Through It All

When the Lord saved Paul he was able to believe that which he formerly denied, to love a Lord and a people he had formerly hated.

As Paul considers what he was before Jesus found him and all that Jesus did for him, he bursts into praise to the glory of God. 

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What Jesus did in, to and for the Apostle Paul, He has also done in, to and for all those who are saved by His grace. 

When we consider where He found us and what He did for us, how can we not praise Him?

“I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through—For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve them, I’d never know what faith in God could do. 

Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God—Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.” —Andrae Crouch

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.

In The Presence Of The Lord

How many times have we been overwhelmed with the stench of this world? 

But when we turn away from the pain, the sorrow, and the burdens of life and get lost in the presence of the Lord, this world swiftly fades into insignificance. 

That was David’s experience, Psa. 27:1-6. That was Job’s experience, Job 1:20-21. It can be our experience as well. 

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus -  look full in His wonderful face 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim -  in the light of His glory and grace.”

—Hel­en H. Lem­mel, 1922.

 — Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.

The Fruit Of The Spirit

Many years ago Dr. Donald Gray Barnhouse pointed out that love is central to the fruit of the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

He said:

—“Love is the key—Joy is love singing

—Peace is love resting—Long-suffering is love enduring

—Kindness is love’s touch—Goodness is love’s character

—Faithfulness is love’s habit—Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness

—Self-control is love holding the reins.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

 — Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.

Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There

John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

Remember this miracle? A great multitude followed Jesus to see more miracles, and Jesus, knowing they were hungry, fed them with a little boy’s lunch. 

Do you have an impossible situation? Do you know Jesus? 

Take whatever burden you carry; whether it be personal, work, church or related to someone else. Look at it.  

Now look at the greatness and power of your God. Do you believe Jesus can handle it?

Lay it on the Lord's shoulders and leave it there forever.

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.

The Mysteries Of God

Can we really understand the mysteries of God? The Apostle Paul prayed that the Saints of God would understand them. . 

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 

Each believer has a different level of spiritual understanding. When our hearts and minds are controlled by the Word of God under the direction of the Spirit of God, He enables us to understand the deep things of God and how they relate to everyday life.  

God’s plan for us is that we will come to “the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ,” Eph. 4:13.

When you grasp this truth it will change your life. You will see every blessing and every disruption in the light of God working in your life to make you more like Jesus.

So, Paul prays that we will understand the mysteries of God. That should be our prayer as we study the Word and surrender to the Spirit of God. .

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.

My Praise Testimony

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

I was sixteen, riding in an ambulance with a pain that stabbed me all night. I was too sick to pray, though others did. 

They rushed me to surgery and God did something more precious than gold. Under the bright lights, as I awaited the anesthesiologist, peace enveloped me and a man’s voice ever so close said, “Don’t worry, everything is going to be Ok.”

I sat up and looked around. I was the only one in the room.

Whether the voice came from Jesus or an angel, Jesus was there. I believe this was a trial of faith for those who prayed. 

When I awoke, the Doctor said I got there at the right time, I would have been dead an hour later. 

There’s something about scratching death that brings God close to you. Praise His name!

Worry

Yesterday can never be changed, tomorrow is uncertain, and today is the only day you have. Today you can choose to worry or—with the help of God—you can face anything. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Christians shouldn’t worry because God knows and cares about what you have faced, are facing, and will face, Job 23:10; Psalm.37:23. 

Worry is lacking faith in the ability of God to meet your needs. 

God promised to take care of you, Phil. 4:19; Heb.13:5-6.

If worry is eating you alive, you need the peace of God. Lay worry at His feet. 

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.