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January 1, 2006 Morning Service
A Well In The Field For 2006
Text: Genesis 29:1-3
Preface: Don't Waste Time Turning Over A New Leaf In 2006, Let God Rake Your Whole Yard
How many so-called resolutions have we made over the past years? People waste their time by promising things that they have no intention in fulfilling. Their motive is good, but they simply cannot extend themselves to the point of completing the task at hand.
A rather strange text that our Lord led me to during my search for a sermon for this New Year service. (Gen. 29:1-4) Jacob has just finished having a night like some of you may have had last evening, not getting much sleep. God had just shown him the stairway to Heaven in a vision. (Gen. 28)
A. The Wrong Leaf To Turn Over
- Don't try placing Christ on a back-burner this year.
- Jacob had tried that one already and it failed.
- Don't be satisfied with your Spiritual walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Please don't be guilty of robbing souls from the Master. Let others do the devil’s work.
B. Pass The Rake
- We need to be REFILLED with the Holy Spirit every day of the year.
- Jacob saw sheep waiting for a drink from the well. There are hundreds in Nashville waiting for a drink from the Master’s well
- Remember in the text, the sheep were not only waiting on the well to fill;
- They were aware of the stone being rolled away, that was their signal that a FRESH TASTE OF CLEAN COOL WATER WAS COMING.
- The Holy Spirit is just waiting to ROLL away the stone that is hindering you from receiving that NEW DRINK of the Holy Spirit.
C. Happy, Happy New Year
- Start out this first Sunday in 2006 by letting Jesus Christ RAKE YOUR ENTIRE YARD of all negative leaves and give you a DOUBLE PORTION of His Spirit.
January 1, 2006 Evening Service - Rev. Josh Chance
A Fresh Fire! A Fresh Filling! A Fresh Anointing!
Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
- 1. Now the Lord said to Samuel "how long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reining over Israel?" Fill your horn with oil and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided myself a King among his sons.
- 2. And Samuel said "how can I go? If Saul hears it he will kill me." But the Lord said, "take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’
- 3. "Then invite Jesse to the Sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; You shall anoint for Me the one I name to you."
- 4. So Samuel did what the Lord said and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming and said, "do you come peaceably?"
- 5. And he said "Peaceably, I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he concentrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
- 6. So it was when they came that he looked at Eliab and said, "surely the Lords anointed is before him!"
- 7. But the Lord said to Samuel, "do not look at his appearance, or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
- 8. So Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said. "neither has the Lord chosen this one."
- 9. Then Jesse made Shammah pass by, and he said "neither has the Lord chosen this one."
- 10. Thus Jesse made the 7 of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these."
- 11. And Samuel said to Jesse, "are all the young men here?" Then he said, "there remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "send and bring him. For we will not sit down until he comes here."
- 12. So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy with bright eyes which shown like fire. And the Lord said "arise, anoint him; for this is the one!"
- 13. Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.
- A Fresh Fire!
- A Fresh Filling!
- A Fresh Anointing!
January 8, 2006 Morning Service
MY BANNER OF PRAISE
Text: EXODUS 17:10-15
Preface: In Korea there is a bridge at the DMZ which is called the "Bridge of No Return." It is said that most who take the bridge never return from their journey. Today, I feel that there are some present that may feel they also may be about to cross this bridge.
As we read just a few moments ago, Moses was also faced with a similar feeling when he was called to lead his nation to freedom. The Amalekites were very well trained in war tactics, where as Israel was quite the opposite. At times we also enter into a Spiritual battle untrained.
A. We Are Chosen To Fight The Devil
- James 4:7 tells to "Resist the devil, and he WILL FLEE FROM YOU."
- Many Christians today have given up the battle and can not win unless they change.
- Too many have PUT ASIDE the BANNER OF PRAISE and have started this year in defeat.
B. How Do I Get My Banner?
- By having faith and believing that Jesus died and was resurrected for us. (John 11:25)
- By believing that our healing comes from Jesus. (Mark 11:22-25)
- By Praying and reading His word. ( II Timothy 2:15 )
C. But Lord, I am Tired
- We sometimes, as Moses did, will get tired of holding up our banner.
- This is when our Christian brothers and sisters are SUPPOSED to step in and hold up our praise banner to God. (Genesis 4:9)
- As long as they held up Moses’ hands, Israel was victorious in battle against the enemy.
Remember
- When we are tired, we are more likely to let down on our praise.
- Remember, that our Lord and Savior didn't let us down when He was tired.
- Start out this Sunday by saying and offering more praise to Jesus Christ this year than ever in the past.
January 15, 2006 Morning Service
Getting The Gears To Turn The Right Way
Text: John 15:9-11 “That my joy might remain in you.”
Preface: As far as we know, the only time Jesus spoke of His joy was as He was approaching Gethsemane. Doesn't this seem like a very strange time to be talking of joy? In half an hour or less, He would be praying until He was bleeding from His brow.
We all know that He was wrestling with the weight of the world at this time. What better example could we ever have than this moment in the life of Christ? What a joy present in one’s life, when we can demonstrate joy when faced with disaster.
Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Where did Christ’s joy come from?" How do I receive it and maintain it in my own life? Working gears must turn in the right direction in order for them to properly work. When they don't, they will break or stop moving.
A. We Must Walk In The Presence Of God
- On the Day of Pentecost, one of Peter’s Old Testament quotes in his sermon came from the Messianic sixteenth Psalm (16:11)
- Our attitude determines our altitude.
- Acts 2:28 tells us that God will enrapture us.
- It takes the true presence of God to produce true joy.
B. We Must Work For Permanent Rewards
- In Matthew 25:21 we read, "His Lord said unto him, well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thou Lord."
- Jesus believed in motivation.
- We must bear fruit for the kingdom
C. We Must Witness the Good News
- In all three parables of Luke 15, the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son, joy was evidenced when the lost were found .
- Remember when the Prodical Son returned home, what a feast was prepared.
D. We Must Wait With Endurance
- We should be "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)
- "They that wait upon the Lord..." (Isaiah 40:31)
- Don't give up on the last lap.
- Don't drop out of the race.
- Your reward in Heaven will be worth it all. ( II Timothy 4:8)
God’s CASE Plan For Your Peace
- C elebrate: Rejoice in the Lord
- A ppreciate: Put up with people
- S upplicate: Pray about everything
- E at: From the Masters table
January 22, 2006 Morning Service
The Works Of Our Saving Faith
Text: Luke 7:36-48
Preface: There is a much known saying that "One who has had everything in life given to them, never appreciates anything." It sure does seem that we appreciate something that you have had to work hard to earn.
Our text this morning talks about being forgiven, something we all must receive. Jesus had been invited to lunch at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. During this meal a woman suddenly enters and goes over to our Savior Jesus Christ.
A. Breaking Up The Party
- Everyone was invited except for this woman who was not the most socially accepted lady in town.
- Aren't we all glad that Christ will accept everyone regardless of our standing in the community. (Whosoever, Acts 10:43)
- We would do well to have our gatherings disturbed by someone wanting to accept Christ as their Savior.
- I would be willing to UP-SET all the Pharisees in this world in order to witness an OUTPOURING of the Holy Spirit.
B. The More, The Merrier
- Jesus made it very clear that the woman was welcome to show her affection to a Savior that had forgiven ALL HER SINS.
- He went further to explain to Simon and all the Pharisees that they should also join this woman in expressing their changed life in an outward fashion. (vr. 41-44)
- Jesus used the example of the two debtors in explaining to Simon: The one who has been forgiven the most will be the most thankful.
How MUCH has He forgiven you of?
How thankful are you today?
January 29, 2006 Morning Service
God’s Thrilling Words
Text: Genesis 18:10-15
Preface:
Oh, What An Awesome God We Serve
Abraham had no idea of what was about to happen to he and Sarah on this day. It is said by many that this was Jesus along with 2 angels who paid a visit to Abraham and his wife. How sweet to have visitation from our Lord and Savior.
Many today have no idea of just how it feels to enjoy the wonderful anointed presence of the Holy Spirit. How long has it been since you personally felt the anointing upon you? It is a great pleasure to see someone else receive a blessing, but it so much better to experience it for ourselves.
A. God Again Promises
- God once again promises Abraham an heir to carry on his name and work.
- This time however, God even sets a date.
- You can rest assured that WHATEVER God has promised to you, He is God enough and faithful to fulfill it in your life. ( II Corinthians 5:7 )
- This was only 1 of 2 reasons for this visit.
B. What About Disbelief ?
- Sarah overhears the conversation and laughs in disbelief.
- God rebukes Abraham for his wife’s unbelief. ( Mark 9:23 )
- Sarah then commits sin by denying that she actually laughed.
- Are we also sometimes guilty of disbelief?
C. Thrilling Words
- Both Abraham and Sarah hear God’s
thrilling words: "Is anything too hard for the Lord."
- The second reason for the angelic visit was to destroy Sodom because of sin.
- Abraham then begins his remarkable plea for Sodom.
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