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Rejected Stone or Cornerstone! Lk.20:9-20 Isa. 5:1-7

March 7th, 2010

7 March, 2010

Rejected Stone or Cornerstone! Lk.20:9-20 Isa.5:1-7

And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.” The vineyard in this parable is the people of God, in the Old Testament era, the children of Israel. The owner of the vineyard is God. He planted the vineyard in just the right place. He dug out the stones and worked the soil until it was just right. He built a wall around the vineyard to keep the animals from eating the tender vines. He pruned the vines and tied them up so they would be fruitful. In time He gave the keeping of His vineyard to those who worked for Him. They were to give His messengers His portion of the harvest. They were to give great care of the vineyard of the Lord, the children of Israel.

The keepers of the vineyard liked their position and often they took from the vineyard enough for their needs and would not give the Master His share. They begin to act like the vineyard belonged to them and they could care for it as they wanted. The Master would send His messengers; each time they were treated badly and their words were ignored. “And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” vs.12-16 Through the ages God had sent the prophets to Israel, they rejected them and their message. At this time God sent His Son. They would reject Him and put Him to death on the cross. Because the leaders of Israel rejected the Christ, God would give the care of His vineyard to others. God’s true Israel, true people of God would be cared for in the church. They would have the teaching of the apostles and faithful pastors to care for them. When the people heard these words they said, “Surely not!” “God forbid!” Jesus pointed them to the Psalms and Isaiah to heard the words of the prophets. “And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” vs.17,18

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Peter would stand before these leaders and remind them of these words. Act 4:8-12 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead–by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” What will you do with Jesus? Most of you can say, “We have received Him as our Lord and Savior.” “He is the Cornerstone of our life.” But what will you do with Jesus? And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” What will you do with Jesus? Receive Him today! Trust Him today. Repent today and find mercy and grace in Jesus Christ! To God be all the glory. Amen.

God Loves the Lost and Straying! Lk.15:1-32

March 4th, 2010

28 February, 2010

God Loves the Lost and Straying! Lk.15:1-32

We can see clearly from these parables that God loves the lost and straying. Jesus the Good Shepherd seeks the lost sheep. The Father lovingly receives the son who sinned but was willing to repent. The Father entreats the son, whose heart is angry, jealous and hard.

These stories teach us the value of a person in the eyes of God. The shepherd values a sheep that is lost. He will leave the flock and give every effort to find the lost sheep. No effort is too great, no distance is too far. Jesus laided down His life for His sheep. The Father gave the most precious One heaven had to offer to save our souls. There is great joy in heaven when a person is saved. No cost is too great to redeem a human soul. “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1Pt. 1:18,19 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you … for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Rev. 5:9-10 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Rev. 5:12 Jesus is talking to two groups of people in this chapter. “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” vs.1,2 There is the story of two lost things found. There is the story of two brothers straying from the presence of the Father. One strays by outward rebellion and sin. This is the younger brother. By the end of the story, He has repented and has come home to the Father and is enjoying fellowship with the Father. “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.” However, at the end of the story, the older brother is left outside the present of the Father, away from fellowship with his brother and his Father. He is angry, unwilling to obey his Father, resentful and ungrateful. “Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”Rejoice! The precious lost sheep has been found. Rejoice with the angels in heaven! The valuable coin has been found. A man had two sons both were dearly loved by the Father. One took his inheritance and wasted it in sinful living. But by God’s grace, he repented of his sins. The other son grew angry, resentful, ungrateful, disobedient and bitter. Which story is most like your story? Are you a lost sheep or coin? Are you a son straying in a far country with sinful living? Are you the son who has strayed in your heart, mind and tongue? May God grant us repentance and faith. Receive His gracious gift! May the lost be found. May the straying come home into the loving presence of the Father. To God be all the glory. Amen.

Unless You Repent! Lk.13:1-9

February 20th, 2010

21 February, 2010

Repent or Perish! Lk. 13:1-9

When you hear of a political uprising in some other country were many people are killed; Do you think they must be great sinners to suffer such a fate? Or if you hear of a natural disaster in your own town or country; Do you think God must be punishing those people? Are people who suffer such deaths worse sinners than others? Jesus gives us the answer. “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” vs.3 They are not any worse sinners than anyone else! We are no better than they! In the eyes of God, we are all guilty sinners. In the eyes of God, we all have a sentence of death hanging around our necks! “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rm.3:23 “None is righteous, no, not one.” Rm.3:10 “The soul who sins shall die.” Ezk.18:20 The Bible also says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rm.6:23“The wages of sin is death.” We work for wages. They are owed to us for our work. We have all done the work of sin. The wages we deserve is death! How can we flee from our fate? God offers us a free gift in the place of our wages! “But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” How can receive this gift of salvation? This gift is given to us by the grace of God when we repent! “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” vs.5 God enables us to be sorry for our sins. God enables us to turn from our sin to God, to turn from going our own way, to following Jesus and trusting in Him. We receive the gift of eternal life, forgiveness and peace!This new life in Christ will grow and produce good fruit. There are false Christians, they have never truly repented. “

