Be Willing to Accept Jesus Into Your Heart

Sermon: The One That Is Lost

Part Two: 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

In this verse Peter is telling us that we do not know the time or day when God is coming, so we must do his work as if he is coming in the next second, minute, hour or day. God is not willing for any of us to perish, but the final decision concerning your fate is up to you.

God has his timetable …

And his timetable is not on our time. Jesus is waiting so that more sinners will repent and turn to him. We must not sit and wait for Christ to return, but we should live with the realization that our time is short and we have God’s work to do.

Who among you is over 25 years old? When you think back, do you ask the question, “Where did the time go?”

Time waits for no one …

But God is giving you the time to come to him, to ask for forgiveness and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Be ready to meet Christ any time, even today. Start serving now. We do not know when he is coming, but we know he is coming!

Matthew 18:14

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

God loves you and is waiting for you.

All you have to do is accept his son Jesus as your Savior. Since you are here now, God has given you another opportunity to come to him.

Read all of 2 Peter Chapter 3
Read all of Matthew Chapter 18

Please return next week for the final part of the sermon, The One That Is Lost. God Bless!

Jesus Came to Save the Lost

Sermon: The One That Is Lost

Part One: Matthew 18: 11-13

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

We are God’s children.

He loves each of us, and is truly saddened for the one that leaves and is lost. Think of it this way – if a family member or friend leaves and you don’t know where they are, you would be worried.

In this story the shepherd has 100 sheep. He knows where 99 are, but one is lost. He leaves the 99 because he not only knows where they are, he has made provisions for them. Before he leaves, he feeds them and puts protection in place so no harm will come to them.

God sent his only begotten son, Jesus, to save us.

This is what God does for us. God sent his son, Jesus Christ, who came into this world to die for our sins and then on the third day rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven to the Father.

But before this, Jesus went about preaching and teaching the Gospel. This is how he was preparing his flock. For the ones who accepted him as their Lord and Saviour, they went into the flock of God’s Hand.

Now for those who knew not of Christ, they were lost and had to be found. Jesus and his disciples had to go out into the wilderness and find the lost ones.

Read all of Matthew Chapter 18

Please return next week for Part Two of the Sermon, The One That Is Lost

What Is the Price of Being Tempted?

Scripture: Luke 4: 1-3

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, if thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days.

Don’t let yourself be temped, for temptation can come at a high price. Are you ready to pay the price? I lost my job and my friend has offered me a quick, but illegal, way to make some money. A loved one left me, but I know I can buy them back even though it’s not moral. These are some of the ways Satan’s temptation can manifest in our lives.

If Satan thought he could tempt Jesus, and he knew who Jesus was, then what does that say about us?

Satan is a real being, a created but rebellious fallen angel. He is not a symbol or a figment of our imagination. He constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey God.

Satan succeeded with Adam and Eve, and he is hoping to succeed with each of us.

Knowing, studying, and obeying God’s word is an effective weapon against Satan. When he tempted Jesus, Jesus used Scripture to counter Satan’s attacks. So can you if you study the Word.

Obeying the scriptures is more important than simply having a verse to quote. Read to understand. Then you will know what Jesus is telling you, and you will know how it fits into your life.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 4

I Have Transgressed But Ask God’s Forgiveness

Scripture: Isaiah 66: 23-24

And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Scripture Commentary: I have transgressed and Jesus made intercession on my behalf

Isaiah closes his book with a dramatic juxtaposition between two ways of living. He speaks of people who have transgressed against God, don’t listen to the Holy Spirit, and go against what they know is right and in accordance with the Gospel.

Isaiah also speaks of the humble person who reveres God’s message and applies it to his life. This person asks for forgiveness, worships God, and lives a Christian life.

Do not make your place in the ways of this world.

Resist societal urges. Your earthly life is not eternal, not like your life with God in his kingdom. Winning the admiration of people does not mean you have the approval or mercy of God.

You have the freedom to choose, but don’t let that choice steer you away from God’s path.

This chapter gives us a vivid picture of the coming judgment. For the faithless, there is a sobering portrayal of eternal damnation. For the faithful, there is a glorious picture of an eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ. The contrast is striking. It’s hard to believe that some people would actively choose an eternity without God.

We are reluctant to change our earthly ways, even knowing there is a price to pay. How reluctant are you?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 66

The Multitudes of Heaven Stand Around the Lord

Scripture: Joel 3: 14-17

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, stronghold for the people of Israel. Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.

Scripture Commentary: The multitudes of heaven worship the Lord

Multitudes of people have lived on earth, and every one of them – dead, living, and yet to be born – will face judgment. Look around you. See your friend – those with whom you work and live. Have they received God’s forgiveness? Do they know the consequences of sin? Has someone told them that God can save them from the eternal fires of hell?

