“Get out of the way!” they said, adding, “This one came here as an alien, but he’s acting like a judge! Now we’ll do more harm to you than to them.” They put pressure on Lot and came up to break down the door. But the angels reached out, brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. They struck the men who were at the entrance of the house, both young and old, with blindness so that they were unable to find the entrance.

“BLINDNESS”

The men of Sodom and Gomorrah were blind before the angels of God struck them with blindness. They were motivated by their own lust and sinful desires. It is an awful thing to be a prisoner of sin---a slave of wickedness. The Lord Jesus Christ says, “Come---I will set you free from your corruptions---the guilt of your transgressions. I will make you part of the Kingdom of Light, Love, and Peace!” Run from the darkness toward the light---Jesus is The Light of The World!

From John Flavel: Christ is not sweet till sin is made bitter to us.

From J. C. Ryle: The beginning of the way to heaven is to feel that we are on the way to hell.

From Martyn Lloyd-Jones: A man only comes to Christ when he is desperate.

From Samuel Rutherford: Who could be saved if God were not God, and if He were not such a God as He is?

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken & wretched souls, Pastor Jason

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

“CHOOSE THIS DAY…”

The Holy Spirit reveals that allegiance to Jesus Christ is demonstrated by our service. We serve when it is easy---we serve when it is hard. We serve when many observe---we serve when only the Savior is aware. We serve when the cost is minimal---we serve when sacrifice is required. We labor in dutiful love to The Master. He lifts us up, helps us, and meets us as we seek to honor his name---Thanks be to God!

From John Calvin: The highest honor in the church is not government but service.

From William Gurnall: All Christ’s commands are acts of grace; it is a favor to be employed about them.

From Vance Havner: There are no trivial assignments in the work of the Lord.

From Robert Cook: A cup cannot hold much, but it can overflow a lot.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason

“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

“NO GOOD THING”

The Living Savior Jesus does take care of his sons and daughters. He gave his people manna in their wilderness wandering. He had ravens bring Elijah the prophet necessary food. He provided the Apostle Paul with a prison diet (courtesy of the Roman Empire). The Master gives us just what we need---just at the right time---because he loves his own. We have to consider that when we feel our emotional and spiritual reserves are about spent---The LORD will provide. Waiting---trusting---looking to Christ, this is what we do!

From Horatius Bonar: In the day of prosperity, we have many refuges to resort to, in the day of adversity, only one.

From Wilson Benton: We cannot infer from prosperity that God is pleased with us, nor can we infer from adversity that He is displeased with us.

From John Blanchard: Prosperity is not a sign that all is well.

From George Swinnock: Faith in the promises works obedience to the precepts.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

“STRIVE”

We strive for many things in life: greener lawn, whiter teeth, better return on our investments--- to have the last word in an argument. The Holy Spirit gets us ready for the new school year by focusing on two goals: pursue peace with all those within our sphere of influence---and pursue a close relationship with the God-Man Jesus. Not hard to understand. No advanced degrees needed. No incredible income necessary. No trips to a foreign country. We will have to die to self---to get on this Heavenly terrain. Will we ask the Holy Spirit’s help to walk these paths?

From Thomas Brooks: Labor mightily for a healing spirit.

From Richard Baxter: He that is not a son of peace is not a son of God.

From Thomas Case: Men make more haste to get their afflictions removed than their hearts sanctified, but this is not the work of God.

From J. A. Motyer: The sanctifying grace of God is appropriated by the obedient and unrelenting activity of the regenerate man.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“TREASURES ON EARTH”

The Lord Jesus Christ is keenly aware of my attitude toward money and things. At the Judgment Seat he will ask me, “Why didn’t you give more to those in need---in my Name? Why didn’t you give more to advance my kingdom?” My first New Testament Professor used to say to us: “Live right now---the way you will wish you had lived---when you appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ.”

From J. C. Ryle: Two-thirds of all the strifes, quarrels, and lawsuits in the world arise from one simple cause---money!

From Samuel Chadwick: The love of money is a greater curse to the church than the aggregate of all the other evils in the world.

From Francis Bacon: Money is like muck, no good unless it is spread.

From John Trapp: The two poles shall sooner meet than the love of God and the love of money.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason

“Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

“REPAY NO ONE EVIL FOR EVIL”

A way to draw attention to the truth of the Gospel is to be good to those who have been mean to you. Purposefully show kindness to your enemies---and do it in Jesus’ Name. In this era of revenge---retribution, and vengeance---ask the Holy Spirit to help you act like Jesus Christ. This behavior will catch people off guard---then you may briefly speak the Gospel to them. The life of the Savior often paves the way for the words of the Living Christ. Remember: It costs--- to love people.

From Vance Havner: The Gospel is for lifeboats not showboats, and a man must make up his mind which he is going to operate.

From Billy Graham: I just want to lobby for God.

From J. I. Packer: All true theology has an evangelistic thrust, and all true evangelism is theology in action.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities” ---because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

“JESUS & THE RESURRECTION”

The Apostle Paul was disturbed in his spirit by the idolatry of the Athenians. Many citizens of this famous city---were on their way to eternal death. He spoke to them of the Creator---and the fact that they did not have to be slaves of sin. He told them they could live differently in this world---and in the world to come---all because of Jesus the God-Man. Quite a few souls around us are enslaved to idolatry: sex, money, power, self-promotion, and self-righteousness. We reason with them as Paul reasoned with the Athenians. We count on people believing the Good News---just as Dionysius and Damaris believed in Athens (Acts 17: 34). We continue to follow Paul’s example in soul-work!

From William Freel: The Word of God is not just for domestic consumption; it is also for export.

From Douglas Webster: In all evangelism, the primacy of the Bible is essential.

From John Blanchard: The object of witnessing is not to win an argument but disciples.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken & wretched souls, Pastor Jason

After bringing the good news to that town, where they gained many converts, they returned to Lystra, then to Iconium, and then to Antioch, heartening the converts and encouraging them to be true to their religion. They warned them that to enter the kingdom of God we must pass through many hardships….

“BE TRUE”

The Lord raised Paul from the dead and sent him on to Derbe. He returned to Lystra on a preaching circuit. A three (3) point sermon was on his lips for all the new believers: Be true to your commitment to Jesus Christ---expect hardships to come---realize the Kingdom of God in its glory---awaits You! No need to fear, worry, or falter. Press on with the Living Christ…

From Martin Luther: Affliction is the Christian’s theologian.

From Vance Havner: It takes the grindstone to sharpen the axe.

From Matthew Henry: Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise.

From John Bunyan: The Lord uses His flail of tribulation to separate the chaff from the wheat.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason

Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them…And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

“A DESOLATE PLACE”

The Living Christ experienced long days. In the Gospels, we find him praying, preaching, and placing his hands on those who needed healing. Then, he was off to a deserted place to rest. We know he grew tired with the workload, because he fell asleep on a boat in a terrible storm. His fearful disciples had to wake the Savior from his rest. Once awakened---he was about his Father’s business.

Christ was typically up early to engage his Father in prayer---then back to the path of good news endeavors. The Lord Jesus was driven by the honor of God---and the help of souls. The Savior teaches us to rest---So, we may return to our labor for the glory of God. Please invigorate us Precious Spirit of God---so we may press on with delight…

From John Newton: Prayer is the great engine to overthrow and rout my spiritual enemies, the great means to procure the graces of which I stand in hourly need.

From F. B. Meyer: There is no burden of the spirit, but it is lighter by kneeling under it.

From Vance Havner: When a man makes alliance with the Almighty, giants look like grasshoppers.

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken & wretched souls, Pastor Jason

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

“APPROVAL OF MAN, OR OF GOD?”

We love sweet relationships with people. We do our best to establish and maintain them. But we come to understand we cannot please everyone. It would be foolish to try to live this way. We would become a slave to the whims and notions of the folk we are around. The Apostle Paul tells us the best path forward: We are slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ---and we make it our goal to please him---in all matters. As God of very God---the Savior knows us completely. He is ready to help us and forgive us when we come to him in faith believing. The Living Christ will provide us with the fellowship--- of those who want to obey and follow him. We constantly ask the Holy Spirit to keep us from being rude, rash, or obnoxious in our behavior and speech---so the world may see that Christ matters most…

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” First Corinthians 10: 31 – 33

Grace & peace in Jesus, The Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason