True Freedom

I Rather have Jesus

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 land I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

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 worldly applause I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame Yes, I'd rather be true to His holy name

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

Jonathan McReynolds makes it more modern:

I find space for what I treasure I make time for what I want I choose my priorities and Jesus you're my number one

So I will make room for you I will prepare for two So you don't feel that you Can't live here, please live in me

I find space for what I treasure I make time for what I want I choose my priorities and Jesus you're my number one Yes, Jesus you're my number

So I will make room for you I will prepare for two So you don't feel that you Can't live here, please live in me

I Will Come- G.W.Carver

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching I Will Come

I Will Come

It is moving to remember when Booker T. Washington discovered the brilliant George Washington Carver on the faculty of Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa, and how each man attracted the other. Washington was so impressed with the scope of Carver’s work that the young scientist was invited to join the faculty of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. During the negotiations, Washington said in substance to Carver, “I cannot offer you a large salary but some day you will have it. I cannot offer you fame, for soon you will be famous. All I can offer you is immortality.” Characteristically, Carver laid the matter in the lap of the Lord. Eventually, he wrote across the letter of invitation the simple words, “I will come.”

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Let down Your Bucket)

Let Down Your BucketAn unforgettable experience of my college days was to hear a series of lectures by George Washington Carver. His life is a chronicle of sacrifice, humility, brilliance, good deeds, and dedication. He stated his personal philosophy in these simple words, “Let down your buckets where you are.” He encouraged us and everyone not to go through life dodging issues, complaining, and criticizing, but to contribute something.This was illustrated time and time again in Dr. Carver’s own career, but never more dramatically than when he was offered one-hundred-seventy-five thousand dollars a year to work with Thomas A. Edison, and declined. His reason: “I felt that God was not through with me in Tuskegee; there was still plenty of work to do for Him there.”

However there is one of the saddest stories in scripture. The story of a man who thought he had it all and refused to give it all up for Jesus who would have been his everything.

Matthew 19:16–22 ESV

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Matthew 19:28–30 ESV

Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

There is a old quote from the Blues musician Albert King, “Everyone wants to go to Heaven but no one wants to Die”

Everyone wants to gain but no one wants to make the sacrifice.

Go by your local gym and ask the personal trainer how many people want to gain muscle and lose weight but are not willing to put the work, the sweat, blood and tears in.

Because everyone wants to go to Heaven but no one wants to die.

Saints and those online Jesus is not talking about the cessation of life, death but Jesus is talking about death to self.

What Is Jesus saying?

Sacrifice

(Not putting anything over God)

What Jesus is not saying?

Abandonment

One point only’

If anything or anyone or any idea is hindering you for being following Christ to the full extent cut it or them out.

Matthew 5: 29-30

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

This figurative language here.

Jesus is not telling us to walk around lame and mute but rather remove the things in your life that will hinder connection to God.

As the old hymn use to say “ Nothing between my soul and my Saviour”

It maybe time for you to move to another state.

It maybe time to end that relationship.

It maybe time to let go of that career.

it maybe time to forgive that person who hurt you 10, 20, 40 years ago.

It maybe time to move on from that regret.

It maybe time to let that adult child go.

It’s time to stop going by that bar or any bar.

It’s time to stop answering that text or that call.

It’s time to stop seeking revenge.

It’s time to let that abusive spouse go.

But the human nature refuses to let go. It refuses to let go.

As Jesus said: With man it is impossible but with God nothing is impossible.

Jonathan McReynolds continues to say it this way:

My Friends (You can move that over)

My Family (You Can move that over)

My Facebook time (You Can move that over)

My Instagram time (You Can move that over)

My will (You can move that over) My way (You can move that over) My ego (You can move that over) My plans (You can move that over) My schedule (You can move that over) My itinerary (You can move that over) See I, I will make room for you

My habits (You can move that over) My attitude (You can move that over) Whatever it is (You can move that over) That's not like you (You can move that over) Whatever it is (You can move that over) You can move it over (You can move that over) Oh, see I will make room, yeah

Will You make Room

Will you give your all to Christ today?

Pastor How do I completely surrender:

1.Daily Surrendering and being Patient with God working on you and you

2.Studying and Applying God’s Word

3.Fasting and Praying

What is hinder you today?

Who is hinder you today?

What thought is hinder you today?

The song writer Anita Wilson says it like this:

… I love You, Jesus I worship and adore You Just want to tell You Lord, I love You more than anything Yeah

… I love You, Jesus I worship and adore You Just want to tell You Lord, I love You more than anything

… I lift my hands in total adoration unto You You reign on the throne For You are God and God alone Because of You, my cloudy days are gone (Thank You) I can sing to You this song I just want to say that I love You more than anything