Tychicus was called “beloved”. The word is ἀγαπητός, which means loved. People -CHRISTians- loved him. Could it be that they loved him because he was dependable? Paul explained that he was a “faithful” servant. First, he loved and served Jesus because of His great love for him (us). By the way, it is that “love” that Jesus has got for us that motivates us to love Him and serve Him thru His Church.  

 2. Paul wrote, (2Cor 5:14,15) – “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” 

The word “constraineth” is συνέχω: It means to hold together, to hold fast. In other words, the LOVE of Christ holds us together and motivates us to be FAITHFUL. This LOVE is diametrically opposed to the world’s love. It changes us, our “want to’s”! 

Introduction: Israel is at war both in the north and the south. Hezbollah in the north has been firing rockets and drones from Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Israeli’s are carrying out air attacks as well as ground assaults in the south area called Gaza. Interesting to note, the Psalmist prophesied concerning a coming war against Israel.

1. One battle which is yet to come is described in Psalm Chapter 83 (Psa 83:4-8) – “They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot.”

Several places listed here are in Gaza and Lebanon. These would include Palestinians and Muslims which are descendants of Esau and Ishmael.

3. However, the big battle is going to happen when the Kings of the East merge in the valley of Jezreel (Zech 14:1-2) –Perhaps this will include China, maybe even North Korea. All nations will end up in this location to war against Jesus Christ. However, they will not succeed. Defeated and decimated will be their destination.

1. The Who of Worship! (Rev 5:11) – “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousand.”

2. The What of Worship! (Rev 5:12) – “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

3. The How of Worship! (Rev 5:13,14) – “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

Introduction: John wrote about the “redeeming blood of Jesus in that heavenly scene.”

1. “Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.”

The word “redeemed” is ἀγοράζω: (ag-or-ad’-zo). It means to buy in the marketplace, or to purchase. Furthermore, it means to buy back with the intend to set free. Jesus sets us free from the penalty, power, and one day, the presence of sin.
Have you been set free?

2. “Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.”

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Pet1:18,19).

The blood of Jesus is precious! Is it precious to you?

3. “I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.”

We cannot help but sing because we’ve been redeemed!

4. “I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.”

How about that? We shall see Jesus in His beauty.

Conclusion:
The last stanza…..

“I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.”

Introduction: How can we survive the inevitable storms of life? Since they will come, how can we prepare? A closer look at the disciples and their response will help us to be better prepared for when the storms come.

1. Storms will happen even when you are obeying Jesus Christ! (Luke 8:22) – “Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.”

Did you notice that the disciples were in the Will of God? Jesus instructed them to get into the boat and go to the other side….and so they did. Are you willing to take a risk even though you may encounter a storm?

2. If Jesus is in your boat, everything is going to be okay! (Luke 8:23) – “But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.”

Did Jesus know that they were going to be overtaken by a fierce storm? By the way, due to the geographical layout of the Sea of Galilee (682 ft below sea level), a storm could hit unexpectedly. However, while the disciples panicked, Jesus slept! Is this not a lesson for us today?

3. Jesus has control of the storms! (Luke 8:24,25) – “And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”

Amazing. Jesus Christ has control over the wind and waves. After all, He created it all! Plus, He holds it all together. Why then should we worry?

Conclusion: Surviving the storms is dependent upon being in the Will of God. Surviving the storms depends upon calling upon the Master of the Sea.

Will call upon Him now? Our survival is dependent upon it. 

Introduction: Storms test our faith! The not knowing seems to get the best of us. Even as believers in Jesus Christ we battle with fear and anxiety, especially before and during a storm.

But if we focus on strengthening our faith in Jesus it makes a difference.

Paul practiced that very thing.

1. Storms Come! (Acts 27:14,15) – “But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.”

This was a strong typhoon type of storm. Are you facing strong winds today?

2. Storms can make us feel hopeless! (Acts 27:20) – “And 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.”

Insecurities are like a ball and chain strapped around our feet.

3. Storms can be Faith Feeders! (Acts 27:21,22) – “But 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. And 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.”

No doubt this was a great word spoken by Paul in spite of the raging storm. The key here was that he was listening for a word from the Lord instead of going by his feelings alone.

4. Storms can be Fear Fighters! (Acts 27:23-25) – “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.”

Fight your fear! Feed your faith!! Faith is simply taking God at His Word. 

Conclusion: Do you need to fight your fear? Will you feed your faith in Jesus Christ and His Word. If so, then storms can be a blessing in disguise.

1. A Strong Tower! (Prov 18:10) – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

Did you notice the word “strong” tower? Not just any old tower but Jesus is a “strong” refuge.

2. A Hiding Place! (Psa 32:7) – “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.”

Hide in Jesus. He is our strong shelter in a storm.

3. A Secret Place! (Psa 91:1) – “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

The key words are “dwelling” and “abiding”. Without these two the other truth is irrelevant.

4. A Rock! (Psa 61:1-3) – “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”

Think about it. Jesus is an unmovable ROCK!

Introduction: Are you happy? Why or why not? How can we be happy in Jesus? The Psalmnist gives us instructions on how to be happy in the Lord!

1. Confession & Cleansing! (Psa 32:1,5) – “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Praise the Lord for forgiveness! It is great to be forgiven from the penalty of sin, the power of sin and one glorious day, the presence of sin.

2. Prayer & Pardon! (Psa 32:6) – “For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found.” Prayer changes things; i.e. me! That is one of the purposes of prayer. When we start being more concerned with our will than the Father’s we need a change. Whether we want to admit it or not, most of the time we’ve already made up our minds what we want. Praying the right way changes that.

3. Returning & Restoring! (Psa 32:7) – “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” We can hide in Jesus! He shelters us in His loving arms!! That is where we find peace and security.

4. Remembering & Rejoicing! (Psa 32:11) – “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Notice our gladness and happiness comes in the Lord! Are you mad? Sad? Or Glad? Be glad in the Lord!