Mark 14:3-9

1. Do WHAT you can in SERVING the Lord Jesus! (Mark 14:3-8)

“3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.”

2. Do WHAT you can in GIVING to the Lord Jesus! (Mark 14:3-7)

“3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.”

• Give with a cheerful heart (2 Cor 9:7)
• Give with a sacrificial heart (Luke 6:38)

3. Do WHAT you CAN regardless of being criticized for loving the Lord Jesus! (Mark 14:4,5)

“4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.”

• Some will not understand (v 4)
• Greed is rampant

4. Do WHAT you CAN for the Lord Jesus and He will HONOR you! (Mark 14:9)

“9Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

• A memorial here (v 9)
• A memorial in heaven

Conclusion: Are we DOING WHAT we can for the Lord Jesus? Expect critics to bash the way you do things! But remember WHO you are doing it for, and WHY you are doing it! Listen to the commendable words of Jesus,

“She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

That will be worth it all!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

Mark 1:40-42

Introduction: Do you need a change? I just got off the phone with two different men. One has a son, 50 yrs old, who had been in a car wreck and is in the hospital on life support. He’s needing prayer and healing….we lifted up that situation. The other man has a dad who is grieving because of a spouse’s passing away; we prayed for him. Last night a CHRISTian lady called and we prayed for her granddaughter who was in the hospital after having a hysterectomy. Shortly before that a man called requesting prayer for a cyst that was diagnosed as malignant; other needs the last couple of days have been:

• A man with drug addictions

• Coronavirus infection – of a man, his wife and 1 yr old baby

• U.S. Army Veteran – 84 yr old passed away after a 2 week battle with Covid 19 

• A 56 yr old diabetic man had a heart attack – and passed away

• A young man (in 40’s) had 90% heart blockage – stint

• A 80 yr old man eye surgery

• A  63 yr old man going through radiation therapy for cancer treatment 

• Other spiritual, emotional needs… the list goes on.

But Jesus is the Way-Maker and Chain-Breaker. When we’ve got a problem, isn’t it good to know we can take it to the CHANGE-MAKER?

(3) steps:

1. When you’ve got a problem, bring it to the WAY-MAKER & CHAIN-BREAKER! (Mark 1:40)

“40And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

     • Take it to Jesus by asking (v 40)

     • Go to Jesus by worshiping (v 40)

2. Why go to Jesus? Because we need to recognize that Jesus CARES for us! (Mark 1:41)

{The word “Compassion” is the Greek word “splanchnizomai,” which means to be moved as to one’s bowels-love and pity.}

     • We ought to show compassion 

3. We can REJOICE because one touch from the Master’s hand will bring HEALING! (Mark 1:42)

“And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.”

     • Jesus’ hand has healing power

     • Jesus’ blood has cleansing power 

Conclusion: Do you need spiritual, physical, or emotional healing? Do you know someone else that does? Jesus Christ is a CHAIN-BREAKER and a WAY-MAKER!! In fact, He is a GAME-CHANGER and a CHANGE-MAKER!!

Hebrews 6:17-20

Introduction: Have you ever lost HOPE? Felt hopeless? Something you could not control? It’s not a good feeling. But there’s HOPE for us when we feel HOPELESS! Many believe Paul to be the writer of the book of Hebrews. Others suggest it was Barnabas, Luke, Jude or even Apollos. Either way the Scriptures are “inspired” by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). The book of Hebrews encouraged Christian Jews not to return to Judaism practices under the Old Testament but rather press on to maturity under Jesus Christ. This is applicable to us today as CHRISTians. We are not to go back into a lifestyle of legalism – operating from the flesh (Gal 1, 2), but to press on to the Spirit-filled life. Experience HOPE today! Paul gives us (3) reasons to have HOPE when we feel HOPELESS:

1. Our Lord Jesus wants you to be CONVINCED! (Heb 6:17)

“17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:”

{The word “Heirs” is “kleronomois,” which means inherit, one who receives, possession by lot or portion allotted to him}

{The word “Immutability” is “ametathetos,” which means unchanging, not to be transferred, fixed}

{The word “Counsel” is “boolay,” which means plan, purpose, will, decision}

**The Anchor Holds**

2. Our Lord Jesus wants us to be CONVINCED so that we can stay ENCOURAGED! (Heb 6:18)

“18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

{The word “Consolation” is paraklaysis which means encouragement, comfort, calling, summons}

• “Fled”- Where are you running to?
• “Hold on” – What are you holding on to?

