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AWESOME

 

I discovered one of the most exciting verses of scripture ever. I have probably read it many, many times and this time it really spoke to me. It is inspiring and demonstrates the love of God in a profound way.

 

In the 2^nd chapter of 1^st Corinthians Paul says: “However, as it is written: no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” This is indeed an awesome verse. If you take the time to meditate on it and let it sink in I’m sure you will agree with me.

 

Just imagine the beauty of things you have seen in your life, the things you have heard, the limitless imagination of one’s mind and the emotions you have felt. All this and it pales in comparison to what we will see when we go home to the Lord. Personally I cannot find the words to describe what Paul is saying, I only know that I am humbled by the fact that it is waiting for me. Is it waiting for you?

 

You can have that future simply by asking Jesus to come into your heart as your Lord and Savior. The profound simplicity of salvation and the awesomeness of what He has in store for us are too much, I believe, for anyone to fully understand and appreciate. Amen?

 

Sermon On the Net

WHO IS THIS?

Mark 4: Jesus continues teaching using parables, the first being the parable of the sower. This is a fine example of what happens to the word of God when it is preached to the people. Some never hear it, others hear it for the moment but soon forget it, and others hear it and temporarily rejoice until worldly things snuff their enthusiasm. Finally there are people who hear it, believe it, live it and spread the word to others; this is what we are supposed to do. I used this principle when I trained my sales people and it worked and produced wonders for those who embraced the principles inherent in this great parable. Following the parable in verse 9 Jesus said: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

 

Jesus told the disciples that the secrets of Heaven have been told to them, while others whose hearts are so hardened and minds so closed that they would never hear the message of salvation. Romans 10:17 explains how we hear the message: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

 

The parable of the lamp is one that we should all listen to; it is telling us what we are to do with the Good News of Christ. We are to be shining examples and share the message of salvation to all those who will listen. I, for one, am certainly glad that someone believed in this one because it saved me and my family. This is the reason I write these letters and share God’s gift given to me almost 45 years ago. I cannot tell you how happy we are that my Mother had the courage to speak her convictions. All of my immediate and extended family has received Jesus as Savior as a result; praise the Lord and let’s give Him all the glory. My brother and sister are the first of us to go ‘home’ to be with Jesus; with my Mother and Father.

 

The parable of the growing of seed is an excellent example of the power of the gospel message. The words of the Bible are indeed penetrating. The parable of the mustard seed is a fine example of the beginning of Christianity and illustrates how the Word of God will support Jesus’ followers. We will see the results of its final power in Heaven.

 

When evening came one day they decided to go over to the other side to the region of the Gerasenes. While crossing, the waters began to churn from a violent wind and the disciples were deathly afraid even though Jesus, asleep in the stern, was in the boat with them. They woke Him and He rebuked the wind and the sea, and the disciples, also, because they were questioning their faith and trust in Him. They were so shocked by what He did that they asked, “Who is this?”

 

Surely He is an awesome God. Who can understand His wisdom, His compassion, His mercy, His love so great that He was willing to sacrifice His ONLY Son for us? When you think about it is indeed very difficult to comprehend. But one thing for sure is that he did it for anyone who would believe. If you believe that you are a sinner and therefore separated from Him and believe that He did, in fact, send Jesus to save us and that He died and then ascended to Heaven, then my friends, we will be together in Heaven.    

 

 

 

 

 

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MOTHER AND BROTHER

 

 

Mark 3: In spite of the rulers accusations Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. He asked them whether it was lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath and they couldn’t answer, or didn’t want to. Jesus was really getting angry at the Pharisee’s who were always plotting to kill Him.

 

Large crowds from Galilee began gathering around Him, so much so that He suggested they get a boat in case He needed to use it to avoid the crowd. More demons were beginning to show up and Jesus told them to keep quiet as it was not His time yet.

 

He went up the mountainside and called those He was to choose; and He designated them as apostles. Afterwards Jesus entered a house and so many people gathered that they couldn’t eat. They began accusing Him of being from the devil and he preached to them in parables pointing out to them that Satan would not try to drive out Satan because his house would fall. Jesus then warns them of the one unforgivable sin, that of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This is an eternal sin. He said this because they were accusing Him of having an evil spirit. Verse 29: “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, he is guilty of an eternal sin.”

 

Jesus’ mother and brothers came and someone told Him. He asked them who His mother and brothers were and he answered His own question stating that anyone who does His Father’s will. Verse 35: “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

In a very non-aggressive way Jesus tells them that salvation is of the Father and anyone who does His Will shall be saved.

 

If you want to be part of His family all you have to do is accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. This is the reason He came to earth, and is the reason we were born; to give people a chance to accept or reject His message. By doing nothing one is rejecting the opportunity for salvation. Action must be taken, acceptance is the key, and the gift is free. We are all sinners, we were born in a sin state because of Adam and Eve; there are no exceptions. Whether you are good, bad or indifferent you are a sinner and you must be forgiven and the only way you can be forgiven is to ask Jesus into your heart. Yes, I know this is a faith step, but faith is the only way. There is no way to prove Jesus’ claim other than to accept His gift in faith, and experience for yourself the fruit of knowing that you are truly a child of God; that you are the mother or brother or sister of Jesus as He Himself so stated in this chapter.

 

PROOF FOLLOWS FAITH…………………… FAITH DOES NOT FOLLOW PROOF.

 

 

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RELIGION VS CHRISTIANTY

 

Mark 2: When Jesus returned to Capernaum He was at home preaching and some men brought a paralytic for healing. As there was no room they climbed on the roof and dug a hole in it to lower the man so Jesus could see him. Verse 8: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven.”” He forgave the man’s sins and the Pharisees accused Him of blasphemy because they said that only God could forgive sins. He challenged them and then told the man to get up and he was healed. They were amazed but in all probability didn’t believe who He was.

 

As Jesus was walking by the seashore He came upon Levi and told him to follow Him, which he did, again as did the others without question. Later He was eating in the home of Levi and was criticized by rulers because He was eating with sinners. Jesus told them that He did not come to heal the healthy, but the sick and those in need. Verse 17: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor; but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

Jesus compared the old religious ways and the new ways. He explained to them that their traditional ways had placed a heavy, almost unbearable burden on the people with regard to the Sabbath. He told them that the Sabbath was made for the convenience of man and not the other way around. I must interject at this point the value of knowing the facts and the truth; this is Jesus stating the reason for the Sabbath, not man. Verse 27: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” This is why I am always trying to induce people to read the Bible and discover the truth for themselves. Remember when Jesus said the truth would set you free? The Sabbath is a time that one can rest and be rejuvenated both spiritually and physically.

 

Jesus points out quite emphatically that man made rules and tradition place heavy burdens on people and actually have no influence on them in regards to salvation. Jesus tried to convince them that He came to save those who would believe in Him. However, their hearts were so hardened and weighted down with tradition that they refused to recognize that He was their Messiah. I have always said that religion is an unnecessary burden and will not help anyone find Jesus. It is their own personal conviction and acceptance, in faith, that will save them. Do you believe in Jesus? Do you accept His sacrifice? Do you want to spend eternity with Him? You can because He made the way. Pray to Him, tell Him you are a sinner and that you believe that He came to earth to save mankind, that He sacrificed Himself on the cross for anyone who believes and you, too, will be saved to spend eternity with Him. I pray that you will do so.