Introduction: “Do your giving when your living then your knowing where it is going!”

How can that be?
Can God be ROBBED?
He owns the cattle on 1,000 hills and the earth is His.

Are we ROBBING the LORD?
We are breathing His air, walking on His earth, and drinking His water.
Think about it.

1. Did Israel ROB from the Lord even though they were BLESSED? (Mal 3:8)

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.”

2. How did the people of God (who He had BLESSED) ROB from Him? (Mal 3:8)

3. What did Malachi say would happen to the people that ROBBED from the Lord? (Mal 3:9)

“Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”

4. What does Malachi give as the solution from ROBBING from God? (Mal 3:10,11)

“10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.”

4. What promise did Malachi give if the people would OBEY the Lord and stop ROBBING from Him? (Mal 3:12)

“And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”

You see, in the days of Nehemiah – about 100 years before Malachi’s day, God sent a revival. The people rebuilt the walls, the temple and the hand of God was on Jerusalem. However, because of apathy and complacency, the Jews got slack in their worship and GIVING. In fact, they were GIVING the Lord “LEFT OVERS” instead of the firstfruits….the best.

Malachi rebukes both the priests and the people because of their backsliding. But he also assures them the BLESSINGS of God would come for OBEDIENCE.

By the way, we do not bargain with the Lord when we give; i.e. if I give this, then I expect You, Lord to give me this in return. Even though it is true, what we sow we reap. (2Cor 9:6)

“6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

If a farmer sows 1 seed verses 1,000,000 seeds, which can he expect will produce the biggest harvest?

When GIVING, our motives must be right. We give our of a “CHEERFUL” heart! (2Cor 9:7,8)

Conclusion: God GAVE His BEST!
Jesus Christ!!
(John 3:16)
He daily loads us with benefits.
(Psa 68:19)

“Giving” is related to “Trusting”! If we can trust Jesus by faith to forgive all of our sins and take us to heaven, why can’t we trust Him with our resources and finances? After all, we are not OWNERS, rather we are MANAGERS of His BLESSINGS.

Question: Is the real gauge for our GIVING, how much we GIVE (not just money), but really HOW MUCH we have LEFT OVER?

We’ve been BLESSED! Good health, families, homes, cars, food, etc.

Introduction: Is it possible to live in victory over the slavery of sin? Mind you, I’m not talking about sinless perfection. I am talking about coming to the place where sin is no longer our boss!

A new resurrection power in Jesus Christ has liberated our hearts! Are you experiencing this newfound triumphant living? Like an untapped underground spring, waiting to bubble up with refreshing water to the thirsty soul, the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit is ready to anoint and fill the empty heart.

1. The Writer to the book of Hebrews, many believe Paul, writes: (Heb 12:14)

“14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

The word “holiness” is ἁγιασμός,(hag-ee-as-mos’), which means the process of making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness, consecration.

2. Peter writes, 

“14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”(1Pet 1:14-16)

Peter understood the works of the flesh….even to the point of denying Jesus, three times. Yet, he was later transformed, and finished faithful. How can sinful man be holy? 

3. Paul writes,

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom 6:1f)

Later Paul gives us how we have victory.

The word “reckon” is λογίζομαι (log-id’-zom-ahee), which means reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. The word reckon is in the present tense which means it is ongoing; i.e. go on reckoning.

Conclusion: Practically speaking, holiness is the release of the inward power of God thru a yielded vessel. How about your eyes? Are they Holy? Your ears? Are they Holy? Your tongue? Is it Holy? Your hands? Are they Holy? Your Feet? Are they Holy? Your mind? Is it Holy? Your relationships? Are they Holy? Your house? Is it Holy? Your TV? Is it Holy? Your thoughts? Are they Holy?

All of these drive us to our knees to cry, “Jesus You are HOLY!” “I am sinful!”

Introduction: What is Passion? What do we mean by Passion? Everyone has PASSION; that is everyone gets excited about certain things…..shopping, money, sports, family gatherings, accomplishments, etc. Interestingly enough, check out the definition of Passion: “strong and barely controllable emotion.”

What makes you tick? Where do you find satisfaction? Happiness? Significance? Security?

Our God made us to have fellowship with Him! He longs to have an ongoing relationship with His children, just as an earthly father or mother would. As a dad, I can relate how pleasant it is to talk with your children and be somewhat involved in their lives. This means besides just praying for them, and helping them.

1. What is PASSION?

By definition, Passion has to do with emotion – “strong and barely controllable emotion.” But it is not ALL EMOTIONS. 

