JULY 5, 2026 - THE FIRST I AM STATEMENT IN SCRIPTURE; EXODUS

7/5/26: I AM Series #1 The First Use of I Am in Scripture: Exodus 3:11-14

Names have meaning. For example, the names Steve and Peggy are both from Greek origin: Steve means crown (victory) & Peggy: a diminutive for Margaret, means pearl (beauty).

Some names are strange, the name of a daughter of a former Texas governor: Ima Hogg. 

A tech designer named Chris P. Bacon. Crystal Clear is an optometrist!

Names are often descriptive: Slim, Shorty, and remember the fellow from Hee Haw: Stringbean!

Names also had meaning in Scripture. In the Old Testament, Jacob (the deceiver) becomes Israel who strives with God. In the New Testament, Simon (one who hears) becomes Peter (the rock).

And then, there are God’s names. In the bible, there are over 100 different names and/or titles, revealing different aspects of His character, power, or relationship with humanity.

In the Old Testament:

+Genesis account: Elohim: the creator God

+Abraham called him Jehovah jireh: God who provides (Gen 22)

+Gideon called him Jehovah shalom: God of peace

In the New Testament

+Father (abba): by Jesus & His adoptive children through salvation

+Immanuel: a quote from Isaiah and applied directly to Jesus

MOST OF THESE, MOST OF NAMES OF GOD WERE GIVEN TO HIM BY OTHERS AS

DESCRIPTIVE IN THEIR MINDS/EXPERIENCES OF WHO HE IS AND WHAT

HE IS LIKE

But there is one instance in the Bible where God reveals His name to a man... where God named Himself, where God said: this is my name....  & that is what we preach about this morning...... The setting is the back side of wilderness, and an acacia tree gets Moses attention. Moses used to be somebody... now due to series of mistakes, he is very ordinary: but God reaches out to ordinary people and gives to them  extraordinary tasks.

WHEN THEY SAY: WHO SENT YOU: now there was a time in Moses life, especially in Egypt, when he could have said: I sent me, listen to me because of who I am, but now, BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS NOT, why should we listen to you? And to answer that question, God gives to Moses His name... & that’s important...because at that time, knowledge of a Deity’s name implied a level of authority and relationship, even to the point of influence (healing in the name of Jesus).

So, what was the NAME that God gave to Moses?

* 4 letters in Hebrew

* 4 letters in English: Y H W H

The sacred teragrammaton: considered so sacred, not pronounced translated in English Bibles as THE LORD: later, vowels from Adonai (Lord) would be added and the result was a hybrid word Jehovah & it would become known as the personal & covenant name of God.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO US? describe its meaning in 3 words.....

EXISTENCE

ETERNAL

EXACTLY

EXISTENCE

I am.... He is..... I will be whatever I will be

Aseity is a theological term: He exists entirely in an of Himself; He is NOT  dependent  on anything or anyone for His existence. 

Man is dependent.

-Without oxygen: total deprivation: little as 30 seconds

-Without water: 3 to 5 days

-Without food: 1 to 2 months (if have water)

GOD IS: PROOF OF HIS EXISTENCE

Sunrises and sunsets are proof. To believe that someone other than superior intelligence to fashion earth is like all parts of a car jumping together in back yard overnight. There is history, there are eyewitness accounts, written accounts: 24k manuscripts in the bible, compared to other great books of antiquity: Homer’s Iliad: 1000: Caesar’s Gaelic Wars: 10. And then there are our personal experiences: “you ask me how I know He lives”..... HE IS....IN ME

ETERNAL

The eternal present: God had no beginning Gen 1:1 and no end. Thou art God Psalm  90:2.

Not just I was, or someday will be: I AM, not I hope, but I AM

He is IMMUTABLE (I change not: Mal. 3:6) He is consistent

This means God is always in control: he is never surprised or caught off guard

This means His actions are dependable: not this way today & that way tomorrow

We are changing: Years ago, at a child’s ballgame, we used endure unbearable heat for over 6 hours, it’s now more like 6 minutes.

BUT NOT GOD: the eternal, unchanging, consistent God

EXACTLY

He provides what people need:  75% of Gen Z (ages 14-29) experience real loneliness.

As such, He is the ultimate “FILL IN THE BLANK” being: look at Ex. 3:7-8 I HAVE  HEARD...SEEN...KNOW....I’VE COME DOWN TO RESCUE....I’M SENDING YOU

He is eternal, unchangeable, all powerful (all the omni’s) but He is also

GOOD: Psalm 100:5, 145:9: He is separate, but relational

He is consistent, but caring

He is unlimited, but loving

Song of Solomon 2:4: His banner over me is love (covered by God’s

richest affections: banner over an army showed to whom they

belonged). A beloved song of children: The Lord is mine and I am His.  His banner over me is love

EXISTENCE

HE IS, and you can trust Him and be loved by Him ... today. YOU CAN VISIT 

TOMBS OF EVERY OTHER KEY PERSON IN WORLD RELIGIONS, from Mohammed to Confucius to Buddha to Joseph Smith: all those tombs are occupied. BUT NOT GOD NOR JESUS: the tomb is empty

ETERNAL

He is here today and will be here tomorrow; not even my death will alter my relationship with Him (one thing I guarantee I have today...)

EXACTLY

What do YOU need today? He is ready to supply: Philippians 4:19

GOD IS

God is the dawn that breaks the night

God is the star that guides our sight

God is the whisper in the breeze

God is the calm that gives us ease

GOD IS

God is ocean deep and wide

God is the hand that’s by your side

God is love that never ends

God is care that always mends

GOD IS

God is the peace in every storm

God is the shelter that’s safe and warm

God is our strength when we feel small

God is our answer to every call

God is our hope when life feels blue

God is your friend who stays with you!

GOD IS

June 28, 2026 – Dr. Jimmy Porter

Dr Porter was Executive Director of the Mississippi Baptist Action Commission. He was a Pastor over 37 years, now retired.

I wonder what our founding fathers would think of our current situation. Our Pledge of Allegiance states “one nation under God’. A nation that does not serve God will not be blessed but destroyed. Deuteronomy (the last book that Moses wrote) 8:1 says “All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers”. He had in mind that people were crossing into Canaan. There were a lot of people on that journey and there were a lot of miracles. God pushed them, fought for them, helping them accomplish what God said they could do. 

In June 2002, a three member panel of judges ruled that reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance would not be allowed in public schools. The first continental congress leaned heavily on the word of God. People are trying to rewrite history. In 1957 a survey showed that 69% of people believed, in 2003, that percentage was 35%. 

James Talarico claims that he is a Christian but hates Christianity. A lot of people who are running for office do not believe in God or accept the Bible. It’s in all states and it’s beginning to spread. From the time the church was created people believed that we would progress to peace and God would return. Our leaders are not perfect but we need to pray for them to turn to Him. Today’s generation does not understand history, they are fighting and rioting over things they do not understand. The future of America can be as bright as we want to make it. What can we do? We can pray for our country and our leaders, whether you like them or not, they need your prayers. We can get involved, make yourself aware and knowledgeable when you vote. It is a privilege to be able to vote. 

