Chasing earthly things

Ecclesiastes 1 (Ecc 1:1 KJV)
Chasing After Things That Are Empty
We see in this first verse of this first chapter that Solomon the son of David is the author. We know that Solomon was considered one of the wisest men to ever live. He doled out advice and counsel and wisdom to others. We see in Ecclesiastes which means “speaker, preacher” Solomon offering up advice to us in this verse regarding chasing after things of this earth and leaving God out of it.
I. Vanity
A. There was a song in the seventies entitled “Your So Vain.”
B. This song was written by a woman and told what she thought of a certain individual.
C. Basically she was saying that he was so wrapped up in himself that he was empty, shallow or vacant.
D. This is what Solomon is trying to get across to us here.
E. When he says vanity of vanities: He is extending the length to which the vanity is taken.
F. Just like Holy of Holies describes the most Holy of places in the Old Testament, Vanity of vanities leads us to see that all is vanity.
G. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? (Ecc 1:3 KJV)
H. Solomon asks how it benefits man to toil and chase things on this earth.
I. What are you chasing?
J. What are we chasing as a church?
K. Are we chasing numbers? Are we chasing programs?
L. Those are necessarily bad things.
M. As long as the numbers are to add to Heaven, and the programs further the cause of Christ in our lives.
N. What benefit is God’s work getting if we are chasing earthly success?
O. If we fill this building up, I would be The Church Builder. Churches would contact me to come speak to them.
P. I could maybe write a book about it.
Q. But if the building of this church is at the destruction of God’s true and righteous message, it is vain and empty.

II. We are Temporary
A. We are temporary on this earth.
B. Look at verse 4.
C. Generations come and generations go.
D. We leave all of this behind.
E. Everything we have chased all of our lives we leave behind.
F. The word generation means time duration dwelling place.
G. Take the old football field in Paris for instance.
H. A new shiny toy was built and the one that was built 50 something years ago has been abandoned.
I. When the old stadium was built the people probably thought it would endure forever.
J. If you drive by the old stadium there is metal falling off and the paint is starting to chip off.
K. Last year it was good enough. This year it is old and decrepit and useless.
L. There will be a time when we have moved on and someone else is here.
M. We have to make sure that what God establishes here he can use after we are gone.
N. When our vapor fades out, are going to be found chasing after empty things?

III. That next generation
A. What are we leaving for the next generation?
B. Are we leaving them with the necessary means to carry on God’s work?
C. Are we leaving them with the necessary teachings to carry on God’s work?
D. Are we leaving with them the example that they need to see what a Christian looks like?
E. We are responsible for who we are here with now, and for what legacy we leave the next generation to do God’s work.
F. We should always strive to leave God’s work in a better more advanced place than we found it.
G. Not for our glory but for the glory of God and for the next generation to advance the work from there.
How many vain and empty things have we been chasing? How much of those empty earthly things keep us from advancing the gospel message the way we should?

Prayer

Instructions on Prayer Matthew 6:9-13
This passage is mistakenly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. This is actually not a prayer, but this is a model of prayer. This is Jesus instructing on the proper way to pray. Prayer had become vain repetitions among many people, and the effect of prayer was diminished. This instruction is to the believer as it was given by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount. It is a piece of scripture called the beatitudes. Beatitudes has the meaning of happy and blessed. Happy or blessed is the person that follows the instruction of Jesus Christ. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says this about prayer, and it goes along with this passage, “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies.
Westminster Shorter Catechism.