Jesus said, 

“37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment.” (Matt 22:37, 38)

This includes more than an emotional response. Really this includes our mind, our will, and our emotions. One way to measure your spiritual maturity is to analyze your EMOTIONS. In other words, if your EMOTIONS do not affect your WILL, then it is a sign of immaturity. Unfortunately, there are a lot of CHRISTians today who are “emotionally” driven but not “volitionally” surrendered. One way to check up to see if that is happening to you is to evaluate how much response you have to music and then compare it to your response to obedience to the Word of God.

2. How do we PROTECT our Emotions and PASSION?

Solomon writes,

“23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov 4:23)

The word ” keep” is  נָצַר (naw-tsar’), which means to watch, guard, keep.

3. How can we DEVELOP a PASSION for our Lord? 

The Psalmist writes,

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psa 37:4)

The word “desires” is : מִשְׁאָלָה (mish-aw-law’), which means request, petition.

In other words, Jesus said,

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Conclusion: Jesus tells us that where our heart is, there is our PASSION!

“21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt 6:21)

1. Did you know James writes in his epistle about praying for others? (James 5:16)

“6Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

The word “healed” is ἰάομαι, (ee-ah’-om-ahee), which means I heal, generally of the physical, sometimes of spiritual, disease.

Let’s consider what this does not mean.

2. Did you know Paul writes in his epistle about praying for others? (1Thess 5:17)

“17Pray without ceasing.”

(1Tim 2:1-7)

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

 Then he lists who we should pray for.

“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.”

3. Did you know our Lord Jesus writes about praying for others? (Luke 11:9-13)

“9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

4. Did you know John writes in his epistle about prayer? (1John 5:14,15)

“14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

5. How about Abraham’s willingness to intercede for Sodom and Gomorrah? (Gen 18:20-33)

First, notice our Lord’s CONDEMNATION on Sodom! 

“0And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.”

Secondly, look at Abraham’s INTERCESSION for Sodom!

“22And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: 28Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. 30And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. 32And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once:” 

Lastly, check out God’s RESOLUTION!

“Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. 33And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.”

Conclusion: I need others to pray for me. You need others to pray for you. We all need to pray for each other.

So let’s pray!

Text: Psalm 113:3

“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.”

Introduction: Have you ever heard that little chorus that goes,

“It’s AMAZING what PRAISING can do, Allelujah! Allelujah!”
“It’s AMAZING what PRAISING can do, Allelujah! Allelujah!”
“I don’t worry when things go WRONG, JESUS fills my life with a SONG!”
“It’s AMAZING what PRAISING can do, Allelujah! Allelujah!”

This subject of PRAISING our Lord prompts several questions:

• When should we PRAISE our Lord?
• How should we PRAISE our Lord?
• Why should we PRAISE our Lord?

1. When should we PRAISE our Lord? (Psa 34:1-3)

David who faced numerous hardships writes,

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

Notice as God’s children we are to PRAISE Him “all the time”! This means both in GOOD times and BAD times! Job did in spite of his troubles and trials. 

“And 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.” (Job 1:21)

The writer to the book of Hebrews – many believe Paul writes,

“15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb 13:15)

A preacher once said, “We should PRAISE the Lord when we feel like it! We should PRAISE the Lord when we don’t feel like it! We should PRAISE the Lord until we feel like it!”

2. How should we PRAISE our Lord? (Psa 100:4,5)

“Enter 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.”

The word “Praise” is תְּהִלָּה (teh-hil-law’), which means praise, song of praise. This means sing unto the Lord a song of PRAISE!

3. Why should we PRAISE our Lord? (Psa 107:1,2)

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”

“23Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” (Psa 50:23)

Jesus is worthy of PRAISE! (Rev 4:11)

“1Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Conclusion: Our Lord inhabits the PRAISE of His people. (Psa 22:3)

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”

The word “inhabit” is יָשַׁב (yaw-shab’), which means to sit, remain, dwell. In other words, our Lord gets actively involved when we PRAISE Him!

King Jehoshaphat learned that! (2Chro 20) Paul and Silas witnessed His glory and power as they PRAISED the Lord Jesus! (Acts 16:25,26)

“25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” (Psa 147:1)

Love y’all,

Text: Genesis 25

1. Who were these two boys? (Gen 25:24-26)

“24And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.”

The “Little Red hairy” boy was named Esau. The “Heal catcher” was named Jacob. These brothers would grow up competitive. 

In fact, Esau who loved the outdoors – killing venison – being a daddy’s boy, went hunting one day. And Jacob, more of a mama’s boy, cooked some tasty lentil soup that day. Meanwhile, Esau’s instant gratification got the best of him. Because he had not eaten and being in the field he grew hungry. Jacob made a deal with him.

