Pentecostal Purpose And Power

Acts 1

Pastor Barry Kerner

Heavenly Father, how I thank You that by faith in the Lord Jesus, Your Holy Spirit has made me alive in Him and placed me into the family of God and the Body of Christ.
Thank You, that He has set His seal of ownership upon me and taken up residence within my heart, so as to empower me in my spiritual walk, as He gradually transforms me in to the lovely likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. I pray that the Holy Spirit would lead and guide me in all things, and that I would learn to listen to the gentle promptings of His voice, as I read Your Word or commune with You in prayer. Give me grace to recognize His still small voice as I search though the scriptures each day and the wisdom to discern Your spiritual nudges, when godly Christians are prompted to offer direction and give me advice. May I maintain an open heart and develop a teachable spirit, and I pray that I may walk in Your ways and live a life that is well pleasing to You, and glorify my Father in heaven. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today we celebrate the Birthday of the Church -Pentecost.

Pentecost, also called Whitsunday or White Sunday is one of the three major holidays of the church. The most important being Easter, followed by Christmas, and Pentecost. Pentecost is celebrated on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, and it marks the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world.

The 120 Disciples, who were gathered together in prayer, were infilled with the Holy Spirit and given supernatural power for living and for fulfilling the great commission given to them by their Lord, Jesus Christ. Their charge is found in Matthew 28:18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Subsequently they were told to wait in Jerusalem until they received the power which would enable them to fulfill this great task.

Their time of waiting coincided with the Jewish Feast of Shavuot also known as Pentecost. The Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) was one of the three pilgrimage festivals of Israel. Hundreds of thousands of people would have been present in Jerusalem for the religious holiday. The feast was primarily a thanksgiving for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, but it was later associated with a remembrance of the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The church’s transformation of the Jewish feast to a Christian festival was thus related to the belief that the gift of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus was the firstfruits of a new dispensation that fulfilled and succeeded the old dispensation of the Law.

When the festival was first celebrated in the Christian church is not known, but it was mentioned in a work from the Eastern church, the Epistola Apostolorum, in the 2nd century. In the 3rd century it was mentioned by Origen, theologian and head of the catechetical school in Alexandria, and by Tertullian, Christian priest and writer of Carthage.

In the early church, Christians often referred to the entire 50-day period beginning with Easter as Pentecost. Baptism was administered both at the beginning (Easter) and end (the day of Pentecost) of the Paschal season. Eventually, Pentecost became a more popular time for baptism than Easter in northern Europe, and in England the feast was commonly called White Sunday (Whitsunday) for the special white garments worn by the newly baptized. In The First Prayer Book of Edward VI (1549), the feast was officially called Whitsunday, and this name has continued in Anglican churches. In Catholic and other Western churches, priests often wear red vestments during Pentecost to symbolize the “tongues of fire” that descended on the disciples from the Holy Spirit; members of some congregations also wear red in some traditions, and the altar or platform is often dressed in a red cloth.

The word “ Pentecost” means fiftieth and designates the 50th day after Passover, which was a Feast Day. Also known as the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) or Feast of Harvest.

It was on this day, in the Book of Acts, that the Holy Spirit was poured out on 120 Followers of Christ who were gathered in an Upper Room in Jerusalem. It was on this day that the Church was born in a Blaze of Glory.

Some Time ago I read a statement of Dr. Jerry Vines, former President of the Southern Baptist Churches. He wrote, “It said that The Average Christian And The Average Church are Somewhere Bogged Down Between Calvary and Pentecost. They have been to Calvary for Pardon, but they Have Not Been to Pentecost For Power. Bethlehem means God With Us. Calvary means God For Us. But Pentecost means God In Us.”

I believe that the average Christian is much like the Ephesians believers when the Apostle Paul came to them in Acts 19:2 and said to them – “Did You Receive The Holy Spirit When You Believed?” They Replied that they didn’t even know that there was a Holy Spirit. Many Christians do not understand the role of the Holy Spirit and they have not appropriated the power of the Holy Spirit in their own personal life.

1. B. Phillips, who gave us the familiar paraphrase of the New Testament, wrote , “What we need today is again the wind and the flame of Pentecost.”

One Baptist Preacher said, “Pentecost is not a denomination, but is an experience every blood – bought child of God should receive.”

We are privileged to live in a generation when God is again pouring out His Spirit in a mighty way. The Rain of the Holy Spirit though is falling on the hard-packed, dry, religious ground of our day. We need to pray that that ground, hearts, will be softened to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This will bring sweet refreshing to weary-hearted Christians and help prepare the precious fruit of the earth for harvest.

In Peter’s sermon found in Acts 2:38-39 Peter told the crowd, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

In effect he said this outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not a special blessing for a special few in a special age. The Holy Spirit is available to all who been redeemed. Many of us have allowed the devil and religious tradition to rob us of the power of God. The promise of the Holy Spirit is for all people who receive the call to repentance. Since God is still calling men to unto Salvation, THE PROMISE IS GOOD NOW!!!

Dr. John R. Rice, the famous fundamentalist Baptist preacher, said, “There is an experience after Salvation, called the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. All Saved people do have the Holy Spirit. When someone is saved, the Holy Spirit puts him into the Body of Christ. But besides that, Christians ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit and special soul-winning power. Saved people are not always filled with the Holy Spirit, They ought to be, and can be, but many are not.“

The Promise of Pentecost was The Pouring Out of the Holy Spirit upon all Flesh, both Men and Women. In Luke 24:49 Jesus said, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. The infilling of the Holy Spirit is a definite and distinct experience. A Christian will know whether he has received the Spirit or not.

Ten days after Jesus ascended into Heaven He sent the blessed promise of the Father and the faithful ones who had obeyed and waited in the Upper Room were filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter’s Sermon Declared, “This is it!!!” This is the fulfillment of the promise!

God had a purpose behind giving the Holy Spirit to believers. One word portrays the purpose of Pentecost – “HARVEST.” Harvest is at the Heart of Pentecost!!!

Joel 2:23-25 tells us, “Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you– The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”

Two things were necessary for Israel’s harvest. First, early (former) rain, prepared the soil for the planting at Seed-time. Second, the latter rain matured the crop for harvest.

Joel 3:9 tells us, “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles…” verse 12 says, “Let the heathen be wakened…” Verse 13, “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full…” and verse 14, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision…”

It’s Time to Reap the Harvest!!! The Rain of the Holy Spirit is preparing the Fruit of the earth for the Harvest. On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, Peter cast the net and 3,000 souls got saved and came into the Kingdom.

God Has Not Given Us The Holy Spirit To Enjoy Alone, While The World Around Us Rushes On Toward Hell. WE DARE NOT FORGET THE NEEDS OF LOST PEOPLE, The People God Loves, The People Christ Died For, The People Christ Commanded Us to Evangelize.

There may be little time left! When are we going to wake up, forget our silly religious games and fulfill the commission Christ has given us? Souls are hanging in the balance. Some will fall and topple into hell unless we go in the power of the Holy Spirit and rescue them.

Pentecost is about POWER! In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples and us, “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

That power is available for all  believers  today. The modern day church though, for the most part, has lost the power Of God. Today, most churches are nothing more than social clubs. They’re civic organizations with a religious flavoring. Just like Samson in the Bible, They don’t know that the Spirit of God has left them. They still have the form of Religion but have no power. Samson laid his head in Delilah’s lap. He Lost his power with God and could do nothing but live a defeated life. He was blind, he was bound, and he was powerless.

Religious tradition robs people and churches of the Power of God and leaves them powerless struggling along in weakness and defeat. They are blinded by the Devil, Bound up in Mickey Mouse Religion, Worst thing is they don’t even know it.!!!

