Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Eyewitnesses to Hope

Sermon: Eyewitnesses to Hope
Sermon Text: John 19:26
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.”

On the day that Jesus was crucified, he had witnesses on this day when it appeared that all hope was gone.

Have you ever needed some hope? Have you ever felt that you needed more hope for just one more minute, hour, or day? Sometimes, you can be staring hope right in the face and don’t know what to do with it.

Point 1: Simon of Cyrene Luke 23:26 “As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” Simon becomes a witness of hope.

-Simon doesn’t think he needs hope because he thinks his hope is at the temple.
-Jesus wasn’t on his mind and he didn’t know that he was about to follow hope. Simon considered that carrying the cross was admission of guilt.

Life Application
A. Learn to carry hope. Carrying hope is heavy but when you have it, you know that Jesus will bring you out of your situation. Galatians 6:9-“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
B. Follow hope- You can’t get hope looking at the TV.
C. Be ready to be criticized for having hope-If your hope is in Jesus, people will talk about you.

Point 2: The Centurion: Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he did, he said, “Surely this was the Son of God.”

The Centurion saw that hope had died and he confessed that it really was hope. Seeing how Jesus died brought him to a place of confession. Jesus was in control of his death and he died at the right time.

Life Application
You must understand that just confessing hope is not enough. We always confess hope, but we don’t actually possess it when we need it the most. Its not enough to just say that you have hope, but possessing hope means that you truly believe that GOD will move in your situation or deliver you from something.

Point 3: The Criminals Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Two thieves hung on crosses beside Jesus and they both had asked for hope.

First thief asked: Luke 23:39-Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.”

Second thief asked: Luke 23:42-Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Question: How is it that one thief received hope but the other didn’t?
Answer: The first thief didn’t ask Jesus in the correct manner.

Life Application
You can’t ask Jesus for something because of what you’ve done. That’s like saying, “Lord I’ve prayed, tithed, and I came to church, so now you owe me this.” Jesus doesn’t owe you anything. You must come to him in prayer and thank him for what he’s going to do. You must ask the right questions to get the right answers.

Point 4: Mary and John John 20: 1, 11, 16, 18. Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, Rabboni!”(which means teacher). Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

She didn’t go thinking that Jesus was gone. She wasn’t sure it was hope until hope spoke to her.
A. She was startled by HOPE
B. She took a closer look at HOPE
C. She embraced HOPE
D. She told somebody HOPE was alive and HOPE had something to say.

Life Application
When you think hope has died, it startles you when it shows up. After Jesus does something for you, you can’t keep it to yourself. Holding hope won’t keep it but possessing it will. When you’ve lost hope, you begin putting your hope into other things and habits that are no good for you.






Point 5: The Surprise Witness: YOU!
Now that you’ve witnessed hope, what do you plan to do about it? You know that Jesus lived, was crucified, was raised on the third day, and sits at the right hand of the Father. Therefore, you can believe that he can and will handle any situation you come into. What do you plan to do with the hope you have?

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Real Palm Sunday

Sermon Notes
Saturday & Sunday April 16& 17, 2011

Sermon: The Real Palm Sunday
Sermon Text: Mark 11:1-10 (NIV)

Palm Sunday is about more than a triumphant entry for Jesus.

Point 1: The Plan (V2) vs. 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

Upon reading the text we discover that Jesus had a plan. He had made preparations for the men and the colt to be available. Because Jesus is not a conquering king, but a suffering Messiah he would not ride in on a stallion or some grand animal, but a colt.
John 12: 1 states Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead…they had a dinner in his honor
(Mark 11:3)
Jesus knew the men would ask the disciples why they were untying the colt so He gave them a key phrase to use. He instructed the disciples to tell the men that Jesus had need of it and would return in shortly. This colt had to be released so Jesus’ plan could come to fruition. It is Jesus’ humanity, not his divinity, which is planning this event out.

Romans 8: 28 All things work together for the good for them who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.- Psalms 139: 16 your eyes saw my unformed body All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
We must realize that if Jesus was so meticulous in planning out His own life we can rest assured that He is doing the same for us. He is working out every detail. We may not always see when He is working but we can rest assured that it will work out for our good. Jesus has already planned our success; all we have to do is recognize that He has need of us and obey Him!

Point 2: The Parade (V7) 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and threw their garments on it; and he sat upon it.

When the plan works out the parade can begin. There are several problems with parades- they need popularity to be successful, everyone has an opinion about it, and we can only see one piece of the parade at a time which may cause us to miss the purpose. Aside from this, the major issue is that parades have people in them. This is the very reason people were cheering for Jesus at one part of the parade and jeering Him at another point in the parade. If people were able to see the entire parade (the beginning and the end) they would not have wanted to crucify Him. The same goes for our lives; people will often see bits and pieces of our lives and make judgments. They are only walking by, they don’t know the purpose of our parades, nor do they see the route.

You must watch the people in your parade. Remember:
1. Everyone that is with you isn’t with you.
2. Everyone that is cheering for you doesn’t truly care about your success.
3. Everyone along your journey doesn’t understand your journey.
4. Which means you have to be like Jesus:
a. Stay focused
b. Get on your donkey
c. Ride


Point 3: The Palms (V8,10) vs. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.

They were waving palms for power, purpose, and persuasion. We, too, often wave palms with hopes that we can persuade Jesus to conquer our problems. Jesus isn’t interested in our palms but He is interested in His palms. Palm Sunday is not about the palms that we wave but it is about when Jesus waved His palms. It is about Jesus’ journey to His destiny. The real Palm Sunday is the beginning of the end of our sins. Had Jesus’ not done this we wouldn’t have a plan, a parade, or a journey for our lives.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Withered ~ Worn Out ~ Waiting on JESUS...It's Up to YOU!

Sunday,April 10, 2011
New Life in Christ - Bishop Dudley

Sermon: Withered, Worn, and Waiting: It’s Up to You!
Sermon Text: Mark 1:29-31
“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.”
Point 1: They took Jesus with them (Vs. 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
Jesus was being led. They didn’t leave Jesus at the synagogue. Jesus couldn’t leave the synagogue on his own and therefore he was a part of the “they”. He needed to leave in the custody of someone. He had just finished ministering and driving out demons. – vs. 21-25:
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”

You must take Jesus with you after the shouting, teaching, praising, and singing during the worship service. You can’t have a powerful experience at church and then leave him there. We come to his house but we don’t want to bring him to our house. The only way you know that you’ve been with Jesus is if he’s with you. Your life will never change if you continue to leave him at the church. When you were young, the conviction fell on you during the worship experience, but the conversion didn’t happen because you left Jesus at the church.
Point 2: They took Jesus to Simon’s mother-in-law’s house vs.29-30 - 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
They knew that if Jesus handled all that he did in the synagogue, he could surely handle what was going on at their home. They knew their mother was sick, so they took Jesus with them.
After you decide that he’s going to accompany you, you need to know where you’re going to take him. Its one thing to invite someone to church; but it’s another thing to take Jesus where they are. You must have something specific for him to do. If you don’t have a specific place to take him to, you’ll end up taking him to places where you shouldn’t be. It is important to remember that he is everywhere but he doesn’t abide everywhere. He can’t abide in places where you know you shouldn’t be because he would be so focused on getting you out of that place. We know that Jesus saves, heals, satisfies, and brings peace. Therefore, you need to take him to where he can do all of these things.
Point 3: Jesus took her by the hand vs. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up.
Jesus didn’t heal her first but he took her by the hand. Taking her by the hand was the healing process.
Jesus heals in many different ways. Sometimes he heals instantly, but other times he will help you to your healing. He’s not going to turn things around when you’re not doing something for yourself. When Jesus helps you up, you participate in the healing. When you take him with you, he will do what he’s supposed to do. We always want Jesus to handle everything all by himself. However, some things are in your power and ability to do. Jesus will help you but he will not do what you can do for yourself.

