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.

Why am I so Troubled on Every Side?
Why do I feel like everything’s going wrong?

1. Introduction
   1. I used to know a man many years ago. It just seemed like trouble followed him. He proclaimed to be a Christian but always seemed to be troubled.
   2. He was always feeling like everything he touched or did was wrong.
   3. I was doing a job for him and as I was doing the job, I was in communication with him on an ongoing basis.
   4. He’d be talking on the telephone, and I’d overhear the conversation. Everything just seemed to be negative.
   5. After hearing many conversations, (because I was right there working in the same room that he was in talking on the telephone with different people), I had just had enough of listening to all of the negativity.
   6. I remember saying, “Joe, do you pray?” He said “not as much as I should”. I said “Let’s pray right now for a complete deliverance of this notion that everything you do is wrong. Nothing you hear is right and everything you say is negative.”
   7. I understand that there are many challenges and much negativity coming from the world’s thinking and the devil driving to keep one in that kind of thinking,
   8. but God wants to break that bondage and deliver that person so that person can be free.
   9. It just seemed like this man wallowed and was convinced that God wasn’t happy with him. He could not please God. He always said the wrong things.
   10. When we prayed, it almost seemed as if it didn’t take root. I’ve met many people in my day that were very similar to this man.
   11. The solution to this problem is prayer, receiving God’s Word, believing God’s Word, and trusting God’s Word, and allowing the Spirit to lead and guide the word that’s been instilled in you to overcome the negativity by the Blood of the Lamb.
   12. I’d watch him as he’d doze off in the chair as I was working, or I’d sit and he’d be looking out the window, daydreaming, unfocused
   13. but focused on the negativity that he was going to think about when he was going to call or speak with someone else. It was sad.
   14. All I could do was pray and be a good example and allow my conversation to be the conversation of God’s Word to him as we would have discussions.
   15. He’d begin to speak negatively about whatever it was we were discussing. I soon got tired of listening to it.
   16. I said to him, “If you don’t have anything good to say or anything positive to do, then let me finish my job, because your words can be very tiring, disarming, and discouraging!”
   17. The next day, when I came to work, it seemed like there’d been a sudden change. In fact, it was a drastic change. The words to me were “Good morning!
   18. “It looks like we’re having a nice day. The sun’s out. I hope you can finish the closet that I was working on today. If you don’t, that will be fine.
   19. “You’re doing a great job. Things are looking good.” Then I noticed something very different about Joe.
   20. When he got on the phone, the first thing he said was “I want to be positive. I want to see a change in my way of thinking & coming across.
   21. I don’t want to be discouraging. I don’t want to be negative. As I prayed over the night, something happened. I began to see things in a different light.
   22. “Prayer is a beautiful thing when one is sincere to pray. I believe God has answered my prayer. I never knew how to be positive because I was so negative,
   23. but as I began to speak positively, it began to be easier to do. I feel I’ve overcome.
   24. I’m not totally there yet, but in order for me to see the change, I had to be the change.”
   25. Now let us look into this message today. Why am I so Troubled on Every Side? Why do I feel like everything’s going wrong?

2. How many of you can relate to this message? How many of you will be honest to say this might be me?
   1. If you can relate to this message, you need the perspective that Paul gives us in Ephesians 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: We have nothing to complain or be negative about. Everything that we have has been given us by God. We are tremendously blessed!
   2. Do you have a heavenly perspective, or earthly? Ephesians 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Imagine for a moment that you are walking around in a city, and there are huge skyscrapers all around, and lots of people. Everything is big and hectic. Now imagine that you are 30 thousand feet in the air in a plane. All of those big things look tiny. The problems look smaller from our seat in heavenly places.

3. In an overview, how do you see yourself, positive and negative, or just negative?
   1. Here are some thoughts on positivity and negativity as it relates to us as Christians.
   2. The word “positive” doesn’t appear in the Bible, but Christians can use their faith in God to benefit from a positive attitude.
   3. A positive attitude can help people stay on top of negative circumstances and inspire them to do their best while trusting God to help with the rest.
   4. The Bible offers guidance on how to deal with negative people, who can be those who believe in Jesus and those who do not.
   5. Negative people may focus on others’ faults, or their own, and may regularly point out shortcomings with their comments, attitudes, and frowns.

