Introduction: “Flow River Flow…” I love that song….the words to that song are heart – moving.

Here is the first stanza:

Lord The Light Of Your Love Is Shining,
In The Midst Of The Darkness Shining,
Jesus Light Of The World Shine Upon Us,
Set Us Free By The Truth You Now Bring Us,
Shine On Me. Shine On Me.

1. Did you notice the words…Light of Jesus Love? (1John 4:7-12)

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

Oh what great LOVE our Lord has for us!

Here is the second stanza:

Shine Jesus Shine
Fill This Land With The Fathers Glory
Blaze, Spirit Blaze,
Set Our Hearts On Fire
Flow, River Flow
Flood The Nations With Grace And Mercy
Send Forth Your Word
Lord And Let There Be Light.

2. Did you notice the words, “Flow River Flow”? (John 7:37-39)

Jesus said,
“37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

As we yield to the power of the Holy Spirit, He flows through us!

Conclusion: Check out the last stanza:

Lord I Come To Your Awesome Presence,
From The Shadows Into Your Radiance,
By The Blood I May Enter Your Brightness,
Search Me, Try Me, Consume All My Darkness,

Shine On Me. Shine On Me.
As We Gaze On Your Kindly Brightness.
So Our Faces Display Your Likeness.
Ever Changing From Glory To Glory,
Mirrored Here May Our Lives Tell Your Story.
Shine On Me. Shine On Me.”

1. At the Proper time the ANTICHRIST will lead a ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT!
(Dan 7; Rev 13, 18)

2. While a major portion of the bill IRA is purposefully addressing the liberal agenda of CLIMATE CONTROL – GLOBAL WARMING!
(2Pet 3:10f)

3. Before the ANTICHRIST emerges, Jesus Christ will come in the clouds from heaven!
(1Thess 4:16-18; 1Cor 15:52-55; John 14:1-3)

1. When stricken with FEAR, we can TURN to our Lord!

“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. Then 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. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah”(2Chron 20:1-3).

2. When we are AFRAID, we can TURN to JESUS and TALK to JESUS!

“And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, And 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? Art 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? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, If, 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. And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 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. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children” (2Chron 20:4-13).

3. When we are AFRAID, we can TURN to JESUS and TALK to JESUS and TRUST in JESUS!

4Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; 15And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you” (2Chron 20:14-17).

4. When we are AFRAID, we can TURN to JESUS and TALK to JESUS and TRUST in JESUS and TRIUMPH in JESUS!

“Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD. And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel” (2Chron 20:27-28).

1. Saints are praying!

“And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne” (Rev 8:3).

Not only are we supposed to offer petitions to our heavenly Father but also we are to confess our sins.
This opens up the door to the throne.

2. Prayers are ascending!

“And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand” (Rev 8:4).

After the door of the throne is opened, then we approach the mercy seat as it were thru the blood of the everlasting covenant. Jesus Christ made a way!

3. Prayers are answered!

“And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake” (Rev 8:5).

When prayer is brought to the throne in faith, then answers come in God’s timing. Be patient.

Conclusion: Remember. The purpose of PRAYER is to develop a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS. Because of His sacrifice we are able to approach His throne.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised” (Heb 10:19-23).

1. Admit when you have done wrong and feel BAD!

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.” (Philemon 1:1-11)

Evidently, Onesimus had done his master, Philemon, WRONG…probably stolen from his trusted master. Guilt and shame always follows sin in a child of God. King David experienced that when he committed adultery and murder with Bathsheba and Uriah. All sin is against God. But it may also be against another. David cried out,

“For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. “4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psa 51:4,5)

David not only hurt mentally, but physically and spiritually!

“8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.” (Psa 51:8,9)

Are you feeling BAD? Done wrong?

2. Admit when you’ve been done WRONG and are MAD!

“10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.” (Philemon 1:10-14)

Are you MAD because of people who took advantage of you? Financially. Physically. Relationally. Sexually. Occupationally?

Philemon had been taken advantage of by Onesimus.

Any parents or spouses or children feeling MAD because of family? Alcoholic home, drug abuse, lying, deceiving, stealing, manipulation …etc.

3. Go from BAD to MAD to GLAD!

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.” (Philemon 1:15 -21)

It appears that Paul was instrumental in helping Onesimus make things Right with the Lord Jesus (forgiven). Now, if he wants the blessings from God, he must make things Right with his master, Philemon.

