9/28/25 -leaving a legacy: abraham - genesis 22

9/28/25 - Leaving a Legacy: Abraham: Genesis 22

We’ve all heard it - This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System: this is only a test.

We do not worry, because we know it’s only a test; it’s going to turn out ok and 30 seconds later, we will be returned to our media of choice. Now, we know how the story ends.... we know that it was a test..but..ABRAHAM DIDN’T KNOW THAT...

No, this command begins the dramatic telling of a remarkable crisis in Abraham’s life. 

A crisis without precedent: God had never before demanded a human sacrifice. It was without parallel: no one else had ever been commanded to sacrifice their son. The practice was common among pagan religions, but not with Yahweh God, AND IT LEAVES ABRAHAM STUNNED, HEARTBROKEN, QUESTIONING: WHY WOULD GOD ASK FOR THE SACRIFICE OF A CHILD THAT HE HAD PROMISED, A CHILD MIRACULOUSLY BORN?

As we look at this story, I want to divide it into 4 areas, each with a spiritual truth for us to consider.... 

1: PREPARATION

2: EXAMINATION

3-10: SUBMISSION

11-14: ANTICIPATION

These 4 areas will be our study guide on how Abraham passed the test, and how we can pass divine tests.  “when life gets illogical, get theological”

PREPARATION  - “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham; and he said Behold here I am. AFTER THESE THINGS: what things? Well, Abraham had been through many things, a relocation trip over hundreds of miles, the loss of his father Terah on that trip, trouble in the family, forgiveness for lying and deception about Sarah, blessings, and becoming powerful, wealthy,  the promise of a son: AND MORE RECENTLY: the departure of Hagar and Ishmael, an altercation with the local ruler, his son’s birth (25 years after the promise).  All of this was preparation for what would happen: God was using this time and these events to prepare Abraham: remember who I am, and how I have acted: think about me, remember me. If we knew what would happen, we might think “ I could never do that” but when it does, think about God: WHEN LIFE GETS ILLOGICAL..GET THEOGICAL.; you still have God and He’s all you need: Romans 8:31-35, 37 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”.

EXAMINATION   -The word TESTED means to prove worth. Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us.  God tests to bring out the best. God doesn’t want us to fail. He tests us to exercise our faith. You have to trust God. If you don’t know which way to turn, trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness, and when you are tempted (tested), WHEN LIFE GETS ILLOGICAL.... think about God: do you really love Him MORE?  AND HERE, the question strikes at the heart of Abraham “do you love me THE MOST?” and life got real illogical.

SUBMISSION -Abraham took two men and his son Isaac with a load of wood. On the third day of his three day journey he saw the mountain where God commanded that he sacrifice his son. He took the wood, his son and the knife. He told the men “we will go to worship and we will return.”  He believed that God himself would raise Isaac from the dead even though he had been sacrificed. He didn’t know that, but he submitted to the test. We pause at this crucial point: the knife is raised, the blade gleaming, Issac is wide eyed, perhaps shouting in disbelief, and Abraham is hearing him, seeing him, thinking: what do I tell Sarah? Abraham is submitting to even this, because HE KNOWS GOD AND TRUSTS GOD: Turn your worst times into worship times: gaze at your Savior and glance at your trials. There is a house on fire, Dad escapes but his son is trapped on the 2nd floor: Dad calls “jump!” The boy cries “I can’t see you!” and Dad replies “ but I can see you & I will catch you, I AM HERE, I AM ABLE”.

ANTICIPATION -But an angel called from heaven.. “stop, do not harm the boy for now I know you fear God.” Abraham then saw a ram caught in the thicket and offered the ram as a sacrifice. THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. THIS WAS ONLY A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS: this set of mountains, this same set, will play host to a greater trial/sacrifice than even Abraham. Centuries later, David would build a city that would come to be called Jerusalem and its highest peak would be Golgatha, the same place that our Lord was crucified. Have you ever compared Issac and Jesus? Both were a miracle baby, both were promised years before they were born, both named before they were born, both carried wood to the place of sacrifice. BUT FOR JESUS, there would be no stopping, no ram caught in the thicket, no substitute.  AND Heaven marveled at Abraham: how he must love God, how God must love man.

In the Old Testament, God provided for a man and his son; in the New Testament he provided for all the world. And we should cherish the old rugged cross, till our trophies at last we lay down, we will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it one day for a crown.....

9/21/25 – Rev. Robin Nichols

Reverend Nichols retired from the Baptist Building after 35 years where he worked in the Discipleship Training and Church Annuity Departments. He visited Alta Woods 11 years ago. It was Senior Adult Day and there were 100 to 150 people present.

Ron Mill told a story of a young boy, Tim, who was invited to a snipe hunt. I’ve been told there’s no such thing but Webster says there is (any of various usually slender-billed birds of the sandpiper family). This young boy was on vacation with his family in Nebraska where there were many young cousins present. They told Tim that everyone should go on a snipe hunt at least once in their life. It’s a tradition that goes back to the days of the Queen. He wanted to be included in the group so he grabbed a burlap bag and a club along with the others. The cousins positioned him correctly and instructed him not to move. It starts getting dark and gloomy. He’s afraid, it’s now pitch black and he’s getting suspicious. He calls out. No answer. He yells as loud as he can and he hears his Dad’s voice. “I’m here”. Dad puts his arm around him and leads him out of the dark to the lighted farmhouse. The snipe hunter was glad to be back and that his father was there when he needed him. His dad knew about the gag and he was tuned into his son. Our heavenly father listens to our voice crying out in the darkness. Remember when Billy Graham brought his choir to Jackson? Imagine being able to pick your voice out of all the others. He is listening to YOUR voice.

Psalm 40- “I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.”  David is in a dire predicament, in a deep horrible pit, slimy and slippery. If he had been tentative, he would not have heard his Father’s voice. His experience was awful, but his father heard him. The Lord inclined to him, toward him, even before he called out. This draws a picture of a tender image of a child trying to get Dad’s attention. Dad drops everything to answer him, ‘you have my full attention’. David was grateful and started praying. As though the universe was tuned into David’s cry. The creator of the galaxies hears when we only think about crying out.  Life can be the pits and we may be praying in the middle of the night. He plants within in us the courage to deal with the Spirit Life.

A Cherokee Chief is talking to his grandson. “Within you, there is a battle between two wolves, one angry, jealous, full of ego. The other filled with joy, peace and humility.” The grandson asks “Which wolf wins?”. The answer is whichever one you feed. Our father disciplines us when he wants us to listen. 

In a small church in Scott County in 2006, a mother, dad and two sons visited and then joined the congregation. The ten year old son was baptized. I was interim pastor and left when they got a new pastor. Several years later, the phone rings at 1:30 am. The son has died in a car accident. I did the funeral. The father, and a lot of other people there were lost. I started calling lost souls, we met each week, studying scriptures. The father said “I did not know that verse but now I know that He hears me.” That scripture is Romans 8:26. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God”.

When David called on the Lord, he knew as we do, that God is always with us. Be assured, though an evil one will lead us on a snipe hunt, God comes out of the darkness. “I’m right here.” He offers us his presence, walking with us on a daily basis. It’s important to get into the scriptures every day, so you have that assurance. I invite you to respond to the voice of God.

