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Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” We should always remember that we can use this WORD OF GOD like an ARK, Noah used it to escape the “sin and degradation” around him and his family. so can we immerse ourselves into the “WORD OF GOD” to escape the pollutions of the world, for us and our familes!

Matthew 24:35-37 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Please pay close attention to this very important word that I will reiterate throughout this message that GOD has sent us:

                             “WATCH”

The days of Noah: I want us to be sure, here, to look at the days of Noah first. Because the reason we study the days of Noah and the Ark and those Biblical times, especially about the great deluge, or the great flood, is to discover what those times and the people were like, because JESUS prophesied, that HIS coming again, or HIS second coming to this earth,  would take place when the days, times and people began to look like those days that were in Noah’s time. What were those days like? Well, lets listen to how JESUS, THE VERY SON OF GOD, or GOD IN THE FLESH, described them!

Now if you have your bible, or your phone, or an instrument that has GOD’s WORD within it.  Go to Matthew 24:38-39 because there we will find where Jesus said: “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered in to the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Now again, please pay close attention to this very important word:

                            “WATCH”

Now obviously, our day and our era and time qualifies with all of those events, you can see all of the attributes that Jesus listed and it fits like a “T” in our world today. The way that people, even some of GOD’s people, conduct their lives, they don’t consult GOD before they make decisions, especially their most important decisions, they just go ahead and do what ever pleases them or that which seems right to them.  James 4:13-15 “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? it is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” Now in these verses in James and Matthew, that I just read you, Jesus seems to describe exactly what a lot of people are doing today, they were all living their lives just as if they were not supposed to help others, physically, mentally, or spiritually, almost like it was none of their concern, kind of like “AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER”. Well!! Yes, yes we are responsible for our brothers and sisters of mankind, Cain was and we are also. You and I that are part of the “BODY of CHRIST” are responsible and should act accordingly. From the very first murder on this earth we see that GOD meant for us to take care of our brothers and sisters of “MANKIND”. Just as Able’s blood was crying out to HIM from the earth, I am afraid that the blood of those that are dying and going to HELL during our time, will be, or, are now, crying out to GOD, and I believe we may hear the same question from GOD that HE had asked CAIN “WHAT HAST THOU DONE”! I believe that we as the BODY of CHRIST, the CHURCH will surely be accountable if we are not at least warning, the lost of the world, about the impending danger of not being “BORN AGAIN”. We preachers can try and be politically correct and tickle peoples ears with little sermonettes, if we want to be liked and praised, but GOD has always told HIS prophets and HIS preachers to WARN people of the sure accounting that is forth coming, if we don’t trust in the “SACRIFICE” that is sent for the ATONEMENT of our sins. Please listen to what the Apostle Peter said about NOAH and those times:

In 2 Peter 2:4-8 this is what the APOSTLE, whom Jesus loved said:  “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed (oppressed or depressed) with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed (tortured or tormented) his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)” Please allow me,again, to interject this word right here: 

                         “WATCH”

Which brings us to what JESUS said in

Luke 17:26-35  about the days of Noah and of Lot: Listen please to GOD’S WORDS “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed, the one shall be taken. and the other shall be left.”   Please allow me,again, to interject this word right here: 

                         “WATCH”

During the days of Lot, God’s people made it safely out of that sinful metropolitan area, even though they had been infected by the sin and corruption of the places called Sodom and Gormorrah. Remember the story how God’s people had went inside of the city and should have been a “LIGHT” to this metropolis, they should have been a living example to those wretched souls. Yet, the “LIGHTS” of the city, the “SOUNDS” of the city, the “LIFE” of the city, all of that, infiltrated, or permeated their lives. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hoth iron;” So, after a while, they no longer  stood out as “different” but became as the others of Sodom and Gomorrah, and now they were useless as a “LIGHT” to light the way. We must never blend in with the “ways of the world!” They had, for all purposes, hid their light under a bushel basket, and deprived those poor souls of that direction that they so desperately needed, that wholesome guidance they needed to get by in their world, they became useless as an “EXAMPLE” so these lost people, or those that had wandered away from GOD, could have a pattern to fashion their lives after. When Jesus said, if the people knew of the expedience of the times and the dangers of the ways? They would have made ready. Listen please, it is imperative for GOD’s PEOPLE, that we should be WHO AND WHAT we are supposed to be, for the countless lost millions are counting on us, even if it seems like they are not. In Pauls’ letter to those at Philipi he said these words in:

Philippians 2:15 before I read please let me remind us that the Apostle Paul is addressing “BORN AGAIN” believers here in this statement! “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” You might say how do I do this, how do I shine out, how do I emit the “LIGHT OF CHRIST”? Listen to what Paul says next in Philippians 2:16 “Holding forth the WORD OF LIFE…” the power is in the WORD OF GOD, PREACH IT  TEACH IT  LIVE IT store it in your hearts so that it will be readily available when you need it, do you remember what JESUS said after HE had spoken some challenging words, that had caused many to stop following HIM,  now please remember this QUESTION first, that JESUS asked in John 6:67-68  “…WILL YOU ALSO GO AWAY?” and also the answer that the Apostle Peter gave him “…LORD, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that CHRIST, the Son of the living GOD.” Our time to speak-up is here, may I ask us this same question  “WILL WE ALSO GO AWAY”? It is our responsibility as the people of GOD to be that “LIGHT”, to take our lamps out from under the BUSHEL BASKET and let that light shine out to all of those that need it, or “WILL WE ALSO GO AWAY” or will we be like LOT and his family, and join in with them and be a part of the sin and degradation? Listen, because I say again we are supposed to be “in the world not of the world”

Now let us look at this next set of scripture as it speaks of the days or the sign of Jonah. Please turn with me to

Matthew 24:36-41  “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall aso the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” 

Please allow me,again, to interject this word right here: 

                         “WATCH”

Listen also to Luke 11:29-30 “And when the people were gathered thick together, HE began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonah was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.”  

Please allow me,again, to interject this word right here: 

                         “WATCH”

Jesus says there will be no sign given to an adulterous evil generation but the “SIGN OF JONAH” Now, WHAT is the “SIGN OF JONAH” it is the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST, the Death, the Burial and especially the RESURRECTION of JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE CHRIST. Now, WHO is going to deliver this sign, the bible says in Mark 1:14 “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of GOD.” Then in Mark 13:10 “And the gospel must first be published among all nations.” And again in Mark 16:15 “And HE said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Jesus was faithful to preach and teach the GOSPEL, The APOSTLES were faithful to preach and teach the GOSPEL, The early CHURCHES were faithful to preach and teach the GOSPEL, Walnut Grove has always been faithful to preach and teach the GOSPEL, so it behoves us today that we must continue doing our part of this “SIGN OF JONAH” and keep on preaching and keep on teaching the “GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST”. So Jonah tried his best to get out of doing what GOD wanted him to do, but GOD used that instance, and even prepared that HUGE FISH so that the true story of 3 days in the BELLY OF THE WHALE could be used to represent the DEATH BURIAL and RESURRECTION of JESUS. We can also learn many other things from the story of Jonah. But, I am just going to give you 3 suggestions on how to have a successful Christian Journey after you have been “BORN AGAIN”

1. Always Obey GOD!

2. Never Run from GOD!

3. Always Trust GOD!

What is your whale, what is your Ninevah, what is your Tarshish. It is such a story that we all have, because at sometime in our life we have experienced the same thing, a life that has happened to all of us in one way or another. It seems Jonah was living a somewhat very comfortable life, he was living in Gath-hepher, near to Nazzereth and had gotten used to just preaching in that area and GOD said I want you to go Ninevah, and he was so prejudiced he chose to run 2500 miles in the opposite direction to the western most part of their world to Tarshish, or what is now known as Gibralta.

If you have never been “BORN AGAIN” Time is running out, it is the “LAST DAYS” it won’t be long till JESUS splits the eastern sky and takes HIS people home.

If you are already “BORN AGAIN”  may I ask you, or us these three questions;

1. Are you obeying GOD? Has HE asked you to do something and you have not done it?

2. Are you running from GOD? Has HE been saying go here or go there or do this or do that and you know you should be about doing it but you are still running from that task?

3. Are you trusting GOD? May I ask us all this question, are we trusting in GOD to supply all of our needs, trusting HIM to protect us and provide everything we need?

One last scripture to always remember: “2 Corinthians 11:11-15  “Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into and angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

“STAY ON WATCH” 

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” Let’s look at some of the WORDS and phrases, the first one is:

BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU TO BE IGNORANT

The word IGNORANT here is a COMPOUND GREEK word from a negative particle and the Greek word  (noy-eh’-oh); that means not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication it means to ignore (through disinclination) that is to (be) ignorant, or not to know,  or not to understand. It also means to exercise the mind (to observe), that is to comprehend, or to heed to consider, perceive, think, or understand.

And as the compound word, not to perceive or not to know; not to understand or not to comprehend.

Think what Paul is saying, he wants Christians not to be ignorant of things that could cause them harm or heartache, He wants them to have the knowledge that will allow them to have hope to see their friends and love ones again after they have died. We should be aware of all things that could and would save us a lot heartache and grief. You see, ignorance causes GRIEF, there is so much to learn and discover out there. In particular please listen to what the Apostle Paul says in: Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of HIM from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even HIS eternal power and GODHEAD; so that they are without excuse:”

The phrase or words “CLEARLY SEEN”, means to “BEHOLD FULLY” not to have just a glimpse of something, but to see it all, through our “spiritual eyes”, so that we can have “DIRECTION AND STRENGTH” to do those things that GOD commands us to do. Such as those words Paul said in his letter to the Christians at ROME, please listen or read along with me in:

Romans 12:2 where Paul said “And 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.” And know this for sure that this WORLD will conform you, will MOLD you to the pattern of itself, if you don’t continue to be TRANSFORMED by  the RENEWING your mind, by continuously STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD.