But can do a new thing! There can be revival! Our churches filled with dry bones can live again! Consider these three major Powers of Pentecost:

First, there’s WORSHIPPING POWER. The Holy Spirit will help you to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth. The chief aim of man is to worship God. But the Devil has deceived people concerning worship. Many go to church and sit in a cold pew. They stare at the back of someone’s head and barely whisper as they pretend to sing a hymn. They then listen to a 15 or 20 minute message about some religious theme that means nothing to them. They struggle to stay awake, and still call it worship. They are just a spectator, simply an observer. Real worship demands participation. The Holy Spirit will help you to worship God in the Spirit. He will help you lift your soul to God and touch His heart with your heart.

Second, there’s WARNING POWER. The Holy Spirit will help you warn people of the dangers of hell and the Lake of Fire. How in the world can people claim to love God and serve God when they have no concern for the lost people  around them? If the Holy Spirit is living in you and working through you, you won’t be able to sit still while the lost are dying around you. You will have a burning desire to participate in the harvest. A yearning to go and warn people about sin, judgment and the reality of Hell and eternal separation from God.  When you are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, There will be a holy drive within you to point people to Christ so they can be delivered and set free.

If your neighbor’s house was on fire, would you just sit back and have a word of prayer for them? Would you just fold your hands and quietly Say, “Lord wake them up before they lose everything and perish in those flames?” No! Of course not! Out of love for and respect for life, you would go warn them and Say, “Get Out, You are in Danger of Perishing, Come to Safety while you Can!!!” In the same way, out of respect for Christ who died for them, and out of love for lost people, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit –filled Christian warns the lost.

Third, there’s WITNESSING POWER. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told His disciples and us the purpose for the power when He said, “ you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can be a fearless, flaming witness for Christ instead of being weak, vacillating, and scared of standing up for Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit will give you BOLDNESS, CONFIDENCE, and COURAGE to witness for Christ and share your faith with others.

I have to ask, “Have You Received Your Pentecost?” In Acts 2:38, Peter said, “The Promise is unto you.” If you are a Christian, if you are saved, The gift of the Holy Spirit is for you! Jesus is God’s special gift for the world, for the sinner, For God so Loved the World that He gave His Only Son … The Holy Spirit is God’s special gift for the Christian. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.” Receiving Jesus will give you power to be a child of God. Receiving the Holy Spirit will give you power to serve Christ by being His anointed witness.

Let Us Not Be Satisfied Until We Receive the Promise. Let us Reach out with arms open wide in Faith, and Say, Yes Lord, I take what you give, Fill me with the Holy Spirit!

Let us pray.

Thank You, Father, for the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who testifies with our spirit that we are Your children.

Thank You for His ongoing work within each one of our lives, and thank You that He has quickened us from the dead, established us in Christ, sealed us in Him, placed us into His body and is skillfully building us up as living stones into a holy temple in the Lord.

Thank You, Father, that Your Spirit teaches us all things, guides us into all truth, is able to purify our hearts and cleanses our minds, when we hand every thought captive to Him, in willing surrender.

Lord, I thank You that no matter what difficulties and dangers flood our hearts and invade our lives, there is nothing that can separate us from Your love and grace.

Give us I pray, that sufficient strength that You have promised to all your children who are facing problems and danger, and let us never forget that greater is He that is indwelling each of Your children than the enemy that is in the world. Endue us with spiritual strength and fortitude as we face the future, strong in the knowledge that we have a heavenly home, secured for us in heaven.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Redeemed – Characteristics of a Christian

Pastor Barry Kerner

Welcome once again to Delphi Falls United Church. I’m Pastor Barry Kerner and I’m excited that you’ve taken the time to join us today.

For the last few week we’ve been looking at what redemption means. First, we discussed the perks of the Redeemed. These benefits are only available for true believers who have become members of the family of God and are now heirs to all the eternal riches of the kingdom.

Last week we examined the concept of redemption. As we said, redemption is more about a man than a plan. Jesus Christ, through his sacrificial death, purchased believers from the slavery of sin to set us free from that bondage which would have resulted in our death. Biblical redemption centers on God. God is the ultimate redeemer, saving his chosen ones from sin, evil, trouble, bondage, and death. Redemption is an act of God’s grace, through His son Jesus Christ, by which he rescues and restores his people. It is the common thread foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament which finds its completion in the New Testament person of Jesus Christ.

This week we’ll be looking at Characteristics of Christians. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;” Peter calls the redeemed of the Lord a peculiar people. There are traits that distinguish one who is redeemed and which sets the true believer apart from the world.

Let’s take a moment and go to the Lord in prayer.

Almighty God, you have kept us alive to praise and worship your holy name. We have gathered to thank you for your grace and praise you no matter where we are today. Your presence brings us strength, peace and hope in our lives. While we may be sinners, we can be washed clean through your mercy. May your grace aid us in our journey toward you. We have gathered to renew the love within our hearts. Allow us to live and serve you for all of our lives. May all of our works glorify you and make you glad to have us as your servants. We ask this all in the name of your son Jesus Christ, Amen.

In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus said one of the most disturbing things found in the New Testament. He warned, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Jesus warned those who professed to be redeemed that not everyone who claims Jesus as their Lord is sincerely saved. This means that many think they know Christ, but will come to find out that they never truly knew Him in a saving way. Jesus foretold that His visible church would be comprised of those who are truly saved and those who are under the delusion that they are children of God.

The false-conversion idea is echoed in three of Jesus’ parables. First, the Parable of the Sower found in Mark 4:1-20. There are four types of soils found in this Parable: one that flat-out rejects Christianity, two that seem to be interested in Christianity but don’t prove genuine (they are distracted by the cares of the world or disinterested after hardship), and one “good” soil that truly believes and bears fruit for Christ. Just like the fruitless seed that fell upon rocky and thorny ground, there are Christians who hear the Word of God and attend church regularly who do not show the signs of being saved and are not genuinely converted.

Second, the Parable of the Mustard seed reveals that while the visible church will grow and spread like a great tree, fowls of the air, will come home to roost. These birds are unbelievers who have made themselves at home in the pews of our churches.

Third, the Parable of the wheat and Tares found in Matthew 13:24-30 tells us that the church, as we know it, is comprised of both believers and unbelievers. The redeemed of the Lord and those who are not truly saved sit beside each other Sunday upon Sunday and are for the most part indistinguishable. But it is the fruit of the wheat and the tares lack thereof which will distinguish the redeemed from the lost.

First of all it’s important to note that John 3;16 and John 1:12 tells us that a person becomes a born again Christian simply by genuinely putting his/her trust in Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. Romans 6:23 tells us that salvation & eternal life is a free gift of God through His son Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2;8 that we are saved by grace and not by our own merit or works and John 14;6 that Jesus is the only way by whom we can be reconciled to God and have eternal life. We, the redeemed of the lord have not become born again, Christians as a result of our own works or personal merit but we become Christians by the grace of God through placing our faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26).

When we become Christians we must allow the Holy Spirit to gradually work in us and to change our lives, our thoughts, our desires, our goals so that our lives are more Christ-centered instead of being self-centered. John 3;30 says, “He must become greater; I must become less.” Therefore Christ increases in our lives while we decrease. Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  

Christians are not perfect. Christians make mistakes. However, in Matthew 7:20, Jesus said that true genuine Christians will be recognized by their fruit and as we looked at earlier that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of Heaven. As we genuinely grow in Christ we become distinguished from those who are of the world; we become distinguished from the hypocrites & pretenders; as the sheep we are distinguished from the goats; as the wheat we are distinguished from the tares.

These are some of the characteristics and traits of true believers who have been redeemed from the world.

