1. Because of good or bad “LEADERSHIP,” nations either rise or fall! (Judges 1:28, 2:10)

“28And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.”

“0And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

That bears repeating:
“…unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

2. Because of righteous or evil LEADERS, nations either rise or fall! (Judges 3:9)

Conclusion: A godly leader is known for what he or she STANDS for….and STANDS against. We need to PRAY for our President -Joe Biden & his cabinet, other governmental officials, and community leaders- that God will turn their hearts toward Him!

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” (Prov 21:1)

While we may not be able to change the WHITE HOUSE, we can make a difference at our HOUSE…and our Father’s HOUSE, the Church.

• If God forgave disobedient Adam, He will forgive you and me
• If Jesus forgave adulterer and murderer King David, He will forgive you and me
• If God forgave wicked king Manasseh, He will forgive you and me
• If God forgave backslidden Jonah, He will forgive you and me
• If God forgave the harlot Rahab, He will forgive you and me
• If Jesus forgave the thief on the cross, He will forgive you and me
• If Jesus forgave greedy Zacchaeus, He will forgive you and me
• If Jesus forgave the Philippian jailer, He will forgive you and me
• If Jesus forgave persecutor Paul, known as Saul, He will forgive you and me

1. In order to experience God’s FORGIVENESS, you have to know the FORGIVER, Jesus Christ! (Luke 7:36, 37)

“36And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment.”

Here was a Bad woman that needed to EMPTIED of her Badness that she might be FILLED up with God’s Goodness!

When Jesus forgave me in 1982, He looked beyond What I had done, (though it was sin- and wrong) and told me to Look at what He had DONE on the cross! (His death, burial, and resurrection) Likewise, Jesus did the same thing with this woman.

2. In order to experience God’s FORGIVENESS, you have to come with repentance to the FORGIVER, Jesus Christ! (Luke 7:38)

“8And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”

** Come to Jesus BELIEVING

3. In order to experience God’s FORGIVENESS, you need to know the FORGIVER, Jesus Christ PAID a HIGH PRICE for our FORGIVENESS! (Luke 7:48, 49)

“47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.”

** Jesus PAID a PRICE too high for me to pay! (Eph 1:7)

4. In order to experience God’s FORGIVENESS, you NEED to ASK and TRUST Jesus Christ in FAITH right now! (Luke 7:49, 50)

“49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

Conclusion: 

Introduction: Do you remember the song, “Friends are Friends Forever”?

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends.

The song was written by Michael W. Smith.

Do you have a “FOREVER FRIEND”?

Jesus Christ is a “FRIEND FOREVER”!

1. Jonathan LOVED his “FRIEND” David! (1Sam 20:1-4, 17)

“3And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death. 4Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.”

Because of jealousy and a evil spirit, Saul plots to kill David. But Saul’s son, Jonathan, loves and wants to help David.

“….. 6So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies. 17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends

2. Jonathan laid down his life for his “FRIEND” David! (1Sam 20:30-33)

“0Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? 31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. 32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? 33And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. 34So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.”

Remember:
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends

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

In order to have a friend, we must show ourself friendly.

3. Jonathan saved the life of his “FRIEND” David! (1Sam 20:35-42)

“5And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. 36And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee? 38And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. 39But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. 41And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. 42And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.”

Jesus is a FOREVER FRIEND!

“…there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” (Prov 18:24).

Have you found a friend in Jesus?

There’s an old song with the words that convey this thought:

Conclusion: Just as Jonathan loved his FRIEND David, we can love & appreciate the FRIENDS that Jesus brings into our lives.

Will you text, email, or call a FRIEND right now and let them know you LOVE them with the LOVE of the Lord?

1. The Shunamite woman – a WOMAN of true Faith in the God of the Bible! (2Kings 4:8-37)

**She GAVE!

“8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”

**She RECEIVED!
(2Kings 4:14-17)

“4And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.”

**She LOST!
(2Kings 4:18-21)

“And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.”

**She RECEIVED again!
(2Kings 4:35-37)

2. Elisha – a true MAN of God who was used by the God of the Bible! (2Kings 4:8-10)

**He RECEIVED!

“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”

**He GAVE!
(2Kings 4:12-17; 18-35)

“12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. 14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.”

**He Prophesied (v16)

“16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.”

**He Prayed (v33)

Conclusion: In order to be BLESSED by our Lord, we must learn to GIVE. Not for credit or boasting, but rather for the
GLORY of God!

