by Lysle Burrows: Given on June 21st at The Greatest Gift’s Little House of Hope & Prayer

1. Introduction
   1. I remember reading about the little boy that cried wolf. He was guarding the sheep and was bored, so he screamed “Wolf, wolf!” Everyone came with pitchforks to head off the wolf.
   2. But when they got there the boy was just laughing. After a few of these occasions, the whole town knew that the boy was just making it up.
   3. Then when the wolf did come, he screamed “WOLF, WOLF” but no one came and the wolf instead of eating the sheep, ate the boy!
   4. Another example is Chicken Little. He got hit on the head with an acorn and he screamed “The sky is falling. The sky is falling!”
   5. He then went and told all of the barnyard that the sky was falling. Even the doubters could look at his head and see where the acorn hit him. The whole barnyard believed that the sky was falling.
   6. 1^st Timothy 5:13: And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
   7. This verse means what it says and it says what it means. This verse is about the women that were idle, and were busybodies.We will see that it also applies to men.
   8. Proverbs 20:19: He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
   9. Proverbs 26:17-22: He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
   10. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
2. My 90-year-old Neighbor.
   1. My neighbor at that time – a 90-year-old woman, went to the heart doctor.
   2. The doctor said “I won’t let you keep on chopping wood. Your heart is going to stop.” The 90-year-old woman said to the doctor, “What time?”
   3. The doctor said, “I don’t know when your heart will stop!” “No.” she said,” What time are you coming by to chop my wood?”
   4. Romans 1:29-30: Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
      .
3. The Mystery Unfolds.
   1. Now let’s look at that 90-year-old woman, my neighbor. There were 2 ambulances & 2 police cars at her house. Pastor Tim asked me if she had died.
   2. Knowing that her heart was so bad. I said I’m not sure. I don’t know. I would not announce it yet. He announced that she died.
   3. A lady named Mary went to her house. She had a box of food for the family. She knocked on the door. The woman, alive, opened the door!

1. They both screamed! Shocked, Mary drove off and told all of her friends to stay away from there because there was a ghost in that house.
   .

4. How do you think that gossip can change the story?
   1. Matthew 12:36-37: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
   2. Again here it mentions men, but also women can take heed to these verses also.
   3. Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
   4. This is how Gossip changes the story. Because Mary didn’t stay to see if it was really her or a ghost, everything changed.
   5. People saw the ghost chopping wood at night. The talebearers and gossips changed the chopping wood to chopping up little children.
   6. It got worse. Doubters would come in the driveway and flash their headlights and honk their horn. They did this until they saw more than one ghost looking out the window that looked exactlyu like her.
   7. 2^nd Timothy 2:16: But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
   8. This verse mentions “babbling”. There are some churches that believe that if they “babble” in the language of angels they become more righteous than anyone else. Here it shows it’ll increase unto more ungodliness.
   9. 1^st Timothy 6:20-21: Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
      .
5. Back to Our Story
   1. Back to the story. You can see how gossip and talebearing changed the chopping of wood at night to chopping up children.
   2. Also when people went to the house they saw for themselves the woman in the window. The bravest people would call out to the ghost to hear for themselves.
   3. She would come out and they knew that no little 90-year-old woman could have that foul dirty filthy mouth.
   4. She would swear and curse them. I won’t say the police were afraid to investigate, but if they weren’t called in, they weren’t going to go. How could this get worse?
   5. 2^nd Thessalonians 3:11-12: For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
      .
6. The Plot Thickens!
   1. Each person that investigated for themselves about the supposed ghost started their own stories. Talebearers and gossips made everything worse.
   2. It seemed that the whole town believed that there were more than one ghost of the 90-year-old woman because of so many stories and exaggerations.
   3. By Sunday morning, things got so bad! Pastor Tim got up and apologized for saying that she was dead. No one would believe Pastor Tim.
   4. With so many stories of fact all over town by so many people how could she now be alive? Now what did he do?
   5. James 4:11: Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evli…
   6. Galatians 6:7: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
      .
7. The Ghost Comes to Church
   1. The church was about to find out what a filthy mouth this woman had. The only way to prove she was alive was to bring her to church.
   2. This would be an impossible job because I knew how much she hated the church and the people.
   3. I decided to go to her and try to convince her to go to church. I told her that the only way people will leave her alone is for her to come to church.
   4. She finally agreed, even though she thought the church would fall down on her.
   5. When she got to the church and walked through the door, people thought they were seeing a ghost. Especially with her foul mouth swearing and cursing the people.
   6. They saw me touch her and show that she was real. As she walked down the isle people reached out and touched her to be sure.
   7. This is how gossip and talebearers can change what the simple truth is to something totally different. If you tell someone something in gossip, you’ll never know what the end result will be.
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8. Conclusion
   1. Sometimes God puts something there in our lives to bring one more to Jesus. God may have allowed all of this to bring this woman to church. How far will God go to reach you?
   2. You may be like this woman and there are so many stories against you that people are believing that you don’t know what to do. It may simply be that God is reaching out to you.
   3. Sometimes God will move heaven and earth to reach that one that he loves so much. You may not see what God sees in a person. You might believe that there’s no hope that that person will ever change.
   4. No one believed that this woman would ever go to church but she did. Her life was changed.
   5. How far will you run from God when God is right there and Jesus is calling you home?

