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Exemple

Do You Have A Dream?

September 9, 2020 The Greatest Gift

 

  1. What is a Dream?
    1. a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep.
    2. a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.
    3. Dreams are often used by God to communicate His Will, and what his calling on your life is. Acts 2:17 says And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
    4. Numbers 12:6: And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

 

  1. Who do we know that dreamed in the Bible? There arer countless examples of how God used dreams in the bible. Let’s look at a few examples.
    1. Abimelech in Genesis 20:3: But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.
    2. Jacob dreamed about Jesus in Genesis 28:12: And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
    3. Joseph dreamed of his brothers and parents bowing down to him in Genesis 37:9: And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
    4. The butler and baker had dreams that Joseph interpreted. Genesis 40:5: And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.
    5. Joseph reminds the butler and baker that God interprets dreams. Genesis 40 Verse 8: And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
    6. Solomon had a dream from God in 1st Kings 3:5: In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
    7. Joseph, Mary’s husband in Matthew 1:20: 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.
    8. Herod’s servants in Matthew 2:12-13: And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

 

  1. Do you want to see your dream come to pass?
    1. If you have a dream, pray about it. Submit it to God, and share it with people you are close to. Habakkuk 2:2-3: And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
    2. Remember that the dream God gives is irrevocable. He doesn’t change His Mind about it.Romans 11:29: For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
    3. As you continue to submit your dreams to God, spend time in His Word, and let Him teach you, guide you, and prepare you for the fulfillment of the dream.Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

  1. Are you just acknowledging a dream, or knowing it is God’s dream for your life?
    1. As you think about your dreams, visions, and desires, remember that God has thoughts, and plans for your life, for your good, and for His Glory.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.
    2. If your dream is of God, it will line up with His Word. Be confident in it. Commit it to Him, and He will bring it to pass.2nd Timothy 1:12: For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

 

 

  1. Do you believe a dream is from God? Here are a couple of ways you can know your dream has come from God.
    1. Information from Heaven:You can tell if it’s a God-dream if it contains some element of the supernatural. There is information in the dream that obviously comes from heaven – something you wouldn’t ordinarily know or that points to a future time. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would help us by ‘speaking of things to come’ (John 6:13-14) and that when we call to God, he will tell us ‘unsearchable things we do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3).
    2. It is Part of an Ongoing Conversation:Secondly, we recognize God’s voice in a dream because it is part of an ongoing conversation. Dreams are one of the ways God speaks to us but it’s not the only way. It’s just one mode of communication he uses in the context of an ongoing relationship. So if you have a dream you think may be from God, ask yourself, what has God been speaking to me about lately? What prayers have I been praying?

 

  1. What are you willing to do to see it come true?
    1. Whatever your dream, remember that for it to fully succeed, the Lord must be the one who is in charge of bringing it about. Maybe your dream is to preach in a small church, or to sing and preach to thousands around the world. The Lord must be the one building the ministry.Psalms 127:1: Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
    2. As you submit your dream to God, trust Him with it. Acknowledge Him in everything you do, and He will direct your path, right to the fulfillment of that dream He gave you.Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
    3. Proverbs 16:3: Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
    4. While waiting for your dream to come to pass, there will be seasons where your faith is tested. God is giving you patience, and sharpening the skills you will need when the dream comes to pass.James 1:3-4: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 

  1. Conclusion:
    1. We’d like to have your comments and hear about your dreams and what God has done, and what you have done to see it through.
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Exemple

Let’s Stop the Insanity & Go with the Facts

November 30, 2022 The Greatest Gift
  1. Introduction
    1. I remember many years ago, sitting in a congregation having a conversation with another member.
    2. He was making these vary absurd comments regarding some things he had been doing.
    3. I remember saying to him “Some of these things that you’re saying don’t add up and there are no facts to support them biblically.” He kept continuing to go on and on with what he believed to be sane.
    4. I remember a couple of these things very vividly, such as “Why does God want us to be fishermen, go out and waste our time with people who don’t even want to hear us because they don’t agree with what we’re saying?”
    5. My answer to him was “Broad is the way and narrow is the gate” and “Many are called and few are chosen
    6. Jesus says this in Matthew 7:13: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Enter at the strait or narrow gate. That is Jesus Christ. Not all paths lead to Heaven. We are called to be fishers of men, leading them through the narrow or strait gate.
    7. Jesus also says this in Matthew 22:14: For many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus is calling whosoever will, to follow Him. The chosen are those who choose to follow and obey Him.
    8. The second thing I remember this man saying to me and others was “What’s wrong with having a few drinks every now and then, and hanging out with people who may not be going the Christian way but are still our friends? They really don’t want to hear the Gospel but I like them as friends. They wouldn’t come to church as I had asked them many times. I don’t see the difference.”
    9. He said “We’re all worldly Christians in some sense. Why don’t we just be honest and live our lives the way we know the best we can? Jesus will still love us, won’t he?
    10. We are saved? It seems so legalistic to try to tell people how to live their lives. Why don’t we mind our own business and just be Christians and loving?”

