A LIFE OF HONOR

 

A Sunday School teacher of pre-schoolers was concerned that his students might be a little confused about Jesus Christ because of the Christmas season emphasis on His birth. He wanted to make sure they understood that the birth of Jesus occurred for real.  He asked his class, "Where is Jesus today?"  Steven raised his hand and said, "He's in heaven."  Mary was called on and answered, "He's in my heart."  Little Johnny, waving his hand furiously, blurted out, "I know, I know! He's in our bathroom!!!"  The whole class got very quiet, looked at the teacher, and waited for a response. The teacher was completely at a loss for a few very long seconds. Finally, he gathered his wits and asked Little Johnny how he knew this.Little Johnny said, "Well... every morning, my father gets up, bangs on the bathroom door, and yells, 'Good Lord, are you still in there?!

 

Today we are looking at the last three qualities of John, who he was and these are qualities we need in or lives.  These last three are very important to recognize because they hit at the core of who we are in Christ and why some things happen we do not understand.

 

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

1.      John first of all was honored by Jesus Christ.  Jesus called him the greatest of all who were born of all women.  Jesus honored John.  Honor comes when you honor the Lord.  Promotion comes when you are faithful in the small things.  Over the years people have asked me quite sincerely, “What do I get for serving the Lord.”  Peter asked the same question in Matt 19:27, some people have called this a silly question but I have a different view because if we are honest we have asked this question especially when tough times come.  So let me list you the rewards of serving the Lord.

a.       The Crown of Life is referred to in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10; it is bestowed upon "those who persevere under trials."  Jesus references this crown when he tells the Church in Smyrna to "not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

 

b.      The Incorruptible Crown is also known as the Imperishable Crown, and is referenced in 1 Corinthians 9:25.  It is therefore given to those individuals who demonstrate "self-denial and perseverance"

c.      The Crown of Righteousness is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8, and is promised to "those who love and anticipate" the Second Coming of Christ.  These Christians desire intimacy with God.

d.      The Crown of Glory is discussed in 1 Peter 5:4 and is granted to Christian clergy, who "shepherd the flock in unselfish love being a good example to others.

e.      The Crown of Rejoicing is also known as the Crown of Exultation, or Crown of Auxiliary.

 1 Thessalonians 2:19 and Philippians 4:1, it is given to people who engage in evangelism of those outside the Christian Church.

f.       There are the rewards to the overcomers in Rev 2-3

g.      The greatest reward is when you stand before Jesus and He says, “Well done good and faithful servant enter into my rest.”  You do not want to hear he say the other phrase.  “Depart from ne I never knew you.”  I like you want to be honored by Christ. 

 

2.      Did no miracles.  John did not do one miracle in his whole ministry.  He had disciples and they followed his example but he never did miracles.  He is called the greatest of prophets and yet he did no miracles.  Why am I making this point?  All we are called to do is be faithful.  John was not doing miracles because the miracle worker was coming right after him.  Now I have seen many miracles.  I have seen legs grow, ears and eyes open, people touch from all forms of afflictions.  I have seen provision and Household salvation.  If you have never seen any of this do not worry about it.  John was a great prophet, proclaimer of truth, messenger of God.  He was faithful to what he was called to do.  All God is looking for is faithfulness, obedience, endurance, persistence and commitment.  Billy Graham did not have miracles and was the greatest evangelist is the Western world.  Rhinehart Bonke was the most effective evangelist to Africa and saw many miracles.  There was a difference in calling emphasis and audience.   All we are called to do is reach our world.  To love, accept and forgive them.  So do what you are called to do, stand on the word, pray for people when the opportunity presents itself and leave the results to God.