He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. … Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Lk.3:7-11 True repentance changes the way we relate to God and our neighbor! Good fruit is an evidence of a true planting of God. After a tree is planted and cared for and has time to grow, it should produce fruit. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Mt. 7:10-23Everyone is walking down a path today. Some are walking down a path that will lead to death and hell. Others have turned from the path that leads to death and hell. They have turned to the path that leads to life and heaven! As they walk that path to heaven, others can see the fruit of a Christ changed life. Others can see we are following Christ. Which will it be for you? The wages of sin or the gift of eternal life? Will you repent of your sins and trust in Christ for salvation? Will you bring forth fruit in keeping with your repentance? “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Repent or perish! Which will it be for you? May you by God’s grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, receive the gift of salvation! To God be the glory. Amen.

February 16th, 2010

16 February, 2010

Pastor’s Pen

Rod Campbell, pastor of West Union and Mt Carmel Bapt. Ch.

The World’s Greatest Love Story!

The world’s greatest love story is the story of God loving His fallen creation and giving His Son to save the world. It is expressed in a well know verse, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus willing gave His life for our salvation. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” Jn. 15:13 Jesus has that greater love! The Apostle Paul would write about that love in his letters to the churches. Rm.5:7,8 “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die–but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

But there is even more to the story! Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we can not only be forgiven, be we can also have a new life! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have His love for others. Gal.5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” 1Jn.4:19 “We love because he first loved us.” You may ask; What does this love look like? The greatest description of this love is found in what many call the “love chapter” in 1Corinthians 13:1-13. May we know the love of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. May He produce His love in our hearts for others.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1Cor. 13:1-13 To God be all the glory. Amen.

Praying With Jesus! Lk. 9:28-36

February 16th, 2010

14 February, 2010

Praying With Jesus! Lk. 9:28-36

Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, taking along Peter, James and John. For these three men, this was an opportunity to get some sleep. “And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. … but when they became fully awake they saw his glory … And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” Don’t fall sleep during prayer time. You may experience Jesus in all His glory and hear the voice of God! One thing is very clear from the gospels; Prayer was very, very important to Jesus!

Jesus prayed at His baptism. Lk.3:21,22 Jesus prayed early in the morning. Lk.4:42 Jesus prayed all night. Lk.6:12 He prayed before asking the disciples an important question. Lk.9:18-20 “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” Jesus prayed as He revealed His glory to Peter, John and James. Lk.9:29-32 “Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” We also know Jesus prayed at the Lord’s Supper, in the garden, on the cross, after the resurrection Lk.24:30, and that even today, He is praying for us! Heb 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Three times in the New Testament, the prayers of Jesus are answered with the voice of God the Father speaking from heaven! Each time it has to do with revealing to His disciples that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Each time it also has to do with the cross. Jesus is praying after His baptism. God speaks, Lk. 3:22 “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Jesus was saying in His baptism; I am the Lamb of God. I will be crucified, be buried and rise again for the sin of men. Jesus prayed before asking the disciples the question: Who do you say I am? He began to tell them what being the Messiah was all about. Lk.9:22-23 “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ” And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Eight days later Jesus would take three of His disciples up on a mountain to pray. There as He was praying, they would see Him in His glory. Peter would write. 2Pe 1:17-18 “For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” “We ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” One more time the voice of the Father is heard from heaven in answer to the prayers of His Son. Jn.12:28 “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it , and will glorify it again.” The name of the Father would be glorified by the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection! There we see the true depth of the love, mercy, justice and holiness of God!

If Jesus prayed, prayed, and prayed again that the disciples might understand and see the glory of the cross; How can we expect our friends, family and neighbors to believe in Jesus, unless we pray for them. Their eyes are blinded to the light of His glory! Let us pray and share the word of God, that they might receive their spiritual sight. Their hearts are hard and their ears are closed but Jesus can heal such cases! Let us pray with Jesus. Jn.12:28 “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it , and will glorify it again.” Amen.

Serving the Holy One! Isa. 6:1-13

February 7th, 2010

7 Febuary, 2010

Serving the Holy One! Isa.6:1-13It was a tough time in Israel! The people were turning to all kinds of idols and false Gods. The land was filled with violence and immorality. The great King Uzziah had died. Now who would guide the people in the right path? Isaiah went into the temple and there He” saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.” vs.1-4 , “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” The Lord sitting on a throne, the train of His robe filling the temple, Seraphim, and the temple filling with smoke. This was awe inspiring and terrifying!Isaiah cried,”"Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” In the light of the holiness of God, Isaiah saw himself with all his sins. One translation of this verse reads, I am doomed; another reads, I am dead. Without the intervention of God, without the grace of God, Isaiah knew that no sinful man could even approach God. He said, “I am a man of unclean lips.” Jesus tells us that unclean lips are revealing an unclean heart.