(1) A True Christian is Saved by Grace Through Faith In Jesus Christ & Not By Personal Merit or By Works. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

We are not saved by keeping the law or by our own works. We are saved because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross who paid for all our sins. Salvation is therefore by Jesus Christ alone and a Christian must realize that his/her salvation is a free gift. When a person believes that they can be saved because of their personal merit without Christ or by keeping the law, they are in error. Salvation is a free gift for the Christian and through Christ alone. Galatians 2:21 warns, “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

(2) A True Christian Imitates God. In Ephesians 5:1, Paul said, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” People in the world love role models. Some look to Hollywood for role models; some look to sportsmen for role models. But the Christian’s role model is Jesus. When Jesus came to earth, He not only came to die for us, but He also came to set an example through His life on earth and through His teachings as to how we should practically live a life that is pleasing to God. Therefore the life that Jesus lived is the life that we should follow and imitate.

(3) A True Christian Obeys The Lord. In John 14:15, Jesus told His followers, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Obedience to the will and word of God is important in the life of a true Christian. Jesus said that our love of Him is proved if when we obey Him. Therefore God desires our obedience to His word.  Luke 6:46 , Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” We cannot say we love God but yet follow values and philosophies that are contrary to His word.

(4) A True Christian Does Not Conform To The World’s Standards. Romans 12:2 tells believers,  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The world has its own values; its own systems; and its own priorities that are totally contrary to the values and laws of God. The Lord expects our values as Christians to align with God’s ways and teachings. When we become friends with the world and allow the values and philosophies of the world to influence our decisions, our lifestyle and our character, then the scriptures say that we automatically become enemies of God James 4:4-5 wars, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” A true Christian is therefore a friend of God and not a friend of the world.

(5) A True Christian Exercises Power Over The Enemy. Mark 16:17-18 describes the power held by true believers, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” God has given every believer the authority and power to overcome the world and the enemy. With the position and title of being a child of God, comes the authority to exercise the power that God has given you. Therefore as a Christian, you have the power and authority to pray for the sick; to cast out demons; and to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is not just for the pastor or the prophet or the religious leader to exercise authority – but God has given every person who is a born again believer the authority to exercise the power of God in his/her life for the glory of God.

(6) A True Christian Walks In Love. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul wrote, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” When God sent His begotten Son Jesus to die for our sins it was out of one motivation – His LOVE for us. God is motivated by love, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-11 tells us, “ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

(7) A True Christian Bears Good Fruit. In Matthew 7:18-20, Jesus said,  “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” A true Christian will not live like a hypocrite; The Pharisees for example, were hypocrites because they did not walk the talk; they did not practice the law that they professed to believe in. A true Christian will display the values and character of God in word and deed. Galatians 5:22-25 lets us know, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

(8) A True Christian Glorifies Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:23-25 tells believers, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” A Christian does not live for his church; he does not live for his pastor and he no longer lives for himself. However, a Christian lives for Jesus Christ because Jesus is Lord over his/her life. Therefore the life of a Christian should not be to impress men, but the life of a Christian should aim to please God – even if it means being persecuted for living for God. The Pharisees & other hypocrites, were more focused on being glorified and adored by men rather than focusing on glorifying God. Isaiah 42:8 reminds us that our words and our deeds must speak of the goodness and love of God so that only God is glorified because God will not share His glory with anyone

James 1:22-25 tells the Redeemed of the Lord, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” A true born again Christian is not just a person who attends church regularly and participates in various church related activities. Christianity is a daily lifestyle by which one lives for Christ Jesus and lives to glorify the Lord. Christianity is lifestyle of obedience where the true born again believer is an obedient doer of the word and not simply just a hearer

That Christ told us that there would be some who under the delusion that they are redeemed when they are not should be cause for alarm. First and foremost we should be concerned to determine if we ourselves are truly saved or if we have been deceiving ourselves and trusting in something or someone other than Jesus Christ. Second, we should be genuinely concerned for those who worship alongside us every Sunday. Our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. Could it be that they have been living under false pretenses. Have we and the church failed warn them of the danger of false religion? Although we are not called to Judge we have been given a spirit of discernment. Is the fruit of their lives contrary to the characteristics of a Christian? By failing to speak up, are we allowing them to toe the line between the world and the Kingdom of God without truly ever having made a decision for Christ? If we are truly saved, then in our hearts should be a burning desire for those who we know are truly lost and for those who profess to be Christians but who have been deceived by Satan – the Father of Lies to experience the redemptive power to be found in Jesus Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5-7, the Apostle Paul told believers, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.”

Let’s take some time and look at 12 tests which distinguish the redeemed of the lord. In Matthew 25:34, Jesus tells us what awaits those who pass the test. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Test 1: We know that we are Christian because we walk in the light (1 John 1:4-7). Our style of life is gradually conformed to what God has revealed to us about His nature and will.

Test 2: We know that we are Christian because our lives are marked by sensitivity to sin, repentance, and confession (1 John 1:8-10).

Test 3: We know that we are Christian because we keep God’s commands (1 John 2:3-4). We desire to know God’s will, strive to obey it, and mourn our disobedience.

Test 4: We know that we are Christian because we walk as Christ walked (1 John 2:4-5). We desire to imitate Christ and grow in conformity to Him.

Test 5: We know that we are Christian because we love other Christians, desire their fellowship, and seek to serve them in deed and truth (1 John 2:7-11).

Test 6: We know that we are Christian because of our increasing disdain for the world and because of our rejection of all that contradicts and opposes God’s nature and will (1 John 2:15-17).

Test 7: We know that we are Christian because we continue in the historic doctrines and practices of the Christian faith and remain within the fellowship of others who do the same (1 John 2:18-19).

Test 8: We know that we are Christian because we profess Christ to be God and hold Him in the highest esteem (1 John 2:22-24; 4:1-3, 13-15).

Test 9: We know that we are Christian because our lives are marked by a longing and practical pursuit of holiness (1 John 3:1-3).

Test 10: We know that we are Christian because we are practicing righteousness (1 John 2:28-29; 3:4-10). We are doing those things that conform to God’s righteous standard.

Test 11: We know that we are Christian because we have overcome the world (1 John 4:4-6; 5:4-5). Although we are often hard pressed and weary, we press on in faith. We continue following Christ and do not turn back.

Test 12: We know that we are Christian because we believe the things that God has revealed concerning His Son, Jesus Christ. We have eternal life in Him alone (1 John 5:9-12).

If we have these qualities, and they are increasing in us, we have evidence that we have come to know God and bear the fruit of a child of God. However, if these qualities are absent from our lives, we should have the greatest concern for our souls. We should be diligent to seek God regarding our salvation. We should reexamine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. We should be diligent to make our calling and election sure.

Perhaps your listing to this message and have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. Or maybe, you had thought that you were redeemed but after comparing your life to the characteristics of a Christian and examining and testing yourself you find that you not 100% sure of your calling. If you find yourself in either position, remember that salvation is a FREE GIFT. Salvation is not received by works but it is received by FAITH in Jesus Christ. It is that simple. A person must repent & by faith accept Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior because Jesus is the only way, the truth & the life and the only Mediator between God & man.

The steps to redemption and salvation are simple

First, you must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life. Romans 3;23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2. Second, God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. Luke 13:3 warns, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Acts 3;19 tells us, “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.” Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action. Instead of living for yourself, God wants you to decide to follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.
3. Third, you must not just acknowledge that we are sinners but that we mus confess our sins. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Romans 10;9 tells us, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) If we confess our sins we will find that God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

4. Fourth, you must believe. You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 1:11-12 says, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
   By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW? Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ. We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior.

I pray that you have been heartened and encouraged by today’s message and I hope that you will join us again next week. Let’s close today in a word of prayer.

Father, thank you for all the marvelous things you have said today. We thank you for the mighty things you have done in our lives, your love that you have revealed to us, and for the love that we share together as your body.
We pray for all the words that you have sown into our hearts this day will take root, prosper, and bear good fruit which will be a great blessing to many. As we now go our separate ways, we thank you that you will continue to walk with us. May we be alert to your promptings and live in your endless love. For yours is the kingdom, the power and glory, in this age and forevermore. Amen

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Redeemed Part 2 – The Redeemed Of The Lord fpr Sunday May 17th 2020

Pastor Barry Kerner

We’ve been looking at what redemption means for the believer. Last week we discussed the perks of becoming a Christian.