09/14/25 LEAVING A LEGACY: Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2 selections)

The Influence of a Mother in the nurture and development of her child is tremendous.  A South African Proverb says: “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the nation and its destiny”. A Christian Mom’s duty and calling is to introduce her child to God: to the importance of knowing Him & doing those things which bring us closer to Him (church,  Bible, prayer). My Mother introduced the Bible to me by reading me a chapter a day as we would wait in our Living Room for the school bus to come...she gave to me a precious memory and a SPIRITUAL LEGACY. 

Hannah left a spiritual legacy for her son Samuel that began literally before he was born. Her legacy gift to Samuel was evidenced early in his life and the fruit of that legacy continued to produce all the days of his life.

Ladies (& gentlemen), what type of legacy are we leaving to influence our children and our grandchildren for GOOD and for GOD? Let’s look at Hannah’s story at the beginning of 1 Samuel...... We frame this legacy in the visual of a fruit bearing plant: as we consider the SOIL, the SEED, and the FRUIT.

THE SOIL OF SUFFERING (1:1-14)

We are introduced to 4 characters: Elkanah, Hannah, Peninnah, and Eli. We are introduced to the plot: Hannah cannot bear children, she feels the pain and struggle of a woman who wants to be a mother, but she seemingly cannot become a mother. Hannah’s suffering is well documented in these verses: In verse 8 she is crying and troubled; In verse 10: she is deeply hurt and weeping many tears. Hannah’s suffering is multi-layered due to the society in which she lived. In that culture it was crucial to bear sons to continue the family name, the family line and someone to inherit the family valuables: childlessness was considered the ultimate tragedy.  Economically to increase the workforce of an agricultural society: one less worker (not one more mouth to feed: one more set of hands to provide. The effect was also relational: her RIVALS taunted her severely, especially when they took the annual trip to sacrifice to God at Shiloh. It was also theological: the Lord had kept her from conceiving; in an era of no secondary causation: God did that: WHY? What did you do to anger Him, Hannah? Why is God punishing you? Even in her pain and suffering, even with what people were saying, she cried out to the Lord (there is no better PLACE, no better PERSON) “I Must Tell Jesus”: I cannot bear these burdens alone. 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”.

THE SEED OF PRAYING (1:15-18) In praying, you are pouring out your heart, praying from the depth of your anguish: it’s one thing to praise when it is good: it’s quite another to pray the praise when it’s bad. Hannah is the first person in Scripture to directly address God as Lord God of Hosts. HE IS THE COMMANDER OF ARMIES OF HEAVEN: her belief in His power and sovereignty is strong. She is confident God will hear her and that He can answer her: she makes a promise and a vow about a Son that she does not yet have.  The depth of her commitment is shown by 2 vows: I vow to give him to you as a Priest: all days of his life and his hair will never be cut. These vows show the seriousness of her commitment. She prays in this way IN SPITE OF what she feels, what she has heard,  what she is enduring because SHE TRUSTS GOD.  

Alexander the Great told his Philosopher: if ever you have a need, come to the Imperial Treasury and you shall receive. It was a very LARGE treasury. He asked for an enormous amount but Alexander said “he paid me a double honor:  he understands both my wealth and my generosity’.  

Do we trust Him enough to give Him our parenting, asking our children to follow Him?

He does know something about giving up claims on a Son, doesn’t He? John 3:16 “For  God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

THE FRUIT OF HOPE (2:1-2) Hannah not only asked, she promised, and she followed through on that promise and the fruit begins to show in Samuel: HE worshipped the Lord: at 4-5 years old: how did he know? because he had seen it in his parents how to Pray & Worship. Children are like sponges: soaking up everything around, so, if you want your children to pray/read/go: then pray/read/take. How different is Hannah now, her heart: rejoices: her horn (power) is lifted, her mouth: praises: YOU ARE MY ROCK, and Hannah reflects a life that Jesus would describe at end of the Sermon on the Mount. Faith is built on the ROCK: and Hannah’s words are echoed by another young lady prior to her first child being born: - Mary in her song of praise (my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior). Samuel continued as a child growing up with Eli the Priest: God called and he responded, speak Lord, your servant is listening....& HOW GOD USED HIM. He was the final judge, and he anointed the first 2 kings: the prophet and central figure in the transition from the time of the Judges to the Monarchy.

  He led Israel to victory over the Philistines

 He led Israel in a period of revival by calling for repentance

 He was an administrator of justice and model of faithfulness

 He is listed in Psalm 99:6 as a prophet to which God responded

Yes, Hannah’s legacy was lived in Samuel, who then passed that legacy along to others

May it be said of us: we left a legacy that pointed others to GOD 

09/07/25 - BUILDING A LEGACY: Deuteronomy 6:1-12

The dictionary defines LEGACY as “something valuable that is passed on”; It can be something TANGIBLE such as finances, CD’s, stocks, real estate, pictures, tapes, etc. It can also be INTANGIBLE: values, traditions, memories, even impactful statements. The legacy intangibles can also be SPIRITUAL in nature; by “spiritual”, I mean they involve or are associated with God and the things of God. You can’t take material things with you but you can take these. Ones that LEAVE a spiritual legacy are those who do not wait until after they die to give; they not only leave a legacy: they LIVE their legacy.

So, for the 3 weeks I am with you in September, we are going to preach about Leaving a Spiritual Legacy. Today’s sermon looks at a biblical command of how and why you should leave a spiritual legacy. The other 2 sermons (14/28) will look at 2 people who followed the command of leaving a lasting, spiritual legacy: Hannah & Abraham.

Tug McGraw was one of the best relief pitchers in the Philadelphia Philly’s history. He spent over half of his 19 year Major League Baseball career with the Phillies, playing an integral part in leading them to 2 world series, and coining the phrase that Philadelphia adopted as its motto during those Series runs: YOU GOTTA BELIEVE. During that time, he met with an 11 year old boy who claimed he had proof (a birth certificate) that Tug, who ironically was the young man’s favorite ballplayer, was also his biological dad. The pitcher refused to acknowledge the young man, Tim Trimble. Some time later, Tug did acknowledge the now young man to be his, and they began to be closer. Tug’s life took an abrupt turn in 2003, when he was diagnosed at age 59 with an aggressive brain tumor and given 3 weeks to live: the 3 weeks turned in to 9 months, most of it spent with his formerly estranged son at his home in Brentwood, TN: the son who, after reconnecting with his dad, had changed his name from Tim Trimble to Tim McGraw (husband of Faith Hill). Tim and Tug spent some wonderful time together before his dad died at Tim and Faith’s home early in 2004.  Later that year, Tim wrote a song about his dad’s experience with life and death entitled: LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DIEING. The song was  #1 FOR 30 WEEKS, AND SONG OF THE YEAR. A week ago (Aug 30), at his Field of Dreams Concert in Iowa, Tim paid tribute to his Dad’s legacy on what would have been his 81st birthday by singing that song. It’s about finding joy in the simple things, fighting until  the end, being a better husband and truer friend; he acknowledged a legacy left him by his father.

