Hope For Light Afflictions

Most of us are like David who said, “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” (Psalms 55:6).

If you cater to sprouting a pair of wings and flying away from the trials and tribulations of this life, Paul has some words of hope and comfort for you.  

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. . . . .

17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; . . . .

18.  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Your affliction may not seem “light” or “temporary”, but there is comfort in hope. 

One day, when this life is over and you step out of time and into eternity, you will find yourself relieved from the “light afflictions of the moment” and swallowed up in the “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”. 

       

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 Cost Of Salvation

As we humbly enter the holy presence of Almighty God, can we adequately worship Him when we consider the cost of His precious gift of salvation. How much did it cost?

What was the price of His love, the cost of His grace? What is the value of your soul and mine? The Apostle John tells us. 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It cost God everything. The death of His Son Jesus on the cruel cross  gave us the gift of salvation and eternal life.  

As we consecrate our lives to Him when we fail Him, He restores us to a place of spiritual intimacy and perfect fellowship. This should cause us to worship and glorify Him. We can never repay Jesus. Thank God for Grace. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

“Did I mention that I love Him, how I worship and adore him. When I can see no way, He makes a way. And did I mention that He’s been faithful to every promise He ever made me.  I love Him, that’s all I want to say.” —Kyla Rowland

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 permissio

Lord, Do You Care?

Mark 4:37-38 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

The greatest storm that night was not on the Sea of Galilee, but in the hearts of the disciples—a storm of doubt within them that threatened to drown them all. 

Mark 4:39-40 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Have we ever questioned God’s concern during a raging storm in our lives? 

Maybe we didn’t say it out loud, but our flesh cried, “Lord, don’t you care about what’s happening?” We’ve all been there at some time or other.  

Be assured that Jesus cares—more than you’ll ever know. You may not see it now, but He cares and He’s working out His sovereign purpose for your life and your good. Trust Him, Hebrews 4:15-16. 

deas 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. 

A Crown Of Righteousness

Through all the battles he fought and the lonely valleys he traveled, Paul never fell out of love with Jesus. Seems he is leaving us an epitaph of a man about to meet his Lord. 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

In his loneliness (2 Tim. 4:9-12), discouragement and facing death, Paul looked forward to his crown of righteousness. 

As we go through life, we will face some difficulties. We may get hurt or be misunderstood or misrepresented. 

Others may not understand us, but God does. He will reward us for a race well run. So, keep running, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. 

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. 

Learning To Lean

My, what a limitless resource we have been given in prayer. We are invited to pray. 

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

We are promised that God will hear and answer our prayers. 

Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Knowing that about prayer, we should learn to learn on the Lord and pray instead of worry. He will see to our needs. 

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

As we linger near Him, love Him, and lean on Him; we can have absolute confidence that He will see to the things that would cause us to worry. 

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. 

What A Savior!

Isn't it astonishing that the One who has all power in Heaven and in earth would endure the cross without saying a word. 

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Jesus could have spoken the word and the very iron in the nails would have crawled back into the earth. 

He could have disbursed the molecule of His executioners with a single thought. But His love for sinners was so great that He refused. 

Instead, He willingly took our sins upon Himself and died in our place. And, when He did speak, it was to forgive and not condemn.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

What a Savior!

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 weary 

Jesus Cares And Answers Prayer

His “little daughter” is dying and Jairus needs help—help that none of his resources can provide. 

This broken hearted father heard about Jesus and runs to Him, humbling himself at His feet.

This is the kind of faith the Lord is looking for in your life and mine. He wants us to come to the end of our abilities—the place where we know that we can’t but believe that Jesus can. Faith in Jesus is faith that will always be honored by God. 

Mark 9:23, “…If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believe.” 

John 14:13-14, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Jesus takes Jairus, the girl’s mother,  Peter, James and John and enters the room where the girl’s body lies. He took her by the hand and said “Talitha Cumi”. This phrase can literally be translated “Arise little lamb”. What a tender expression. 

Jesus is moved with compassion by the grief in this home and He calls the little girl’s spirit back into her body. She obeys His command and instantly receives life. She gets up, and everyone is amazed.

Jesus cares about your situation – Heb. 4:15-16; 1 Pet. 5:7.

Jesus is able to handle your situation, no matter what it is – Luke 1:37; Eph. 3:20.

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 weary