Text: Isaiah 26:3, 4

Introduction: Is your mind at “PEACE”? Can your thought life “rest” in dependency upon Jesus Christ? Are you finding yourself agitated and irritated most of the time? Worried and anxious? Mad and angry? Have you discovered a place of security and confidence because of God’s promises? How can we, as believers in the Living God, find “PEACE” for these troubled days? Isaiah was primarily writing to the southern Kingdom of Judah warning them of the impending judgment to come. This was due to their disobedience, not following the Word of the Lord. However, the Lord also gives them a “ray of HOPE” with their coming Messiah. In the midst of these circumstances, there is a great word for all believers found in two parts of Isaiah 26:3, 4.

1. PEACE of MIND…just in TIME! (Isaiah 26:3)

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

• The word “peace ” is yêtser, which means imagination, mind

Personal application: Our mind is the battle ground! Do you agree? How can we keep our minds pure and undefiled?
Paul tells us how. In Philippians 4:8 the key is given, which reads,

“8Finally, 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.”

2. PEACE of MIND… all the TIME! (Isaiah 26:4)

“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”

• The word “trust” is bâṭach which means have confidence, Hope
• The word “strength” is rock, boulder

Personal application: Knowing who the God of the Bible is gives us great confidence that He loves us and has His children’s best interest in mind.

Conclusion: There is a beautiful picture that illustrates this truth. A little bird is perched underneath a huge rock that juts out over the ocean shore. A storm is raging. The fierce wind is blowing while the lightning is flashing across the dark sky. Waves are beating against the rock where the little bird is perched. Meanwhile, the little bird has its head nestled underneath its wings…..sound ASLEEP! Over the picture reads these words:  “PERFECT PEACE”

God grant it, that though the storms of life are raging all around us, yet within us is JESUS – “PERFECT PEACE”!

Introduction: Someone has said it is better to say, “THANKS” and not mean it, than to mean it, and not say it! Do you feel that sometimes saying “Thanks” is just not enough? How can we as the Church show appreciation to each other besides just saying, “thank you”?

1. By Praying for each Other with “INTERCESSION”! (2 Thess 3:1)

“1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”

Personal Application: What a privilege it is to “pray” for each other! So far today, I’ve had the privilege of praying with 6 different people who have called asking for prayer. Who have you prayed “for” (with) today?

2. By Reminding each Other of our Lord’s “PROTECTION”! (2 Thess 3:3)

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

3. By having confidence in each Other with “COOPERATION”! (2 Thess 3:4)

“And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.”

4. By anticipating with each Other the Coming of our Lord with “EXPECTATION”! (2 Thess 3:5)

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

Conclusion: Are you praying for your brothers and sisters with INTERCESSION, and reminding them of God’s PROTECTION, serving together with COOPERATION, while watching and waiting for Jesus to return with EXPECTATION? That is the “BEST WAY to SAY……THANKS”!

Text: Psalm 30:1-12

“To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

Introduction: One of our men used to say to me, “Bro Randy. We’ve got more to “SHOUT ABOUT”…..than “POUT ABOUT”! He’s right! David learned that lesson, and gives us three (3) Reasons to Sing to the Lord….. and three (3) Reasons to GIVE THANKS to JESUS! Will we take his counsel?

1. Check out and see if you agree for the (3) REASONS we should SING to Jesus! (Psalm 30:1-7)

• 1st Reason is because He picks us up when we get down! – Psa 30:1
  “I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.”

• 2nd Reason is because He heals us when we get sick! – Psa 30:2
  “O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.”

• 3rd Reason is because He shows us favor! – Psa 30:3-7
  “O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 6And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 7LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.”

Personal Application: Are you down at the moment? Jesus will pick you up. Do you need physical, emotional, or spiritual healing? Call upon the Lord. Are you longing for divine FAVOR? Because of our relationship with God the Son, we have FAVOR with our Heavenly Father.

2. Check out and see if you agree for the (3) REASONS we should GIVE THANKS to Jesus! (Psalm 30:4-11)

• 1st Reason to Give THANKS because of who He is! – Psa 30:4
  “4Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” 
• 2nd Reason to Give THANKS is because Joy Comes in the morn! – Psa 30:5
  “5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”3rd Reason to Give THANKS is because he hears our cry! – Psa 30:8
  “8I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.”

• CREATION (Psa 19:1, 2)
• SALVATION (Acts 4:12)
• SITUATION (Rom 8:28-39)

Introduction: Do you ever complain? Do you know a chronic complainer? If your schedule is interrupted, do you complain? If we have to do without, do we find ourselves murmuring? While paying taxes, do we gripe? When things don’t go our way, do we “throw a fit”? So, what is the “CURE for COMPLAINING”? 

1. DIAGNOSE the Problem of COMPLAINING! (Phil 2:14)

• The word “murmuring” is gongysmós, which means grumble.
• The word for “disputing” is dialogismós, which means arguing, debating.