 

  1. What does the bible say about worldly living?
    1. We’re told not to conform to the world, but to be different. Romans 12:2: 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. How is our mind renewed? It is renewed as we pray, study the Word, and worship God. As we do these things we are transformed.
    2. We’re also told that friendship with the world is enmity with God. James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. This does not mean we are to cut ourselves off completely from unsaved people, and never associate with them. No, it means that the people we hang out with on a day-to-day basis should be godly people. They should be brothers and sisters in Christ.
    3. We are given a higher standard as born-again Christians. Matthew 5:20: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. You and I are to be different, and set apart from the people of the world. As we submit to God, His Spirit will transform us and we will be more like Jesus.

 

  1. What does the bible teach about looking on the things of others more than ourselves?
    1. We are called as Christians to put others before ourselves. PHilippians 2:4: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. You may have heard this acronym for JOY. An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word.It is Jesus first, Others next, and Yourself last.
    2. Along this same line, we are to esteem others higher or better than ourselves. Philippians 2:3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. The term vainglory in this verse is defined as , “empty glory” or “pride,” nearly akin to vanity in the modern sense.

 

  1. What does God say about the standard of living that we should stand by?
    1. Of all the commandments given by God, these are the two most important. Mark 12:30 and 31: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. This goes back to the JOY acronym I mentioned earlier. We are to love God first and foremost, then we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.
    2. Similarly, we are called to seek God and His Kingdom first, and then everything we need will be added to us. Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Prior to this verse, Jesus was telling us that we don’t need to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear, because God provides for all our needs. Instead, we are to seek Him first.
    3. Finally, let’s flip back to the Old Testament. In Micah 6:8: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? There are many verses about how you and I should live as Christians, but these three sum up God’s standard of living quite well.

 

  1. What is insanity?
    1. Insanity is defined as a derangement of the mind or extreme foolishness – a foolish or senseless action, policy, statement, etc.
    2. As Christians, one of the things we have been promised is a sound mind. 2nd Timothy 1:7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. As Christians, we have God’s Power, Love, and the Mind of Christ.

 

  1. What is the motto for us to live by and what are the facts?
    1. Our motto here is rescued, saved, and heaven bound, and God wants us to succeed more than we want to succeed ourselves. Here are the facts.
    2. We have all gone astray and need to be rescued from our sinful ways. Isaiah 53:6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. This applies to all of us. We have all strayed from God’s Will.
    3. Because God is holy and can’t look upon sin, the wages of sin is death, but Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Imagine going to the court house to pay a steep fine, and then learning someone has paid it for you. Jesus paid your sin debt in full.
    4. Because of what Jesus did, you are a new creature, and are called to live a new, godly life. 2nd Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. As a Christian, the old sinful ways pass away as you submit to Him, and all things become new. You are transformed!

 

  1. How do people come up with these absurd statements when they’re in church every week and the pastor preaches on how we should live as Christians?
    1. They are blind and the scales haven’t fallen from their eyes. John 12:40: He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. You can be in church and hear the message, but it has to reach the heart and God must give you the understanding.
    2. They are hearers of the Word only, and not doers of the Word. James 1:22: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. I don’t want to stand up here week after week bringing God’s Word, and have it fall on deaf ears! We need to not just hear, but do what God’s Word says.

 

  1. Are people being led astray by you when you don’t study God’s Word and just paraphrase what everyone says?
    1. We are called to study God’s Word. It’s great to read and listen to the Word, but we should study it. 2nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Let’s take a few moments to break down this verse.
    2. We are to study, not to be approved by men, but by God.
    3. We are to be workmen, not working our way to heaven, but working to know who God is, and how we are to live as His Children.
    4. If we’re studying God’s Word, we need not be ashamed. Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. God’s word is powerful. When we study it, we can rightly divide the Word of Truth, and it will give life and power to the hearer.
    5. We should never paraphrase God’s Word. This waters it down and changes the meaning. Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. This is why in here we recommend the 1611 King James bible, and encourage you to stay away from other translations.