Know you are important. Right now in America, the group uniting with Christianity the most are the youngest generations. For the first time, young men are more faithful to the Church than anyone else. 

6/21/26: FATHERLY ADVICE FROM FATHER ABRAHAM - Genesis 12:1-5

The top 3 things your Dad taught you.... how to mow the lawn, how to change a tire, how to tie a tie: MATERIAL LESSONS. He also taught you other important things: to stand up for your beliefs, to serve in church, to treat all ladies with respect: SPIRITUAL LESSONS. There are 3 P’s of good Fatherhood: Provide, Protect, Presence, (physical/emotional, active engagement).

It is those spiritual lessons to which we turn for our message this morning, from 1 of the first great fathers of Scripture: FATHER ABRAHAM (REMEMBER THE SONG?)

Father Abraham had many sons

Many sons had Father Abraham

I am one of them and so are you

So let’s just praise the Lord

Actually Abraham had 8 sons: 2 of which you know: Issac/Ishmael & 6 that are not as familiar, among which are Zimran & Jokshan but, Father Abraham had many spiritual children: now Abraham was known as a man of faith and Abraham believed in God and it was credited to him for righteousness: it became the hallmark of how Old Testament people were saved.

Galatians 3:7: know ye therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM: IN OTHER WORDS, the one who exercises the same type of faith shows  themselves to be spiritual children of Abraham (like him).

So, on Father’s Day, let’s look back at one of our spiritual fathers and learn from him some principles we need to copy as we try to be effective parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents.

LEARN that your past does not have to define your future. Many people blame where or how they grew up for how they are today: it’s the parent’s fault. Stop playing the victim and claim the victory: God can still use you, starting today: it’s not how you start, but how you finish that counts. 

Abraham (Abram) started in UR in Mesopotamia, a port city on the Persian Gulf, a multi cultural center. What was it like growing up there? Tradition says his father was a maker of idols and worshipped other gods: AND THERE IS BIBLICAL EVIDENCE BACKING THIS UP.

Joshua 24:2: “Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor lived beyond the

Euphrates and worshipped other gods....”

It was to a young man IN THAT ENVIRONMENT that God spoke and called

Acts 7:2-3: “Brothers and sisters, listen, the God of glory appeared to

our Father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before

he settled in Haran, and said to him, GET OUT OF YOUR

COUNTRY AND AWAY FROM YOUR RELATIVES AND COME

TO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU”

So, to the son of an idol making priest God spoke: follow me to a land I will show you...and I’ll tell you when you get there... the idol maker’s son became the true God follower... HIS PAST DID NOT DEFINE HIS FUTURE....& NEITHER DOES OURS: in spite of our miscues, faults,  and past environment, God can use us now: THE PAST IS PAST AS IN THAT GREAT STATEMENT: past is behind us, future is before us, and God is with us.

Choose faithful obedience. Here they are.... a 1000 mile journey: little over half way, they come to Haran known as “idol central” and Terah wants to stop: & they do (honor thy Father?)  & they stay there for years (decades?) until Terah dies, and Abraham must decide: do I uproot my family a second time... at age 75????; moving at advanced ages IS NOT EASY but Abraham knew what God wanted him to do.... he had always known.... he just got sidetracked in Haran.

Many of us get sidetracked in following God’s will, and we need to start back on the  journey.... many cry out: show me what to do (WHEN WE REALLY ALREADY KNOW).....

Micah 6:8.... NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT than following God, than walking

with God, whatever He calls us to leave. 

For Abraham:  He was sidetracked in Haran. For us: following God closely, staying in His shadow means leaving: old connections, friendships, habits, griefs, grudges, guilt and other non-God honoring things.

See God’s vision for your life & family. 

Genesis 15:1-4: Abraham cries, Why God, have I no child: how can I have many when I not have one? My heir will be a servant....God replied  “no, a servant will not be your heir: come outside (away from “light pollution”; count the stars: so shall your offspring be. Abraham was thinking physically, culturally, earthly but God was thinking HEAVENLY: God had a bigger vison and Abraham needed to catch on.

God has a BIGGER VISION for you: how you relate to family as a husband, father,  grandfather: catch the vision and work on the system to get you there, BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF YOUR VISION, YOU WILL FALL TO THE LEVEL OF YOUR SYSTEMS.  SYSTEMS FOR THE BELIEVER are Bible study, prayer, church. It’s like a 3 legged stool.

Yes, God is always more: His plans for you are great: Ephesians 3:20-21

Move past your failures.

Abraham, as good as he was: was not perfect. He lied TWICE about his wife being his sister: putting her in a terrible situation (harem). He grew impatient with God and fathers a child by his wife’s maidservant Hagar but God remembered Abraham’s faith more than failures: Romans 4:20-22. He leaves a legacy of faith: included in the faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11: 8

**& God will forgive your failures: 1 John 1:9: and you, in spite of them, can also  leave a legacy of faith......

Yes, Abraham arrived at the Promised Land and leaves for us a legacy not of perfection, but of  faith.....

HE LEARNED: that your past does not define your future: starting today

HE CHOSE: faithful obedience: walking with God into your future

HE SAW: God’s vision for Him was greater and better

HE MOVED: with God’s grace, past his failures

And today..... we can say .... so let’s just praise the Lord......

Andy Mullins – June 14, 2026

Hello, Alta Woods. We were here last year at Mother’s day. Since that time, our girls have moved out, one got married. We went to see Yellowstone and our oldest son fell head over heels in love with a girl from West Point. He is putting so many miles on his truck. Life changes when you fall in love. In 1st John 3, John is writing letters abroad to all believers about the love of God. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. God’s love is LAVISH, showered, overflowing, bombarded, flooded, overwhelmed. I hope images come to your mind about God’s love. Lavish gifts, the gift of grace.

If you are given a present but do not open it, you have never actually received the gift. Don’t just see the love, but take it. When we accept God’s love, we are granted a new name, Children of God. 

2 Corinthians 6:18 – And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We are children of God, it’s not about a job but a relationship. Mothers and grandmothers have the advantage of identifying as the wife of, the mother of, the grandmother of… The title Child of God is unnecessary in God’s giving salvation. God chooses us as children. We can save someone without taking them in as a part of our family. When we accept God’s gift, he takes us in completely. The reason why the world does not know us is because the world does not know him. We should expect the world to treat us as they treated him. Jesus loved all sinners, even those who cried out “Crucify!”

If we are followers, we are children. In Luke 15, the story of the loving father. Did he really expect to be restored? He was seeking security and was shocked that the Father accepted him back. We also do not feel worthy. But what we will be has not yet appeared. (The first promise). Hope, do not fear. We will be made more. When Christ appears, we shall be like him (the second promise). Remember when you realized you were becoming like your parents? As a kid, Saturdays were about doing yard work alongside Dad. It’s the natural order of things. We take on the habits of our parents, also our heavenly Father. We will see Christ in his glory (third promise).

If you have hope, if you have been called a child of God, you will be purified. You are not a child of God because you do unclean things but because you have been accepted. The blood of God purifies us. We are settling for an unpure life when God encourages us to be Holy. Continue to be Holy in our values, our actions. See the great love that God has given us. We should not just talk about God’s love, we should experience it.

