1. REMEMBER – Jesus Christ has set us FREE from SIN’S PENALTY!

Paul writes,

“23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

The word “wages” is ὀψώνιον, (op-so’-nee-on), which means pay, wages, salary, reward.

John writes in the book of Revelation these words concerning the future judgement-called the GREAT WHITE THRONE:

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev 20:11-15)

Now to the GOOD NEWS:

“but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Other verses in Scripture verify this GOOD NEWS:

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (1 Cor 5:21)

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Cor 15:3-4)

2. REMEMBER – Jesus has set us FREE from SIN’S POWER!

“2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:2-4)

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

3. REMEMBER – Jesus will set us FREE one glorious day from the PRESENCE of SIN!

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev 21:22-27)

Introduction: Don’t forget God! Israel did.

“21They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt.” (Psa 106:21)

You can.
And I can.
Not on purpose, but we get so preoccupied with life, things, family, work, bills, children, health, etc.

1. Don’t Forget God for who He is!

“They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel.” (Psa 106:13)

2. Don’t forget God for what He’s done!

“That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.” (Psa 106:5)

3. Don’t forget we need God!

“We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. 7Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. 8Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. 9He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. 12Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.” (Psa 106:7-12)

Conclusion: How do we treat Jesus? Just need Him when we are in trouble? Just call upon Him when things are bad?

Truthfully, we want the Lord to REMEMBER us! Right? (Psa 106:4,47,48)

Let’s not forget to honor and bless our Lord Jesus daily!

Introduction: Our Lord blesses us with good memories! The devil wants us to remember the bad things, but Solomon writes,

“The memory of the just is blessed.” (Prov 10:7)

I love that verse. I shared that verse with my dad shortly before he went to be with Jesus. It’s special.

Do you REMEMBER the goodness of God?
Has Jesus been good to you?
Do you REMEMBER to give thanks?

Do we Love the Lord Jesus….because He first loved us?

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8)

1. Remember the fallen soldiers who fought for our freedom!

“13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

2. Remember the Lord Jesus Christ who fought for our freedom and won the battle over death, hell, sin and the grave!

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb 2:14)

3. Remember the fallen CHRISTian soldiers who are fighting for our CHRISTian freedom!

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Tim 2:3-4)

Many believers have been martyred because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Down through the centuries the blood is said to flow knee-deep from those who refused to deny our Risen Lord and Coming Bridegroom, and consequently died for their faith. How can we casually serve the One who gave His all to set us FREE?

4. Remember our law enforcement and public servants who are fighting for our freedom! 

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Rom 13:3-4)

5. Remember our Church “servant leaders” who are fighting for our freedom!

“All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here….

“10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.” (Col 4:7-15)

Introduction: What? “Pass the Pain Please.” No thank you. Are you crazy? How can we say, “Pass the Pain Please”?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:5-11)

Jesus experienced physical, emotional, and spiritual PAIN as He took our (my) place on the cross. Yet, He became obedient unto death. Check out Hebrews 5:8:

“8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”

If Jesus, God the Son, experienced obedience through suffering, how much more will we?

2. Speaking of PAIN, Take what Jesus said about His followers, for example.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)

The Word “CROSS” spells D-E-A-T-H! DEATH to self! That is PAINFUL! SELF had been in control for most of our lives.
SELF does not want to die easily. Let’s face it. It hurts to die to our own ideas, our own ways, our friends, music, TV, computer, dress, etc. all that leaves Jesus out. It seems so much easier to give in to the FLESH. Right? But what we do not realize at the time is that there will be reaping where we have sown….sowing to the flesh, and consequently reaping corruption.

Conclusion: When we suffer, especially because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, we identify with Him. It pleases our Father. We are comforted and blessed by our Lord when we identify with Him.

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Pet 2:21)

The word “suffer” is πάσχω, which means I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

Are you suffering today? Please distinguish between self-imposed PAIN (sowing to the flesh) vs suffering PAIN because of our relationship with Jesus. God honors and blesses His children as we suffer for His name’s sake.

Introduction: Parenting is not easy! It takes GRACE!! God’s GRACE. Do you agree? By the way, even as our children move out of the house, we are still fulfilling our role as a parent….it’s lifelong. They need our encouragement, counsel, and sometimes help….believe it or not!

On a lighter note, someone has suggested if they had to do it over again, they might have had GRANDCHILDREN first! Anyway, there seems to be several biblical principles we can practice when parenting. What our Lord said thru Moses to the children of Israel, can be applied in our life today. Listen carefully:

(Deut 6:1-8)

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

1. By Teaching them the Word of God (biblical worldview in a secular world)! (Deut 6:7)

“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

CHALLENGE: For us to learn the Word of God!

2. By SHOWING them how to LIVE out the WORD of God by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Deut 6:8,9)

“And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

3. First TEACHING them , then SHOWING them, and finally LET them do it! (Deut 6:12-15)

“Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 13Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you).”

As much as we would LOVE to live out our lives in our children, they have to flesh it out. That’s the hard part! We want fix it, when they go wrong. Whether deliberately or not, we can become ENABLERS! That is not the God- given goal.

How are you doing in this area?
Do you need to let the line out?
Do you need to tighten it a little?

Pray. Take some time right now, and evaluate where you are at and your children – grandchildren. Trust the Lord to make the changes necessary. When all is said and done… Give Him the GLORY!

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:1-3)

Speaking of PERSECUTION, Jesus set the example that we are to follow.

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Pet 2:21-23)

2. Consider what Paul was inspired to write about CHRISTian PERSECUTION!

“12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3:12)

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” (2 Tim 2:12)

Certainly, he experienced his share of PERSECUTION!

3. Check out what Peter had to say about the subject of PERSECUTION!

4. Listen to the historian and physician, Luke’s description of the early Church’s PERSECUTION!

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide…..”

“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” (Acts 4, 5)

Introduction: Are you STANDING on the PROMISES of God? Instead of sitting on our PROBLEMS, our Lord wants us to Stand in His PROMISES!

Do you remember this song?

Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let his praises ring
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God…

3. The PROMISE to Forgive sin!

Text: Isaiah 55:6-7

Introduction: Pardon is a SWEET word! Say it. PARDON. Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah who was inspired by the Lord:

• The word “pardon” is  סָלַח (saw-lakh’), which means to forgive, pardon.

Instead of giving us what we deserve, which is  judgment, Jesus washes our sins away thru His precious, cleansing blood…as we turn from sin and turn toward Him in childlike trust.

A man who was PARDONED named Peter writes:

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1Pet 3:18)

And again:

“21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1Pet 2:21-24)

Another man who was PARDONED by the Lord Jesus was Paul. In his letter to the Romans while emphasizing the JUSTIFYING GRACE of Jesus Christ writes,  

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom 4:25)

After describing man’s despicable sinfulness Isaiah writes,

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

• Do you hold grudges?
• Do you go to bed mad?
• Do you need Jesus to PARDON you?

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Writing to the Colossian believers Paul says,

Conclusion: PARDON means forgiven. Have you been PARDONED? Because of our disobedience and waywardness, we all need to be PARDONED. Once we have been forgiven, then we have the resurrection power available to PARDON others….family, friends and neighbors!

Introduction: “Do your giving when your living then your knowing where it is going!”

How can that be?
Can God be ROBBED?
He owns the cattle on 1,000 hills and the earth is His.

Are we ROBBING the LORD?
We are breathing His air, walking on His earth, and drinking His water.
Think about it.

1. Did Israel ROB from the Lord even though they were BLESSED? (Mal 3:8)

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.”

2. How did the people of God (who He had BLESSED) ROB from Him? (Mal 3:8)

3. What did Malachi say would happen to the people that ROBBED from the Lord? (Mal 3:9)

“Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”

4. What does Malachi give as the solution from ROBBING from God? (Mal 3:10,11)

“10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.”

4. What promise did Malachi give if the people would OBEY the Lord and stop ROBBING from Him? (Mal 3:12)

“And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”

You see, in the days of Nehemiah – about 100 years before Malachi’s day, God sent a revival. The people rebuilt the walls, the temple and the hand of God was on Jerusalem. However, because of apathy and complacency, the Jews got slack in their worship and GIVING. In fact, they were GIVING the Lord “LEFT OVERS” instead of the firstfruits….the best.

Malachi rebukes both the priests and the people because of their backsliding. But he also assures them the BLESSINGS of God would come for OBEDIENCE.

By the way, we do not bargain with the Lord when we give; i.e. if I give this, then I expect You, Lord to give me this in return. Even though it is true, what we sow we reap. (2Cor 9:6)

“6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

If a farmer sows 1 seed verses 1,000,000 seeds, which can he expect will produce the biggest harvest?

When GIVING, our motives must be right. We give our of a “CHEERFUL” heart! (2Cor 9:7,8)

Conclusion: God GAVE His BEST!
Jesus Christ!!
(John 3:16)
He daily loads us with benefits.
(Psa 68:19)

“Giving” is related to “Trusting”! If we can trust Jesus by faith to forgive all of our sins and take us to heaven, why can’t we trust Him with our resources and finances? After all, we are not OWNERS, rather we are MANAGERS of His BLESSINGS.

Question: Is the real gauge for our GIVING, how much we GIVE (not just money), but really HOW MUCH we have LEFT OVER?

We’ve been BLESSED! Good health, families, homes, cars, food, etc.

Introduction: Is it possible to live in victory over the slavery of sin? Mind you, I’m not talking about sinless perfection. I am talking about coming to the place where sin is no longer our boss!

A new resurrection power in Jesus Christ has liberated our hearts! Are you experiencing this newfound triumphant living? Like an untapped underground spring, waiting to bubble up with refreshing water to the thirsty soul, the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit is ready to anoint and fill the empty heart.

1. The Writer to the book of Hebrews, many believe Paul, writes: (Heb 12:14)

“14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

The word “holiness” is ἁγιασμός,(hag-ee-as-mos’), which means the process of making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness, consecration.

2. Peter writes, 

“14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”(1Pet 1:14-16)

Peter understood the works of the flesh….even to the point of denying Jesus, three times. Yet, he was later transformed, and finished faithful. How can sinful man be holy? 

3. Paul writes,

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom 6:1f)

Later Paul gives us how we have victory.

The word “reckon” is λογίζομαι (log-id’-zom-ahee), which means reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. The word reckon is in the present tense which means it is ongoing; i.e. go on reckoning.

Conclusion: Practically speaking, holiness is the release of the inward power of God thru a yielded vessel. How about your eyes? Are they Holy? Your ears? Are they Holy? Your tongue? Is it Holy? Your hands? Are they Holy? Your Feet? Are they Holy? Your mind? Is it Holy? Your relationships? Are they Holy? Your house? Is it Holy? Your TV? Is it Holy? Your thoughts? Are they Holy?

All of these drive us to our knees to cry, “Jesus You are HOLY!” “I am sinful!”