Humility

Well, good morning. Welcome. Yeah.

Getting into the spring of things. Are we a number of announcements this morning? There is at least of the Wednesday night bible study this week. I I haven't seen the keys. So I don't know about the men's bible study. But there's a bible study on Wednesday night. We're still in Philippians. So come and enjoy and join the joint The Fellowship of being around God's word. Okay, next Sunday is sunrise Sunday. So there is a sunrise service in the park at 6:30 in our normal place the blue Pavilion at the South End of the Southern parking lot. So come and enjoy the excitement of of the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Let's see the following Sunday on the on the 11th is going to be the board meeting. So if you're a member of the board kind of set that day to sign up for a 6 in the evening, we'll get together on that. Then also that day is going to be a baby dedication. We're going to dedicate little Paisley to the Lord. So that'll be an exciting time. Then on the following Sunday the 4th or the 18th. We're going to have a baptismal service. So if some of you have been considering a baptism, please come let me know and I will

Can go through the process of it with you. And and anyway, we're going to have to service a baptismal service at the end of our service on the 18th. Okay. Well, let's start with a word prayer. Father in Heaven, how we thank you again that we can gather together in Freedom to celebrate who you are to worship you and to honor you and we do thank you for the remembrance of this week as Palm Sunday. We are looking forward to that Sunday of the Resurrection May you bless us in this father and bless our day as we gather together in Jesus name. Amen.

I'm a child of the king. Isn't that good to know? Let's sing. That song is 585 in your hymnals.

My father is rich in houses, and hold on welfare.

He has riches.

My phone was 100 on Earth.

in heaven

cast stranger on Earth

Spider-Man videos

Yes.

I am a child of God.

imentor

Yes.

Are reading this morning is taken from Acts Chapter 4 verses 8 through 12. Peter standing before the Sanhedrin is kind of letting them know where life really is going and says then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit said to them rulers and Elders of the people if we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed then know this you and all the people of Israel. It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth when you crucified but whom God raised from the dead and this man stands before you healed Jesus is the stone Builders rejected which has become the Cornerstone salvation is found in no, no one else, but there is no other name under Heaven given to Men by which we must be saved. You know, I recently heard that.

From a young man who is relatively well-known Entertainer who claimed to be a Christian or believer in Christ, but said that you know, it's not the only way and yet the word of God is very clear. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the father but through me and Peter said right here that there is no other way to Salvation except through Jesus Christ John wrote he who has the son has life. You've does not have the son does not have life. And of course Paul Rhodes, there's no hope apart from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the only hope that we have and we need to remember that did not compromise who we are as Believers in Christ will take a look at that today as we read several prayer request one dimension. Lindy's sister. Sherry has a severe oral infection. So we need to remember her also her brother-in-law Jared. He's suffering from diabetes. Send its severe. He just had a portion of one of his feet removed and it says the other foot in the request, so I'm not sure maybe there's more than just the one put problem. Anyway, he's really struggling with depression and he has Business in this wife and daughter are trying to keep that business rolling and Lindsay also asked for prayer for herself in the recovery from her operation is not been progressing very well, and she's not sleeping. Well, so we'll keep those in there. Okay, let's pray.

Our Father in Heaven how Mighty you are in the truly worthy of bringing our request to you for you to answer each and every one and we praise you and thank you for that we can trust you and that is part of the prayer is that our trust be full and overflowing in are trusting you to accomplish the tasks in the very best way possible. Our Father we do want to remember the people of our community and our friends are relatives who are struggling to in this life that they may come to know the one who truly brings peace to the lives of those who are willing to trust in you and so we pray for the people of our community that don't know you are that are struggling with live because they think they know you and yet I have chosen to not serve you Lord we pray for your Mighty hand to work in their wives to draw them to yourself. We also want to remember the request that were made and we do want to remember Sherry in the we pray for your age as she goes through the process of healing from this oral infection. May you restore and strengthen her. And we want to remember Jared as well as he is. struggling with the little B infection are the diabetes that he has that has been causing some major severe struggles in his life and in his body and we pray that he would be able to lay them at your feet and find that trust that can only bring peace to to him as he trust in your abundant favor and we pray for Linde as she is recovering from this operation that truly that she would begin to find that rest in peace that you alone can bring May you heal her And Lord we want to remember each person here that has a silent request things that are happening in their lives with it. They bring before you and trust that you will guide as we know you will.

May your answer so be clear and may they help to bring peace to each lie? Be with us. Now as we continue the service may we fully lift you up and honor you because we come before you each Sunday to worship you and to learn from you and feel your Mighty hand of guidance. And so may it be so in our lives this day in Jesus name. Amen.

Let's sing that hymn Amazing Grace.

Is that wonderful with the guns amazing?

Yes.

All right. Let's start with the word friend. Are Grace's father again? We come before you.

It is good to dwell in your presence for you are the mighty one who truly is the guide for our lives as we trust in you we find that that piece that can only come from the Eternal one because circumstances don't matter. May you bless us this day as your presence in your power of felt in each of us and is a spirit Wells up might lie in us that you would help us to understand you that you would cross me a heartbeat drawing. Pray that you would guide me. That is I speak the very words that come from me would be directed by you that they would have the opportunity to touch and change lives for it. Is you alone that can change your heart. Guidance in this oh Lord Our God in Jesus name. Amen.

Well, we've been working through. the things that hinder our Godly walk and we essentially finished it up last week with the beginning of the prodigal son and where he was and today we're going to look at the last half of that story and we're true humility can lead us and that's the thing. We're looking at today the idea of splitting. I was coming home from basic training in Texas back in 19. 773 I guess. Well, it was 72. When was 73 when I was coming home. I think anyway, I was on the plane coming in at this young lady came and she was next to me and we began a conversation and she was struggling with life. In fact, she was leaving where she had lived and she was coming to Oregon to change her life and help her get things straightened out and all these things and so in the same part of our conversation, I began to talk with her about her relationship with the Living God and whether she knew Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior because no matter what changes we make duct is not a part of it. It is not really going to make a lot of difference in So we talked for almost Tire flight. In fact as we were coming into Portland at the time it was Portland because there was a hop from Portland after that, but we were coming into Portland at the time and I asked her. Would you like to know Jesus Christ as your lord and savior? And she said yes, I would. And so we prayed together and she has Jesus Christ into her life. She's the prodigal daughter, you know, the one who was running away from Life running away from her struggles, but finding that the solution was in knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior and we need to think about that in our lives, you know, we can fight and battle life all we want but if Jesus Christ is not a part of that battle. We're not going to win the war. It's not going to get through and so we're going to get the prodigal son today and is returned to the father. We're going to see one who was finally found that all his efforts to live life by his own guys. Didn't work. It didn't make a difference. You know. His pride fell apart. But now we see a different story. So that's begin that remember the first half of the story when he got his inheritance and he went away to to another country a lived it up until the money ran out. I'm sure you had other people helping him use that money up and ran out and then he became a pig care and finally figured out I need to go home. So here he is. So he got up and he went to his father. But while he was still a long way off his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son and threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said when father I have sinned against you against heaven and against you I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said with quick bring the best robe and put it on him put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet bring the fatted calf and kill it. Let's have a celebrate for this son of mine was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found And so they began to celebrate. You know in some of the interesting things that I hear about this whole episode was first of all, he was seeking some type of compassion from from God but believing that he was incapable of receiving that compassionate so he recognized his that he'd faltered and he'd sinned against God and his father and if father can be a picture of the Living God because we've all sinned against God there is not one person here. There wasn't struggling with sin in their lives and still isn't struggling with sin, but somehow it is relieved when we come to Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior, but we all struggle with those stands. And we need Define repentance. And so he went to the father and asked for forgiveness for those sins. And of course, we saw that forgiveness given that God are this father and God himself celebrate. There is of a son or a daughter returned to him.

We'll take a look at that a little bit but he was dead and is live in each one of us. Is Dad at this life. And we need to be brought to life through the Forgiveness. The God Alone can give us it brings us back to life and gives us that I he was lost and he's found you know, he was lost before he went off to that other City.

But he was found because he was willing to come back and find that forgiveness.

1st Peter 5 6 and 7 humble yourselves therefore under God's Mighty hand that he may Lift You Up In Due Time cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. You say God cares for each and every one of us and his desire is that we yield our lives in his hands. And so, you know that's his call and he's wait is like this father that was looking out. Way out down the road because he was hoping each day for that sun to come back and that's God's desire for you and for me when we're lost and found in sin, he wants us to come back to him to find that forgiveness that he alone can give. And so the only way to do that. Is there truly humble ourselves recognizing that I'm lost? I can't get back. The only hope I have is in Jesus Christ. Remember? Those verses we read at the beginning that Jesus Christ is the only hope there is no other the Bible does not compromise on that issue one little bit. It's recognized and literally every book. of the New Testament

look to Jesus Christ.

We find repentance God forgives those remember last week. We took a look at several people that work deep centers that had really gone overboard in their sinfulness Manasseh and Nebuchadnezzar and how God forgave them. And if you look at somebody that is as cruel and wicked as those men are in God says I forgive you We can recognize that God will forgive us for what ever since we have committed against him some e14 says against you you only have I sinned and done what is in your sight. So you are right in your verdict and Justified when you judge you see God has the right to judge us for our sins. But he also has the Forgiveness did each and every one of us need when we come to him humbly and say father forgive me. You know in one of the things that we recognize as we take a look at that story of the sun is that great joy that the father has in his son coming back. I mean here is sun coming back and wanting to get back into the fold realizing that he doesn't deserve that right not one of us deserve that forgiveness said God gives and yet he is so joyful and doing it. Remember the story of the the shepherd. You know, he had 99 shape that were in the are all safe and free, but one.

And he went on out in the storms of life. And he finally found that little lamb and he came back and he was rejoicing in that it says in Luke 15:7. I tell you that in the same way. There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Joyce ovary people who come to him and willingly humble themselves before I ask for forgiveness. He forgives them notice the 99 that are. Not in need of forgiveness, you know, these are people that just have not come to that point where they recognize that they need to be forgiven or they've already been forgiven. But God wants to reach out. And find those that are in need it desperately need that. He was living in the land of Israel as you know in his history and over and over again. He was telling the people you think you're going to heaven, but, you know, not very many of your going to make it. There's only a few of who you are going to make it because the path is narrow. Where is the path to hell is Broad and most of you were on that path? And he says come to me give your life to me and find that forgiveness that I can give you. And when we do that, we find that restoration look at how the father just was so excited and willing to restore that son. It was willing to come and seek that forgiveness from his father.

Jesus talking about how the gospel is actually going to go out in the future in these these words people will come from the East and the West 1329 and 30 people will come from the East and the West in the north and south and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God indeed. There are those who are last will be first and first will be last. you know, I'm the reason that's so tough is because we all take pride in who we are and we think that you don't need that forgiveness that God freely gives and it is only those who are willing to Humble themselves. I guess we're the people of the West over here a little bit West of Jerusalem.

When we found forgiveness when we've gone to Jesus Christ and saw him and it is in him that we found that forgiveness. We have that eternal glory and we can look forward to that feast. When we will celebrate with our living God Jesus Christ. around the table Restoration but you know, there is the other half. There is the arrogance that that leaves away from this and this is the most difficult thing for people to find when you talk to them about Jesus Christ, and they just don't think they need. Didn't make that step of Faith. They don't think they need to Humble themselves. Well, I'm good, man. I'm a good woman. I can be righteous lot.

Then he'll let me in.

Let's read the Luke 15:25 2/3 about the older brother and who he is and what he's done. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field when he came near the house and he heard music and dancing. So I called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. Your brother is coming home. He replied in your father is killed the fatted calf because he has him back and sound the older brother became angry and refused to go in so the father went out and pleaded with him, but he answered his father look all these years. I've been slaving for you and never obey and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this stuff yours it was watered your property with prostitutes comes home. You kill the fatted calf for him. You know, that's it. You know kind of the person that does thinks he ducked everything that they possibly can do to to satisfy the father. But you know what each and every one of us is a sooner. condemned

dad and going to hell apart from Jesus Christ and each and every one of us need to be willing to come before him and humble ourselves and repent and this older brother. He thought he was doing everything right by serving as father and doing all that work.

And that was to do the work, but it doesn't get the job done. It doesn't get it. Very similar to the currencies of the day, you know, the Pharisees were people who had all these rules and laws and they were living in obedience to those. I remember even when Paul, you know, we had saved and he was talking in Philippians about what done you know, he said I was obedient to the late I didn't miss anything in the law and yet he was still a sinner and Damned and wrong.