Are you willing to make restitution through confession? Saying I’m sorry and really meaning it is very difficult. God works a godly sorrow in our heart.

But also look at Philemon. He must “let it go”! That is the only way he is going to go from MAD to GLAD!

Introduction: Does it seems like CHRISTians are asleep? But why? What is happening? Have some given up Hope?
What is the answer? Paul gives the remedy:

1. Wake up in a Sleepy World! 

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Rom 13:11,12)

“33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1Cor 15:33,34)

2. Turn the Light on!

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Rom 13:12)

Jesus said,

“14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt 5:14-16)

These are dark days! But the darker the day the brighter the light!! Shine Jesus Shine!!!

3. Put on Jesus!

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Rom 13:14)

Paul further wrote,

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Eph 4:22-24)

Do you keep on Jesus? Do you put off Self?

1. Return

“…..I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry..” (Luke 15:11-24)

Great truth. Slip away, but come back!

2. Refresh

“19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

Speaking to those who rejected Jesus, mainly Jews, Israel – see the context (v. 12- Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this?), the message is to return to Jesus and be refreshed. Do you need refreshing?

3. Revive

“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Hab 3:2)

The prophet of old desired to see his people revived! Do you?

4. Restore

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psa 51:10-12)

David sinned. He returned to his God and was restored, although he faced the bitter consequences of his sin.

5. Revisit

“Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.” (Isa 64:1)

Isaiah’s message was judgment but also restoration & Hope for Israel. Have you lost your Hope?

6. Release

“12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” (1Sam 7:12)

After repenting, Israel got the releasing from the Lord’s help!

Do you need the Lord’s favor?

7. Rejoice

“43Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.” (Neh 12:43)

Are you rejoicing in the Lord?

Introduction: What a privilege to “Partner” with Jesus Christ! We work out, what He works in. 

It is called CO – OPERATION!

Please notice what one writer of the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit had to say about Partnering.

1. Unbelief shortcircuits PARTNERSHIP!

“12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” (Heb 3:12)

Doubt and do without….or believe and receive! Unbelief is the opposite of faith. 

2. Encouragement enhances PARTNERSHIP!

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:13)

The old saying is true. “If you can’t say something good, do not say anything at all”!

Encouragement is not flattery! But most everyone needs encouragement. Are you an encourager?

3. PARTNERSHIP!

“14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” (Heb 3:14)

The word “partakers” is μέτοχος, (met’-okh-os), which means a sharer, partner, associate.

Have you thought about that lately? We are sharers in the most important work on earth! God’s work!!

Conclusion: While evilness shortcircuits PARTNERSHIP, encouragement enhances it. What a privilege to partner with Jesus!

Introduction: Who are you following? Paul writes to the Church of Corinth… “1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1Cor 11:1).

Here are some traits of Jesus Christ’s followers:

1. Teachable! 

“1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2Tim 2:1,2)

We first need to be students. Even after teaching for over 4 decades, this Pastor is still a student of the Word of God. Help us Lord to remain teachable, not gullible, yet reliable. 

2. Leadable!

“3And 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.” (Luke 9:23)

Are you denying SELF and following Jesus?

3. Faithful!

“2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1Cor 4:2)

Can you be trusted? Being faithful over the small things brings about opportunities to be stewards over bigger things. 

4. Accountable!

“0For 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.” (2C0r 5:10)

Standing before Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat instills an urgent sense of accountability.

5. Responsible!

” For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:47-18)

Growing in grace means more responsibility. While some shy away from responsibility, others seize the opportunity with humility. 

Conclusion: Can you see these traits in you? Where do you need improvement? Hopefully, this list will encourage those who Follow Jesus better FOLLOWERS!

Introduction: What do you think of when you hear the name Billy Graham? Adoph Hitler? Judas Iscariot? O. J. Simpson? Mother Teresa? Fill in the blank______(your name)?

1. Was Solomon credible? (1Kings 3:7-14)

7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”

He was one of the wisest men on the earth because he asked God for wisdom. But he was one of the unwisest men on the earth because he was led of his lust and ruined by his riches.

2. Did Solomon always use his wisdom? (1Kings 11:4)

“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”

Solomon let his guard down. And it cost him his kingdom.

3. What was the consequence of Solomon’s unwise choices? (1Kings 11:9-11)

“9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 11Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”

We have a choice. But remember. There are consequences to our choices. In Solomon’s case, there were severe consequences.