I. Acknowledge God
A. Father. Recognizing God as the giver of life.
B. The one that answers your prayers.
C. Which art in Heaven.
D. God on His throne. The mighty and powerful God.
E. Hallowed be thy name.
F. Holy is our God. His name is holy.
G. Have we made God’s name too common today?
H. Do we use it in other ways than intended?
I. Does the name God still mean something to us today?
J. Holy- Exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness.
K. When we address God properly, it shows that we are humbling ourselves before him and placing ourselves in the correct place.
II. Pray for God’s Will
A. His kingdom come.
B. This is in reference to “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”
C. Our prayer should be that we are able to spread the Gospel message to the lost.
D. We should long to bring the Kingdom of heaven to the lost soul.
E. We are instructed to also pray for God’s will to be done.
F. We are to pray that God’s desires are accomplished though us on earth.
G. Refer back to the illustration I told last week about Ivan in the soviet prison camp. That he was not praying for release prison, but to do God’s will.
III. Daily Bread
A. Plead for the sustenance of the Lord.
B. Pray that He will provide for you.
C. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phi 4:19 KJV)
D. God supplied the Bread of Life to us through his son Jesus Christ.
E. This is the bread that once tasted of, we will never hunger again. This is eternal sustenance.
F. 22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psa 55:22 KJV)
G. He will provide your measure.
H. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (Lam 3:24 KJV)
I. He is our portion. Who else can we depend on?
IV. Forgive
A. The word that Jesus uses here is to send away.
B. We need forgiveness from God for what we owe.
C. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Eph 1:7 KJV)
D. Our forgiveness our price our ransom has been paid by the blood of Christ.
E. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luk 17:4 KJV)
F. We are to forgive those that forgive those that trespass against us because we have been forgiven ourselves.
G. Are we able to “send away” the things that have been done to us in the past?
H. Does it do any good for us to hang on to past trespasses and become bitter?
V. Lead Us Not Into Temptation
A. Is God Going to lead you into temptation?
B. Jesus is saying here that we need to plead for God to strengthen us to not heed to temptation when we face it.
C. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Mat 4:3 KJV)
D. This is a passage of scripture from the temptation of Christ.
E. Satan is called the tempter.
F. Jesus mentions this to us, because he knows what the temptation of the Devil feels like. When we are at our weakest, Satan is at his strongest.
G. We find our strength in God.
VI. We Need Delivery From Evil
A. Pray deliver us from evil.
B. Why do we need to be delivered from evil?
C. We need delivered form the bad or bad of nature.
D. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Psa 34:14 KJV)
E. The Psalmist says to depart from evil. To turn aside from it. To flee from it.
F. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1Th 5:22 KJV)
G. Paul, in this letter to the church at Thessalonica, says that we must abstain from even the appearance of evil.
H. Abstain means to hold ones self off, or to refrain form. To restrain self.
I. Appearance here means the external or outward appearance.
J. If it perceived to be bad or of bad nature, we need to pray to God for the strength to flee from it.
K. Not fleeing from it will hinder God’s work through us.
VII. His Kingdom and Glory
A. It is God’s kingdom that we are trying to advance here on this earth.
B. It is his kingdom that we look forward to when death comes.
C. It is his power that has gotten us to where we are today.
D. It is God that we should exalt on a daily basis.
E. We should do these things because He is God, and he has provided us with eternity in heaven.
F. The official close of any prayer, Amen.
G. Firm, so be it, there it is.


This pattern of prayer given to us by our Lord will enhance our prayer lives. I urge you not to repeat this prayer, but add your personality to it. This is a fail proof design of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

One Path

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
(Pro 4:14-19 KJV)
One Path
Some religions claim there are many paths to God. Some claim there are no paths to God. Some claim that man can become God. God proclaims that he is God and there is only one way to him and only one path to follow when we get to Him.

I. Only One Way as a Child of God
A. We are told in verse 14 not to begin going in the path of the wicked.
B. The word wicked means criminal.
C. As a child of God, this instructs us that there is only one way to go.
D. Just as there is only one path to salvation John 14:6 “I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me.” There is only one way to live as a child of God.
E. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Pro 3:5 KJV)
F. So if we take the principle of only one path to God and only one path with God, this verse tells us that that path is in the Lord God.
G. The word trust means to be safe.
H. There are many areas of life where we may feel like taking a risk.
I. Finances, relationships, sporting events, etc.
J. But it is better to be safe in God than to be hurt or injured or distressed, when we follow the ways of the evil man.
K. The word evil in verse 14 of our text describes man, and mean injured or distressed.
L. Verse 15 tells us to Avoid, pass away turn from the path of the evil man.
M. To ignore it, decline it or alienate yourself from it.
N. Make it a foreign concept to you.