Keep it Simple

1. Introduction
   1. Growing up in life always seemed to be an educational aptitude where the world strives for education. Education is good but simplicity can be just as good.
   2. I know that when growing up everything was a learned effort, teaching me how to understand life, and understand complicated situations.
   3. Being taught about the world by and large. My education was enhanced by my upbringing.
   4. I wasn’t the greatest student in school during grade years, but I learned that if I didn’t have a good education I may not be where I am today.
   5. When I became a Christian in 1981 I learned that I needed to go and learn all that I could about who God is, and what he expected of me.
   6. My skill was defined in my early years through contracting, but God had given me many gifts. Not just contracting but a gift in His Word.
   7. To preach it and later on to teach it. I’m now the pastor of The Greatest Gift’s Little House of Hope & Prayer, The Greatest Gift gospel music group, and the teacher at the Little School of Hope.
   8. It’s been an awesome journey. The one thing I’ve learned through all of my education, is that simplicity is what works best. Now let us look into our message today//

Keep it Simple

2. Are you one that complicates life by feeling inadequate because you’re not educated enough?
   1. If you are one that feels inadequate and uneducated, remember that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. 2nd Peter 1:3: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: God has given you a calling to serve Him with, and everything you need to serve Him in that calling. Just educate yourself in His Word, and in the area of ministry you are in, and depend on Him for the rest.
   2. If you are feeling inadequate and uneducated compared to someone else, it is important to remember that you do not come behind in any gift or knowledge that He has for you. 1st Corinthians 1:4-7: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: If you have the testimony of Jesus in you through salvation, you are not lacking in anything that God wants you to have.

3. Do you feel you have no education and all you have is what you know through life experience?
   1. If you have committed your life to Jesus Christ, and are seeking Him, He will give you the life experience as well as the education you need. pSALM 37:4-5: Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. What is it that you are seeking to do in life? Are you making it complicated and unattainable, or are you simply committing your way to the Lord, trusting Him to bring it about in His Way.

4. Are you one that likes to learn? Are you one that’s focused or out of focus?
   1. We should always be wanting to learn. It is especially important as we live the Christian life that we learn the ways of God more and more. Psalm 119:73: Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. Studying and learning God’s Word is crucial, especially in this, the Laodicean Church Age.
   2. We also need to be focused. Both on God, and the things He has called us to do. Isaiah 30:21: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. There are a lot of things out in the world that can distract us, but all God wants for us is to simply focus on His Leading and walk where He directs.

5. Why do I say that simplicity makes life easier?
   42. Let’s take a look at 2 sisters in the bible. One followed the simplistic way, and the other made things complicated. Let’s turn to Luke 10, starting at verse 38 and ending at verse 42.
   43. Now we’re walking with Jesus and we come to the town of Bethany, & these 2 outgoing, cheerful sisters welcome us into their home. Verses38-39: Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: & a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, & heard his word. Now as we look at these 2 sisters, you can see that Martha has the ministry of hospitality. Mary, she’s just kneeling at Jesus’ Feet, soaking up every word.
   44. As we watch the scene unfold, Jesus is teaching in the living room. Martha is running around like a chicken with her head cut off making preparations. You can hear pots, pans, and dishes clanging around furiously. Suddenly Martha stomps into the living room. Verse 40: But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Next we’ll see what matters most to our Lord.
   45. Now Jesus loves the fact that the ladies are serving Him, but it’s the simplistic heart of love and teachability that He most appreciates. Verses 41-42; And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. The chapter ends, and we don’t know how Martha responded to this, but the takeaway from us, is this. Let’s soak up every Word of His, and THEN we can more adequately serve Him.

6. What is simplicity? What does it mean?
   1. As always, we get our definitions from the AV-1611 bible dictionary, and this is no exception.
   2. The first definition of simplicity is Singleness; the state of being unmixed or uncompounded; as the simplicity of metals or of earths.
   3. The state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts; as the simplicity of a machine.
   4. Plainness; freedom from artificial ornament; as the simplicity of a dress, of style, of language, &c. Simplicity in writing is the first or excellences.
   5. Plainness; freedom from subtilty or obscurity; as the simplicity of scriptural doctrines or truth. The gospel message is a simplistic message, not a complex one.

7. What kind of life did Jesus live? Was it highly educated or simplistic?
   1. Jesus, being God astonished the people with His Knowledge, even at an early age. Luke 2:46-47: And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. He was highly educated because he knew everything, being God in the flesh.
   2. However, He lived a very simplistic and humble life. So much so that when he came into his ministry, people questioned it. Matthew 13:55: Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? They were not expecting this humble carpenter to be their long awaited Messiah, but He absolutely was.

8. Who in the bible led a simplistic life? (OT&NT)
   1. Abraham simply obeyed and trusted God as he led him on his journey to the land of Israel. Genesis 12:1-3: 2 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Abraham stepped out in faith, and in so many of the places where God led him, you see him building an altar to the Lord. Simply trusting Him all the way to the promised land.
   2. David was a man after God’s Heart, and his simplistic faith is evident as you read this. Psalm 23:1-3: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. He too was a simple shepherd. Though he sinned, and had to deal with the consequences of sin, he had a simple life of faith.
   3. Joseph, Mary’s husband was a simple carpenter. Taking care of the King of kings and His Mother was not on his radar. Matthew 1:18-20: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Joseph simply obeyed as he was guided in dreams, and the Messiah was born, right on schedule, just as the scriptures foretold.
   4. Peter and John were simplistic people, and their audiences knew it. Acts 4:13: Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. When we are available to be used by God, whether educated or simple, God can cause people to take notice of us and listen to our message.

9. Who in the bible led a highly educated life?
   1. Moses: Raised in the Egyptian court, he was “educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” according to Acts 7:22: And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
   2. Solomon: Known for his wisdom and ability to rule justly, he was believed to have been gifted with exceptional knowledge by God, according to 1st Kings 3:5-15. We’ll look at verses 9-10: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
   3. Paul was a Phariseee. One who was highly educated in the traditions of his people. Acts 22:3: I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. Paul was highly educated, and it took a road trip to Damascus to get him to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
   4. Luke: A physician (doctor) and the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, he would have been highly educated in medicine and the Greek language.

10. What did those who were teachers in the New Testament tell us about simplicity vs education?
    1. Paul had the following to say about simplicity and education. 1st Corinthians 1:25-26: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: Not many of the “highly educated” are able to grasp the gospel message. They trust more in their own knowledge and wisdom, than the Word of God. Though I have learned much, I preach the simplistic message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ only.
    2. Are you simplistic, highly educated, but know how to relate to someone both ways?

