Grace And Love Intertwined

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments. - Habakkuk 3:17-19 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk3:17-19&version=NKJV When hard times come, (and they will), we can either shake our fist at God, blaming Him, or have unwavering trust in Him keeping our boundless joy centered in Him. Which will you choose when the hard times roll?

Gross Misconduct  The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,“Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord , all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the Lord !’ ”Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord , the temple of the Lord  are these.’“For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor,if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt,then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.“Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit.Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn...

4 Indictments  Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, To the oppressing city!She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the Lord, She has not drawn near to her God. - Zephaniah 3:1-2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah3:1-2&version=NKJV Read this in my daily Bible study yesterday. Israel was in gross sin: idolatry, swearing, lying, killing, stealing, adultery (Hosea 4:1-2). They did not obey God's voice, refused correction, did not trust nor draw near to God.  But before we pass judgment on Israel, let's examine ourselves: is there any unrepentant sin in our lives? Are we refusing correction? Are we placing our trust in anyone or anything other than God? Are we drawing near to God or turning away? If there is anything amiss in our spiritual lives, let's repent speedily. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord...

                          Sermon                            The Rapture  In the popular  Left Behind movie Christians are secretly, silently taken up to heaven while the rest of humanity is left behind to face the seven years of tribulation. But does the Bible support this? No.  1. First the rapture is not silent  The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first.After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Thessalonians4:16-17&version=NCV 2. Everyone will see Jesus when He returns  Behold, He is coming with clouds, a...

                                                                    Sermon                                                                     Saving Faith But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. - Hebrews 10:39 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews10:39&version=NKJV Let's be of those who have saving faith not of those who draw back, who have evil hearts of unbelief departing from the living God (Hebrews 3:13). By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world...

                              Sermon:                               Events Surrounding                                Jesus' Death  “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is,  “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for E...

                                  Sermon: Racism  Racism. Such an ugly word and an even uglier, sinful attitude. Racism says one race is superior to all others. This is a great evil that leads to hate crimes and even murder.  1. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:26) 2. God made one race, the human race and different skin colors from the human race (Acts 17:26) 3. God is not racist (Acts 10:34-35) 4. Racism is a sin (James 2:1, 8-9) 5. Jesus tasted death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9) 6. All distinctoins broken down in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. - 1 John 3:15 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1John3:15&version=NKJV And think on this. Racism is hatred towards others of a different skin color. Hatred is murder in the heart and no murderers will enter heaven.  Lesson: value...

The Lord  is  my shepherd; I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. - Psalm 23:1-6 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm23:1-6&version=NKJV He's my perfect Shepherd. I shall not suffer want.  I lay down in green pastures and am led to still waters by His mighty hand.  Because of His name's sake He restores my soul and leads me in paths of righteousness.  I may be in troublesome times but I will not fear for He is with me. His rod and staff are here...

                                                      Sermon: Judgment Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:11-15 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation20:11-15&version=NKJV...

                                        Sermon Grievous Times But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to...

                                Sermon: The Wise and                                 Foolish Virgins  “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet  the bridegroom.Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.But while the bridegroom was delayed,  they all slumbered and slept.“And at midnight  a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom  is coming; go out to meet him!’Then all those virgins arose and  trimmed their lamps.And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who ...

Sermon: Forgiveness Part 2  “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But  if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. - Matthew 6:14-15 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew6:14-15&version=NKJV This is a warning for us, New Testament Christians. If we don't forgive others, God will not forgive us. Think of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35). A king forgave his great debt of a million dollars yet this very servant did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him only a few dollars. When the king found out, he called the unmerciful servant wicked and had him thrown into prison until he could pay back his debt of a million dollars.  God sees us as wicked when we hold grudges, are bitter, and refuse to forgive.  If someone sins against us, we are to rebuke lovingly and then forgive. Always forgive (Luke 17:3-4). We are to get rid of all bitterness and f...

How to Be Blessed  Psalm 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.The ungodly are not so, But are  like the chaff which the wind drives away.Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. - Psalm 1:1-6 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm1:1-6&version=NKJV If we meditate upon God's law and keep it, we will be blessed. However if we turn away and take our part with sinners we will be cursed and utterly destroyed: second death (Revelation 21:8).

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. - Proverbs 3:11-12 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs3:11-12&version=NKJV Don't despise God when He chastens us. Don't despise His chastening. He lovingly corrects us. Submit and learn to be a better servant of the Lord.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. - Proverbs 3:7-8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs3:7-8&version=NKJV Fear God, depart from all sin. This will keep us spiritually healthy and strong.

Morning Sermon  Faithful Congregation  A faithful congregation does the following: 1. Has a Biblical view of the church  And I also say to you that  you are Peter, and  on this rock I will build My church, and  the gates of Hades shall not  prevail against it. - Matthew 16:18 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew16:18&version=NKJV They understand that Jesus built one church not many. They understand that the church is the body, bride of Christ, household of God (Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 6:22-33, 1 Timothy 3:15). 2. Appreciates the elders Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. - 1 Timothy 5:17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Timothy5:17&version=NKJV 3. Pays attention to preaching Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. - 1 Timothy 4:13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Timothy4:13...

Morning Sermon Brother's Keeper Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” - Genesis 4:9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis4:9&version=NKJV Cain asked the question "Am I my brother's keeper?" Yes. As brothers and sisters in Christ we all need each other (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Let's make it our responsibility to restore the fallen and bear each other's burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). And do good to them (Galatians 6:10).  1. Love one another A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John13:34-35&version=NKJV 2. Encourage each other Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 http://www.b...

Morning Sermon  Indestructible Kingdom  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” - Luke 1:31-33 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke1:31-33&version=NKJV Jesus' kingdom is eternal. He preached repentance for the Kingdom was near while He was upon earth (Matthew 4:17).  This kingdom come to fruition on the day of Pentecost fifty days His resurrection (see Acts Chapter 2). This kingdom is the church. And the way into this kingdom is obedience to the Gospel.  This kingdom is spiritual, not physical (Luke 17:20-21). Jesus is the builder of the kingdom (Matthew 16:18) and the head of it (Ephesians 1:22-23). Be a part of this glorious kingdom through Gospel obedience.  Af...

Morning Sermon Don't Be Troubled “Let  not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.In My Father’s house are many  mansions; if it were not so,  I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you,  I will come again and receive you to Myself; that  where I am, there you may be also. - John 14:1-3 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John14:1-3&version=NKJV Don't be troubled. Heaven prepared for me. Believe in God. Believe also in Jesus. Lay up heavenly treasures, not earthly (Matthew 6:19-21). Set mind on heavenly things (Colossians 3:1-2). Set hope in eternal life (Titus 1:2).  I have an incorruptible inheritance (1 Peter 1:4). Even after death, still have heaven (1 Corinthians 5:1).  Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. - Revelati...