4. If you’re always positive, all heavenly minded but no earthly good, what have you done, or can you do to change this?
   1. You can make sure you are rooted and grounded in the Word of God, no matter what. Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; If you spend time studying God’s Word, spend time in prayer and worship, you can be positive about what God is doing, while acknowledging the negative things of this world.

5. When it says that you are heavenly minded and no earthly good, what does this mean?
   1. To be heavenly minded means to set your affections, thoughts and perspective on things above. Colossians 3:2: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. This is a good thing, and we are encouraged to do this.
   2. However, if we are so focused on things above, that we neglect our calling here on earth, we are like the salt that lost its saltiness in Matthew 5:13: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. We need to keep a joyful positive perspective, focused on God, while at the same time, not denying the negative things God wants us to address.

6. Why does it seem like whenever I say something, it comes out negative? Or on the same token, why do I look at everything so positive, never realizing that there’s a negative & positive that work together to create a balance?
   1. Here is a negative and a positive to create the balance. First, the positive. Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. We hear this verse so often that it can become cliché, but the truth is, that not all things ARE good, but all things work together FOR good.
   2. On the flipside, this world is winding down and passing away every day. 1st John 2:17: And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Are you living for God every day, endeavoring to fulfill His Will for your life? That will keep you positively balanced.

7. Why do I always feel that people are against me?
   1. We need to remember that if God is for us, who can ever stand against us? Romans 8:31: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? We must always seek to please God. Be loving and live at peace with people, but put our focus on pleasing God who is for us, never against us.
   2. If anyone is against you or is persecuting you, remember it is not you that they are against, it is Christ that lives within you. Jesus addresses Paul in Acts 9:4: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Jesus did not say “Why persecutes thou my people?” He said “Why persecutes thou me?” If you are living for Him, this is true of those who appear to be against you.

8. Why does it seem like God sits back and lets me go through these different things and I never hear from him. Or feel like he acknowledges me?
   1. The plan of God for your life is far greater than you can understand at any given time. Isaiah 64:4: For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Here are a couple of illustrations that I think will speak to this question of God acknowledging you and working on your behalf.
   2. First, Imagine you have gone to the theater to see a great play. You come to a scene that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Things are not looking great for the character you are rooting for. Then the curtain closes. You wait a long time and think nothing is happening. Then after what seems like an eternity, the curtain goes up and you see the happy ending, and all seems to be wonderful for your hero.
   3. Number 2, you are reading a great story. Again, one that keeps you on the edge. You come to the end of the chapter and it seems all hope is lost for your character. Now for you, you only can see what is happening now, but the person who wrote the book knows what his intended outcome is, and has an amazing comeback in the next chapter for your hero.
   4. That’s how it is with God when you think nothing is happening. He’s always working, and when you turn the page, a new chapter begins. A new day dawns.

9. Who in the bible felt these same symptoms?
   1. Solomon, the preacher of Ecclesiastes had quite a negative outlook on life. Ecclesiastes 1:12-14: I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. This is a man who was king of Israel, had everything this world could offer him, and this was his thinking.
   2. Job was a man who could have become very negative. There was nothing positive on this particular day. Job 1:18-19: While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. I’d say that was a pretty tough day, and only the beginning of many tough days to come.
   3. Peter reacted negatively when Jesus was being arrested, and they accused Peter of being one of His Disciples. Matthew 26:74: Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Jesus had previously warned Peter that he would deny Jesus. When the cock crowed, he remembered and was sorry.