 

  1. Conclusion
    1. Are you truly living and breathing God’s Word?
    2. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth and understanding? Are you trusting God? Are you living by faith?
    3. Are you writing a new bible? One that fits your agenda?
    4. Are you winning souls? Are you being the fisherman God wants you to be. Are you sharing your testimony with everyone you come in contact with?
    5. My word to you and to anyone and everyone, let’s stop the insanity and let’s go with the facts!
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Exemple

Traps, Trials & Snares

November 30, 2022 The Greatest Gift
  1. Introduction
    1. I remember many years ago, having these friends or so-called friends that were in the ministry. I remember my ministry was just getting off the ground when this woman had an interest in me while I was married.
    2. She was always very friendly until one day she came out and told me that she was in love with me. I was married at the time and I knew that I had to get away from these people who were professing to be Christians.
    3. My ministry was just getting started and I could feel the trap, the trials and the snares, though the Lord protected me.
    4. I was able to tell the person I wasn’t interested in any way, shape or form and that I was very dedicated to my wife, and she needed to get counseling.
    5. The devil is always out there like a roaring lion. to seek and devour anyone he can who’s trying to do something for the Lord Jesus Christ. 1st Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
    6. I remember that time like it was yesterday. It was devastating. It showed me how quickly the trap can be set and how subtle the devil can be to ensnare you, and the consequences and trials that you would go through to come out alive on the other end.
    7. You and I need to remember that when you begin to do something, the enemy will be right there. Rest assured of it, with his legion of demons to destroy you.
    8. This is why I preach on a consistent basis that you must be prayed up. You must be studied up and have the full armor of God on 24/7 because when you least expect it, the devil is there to entrap you, ensnare you, and then laugh at you as you face the consequences and the trials that come before you.
    9. What about you this morning? Have you ever been involved in something that has entrapped, ensnared and brought you into trials?
    10. If you have, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Now let us start our study today.

 

  1. What is a trap?
    1. For the purposes of our study, a trap is an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which men or other animals may be caught unawares.
    2. Here are a couple of scriptures to demonstrate what a trap is. Psalm 69:22: Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. The devil can take what we think is good for us, and make it a trap to get uss off track.
    3. The enemy uses people to entrap us as we see in Jeremiah 5:26: For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. Even among God’s People, there are those the enemy can use to entrap us, so we always need to be prayed up and have discernment.

 

  1. What does it mean to be ensnared?
    1. It means to be captured in, or involved as in, a snare. Synonyms are; entrap, entangle, and enmesh. A snare is another word for a trap.

 

  1. Why are there consequences and trials we must go through?
    1. When you fall into a trap and make a mistake, God will forgive you, but there will still be consequences
    2. David is a prime example of this. He fell into a trap and made sinful choices. He wasforgiven but had consequences for the rest of his life. . 2nd Samuel 12:10-12: Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.  When someone commits a crime, and later becomes a Christian, they will be loved and forgiven by God, but will still face the consequences for what they did.

 

  1. Why do we need to study God’s Word?
    1. When we study God’s Word and hide it in our hearts, we will be aware of the traps and snares, and sin against God less and less. Psalm 119:11: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. The more time you spend with someone, the more you know who they are, what they like and don’t like. When you study God’s Word you become more like Him.
    2. You won’t stumble into a trap if you have the lamp in front of you. Psalm 119:105:Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. At our house we have traps near the trash to trap any rodents that try to rip the bags open. If Mike doesn’t heed my word, he could spring the trap himself and get in trouble.

 

  1. Why is it important to have on the Armor of God?
    1. Every piece of the armor is needed to fend off the attacks of the enemy. Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Here are a couple of items, and why they are so important.
    2. We need our helmets to protect our heads, particularly our minds, and we need the sword to go on the offensive against the devil. Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: The place where the devil attacks primarily is our minds. One of the tactics he uses is to try to make us doubt our salvation. When He puts those doubts in your mind, you can use your sword which is the Word of God. We can never lose our salvation! Once we have truly asked Jesus to come into our hearts and be our Lord and Savior, we are SEALED forever as one of his.

 

  1. Why is it important to stay prayed up?
    1. We should always be praying and making our requests known to God.                  Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Notice it talks about thanksgiving in this verse. We should have prayers of thanksgiving and praise along with our requests.
    2. If you spend time in prayer, God is with you and will answer you. We have this promise in Psalm 145:18: he Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. There’s an old song that says that He’s as close as the mention of His Name. Call upon Him and He will show up.
    3. We should pray always, not just for ourselves, but for all of the saints. Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; The success of the Little House is that we let Jesus in every service, and we persevere in faith for one another, and God answers.

 

  1. Who in the bible was ensnared?
    1. Sampson was ensnared by Delilah. Judges 16:4-5 and 16-17: And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. The enemy will often use the closest ones to you to ensnare you as was the case here.

 

  1. Who in the bible faced many trials?
    1. The Bible tells us that David grew increasingly frustrated from his constant running and hiding, living in caves and surviving on whatever food his men could find or what those loyal to him would give. Psalm 142:1-2: I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. Even though King David struggled mightily, he never remained in this state for long, as he still concludes every psalm praising God and giving Him glory.
    2. Moses also faced trials. One example is when God was testing Moses and his people to see how they would react at having no water. The people of Israel murmured against Moses, wondering what they should drink. He turned to God for help in his struggle, and God delivered. Exodus 15:24-25: And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, Then afterwards, they came to Elim, where the Bible tells us there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees — plenty of water to go around.

