1. “Lord” may they experience the “Riches of Your GLORY”!

“16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory..” (Eph 3:16)

2. “Lord” may they experience the “Riches of Your “GLORY” & be “Strengthened by Your might in their inner being”!

“6That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” (Eph 3:16)

3. “Lord” may they experience the “Riches of Your “GRACE” & be “Strengthened by Your might in their inner being”…and then Lord May they be “Rooted and grounded in Your LOVE”!

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” (Eph 3:17)

4. “Lord” may they experience the “Riches of Your “GRACE” & be “Strengthened by Your might in their inner being”…and then Lord May they be “Rooted and grounded in Your LOVE….and then finally may they be “FILLED with all of Your FULNESS”!

“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Eph 3:19)

Introduction: Sometimes we get inward focused. Do you? I do. But let me remind you. It’s not about Us! It’s about Him – Jesus!! One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Galatians 2:20. Check it out:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

1. It’s not about WHAT we’ve done, rather it’s about WHAT JESUS has done that matters!

“…..who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)

Praise the Lord for Jesus and His finished work on the cross for our sins! This is not to mention His glorious resurrection which assures us of heaven.

2. It’s not about WHO we are, rather it’s about WHO JESUS is that matters!

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:” (Gal 2:20)

Jesus lives in us now!
He is shaping us into His likeness.
He’s still working on me!!

3. It’s not about WHERE we’ve been, rather, it’s about WHERE JESUS is taking us that matters!

“…and the life  which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.” (Gal 2:20)

One day Jesus will give us a new body. What a day that will be!

Introduction: Whether you are a home maker, computer technician, electrician, a teacher, or whatever you do, you can make your daily task a ministry and mission field. In other words “Blossom where you are planted”! But how? Consider the following:

Paul’s writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to the Church of Colossae, for the purpose of refuting the false teaching that Jesus Christ was not God. After proving that in chapter 1-3, he emphasizes the importance of both the home and workplace. So how can we find PURPOSE in our work?

1. By understanding, it is the Lord we FEAR!

“22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.” (Col 3:22)

The word for “fear” is φοβέομαι, which means reverence. Do you reverence the Lord Jesus?

2. By understanding, it is the Lord Jesus we serve, even on our jobs!

“23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Col 3:23)

Jesus is watching us! Think about it, the next time we want to cut corners and do something dishonestly. Furthermore, we can make our jobs a sanctuary of worship throughout the day! Do not wait to go to Church to worship Jesus! Do it all week long!! Then we worship corporately on Sunday. (Heb 10:25)

3. By understanding, it is the Lord Jesus who will reward us!

“24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:24)

Isn’t that good to know that Jesus Christ sees what we do, how we treat others, and rewards us accordingly?

Introduction: Are you going to have a crown to cast at the feet of Jesus? The Bible lists at least 5 crowns for believers.

1. Watchers Crown!

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2Tim 4:7,8)

Are you watching for Jesus return? It could be today!

2. Runners Crown!

“4Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1Cor 9:24-27)

Are you running the race of holiness? Tired? Feel like quitting?

3. Soul winners Crown!

“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)

Go & tell! Good News!! Jesus saves!!!

4. Shepherds Crown!

“4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1Pet 5:4)

Be faithful!

5. Crown of life!

“12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)

When we Overcome temptation, it will be rewarded.

Introduction: When one member of your body hurts (smashed finger, etc), your whole body hurts! Right? Ever dropped something heavy on your toe, got popped in the nose, or stepped on a nail? Ouch!! So it is with the “Body of Christ”! When one member hurts the whole Church hurts with them, granted not in the same sense, but nonetheless it still feels some pain. 

Paul uses this illustration to convey a biblical truth to the Church of Corinth.

“26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” (1Cor 12:26)

1. The Church is made up of many members!

“12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit….. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”  (1 Cor 14:12-17) 

Are you a part of a local Body?

2. The Church is made of of many members with different spiritual gifts!

“4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” (1 Cor 12:4-6)

Each gift is designated and delegated to function in the Church, the body of Christ. 

3. The Church is made of of many members with different spiritual gifts and there should be no schisms or division in the Body of Christ!

“18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” (1Cor 12:18-25)

Did you notice that God put the members in the body?

Conclusion: Are you a part of the Body of Christ? Don’t forget. Jesus is the Head of the Body! Whether we are a toe, a finger, a foot, or a hand each member is important. And when one hurts, all the body hurts. Would you reach out to some member of the Body of Christ that is hurting right now? May our Lord bless you with His peace and presence as well as healing power!

1. Where is heaven?

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Jesus Christ told His disciples that He was leaving them in order to go to His Father’s house. Then, He would come again and take them to His Father’s house. So heaven must be in the Father’s house. Notice, there were many “mansions” in the Father’s house. The word “mansions” is μονή,(mon-ay’), which means lodging, dwelling-place, room, abode, mansion.

Wow! What kind of mansion will you have?

2. What will heaven be like?

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev 21:4)

Imagine:
**Pain Free!
**Pardon Free!
**Politically Free!

