PALM SUNDAY CONCERT WITH BRO. ERIC MCNAIR

3/29/26: When Jesus Sang: Matthew 26:30

True or False: Jesus sang.

True: recorded in Matthew 26:30 & in a parallel passage in Mark.

At first glance, it appears to be nothing more than a transitional sentence: that links 2 emotional, crucial  events: the Last Supper in the Upper Room & the Prayer & Betrayal in Garden of Gethsemane. But if we pause and focus on that little verse, it presents a beautiful picture of the strength of Jesus against the  mounting odds of betrayal, abandonment & torture. It tells us that Jesus sang: it also tells us when Jesus sang: on Thursday evening of Holy Week.. immediately after the Passover Meal, The Last Supper in the Upper Room, before leaving to go to the garden: Jesus as the Leader of the Disciples decided to and led them in the singing of a hymn. 

It was NOT an easy time for Jesus to sing. John tells us Jesus was already deeply troubled before the Last Supper even began. Things did not get any better: consider that during the meal, He had to sit with one who would betray Him, then watch Him leave to go make final arrangements & then He had to referee & silence an argument over which disciple was the best, & then he spoke about Himself: His body being broken, His blood pouring forth; SO, BY THE END OF THE EVENING, we would have understood if Jesus would have said: fellas... I know we normally end with a song, but I’m just not feeling it tonight.... let’s go.

But, instead... at the end of the meal, He stands (they stand) & He sings (they sing) probably from the Hallel (Psalm 113-118) & most scholars point to the final one of those as most often sung at the end of Passover: THEY SING SCRIPTURE: & it’s the last Scripture they will share together as Teacher & Disciples.

Why, of all nights, is this the night Jesus is a Singing Savior? I believe there is 1 vital reason.... & it remains the same reason that faith singing in general and Easter singing in particular still bless us today

Church Music is both upward. Songs of faith point us to a person. 

Listen to these words they sang from Psalm 118: 1,6,13,22,24,28-29

Quite frankly, the Disciples did not fully realize what they were singing but they did in fact know that they did sing and  allowed God to call it to their memory later......

BUT JESUS DID: & how these words must have spoken to Jesus: I NEEDED THIS

UPWARD AND FORWARD

At a time when Jesus could have been tempted to turn downward or inward, HE FOCUSES UPWARD: ON A PERSON: ON GOD & HIS LOVE & HIS MERCY.

“For God so loved that He gave.... 

So, may the singing today bless us as it blessed Jesus & His disciples....

May these songs turn us UPWARD: as we focus on a PERSON & the Son that He gave....

REJOICE THAT HE IS GOD....& YOU CAN TRUST HIM!

3/22/26: EASTER NUMBERS: 4; 4 Actions of Easter Believers: Matthew 28:1-7

There have been many great Easter sermons preached through the ages. While I am not saying mine were great, I have had the privilege of preaching over 50 Easter messages in my ministry. But.... what was the FIRST EASTER SERMON? It was not given by a preacher, but an angel..... let’s read about it in Matthew’s account of the Resurrection: Matthew 28:1-7

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  His countenance was like lightening, and his rainment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for his is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”

They came...... It was not what they were expecting to see at a cemetery, a burial place, a tomb......  & they were given instructions by an angel.... the first Easter message (sermon): & they left.... EASTER BELIEVERS: and those instructions are still valid for us to follow as modern day Easter Believers.

They are found in verses 6 and 7 (4 imperative verbs); now, go back to school for a moment: a verb is an ACTION word: these are 4 actions (more than thoughts or beliefs): 4 “doing words” they and we are to follow: 

*COME

*SEE

*GO

*TELL

COME - an inviting word: ever been invited to something? you are wanted. COME is one of God’s favorite words: it appears in Isaiah 55:1,3; in Matthew 11:28,  in Revelation 22:17: This is no second hand information: YOU COME: each of us must reach the point where we come: Psalm 95:2: come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart; Come out of my bondage, sorrow, and night: Jesus I come, Jesus I come to Thee. Have you at a point and time COME to Jesus? DO You set aside time to come before His presence?

SEE – It’s a deeply personal word: There is a difference between LOOK and SEE: you look at  a poster, but you see the print, words, pictures: & they go.... and what they see changes their lives: the place where He lay: the folded napkin. 

-the importance of what they see: 1 Cor. 15:13-20

-the resurrection of Jesus was verified in the simplest way possible: people saw the tomb and saw Him out of the tomb: There are 11 recorded events in the Gospels & Acts, including over 500 people at once. We see and we know: YOU ASK ME HOW I KNOW HE LIVES.... Others:  do they see Jesus in us? If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

GO - Gospel...The Good News is for telling (announcing); not keeping silent *2 Kings 7:9: they shared this Good News; we must share the Good News: no one else has to die in sin. The first 2 letters In Gospel are  GO: a mission.... on the move

TELL - these 2 women: Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James/Joseph: who were they?  were they worthy? No, but HE WAS WORTHY: share the fact that He is alive... share how/where they can meet with Him/hear from Him. Continue to follow Him: He’s not dead.... your mission is not dead.

*He still goes before us..... Isaiah 45:2a

*He still meets with us

*He still forgives us, provides for us, and commissions us

We TELL with our lips and our lives

They came as death believers: they left as life believers

& THEY COMMITTED TO 4 ACTIONS...

So, they hear with their ears: come

they see with their eyes

they go with their feet

they tell with their mouths

We are modern day life believers

WE SHOULD DO THE SAME 4 ACTIONS AS THEY DID.....

*we come to the table at His invitation

*we see with our mind’s eye what He did and we are thankful

*we go from this place and live a life on mission for Him to influence our world for good and for God

*we tell without lips but with our lives who He is, what He does, and how much we love Him

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were a present far too small

Love so amazing, love so divine

Demands my life, my soul, my all

***THE LORD’S SUPPER***

031526 - EASTER NUMBERS: 3 Crosses: Luke 23:32-43 (32)

An echocardiogram of the heart is a safe, non-invasive procedure that utilizes sound waves to create detailed moving images of the heart’s function: a diagnostic tool for valve diseases.  (I had mine in 2005), it can detect heart failure, blood clots and is used for determining pumping strength (I average one every 18 months or so). An echo brings what is normally hidden in the heart and brings it into plain view.... and so does the Word of God: it too can reveal that which is hidden in our hearts... 