 

  1. What’s the outcome of someone who is disobedient, and chooses to go his way, and cloaks it with the flavor of Christianity?
    1. Adam and Eve were the first to disobey, and we’ve dealt with the outcome ever since. Genesis 3:17-19: And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.  When we go our own way instead of being obedient to God, everthing becomes harder. We will face trials when we’re obedient, but when we are not, we have greater struggles.

  1. The Apostle Paul gives a list of sins here to avoid, because those who practice them will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. These works of the flesh Paul describes, are in disobedience to God. If you find that you practice any of these, you might want to examine whether you are truly born-again.

 

 

 

  1. Who in the bible was trapped but succeeded through prayer and God’s Word?
    1. The Bible tells us that Satan was trying to sift Peter like wheat. Luke 22:31-32: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. This was just before Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Jesus. He did deny the Lord. Then after Jesus died, he went back to his old lifestyle, but when Jesus rose from the dead, Peter was restored, and we know He was instrumental in the establishing of the early church.

 

  1. Conclusion 3 questions
    1. Are you doing anything today that would make a difference to the devil and his gang or are you going along not making any waves, laying on your laurels because you’ve been saved?
    2. Are you studying God’s Word?
    3. Are you making a difference in the lives of others?
    4. Do you have a discerning spirit to know when the enemy’s trying to trick, deceive, and destroy you?
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Exemple

Lord Give Me Discernment

November 30, 2022 The Greatest Gift
  1. Introduction
    1. When I was starting off many years ago, and first became saved in 1981, I had some pretty good discernment, at least worldly discernment, as I owned my own companies and could pretty much figure people out as soon as I would meet them.
    2. When I became a Christian, I was taught something different, a more intuitive type of discernment. Something more than I had ever known. My mind had to be transformed.
    3. My old thinking had to pass away so that God could renew my mind with the discernment that He wanted me to have. It was very different.
    4. In the world, your discernment is the things that surround you that are immediate, but in the Spirit, they can be immediate. They can be past, or they can be future.
    5. As I began to press into God and know what He wanted for me in this life as a Christian, I was baffled.
    6. Many times when I thought I heard the Lord’s voice, it was still my voice until one day I had a vision and I truly believed I had heard the voice of the Lord about how a particular job was going to go and how things were going to work out for me.
    7. It was almost like a complete forecast of exactly what I needed to discern, and I had the correct answer, but it was not the answer within me. It was the answer that came from God through a vision that shocked me but I knew it was Him.
    8. How did I know it was him? Because there was this presence that came over me like I had never known before. In the vision, I knew exactly what I needed to do and what to say.
    9. It just didn’t seem like my thinking, or even something I had ever thought about before I knew the Lord, so I knew that God was transforming me and giving me a vision and discerning spirit.
    10. Today I’ve drawn in to that vision that God has given me. It’s like when I want to know something or figure out something, or have the best advice I can possibly give to someone, I will lay down.
    11. God will begin to bring pictures to me of the situation or person, and then there will be an answer to the question I asked the Lord.
    12. This comes with drawing close to the Lord. This comes from studying God’s word and communicating to him. This is how you and I can live a whole and fruitful life with the Lord if you will talk to Him.
    13. It’s not always just talking audibly. It’s talking to Him through the Word and allowing Him to speak back. It is allowing him to take complete control and surrendering completely to Him.
    14. When you have done this, He will give you the discerning will, spirit, and answers. Now let us go into our study.

 

  1. What is Discernment? If I had to ask you today, what this would be, what would be your answer?
    1. Discernment is the ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well.
    2. In judgment, discernment can be psychological, moral or aesthetic in nature.
    3. The process of discernment within judgment involves going past the mere perception of something and making nuanced judgments about its properties or qualities.

 

  1. What is the difference between discernment, and a discerning spirit?
    1. Discernment is being able to differentiate between good and bad, right and wrong. 1st Kings 3:9: 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? We should all pray for God to give us understanding and discernment.
    2. A discerning spirit, is the ability to discern what is of the Spirit of God, and what is not. 1st Corinthians 2:14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. If you are born-again, the closer you get to God, and the more time you spend walking and talking with Him, the more of a discerning spirit ou will have.
  2. How might one receive a discerning mind? Is this something you would like to have?
    1. One way you can have a discerning mind, is by renewing your mind through praying and studying God’s Word. Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (or discern) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. When you spend time in prayer and the Word every day, you are transformed, and have more of the discerning Mind of Christ.
    2. Discernment comes through obtaining wisdom, which comes from God. James 1:5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. We must ask in faith, as the next verse encourages us to ask in faith with nothing wavering.