God has a plan for parents (grandparents). That plan, simply put,is to pass on the valuable spiritual lessons of life to your children and your grandchildren. The instruction manual for building a legacy is found in Deuteronomy 6:1-12 

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whiter ye go to possess it; That thou mightiest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statues and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and they ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Isreal; the LORD our God is our one LORD. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodlycities, which thou buildest not. And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”

So, this morning, I want to encourage you to not only leave your loved ones the WHAT of life: bank accounts, real estate, furniture/photos, etc but also leave them the WHY AND WHO of life: let them say: my loved one’s legacy was Jesus.....

The framework that the Deuteronomy 6 instruction manual lays out can be summed up in 3 words:

REQUIREMENT

REPEAT

REMEMBER

REQUIREMENT (1-6)

Moses said “listen, this is what God told me to tell you to do as you enter the Promised Land.” So listen, this will help you place God in the rightful place in your life, and will help your children and grandchildren know  that all of you may be blessed both now and in the future. The shema is the central prayer and declaration of faith in Judaism. It is the first scripture Jewish child learned: like their John 3:16. Internalize these in your heart (mind to us): your emotional center. If you want to be successful/happy: go all in in knowing/loving God**

REPEAT (7-9)

Any time and place is the right time and place: Talk about God at home, when you travel, when you are lying down and when you are rising up. Don’t make God an afterthought or pushed to background: God is not a slice of the pie, but the plate that the pie rests on. Verses 8-9  even gave them 3 visuals: hands, foreheads, doorposts:  At their doorpost would be a mezuzah identifying that household as one of believers: The mezuzah was a decorative casing that contained a small parchment scroll with sacred Jewish prayers, A similar rolled scroll in a pouch could be worn as a bracelet or even a headband, telling all the world “Live out your faith: let others see Jesus in you."

REMEMBER (10-12)

When God blesses you, remember the who and the why: God brought us here: DON’T FORGET. Live Like You Were Dying: A famous poet said: 

    So let us live to die with purpose and meaning

    Leaving a legacy that is forever gleaming

    In the hearts and minds of those we leave behind

    May they see our footprints through the sands of time

Everyone leaves a legacy: good, bad, or indifferent; but all of us do leave footprints behind us.

Fanny Crosby was blind from birth, but she left a legacy. The 2nd stanza of her song Blessed Assurance has an amazing line: visions of rapture burst on my SIGHT. SHE WAS ASKED: WOULD YOU DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN? (be born blind); she said: Yes: if I had to choose I would remain blind, for when I die, the first face I will actually be able to see is the face of my Blessed Savior. Her legacy statement comes from the chorus:

     THIS IS MY STORY, THIS IS MY SONG (LEGACY):

     PRAISING MY SAVIOR, ALL THE DAY LONG

THIS WEEK:

A. Think about the REQUIREMENT: have you, are you doing what God requires?

B. Think about REPEATING: are you telling the story, finding a way of sharing a God moment

C. Think about REMEMBERING: what has He done for you? & thank Him

This is our Story; This is our Song

Praising Our Savior, all the week long. 

8/31/25

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED: “Why are you searching for me?”

Luke 2:41-52; Losing Jesus

Let me tell you about my first ride in a police car. (to my knowledge, the only ride in a police car); It was about the 2nd grade. After school, one day a week, a group of us would walk the block from Aberdeen Elementary to FBC to attend SUNBEAMS, former program sponsored by the WMU for elementary age children through 3rd grade. It was designed to teach Christian principles, about missionary work and the Bible in a fun environment. We would get there about 3:15 and leave by 5:00.  I had been told to go out to the street by the church (Commerce St) and wait for Daddy to pick me up..... I did as instructed and I waited, I waited, and I waited.... I wandered a little, about a block past the church to a gas station, and waited in front of the gas station...I saw Daddy drive by.... and I waved....Here I am....but he didn’t see me and drove on past.... now, this probably wouldn’t happen today: there were no cell phon. The church was now closed, I didn’t know anyone a the gas station, so I just waited some more. A police car slowed down and stopped: the officer looked down and then looked at me....and showed me a  “school pic”: Is this you? yes sir.... well, your parents say you are lost....come ride with me, and I will take you to them....so I did....I HAD NO IDEA I WAS LOST.... in my mind, I was just doing what my parents had told me.... I had waited out at the street.... I had only moved a block...but - MY PARENTS HAD LOST THEIR YOUNGER CHILD!

Joseph and Mary lost their oldest child: they lost Jesus. We are indebted that Holy Spirit inspired Luke to include this story, it is the only story  in the Gospel between Jesus’ birth and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry at age 30....let’s  read about this family holiday to Jerusalem that turned into a season of worry and anxiousness.

LUKE 2:41-52 “ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Jospeh and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed; and his mother said unto him, Son, why has thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them “How is it that ye sought me? Wist thee not that I must be about my father’s business.” And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased I wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.  

Can you identify with Joseph and Mary? Have you ever lost a child, even for a moment? Let’s go deeper..... Like Joseph and Mary, have you ever lost Jesus? Have you ever, even for a time, lost the sense of His presence, power, love and assurance? Have you lived through what the 16th century  poet, St. John of the Cross, called “the dark night of the soul?”

From this story of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. How and why Joseph and Mary Lost (how we lose) and how and why Joseph and Mary found Jesus (how we reconnect)

LOSING JESUS

All Jewish men (aged 13 years old and above): had to appear before the Lord 3 times a year, one of which was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which included the Passover. While the requirement was for men, entire famiies often also would   go: they traveled by groups ( for safety and fellowship): many from Nazareth  would be together: men in one group, women in another with young children, older children in another, between the 2 there was often quite a distance : think 2/3 football fields: women first, children middle, men bringing up rear (Jesus, as 12, could legitimately have been with men or with children). Everything was great on way in.... the feast lasted about a week, then they started back: and that when the problem occurred...ON THE WAY BACK, JOSEPH AND MARY LOST JESUS

NOT INTENTIONAL: It was a total shock: in other words, they did  not start out the return trip saying: hey, wouldn’t it be great if we lost our 12 year old son?, but sadly, practically, every step they took put them farther away from Jesus. When you were saved, you never envisioned having a time when you would lose that sense of closeness, that friendship to Jesus, and yet, on the road of life, did you make a decision about where to go, what to say, what to do that moved your farther  from the presence of Jesus?

WHAT HAPPENED?

It was a busy time. Josepha and Mary had a great time, but it was time to get back:  Joseph had orders waiting for him in the carpenter shop; Mary had vegetables growing in the Palestinian springtime that needed to be put up: were their minds preoccupied with the stuff of life? The urgent can distract us from the eternal; thinking too much about the here and now and less about the there and then. A  the black preacher said: the hurrieder I go, the more behinder I get. Maybe their time was not that different from ours: as their minds raced and filled with things they just had to do as soon as they got back, thoughts about Jesus were pushed

further back in their minds; Maybe we should listen to MATTHEW 6:33:  “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take a breath, take some time, look around, do you see Jesus?

There was a choice, they chose to assume he was ok; chose not to check with each other, but ultimately, it was their responsibility, not the 12 year old child’s to make sure they were doing what was necessary to insure their closeness to Jesus and with us: we start out excited, we want to come to church, we want to read the Bible, we are grateful for Jesus saving us: then we slip, or someone in the church disappoints us: our friends start wavering, and  we are not as excited, or as regular, or passionate about Jesus and the things He loves and approves of.

