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Alta Woods Baptist Church

Alta Woods Baptist ChurchAlta Woods Baptist ChurchAlta Woods Baptist Church

Updated July 3 2025

Updated July 3 2025Updated July 3 2025

REv. andy Mullins - jun e 29, 2025

Reverend Andy Mullins -June 29, 2025


Galatians 5: 1-6


Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not tangled again with the yoke of bondage.

For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


Paul’s letter to the Galatians can be divided into three parts:


Chapters 1-2 focus on Paul’s biography, including his qualifications to represent Christ as an apostle. The end of chapter 2, through chapter 4, deals mainly with theology, explaining that justification comes by faith in Christ and not by following the works of the law. Chapters 5-6 focus on the application of these truths. Knowing all that’s been presented in chapters 1-4, how should those who are free in Christ live?

Paul begins chapter 5 by stating flatly that Christ has set us free in order that we should be free.  Freedom, though, requires resistance against a return to bondage. Those in Christ must stand firm against anyone who would try to drag them into slavery under the law.

Paul has in mind the issue of circumcision. A group known as Judaizers were pressuring the Galatians to submit to physical circumcision in order to be acceptable to God. Some of the Galatians may have been willing to do this, simply to cover all possible needs. “Why not believe in Jesus AND be circumcised?” they may have thought. Paul insists, however, that faith in Christ must be faith in Christ alone and nothing else. In fact he writes that to begin to follow the law cuts us off from Christ because we are asking God to judge us by our own works and not by Christ’s.

Emphasis is given to the freedom we have in Christ, the theme concept of justification by faith in Jesus alone.

We have freedom from the law in Christ!

In these versus Paul has hope in righteousness that Christ brings.

Christ has set us free – verified and confirmed!

WHY ARE YOU AFRAID mARK 4:40

6/22/25: QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED: 

Why are you afraid? Mark 4:40 (4:35-5:2)

Mark 4:1-2

He was teaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The crowds were so thick that Jesus “created” a moving pulpit; He got into a boat and pushed out into the water. He stayed in the boat through the morning and most of the afternoon, teaching the people parable after parable about the Kingdom of God: planting/harvests/weeds, about candlesticks/mustard seeds. As the evening approached, He then turned to His disciples, still teaching: interpreting for them and what He had said....


And that’s where we pick up our Gospel story for today.....


MARK 4:35-5:2

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them “Let us pass over unto the other side.” And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat unto the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master carest thou not that we perish? And he arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still”. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? And they came over unto the other side of the sea, ino 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.

This “stormy experience” became a TEACHABLE MOMENT for the Disciples........and it becomes a TEACHABLE MOMENT for us......

Let me show you what I mean as we look at the story about a ride in a small boat on a big lake


1. PLAN (Verses 35-36)

They planned to go to the other side. These were little ships, to cover an area of 13x 8 miles could easily take 4-6 hours even with favorable winds. They took him even as He was, he was utterly exhausted. They were on the water at night, it was dangerous, even for experienced but when Jesus told them to get in the boat, they followed his instruction; Jesus had a plan, a purpose (which we will see) for wanting them to go THEN

Each of us who are Christians have “gotten in the boat with Jesus”. He is directing and we are following

Jeremiah 29:11: good

Micah 6:8: justice, love, mercy

Hebrews 13:21: equipping for the journey

BUT HE DOES NOT WANT US TO DELAY/WAIT TILL MORNING


2. PANIC (Verses 37-38) 

The sea of Galilee was in the shape of a bowl, surrounded by mountains, the storm 

And the winds would come off the Mediterranean....over and down! Suddenly the ship is taking on water and Jesus is in the stern: not steering but sleeping, his head on a pillow. Then came the unexpected, the interruption.


There is a marvelous painting by Rembrandt: showing one member of the crew wrestling with sails,2 more on either side of the mast, one hanging on for dear life,

one hanging over side (probably sick), another riding it out, another trying to keep his cap from flying looking straight at the reader with fright (Some say this is Rembrandt’s SELF PORTRAIT); another arguing with Jesus. They are afraid: they think they know how this is going to turn out and it’s not good; they do not ask Jesus for advice or help: they accuse him: DON’T YOU CARE?