II. Following the Path of the Wicked is Addictive in Nature
A. Verse 16.
B. They sleep not, until they have done mischief.
C. Sleeps evades them until they have made some fall.
D. An evil minded person on the wrong path cannot have peace until they have broken someone down or caused to fail.
E. Think about times in your life when you were not on this one path that God has for you.
F. How did you act? Are you on this path right now?
G. Do you feel the need to succeed by making someone miserable?
H. As a child of God, you will be miserable.
I. Do you long for that moment when you can bring failure to someone with words, or actions, or non-actions.
J. Is this a feeling that you have to have in your life?
K. If so you are leaning on your own understanding and not letting God direct your paths.
L. God does not want us tear each other down.
M. He does not want us to tear those that are without Jesus in their lives down.
N. Evil minded people who long for this feeling of hurting others feast on the wrongness and the guilt ridden situations, and they drink the fruit of cruelty and injustice.
O. Does this describe you today?

III. God’s Path is Bright
A. You can tell the difference of which path you are on today, by examining yourself and determining whether you are walking in a dark place that longs to bring suffering to others.
B. Or if the path you are on is bright and God is the one in control of your life.
C. Verse 18 says the path of the just or righteous is a bright light.
D. When we are walking in the light, we can see what is ahead of us. We know where we are going.
E. As a child of God, we know our destination.
F. The journey to get there is different for all of us.
G. Our journeys all begin the same way, but having faith and belief that Jesus died on the cross to cleanse us of that that separates us from God.
H. But our journeys to the destination are different.
I. Sometimes we are in the well lit path, and sometimes we are stumbling blind in the darkness.
J. A person that has not accepted their sin or separation from God, and has not put faith in Jesus Christ to save them is stumbling toward a destination that is destruction and brokenness.
K. Verse 19 says the light shines more and more unto that perfect day.
L. As we walk in the light, we get closer to the light.
M. It becomes brighter and more clear for us to see where we are supposed to be going.
N. It will become crystal clear in that perfect day.
O. That perfect day is when we get to see Jesus face to face.

Jesus is Still Jesus Even on Sunday

Matthew 12:.
9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
(Mat 12:9-16 KJV)
If we look back to verse one in this 12th chapter of Matthew we see the disciples shucking corn to eat on the Sabbath. According to the Law, this preparation work was to be completed the evening before the Sabbath so that no work would take place on the Sabbath. The Pharisees, being the Law abiding people that they were decided to question Jesus on this. Ant the answer he gives them in verse 8 should settle any conflict. He says that even on the Sabbath the Lord is the Lord. Let’s move to verse 9 and see what Jesus does following this.
I. Jesus Heals a Withered Hand
A. We see in verse nine that Jesus entered their synagogue.
B. The Pharisees were looking for any opportunity to trip Jesus up.
C. They wanted to make him break the Law so that they could prove he was a sinner.
D. Let’s stop and look at this for a moment.
E. People around you that know you go to church are going to be watching you.
F. They are going to be looking for something that proves that you are not high and mighty.
G. You know, they are going to find it.
H. We are not high and mighty, God is.
I. Even though we are not bound by the Law that was handed down to Moses any longer, As a standard for living, and that is what the word of God should be for us, we will go against God’s word on a daily basis.
J. And there will be a “Pharisee” there to catch us when we do.
K. Do we set aside a day for rest and recuperation and praising God.
L. “I have to get this done or that done and Sunday is the only day I have to get it done.”
M. Somebody that knows you that you go to church will see you and think, “They are not there, they are mowing, or chopping wood or whatever it may be.”
N. If people around you do not see the necessity in your life to come to church and worship, they will not see the necessity in their life for it either.
O. But Jesus wanted to use this to teach the Pharisees and eventually us that We are ot bound by the Law any longer, and people need to see that Jesus is we proclaim him to be.


II. Jesus’ Answer to The Accusation
A. I love the way that Jesus answers the accusation.
B. Remember the Pharisees are looking to accuse him for working on the Sabbath.
C. Jesus turns it around and he speaks in a language that the Pharisees can understand.
D. If a sheep falls into a pit, would they not lift it out on the Sabbath to save it.
E. Then he asks them if a sheep is worth more than a man.
F. How much more beautiful is a man than livestock.
G. The Pharisees could justify this, just like we can justify anything, by saying “That is our livelihood and we must take care of it.”
H. Jesus is saying to them “People are my livelihood, and I must take care of them”
I. He came here to heal us of the condition of sin.
J. He came here to show us what true compassion looks like.
K. Society today does not care about worshipping God.
L. Our god today in society is money.
M. Money is good.
N. We have to have it.
O. But we spend a lot more time chasing money than we do God.
P. Jesus is trying to get the Pharisees to understand that he fulfilled the Law.
Q. Do we understand this today?

III. The Plot of Destruction
A. The Pharisees then held a counsel to plot Jesus’ destruction.
B. Why?
C. He made them look like fools again.
D. How many times do we look like a fool when we challenge the authority of Jesus Christ.
E. By Jesus saying that the Lord is the Lord even on the Sabbath, he was saying that people are still people even on the Sabbath.
F. People still need healing and food on the Sabbath.
G. He was not going to let them stop him from he could do to help others.
H. He fulfilled the Law and now he was setting new standards of service,
I. He was being an example to us today as to what to do and not to do.
J. He wanted to teach the Pharisees that what they were holding on to was tradition and not Him.
K. How many times today do we hold on to tradition and not onto God?
L. When we hold to tradition and not God we plot destruction on ourselves and on God’s work.
M. We become our own Pharisees.
N. Jesus found out about the plot and left and we see that he kept healing.
O. He charged them not to make it known.
P. He was being plotted against and he knew that eventually he was going to die.
Q. But just like everything else about God’s word, Jesus would determine when it was time for him to lay down his life for me and for you.

IV. Application
A. Are we allowing God to use us every day of the week to show how mighty, powerful, beautiful and loving that he is?
B. Sunday is not for you. It is for God. Monday is not for you, it is for God, Tuesday is not for you, it is for God…
C. What are you chasing today? Who are you chasing?
D. Are you a Pharisee who is so concerned about what others are doing that you can not see what God is doing?
E. That is the way these Pharisees were acting to Jesus. Instead of praising him for healing the withered hand, they used the man with the withered hand to try and trip Jesus up.
F. The compassion was not for the man, but for their own selfish purposes.
G. When we use God’s work for our own selfish purposes we will fail and we will fall.
H. Are you a plotter?
I. If you are living a life pleasing to God, you will be plotted against.
J. But Jesus is Jesus even on the Sabbath. Are you still his?

Christian Immaturity

Immaturity Hebrews 5:9-14
How would you define immaturity?
I. Dull of hearing.
A. This word dull means slow or sluggish of hearing or of ears.
B. Are we hearing God’s word, or are we listening to God’s word?
C. Are we sluggish to perform our duties for God because we do not pay attention?
D. The author says “Of whom we have many things to say…”
E. Whom is he talking about?
F. Jesus Christ.
G. There are many things to be said about Jesus Christ, but who will hear them? Who will listen to them?
H. Do sluggish ears make for sluggish action?

II. There is a time for us to be teachers.
A. Verse 12-“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers…”
B. Does the time for you to be a teacher ever end?
C. It is good to be taught, but if you have the ability to teach, it is your time to teach.
D. This is where immaturity can creep in.
E. Immaturity as a child of God is inexcusable.
F. Why is this inexcusable? Because we can read and understand God’s word.
G. We can study God’s word on our own.
H. Do you know that when I say that such and such word is translated to mean such and such, it is not because of my ability to speak Greek or Hebrew, it is because I have dictionaries that any one can buy.
I. Does this mean that we can stay home and not come to church? No.
J. We have the need to be taught again, and are one that needs milk and not strong meat.
K. Milk here is representative of rudimentary spiritual teaching.
L. I have something much more powerful that the dictionary to help with God’s word, I John 2:27-says that the Holy Spirit with lead and guide us in God’s word. Even the newest convert.
M. Milk is what a church starts out teaching a child. Meat is what maturing Christians need.

III. Are you an infant?
A. If the above verse describes you, you are an infant in Christ.
B. Not even a small child, but an infant.
C. Verse 13 says that if we are on milk, and not meat, we are unskillful in the words of righteousness.
D. We should all strive to further our Christian education, whether it is by seminary or by studying on our own. We should devour the Sunday School lessons.
IV. Are we full of age?
A. This is not speaking of literal age, but in Christian age.
B. Are we aging progressively in God’s word?
C. Are we able to discern what is true from what is false?
D. Are we able to teach God’s word to others?
E. If everyone was a babe or infant in Christ, who would teach?
F. Someone has to step up and say I will teach God’s word to others.
G. Are your senses exercised?
H. Exercise improves physical capabilities. Exercising our spirits improves spiritual capabilities.

Tonight's Sermon- Sin is a Heavy Burden

Psalm 38:1-4 Sin is a Heavy Burden

When you sin, do you feel the shame and the guilt that a child of God feels? Does it weigh you down or burden you? Do you continue to live in this sin?


I. Rebuke me not in thy wrath.

A. The Psalmist knew that he had sinned.
B. He understood that God chastens his children.
C. He was pleading that God’s wrath would be removed from the chastening.
D. Translated he is saying, “Correct me not in thy rage.”
E. Just like children today, and when I was a child. We did not mind the punishment so much, but we did not want to hear how upset or disappointed our parents were.
F. He asks again that he not be chastened in God’s hot displeasures.
G. He is saying don’t punish me furiously.
H. The sin he has committed he is afraid will anger God. Are we afraid that we are going to anger God with our sin?
I. God is long suffering and forgiving, but chastening does happen to his children.

II. Arrows of God.

A. These are figurative arrows.
B. These arrows appear to be brought about by the Psalmist being convicted because of his sin.
C. Do we heed to the conviction of the Holy Spirit?
D. Does this conviction affect us at all?
E. We know, as a child of God, when we have sinned. We understand the consequences, so why do we go ahead and sin?
F. Sin nature. The flesh. Letting Satan influence us.
G. We feel these same arrows that David did. We experience the shame and guilt of our sin.
H. He tells God that his hand presses down on him. He is broken because of the conviction he was feeling.
I. We can avoid being broken and pressed down by allowing the spirit to control our lives.

III. We cannot be happy if we are a child of God living in sin.

A. We cannot be complete or have any wholesome in us if we are at odds with God and his word.
B. We have no rest.
C. This word rest is translated as peace.
D. We have no peace or rest when we are living in sin.
E. This sin that the Psalmist mentions is habitual sinfulness.
F. Something that is repeated over and over, or not being able to stop sinning.
G. If we are happy in sin, we need to evaluate our salvation.

IV. Have we sinned so much that sin is becoming our way of life.

A. The Psalmist says that his sin have gone over his head.
B. He has sinned so much that, or his sin was so great, that they were over his head.
C. They were great.
D. Have you ever heard the phrase I have had it up to here.
E. The Psalmist’s sin was so great or so many, that they were up to here.
F. They were over him and weighing him down. They were a burden to carry.
G. Does your sin ever get this way?
H. Are we happy in sin, or are we burdened down, pressed down by it.

A Aervant Worth His/Her Salt

This is the Message I am preaching this morning:
A Servant Worth His/Her Salt

Why serve God with only half of our abilities? If we are not going to do it all the way, why do it at all? God deserves our best. God demands our best. God commands our best.

I. Salt.

A. Salt became emblematic of fidelity and friendship among eastern nations. It was thought of this way because of its purifying and antiseptic qualities.
B. It is symbolic of that spiritual health and vigor essential to Christian virtue and counteractive of the corruption that is in the world.
C. In other words, if we are the salt of the earth, then we need to be an example to the world. They need to be able to see our servitude to God.
D. If the salt has lost its savour, or become foolish enough to not let the world see Christ in us, then we might as well be cast away, or trodden under foot.
E. Let this be a warning to any child of God. Do not lose your savour, when your savor is lost, God has no use for us.
F. If you cut up a big red juicy tomato, and get the salt out, and pour salt on the tomato, then take a bite and the salt has no flavor what are you going to do? Throw the salt out and get some more.
G. If we are not serving God with all of our salt, God will use someone that is.

II. You are the light of the world.

A. This world lives in the darkness of Satan.
B. John 3:19, “ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
C. Jesus is calling us light, and this means that he is calling us witnesses for God in the world.
D. But, men love darkness rather than light. The light they see should be Jesus in us.
E. It is easy to hide in the dark.
F. When we are away from God and doing our own thing, we like to be with people whi are doing those things also.
G. We are hiding among them hoping no one will notice.
H.. Jesus lights us up with his glory, so instead of hiding among the darkness so no one can see, we are to show that light to the sin darkened world.
I. Are you a servant today who can show the light of Christ to the world?