Dr. Rex Yancy

Hebrews 12: 1-3 – How To Keep From Losing Heart

Hebrews was written when the temple was still standing. Only God knows who wrote Hebrews. Speculation is the writer was a Jew The purpose was to encourage the Jewish Christian in their faith. There was a clear and present danger of losing heart.

Let’s review 3 points.

1 – Look Behind Us. Imagine the Old Testament saints are in the grandstands and if they finished the course, so can we. Abel taught them how to worship. He came and offered the very best. Cain also gave an offering but not the best. So should we. Enoch taught them how to walk with God. At 60 plus 5 years, a son was born. He walked with God and walked against the stream. Noah taught the people how to work. For 120 years, he built the ark. Imagine the ridicule. It had never rained. He believed God and kept working. We need to know how to work, even with opposition. Abraham taught them to wait upon God. When he was 75 years old, God promised his descendants would be as the stars in the heavens. Sometimes, he tried to get ahead of God. For 25 years, the promise was not realized but it was revealed to Sarah that she would have a son. Don’t give up. Moses taught them not to wonder. God called him for a specific task. He said he couldn’t do it. God wouldn’t take no for an answer. Moses was about to lose hope but look what God did through him. Joshua taught them how to win. No matter if it sounds ridiculous. He was told to march around Jericho seven times and the walls came tumbling down. n Hebrews 11:31 Raham is the only Gentile mentioned. She taught them that a broken life could be made whole. She was a Gentile that had faith in God. She asked to be remembered. She left the hall of shame and entered the hall of fame. She brought David into the world. Matthew 1 tells us that Jesus descended from David. We have all had heros in our past. My mother taught me and persevered with a reluctant teenager. There were Preachers and Pastors who had influence over my life, Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School teachers. Do not give up hope and do not lose heart.

2 – Look Within. The writers of Hebrews were sports fans. They talk a lot about racing. Games of that time were the predecessors of modern Olympic games. There was a freshman wrestler who was good enough to go the finals. He was competing against an experienced senior. Coach told him “Whatever you do, don’t let him get you in a death hold”. As soon as the match starting – Death Hold! Coach thought it was over. A scream rang out. The freshman flipped the senior and won the match. How? The freshman told his coach “When he had me in the death hold, all I can see was a toe. It’s amazing what you can do when you bite your own toe. We have to be self motivating. John says we should confess our sins. Sins of Omission, Commission and Disposition. At a dog race, there is a mechanical rabbit. They let it go for a couple of laps before the dogs are loosed. One day, the lead dog actually caught the rabbit. After that, the dogs never raced again. They just sat there. The rabbit was not worth chasing.

3 – Look Above. We do not need to lose heart and we should encourage the next generations that follow. Mohammed Ali once said “I ran out of gas with no service station in sight”. Do not lose heart. Always go back and try again. Trust in what God has in store for you. Make God number one in your life.

5/31/26 - Planning for Your Future: James 4:13-17

Americans are obsessed about the future: what will the future hold? Turn on any news source on any evening and you will hear talking heads  discussing the future, & whether it will be bad or good: Iran War///gas prices///mid-term elections…

We can predict (many do), but NO ONE knows the future: not even Satan, not even Jesus: future knowledge is reserved for the FATHER (speaking of His future return).

While we cannot know the future, we can and should plan & prepare for the future, but even in our prep, there is a right/wrong way to plan.

One example is our Scripture for today: James’ story of the BOASTFUL BUSINESSMAN, a “wheeler-dealer” who tried to plan his future, but in planning what kind of future he might have, HE MADE 3 TRAGIC MISTAKES, and while this one lived in the first century, he has a lot of “brothers” in the

21st century: a lot of people now are still making these same 3 mistakes.....

 1. PLANNED WITHOUT GOD

 2. PRESUMED ABOUT TOMORROW

 3. PAUSED IN DOING RIGHT

HE PLANNED WITHOUT GOD. (13)

Now, this man was a planner: he would have gotten an “A” for his meticulous planning

He planned the period: on the calendar: today or tomorrow

He planned the place: on a map: this city/that city: chose the best

He planned the procedure: what to spend per year/how to do business/how to make a profit: he understood commodities.

PROBLEM:But God had a problem with him: & if God had a problem with him, it did not matter who did not. The problem was NOT THAT HE PLANNED: The Bible not against planning but encourages planning

a. Prov 21:5: plans of the diligent lead to adv.

b. Prov 6:6-8: example of ant/plans & prepares

c. Prov. 16:3: commit to the Lord whatever you do, & HE WILL  ESTABLISH YOUR PLANS.

THE PROBLEM WAS THAT HE PLANNED WITHOUT GOD: There is no reference to God whatsoever & James will rebuke him for this ; Do not be saying God bless what I do, but I do what you bless

TO LIVE WITHOUT GOD: THE WORD LIVE spelled backward is EVIL

So instead of planning without God, let’s follow God’s plan: GOD DOES HAVE A PLAN FOR YOU:

+Psalm 32:8: I will instruct you and show you way to go

+John 16:13: He (Holy Spirit) will guide you into all truth

+Jeremiah 29:11: I know the plans I have for you....

HE PRESUMED ABOUT TOMORROW. 

He thought he had a long time. Life is like a vapor/fog/breath on a cold day, a flower lasts 1 day: all of these speak to the fraility and brevity of life

*Proverbs 27:1: don’t boast about tomorrow

*there is but a step between you and death

My heart started sometime in 1954: it beat normal until I met this

girl.... in 05: it stopped.... then started again; lately, it’s doing stranger things: my heartbeat was over 120 for 6 hours. One day, it will stop and not start again.

It’s ok to plan for tomorrow but not be paralyzed by tomorrow:

today is crucified between 2 thieves: guilt of yesterday &

fear of tomorrow

Instead... learn the art of living one day at a time: 

+Psalm 31:15: my times are in thy hands

+Psalm 118:24

Instead of presuming about tomorrow, PLACE all your times in GOD’S HANDS: forgive my past; control my present; secure my future

HE PAUSED IN DOING RIGHT

Our problem is not so much not doing God’s will, but rather not doing the part we do know; we want to make sin all about doing WRONG, where it is really failing to do right, and in 1 important way, the sin of omission is more serious  than the sin of commission: WHY ARE PEOPLE LOST? Not  because of what they did, but what they didn’t do.

So, instead of hitting the pause button about doing right, let’s hit the play button: LET’S PURSUE (PRESSING TOWARD...) pursue doing right: righteous: right-ness: think right and do right.

1. DON’T PLAN WITHOUT GOD - PARTNER WITH GOD

2. DON’T PRESUME ABOUT TOMORROW - PLACE TOMORROW IN HIS HANDS

3. DON’T PAUSE ON DOING GOOD - PURSUE DOING GOOD

Ira Stanphill: in 1946 wrote:

I travelled alone upon this lonesome way

My burdens were heavy and dark was my day

I searched for a friend, not knowing that He

Had all of the time been looking for me

Now it is Jesus & me for each tomorrow

For every heartache and every sorrow

I know that I can depend upon my new found 

friend

& so till the end, it’s Jesus and me!