Some of our storms are sudden: we are not always afforded the luxury of preparation:

YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR: the biopsy is cancerous; the pet scan shows that it’s  spread

YOU GO TO WORK: an unexpected meeting is called: you’re told the company is downsizing

YOU GO PAST THE CHURCH: several cars are there.  Why? You find that the Deacons   are having a meeting about YOU

And we try to handle it on our own: but we’re sinking and we FORGET who is in the boat with us


3. PRESENCE (Verses 39-41)

Jesus is present : before, during, after the storm

Jesus can bring a calm to any storm

QUESTION 1: seems strange: didn’t I tell you: we are going to other side

QUESTION 2: their fear has suppressed their faith: they are focused on the storm 

instead of the Savior and their natural fear (unhealthy) is replaced by holy fear (healthy)

You have the creator of the storms on the boat! Perfect love casts out all fear: TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS


4. PLAN (Verses 1-2)

They made it to the other side, maybe after all night: next morning: to the other side: and there met Him immediately.... a man with great need: it was another day, another miracle.


Philippians 1:6

Jesus tells us to get in the boat with Him, and, despite the unexpected, unwanted storms, where fear suppresses our faith: DON’T FORGET JESUS IS WITH YOU, and with Him, you WILL make it safely to the other side!

MEMORIZE THIS: WHAT TIME I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN THEE... Psalm 56:3 

WHO AM i? mATTHEW 16 13:16 - BRO STEVE JACKSON

  

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED: #2

  

WHO AM I? Matthew 16:13-16

Our culture claims to know about Jesus, but many people are confused as to who He really is. One time Jesus asked His disciples that very question: who do people say that I am? 

             what are you hearing?

             what are people saying about me? About my identity?

The disciples answer showed the current confusion: some say you are John the Baptist who has come back from the dead; others are saying you are the reappearance of Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.

We have that same confusion today: if you ask a crowd about Jesus, some will say he was a great man, others say he was a moral teacher, a miracle worker and still others would not be so kind and call Him a made-up religious hoax (a myth). 

We see that confusion evidenced in a research project conducted by our Lifeway Christian Resources called STATE OF THEOLOGY. 66% of people said Jesus was bodily resurrected yet 53% said He was a great teacher but not God. 60% said only those who trust in Jesus could receive the gift of eternal salvation and 67% say that God accepts the worship of all religions including Islam.

BUT.... the identity of Jesus is not to be determined in polls or by popular vote: when in comes to the spiritual, the majority is NOT always right. Noah: the only righteous person in his generation, Jeremiah, Hosea, Daniel, the 120, all of these were not the majority. IT’S NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY, BUT WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY.


SO, FOR THE NEXT FEW MOMENTS, LET’S LOOK AT WHO JESUS IS, ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES BEFORE WE CLOSE BY LOOKING AT WHO JESUS IS TO YOU AND TO ME.....


THE PROMISED SON. Jesus followed up question with question: who Jesus is more than POPULAR, it is PERSONAL. Jesus said “But whom say ye that I am?” and Peter gave the RIGHT answer: Christ, Messiah, anointed one. This was a PIVOTAL moment in the Gospel: affirming his divine nature: fulfilling 500+ prophecies (promises to come) on everything ranging from birth to teachings to death and resurrection.


THE PERFECT SON – Jesus was far more than just an ordinary man: He was the perfect Son of God come to be the Savior of the World. Matthew 1:21- “Thou shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins” 1 John 4:14 “The Father sent the Son to be the savior of the world” Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”.

Baptism of Jesus: THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM....

Testimony of John the Baptist : BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO......

You are the Christ, THE SON OF THE BLESSED: I AM, and you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power 


THE  POWERFUL SON -far more than just a Teacher: He said: ALL AUTHORITY: full power and  dominion over all things not only in the present age, but also in the one to come”. Jesus performed  MIRACLES: He had dominion over NATURE, DEMONS, DISEASES, AND EVEN DEATH.