              

3.      We faithful to the end.  Matt 14:10, John had made an enemy of Herodias and Herod because of their union.  It was not proper in Jewish law.  This made him an enemy of them and led to his imprisonment and death.  Herod’s daughter dance before Herod and her request for reward was the head of John the Baptist at the suggestion of Herodias.  The lesson we learn is the Lord is looking us to be faithful to the end.  There is no guarantee of the end result.  Jesus died on the cross.  All the disciples except John were martyred.  All God is looking for from us is that we end well.  Remember it is not how you start but how you end that matters.  You do not get the prize at the beginning of the race but the end.  You do not win the fight, war or prize until the end.  Now I have alluded already to what we will receive.  You have no control over how your life ends but you trust God that you have lived well.  Life is not a fairy tale with happily ever after.  Life is about living well and being faithful to the end.  We have an enemy who would love to rob, kill and destroy your calling and sidetrack your life.  He will use accusation, temptation and deception to make this happen.  You submit to God and he will have to flee.  You have the power in the name of Jesus to say no and defeat him.  Don’t let him, people or circumstances keep you from finishing well.  Living ready and being ready for the coming of the Lord is living well.  Ever since I have entered in this phase of my life I have been very pragmatic.  I know that life has no guarantee.  My birthday is this month and I will be 39 again.  Every funeral I perform or attend makes me aware of that.  In the news every day we read, hear or see people dying quickly and unexpectedly.  We all know people who have had their lives cut short.  I am not trying to be morbid and I want to make a point.  We must live ready, be faithful and obedient.  God is calling us to be faithful to the end and He will reward you.  Talk about my vision in heaven and the homecoming with Jesus. 

QUOTES FOR SEPT 13, 2026

 

NEW HOPE

 

Jeremiah 29:11

 

My exhortation for you in 2022 from the background of Jeremiah 29:11

 

     The background for this verse is Jeremiah sends a letter to the captives in Babylon. 

 

1.      He tells them to settle down, build houses and plant gardens.  Simply put occupy until Jesus comes.  Be a blessing in your community.  We are called to be light and salt.  We are to go into our world, preaching, living, loving the gospel through our words and actions.

2.      Marry, have family and increase in number.  It is okay to have family and procreate.  We are to use our time, talents, and resources for the Lord.  We are to be exhibit the fruit of the spirit and release the gifts of the Spirit.  We are called to be God consumed.  Prayer warriors, intercessors and fighters in the spiritual realm for the next generation.

3.      Pray and seek peace and prosperity in the city in which have been carried to.  When it is in peace and prosper so will you be.  We are to work that we can have enough for ourselves and others.  The blessing, prosperity, and peace of the Lord follow us.  When we live in a place it is blessed because of our presence.  Remember wherever we go that is our territory.  Our duty is to pray for the peace and prosperity of wherever we are and then do our part to make it happen.

4.      Don’t let false prophets and diviners lie to you.  Simple by their fruit you will know them.  They will promise and not deliver.  Their prophecies and predictions will be wrong.  They will speak what you want to hear not what you should hear.  They will not base their teaching on the word of God and if they do it will sound right but not be right.  We need to walk in discernment, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  Learn to discern the times you live in. 

5.      They will be in Babylon for 70 years.  There is always a waiting period when God is about to do a work of healing, restoration, breakthrough, victory, and freedom.  You have to battle through.  Great victories are won in the heavenlies by the Lord before they manifest on earth.  Waiting requires faith, trust, obedience, faithfulness, prayer, the word, expectation, grace, love, thankfulness, and worship.  I love this praise.  When I am waiting for God to open a door I will praise Him in the hallway.

6.      The Lord promises to restore them and bring them back after the appointed time.  That is a powerful message of hope to the people.  Like Judah we are waiting.  Jesus has promised to come back.  Here are five things you must do while waiting for the promises of God and for Christ’s return.

 

a.      Keep on Praying.  Keep in touch with Him. Prayer is a form of connection and communication to God.

b.      Keep on Serving.  Even if how many times you fell down in serving God, God says CONTINUE the walk. Continue to run this race with joy in the heart.  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.  Hebrews 10:25.  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

c.      Keep on Sowing.  While waiting on the Lord, keep on planting good deeds. At the end, you can get big reward in harvesting it.  Praying, going to church are some of the ways of planting..  Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

d.      Keep on Believing.  It is hard to please God without Faith. Faith without action is absolutely dead. Faith is hoping for the things that are not seen.  Hebrews 11:6:  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

e.      Stay Active.  Be active in serving the Lord. Don't be passive. Get involved in a ministry.

 

 

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

1.      There are five things we learn from this verse for 2022.  First, God has a plan for us.  We have already revealed that plan in our previous verses.  So let’s get with the plan.    “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”  “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”   “Good planning without good working is nothing.”  “Plan your work and work your plan.”  The beautiful thing is we have the Bible, prayer, the Holy Spirit and each other.  To help fulfill the plan.

2.      He has plans to prosperity us.  Jesus came to give us life abundantly.  3 Jn 2 tells us health and prosperity begins from the inside out.  Prosperity in mind, will intellect and emotions.  Health in family and friends.

3.      God is not out to harm you.  Every lesson, trial, problem, testing, persecution, hurt, misunderstanding happens for a purpose.  To help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ and that all things work together for good.  The reality is God loves us to much to leave us the way we are.   Remember sorrow is for the night but joy comes in the morning.

4.      Plan to give us hope.  Hope believes you have a future.  Hope is based on faith in God’s love.  In the case of the Christian.  Hope is trust.  It is the expectation and desire that certain things will happen because of God’s word and promises.

5.      He has a plan for our future.  We have a future home, eternal life, to be with Jesus, family and friends who have gone on before.  A new body without pain or sickness.  The expectation of Christ’s coming.  An inheritance and legacy.  To reign and rule with him. 

 

God closes off this wonderful prophecy with a series of promises and our application and actions to this wonderful portion of scripture to which we will conclude with these.

 

1.      If we come, call and pray the Lord will listen.  Vs 12

2.      When you seek you will find the Lord with all your heart.  Vs 13

3.      I will be found of you and will bring you back from your place of captivity which the Lord allowed us to go.  Vs 14

 

I close with this story.  As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.  "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

 

 

JESUS COMING OUT PARTY

 

Mark 1:4-11, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 

 

1.      So we have John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness.  He was preaching forgiveness of sin.  He was talking about am inward change of the heart.  Making a declaration of faith by believing what you hear and receiving salvation in the heart.  Then John used an old standard in the Jewish faith.  It was called the Tvilah and it was used to purify someone who had become ritually unclean.  John adopted baptism as the central sacrament in his messianic movement. 

 

a.      In the Christian faith this is the outward sign of what had happened in the heart.  It is the same

with us.  We are baptized in water as an outward sign of what has happened in our heart.  It is a declaration of our faith that we have forsaken the old life and are going to follow the Lord.  It is an identification, with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

b.      John was preparing the people for the way of the Lord.  His job was to prepare the people for

the coming of the Messiah.  The people were getting pure for ready for the Messiah’s appearance.  In the same way we should keep ourselves pure, holy moment by moment for the coming of the Lord.  This is our reality, Jesus can come any moment .

c.      People were coming from the whole Judean countryside and Jerusalem.  They were going out

to be baptized by Him.  They were confessing their sins.  The Holy Spirit was doing a work of conviction and many thought that John was the Messiah.  He was even asked if he was.  He said he was the voice crying in the wilderness.  The fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy.  Remember right from His birth John’s mission was clear. 

d.      The Spirit was getting people ready for the coming of Christ and He is doing the same no. Now John was clothed in a camel hair coat and wore a leather belt unusual attire.  He ate locust and wild honey.   He was a Elijah personality.  Black and white view of things.  He spoke straight and true.  He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 

 

2.      He proclaimed that there is one coming after me who he was not worthy to untie his shoes.  John had a proper view of his role.  Remember John would say later that He must decrease and Christ must increase.  That is how we must operate.  We need to be like Jesus and want to do the will of our Father.

 

a.      John says, “I baptize you with water but He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”  What a promise

that is.  This is being fully immerse in the power, authority, enablement, wisdom, clarity, boldness, and anointing.  You will be possessed by Him.  You will be His temple or dwelling place.  You will receive gifts and fruit from Him.  You will be His vessel.  He will take what He hears and pass it on to you. 

b.      The Holy Spirit is your counselor, guide and friend.  He wants all of you.  Jesus stated in the upper room discourse that because He went away He would send the comforter.  When we are alone, afraid, uncertain, discouraged, frustrated, and overwhelmed, the Holy Spirit comes along to help.  Let Him do His work right now. 