5/24/26: Remember to Remember: John 15:13, Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Memorial Day is all about REMEMBERING

REMEMBER also could be title of a speech given by Moses in preparation of crossing over into the Promised Land. The challenge before us this weekend is to REMEMBER to REMEMBER.

Remember to leave the light on (the light of our memory for their sacrifice, so that our generations will not forge.

The Livermore Light: according to Guinness, it is the longest burning light in world: it began in 1901 when a light bulb (hand blown) was given to the Livermore, CA Fire Department, to provide enough light so that if an alarm sounded in the middle of the night, the firemen on call would have enough light to see and turn on kerosene lamps: it is still burning today: 6/10/26 will be the 125 year anniversary. WHY? It is very low wattage (4), it has a perfect seal: outside particles do not contaminate the filament, it has not been turned on and off: only 6 times  in 125 years did it go out due to power failures: now it has it’s own generator & back up generator.

LEAVE THE LIGHT ON: remember when radio personality Tom Bodett became the spokesman for Motel 6: do not worry about having a place to stay, because we’ll.... LEAVE THE LIGHT ON FOR YOU (because we care, we’ll be waiting).... HAVE YOU LEFT THE LIGHT ON FOR A   GUEST/CHILD/GRANDCHILD?

Memorial Day is more than remembering: The Indy 500 will start in about an hour,  school’s out, it’s the unofficial beginning of summer, grilling, going to the reservoir, etc.

Memorial Day should never be less than remembering. So, because we care..... let’s remember.... let’s leave the light of their memory/their sacrifice on.

REMEMBER THE SOLDIERS 

Memorial Day began in MS...in April 1866: 4 women were decorating graves in Friendship Cemetery. They noticed a few graves of Union Soilders and decorated them as well: WHY? because somewhere there is a mother/wife missing them: They are not fallen confederates/union soilders but fallen americans.

1868: May 30 (first at Arlington); the day was called Decoration Day: after WW 1, 1971 May 30  was changed to the final Monday in May and it became a Federal Holiday

Abraham Lincoln: 4 months after a bloody battle cost 50k lives, he gave a speech challenging

the country to remember: The world will little note nor long remember what we say here,

 but it can never forget what they did here...that we here highly resolve that these dead

 shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom

 & that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the

 earth.

Dwight D. Eisenhower: after touring Valley Forge: said: “this is where they got it for us”

so, COUNT THE COST of freedom: do not forget what our brave soldiers did/gave so that

we might live in the land of the free, and the home of the brave: John 15:13: this was

their last full measure of devotion....

REMEMBER THE SAVIOR

John 15:13 THE ORIGINAL MEANING: that there was another soldier, who gave His life on the

battlefield at Calvary, to defeat the powers of evil and because of Him, we are able to

enjoy real peace and hope.

When the train the carrying body of slain President Abraham Lincoln stopped in Albany, NY an African American mother lifted her child high over her shoulders and said: look child, this man died for you & well should we say that about Jesus: HE DIED FOR US: Romans 5:8

Yes, it is wonderful to live in the land of purple mountain majesties and amber waves of

grain, but it will pale into insignificance when compared to the streets of gold and

the river of life that flows from the throne of God: this was the greatest sacrifice of all time 

Jesus Paid It all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow

So, on this Memorial Day weekend, when we are so prone to forget.... let’s leave the light on... may the light of our memories shine bright on both our SOLDIERS and our SAVIOR

Let us not forget these ONES, and let us not forget that ONE

05/17/26 - WHAT TO DO WHEN STORMS COME: Matthew 7:24-27

The story of the three Little Pigs....

What if that which fell was not a house, but a life? Among non-believers, we have people falling by the wayside, defeated by life, emotionally distraught, angry at the world: 1 in 10 in the USA is clinically depressed. They never found the missing piece to puzzle of life: Jesus Christ

GERMAN GOLFER B LANGER had all the success: still something was missing, and I believe that was Jesus Christ. Among believers, we have dropout Disciples, collapsing Christians, instead of standing up for Jesus, they are folding up to the world by God-rejecting habits and ways. There are alka seltzer Christians: drop them in water, they fizzle for a while, then they are gone: do you know that the largest portion of church members can’t be found?  30% either cannot be found or never attend church, they  started well, but did not finish well: like the seed in one of Jesus’ parables: they were planted in the ground, but the thorns of life came up and choked them.

We have storms in life: everyone here is 1 of 3 types of people, either going into a storm, in midst of a storm, or coming out of a storm. How do we survive the storms of life? when Satan blows a storm on us, will our house fall or will it stand? At the end of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, He tells us how to survive the storms of life......

Notice first of all that Jesus is saying that life is like building a house. Each of us has our house: I cannot live in yours nor can you live in mine; we are responsible for our own houses/lives.

 WE MUST SELECT THE PROPER FOUNDATION.

2 builders: both had same purpose, similar plans, near each other. Look at our  congregation: we are similar in many ways: we are all here, we are all hearing the Word of God , we all want to succeed, We are all awake? We are all smiling? all have similar plans. ONE DIFFERENCE: THE FOUNDATION: one on rock; the other on sand; one  was solid, the other shifting; one was strong, the other weak. This past week: I watched at building site: a church was expanding: but before a single wall was set, or a slab was poured: dirt was dumped and spread. SITE PREPARATION: about 12k for a 2500 square foot home; the foundation is important: especially around here due to YAZOO CLAY:  It moves: it swells in wet, shrinks in dry & here come cracks: That’s why Olshan/ramjack are so popular here. And in life house, Jesus said: SELECT THE PROPER FOUNDATION: 

+ROCK BUILDER: Luke 6:48: not easiest but best: weather the storm

+SAND BUILDER: easier, cheaper: cut corners: more money to make 

walls, rooms fancier, quicker

What makes a firm foundation for the life house? Jesus spells it out

a) HEARING THE WORD: what we doing now: Romans 10:17

b) HEEDING THE WORD: that is where 2 builders separate: not only should you 

hear but heed, Thought not only enters your head but action exits your hands and feet. One of the disciples that heard that that day: James: he never forgot it: There are people in the church that are sandy: sand builders: cutting corners: not studying the Bible or praying regularly, not making commands of God a

lifestyle: they are fair weather followers, when it is convenient: Sunday is not the best time to gauge obedience to Jesus: Monday is!: It's how you ACT AWAY FROM THE CHURCH

SELECT THE PROPER FOUNDATION: the rock is Jesus: Peter’s confession of which our lives are built.

EXPECT STORMS & EXPERIENCE BLESSINGS

Notice the same type of storm (the same storm) came to both houses. Even the wise who heard and heeded: who are getting saved, growing as a Christian. IT DOES NOT STOP THE STORMS

*Job 14:1, John 16:33: trouble: there will be heartache, suffering and difficulty:

our faith will be tested; faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted

 I’ve had many tears and sorrows, I’ve had questions for tomorrow

there’s been time I didn’t know right from wrong

but in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation, that my trials come

to only make me strong.....I’ve learned to trust in Jesus/God, I’ve

learned to depend upon His word

*Romans 8:35-37

*Hebrews 6:19, 20a: Jesus Is Our Anchor: Our purpose is to keep ship steady even

when waves and wind are contrary.

So, in the story of the 3 little pigs, it was houses that fell by the big bad wolf’s breath

In the 2 builders, it was a life that fell when storms of life blew

BUT IN BOTH CASES: ONLY THE STURDY BUILDING STOOD

& IN BOTH CASES, THE ONE WHO HAD TAKEN THE TIME TO BUILD THE

 STURDY HOUSE DID LIVE HAPPILY EVERY AFTER

My hope is built on nothing less.....

I dare not trust the sweetest frame.....

In every high and stormy gale, my 

anchor holds within the veil....

ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK

5/10/26: A Mother’s Wisdom: Proverbs 31:1-9

Oh! the wisdom our Mothers have passed down to us...

Vicks Vaporub commercial: 1965 - My mother believed in Vick’s Vaporub. I had asthmatic bronchitis as a child: She would rub the Vaporub on my chest. I even had a vaporizer with Vick’s Vaporub. If I had a cold, fever, sore throat: basically, if anything was wrong with me, get out the Vaporbub. This was a combination of menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oils in a petroleum jelly base: It was invented in the 1890s by Lunsford Richardson and he named after his brother in law who let him borrow his drug store to perform his experiments: it was originally called “Vick’s Magic Croup Salve”: it became widely used in 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic: and was recently recognized as 1 of the 3 most recognizable scents in the world: advertised for use on everything from sunburn to dandruff to cuts to toe fungus.

Proverbs 31 is best known for its description of a hard working wife in verses 10-31, but it’s not the Proverbs 31 wife to which I draw your attention this morning, but the P 31 Mom that is described in verses 1-9.

KING LEMUEL: I’m not sure who exactly this is: some say that it was an alias for King Solomon: or perhaps a term of endearment that his mother called him: OTHERS with this name: a real king in Massa, in province of N. Arabia.  REGARDLESS: this is wisdom passed down from a queen to her son who would one day be king: because she loves and cares for him and wants to see him succeed in his task as king.

On this Mother’s Day, may every Mother present hear and adopt this advice, this wisdom to pass on to your children/grandchildren/great grandchildren:

*because you love them......

*because you want to see them succeed

*because this biblical advice is right and good

*you have a great chance to be a positive influence 

None other than Billy Graham said: Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children & guys, it’s good advice for us to share as well....

So, this is what she says to her son.....

SHE CARES ABOUT HER CHILDREN’S RELATIONSHIPS

Be careful with your relationships: watch out who you give your heart/affection to: if this is Solomon, this is Bathsheba who is speaking, and she had seen how some of Solomon’s other wives had turned his heart  away from God in his older years (ask Samson what he learned about relationships in his experience with Delilah).

Don’t play around with your relationships: a person’s life can be forever altered by non-God honoring relations: they can DESTROY you and others; they can DETOUR you from God’s purpose.

Be right in your relationships: be careful to whom you give your HEART

SHE CARES ABOUT HER CHILDREN’S HABITS 

Be careful about getting drunk/wasted: it is NOT for kings or leaders: it can lead you to make terrible mistakes as a kingly leader: it can make you forget your responsibility.

The Cathaginians said: no magistrate shall drink wine

The Persians: allowed their king to get drunk one day a year

In Athens: if a prince was found drunk: he would be put to death

Relationships are who give heart to: habits are what you give your mind  to.....

Queen Victoria as a child was not motivated in her studies: she was finally told that she needed to straighten up for one day, she would be Queen of England: She said “then I will be good”: realizing who she was

profoundly affected her conduct.... Let us realize who we are: CHILDREN OF THE KING: royalty, with a holy responsibility & THAT is what this Queen Mother is referencing; do not forget who you are: do not stain your  destiny: CLAIM JOHN 1:12: God will help you with your HABITS

SHE CARES ABOUT HER CHILDREN’S CAUSES 

Stand up for the disenfranchised: do not be quiet when you see injustice: leave your world a better place because you were there.

FOR LEMUEL: This was great advice on how to treat his subjects

FOR US: This is a great challenge on being the conscience of the

community and being ready and willing to share with

your VOICE the Gospel message that Jesus saves.

Laura Young was an antique searcher: any weekend you would find her in a

pawn shop or garage sale: she was always looking for unique objects in Austin: One day she found a marble bust, hidden under a table, marked $35.99 which seemed a lot for a pawn shop, but she liked the looks, the design, the hairstyle. She bought it: curiosity got best of her, she   talked to some academics and they certified it as authentic Graeco Roman art from 1st century: it had been looted in World War 2 and it wound up in a pawn shop in Austin: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure: now on display for world to see at the San Antonio Museum of Art.

The words of wisdom this mom gave to her son: others may consider them trash, but every one is a treasure.... & God loves....us all (the whole world)

So, be careful, son: be careful to whom you give your heart:

RELATIONSHIPS

be careful, son: be careful to what you give your mind:

HABITS

be careful, son: be careful to whom you give your voice:

CAUSES

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SEA OF GALILEE AND DEAD SEA: the difference is that one has an outlet to flow: one has no outlet: it is stagnant.

May we allow our God given God approved wisdom to flow from us to others.....2 Timothy 2:2

5/3/26: SENIOR ADULT SUNDAY: 

A Theology for Aging: Isaiah 46:4, Psalm 92:1-15, Proverbs 16:31

There are 2 ways people usually look at aging: either with laughter or lament: we make jokes about it or we complain about it. You’ve heard the complaints: maybe you’ve said the complaints: I hurt more, I’m on a fixed income, I have to see more doctors. You’ve heard the jokes: top 10 list of how to know you’re a senior adult

1. your back goes out more than you do

2. someone calls you at 9pm and asks did I wake you... & they did

3. you love hearing about other people’s operations

4. The Weather Channel is your favorite cable selection

5. your birthday cake has been declared a fire hazard

6. you plan out of town trips around rest stops

7. you have more pills in your purse than coins

Well, the Bible does neither; it does not make fun of aging or does it picture it as a time of constant complaining. The Bible addresses aging; it speaks honestly about its challenges and even celebrates the aging of a believer. SO, I would like to take 3 verses of Scripture that speak to the aging process and use them to formulate a kind of THEOLOGY FOR AGING.

The 3 verses are: 

Isaiah 46:4

Psalm 92:14-15

Proverbs 16:31

And, for each of these verses I will give you a 2-3 word summary, a biblical truth that speaks to us as senior adults, that both comforts us with God’s continuing presence and challenges us to be all we can and should be for Him, and, in so doing, help others and ourselves as well.

SO, WRITE DOWN THE 3 VERSES AND LEAVE ROOM BESIDE EACH ONE OF THEM FOR A 2-3 WORD PHRASE THAT, PUT TOGETHER, WILL FORM OUR THEOLOGY OF AGING.....

Isaiah 46:4: GOD WITH US

Look at the verbs: God says” I have made”: as the Creator, God has a vested interest in sustaining and protecting His creation.