He said, 

“And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. 31And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Gen 25:29-34)

2. How were these two boy’s relationships with the God of the Bible? (Gen 27-49)

Fast forward some years. “Daddy Issac” is up in age, and becoming more and more confined to his bed. 

“And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I. 2And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: 3Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; 4And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.” (Gen 27:1-4)

However, remember the Lord had already indicated to Rebecca that “the elder would serve the younger,” meaning Esau would serve Jacob. So she takes action.

“5And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. 6And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, 7Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. 8Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. 9Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: 10And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death. 11And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: 12My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.  13And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. 14And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved. 15And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: 16And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck: 17And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.” (Gen 27:5-17)

Bottom line: 

Jacob pretends to be Esau in order to get the “BLESSING.” Normally, the oldest would get it. According to Jewish custom, the BLESSING included the HEAD of Household – 2/3 to 1/3 of the inheritance. So Issac gives Jacob the BLESSING instead of Esau. (Gen 27:18-29)

3. How do these two brothers fulfill God’s plan for two nations? (Gen 25:23)

“And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb.”

Long story short. Jacob leaves in a hurry to stay at his uncle Laban’s. (Gen 28)

He works 14 years for a wife named Rachel (what goes around comes around – he deceived others and now he gets deceived by others – Gal 6:7, 8 – God’s Law of Sowing and Reaping). Finally, Jacob, whose name means conniver, trickster, deceiver, encounters a LIFE – CHANGE experience after he leaves uncle Laban – now a rich man and with two wives and 12 sons (who are heirs of the Jewish people – Japheth – Gen 10 – Abraham’s seed – Gen 12-17).

Jacob knows he needs a change!

Prior to meeting his angry and vengeful brother Esau, Jacob wrestles with an angel, a pre-incarnate CHRIST. The breakthrough comes! (Gen 32:24-30)

“24And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Jacob is forever changed! Now he is called “ISRAEL”… A Prince that has prevailed with God!!

Conclusion: As you can see these two brothers are very important figures in Bible Prophecy. Several authors of the Bible mention these two boys, Esau and Jacob. (Mal 1:2,3)

“2I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, 3And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.”

Paul writes,

“And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Rom 9:10-13)

God’s prophetic plan unfolds from Genesis to Revelation including the BLESSING among the Jewish people through Jacob’s seed as well as the judgment among Esau’s seed, which are called the Edomites. 

This truth lets us know as CHRISTians that Jesus Christ will fulfill His Word as He gets ready to return for His bride (the Church)! And then in the tribulation (7 years) along with the millennium, Jesus will fulfill His Word with the Jewish people.

Let’s get ready.

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:58

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

By definition “PERSEVERANCE” means steadfast in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

The word “steadfast” is ἑδραῖος: (hed-rah’-yos), which means sitting, seated; steadfast, firm.

The word “abounding” is περισσεύω,(per-is-syoo’-o), which means I exceed the ordinary (the necessary), abound, overflow; am left over.

The word “vain” is κενός, (ken-os’), which means empty, (b) met: empty (in moral content), vain, ineffective, foolish, worthless, (c) false, unreal, pretentious, hollow.

Please notice: We are to be firm, fixed, and overflowing in the work of the Lord because our labor directed and empowered by our risen Lord Jesus will never be worthless!

1. Being a CHRISTian calls for PERSEVERANCE! (Heb 12:1-3)

“1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. Being in a CHRISTian marriage calls for PERSEVERANCE! (Col 3:18-19)

“18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”

In order to fulfill our role as a believer in the living God, we must ever be attached to the power source, namely, Jesus. Otherwise, we lack the necessary enablement thru the Holy Spirit of God.

3. Being a CHRISTian parent calls for PERSEVERANCE! (Eph 6:4)

“And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Prov 22:6)

“6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Deut 6:4-9)

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

4. Being a CHRISTian leader calls for PERSEVERANCE! (Psalm 1:1-6)

“1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

(Joshua 1:9)

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

(2Tim 2:1-2)

“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.”

5. Being a CHRISTian witness calls for PERSEVERANCE! (Eph 6:10-12)

“10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Conclusion: Do you ever feel like quitting? Giving up? Throwing in the towel? Walking away? Washing your hands clean?