 

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

 

3.      So John is baptizing people some 10 miles north of Jericho at Enon.  Jesus came from Nazareth some 50 miles north and was baptized by John.  Now we know from other gospels that John did not want to baptized Jesus but Jesus told him that it must be done to fulfill all things.  John had also called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

 

a.      Now what happens after Jesus comes out of the water is significant.  First, the heavens open up

and the Spirit descends on Jesus in the form or like a dove.  Then the voice of heaven speaks and says, “This is my beloved Son in who I am well pleased.”

b.      This is a moment where trinity is revealed.  God is trinity and this is a physical manifestation of

this truth.  The gospels are clear on this.  Jesus was the physical embodiment of the Godhead.  He was 100% man and 100% God.  The perfect union of the divine and natural.  This was such a powerful moment.  Mark does not talk more about this because his gospel is one of action and written to the Roman.  Jesus in Mark’s gospel is a man of action, power and immediacy. 

c.      Jesus immediately after His baptism would be driven in the desert for 40 days and nights.  He would be tempted by the devil and win by using the word.  Through out this year we will be looking at the life of Christ and the lessons we can learn so let me leave you with some lessons we can learn.

 

Conclusion

 

1.      Know what we believe and why.  The two ordinances of the faith we practice are water baptism and the Lord’s Supper and why we practice them.

2.      We need to be preparing like John for the coming of Jesus which could be anytime.   We need to live ready.  We are to bring Christ into our world through telling and loving others.

3.      Be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.  Allow Him to empower, enable, and anoint you.  Let Him give you gifts and allow His fruit to develop in you.  Let Him guide and lead you.  You are His temple and with that comes purity and holiness.

4.      John saw the reality of God that day and we should be open to the reality of God working in our lives every day.  So count your blessings, be aware of the small miracles God does, be thankful, watch and pray. 

 

 

QUOTES FOR SEPT 12, 2026

 

I HAVE A DREAM

 

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.  5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.  8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

 

Lesson one:  God’s timing is perfect it would take two more years for everything to fall into place.  Joseph had to wait.  But he was faithful.  When you are in that time of waiting here are some things you need to do.

 

5 Things to Do While You Wait on God

 

REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST

 

As my life has unfolded, I see that God’s hand has been in every single step, and that His plans were so much better than I even expected. Now, while I wait, I’m learning to deepen my trust in Him, and to remind myself of His faithfulness.

 

DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER LIFE

Why worry when you can pray? We’ve all heard that one before. But how true is that? Why over-analyze my future, when I have the opportunity to impact my future by calling on the supernatural, most-high God?  God is so big, I want to learn to connect with Him , to communicate with Him, and to spend time with Him while I wait—

 

DEAL WITH YOUR BAGGAGE

I think the period of waiting can be a huge time of healing and growth.   He was working out my sin, refining my heart and fanning the flame of His Spirit inside of my life.

 

 

DREAM BIG

 

 I don’t always dream big or expect great things.  But I want to see this time of waiting as a time to ask God to take me where He wants me to go—“ I want to trust Him to do everything that I can’t do. I want to dream big.

 

SPEND TIME IN WORSHIP

 

it’s about realizing that over every moment in our lives, He is already victorious.  No matter where I am, I want a life that’s marked not by waiting, but by worshiping. He deserves that and so much more.  Joseph I believe did this.  He was also faithful where he was.  Be faithful like Joseph and your time will come.

 

Pharaoh had his two dreams.  He woke up and was troubled.  Remember last time we were together we learned that the Egyptians had a dream book with red being important dreams, black being bad dreams.  They had who groups who were dedicated to the interpretations of dreams.  So he calls all these wise men and magicians.  He told them his dreams but no one could interpret them.  This is God’s moment.  Remember God moves behind the scenes.  One last thought.  When something is of God only men of God can interpret it.  That is why discernment and judging prophecy, tongues and interpretation is so important.  We need the word, prayer, the Holy Spirit and those who possess the gift to interpret it.  This was of God and so the devil’s crowd would never be able to interpret it.  Joseph was the only man of God around.