10. What was the solution and conclusion that these great men of God came up with to smooth out the transition between negative and positive?
    1. Let’s go back to our buddy Solomon. The whole book of Ecclesiastes contains his outlook of how life is full of vanity, but he finally comes to this conclusion at the end. Ecclesiastes 12:13: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Let’s acknowledge the negative, and live for God every day, and he will keep us positively focused on the rich blessings He brings in this life. Amen?
    2. Now back to our friend Job as we witnessed the absolute worst day of his life. Let’s see how he overcame the negative on this day. Job 1:20-21: Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Could you honestly say that you would react this way, and worship and praise God right after a day like Job had? The most joy-filled positive person in this place would have to admit that he might not respond this way.
    3. We now return to Peter who had denied he even knew our Lord and Savior. He repented, and was restored. John 21:17: He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Peter did feed the sheep, and saw 3,000 souls come to know Jesus.
11. Story: Two Matches in a Matchbox
    1. Once there lived a poor family in a village. There was a matchbox in their hut containing only 2 matchsticks.
    2. The poor family was sleeping at night. Suddenly the match sticks got life, came out of the matchbox and were talking about themselves.
    3. The second asked the first, ” what can you do in your life time?”.Then the first answered “I can give light to this entire house”, and lit the lamp and died.
    4. Suddenly there was a heavy breeze and the door of the hut got open and the lamp started flickering.
    5. The owner of the hut woke up by the sound of the door & observed that the lamp is about to go off & put his hands to protect the lamp glow further, then closed the door & went to sleep.
    6. The other stick laughed seeing this and said “that wass your greatness in this you are able only to give light to this hut but I’m able to give light to this entire village just see the magic”.
    7. Then it lit the hut and laughed loudly. Few seconds later there was heavy rain fall which put off the fire.
    8. So the moral of this story is that having only negative thoughts will never succeed, so you need to add the positive element.
    9. And some times negative thoughts alone may give instant result but in long run it always yields negative results only.

12. Conclusion
    1. How do you view yourself today?
    2. Did this message speak to you?
    3. If this is you, what are you willing to do to change?

The Global Mess

1. Introduction
   1. When I was in school as a youngster, I was always informed because our household always watched the news on a consistent basis.
   2. Everything seemed to be more global than household or national. Though there were many things nationally that transpired, global seemed to be where all of the mess was.
   3. There would always be chaos in the Middle East, Russia, China, Iran. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, and everywhere else in between.
   4. We never saw war on our streets. Yes, Pearl Harbor was hit, and that was the first time, but after that, everything seemed to be far away when it came to war or even war on our streets.
   5. Today, war is everywhere. Today on our streets, if you say the wrong thing, you could lose your life in a moment.
   6. There’s no rhyme or reason to any of the madness or the mess that the world has gotten into.

1. The bible says that man is the destruction of man. Proverbs 14:12: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
2. We’re living in the Laodicean Church Age as it says in Revelation 3:14-18: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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, & 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, & that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. When looking at these scriptures, the evidence is in.
3. We’re now not just in global catastrophe, we’re in a national mess where the leadership of this country has brought on the chaos, & madness & ushered in the Laodicean Church Age.
4. Laodicean means civil rights of common people. Where every man believes he has the right to say or do whatever he thinks.
5. Peace is running out for mankind. When the world talks of peace there will be no peace.
6. Only those who diligently serve the Lord Jesus Christ will have the peace that passes all understanding. Our country is torn by bad and poor leadership.
7. The leaders of this country have tried to sell us out and lead us astray by every evil intent, convincing people to not only turn the world and our country upside-down,
8. but to destroy the face of the USA that so many gave their lives to give us freedom, only to have the leadership of this nation overlook the true meaning of the home of the brave and the land of the free.
9. Through the madness, as the bible says a wicked and adulterous generation seeking to devour itself, and anything normal that one can live by.
10. We’re living and moving closer to the one-world system, where global power will take precedent and seize every evil opportunity to bring man into bondage, into demonic slaves, cultivated by yours truly, Lucifer or Satan himself.
11. Those of us who know & study God’s Word and are on high alert for anything and everything of the unknown will be put under the shadow of God’s Wings.
12. They’ll be protected until God takes them home. Though the challenges we all face each and every day, we will not face them alone.
13. We will have been spared by God’s Grace. Now let us look into our message

A Global Mess

2. When I say global mess, what’s the first thing you think of?
   1. I think of a world that is doing evil continually, doing what is right in their own eyes, rather than what God’s Word says. Deuteronomy 12:8: Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. There are many verses that encourage us not to do what’s right in our own eyes, but to follow every word of God.
   2. A global mess is also a situation where people call good evil, and call evil good. Isaiah 5:20: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! We are living in a day just like this, where they try to normalize every abominable lifestyle, and villainize that which is good and godly.
3. What are some examples of a global mess?
   1. The world was in a global mess when Noah was building the ark. Genesis 6:5-6: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. This is very much like the day in which we live. God loves each and every one of us, but he is holy. When we sin continually, it grieves his heart.
   2. The world was in global mess when it looked on Sodom and Gomorrah being burned with fire at the very end. Genesis 19:24-26: Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. As we’ve talked about in the past, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because their lifestyle of homosexuality was an abomination to God. God spared Lot and his family, but the rest of the place was turned into a torch.