Introduction: Are you fulfilling your God-given PURPOSE? We were called by Jesus with a PURPOSE in mind. (Rom 8:29)

1. Jesus had a PURPOSE! (1John 3:8)

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

2. Esther had a PURPOSE! (Esther 4:14)

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

3. Paul had a PURPOSE! (Acts 26:15-18)

“And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

4. Daniel had a PURPOSE! (Dan 1:8)

“8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”

5. Moses had a PURPOSE! (Heb 11:24-26)

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

6. Peter knew God had a PURPOSE! (1Pet 2:9)

“9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

7. David had a PURPOSE! (Acts 13:36)

“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption.”

Conclusion: Speaking of PURPOSE, Paul writes to the believers at Ephesus and CHRISTians today these words,

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

What a powerful Scripture concerning God’s PURPOSE!

• The word “inheritance” is κληρόω, (klay-ro’-o) which means I cast lots, choose by lot, assign by lot, assign a portion, receive a share.
• The word “predestined” is προορίζω, (pro-or-id’-zo), which means to predetermine, foreordain
  mark out beforehand.
• The word “purpose” is πρόθεσις,(proth’-es-is)which can mean the showbread, setting forth, the show-bread; predetermination, purpose.
• The word “counsel” is βουλή, (boo-lay’), which means counsel, deliberate wisdom, decree.

This verse indicates that God has a particular PURPOSE for each of us!

Introduction: Are you enjoying the PRESENCE of Jesus these days? But how can we? You say there is too much trouble in the world….bad things happening all the time. Distractions. Anxiety. Stress. Trials. While this is true, the Holy Spirit releases His glorious PRESENCE in our lives as we yield to Him. Have you ever said, “Holy Spirit, take CONTROL”? Will you do it now?

1. Peter and John learned the secret of being in His PRESENCE! (Acts 4:13)

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

There is a beautiful rose garden in Romania that emanates a sweet fragrance. Once a person visits this rose garden, from that point on, the rest of the day, they carry the sweet aroma where ever they go. So it is when we spend time in the PRESENCE of Jesus. He releases His sweet aroma so that when others are around us they can sense we have been with Jesus!

2. David understood the absolute importance of being in his Lord’s PRESENCE! (Psalm 16:11)

“….in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

While David was a great preacher, and leader, and king. If you were to ask him what was his MAIN thing, goal, passion in life, he would say the following:

“4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Have we learned this life changing truth? I can hear our Lord calling us to learn to “wait” upon Him.

3. Ezra discovered the key to enjoying the PRESENCE of the Lord! (2Chron 5:13, 14)

“3It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; 14So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.”

Text: Acts 1:8

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

We are like the disciples who had ministered to others with Jesus while on earth, but in great need of the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT. Our Lord instructed His disciples before He ascended back to heaven to wait – to tarry- until they were endued with POWER from on high.

“49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2: 1-4)

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

By the way, the “other tongues” was a supernatural miracle in which foreigners with different dialects from far away lands were gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast called Passover, but understood what was being said in their own language.

“5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:5-11)

Unlike some claim, this was not “speaking in tongues” – a jibber, jabber utterance, which others could not interpret, but as you can read, it was an understandable dialect.

There is a misunderstanding today that teaches unless you have “spoken in tongues” you are not filled with the Holy Spirit. Or as some coin it, baptized by the Holy Spirit.

Sorry, but I respectfully disagree with my charismatic friends, even though I still love them. We agree on “being filled with the Spirit” being an absolute. However, we disagree on the interpretation of Scripture including the terminology.

By the way, the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” happens instantaneously at the moment of conversion. It does not appear in Scripture to be a second blessing which results in “speaking in tongues.” Check out what Paul writes concerning this matter.

“For 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.” (1Cor 12:13)

Interesting to note, the phrase “baptized” is in the aorist tense meaning a past event, not an ongoing experience.

However, you and I desperately need the resurrection POWER of Jesus Christ in order to flesh out the CHRISTian life!

2. HOW do we get this HOLY SPIRIT POWER? (Eph 5:18)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

First, in order to be “filled” with the Holy Spirit, we must be emptied of ourselves. John says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

Jesus says, although referring to His death, but also including a deeper meaning to His followers, these words:

“24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:32)

This is what Paul meant when he was inspired to write,

3. How does this HOLY GHOST POWER of being “Filled with Spirit” work?

First, it is not a ONCE and for all thing; rather, it is ONGOING….a continuous filling. Why? Because we are leaky vessels.

The word “be filled” is πληρόω, which is in the present tense in the Greek, which means continuous action. The word literally means I fill, fulfill, complete. In Greek, the word is in the passive mood, which means we cannot fill ourselves, instead we depend upon another source, namely the Holy Spirit of God.

In addition, the Greek word indicates it is imperative, which means it is a COMMAND…..not a suggestion.