Today, our story in the Bible looks at the 3 crosses of Calvary upon which hang 3 figures of Calvary, and each of these show us something about the heart and how it responds to God: a sort of “spiritual echocardiogram if you will.

So, as we continue our pre-Easter sermon series on numbers, we come to the number 3.... let us look at the 3 crosses of Calvary, and the hearts of the 3 individuals who hung there..... 

LUKE 23:32-43 “And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

THE TRAGEDY OF THE REJECTING HEART: Luke 23:39

The UNREPENTANT thief: note the spiteful words he hurls at Jesus, echoing the taunts of the High Priest and his cohorts, along with the death squad of soldiers. Note how they sound like the earlier Satanic temptation: Luke 4:3,9: if you are Messiah, Son of God, then prove it. In this unrepentant thief there is no hint of remorse or personal guilt; there is no seeking of mercy or forgiveness from God; he only sees Jesus as a good luck charm or “get out of jail free” card: IF YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE, THEN GET YOURSELF & ME OUT OF THIS MESS: & IF YOU DON’T OR CAN’T: THEN I BLAME YOU. Notice: he is arm’s length from the one who could really help Him, and he completely misreads what Jesus could do and asks for the wrong thing.  Notice he is only looking at the PRESENT: make my PRESENT better, and that day he died: he rejected Christ and paid the eternal consequence (he was that close....but yet so far).

THE NECESSITY OF THE RECEPTIVE HEART: Luke 23:40-42

He shared a lot with the first thief: both were thieves, robbers, both were convicted, both were sentenced, both were hanging, both were yelling, but one had a dramatic change of heart: WHY? HOW DO WE KNOW? because of what he said to the other thief, and because of what he said to Jesus. WHAT HE SAID TO THE OTHER THIEF: we are sinners, we deserve this: & the fear of God had gripped him: don’t you realize we are dying and will soon face God? We are about to stand before God.... HE LOOKS AT HIS PAST: & does not like what he sees. He continues: this man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong: he is pure/innocent/righteous/holy.  THIS IS A REMARKABLE MONOLOGUE OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH. WHAT HE SAYS TO JESUS: everyone else standing there sees the end: Jesus is defeated, but He sees victory: this is not the end: Jesus is victor, and a King that will rule: HE LOOKS & THINKS ABOUT THE FUTURE: & he asks the right question: REMEMBER ME: all His soul needs is for Jesus to REMEMBER Him: this is an example that true repentance is NEVER too late. The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day, and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away (William Cowper) & because he received Jesus, that day, even though he died, he was with Jesus.

THE LOVE OF THE REDEEMING HEART: Luke 23:43

Why did Jesus speak this? because His coming, His dying is all about LOVE as seen in John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:16, 4:10. This man did not deserve it: what could he point to? He was a nobody, full of guilt: all he brought to the table was sin, filth, failure: all he can say is: MERCY.... & THAT IS ENOUGH. THAT IS WHAT GOD IN CHRIST WANTS TO HEAR & that is how we come: we do not come to Christ putting our best foot forward arguing over why we qualify: but.... out of our bondage, sorrow, and night.... Jesus we come, nothing in our hands we bring, simply to His cross we cling & that is enough: Jesus does not love us BECAUSE, but IN SPITE OF..... that is the message of Easter....

3 men, 3 crosses, 1 hill

One man cursed, one man prayed, one man promised

One man condemned, one man forgiven, one died innocent

One died IN sin, one died TO sin, one died FOR sin

One was held by death, one was released by death, one conquered death

One lost life, one gained life, one was life

A sermon snippet from Alistar Begg: sermon snippet: Think about the thief on the cross.... I can’t wait to find that fellow one day & say: how did it all work out? You were cussing the guy out with your robber friend; you had never been in a Bible study, never been baptized, didn’t know a thing about church membership, and yet... you made it....HOW DID YOU MAKE IT? That’s what the head angel at the gate must have said, you know.

What are you doing here?

I don’t know

What do you mean you don’t know?

I don’t know

Excuse me....I’ve got to go get my supervisor.

They go get their supervisor angel. So.... he said, just a few questions

for you.....first of all, are you clear on the doctrine of justification by faith?

I never heard of it in my life

What about the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture?

& the thief just stares at him.... to which the supervisor angel says: so, on what

basis are you even standing here?

& he said.... the man on the middle cross said I could come

& that, my friends, is the only answer...... 

030826 -EASTER NUMBERS: 2 GREAT WORDS: Ephesians 2:1-5

This year, to prepare us for the Easter grand event, we are looking at the Resurrection Day through the perspective of NUMBERS. Last week, we began with #1: and thought about the ONE GIANT STEP our Lord took from the Tomb that began His post resurrection ministry,

a walk and engagement among people that continues to this very day.

Today, we look at #2: and we present to you 2 GREAT WORDS to grab ahold of, 2 of the greatest words ever spoken. If you carry nothing else away from this message today, CARRY THESE  2 WORDS for they make all the difference: they turn the impossible to possible, transfer the down and out to the up and in, the hopeless to hope-filled, the defeated to the victorious.  These 2 words appear throughout the Bible, 40-60 different times depending on the  translation, signifying God’s power to change an outcome for His glory and for our good.

THEY ARE: BUT GOD, and some of the occurrences are:

*Genesis 8:1: BUT GOD remembered Noah

*Genesis 45:8: it was not you that sent me here, BUT GOD

*Psalm 73:26: my strength and portion may fail, BUT GOD is my strength

*Romans 5:8: BUT GOD demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

*Ephesians 2:4: (passage we will unpack this morning): BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy wherewith He has loved us, hath made us alive though we were dead in trespasses.