 

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.”

 

Lesson Two:  When it is God’s timing even those who may have ignored, forgotten or even cursed you can become a channel in which God works.  The cupbearer remembers Joseph, his abilities and the outcome of his gifts.  God was putting all things together.  Remember God can make a way where there is no way.  God is the mover and shaker of all things.  Everyone will submit sooner or later to His sovereignty.  You will get to where God wants you to be in His timing.  All you are required is to love God, seek His will, be a channel of blessing and stay faithful.  Micah had something great to say about this.  He said in Micah 6:8,   He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Great advice.

 

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.  15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”  16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

 

Lesson Three:  Joseph was sent for.  He brought out of the dungeon, shaved and changed his clothes.  Now why would joseph have to shave?  The Egyptians were clean shaven, wore wigs and believe in hygiene.  Joseph could not go before the king as he was.  A little lesson here, know now how to work in the world you live in.  What is fashion, culture, ideas, philosophy and values.  It does not mean you join them but understand them.  Paul said, I become all things to win all men.  Now when Joseph was brought before the king, the king acknowledged his gifts and talents but notice what Joseph did.  First, he said, He did not take credit for what God had given Him.  He did not take credit for the gifts, talents and abilities he had.  He knew they were from God.  This is humility.  Next, he directed the king to the one true God.  Not the gods of Egypt which had failed.  Joseph was here because of his faith, trust and love for God.  I love John’s reaction when they asked him about Jesus.  He said, Jesus must increase and I must decrease.  This attitude was his steeping stone and ours to big dreams and blessings.  He said, God will give you the answer you desire.

 

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. 18 Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. 19 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. 21 When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. 22 Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven [a]heads came up on one stalk, full and good. 23 Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. 24 And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

 

Lesson Four:  The King then tells Joseph the dreams.  He then explains that the wisemen and magicians could not explain the dreams.  I can see these Egyptian occult leaders hanging on every word.  They have been excluded from seeing the truth because these were dreams given by God.  The world will never grasp what God is doing.  If the devil would have grasp what God was doing he would never have put Christ to death.  Remember that which is flesh is flesh, that which is spirit is spirit.  When something is of God the world, the flesh and the devil will never get it.  The Bible is closed to people until they are born again.  It is myths, legends and words.  The Bible condemns sins; therefore, sinners do not enjoy reading it. Deeds of darkness do not enjoy exposure to light. “Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20).  Some Minds Are Cluttered with Other Things.  Some Are Prejudiced against It. If we wear sunglasses, the world looks dark. When we put shades over our mind’s eye, the Gospel light becomes dim. Many come to the Bible with their minds already made up as to what it says.  But once you become a Christian the Bible is life, food, water and sustenance for the soul. 

 

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good [b]heads are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; 30 but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. 31 So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. 32 And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

 

Lesson Five:  Joseph tells Pharaoh that God gave him the dream.  Both dreams are the same.  A time of plenty is coming and then a time of famine.  The famine will be so severe that all the good times will be forgotten.  The dreams were repeated because these things were established by God and it will come to pass.  Joseph points the King to the sovereignty of the one true God.  All the gods of Egypt are false, demonic and idols.  One sovereign God.  The true God.  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has spoken.  God spoke to the king because he was the one man who could prevent it.  He spoke to Him in a manner he could receive it.  God will speak to us and our loved one in a manner we can receive.  There were steps to you salvation. God confronted you numerous times.  He used people, circumstances, situations, methods and means to speak to you.  Paul stated the day you hear about Christ, that is a day of salvation.  In my case God all my life spoke to me but it took 17 years to finally accept Him.  He is patient and will speak to your loved ones.  He will speak to you as well about His will.  Four times Joseph directs Pharaoh to God here.  This is God’s doing.  He and He alone will make this come to pass.  The Lord has ordered everything in this world.  The seasons, the time, the whole universe is His and His alone.  God’s will is going to be done.  We are complete when we do His will.  No greater things we can do is the will of God for our lives.  We will never be fulfilled, complete or have true life until we do His will.  So today ask God, what is your will for me today?  Then do it.   I am going to close this message and next week we will look at Joseph’s advice and what happens to Him next

 

IF MY PEOPLE

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

     I was in prayer on Thursday night and was preparing for Sunday and God spoke to my heart about a series of messages on revival and how right now there is a need for healing our land.