Psalm 103:2 reminds us to, “ Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”

Psalm 103 goes on to list the many benefits that are available to members of God’s Family:

• He forgives our iniquities (vs 3)
• He heals our diseases (vs 3)
• He redeems our lives from destruction (vs 4)
• He crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies (vs 4)
• He satisfies our mouth with good things (vs 5)
• He renews our youth (vs 5)
• He executes righteousness and judgment for the oppressed (vs 6)
• He makes known His ways (vs 7)
• He is merciful, gracious, and slow to anger (vs 8)
• He is forgiving and forgetting of our sins (vs 9, 12)

All of these benefits are available to you as well. The only price is that you need lay down your life here on earth by putting to death sin like Jesus did, and living only according to God’s will. God has the ability to give you  everything you could possibly want or need, according to His perfect will.

When the prize is this great, the cost on our part to become a member of the Kingdom of Heaven seems like nothing at all. The only reason that we have this opportunity to die to ourselves and to live for God is because Jesus Christ gave His life for us and died to redeem us. It is only through the shedding of the blood of Christ that we are able to find redemption.

Do you know what it means to be redeemed? Because, if you fully understand what Calvary means in the life of a Believer, then you will be proud and excited to sing, “I AM REDEEMED by the blood of the Lamb!”

When I was growing up we would often find glass soda bottles along the sides of the road. This was long before aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Printed around the neck of the bottles were the words, “REDEEM FOR 2 CENTS.” We would rush them down to Ted’s Variety Store where the owner, Ted, would give us two cents for every bottle we had. We would then spend our money to buy penny candy from the bins along the counter. Simply put, redemption means “to buy back.” At his variety store, the owner, TED, would “Redeem” the bottles and buy them back from us by giving us two cents for each one.

The Bible is the ultimate story of true redemption. Man sinned and chose to break relationship with God and go his own way, but God so loved man He chose to offer reconciliation. The only thing stopping the reunion was the debt incurred by man’s sin and its effect upon the entire creation. That debt owed on account of sin is death! Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages (debt owed) of sin is death.” Romans 6:23 goes on to say, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That gift was Jesus buying back our relationship with God. The price Jesus paid was His death in exchange for our own. We are bought by the Blood of Jesus!

In the Bible, the person paying someone else’s debt is called a “redeemer.” The redeemer is, in fact, “buying back” something that had been taken or lost from its rightful place. In some cases, he was redeeming the debtor from an offended party. The Book of Ruth contains a perfect example of redemption. It is a love story of Ruth and Boaz. Boaz was willing to buy back the property of Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, in order to marry Ruth and have a son to continue the family bloodline.

Ephesians 1:7 gives us a good idea of what redemption is, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”

Our redemption must come from the shed blood of Jesus Christ or there is no possibility of the forgiveness of sins. The price to redeem ourselves is beyond our reach but not so with God; it comes from the riches of His grace which are infinite. It is in Him (Jesus) that we have redemption and it is through His blood by which redemption is achieved.

Psalm 107:2, encourages us to, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy…”

When Jesus went to Calvary’s Cross, He willingly traded His flawless life for yours. Your life was riddled with guilt and shame, and yet the stench and filth of your sins was instantly traded for a robe of purest white. You gained the opportunity to have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life by accepting Christ as your Savior and thus earning eternal redemption.

Psalm 111:9 lets us know that God initiated the redemptive process when it says, “He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.”

The psalmist reveals that redemption is not a human idea but is sent from God to His people. He sent the Word into the world; We know from John 1 that Christ had to come in the flesh to live a perfect life because we couldn’t. Jesus’ perfect holiness in a human body made Him the perfect sacrifice to satisfy the wrath of God that was on sinners and the payment required which was death.

Luke 21:28 tells us to remember that“Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Christians see things differently from the rest of the world.  We are completely backwards to the way the world wants to do things.  Many of the things that Jesus teach just seem off – love your enemy, do good to those that persecute you.  These all just seem the complete opposite of the way the world expects things to go.  And we get another one of those backwards things from Christ.  When the world is ending and crashing down, Christians are to, “straighten up and raise your heads.”

Just think about that for a moment.  As the tragedies come, as wreck and ruin are unleashed, as everything in your life seems to fall apart, that is when you lift up your head. Why? Your redemption is coming. Christ Jesus is coming. While the world sees terror and destruction, you are in Christ, you see redemption, and so you just see a reminder that Christ Jesus your Lord is coming for you.

In Romans 3:23-25, Paul writes, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance He had passed over former sins.

This is part of the so-called “Roman Road” to salvation found in Romans 3:10-12. The Book of Romans shows the sinner that they can never be good enough to make it into the kingdom because not even one of us is good and every single one of us falls infinitely short of God’s glory. Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18b) and that includes you and me. Thankfully, God has passed over our sins due to our applying the blood of the Lamb on the doorposts and lintel’s of our hearts.

Colossians 1:13-14 makes clear that, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

God makes deliveries. He delivers us out of the kingdom of darkness and then transports us into “the kingdom of His beloved Son” and this is done only by redemption that came through Jesus Christ. This brings the forgiveness of our sins. It took the death of the Son of God to deliver us from the dark domain but the expense of that transference is beyond our reach. It had to be paid by God Himself.

Romans 8:23 tells us, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

The older I get, the more I look forward to the redemption of my physical body. Mine is much like the creation; it groans and moans. My body needs deliverance because it is deteriorating as I write this. The statistics on death are impressive. One out of every one people will die. This physical life is a one-way street…it can only go one direction and that is toward death but Job wrote, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;” (Job 19:25-26).

First Corinthians 1:29-31 reminds us again that redemption is not of our doing but rests solely upon the life and death of Jesus Christ. Paul told the Corinthians, “so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The context of these verses is that “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are” (1st Cor 1:27-28). That means we can’t boast in ourselves but only in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 9:12 tells us “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”

Genesis 3:21 records the first death in the Bible, when God made clothes for Adam and Eve out of animal skin. It was a graphic demonstration of the nature of their sin. Because they sinned, they now had to be clothed, or covered. That covering was only accomplished by the shedding of blood, a metaphor for their spiritual death and a foreshadowing of things to come.

It’s not about a plan of salvation but the Man of Salvation. And, that Man of Salvation is Jesus Christ who had to shed His blood for us to be eternally redeemed as it was “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2nd Corinthians 5:21). This shows that the blood of animal sacrifices could only cover sins but Jesus’ death removes sins; it is what redemption is all about.

As sinners, we should have been condemned to die. But Jesus, the precious Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, died in our place. It is the redemption of an nonredeemable people by an unbelievable merciful God that grants us eternal life. We were bought with a price; by the precious and infinitely costly blood of the Lamb of God. 

Psalm 72:14 says, “He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; and precious shall be their blood in His sight.”

Revelation 1:18 tells us,  He redeemed us from all unrighteousness and set us free from death, hell and the grave.

Psalm 91:10 lets us know, that He set us free from sickness and death.

Matthew 6:26-34, that He set us free from the pain of the past and the fear of tomorrow.

And, John 8:36, that whom the son sets free is free indeed.

That’s why Paul’s conclusion was “you were bought (redeemed) with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1st Corinthians 6:20).

In Isaiah 44:22 God tells us, “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

Ephesians 1:7, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Luke 1:68, “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people…”

Praise God for what He has done! Psalm 90:2 reminds us that His goodness is from everlasting to everlasting

Because of this, Isaiah 63:16 should be ever on our lips and we should be proclaiming,  “…You, O Lord, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.”

Who then is redeemed? YOU are redeemed if you decide to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior! The Blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, has the power to redeem all of us, regardless of our past, regardless of our faults. As John 10:10 says, “He came that we ALL might have life, and have it more abundantly.”