Now, all of time is marked by BC and AD: This system was introduced by a Monk named Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, it was intended to mark the birth of Jesus as year 1 (actually 4/5BC); BC: Before Christ & AD (anno domini): year of our Lord: It is still used in our Gregorian calendars: It marks the division of time by birth of Jesus: HISTORY is HIS STORY 

I want us to think of our passage today in terms of BC and AD: who we were BEFORE CHRIST and who we are AFTER DEDICATING

BC - Who we were: we were born on a slippery slope, we walked the wrong way, followed the wrong  leaders, and we were the walking dead (not zombies, but sinners), our destiny was hopeless: WE WERE DEAD: and dead people cannot fix themselves: they cannot get up, change clothes, and walk a new life: THEY ARE DEAD, defined by the world as forever gone: nothing can or will change.

AD - Who we are: we were made alive, we experienced grace, our status is saved: what a contrast. How did we get from who we were to who we are? We couldn’t fix it: we were dead: we had to come from without: BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY AND LOVE FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE..... He sent Jesus to die in our place and take our sins on His own person, and that is the glorious message of Easter: what God has done.

Long before Samuel Morse in 1844 sent the first long distance message via electronic telegraph (WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT): the world was celebrating what God had done through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS: BUT GOD: His intervention in our hopeless situation turned our death to life, our darkness to dawning, our sadness to security. 

JRR Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings in 1930’s: It gave a lecture ON FAIRY TALES: and said that we need fairy tales, it allows us to experience in stories what we wished the world would be in experience: good wins: happiness at the end (& they all lived happily ever after.....). He even coined a new word: EUCATASTROPHE: we know about CATASTROPHE: an unexpected turn of events from without that turns our world upside down: from good to bad: the loss of a job, the loss of a home, loss of health, loss of loved one. EU – the prefix meaning good: the unexpected comes into a world of chaos and due to some heroic or compassionate effort: turns chaos to calm: bad to good.

WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN FAIRY TALES: In the Beauty & the Beast: The selfish prince is put under a curse: by his 21stbirthday, he must learn to love another & receive love from them: or die & as final petal falls from enchanted rose: Belle confesses love and a compassion. 

Her tear hits the body of the beast: the spell is broken: order is restored, and........

BUT THIS IS NO FAIRY TALE: through love of another: we have had the curse of sin broken & we can live both the best life here and in Heaven. 

So, this week, these are your 2 words: BUT GOD: take them with you....

*& when you feel inadequate (and you will)

*& when you feel unspiritual (& you will)

*& when the pain/limp/breath causes discomfort and even dire feeling (it will)

*& when you feel like nobody understands or cares, and you are not

capable of fixing yourself (& you aren’t)..... BUT GOD

The world does not get the last word on who we are or what we can be, no matter your SAT, your ACT, your bank balance, or how you look in the mirror: BUT GOD. Ultimate happiness does not rest on how smart, rich or strong we are:  BUT GOD

SAY IT WITH ME: BUT GOD!

030126 - EASTER NUMBERS: One Giant Step: Mark 16:7 (1-7)

It was late on a Sunday night, but I was still up. So were a lot of people: 650 million around the world were transfixed to their TV sets (1/4 of that number in US alone) over 90% of people who had a TV were watching); it was the most watched event up to that time. July 20, 1969: Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong had landed on the moon’s surface about 3 hours prior, and now: Armstrong was at the bottom of the ladder on the landing module, and before he stepped onto the moon’s surface, he said: ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND

It was still dark in that Garden just outside of Jerusalem: soon the SUN would rise, but the SON had already risen, had removed and neatly folded the piece of cloth that had covered his face in

the tomb, rolled away the stone (how?), and now stood in the entrance, ready for His journey: that day to Emmaus, back to Jerusalem and eventually to Galilee: a journey of 90-100 miles: a journey that would begin with a single step: but unlike Armstrong’s famous  statement: one giant step for the God-Man and for Mankind.

Yes, a post-resurrection journey that began with one giant step. Jesus may have been carried IN the tomb, but He walked OUT. The resurrection of Jesus was totally unique: not unique in the

fact that He was raised from dead: Elijah raised widow’s son; Jesus had given His disciples authority to raise dead, and the Gospels record 3 instances of Jesus raising the dead: the widow’s son, Jairus’ daughter, and Lazarus; but Jesus’ resurrection was unique in this way: He was raised NEVER TO DIE AGAIN: His is the only biography known to man that does not end.

There are 4 great religions in the world: Buddhism/Islam/Judaism/Christianity: each one resting

on an historical figure: Buddha/Mohammad/Abraham/Jesus, each possessing a tomb: Buddha was cremated: only a tooth survived, it is worshiped in a Shrine in Sri Lanka. The tomb of Mohammed is located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Abraham is entombed near Hebron on the west bank. ALL ARE OCCUPIED: not Jesus!!!!! HIS TOMB IS VACANT: our hope truly and rightfully rests on a forsaken grave!..... & Jesus walked out of that grave, and began His post resurrection journey with one giant step: for the God-Man & for all mankind.

Let’s think about that step.....

A PROMISED STEP: “just as He told you”. The Lord keeps His promises: There are over 750 specific promises in the Bible. Many are fulfilled (like this one that He had made at the Last Supper. Many are yet unfilled, but they will be: I go to prepare a place....; the one who believes in me though he were dead, yet.... Lo, I am with you always.... (everyday fulfillment). These promises enable us to look beyond our present suffering, sorrow, trials and tribulations and gives us strength to make our way through life, because WE ARE NEVER ALONE, but strengthened by His presence, power, promises. There is joy in the journey from promises kept.