Point 4: She took care of them …The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
The fever left and she began to wait on them. The healing motivated her to service. She didn’t just receive but she gave back. She served everybody that was with Jesus. It didn’t take the woman any time. She immediately started serving them.
John 6:26: “Jesus answered, "You've come looking for me not because you saw God in my actions but because I fed you, filled your stomachs—and for free.” Most people forget that he had human needs.
So many times we want something from Jesus, but we don’t want to do anything for him. We seem to be too preoccupied with other things going on in our lives. When the Lord does something for you, it should make you want to turn around and serve him. Serving Jesus also means serving his people. How can you love God but you don’t want to help someone else (his creation)? Your mindset should be: “my service to God is also helping my fellow man”. How can we see that the Lord has done something for us, and we know there are things that need to be done, yet we don’t want to do anything?
Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Jesus is waiting for you to take him with you. He’s waiting for you to help yourself to your healing. It’s up to YOU!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Withered ~ Worn Out ~ Waiting on JESUS!! Pt 2

Sermon Notes
Wednesday April 6, 2011

Sermon: Withered, Worn, and Waiting (Part II)
Sermon Text: Luke 6: 6-11
vs. 10 And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored. Mark 3:5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
The Pharisees were trying to uphold their faith tradition of the Sabbath in order to usher in the Messiah’s coming. They were used to the tradition that there would be no healing on the Sabbath. Jesus was confronting the Pharisees about what was lawful versus expedient. The man who came to the synagogue had a withered hand, was worn out by life, and was waiting to be healed.

Point 1: Withered House- Tradition versus Treatment (Matt 12:9-10-NIV) - Matthew 12:9-10 - 9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
The Pharisees were going to maintain their tradition at all costs- even if it meant murdering Jesus. They preferred tradition over treatment. In we take a moment to reflect, we can see the same thing happening today. Jesus wants to show up but we kill Him with tradition.
Rev. 1:10- On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
We have a choice when we come to church, we can choose to be in the spirit or to remain in tradition. When we choose to be in the spirit, revelation will come. We should come to church hungry for a worship experience. In order to get that experience, we must connect with God. Often times, we don’t pray before we come and we are distracted by other things. We can’t come to God just any type of way and expect to receive a revelation.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Every encounter we have with God will cause a change in us- this encounter is usually not in tradition. This is why we must be focused on treatment and not tradition.
Exodus 33:12-23 - 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 17 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19 And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21 Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Moses said he would not go without the presence of God- he wasn’t concerned with materialistic things. We should come to get a treatment from God and to get into His presence; only then can we get what we need from Him. When Jesus shows up, tradition goes away. We should be so fired up in God that we don’t even notice the frivolous things. Remember that receiving treatment means to be dealt with. Sometimes, we don’t want to come into God’s presence because we don’t want God to deal with us.

Point 2: Withered Man- Position versus Purpose (Luke 6: 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.
Jesus had to position the man for purpose. People should be able to look at your position and determine your purpose. God will move us into position and even when we don’t understand, He does. He knows what the enemy is thinking. We don’t have to worry about what others are thinking because God knows. The enemy can plan their attack move, however, because God knows our thoughts it will not matter. God will simply move us in order to keep us. The only way to get into the right position is to be obedient. Be quiet and let God work- let Him position you.


Point 3: Withered Hand- Restoration versus Rancor vs. 10 And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored. Mark 3:5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
The more restoration involved, the more rancor will come from others. The Pharisees should have been rejoicing because of the healing but instead they got angry. When you are restored don’t expect people to rejoice with you. Some people will get angry. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice
However, you don’t have to get angry or frustrated; Jesus is angry and upset for you. Jesus has your back and will handle your haters. Don’t ever worry.
Mark 3:5 - He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Withered ~ Worn Out ~ Waiting on JESUS!!

Sermon Notes
Saturday April 2, 2011

Sermon: Withered, Worn, and Waiting
Sermon Text: Luke 6: 6-11
Luke 6:10RSV - 10And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees were trying to uphold their faith tradition of the Sabbath in order to usher in the Messiah’s coming. They were used to the tradition that there would be no healing on the Sabbath. Jesus was confronting the Pharisees about what was lawful versus expedient. The man who came to the synagogue had a withered hand, was worn out by life, and was waiting to be healed.

Have you ever been withered, worn out, and waiting on Jesus?

Point 1: Withered House - Vs. 6-7: 6On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him.
The Pharisees had come to church for the wrong reasons. They didn’t come to get something from Jesus but rather they came just to check him out. Before Jesus could deal with the man, he had to deal with the house.

The house is withered when people come, but not to get a word. They just “come” to church out of their normal routine and they have their own pre-conceived agenda of how the church service should flow. When people come just to see who is at church and who’s not there, the house is withered. When you were young in the Lord, you came to church for other reasons. However, we must understand that when we come to church, it should be to get in the presence of the Lord. Jesus is always trying to pull you out of your comfort zone. (Matthew 9:17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."). You are comfortable in today but Jesus is concerned about moving forward into tomorrow.


Point 2: Withered Man vs. 8 - . 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.
Jesus made the man with the withered hand stand up. If it was just his hand, Jesus could have healed the man while he was sitting down. He wanted everyone to see what the man had been hiding. Jesus had to put the man in a posture to be healed. He wanted everyone to see the man because at the end there would be healing. Jesus had to put the man in a place of grace and work something out for him at that moment.

Sometimes we sneak into the church with our situation instead of revealing it. Situations always grow into sin when they’re left in the dark. We don’t ever want to be transparent and we’re always scared to reveal that we don’t have it all together. When you come to the Lord, be mindful that you can’t hide from him. You must be willing to be Jesus’ example and a witness for him. (John 1:9). Some things can’t be turned around until you get in his presence. You attitude must be: “I want to be delivered more than I want to hold on to my shriveled situation.” You come to church and you leave the same way you came because you didn’t get into his presence.


Point 3: Waiting for Jesus - Luke 6:10RSV - 10And after looking around at them all he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored.
Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand. The withered man was left-handed living in a right-handed world. Matthew 12:13 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.. The man’s hand had worked before, but the trials and tribulations of life caused it to be withered.

Jesus wants you to do what you’ve done before, but with his help this time. Sometimes we try to handle things in our own strength. There are times when you have to be quiet and just do what Jesus tells you to do. When he tells you to do something, don’t get into debate with him. No matter what you’re dealing with or whatever Satan took from you, if you try it with God, he will restore.
Joel 2:25- 25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm[a]— my great army that I sent among you.

Your latter rain will be greater than your former rain.
Haggai 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

Friday, April 1, 2011

When All Hope is Gone Pt 2

Sermon Title: When All Hope Is Gone- Pt 2
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 3:15 - vs. 15 - 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Questions to ponder: What do you do when all hope is gone? What do you do when your back is against the wall? Do you have a reason for your hope?

Context: Peter is writing to first century Christians who are being publically and relentlessly persecuted. They are being eaten in the coliseums, burned, and crucified. Caesar is also using the Christians as an excuse for why the economy is bad. Society is looking for a cheap thrill and they are getting them at the expense of the Christians. While the Christians are enduring these things, Peter gives them guidance. The first century Christians are able to apply this information, and subsequently make it through. If they are able to make it through, certainly, we can apply the same information and make it through!

Introduction: Have you ever gotten of information or a story and was shaken? You react to the information you have, only to find that you didn’t have the whole story? You feel embarrassed and want nothing more than to crawl under a carpet and hide. You overreacted and began talking before you thought about the situation. The Bible tells us that, Peter reacted in a similar fashion. He told Jesus that he did not want his feet washed. Later he decided not only did he want his feet washed but his whole body. As Christians, we must pull back and not overreact.

Point 1: Reactionary - Don’t overreact
A. Fear of man will overtake you. Prov. 29:25 - 25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
The fear of man will cause you to be immobile and put you in a snare. The root of our fear is rejection. We worry about what others think of us and are concerned about gaining their acceptance. We need to understand that everyone will not accept you.

B. Man can’t do anything that God doesn’t allow. Heb 13:6 - 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
God is sovereign. People cannot do anything without the authority of God. Just as he allowed Job to be tested, he allows thing to happen to us. The situation or problem is a tool for the Lord. He will use it to build your Christian character. When He is finished you will be able to step right over the situation and rise up.

C. Fear is a spirit - Rom 8:15 - 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”
2 Tim. 1:7KJV - 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Fear is a base and fundamental emotion. We automatically react to a situation with a Flight or Fight stance. In Romans 8:15 we are assured we should not live in fear but call out to our Heavenly Father. Like any loving Father, He will take care of his children. As soon fear takes over, we should call out to God. Say to him, “God you take care of this”. Being the loving father that He is, He will not allow anything to overtake us. Know that God has your back and will always take care of you. We must bind the spirit of fear. When it tries to take over, you should have an “I’m going to tell my Daddy” attitude. If left unbind, a spirit of fear will make you crazy, paranoid, and try to rule your life. 2 Tim 1:7 tells us that we have a sound mind. We don’t have to be fearful of what going to happen to us in the present or the future. As he is not confined to by time, God is already in the future. He knows what awaits us. Being Alpha and Omega he knows what is going to happen next week, next month, and next year. Being assured that God already knows what’s ahead and will take care of us, we don’t have to overact.

Point 2: Respond - don’t let the enemy see you sweat…
When fear comes, your response is important. It can make or break the situation. When responding you must take into consideration three things: your weapon, your words, and your witness. When we respond, we must be sure to do so appropriately

A. Right weapon 2 Cor 10:4 KJV - 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Each battle is different. You must choose the right weapon for YOUR battle. You have to be in tune to God to choose the right weapon. We all have the same armor but we have to make sure that we choose the right weapon. You don’t want to choose a sledge hammer to kill a gnat.
Examples of the right weapon: Prayer - Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Five (5) smooth stones – David in the battle with Goliath


B. Right Word Ps 19:14KJV - 14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
The power of life and death is in the mouth. If you say the wrong thing the results can be detrimental. Your words can kill a person, end a marriage, or get you fired. In turn, your words can bring deliverance. When you come to church, your Pastor should speak into your life. Never come to church just to be there. You should come with a posture of expectation. Come to get a Word from the Lord. What is your posture?

C. Right Witness Matt 5:16KJV - 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
When people see how you react to your situation, it should be a witness for God. They should want to know your God.

Point 3: Reason - Our Faith is a fact
Heb. 11:1 - 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Heb 10:35-39 - 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”[a] 38 And, “But my righteous[b] one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”[c] 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Our faith is a fact; not superstition. We are intelligent people and our faith is not foolishness. It is grounded in fact. Jesus lived, died, and was raised from the dead. Hebrews 11:1 is a familiar passage. However, it is connected to Hebrews 10: 35-39. When your back is against the wall you must persevere. Remember, God is going to come. Even if you have been in the situation for a while, God is going to come. He has given you the strength to hold out until He arrives. He will not delay! He is closer than he was yesterday, last week, or last year. The longer he takes to come the greater the Christian character he is building in you. When he arrives you will be able to handle the blessing that He brings with him.


Conclusion:
Life is tough but we do not have to be reactionary. Don’t let the fear of man concern you. They cannot do anything to you that God does not allow. We must bind the spirit of fear. God gave us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. When we respond, let’s remember to choose the right weapon and word so that we may have the right witness….one that leads others to Christ. Our faith is the reason that we are able to do this. Our faith is a fact. Jesus lived, died and was raised from the dead. Remember God is coming and he is bringing blessing. Hold on until he comes!

Virtual Family Sunday Questions

What ways can we create community as a family? How has our viewership/church attendance enhanced or diminished our family covenant? What way...