III. Don’t hide your light.

A. What good would it do to hide the light of Christ?
B. What kind of servant would that make us?
C. Christ says here what good would it do to light a candle and hide it under a bush?
D. This is a basic Pre-K Sunday School song.
E. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
F. Jesus says in verse 16 to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.”
G. The light is to shine for the glory of God, when others see our good works.You see, it is not about us, but about him.


Matthew 5:13-

Our Country As I See It

There is some mix up every now and then on some of our forefathers who founded this country. Their religious beliefs are sometimes misconstrued to make a point. That being said, America was founded on the principle of freedom. I believe that both sides of the argument take the extreme point of view on the Constitution to allow for the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. It is difficult so many years later to determine intent in the constitution, because we were not there. I do not personally believe that the separation of church and state is meant to be taken to the extreme that it is now. That extreme is allowing any religion but Christianity the freedom to do and say what they please, as long as they do not break any laws. Christianity is so closely monitored by the government (separation only applies on the church's side), that even any mention of political events can allow the government to withdraw tax exempt status form a church. To some extent, this Christianity's fault. There have been many crooked people who have called themselves believers who have destroyed and brought shame on Christians worldwide. Christianity has a bad reputation from history for fighting and being at war etc.
So this freedom extends to others who can say anything about Christianity that they please. Any form of put down or degrading remark, or any attempt to make Christianity look bad is seen as a medal of honor in media circles. Juan Williams is fired from Public Radio Network because he said that sometimes when he is on a plane and sees someone in "Muslim Garb" it scares him a little inside. I believe that probably every American would feel this way, even though we know the people are probably just flying somewhere. This has been called racial profiling and that is one of the reasons that he was fired. First, this is not racial profiling. Islam is not a race of people, it is a religion. Second, if a few Christans can bring suspicion on all Christianity, then why can't a few Muslims make people feel afraid every now and then. It is a logical reaction that has nothing to do with race only with what happened on 9/11. I know that not all Muslims were not involved in 9/11. All Christians were not involved in the crusades or in televangelist's misbehavings either.
Christianity as a whole, has been full of judging others and living like hypocrites. This causes people to want to make Christianity look bad. Christians do a fine job of this by themselves. I fear that as a believer, I may not have much longer to share the gospel message out in the open in America. Especially when the government is trying to make preaching about sin hate speech. It is time for Christians to show others love and affection. Time is drawing to a close, and we need to be able to witness to as many people as we can.

Relief

It was a relief to go to a church we had never been, and have everyone in my family accepted as a person. It was refreshing for me and my family to worship with children of God that acted like children of God. Thank you God for allowing us to be there yesterday.

Justification

We try to justify our lives by making God's word say what we want it to say. We try to justify our actions by using the actions of others. The Bible only offers us one justification, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ. Our actions have been justified through Him. Our Lives have been justified through him. Jesus is the standard. That sounds like we are set up for failure, because we can never attain his perfection. He has given us completion though through his blood and has given us his righteousness. This should justify how we act. We should act according to God's word and not make God's word act according to us.

Outeach verses In Reach

Who is responsible for the outreach of a church? Most churches have someone appointed to oversee this ministry. But what should the main function be? Most of the time an outreach director/minister plans events for the members. This is really a fellowship coordinator. This is in reach, and does not provide any means of reaching out to the lost. It is important for a church to be a close knit family. It is important for a church family to grow spiritually together. It is also important for that church family to be a part of a vital outreach ministry that actually reaches out into the community and allows people to see that someone cares about them. I think sometimes we expect lost people to just do it on their own. This is not going to happen. People are looking for something. They are searching and someone will give them something to find. Isn't it better that they find Jesus than something the world has to offer? What am I doing to reach out to the lost? What are you doing to reach out to the lost? Maybe not even church-wise but individually. Outreach is so important for the success of a church. After all, Jesus was teaching followers and reaching out to people that needed to find him. He was not stationary. A church does not need to be stationary either. I will be at camp this week. See you Saturday.

Busy Day

I have my sermon prepared to preach at my Uncle's funeral today. I am referencing I Samuel Where King Saul is wanting to kill David and Johnathon and David plan his escape. How does this fit for a funeral? One of the verses speakes about David's empty chair at the table. I am then referencing David's reaction to the death of his child with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel chapter 11. I will then get a chance to share the gospel message with my family. I know some of them are not saved and need to hear this message. After all, the message at a funeral should not be for the deceased as they can not hear it anyway. I look forward to the opportunity this morning.