Final judgment belongs to the Lord

If we understand the severity of God’s final judgment, we will want to take his offer of hope to those we know. The last word will be God’s; his ultimate sovereignty will be revealed. We cannot predict when that end will come, but we can have confidence in his control over the world’s events.

The world’s history, as well as our own pilgrimage, is in God’s hands. We can be secure in his love and trust him to guide our decisions. There is full assurance of victory and peace for those who trust in God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Joel Chapter 3

Return to Me, Declares the Lord

Scripture: Jeremiah 4: 1-2

“If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the Lord. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ then the nations will invoke blessings by him and in him they will boast.”

Scripture Commentary: Return to the Lord, your God.

Jeremiah told the people to break up the hardness of their hearts and return to God’s will. They needed to remove their sin so that God’s commands could take root.

Likewise, we must remove the sin that hardens our hearts against the Lord. If we resist God’s word then it will not take root and grow in our hearts, and we will not truly walk with him.

We say we love God, but do we live by his ways and his law? Do we spread his word and testify to what he has done in our lives so that people will know that God is in our hearts?

Only you and God know the answers to these questions, and only you can make a change in yourself to welcome him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Jeremiah Chapter 4

Turn to the Lord Who Loves You

Scripture: Ezekiel 18: 30-32

“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Scripture Commentary: Turn to God for a new direction.

Ezekiel’s solution to the problem of inherited guilt is for each person to change their life and turn to God. We cannot change our lives on our own, but only through God’s work in us. The Holy Spirit changes us, as said in Psalm 51: 10-12.

If we renounce our life’s direction toward sin and rebellion and turn to God, he will give us a new direction. He will love us in a way we’ve never experienced, and he will equip us with the power to change.

You can begin by faith, by trusting in God’s power of love.

His perfect love causes him to be merciful to those who recognize their sin and turn back to him, but he cannot wink at those who willfully sin. Wicked people die both physically and spiritually. God takes no joy in their deaths. He prefers that they turn to him and have eternal life.

Likewise, we should not rejoice in the misfortunes of nonbelievers. We should do all in our power to bring nonbelievers to the faith.

God loves you!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel Chapter 18

Additional Reading:
Psalms Chapter 51

Nicodemus Came to Jesus by Night

Scripture: John 3: 1-2

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Scripture Commentary: Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus seeking knowledge.

Nicodemus was a learned man humbling himself before the master. Why? Have you gone to Jesus seeking his wisdom, his direction? Do you go to Jesus directly with your questions? Nicodemus could have sent one of his assistants, but he did not.

Prayer is the way to talk to God and it is a way for him to answer you.

Even though we can pray for each other, direct prayer is crucial to our individual relationship with God. Think about it. Do you form friendships by sending your friend to interact with the other person, or do you interact with that person directly before you can confidently call him or her your friend?

Nicodemus went after dark because he feared what other Pharisees would say about him. Do you talk about your prayers with your peers?

Have you told anyone about what Jesus does for your life, or do you stay quiet?

When Nicodemus entered into that conversation with Jesus he thought that the kingdom of God was only for the Jews. Jesus corrected him, teaching that the kingdom is for those who repent and turn to the Lord. Jesus came for everyone, not just for the Jews alone. The kingdom of God is for anyone who is spiritually reformed and accepts God’s only begotten son as Lord and Savior.

Have you asked for forgiveness? Have you been reborn in your acceptance of Jesus?

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 3

Flee From Evil Desires and Pursue Righteousness

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 22-23

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Scripture Commentary: Flee evil desires and pursue faith, love, and peace.

Timothy, a young man, was warned to flee anything that produced evil thoughts. Running away is considered cowardly by many. Wise people realize that removing themselves physically from a situation/temptation can be the most courageous and effective action to take.

Do you have recurring temptations that are difficult to avoid? Are there certain situations that stimulate your desire to sin. By physically removing yourself from those situations you decrease your likelihood to sin.

The flesh is weak.

Ask the Lord Jesus Christ for his power to release you from your temptations. Through him, you can make it out, but you will never make it out alone. By living the life God intends for you, you will inevitably surround yourself with fellow Christians and find yourself in an environment that does not tempt you to sin.

Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight. Don’t give in to society’s pressures. Stand up against evil. Live as God wants you to live. Follow God’s truth, and he will never forsake you.

Don’t settle for less than God’s highest and best.

Allow God to use you as his instrument to carry his word to all.

Read the Entire Chapter:
2 Timothy Chapter 2