And, what does it mean to be redeemed?

 You have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” John 3:16-17).

 You are forgiven. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

 You are righteous! “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).

 You have been adopted into God’s family. “In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:5).

 You are at peace with God. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)

God, through the Holy Spirit, lives in you. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

When we are redeemed by faith, we are changed. Whether we “feel” it or not, we are forever secure in knowing that we are a child of God who no longer has to bear the weight of fear and guilt again. God has given us, through the power of the Holy Spirit to live life to the full by knowing that He will never condemn us both in this life and in the one to come. We are changed in that we are no longer identified with our past but now with the living God. Sin and death no longer can hold us captive.

I’ll close with this thought and prayer…

In Job 19:23-27, Job said, “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”

Let us pray,

Father God, by His death and resurrection Christ has conquered the grave and redeemed us from the curse of sin which is death. With the Apostle Paul we can declare, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I pray that our lives speak more than words could ever say. That our lives like the permanence of words chiseled into stone stand as a testimony and a witness to the world that our Redeemer, Jesus Christ,  lives! And like Job we know that though we may die, we will like Christ be resurrected at His coming. And like Job, our hearts within us yearn for that time when we too at that time we will stand and with our own eyes gaze upon the beauty and majesty of our Lord and Savior, our Deliverer and our Redeemer King, Jesus Christ. Continue to strengthen and comfort us through your Word. Let us feel your loving hand upon us and let our hearts be filled with the presence of your Holy Spirit.

We ask this in the precious name of your Son and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Next Week – Living The Redeemed Life

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Nuggets of Truth From Romans 8

By: Pastor Barry Kerner

This morning a friend texted me that he had been meditating on Romans 8 and asked what “Nuggets of Truth do you glean” from this chapter. After rereading this chapter that Paul wrote to the Romans and thinking about it for a while I came to the conclusion that it is a huge understatement to say that Romans 8 inspires confidence and faith.

Opening with the bold declaration that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8 is a source of great comfort for every Christian. From beginning to end, it reminds us that nothing can separate the children of God from His love.

This chapter is filled with promises like these that give us these truths to hold on to in disruptive moments like COVID-19.

There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, we are forgiven and free from guilt. We can live in loving relationship with God because of what Jesus did on our behalf. There is no need for us to be anxious for anything when we are rooted in the love of God.

If God is for us who can be against us?

If we are in Christ, we need not be afraid. If the God of the universe is with us, it doesn’t matter who or what is against us. That He is for us is all that matters. And, it’s important to believe deep down that God is for us. After all, He sent His one and only Son to rescue us and His Holy Spirit to comfort, guide and protect us.

Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are interceding for us.

In Romans 8, the apostle Paul at one point tells us that the Spirit of God intercedes for us and at another point, that Jesus is doing the same. Can you visualize the Spirit and Son both praying and working on your behalf? That is how much God is for you and your family. This should inspire great confidence as we pray and go about our daily lives.

We are more than conquerors through Christ.

There is victory in Jesus. But, not only are we conquerors according to Paul, we are more than conquerors. What is meant for evil and destruction in our lives God can turn around for our good. The resurrection of Jesus is a more than conqueror moment. And in Ephesians, Paul writes that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us who believe. The concept of “more than conquerors” reminds me of Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against you will prosper.” Victory is ours!

Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

This is good news! God is love and He persistently seeks us. Paul goes into great detail to describe how we cannot get away from the love of God nor can anything or anyone take God’s love from us. Whether it is a crisis or our own sin and shortcomings, the love of God pursues us. In Ephesians 3, Paul writes a powerful prayer that God would enable us to somehow comprehend how wide, how long, how high, and how deep the love of God is for us. His love is a love that is so vast that it is beyond knowing in its entirety. Allow the love of God to wash over you. No matter the circumstance, He loves you and is seeking you.

In all things, God works together for good for those who love Him.
Of course not all things are good. And the crisis we are in is not good in most ways. People are sick, some have died, and many may lose their jobs or businesses. Schools are closed and families are stressed. This promise reminds us there is nothing that can happen to us that is beyond God’s ability to turn it into good for our benefit. Very often, times of suffering turn into defining moments in our lives that bring out the best in us. They help to transform us so that we conform more to the image of Christ. They allow us the opportunity to pursue a different path that draws us nearer to God. Look for the good and what God might be doing in the midst of this time of uncertainty.

God is life-giving.

Paul tells us that if we are living in relationship with God and guided by the Spirit of God, we will have life and peace. Knowing God, following Jesus, and allowing His Holy Spirit to dwell within us fills us with life. We celebrate that in the midst of darkness and despair we can still be fully alive. Our mission as followers of Christ is to find ways to breathe life into others, even though we may be suffering ourselves. The Romans were amazed at the early church because in times of suffering they risked their lives to serve others. We can use this opportune time to share the life God has given us with others.

What do you think about as you go about your day? Every moment of every day you and I have the freedom to think about whatever we want. Our minds may fill with worries, gossip, or sports scores. Our thoughts may cultivate anger, lust, compulsive working, people-pleasing, or depression. Or we can “Be transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:1) in God’s Word, letting it diagnose us (Hebrews 4:12), wash us (Ephesians 5:26), and give us life (Genesis 1, Matthew 4:4).

Truly, the thoughts that you choose to dwell on are the most important factor in how you feel and what you say and do. Ultimately, your thinking determines the kind of person you become. The Proverb is true: “As a person thinks in his heart that’s who he or she becomes” (Proverbs 23:7, paraphrase).

The renewing your mind begins with God’s Word. Romans 8 is an amazing chapter of the Bible which can help rejuvenate your soul. It is full of God’s life-giving promises for disciples of Jesus. It teaches us how to tap into the electric current of God’s Spirit and resurrection life. Eighteen times the Holy Spirit is named in this one chapter! The other 15 chapters of Romans only name the Spirit 10 times.

All Christians should work to encourage others? But, how good are you at pumping yourself up? What if your self-talk sounded like Romans 8? You’d be so alive with the Holy Spirit, full of grace, and free to be who God made you to be! Meditate on these verses gathered from Romans 8 and you’ll be amazed at the results!

Try renewing your mind on these words from Romans 8 by joining with God and saying these promises from Him to yourself (fill in your name where the blanks are):

• There is no condemnation for ________, who is in Christ Jesus (vs. 1)

• The Spirit has set _______ free from sin and death (vs. 2)

• The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in and is energizing ________ (vs. 11)

• _______ is led by God and thus is a child of God (vs. 14)

• _______ can call God “Abba” or Daddy! (vs. 15)

• Through Christ _______ is an heir of God, inheriting divine blessings (vs. 17)

• _______’s body will be redeemed, set free and made whole (vs. 23)

• The Spirit helps _______’s weaknesses with intercessions from deep inside (vs. 26)

• All things work together for the good of ________ who loves God and is called according to his purpose (vs. 28)

• God takes initiative to know, guide, call, justify, and glorify _______, helping _______ to become more and more like Jesus (vs. 29-30)

• If God is for _______ then who can be against _______? (vs. 31)

• In all things _______ is more than a conqueror through Christ’s love (vs. 37)

• Nothing – absolutely nothing! – can separate _______ from the love God that is in Christ (vs. 38-39).

I encourage you to read Romans 8 and reflect on these truths. Take time to mediate and allow them to saturate your heart and mind. I pray that you come to the realization today that these promises are true and they are for you?

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A Mother’s Day Blessing

This is a special day for Mothers. We honor mothers and we thank God for them. It was Charles Spurgeon who said of his mother, “I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn word of my good mother.” Today, I would like for us to honor all women; especially women of faith. God bless all the women, young and old alike, who desire to be godly women. Elisabeth Elliot said, “The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman.”

