Following Jesus

 

 FOLLOWING JESUS: He'll Make a Way

HE'LL MAKE A WAY RIGHT ON TIME How many knows that to be true?  Thank God for his mercy and his love…for perseverance that he has taught us through his word.  He will make a way when it seems like everything else is telling you, “No you can’t make it”.  He made a way…a way from earth to heaven.

BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING...pressing into this path that the Lord has allowed for us to have.  The bible says, James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth,…(you don’t err in the truth you err from the truth) and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. KJV.

How about that today? Aren’t you glad Jesus Christ allowed that blood that was sang about?  Aren’t you thankful that the Lord allowed that blood to wash away the sins in your life…to clean you up and make you a vessel of honor...allowed you to have a robe of righteous…a white robe?  Praise his name. It means something to be able to say that you’re on the King’s highway.  Doesn’t it? 

SCRIPTURE FOLLOWING JESUS  Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. KJV

The Lord has a pathway for us to travel.   Jesus said, I am the way.  I am the truth.  I am the life.  If you want the life today, you’ve got to find the truth.  If you want the truth, you’ve got to find the way.  And, that way is Jesus Christ. Can we give the Lord some praise? Come on...let’s praise him today.

WHO IS JESUS  John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. KJV The only way to get to where God is at is through the Saviour, Jesus Christ. And, the Lord made a way for you to do that. 

WHY WAS JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED When he gave his life at the cross of Calvary.  He persevered…think about it…before he ever got to that cross, he was beaten unrecognizable. They mocked him. They lied on him saying that “he is a sinner”…all kinds of ways that they tried to put Christ down. But God had a plan and that plan was for you to make it to heaven. 

Jesus was beaten and mocked. What a day!

BELOVED OF THE LORD I’ve quoted it quite often here, 2^nd Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: KJV.

Today the word of God goes forth.  I’m thankful for the word that the Lord left on record for us to go by and the spirit that he left here to reckon with it, and he called it the Spirit of truth.  Aren’t you thankful for that?  Jesus said, “It is expedient for you that I go away – if I go away I’ll pray the Father”. Think about that for just a second.

IS GOD AND JESUS CHRIST THE SAME PERSON  Jesus knows each and every one of us, and he calls us by name to the Father.  Every need that you have, you bring it to Jesus, and you tell him what your petition is.  He in turn goes to the Father, and he says, “So and so needs this touch”…this is what we need today. He is an intercessor for us.  Hallelujah to the Lamb of Glory!  Don’t you love him?  Yes.

I am the way, the truth and the life. There is only one way from earth to heaven.  Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; KJV

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST  You see, it’s not everybody that even proclaims Jesus Christ or the name of Jesus Christ that’s going to heaven.  You say, “That sounds awfully harsh”. 

Let me tell you what Jesus Christ told them: John 6:53 Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. KJV

Those people who were standing there could only imagine taking a bite off Jesus’ arm and drinking his blood.  They didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to tell them.  There were many turned and walked with them no more. Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “Will ye also go away?  I love what Peter had to say here...he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  thou hast the words"…the words…the words. 

If I could drive that home to you.  You want to know why it's important for you to come out to the House of the Lord? For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you.

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST If you get on God’s highway, you’ll have to hear his word. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word.  How many believe that God is God? You truly believe that he is God…he’s the man who made the universe.  He’s the one who spoke light into existence.    

You want to talk about an all-powerful God? Every need that you have, he will supply.  God has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 

 _{If we have anything today, we received it from someone. People say, “I work hard for what I’ve got”.…have you forgotten who gave you the strength to get up in the morning and say, “Lord, I’m going to work for you”.  Lord, I thank you.}  

_{We used to hear the ole men of God say, “If you can move your “little pinky” (finger) that’s enough evidence that there is a God”.}  

_{I believe in him.  How about you?  Why is that so important…if I could take you back to the garden for just a minute.  In Genesis…(to learn the rest of the service, click on the YouTube video below):}

YouTube@DaltonServices with Pastor Stoney Kiser.

 

_{"Consider what we say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things."}

_{To find out more information about our church [visit] lookupnlive.net}

THE MIND OF CHRIST

 

  "THE MIND OF CHRIST"

"Can We Imitate the Mind of Christ?"

Philippians 2:5 - 11

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In relating a father to his son, we have heard statements like these:  "Like father like son".  Or, "he's a chip off the old block".

The son is a copy, a reproduction, or a replica of the father.  Thus, they like the same things, they have the same values, and may have the same appearance.

1st Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1. Here we see the need to imitate Christ. We need to be a replica of Jesus.

