Revival!

REVIVAL! We pray for revival, we send preachers around who try to stir us up spiritually, we hold conventions, conferences, concerts and Bible studies...we do all kinds of things to "revive' us...but I'll tell you what it's going to take. We will NOT be "revived" until WE...Christians...cultivate deep in our hearts a true and genuine love for people! We will not get "revived" until we can read about people who have been shot, run over, killed...and it grieves us to our very souls that these people may well have died without Christ. We will not be "revived" until we can look at starving children in poor countries and we weep in our spirits and we are moved in our hearts so that we know that we have to do something to alleviate their suffering! We will not be "revived" until we can look at the lost and grieve in our souls that they could well spend eternity in hell if they don't receive Christ in their hearts. We will not be "revived" until we can look at people we work with, people we shop with, people we bank with, people we meet daily on the streets and realize that if they don't know Jesus they will be lost forever. We will not be "revived" until we know that we know that it's up to us...not somebody else...to do something about it!

A Relevant Christian Prays Fervently

“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’” (Luke 11:1)

First, let me say that I believe prayer is the greatest untapped resource that Christians have at their disposal. If we would get serious about prayer and the power we possess through prayer, there is absolutely no limit to what God would do on this earth through His Church. He wants us to bring our petitions before Him and expect Him to act on our behalf and for those around us.

But prayer is also one of life’s greatest mysteries. How do we do it, when do we do it, what do we say and how do we say it? Just as we wonder about these questions today, Jesus’ disciples also questioned the proper way to pray, and Jesus gave them the model prayer that we commonly call “The Lord’s Prayer”. 

Overcoming The #1 Barrier to Success

Success! It’s a universal desire, right? Everybody wants to obtain success. But I want to ask you a couple of questions: exactly what does it mean to be successful and how do you know when you get there? The problem with success is that it means different things to different people and the definition of what it means to be successful is more of an individual ideal. To one person it means acquiring large sums of money, while to others fame is what would indicate a successful life. To others still, they really want all the money they can get and they want to be famous too. To a business man or woman, success includes a corner office with a view and the title of C.E.O. attached to his or her name on the door. To some, it means a private practice or a beach home, or a yacht or a private jet. 

Caleb...a Man of Faith and Courage

One of my very favorite "hero's of the faith" is a man whose story is rather obscure. You only hear about him during two very important times in Biblical history...but his testimony is strong and powerful. The first time you hear about this great hero was during a time of testing during the time of the Israelites wilderness wanderings. He was one of the 12 spies who was sent into the "Promised Land" to spy it out. You remember the story.

In Numbers 13 we see that Moses is choosing the twelve leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel to send them into the promised land just before they had planned to enter in. It had been a long journey since our Hebrew friends had departed Egypt and they were anxious to move in and possess the land that God had promised them. But when the 12 spies returned, their report was far from comforting. Ten of the spies confirmed what God had told them about this great land, that it was indeed a good land...a land flowing with milk and honey...and they even brought back some of the fruit of the land to prove it. 

People Surrounding The Cross

Since we are in the middle of the Passion Week, I would like to take a look at the crucifixion story once again. Every year about this time, we begin to read the gospel accounts of that tragic event, and we talk about Jesus and His death on the cross and how terribly He suffered that day to pay the penalty for your sins and mine. But this time I would like to look at the events of that day from a different angle than the way we normally view it. This time I want to look at that day from the perspective of some of the people who were there when Jesus was crucified… some of the first-hand witnesses who saw the blood, heard the lashings, watched as the nails pierce His hands and feet and heard the agonizing screams of pain as His body hung there on the cross. Who were these people, and how did the events of that day affect their lives? And possibly by looking at their lives, we can try to better understand how His death has affected us, and how that event in history still changes lives today. So join me as we look at what the Bible reveals about these first-hand encounters of people surrounding the cross:

The Parables of the Doors

I remember a time many years ago when I had no idea which way to turn or what to do. Maybe you have been there too. It seemed as though I was wandering around in the dark and no matter what I tried or which way I turned, everything was closed to me. Then, the Holy Spirit gave me a "Parable" so to speak, or a picture story in my own spirit, and this is that parable.

He showed me a large room and all around the room were doors, much like the picture below...but the room was very dark and I couldn't see anything and had no direction. I felt very lost and hopeless in that room. Then I would see a door over on the other side of the room begin to open, and I would run to that door, but just as I was about to run out the door, it would slam shut in my face! That would bring much frustration, confusion discouragement, and I would sit down and cry and cry not knowing what to do. You know that the devil is able to open and close doors too, but his doors lead to nowhere. 