Like the old couple driving. A farmer and his wife in an old truck with bench seating. The wife complains, “Why don’t you cuddle with my anymore? And the farmer replies I AIN’T MOVED.”

SO, YES, YOU CAN LOSE JESUS: THE CLOSENESS, THE JOY, THE FELLOWSHIP, THE  AWARENESS: You didn’t intend to .....life just got so busy, and you made a series of bad or less than the best choices: not saying you’re a  terrible person: remember, Joseph and Mary lost Jesus while doing something good, even in the midst of a religious activity (I was lost because I had just left the church).

HOW TO FIND JESUS:  to search and reconnect

A. Admit you left Him

· Joseph and Mary did not launch into name calling or finger pointing: they both took responsibility and did something about it

B. Persistently begin to seek Him

· For 3 days: Joseph and Mary worked through it

· salvation is instantaneous, but closeness/fellowship are built

over time

C. Return to where you left Him

· Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem: to the temple: they questioned nd they learned more about Son

· for us: go back: to that sin/bad habit/bad choice: confess and deal with it & if you will go back: the Father will run to you (Luke 15)

Can you see Jesus? Is He near? Do you sense His presence?

I don’t remember what happened when I got out of police car and walked into the house: but ok: I still went to Sunbeams the next week...and I .didn’t have to ride home in a police car: because my Father and I made a connection...... and so can you.....

Our guest this past Sunday was Dr. Rex Yancy. This is his third visit to Alta Woods Baptist Church. Dr. Yancy has served on many committees and boards of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. He served as President of the convention in 1994-1995

In the book of Acts, Philip goes north to Samaria. He expels demons, heals and preaches the gospel. God commands him to leave Samaria and go to Gaza. He doesn’t argue. He arose and went. He bypassed Jerusalem, not knowing that he would find out why he was sent. He heard a man in a chariot reading from a scroll on the side of the road. The man was a eunuch, a servant, hired to read. Philip asked the man “do you understand what you are reading?” Philip witnessed to the man and the eunuch asked if he could be baptized. Philip said if you believe with all your heart, then you may.

Michael Green wrote the book Evangelism in the Early Church. Many of the practices we have today are found in the early churches, such as teaching, praying, missionaries, the Lord’s Supper, Baptism. The very foundation of our worship goes back to the book of Acts. There are many methods of evangelism. All are useful. The apostle Paul would go to where the Jewish men were gathered and teach. Some were saved but some were mad and ejected him. He would then go to the next town and start again. There is open air, mass evangelism where multiple people are saved. Billy Graham preached to over a million people in South Korea. Many, many people say they were saved because of Billy Graham. Sometimes entire households are saved at the same time. There is also literary evangelism, such as Paul’s letters to the churches. There is personal evangelism, one person telling another about Jesus and then that person tells many. 

Henry Blackaby wrote the book Experiencing God. He tells us that the first necessary ingredient for salvation is a lost man. Many don’t know they are lost. There are also many self righteous individuals who believe that they are saved, but they are not really. All have sinned and come short. God has a plan for each of us but all of us have, at times, missed the target.

A Christian man, Philip, one of the original deacons witnessed to a servant. All of us who are saved have been influenced by a Christian, perhaps parents or a minister. None of us are saved unless the Holy Spirit convinces us that we are saved. "Do you understand what you are reading?” Faith cometh by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God. Most every day doors are opened for us to witness to others. We have to be sensitive to what others are experiencing.

Roy Fish, a distinguished professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, saw a man selling produce from a truck on the side of the road he traveled often. He just felt that he needed to witness to that man but he was busy and didn’t stop. One morning the man and truck were missing. He was preaching in another town and told the story of the man and how he felt that he should have taken the opportunity to witness to him. After the service a woman came forward and told him that the man was her uncle. As far as she knew he was not saved. Dr. Fish said “Never again will I miss such an opportunity.”

Another necessary ingredient is a receptive man. At one of my churches, a woman told me “I think my husband is lost”. I ran into the man and started talking to him in a coffee shop.  He began to become emotional.  I asked if I could meet him at his home and there I asked him “Do you know that you are saved” and he said he didn’t really know. I told him that if you pay your own sin penalty, you will pay it in hell. If you believe, ask Jesus to come into your heart. He later made a public profession. God was at work in that coffee shop. What’s keeping you from being truly saved? What’s keeping you from asking Jesus into your heart? What’s keeping you from telling others about Jesus?

In 1995, I was to fly on a mission to Hondoras where I would preach through an interpreter. As the plane was turning on the tarmac, it stopped and the stewardess began yelling in Spanish for everyone to get off, the doors opened and the slide came out. I later learned there had been a bomb threat. I nervously still went to Hondoras and preached. A man sat down front and came forward. He told me he had lost his family, he was heartbroken and we prayed together. Later, back at my office, I received a letter from him. He told me, I went back home, I got right with God, I reconciled with my wife and my children. Thank you for meeting me at the crossroad of my life. What if I hadn’t gone? You will meet people who need to hear from you. God is going to show you what he’s up to.

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED: What do you want me to do for you?

Mark 10:46-52

A father and his 24 year old son are on a train ride: the son’s face was glued to the window, looking out. DAD, LOOK AT THOSE TREES FLYING BY he’s excited: tugging at his dad’s arm). A few moments later, he excitedly shouted: DAD, LOOK AT THOSE CLOUDS RUNNING WITH US! A couple sitting in row beside them watched this display and shook their heads sadly at the constant interruption by a young man acting like a child, by one who should know better: they said to the Dad: excuse us, but why don’t you take your son to a good doctor? Maybe he could help you, and the Dad  replied.................................. (more later)

The sun began to rise over the Transjordan mountain range... and there on the road that runs east and west between Jerusalem and Jericho sits a beautiful place: filled with crops and expensive villas where everyone who worked in Jerusalem wanted to live: even Herod’s Winter Palace was there: a veritable oasis in an otherwise barren region.  NOW, IN THIS BEAUTIFUL WELL KEPT TOWN, THERE WERE A FEW EYESORES: beggars along the side of the road asking the rich population of the town for help, and one of those was Bartimaeus, whose name simply meant “son of Timaeus”, apparently blind from birth, which was unfortunately a more common condition in biblical times due to various diseases or lack of sanitary conditions. BUT IT WAS A CONDITION THAT WAS CONSIDERED A JUDGMENT FROM GOD BY THE PEOPLE IN THAT DAY.

He sits there every day because his blindness prevented him from finding and performing a job in order to earn a living; he sits there because some friends came and put him there; they will be back later in the day to lead him home. Bartimaeus, with no available disability or Social Security or welfare programs is totally dependent on the generosity of others to survive; so, here he sits and begs, and begs and sits from people who pass him by; some drop some coins in the cloak on his lap; most just ignore him. But something is different today.... Bartimaeus can sense it; he cannot see but he can smell: a lot of people are cooking, preparing food; the aroma is  everywhere; He cannot see but he can hear: it’s PASSOVER time, people are leaving to go to the Passover in Jerusalem, some 20 miles away; they are going to celebrate another year of what God has done for them, BUT... Bartimaeus will not be making that trip; he cannot.... he can only sit and beg, sit and beg.