THE PRESENT SON - He lived here over 2,000 years ago: BUT TODAY HE IS STILL ALIVE & ACTIVE -what is He doing? He IS praying on your behalf TODAY. He is to be worshipped as DIVINITY TODAY.

THE PLAN CENTERED ON THE SON -early post resurrection preaching in Acts made it clear: Jesus was

not content with what other people said but “Whom do you say that I am?” You and I, just like the disciples, make that choice. So, that is what the Scriptures say: that’s WHO JESUS IS, but equally important is the second question Jesus asked His Disciples that day: Your relationship or lack of it with Jesus is a PERSONAL decision: you cannot rely on anyone else:  WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?


Christian Apologist/Writer CS Lewis spoke of that choice over the

identity of Jesus....

I am trying to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that

people often say about Him: that I’m ready to accept Jesus as a

great moral teacher but I don’t accept His claim to be God. That

is the very thing we must not say.

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said

would NOT be aa great moral teacher: He would either be a lunatic

or else He would be the devil of Hell. You must make your choice.

Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or 

something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool; you can spit at

Him as a Demon, or you can fall at His feet and call him Lord & God.

But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being

a great human teacher. He has not left that option open to us. HE

DID NOT INTEND TO...... 


The Centurion made His decision about Jesus, when as a result of all that he saw and heard at the cross: TRULY THIS MAN WAS THE SON OF GOD: Who is Jesus?  We must make our DECISION as to WHO JESUS WILL BE TO US......


We’ve sung it since we were children.... I HAVE DECIDED.... you know the words, you recognize the tune but.... do you know the STORY behind the song?


In the 19TH century, in Northeast India: revival had broken out from missionaries sharing several villages: they reached a village particularly known for violence: as a result of the missionary’s preaching: one man Nokseng & his family: wife and 2 children: accepted Jesus: The chieftan heard of that conversion and brought them out before the village: He was commanded to RENOUNCE. He replied – “no: I have decided: no turning back” They shot the 2 children with arrows and killed them. He was commanded again “RENOUNCE” and he again replied “no: though none go with me, still I will follow”. They shot his wife with arrows and she was killed. Once again, he was commanded “RENOUNCE” and he replied “the world behind me, the cross before me” They shot him....his brave stance influenced many in that village, eventually including the chieftan himself, to decide to follow Jesus: Nokseng’s words were put to music by another Indian missionary, and the song was born


And the question of Jesus comes to us today: whom do you say I am? HAVE YOU DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS? You will never be sorry for that decision, and ETERNITY hinges on your answer. 

jUNE 8 - REV aNDY MULLINS

In the second week of June, the Southern Baptist Convention meets every Tuesday and Wednesday in Dallas. Between 14,000 and 20,000 members and pastors will attend a large business meeting. I encourage you to be praying for the lofty decisions that need to be made. 

Ephesians1 is Paul’s letter. He wrote a large portion of the New Testament. He was writing from prison, later in his life, most likely in Rome, somewhere between 60 and 65 AD. Ephesians 1:7 “In Whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”.

In January 1983 I was 9 ½ years old. Superbowl 17 was the Dolphins versus the Redskins (the Redskins won) but the important event for me, in DC a pilot television show would air that would shape my childhood. Four military fugitives who chose to do good while being pursued for the things they had done – The A Team. These four men who somehow defeated the bad guys. Hannibal Smith “I love it when a plan comes together”. Just as we were let in on the A Team’s plan- in Ephesians 1 we get to be let in on God’s plan. Paul is revealing God’s will. We sometimes struggle with that phrase because we make God’s will about us – it does affect us but it is ultimately about his Glory, his purpose. God can exalt himself and love  in the gaps with smaller pebbles. Then fill in remaining gaps with sand. Is it full now? You can also add water. This is the type of fullness of God’s plan. Everything flows together with God. We will be reunited in him. All things will be subject to Christ. Some willingly – some unwillingly.