Heavenly Citizens

I am constantly amazed with different cultures, different languages and different people around the world. As I have opportunity to meet and talk with people from different countries, I love to hear their accents, and have them tell me about their cultures. It reminds me that God has a huge imagination, that He has created us with different personalities, different likes, different skin colors and different ways of thinking and viewing the things He has given us. What a beautiful world He has given us, to richly enjoy.

But then I think of that other place…my Heavenly abode…the place where I will spend eternity. The writer of the book of Hebrews described that same city as the one that Abraham also longed to see. He wrote, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)  

He Came To Set The Captives Free

"Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" (Gen 1:26a)

Many have debated over this portion of scripture down through the ages. Obviously, God wasn’t talking about our physical image because He has appeared in many ways to many different people through the ages. To Abraham, He appeared as a man (Gen 18:1-2), to Moses, as a burning bush (Ex 3:4), and a cloud by day and a pillar by night (Ex 13:21). He appeared at Mount Sinai in a cloud of glory, in smoke, thunder and lightening. (Ex 19:6-8) To Paul, He appeared as a bright light (Acts 9:3), and to John, as “One like the Son of Man” (Rev 1:13)

The Path to Victory

I had a horrible thing happen to me today…I sinned. I allowed the enemy of my soul to plant doubt and fear in my heart. Where God had given blessings, Satan planted lies and deception in my heart…and I let him! That’s the sad part…I let him! And right away, sin started taking its toll on my life.

First thing that happened was that I started doubting God’s Word and His promises to me. I started thinking that maybe what God had said was true; maybe it wasn’t so true after all. And I entertained those doubts and fears for a while. In fact, I held on to them all night long. Do you know what happened? First, I skipped my prayer time last night because I was “too tired”. You know what…sin will do that! Scripture tells us that sin separates us from God. It will keep us from going to the very One who can fix our problem. And instead, we go on entertaining those thoughts that Satan has planted in our hearts…his lies…his deception. Then do you know what happened next? I started noticing my attitude toward people I care about was not as loving as it usually is. My attitude started getting cold and uncaring. That’s when I knew I had a big problem!

Learning To Receive From God

I'd like to spend a little time with you today looking at the miracle that is found in the Gospel of John Chapter 5, in verses 1-15. If you will read with me, we can see if these scriptures might hold some insight as to how we too can receive the miracle that we need from the Lord. 

"After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

Finding Favor With God

"And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." (Genesis 6:6-8)

Such an honor it is to be known as having favor with God, yet all through the Bible, faithful men and women are mentioned as being so honored of the Lord. Of David, it was said, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." (Acts 13:22) The account of Mary, the mother of Jesus, was this, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:30), and of the Prophet Samuel, "And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men." (I Samuel 2:26)

Why Is the World Divided?

“Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)

There has never been a time on this earth when there was more division and strife than at this present time. As we look at the daily headlines, our world is full of war, divisions and terrorism. They call it Jihad, or Holy War, and that is exactly what it is. It’s a spiritual battle that has been waging since the beginning of time, but as we draw closer to the end of the age, to the day of the last great battle, this division becomes even greater. The Jihadists declare that they will not stop until Israel and the Great Satan (America) is no longer in existence. We somehow think that this is a new battle and has only been taking place over the last 20 years or so, but Jesus declared this war as He walked upon this earth nearly 2000 years ago. And not only that, but He also told us that He is the very reason for this war.

Being Confronted With Truth

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’.” (John 8:31-32)

It has been said that people cannot change truth, but truth can change people. Truth remains steadfast, in spite of opposition, general opinion and even persecution. When all is said and done, the truth will always, always prevail.

Discerning Counterfeits

The Holy Spirit is saying in these last days that we must be careful of who we align ourselves with, who we form close associations with, for everything and everybody which calls itself Christian is not of Christ. Just because a minister or ministry carries the name of pastor or minister or teacher does not make it so. Jesus told us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15) It is essential that we learn to discern what is true from what is false...we must know the difference! I want to share with you a few signs that we can look for that will help us to know the true from the false:

Reclaiming Your Joy

Do you remember how happy you were when you first came to Christ? You couldn’t wait to tell others about Jesus. You felt a joy and an enthusiasm that you had never experienced before. That is the way God intends for us to live all the time. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) Has something happened along the way to steal that joy? Has something robbed you of the excitement you once experienced as a Christian? Wouldn’t it be great to have that joy, that enthusiasm back in your Christian life again? I’d like to share some steps with you that God gives us in His Word which we can apply to our lives to help us regain that joy. But first, we need to find out what joy really is. 

We sometimes interchange the words “joy” and “happiness”, and we assume they have the same meaning. That is far from the truth. So before we find out how to get our joy back, we will look at what gives us joy and what gives us happiness.