FOR BARTIMAEUS, LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.... for not only is the SUN rising in his world, but the SON is about to enter his world... Bartimaeus hears the increase in joy, the increase in footsteps, in voices....  JESUS.... HERE COMES JESUS.... DOWN THIS VERY ROAD (Probably not his first time to go down this road, but it will be his last: on the way to Jerusalem, for Passover, to be crucified), and Bartimaeus could not see, but he could remember... remember what he had heard about this Jesus: stories of the lame walking, the sick being healed, the blind seeing.... THE BLIND SEEING..... and Bartimaeus believes... and will not just sit and beg and beg and sit while Jesus passes him by....HE CANNOT SEE, BUT HE CAN SPEAK....& HE DOES......

Let’s look together at HIS CRY, THEIR CONVERSATION, & AT HIS CHANGE.....

HIS CRY (47-48)

IT WAS A PROPHETIC CRY

He was told it was Jesus of Nazareth, but he addresses Him as Jesus, Son of David, a Messianic title: when asked, Peter said: you are the CHRIST, God’s anointed and here, Bartimaeus is  essentially saying the same thing at a time when many disagreed over who Jesus was, Bartimaeus leaves little doubt: Son of David: The Messiah

IT WAS A PAINFUL CRY

Have mercy: This comes from someone who knows more than physical pain, but also the mental pain, never being able to see his family, a sunset, or friends, the emotional pain; is this all life is... there is no way out, no chance to advance? The spiritual pain, the reason for his blindness: God did this to him, he was born blind as a payment for some sins his parents had committed.  Oh, Lord, I do not deserve it, but have mercy.....

IT WAS A PERSISTENT CRY

Those who were travelling said “be quiet; you’re making a scene, but his determination was so great to request help from Jesus that he continued to cry out.... paying no attention to the  opinions of the crowd, he GOT LOUDER

IT WAS A PRECIOUS CRY

Because it was heard: JESUS STOPPED, and requested a face to face audience with a blind beggar who was looking for something he in faith felt Jesus could give.

(49-52A) THEIR CONVERSATION

Jesus stopped: He will always hear a genuine cry: Jesus commanded Bartimaeus to come to him. Bartimaeus threw off his cloak: his outer coat that he wore to keep warm, but also to catch money: it probably had money in it: Was this symbolic? Throwing off the old way of life? But nothing will stand in the way of him getting to Jesus: “nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.

Jesus asked the QUESTION: what do you want me to do for you? and he answers: Lord, I want you to restore my sight. Jesus’s RESPONSE is immediate.... based not on luck, not worthiness, but on FAITH: “Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole”.

HIS CHANGE (52B)

He had been told: go YOUR way...... but his way was now Jesus’ way; Blind Bartimaeus had been changed and became a disciple (follower) of Christ: literally.... he followed him down the road shouting all the way....some 20 miles: and when he got there, I can see Bartimaeus waving the PALM BRANCHES and shouting Hosanna/blessed is He..... AND WHEN THE MEN CAME BACK THAT EVENING TO RETRIEVE Bartimaeus, all they found was a discarded cloak, some scattered coins, and perhaps a note that said: not gone fishing but gone following Jesus!

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?

Some say: nothing: I do not want or need anything from you: John 3:18

Some say: sure: make me healthy, wealthy, and wise: James 4:3

Some are silent:

MOST CHRISTIANS UNDERESTIMATE HOW MUCH MORE JESUS WANTS TO DO /IS ABLE TO GIVE: James 4:2b

7 things God wants to give every Christian

1) forgiveness for guilt of the past: 1 John 1:9

2) help for facing the present: Psalm 118:24

3) security in facing the future: 2 Timothy 1:12

4) ability to face fear: Psalm 56:3

5) strength for carrying burdens: Psalm 55:22

6) power to say no to temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13

7) wisdom beyond your own: James 1:5

And God wants to give all of these to every one of His Children:

 Hallelujah what a Savior.... what a mighty God we serve

What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer

The man on the train with his 24 year old son: “look at the trees flying by.... look, the clouds are running with us” The couple was annoyed by the childish behavior of one who should know better and they said to the Father....” why don’t you take your son to a really good doctor.... maybe he could help” AND THE FATHER REPLIED.... I did.... we just left the hospital and are on our way back home.... my son was blind, AND TODAY, HE GOT HIS EYES

Do you have your eyes?

How is your spiritual vision?

Clara Scott said “Open my eyes, that I may see, glimpses of truth thou hast for me"

Jesus is passing by..... and He’s asking: what do you want me to do for you? LET’S PRAY

Our passage begins with one of the most misunderstood and misused verses in the Bible

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge; ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. (don’t judge me); see..... right there... if you don’t agree with my belief or my moral, my like or dislike on an issue, you have no right to judge me or attempt to correct me: after all, our culture is all about tolerance, inclusion, and acceptance of all: there is no black and white, no right or wrong: there are only all shades of gray. Rarely is this verse used in the way Jesus intended or meant.

So, what did Jesus mean by the statement He made, and the question He aske? Let’s look together at these 5 verses that comprise a good summary of Jesus’ teaching about judging and

being judgmental; you can summarize it in 3 commands:

a) don’t judge others

b) do judge yourselves

c) then help others

DON’T JUDGE OTHERS (1-2)

With all of the misuse and abuse of this verse, it clearly is not a blanket one and done statement saying we should never judge another’s actions or intents: IT CANNOT MEAN THAT. WHY? Because the Bible is filled with examples of God approved judgments, rebukes, and corrections. 

In this same passage (Verse 5), Jesus gave permission to judge. In other teachings of Jesus, He  gave examples of how we are to judge.

In virtually every prophet’s message, in virtually every letter of Paul to a church, there is  judgmental rhetoric: you should not be doing this, or thinking this, or making this choice.

THERE CANNOT BE THIS TYPE OF INCONSISTENCY IN THE BIBLE’S TEACHINGS OR N JESUS’ MESSAGE: something more is being said than simply don’t ever judge: it’s not the fact of judgment, it’s the manner of judgment. IT’S NOT THAT YOU JUDGE, IT IS HOW YOU JUDGE: don’t be hypocritical; DON’T JUDGE OUT OF PRIDE AND ARROGANCE, THINKING YOU ARE  ALWAYS RIGHT AND THEY ARE ALWAYS WRONG (the only judge that is always right is God Himself, whom the Psalmist calls: the judge of the earth in Psalm 94 that fits both the broader context: (Son of Man)  and the narrower context: He had already spoken against hypocritical behavior in almsgiving, prayer, and fasting: don’t be like the hypocrites: now He turns to judging: don’t be hypocritical here either. If you judge with this type of attitude, it shows you are sinning in your spirit, and the true judge will judge you for judging the wrong way: God will judge your judgment.

All the way back in Leviticus, God tried to instill in His people that there is a right and a wrong  way to judge: note the 2 types of judgment on your neighbor here: 19:15-18. So, don’t judge: don’t be judgmental: it’s the wrong way.