Lk. 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” We like Isaiah, because of our sin are not worthy to even approach God but God by His grace makes a way.Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” vs.6,7 “Your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” What glorious words, what glorious truth! The burning coal from the altar represented the burnt offering for sin. This sacrifice for sin had touched Isaiah and made Him clean. How much greater to trust in the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Isa 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Now Isaiah has been made clean. Now He is no longer afraid to be hearing and seeing the Lord!

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” vs. 8 Now Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord. “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” First we see the holiness of God. Then we see our sin and repent. Next we receive the cleansing of God by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then we can hear God’s call! “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then we with Isaiah can say,”Here am I. Send Me!” Knowing the depth of God’s love, mercy and grace; We are filled with compassion to tell others who are just as needy as us.Isaiah’s task would not be easy. The people had hardened their hearts against God. Most would not listen, see or understand and repent. But God said, Keep on telling them as long as anyone is in the land. A tenth of the people would be saved. A small group would hear, see, understand and repent and be saved. Don’t give up! Keep telling the story of God’s love, mercy and grace! Some will be saved! To God be all the glory. Amen.

God’s Calling on Your Life! Jer. 1:4-10

January 30th, 2010

31 January, 2010

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you were born I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations.” vs.4, 5 God comes to us in His mercy and grace and choses to reveal Himself to us. He reveals Himself by giving us His word and by coming to us as the Living Word made flesh in our Lord Jesus Christ. See Heb.1:1-3. God comes to us saying, “I have known you.” “I have sanctified you.” “I have ordained you.”“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” God already knew you and had plans for you even before your conception. Ps. 139:13,14 “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully make.” Before you were born God has already sanctified you, set you apart, for a special purpose He has for your life. He has already ordained that you are to be His witness and His ambassador. Jeremiah was known, set apart and ordained to be a prophet to the nations. We are known, set apart, and ordained to be a witness and ambassador to the nations. This is God’s will for us! 1 Tim. 2:3,4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” However we shall not all experience God’s will for our life! For we will not all surrender to the call of God on our life. Some will reject Christ and fail to believe His word. If you do not repent of your sins and trust in Christ, you can not be saved, you can not experience all that God has planned for you.

Jeremiah was fearful of what God had planned for His life and made excuses. “I am a child.” “But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” vs.7-9 What great comfort and promise are these words! We do not go in our own strength. We do not go with our own wisdom and words. We go in the power of the Holy Spirit. God has given us His life changing words. May we speak His words from our mouth in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jer.23:28,29 “He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Only God’s words, only the gospel can change a heart and save a soul.

Our calling is life changing. World changing. When God changes a life; It affects a family, a community, a nation and the world. You may serve as an ambassador homemaker, carpender, mechanic, farmer, teacher, factory worker or pastor. But we all are ambassadors for Christ. He is chosing to use us! May His kingdom come! May His will be done! May you hear the word of the gospel and believe. May you fulfill the calling of God on your life. To God be the glory. Amen.

Preach Good News to the Poor! Lk.4:16-32

January 27th, 2010

24 January, 2010

Preach Good News to the Poor! Lk. 4: 16-32“And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Lk.4:20,21 Jesus had just read from the prophet Isaiah about the Messiah! “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” vs.18,19 He was saying to His family, friends and neighbors, I am the Messiah. The Spirit of God is upon Me. I have been anointed by God to preach the good news of salvation to the poor. I have come to proclaim liberty to the captives. I have come to give sight to the blind. I have come to proclaim the time of God’s mercy and favor. They wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth but they could not accept that Jesus was the Messiah. This text tell us of the glorious work and salvation of the Messiah but it also tells us of the rejection of the good news of salvation by the friends and neighbors of Jesus!

“And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” vs. 22 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief.” Mk.6:3-6 The miracles that He had done in Capernaum; He did not do there because of their unbelief. He pointed out that unbelief was a common thing among the children of Israel. God had often turned to the so called pagans and found more faith among them than in Israel! During the time of Elijah, during the judgment of God on Israel for their idol worship; God sent His prophet to a widow of Sidon to be feed. In the process, because of her faith and obedience, she and her son were also feed. During the time of Elisha, many lepers lived in Israel, but God only healed Naaman the Syrian. This was too much. He was saying the gentiles had more faith in the God of the Jews than they did! They were filled with rage and threw Him out of the city and were ready to kill Him but were stopped in their attempt by God. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Jn.1:11-12

