1. Reach out with a Healing Hand!

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Gal 6:1)

The word “fault” is παράπτωμα,: (par-ap’-to-mah), which means a falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin.

2. Reach out with a Helping Hand!

“2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2)

3. Reach out with a Hopeful Hand!

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)

The word “weary” is ἐκκακέω,(ek-kak-eh’-o), I am faint, am weary.

The word “faint” means not give up. Do you ever feel like giving up? Have you ever grown weary in doing good? It can be tiresome. Therefore, we need to renew our strength as we wait upon the Lord.

Introduction: I love Psalm 23! The shepherd boy David, who later became the King of Israel, learned to develop his relationship with our Lord.

1. Perfect Satisfaction!

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psa 23:1)

One little boy read this verse in the following way. “The Lord is my Shepherd, He knows all my wants”!

2. Perfect Direction!

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” (Psa 23:2)

3. Perfect Restoration!

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psa 23:3)

4. Perfect Protection!

“4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psa 23:4)

1. Spring time is a time for cleaning!

“For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 13The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” (Song of Sol 2:11)

Here is a literal passage dealing with Solomon and his Shulamite bride. Yet there are some spiritual applications we can draw from the subject of spring. Do you ever put off projects during the cold winter months for when the temperature gets warmer? Spring Cleaning around the house is important. But just as important, if not more, is cleaning our hearts!

David said, “10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psa 51:10)

John writes to CHRISTians, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

Equally important is our relationship with others. Releasing the debt of forgiveness is a part of spring cleaning.

Paul writes, “32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32)

Introduction: Why are all these bad things happening? Why doesn’t God do anything? Why hasn’t the Lord answered my prayers? Have you ever asked any of these questions? Check out Biblical answers for tough questions.

1. Our God Cares for us!

“7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1Pet 5:7)

Jesus Christ proved His care by taking our place of judgement, so that we might go free from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and one day the very presence of sin.

2. Our God has a useful purpose for even during troubles and trials as well as times of suffering!

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Pet 1:6,7)

While going through trials, it is difficult to see God’s purpose. Sometimes it is not until we get to the other side that we see His ultimate plan.

3. Our God is making us more like Him!

“And 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.” (Rom 8:28,29)

No matter what we face in life, as a child of God, we can rest assured that our Lord has good things in store even in bad situations.

4. Our God’s Grace will be sufficient!

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2Cor 12:9-12)

Dealing with setbacks and hardships can be debilitating. But knowing that God’s Grace is available enables us to persevere.

5. Our God has the Big picture in mind!

“16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor 4:16-18)

Trials yesterday, turn into Trust today. Trust today, turns into Triumph tomorrow!

Introduction: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal 5:22,23)

1. Set your PRIORITIES!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33,34)

In the context of needing everyday things in life; i.e., “food and clothing,” Jesus makes this statement. Actually, He is reminding His disciples and us today not to WORRY about these things. Now that does not mean we are to sit on our “Blessed Assurance” and do nothing. Instead, we are to work as God enables us to and through prayer trust in Him that He will meet our NEEDS….not necessarily our wants! Are you content?

How would you lists your PRIORITIES?

* Devotional TIME!
* Family TIME!
* Work TIME!
etc….

If we are not in a right relationship with our Lord then everything else is going to not be in place.

2. Use your TIME Wisely!

“16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:16)

Life is short! Where are you at in life? Young? Old? Retired? Refired? In your 20’s 30’s 40’s 50’s 60’s 70’s 80’s 90’s?

How much more TIME do we have left? You have got to admit….TIME flies!!

1. A- Antichrist Armies!

“But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things….and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.” (Dan 11:36-43)

Besides the other four personalities that are mentioned in Daniel Chapter 11, which have already moved on and off the scene, this fifth personality is a description of the Antichrist.

2. A- Armies of North and South, and East aligned!

“40And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships…. 44But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him:” (Dan 11:40) 

3. RP- Return in Person, Jesus Christ!

“44But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” (Dan 11:36-43)

The “he” and “him” is the Antichrist.

It appears as these armies converge in the holy land, the Antichrist gets word and is troubled. Meanwhile, he establishes his reign in Jerusalem, namely in the temple on the Temple Mount. 

Conclusion: The suspense of not knowing what is going to happen can bring on anxiety. With our world in chaos and confusion, experiencing the Peace of God is achievable. But that only comes through Full trust in Jesus Christ and His Word!

Therefore, in the light of the current events that are taking place in our world, we have a choice…..worry or trust?

Introduction: Where is your security? Jobs? Health? Home? Bank account? Did you notice that you can lose all of those things overnight? Where do we find real security? 

1. Real SECURITY comes in things that do not CHANGE!

“38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38,39)

2. Real SECURITY comes in things that do not CHANGE!

“5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Peter 1:5)

3. Real SECURITY comes in things that do not CHANGE!

The Word of God does not change!!

“89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)

5. Real SECURITY comes in things that do not CHANGE!

“16For 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.” (1Thess 4:16-18)

Since the Word of God has been fulfilled in the past, we can be confident it will be fulfilled in the future.

Conclusion: How are you doing in the area of security? Good or bad? Standing or falling? Learning to distinguish between what is unchangeable and changeable is the first step to finding real security. Think about it.

Jesus does not change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb 13:8)

Introduction: Are you prepared? How can we get ready for what is ahead? This old world is not getting any better! But the Good news is… it is all in God’s plan. So how should we as CHRISTians respond to the Cancel Culture? Several biblical truths can be helpful. 

Let’s consider them now:

1. We should EXPECT Persecution!

“11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2Tim 3:11,12)

2. We should EXERCISE faith in Jesus under Persecution!

“10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt 5:10-12)

3. We should ENDURE under Persecution!

“Thou 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. 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2Tim 2:1-3)

4. We should EXALT Jesus under Persecution!

“12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1Peter 4:12-19)

5. We should ENTRUST ourselves to Jesus under Persecution!

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” (Rev 6:9-11)

Conclusion: Since this world is not a friend of grace, and since our laws are becoming more anti-CHRISTian, and since Satan knows his time is short, and since we know that our God is in CONTROL, then we ought to submit our FAITH, our FAMILIES, and our FUTURE into the hands of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Why?

Persecution is coming….bring it on.

1. An eyewitness, Peter defends why he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God!

“16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.” (2Pet 1:16-18)

2. An eyewitness, Peter defends why he believed that the Bible was the Word of God!

“19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2Pet 1:19,20)

3. An eyewitness, Peter defends why he believed that the Holy Ghost of God carried the writers who were inspired to write the Word of God!

“20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet 1:20,21)