The word transformed is translated from two Greek words, (meta) and (morphoo); which mean to transform (literally or figuratively “metamorphose”) that is to change, transfigure, transform. So what does this word “metamorphose” mean, well it means the same thing we have been taught in school and in and by nature. It is a change of the form of nature of a thing or PERSON into a COMPLETELY different one,by natural or SUPERNATURAL means. At some time in your life you have seen, by books or in person, remember when you first saw a TADPOLE and when you came back at another time, that TADPOLE had transformed into a FROG, or you have seen some LARVAE and thought “WOW” that’s kind of yucky looking and then all of a sudden, in a day or so you think a double “WOW”  because there in the place of that worm you see a beautiful BUTTERFLY OR A BRIGHTLY COLORED MOTH. And by this same METAMORPHOSIS process you should see a CHRISTIAN change from a “BABE IN CHRIST” to a MATURING CHILD OF GOD, until the day he or she goes to be with the LORD, never forget that the BIBLE says “…to be absent from the body, is to be present with the LORD…”. Since I have said that I will go ahead and say that there is no such thing as SOUL SLEEPING, and we will see that in the next verses in Chapter 4 of 1st Thessalonians. Meanwhile, while we are still here, before GOD takes us home by the grave or by the RAPTURE, we are not to be just kicked back taking a siesta or an afternoon nap, but we, as children of GOD, are to be growing into a more mature Christian, so that we can help others who have not been BORN AGAIN to come to know JESUS the CHRIST as their PERSONAL SAVIOR! Remember what the APOSTLE PAUL said in the verse I just read a few moments ago about the “…RENEWING OF OUR MINDS…” we must remember that they are at this time already with JESUS, only their ashes or their dust is in the grave. Jesus has already overcame DEATH HELL and the GRAVE for us and ALL who have been REBIRTHED. And we don’t GRIEVE as those who no hope because we are confident that OUR FRIENDS and LOVED ONES that were SAVED are now resting with JESUS and the FATHER, waiting till we get there on that “HAPPY REUNION DAY”. The only hope that the lost have is that at the moment just before they pass into ETERNITY that they cry out unto the LORD with a confident firm faith, and if they did that, then OUR SAVIOR and SACRIFICE, the LORD JESUS of Nazzerth will save them and they will be ushered into the presence of the LORD. Please NEVER FORGET THIS:

“THAT GOD LOVES US WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE!” 

Let’s please don’t forget to always celebrate “OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM THE POWER OF SIN OVER US” because of GOD’S LOVE for us! You have the POWER through the HOLY GHOST of GOD to OVERCOME any and all sin.

1 John 4:7-21,5:1-3 “…Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, tht we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is nodt made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

One thing I want to say from the gitgo, from the very beginning, is that this LOVE, this AGAPE’ LOVE that I will be talking about in this message, is not a love that is just a word or just something that we say or vocalize, but is a word of ACTION a word that causes me, and anyone who posseses it, to get up off of our BUTTS and do something for HIM. GOD did not just remain in HEAVEN on HIS THRONE, but HE placed HIS LOVE into action. Even in the beginning of time we see that HE came down to the GARDEN OF EDEN to be with and do for ADAM and EVE, for mankind, and also, HE physically placed the sacrifice in the brush so that Abraham would not have to sacrifice his son, and when HIS leader MOSES was rescuing HIS people from Egypt GOD did not sit up there in HEAVEN and say sic-um Moses, NO SIR, HE put a pillar of cloud between the ISRAELITES and the EGYPTIANS to protect HIS people, then HE physically parted the RED SEA so that HIS people could escape on dry ground and then destroyed HIS peoples’ enemies by releasing the walls of water and drowning Pharoah and his army of men and destroying the chariots. GOD’s love is an active love and a participating LOVE. So should it be with us, I sometimes think that we forget that the LOVE of GOD, the AGAPE’ LOVE was placed with in us and is supposed to motivate us to use that LOVE, to help others and HE has given us enough of the AGAPE’ LOVE to care about other’s spiritual state and make sure they are spiritually founded on the right rock, which, of course, is Jesus of Nazzereth, the CHRIST.

And never forget this that GOD loved us while we were yet in our sins, HE did not wait till we cleaned ourselves up and got ourselves presentable to HIM, GOD loves us with an EVERLASTING LOVE, sometimes we think it is all about us loving GOD, but it is really all about GOD loving us, caring for us, and protecting us. When I didn’t give a whit about GOD, HE loved me; When HE was never on my mind, I was continually on HIS HEART; When I was envolved in nothing but wordly things, HE was envolved in sending HIS only BEGOTTEN SON to this sin-ladened earth to be the propitation for my sins, and for everyone that would call upon is name. He did all of this because HE loved and cared for me, and all of creation. I didn’t cry out to GOD because I loved GOD, I cried out to GOD because I was broken, because I was held in the dread sway of sin, taunted and abused by Satan and his ministers of evil and I could not, in my own strength, break away from Satan, but then, through the WORD of GOD, I saw JESUS high and lifted up on the cross of CALVARY, writhing and suffering in pain and shame, not because HE had ever sinned but because HE loved me and you and was paying the wages for my and your sin, not HIS, but mine and everyone else’s, and I saw the strength and LOVE HE possesed and heard HIM say “…come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden…” and I placed my heartfelt faith and trust in HIM, and HE saved me HE borned me again. THANK YOU JESUS!!!! HE will do the same for you if you have not yet allowed HIM to do so!

Surely if GOD loved us as sinful, as scarred and uncaring as we were, we can love one another. In fact if we don’t LOVE our brother we or not GOD’s children, we have not been “BORNED AGAIN”, or either we are out of touch with what GOD requires of HIS children. John says that very thing in this chapter in his 1st EPISTLE in verse 20: “If a man say, I love GOD, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love GOD who he hath not seen?” and then goes on to say “And this commandment have we from HIM, That he who loveth GOD love his brother also.” Now GOD has given us HIS WORD, HIS WRITTEN SCRIPTURE, that we might try ourselves, put ourselves on trial,  to shine HIS WORD, HIS WRITTEN SCRIPTURE, on our own heart, not other peoples’ hearts, we are to shine the truth of GOD’s word on our own hearts and our own lives so that we can know, FOR SURE, whether the LOVE of GOD abides’ within us, an active, “A GO GIT IT DONE” LOVE, and then we can know that we are the children of GOD. Let us have that same kind of LOVE in us that GOD IS. And let our life be as a beacon, a bright shinning light unto the world so that the world can find a “SAFE HAVEN” through us, through our lives, and find the narrow way that Jesus has left for all of us to walk. Let us LOVE GOD, with an active LOVE, Let us LOVE our brethren with an active love, let us love our enemies with an active love and let us love the lost souls of the world with that same active love, “THAT SAME LOVE” that GOD loved us with and let us be found doing that when our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS, comes again to receive us to himself. We are not to love the world and the things of the world but to love those who are lost and bound for an “ETERNITY” in hell. And let us not fear what man can do to us or what man will THINK of us, but take the living WORD of GOD outside the walls of Walnut Grove Baptist Church and, into our homes, and into our communities, and into our county, and into our country and yeah even unto the whole world. Take it to where we live, to where we work, to where we play and to whereever we go.

When you leave this morning, when you walk out these doors back out into the world, I want you to take with you and dwell on these THREE things, roll them over in your head and heart and ponder on them. Because really that’s what we’re here for this morning is to get something to help us through our “JOURNEY” until we can return again for another refilling, or refueling from GOD. It is imperative, and I say again imperative, that I mention some things before I give you these three things,

1: That you must be “BORN AGAIN” or all is in vain. You must have at one time placed your wholehearted belief,  trust and faith in JESUS the CHRIST. Knowing that HE he died on calvary’s cross to be the propitiation for your sins, and paid the debt you owed for your sins. 2: And think on this, if you have been “BORN AGAIN” that your journey will be a lot easier, a lot sweeter, if you know that you are walking with GOD, following his directions and following the steps HE has laid out for you, that’s not an easy thing to do, by the way, but it can be accomplished. Think back to Gideon and the WALLS of JERICO, to Moses and crossing the RED SEA on dry ground, to Noah and he and his family getting ready for the GREAT FLOOD, it was not easy for them but they did it. 3: And know this that the next step for you, after you have been saved is to confess it before men and be baptized as HE commanded. If that is something that you haven’t done, please, come this morning and publicly notify the world that you have believed in JESUS OF NAZERETH  and want to declare by your life and actions that YOU love HIM because HE first LOVED you. Now on to the three things I spoke of before:

#1: GOD loves you with an EVERLASTING LOVE. Never let this knowledge leave your mind and heart, you don’t serve GOD because you are afraid HE will stop LOVING YOU, HE never stops loving you, and HE will never stop LOVING YOU. HE never leaves nor forsakes you, no matter what! Now let me REITERATE those WORDS: HE never leaves nor forsakes you, no matter what!

#2: GOD will protect you, just as HE protected HIS people when they left Egypt. Just as HE protected PAUL, PETER and the other disciples. HE is always AVAILABLE to take care of you in all that you do and where ever you go!

#3: GOD has empowered you, HE AS IMPOWERED you by placing the HOLY GHOST of GOD within you SO THAT YOU CAN live the kind of life HE wants you to live, and to be that SHINNING LIGHT for HIM so that others may see Christ in you. By the way that is what the APOSTLE PAUL said in his letter to the Colosians in Chapter 1 and verse 27: “…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:…”

Romans 2:1-4 “1: Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2: But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to TRUTH against them which commit such things. 3: And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God. 4: Or despisest thou the RICHES of his GOODNESS and FORBERANCE and LONGSUFFERING: not knowing that the GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to repentance?

DESPISEST: The Greek transliteration is (cat’-aft-row-neigh’-o) {from (kata) and (phroneo); to think against, i.e. disesteem :- despise. Interject this thought against, or to dis-esteem, or maybe to de-emphasize. “To reduce the importance or prominence given to (something stated) like an IDEA or an ORDINANCE!” Remember what GOD revealed to PETER in ACTS 11:9 “But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”

Colossians 3:12-13 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” 

   I want us to center our attention on the word FORGIVENESS here that the Apostle Paul uses as he is attempting to teach those CHRISTIANS at the ancient city of COLOSSAE.

Forgiveness is the cornerstone of our religeous belief, Without forgiveness we cannot even begin our CHRISTIAN JOURNEY. We cannot become “BORN AGAIN” until GOD forgives us through JESUS CHRIST and washes our sins away. Then when we are “BORN AGAIN” or “BORN ANEW” we must then FORGIVE as CHRIST FORGAVE us. When someone does something to you that offends you or they do you wrong, you, WE, must forgive them. But to do this we must know what FORGIVENESS means, we must know the definition of it. Listen please as read these difinitions and synonymns of the word FORGIVENESS taken out of some Bible dictionaries and then to some scriptures that show what JESUS and some of the APOSTLES thought about this subject. First the definitions:

To grant as a favor, that is gratuitously, in kindness, to pardon or to rescue or to deliver, or to (frankly) forgive, to (freely) give, or to grant in any sense.

To send forth, in all instances, to forsake, to lay aside, to NOT demand but leave alone, to graceously let alone, to let be, to let go, to let someone have their freedom or not demand their payment of whatever they may owe you, to leave out or to omit a person’s debt, to put away or to send away, to remit, NOT as you remit a payment of money that you owe, but to cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting a debt or punishment., to yield up.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth and gave these instructions. Turn with me or listen attentatively as I read in the book of 2nd Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should het an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Walking the CHRISTIAN walk or attempting to live a CHRISTIAN life is at it’s best “HARD”. It is not easy, especially in this world or at this time that WE now live in. Also as WE attempt this awesome task we have an enemy that we must contend with, and of course that is satan, and we must contend with him every day of our lives. Before we were saved or “BORN AGAIN” he didn’t bother us much because we were not in his or his angels way while they were trying to destroy the CHURCH, and never think that he is NOT your enemy, because when you become part of the BODY OF CHRIST you enter into a SPIRITUAL battle that is RAGING and has been since time began, since GOD spoke this world and yes this whole universe into existance. Satan will take every ADVANTAGE you give him, and holding grudges and not forgiving others leaves a CHINK in your armour that he can really hurt you and make you struggle along on your JOURNEY. Listen to what the Apostle Paul told those at Rome: Turn with me please to the book of Romans:

Romans 13:10-14 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer that when we believed. 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. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.                 

So!!!! FORGIVE, so you don’t give the devil the advantage in this war we are waging. UNFORGIVEN sin is a BURDEN, is a HEAVY WEIGHT upon you. This NARROW road, this NARROW pathway that we must walk is hard enough to travel without carrying about all that extra weight that UNFORGIVENESS adds to us.

Now what does JESUS say about us forgiving others.

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  

Mark 11:24-26 “therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”   

You can’t even get your PRAYERS ANSWERED unless you forgive others. Can you imagine going through your life without being able to pray or to have your prayers answered. Can you imagine trying to live in this day or time without having direction and forgiveness to help you along the way.

As the APOSTLE PAUL preached at ANTIOCH he said: please listen as I READ from the book of ACTS. 

Acts 13:38 “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:” 

You have to begin your journey by being “BORN AGAIN” maybe you are thinking, how do I get that way, how do I become “BORN AGAIN” well don’t worry because listen to what JESUS explained to Nicodemus in the 3rd Chapter of John 3:14-16 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up . That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he have his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Place your heart felt belief in JESUS’s atonement through HIS death upon the cross and you can be saved.

The GOD will give you the strength to forgive others as “CHRIST FORGAVE YOU”! 

Romans 1:18-21 “For the wrath of GOD is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of GOD is manifest in them; for GOD hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even HIS eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as GOD, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. “

Revealed: This word actually means “to take the cover off or even to take the lid off of the pot”, that’s a word that I really like, and one that I can really relate to, it reminds of the times of coming in the house and smelling something that really smells delicious, but you can’t really figure out what it is so you walk over to the pot that is sitting on the stove, or now-a-days, the crock pot and lift the lid up to see what is in there. Listen please to what JESUS said in Luke 8:14-17 as HE was teaching his disciples about how that all things would not be as they were in there day, how that the dark things that seem to be hidden from the masses but that everything would be made clear. Remember now this is the CHRIST speaking, and we are going to jump in kind of in the middle of it, but soon enough to get the real meaning of what JESUS THE CHRIST wants us to know “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest, neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.” The word “choke” that Jesus just used, was (som-pee’-go) which, in this context that Jesus used it, meant to “STRANGLE COMPLETELY”, or to “DROWN OUT” or, listen please, to “CROWD OUT“. If we are not very careful, the things of this world will crowd us and push the lesson’s of GOD out of our life, so much so that we will not allow the “good things” of this world that GOD HIMSELF has given us to enjoy and use as GOD would have us to use. GOD has given us the ability to WORSHIP HIM in truth and spirit, but when we allow those other things of the world to CROWD IN we forget and don’t allow that to happen in our lives! GOD has given us the ability to PRAISE HIM, and think back at times when you were praising GOD, how HAPPY it made you, how you reveled in the JOY and splendor of it! Listen please as I remind us of what Paul said in Ephesians 2:6-9   “…hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS. For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of GOD: Not of of works, lest any man should boast.” Think back to the day that you trusted Christ as your SAVIOR and was “BORN AGAIN” how light you felt, how unburdened you felt, when your sins were washed away. Please don’t let the things of the world CROWD in and push the good things that GOD has given youso far away from you that you no longer have the JOY and HAPPINESS in your life that you once had. Now, quickly lets look at the phrase CLEARLY SEEN: 

Clearly seen: which means “to behold fully”, that is to distinctly apprehend. 1 Corinthians 13:12 told us “For now we see through a glass, Darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” we now mostly see in (2D reflection) but let our minds and hearts reflect in (3D reflection, I vividly remember the first time I saw a 3D movie, about 1956 at the Paramount Theater in Atlanta, GA, I don’t remember who all was with me, but we walked up to the trolly stop at East Point and rode into Atlanta, excited and a little bit afraid. I don’t remember the name of the movie, but I do remember a couple of the action scenes and having to put on the 3D glasses and kind of wondering, WOW! This is amazing, then, in the movie, there was a big explosion on a mountain side and big and small rocks were being blown out from the mountain side and I remember squriming around and dodging those rocks and debree because it looked like they were being hurled right at me as I sat there! Now as I think back, I don’t have on any 3D glasses but life is coming at me and you as if it was back in those 50’s but it is REAL, but then it seems as if JESUS, THE VERY SON OF GOD, is there saying “PEACE BE STILL”, and you know, HE IS THERE because one day about 50 years ago, You and I answered the “WOOING” of the HOLY SPIRIT and cried out; “COME INTO MY HEART AND SAVE ME” and HE did! HE did! The HOLY GHOST of GOD “CLEANED us up and CAME into our HEART’s and “ZIPPED” it shut and HE has been with you and I every since that DAY!!! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! And listen please, HE will do that for you if you will only let HIM, repent of your sins and BELIEVE in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and HE will SAVE YOU, HE WILL MAKE YOU A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST and SEAL you until the DAY OF REDEMPTION, when HE, comes again, HE will then take you home to GLORY to be there for EVERMORE!! We, you and I, don’t have to see through that glass DARKLY now, but through the HOLY GHOST of GOD we can see as if FACE TO FACE!

Listen closely please as I close with the words of ISAIAH that was considered prophesy about GOD making a way for all mankind to have their sins cleansed by the PERFECT SACRIFICIAL BLOOD, SHED BY JESUS UPON THE CROSS!  

Though your sins be as CRIMSON they shall be as “WHITE AS SNOW” Isaiah 1:16-18 records these words “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Philippians 1:9-11 “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

What does this word ABOUND mean? It comes from, or it’s base word is (per-is-sauce); to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transposed) to cause to superabound or excel : (make more) to abound, (to have, to have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, not just barely enough, but, enough and more to spare, exceed maybe of what the world might expect, to excel, or increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above). Not just enough to get by but with all the strength and directions that GOD can give you.

Sometimes we Christians just end up doing only what is necessary to get by. So the Apostle Paul is saying to be and to do above whatever is expected of you. In other words; “LOVE” more, “FORGIVE” more, WORK more, “HELP” more, and “GIVE” more, if you need an example look towards the Samaritan that Jesus talked about in the 10th chapter of Luke, which we looked at a little while back, the Samaritan took care of all of the necessities of the man who was robbed and left for dead and then went above and beyond that, then at the end of the story JESUS said “Go, and do thou likewise.” You will never go wrong by following JESUS’s instructions or commandments. The world is looking upon us, the world is watching us, so be “SUPER ABOUNDING” in your life so that the lost world might see something in your life that will make them think, “I believe I won’t to be like them, I believe I want to have what they have got”, and you “CAN DO IT” because CHRIST has given you the strength, HE has put the “HOLY GHOST” within you to “LEAD GUIDE AND STRENGTHEN”, all you have to do is draw from the well of “LIVING WATER” that HE has supplied for you, for each one of us, for everyone who has been “BORN AGAIN”. Now, there will always be naysayers and those who are led by SATAN that will try to be “nit pickers” so that they can accuse you and all CHRISTIANS so that they themselves do not look so bad, but don’t worry about them just “OBEY” CHRIST and HIS WORDS and you’ll be fine, because JESUS is sitting at the right hand of the FATHER making intercession for all of us. Let’s look at a few more words to help clarify the meaning that the APOSTLE PAUL is trying to get across to the Philippians and to us today; lets look now at the word “KNOWLEDGE”:

KNOWLEDGE: the GREEK word is, (e-pig-nuh-sis) meaning CLEAR and EXACT knowedge, not just “well I think I know”; it is more emphatic than that of the other GREEK words that are translated in the KJV as KNOWLEDGE, because it expresses a more thorough participation on the part of the knower, with the object of knowledge; a knowledge that has a powerful influence on the knower. Are we a participator in our Christian life, are we participating as we JOURNEY, or are we part of the audience, just sitting back watching. We should be actively involved in our Christian JOURNEY, making a difference in this world. You might say, well I live here in this small corner of the world, what can I do, it is these small corners that, when added together make this world we live in, so we each need to do our part, to participate in our corner of the world so that the propagation of the GOSPEL occurs. We need to share our KNOWLEDGE, so the sum of all efforts are greater.

JUDGEMENT: Simply means “perception” or how you perceive things as you continue on your journey in this world, it means discernment. It doesn’t mean, judging someone else’s efforts or someone else’s life but to try MY efforts, to judge the effects of MY efforts in the results of the “WORK OF THE CHURCH” the “WORK OF THE LOCAL BODY OF CHRIST” and if we find it lacking, then make moves that will REMEDY that.

APPROVE: It’s not like you might first think, like looking over things or works of someone else or some other entity and checking a box saying I approve or I disapprove, but it means examining or trying my efforts, to put my works on trial, not others but my works to the test. The GREEK word here is (doc-im-ad’-zo) the same word Paul used in his instructions to a young preacher, a young pastor at EPHESUS where he had been left to attempt to lead that young church to grow and advance the GOSPEL OF CHRIST and as always when the church is advancing and lifting up CHRIST, no matter how old or large the church is, satan will unleash all of his power and opposition against it to impede the spread of the GOSPEL and to stop the training of GOD’s people to grow that BODY OF CHRIST, when he said:

Well, let me read it out of GOD’s HOLY, INFALIBLE, INERRENT, GOD-BREATHED WORD so I will get it right, please turn with me and follow along or listen attentively to this final scripture of today’s message: 

2 Timothy 2:15,16 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”   

We should always let GOD’s WORD trump other words of instruction and be SUPER/ABOUNDING in our LOVE for CHRIST and HIS CHURCH.

Romans 1:9 “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”

Paul testifies here in this verse, that he serves GOD with his SPIRIT in the GOSPEL of HIS SON. What does that really mean, when you read Paul’s epistles, you will get the meaning of what he is saying. Like, a little further along in the book of Romans, in Romans 12:1  “Where Paul says “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.” Then please listen to the Apostle Paul when he was writing to the young preacher Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12  where he was explaining to this young preacher how he was supposed to be that example; “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers… Then he gives Timothy 6 areas to be an example in:

(1)in word,(that is the way you talk or speak), in Colossians 4:6 the Apostle Paul said “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Please note what the Lord’s brother James says in his epistle in the 3rd chapter and the 11th verse:  “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

(2)in conversation,(The word CONVERSATION is the way that you conduct your total lifestyle),Paul says in his letter to those Christians at Philippi in Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” Our lifestyles within the Church should be to promote HARMONY and TOGETHERNESS, the body of the Church should show to the outside world that we are 1 body with the same Head.

(3)in charity,(that is the way that you show your “AGAPE” love for others),When Paul wrote to those at Galatia he said in: Galatians 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

(4)in spirit,(That is how you follow the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT to conduct all phases of your life),Again it the book of Galatians the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Each one of us ought to show the same “AGAPE LOVE” that Jesus showed.

(5)in faith,(That is when you placed your faith in JESUS, did your lifestyle change and you walked differently than you did before, did it show that you were really “BORN ANEW”!) Then Paul wrote in Romans 1:17 which, by the way, we will look at in a couple of weeks “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” When you don’t have FAITH you are really calling GOD a LIAR!

(6)in purity.(That you, after you were saved, didn’t, and still don’t, like to be involved in the FILTHY things of the flesh, but you try to “BE HOLY AS HE IS HOLY” as the Bible says, even though you still fail and get off of the “RIGHT PATH” every now and then.) Listen to what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:24 “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Would you like to posess or have the Spiritual power that the Apostle Paul had during his time here on this earth? Would you like to be able to live a life that exemplifies JESUS OF NAZARETH? The word that paul uses here in the Greek means to be an “EXAMPLE” or a pattern(when I read that word example it immediately made be think of the DRESS patterns that my mom, my sister and my wife used to buy so that they could make a dress or outfit for themselves or their children instead of spending a high, exhorbant price for a new one), the Greek word here could have been translated also as “EXEMPLIFY”, which actually 
means to be a “TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF”. Now going back to the 12th chapter of Romans and the 1st verse, where we were at, and were to present our lifes to GOD and be an “EXAMPLE”, and the APOSTLE PAUL says that is just your “REASONABLE SERVICE”. It’s not a STERLING EXAMPLE, it’s not an “EXQUISIT EXAMPLE”, nor is it a “STELLAR EXAMPLE” like some people say of the ACTORS and ACTRESSES when they WIN an OSCAR or an EMMY AWARD, but it is simply our “REASONABLE SERVICE” that which is expected of us by GOD! THEY, those in atheletic games, perform for a “CORRUPTIBLE CROWN”, but we, the children of GOD, perform for an “INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN”! Do we remember what Jesus said that was recorded in the book of

Matthew 6:19,20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

1 Corinthians 9:25 says: “And every man that striveth(thegreek word that was used here was a very intense verb, it means to really labor strenuously, even to the point of sweating and getting very fatigued)for the mastery(which means to feverently contend with an adversary, and of course we know, very well, who our adversary is because the Apostle Peter told us very plainly and clearly in his first epistle in verse 8 of chapter 5, 1 Peter 5:8 please listen very closely as I read it for you {“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”} and he will devour you if you don’t prepare your self through prayer and the continual study of the WORD of GOD!) is temperate(the GREEK word is {in-cry-too’-uh-my}which means to EXERCISE SELF-RESTRAINT, and I know you guys know what that means. There were atheletic events back in that day, just as there are in our day but they were a lot more lethal most of the time, so those involved in those had to train and workout. Then the Apostle Paul had to clarify that he was not just talking about a few things because he said:) in all things(You are aware, I am very sure, that atheletes have different REPS for different muscles and joints, and so do we, we have the “WORD OF GOD”, we have the “HOLY GHOST”, we have different jobs in the “CHURCH”, we have different jobs in our “Family”, and we have different jobs in the “WORLD” so we must “EXERCISE” for each of those jobs. The Greek word for “in all things” is “pas” and to be such a small word it has a very large meaning. It means “EVERYTHING” “EVERYWHERE” and at “ALL TIMES” so whatever GOD has called you to do, “DO IT CONTINUOUSLY”. I have spoke to this before, but maybe you were not here when I did, so I am going to explain again why I try to use the word instead of “CONTINUALLY”. The most important difference between the two words, I have outlined this way:

Continuously:Means something happens without a productive period within a specified time. For example, you might say “My old tractor has been continuously out of  commission for over the last two years and the tires are almost dry rotted and my corn has actually went to seed.”

AND THEN

Continually: Means something happens without a productive period for a certain time. For example, you might say “My old tractor has been continually out of commission for over the last two years except every “now and then” I can get her crunked up and get a little bit of bush hogging done.” 

We as CHRISTIANS, of course are are always, “CONTINUOUSLY” a CHRISTIAN but sometimes our Labor for the Lord is not. We sometimes perform, only  “CONTINUALLY” as part of the “BODY OF CHRIST”. But, of course, should always be performing our part as an effective and an available member of the “LOCAL BODY of BELIEVERS”. May I ask all of us this question, Am I where GOD wants me, or do I maybe need to be “RECRUNKED” like that old tractor I was talking about? GOD is always able to do whatever you need to get you where you need to be. Now, let me regress back to where we started. That is Romans the 1st chapter and the 9th verse, please listen again as I read:

Romans 1:9 “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;” The Apostle Paul was sometimes not able to be at his post or specific place of service or worship but Paul was always “SERVING and always WORSHIPING” where ever he was and that is the way we should be. Where ever Paul was at he was always in PRAYER and that is one thing that we all can do. Is to always be in PRAYER, in fact Paul said to “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”.

1. This is what I want us to learn and remember about the Book of Romans.

     A. The KEY point of Romans is that EVERYONE, regardless of RACE, CREED, or COLOR have access to the RICHES OF GOD’s GRACE! Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

1: The Gospel is a free gift from GOD! Romans 5:15 “But not as the offence, so also is the FREE GIFT by Grace, , which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”

2: Salvation is a gift we receive BY GRACE ALONE, THROUGH FAITH ALONE, IN CHRIST ALONE! Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

3: The Gospel free’s us from the shackles of sin, strengthens us and allows us to walk in newness of life. Romans 7:6 “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”

We should also see, God’s gift of rescuing humanity through Jesus of Nazereth. God maintaining HIS promise to Israel and God’s love unifying the diversity of the Church.