Were there no poor in Nazareth that needed the good news of God’s mercy and grace in sending a Savior? Were there no broken hearted that needed a healing? Were there no people bound by their sin that needed to be set free? Were there no blind that needed to see? The Savior of mankind was rejected! They threw Him out of town! What glorious good news! What terrible rejection of that good news! Today in our country we all to often act like the people of Nazareth! We are offended by Jesus! We are offended by His words and His way. We have had the Savior in our country since the very beginning but now we are offended by Him. Jesus calls us to repent! Jesus calls us to turn from our sins. Turn from going our way and doing our thing. Turn to Him. Go His way. Do His will. Trust in Jesus. Follow Jesus. What will you do with Jesus? Will you also reject Him? Or will you repent and fall at His feet? Will you with Thomas declare; My Lord and my God! “And be not faithless, but believing.” To God be the glory. Amen.

Tempted - Yet Without Sin! Lk. 4:1-15

January 18th, 2010

17 January, 2010

Tempted - Yet Without Sin! Lk.4:1-15

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15, 16 Jesus was tempted in all points as we are tempted. Yet Jesus never sinned! Our first parents, Adam and Eve failed when tempted. The Israelites failed when tempted. And we often fail when tempted. Therfore let us draw near to the thrown of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Where did Jesus turn for help when tempted? Luke 4:1-15 shows us that Jesus turned to the Holy Spirit of God and the Word of God when tempted. That He depended on the Holy Spirit is clear. He had the presence of the Holy Spirit. Lk.3:22 He was filled with the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit. Lk.4:1 Jesus walked in the Spirit. Lk.4:14 Jesus used the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, to overcome temptation. Eph.6:17 Each time the word of God was questioned or the way of God or the timing of God. Jesus answered with the word of God. Satan was saying; Don’t trust God. Don’t do things His way. Don’t wait for His timing. Satan calls us to wrongly fulfill our fleshly desires. Stan tempts us to go man’s way not God’s way. Satan tempts us to take what we desire now and not to wait for God’s timing.

We are tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 Jn.2:15-17 These were Adam and Eve’s temptations and the temptations of Jesus. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Gen 3:6 (KJV) Satan said to Jesus, Change this stone to bread, see all the glory of these kingdoms, make a great show and people will believe in You.

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you believe His word when He gives a promise? Do you believe He will meet your needs? Do you believe He can give you the strength to wait on His timing? When we are tempted by our flesh, the world, or the devil; the bottom line is our relationship with God. Do we trust God, His power and His word? Do we trust in the Living God? Choose to get to know Him better. Choose to trust Him more. Choose to read and study His word that has been given to you and for you. He overcame when tempted. He can help us overcome. To God be the glory. Amen.

Axe and Winnowing Fork! Lk. 3:1-23

January 10th, 2010

“Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” vs. 9 “His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” vs. 17 These words are true today as they were in the time of John and Jesus. Over the years of my ministry some have heard the Word of God and rejected that word. They are trees without the fruit of repentance. They have no Christ likeness. As far as we can know, they have been cut down and thrown into the fires of hell. The axe of God’s judgment is even now hitting against the roots of some fruitless trees. In time all fruitless trees will be cut down and thrown into the fire. The preaching of a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins is urgent! Each day men, women, boys and girls are dying. Each day, some are being cast in the flames of torment. “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Lk. 16:22,23

God in His grace and mercy today is giving you His word. He is showing you the path of repentance, faith and salvation. God is giving you the gift of conviction for your sins. God is giving you the gift of repentance and faith. Will you receive the gift of salvation given to you by God’s grace through faith? The time of harvest at the end of the age will come. “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable.” Lk.3:16,17 Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. He will give salvation and new life to all who trust in Him. They will be born of the Spirit. Jesus will also baptize with fire. “He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” His winnowing fork is in His hand! Even now He is making ready for His final judgement, to thoroughly clear His threshing floor. All will go before the Lord of the Harvest. He will separate the wheat from the chaff. He will separate the sheep from the goats. He will separate those who received the gift of salvation from those who rejected that gift. The wheat will be gathered into the barn. The chaff will be cast into the flames of hell.

 Today, I call upon you to flee the coming wrath of God’s judgment. Don’t reject the gift of God’s salvation! Our salvation was purchased with the life of the beloved Son of God. He willingly went to the cross and died for your sins and mine. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;” Heb.2:3 “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance.” Lk.3:7,8 God is looking for a true heart. Truly show the proof of your repentance. If you have two coats; give one to the man who has none. If you have food share with the person who has none. Be honest in you work and do not cheat or steal from your neighbor. True salvation will always show itself by love for God and love for neighbor. True salvation will always bear fruit to the glory of God. True salvation is like the life giving head of grain not the worthless chaff. Come today and repent of your sins. Trust only in Jesus Christ to save you. Receive the gift of salvation. Be baptized giving testimony to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. To God be all the glory. Amen.