Sermon On the Net

THE RIGHT SIDE

 

Luke 16: Jesus tells a story of the manager who was fired because he was dishonest in his duties. In fear of his future he decided to lower all debts people owed his boss, assuming they would help him after his dismissal. His boss commended him for his shrewdness; Jesus’ point was that the people of the world know how to deal with each other. He tells them to use any wealth they may have for others who have need and someday the kindness may be returned.

 

Jesus scolded the Pharisees because they valued money more than anything else. He said they “could not serve two masters,” God and money. It is obvious they preferred money.

 

Jesus told them that divorce was not permitted, except for adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced person commits adultery.

 

The highlight of this chapter is the story of the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, who longed to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. When they both died Lazarus was carried to the bosom of Abraham and the rich man went to Hell where he was tormented day and night. The rich man saw Lazarus with Abraham and he begged him to send Lazarus to him with water to cool his tongue because he was in agony in the fire. Abraham told him that it was impossible to cross the chasm separating them. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus to the house of his brothers to warn them of what will happen to them unless they change. He thought they would believe someone who came from the dead. Abraham told him that there was no need for that because they had Moses and the Prophets and if they didn’t listen to them they would not believe someone who came from the dead. How appropriate this answer was because when Jesus arose from the dead and witnessed by over 500 people they still didn’t believe Him or His preaching or Moses and the Prophets. They sure had hardened hearts.

 

My friends, is your heart hardened to the word of God? Do you need someone to come back from the dead to tell you what the Bible is telling you? Of course this will never happen but you have the opportunity right now to save your soul, to be right with God so that you will be on the right side of the chasm where, you too, will see Abraham and all the saved souls who have gone before you. Just confess to Jesus that you are a sinner (as if He doesn’t already know) and accept His free gift of salvation on faith. I would love to see you all there someday.

 

  

 

Sermon On the Net

LOST AND FOUND

 

Luke 15: This is a very appropriate title for today and I’ll share some really great news with you all. A reader wrote me to tell me he read the sinners prayer and asked Jesus into his life. Praise the lord for His grace that abounds mightily. All the angels in Heaven rejoiced when he made his decision, Luke 15:7 says “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Let’s join them and rejoice and pray that Joe will grow strong in the Lord.

 

Jesus used three parables in this chapter to communicate how important each person is and how important are those that return after finding themselves lost and miserable in the world; the parable of the one lost sheep even though the owner had ninety-nine others. And the woman who lost one of her silver coins; both rejoiced when they found what they lost.

 

The parable of the lost son has a somewhat different twist because it portrays one who left and returns. I believe this is an excellent example of a saved person who backslides (he was never lost) and then asks God’s forgiveness (which is always available to those who ask) and the Lord is thrilled to accommodate his wish. This parable also points out a bit of jealousy when the other son complains because the father welcomed him back and celebrated his return. The other son should have been happy also, but was jealous over the way the father treated his brother.

 

Are you lost? I pray that if you have yet to accept Jesus as your Savior that you will not wait another minute to pray to the Father, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness and to be your Savior. The Bible’s guarantee (the only lifetime guarantee without any conditions that I know) is He will accept you immediately and you will spend eternity with Him. And you will know that the rest of your life on this earth can be joyful and peaceful, for He will never leave you nor forsake you. You will have fulfilled your purpose in this life, i.e., the reason you were born. I pray for that day for each of you who have not already done so to join Joe and the rest of us in the family of the Father.

 

 

Dermon On the Net

HEAR THE LORD

 

Luke 14: Again Jesus was criticized for healing someone on the Sabbath. He retorted by asking them if they would pull their son out of a well if he had fallen into it and they remained silent. Jesus then used a parable in an effort to teach them a lesson in humility and to do things for people who cannot repay.

 

He continued teaching using the parable of a banquet. The host invited many guests who failed to attend using all kinds of excuses, so he told his servants to go out and find people who would attend. This of course is analogous to the Jews refusing God’s invitation to His Kingdom resulting in an open invitation to the Gentiles to become part of His family. Jesus finished His teaching by explaining that discipleship was costly and sometimes sacrificial. To become a disciple a person must have been willing to leave his life style, even his family; his love for God must be above all others. Complete surrender to Him was the prerequisite; it still is today.

 

I believe the main issue in this chapter is salvation, exactly why Jesus came to earth. His own were too stubborn to hear His word and too resistant to believe in the miracles He performed. Consequently salvation is now available to anyone who hears His plea; through Jesus Christ. When He was on the earth He offered it in person, now it is offered through His Word, i.e., the Bible. This is why it is imperative, as I have tried to communicate so many times, for each person to open the Book and read and ‘hear’ what God is saying. Opening the Bible is like knocking, reading is hearing, and accepting is finding the path of salvation. Romans 10:17 says: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” He wants you--- do you want Him? If so, pray, just confess your sins to Him, ask for forgiveness and invite Him to come into your life. I promise you He will respond to your invitation and accept you without hesitation. Nothing is more important to Him than your hearing His message and believing it.

 

 

 

Nick's Ministry

CLOSE, BUT…

 

Luke 13: The first part of this chapter deals with repentance. As far as Jesus was concerned a sin is a sin and separates man from God. Jesus gave the Jews ample time for repentance but to no avail for the vast majority.

 

Jesus healed a woman who had been crippled for 18 years on the Sabbath and was severely criticized by the synagogue ruler. He embarrassed him by telling him that he, too, performed work on the Sabbath by leading their donkey’s to water. However the people were delighted with Jesus. Jesus continued by comparing the kingdom of God to a tree and the baking of bread to illustrate how the saved will be cared for and how the church will grow.

 

As Jesus was walking through the towns teaching someone asked Him how many will be saved. He told them that they should make every effort to be saved ASAP because when the door (opportunity) is closed no one will be able to enter. Many will try to sway Him by saying they ate and drank with Him, but His reply will be, ”I don’t know you.”

 

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him that He should leave the area because Herod would kill Him. Actually it was they who wanted Him to leave. He told them that He was not going to stop the work for which He came. He told them of His deepest feelings for the people to repent but, by and large, they would not.

 

There is in this chapter a startling revelation with regard to saved or unsaved people. I entitled this chapter the way I did because there are many people who think they are going to Heaven but will never have a chance after they die. These are the religious people who think they have a lock on salvation, when in fact they are committed to their religion but not to the true God. I’m afraid there are many, many people, as those in the past who are earnest in their convictions but nonetheless have been misled and will not enter Heaven. What do they do, you ask? How will they know? How will they know if they are saved? The answer is simple you know, the Bible IS the inspired word of God and it contains the way to Heaven. Each person will be held accountable for his or her decision and if this is so then it is imperative that they read the Bible and believe what they read. Jesus says if you seek Him you will find Him. I can suggest to you to read the Gospel of John, this is my favorite because this is when God spoke to me through His word and I accepted Jesus as my savior. This book was the key for me when I realized it unlocked the chains of my religious teaching and my commitments to the wrong ‘god’. This gospel is considered to be the most important book in the Bible. John 3:16 is a verse I strongly recommend you read over and over again until you really know what God is telling you in simple and easily understood words. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It is my considered opinion that you accept what it is telling you. If you do then all you need to do is tell the Father that you believe it, that you are confessing your sins to Him and you want Jesus as your savior. My prayer is that you will, at the very least try. If you do and are earnest in your search in faith, I promise you, no, I don’t promise you, God does, that you will know that you have been truly born again and are a child of God. You will be assured of you place in Heaven. I hope to see you there.

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

WATCH FOR HIM

 

Luke 12: Jesus instructs the disciples to be aware of  false teachings of the Pharisees in verse 1: “Be on your guard against the yeast (teachings) of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” He tells them not to be concerned with those who cannot harm their soul but to be very concerned with the one who can; they are to trust in Him only. Jesus told them that He would honor anyone in Heaven that honored Him on earth, conversely He would deny those who denied Him on earth. He tells them that one who speaks against Him can be forgiven but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit (accusing the Holy Spirit to be demon possessed (i.e., getting  power from Satan) would never be forgiven. He further instructs them to not be concerned with what they say before rulers and authorities because the Holy Spirit will teach them what to say when necessary.

 

Jesus told them a parable of a rich man who was more concerned with his wealth than his soul and as a result lost his life. Verse 21: “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” He tells them not to worry or be concerned about the things of the world because He will provide for them. He told them how He provided for the animals of the world and they are much more important to Him. He comforted them by assuring them that the Father knows their needs and they will be taken care of. They are to be more concerned with the treasure they store in Heaven than anything on this earth.

 

Jesus wants them to be watchful and ready at all times, never knowing when He will be back. Jesus explains the responsibility being given them and they should be very conscious of the services they are to perform for Him. For who is given much, much will be expected and so forth; verse 48: “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

 

His last point in this chapter was the fact that His presence on earth would result in a division of family members. This is not something He wanted but knew that this would happen because some will follow His ways and some will not. He advises them very strongly that people should get things straight while they are still on the earth and have the time, otherwise they will be accused and found guilty and suffer the consequences of damnation.

 

My friends, we have the opportunity now to get ourselves on the pathway to Heaven. Once we are before the Judge there will be no verdict other than guilty and terrible consequences will follow. I don’t know about you but as for me, I do not want to spend eternity separated from my God. If you will pray this simple prayer you too will be with Him forever; Father I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sins, I confess them to you in the name of Jesus and accept Him as my Savior. I thank you Father for the sacrifice He made for me on the cross, Amen! If you prayed this simple prayer in sincerity we will meet in Heaven and all its glory. Jesus guarantees it, I believe it.