Good morning friends and family and a blessed and Happy Resurrection day to you. Glory to God. I pray that you are all in good health and eager to dive into today's message. We want to thank all who are here at our house, those joining in live on Paltalk, for those who have read the sermons, listened, or read and shared. Thank you, and I praise God.
Last week, we ended part 3 of our study Who Are We In Christ from the book of 1 Corinthians with verse 25. We looked at verses showing us that there was division amongst the home churches in Corinth. We saw that the Greeks had issues and the Jews also. We see that Apostle Paul made a statement that I'm sure upset many during that time and I know bothers people today. 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Let's get on with this series. 1 Corinthians 1:26 KJV For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called So what do you think Apostle Paul meant by this? Anyone? Friends, to me, when we are born again, saved, we are changed. Nothing that we did, other than made that most important decision. It's what Christ did in us. Our flesh tells us we're something special. Do we get this? And we are, to ourselves. There's no one else in here, in my skin, except me! I feel me like I feel no other person. I'm aware of my thoughts and desires like no other person's thoughts and desires. My flesh tells me I'm unique and special. The world around me tells me that it's not so. And the Word of God tells me that the world is right. I'm nothing special - except that God has laid hold of me with His grace, and claimed me as His child, and connected me to Christ. Let's look at verse 27 and I think you'll understand what I'm saying. 1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty Friends, when we look around at those who are truly saved, do you see many rich people? Not many, right? Before we go much further, let's look at the story about the rich young ruler found in Matthew 19, starting with verse 16. Matthew 19:16-26 KJV And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (20) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (25) When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? (26) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Most seem to think this passage meant for this man to sell everything and give all to the poor. That's not what Jesus said to him. Anyways, we see where ones who are caught up with money are not saved. Money is an idol to most of them. I know, the hate mail will come rolling in now. Before we go on, I want to look at what Jesus said on the sermon on the mount. Matthew 5:2-14 KJV And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Friends, God chose us, and we are the foolish, the weak, the base things, the despised, and the things that are not. We are not the worst of the lot, but our own experience tells us that we're not the best, or the brightest, or the most successful, or the best loved, or the most admired. We want to be, but we just haven't made it. And hearing the truth can be a painful thing. But the good news in that whole scenario - the silver lining in the difficult truth of how God sees us is the first words in that verse I quoted, "God has chosen us"! Instead of the condition of our lives revealing for us how God thinks about us, it simply tells the world how little worldly stature and public opinion means to God. God chose us, and we're nothing special, except for His gracious choosing of us and separating us from the world. We are a peculiar people. Amen? 1 Corinthians 1:28-31 KJV (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. These last scriptures should excite you. Not by anything you and I have done but by His doing, you and I are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. By God's choice, and through His work in and through the Word, you are a Christian. You know Jesus Christ and trust in Him. Glory to God. We're a new creation. We've been set apart. Praise Jesus. Church, by God's doing and choice, not your own, you've come to know how He redeemed you from sin and death. Friends, think about what I'm about to say, and consider your own life. I had little to say about my relationship with Christ right from the start. The best things anyone can say about me, and that I can find to say about myself are, because God chose, and God worked, and I am in Christ Jesus by His doing just as I hope each of you are. Because of Jesus' life and because Jesus willingly died on the cross in mine and your place, our sins have been forgiven. You're righteous in the eyes of God because Jesus was righteous in the eyes of God, and He has given that righteousness to us. Amen someone? You are not so holy in and of yourself. God has made you righteous in Jesus Christ. In fact, every good thing you do, every God pleasing thought you have, is Jesus at work in you. Please turn to Galatians 2:19. Galatians 2:19-20 KJV For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. We're nothing special except that Jesus is our righteousness and our sanctification. Amen? Brother Jeff who leads a Bible study here on Paltalk has discussed this numerous times. We still want to sin, but Jesus works in us. We're nothing by ourselves, and when we tend to think that we're something in and of ourselves, bad things happen. Do we get that? When you try to correct the sin in your life on your own you fail, and you fail miserably. So many just don't get this. We stumble into great sins. We get so proud, we think we know more than God and begin to spout foolishness and false doctrine. We begin to do things that harm the body of Christ, or draw us away from it, or both. Only when we know that we're nothing special, except that God has saved us, do we have hope. Only when we realize that it's by God's doing and not our own in the slightest do we finally walk in Him and boast not of who or what we are, but in God alone. Leanna and I take communion each morning before we start these services. We used to have ones following us on Skype join with us, but because there are so many who come into the room at all times and because there are those who have different beliefs, I have chosen not to continue. You, our friends can take communion on your own, if you choose, but what I want to get across to each who are considering this, take it with the right heart. Only when God is taken at His Word and we trust Him, do we know what it is in truth, and only when we believe do we receive all of the blessings of forgiveness and life and salvation in this blessed Supper. Glory be to God! Here is Christ's body and blood. It's medicine for the soul, and for the body. For the soul, it's life and strength and forgiveness and peace and joy to all who believe. For the body, it's preparation for the grave and for resurrection unto life everlasting and full of glory. This is the medicine of Immortality, and the holy Supper of the Lord, and the perfect fellowship of those who believe. It's for sinners, not for those who think that they don't need forgiveness. It's for the weak, not the strong. It's for those who are nothing special, but who depend on His giving and His grace and His goodness. It's for those who have nothing to boast about, except God's grace and love. Glory to God. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God. By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Now that we've finished the first chapter of this very important epistle to the Corinthian church and before we close this sermon for today, I ask you...where is your faith in God? Mark 11:22 KJV And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. What did this verse just say? Let's all say it together. Have faith in God. Hebrews 10:38 KJV Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. You'd be amazed at those claiming to be followers of Jesus when you start discussing faith. Many will say they have faith in God, but when you discuss it further in some situations, you find that their faith is in so many things. You have those who base their faith in getting out of calamities. 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) Friends there are many who try to make the Bible so difficult. They make it so complicated. Complex. For the past few months, I've shared the verses from two different passages. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; That day is at hand my friends. I pray each of you is only interested in the truth. 2 Peter 3:16-18 KJV As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Church, I know many of you don't want to hear these scriptures again and again, but until we're stable in our faith in God, you're open to all kinds of junk the world throws at us and not even aware of. Friends, the Bible is not complicated, and some of us need to get that junk out that's been planted in us to realize that. When you get the junk removed and the truth remains, and the light is there, it's not confusing. When we get the right interpolation of the Bible in us, it's simple. Amen someone? Friends, if our first parents could have kept it simple. "Don't eat the fruit of the tree. Eat the fruit, you will die". Is that confusing or complicated? "Don't eat the fruit". I don't care if it's 2 words, the devil will make it confusing if you let him. Satan will twist scriptures and confuse them if you let him. That's his specialty. That's what the slimy crooked legged enemy will do is make something simple complicated. Friends, we need to look for the truth. My Bible says in John 8:32 KJV And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. When we get this truth my brothers and sisters in Christ, it will free your mind. It will free your soul. It will free your body. It will free your life. It will make you absolutely free. Glory to Jesus the Anointed One. Because this room has gotten so quiet, I see I'm going to need to do a study on this. Amen? A study on faith? Church, as we close this morning and some of you spend time with family members eating dinner and enjoying family time, will your mind be on Jesus who died for you and me and was resurrected 3 days later? Will that be part of your conversation? Maybe some of you are entertaining friends today. Will you share your faith with them and for the ones that you spend time with, who don't know Jesus, will you be a witness to them? And then my friend, if they do, or don't accept Him as Lord and Savior, will you still be there to mentor them in the ways of Christ? Let me ask you this, friends. Some of you may have heard the gospel message most of your life and you might be feeling like your life hasn't changed. You might have heard what I said, "Have faith in God," but you don't know how. You believe in Jesus, you believe in the cross, you believe in the resurrection, but you still live the same old life as the world. Maybe these words right now are tugging at your heart. What, my friend, are you going to do about it? Are you going to just let it slip by, like before? Let it slip by like thousands of others on this same day that will hear the words, "Come to the cross"? Will you be the example to the world that Jesus has set you to be? Will you today put aside the things that you know are not pleasing to God that you remain part of? Friends, there seems to be a message that many denominations are preaching that does not line up with God's Word. Repentance. For those of you who have been taught, or you have taken upon yourselves to believe that it means saying sorry to God for the things that you have done wrongly, you're wrong. Repentance means turning away from. You stay away from those things. It's a renewing of your mind. Praise Jesus. For those who are trying to get rid of addictions, don't try to do it on your own. It won't work. Pray and ask Jesus to rid it for you. I don't care what that addiction is. It may be alcohol, drugs, porn, lying, stealing. Give it to Jesus. Pray to Him and ask Him to deliver you from it. My dear friends, we were not meant to live a life in bondage. When you give your life to Jesus, He will free you of this trash, but you need to be willing to let Him. I know my friends, because I've been there. We my friends, need to stop playing church and be the church. There are preachers out there who know scripture like the back of their hands, but do they really know Jesus? Do they really have an intimate relationship with Him? What about you, brother and sister? If you were to die tonight, do you know that you know that when you take your last breath here on earth, that you'd be in heaven? So friends, as we celebrate Easter, Resurrection day, I ask you to keep your focus on Jesus, the cross, His innocent blood shed for you and the power in that blood. May we remember the cross and all it stands for. Redemption, forgivness, His uncondional love. I remember a pastor many years ago, and I can't remember his name, ask this question. "If you were ever accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Church, thank you for being with us here on Paltalk. Thanks to those who have read these messages on the Cross Roads Fellowships sites, Lokey sisters, Mylookonline and J and L Ministries. For those watching this on u-tube, again we thank you and ask that if this was a blessings to you, please share with others and subscribe to our channel. We love you and wish you a very Happy Resurrection day. May the Lord bless you.
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