1. Story: Enjoy the Season
   1. Here is a story about someone who truly knew how to Keep it Simple. I bring you…Enjoy the Season.
   2. “Come on, James, let’s go play in the snow!” James looked up lethargically. His brother already had his snow bibs on and was energetically pulling boots over his feet.
   3. “All right, I guess I’ll go. But I do wish it wasn’t so cold! I can’t wait for summer,” James grumbled.
   4. For a brief moment, Eric felt tempted to complain about the cold too. But then the boys’ father walked into the room and offered to go sledding with them.
   5. One look at his father’s face wiped all thought of complaint from Eric’s mind. How could he complain when his father was with them?
   6. Besides, he also remembered how much he and his brother had longed for the cool weather last summer. He wasn’t going to complain about the cold! He was going to enjoy the season!
   7. “It will be summer again soon enough,” he told James as they headed out the door. “Let’s enjoy winter while it’s here!”
   8. We move forward in our story to the spring season.
   9. Eric and James were keeping quite busy. Between finishing their schoolwork and all their other spring activities, they could hardly find any time for play or relaxation.
   10. “Oh, man, I just wish things would slow down!” James moaned. “I do wish planting season would hurry up and end. I can’t wait to rest and relax in the summer.” James was just trying to survive the busy planting season.
   11. Eric paused for a moment on his shovel to think about his brother’s words. “I’m sure father wouldn’t give us more work to do than we could handle,” he reflected.
   12. “He loves us so perfectly. This hard work must be just what we need. I’m going to choose to enjoy it!”
   13. “But we can’t possibly get it all done!” James countered. Eric knew James was right.
   14. They had more things to do than they could ever hope to finish. James’ words brought the weight of all that needed done pressing down on Eric’s shoulders.
   15. Then Eric remembered—it was his father’s problem to figure out how everything would get done! Eric was only responsible for doing each task with a full heart.
   16. The smile returned to Eric’s face. He didn’t have to carry the burden; he just needed to be diligent with the tasks his father had given him.
   17. Now, we move into the summer season. Spring eventually ended and summertime came.
   18. Now, instead of having too much to do, the boys seemed to have the opposite problem. Besides keeping the crops watered and the grass mowed, there wasn’t much to do.
   19. The inactivity, coupled with the summer heat, was taxing on the boys. Yet both chose drastically different responses.
   20. As he had in the past, James chose to complain. He longed for something—anything—exciting to happen. And he longed for a relief from the heat!
   21. Eric, however, again chose to rejoice in the season. Although he, like James, felt the heat, he knew autumn would come soon enough, bringing cooler temperatures. And while he liked excitement just as much as his brother, Eric chose to use the quiet summer season to spend extra special time with his father.
   22. He spent hours sitting at his father’s workbench listening—and learning.
   23. The more he sat there, the more confident he became that his father would give him just what he needed in each season of life. He had only to trust and delight.
   24. That’s what you and I need in these times, simply to trust our Father God and know that He will lead us from one joy-filled season to the next. That’s keeping it simple! 

11. Conclusion
    1. What has your life been? Has it been a life of learning and education? Or living life moment by moment, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year?
    2. Jesus talked about keeping things simple. Not complicated. Have you learned that or are you still working on it?

This was delivered at our Mt Zion Chapel concert on June 7th 2026

Encouragement

1. Introduction
   1. In this lesson, I want to talk about the importance of encouragement and being encouraged.
   2. It’s so important to note the importance of one’s words to another. How important those words can be, to bring someone way up or very low.
   3. In the ups and downs, and challenges of life that we all go through, we need encouragement.
   4. We depend on it. When we don’t get it, we stay still, stuck in our own minds, trying to figure everything out that’s come upon us in everyday living that we all exist in.
   5. When encouragement doesn’t come from others around us, we must lean on our Lord and Savior. He’s the one that stays closer than any brother ever will.
   6. Proverbs 18:24: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
   7. God’s word never changes for you and me. It is strength when we are weak. It’s the foundation of what God has made us to be through His Word.
   8. I want to encourage you to stay in God’s Word. Follow God’s Word. Study God’s Word, and you too will realize the secret that will be manifested to the light, which will in turn become the foundational truth of knowing how you can always be encouraged.
   9. Now let us look into our lesson

Encouragement.

2. What is Encouragement
3. ENCOUR’AGEMENT is the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive.
4. Encouragement is the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive.
5. It is that which serves to incite, support, promote or advance, as favor, countenance, rewards, profit. Hebrews 10:24: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: When you are encouraged or given affirmation in regards to a job or anything that you do, it causes you to want to even be better at it.

3. Who did God encourage in the Bible
4. God encouraged Joshua after the death of Moses. God was raising him up to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua 1:5-6: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people, shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them. God was giving Joshua a pep talk.

Moses had just passed, and God was passing the leadership on to Joshua, and Joshua needed to be encouraged in order to have the courage and confidence he needed for the task at hand.

1. Isaac had just been through a season where his herdsmen and the herdsmen of Gerar were striving over water from wells that were dug. When that season of striving was over, God appeared to him, reassuring him that He was with Isaac and would bless him.  Genesis 26:24: and the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake. When you are going through a hard time, remember God is with you and will bless you as you live for Him and do His Will.
2. God encouraged the nation of Israel in Isaiah 41:8-10: But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. 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. He went on to say that those who had come against Israel would be dealt with. God is bigger than our problems. He will always be with us and lead us to victory.