**The Anchor Holds**

3. Our Lord Jesus wants us to be CONVINCED so that we can stay ENCOURAGED because the “ANCHOR HOLDS”! (Heb 6:19)

“19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”

{The word “Sure” is “asfalace,” which means firm, certain, true, reliable}

• The Anchor holds – when tempted
• The Anchor holds – there’s hope

Conclusion: ** The Anchor Holds**
Jesus is dependable. His Word is unchangeable and totally reliable in life and in death! Therefore, because of our relationship with the living God, we can be CONVINCED and ENCOURAGED because His “ANCHOR HOLDS”!

Acts 27:1-44

Introduction: Do you ever get afraid right before a BIG storm – tornado….hurricane? How can we experience God’s PEACE while going through a STORM? Luke, the physician and historian, records the scary account Paul faced as a prisoner, while on his way to Rome. Once a murderer and persecutor of CHRISTians, now he is a man on a mission. Consider (5) ways to “weather the storms of life”:

1. REFRESH yourself by others before the STORM! (Acts 27:3)

“And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself”

{The word “Refresh” epeemeliah means care, attention, needs}

     • “Refresh” because of physical tiredness

     • “Refresh” because of mental and emotional tiredness 

2. RELEASE the things out of your CONTROL into the Lord’s Hands! (Acts 27:10,11)

“Paul admonished them, 10And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.”

    • Paul – “Been there, done that”! Experience 

    • Paul – Wisdom & discernment from the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:9-16)

3. REJOICE because Jesus Christ is in CONTROL of the STORM! (Acts 27:17-22)

“….fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; 19And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.”

{The word ” Cheer” is yoothoomeho, which means good courage, be happy, be joyful.}

     • “Be of good cheer”

     •  God is here 

4. REMEMBER to have FAITH in the God of the STORMS! (Acts 27:23-26)

“23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

     • Fight your fear

     • Feed your Faith

5. RETURN thanks to the Lord because of His Faithfulness thru the STORMS! (Acts 27:33-36)

“33And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. 35And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.”

     • Thanksgiving

     • Thanksliving 

Conclusion: What kind of STORM are you navigating through right now? Death of a loved one, a set back in a relationship, a financial bind, a health issue, a big decision, all of these being on anxieties and insecurities. But as we trust Jesus as the Captain of our ship, He has promised to be with us “Through” the STORM! Doesn’t that bring COMFORT and PEACE to your heart?

2 Chronicles 17, 18, 19, 20

Introduction: Have you found your “Valley of Blessing”? Is there a place that you can find “Peace & Rest”? In other words, it’s not always on the mountain that you get the “BLESSING” but sometimes it’s in the “VALLEY.” Are you in a VALLEY? Wait for the BLESSING! This brief study of good king Jehoshaphat reveals (2) interesting insights:

The writer of 2 Chronicles – many believe Ezra – says this about Jehoshaphat:

“And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not after Baalim” (2 Chron 17:3)

1. What keeps us from our “VALLEY of BLESSING”? (2 Chron 17, 18, 19)

“And thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.” (2 Chron 18:26)

    • The king of Israel – Bitten with Bitterness, angry and agitated

“And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” (2 Chron 18:21)

     • A Lying spirit

“Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. 2And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead. 3And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.” (2 Chron 19:1-3)

     • Ungodly alliances 

2. How can we get to our “VALLEY of BLESSING”? (2 Chron 20:1-26)

“It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi. 3And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.”

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

“5And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 7Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? 8And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.” (2 Chron 20:1-9)

    • Exchange Control! (2 Chron 20:6) 

    • Engage the Enemy! (2 Chron 20:7, 9)

“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” (2 Chron 20:12)

     • Exercise Trust!

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. 24And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. 25And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.”

The People Return in Triumph

“26And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.” (2 Chron 20:22-26)

     • Empowered by Praise!

Nehemiah 1-4

Introduction: Are you in a battle right now? What kind of war is it? Are you winning or losing? Our nation is in a demonically driven cultural war. Our families are in a spiritual war, which undermines our biblical foundation. Our Churches are facing the fiery darts from evil spirits attacking from “outside” the Church as well as “inside” the Church. So, in order to fight and win the battle over the enemy, the book of Nehemiah equips us with (2) important strategies:

Remember, Nehemiah the Jew, was the cup-bearer to the king (he drank everything before the king did to protect the king); yet he was far away from his homeland (he was in Persia – modern day Iran). His home was in Israel, more specifically Jerusalem. He received a God-given VISION, which resulted in a God-given PROVISION, but he faced a devil-given OPPOSITION.

1. Notice (3) STRATEGIC steps that a work of God includes in order to WIN the WAR over the enemy! (Neh 1:2-12, 4:20)

“And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, and said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

…..2Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, 3And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? 4Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. 6And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him), For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me;”

• God-given INITIATIVE
{God birthed it in Nehemiah’s heart – Neh 1:4}

• God-given CONFIRMATION
{God put it on the King’s heart – pagan king}

• God-given victory over the OPPOSITION
{God led the people to work and defeated the enemies attacks, both “external” – Sanballat, Gesham (Neh 2), and “internal” – complaints from within – Nehemiah’s own people were whining about how things were being run….. sound familiar??? – Neh 5}

2. Check out (3) STRATEGIES that the enemy has in order to HINDER the work of God, but our Lord overcomes the enemy! (Neh 2-4)

“17Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. 18Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? 20Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem”

• CHRISTian Freedom! (Neh 2:17-20)

“10And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 11And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. 13Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

• CHRISTian Faith! (Neh 4:10-14)

• CHRISTian Families! (Neh 4:14)

Conclusion: Praise the Lord Jesus for forewarning us of the battles we will face. Yet, just as important, Bless His name because in Him we can win the Victory! **But remember, it’s His VISION, with His PROVISION, regardless of the OPPOSITION!**

Introduction: Have you ever been fishing? 🐠 Caught anything? Have you ever been fishing and not even get a BITE? It helps to know: WHEN, WHERE, and HOW to catch fish! Jesus knows all the above. I never enjoyed CLEANING the Fish as much as I enjoyed catching the Fish! By the way, I’m glad when we go fishing for people, Jesus does the cleaning!

1. Jesus knows WHEN, WHERE, and HOW to catch fish 🎣! (Luke 5:1-4)

“And it came to pass, that as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them washing their nets…..and he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. …..he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.”

• The When – after they had fished all night (v 5)
• The Where – launch out into the deep (v 4)
• The How – let down your nets (v 4)

2. We get WEARY and WORN, and DEFEATED and DISCOURAGED when we don’t catch Fish! (Luke 5:4b)

“And Simon, answering….Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing.”

• Tired – fished all night (v 5)
• Discouraged – caught nothing (v 5)

3. We’ve got to learn to use the RIGHT BAIT, with OBEDIENCE and FAITH! (Luke 5:6, 7)

“Nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.”

• At your Word (v 5)
• Net broke (v 6)

Conclusion: The Sea of Galilee is a beautiful and bountiful fishing place {12 miles long – 7 miles wide}. I’ve had the privilege of sailing & fishing in a boat on the lake. What a lesson on fishing! Jesus knows WHEN, WHERE, and HOW to CATCH the fish! “Follow me I will make you fishers of men.”

Introduction: Have you ever felt like a failure? If we’re honest, we’ve all failed! Failed God; Failed others; Failed living the Spirit-filled life day by day. Yet, our failures did not take our Lord by surprise. “He knows our frame….we are but dust”! Imagine how Jeremiah the prophet felt.

* His call (Jer 1), at 20 yrs old

* His condition (Jer 2-9), at a time of wickedness

* His courage (Jer 10-19), calling Judah back to God

* His confinement (Jer 20-37), persecuted for being faithful to God

* His commitment (Jer 38-52), faithful to the finish

Today, we can take (3) steps to “Turn our Burdens into Blessings”….. and experience a “Turnaround”!

1. Do you believe that God can turn your “BURDEN into a BLESSING”….your “DARK NIGHT into a BRIGHT LIGHT”?(Jer 32:1-15)

“Then the King of Babylon’s army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the King of Judah’s house.”

• What do you think was going through Jeremiah’s mind while in prison? Where’s God? Why Lord?
• How can we be Blessed – learn – from Jeremiah’s FAITH during a difficult time? What about today?

HE BOUGHT LAND! This was in spite of knowing Judah would be devastated.

“And Jeremiah said, The word of the Lord came unto me saying, Behold Hanameel…..thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it…..And I bought the field….seventeen shekels of silver.

{The bill of purchase signed, sealed, to guarantee its legality – 2 copies and placed in a clay jar to protect from decay-
Keep in mind, he would not possess this until after 70 yrs of captivity (Jer 25:11)}

2. Do you believe that our God can take our “PAIN” of the past and bring about “GAIN” in the future? (Jer 32:16-44)

“For this saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land….I prayed…..Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”

• Israel’s Past failure – “pain” turned into Israel’s future “gain”
• Our Past failure – “pain” turned into our Lord Jesus Christ’s “gain”

{The word “difficult” paw law, means beyond one’s power}

“For thus saith the Lord; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.”

• Israel needed to look back and see what the Lord had done
• We need to look back and see what our Lord has done
• We can look forward to what our Lord will do

Conclusion: Jeremiah reminds us how the Lord turns evil (bad) into good (Jer 32:42). Also, just as Israel had a “TURNAROUND,” the power of the Holy Spirit is able to take our bad and “TURN” it around for good!

**Failures into Blessings**

However, the key to this happening is exercising FAITH (TRUST) in Lord Jesus, no matter how dark it gets….. “The DARKER the night, the BRIGHTER the light!”

