Only Believe

Regardless of whether he heard about or saw it with his own eyes, Jairus believes that Jesus can heal his daughter. So this powerful man humbles himself at the feet of Jesus and cries out for help.

On the way to his house a very sick woman touches Jesus’ garment and Jesus stops to heal her as precious minutes pass by.

Then devastating news comes. His daughter is dead. Surely this rocked Jairus to his foundation. 

Have you ever been faced with a similar situation? The facts stare you in the face and every one of them cries, “No hope! No hope! No hope!”

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Jesus is moved with compassion by the grief in his home. He calls the little girl’s spirit back into her body, and to everyone’s amazement she gets up.

God wants us to come to the place where we know that we can’t, but where we believe that He can. That’s faith. 

Thank God we serve a Lord Who possesses all power, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 3:20. We serve a Lord with Whom nothing is impossible, Luke 1:37.

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 permission. 

Where Could I Go But To The Lord?

“Living below, in this old sinful world

Hardly a comfort can afford

Striving alone, to face temptation's sword

Where could I go but to the Lord?” —J.B. Coats

Why?  Because the good Lord comforts us like no other with His presence. 

He promises us help and strength for our struggles.  

His holds us up in our weakness. 

He gives salvation and eternal life to those who believe in Him. 

Isaiah 41:10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Go to God. It’s a great place to be.  

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 permission. 

In Spirit And In Truth

We can’t give the Lord very many things that will be acceptable to Him, but genuine worship that is in spirit and in truth is one of those things that glorifies God. 

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God doesn’t have a physical substance as we perceive it. He is a Being Who transcends the physical world with all its limitations. 

So God is a Spirit and any worship that is to reach Him must be spiritual in nature. 

Rituals and practices of the flesh will not produce acceptable spiritual worship in the sight of the Lord. 

True worship is more interested in doing the will of the Lord from the heart than in gratifying the flesh. 

Infallible worship ascribes worth to it in spite of personal feelings, fleshly ambitions or personal desires. It has the glory of God as its highest aim.

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 permission. 

Sufficient Grace

God didn’t promise an easier road, but He promised His grace would be sufficient for the need. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Grace is usually defined as “The unmerited love and favor of God toward sinners.”  This word also means “the strength of God to face battles and to bear up under times of difficulty”. 

Regardless of what life sends, we can be confident that the Lord will give us the necessary strength to face it.  

Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 

[2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

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

Wait On The Lord

The strongest of humans are prone to experience physical, emotional and spiritual weakness.  

Isaiah 40:30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

Regardless of how low you feel spiritually, there is help in the Lord — not in your own power, but in the abundant, unending resources and strength of Almighty God. 

Isaiah 40:31. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

Waiting on the Lord takes faith, but be assured that in the good Lord’s time He will help you break free from the things that bind you — your problems, other people, sins, valleys, emotions, etc. 

God has a way of allowing us to soar above them. Believe it. Trust Him. 

What a joy to ponder the times in my life when it seemed like there was no hope, and the Lord gave me strength to rise above it all. It’s humbling.  

Maybe you have had those times. If so, praise the Lord for them. . 

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

Closer To Thee, Lord

Leading the people of God across the desert to Canaan wasn’t easy. Moses — Divinely called Moses — was often questioned and his orders disobeyed. These people complained, found fault, bellyached, and sinned against the Lord. 

Can you imagine how Moses felt, doing his best to follow the Lord’s will. 

He had a heart to know and experience God in a deeper, more profound way. 

Exodus 33:13-14 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Moses wants to see the glory of God — to be moved to a deeper relationship in his worship, a greater love for the Lord. 

This is the same desire that should fill our hearts. I pray the Lord will increase our love for Him so that we will be drawn to know Him better. 

More knowledge of the Lord will always result in deeper, pure worship.

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

Rest Stops

Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Despite how we feel sometimes, life isn't all bad. 

We would have to admit that there are times when the Lord inserts some peace into our lives. 

He allows us to pass by some "still waters" He causes us to "lie down in green pastures." 

I thank God for those times. Just as surely as the troubles of life are sent  to grow, mature and strengthen us, the rest periods are sent for their purpose as well. 

I believe the Lord gives us times of refreshment and peace to help us recover from past battles and prepares us for trials ahead.

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