 

Summary of recent events have brought to the forefront the need for this series.  This series is not just for this setting but will be broadcast virtually to an audience of almost 70,000 people via social media.  Covid 19 was the first, then the economic shutdown, suspension of church services, the rising debt of 350 billion this year, the recent political scandals, the suspension of personal freedoms by medical orders and governments, the mandatory wearing of PPE’s, the rise in domestic violence, overdoses, suicides and covid numbers.  I have also heard through Christian leaders of the rise in occult activity and attacks on Christian leaders myself included.  It is time to turn this around.  It is time for a real revival and this is in our hands.

His

The background for this verse is Solomon had dedicated the temple.  He had spent time leading the people in a prayer of dedication, repentance and revival.  This verse was God’s response.  This verse had become a cornerstone verse for nationwide revival for generations.  So let’s spend a few moments breaking down this verse and apply it to our personal, church, city, province and country situation. 

 

If my people, which are called by my name, this means the believers.  It could be Jew or Christian.  We are covenant people.  You and I are covenant people through Jesus Christ.  The responsibility for healing our nation is not in the hands of government, business or any other form of social fabric.  It is in the hands of God’s people.  Our nation health and wellbeing is in our hands.  We are the reason this nation is in trouble.  We have not answered the call of the spirit.  The message is not a sermon to condemn but the challenge.  Solomon wrote in Prov 14:34, righteousness exalts a nation but sin to a reproach to any people.  We are called by God to do four things in this passage. 

 

We are called to humble ourselves.  This means to repent for our sins, lack of love, forgiveness,    I love how what this person wrote.  it means coming before Jesus in awe and reverence, despite of what people may think of you. It's being willing to say, “I was wrong”. ... Confess your sins to the Lord, give up whatever is burdening you, and be willing to leave it at the cross.  Jesus gave the example of the Pharisee and the sinner.  The sinner got it right.  He mourned over his sin, he humbled himself, wanted his heart pure.  Daniel did the same thing. 

 

Pray.  This is so important.  It means closing yourself off in prayer, praying with spouse or prayer partner, prayer in small groups, corporate prayer and prayer rallies.  Calling out to God and doing intercessory prayer.  God does expect the ungodly to pray before He does expect His people to pray.  What do we pray for?  We pray for our spouses, family, churches, leaders, communities, province and country. 

 

Spouses:  For communication, love and unity a passion for life, passion for love and intimacy, passion to grow in wisdom, and passion to serve you together.

Families:  Household salvation, protection, passion, purpose guidance, wisdom, grace and favor.

Churches:  Church leadership, unity, love, power, anointing, wisdom clarity, boldness listen to what Paul stated  in Colossians 4:12, Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Leaders:   National, Provincial and municipal.  Pray for wisdom, integrity, transparency, honesty and accountability. 

Cities, province and nation, for transformation, revival, healing and God’s dominion. 

 

Seek His face:  it means we are seeking to know Him, understand His character, and hear His voice.  Ps 104:5, Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!"  Matt 6:33, His kingdom and righteousness.  The primary ways we can seek the face of God—His Word, prayer, and worship. When we read His Word, we learn His character and His ways. As we pray to God and spend time with Him, we learn to hear His voice. When we worship Him, He shows up as we welcome His presence.

 

Turn from our wicked ways.  Simply means to turn from anything that hinders our relationship with God.  Confess, renounce and completely abandon our sins, wicked ways in whatever form they come.  Our thoughts, word, deeds, attitudes and motives that are sinful and displeasing to God.  You ask God and He will show you.   This is the difficult part.  This takes time and true honesty.  Like the old song says, it is me Oh Lord standing in the need of prayer.

 

God’s promise is this.  He will hear from heaven.  God will answer.  He will forgive our sins.  He will heal our land.  Simply put.  We do our part and God will do His.  He is not a man that He will lie.  Remember the promises of God are yes and Amen. 

GOD IS WITH US.

 

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

 

 

1.      There are four things wish to share from this scripture today.  The first, is the Lord will give a sign.  Why did the Lord do this?  We all need a supernatural experience.  All here who have given your life came through a supernatural encounter.  You heard the word of God, by some means.  Tt entered your mind, your ponder it and then accepted it.  You chose by an act of will in your heart , to put your eternal and natural life in the hands of God.  God saw that and knew we needed a savior.  That is why in Gen 3:15 right after the fall God told us the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent.  Man lost it but God would restore it through Jesus Christ.  The Lord Himself we initiate and provide salvation. It would be through grace.  Christ riches at God’s expense.  We would through unmerited favor to live an abundant and eternal life

 

2.      There are three four reasons by a Virgin was the chosen reason for Jesus to be born.

 

a.      To Fulfil prophecy.  Gen 3:15, the seed of the women.  Our scripture today points this out.  Also

Isaiah 9:6-7, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6).  The virgin birth fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah in order to establish the uniqueness and particular duties of this coming child. He will bring peace and establish an unending kingdom. It is not only a prophecy about the future. Rather, it is a prophecy that cements the identity of Immanuel.

b.      To establish is divine origin and identity.  God with us.  It shows that God will dwell among His

people.  Isaiah 11:10 records, “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.”  The virgin-born Immanuel will do something that requires the miraculous power of God. And this power finds a root in the Holy Spirit: “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isa 11:2).  In Luke’s account, Gabriel tells Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).  An angel tells the shepherds that the baby is “Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The word “Lord” echoes the Old Testament’s primary title for God, “LORD.” What Luke intimates through the whole story of Jesus’s life, death, and especially his resurrection, John says quite plainly: “The Word was God” (John 1:1).  The virgin birth establishes Jesus’ divine origin through the Holy Spirit’s act in Mary’s womb. In some mysterious and glorious way, the Spirit unites humanity to the divine Word of God. Jesus is and always was the union of God and man: Immanuel, God with us.

c.      To confirm Jesus’ sinless humanity.  Given Jesus’ divine origin that the virgin birth underscores,

 we can now understand why Jesus could be like us in every way “yet without sin” (Heb 4:15). While the human flesh may be weak, the power of the incorruptible God is not. Christ as one person with two natures could withstand relentless temptation (without ever caving to temptation to relieve the suffering of temptation) because of his divine nature. He came to redeem us from our sins, to overcome death, and to defeat the devil. Yet the question here concerns why God chose the virgin birth of Jesus. In answer, he did so to fulfill prophecy, to establish Jesus’ divine origin, and to confirm Christ’s sinless humanity.

d.      Sin was a manmade problem and an eternal problem.  Only an eternal man could solve it.  So Jesus the God man did this. 

 

3.      The virgin will conceive and give birth to a so God became like us through Jesus Christ.  He was

100% and 100% God, the perfect union of the divine and natural.  His broken body and shed blood, his death, burial and resurrection would accomplish it.  Mary was the vessel.   God visited us in our frailty and weakness in order to save us from our sins. Had God not become what we are, then we would remain what we were—dead in sin, children of wrath. Instead, we have become by adoption (children of God) what Christ is by nature (the Son of God). By following his Spiritual birth, we too are all born of the Spirit. And we follow the firstborn of the new creation into heaven where we will have joy forevermore.

 

4.      He is called Immanuel.  Luke makes it clear that Jesus is God with us.  God dwells among us.  Jesus lived among us.  He got hungry, tired, had all the difficulties of mankind yet without sin.  He relied on the power of the Holy Spirit and only wanted to do the will of the Father.  What proved His claims was the resurrection.  He rose from the dead.  Christmas is the beginning but Easter is the end, yet also the new beginning.