Issues

Sermon Sept 17th 2023

Sin is a refusal to admit that God knows better than I do by doing MY will, not his. Worry is doubting that He will do what is best.

For the last few weeks, Pastor Brian has been explaining about ‘building character’. Way back in the early Genesis chapter 4 Cain killed Able. If by Chapter 37 they had learned anything and Josephs brothers had this character, they wouldn’t have been where they saw, well, let’s look in the bible. ‘When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!’ Genesis 37:18(NLT)

I must share a recent realization to me while talking to my friend at the beginning of this month. We discussed one situation with one family where one brother, wife, and mother are horrible to the other brothers’s wife of 20 years, a different in-law family was terrible. In that family, issues popped up between the five siblings. I have two uncles I have never met. I have a sister in her late 70’s that hasn’t spoken to me since 2006. I have learned that when things happen between people there can be two hurts, both parties can be hurt. It seems that everyone has these stories. I am sure you have similar stories too. How did we let the devil get this far destroying our families?

What can we do? We can pray, sure, but this needs something else to do with prayer. In the prayer group, we have been using a prayer Michael Youssef devised. Here is a liberal interpretation. ‘Heavenly Father, there are so many families in need of your peace. They are quick to anger of quick with a permanent judgment. They don’t even struggle to forgive, they don’t forgive, and they suffer from a lack of stable, loving relationships. Lord, we pray that you would bind up wounded families with Your love that covers over a multitude of sins’. Here is where we come in:

‘May families find healing through Your Gospel and experience a redemption that transforms families through Your love and power, starting with mine - that You might be glorified and that our communities may flourish. I pray in the name of Jesus.’ We must put a stop to this. The only thing we can control is from now on. Let us all stop this evil. How?

We had better start spreading the stories of the bible to our families. In my family, they were all Catholic. My father's brothers were Lutheran. They should know, but they don’t. I know I am nearing another Evangelism sermon, but your family is the easiest, most accessible people to talk to because they are not strangers; maybe they don’t know your story. As I mentioned to a friend in Grand Marais, MN, “Both Mike (Smith, mutual friend) and I have had brushes with the Lord and are better for it. Don’t you think you should give it a shot?” I have been working on him for years.

As you come nearer heaven ought you not to be more heavenly? Forty Years, Volume 20, Sermon #1179 - Deuteronomy 2:7

Charles Spurgeon

I was with my friend Peter the other day, and he said, Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT) So, don’t be surprised when your friends and family get sick or emotionally hurt.

But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin. Job 5:17 (NLT)Or when others sin, for the Lord is good.

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Romans 2:4 (NLT) It means something to me. He has turned me from evil. I don’t know how.

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him”. Nahum 1:7 (NLT)

That’s it – just trust him? Somebody wrote these words:

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward, there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:5–11 (NLT)

Now I see!

2> I have 3 more points. We have discussed many issues surrounding Prayer. Prayer is not a one-and-done sort of thing. We’ve talked about praying without stopping. We’ve talked about the ‘hand prayer.’ I have an update for you. I recently looked at my original note on the ‘prayer hand’ and noticed we should pray for our relationships with our ring/weak finger. I HAD NO RELATIONSHIPS when I first wrote the note, so I forgot. Now, I pray for my relationship, and my married friends, too. I should have thought of that before. Could you forgive me?

3>. We’ve talked about forgiveness,about how hard it is for some to forgive others. We’ve talked about getting your life in line with God, about giving up on Buddha, Tarot cards, Horoscope, etc. We also talked about Consecrating your place and self. And fasting. We also learned to pray any time you feel the need for help. People/need.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT) Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance and makes everything work out according to his plan.” Ephesians 1:11 (NLT)

So what’s his plan? For the time being, He wants us to relate with one another in love. Remember, “love one another”?

In a world already filled with many tests and trials, it is crucial that we do not become divided among ourselves in the last days. Dr. David Jeremiah

4>: Today, I wanted to cover the words you use or don’t use when praying. This is the first thing the Lord wanted me to communicate with you today. Last week, I got caught doing this, and God threw it into my face.

I said something like, “Dear Lord, I want to pray for the cops, Mayor, and the Governor.” That is like flying a kite with the Holy Spirit. (At least that is what God told me right after I prayed that.) Doesn’t matter. You are shooting blanks, wasting God’s time.

I should have said, “Dear Lord, I want to pray for all the cops – that they would all make it home to their families. I pray for the mayor – that he will listen to the people, and I pray for the governor- That she stays safe.

It doesn’t matter what you need to pray for. If you don’t know the people, pray for their necks to be UN-stiffened. If you are praying for your neighbors, pray for their hearts to be opened to the need for God and that they go to church. If you Know someone needs God’s help but don’t know the need, say, “Lord, please meet them at their needs.”

In Jesus’ words about blessings from God, there are no blanks: The Beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Mat 5:2 - 10

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:12 (ESV)

5>: I heard this on Bott Radio, from a pastor. Praying in Jesus’ name. You had better be sure what you are praying for is something that the Lord would want to be praying for. He pretty much doesn’t care for your new truck or good grade on a test. You may certainly pray to Jesus for those things; just don’t do it in ‘Jesus' name,’ Amen. If you are praying for healing or for soft hearts and unstiffened necks, sure Jesus could be of help.

I tell you the truth, Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” John 12 – 14 (NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6 – 7. (NLT)

OK, that settles that, pray to Jesus in any way you wish. People who set up guardrails to praying are not earning treasure with Jesus.

Lastly, don’t you wish you could develop an all-encompassing Prayer sometime? Don’t worry; Paul is here to help.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion, people are made great and given strength.” 1 Chronicles 29:11–12 (NLT)