I will bear: bear the weight of our burdens: 1P5:7

I will carry: in contrast to idols that must be carried, God does the carrying:  from carrying a baby to carrying a senior.

FOOTPRINTS: WHEN THERE ARE ONLY 1 SET OF PRINTS: IT WAS THEN THAT I CARRIED YOU

I will deliver: save, rescue, provide strength in weakness.

2 things: God did not start us on this journey to drop us: Phil. 1:6. Our value to God has never been about what we do for Him in productivity: it has always been about His love for us: Rom 5:8; the world may judge worth by productivity, but God judges worth by faithfulness. There are  57.8 million senior adults in USA: 30% of them live alone: but we are NOT ALONE: God is with us: IF I LIVE: GOD WITH ME; IF I DIE, I WITH GOD: Romans 14:8

Psalm 92:14-15: I can serve

Do not believe Satan’s lie that you are no longer useful: note this Scripture does not say: they  USED TO BE fruitful; they ARE fruitful; maybe you cannot serve in every way you used to, but that does not equate to not serving; every one of us can still serve ;your prayers matter: praying for a grandchild is serving God ; your testimony matters: encouraging another believer with your story/experience is serving God. Your worship matters: every time, in spite of every physical/emotional hardship that you come through these doors with, you are encouraging  other members, and you are pleasing God (Heaven celebrates). You will grow older, but you do not have to grow old: this pictures a  tree, even in old age, that is more green: alive, healthy. 

God has always had a way of calling/using those in advanced years

In the Old Testament: Abraham was 75; Moses was 80

In the New Testament: Paul in his 60’s: I am an old man (Philemon); with poor eyesight

John was in his 90’s when He wrote Revelation

Proverbs 16:31: Celebrate today.

Notice the Bible does not say every white haired person is to be honored, but their faithfulness (if they be found in the way of righteousness: right-ness: right thinking and right doing), then they are to be honored). We celebrate the white hair: we see it as a crown of glory, as you FINISH STRONG with God here and increasingly look forward to God there will be the white hair, the senior years, are not a burden to bear but a crown to wear if you are living those senior years with God: wear your crown WITH GRACE

We began with a list and we end with a list

Joe McKeever: known for his comic drawings compiled a list of 7 things to enjoy as Senior Adults: so here are 7 things that make the senior years good.......

1. You have historical perspective: .... 1963/1964/1969..... We not only read about it: we lived it: and beginning a talk with “that reminds me” is a great sedative for your grandchildren. 

2. You have a perfect excuse for odd behavior or unorthodox dress: if you just come right out and tell someone what you think or if you wear mismatched socks, they will just shake their head and think: “they’re old”. 

3. Coffee is cheap in a lot of places: hey, you get the same size cup that a 30 something gets but you pay less: & we are all about paying less.

4. The government sends you money every month; really, just because you’re old, and when  you spend it all, they send you some more next month: Dr. McKeever said: it’s enough to make me wish I had retired sooner.

5. Every time you enter a big parking lot, you can look for the blue stripes: they are  usually the closest to the entrance. 

6. You can take naps: for an hour at a time if you want: one time Dr. McKeever said to a clerk: I am sorry that you are tired: I will go home right now and take a nap in your honor.

7. You get to hold and love on and spoil grandchildren and then send them home.

I would add our 3 parts of Aging Theology to this:

God is with me: I will never be alone

I can serve: there are still things I can/should do for and with God

Celebrate today: every day with Jesus is sweeter than day before.

4/26/26: BIBLICAL GEOMETRY: THE CUBE: 1 Kings 6:20, Revelation 21:16

Homes: there are over 148 million housing units in America. New homes are being built at the average of 1.53 million per year.

There are new homes, there are old homes. There are tiny homes, there are huge homes. There are cheap homes, there are expensive homes. There are identical (cookie cutter) homes in some subdivisions and there are STRANGE (one of a kind) homes (that broke the mold). Sometimes we buy a used home and sometime we buy a new one; sometimes we even build  from the ground up.....

If God built a house for Himself, what would it look like?

Today’s message looks at 2 places in the Bible that could be termed God’s house

The blueprint for one is in the Old Testament – a room in the Tabernacle: THE HOLY OF HOLIES: THE MOST HOLY PLACE. The blueprint of another is in the New Testament - the Heavenly city: NEW JERUSALEM.

So, for the next few moments, let’s look at the DIMENSIONS, the DÉCOR, and the DOOR to each of these....

DIMENSIONS: what are the dimensions of God’s house?

Today we measure dimensions in square footage (floor space). God’s house in the Old Testament would be about 900SF, in the New Testament, over 41 billion SF. What is important about God’s house is not the square footage in it, but the shape of it: THEY ARE BOTH CUBES.  A cube is simply defined as a 3 dimensional figure whose length, width, and breath are the same measurement: it’s as long as it is broad as it is high: or in children’s language: think of a perfect box.

In the Old Testament length, breadth and width were all 20 cubits or 30 feet: 1 Kings 6:20: housed God’s presence. In the New Testament, length breadth and width were all 12k furlongs (stadia) or 1500 miles: Revelation 21:16: The room houses God’s presence & all of God’s people (ROOM HAS BECOME A CITY: the tabernacle (mirrors) of God is now with men: Rev. 21:3.  Both represent perfection, completeness, wholeness, stability.

DÉCOR: The décor in my childhood home was colonial birch, early American wallpaper. In our current house there is sheetrock with sands of time & conservative gray paint. How about God’s House? HIS WALLS, HIS FURNISHINGS?

IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES, THE WALLS WERE ACACIA overlaid with gold symbolizing majesty  & strength and royal splendor. 

THE FURNISHINGS: There was only 1 furnishing: The Ark of the Covenant: an acacia wood  box about 4X2X2 which originally held the 10 Commandments;  Aaron’s rod that budded and a jar of manna; furnishings that told of His WORDS/WORKS:

WHAT HE SAID AND DID. The top of the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold: The top was the MERCY SEAT, where presence of God would sit and meet with his people, a room that God told man how to build….

BUT IN THE NEW JERUSALEM: wow: that was a city that God built for man: 1 Corinthians 2:9.

What kind of walls did He build? What kind of furnishings did He provide? The walls were 

adorned with 12 precious jewels. Revelation 4:2-3 tells us the throne (seat occupied by God):

was covered in white (holiness), red (sacrifice), green (hope): WHAT IS THERE? HIS  PRESENCE. Revelation 22:1-2: river & tree of life: water & food, PROVISIONS,  FURNISHINGS: WHAT IS NOT THERE? no night, no tears, no pain, no death, no falsehood,  no curse, nothing that defiles, no temple, JUST PROTECTION.

DOOR:  The entrance: how to get in, who can get in: anyone but God? IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES: THERE WERE 3 WALLS, but the fourth is a curtain (A VEIL). IT’S PATTERN: according to Exodus 26:31: the colors were: BLUE: Heavenly color (sky is blue); PURPLE: Royal color; (the king’s color); SCARLET: Sacrificial color (blood). IT’S POSITION: Exodus 26:33: The veil divides High Priest/The Holy of Holies: the veil prevents access: it divides God from man: stay away: only 1 man, once a year: on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest was granted access, and  he entered in fear/trembling, he even wore bells sewn into bottom of his garment so God hear him and others could hear them as he went in to seek forgiveness of sins for His people. 