Introduction: D.L. Moody was a great and witty evangelist. One time as he approached the pulpit to preach, he noticed a letter meant for him, which had the word inscribed- “FOOL”! While reading the word, “FOOL,” out loud, he announced to the congregation, “You know, I’ve gotten a lot of letters in my lifetime where the person wrote the letter and forgot to SIGN their name. This is the first time I’ve seen where the person SIGNED their NAME and forgot to write the letter”!

1. Atheistic FOOL! (Psa 14:1)

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.”

Notice the problem with the HEART is the HEART of the problem! The FOOL does not say in his or her HEAD but the HEART!! Get the HEART fixed and the HEAD will follow.

Their HEART is set against TRUTH (John 8:32; John 14:6).

2. A SINNING FOOL! (Prov 14:9)

“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.”

Paul writes that whatever a man SOWS, that is what he will REAP! (Gal 6:7, 8)

“7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

In other words, he is saying, “You can’t turn your nose up at God.” He will not be mocked- made fun of.

The word is μυκτηρίζω – mook-tay-rid’-zo), which means to turn up the nose or sneer at…I sneer at, disdain. God has the final say so. He does not always settle His accounts in October.

3. SHORT-SIGHTED FOOL! (Luke 12:16- 21)

“16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Jesus called the rich man a FOOL. Why? Not because he was rich. But because he wasn’t prepared to die and face a holy God. All he was doing was living the world’s philosophy….eat, drink and be merry. Don’t worry about tomorrow, death or life after death. The world would call him SUCCESSFUL! “Rich & Famous.” I imagine all his friends and neighbors would walk by his casket and say, he had a lot of MONEY! LAND! BUSINESSES! REAL ESTATE! ASSETS! OWNED a lot of STOCKS! FABULOUS HOMES! FANCY CARS! STYLISH CLOTHES! FORBES magazine!

Jesus called him a FOOL!
Do you know anybody heading in that same direction?
Why not lovingly warn them?
(2Cor 5:11, 20)

4. CHRISTIAN FOOL! (1Cor 3:18; 4:10)

“18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.”

“We are fools for Christ’s sake.”

Paul identified himself as a “FOOL” for Christ!

• A FOOL for the devil?
• A FOOL for the world?
• A FOOL for money?
• A FOOL for sports?
• A FOOL for glamour?
• A FOOL for popularity? Or….
• A FOOL for Jesus?

Introduction: Do you ever get mad? Angry? Are you angry right now? Over what? Is it eating at you? What can you do? Is there help available? How can we appropriate biblical truth by the power of the Holy Spirit to experience freedom?

The right kind of “FIRE” is not bad; it can keep you warm in the winter time. But the wrong kind of “FIRE” can burn down your house! Plus, it can burn down your relationships. 

Suggestion: Keep a FIRE EXTINGUISHER handy!

By examining the book of Proverbs 16:32, along with other passages, we can learn, “How to Put out the Fires of Anger,” which lead to resentment and grudges.

Follow the three (3) steps that lead to “Putting out the Fires of Anger”:

1.  The Causes
2. The Cost
3. The Cure

1. Anger SHOWS up! 

• “The Causes” (Prov 16:32)

**Underlying Faults CAUSES Earthquakes

• • • 1/8 is seen protruding out of the water
    • 7/8 is unseen underneath the water

Unresolved conflicts of the Past can surface at a moment’s notice….out of nowhere.

2. Anger BLOWS up!

• “The Cost” (Prov 14:29)

**Ventilation

**Retaliation

3. Anger can GROW up!

• “The Cure” (Prov 15:1)

Paul writes about the CURE to Anger,

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26-27).

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:31-32).

Instead of being, “Bitten with Bitterness,” Jesus has a remedy; i.e. “JUST LET IT GO!” He forgives us. And then He enables us to forgive others. The Blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit is a “FIRE EXTINGUISHER”!

Conclusion: All of this anger and resentment effects our “TESTIMONY” as a CHRISTian, not to mention the damage it does to our relationships with our loved ones and friends.

Today people are spending thousands and thousands of dollars trying to CURE the deadly disease of resentment.

Text: Galatians 5:16-24

Introduction: Have you ever felt like there was a “tug a war” going on inside of you? On the one hand, you are being pulled and pushed to do RIGHT. But on the other hand, there is a battle raging to yield to the FLESH…..satisfying SELF. By the way, the best definition for FLESH is drop the H and spell it backwards.