Following the Leader

“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

The strange thing about human nature is that everyone wants to be in control. You see it in business, you see it in families, and unfortunately, sometimes you even see it in the Body of Christ. I think again it has to do with that sinful nature that we were born with. It all boils down to the fact that everybody wants to have it their own way…their individual personal preferences. And the truth is that most of our problems at work, at home and our church stems from that very desire. We fail to recognize that God has created a world that is based on order and structure. 

When Christians Compromise

“It’s just a small little sin, a tiny compromise ...actually no one will know and everything will be fine.” Though we probably don’t even think along those terms, it happens every day. A little “white lie”, a flirtatious wink at the girl down the hall, a quick look at that porno site, borrowing ten dollars out of petty cash…no one will miss it. Christians do stuff like that all the time in their homes, in their businesses and workplaces, and in the marketplace …small little compromises. And then, they will excuse their compromise by saying things like “Well, I’m only human” or “Men can’t help it, we are made this way” and “It’s not as bad as other people”. But the problem is that one small compromise leads to another larger compromise, which leads to another compromise and the next thing you know, for the person who thought they could handle it, their life becomes chaotic, out of control, and trouble begins to press in on all sides, until the results of the sin comes to a climax, and finally that person’s life comes crashing down around them…and Satan wins again. 

Vindicating Peter

I’ve been a Christian for quite a while, and over the years I’ve heard a lot of sermons and teaching lessons. I’ve read the gospels numerous times and often imagined what it would have been like to be able to walk and talk with Jesus every day. I’ve pictured myself having the kind of friendship with Him that the disciples had, so that if I had a question, all I would need to do was ask and Jesus would answer my concerns instantly…just like that. Of course I realize that even though their questions were answered on the spot, still, the disciples often didn’t understand what He was teaching them right away. I’ve thought about what it would be like to watch Him calm the storm, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead. The miracles alone would have kept me amazed and intrigued for the rest of my life, not to mention the mysteries He often spoke of concerning the Kingdom of God, and the fact that He would soon be going away. I’m not sure that I would have understood His answers any more than they did. Being on this side of the cross and looking back, I still don’t understand all of His teachings, and it’s even harder when I try to apply them to my life. So, when I read the gospels and I think about the disciples and their personalities, I picture myself to be most like Peter…curious, impetuous …sometimes a little strong-willed. In fact, if I were to choose one disciple that I would consider my “hero” it would have to be Peter.

But some of the sermons I’ve heard about Peter were not very positive, and I’m not quite sure that I totally agree with them. In fact, if the truth were known, I think we would be better off if there were more church members who were more like Peter. Yes, it would get a little crazy sometimes, but think about it, if more Christians were more like Peter, they would probably shake up our world a little bit. And wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Jesus is Truly Worthy!

As I share the Word of God with you today, I want to focus on one thing…and one thing only. I want to focus on Jesus! I want to emphasize the fact that Jesus ALONE is worthy! He is worthy Church! Jesus is worthy of all praise…He is worthy of all glory…He is worthy of all honor…He is worthy of all power! And most importantly, He is worthy of everything that you may have in your life that is of any value to you. Jesus Christ IS worthy Church!

As we read in the book of Revelation, when the Apostle John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, he was being persecuted for his faith in Christ. Now John had been with Jesus from the beginning and John was His “Beloved Disciple” as he so often referred to himself during His earthly ministry. So John knew Jesus intimately. He had been with the Lord during all the miracles that Jesus performed. He had been with Jesus when He fed the 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. He had seen Jesus cast out demons and heal the sick. He had watched as Jesus raised the dead, and John knew that Jesus was Worthy of everything. John was the one who was there watching as they crucified His Lord…and it was to John that Jesus had entrusted the care of His own dear mother.

Seizing the Opportunity

I want to share a Bible story with you that is as up to date as today’s headlines. You see it all the time…and so do I. You stop at a store and you see someone there who has a need…they’re acting like they don’t feel well…they may seem depressed, or they may be hungry or in some kind of need. Really it can happen anywhere…on your way to church, while you are at work, in the grocery store, in a restaurant…in reality there are sick and discouraged people everywhere you look. And each one of them is a person who needs a touch from Jesus. Let’s look at this story and I will show you what I mean…the scripture is found in the book of Acts chapter 3, verses 1-10:

The Prodigal's Brother

“Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)

In this message I want to focus on the question of our responsibility toward others, our duty to those whose lives are of greatest concern to the heart of our Father in Heaven.

The central theme of the teachings of Jesus Christ was about love. He spoke of loving God, loving our enemies, and loving one another. He taught about it and He demonstrated in His life. He even proclaimed this very truth as being the fulfillment of the entire law of God and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). In order to more fully understand the message of this God-kind of love, I'd like look at the well-known parable as found in Luke 15:11-32 usually referred to as "The Prodigal Son". But this time, I'd like for us to think for a few moments about the older brother of this rebellious young man. Read with me if you would: