Our message today comes from the most famous and most memorized scriptures within the Bible. John 3:16 is well known around the Christian world as the most memorized and studied scripture ever. With Easter on our heels, it is important for us to be reminded of this scripture as well as John 3:17. We will be examining 4 questions frequently asked by all. These questions are all about God. Christians are faced with these questions as we go out into the world and try to grow our churches and our army. Therefore; it is important that our views and answers are crystal clear even to us, so that cloudiness doesn't hinder our ability to win people to Christ as we are all called to do.
John 3:16 - 17 says:
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
4 Questions we all face:
1.) Is God real?
2.) How does He communicate with people?
3.) Will He forgive me?
4.) Does He really love me?
Let's look at each questions one at a time.
Is God real?
Do you know that 90% of the world says they believe in God? However; how we view God is very different. Some believe that God does not reveal himself to humanity and generally does not intervene in what happens in the world....though they do believe He created the world. Some believe that God is the universe itself. Others seem more atuned to Him being merely a spirit within humanity. Some see an angry and vindictive God, while others see God as so loving that He couldn't judge anyone. The Christian has always defined God as a being who is far beyond our comprehension but we know He is all around us constantly protecting and guiding. We know this and believe this through FAITH.
During WWII newslines read, "God is dead." But if you get nothing else from this message, know this....God is real and alive. Most seasoned Christians could go on and on for hours at telling of His power and proving He is real and we can find scripture to back ourselves up. You know, the secular people want to educate everyone in the world and try to explain and disect everything that happens or has happened in history. Many people walking this earth can not believe in something they have never seen and they have a hard time believing things that can't be explained through science. Scientists everywhere work diligently to explain everything to us. Maybe we try to explain too much...there are many miracles everyday that can't be explained through science. When I had my daughter, I didn't create the miracle of that birth. I didn't give my beautiful child breath. God did. How does the ocean know exactly how far on the sand it can go? How do the stars know exactly where to shine? How does the earth know exactly how slow or fast to rotate? How does the bird learn it's specific song? God, God, God, God, God. He can't be explained. His miracles in life can't be explained through science. It is when we deny His existence that we get in trouble.
In Exodus chapter 3, Moses was called into ministry. Moses gave legitimate excuses to God and had very reasonable questions for Him. "These people don't know me and you want ME to go and talk to them?" God said, "YES". Moses: "Who will I tell them sent me to talk to them?" God replied, "Tell them I AM sent you....that's all you need to say is I AM." You can't explain God....He is the I AM. It is only by FAITH that we believe in God....not by calculations or formulas or explanations.....FAITH! We have THE ultimate scientist working for us and He says, just have FAITH and believe in ME!
Second Question:
How Does God Communicate With Me?
Each of us can give a different answer. Does God talk directly to people today as He did with some in the Bible many years ago? Yes He does. God wants to talk to us all the time and could talk to us all day if we would let Him. Have you ever been wrestling with something in your life or your heart? And then out of the blue someone says something to you that practically answers your questions you have been wrestling with? Or have you had a dream where answers to your life's challenges are revealed to you? Has someone ever come into your presence and given you words of encouragement or a hug just when you needed it most? God....God....and God again. He doesn't just speak audibly or through others, but He can speak through scripture and worldly events as well. Scripture isn't just a bunch of words to read about history or God's creation or Jesus' life....scripture is literally our life owner's manual. It isn't coincidence that many figures within the Bible face the same problems and issues we do today. It isn't coincidence that some of the most Godly humans recorded in the scriptures were once murderers and adulterers. That is purposely placed in the Good Book so WE can see how to live today and see that regardless of what we have done in our lives, God still has a divine plan for each of us. We just have to be ready to listen. Many of us walk around with ear plugs in our ears, tuning God out, until we need Him. What we really don't understand is that we need His guidance at ALL times, not just in times of great need. We have a tendency to think that as long as life is going good and we are in control, everything is great. But boy when something goes wrong we begin to question God and begin begging for Him to reveal answers to us, when if we were seeking His guidance all along, we probably never would have gotten ourselves in the mess in the first place.
Question 3:
Will He forgive me?
The answer is simple....YES! If you are sincere in your plea, He WILL forgive ANYTHING you have done. The only thing He will NOT forgive is allowing yourself to take your last breath without ever accepting Him while on earth. Once you shut your eyes and take your last breath it is too late. You can not make a last minute decision at the pearly gates. But there isn't anything that you could have done in this world that God can not forgive. Remember, above....it is not coincidence that some of the most Godly men in the Bible were at one time murderers and adulterers. They lied, cheated, killed....you name it....God forgave them and He will you too. But you have to be sincere. You can fool any other human on this earth. You can fool other believers in the church, but you can't fool God. He knows your heart. The church walls will not explode if you walk into the church. Again, no sin is too great for God to forgive. Every sin available today was available back when Jesus walked the earth....it just came in different packaging. That is why reading your Bible and diving into daily scripture reading is so important....so you can see your life parallel with someone else's. The more you read, the more you realize that the sins you have committed are not as unforgivable as you think they are. God wans us to know wwe are no different than any sinner before us. He forgave them and used them then and He WILL do the same for you.
And question 4:
Does He love me?
Love has been given a very bad name. People use and abuse those words way too often. Men will abuse their wives but in the same breath tell her those empty words to make things temporarily better. Many do not know what love really is. You don't know love until you have God in your heart and understand what He did for you. God sent His son to take nails through his hands and feet. Because He loves YOU. He sent His son to drip blood and have a sword driven into his side. Because He loves YOU. He sent His son to be mocked and ridiculed and to gasp for breath while gravity tore at his hands and feet. Because He loves YOU. He DOES LOVE YOU! God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to walk our walk and to die for us so that we could be forgiven. Jesus knew it was coming, yet, he didn't cry out for them to stop. He never asked them to take it easy on him. He never faught back. He took every beating, harsh word, stab, nail, for YOU. Because He loves YOU.
If you have been moved by this message and feel you need some guidance....do not hesitate to call or communicate with our deacons listed or our pastor. If you would like to visit Sparta Baptist Church, do not hesitate. God may be moving in you and remember...ALLsins are forgivable except denying Christ.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Are You Sure Your Name is on the Roll?
Our message today comes from Ezekial 9:1-11.
1He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
2And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
3And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
4And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
5And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
6Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
7And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
8And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
10And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
11And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Have you ever prayed and prayed and wondered where God was? If so, you need to consider two things.
1.) God is either working on His own time and feels there is something else He wants to show you or...
2.) You aren't really saved.
I think I'd rather have the first be the reason my prayers are not answered when I want them to be. The second is scary. You know, God knocks on many hearts more than once. Many times He sends someone or something our way to get our attention so we may open our hearts to Him. How many times have YOU not answered that call or knock at the door? Are you saved?
If you are a person who is attending church but you haven't accepted Christ into your heart yet, you need to. Just attending church and working in the church does not get you a ticket into Heaven. Good works cannot save you. You won't earn salvation till you accept God as your Savior.
You can't work to be saved, but once you are saved you are to work. You may not know what you are called to do or what your spiritual gifts are. Many believe the only job to do in a church is to teach but it isn't. If you are wondering what your spiritual gifts are and how you can serve your church, a simple google search will pull up many spiritual gifts tests. You "googlers" will understand this. Simply type in "spiritual gifts test" and it will pull up several on line and paper copies you can download. This is crucial if we are going to do what God asks us to do on this Earth. You know God may just be checking to see if you are WILLING to go and do. But be warned: Doing things in a church and acting on your spiritual gifts do not get you into Heaven. They won't give you a mark for doing just good things. You don't earn brownie points. You have to accept God into your heart and believe in Him.
Have you ever knocked on the doors of the White House and invited yourself in to dine with the president himself? No? Well why not? It is because you know if you do, every protection agent will get you. He is inaccessible! Yet....the Bible tells us to call on those who have charge over us. Our president falls into that category as does our senators, representatives, and governors. However; how are we to call on them when they are inaccessible? Guess what.....our country is in such a shape that many really don't want us to call on them. In fact, many avoid us Christians because they are afraid we will pull their skeletons out of their closets. Which by the way, election time is approaching and we need to take a really deep look at our candidates. We need to choose only those candidates that are as closely committed to serving God as our founding fathers did when they founded this very country we live in.
In our scripture, God is telling Ezekial to go out and to kill those who are not marked and that includes those that hold charge, those that hold weapons, anyone not bearing a mark. If you look back in the scripture you will find that these slayings began in God's own house. What does that tell us today? He will start calling on those within the church walls. And guess what??? There are people sitting in our church pews today in all churches around this nation.....unmarked! But He tells Ezekial, "Slay EVERY person without a mark, but come notnar anyone with a mark." How do you become marked? Accept Christ as your Savior! But wait a minute.....you say....you thought everyone that attended church is going to Heaven? NO! Only those that are saved and have accepted Christ into their hearts and have asked for forgiveness. There are unmarked people in ourchurches. And one day very soon, God will say enough is enough.
If you are UNMARKED/UNSAVED listen up: You will only have so many witnesses, preachers, Christians sent to you, begging you to come to church with them, accept Christ, listen to what God has done in the lives of those you encounter.....but remember this....when God has had enough, he's had enough. The next time someone invites you to church or the next time someone tries to talk to you about God' awesomeness and power, may very well be your last chance.
When you face God on your judgement day, do you want to hear him say, "I knocked, and I knocked, and I knocked many, many times, but you never answered. I am sorry my child, I cannot let you in"? Don't pass up the opportunities God is giving you.
If you ARE already MARKED.....Who are you bringing with you on judgement day? Will you be there standing alone or will you be there surrounded by those you have shared the Good News with? You will have to answer for the works you do or do not do here on earth. God is sending us to "Knock" for Him. Are you doing your job? Are you using your spiritual gifts the way they should be used? We are to be like dandelions blowing in the breeze. Each dandelion creates more and more seeds to blow in the wind and spread. If you are not spreading the seeds of God, we will never win people to Christ.
So now I ask you, are you sure your name is on the roll in Heaven? If not, this may be you last chance....don't miss it! Seek out someone you know is indeed a Christian to help you know who God is. And you may be scared to do this, but all Christians have done it before. We weren't born this way, we have all had to go through what you are going through. You are never alone in your decision. We all understand the feelings you have because we, too, have been there. Do not hesitate! God is knocking on your door at this very moment. All you have to do is answer.
1He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
2And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
3And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side;
4And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
5And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
6Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
7And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.
8And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?
9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
10And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
11And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Have you ever prayed and prayed and wondered where God was? If so, you need to consider two things.
1.) God is either working on His own time and feels there is something else He wants to show you or...
2.) You aren't really saved.
I think I'd rather have the first be the reason my prayers are not answered when I want them to be. The second is scary. You know, God knocks on many hearts more than once. Many times He sends someone or something our way to get our attention so we may open our hearts to Him. How many times have YOU not answered that call or knock at the door? Are you saved?
If you are a person who is attending church but you haven't accepted Christ into your heart yet, you need to. Just attending church and working in the church does not get you a ticket into Heaven. Good works cannot save you. You won't earn salvation till you accept God as your Savior.
You can't work to be saved, but once you are saved you are to work. You may not know what you are called to do or what your spiritual gifts are. Many believe the only job to do in a church is to teach but it isn't. If you are wondering what your spiritual gifts are and how you can serve your church, a simple google search will pull up many spiritual gifts tests. You "googlers" will understand this. Simply type in "spiritual gifts test" and it will pull up several on line and paper copies you can download. This is crucial if we are going to do what God asks us to do on this Earth. You know God may just be checking to see if you are WILLING to go and do. But be warned: Doing things in a church and acting on your spiritual gifts do not get you into Heaven. They won't give you a mark for doing just good things. You don't earn brownie points. You have to accept God into your heart and believe in Him.
Have you ever knocked on the doors of the White House and invited yourself in to dine with the president himself? No? Well why not? It is because you know if you do, every protection agent will get you. He is inaccessible! Yet....the Bible tells us to call on those who have charge over us. Our president falls into that category as does our senators, representatives, and governors. However; how are we to call on them when they are inaccessible? Guess what.....our country is in such a shape that many really don't want us to call on them. In fact, many avoid us Christians because they are afraid we will pull their skeletons out of their closets. Which by the way, election time is approaching and we need to take a really deep look at our candidates. We need to choose only those candidates that are as closely committed to serving God as our founding fathers did when they founded this very country we live in.
In our scripture, God is telling Ezekial to go out and to kill those who are not marked and that includes those that hold charge, those that hold weapons, anyone not bearing a mark. If you look back in the scripture you will find that these slayings began in God's own house. What does that tell us today? He will start calling on those within the church walls. And guess what??? There are people sitting in our church pews today in all churches around this nation.....unmarked! But He tells Ezekial, "Slay EVERY person without a mark, but come notnar anyone with a mark." How do you become marked? Accept Christ as your Savior! But wait a minute.....you say....you thought everyone that attended church is going to Heaven? NO! Only those that are saved and have accepted Christ into their hearts and have asked for forgiveness. There are unmarked people in ourchurches. And one day very soon, God will say enough is enough.
If you are UNMARKED/UNSAVED listen up: You will only have so many witnesses, preachers, Christians sent to you, begging you to come to church with them, accept Christ, listen to what God has done in the lives of those you encounter.....but remember this....when God has had enough, he's had enough. The next time someone invites you to church or the next time someone tries to talk to you about God' awesomeness and power, may very well be your last chance.
When you face God on your judgement day, do you want to hear him say, "I knocked, and I knocked, and I knocked many, many times, but you never answered. I am sorry my child, I cannot let you in"? Don't pass up the opportunities God is giving you.
If you ARE already MARKED.....Who are you bringing with you on judgement day? Will you be there standing alone or will you be there surrounded by those you have shared the Good News with? You will have to answer for the works you do or do not do here on earth. God is sending us to "Knock" for Him. Are you doing your job? Are you using your spiritual gifts the way they should be used? We are to be like dandelions blowing in the breeze. Each dandelion creates more and more seeds to blow in the wind and spread. If you are not spreading the seeds of God, we will never win people to Christ.
So now I ask you, are you sure your name is on the roll in Heaven? If not, this may be you last chance....don't miss it! Seek out someone you know is indeed a Christian to help you know who God is. And you may be scared to do this, but all Christians have done it before. We weren't born this way, we have all had to go through what you are going through. You are never alone in your decision. We all understand the feelings you have because we, too, have been there. Do not hesitate! God is knocking on your door at this very moment. All you have to do is answer.
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