 

  1. Who in the bible had a discerning spirit or a form of Discernment? In the bible, we often see words such as wisdom or understanding, in place of discernment.
    1. Solomon was a man blessed with wisdom and discernment. 1st Kings 4:29: And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. Solomon had asked God to give him wisdom. Because he asked for this, rather than wealth or other things, God blessed Him greatly.
    2. We see a reference to men of discernment or understanding in Ezra 8:16: Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. These eleven men listed had discernment, wisdom and understanding.
    3. We see characteristics like wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in Daniel and others of the Children of Israel. Daniel 1:3 and 4: And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.  These children of Israel were blessed of God and got the attention of the king because of these qualities.

 

  1. Have you ever had a vision that also gave you the answers inside the vision for yourself or someone else?
    1. God used visions and dreams to guide Joseph, when Jesus was born. In this first instance, Joseph had found out that Mary was pregnant, and was going to divorce her. Matthew 1:20: 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 was pondering what he should do, and God gave the answer in a dream.
    2. God used a dream to bring a warning to Joseph. Matthew 2:13: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. God used a dream to give Joseph discernment to know that he needed to take his family to Egypt. Later, in another dream, God showed him that it was safe to come back.

 

  1. What did Jesus say in regards to discernment?
    1. Jesus talks about having discernment in John 7:24: Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Discernment is being able to look beyond the appearance and judge what is of God’s righteousness, or not..
    2. If you draw close to God, His Spirit will lead you into all truth, and show you things to come. John 16:13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. When I spend time in prayer, the Spirit of God speaks to me about people and situations, and shows me things that will soon come to pass.
    3. Jesus stresses the importance of discerning the times that we are in. Matthew 16:3: And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Jesus is coming soon. Just look at the news and everything going on around the world today. Are you ready for that trumpet to sound, and the Lord to snatch us home? It could happen before the end of this service.

 

  1. Conclusion
    1. Would you like a discerning spirit?
    2. Are you willing to pray for discernment?
    3. Will you read and study God’s Word to show yourself approved and know that all approval comes from God Himself in every desire and hope and every final conclusion?
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Exemple

Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord for Such a Time as THis

March 11, 2024 The Greatest Gift
  1. Introduction
    1. You and I live in a day and age where we need to be on high alert. We’re not living in the same time as 20 years ago. We’re living in a very different world and climate.
    2. Christians at one time were always the majority, and now we are quickly becoming the minority. You and I need to take our rightful position and place now more than ever. Our rights depend on it and our freedom all the more. Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
    3. A new face is being put on our country, the land of the free and the home of the brave. You and I live in what the bible calls the Laodicean Church Age, civil rights of common people. Revelation 3:17-18: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,

that thou mayest see. It seems as though people have the right to do whatever they choose. We’ve never seen such violence in all of our lives as there is now, and only threatening to have more to come.

  1. As we’re getting closer to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you and I need to prepare ourselves in every way that the bible describes.
  2. Freedom more than ever will now come with a price. As we look into our brief message today, you and I need to prepare for such a time as this.

 

  1. Do you know what to prepare for? If you don’t I’m prepared to give you what the bible says about how to prepare yourself to live out all the days of your life under the shadow of God’s Wings. (leading to the coming of the Lord)
    1. First and foremost, you can never truly prepare for what is to come unless you are born again. John 3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Do you know for sure that when you leave this world, you are heaven bound?
    2. Are you spending time in God’s Word, to know what His Will is for your life? Psalm 119:10-11: With my whole heart have I sought thee:

O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. If you crack open that book every day, God will prepare you for what the day has in store. He will show you what He wants you to do.

  1. Do you seek the Lord in prayer with your whole heart every day? Jeremiah 29:13: And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Whatever is going on in the world or in your life, seek the Lord first. Don’t neglect spending daily time with Him in His Word and prayer.
  2. Are you in church, fellowshipping with God’s People and getting fed God’s Word, letting people pray with and for you? Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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. This is not a time for home Baptists. Lone rangers will never make it. We need each other. We need to be in church so we can learn, grow, and function as the family of God.

 

 

 

  1. You and I must study God’s Word to know the course of action and direction he’d have you and I to take.
    1. God does not hide His Will from us if we are seeking Him. He will clearly show us through His Word. 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. If we’re studying, and if we’re seeking Him, He will be faithful to lead us and prepare us for all that life has in store.
    2. If we are studying God’s Word, His Spirit will lead us and guide us. Jesus says this. John 16:13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Are you tuned into the Holy Spirit and asking Him to illuminate God’s Word to your heart and mind. He is faithful.

 

  1. You and I must prepare physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually as our world is changing rapidly before our eyes.
    1. Here is a passage that can help us to prepare for uncertain and changing times. Take a look at Hebrews 12:1-2:  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, (this refers to the faithful patriarchs in chapter 11),  let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, (We all have one sin or another that we have struggled with, for example smoking, drinking, drugs, over-eating etc. We need to always seek to be free of these things with God’s Help.) and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (The Christian life is a type of race and we all need to run the race and be all we can be for Him.) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Are you confessing and repenting of sins in your life? Are you endeavoring to persevere and run the race, always keeping our eyes focused on Jesus?
    2. We need to live our lives as a living sacrifice to God, not living for our own agendas, but for His. Not being like the rest of the world, but different and set apart. Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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.                   As you pray, study, and worship, you will be transformed and become more and more like Jesus and less like the rest of the world. They will see something different. They will see you having peace even when the world is in chaos.

 

  1. What have you done to prepare yourself? Are you reaching out to your family, friends, encouraging people to come to church, sharing your testimony with those in our world who desperately need a touch from the Almighty.
    1. Are you reaching out and inviting people to come to church? Mark 16:14-15: Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. The most important job of every Christian is to go out and lead people to Jesus, but too often, we sit in the churches and wait for the lost to come in. He said go out and compel them to come in, not sit and hope they’ll come in.
    2. Are you sharing your testimony. People can argue about many things related to our faith, but they can never take away your testimony. Revelation 19:10: And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. When you share the testimony of what Jesus has done in your life, you are sharing the prophetic Word of God that will bring life to those that hear.

 

  1. The world is at enmity with God. But God loves the people in the world. You and I are the only vehicle that he has to bring the message of salvation to a world that is hopelessly lost without Jesus.
    1. As I said, the world is at enmity with God, and anyone who is a friend of the world is an enemy of God. James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. We need to love the people, and go out and reach them for Jesus, but we are never to be a friend of the world.

 

  1. Saints, we need to rise up, press in, press forward to the mark of the higher calling. (scripture)
    1. Let’s look at what the Apostle Paul had to say about this. It will be a guide for you as you live the Christian life in the changing world in which we live. Philippians 3:13-14: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. What Paul says here is what you and I should do every day. We should first forget those things which are behind. We can learn from the mistakes of our past, but after that forget them! Move forward!
    2. Paul then says that he reaches forth unto those things which are before him. If you’re driving down the road, always looking in the rear view mirror, you’re bound to get into an accident. Be like Paul and press the accelerator forward, and press on to all God has for you.

 

  1. We must study and pray and share the salvation message to everyone we come in contact with.
    1. We must study God’s Word regularly. 2nd Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We study to show ourselves approved not to man but to God.
    2. When we study, we are a workman that needs not to be ashamed,
    3. for the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power unto our salvation. When we study we can then rightly divide the Word of Truth to those who so desperately need to know Him.
    4. We must pray and talk to God about every area of our lives. Matthew 6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Do you have a place in your home where you can just be alone with God and talk to Him with no distractions? Make sure to set a time every day when you can talk to God and let Him talk to you through His Word.
    5. We need to share the salvation message with those who have not given their hearts to Jesus. Luke 14:23: And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. We all have a part to play in seeing souls come into the kingdom. We’re all to do the work of an evangelist. There are no exceptions.

 

 

 

  1. God has been building a testimony in you since the day you were born. I encourage you to share your testimony.
    1. You never know the life that you’ll have changed until you get to heaven. Be not only a community changer, but a world changer.

 

  1. Story – A Relationship with Jesus
    1. In metro Detroit, Stephen, one of our chaplains, encountered Brad, a homeowner in his late 40s distressed over the effects of recent torrential rains that caused widespread flooding.
    2. When the chaplain asked if he had a relationship with Jesus Christ, he said he did not but needed spiritual help.
    3. “I’ve never heard that Jesus wants a relationship with me.” Stephen then shared the Gospel with Brad, who followed along intently.
    4. Brad indicated he wanted to begin a relationship with the Lord, and he prayed to surrender his life to Christ.
    5. Chaplains also met a homeowner named Arezo* who invited them into her house.
    6. She and her family were Muslim and had migrated to Pakistan and later to the United States. The chaplains guided the conversation to the Gospel.
    7. Arezo told them she was familiar with Jesus but did not have a relationship with Him.
    8. When they asked about the peace in her life, she responded that she had none.
    9. They shared how Jesus could give her His peace, and she could have the assurance of eternal life.
    10. Their discussion drew tears as Arezo acknowledged she needed that in her life.
    11. They shared the Good News with her, showing how Scripture points to the Lord Jesus Christ.
    12. When confronted with her need for forgiveness, Arezo said she wanted to pray to accept Christ into her life as her Savior and Lord.
    13. Chaplains rejoiced with her, gave her a new Bible, and bookmarked it at the Gospel of John for her to begin reading.
    14. You too can lead those you come in contact with to a loving savior who will embrace them into His Family.