Let us take a moment and go to the Lord in prayer…

Lord, as we come to your Word this morning, enlighten our hearts to your deep, deep love for us. No matter what has gone on before this moment, and what follows, help us hold on to this truth: you love us, you care for us, and you want us to read your Word to us as if it were a love letter… a word of praise and encouragement from a proud mother, a glowing parent. No matter the example set before us in our earthly parents, or the struggle we ourselves may feel or have felt as parents… none of that changes the fact that you are a loving father, a kind and gentle comfort to us. This day and always. Amen.

In many ways I feel totally unable to speak about the special role that we honor today, Motherhood. This is in part because I know that being a mother is more complex, more complicated, and more difficult than most of the sermons I ever heard about this day growing up. So what I want to do briefly is look at a couple of examples of motherhood that are demonstrated in Scripture and then take up the practice of Christian preaching which allows for offering a blessing on this special occasion.

Here’s what Psalm 22 says about the value of a Godly mother:  “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast.  From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.”  Notice, the psalmist doesn’t talk about the faith he gained at his father’s knee.  Instead, he is telling us – about the depth of his faith he found when he was with his mother.

In 2 Timothy 1:3-5, Paul writes to Timothy of the influence of his mother and grandmother in the formation of his faith…“I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

Jesus speaks about those who lose family to follow Jesus and participate in the Kingdom of God…“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)

In Romans 16:13 Paul describes what has been true for many people down through time when he writes, “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.”

We know who Rufus is. He was the son of Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Christ on the last leg of the painful Good Friday journey. Simon probably went home from that experience a changed man. And he shared the power of that moment with his wife who then, likely, shared it with her sons, Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).But imagine this also, she was like a mother to the Great Apostle Paul. Paul of Tarsus may have learned about the final moments of the life of his new Lord from the wife of the man who carried the Lord’s cross, Simon of Cyrene. She was like a mother to him.

And her care and love of Saul of Tarsus, the terrorist-turned-missionary, should inspire us all. Think about it. Without knowing who he would become, she treated Paul like one of her own children. Glory to God for her!

Let us turn now to examine briefly a few examples of Godly women and mothers.

First there’s Sarah, the Mother who waited.

In Genesis 11:30 we learn, “Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive.“ This would have grieved both Sarah and Abraham, and in Genesis 15 when the word of the LORD came to Abram he answered, what will you give me LORD since you have not given me an heir? God tells him to look at the stars in the Sky, for that would be the number of his offspring. Abraham and Sarah waited 15 years before God renewed His promise, and 10 more years before the promise was fulfilled and Sarah bore a son, Isaac.

Sarah probably wouldn’t win an award for waiting and she even laughed at the idea that God could do what He promised, but thankfully God’s promise did not rely on the level of Sarah’s faith. God fulfilled His promise according to His plan and Sarah responded in Genesis 21,

“God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.’”And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”  

Can you imagine waiting that long for a blessing? Sarah tried to believe the promise, but she had doubts until it finally came to fruition. Then she laughed with joy at what the LORD had done. Isaac would go on to continue the legacy of his father Abraham.

Then there is Hagar, the mother who endured.

Hagar was an Egyptian slave and a maidservant to Sarah, the wife of Abraham; she didn’t have much say about anything and especially not in becoming Abraham’s wife. Though her status changed, she was still secondary to Sarah.

Once Hagar became pregnant with Abraham’s child, a rift developed between her and Sarah. After receiving mistreatment from Sarah, Hagar fled toward her homeland. But she met the angel of the LORD who told her to return, He also promised her numerous descendants through her son whom she was to name Ishmael.

Later, Hagar and her son Ishmael were sent away into the desert, where she believed they would both die. But God is faithful and showed her a well. Genesis 21 tells us, “God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.”

Hagar thought she would get to escape her misery, but God called her to return to it. She obeyed, and He blessed her and her son just as He promised He would.

Rebekah was a mother who believed.

Rebekah was a woman of great faith, obeying God when Isaac’s servant told her of the man who wanted to marry her. Genesis 25 tells us that when Rebekah became pregnant she could feel the babies jostling within her. When she asked the LORD why this was happening, He answered her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” In that time, the older would have never served the younger, and the firstborn son would have inherited the best of everything.

When Isaac was old in age, he told Esau to hunt and prepare food so that he could receive his blessing. But Rebekah overheard this and told Jacob to bring her food so she could prepare it for Isaac first. Jacob was unsure about deceiving his father, but Rebekah responded in Genesis 27, “My son let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.” I think it is safe to say that she remembered and took very seriously what God had spoken to her during her pregnancy.

Rebekah risked deception to follow God’s promise because she believed what He said was true. It should be noted that God did not call Rebekah to deception, but God is sovereign despite the good or bad choices we may make. And His plan unfolded exactly as He had told her. Later her son Jacob would wrestle with God and be given a new name, Israel.

A women of Exodus, Jochebed was a mother with a plan.

A new King in Egypt came to power who was under no obligation to honor Joseph’s deeds in Egypt and keep the special arrangement with the Israelites. He was worried about the Hebrews outnumbering and overtaking the Egyptians, so he made them slaves. He also commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill Hebrew baby boys when they were born, but they did not listen. Then Pharaoh gave another decree in Exodus 1, “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”

A Levite woman, Jochebed, gave birth to a son and hid him for 3 months. Exodus 2 tells us that when she could hide him no longer, she coated a papyrus basket with tar and pitch, placed the baby in it, then she set it in the reeds along the bank of the Nile. Jochebed’s daughter, Miriam, watched to see what would happen as Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bath. When Pharaoh’s daughter saw the basket, her servant’s retrieved it for her and inside she found the baby crying and knowing he was a Hebrew child she felt sorry for him.

Miriam then spoke up and asked her if she would like her to fetch a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby; she agreed and Jochebed returned with her daughter to nurse her own baby. Pharaoh’s daughter paid Jochebed to nurse and raise the baby until he was old enough to come live with her. She then adopted him as her son and named him Moses.

Naomi was a mother-in-law who shared her faith.

Naomi and her family fled to the country of Moab because of a famine in their land. Her husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After 10 years both of Naomi’s sons passed away, and Naomi heard that the LORD had blessed the land of her people with food again. She told her daughters-in-law that they could return home to find new husbands. Although they both wept at her leaving, one refused to leave Naomi’s side. Orpah returned to her people and her gods, but Ruth said,

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Ruth was already learning from Naomi’s faith even during a time of bitterness. Naomi continued to watch out for Ruth and instruct her wisely in her dealings with Boaz, who became her kinsman redeemer. The LORD blessed Naomi, and she gained a son when Boaz married Ruth. Ruth and Boaz had a child, and the women of the land said to Naomi,

“Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

The child was named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David who would be king. -Ruth 4:17.

Finally there’s Hannah, the mother who kept her promise.

Hannah was married to a man who loved her very much, but he also had another wife. This wife was able to bear children, but in 1 Samuel 1:5-6 we learn that the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb. The rival wife provoked Hannah continually, but Hannah would go to the house of the LORD to pray. Her husband tried to console her saying, “Don’t I mean more to you than 10 sons?” in 1 Sam. 1:8. Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly; she made a vow saying,

“LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

In fact, she was praying so hard that her lips were moving but no sound came out so that the priest, Eli, thought she was drunk. The LORD blessed Hannah, and she gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, “saying, ‘Because I asked the LORD for him.’” -1 Sam. 1:20

She did just as she had promised, and when the boy was old enough she took him to the house of the LORD and presented him to Eli. Hannah then prayed, “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” And her beautiful prayer continues in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

Samuel lived a life dedicated to the LORD, and he would go on to lead the people of Israel, anointing Israel’s first and second kings—Saul and David.

These are but a few examples of godly women which scripture memorializes for our encouragement and edification.

I do not wish to pretend that motherhood is easy, or painless, or simple and straightforward. I do not want to pretend that everyone within the sound of my voice has had great experiences with their own mother or that there aren’t regrets and hurts from being a mother as well. Life is more complicated than that, the world is more broken than that, and the church needs to be more honest than that.

