When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind

Man can never be good enough to get himself to God. No matter how close he comes, he will always fall short.

May we never look at this crazy, confused world and say, "If God is a God of love, then why do bad things happen." That’s foolishness. 

If there is a doubt as to the love of God, take a look back at a place called Calvary. There you will see a holy and a sinless God, the Creator, dying for the creature that hates Him. 

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Watch as the life leaves His body. Watch as His blood runs down the cross. 

Listen as His blood drips in great pools on the ground. Hear Him as He gasps for His last breath and gives His life a sacrifice for sin. 

There never has been, nor will there ever be a greater demonstration of God's love than that of a broken and dead Savior on a bloody cross.

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.

When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

_________________________

“I’m not on an ego trip, I’m nothing on my own.  —  I made mistakes, I often slip,  —  Just common flesh and bones.  —  But I’ll prove someday just why I say,  —. I’m of a special kind;  —  For when he was on the cross  —  I was on his mind.

“The look of love was on his face,  —  Thorns were on his head.  —  The blood was on his scarlet robe,  —  Stained a crimson red.  Though his eyes were on the crowd that day,  —  He looked ahead in time,  —  For when he was on the cross,  —  I was on his mind.

Chorus

“He knew me,   —  Yet he loved me,  —  He whose glory makes the heavens shine.  —  So unworthy of such mercy,  — Yet when he was on the cross. —  I was on his mind.”

Ronald Michael Payne and Ronny Hinson

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. 

I Am Thine O, Lord

Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

If we want to draw nearer to God we have to get to the place where we can trust the Lord by trusting the Lord. 

In other words, the more we allow ourselves to believe that God is Who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He will do; the easier it becomes to trust Him with all of life. 

How do we do this?  By Prayer. By reading the Bible. By Grace. By Faith.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

___________________________

“I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,  —  And it told Thy love to me;  —  But I long to rise in the arms of faith. —  And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus

“Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,  —  To the cross where Thou hast died;  —  Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,  —  To Thy precious, bleeding side.

“Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,  —  By the pow'r of grace divine;  — Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,  —  And my will be lost in Thine.

“Oh the pure delight of a single hour. —  That before Thy throne I spend,  —  When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God. —  I commune as friend with friend!

“There are depths of love that I cannot know. —  Till I cross the narrow sea;  —  There are heights of joy that I may not reach. —  Till I rest in peace with Thee.”

Fanny J.  Crosby

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. 

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Luke 12:27-29  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

[28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

 [29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Many people live in doubt of God’s great ability to care for His people; but if God can speak this universe into existence, He can take care of you.  

If He can keep Noah safe through that flood and feed Elijah with the ravens, He can take care of you and your tomorrows. 

If He can part the Red Sea for Moses, raise Lazarus from the dead, and walk on the water; He can take care of you and your tomorrows.

If He can feed the five thousand and countless other things too numerous to mention, He can take care of you and your tomorrows. 

Don’t forget that we serve a God Who is Sovereign.  He is in absolute control even when things look impossible. 

I know who holds tomorrow. 

______________________________

“I don't know about tomorrow. —  I just live from day to day.  —  I don't borrow from it's sunshine,  —  For it's skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future,  —  For I know what Jesus said,  —  And today I'll walk beside Him,  —. For He knows what is ahead.

Chorus

“Many things about tomorrow,  —  I don't seem to understand;  —But I know who holds tomorrow,  —  And I know who holds my hand.

“I don't know about tomorrow,  —  It may bring me poverty;  —  But the One who feeds the sparrow  —  Is the One who stands by me;  —  And the path that be my portion. —  May be through the flame or flood;  —. But His presence goes before me,  —. And I'm covered with His blood.”

        Ira Stanphill

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. 

O Say, But I’m Glad

Psalm 9:2  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Because of the love of Jesus, we can know through the darkest tunnels of life that He will be with us. I’m glad about that.

We can be glad because we can have a rich and sweet fellowship with Him.

We can be glad because we can bring Him all our care.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Occasionally, a song will combine words and music in such a way as to bubble over with joy. This is such a song, 

As Christians, we should be examples to others of the gladness that Christ can bring to our lives.  

We will experience times of sorrow and sadness, but if we are a child of God, abiding in Him, even in trials and tribulations we can still affirm our gladness in Him.  

O Say, But I’m Glad.