DO JUDGE YOURSELF (3-5A)

Here is the question, which forms a splendidly simple and supremely specific illustration: spoken by a carpenter, who was used to working with wood: understanding the 2 words: splinter and sawdust: Now a splinter is small but it would hurt and adversely affect your vision. And the word BEAM: could be a log, a support beam for a home: in all house building shows: if you take down wall for an open concept, and it is load bearing wall, you must replace it with a sturdy beam. So, with that understanding: look at the comical illustration: a man with a 10 foot beam in his eye trying to get close enough to remove sawdust from his neighbor’s eye.

Jesus says -  look at your own sins first: deal with your own sins, then you can more accurately help another deal with theirs: this is what I did and it worked: you can do the same and it will work for you.

Dealing with your own sins puts you in a better frame of mind to understand and sympathize.

Pastor FB Meyer said when you judge, remember 2 things:

1) you never know how hard they tried not to sin

2) you do not know how you would have reacted in their situation

In 1884, A BOYS DEATH: LELAND STANDFORD JR DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER AT THE AGE OF 15. HIS PARENTS WERE JUDGED BY THE PRESIDENT OF HARVARD: THE MEMORIAL/SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES JUDGED THEM AS INCAPABLE. THE COUPLE FOUND SOMEONE WHO WOULD LISTEN AND DONATED  26 MILLION FOR A BUILDING: LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, THE NAME HAS BEEN SHORTENED TODAY TO STANFORD U.

DO HELP ANOTHER (5b) -it is ok to judge another: you have a speck in your eye: can I help you remove it?

Galatians 6:1-2 “Brethen, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyselt, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

SO..... THIS WEEK....

1. WATCH OUT FOR LOGS: don’t let others run into them: deal with them

2. WATCH OUT FOR SPLINTERS: speak the truth in love, and help them

8/3/25

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED: Why worry? 

Luke 12:26d (22-32)

Today, I am preaching to myself: about a sin that I struggle against: - worry. I worry about test scores, my grandchildren’s academic scores, their summer book lists, and my own health with a cancer test every 6 months. I worry about taxes: is my daughter going to have enough money to pay as independent contractor. I worry about my wife: the stress of beginning a new job. I COULD GO ON, BUT... YOU GET THE IDEA: I GET CAUGHT UP IN THE SIN OF WORRY.... AND....I’M NOT BY MYSELF: did you know that every church that I have pastored has been FILLED with worriers (even this one?)

We are really good at practicing the art of worry: we are a nation of chronic worriers.... 

It’s fairly easy for us to worry, considering the type of world in which we live. Chuck Swindoll says “worry pulls tomorrow’s cloud over today’s sunshine”. The impact of this WORLD tends to cover the impact of HIS WORD.

So, let’s look at HIS WORD, specifically, at a passage in which Jesus speaks quite a bit about worry (Hint: He doesn’t like it); and a passage in which he pauses right in the middle of His discussion and asks: WHY WORRY?

Now, before we get started in the passage, we must make a distinction between WORRY and CONCERN: one being sinful and the other not. Worry sees the problem; concern searches for solutions: if you have a child sick with fever, worry wrings it’s hands, concern asks “what can I do to correct this?”

So, let’s read and see what Jesus says about WORRY: both why it is bad and how to overcome it.... LUKE 12:22-33  “And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you. Take no thought for your4 life, what ye shall eat, neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat and the body is more than rainment. Consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them; how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow; they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If God then so clothe the grass, which is today in the field and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you. O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink. Neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”.

Here is what Jesus says about worry....

1. IT IS INCONSISTENT(22-23)

God would not have given us life/bodies without seeing also to those things that sustain them. The Creator God is also the Sustainer God. if He brings you to it, He will bring you through it (Drew Brees).  He does not set us up to fail

2. IT IS IRRATIONAL(24)

My wife and I love Bird watching. If God provides for the birds, don’t you think He wants to provide for us? You are more special than birds. 

3. IT IS INEFFECTIVE(25-26)**

It doesn’t work: HOW IS WORRY LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR? IT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DO, BUT IT DOESN’T GET YOU ANYWHERE. Statistics borne out by research show that of the things we worry about, 40% never happens, 30% is in the past and cannot be changed; 12% is strictly criticism from others which is mostly untrue; 10% is health related, which the additional stress from worry only makes worse; ONLY 8% DEALS WITH REAL PROBLEMS.

Dr. Charles MAYO says that worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands and the entire nervous system; I have never met a man who died of overwork, but I have met many who died of worry. Worry cannot add 18 inches to your height; worry is not an adder, it is actually a subtracter: it does not help, it actually makes things worse.

4. IT IS ILLOGICAL(27-28)

Be a flower watcher. There are beautiful wild flowers on the Galileean hillsides: yet their beauty surpasses Solomon (the ultimate example of wealth) dressed up in royal robes: these are at best transitory: if God cares for them, don’t you think He also cares for you?

5. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE(29-30)

IN ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD are heathens, pagans: those who do not KNOW or FOLLOW God. WHEN YOU WORRY, YOU ARE ACTING LIKE SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T KNOW GOD, acting like someone who doesn’t have a Heavenly Father.

Said the Robin to the Sparrow: I should really like to know

Why these anxious humans rush about and worry so

Said the Sparrow to the Robin, I think that it must be

They have no Heavenly Father, like that cares for you and me

SO, THIS IS JESUS ON WORRY: inconsistent, irrational, illogical, irresponsible, INEFFECTIVE: NO WONDER HE ASKED: WHY WORRY?

But, in His wise/loving way, the Master Teacher does not leave us with the negatives about worry; He also shares with us 2 positives to help in overcoming worry: it is a constant battle: a journey, but to the extent that we practice these, worry will not dominate us.....

OVERCOMING WORRY: 2 phrases from 31-32:

31: SEEK HIS KINGDOM

32: TRUST THE KING

31: Seek first: focus, prioritize: totally commit yourself to me:  Ultimately, winning over worry  does not depend on therapy and meds as much as it depends on your relationship to Jesus: on

giving it all to Jesus: your children, your grandchildren, your health/wealth, your decisions, your actions.

Mary Crowley says “Every night, turn your worries over to God: He’s going to be up all night anyway”.

32:Trust - our relationship is not based on fear, but on trust, convinced in the goodness of God; that He wants to help/give/provide: 1 Peter 5:7b

There was once extreme turbulence on an airplane, there was a young girl quietly reading while all other passengers were panicked. I asked how are you so calm, why do you not worry? She replied “BECAUSE MY DADDY IS THE PILOT AND HE’S TAKING ME HOME”. AND... He’s taking me home.

TAKE A PRAISE PAUSE..... instead of worrying about what we do not know, focus instead on what you do know.....

Worrying about my grandkids: there is a lot for which I am grateful: both made decision to accept Jesus Christ.

Worrying about my PSA: each time, it has been 0 (He not owe me, but I thank Him).

Worrying about the taxes of my CA girl: she’s been sober for over a year, and for first time, has a real savings account.

Worrying about my wife’s new job. She’s off to a good start: I have seen her blossom into a directorship.

MY JOURNEY WITH WORRY HAS SOME POTHOLES, BUT I’M ON THE JOURNEY WITH JESUS, MY KING WHO LOVES AND CARES FOR ME: THERE ARE MORE PRAISE PAUSES TO COME.....because I can trust Him.