1. The world was in a global mess when Jesus was crucified on the cross. Matthew 26:55-57: In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. The world was in a global mess because they did not know that the One they had waited for was standing right in front of them, and they had Him crucified.
2. The world was in global mess when Cuba almost brought us to a nuclear holocaust between the United States and Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union in October 1962 that brought the world close to nuclear war: It began when the Soviet Union secretly deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States. The missiles were built by order of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to counter the United States’ nuclear missiles in Turkey and Italy.
3. President John F. Kennedy demanded the missiles be removed and placed a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent the Soviets from bringing in more military supplies. The crisis was resolved peacefully, and is considered one of Kennedy’s greatest achievements.
4. Our country was brought to a mess nationally and internationally when JFK our president was shot and killed in Dallas TX in 1963. John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated on November 22, 1963 while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas: At approximately 12:30 PM, Kennedy was shot while riding in a motorcade with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally, and his wife, Nelly Connally. Lyndon Johnson became president of the United States and was sworn in on Air Force One at approximately 2:30 PM.
5. Our world today is in a global mess from all 4 corners of the earth. We have the war in Ukraine going on, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, We have China looking to invade Taiwan, just to name a few.

4. What was the perception of the people in bible times when man was left to all of his evil devices?
   1. As we study the Old Testament, time after time, the people forgot the Lord and all that they did for Him, and went about doing their own thing. Judges 3:7-8: And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. After a time, God would let the people go their own way and then face the consequences. Then they would come to their senses & cry out to the Lord & He’d send a deliverer.
   2. The world was in an uproar because they were worshipping a goddesss named Diana, when Paul was preaching the gospel. Acts 19:26-28: Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. The devil is still out there trying to deceive the world and keep people from worshipping the true God, our Lord Jesus Christ.
   3. Paul paints a very accurate picture of the perception, and ways of the people in our day, the Laodicean Church Age. 2nd Timothy 3:1-5: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. We see these verses being fulfilled as we watch the news, and meet people on a regular basis.

5. What’re some things that you and I can do to protect those who are blind, from all global views?
   1. We should encourage them to study God’s Word, to know who He is and what His Will is. We must also speak the truth to them in love. We see this in Ephesians 4:14-15: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to & fro, & carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: This Laodicean Church Age requires us to take a bold stand for the inerrant Word of God.
   2. We must be faithful in sharing our faith, and seek to encourage one another to have love and good works, and be in church regularly! Hebrews 10:23-25: 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: 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. The day is not only approaching, it is here now, and we need to be about the Father’s Business, living for Him and encouraging one another to serve Him diligently.

6. What can we do to warn those who are ignorant to what the bible has said in reference to the last days?
   1. Share your testimony and preach the Word. 2nd Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Always be ready to give an answer to those who do not know our Lord and Savior.
   2. You and I are encouraged to contend earnestly for the faith. Jude 1:3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. In these last days, there will be doubters and people that question our faith, but we must be studied up and ready to contend for the souls of lost humanity.
   3. We are also told that the fields are ripe unto harvest and we should pray for laborers to be sent out to them. Matthew 9:37-38: Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Are you praying for your unsaved loved ones to come to know Christ? Are you praying that God will send someone, maybe even you, to bring them to the cross?
7. What day are you and I in, and how can we know for sure?
   1. As I said in my introduction, we are living in the Laodicean Church Age, the last and final church age before the return of Christ. 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. We see here some of the signs of the time we live in. So many people think they have no need for God at all, when in truth they are the most needy. Their houses, lands, clothes, cars, and technology won’t give them eternal and abundant life. Only faith in Jesus will.