In Matthew 27:50: the veil is torn in 2, from top to bottom: this was no ordinary curtain: it was massive: 60 feet high, 30 feet high, 4” thick: It would have taken 300 priests to move it.

NEW JERUSALEM: how different: Revelation 21:13, 25: There is  easy access from  whatever direction you come: the gates are always open: We go from stay out to come in: the only requirement for entrance? YOUR NAME MUST BE WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’S BOOK  OF LIFE: Revelation 21:27: we can enter.

Peggy and I have lived in 6 houses, 1 apartment, and now in a condo: We’re going to make “one more move” to a beautiful out of this world CUBE to a residence that God Himself has built and furnished: He promised it: John 14:1-3, and I believe Him.

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a song some 50 years ago about a child’s perspective of Heaven: God’s house: here are some of the lyrics....

Jesus, I heard you had a big house where I could have a room of my own

& Jesus, I heard you had a big yard, big enough to let a kid roam

Jesus, I heard about meal time when all your children come to eat

& Jesus I heard you got a great big table where every kid can have his own seat

Jesus I heard that in your big house there’s plenty of love to go ‘round

I heard there’s always singing and laughter to fill the place with happy sounds

And I’ve been thinking that a friend who planned to give me all that He’s got

Before I had even met Him, well, He sure must love me a lot: I sure do love you a lot

One day, let’s gather at the table in His big house! 

04/19/26 - BIBLICAL GEOMETRY: THE 3 CIRCLES: John 14:6 et al.

Biblical Geometry: using basic geometric shapes to teach biblical truths: last week, we looked at THE LINE; this week, THE CIRCLE.

A circle is a set points on a plane (the border) that are all at a fixed distance from a central point (the middle).

Our preaching from today utlilizes not 1, but 3 circles to explain/illustrate how we are saved.

This presentation originated with Florida Pastor Jimmy Scroggins and has been adopted by our North American Mission Board as an excellent way to explain how to be saved to people who did not grow up in church. This presentation can be given in as little as 3 minutes, and all it requires is a pencil and a napkin.

Let’s begin.... 

GOD’S DESIGN (first circle)

God designed you with a purpose in mind (a reason why you are here: GENESIS 1:26-28).

Yes, God LOVES you and has a specific, unique, and glorious destiny for you. Moreover, God promises to GUIDE you to that destiny: kind of like GPS: if you take a wrong turn, you are told to return to the route); now you can ignore or turn off the GPS, but if you follow the   instructions, the trip is more enjoyable and less stressful, and finally, you will hear the words: YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESTINATION. if we live according to God’s design, we experience God’s blessings.

The problem is: we have chosen to not live according to God’s design, and the Bible has a word for that: SIN. Sin is anything God doesn’t like: it can be internal/external: it can be something you say/do/think; ROMANS 3:10/3:23. It is departing from God’s plan/design for your life, and that path ends up in the place called BROKENESS.  .

OUR BROKENESS (second circle)

A state of brokenness makes us feel empty, bad, regret, guilty, cheap: PSALM 51:3, ROMANS 6:23. We try on our own to mitigate the pain or escape the realm of brokenness; we try to replace our brokenness with other  RELATIONSHIPS, MATERIAL THINGS, DRUGS/ALCOHOL, DESIRES but these attempts are short lived at best: they don’t last and  they don’t work, and we wind up even worse than we were. To be broken is bad... but the one GOOD thing that comes from this is it opens up to us the need to and the possibility of CHANGE & that possibility of change comes to us through the GOSPEL.

Now the way we move from the state of brokenness to change is REPENT & BELIEVE.

REPENT: turn around: stop going your way and start going God’s way. Let Him change your heart/mind/direction.

BELIEVE: in what He did and what He said: the Gospel story & if we repent and believe, God will come in to our lives.

THE GOSPEL (third circle)

The Gospel is GOOD NEWS: the story of Jesus: GOD SENT JESUS and Jesus NEVER DEPARTED from God’s design: Billy Graham said: Jesus came into this world for 1 reason: to make it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins meaning we can go to Heaven when we die. This was accomplished ON THE CROSS where Christ was crucified for the sins of the world (mine/yours): ROMANS 5:8: on the cross, Jesus received the punishment for our sins.

He died, was buried, and on the 3rdday, HE WAS RAISED ALIVE, proving He was who He said He was: God’s perfect one and only Son: JOHN 3:16

SO, we respond to this in REPENTANCE AND BELIEF, by calling on Him to save us: ROMANS 10:1

Jesus saving us and coming into our lives changes everything. He helps us RECOVER from the state of brokenness and guides us in PURSUING life as He wants it: HIS DESIGN FOR YOUR LIFE.

We can begin this second chance journey right here and right now: 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12

The 3 Circles... all in a circle: we have the chance to come “full circle” back to the way God intended for our lives to be.....

There are many ways to explain how one is saved: THE ABC’S,  THE ROMAN ROAD, & THE 3 CIRCLES: HOWEVER WAY YOU CHOOSE, JUST BE SURE YOU ARE READY THE NEXT TIME GOD  TAPS YOU ON THE SHOULDER, POINTS OUT A PERSON, AND SAYS: SHARE WITH HIM/HER

In discussing a circle, it all comes back to that central point. That is the fixture that determines the proper place of all the other points in the plane. For us, CHRIST is our central point; He is to be the CENTER of our lives and He determines where everything else falls into its proper place, in relation to Himself: MATTHEW 6:33.

It’s all about Jesus

Name that song.....

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong

Jesus loves me, He will stay close beside me all the way

If I love Him, then when I die, He will take me home on high.

YES, JESUS LOVES ME, YES JESUS LOVES ME, YES JESUS LOVES ME,

THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

THE LINE: Hebrews 9:27

3 Observations in talking about LIFE AFTER DEATH. The bible may not tell us all we would like to know, but rest assured the Bible tells us all we need to know (& the rest, we will understand better by and by). We do need to let the Bible be our guide; too often we have let art, literature (Dante/Milton), folk tales and pure speculation guide us in leading to wild & inaccurate claims about life after death I must admit that there are honest and sincere disagreements between Christians about life after death. (Adrian Rogers and Herschel Hobbs). Tonight, we will not emphasize the points of disagreement; THE LAST THING OUR LORD JESUS wants to see when He returns is His children arguing over when He’s going to return!

People have always been interested in life after death, from the Egyptians and their elaborate burial preparations with the pyramids to the native americans and their happy hunting grounds to psychic research’s explorations of whether/not consciousness remains after death &.... it piques our interest.... where is my loved one and what is life like for him/her.... what will it be like for me?