2. DETERMINE a Plan not to COMPLAIN! (Phil 2:12)

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

• The word “workout” is katergázomai, which means perform, achieve, accomplish.
• The word for “salvation” is sōtēría, which means present tense.

3. DISCOVER the Power over COMPLAINING! (Phil 2:13)

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

• The word “working” is energéō, which means to be operative, to be at work, to show forth.
• The word “pleasure” is eudokía, which means desire, will, satisfaction, purpose.

Text: Romans 14:1-23

1. A “THANKFUL CHRISTian” does not point his or her finger and accuse a brother or sister! (Rom 14:1-7)

“1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.”

2. A “THANKFUL CHRISTian” does point to being accountable to Jesus Christ at His JUDGEMENT SEAT! (Rom 14:7-12)

“7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

3. A “THANKFUL CHRISTian” is always aware of not being a STUMBLING BLOCK but a STEPPING STONE! (Rom 14:13-23)

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way….. 21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. “

Personal Application: The sooner we realize that other CHRISTians are watching us, the better off we will be. Either we become STEPPING STONES or STUMBLING BLOCKS.

Conclusion: Will you ask the question, am I a STEPPING STONE or a STUMBLING BLOCK to my fellow believers? What do I need to confess to the Lord for cleansing? Where do I need to be more cautious because others are observing me?

• How we talk
• Where we go
• Who we hang around
• How we act
• What we do and don’t do
• How we treat people (Walmart, Ingles, Larry’s, Church, School, Home)

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

1. Will you meet me at the “Throne of God” and Pray? (1 Tim 2:1)

“1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”

• The word “exhort” is parakaléō, which means come along side
• The word “supplications” is déēsis, which means request, petition
• The word “intercession” is énteuxis, which means falling in with, meeting with, an interview
• The word “thanksgiving” is eucharistía, which means giving of thanks

Personal Application: How shall we pray?

• Supplications
• Intercession
• Thanksgiving

Who shall we pray for?

• For all men, especially those in authority

2. Will you meet me at the “Throne of God” and Pray and then WALK like a CHRISTian? (1 Tim 2:2, 3)

“2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”

• The word “kings” is basileús which means those leading other people, kings
• The word authority is hyperochḗ which means superiority, elevation
• The word “quiet” is hēsýchios which means peaceable, tranquil
• The word “tranquil” is the word ḗremos which means quiet, solitary
• {The word “honesty” is semnótēs which means seriousness, respect, gravity, holiness

3. Will you meet me at the “Throne of God” and Pray, and then GO & GLOW for the GLORY of our Lord? (1 Tim 2:3-7)

“4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

• Speaking of Jesus, who gave himself a “ransom,” the word “ransom” is antílytron, which means to purchase for a price.

Conclusion: “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1 Tim 2:8)

In the light of what Jesus has done for us; i.e. paying for our sins, we ought to pray for all men, and especially for those in authority. Then afterwards, we are to live a peaceable life that is motivated by sharing with others how the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ ought to cause us to “LIFT up Holy Hands with THANKSGIVING”!

Text: Psalm 100:1-5

Introduction: Do you agree we live in a “Bitter world”? With all the injustice, crime, lawlessness, and deceit, it is easy to get cynical and sour, if you know what I mean. So then, how can we “STAY SWEET in a BITTER World”? The Psalmist gives us four (4) ways to stay, “SWEET & HAPPY” in an unhappy world!

1. Set aside some time everyday to “SING and PRAISE the Lord Jesus”! (Psalm 100:1)

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.”

Practical Application: Do you make it a habit to sing and praise Jesus daily? Or do you listen to CHRISTian music everyday?

2. Set aside some time everyday to “SERVE the Lord Jesus with GLADNESS”! (Psalm 100:2)

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”

Practical Application: Do you make it a point to be an extension of Jesus’ sacrificial love on a daily basis? Can we be trusted as a servant?

3. Set aside some time everyday to SURRENDER to the Lord Jesus as your SHEPHERD! (Psalm 100:3)

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

Practical Application: Do you ask the Holy Spirit to guide you every day? Guide you with daily decisions? Relationships?

4. Set aside some time everyday to SAY THANK YOU, Lord Jesus! (Psalm 100:4, 5)

“4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Practical Application: Are you known as a grateful person? “Thanks giving is thanks living!”

Conclusion: Did you notice how this Psalm 100, dealt with our whole being! For example…
Will we use our VOICE to PRAISE the LORD (Psa 100:1)?
Will we use our HANDS & FEET to SERVE our LORD JESUS (Psa 100:2)?
Will we allow our HEARTS to follow our SHEPHERD (Psa 100:3)?
Will we take our Hands off our LIFE and LET JESUS take CONTROL (Psa 100:4, 5)?