But what I do wish to say is that the God of the Universe is a good God, that he is love and mercy and redemption and grace and power and wisdom and compassionate.

That no matter your experiences, no matter your choices, no matter your shortcomings, regrets, failures, or victories… God loves you and we thank God for you.

Down throughout church history it has been customary to offer blessings on special days. These blessings typically hold three things in common.

(1) They are specific to the occasion that they address.
(2) They seek to acknowledge the complexity and realities of life in relation to God.
(3) They seek to point us back to the one who makes all things possible, Jesus Christ.

To that end, I’ll close with a blessing on Mother’s Day.

To mothers, both biological and adopted, connected by blood and by experience, torn apart by circumstance and sometimes by choices…

To those who have given life both in birth and in formation, to those who have lost life before birth and before old age…

To those who have done what only mothers can do,

To those who have been “the perfect mother” and to those who live with regrets,

To those who are close to their children, and to those who feel like they are a million miles away,

We bless you today, on this day, Mother’s Day.

To those women who have given birth to a child this year, we celebrate with you the gift that God has given.

To those who feel the pain of children long desired but never received, we grieve with you the too often secret pain you have borne.

To those who have experienced miscarriage, failed adoptions, and kids who have run away, and to those who have longed for children, but for whatever reason have been unable to have them, we mourn your loss and pray that God’s love will give you comfort and peace.

To those who have been “mother’s” to others who are not their children, we need more people like you both in the church, and in the broken world in which we live.

To those who have close and meaningful relationships with their children, we celebrate this day with you and thank God for his grace.

To those who have complicated, painful, or non-existent relationships with their children, we sorrow with you and thank God for his grace, while we pray for redemption and reconciliation.

To those who have close relationships with their own mother, we thank God for that intimacy.

To those who have suffered at the hands of their mother, we acknowledge you and pray that God gives you the grace to forgive.

To those who lost their mothers whether recently or so many years ago, we mourn with you today.

To those who have gone through school tests, medical tests, emotional tests, and tests of patience with your children, we are encouraged by your patience, your faith, and we stand with you as these will continue to arise.

To those who will have an emptier nest this year, we both celebrate and cry with you.

To those of you who long to be better mother’s, God’s grace will provide and we will commit to pray that God fills you with divine wisdom.

To those who long to make things right with your children, remember that God’s redemptive power can cross any boundary, any brokenness, and any pain.

To those who struggle with their children today, remember that even the young Jesus almost gave his mother a heart attack on more than one occasion.

To those who feel like all they do is struggle and experience stress and frustration, remember your investment is never in vain, and that God is using your faithfulness to change the world.

To those who are bursting with pride today both with their mothers and their children, we celebrate with you today.

To the men in the room, love your wife and love your mother’s as Christ loved the church. Give yourself not as “the husband” or as “the son” but more deeply than that as a servant of Jesus Christ. Don’t let today be the only day you do the dishes, help with the kids, or say kind things to grandma. Recognize that your wife and mother and grandmother are made in the image of God, They are precious to him, they are like his mother or grandmother or bride. Honor them as such.

To the women who are integral in our lives, we thank you for who you are and what you mean to us as individuals and to this church. We would not be who we are and where we are if it was not for you. We haven’t always done a good job of honoring you, thanking you, appreciating you. We haven’t always loved you as you have loved us. For that we ask for your forgiveness and grace. May we be people who honor and encourage and bless you from this day forward for whom God has made you, precious children of God.

Now, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

And in the words of the Hebrew writer…

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20, 21, NIV)

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Redeemed – The Membership Perks

Psalm 103

Pastor Barry Kerner

These days most stores and businesses have some type of membership or rewards programs. Others such as gyms and some big box stores operate on the business model of joining a club. Many museums and zoos as well as IKEA even equate becoming a member with joining their family. The premise of any membership program is that if you sign up and become an affiliate you are then entitled to certain benefits that are not available to non-members. While some businesses’ membership programs appear to be free, others may charge an upfront membership fee. At the minimum you need to provide something personal even if it’s personal information in exchange for becoming a member. Others such as country clubs and national gyms, may charge a hefty fee, to become a member, in order to access their benefits and rewards. The greater the rewards and benefits the larger the fee that may be charged.

I’ve heard many sermons and have read many book that seemingly advertise that Christianity is free for all who would believe. I believe that they may be somewhat shortsighted. They overlook the great cost that is required to become a member of the family of God. They undervalue the rewards and benefits available to Christians when they teach that there is no price for joining the family.

Christianity seems to come at a pretty steep price. Jesus tells us clearly that whoever wishes to follow him must lay down his own life. The cost to join the family of God isn’t just some personal information or even a hefty fee. The cost to become a Christian is everything you own. Sometimes it can be hard to do this, especially when you can’t see the immediate benefits. But being a Christian is a life with only advantages! Here are some of the many benefits of being a Christian – all really good reasons to give up everything and live for Christ.

First, by becoming a child of God – a member of the Kingdom of Heaven, your sins are forgiven.

This is truly a good thing because Romans 3:23 says “ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” But the Bible tells us how you can be made right with God. In 1 John 1:9 we’re told, “if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness”

You are forgiven solely because of what Christ had done for you. The apostle Paul told the Colossians, “For it is by God’s Son alone that we have been redeemed and have had our sins forgiven.” (Colossians 1:14)

Christ took the punishment for your sins at the Cross to free you from the guilt and condemnation of your sins. On the account of His Son, God gives you a receipt of pardon instead of an invoice of penalty. You no longer need to fear punishment for your sins because Christ had already paid for them all – past, present and future.

Some believers are taught to dredge up their sins for them to get right with God. Counting your sins instead of your blessings will cause you to accuse yourself. It tears away your identity and derails your purpose. Every time you recall your sin, you are actually re-enacting your shameful past. It will lead to self-loathing and personal rejection.

God’s approach is to forgive and remember your sins no more (Hebrews 10:17). He no longer looks at you with a pair of judgmental eyes, but with eyes of love. It doesn’t matter how much God loves you if you don’t know that He does! The more you know that  God loves you, the better you are able to live for Him.

Paul reminded the Corinthians, “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11

To the Romans he wrote, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”  (Romans 10:9-10)

Staying focused on His love, you are able to live not in the past and not in fear.

A well-known Christian psychologist once said that he would have no patients if he could only convince them that they are truly forgiven.

God tells us that when we accept Jesus Christ we:

• have been washed clean by the blood (Revelation 1:5)
• are clothed in the righteousness of Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:20)
• are sealed (Ephesians 4:30) by the indwelling Holy Spirit
• are taught and directed (John 14:26, John 16:13) by the Holy Spirit’s power
• are promised eternal glory (John 10:28, John 17:22)

Rejoice that Jesus had satisfactorily paid for your sins when He died on the Cross. And when you become a child of God, there is no longer a debt for you to settle. Instead, the new benefit is that there is a new life for you to live.

Second, as a child of God, you receive a personal connection with Jesus Christ

When I was a child I was taught to sing a song with the words, “I have a friend in Jesus.” It wasn’t until I was born again that I realized what a true friend is to found in Jesus Christ. Imagine, Jesus Christ –  Lord of Lords and King of Kings, a friend for life. Think of the benefits of having a lifelong friend and companion, mentor and teacher, role model and help in every situation in life. Jesus is such a person for you. He was tempted in all things like us but overcame all sin, so no matter what we meet, Jesus can relate to your situation and will help you to get through it too!

He is somebody you can talk to at any time of day about anything at all. He is always there, through thick and thin, and He is always able to help us. Jesus is somebody to whom you can say “Help, me, I’m struggling, I’m sinning, I don’t know what to do.” And Jesus will say back to you: “I know, I’ve been tempted there too, but I got victory over that, let me show you how. Let me give you strength.”