 

  1. Conclusion
    1. Prepare for such a time as this.
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Exemple

Leaving a Legacy

April 10, 2024 The Greatest Gift

Leaving a Legacy

  1. Introduction
    1. As I’ve grown in the grace and knowledge of the Lord over many years since 1981, I’ve learned a lot of things.
    2. One of the things I learned, is that the things I do, not what someone else does, is what will be determined at the judgment seat of Christ. 2nd Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. What I should have done, what I could have done and what I didn’t do at all.
    3. Over the years, I’ve heard how people build other people’s ministries and there’s nothing wrong with that providing that there’s a balance especially when you are a minister.
    4. God has a calling on your life and when you leave this earth, the only legacy you end up with, is someone else’s instead of the ministry God gave you and the call on your life.
    5. We should always encourage others in their gifts and talents, skills, calling and ministries.
    6. But when God has given you a ministry, he expects you to cultivate the one he’s given you. You can’t answer for anyone else but yourself.
    7. Many pastors fall into this situation where they rely on the abilities, and the calling of someone else, rather than the God-breathed calling that he’s instilled upon them.
    8. Too many times I’ve heard throughout the years “this one did this.” “This one said that.”” I’m paraphrasing.” I’m giving my opinions.”
    9. Saints, when it’s all tallied up, and all said and done and God has taken you home, what will matter is what you have done for Him, not what someone else has done.
    10. They will have their rewards and their time with the Lord. They too will be judged on how they conducted their ministries and callings with the people God entrusted them with.
    11. So many pastors, preachers and teachers rely on the sole abilities of someone else’s thinking.
    12. As ministers, we cannot have nothing to say that God has given us that is substantial enough that we too should leave a legacy.

 

 

  1. I’m not trying to be critical or judgmental. In the day that we live in there are so many people that have been empowered to do great and mighty things only to have turned to become false teachers, captivating on those who never study God’s Word, pray, or adhere to God’s Word.
  2. They come to a conference where these great men and women of God are, and due to the circumstances and the day and age we live in, become as the world,
  3. then try to justify God’s Word because the word they are holding in their hands is so watered down, re-written so many times that even Jesus himself couldn’t understand it, believe it or even look at it.
  4. It’s almost like a dog returning to its vomit. If God’s word said it you need to believe it. You need to trust in it.
  5. You need to get under correct teaching and preaching so that one day you won’t have to look back and say “What have I done with this life?”
  6. If you’ve done what God told you to do, you won’t have to repent or even ask that question. You’ll plainly just know. Now let us look into our message today leaving a legacy.

 

  1. When I ask you what a legacy is, what’s the first thing you think of?
    1. A believer’s legacy is their testimony that has been passed down to the next generation and remembered long after the person has gone to the Lord.
    2. it is the emotions that people feel when they hear your name, it’s the stories they tell their children as they tuck them into bed,
    3. and it’s the encouragement they receive during tough days as they remember your example, all of which illustrate and illuminate Christ.

 

  1. Are you even concerned about leaving a legacy?
    1. The bible has a lot to say about the importance of leaving a legacy. For example, Psalm 112:1-3: Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. If you are a person that walks with the Lord and fulfills His Calling on your life, your righteousness will be remembered, and will be an example to future generations.

 

 

  1. Flipping over to the New Testament, we see these very strong words. 1st Timothy 5:8: but if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. God is our father, and provides for us His Kids. We are created in His Image, and should be providing and leaving a legacy for our families.

 

  1. Has God put a call on your life? Are you cultivating it? Are you praying for what he’d have you to do? Not what someone else is telling you to do?
    1. God has a call for every one of our lives, with no exceptions. Jeremiah 29:11-12: 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. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. Do you see how these verses go together? Acknowledge that God has a call on your life. Pray about that calling. Walk in it, and He will bless you.
    2. We all have a calling to go out and reach the lost for Jesus Christ. Luke 14:23: And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. That is the call of God on every Christian’s life.
    3. God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable. He doesn’t take them back. Romans 11:29: For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. God created you to serve Him in a particular way. If you’ve walked away from your calling, repent and pick it back up again. He didn’t change His Mind. You are still called.

 

  1. Are souls being saved? Are you praying for souls? Are you evangelizing to souls?
    1. As I said earlier, we all are called to reach souls for Jesus Christ. Luke 10:2: Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. The laborers are few, because so many of us are not reaching out and sharing the gospel. Are you witnessing? Are you praying for your loved ones?

 

  1. Are you encouraging people to stand to withstand against the wiles of the world that is at enmity with God?
    1. We are called by God to encourage and exhort people to walk close to God. Hebrews 10:23-24: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: This is one of the reasons we come to church, so we can be taught, equipped, and encouraged in God’s Word. We should encourage one another.
    2. We as Christians need to stand against the wiles of the world and the devil, more and more in these last days. Ephesians 6:11-12: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. We as Christians that are living for, and serving God are engaged in a spiritual battle. Not against people, but spiritual forces set against the kingdom of God.
    3. The world is at enmity with God, and if you are a friend of the world, or are like the world, you are an enemy o God! James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Those are not my words, they are His Words. On the day we put this message together, Mike heard this saying on the radio. “It is hard to find the church in the world today, because there is so much of the world in the church.” We are to stand out and be different from the world, not just like them!
  2. Are you seeking God fervently, diligently? Are you committed, motivated, endued with power from on high for witnessing?
    1. We are to seek God fervently, with our whole heart. Jeremiah 29:13: And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. As the song says, the more you seek Him, the more you find Him. The more you find Him, the more you love Him.
    2. Are you committed and motivated, putting Him first in all you do? 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. If you are truly endued with the power from on high, it is to be used for witnessing and for service to others. It’s not just for yourself. Be committed and motivated to win souls, and you will be blessed!