What do you have?

S-E-L-F.

Paul describes this WAR between the FLESH and the SPIRIT in Galatians 5:16-24. Here, he lists two (2) steps to take for your breakthrough.

1. Recognize the “Battle of the FLESH”! (Gal 5:16, 17, 19-21)

“16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Personal Application:

Works of The Flesh:

** Anger

** Lusts

** Drugs & Drunkenness

** Witchcraft

** Adultery

** Fornication 

** Lasciviousness 

Are you fighting with any of these? What can you do?

2. Realize how to “Win the WAR over the FLESH”! (Gal 5:16, 24)

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

The phrase, “Have crucified,” (v 24) is σταυρόω, which means to fix to the CROSS, mortify. It is in the active construction and passive, which means we participate in the process. As we repent, fast, and pray, the FLESH is being nailed to the CROSS. 

Personal Application: 

We Win the WAR over the FLESH by walking in the Spirit. That includes both our walk & talk.

Conclusion: The Christian life is not a life of IMITATION but of COOPERATION and PARTICIPATION.

So first, the secret to overcoming the FLESH is RECOGNIZING the BATTLE and then by REALIZING how to WIN the BATTLE over the FLESH. This comes by walking in the SPIRIT.

Feed the Flesh = Flesh Wins!

Feed the Spirit = Spirit Wins!

Which are we feeding?

Introduction: Thank God for another birthday! Especially…. PRAISE the LORD, considering the alternative…??? What do you think??? On second thought, that will not be too bad.

Someone has said, “You know you are getting older when somebody says, ‘I like your ALLIGATOR shoes!’ And, you do not have on any shoes!!” Someone has said, “You know your getting older when your KNEES buckle but your BELT won’t!” But aren’t you glad that our Lord has made provision with His GRACE even as we age gracefully. Speaking of growing older, have you ever heard that song, “WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE?”

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon His face
The One who saved me by His grace
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me to the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be.

1. There is coming a Day… when no heartaches shall come! (Dan 12:1)

“1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

A parallel passage can be found in Revelation Chapter 12. 

“7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” (Rev 12:7, 8)

But listen to the words of the song……

There is coming a day
When no heartaches shall come
No more clouds in the sky
No more tears to dim the eye
All is peace forever more
On that happy golden shore
What a day, glorious day that will be!

2. There is coming a Day… when He takes me by the hand! (Dan 12:3, 4)

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

This seems to indicate, according to some Bible scholars and teachers, that there will be rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul makes reference to this same thought.

“9For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (1Thess 2:19)

After the rapture of the Church, we will stand before Jesus Christ to give an account of our life….works, spiritual gifts.

“10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2Cor 5:10)

3. There is coming a day… when I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace! (Dan 12:2)

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

After we are either resurrected from the dead (our bodies) at the rapture or are alive and “caught up” together in the clouds, we will enjoy being in the presence of the One who LOVED us and gave His all so that we might live eternally with Him in heaven (1Thess 4:13-18).

Conclusion: Finally, the thought of being with Jesus without any pain, sickness, stress, worries, or heartache, is very comforting.

• • • Ease your mind
    • Calm your heart
    • Bless your soul
    • Fill your cup
    • Light your fire
    • Open your eyes
    • Direct your steps
    • Fulfill your desires
    • Answer your questions
    • Settle your destination

1. What is it going to be like BEFORE the KING Comes? (Zech 14:1-3)

“1Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.”

Luke describes this time as a time of FEAR. (Luke 21:25-26)

“25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

2. What is it going to be like WHEN the King comes? (Zech 14:4, 5)

“4And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.”

Jesus describes the events during this time of His return. (Luke 21:27, 28)

“27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

3. What is it going to be like AFTER the King comes? (Zech 14:8, 9)

“8And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 9And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”

Conclusion: I’m looking forward to the King coming! Are you? This world is in a mess. His Kingdom will be established when He returns.

“16And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” (Zech 14:16,17)

1. Look at the TRANSFORMATION and JUBILATION of this crowd who had been saved! (Rev 7:9-10)

“9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. “

2. Look at the JUSTIFICATION of these who had been saved! (Rev 7:13, 14)

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

3. Look at the SANCTIFICATION of these who had been saved! (Rev 7:15)

“5Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”