Paul was a JEW but Paul was also a Roman, so a letter to Rome was very close to Paul’s heart and soul.

Luke 24:13-35 (KJV) “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs, And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned. Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them. What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them.

Jesus said: “What things?”

And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre: And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them,

Jesus said: “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?“

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out or their sight. And they said one to another. Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them. Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeard to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.”

I not only chose this scripture because it talks about Jesus BLESSING the meal before they ate but because it shows the “VERY HEART OF JESUS”! This scripture shows us that the VERY SON OF GOD is just like HIS FATHER. HE seeks to commune with people, with those that HE has created, HE seeks to “DRAW NEAR” to HIS creation, to “DRAW NEAR” to HIS PEOPLE! Please listen to this SCRIPTURE closely, listen to how DR. LUKE describes his SAVIOR, but as you listen, PLEASE, PLEASE always remember that this is YOUR SAVIOR also, IF you have been “BORN AGAIN” but only if you have experienced that saving event: the bible says in our text: “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them” Please!! Think on this, that just a few hours before this, these two men’s heart’s had been crushed, when they had seen their friend, who was “GOD IN THE FLESH”, die a horrible death upon the “CROSS” that stood on a hill called “GOLGATHA”. They had witnessed what they thought was the end of a DREAM, the very end of all that they had poured their belief’s, their hopes, and also their efforts into for, about 3 and half years. I am sure they were feeling beaten, dejected and without “HOPE” but as JESUS expounded the SCRIPTURES to them, listen to what they said: “…Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he OPENED to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is RISEN INDEED, and hath appeared to Simon. And TOLD what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” Now, please let me describe to you what the word “TOLD” means in the GREEK. The Greek word here (ex-a-gay’-oh-my), which in the colloquial Greek language of that day meant to “UNFOLD”. Look at it this way, imagine you received a personal note from a loved one, that you thought you had lost forever, and it had been handed to you folded up. Would you just wad it up and throw it away? NO! Would you just stick it in your pocket. Where you may or may not read it, or where it might get destroyed or lost. PROBABLY NOT! But, you would more than likely, first “UNFOLD IT” and read every precious word in it, receiving it into your heart, to be stored with all of the other memories that you had of this loved one. “BY THE WAY” that is the way we should always read and receive the “WORD OF GOD”.

So, please turn with me to, and read earnestly of this EVENT that the BOOK of MARK records: in Mark 6:46-48 the bible records “And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.” I have been in this area when I wore a younger man’s clothes, and the storms there can be some of the most violent storms and churns the water like a huge washing machine, and if you are in the middle of it , you find yourself very frightened!

How many times, in our lives, have we let JESUS just pass on by us, because we don’t “CALL OUT TO HIM” when HE is PASSING BY? Let your mind drift back to the beginning of CREATION, to the Book of Genesis and the first account of GOD’s effort to be near HIS PEOPLE, do, we act like Adam and EVE, and attempt to cleanse ourselves by trying to HIDE our sins from GOD?  Do we come to GOD’s house with our FIG LEAVES on, or do we come to GOD’s house but are still trying to hide in the trees? These are the types of our feeble efforts to hide our sins from GOD, but always remember, “without the sheding of blood there is no remission of SIN, have we forgotten that JESUS has shed HIS PRECIOUS, HIS INNOCENT, “BLOOD” upon the cross of CALVARY to not only “HIDE” our sins but to “WASH” away our sins, and HE casts our sins into the SEA OF FORGETFULNESS. Man, people, are continually trying to attone for our own SINS! Trying to hide from our sins, but we must do as the Apostle John said, “CONFESS” our sins, so may I quote 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Just as GOD knew where Adam and Eve were and what THEY had done, HE wanted to hear it from Adam’s own mouth. HE is the same way this all of the time, HE is always the same, and HE still calls out now, ADAM! ADAM! WHERE ART THOU, WHAT HAST THOU DONE? and Paul wrote in the book of ROMANS, WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED! We need to stop trying to hide ourselves in the trees and stop trying to sew fig leaves to put on US in an effort to HIDE OUR SINS, but to call upon the name of the LORD! Because he is still there for us “READY TO FORGIVE US” read with me please in the 1st book of Corinthians, in 1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” and then in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Even though, because we are in the flesh, we still sin daily, GOD is still there to “FORGIVE AND CLEANSE” us if we will just call out to him while HE is near as it says in ISAIAH 55:6! “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” YES, YES, YES, it is true that GOD seeks to be near you and I but it is our SINS that keep that from happening. 

JESUS CARES WHAT HAPPENS TO HIS DISCIPLES AND WANTS TO BE WITH YOU WHILE YOU ARE GOING THROUGH TROUBLES AND TRIALS.

JESUS SEEKS to be near HIS people, those whom HE LOVE’S, HE wants HIS people to want to be NEAR HIM, HE wants “YOU” to WANT, to DESIRE to be NEAR HIM, to seek HIS presence in YOUR LIFE. May I ask all of US, right now, IS THIS WHAT WE WANT, WHAT I WANT, WHAT YOU WANT? DO WE WANT JESUS FULLY IN OUR LIFE, IN OUR CHURCH’S LIFE? HE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL OF HIS DISCIPLES,  SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE. IT’S UP TO YOU!

CALL OUT UNTO GOD TODAY and get just as close to GOD as you can!