8. The bible says a wicked & adulterous generation are seeking signs & wonders. What should you & I seek for?
   1. You and I should be seeking the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Luke 12:40: Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. We are to be living every day knowing that He could come back any moment.
   2. The only wonder that we should seek, is wondering when He’s going to return! 1st Thessalonians 5:2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. We’re not told when he’s coming back. We don’t know what day or what hour. We just know we need to be ready!

9. If I truthfully ask you are you truly equipped…
   1. in what way have you been trained according to God’s Way? Ephesians 4:11-13: nd he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Are you coming to church, bringing your bible, and being trained and equipped by the messages we bring?
   2. Have you studied? Have you prepared? 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. To be an effective witness in these last days, we must be in that Word, studying it, digesting it, meditating on it, and inviting the Spirit of God to enlighten our understanding of it.
   3. Have you sat down to count the cost of everything you do? Luke 14:28: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
   4. Do you know what it means to fight the good fight of faith? 1st Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. This life of faith is a spiritual battle. The time spent in prayer, studying the Word, and the choices we make will determine the outcome of the battle.
   5. Do you understand that the just shall live by faith? Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Are you pleasing God? You are, if you are putting your faith in Him every day.
   6. Do you know the key that the word of God is the only method of salvation? Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Verse 17 tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

1. Story: Keeping Focused
   1. General Bradford was definitely an unusual general. He was known far and wide for both his infinite patience and love as well as for His justice and wrath.
   2. His soldiers loved him dearly—and for good cause. His orders were always good, and he personally found a way to care for each of the soldiers who volunteered for his little band.
   3. Michael had recently joined the general’s band, and was now quite anxious to prove himself a good soldier. His first task was to learn to march.
   4. “The key to marching is to stay focused and to listen for my commands constantly,” the general explained. “See that distant horizon?
   5. Fasten your eyes fifteen degrees above the horizon line. Don’t let them wander to the circumstances or people around you.
   6. Keep your eyes focused above the horizon, and your ears tuned to my voice. You’ll find that many, many things will try to distract you.”
   7. Michael couldn’t imagine anything distracting him from the horizon or the general’s voice.
   8. He’d soon find out, however, just how easily he could get distracted.
   9. The first time Michael actually had the opportunity to march, he lifted his knees up nearly to his chest each step in an effort to look like a good marcher.
   10. He desperately wanted to do a good job to please the general!
   11. The general shook his head and gently admonished the young private, “Don’t let your desire to show off distract you.
   12. True marching isn’t about lifting those knees in show; it’s about putting one step in front of the other in sync with my commands.”
   13. Michael hung his head. He had allowed the thought of what others would think to distract him from really doing his job.
   14. Michael tried again, this time not worrying about how he looked. Yet he had such a hard time keeping his eyes above the horizon!
   15. His eyes seemed to constantly wander to the things or people around him. Then he’d catch sight of the general and remember his command to look above the horizon. Would he ever learn?
   16. “George,” Michael called reprovingly, “your step is a little fast, and wipe the grin off your face. And Scott, loosen up your arms and let them swing a little more natural and—”
   17. “I said flight halt!”
   18. Only after walking several paces in front of the rest of the troop did Michael finally hear the command.
   19. He didn’t think he could ever forget the general’s reproof, “Cadet, fall back in line. Keep your own eyes and ears attentive and let me take care of the others.”
   20. Michael stepped back in line. He was beginning to realize that keeping focused would be a moment-by-moment battle. It was SO easy to get distracted!
   21. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12.
   22. In the global mess of these last days, e can easily lose focus and get distracted. God has given us a studious pastor who is bringing us the truth and our marching orders.
   23. Are we stepping in line with him and following his lead, or are we being distracted?

10. Conclusion
    1. When you accepted Jesus as your own personal savior, did you realize that you were a prisoner of the Gospel? 2nd Timothy 1:8: Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
    2. Did you realize that you were to diligently serve him every day until the end? Did you realize that you were to go into the highways and byways and compel those who are without to come in 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.

Terror in the City

1. Introduction
   1. You and I are facing one of the most unusual sets of times where leadership in the country has greatly diminished.
   2. The Laodicean church age is now taking form and root according to Revelation 3:14-18: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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.