1 Peter 4:12:19

Introduction: It seems like trials are always knocking on our door! Of course they show up in different forms and sizes. Knock, knock, knock…..who’s there? Another trial. Ready or not here they come. What do you do? How should we respond? Why would our Lord Jesus allow us to be tested so much? Can anything good come out of all these problems?

***A Friendly Reminder***

God had only one Son (Jesus) without sin; but He never had a son without trials. Speaking of trials, I just came from a dear CHRISTian lady’s house who is suffering with pain and getting ready to depart from this life into the life to come. Peter who went thru various TRIALS wrote about suffering and gives us (3) reasons to rejoice:

1. Our Faith in the God of the Bible is going to be TRIED by the FIRE! (1 Pet 4:12)

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice…”

{“Think it not strange”- the word “strange” Xenid means – to be surprised, astonished, shocked.}

{“Fiery” is poorosis, which means refiners Fire, test character.}

{“Trial” is the word pirasmos, which means putting to proof by adversity.}

   • Fires are meant to try us

   • Fiery trials are meant to refine us

2. Our Faith in the God of the Bible can be TRAINED by the Fire! (1 Pet 4:13, 14)

“But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you…”

    • Will you Rejoice in suffering with Jesus? (v 13)

    • Will you Rejoice when Jesus is revealed? (v 13, 14)

3. Our Faith in the God of the Bible can be TRUSTED in the FIRE! (1 Pet 4:15-19)

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men’s matters….Yet if any man suffer as a CHRISTian, let him not be ashamed, but glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God….and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit through keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as into a faithful Creator.”

    • The Fire of God’s judgment (v 15)

    • The Fire of God’s chastisement (v 17)

    • The Fire of God’s alignment (v 19)

Conclusion: I love the story of the Christian man who was ship-wrecked on a deserted island by himself. So with much sweat and hard work, he finally succeeded in building a nice home. After weeks and months of being hopeless of ever being rescued, one day while he was fishing out in the ocean he noticed a cloud of smoke billowing up on the horizon. To his utter horror, he discovered it was his home going up in flames! Saddened and angry over why God would allow such a tragedy, he cried out to God in disbelief. While he was praying, he heard a funny sound overhead. It was a helicopter coming to rescue him……they had spotted the smoke and flew to the island with hope and help. What seemed like life’s worse trial at the time was a BLESSING in disguise!

**Remember **

John 6:22-42

Introduction: What’s driving you? If you and I talked for 5 minutes, we would discover what’s on our mind. Not to mention what’s on our heart….

* Your children?

* Your past?

* Your money, bills?

* Your circumstances?

* Your sports?

* Your health?

* Your family?

* Your God?

Why aren’t you happy? Do our priorities need to be readjusted? Are we expecting everybody to meet all of our needs? John, the beloved apostle, records an experience he witnessed that gives us (3) ways to tell “What’s Driving Us”!

A large crowd had witnessed Jesus miraculously feeding over 5,000 people with a little lad’s lunch of fish and chips – 2 small fish & 5 barley loaves of bread. Consequently,  they began to think about who this Miracle-Maker was and how they could benefit from Him. This same response can be seen today.

1. Are we finding ourselves being SIGN-SEEKERS? (John 6:30)

“They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work?”

    • Sign-seekers in Jesus’ & Paul’s day

{Paul wrote, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks after wisdom.” God chose the foolishness of preaching the “Word of God” in order for men to believe and to be saved – (1 Cor 1:18-23)}

    • Are their Sign-seekers today? Yes.

{Instead – God requires faith – (Heb 11:1-6; Rom 10:17; Eph 2:8, 9)}

2. Are we finding ourselves being SELF-SATISFIERS? (John 6:26)

“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled.”

     • Self-satisfiers in Jesus’ day – “What’s in it for me?”

    • Self-satisfiers in our day – “What’s in it for me?”

3. Are you willing to become a “SURRENDERED SAINT”? (John 6:66-69)

{After Jesus talked about eating his flesh and drinking His blood (v 53 – symbolically), many of his disciples went back – turned away- and walked no more with him v 66}

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67)

    • Peter quickly acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, who had the words of eternal life.

    • “To whom shall we go?” (v 68)

Conclusion: Tell me, are you a SURRENDERED SAINT? I can hear a lot of us saying, “Well….sort of……some things.” If our Lord Jesus, who has promised to give us both eternal life as well as abundant life, can be trusted with our total life, should we depend on our own understanding? (Prov. 3:5, 6). Are you & I willing to not just say the words (cheap talk), but to allow His Spirit to break us from letting our SELF-life control us (our mind, will and EMOTIONS)? 

Take a step back. Evaluate. Signs? Self? Security? Spirit? What’s Driving Us?