______________________________

"There is a song in my heart today, —. Something I never had;  —  Jesus has taken my sins away,  —  O say, but I’m glad!

Chorus

"O say, but I’m glad, I’m glad;  —  O say, but I’m glad!  —  Jesus has come and my cup’s overrun;  —  O say, but I’m glad!

"Wonderful, marvelous love He brings. —  Into a heart that’s sad; —Through darkest tunnels the soul just sings, —. ‘O say, but I’m glad!’

 "We have a fellowship rich and sweet,  —  Tongue can ne’er relate.
Living in Him is a blessed treat;  —  O say, but it’s great!"

 "Won’t you come to Him with all your care,  —. Weary and worn and sad;  —  You, too, will sing as His love you share,   — ‘O say, but I’m glad!"

         

Rev. James P. Sullivan

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. 

Pick Up The Broken Pieces

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

There are situations that we can’t fix. God alone has the power to fix that which is broken in life. 

There's no use worrying over it, letting it consume and control our lives — our peace. 

The best we can do is learn to bring it to the Lord, stand in His strength, and watch Him work it out. 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Pick up the broken pieces and bring them to the Lord.

______________________________

“Have you failed in life's battle  —  To accomplish your plans?  —  Is your heart heavy laden?  —  Do you fear the Lord's command?  —  Do you feel that no one loves you  —  And there's no use to try?  —  Just bring your cares to Jesus, Your soul He'll satisfy. 

Chorus: 

“Pick up the broken pieces  —  And bring them to the Lord;  —  Pick up the broken pieces,  —  Trust in His holy Word;  —  He will put them back together  —  And make your life complete.  —  Just place the broken pieces   —  At the Saviour's feet.

“You may feel that there's no hope  —  Broken hearts just cannot mend;  —  Though you're torn in many pieces,  —  Christ can make you whole again;  —  Storms of doubt blow all directions,  —  But don't you be afraid.  —  God can make all corrections,  — He made a body out of clay.”

Ruby Kitchen & James Martin, Jr. 

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. 

I’d Rather Have Jesus

Psalm 19:8,10  The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

[10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

I would have squandered the life of my soul by seeking things that could never satisfy, but could only lead to destruction. 

But God, He made a difference.

The problems of life faded into insignificance when I believed, and  God became more glorious than ever.

I’d rather have Jesus than anything.

___________________________

“I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,  —  I'd rather be His than have riches untold;  —  I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,  —  I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. 

Chorus

“Than to be the king of a vast domain —  And be held in sin's dread sway.  — I'd rather have Jesus than anything —  This world affords today. 

“I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,  —  I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;  — I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,  —  I'd rather be true to His holy name. 

“He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,  — He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;  — He's all that my hungering spirit needs,  —  I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.”

—— Although American hymnals show Rhea Miller as the author of this song, Swedish sources attribute the original to Prince Oscar Bernadotte. In 1888 he relinquished his royal title and right to succession in order to marry a commoner who had influenced his religious beliefs.

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. 

What A Day That Will Be

Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Just the knowledge that there is a place of endless glory and blessing ahead is enough to give the child of God “joy unspeakable and full of glory”.

God will be present with His people. This makes me homesick. 

He gave us His Son - Jn 3:16; He gave us His Spirit - Luke 11:13. Now in a very literal way, He gives us himself!  This makes me lose interest in this world.

We will be blessed by the absence of grief, sadness, tears, separation, sorrow, and suffering. 

The awesome beauty of that place will leave us breathless.

What a day that will be!

_____________________________

“There is com-ing a day when no heart--aches shall come. —  No more clouds in the sky,  —  no more tears to dim the eye.  —  All is peace for-ev-er-more  —  0n that hap-py gold-en shore.  — What a day, glo-ri-ous day that will be!

Chorus

“What a day that will be  —  when my Je-sus I shall see,  —  And I look up-on His face  —  the One who saved me by His grace.  —  When He takes me by the hand  —  and leads me thro' the Prom-ised Land;  —  What a day, glo-ri-ous day that will be!

“There'll be no sor-row there,  —  no more bur—dens to bear,  —  No more sick-ness, no pain,  —  no more part-ing o-ver there.  —  And for-ev-er I will be  —  with the One who died for me.  — What a day, glo-ri-ous day that will be!”

Jim Hill

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.