I can trust Him, and so can you. You can trust God today. He is good, and He is good all the time

And you can add to His goodness His greatness. He is also great, He is unparalleled and unprecedented

He is the centerpiece of civilization and the superlative of all excellence, He is the sum of human greatness and the source of divine grace, His name is the only one able to save and His blood is the only one

able to cleanse, His ear is open to the sinner’s call and His hand is quick to lift up the fallen.  He’s the eternal lover of us all....AND YOU CAN TRUST HIM. He’s supplies mercy for the troubled soul, He sustains the tempted and the tried, He sympathizes with the wounded and the broken, He strengthens the weak and the weary, He guards and guides the wanderer and he heals the sick and the leper.  He delivers the captives and binds up the broken hearted. HE IS FOR YOU, AND YES, YOU CAN TRUST HIM. 

He is the key to all knowledge; He’s the wellspring of all wisdom

He is the doorway of deliverance and He’s the pathway to peace

He s the roadway of righteousness, and He’s the highway of holiness

He the gateway to glory....and YES, YOU CAN TRUST HIM......

It is glorious and sweet to TRUST IN JESUSr

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED

Do you believe this? John 11:17-27 (26)

It began as a sports trivia column in a New York City newspaper in 1918: “Champs & Chumps” by Robert Ripley. It would expand beyond sports to all kinds of real life

oddities, and would also expand media presence into radio, brand names, including 32 museums which have received in excess of 100 million visitors - RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT: where you can see or read about such oddities as the woman who had four bees inside her eye or the man who ate an entire airplane piece by piece (he ground it up over the years). It’s sad that some people choose to believe in these rare occurrences more quickly than in the person and message of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Our question for today could be entitled: Believe It Or Not: 11:26

It is the most important question in life that one will answer, therefore, we need to understand what is going on here in John 11

To understand the full meaning of this Scripture, we need to know something about the person of Martha, the question of Jesus, and the meaning of the word BELIEVE.

THE PERSON OF MARTHA

What we know- Martha was a sister to Mary and Lazarus, she lived in Bethany (about 2 miles, a 30 minute walk) from Jerusalem. ALSO – she was very familiar with Jesus: she had a relationship with Him: she knew Him: on more than one occasion she and her family had Jesus & His disciples in their home for a meal. That probably meant, based on space and provisions wise, that they were well off (as a matter of fact Mary of Bethany took very expensive ointment and anointed His feet twice. 

Martha was the action person: flitting around: worried about all of the food preparations and such while Mary was more thinking and contemplative: sitting and listening to Jesus.

Martha was interested in getting help from Jesus when Lazarus was sick. She sent word to Jesus. Martha knew there was something special about Jesus. She was exhibiting a lot of confidence here: YOU COULD HAVE PREVENTED HIS DEATH. God listens to you.

Pastors pray, but they do not have a hotline to God: we all get there same way: when I ask someone to pray, it is not because I think God will hear them more than me, but because I believe they will pray.

Martha knew her basic Jewish theology: she believed in resurrection: she had read the Old Testament verses like Daniel 12:2 “Any many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt”. 

THE QUESTION OF JESUS

Martha had a lot going for her, but even with all this, Jesus did not say we’re good.... we’re close....  no worries.... NO!  He pushes her further with an important question, because He knows that her ETERNAL life is not based on any of this: it’s not based on what she has done, but on whether or not she BELIEVES. We are like Martha:   we are familiar with Jesus, we like Jesus,  we would vote for Jesus; we would be a fan of the Jesus team. When we get in a tight or a tough spot, Jesus would be a part of  our phone a friend list, we think there is something special about this man and his special connection with God.  We know some theology: God created the world, there is a Heaven, God wants us to be loving and good: we can check the boxes. BUT ALL OF THAT IS NOT ENOUGH....JESUS PUSHES US TOO: YOU CAN LIVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AROUND JESUS, BE A FAN OF JESUS, GET A LOT OF STUFF RIGHT: BUT NOT GET THE MOST IMPORTANT THING RIGHT: do you believe??????

Jesus makes some audacious claims here

*I AM THE RESSURECTION & THE LIFE

*A DECEASED BELIEVER IS STILL ALIVE

*A LIVING BELIEVER NEVER REALLY DIES 

Life’s most important question is all about JESUS: do you believe me?????? (HAVE YOU  ANSWERED THAT QUESTION?)

THE MEANING OF BELIEF

Not all BELIEF IS SAVING BELIEF: John 2:23-24: The same word has a different meaning:

Their belief was a shallow belief ,based on miracles that they could see, a fickle faith:  The same crowd that would shout Hosanna on Sunday would shout Crucify on Friday.

Saving faith is deeper: it is something to cling to, to rely on, to lean against: theologically saving belief has 3 components:

a. knowledge: content, facts (ours is an historical belief)

assent (to not only know, but to agree) convinced that yes, it is right

b. trust: commit (John 2:24): entrust, (make a deposit into) you’re your religion about 18 inches from your HEAD to your HEART

Imagine a tightrope walker: he can walk forward, he can walk backward, he can carry a sack of potatoes: how many think he could carry a person? Yes, I assent, I agree but would I volunteer to get on his back?

All of life comes down to one question: DO YOU BELIEVE?

Review His words once more: and remember their meaning:

you can be born once and die twice OR

you can be born twice and only die once

BELIEVE IT OR NOT: make sure you get this answer right: your happiness here

And in Heaven there depends on it

It’s on the face of each coin: penny, nickel, dime, quarter

IN GOD WE TRUST: our national motto since 1956

my personal motto since 1962

HOW ABOUT YOU? Do you believe in Jesus? 

7/13/25: QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED

Do you believe I can do this? Matthew 9:28 (27-31)

Our story begins with a crowd of people outside of a house. They are mourning the imminent death of a little girl. Then Jesus and His disciples turned to leave, and that’s

when we pick up the rest of the story with today’s Scripture:

Mark 9: 27 – 31 “ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately “why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting. And they departed thence , and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day”.

In that crowd were 2 blind men, they couldn’t see, but they could hear. Jesus had been victorious over disease, demons, now even death…what about our darkness?

Their blindness did not keep them from thinking about Jesus, Instead of negativity, they focused on positivity, Not why has God hurt us, but how can God help us.

They couldn’t see, but they could walk... and when Jesus and His disciples left, somehow, obviously with some help & with much stumbling, they followed. Their blindness did not keep them from following Jesus. Jesus will accept us even with our disabilities or inabilities: less than perfect physically, mentally, or spiritually: HE LOVES US.

They couldn’t see, but they could talk... and while they were following, they were calling, yelling: like women in childbirth screaming over & over: THOU SON OF

DAVID: HAVE MERCY ON US. Their blindness did not keep them from crying out to Jesus and CALLING OUT TO JESUS begins our relationship.

They couldn’t see, but they could show faith: it’s not just that they were screaming, it’s what they were screaming: SON OF DAVID. They did not say son of Joseph but son of David, a Messianic title.  Matthew 1:1-17  (the begats verses) show that Jesus descended from David, the golden king: to call Jesus the Son of David was equivalent to

calling Him the MESSIAH (first time anyone did that).

