God is Alpha and Omega; Beginning and End

Scripture: Revelation 21: 6-7

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Scripture Commentary: God is Alpha and Omega; that which is, was, and is to come!

God tells us, who believe in Him, that He is the creator and finisher of all things. He is both Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

The Bible begins with the creation of the universe and it concludes with His creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Will you be there?

When God asks the question, “What did you do in my name, what will you say?

We are here for only a short time but we will be in heaven with Our Father forever. We are made perfect and our sins are forgiven when we are with God.

Just as God finished the work of creation, Jesus finished the work of redemption, and the Trinity will finish the entire work of salvation by inviting the redeemed into a new creation.

Stand firm for Christ and receive the blessings that He promised:

Eat from the tree of life
Escape from the lake of fire
Receive your special name
Have authority over nations
Be in the Book of Life
Be a pillar in God’s temple
Sit with Christ on His throne

Overcome and inherit all the things that God has for you and be called His child.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Revelation Chapter 21

Additional Reading:
Revelation Chapter 1

You Can Depend on Jesus to Make You Whole

Scripture: John 5: 4-6

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

Scripture Commentary: Will you let Jesus make you whole?

Jesus is asking you the question. We all go through life with sickness in our spirit, and are so caught up in our everyday life that we forget about Jesus. Like this man, we had no hope of being made whole. And then we see Jesus!

Don’t let a problem or hardship cause you to lose hope.

Remember that no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. God has a special job for you in spite of your condition, or maybe even because of it.

The man in the story is made whole both physically and spiritually. God’s forgiveness is the greatest gift you will ever receive.

Don’t neglect His gracious offer. “Wilt thou be made whole … take up thy bed, and walk.”

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 5

All Will Come to Worship the Lord

Scripture: Isaiah 66: 23-24

“All humanity will come to worship me from week to week and from month to month. And as they go out, they will see the dead bodies of those who have rebelled against me. For the worms that devour them will never die, and the fire that burns them will never go out. All who pass by will view them with utter horror.”

Scripture Commentary: Be careful about what you worship.

Isaiah brings his book to a close with great drama by contrasting two ways of living. There are those who are humble and have a profound reverence for God’s messages and to applying them. These people live to worship before the Lord.

Do not follow society’s urges and the ways of the world.

Then there are those who choose their own way, transgressing against God. Don’t let your freedom to choose lead you away from God’s pathway to eternal life.

Isaiah 66 gives us a vivid picture of the great judgement that will occur at Christ’s second coming. It’s a sobering portrayal of judgement for the faithless.

The faithful will have eternal life with God.

In contrast, for the faithful there is a glorious picture of rich reward in that we will be with our Lord Jesus Christ.

The contrast is so striking that it would seem that everyone would want to follow God’s ways. However, we are often foolish and reluctant to change our earthly ways.

How foolish and reluctant are you? The day of judgement is coming. Are you ready?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 66

God Has Prepared a Place for You

Sermon: The Lord Is the Great Shepherd (God Has Prepared a Place for You)

Part Three: John 14: 2

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

God tells us that He is our shepherd. Jesus tells us that He is going to prepare a place for us and that He will return for us. We can look forward to eternal life because Jesus has promised it to all who believe in Him.

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Jesus has a place for you in His Father’s house, the banquet table is prepared, and your seat is waiting for you. He paid the ultimate price for your seat at the table when He went to the cross, died, and rose again.

Jesus’ words show that the way to eternal life, although unseen, is as secure as your trust in Jesus. All of the benefits of being God’s child will be yours.

Read the Full Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:
John Chapter 14
Psalm Chapter 23

Read the first and second parts of the Sermon, The Lord Is the Great Shepherd
The Lord Is the Great Shepherd (Part One)
The Lord Is My Shepherd; He Restores My Soul (Part Two)

The Lord Is My Shepherd; He Restores My Soul

Sermon: The Lord Is the Great Shepherd (He Restores My Soul)

Part Two: Psalm 23: 1-3

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

God wants to take us to the green pastures and quiet waters. He restores us. If we are rebellious and disobedient, we are going against our best interests.

Yea, although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will have no fear because you are my God, my shepherd, and death has no hold on me. Since I am a child of God and know His son died and rose again on the third day, I know where I am going.

What about you? Do you where you are going?

Death has the last word on this side of life.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, death has lost. Without Jesus, death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We will struggle with enemies, pain, suffering, disease, and injury, but with all of our strength we cannot overcome death.

Only Jesus Christ can walk with us in the valley of death and bring us into His eternal light. Life is uncertain, but God is not.

Psalm 23: 5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

In ancient near eastern culture it was customary to anoint a person with fragrant oil at a banquet. The host was also expected to protect his guests at all costs. God offers the protection for us even when the enemy surrounds us.

Psalm 25: 2

O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

The Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Perfect Shepherd, promises to guide and protect us through life to bring us into His Father’s house.

Read the Full Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:
Psalm Chapter 23
Psalm Chapter 25

Read Part One of the Sermon, The Lord Is the Great Shepherd

The Lord Is the Great Shepherd

Sermon: The Lord Is The Great Shepherd

Part One: Psalm 23: 1

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

We are God’s child. He is our Father, Protector, the Great Shepherd. When David describes the Lord as a shepherd, he is writing about of his own experience as a shepherd when he was a young boy.

Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep.

The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, and the Chief Shepherd. The Lord is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. We are not to be frightened or passive. We are to be obedient followers who place ourselves in His hands. He will lead us in the path of rightness.

If we go our own way then we are going to walk the path satan has for us. Do not think that satan isn’t waiting to lead you.

Job 2: 2

“And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

Matthew 4:1

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a]by the devil.”

Now the devil thought he could tempt Jesus. What do you think he can do with us?

When we put ourselves in God’s hands, we have contentment.

Psalm 23 does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow Our Lord and Savior. However, when we choose to sin, we go our own way and we can’t blame God for the consequences of that choice.

Read the Full Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:
Psalm Chapter 23
Job Chapter 2
Matthew Chapter 4

Join us later this week for Part Two of the sermon, The Lord is My Shepherd.

Do What Is Right – Tell Others About God!

Scripture: Acts 10: 34-35

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Scripture Commentary: Always strive to do what is right in God’s eyes.

This chapter in the Book of Acts tells us about Peter doing what is right by carrying the Word of God not only to the Gentiles but also to the world. God sent Peter to tell Cornelius about Christ because Cornelius was seeking God but he did not know Christ.

We are God’s Messengers.

God saw the good in Cornelius. In his position, he would carry the Word to Rome. What would happen to people who don’t know Jesus Christ if we don’t tell them? We aren’t to judge if people should know about Jesus. We are to spread His message whenever and wherever we can.

God told Peter to take the gospel to a Roman and Peter obeyed. Are you obeying God’s mission for you? In every corner of the world there are hearts restless for God’s Word. They are ready to receive the gospel but someone must take it to them.

Seeking God is not enough. Someone must help place people on the correct path.

We are to take down all barriers of language, culture, prejudice, geography, socioeconomic level, and education to bring people the good news of Jesus Christ.

How will seekers find Jesus without someone to point the way? God is asking you to show someone the way to him.

Read the Entire Chapter
Acts Chapter 10

Every Life Involves Struggle … Endure!

Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1, 4, 7

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (1) … In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.(4) It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (7)

Scripture Commentary: We do not struggle alone.

We are not the first to struggle with the problems we face. Being a Christian involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run patiently, and to resist sin with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Many have already made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced. We are alive so God still has a job for us.

God’s discipline is a sign of His love for us.

God keeps us, corrects us, and even chastises us at times because He loves us. It is never pleasant to be disciplined by God, but His discipline is a sign of His deep love for us.

When God corrects us, we should view it as proof of His love and ask Him what He is trying to teach us. When we talk to God and ask Him questions, He will answer.

Our God is a living God who takes care of us. Talk to Him.

Let the Holy Spirit grow in you. God will never lead you in the wrong way. Christ is both sufficient and superior.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hebrews Chapter 12

You Do Not Carry Your Burdens Alone

Scripture: Galatians 6: 1-6

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus bears our burdens daily.

No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent, not needing help from others. No one should feel excused from the task of helping others. We are to help alleviate each other’s burdens.

The body of Christ – the church – functions only when the members work together for the common good.

Do you know someone who needs help?

If you do, hold out your hand and do whatever you can.

When you do your very best, you feel good about the results. And when you do things, don’t compare yourself to others. Your gift is what God gave you. People make comparisons to point out flaws in order to feel better about themselves. Others compare because they simply want reassurance that they are doing well.

When you are tempted to compare, look at Jesus Christ. His example will inspire you to do your very best, and his loving acceptance will comfort you when you fall short of your expectations.

We are in God’s hands. Let Him show you the way to live and to be Christ-like.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Galatians Chapter 6

Thanks Be to God for All He Has Done

Scripture: Psalm 30: 1-4

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.

Scripture Commentary: Did you give thanks to God today?

Have you thanked him for bringing you through this year? Have you thanked Jesus for taking your place on the cross and dying for your sins? If not, give thanks now!

We can get so into ourselves that we forget to thank Him for giving us another day. There have been times when we’ve gone to bed sick and in the morning have been healed. Praise the Lord! Also, there have been times when we’ve placed ourselves in danger, and He has shown us a way out. Praise God!

God has done more for us than we have for Him. All He asks is that we praise Him, and love one another. You haven’t yet been called to the grave so God has work for you. Are you ready to work for Our Lord Jesus Christ?

What does the future hold for you?

God has kept you alive so sing His praises, carry His Word, and give thanks to Him.

Be happy and blessed!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalm Chapter 30