2.  Why?  Jesus is our perfect example.

1st Peter 2:21-22

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 WHO DID NO SIN, NEITHER WAS GUILE FOUND IN HIS MOUTH:

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Paul tells us here that we are to have the mind of Christ.  Then, he tells us what it takes to have the mind of Christ. 

TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST IS TO HAVE A MIND OF HUMILITY

1.  Philippians 2:8

Jesus being God took on the form of man.  In comparison, this would be like a man taking on the form of a worm.

Notice the word "humbled".  It means to make low, to bring to the ground.  Humiliation would be our closest English word. 

Jesus was humiliated, dishonored and disgraced in taking on the form of a man.

 

TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST IS TO HAVE THE MIND OF OBEDIENCE

Philippians 2:8 Jesus had a mind of obedience. 

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.    -Obedience is what He hungered and thirsted for...his very reason for being. 

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.    -Jesus was always concerned about doing the Father's will.  Jesus was not concerned about what he wanted, but what the Father wanted.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.     -Jesus glorified the Father through His obedience...Jesus did not leave his Father's work undone.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.    -Jesus would not let even death keep him from obeying his Father...What hinders us from being obedient?

CONCLUSION 

Notice what the end result was of Jesus having a mind of humility and a mind of obedience:

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.     -The Father exalted Jesus. If we will have the mind of Christ, we will be exalted!  

1st Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Assistant Pastor: Dale Brewer 

From the Wednesday Evening Bible Study Handout.

To find out more about our church [visit] lookupnlive.net.

 

  

Answers for Anxiety:

What does the Bible say about it?

This lesson will provide the Christian with biblical, practical help to ease the anxiety and stress we face every day.  While it certainly will not address every situation or crisis, the principles are proven and sound.  And of course, any Bible study should be accompanied by prayer and wisdom.

1.  Firstly, do YOUR best. 

• Romans 13:13 "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying."
• Hebrews 13:18 "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly."

• 1st Thessalonians 4:11 "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."

2.  Secondly, REMEMBER what God has done.

• Acts 5:16 "There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one."
• Acts 16:30 "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
• 1st Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

3.  Thirdly, Claim HIS promises.

• 2nd Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;"
• Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
• 1st Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

4.  Finally, Honor and Glorify God. 

• Psalm 29:2 "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
• 1st Corinthians 6:20 "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
• Colossians 1:12 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:"

Read and meditate on Psalm 105. 

Assistant Pastor: Bro. Dale Brewer -Wednesday Night Bible Study

If you want to find out more information about our church, [visit] lookupnlive.net.

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

 

 "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart: For They Shall See God" Matthew 5:8

EVIDENCES OF A PURE HEART  Hebrews  10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. KJV

2nd Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. KJV

1st Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: KJV

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. KJV

 

A Solemn Reminder;

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? KJV

1st Samuel 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely, the LORD'S anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. KJV

By Assistant Pastor: Dale Brewer

Wednesday Night Bible Study Handout

To find more information about our church, [visit] lookupnlive.net.

 

 

Receiving Christ

 Receiving Christ with Haste and Joyfully 

What is Jesus to you and what has he done for you? - What do you think people would say about Christ today?

Today, if we were to have a Perry Mason type trial for Jesus Christ, put him on the stand, and call witnesses against him, what do you think people would say about Christ?  Let's take the witnesses that were there in that day and let's see exactly what they had to say.

When you think of Jesus Christ, what goes on your mind?  What is he to you?  What has he done for you?  I want you to keep that in mind as we go through this trial.  We're going to first call to the stand for the Prosecution the pharisees in Matthew 22:41. 

Apostle Paul Acts 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.  But that was before he was converted to Christianity.  So, the life that they lived was not the life of Christianity.

Matthew 22:41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ?  whose son is he?  They say unto him, The son of David. 

Now let's call the unclean spirit to the stand, Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 

This man dwelt in tombs and had a legion of devils about him...unclean spirits.  They had him bound so bad that he wouldn't even have anything to do with his own family.  He would bind himself with chains, fetters because he was so strong and so possessed that he wouldn't do anything good but Jesus Christ came his way.  The man on trial came his way and reached him a hand.

Again, 2 When he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:  The chains had been plucked asunder by him...neither could any man tame him.  

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.  

How sad that man had to be having to live that way.  No one wanted to have anything to do with him.  The bible said that after Jesus Christ had sent those spirits away...he drove them into the swine, they ran off the bank.  The people that were caring for the swine got upset and went and told everybody what Jesus did.  Instead of being happy that he had set a man free, they were upset that the unclean spirits caused the swine to get killed.  