4. Why do we need encouragement?
5. We need to be encouraged so we are not hardened by sin’s deceitfulness – Hebrews 3:13 – But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Encouragement helps us to constantly improve and endeavor to sin less and less, and live for God.
6. Encouragement helps us overcome trials, and the attacks of the enemy. John 16:33: In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Because Jesus has overcome the world, we can, and we will as we follow Him.
7. Encouragement helps us continue to have victory over the traps, trials and snares of the enemy. 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. When trials come our way, many times they are from the enemy, who is always trying to trip us up, and derail us from God’s Plan, but encouragement helps us to keep on going and serve God, and overcome all of the devil’s attacks.

1. Jesus stressed the importance of loving one another. If we want the world to know we have something they need, we need to love and encourage one another. John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jesus stressed this point time and time again. If the world sees Christians attacking and tearing down other Christians, they won’t want what we have. If they see us encouraging and loving one another, that will draw them.

5. How did Jesus encourage the disciples?
6. He encouraged them and us to come to him, and to give our burdens, our cares, and our sins to Him, and receive the abundant, purpose-filled, and eternal life He offers. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. He wants you to come to Him, cast all of the baggage you carry at His Feet. He will give you rest. Then, take His Yoke upon you. His Yoke is easy and His Burden is light. Not heavy!
7. He encouraged and taught them to pray, using the pattern found in Matthe 6:9-13 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. It is important to note that at this time, the disciples were under the law. In the Age of Grace, we don’t need to recite this, but we can use it as a pattern. The pattern starts with worship, prayer for His Will to be done, prayer for our needs to be met, prayer for forgiveness, protection from evil, then worship again at the end.
8. He encouraged Peter to step out in faith: Matthew 14:29 Matthew 14:28-29: And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. We often remember that Peter took his eyes off Jesus and sank, but also remember that he is the only one that had enough faith to step out to begin with. Do you have faith to step out and be used mightily by God in your calling?

6. How can We Encourage Others?
7. We can encourage others in our conversation: always pointing the other person to Jesus, and having the conversation of Christ. Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. How are your conversations? Are they uplifting, or are they corrupt? Do you sound like the world, or is your conversation different? Is it the same on Sunday as it is throughout the rest of the week? Something to think about.
8. We can encourage others by spending time with them: This includes being in the House of the Lord, and also having regular fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. We were never meant to live the Christian life on our own. We need to spend time together for prayer, encouragement, and growth in our walk with God.
9. We can encourage others by reminding them of Jesus’ soon return: We are told to comfort or encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – 6 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. When someone is in the middle of a tough time, you can encourage them by reminding them that Jesus’ Return is fast approaching.

7. How Can You Encourage Yourself?
   1. Encourage yourself by singing songs of praise to the Lord:  Psalm 96:1: O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Put Christian music on or sing to the Lord yourself.

You’ll find as you do, that you will be encouraged and your faith and trust in Him will increase. What kind of music are you listening to? Is it mostly secular, or are you tuned into positive, encouraging worship music that lifts you up and gives you a good, godly prospective?

1. Remember your victories, times when God has helped you. There are many instances of God reminding His People of what He had done for them before as a way of encouragement. Exodus 6:3-5: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. At this time, Moses had just come on the scene and God was starting to deal with Pharaoh, who in turn was making life harder for God’s People. God encouraged Moses’s faith by reminding him of what he had done and what he was about to do for His People.
2. You will be encouraged as you see things from God’s viewpoint. Romans 12:2-3: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. The more time you spend in the Word of God and in prayer, the more you will see things as God sees them.
3. Rekindle your passion for a closer walk with God: Revelation 2:4-5: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Do you have the zeal for God that you had when you were first saved? Maybe you need to rededicate your life to Him. As you walk close to Him, you will find real, lasting encouragement. 