If we will do these things, then we can…………. “STAY SWEET in a BITTER WORLD!”

Text: Acts 12:1-17

Introduction: The early Church exploded in the book of Acts. Luke, with pinpoint precision, carries his readers through the spreading of the gospel after the mighty outpouring on the day of Pentecost. Like a burning fire that cannot be extinguished, the path of the Holy Ghost blazed forward with Churches igniting everywhere. Souls were being saved; Saints were growing in grace; and our Savior, Jesus Christ was having the preeminence. Yet, Satan was unleashing his attacks. That is the background of Acts 12. From there, Luke gives us five (5) signs of a “Great Church”: These same Signs today indicate a “Great Church”!

1. A “GREAT CHURCH” is a Persecuted Church! (Acts 12:1-5)

“1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.”

Personal Application: Is Satan trying to discourage you by having his demons to fight against you? What will you do?

2. A “GREAT CHURCH” is a Praying Church! (Acts 12:5)

“5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

Personal Application: How much do you pray? Do you believe in the power of prayer? Is there someone on your heart right now that has been bound by chains of the following:

• Addiction
• Bitterness
• Pride & self righteousness
• Hypocrisy
• Critical & Judgmental
• Fear & insecurity
• Worry and doubt
• Sexual immorality
• Greed and covetousness
• Lying and deception

Why not intercede for them right now?

3. A “GREAT CHURCH” experiences HOLY GHOST POWER! (Acts 12:6-12)

“6And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

Personal application: Has our Lord ever delivered you from the power of Satan? Have you ever been bound with chains of fear? Fear of death? Fear of losing your health? Fear of being homeless? Fear of another 911? Fear of a nuclear war? Fear of panic attacks? Fear of not being able to live up to everybody else’s expectations?

4. A “GREAT CHURCH” is a Praising Church! (Acts 12:14)

“12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.”

Personal Application: Do you ever pray for something and then doubt God is going to do it? Do you PRAISE the Lord daily?

Conclusion: Do you want to be a part of a “GREAT CHURCH”? Be a “GREAT CHRISTian! Will you purpose in your heart to be PRAYERFUL when persecuted, expect HOLY GHOST POWER when praying in faith, and be determined to PRAISE the Lord Jesus because of His dynamite POWER in your life? If so, that will make a GREAT CHURCH!

Text: Jude 1:24, 25

• Definition of Apostates
• Description of Apostates
• Destiny of Apostates

1. Jesus is able to keep us from FALLING down into DOUBT, and builds us up in PRAYER! (Jude 1:20)

“20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”

• The word “keep” is tēréō, which means guard, watch

2. Jesus is able to keep us from FALLING into Bitterness, and lifts us up with the LOVE of God! (Jude 1:21)

“21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

• The word “keep” is tēréō, which means guard, watch
• The word “love” is agápē, which is used for unconditional love of God

3. Jesus is able to keep us from FALLING away from RESCUING sinners from hell’s fire! (Jude 1:23)

“23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

• The word “keep” is tēréō, which means guard, watch
• The word “save” is sṓzō, which means deliver
• The word “snatch” is harpázō, which means by force
• The word “hating” is miséō, which means detesting
• The word “spotted” is spilóō, which means stained, soiled

1 Cor 9:19-23

Introduction: Do you ever witness? Share your faith in Jesus. What a privilege! Witnessing should be way of life for CHRISTians. D.L. Moody has noted there are only 2 kinds of witnesses…… one… GOOD & the other…BAD! People not only LISTEN to what we SAY but also they WATCH what we DO! Paul’s “TALK” (1 Cor 9:19-23), matched his “WALK”( 1 Cor 9:24-27). If we are going to reach the lost in this 21st century with the GOSPEL of the Lord Jesus Christ, then we must master two (2) approaches.

1. One way to “become all things to all men…that we might win some” is by Speaking the language of the CHURCH -GOER! (1Cor 9:19, 20)

“19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law.”

{The word “servant” v. 19, is doulóō, which means slave…to give one’s self wholly to the needs of another; .i.e. us – giving ourselves over to Jesus}

Personal Application:
Have you ever given yourself over wholly to Jesus?

{The word “gain” v 19, is kerdaínō, which means to win, win over}

Personal Application:
Has the Holy Spirit ever used you to win over somebody else?

{Are you willing to give up your rights to be a slave/servant to all -v. 19)

{Are you willing to give up your rights to gain the Jews -under the law? vv. 19, 20)

2. One way to “become all things to all men…that we might win some” is by Speaking the language of the NON-CHURCH -GOER! (1 Cor 9:21, 22)

“21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”

{Are you willing to give up your rights to those without the law – Gentiles- but under the law of Jesus? v.21}

{Are you willing to give up your rights to those who were weak – Jew or Gentile – to seeing them saved by Jesus? v.22}