No death. No sorrow. No tears. No pain.

Hearing about heaven almost makes you want to go today!

Squire Parsons sings….
“Beulah Land I’m longing for you.”

3. What will we do in heaven?

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Rev 22:3,4,5)

We are going to serve our Savior Jesus Christ. Imagine one minute on earth serving Him, and the next minute in heaven both worshipping and serving the One that Loved us and gave Himself for us!

Conclusion: This message makes every believer long to see His face! With heavy hearts because of those not prepared to go to heaven, we preach Christ crucified, buried, risen and coming again very soon.

Jesus said,

“Behold, I come quickly… And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely….Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:7-20)

Introduction: You can almost hear the hoof beats of the four horsemen of the apocalypse racing toward that climatic scene described in the book of Revelation. These horses with their riders will come galloping on the earth. It could happen very quickly after the rapture of the Church.  Let’s take a look at these riders and where they are headed.

By the way, Jesus Christ is opening these seal judgements at the beginning of tribulation not the devil!

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see…” (Rev 6:1

1. White horse rider!

“2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Rev 6:2)

This is the counterfeit Christ – the Antichrist. 

2. Red horse rider!

“3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Rev 6:3,4)

This is a fulfillment of war and rumors of wars that Jesus talked about in Matthew 24. 

3. Black horse rider!

“5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Rev 6:5,6)

There’s coming a time when things are going to get worse than they are now economically. The Antichrist will control the world. 

4. Pale horse rider!

“7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Rev 6:7-8)

More death. More disease. More devastation. 

5. Jesus Christ returns on a white horse!

“1And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev 19:11-16)

But the good news is Jesus is coming again and will make the wrongs rights! He is going to rule and reign!

Conclusion: How close are we to these events? It could begin to happen very soon.  We need to get ready! Are you ready? 

Introduction: While chained to a praetorian guard, the apostle Paul was one free man. Free in Christ!! Though he was held captive as a prisoner, the chains could not arrest his heart. Listen to this prison epistle called Philippians. 

“Finally, 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.” (Phil 4:8)

1. What did He mean?

Check out the following verses:

* Phil 1:21

“21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

* Eph 1:3-7

“3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

* Rom 6:11

“11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

* Rom 12:1,2

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

* Rom 8:28,29

“28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

* 1Thess 4:16-18

“6For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

* Col 3:1-4

“1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

* 1Thess 5:16-18

“Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Praise the Lord!

Conclusion: Now you see why Paul was a free man! 

Solomon wrote:

“7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7)

Will you THINK on these THINGS?

Introduction: Today, it’s hard to know what is true and what is a lie, especially when it comes to our President (whom we need to pray for). The man Job faced this same dilemma. Listen to his words:

“How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?” (Job 21:34)

Job who was an upright man went from riches to rags, from the sunshine to the rain, from blessings to burdens, from the mountain top of bliss to the valley of despair all because of Satan’s attacks, which God permitted. The devil claimed that Job was serving the Lord because everything was going his way. But he also said that would change, if the Lord took down his hedge of protection around Job. After that, he would curse God. Therefore, the horrendous attacks toward his HOME, his HEART, and his HEALTH were unleashed by Satan.

In just a few strokes , Job lost 7 sons, 3 daughters, all of his camels, oxen, sheep, servants, and ultimately his health. Infected with putrefying boils from the top of his head to the sole of his feet, he was seen sitting in a pile of dust and ashes scraping his boils with potsherd. On top of that, his wife told him to curse God and die.

Yet, Job replies,
“21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:21-22)

Next, his three fair weather friends came to comfort him and yet they became a thorn in his side as they accused him of sin and wrongdoing. According to them, that was why he was suffering. But they were wrong!

Job defends himself in this passage.
“How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?” (Job 21:34)

Finally, God answers Job but never explains to him why he was suffering. Ultimately, Job repents and is restored with a double portion of the Lord’s blessing in the end.

Conclusion: Are you suffering? Of course, nothing like Job. But…..Why?

How are you dealing with falsehoods that we are hearing from the government? Gas prices escalating, inflation now 7.9 %. It appears deception is the tool of the devil which is feeding the public with a bunch of lies. What do you think? No doubt, Satan is using world leaders to accomplish his goals….kill, steal, and destroy.

Introduction: Where do you go when your facing trouble? Who do you turn to? How can we find strength to face the challenges of life? Sooner or later, we will need a refuge. Read Psalm 46. Some scholars believe that this is a description of king Hezekiah when he was surrounded by the enemies of God. Needless to say, this is a greatly beloved Psalm. Martin Luther titled it “A Mighty Fortress.”

1. Psalm 46:1-3 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”

The first stanza:

2. Psalm 46:4, 5

“4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

The 2nd stanza:

3. Psa 46:10

“10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The 3rd stanza:

Conclusion: 

Listen to the last stanza: 

That Word above all earthly powers

no thanks to them abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours

through him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill:

God’s truth abideth still;

Amen!!