 

  1. Are you going into nursing homes where it’s not popular? Are you going into assisted living homes where it’s not popular?
    1. Are you going into cancer wards? Are you praying for them?
    2. You say that you have the enduement of power from on high with the evidence of speaking in tongues?
    3. Why are your tongues not there at the cancer wards, in hospice areas, at the hospital? I’ll tell you why.
    4. It’s because it’s not popular. It’s not entertaining enough and there’s nobody watching you do anything except God, and He is watching. 1st Peter 3:12: For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

 

  1. Who in the bible who was transformed who at the end of his life left a legacy (OT & NT)
    1. Hebrews 11 is a great place to read about people in the Old Testament who left a legacy. Here are just a couple of them. Hebrews 11:4: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. The legacy of Abel is still powerful today, because he put God first and offered God his best, not the leftovers. Do you do this?
    2. Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel was obedient and fully trusted in God, and his legacy too lives on today. Hebrews 11:8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Would you step out and go to an unknown land if God told you to? Abraham did. He trusted God completely.
    3. John the Baptist was faithful to the end, to the point of being martyred for his faith in Jesus. Here’s what Jesus had to say about him. John 5:33-35: He sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. Are you a burning and shining light for Jesus? Will you stand for the truth of the gospel even at risk of it costing your life? This was the legacy John left.
    4. The Apostle Paul also left a legacy, and could honestly give this as his testimony. 2nd Timothy 4:7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Will this be your legacy and testimony when you are called home?

 

  1. Who in the bible started off with a legacy but chose to go a different direction?
    1. Ananias and Sapphira were in the church and started off with the intent to sell their property and give the proceeds to the church. However, they went their own way, holding back a portion, & went home early. Acts 5:4-6: Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. The same fate met his wife Sapphira when she was confronted later on that same day.

 

  1. What did Paul have to say about the course and direction that we need to stay?
    1. After devoting an entire chapter to those who left a legacy of faith, Paul gives us this encouragement. Hebrews 12;1: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Whatever is keeping you from leaving a godly legacy in this life, you need to lay it aside with His Help, and run the race He has called you to run.

 

  1. What was the message of Jesus to all of us from beginning to end, from life to death?
    1. The message of Jesus to you and I who know Him is to be His Witnesses! Acts 1:8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. For you and me, we are to be witnesses to him both in Waterboro, and in all of New England, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. This is His Will for us today.

 

  1. Story: Leaving a Legacy
    1. I once heard of a man on his death bed, surrounded by his family, including children and grandchildren.
    2. With his last conscious thoughts and words, he encouraged them to follow the teachings of Jesus.
    3. He explained that he was about to go and be with Jesus; he looked forward to the day when all the followers of Jesus would gather around His throne.
    4. Looking at each one individually, he said, “And I want you and you and you to be there!”
    5. What would you say to your family, your children and grandchildren, if you had the opportunity to speak to them just before your passing?

 

 

  1. There are many books and journals available that encourage us to “leave a legacy” for our children and grandchildren by recording favorite stories about our lives, family events, meaningful conversations….
  2. But when I asked myself, “What legacy do I want to leave?,” it was clear that I wanted my children to know what I have learned about the teachings of Jesus, His Word, and its truths.
  3. Although I might hope for the opportunity to do this in person on my deathbed, I realized that most people are not afforded this accommodation;
  4. I should not presume to be one who would be. For me, it was clear that now was the time to collect my most treasured thoughts.
  5. How about you? What truths do you value most? How have you communicated them to those you love?
  6. If you had only a few sentences left to speak, what would you say? Most likely if you are hearing this, you have more than a few sentences left.
  7. Now might be the right time to collect and record your thoughts. But you say, “I am not a Bible scholar, not a recognized teacher of truth, who am I to do this?”
  8. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a story to tell, beginning with how Jesus came into your life.
  9. What is your story? How has Jesus made it possible? You have a responsibility to Jesus and to those you love to tell your story.
  10. Let’s be about sharing our testimony and living for God every day, so that one day, people will look back and remember the life you lived for Christ.

 

  1. Conclusion
    1. Do you understand the message that I’ve given you today?
    2. Does it make you think about who you are, what God made you to be, and have you done anything at all?
    3. If there are regrets now, it’s time we prayed and changed the course before your life comes to a close. What is your legacy?
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