Tremble Sinner At These Words!

Luke 23:31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

1 Peter 4:18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

1 Timothy 1:9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

Jude 1:15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

Will these words satisfy man's own mind as to the truth of who God is? There is coming a time when you will be judged, by Christ, as to whether you trusted in Him for salvation or denied Him! If you are a Christ follower, you are to flee from sin. Why? Sin destroys! Satan is the author of sin and the foundation of his kingdom is built upon lies! We must guard the truth of God's Word and deliver it to the world. It must be kept pure! There are those who pervert God's Word and lead people down the path of destruction. Be aware, study God's Word. 

Jude 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

It is God alone who works grace in the souls of men and He alone who perfects it! God is our only hope for mercy! God has shown us mercy through Christ! That mercy brings peace which also produces love that is shown to the world! The greatest mercy and love that can be shown is to tell someone about the hope we have in Christ! We are alive in Christ! 

The fullness of the gospel....

Col.2:6-15

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 

My Lord and My God, we praise You for You are worthy!!! Amen

Who Do You Say I Am?

Luke 22:69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Psalm 110:1 Of David. A psalm. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."

Mark 14:62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Who do you say Jesus Christ is? A great prophet, a carpenter, Master, Lord and King or do you just ignore Him altogether? I pray for you to know the truth, to be aware of your surroundings and see, in creation, what has been created by God for His glory and as a witness to you! What God has promised to do, by His own Word, through His Son, so that we might believe the power God has given His Son to redeem our souls! And that belief is based solely on faith that Christ can and will do what the Father has said, save the sinner from Hell.

Luke 22:67 "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me

Luke 22:68 and if I ask you, you will not answer

John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks

Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Philippians 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Lord, your testimony is here for all who will see! It is there for us to proclaim to the world! It is true! It is good! Only You offer man salvation! I ask for Your will and we give You all the glory forever. Amen

His Pursuit Of You

How do you become a Christian? To be a citizen of the kingdom, you must be a child of the King. Conversion consists of turning from yourself and trusting in the Father. Be humble before the Lord.


Matt.18:3-4

3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus calls His disciples to humility of heart, not childishness of thought.

Loving the Church...
We protect one another from sin.
We are selflessly concerned about each others holiness.
We are radically committed to our own holiness.
We love one another. In light of the Father's angelic provision of His children. In light of the Father's individual pursuit of His children.


Ps.91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.


Ps.91:14-16 

14 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 

16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Dan.6:22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."

We restore one another.
The process of church discipline and restoration...
Step 1 Private correction
Step 2 Small group clarification
Step 3 Church admonition
Step 4 Church excommunication


Matt.18:15-16 
15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

God's promises a midst church discipline and restoration...
He has given us His authority
He has granted us His support.
He has guaranteed us His presence.


Matt.18:18-20 
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." 

We forgive one another.
In Christ, we have received extravagant grace.
As Christians, we now extend extravagant grace.


Matt.18:21-22,33,35 
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." 

I and the Father are One...

John 10:24-30 

24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 

25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 

26 but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. 

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 

29 My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 

30 I and the Father are one."

Thanks Pastor!  

Holy God, may we ever be mindful of our wicked tongue. Help us to keep our eyes on You. May we only speak Your truth out of love and receive the truth of chastisement with a glad repentant heart. Teach us to stand for Your ways and to teach others Your commands. Amen

Utter Earthly Despair or Divine Joy Through Christ

Job 1:18-22 
18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 
19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 
21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORDgave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." 
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. 

Today, a year ago marks in history, a tragic day of utter despair for Alabama. A tornado ravaged and took lives, changed lives and devastated landscapes across our state. Against these things man has no mercy except for the Lord! I am reminded of the book of Job in God's Word, and how it appears a tornado took the lives of Job's children. They were living life just as the people of Alabama were doing that normal day, never expecting their souls would be required of them that day. Life is funny that way, you must always expect the unexpected!! I remember watching the tornado on TV and feeling utterly helpless, knowing that lives would be lost but praying to God for mercy for the ones in the path of the storm.

Lord, how can people trust in their selves and not You? Lord, forgive us when we think we can rely on our self. Help us to teach that our souls live eternally. Amen

Ecc.12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.


Dan.12:2-3 
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 
3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.


Matt25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 

1 Cor.15:12-24

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 

14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 

15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 

16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 

18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 

19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

I "Was" On the Road Straight to Hell

I heard this story yesterday about a lost man paying a compliment to a saved man. The lost man said," I must tell you, you are one of the nicest men I have ever worked with." The saved man replied, " this may be true but I was on the road straight to Hell." What a conversation! The saved man could tell the lost man had great interest in the statement he had just made. The key word that got the lost man's attention, was! What a great opening to share the gospel! The saved man knew he was once lost, that he might be a "good man" but that he was still in sin. Salvation is for the lost man, regardless of whether he is good, moral, a killer, or a thief. That is the beauty of salvation, it is offered through Christ alone, to all because all have sinned! Come just as you are and you will be forgiven because Christ can and will! Christ came for this purpose, He lived a sinless life, He died, He has risen, and all authority has been given to Him by His Father, God! Salvation is not dependent on man but on what Christ has done! We received the news yesterday that the lost man had died. It is unknown whether he died in sin or was covered by the blood of Christ. Life is short but eternity is forever! Today is the day of salvation!
Lord God, giver of all life, help us to bold in our conversation! Let us share the gospel like there is no tomorrow!Amen


Heb.9:27-28

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. 

Romans 9:15-16


15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 

16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.


Acts 4:12 

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 

Behold Our God

John 1:1-5, 12-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Behold the divine glory of the Son.Moses(representative of the law) had reflected divine glory.Elijah(representative of the prophets) had proclaimed divine glory.Jesus (the fulfillment of the law and the prophets) now reveals divine glory.Jesus radiates the splendor of God.Jesus unveils the presence of God.Jesus embodies the pleasure of God.Jesus speaks the Word of God.Jesus is the prophet promised by Moses.Father God used Moses to deliver his people from slavery.Father God sent Jesus to deliver his people from sin.
Matt.17:1-1-7 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."
Jesus is the messenger preceded by Elijah.John the Baptist's ministry of restoration was accomplished through his suffering and death.Jesus' ministry of redemption would be accomplished through his suffering and death.The cross of Christ must come before the crown of Christ.Behold the patient power of the son.Jesus endures our unbelief.Jesus meets our need.Jesus enables our ministry.Behold the willing sacrifice of the Son.Behold the certain victory of the Son.Behold the humble authority of the Son.Matt. 17:1-231 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead." 10 And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" 11 He answered, "Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." 17 And Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." 22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed. Jesus is greater than the temple, yet He still pays the tax.Jesus is sovereign over the sea, yet He graciously stoops for our salvation.Matt. 17:24-27 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?" 26 And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself." Our response!Let us look to His worth.Let us listen to His word.Let us live for His renown.Let's proclaim the One we praise.Let's embrace suffering as we follow our Savior.Let's live as responsible citizens of this kingdom for the eventual coming of His kingdom.Let us long for His return.Thank you Pastor!Lord, how blessed we are to have and teach Your Word. Open the eyes of the blind to see Your good news!! Amen 

For There Is None Like You

2 Sam.7:22
22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.


God speaks and it comes to pass.

2 Sam. 7:28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

God sent His Son to save sinful man.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." 

Before all time and now and forever.

Jude 1:25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Judging the nations.

Ps.110:6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.

Psalm 96:13 they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

Jesus, the judge.

Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

We testify of who Christ is.

Acts 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

God given authority.

John 5:27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.