Raymond Moody: LIFE AFTER LIFE: his book is a survey of those who had “death experiences” and then returned; from the survey, Moody listed a number of “conclusions”

a. many heard the news of their death

b. many had a feeling of peace and quiet, followed by a loud noise

and the sensation of being pulled through a tunnel

c. many viewed their own bodies; some met others, including

a “being of light”

d. some experienced a review of their life, and seemed to approach

a border before being told to turn back (not unlike SB pastor’s Don Piper’s experience, which he put in a book which was made into a film: 90 Minutes in Heaven)

ALTHOUGH MANY OF THESE FACTORS DIFFERED, ALMOST TO A PERSON THOSE SURVEYED  WERE CERTAIN THEY WOULD SURVIVE BODILY DEATH And.... so do I....not because Raymond Moody’s book tells me, but because THIS BOOK tells me: HEBREWS 9:27.... there is an “AFTER THAT”.

Let’s look at our first section, LIFE ON EARTH

John 3:18: you are saved or lost based on what you do with Jesus after reaching the STAGE of accountability: it’s all about Jesus: we divide people into many categories, but with God there are only 2: LOST/SAVED; above/below; we come to our PHYSICAL DEATH, and no one is ON THE LINE.

Let’s look at our second section, LIFE AFTER DEATH, BUT BEFORE THE SECOND COMING 

This entire segment is given various names, some of them biblical: Sheol, Hades, the place of shadows, the place of the departed, the valley of shadows.

2 Scripture passages cast light on this shadowy place

a. JOHN 11:25-26: life goes on after death

b. LUKE 16:25-26: DESTINY IS FIXED at death

LIFE ABOVE THE LINE.....

1. A place (John 14:1-3)

2. A place of happiness: (Lk 23:43)

3. A place of consciousness: Mt. of Transfiguration: Mt. 17

4. An incomplete place

LIFE BELOW THE LINE

1. A place (Matthew 25:41)

2. A place of torment (Luke 16:23)

3. A place of consciousness (Luke 16:28)

4. An incomplete place

SO, THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH reincarnation (Hindus), annihilationism (Jehovah’s Witness) or purgatory (Roman Catholic); there is no 2nd chance between death and the final judgment.

RETURN OF CHRIST

1. WHEN: Mark 13:32-33

2. HOW: Acts 1:11

Let’s look at our third section: LIFE AFTER DEATH AND AFTER THE SECOND COMING....

3. LIFE AFTER DEATH AND AFTER THE 2ND COMING

A. JUDGMENT: 1.2.7: YES

Revelation 20:11-15: BOOK/BOOKS: not decision, declaration

You can either be born once and die twice, or born twice and die once!

Where are you...tonight?

No one gets to Heaven by accident: by reservation only Rev.21:27

How long may men go on in sin; how long will God forbear

Where does hope end and where begins the confines of despair

One answer from the sky is sent-you who from God depart

While He does call today: REPENT, and harden not your heart

04/05/26 Easter Sermon: Empty Promises: John 20:1-18

The story of the plastic easter egg: Philip was a child who attended Sunday School at a church in Michigan; one Sunday, about this time of year: his teacher gave each child a plastic Easter egg. She let them go outside and find something, told them to put something in your egg that reminds you of Easter. They came back to the classroom, and each gave their egg to the teacher. One held a flower symbolizing new life; another a butterfly symbolizing the change that Jesus brings; another held 2 twigs, twisted together to form a cross. Then came Philip’s turn; he gave his egg to his teacher, she opened it and was astounded by what she saw: what in Philip’s egg was NOTHING: and when the teacher showed the class, they all began to laugh and point and make fun: NO, CRIED, PHILIP, I DID NOT MAKE A MISTAKE; I DID UNDERSTAND, MY EGG IS EMPTY, JUST LIKE THE TOMB WAS EMPTY..... & the class grew quiet, and, according to the story, if you go to that children’s classroom in that Michigan church today, you will find Philip’s egg on a shelf, reminding each new class of children that the tomb was empty.

Normally, when we use the word EMPTY, it’s not good:

*my car is on empty

*my stomach is empty

*my bank account is empty

*that’s an empty promise

But EMPTY at Easter has a good meaning, for like Philip’s egg, Easter holds some EMPTY PROMISES that fill our lives with good.......

So, this morning, let’s use our Scripture to find 3 EMPTY PROMISES

OF EASTER......

*the empty cross

*the empty grave clothes

*the empty tomb

EMPTY CROSS (1-2)

What the women saw in the last 36 hours; they were coming to see Jesus, coming to

serve Jesus (in the only place they could/the only way they could): coming to a grave to anoint: WHY? BECAUSE JESUS HAD DIED on FRIDAY AFTERNOON. They had seen it: the stains were on the wood and on their hearts: they knew He was dead.... where have you lain him? The cross was gruesome, horrifying, cruel....all of these..... but now it was EMPTY.... BUT THAT EMPTY CROSS WAS FULL OF THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD, because Jesus had paid the debt of our sin by taking our place.... IT IS FINISHED: the account is settled. John 19:30: paid in full: the importance of forgiveness....

Rogers Cadenhead would take a domain, license it, sell it (just the way some flip houses); when a new pope was being elected in 2005 he correctly guessed the name

that would be chosen: benedictxvi.com. The Vatican said we want this: Cadenhead agreed but it will cost you...

1) 2 nights and 3 days in the Vatican

2) a real hat worn by a cardinal

3) complete and total absolution of any sins committed by me on 

Spring Break 1987 (18 years); DID HE GET? He was asking the wrong people

1 John 1:9: let us rejoice that the now empty cross provides for the fullness of forgiveness (if you ask the right person)

EMPTY GRAVE CLOTHES (4-10)

What they found when they entered the tomb; the face cloth: neatly folded and put to side. This was significant, if the disciples or grave robbers came and stole the body, the disciples would not have unwrapped the desecrated body; robbers would not have taken time to neatly fold and lay it to the side...NO: it was Jesus: he did not wear grave clothes because not going to be in grave: NOT DEAD BUT ALIVE. The empty graveclothes is a promise full of LIFE: & Jesus would be seen alive at least 11 times in the next 40 days before He would ascend to Heaven from the Mount of Olives. Nnot that He was, but IS, the empty grave clothes: a promise full of life

EMPTY TOMB (11-18)

Mary Magdalene: look at all He had done for her: exorcised, befriended, taught, shown

Mary Magdalene was the last at the cross, the first at the tomb: the first to see/worship the risen Lord, the first to tell the Easter miracle.... Why did she not recognize HIM? Maybe the tears in her eyes, maybe because it was totally unexpected, maybe like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, God kept her from knowing until right time & the right time came when He spoke her name: HE KNOWS OUR NAMES.

John 14:1-3: the empty tomb: a promise filled with HOPE: of a future with Jesus

Do you know who Mr. Hooper is? Mr. Hooper was the kind owner of Hooper’s General Store on Sesame Street: one of original human characters on Sesame Street: he was played by Will Lee who died of a heart attack in 1982 & the show famously addressed his death in a 1983 episode where the characters explained to Big Bird that Mr. Hooper was gone and wasn’t coming back. That is true for us, but NOT THE GOSPEL: not the story of Easter: Jesus died and He did come back, shown by 3 empty promises that were full of FORGIVENESS and LIFE and HOPE

ALLELUIA.... HE IS RISEN