1. You and I need to look at these scriptures very carefully because everything that we are facing is in the ingredients of these scriptures.
2. Where leadership is greatly diminishing.
3. Where there is no respect for authority
4. The currency of the dollar has greatly changed.
5. The one world church is being talked about now more than ever.
6. We’re now seeing the Catholic Church beginning to raise its ugly head now once again. Signing a concordat with the Muslim religion,
7. Allowing gay marriage to take place. Once again being the political war machine that it has always been since the time of Jesus on the world stage.
8. Leadership from our country that was founded on the principles of God’s Word, and the men that wrote our constitution and declared our country a Christian nation would turn over in their graves if they had seen what is transpiring now in this day and age.
9. Leadership is at an all-time low. Crime is at an all-time high. Every moment, every day is an unknown moment for each and every day.

1. You and I who know God’s Word and study it (2^nd Timothy 2:15) know what the key is to wallowing through this hellacious mess that’s going on throughout the world and in our very own country.
2. The Christian world is almost like the world itself. Soon you won’t be able to tell the difference.
3. When you can, rest assured that these Christians will be scrutinized, judged, laughed at and possibly even killed for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
4. Many in the Middle East who are Christians have been beheaded by the Taliban, Isis and so forth because they wouldn’t reject the one true resurrected King. His name is Jesus.
5. There are many Peters in this world who’ve been compromises, who are still compromisers, who have chosen not to study God’s word to know the signs of the times and the return of our Lord and savior.
6. They’re just drifting through life on the premise that I’m saved and that’s enough. It’s not enough. Getting into heaven by the skin of your teeth is not what God had you sign up for.
7. Things are going to dramatically change for the Christian world as the Christian world was once a majority, soon it will become a very fast minority.
8. In every city that we look at on TV, when we turn the news on we see nothing but destruction. In 2020 we saw the destruction throughout the United States.
9. People burning buildings, looting, stealing, cursing and swearing, and everything evil under the sun. No wonder they call themselves black lives matter.
10. Black is always a dark color. It seems as though life does not matter. But to God all life matters.
11. We’ve only a couple of times had to send the national guard in to clean up a city. Now they’re becoming the police and the police are adhering to them.
12. Next we’ll see martial law and a federal takeover, commanding and demanding that people adhere to the federal government’s rules and commands.
13. The bible instructs us to obey all man’s laws. (Romans 13:1: 3 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.)
14. Hosea 4:6: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
15. You and I need to remember that in this scripture, there is no power but of God. The powers that are ordained of God.
16. We must obey all man’s laws but we must always adhere to God’s law first. If that law goes contrary to the Word of God, than what must I do? You must stand for the Word of God.
17. In this message, Terror in the City, many Christians in fact millions of Christians who call themselves Christians need to get educated in God’s Word.
18. They need to know God. They need to know what’s expected of them. They need to check out those who are teaching and leading them.
19. A small remnant will lead the charge to unite all true Christian brotherhood. Together, we’ll usher in the return of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Now let’s go into our study, Terror in the City.

2. When I talk about terror in the city, I talk about all the cities throughout the United States. The uprising evil and sin that’s penetrating all of our cities and people. People are becoming weary, lost, unteachable, unreachable, and just drifting through this life.
   1. Protests and riots ravaged parts of the nation in the days, weeks and months following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis Minnesota.
   2. The demonstrations that followed Floyd’s death in 2020 at times turned into riots that included looting, violence and destruction. In one case, protests carried on for more than 100 days.
   3. Protests happened in city after city. Among the most memorable was Portland Oregon, where rioters took over the city. Businesses were looted. Buildings were burned. It was chaos.
   4. God’s word paints an accurate picture of this time of terror in the cities. Let’s look at 2nd Timothy 3:1-5: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Let’s break some of this down and see what God’s antidote to these perilous times is
   5. The passage we just read said that men would be lovers of their own selves, and covetous. We who study God’s Word know that we are to look on the things of others more than ourselves. Philippians 2:4: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Are you concerned about the people around you, or are you consumed with your own interests?
   6. Our passage in 2^nd Timothy said that people in the last days, people would be boasters, and would be proud. Proverbs 16:18: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Rest assured that if you are proud and boastful, you are headed for a quick fall.
   7. Our passage in 2^nd Timothy 3 also said people in these last days would be blasphemers. Exodus 20:7: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Over the years, there have been those who said that they were Jesus Christ, and some have said that we are demigods. This is all blasphemy at its worst.
   8. The list in 2^nd Timothy 3 goes on. People aredisobedient, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, and so forth. It’s all playing out in the Terror in the City, but God’s Word has the answers that can bring our nation back to what He intended.