WHEN DARKNESS VEILS THE SKY ABOVE 

& DOUBT ATTEMPTS TO HIDE HIS LOVE

REMEMBER THIS, THROUGH CALM OR GALE

THE PROMISES OF OUR GOD WILL NEVER FAIL

A PROGRESSING STEP: “He is going ahead of you”.  That is the proper order: Him leading, us following: both moving in the same directions: how many of our troubles have come because we try to jump ahead of God on our own strength, or time table, or desires? We need to hear HEBREWS 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”. LET HIM LEAD: our God is a “go ahead God”; a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night in the Old Testament. Isaiah 43:2: He goes before us.... He has faced what we face..... & He has overcome

THE ROAD IS ROUGH DEAR LORD I SAID

THERE’S STONES THAT HURT ME SO

AND HE SAID, DEAR CHILD I UNDERSTAND

I WALKED IT LONG AGO

A PARDONING STEP: “AND PETER” (not that Peter not a disciple), but he needed to hear this word of grace and forgiveness: in spite of fact that he denied me, he swore he never knew me, he lied and said you can always count on me, he fell asleep multiple times in Gethsemane.: Yet I still want to see you/be with you/ forgive you. Yes, the first step was a pardoning step for Peter for past sin, and that first giant step would BRING HIM almost 2000 years later with a 7 year old boy in Aberdeen, and another, and another, and another: THE JOURNEY OF JESUS IS A JOURNEY OF PARDON FOR PAST SIN. It began with a step of pardon for Peter: come join me.... 

.

So, yes, Neil Armstrong was the first to walk on the moon, but it was his partner in that landing module, Buzz Aldrin, who was the first to worship on the moon. Those that watched that evening did not see it, but it was later revealed that Aldrin, a Presbyterian elder, took communion before Armstrong stepped out. Armstrong, never vocal about his faith, did not join, but watched respectfully & I think it was good that Buzz Aldrin did not let a journey of a 239k miles keep him from sensing God’s nearness.

I’m glad that Jesus’ journey led him to me, and that I accepted him.

How about you? WHERE DID YOU MEET JESUS?

Let us rejoice together in the 1 GIANT STEP that

started the post resurrection journey: no bigger step has been made

for all mankind.

02/22/26 WHAT MAKES A GREAT CHURCH?

Acts 2:42

What makes a church great?

*If all the lazy saints will get up

& all the sleeping saints will wake up

& all the discouraged saints will cheer up

& all the dishonest saints will own up

& all the lukewarm saints will fire up

& all the disgusted saints will sweeten up

& all the gossiping saints will shut up

& all the half hearted saints will stand up

THEN WE WOULD HAVE A GREAT CHURCH

The church of Acts 2 was a great church. It had grown exponentially in a short time, just weeks  from 120 to 3120: 2500%: (19% of Southern Baptist Conference churches are growing: there are

exceptions: in the past 4 years, First Baptist Church Collinsville’s worship attendance is up 50%). & it kept on growing: in quantity & in quality. GOD was granting this: rewarding this church by giving it new sheep to feed, baby believers to grow. There was a reason for the rewarding: 5 of them actually, and these include 1 attitude and 4 activities that are still rewarded by God; these 5 are what make a church GREAT in His eyes.......

ATTITUDE: devotion

ACTIVITIES: preaching, partnering, partaking, praying

ATTITUDE

Well, the opening illustration got it right in one way: a great church begins with the saints (people, members); who make the decision to get better, to improve, to be more like Jesus, to HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.....

And the Acts 2 churches were filled with people who had the right attitude: the first key word in the verse: DEVOTE means to stay close, to continue steadfast, and the verb tense means they kept on being devoted: over & over, continually: they acted like believers more than ONCE A WEEK.

The same word is used of Jesus in Luke 9:51: He set His face STEADFASTLY toward Jerusalem.  In other words, Jerusalem and what awaited Him there was always on His mind: for Jesus, all roads led to Jerusalem: there was no stopping, no turning around. Jerusalem was His goal, His priority, why He came. In the same way, these church members were DEVOTED: SOLD OUT/ALL IN: no half-hearted, casual Christianity for them: THIS CHURCH WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF THE DEPTH OF DEVOTION OF ITS MEMBERS......

But, what were they devoted to?

4 ACTIVITIES

1. PREACHING – They were devoted to the apostles’ teaching: to the Gospel (good news of/about Jesus) & to the fulfillment of Old Testament passages in the life & ministry of Jesus.

From the beginning: the authority of the message/story of Jesus as given in Old Testament Scriptures & in the eyewitness accounts of those who walked/talked with Jesus: THE SPOKEN WORD ABOUT THE LIVING WORD. THE POWER OF THE WORD: Psalm 19:7-8 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes”.

Here at Alta Woods, it is the Bible (not the Sunday School book or the preacher’s opinion)

that is our highest and final authority. It is said that while many examine the Bible looking for things they cannot accept, we need to let the Bible examine us for things He cannot accept.

we need to get the Bible in our HEADS by reading/listening

we need to get the Bible in our HEARTS by believing/applying

we need to get the Bible in our HANDS by applying/living it out

Chuck Swindoll said “It’s not how quickly you get through the Bible, but how quickly the Bible get through you!: be ye doers of the Word/not only Hearers.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Luke 23:34: “Forgive them, for they know not what they do -  I hear it

2. Luke 23:34: I understand it

3. Luke 23:34: I agree with it

4. Luke 23:34: I apply it

5. Luke 23:34: I practice it (lifestyle)

Yes, the preaching from the authority of Bible: that’s a great church

PARTNERING

To fellowship: a common shared partnership: they were “together-together”, together in same place with a shared mission. This fellowship is more than what we often see today: more than casual conversation in the church hall and classrooms about the weather/politics/sports: it was a sense of active partnership with fellow members in Gospel proclamation through WORD and DEED, LIKE Paul said about Philippian church: partnership in the Gospel.

How it should be: BLESSED BE THE TIE THAT BINDS OUR HEARTS IN CHRIST. LOVE

THE FELLOWSHIP OF KINDRED MINDS IS LIKE TO THAT ABOVE

How it often is: to dwell above with saints above, o that will be glory

to dwell below with saints we know, well, that’s a different story

Here at Alta Woods, we must remember that in this fellowship we are to be  peaceMAKERS ; we must seek to live out the “one another” in our church life: There are 59 of these “one anothers” in scripture: 1/3 talk about unity: LOVE ONE ANOTHER, SERVE ONE  ANOTHER, PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER (& the list goes on).

Tertullian: who in the 3rd century did a study of Christian churches and said: how those Christians love one another: how they have fellowship one with another. Here at Alta Woods: let us be known as a group that is ONE TEAM in ministry, each doing what we can while we love one another. Yes, the partnering from the brotherhood: one team working together:  that’s a great church.