6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God?  I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 

You know who was doing the talking.  It was those unclean spirits that were in that man.  Jesus knew those unclean spirits and could handle them.  

Jesus had just went through the congregation and healing people.  There was a great multitude and here's a sinner that most people probably don't have anything to do with him, and Jesus Christ found him.  He made haste, and he came down and received him joyfully. Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 

You can see how the world was taking Jesus at this time.  8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, (here's what I want to get to...these next 2 verses) This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of
Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Ever since Jesus Christ came into the world...since he was born on this earth, until they hung him on an old, rugged cross, this wicked world was after him.  They wanted to crucify him.  They wanted to persecute him.  They wanted to spit on him.  All they wanted to do was find him at fault.  That's the way it was here with this situation.

Here's Zacchaeus, a man just wanting to get close to God...a man wanting to know the Lord and all they can do is find accusations against Jesus Christ.  They were prosecuting him. They were putting him on trial.  They were trying to destroy the goodness that God had...the goodness that Jesus was showing.  They were trying to destroy that for their own personal gain.  Had they known who Jesus was the bible said if they had known who he was earlier in life, they would have killed him a lot quicker.  They didn't realize just how strong the power he had was. 

But nevertheless, they are judging him and they are trying to put him down.  Here is a man that's going home with a sinner. Oh...he is dealing with the sinners over there...You see how people can treat you when you start trying to treat other people good?  

If today, Christ was to be put on trial, if today we were to have a Perry Mason type trial for Jesus Christ...and put him on the stand and call witnesses against him...what do you think people would say about Christ, today?

Learn more by visiting the online sermon from a Sunday Morning Service @ Youtube.com/DaltonServices.  Pastor Stoney hopes and prays you will receive a blessing from these sermons.  

"Consider what we say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things."

To find more information about the Church of God of the Union Assembly in Dalton, GA, [visit]  lookupnlive.net.

   May God richly bless you!

What Think You of Christ?

 "WHAT THINK YOU OF CHRIST?"

Zacchaeus made haste, came down from a tree and received Jesus joyfully many years ago...

How is he received today?

Luke 19:1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  Luke 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. KJV 

 According to what I have read, Publicans were tax collectors back in that day.  This man had a lot of wealth and was well-known but he wanted to know who Jesus was.  He wanted to see him for himself.

And, when he found out that Jesus was coming by, he went and climbed up into a tree because he was a small guy.  Jesus had just went through the congregation and healing people.   There was a great multitude around Jesus, so he couldn't get to him.  He ran up ahead, and he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see the Lord.  The bible said when Jesus got there, when he came to the place...he looked up and he saw Zacchaeus.  He knew him by name.  He called him and said, Zacchaeus come down with haste.  Come down the tree, for today Salvation is going to enter into your house. What about that?   

Here is a sinner that most people probably don't want to have anything to do with, and Jesus Christ found him.  And, he wants to come and meet him.  He wants to be in his home, dwell with him and eat with him.  That is the kind of man Christ was.  That is all he did.  I'll read on down...there is something at the end of this I think you will really enjoy. 

Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. Is that the way we receive the Lord today...joyfully?  

I was thinking this morning about our first love.  I will give you an illustration of that: when a man and his wife first get married, they are so excited about life and what life has to offer them.  As time goes on, some of that excitement may die out and they will need to get back to that joy they had when they first met.  That is what keeps you together.  That first love is what keeps you happy. 

Well, that is the way it is with Jesus Christ. When you first started coming to the Lord and had made a new in your life, you were so excited that you couldn't wait to get to church.  It seems longer in life people goes, the less they really want to go. We need to get back to that first love. We need to have that desire.

He wanted to see Jesus so much that he ran in front of everybody and climbed up a tree just so he could get a glimpse of him. Is that the way we are today in our Christian walk?  Are we that excited about going to church?  Lord, I want to go to church and get something from you that will lift me up.  And, that will help me to be able to reach out into the world and cause other people to be that way.  

That excitement that we have to want to serve the Lord...do you still have that drive?  Do you still have that willingness to want to go and do something?

Pastor Stoney Kiser:  02/05/23 - 'Live' Sunday Morning Service in the Sanctuary.  

Also, more sermons which are about 15 minutes each in length can be found at 'A Moment of Truth" with Pastor Stoney via YouTube which contain a wealth of information.

 

Check out our website @ www.lookupnlive.net.

We hope you receive a blessing from the videos and the website.  Consider what we say, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.