3. Christians when you speak to them have no more credence for the Word of God than the world does.
   1. I fault the church leaders for disarming the Christians and not encouraging them to carry their bibles to be the witness that God wants them to be. Deuteronomy 11:18: Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. This is why at every service I make sure to remind you to BRING A BIBLE WITH YOU! If you don’t have one we have some on the shelves. Just take one, and then return it when the service is over.
   2. Most pastors today don’t even read the bible. Jeremiah 10:21: For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered. Many I’ve talked to are vague and you can tell it when you talk to them.
   3. When your conversation is the conversation of Christ on a consistent diet, you know these Christians by the fruits they bear. Philippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; When someone talks to you, do they tend to hear about Jesus most of the time, or is it everything else? This is something to think about.

4. What is terror?
   1. In the AV-1611 bible dictionary we see the following definitions;
   2. Terror is that which may excite dread; the cause of extreme fear. Malachi 4:5; Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
   3. In Scripture, the sudden judgments of God are called terrors. Psalm73 :18-19: Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
   4. We who know the Lord need not fear the terros that may come by night. Psalm 91:5: Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; We need not fear any terros that may come because Jesus is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble, according to Psalm 46:1.
5. In the Old Testament, there was much terror in the city.
   1. The flood was certainly a terror for those who were on the earth in Noah’s day. Genesis 7:16-18: And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in. And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. Picture this. The rebellious, unbelieving rascals made fun of Noah as he was working on the ark day by day. Then, you see him bringing all kinds of animals. They were probably still laughing. However, when the rain storm came and the ark rose high above them, they weren’t laughing any more.
   2. Job experienced terror in the city when everything he had was taken away in one day. Job 1:13-19: And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Now that’s a lot of terrors, one right after the other! What was Job’s response? Why, he didn’t get mad at God, curse and sweare, and rebel! Look down at verse 20. It says he worshipped!

6. In the New Testament, there was much terror in the city when Jesus walked with the Pharisees in the temple

1. As we learned 2 Thursday nights ago, there was terror in the church when Ananias and Saphira died suddenly in front of the whole congregation. Acts 5:3-5: But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 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. The same scene was repeated when his wife Saphira came in, and she too died on the spot.
2. Whenever Caiaphas and his band of merry men got together, it meant terror for the people of God. Matthew 26:2-3: Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. Here he was, their long-awaited Messiah that they prayed for for centuries, and they were plotting his end.

7. If this represents me as a Christian, what must I do to change?
   1. Should I rededicate my life? Revelation 2:5: 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. You might need to heed this warning from Jesus. Rededicate your life to Him and get back on track. Get into the Word. Get into church, and be about the Father’s Business.
   2. Should I pray for discernment? God’s Word is a discerner. The more you are in it, the more discernment you will have. Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Yes, pray for discernment, and obtain it through studying God’s Word.
   3. Should I pray For faith? God is the one who gives each of us a measure of faith. Romans 12:3: 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. We can all use more faith and that comes through prayer, worship and fellowship, sharing our testimonies.
   4. Should I pray For a complete transformation and renewing of the mind? 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. The more we walk with God, the more we are being transformed to be more and more like Jesus and less like the old worldly nature we had before we got saved.