Luke 7:39 talks about a time. When a Pharisee invited Jesus Christ into it is his house for a meal and invited him money on and you know, he just said sit down. Let's see if he didn't serve Jesus Christ as he ought to he should have washed his feet, but he chose not to Jesus came and sat down graciously and this woman.

And she wept over Jesus feed and wash them with her tears. and the attitude of the Pharisee when the fair is that you would invited him saw this he said to himself if this man were a prophet he would know is touching him. And what kind of woman is she is a sinner. You see Jesus recognized that she was a sinner and she needed hope and she found it as she humbled herself before Jesus Christ. She found out hope and yet the Pharisee who is also a sinner but thinking that his life was complete and he was doing all that he could to heaven. You didn't make it. At least as far as We Know. You would still want. Where is the humble Center? Who confesses finds that hope it's the provide the carries us away. And that's what happened to the second son. He had pride in himself and he thought I will go out and live live and found out that was the way and then he came back and humbled himself. Where's the older son? He still had pride in his life. Remember the story of Jonah. Jonah was called to go to Nineveh a city of a people that had the brought incredible harm to the people of Israel and he was going to talk to them and I preach to them. He didn't want to do that because he was afraid that they would ask to be forgiven and he didn't want him to be forgiven and so he went on a boat. Orem got tossed of the boat swallowed by a giant fish spit up on the land and finally did what called him to do and he went he preach the word and the whole town listen to him. Oxford 7002 people listen repented and the Lord granted forgiveness to those people who repented here's Jones reaction to that. Talk about a hard heart. Jonah 4:1 and 213 bunch of Jonah this seemed very wrong and he became angry now Lord. Take away my life or his better for me to die than to live. You know, does that sound like the older brother? You know, here's my brother who's come home and he's asked for forgiveness in that horrible. He didn't look at it as wonderful. And yes, that should be the joy of Our Lives to see somebody else come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior Jonah didn't and neither did this older brother. They didn't wreck.

But it will be.

And God continually calls us to himself. In Acts chapter 3 Peters speaking again about the resurrection are the healing of a man who is crippled. He says when God raised up his servants Jesus Christ. He sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your Wicked Ways. You see Jesus came to the people of Israel and 433 and 1/2 years. He taught them what they should know about life and that he was the pathway to True Life to True forgiveness in yet. They were strict and Stern and they nailed him to a cross. He died, but he rose again. And then Peter goes on to that grade 8 meant, you know, no other name under Heaven by which you can be saved only through Jesus Christ.

And he speaks to you and me over and over again. If we've lost our way. He's calling us come to me find that peace and forgiveness that I can give you. But you know very often we stand self-righteously just as his older son. I've done everything for you and now you're turning away from me for this sinner. It is a son.

The Hypocrites of the day with Pharisees the teachers of the law describes because they thought they had the Matthew 23:25 says Woah, Jesus says of these people. What do you teachers of the law and Pharisees you Hypocrites you clean the outside of the cup and dish it inside your full of greed and self-indulgence. You say when God looks at alive. He doesn't look at the outside and all of those things. He looks at the heart and where the desire is when he looked at Manassa stuck in that prison and dirty and filthy and ugly and yet is insides were crying out to listen I've sinned against you for give me God said yeah, I see the heart. And I'll change. And when the sun came back to the Father the father saw the heart in the Sun that wished forgiveness from sin and it was granted. It's our heart the inside of us that really needs to be cleaned. Not the outside.

Let's finish off his story finish up the story versus 31 + 2. The father says my son the father said you are always with me and everything I have is yours, but we had to celebrate and be glad because the brother of yours was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. You know and if our hope is in what we gain in this life, and that's what this older brother was doing. He was gaining all that wealth that they are in life, but not having any of the grace and mercy that he was supposed to have

And that's all he gets in life. He passes from this life without any hope whatsoever and yet the son who had wasted his life come back and found forgiveness. He has a future and a hope a future and a hope.

Acts 2:38 to Peter is doing this sermon right after Pentecost are during Pentecost and the Holy Spirit is come upon the disciples and those in the upper room. Probably some 70 people are so and they are filled with the Holy Spirit and he's preaching this sermon to the people. Anja in the sermon they are asking what do we do? You know? Okay. We recognize we've sinned against the Living God.