First Thing First

I have realized that when I woke up in the morning I reached for two things first. The coffee cup and the computer. In a mad rush to see the news headlines and find out what friends were up to on Facebook, I was neglecting the most important part of my day. Some might say "Well you had your coffee!" I was neglecting to spend time with my God first thing in the morning. I have realized that speaking with Him and opening his word are necessary for me to have a complete day. Sure I did these things at some point, but when I start the day this way it seems to make the day better. I feel it is because I am recognizing God first in my life for the day. It reminds me that I am weak and he is strong, that, just as David realized, I can not handle situations without him, and that I am not alone in this world. I encourage you to wake in the morning with God and see where he takes you during the day.

"Get The Queers Out of Here"

This is a direct quote I heard from the pulpit during a regional associational meeting in North East Texas. I was appalled and frankly quite disturbed that a preacher would say this. I was also appalled at the amount of brethren that amened this statement. I do believe that the bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin. But if we are going to allow adulterers, liars, thieves, fornicators or any other sinner to be in the church then we are going to have to allow homosexuals as well. If you want to clean house, why just clean the homosexuals? Have you ever had sex with someone that was not your spouse, either while you were married or before you were married? Are you living that lifestyle now? If so, you have sinned just as the homosexual has sinned. Do you with hold your tithes? You have sinned just as much as the homosexual. I know pastors that are still pastoring that have committed adultery more than once, and in more than one pastorate. They are still pastoring a church. Can God forgive? Yes he can. I believe there will be people in heaven who lived a homosexual life on this earth. Why do I believe this? I believe that a person can not lose salvation once it is given. THe argument could then be made that a saved person would not want to live this way. We say this as we respect pastors who are immoral in their actions and call them godly men. I think our thinking may be backwards on some of this. Church discipline is biblical, but the churches have gone so long allowing anything that now they just want to ban homosexuality. Could a practicing homosexual be a member of a church? Are there practicing adulterers, fornicators or others there? Iremember a guy in a church I used to attend. He was always pointing the finger and talking about other people's sin. He wanted church discipline for this and that. His stepdaughter, a member of the church, was having sex outside of marriage. He did not want anyone judging her. Typical attitude of most Christians today. I will help you clean out your closet, but you had better stay out of mine. My prayer today is that we try to reach everyone for Jesus Christ. People have to believe and then be taught. Let's do our job.

Dallas

Long day in Dallas today. Melinda had Dr.'s appointments all day. While eating supper at Souper Salad, I heard three men witnessing to an arab speaking man at a table. There was a language barrier, but they had an interpretor. The main guy was doing an excellent job of providing easy illustrations as to what salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ are. The man was a Muslim from Iraq. He had just moved here. I walked over and told the guys that they were doing a great job of explaining the Gospel message. IT was awesome and fired me up to hear the Gospel message presented.

Calvary

Went to Calvary in Idabel yesterday in view of call for Muisc Minister. The choir and the congregation are awesome. They are very friendly and welcoming. There were several people there that we made a connection with. It was overall very enjoyable. A deacon from a sister church came over and shared his testimony. It was an honest assessment of his spiritual condition. It was in laymen's terms and I really enjoyed it.

Been Busy and Slack

I have not posted since January 1. My last semester of Master's study has been busy. I have been mentored by a wonderful minister of education in Mt. Pleasant, TX this semester. I am going to Idabel, OK Sunday for a Music Minister position call. I met with their pastor a few weeks ago and had a wonderful time of fellowship and discussion with him. I have been up this morning praying for the church and for my family. I have much excitement because I love music, and this would give me another opportunity to minister. I had lunch with a long time friend Monday who is following God's lead in his life. It was a wonderful time of fellowship. The day is about to get crazy busy as I wake the family to get their day started. First, a I will get a Word from God, then I will take my wife a cup of coffee. Good Day.

What a Way to Start the New Year

At around 12:45 or 1:00 am this morning, my Niece gave birth to a 10lbs 9 ounce baby girl. Her name is Malorie. I am a great uncle, and my brother is a Grandpa. This is amazing. I am getting ready to go pray before I go to bed. God has truly blessed the beginning of the New Year. I can not wait to see what tomorrow brings (If He allows it)