Jesus. what hinders you from following Jesus?

The word of God is both living and powerful Hebrews 4:12 1. The power of God's word created the world Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6-9; Hebrews 11:3 (*In the podcast i say Hebrews 11:9, I should have said Hebrews 11:3) 2. The power of God's word creates faith Romans 10:17 3. The power of God's word creates believers and community of the saved Luke 8:11,12

A am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ 1. The gospel is the power of God 2. The gospel is for salvation (deliver/rescue) 2 Thess. 2:14, Galatians 1:4 3. The gospel is for everyone

In Jesus we are complete, Outside of Jesus we are incomplete. How do we get "in Jesus" to be all we should be, could be and were meant to be? Baptism Baptism a command of Jesus, Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5 Baptized by immersion (Not sprinkling), Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12 Baptized for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21 Baptized "into" Christ,2 Galatians 3:26-27

God is not a genie in a bottle who is here to grant every whim and wish. We must abide in Christ and in His word. When we do we will begin to ask for things in alignment with God's will and then be more like to receive what we ask for.

King Saul sent his thugs to surround the house of David. They were to kill David at the first opportunity they had. David wrote "I will sing praises to God in the morning" He felt quite confident that he world survive the night. In this Psalm he describe why he felt so confident, God was his strength, defense and refuge in time of trouble. When we are surrounded by those who want our destruction, when we feel frightened or scared, when we are overwhelmed we should be like David and look to God as our defense, strength and refuge.

If we invited God to search our hearts what would he find and show us? Faith hope and love? Fear doubt and anger? God already knows what is in there but do we?

Do we need food? Yes it's what sustains the flesh. But what Jesus speaks of here is feeding the spirit with the word of God. It is the scripture that nourishes the soul. If you haven't lately, pick up Gods good book and begin to feast on it!

Paul was flawed but faithful! We too may be flawed but are we faithful? Will we hear the words, "well Done!" ?

Keeping the faith can be found in some of the mundane things of life. When we gather to worship regularly, when we take our God given roles in the family, when we have a good strong work ethic, and when we regularly (daily) pray and read scriptures this is how we "keep the faith". Can these things be said of you? If not you can change today!

Notice Paul says "My Coruse". It is his journey and no one else can do it for him. The same is true for us, it is our course and no one can walk it for me.

Not all fights are good! A good fight means it has a noble or worthy cause. For those in the kingdom of Christ we are in a noble fight and a worthy cause as we engage with those who live in the kingdoms of men. The kingdom of Christ is not about carnal ware with bombs and bullets but rather using the sword of the spirt which is the word of God. With the word of God we set about to help those who are dead in sins come alive in Christ.

The people of God need to (1) show up (2) do as God instructs (3) the victory is ours. Jesus has come and in the death burial and resurrection has won the battle over sin and death. All we have to do is show up, do as God instructs and the victory is ours!

There is an open door policy in God's throne room. Enter boldly and bring worries, concerns and anxieties. Bring yourself and your sins. The blessing of being in Christ is knowing you have a place to go and bring your burdens.

Jesus is the one, he has always been the one! I. He is the one in he creation Gen. 1:1, John 1:1 Col. 1:16 II. He is the one in the cradle Gal. 4:4, Heb, 2:14, Phil. 2:7, John 1:14-18

John the baptizer is in prison Matthew 11:1-6 1. wrestling with doubt about Jesus 2. Feeling stuck/captive 3. asking questions, unsure and uncertain about the identity of Jesus Are you the one or do we seek another? Jesus is the one, he has always ben the one! I. He is the one in the creation Gen, 1:1; John 1:1; Colossians 1:16; Gen. 1:26

J- Jesus O- Others Y- Yourself

Psalm 120:7; Acts 4:1-31 I. Riled up by the message of Jesus Acts 4:1-4 II. Railed against the message of Jesus Acts 4:3-21 III. Responded to the threats Act 4:23-31

The Message of Christ crucified is... 1. Justification Romans 4:25 2. Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5:20-21 3. Defeat of Death Hebrews 2:14-15 4. Hope 1 Peter 1:3-4 Are you "IN CHRIST", where there is justification, reconciliation, defeat of death and hope? Galatians 3:26-29 you must be immersed in water for the remission of sins. Matt. 28:18-20;Mark 16:16 John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38,8:35-39;22:16; Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:26-29; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21

Things that have not changed nor will they ever change! I. The world still lies under the sway of the wicked one 1 John 5:19 II. The worlds still affected by sin and death Romans 5:12 III. The world still needs Jesus and the gospel Romans 1:16 IV. The world will still be judged John 5:28,29; 2 Cor. 5:10

You've heard about Goldie locks and the three bears but have you heard about the three bears of Galatians? 1 Bear one another's burdens Gal. 6:1-2 2. Bear your own burden Gal. 6:5 3. Bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in your body Gal. 6:17

H.O.P.E. H- Help Romans 8:1-2 O- Optimism Romans 8:17,18 P- Prevailing over adversity Romans 8:37-39 E- Expectation Romans 8:19-21

Learn to praise God during frustrating times in your life. I strongly dislike winter, dark gloomy days, and snow/ice. God has been faithful to his promise that as long as the earth remains winter, cold, and night shall not cease. instead of complaining about those thing I choose to see that God is present in the world and faithful to his promise and for those things I choose to praise Him!