Peter says in verse 38 Acts 2:38 repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

And 3000 people responded to that all that day 3000 new lives. We're brought into the kingdom of the Living God because they were willing to repent of their sin. And that's the key they humble themselves their selves and became obedient to the call to seek forgiveness of the Living God who may have condemned and yet found forgiveness found that forgiveness. You know, that's the great prize that you and I seek in this life the walking that life that forgiveness to know. The one loves us so much that he's willing to die for us. It's in the name of Jesus Christ that all things come to our lives. Paul that's a great servant of God and Philippians 3. He's talking about it you saying I want to know Christ and the power of the Resurrection

and even the suffering of Jesus Christ

But then he says that's my goal. That's what life is all about driving towards that goal and he's calling to each and every one of us to take up that cause whether you believe it or not a Believer he wants that cause to be in our hearts and our lives because there's nothing nothing in our lives is more important than our walk with Jesus Christ and getting to know him more and more day by day.

He says in that the end of the chapter Philippians, 3:20 and 21, but our citizenship is in heaven.

That's where we belong. Shouldn't be we be working that way and we eagerly await the Savior from there the Lord Jesus who bought the power that enables him to bring everything under his control were transform our lowly bodies so that we will be like his glorious body. Isn't that the goal for our lives that hey I want to be more and more like Jesus Christ. I want to know him so I can be more like him. So the day by day. I grow more and more in the image of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. That oughta be the heart for each and every one of us if I have tried to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, that's the goal for my life, you know, all the other things are secondary to that goal and how to be part of my life. You see each and everyone of us became new when we receive Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior, and if you haven't received you Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, you're not new you're not renewed your dead in your trespasses and sins and when you pass from this life, there is no destination, but he'll for you and suffering for all eternity. But all that you have to do is humble yourself.

New Life another story about Paul. He's in a prison in Philippi has been thrown into prison because he is actually working for the Lord and in his partner are singing and God brings brings an earthquake that releases them from the prison in the prison guard comes in and ready to kill himself and they said don't do this and then he humbled himself before them and says what must I do to be saved.

And he and his household came to know the Lord.

In Acts 16:34, the Jailer brought them into his house instead of meal before them. He was filled with joy because come to believe in God he and his whole household. You see when change occurs in our lives. We are new we do things that we would never have done before why because God has come into our lot. We have the Living God inside of us and he is working in us to help us to know him and walk as he walks. There is a great change and Have Nots 2nd Corinthians. 5:17 says therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come the old has gone. The new is here. You see I know Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. To be my God and my king. And I humbly commit my life to serving him.

And that's no different than anybody else who has become.

Saved through the precious blood of Jesus.

All we have to do is humble ourselves and come before him and say father.

I'm a sinner. And I recognize that. But I want to repent of my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Come into me and living me that I might have new life. And when we do that it changes Our Lives. It makes us different not only for the moment but for all eternity because he lives in us and the purpose and the courage to live is he lives?

And I give this message today because I want first of all if you're a believer in Jesus Christ, I want you to realize that you have been called. Where is God called us to live in the full force of his grace and mercy revealing him through all you are. But if you haven't received in, Florida and Saviour at also a message to say sitting right before you today, if you haven't asked Jesus, why do it today don't wait. God doesn't guarantee you any more in life. But this moment and this time to nipple him as your lord and savior. and so as we sing this last song

think about what you can do to know him and to walk with him and I invite you to come forward. If you want to pray over your life in him or pray over a new life in him, come on for word. Don't be embarrassed. You know remember what God does when one seeks him and his forgiveness he rejoices. This is one of the most exciting moments for God and all of them to know somebody has come to him and fought him for forgiveness and New Life. Let's pray.

A gracious Father in Heaven how we thank you for the assurity of this gift that you graciously give to any who come before you. You don't recognize the sins of the past you wipe them out. And you make new the wife becomes before you. Thank you for making life renewed for all those who believe in you in this. building today

I pray that your spirit is been working on their hearts to want them to step up serve you more deliberately. The father you've also been speaking to any here who don't know you was Lord and Savior who are uncertain of the future of their lives of their eternity and yet want desperately to know you was Lord and Savior father. May your spirit continue to work on their hearts and draw them to yourself and made it is dire to come forward and know you for certain as Lord and savior. And change the Eternal destination of their loss. Lord may you bless in this time in the name of Jesus Christ. We ask these things. amen