PARTAKING

To the the breaking of bread: There are 2 possible meanings: a) eating a meal together: the word was used this way later in Acts 27:35-36: in that time & culture, sharing a meal with someone was considered a deep activity of togetherness: indeed, the host to not only provide for his guest, but also to protect. The phrase is also used to denote observance of Lord’s Supper: a unifying activity: a remembering activity, a shared activity. 

IN THE EARLY CHURCH, THEY OFTEN DID BOTH TOGETHER: first the meal, then Lord’s Supper.

FOLLOWING JESUS INSTITUTING THIS FOLLOWING THE PASSOVER MEAL

HERE AT ALTA WOODS, we practice both of these: monthly meals & quarterly Lord’s Supper: engaging in activities that unite, not divide; that cause us to focus on Jesus, not ourselves: these early churches loved to partake: SO DO WE. Yes, the bread: the sharing of a meal, or the meal: to help us remember & bring us together: that’s a great church. 

PRAYING 

And to prayers: the times of prayers: while members should go into their closets to pray in secret, there has always been a place for CORPORATE praying, talking to God & listening to Him speak back to us: It’s a conversation between 2 people who love each other very much: He places thoughts/impressions in our mind. (HOW MANY TIMES HAS A THOUGHT UNEXPECTLY ENTERED YOUR MIND.....GOD PUT THAT THERE). We should CHAT with God: Confess, Honor, Ask, Thank (& just a little talk with Jesus makes it right). How should we live out our devotion to prayer? You can join it with Bible study +while driving (eyes open please) +down a street: do you know someone who lives there for which you can pray +during sermons: what do you have in this for me?

Here at Alta Woods, whether a part of our worship, Sunday School, Wednesday prayer time, requesting prayers by email...... we are DEVOTED to prayer. Yes, praying: together to our God, believing He hears and cares: that’s a great church.

What makes a great church? What did we preach today?

PREACHING (Bible)

PARTNERING (brotherhood)

PARTAKING (bread)

PRAYING (blessing)

We are on a mission and ministry FOR God & WITH each other.

IS THE CHURCH A CRUISE SHIP OR BATTLESHIP?

It’s not a ME church, but a HE church... loved by WE. That’s a great church!

The Scarlet Thread: Joshua 2:18-21

THE SCARLET LETTER: a classic of American Literature written by Nathaniel Hawthorne,

the story of Heather Prynne, A Puritan shunned by the society of Boston, due to immorality, she was forced to wear clothing embroidered with the Letter. The Letter was branded on more than her clothing:, but also on her soul. It is also a story of how she overcame that prior lifestyle and came back home, she was then accepted because of her good deeds. Through her resilience: the scarlet letter did not define her; she had been mentally freed from a stained past.

Today’s biblical story is about another lady with a stained past that was overcome, not by a forgiving town, but by a forgiving God. It is not the lady of the scarlet letter, but a lady with a scarlet rope, a lady with a stained past that God set free: her name was Rahab.

We need to hear this, for Rahab’s story is our story (I am not a prostitute), but we are a people with a scarlet stained past.

Isaiah 1:18: we have all sinned and stood in need of God’s forgiveness

and freedom.....

Let’s look at the story of Rahab, the bulk of which is found in Joshua 2

Rahab’s Reality – she had a stained past, it was her identity, even way she was introduced: not Rehab the Harlot, but the Harlot, Rehab. She was a prisoner of her past: we do not know why or how she came to this state, she could have been poor, abandoned. She lives on the wall of the city, not best place, but the most vulnerable. It was, however, good for her “business”.... It has an entrance not seen by the town (only a window facing outward) where the men who came to her came and went through that window:, they pulled up and let down by a scarlet rope (at that time, the symbol of her “profession”).

Rahab’s Recognition – At that time, the King suspects spies: everyone was afraid. Soilders begin searching. The spies come to Rahab’s house. She hides them under stalks of flax on the roof, and then comes to them and makes quite a statement 

“And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did uno the two kings of the Amorites that were o the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in Heaven above and in earth beneath”

She said I have heard about the men who were believed to be spies....so had the town: but it was not the same with her: I have heard otherwise and I believe, and in doing so, she was going against her polytheism: if you have to polish your god, they are not a god and I believe the God I need is your God.

Rahab’s Rope  - The scarlet rope was a tool of sin: It was common for the immoral ladies of the time. The tool of sin became a symbol of salvation: the word for the rope in Hebrew means HOPE: and in faith, it was hung outside the window, awaiting for God’s deliverance, just like the blood was placed on doors when the Angel of Death passed over the homes in Egypt.

There is a thread of scarlet throughout Bible (WA Criswell wrote a sermon/book about it). It  began in Eden, when God clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins. There a

re many stories of sacrificial lambs in the Bible.  YES: THERE IS A SCARLET THREAD THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE

And there is more to learn from Rahab: just as the scarlet thread was not finished here, neither

was Rahab: she is mentioned 2 OTHER TIMES IN THE Old Testament & 3 TIMES in the New Testament.

Rahab’s Redemption -

*1 Chronicles 2:10: She marries a prince: yes, prostitute marries a prince (a believer).

*Ruth 4:20: The mother of Boaz, who himself marries an outsider without much hope.   she is the great great grandmother of David.

*James 2:25:She was righteous: This is anew description: she took action because of her faith.

*Hebrews 11:31: 1 of 2 women in this HALL OF FAITH (Sarah): she is FAITHFUL when her entire city was not: which led to the saving of her family.

*Matthew 1:5: Rahab is the great great grandmother of David: and here she is not the harlot, she is RAHAB: she is not defined by her past, but by her future.

In India in 2011: 285 hindi girls (Hindu), where boys are blessed but not girls, all were named UNWANTED: and in one ceremony, they changed their name to things like power, beautiful, power, hope. And you and I have had a name change: once you were DEAD....NOW you are ALIVE: Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

4:5 “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

We are all a TAPESTRY.....MADE UP OF MUCH: be sure you have a scarlet thread woven in the life that is your tapestry: make sure Jesus is in your life!

BLESSED IS: CELESTIAL: Revelation 14:13

IT’S A QUESTION WE’VE ALL ASKED, we’ve all thought about: When a friend, a family member, a fellow church member: your spouse, your child, your parent(s); they’ve left this earth: gone to glory, they’ve died: BUT THEY KNEW JESUS: what is life like for them? What are they doing/feeling now?

There are a lot of teachings, sentiments and wishes that have no basis in Scripture about life after death:

i)annihilationism: 7thday Adventists – there’s nothing, the soul is lost

ii) soul sleep: Jehovah witness believes that the soul ceases to exist until it is recreated at   the Resurrection. The soul is inert, residing in God’s memory until the final awakening.

iii) purgatory: A place where the soul is purified for sins committed that were not truly repented from (believers offer prayers for the dead): my entrance to Heaven is not dependent on another human

iv) At a recent funeral, a fellow paster made the comment “I could tell he was a Christian by just looking at him” Really?

Today, we seek to give some biblical answers to those questions by looking at a single verse: Revelation 14:13

ONE of 7 Beatitudes in Revelation (all of them starting with BLESSED)

Revelation 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14

Revelation 1:3: blessed is the one who reads, hear, keeps these words

14:13 blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth

16:15: blessed is one who stays awake & keeps their clothes

19:9: blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb

20:6: Blessed is one who shares in first resurrection

22:7: blessed is one who heeds words of this prophecy

22:14: blessed are those who wash their robes

Revelation 14:13 is A VERSE THAT MEANS a lot to me personally: My grandfather passed in 1975 – this is the verse that I chose for his headstone.

So, back to our question: What is life like for those who have died IN THE LORD? What are they doing/feeling?  Well, according to Revelation 14:13, THEY HAVE A LIFE FILLED WITH:

REJOICING, RESTING, REWARDING

Let’s unpack the verse........

1. REJOICING

Blessed is the same word we’ve been studying:  The ancient Greek word Makarios means  congratulations, deep intense happiness, bliss: to be envied. The  same word that Jesus used of Peter when He CONFESSED: the same word that Jesus used of believers on their journey when they CLEANSED, is now used by the Father and echoed by the Holy Spirit AS THEY COMPLETE THEIR CHAPTER ON EARTH AND BEGIN THEIR CHAPTER IN THE CELESTIAL GLORY OF HEAVEN

CHRISTIANS ARE BLESSED: PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE

Past: BLESSED WHEN WE BEGIN (freed from Penalty of sin),

Present: BLESSED AS WE CONTINUE (freed from the POWER of Satan)

Future: BLESSED AS WE LEAVE EARTH & ENTER HEAVEN (freed from very PRESENCE)

When a Christian death occurs, Jesus both comforts the survivors & blesses the deceased: 

Psalm 23:4,6 – Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

2. RESTING

Our loved ones are not sitting on a puffy cloud in a linen robe, plucking a harp

They are active: worship: serving the Lord: 

a. at death: the soul separates from body: we are no longer animated but the soul is active

b. the soul remains active with/without Jesus: either with Jesus awaiting resurrection  

or with Satan awaiting judgment: with torment/weeping/gnashing of teeth.

Resting: rest from labors: from burdens, from the wearisome toil, from pain. You will ENJOY the work (service) of Heaven. God created Eden where Adam and Eve, prior to their fall were to work and tend the garden: but after fall, the labored by the sweat of their brow. You can work hard, grow weary and still proclaim “LET’S GO AGAIN TOMORROW!” This is the eternal fulfillment of Matthew 11:28 (Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest) and Hebrews 4:9 (There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God).

3. REWARDING

EVERY ACT DONE FOR JESUS: even providing cup of cold water: is rewarded. Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven; receive the crown of life. Now: understand: I am not in Heaven because of works; works are in Heaven because I am.

Envision a THIMBLE.... and then a WASH TUB: both are filled to over flowing: increasing my capacity for enjoyment of Heaven: what is not there/what is there: WHAT IS NOT THERE: tears, grief, pain, sorrow, sickness, hunger, thirst, death, decay, sin, evil doers, temple, priests goodbyes. There is the perfect presence-protection-provision of God.

I HAVE LEFT ONE PART OF THE VERSE UNPREACHED, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT.

People die in vastly different ways.

Amelia Lynch was walking down a street in New York City during a storm: lightning struck a potted plant on a balcony 8 stories up: it fell to the ground, killing her instantly

Harold Duncan was mowing his yard with an old rotary mower; his family was watching: the mower picked up a half inch stiff wire: it thrust straight into his heart: his family saw him fall: dead.

But in the Bible: There are only 2 ways: lost/saved; with Jesus/not with Jesus.

there is only one qualifier, one requirement: one decision.

One decision determines eternal destiny.

AND THE BELIEVER: it is always to be envied; always a reason for happiness; BLESSED

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE:

Loved ones will weep o’er my silent face

Dear ones will clasp me in sad embrace

Shadows and darkness will fill this place

5 minutes after I die

Faces that sorrow, I will not see

Voices that murmur will not reach me

But where, O where will my Spirit be

5 minutes after I die

There I have feasted, worked and ranged

There I have flourished and grown estranged

But here.... all has been changed

5 minutes after I die

Naught to repair the good I lack

Fixed to the goal of my chosen track

No room to repent, no turning back

5 minutes after I die

Mated for ever with my chosen throng

Long is eternity-endlessly long

Woe to the one whose soul got it wrong

5 minutes after you die

BUT FOR THE BELIEVER: REJOICING, RESTING, REWARDING

What will you choose?

BLESSED IS: CONTINUING TO WASH YOUR ROBES: Revelation 22:14

We have not always taken regular baths - indeed, on the frontier, people didn’t take baths daily or even weekly, but a few times each year (except for washing hands/face). Even with the advent of indoor plumbing a century ago and indoor showers in homes 75 years ago, many only took a bath once a week, on SATURDAY: to get clean, to go to church and come into the presence of the Lord. This followed the Germanic European tradition where their word for Saturday literally meant “bath-day.

Washing the body before going into God’s presence was deeply ingrained in Jewish tradition: there were basins of water for the priests, congregants, and the sacrifices; in the Temple, there was a huge bronze basin for the priests to wash that estimated to have held 10k gallons of water. The Scriptures also speak of a spiritual washing from God, often through confession

-1 John 1:9: take a “confession bath”

-Psalm 51:2, 7: wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and wash me from

my sin; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow

-Ephesians 5:26: cleansed by the washing of water with the Word 

Last week, we are blessed when we confess who Jesus is: when we believe/when we are saved: 

Now, we are blessed when we continue to confess our known sins: growing, sanctification: becoming more like Him; adopting His attitudes/actions

3 concepts, each using a word that starts with “p”; show we are to be “robe washers”.....

PEOPLE: WHO WASHES THEIR ROBES

PURPOSE: WHY ARE THEY WASHING THEIR ROBES

PERPETUAL: HOW OFTEN DO THEY WASH THEIR ROBES

PEOPLE: Who are the people who wash their robes? They are blessed: people who have encountered God’s grace/mercy; people who have said no to ungodliness and yes to godly living: the saved, the redeemed.

Look at the difference in 22:14 and 22:15: 14 are people who are in and 15 are people who are out (not saying if you ever committed one of those sins, you are forever out) but saying that you have chosen to believe falsehoods and you are acting differently: this is how your belief shows up. Listen to Titus 2:11-14: one of characteristics of those growing is that they are being cleansed (14): who is it? THE SAVED

PURPOSE: Why are they washing their robes? Because something special is going to happen: entry into the best place ever; the city (21), the garden (22); described in 2 ways: the right to tree of life & the right to enter by the city gate.

The tree of life: The Garden of Eden; The Garden of Heaven: but never forget the Garden in

between: Gethsemanae: it makes it forever.

The gate: the gate is Jesus: ****KEY***** I am the door; John 10:9. Because of what is coming: I have the motivation to wash. CHRISTIANS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR SIN; They want to be clean and ready to be used and to be in His presence. You prepare before a trip: to the doctor, to church, on vacation: those who wash are ready for travel.

PERPETUAL: HOW OFTEN DO THEY WASH? (and when)?

-Revelation 7:14: they have washed (aorist): believed, were saved

-Revelation 22:14: they wash (present): they need to wash (to confess) over and over

not to be SAVED, but to effectively SERVE: 1 John 1:7-9

Philippians 2:12-13: God is working in us to WORK OUT our salvation: it takes a lot of confessing.... it takes a lot of mercy.

REVIEW OF PEOPLE, PURPOSE, PERPETUAL

1. So, who am I? I am saved.....I am growing..... I am not perfect..... I am amercy receiver......

a robe washer

Are you walking daily by thew Savior’s side?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD

IN THE SOUL CLEANSING BLOOD OF THE LAMB?

ARE YOU GARMENTS SPOTLESS? ARE THEY WHITE AS SNOW?

ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB?

1/11/26 -BLESSED WHEN WE CONFESS: Matthew 16:13-17

BLESSED 

It is a wish we give to others: God Bless You, God bless our military, God bless America

It is an answer we give to others: How are you? I am blessed.

It is songs that we sing: O for a thousand tongues to sing: Blessed be the name;   Let there be showers of Blessings

It is in the Scripture that we read:

The Be-Attitudes: Mt. 5: poor in spirit, those that mourn, pure in heart; 

BLESSED is man that endures temptation (James 1); 

BLESSED are all who hear the Word and put it into practice (Mt. 11)

BLESSED

The word first appears in Genesis 1:23, 28

The word last appears in Revelation 22:14: Blessed do His commandments

It appears over 100 times in the New Testament: Over these next 3 sermons we will take 3 of

these occurrence and form a sort of DOCTRINE OF BLESSING

WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE CONFESS: Matthew 16

WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE ARE CLEANSED: Revelation 22

WE ARE BLESSED AS WE CONTINUE: Revelation 14

READ MATTHEW 16:13-17

PLENTY

Walking down the road, Jesus is teaching as they walked. He asks a question: not for information, but it is a preliminary set up question for one He will ask next: HE wants the disciples to hear a string of wrong answers in order to contrast them with the 1 right answer: so He asks:  “Who do they say that I am?” Who do they believe is the Son of Man? Taken from Daniel 7, the Son of an is a Messianic term, not well known and not as politically charged. It emphasized more humanity than divinity, Highlighting His identity with us. AND WHEN HE ASKS: HE GETS PLENTY OF ANSWERS: as well He might....

Some say John The Baptist, come back from the dead. Some say the prophet Elijah. This was a consummate example of prophetic office: Elijah was also believed to be a forerunner, preparing the way for the true Messiah: Malachi 4:5. Some say Jeremiah: Legend said that Jerimiah took  the Ark of the Covenant in order to keep it from the Gentiles and hid it, and before the Messiah comes: Jeremiah will come back; get it; reestablish it in the temple. Some say one of prophets: maybe Amos, Zephaniah, Hosea… EVERY ONE OF THESE WAS AN EXPLANATION OF HOW HE COULD DO WHAT HE DID: There had to be a supernatural connection: must be someone come back from dead, from God.

And today, people have PLENTY of answers of who Jesus is ...throughout history: Pilate said he was a man without fault; Diderot said he was unsurpassed. Strauss said he was the highest model of religion; John Stuart Mill called him the guide of humanity. They were all  CLOSE, but close not count: except in horse shoes and in hand grenades. There are plenty of opinions today about Jesus: To Islams, he is a highly respected prophet; In the Hindu religion, he is a holy man; In Buddhism: a wise teacher -CLOSE.....NICE.... but not sufficient

PERSONAL

Who do YOU say that I am? It’s final examination time: for 2.5 years, they have heard him teach, they have SEEN the miracles, AND NOW, A 1 QUESTION TEST FINAL, the answer of which would determine Pass or Fail: our eternal destinies depend on the answer. It’s not what others think or say: it’s not looking at polls: The answer is within you, WHO AM I? And Peter, the spokesman, the leader, the talker: got it right: YOU ARE THE MESSIAH Christ the King, not the son of man, but SON OF GOD. CS Lewis: A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said

would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic, on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg, 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 and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. HE has not left that open to us.

