There Was No Voice And No One Answered

1 Kings 18:26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made.


All who serve false gods, receive no answer! They have no voice! They have no power!

1 Kings 18:27-29 
27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 
28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 
29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.


There is one true living God!

1 Kings 18:36-39 
36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 
37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." 
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God."


The spirit testifies....


John 1:29-34

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 

30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' 

31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." 

32 And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 

33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 

34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God

God's voice through His Son....

Hebrews 10:12-18 

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 

13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 

15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 

16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 

17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Lord, we praise You for You alone are worthy! Amen

The Word Among Us

John 1:14 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.


Christ was wholly man and wholly God!
Definition of wholly:  Entirely; fully
Our menial brain can not fully understand the things of God. This is one of those things that remains a mystery and it belongs to God alone. Christ has the attributes of man and God! He was the acceptable choice for our sin debt there by offering salvation to all men. The Bible records real events as they unfold, given to man through the inspired word of God. We are warned of great judgment if we take away or add to these divine words. The historical records given to man for his use are indeed meant to enlighten, but more so to give an accurate record of God's will for man. These records show what God demands, from in the beginning with the old covenant law to the present day of Christ blood covenant with those who will serve Him.

From the beginning....
1John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.


Eyewitness accounts....
2 Peter 1:16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


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


Wholly God....
Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law


Before creation....
John 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Sinful man's reconciliation with God....
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me


Coming King....
Revelation 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God


Lord most high God, Open eyes to the truth of this precious gift. Let all mankind know that Christ did it all! He is our salvation, provided by You from before the world began! Amen

Proclaimed In His Name To All Nations

Luke 24:46-48 
46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 
48 You are witnesses of these things. 

We are the witnesses God has given Christ, we are to proclaim His gospel to the nations. Although we have not physically seen the events in God's Word, we believe! Why? Because God's Word is so compelling! Because God has opened our eyes to see! Because God has shown us through His creation of the universe!

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

1John 5:10-11 

10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Romans 1:19-20 

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

God will not be denied! He demands worship! He alone is worthy! There is no other God!

Almighty God of the universe, creator of all things, forgive us! Loose our tongues with the hope found in You. Amen

It Was In Your Heart

1 Kings 8:18 But the LORD said to David my father, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
1Kings 8:23 and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart


Is He in your heart? Do you thirst for the true knowledge of God? Do you proclaim His glory to the world? He holds the universe in His hands! He holds you in His hand! Do you know the fear of falling into the hands of the living God?

1 Kings 8:37-40 
37 "If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemy besieges them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, 
38 whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house, 
39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind), 
40 that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our fathers.


If, in your heart, you ask for mercy, God forgives!

1Kings 8:57-61, 9:3 
57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, 
58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. 
59 Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, 
60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. 
61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day."
3 And the LORD said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.


Faith, mercy and patience...


Heb.11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1Tim.1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Awesome God of my heart, forgive us! We do not really grasp Who You Are!! Give us a thirst for You that can not be satisfied! Help us to teach and show you to the world! Amen

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