Friends come and go. Family comes and goes. People drift into our lives for a season and we walk with them for a while. But just as fast, our paths diverge and we find ourselves moving on, having taken different paths. But Jesus won’t ever leave you. Once you’re connected to Christ there isn’t anything that can break that bond. The apostle Paul was so sure of this unbreakable bond that in Romans 8:38-39 he wrote,  “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

No matter how overwhelming the world may seem, no matter how many difficult situations you may face, no matter how many burdens may weigh you down, no matter how lost and alone you may feel, Jesus is there for you. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us to, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you”

A personal friend, mentor, and helper for life. What more could anyone ask for? And remember, that as a child of God, the personal connection with Christ is available to you.

Third, you will receive the Holy Spirit as a help and companion in your life.

Jesus has ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. But, before leaving Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to live within them. He told them, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.” (John 14:15-17)

Jesus also told them what the Holy Spirit will do for them, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)

The Holy Spirit possesses all the attributes that the Son and the Father have. He is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), immutable (unchanging) and eternal. He is the third person of the trinity.

The Holy Spirit is instrumental in the redemption of every believer and without His indwelling none would be saved. Paul told Titus, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)

God will give you His ‘Spirit of truth’ to provide you with knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

When you become a member of the family of God, He sends the Holy Spirit to be a guiding presence and power in your life. He will guide you in all things; a helper for whatever happens. He will show you your sins, and what you must do to overcome them, and then He gives you the power to do so!  The Spirit will reveal truths about major issues in your life (purpose, morality, destiny etc.) and the reasons behind certain major world events. He will also give you the ability to discern truth and error and to recognize deception. Such spiritual understanding is unavailable to those who are not children of god

The Holy Spirit is an engine, a motor that will drives you forward and give you strength when you feel that you have none. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26.

Imagine what it would be to have such a helping power in your life! The Holy Spirit can help you in your weaknesses, and can make intercession for you. With Jesus as your head and the Holy Spirit in your heart, there is nothing that can stop you from living completely according to God’s. Your life will be full of love and you will be a blessing and a help to others as well. The rewards of a Spirit filled life are worth the price of becoming a member of the Kingdom of  Heaven!

Fourth, your sins are not only forgiven but you will receive victory over sin and life’s misfortunes.

All the misery in the world is a result of sin. Just as Christ conquered sin, Christians can be victorious over all conscious sin.  “Victory over sin” means that you do not commit conscious sin – that which you know would be sin at that time when you are tempted. It doesn’t mean that you are without sin,  It means you are not going to face any temptation that you can’t overcome. … You don’t have to give in to sin each and every time you are tempted.

In other words, you can be free from everything that makes you miserable!

Impatience, anger, lust, jealousy – these are not pleasant things to experience. Living according to your sin is like grasping at the wind; it will only leave you empty and miserable and constantly needing more, reaching for the satisfaction of your lusts that seems so close, but will never be enough.

When you get victory over your sin then you you will find joy. A perfect, heavenly joy that won’t leave you feeling empty and miserable. Sin can feel like it makes you happy for a little while but the passing pleasures of sin are nothing compared to the joy of living a victorious life.

Fifth, you will take on the virtues of Christ and be transformed into His image.

Jesus spent His life victorious over all sin. He was free to bless people in all things because He didn’t have sin on His conscience to hold Him back. All that selfishness, demands on others, pride, greed, lust, and every other sin imaginable that gets in the way of everything – Jesus had victory over that.

Just like Jesus, you will be able to live this overcoming life and as you become freed from sin you become more and more transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:22 tell us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”   When you let the Holy Spirit come into your hearts and begin to follow Jesus in having victory over sin, then you will begin to take on the fruit of the Spirit. Think to be able to be loving, joyful and peaceful all of the time instead of selfish, proud, anxious, or angry. What a blessing you  can then be to others then!

As you become more and more like Christ, your capacity to bless and to serve others increases. Not only will Christianity make you happy, but through it you will also be able bless others and make those around you happy.

Sixth, you can obtain happiness and satisfaction in your earthly life.

Everywhere you look people are wondering what the formula is for a happy life. It is a universal goal, yet very few have come up with the answer. But as a Christian, a happy life is promised to you!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11.

It was never God’s intention that you should be miserable on the earth for 80 years and then become happy in heaven. God has thoughts of peace towards you – He wants you to be happy now! And as long as you align your will with God’s will for your life, then of course that is what is going to happen.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” (2 Corinthians 7:4.) This is what it means to be a Christian: to be exceedingly joyful in all your tribulations! It is easy to be happy when everything in your life is going well but being a Christian means being happy even when things seem to be going against you.

In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul said, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Paul found contentment when he answered Jesus’ call and became a child of God. This same contentment is available to you when you too are a child of God.

Seventh, you can experience unimaginable peace and rest – a life without worry.

The world is a very uncertain place. Natural disasters, financial insecurity, economic crises – how can anyone possibly find rest in such a tumultuous time? Because, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  (Romans 8:28

This means that no matter what happens in the world, God will take care of His children. Come what may, God will take care of those who love Him. Nothing will be able to happen to you that isn’t for your absolute best.

Whether you understand what the end result of a situation is or don’t understand it at all, you will be able to go through life in complete confidence and rest in God, knowing that your whole life has been arranged for the best.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must rightly remember who is in control.  God is sovereign over all things, including COVID-19.  As preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon  said, “The sovereignty of God is a soft pillow on which weary people lay their heads.”

Remember also God’s gracious promises, and that they are true and He is faithful to keep them:  Hebrews 13:5 …”I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”  The next verse remind us of the power that comes in trusting God and how you can live:  Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man [or COVID-19] shall do to me.”

God loves you, and in Christ you can find confidence and calm in times of uncertainty and trouble.  When you trust in God, fear is replaced with faith, stress is replaced with strength, anxiety is gone and hope abounds, problems become opportunities, and you will be able to receive the blessings God has for you in the midst of difficult circumstances. Turn to Jesus. He will lead you to the still waters and give rest for your troubled soul. 

When you come to the understanding that God is sovereign and in control you are able to hold on to His promises allowing you to release all your fears and anxieties. Peter wrote, “Cast all you anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

To the Philippians Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This freedom from anxiety and fear are available to you as a child of God!

But the greatest benefit of being a member of the Kingdom of Heaven is that you are guaranteed life eternal as a child of God

Death is the greatest “unknown” in life. Fear of death can be the cause of much worry and anxiety. But Christians can go through life with the hope and certainty that they will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

 Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26.)

We get an eternal life in heaven, living forever in peace and happiness worshiping God.

John wrote of believers in the New Kingdom, “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  (Revelation 7:16-17)

An eternal life in heaven without hunger or thirst, without tears; what could be better than this? How could anyone ever say no to such a life!

Television Commercial salesmen often try to get the viewer to buy by reminding them of  the additional benefits of their product. Psalm 103:2 reminds us to, “ Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”

Psalm 103 goes on to list the many additional benefits that are available to members of God’s Family:

• He forgives our iniquities (vs 3)
• He heals our diseases (vs 3)
• He redeems our lives from destruction (vs 4)
• He crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies (vs 4)
• He satisfies our mouth with good things (vs 5)
• He renews our youth (vs 5)
• He executes righteousness and judgment for the oppressed (vs 6)
• He makes known His ways (vs 7)
• He is merciful, gracious, and slow to anger (vs 8)
• He is forgiving and forgetting of our sins (vs 9, 12)

All of these benefits are available to you. The only price is that you need lay down your life here on earth by putting to death sin like Jesus did, and living only according to God’s will. God has the ability to give you  everything you could possibly want or need, according to His perfect will.

All of these benefits and more are available to the children of God. When the prize is this great, the cost to become a member of the Kingdom of Heaven seems like nothing at all.

Won’t you consider this moment to become a member of the family of God.

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