Physical sight does not equate to spiritual sight; these blind men had the spiritual insight  to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, who would & could, according to Isaiah, bind up the brokenhearted, liberate the captives, and GIVE SIGHT TO THE BLIND: they are not only

yelling, they are testifying who Jesus is: they are also testifying and confessing who they are: people in need of MERCY, and so are we.

THEN THEY COME TO A HOUSE: interesting that Jesus asks them inside to have a personal conversation with them.... away from the crowds.

When we come to Jesus... it is personal).... and now comes a crucial few moments that will change the rest of their lives... for the better.

In this brief encounter, see with me a TEST, a TOUCH, and a TASK....

each point associated with 3 “red letter” sections of this passage....

1. A TEST (BELIEVE YE THAT I AM ABLE TO DO THIS? (28)

Now, He knows, and God knows, and seemingly these 2 men  know (at least hope) after following in their blindness several miles, screaming at top of their voices: so, why ask: TEST: He wants to hear them articulate their faith that Jesus can bring light

to their darkness. In the words of Corrie 10 Boom: to believe that “no matter how

deep our darkness, that He is deeper still”.

Why had He not stopped right outside of Jairus house?: why allow them to cry again and again: why not show up first time we ask: could it be that He is testing our sincerity and willingness to keep asking in focused faith (to stretch and exercise the muscle of faith). BEFORE HE MEETS THEIR AND OUR NEED 

2. A TOUCH (ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH, BE IT UNTO YOU (29)

Talk about a loaded statement! (how many of us would pass that test? Not say be healed: you can see: but according to your faith: this means more than a belief in my power/ or ability to heal, FAITH:( FORSAKING ALL, I TRUST HIM) cling to, rely on, depend on: Jesus is hinting at the possibility of a relationship between Him and these blind men: more than physical healing: a continued relationship: not weighing,  not having certain amount, but where is it focused. Not according to your educational or economic status but according to your faith: your desire for a dependent relationship with Me.

PUT YOUR FACE IN MY HANDS

PUT YOUR FUTURE IN MY HANDS

And  they are NOT disappointed: they pass! We often hear that seeing is believing, but here: believing is seeing!

3. A TASK (SEE THAT NO MAN KNOW IT (30)

Jesus asked “keep this private guys: just between us”. He does not need the publicity that may hinder His mission of seeking and saving. And they fail miserably: they told everybody they knew. Now we tend to say: look they were grateful: God understands, but the point in fact is - Jesus gave them one task and they FAILED  MISERABLY: THEIR FAITH WAS NOT PERFECT: they DISOBEYED JESUS. And so do we: we don’t pray, we don’t say the right things, we don’t follow in the way that we should: one grandmother summarized what we should be doing in this way: “do anything you WANT to as long as you are doing anything you OUGHT to”

THE TEST, THE TOUCH, THE TASK: the 3 T’s. I will close with 3 questions for us: one related to each of these “T”s

1. TEST: What has He done for you? make a quick mental list

2. TOUCH: When did Jesus drive away your darkness? WHO/

WHERE/WHEN

3. TASK: How are you doing on the last thing He told you to do?

7/6/25 - QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED: “Pass the salt, please”: Mark 9:50

Ms Peggy and I usually head to IHOP on Thursday AM: the house favorite is  (2.2.2): $6. Before I even taste, either I reach or ask Peggy for the salt shaker. How many times have you heard or said “Pass the salt please”?

It has been suggested that only God could design the chemical composition of salt, to take Na (a deadly explosive element) and Cl (another poisonous, noxious substance), and get them to share an electron which binds them together. These two life threatening elements become a compound necessary for life: NaCl or table salt.

According to the book SALT: A WORD HISTORY: salt has 14k uses; virtually every part of your body contains it. Salt is used in the manufacturing of plastic, leather and drugs.  Salt is used in the making of the bread we eat & the soap with which we clean; it is a part of the mineral composition of almost every bottled water we drink; with salt you can freeze ice cream and you can thaw icy streets. The Greek philosopher Plato called salt “dear to God . Roman chefs said salt was the most important ingredient in cooking. The word salad means salted lettuce. Such was its value that it was accepted currency in the ancient world, with soldiers often being paid in salt, hence the word SALARY.

Yes, God taking the two negatives and turning them into a great positive: like He did with you and me through the divine chemistry of the cross. (He made something beautiful of my life)

Jesus talked about salt, and in this single verse for today: we can break it into 3 parts, each one saying something about salt...& about us; in this verse, Jesus used salt to challenge and teach His disciples.... & what He said to them will also challenge and teach us......

SALT IS GOOD: The DYNAMICS of Salt:

It is a preservative, fishermen in those days had no yeti or igloo cooler, they used salt on their fish to kill bacteria and slow decay. I remember the smokehouse: salting meat to preserve it.

It is an antiseptic, pouring salt in a wound will kill bacteria. Even today with a dental procedure, we are told to gargle with hot salt water.

It seasons-  just a little can change a lot, you may  not see it after it’s absorbed, but you know when it is there (and certainly when it’s not).

It creates a thirst: in 1965, Pepsi bought Frito lay: because the 2 went together:

one created a thirst, the other satisfied a thirst.

Yes, salt is so good Jesus used it as a synonym for His followers: Matthew 5:13 says “Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out , and to be trodden under foot of men”.

Like salt, we are to preserve and slow decay

Like salt, we are to heal: Galatians 6:1

Like salt, we are to season: Colossians 4:6

Like salt, we are to create a thirst: John 7:37: if anyone is thirsty, let him

come and drink of me; Rev. 22:17

BUT IF THE SALT HAS LOST ITS SALTNESS WHEREWITH WILL YE SEASON IT?

Dilution of Salt - now, true pure salt is a stable compound, it does not lose its salt flavor without the introduction of something else -impurities or electricity. Salt in Jesus’ day was not purified like ours, it was mixed from deposits of the earth or from other minerals in sea water. They put their salt in a bowl with water, and the sodium would dissolve more quickly, and the block would lose its salt quality:  the water would no taste salty, and they would throw it out upon the roads. 

Like salt, the more we mix with the world, the less potent we become: we lose our

flavor, our zest, our joy; we become indistinct: WHO WE KNOW is NOT AFFECTING  HOW WE LIVE.

Adrian Rogers went as far to say that America’s #1 problem was SALTLESS SAINTS.

HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES AND HAVE PEACE ONE WITH ANOTHER:

The Distribution of Salt:

Salt is made to be shared: is only effective when shared: it does no good if it remains in the shaker: you and I are the shakers: and our world is the school, our neighborhood, our business: shake some Jesus flavor around.  If we want peace between people, between nations: we need to shake a little salt. Do not let the world change us, but change the world. ROMANS 12:2: do a little transforming.

There was a little girl with a huge stick of cotton candy:, almost as bit as she was. Someone asked her how she could possibly eat all that. She replied: I’m much bigger on the inside than I am on the outside....& so are we..... because we

have SALT: we have the preserving/healing/seasoning/thirst making/ quenching person and power of Jesus.

So.... when you see someone hurting/falling/lonely/depressed/trapped/suffering with PTSP

Let’s get Jesus out of the shaker and on to where He is needed! 

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!

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 

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. 

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? 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