Martin Lloyd Jones was a Welch pastor and a doctor said “The perfect harmony that will be restored will be harmony in man and between man. Harmony on earth and in creation! Harmony in heaven, all under the blessed Lord Jesus Christ who will be the head of all! Everything will again be united in him. And wonder of wonders, marvelous beyond compare, when all this happens it will never be undone again. All will be re-united in him to all eternity. This is the message that is God’s plan. That is the mystery which has been revealed to us”. You will never hear anything greater – his plan will come to fruition. Do you wish you knew that plan? 

In verse 7-8, Jesus redeemed us. Paul is not praying, hoping, wishing for redemption, his Is stating a fact. The moment you believe, you have redemption.

Three concepts in the Greek language:

1. The market place – means to buy, to release from slavery, the price he paid for our sin

2. To buy out of the slave market – a slave would never be purchased again, redemption is permanent.

3. To loose, to set free by the payment of a price, not only bought, not only never to be returned but to never be bought in the slavery of sin again- redemption, to be liberated by payment of a ransom, to be free after the purchase.

Who have we been redeemed to? How was he able to redeem us? Blood must be spilt in order for forgiveness to happen.

A musical, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Since it was written, it has been popular. One particular scene really captures Ephesians. A man (John) stole food and was caught and imprisoned. He tried to escape but was in prison 20 years. Upon his release, he was traveling home, looking for a place to stay. A priest feeds him, treats him well, even gives him his bed. He steals the priest’s silverware and flees. The police capture him and bring him back to the priest. John claimed he had the priest’s permission to take the silverware. The priest agrees this is so and dismisses the police. John is dumbfounded and asks the priest why he would do such a thing. The priest replies “Today, I have bought you from evil and you are now good”. John tries to live the rest of his life as a redeemed man. 

If we are believers, do we accept readily and do we live out that plan every day?

June 1 2025-DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE DONE FOR YOU?

June 1 2025 – Do you know what I have done for you? 0- John 13:12- Brother Steve Jackson

Hebrew is learned by asking questions. Jesus asked between 200 and 500 questions. We will have a summer session on about 10 of those.

Because we are observing the Lord’s Supper, we start with the question that Jesus asked at the first Lord’s Supper. Jesus washed the disciple’s feet and dried them. Peter asked “are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied “you will understand later. One who has bathed does not need to wash anything but your feet”. Jesus knew they were not all clean because he knew that he would be betrayed. It is interesting that John handles the telling of the last supper differently than Matthew does. After washing their feet, Jesus reclined again.

Ben Franklin said “Tell me and I may forget; Show me and I will remember”. A picture is worth a thousand words. Jesus turned this into a teaching moment, an explanation, an application and a second application. Do you know there is more to this than meets the eye? This was not an act to be taught but rather an attitude to be taught. You are going to serve. You will meet the needs of others. John 13:15 says “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you”. A servant is not less than his master but service was non-negotiable.

Every disciple at the Last Supper except two (Judas and John)- Judas would hang himself and John would die of old age – all the others died a martyr. It was worth it all. What does this mean to us? When have we had a foot washing? I can bring water, soap and a towel. Southern Baptists observe two rituals, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both have to do with the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. 

I lift this question to you – Do you know what I have done for you? Past, present and future. He became poor so that we may be rich. He was raised so that we might be saved. 

Peter said you will never wash my feet and Jesus said “If I do no wash your feet, ye are not with me.” Peter said “Wash all of me”. There is a big difference between washing the feet and bathing the soul.

1st John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light , as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”. He talks about sins (with an s) but he cleanses us from all sin (the total sin problem). 

During this Lord’s Supper, thank God for Salvation. 

5/25/25: Preaching Through Amazing Grace Stanza 4: The Glory of THERE


Revelation 21:1-4: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things have passed away.”


When we plan a trip, we want to know something about where we’re going: where to stay, sites/attractions, weather, good places to eat: sports teams/flower gardens, etc. We try to find all of that for a place we might stay 10 days. What about 10k years? Heaven is the place all believers are going to end up: and we’ll be there.... FOREVER! So, there is a need to know and learn about Heaven, our future home!


While our information about Heaven is limited (the Bible does not give us an exhaustive description about Heaven), we may not know all we WANT to know, but rest assured, The Scripture tells us all we NEED to know about Heaven.... and what it tells is AMAZING.

So, for the next few moments, let’s hear SEVEN BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT OUR FUTURE HOME: 7 BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT HEAVEN


REAL: Heaven is a REAL place, not a hallucination or wish-only of the mind: it is a real point on God’s map.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 tells us of three heavens:  right above earth where birds fly;  the stars (the night sky beyond earth’s atmosphere), and PARADISE (the word means beautiful garden): the abode of God, the place where Jesus said to the thief on the cross: I am going to prepare a place; again a real point on Gods map. Two levels you see by daylight or in the night sky. The third you see by faith, each just as real.


REACHABLE: Christians go to Heaven immediately upon death. Your spirit goes immediately. Stephen said receive my spirit: Jesus said, into thy hands, I commit my spirit. Your last breath here is your first breath there: Philippians 1:21-23 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” When He returns, he brings us with Him and our bodies are remade, and rise and unite with our Spirits in the air, and so shall we ever be together with the Lord (THESSALONIANS): REACHABLE for every true believer!


RELATIONAL: we will know our loved ones in Heaven. 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” We will really see and really know each other: most important thing being: you did what you needed to do to be here. When David feared for losing his baby, he fasted, prayed and wept, but when the baby died, he stopped: he put on regular clothes and returned to life: WHY? He said because I hoped he would be given back to me: he was not: he cannot return to me, BUT I CAN GO TO HIM. On the Mount of Transfiguration Peter saw Moses and Elijah: they were real, as real to Peter as Jesus was. RELATIONAL: TOGETHER....WITH HIM


REACTIVE: there is joyful activity in Heaven. One of myths of Heaven is that It’s boring: sitting on a cloud all day, half asleep, strumming a harp, Heaven is joyful, with blessed activity: Revelation 7:15-17. Time will be spent by SERVING HIM: teachers will teach, preachers will preach, singers will lead songs, cooks will cook, encouragers will encourage, helpers will help: There will be so many ways to serve Him there.


REFINEMENT: Heaven is an absolute perfect place: refinement to the nth  degree

Heaven is all the loving heart of God could desire

Heaven is all the incredible mind of God could conceive

Heaven is all the awesome power of God could create

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A PLACE GOD BUILT? IT MUS BE DESCRIBED BY WHAT IS NOT THERE: How do you describe an Amazon rain forest to an Eskimo who has never left the Artic circle? 


REGENT: King Jesus is the crowning glory of Heaven. When I return from a long trip and  come home: do I hug the front door?, embrace the big chair? No: I hug my wife, Because Peggy is my definition of HOME: home is where she is. HEAVEN is where Jesus is: It is the fulfillment of a request Jesus made to His father in His high priestly prayer in John 17: John 17:24: be with me *IT WILL BE HOME: WITH HIM


RESERVED: Only the redeemed go to Heaven. To be born again means born from above, and to be heaven born is to be heaven bound. Revelation 7:14 talks about not just white robes but white washed robes, because God accepted the death of Christ for our sins.

Revelation 21:27 tells us about the Lamb’s book of life. My name is in that book since April of 1962 because I did what He said I need to do.


HEAVEN: REAL, REACHABLE, RELATIONAL, REACTIVE, REFINED, REGENT, RESERVED

Heaven is a wonderful place, it’s filled with glory and grace, and place.... I want to go... THERE. I want to see my Savior’s face, because Heaven is a wonderful place.

Yes, when we’ve been THERE 10 thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun

5/18/25-AMAZING GRACE, STANZA 3: & Grace Will Lead Me Home 2

Welcome to Alta Woods Baptist

Adrian Rogers tells of a time when a pastor search committee came to him seeking help finding their next minister. They hoped Pastor Rogers might give them a name/recommendation, and he did not disappoint. He said “I know just the man you need: he is a marvelous preacher (he had their attention); he is also an accomplished theologian, prolific writer, and possesses a fervent evangelical spirit. He has gone  on several highly successful mission trips (they all had their pens/papers out, waiting for the contact information). BUT THEN Bro. Adrian said: now I must tell you he is getting on in age and has some health problems (a couple of the pens/papers went back in their pockets); and... he’s been in jail several times  (nothing moral, but he did participate in and even incite some demonstrations/riots); they shook their heads: I don’t think we could consider him for Pastor of our church. NO, YOU COULDN’T: said Bro. Adrian, he is already in Heaven: his name is the Apostle Paul. Now, it’s true that several pulpit committees would not want to take a chance on Paul (not the safe candidate) but God saw the potential there when no one else did. The same was true with John Newton: God’s grace turned the old cursing blasphemer into a minister of the Gospel: turned the captain of a slave ship into a proponent for the abolition of slavery in his native England (he lived to see it abolished months before died).


We come to Stanza 3 of this great hymn:

THROUGH MANY DANGERS TOILS AND STRIFE, I HAVE ALREADY COME

THIS GRACE HATH BROUGHT ME SAFE THUS FAR, AND GRACE WILL 

LEAD ME HOME


I see in this stanza the listing of the TIMES OF OUR LIVES: the past, present, and future: look at the 3rd stanza again...... the ALL THE TIMES OF OUR LIVES ARE FILLED WITH GRACE (that is the constant).

So, for next few moments, I want us to look at the TIMES of Paul and before we leave, we will consider our times as well...... and see that “to have the time of our life, we must let His Grace fill the TIMES of our lives”


PAST: the Grace of the Providence of God, the protective care of God (through many dangers...)

John Newton was protected from the physical storm, from the hatred of captain/crew

Paul: God had protected physically: 2 Cor. 11:23-27

God had protected him mentally: 2 Cor. 11:28

His testimony: Galatians 1:13-16a: I see His grace in my past.

Do you see the PROVIDENCE OF GOD?


Rembrandt worked on “Return of the Prodigal” for years, many sketches and drawings: he finally finished 2 years before his death: he painted himself as prodigal falling at the feet of a loving Father.


THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR PAST PROVIDENCE

PRESENT: the Grace of the Presence of God (tis grace hath brought...)

Acts 23: Paul before the mighty Sanhedrin :he used to be one of them, now considered a traitor; the same group that caused Jesus to be crucified and Stephen to be stoned: an angry mob: Paul pulled away

from them and was taken away for the evening: what would tomorrow bring?

THAT NIGHT: ACTS 23:11: In the presence of the Lord:  you do not have to be afraid:

he puts arm around him and says “you have been faithful to me: I WILL BE FAITHFUL TO YOU: I’m standing by you now and in the future: I still have plans for you: this will not be the end: you will testify for me in Rome.

HE ENCOURAGES: ENCOURAGING PRESENCE

HE KNOWS MY NAME: PERSONAL PRESENCE

HE HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE: PURPOSEFUL PRESENCE

Do you feel the PRESENCE OF GOD?


Even on his deathbed, John Newton’s final words were “And best of all, God is with us

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me,

King of my heart, Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me,

Never to part. (NEVER ALONE) 

THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR PRESENT PRESENCE


FUTURE: the Grace of the Promises of God (& grace will lead me home)

2 Timothy 4:16-18 (18)

The future is as bright as the promises of God: William Carey worked 7 yearsbefore seeing his first convert: who suffered through fire that destroyed 14 different language printing blocks for New Testament translation, who suffered the loss of his wife and the sabotage of fellow church folk who didn’t think you need  missionaries: he clung to promises “clinging to the promises”

Psalm 56:3, 55:22, 23:4A, 46:1, 84:11 promises sun/shield; grace/glory; no good thing

will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.


Corrie Ten Boom said “never fear to trust a future you do not know to a God you

do know!”


Do you claim the promises of God? Then endorse the check! by faith: His account

is never overdrawn.

THANK YOU GOD FOR 

YOUR FUTURE PROMISES

The times of our lives: Past, Present and Future - to have the time of your life, give to

Him the TIMES of your life

LOOK AT YOUR PAST AND SEE HIS PROVIDENCE: HE’S BEEN THERE

LOOK AT YOUR PRESENT AND SENSE HIS PRESENCE: HE IS THERE

LOOK AT YOUR FUTURE AND CLAIM HIS PROMISES: HE WILL BE THERE

All the way..... home

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