8. If you would examine yourself today, and understand this message, you’d know right away, is this you?
   1. Are you going the way of the world as a so-called Christian or living out every day with your conversation being the conversation of Christ? Philippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
   2. Are you living and preaching His Word and looking on the things of others more than yourself?
9. Do you trust completely in the Word of God?
   1. Will you change and study God’s Word? Psalm 119:9-11: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 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. One of two things will happen. Either your sin will keep you from that book, or that book will keep you from your sin. Get into it. Study it. Digest it. It’s good for the soul.
   2. Will you carry your bible to each and every service? Psalm 119:37-38:  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
   3. Will you stand and make the sacrifice that God made for you? Ephesians 6:13-14: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; We must all stand on the innerant word of God, and live the life He’s called us to, leading souls to the saving knowledge of Christ.
10. Pray with me that God will give you
    1. strength, Psalm 29:11: The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
    2. wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, Psalm 119:169: Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.
    3. courage, bravery, confidence, consistency, Philippians 1:6: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
    4. motivation, and energy to lead a victorious life, the life that Christ died on the cross to give us. 1st Corinthians 9:24: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. The answer lies within you.
    5. I challenge you this morning to stand for God, resist sin, resist the devil and he shall flee James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

11. Story about Trusting God in Difficult Times
    1. The writer of our story says “I am thankful for the many blessings God has bestowed upon my life. I have also encountered many challenges.
    2. All Christians will encounter difficulties.
    3. God never said life on earth would be easy. 1 Peter 5:10 speaks loudly to my heart.
    4. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. “
    5. God loves us so much. Challenges help us trust him. Reading that verse reminded me of three occasions where God tested my faith.
    6. Each time, I thought my world would come crashing down. After suffering for a while, my faith in God grew because he allowed me to emerge victorious in each situation.
    7. After I gave birth to my daughter, she ended up in ICU. She was born with meconium(the first fecal excretion of a newborn )in her lungs.
    8. The medical term is called Meconium aspiration syndrome.
    9. It is rare for a newborn to breathe a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid into their lungs. This syndrome is a leading cause of severe illness and death after birth.
    10. Everyone in my church started to pray for a miracle, and sure enough, my daughter survived the ordeal.
    11. Imagine the turmoil I went through after giving birth? Instead of rejoicing and holding my baby, I had to watch her from the ICU window.
    12. I do recall praying too, but I also questioned God. Why me? Why are you testing my faith at such a joyous time?
    13. After my daughter made a full recovery, I stopped blaming God. Instead, I began giving him praise for sparing my precious bundle of joy from severe complications or even death.
    14. God loves to test our resolve. He wants to see whether or not we can withstand what we must go through, so we can walk in the calling and destiny that he has for us.
    15. Eighteen years after the birth of my daughter, God tested me again. This time my youngest son spent nine days in the hospital.
    16. He almost died because the doctors did not know what was wrong with him. After conducting many tests, a specialist diagnosed him with Lemierre’s Syndrome.
    17. Lemierre’s Syndrome is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of bacterial infections that usually affects previously-healthy adolescents and young adults.
    18. I believe God heard my prayer and the prayers of everyone in my church. God worked mightily in the specialist too.
    19. Once diagnosed, my son was able to get the proper medications. Thankful my son survived, I spent many hours giving praise to God. My faith grew even more.
    20. The third test shook me like a category five hurricane. In 2009, the principal at my school decided to cut expenses. I lost my teaching job.
    21. I applied for other positions in the district. After three months, I had not procured a new job.
    22. What I did not know is the principal had a personal vendetta against me. He placed my name on the “NO HIRE LIST.”
    23. Now I knew why I was not getting any interviews. The assistant principal came to evaluate me several times.
    24. He knew that I was highly qualified in my field of French and Spanish. He acted on my behalf.
    25. He highly recommended me to a school that needed a French and Spanish world language teacher. I interviewed. Later the principal called to offer me the position.
    26. God came to my rescue, and in the end, my faith grew in leaps and bounds.
    27. The icing on the cake, my new job is 20 minutes from my house. It took me an hour and thirty minutes to get to my old school.
    28. My former principal hired a new teacher to replace me. The principal tried to harm me. In the end, he did me a huge favor.
    29. I am still teaching at the same school. After thirty years in the same school district, I will retire in May 2021. I am thankful I learned to trust God even during trials and tribulations.
    30. Whatever terror in the city you might be facing, press in. Study GOd’s Word. Digest it. Get it into you and depend on it. He will always see you through.

12. Conclusion
    1. Was this a message you needed to hear? If so, why?
    2. Is it a message that will change your thinking, your pattern of how you view today and if tomorrow should come?
    3. Will you carry your bible, hold it up high? Rise up and take your rightful position? Follow Jesus and bring yourself and many to the cross?