8. Story – The View from the Window.
   1. Two men were seriously ill. They occupied the same room in the hospital. One of them was lying in the bed near the only window in their room.
   2. Every day he was allowed to spend some time sitting up in his bed to help draining the fluid from his lungs. The other man was forced to spend all his days flat on his back.
   3. They talked a lot about their lives, families, jobs, and vacations.
   4. Every time, when the first man was sitting by the window, he described in details all that he saw outside the window.
   5. His roommate always looked for those moments, when his world was broadened and brightened up by the world outside.
   6. Amazing views of a park with a beautiful lake could be seen from the window of their room. Children delightfully played among ducks and swans.
   7. Couples walked arm in arm among colorful flowers. Also the stunning city skyline could be seen.
   8. While the man by the window thoroughly described all that was happening outside the window, his roommate would close his eyes and imagine all the beautiful scenes of life that were told to him.
   9. One night the man, whose bed was near the window, died peacefully during sleep and his roommate was very sad.
   10. After some time, when the nurse came to visit him, he asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse agreed and kindly made the switch.
   11. When she left, the man slowly and painfully propped himself up on one elbow and took the first look at the world outside. He was stunned. The window faced a blank wall.
   12. When the nurse came to visit him the next time, he told her about beautiful things outside the window that his roommate described him.
   13. The nurse replied that his roommate was a blind man. She said: „Probably he just wanted to encourage you.“
   14. If you are walking with God, spending time in the Word and in prayer, you will be encouraged, and see great blessings, even when faced with a blank wall.

9. Conclusion
   1. Are you encouraged today? I want to encourage you with these closing thoughts.
   2. He loves you. He is for you, not against you. When He is for you, no one else can be against you.
   3. You are God’s very own possession, bought and paid for with His shed Blood on the cross.

Hope

1. Introduction
   1. Today I’d like to talk about something very important that all of us look towards. That is hope.
   2. You and I, since we’ve been old enough to realize our dreams, have considered hope knowing that we never know when hope will come about.
   3. We are told about hope, encouraged to continue to hope, and are told that eventually, we will see it come to pass.
   4. I use an illustration of myself in regards to hope. Since I was a young boy, I would watch martial arts movies all the time, or you might say action movies.
   5. I always dreamed and put myself in the picture of myself being a great martial artist.
   6. As my interest peaked on a consistent basis, I one day found myself traveling to China Town in Boston, and becoming a martial artist
   7. Another hope that I would dream about and hope to become was an astronaut.
   8. I remember being fascinated with all of the space voyages, Apollo, landing on the moon, and put myself in the position of actually being an astronaut.
   9. I had hoped as a young boy that I would become one. I didn’t become an astronaut working at NASA, but when I was 13 years old, in 1971, there was a science fair project at the Seabrook Elementary School.
   10. There was an opportunity through NASA’s space center to build a simulated space capsule with all of the NASA specs, and to win the World’s Endurance Record for simulated space flight.
   11. I immediately responded and was chosen to be the third astronaut, with the space voyage entitled the JPW-40.
   12. After 18 days of staying in the capsule, and eating everything from chopped meat to vegetables inside of a toothpaste tube, we broke the world record after 18 days.
   13. To break the world’s endurance record for the Guiness book of World Records, we had to stay in 21 days, which we did.
   14. My hope and dream came to pass, just not in the way I thought it would. I thought I’d be a real astronaut. Instead, I was a simulated astronaut simulating the real voyage under the direction of NASA.
   15. God always had His Hand in the mix with me, and God has always had His Hand in the mix with you. There isn’t anyone alive that has not had a hope and dream. Those hopes and dreams are instilled by God.
   16. He says I reign on the just and the unjust. Matthew 5:45: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
   17. Many have given up on hope and many have given up on their dreams, due to a variety of circumstances and also age.
   18. Today, as we look into our subject of Hope, let us be encouraged that in Hebrews 11:1, Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.
   19. When you and I give up on hope, and no longer can dream, it’s almost like we’ve given up on life itself.
   20. Today, let me encourage you that hope is very much alive, whether you are a child, or you are at the ripe old age of 95.
   21. Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100. God can do anything. Hope is alive. You just need to believe it. Now, let’s look into our study on

2. What is Hope
   1. Hope is a desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable.
   2. Hope differs from a wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it.
   3. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas a wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
   4. In the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised, and its strength is in His faithfulness. God has given us many promises in His Word. They are yes and Amen. We can take them to the bank. Hebrews 10:23: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised. We can have hope and expectation that what He says, He will do.

3. Why Do we Need Hope?
   1. You don’t know what the future holds: Things may be tough one day, and then completely change for the better the next day.

Proverbs 27:1: Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. We need hope because it helps us trust God frome one day to the next.