PROMISE

Because of what Peter confessed, he felt a deep inner happiness; a spiritual well being and

He FLOURISHED in a relationship with God. Adrian Rogers said to be Blessed is to be absolutely satisfied; not at some time in the future but NOW. If you declare with your mouth the Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, not with logic or intellect.  YOU FOLLOWED A TRAIL THAT CAME FROM GOD. We could never have come to this conclusion on our own.

God helps us, he has helped us: he sent Jesus.... he gave us te Bible, established churches and 

sent the Holy Spirit to draw us, BUT WITH ALL OF THAT: 

even if we read the Bible, 

even if we go to church, even if we joined the church, 

even if we are raised in a Christian home,

even if we believe Jesus was great and good and wise

EVEN IF we had this person or that person to talk to us about God

We must follow the trail to its conclusion: WE MUST GIVE/RECEIVE, WORSHIP/PRAISE: 

then we are BLESSED! HAPPY! FLOURISHING! SATISFIED!

Think back: to when you came to that point.... when you confessed, and were blessed....

When?

Where?

Who: who told you, who got you to thinking?

THANK THEM: 

THANK HIM: FOR THE BLESSING OF RECEIVING....

1/4/26 - 3 Promises of God for the New Year: Isaiah 41:10

Heavyweight fighter Mike Tyson said: “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”

You enter into the ring with a strategy, then a fight happens, and your “plan” is tossed & becomes an exercise of survival. We enter into 2026 with a plan, then life happens: a fight, often a spiritual fight (Ephesians 6:12) and your plan gets tossed and becomes a survival among the ups and downs, the blessings and the battles that the year will most surely bring.

EPHESIANS 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

What if there was a plan which didn’t get tossed or go away with the first sign of battle/hurt?

What if there was a plan that stayed with you, all the way, before, during, and after the positives and negatives we call life in 2026? THERE IS..... GOD HAS SUCH A PLAN FOR US IN THIS NEW YEAR, AND IT HAS BEEN SUMMARIZED IN ONE MAJESTIC VERSE.........

We go to that verse, which, according to the app family of YOU VERSION, has been the most searched verse in Scripture for 4 of the last 6 years, including 2025, the year just finished:

Isaiah 41:10: God’s Plan for Us in the NEW YEAR, which includes 2 COMMANDS and 3 PROMISES.....

“Fear thou not: For I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

2 COMMANDS (PRELUDE TO THE PLAN)

A. DO NOT FEAR. There are two kinds of fear: a healthy fear: To fear God is to respect/honor/reverence. An unhealthy fear is a fear that entered because of the fall in  Genesis 1, the result of sin: I was afraid... We still are: there are over 500 categorized phobias; there are lots of reasons to fear in 2026: geopolitical reasons: Russia/China; economic; health; future decisions. This unhealthy fear can paralyze us, steal from us our joy, and create all kinds of relational, emotional, and physical failures/distresses. To this unhealthy fear, God has a COMMAND: The phrase FEAR NOT appears 366 times in the Bible. The Bible not only tells us not to fear, it tells us how to manage & overcome this unhealthy fear: Psalm 56:3: fear is managed by Trust. IF GOD IS HERE, HAVE NO FEAR

B. DO NOT BE DISMAYED: This means to be in a state of alarm, panic/danger: 1 Samuel 30:6: because of an Amalekite raid on their city Ziklag which burned and captured their families, they didn’t know what to do: they decided to seek God: & God directed them to  pursue, overtake, get families & possessions back.

C. Why can He give these commands? How is it possible? If God is here, have no fear. THE  PRESENCE OF GOD: I am WITH you. I am YOUR God: IT’S PERSONAL even in worst of times: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Corrie Ten Boom said “In times of fear, I do not WRESTLE, I NESTLE: in the arms of the God of creation, the all knowing, all powerful, ever present God”.

After the PRELUDE, we have the PLAN ITSELF, INTERTWINED AMONG THE 3 PROMISES.....: which helps us not only in the battle, but BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER the battles.....

3 PROMISES - Here are 3 of the over 3000 promises in Scripture. The Bible is a Promise Book. That averages out to 3 promises for every chapter. Charles Spurgeon said about promises: Prayer is bringing God’s promises to Him and saying: DO WHAT YOU PROMISED.

A. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU.  I will make you firm, I will FORTIFY you. Yes, we are weak, but be glad that God is in the STRENGTHENING business. Earlier in Isaiah: 40:28-31 Paul summarizes well: Philippians 4:13: linked with Him, stronger than without Him. Before the battle: we are in training: He is strengthening us: through Scripture: Psalm 1:2-3, 2 Timothy 2:15 & through prayer: James 5:16 PSALM 1:2-3: His delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His law doth he

meditate day and night: and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

JAMES 5:16: THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH.

B. I WILL HELP YOU. There is active participation of God during the trials: He not only loves, He can and does help: If a heavy tree limb falls on your 5 year old’s leg. It’s not a question of love if you can help, it’s also a question of ability. Even when we do something dumb & get ourselves in a mess: GOD WILL NEVER UNFRIEND US (sever direct connection with); John 15: He calls us

FRIENDS, during the battle: we are never alone: 1 Cor. 10:13.

C. I WILL UPHOLD YOU. He lifts and supports us. He is our FOUNDATION: He holds us up: Psalm 

PSALM 145:14: The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up those that be bowed down.

He is with us after the battle: when we are scarred, hurt: He heals us: holds us when we would fall. He is with us when we are hurt by sin: THERE IS ALWAYS MORE MERCY IN CHRIST THAN SIN IN US.

THAT IS A PLAN THAT GETS US THROUGH THE HIGHS AND LOWS, THE BLESSINGS AND THE BATTLES OF 2026.

BEFORE THE BATTLES, I WILL STRENGTHEN

DURING THE BATTLE, I WILL HELP

AFTER THE BATTLE, I WILL UPHOLD

SO, FEAR NOT, I AM WITH YOU, DO NOT BE DISMAYED, I AM YOUR GOD

HAVE NO FEAR....GOD IS HERE........