1. You’re not even guaranteed a tomorrow. You might think you have many years ahead of you, but an accident, or illness can change all that. Only God knows how much time we have. We need to live for Him every day to the best of our ability: James 4:14: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
2. Without hope, we’d live for ourselves and what we can get here and now. We’d store up goods for ourselves, and not think about others or God. We’d be like the farmer in Luke 12:16-20 “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him,

Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” We can look on the things of others more than ourselves, because we have the hope and the confidence that God will look on the things we are concerned about as we bless others.

4. How did Jesus give Hope to His Disciples including us? He gave hope to His Disciples as He taught and ministered to them, and He and His Disciples give hope to us as we study the Word.
   1. He gave the hope of eternal life for all who call upon Him. John 3:16-17: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Have you accepted the free gift of eternal life that comes through faith in Jesus? If you have been born again, he gives you that hope and confidence of eternal life.
   2. He gave us the hope that no matter what happens, He is always with us. Matthew 28:19-20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” He said he would be with us always. We can depend on that. He’s closer than any brother.

1. He gave us the hope that every need He has will be provided for. Matthew 6:31-32 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. We have the hope, no matter what is happening that every need will be met. Not every want, but every need.
2. He gave the hope that one day very soon, He would come and bring His People home. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. As we look at everything happening around the world today, we don’t have to get caught up in the negativity, but we can focus on the Blessed Hope, that one day soon that trumpet will sound, and we will be Heaven bound!

5. How to Share Hope with Others?
   1. Let them know God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them. This is part of that Great Commission we spoke of earlier. You can share with them Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. God is drawing people to Himself. If we are available, and reach out to people and share the love of God with them, they will have an abundant life, filled with peace and hope.
   2. Let them know God has a plan for them: As a parent, you have hopes and dreams for your children. God also has hopes and dreams for you and those you are giving hope to. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. We can let the person we are talking to know that God is thinking about them constantly, and has good things in store for them, no matter what things look like.
   3. Share with them what God has done for you. Your testimony. God has been building a testimony in you from the day you were born. Revelation 12:11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

As you share your victories and experiences with God, that can inspire them to have faith for what they are going through in life.

6. How can we have more hope in God?
   1. Put God first in everything you do. Matthew 6:33-34: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Do you find yourself worrying and fretting about how you will make ends meet? You may need a little more hope and trust in God. You may need to remember to put Him first above all of these other things.
   2. Meditate on the promises of God.. 2nd Corinthians 1:20: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. If God says it in His Word, you can take it to the bank. Try putting your name in some of the verses and read them out loud. His Word is true.
   3. Reflect on how He has helped you in the past. Psalm 103:2: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: If you struggle with doubt and need more hope, remember how God has helped you. Then remember that He is the same today as He was then.
   4. Praise and worship can give a more hopeful perspective. Psalm 66:4: All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Sing a song to the Lord or turn on a radio station that plays worship music and sing along. You will have less of the negativity of the world and be more hopeful and faith-filled.

7. Story – Four Candles in a Room
   1. Once at night time, 4 candles were burning in a room, and they started talking to each other. The first candle said “I am peace,

1. But at present there is catastrophe and robbery everywhere, and it seems like the world doesn’t want me anymore. After saying that, the candle was extinguished.
2. After this, the second candle said, “I am faith, and today there are lies and deceit everywhere. I don’t think I’m needed anymore. Therefore I’m also leaving.
3. After saying this, the second candle also got extinguished.
4. The third candle sadly said, “I am love. I have power to keep burning, but today, everyone is so busy that noone has time for me.
5. People are even forgetting to love their loved-ones too. I can’t bear all of this. Therefore I am also going from this world.” Saying that, the third candle was also extinguished.
6. Just then, an innocent boy entered the room and seeing extinguished candles, he said, “Why didn’t you candles burn until the end? How can you leave like this?”
7. At that, the 4th candle said to the boy, “Dear child, don’t be sad. I am hope, and while I am burning, you can light the rest of the candles again.”
8. Hearing this, the child’s eyes sparkled and he took that candle of hope and relit the candles of peace, faith and love.
9. When everything looks bad, and there’s darkness all around, even then, don’t give up hope, because it has so much power that it can give back what is lost.
10. Keep your hope candle lit, because if it keeps on burning, it can light all of the other candles.

8. Conclusion
   1. Do you have a better understanding of what hope is, and how important it is in your life and the lives of others?
   2. Do you have hope as you go about your day-to-day life, or is everything dark and discouraging?
   3. Do you share the hope that you have in God with others by sharing Jesus with them?