Living By Faith
Habakkuk 2:4
This is the third sermon in our series from the book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament. If we were to summarize the book of Habakkuk with one word, it might be waiting.
The longer Habakkuk waits, the heavier the pressure becomes. The direction gets blurry. He finds himself at the end of his rope. He wants God’s will, but this time trusting God does not feel exciting—it feels difficult.
In week one, we discussed questioning God. Habakkuk asked why God would allow Babylon to rise to power. The sermon was titled When Life Doesn’t Make Sense.
Last week, we discussed that God is at work even when we do not see Him at work. Just because we cannot see God moving does not mean God is not working.
This week, I want to focus on the principle God gave Habakkuk in the middle of his struggle.

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” — Habakkuk 2:4

Faith Is Rarely Understood
God said, “The just shall live by faith.”
That is a wonderful statement. We ought to write it down, frame it, and hang it in our homes. But what does it really mean?
Habakkuk wanted God to give him answers, but instead, God gave him faith.
How many times in life have we sought answers from God, only to discover that God was teaching us something deeper along the way?

I am reminded of the movie The Karate Kid. Daniel wanted to learn karate so he could defend himself. Mr. Miyagi agreed to teach him—but first Daniel had to paint a fence. Day after day, he painted. Then Mr. Miyagi told him to wax all the cars: “Wax on, wax off.”
Eventually Daniel became frustrated.
“I came here to learn karate, not work for you!”
But then Mr. Miyagi threw a punch, and Daniel instinctively blocked it using the same motion he had learned while painting the fence. A kick came, and Daniel defended himself with the wax on, wax off motion.
Without realizing it, he had been trained all along.

I am not trying to spiritualize The Karate Kid, but that is often how God works.
We ask for answers, and God says, “Let Me teach you something deeper.”
Sometimes that leaves us scratching our heads.
“Why is God doing this?”
“Why is God allowing this?”
The Apostle Paul asked three times for God to remove the thorn in his flesh. Instead of immediately removing it, God replied:

“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.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison. Through it all, God never handed him a clear timeline. God never explained the full plan.
Yet in the end Joseph could say:

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” — Genesis 50:20

Naaman had leprosy in 2 Kings 5. Others were healed publicly, but Elisha instructed Naaman to dip seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman resisted.
Why not the cleaner rivers of Damascus?
Because to receive his miracle, he had to act by faith, even when it did not make sense.
We all face things in life we do not understand—heartache, disappointment, struggle, despair.
But may we keep walking with God, trusting that one day He will use it all for His greater purpose.

Faith Continues Through Life
God told Habakkuk:

“The just shall live by his faith.”

The key word is live.
God did not say, “Use faith to get over this hurdle.”
He did not say, “Use faith until you get to the next season.”
No—He said faith becomes the pattern, the foundation, and the pillars of the justified life.
I believe many people want to die in faith, but very few people want to live by faith.
This statement, “The just shall live by faith,” appears several times throughout Scripture.

In Romans 1:17, Paul emphasizes justification.

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” — Romans 1:17

To be made right with God takes faith.

In Galatians 3:11, Paul emphasizes freedom from the law.

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” — Galatians 3:11

Stop trusting in works. Trust the God who saves and sets free.

In Hebrews 10:38, the emphasis is endurance.

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” — Hebrews 10:38

You do not have to quit. You do not have to turn back. You can endure life’s problems through faith.

This truth is woven throughout the Bible, but it is also woven throughout our lives—from salvation, to freedom, to perseverance.
Even when it does not all add up, the message remains:
The just shall live by faith.

Faith Is A Personal Choice
Notice one small word in our text:

“The just shall live by his faith.”

Our relationship with God is personal.
We can each say:
“He died for me.”
“He paid my sin debt.”
“He forgave my sins.”
“One day I am going to Heaven.”
Salvation is personal.
But our ongoing faith toward God is personal too.
The just shall live by his faith.
As your pastor, I want to provoke you to good works. I want to push you toward service. I want to see God use you. I want your family to finish well.
But God calls you to exercise faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6

I believe Heaven’s favorite conduit is faith.
We send faith upward, and God sends blessing downward.
Noah obeyed by faith. He built a boat in a desert.
Abraham obeyed by faith. He left home not knowing where he was going.
Moses obeyed by faith. He endured opposition, stood before Pharaoh, and declared, “Let my people go!”
If we are ever going to truly obey God, it will require faith—trusting what God says even when we cannot yet see the end result.
We came to God by faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8

But strangely, the longer we walk with God, the more tempted we are to drift away from faith and rely only on what we can see and control.
Maybe we have been hurt.
Maybe time feels short.
Maybe we simply want to protect what is ours.
Maybe we are in a season where we just want to play it safe.
Habakkuk had to trust that the rise of the Chaldeans, the struggle of Israel, and the unclear plan of God would somehow work out for good in the end.
He had to exercise his faith toward his God.
God gave rebuke and warning to the wicked.
But to the justified—to the child of God, to the forgiven, redeemed, born-again believer—God says:
“Keep living by faith.”
God did not ask the lost world to live by faith.
Throughout Scripture, He continually challenges His people to live by faith.
And the same challenge remains for us today.
The just shall live by his faith.

WHAT WE SAY IN THE HOME
Family Under Fire Series
Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” — Proverbs 18:21
This month we are in a series called Family Under Fire. We are looking at the pressures, attacks, and struggles facing the modern home.
It is no secret that families are under strain. Some are still under the same roof but feel miles apart emotionally and spiritually. Others are experiencing breakdowns, broken relationships, and deep hurt they never expected.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and the enemy works tirelessly to divide what God intended to unite.
In week one, we talked about holding the line at home from Joshua 24:15:
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
We asked the question: Who is holding the line in your home?
Last week, we looked at the burden for the home through the life of Hannah. Her burden drove her to prayer and shaped her family’s future.
This week, we turn to a very practical but powerful subject: our words in the home.
Because when there is no line in the home, there are often no limits on speech. Anything gets said. Hurtful words become normal. Criticism becomes common. And what should be a place of refuge becomes a place of damage.
Our text reminds us:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
One of the enemy’s most effective tools against the family is not always obvious attacks — it is our own words.

Words Will Build or Break the Home
The same tongue that speaks life can also speak death.
We can say:
“You did a great job.”
Or we can say:
“You never get anything right.”
We can encourage.
Or we can tear down.
Life produces growth. Death produces decay.
Life brings color. Death brings darkness.
Life moves forward. Death becomes stagnant.
If a home is slowly deteriorating, it is often not because of outside pressure alone — but because of what is being spoken inside it.
James 3 reminds us of the power of the tongue:
“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body…
Behold also the ships… are turned about with a very small helm…
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things…
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity… it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” — James 3:3–6, 8
A small tongue can steer the direction of an entire life, home, or marriage.
And once words are spoken, they cannot be retrieved.
Many of us have said things we immediately wished we could pull back — but we cannot.

Words Can Do Lasting Damage
The proverb says:
“…and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
In other words, what we consistently speak becomes what we eventually live in.
If we speak death, we will live in the fruit of death.
If we speak life, we will live in the fruit of life.
Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
That principle applies deeply to the home.
What a father speaks over his children often becomes what they believe about themselves.
What a mother speaks into her home often becomes the atmosphere of that home.
James gives us the right order:
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” — James 1:19–20
We often reverse that order. We are quick to speak, quick to react, and slow to listen.
And that leads to damage.
Words spoken in anger, frustration, or embarrassment often leave scars that last far longer than the moment itself.
Shame Never Produces Change
James Dobson once said, “Shame never brings change.”
Criticism may feel satisfying in the moment, but it rarely produces growth.
A child corrected in front of others often doesn’t leave better — they leave broken.
We see it in homes, on ballfields, and in everyday life. Words spoken publicly in anger often produce private discouragement that lingers long after the moment is gone.
Correction has its place — but it must be paired with wisdom, timing, and love.
Because what we say can either build a child’s confidence or crush it.

Godly Words Bring Healing and Stability
The same tongue that wounds can also heal.
Scripture gives us repeated instruction on this:
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” — Proverbs 25:11
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” — Proverbs 16:24
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…” — Ephesians 4:29
Our words should build up, not tear down.
They should bring grace, not tension.
They should bring healing, not harm.
Many homes are struggling not because of a lack of love — but because love is not being expressed through words.
A husband needs encouragement when he comes home from a hard day.
A wife needs stability, not suspicion or tension.
Children need affirmation, not constant criticism.
Words matter.
They set the atmosphere of the home.
Words Shape Identity
There is power in what we speak over others.
A well-known classroom experiment by Jane Elliott demonstrated how children performed differently depending on what they were told about themselves. Those spoken to as capable began to perform with confidence. Those spoken to as inferior began to struggle.
The lesson is simple: what people hear about themselves affects how they live.
Our children, our spouse, and our family members are constantly being shaped by words — either from us or from somewhere else.
We must be the loudest voice of truth in our homes.
Christ Changes Our Words
Jesus said:
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” — Matthew 12:34
If Christ is in the heart, He will eventually come out in the words.
If Christ is not in the heart, He will not be reflected in the speech.
That is why revival in the home begins with Christ in the heart.
Because when Christ is present, He changes what we say.
And when He changes what we say, He begins to change what we build.

Conclusion
Our homes are under fire. But many times, the fire is not coming from outside — it is coming from within.
It is friendly fire.
It is words spoken in frustration, anger, carelessness, and pride.
But the same mouth that has caused damage can also bring healing.
We can choose life.
We can choose encouragement.
We can choose grace.
Because:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” — Proverbs 18:21
So the question is not whether words are powerful.
The question is: what are we doing with that power in our homes?

God Is at Work
A Study Through the Book of Habakkuk
Main Text
Habakkuk 1:5
This sermon is the second message in our series through the book of Habakkuk. Last week we began studying the burden of the prophet and the trouble of his day. Habakkuk was a man of faith, yet he was filled with questions for God.
“Lord, do You see what is happening?”
“How is this fair?”
“Why are the wicked prospering?”
His faith had been shaken. He was troubled by the condition of the people, troubled by the sin around him, and even troubled in his understanding of God’s ways. Yet through all of it, Habakkuk kept praying.
We learned last week that God answered Habakkuk’s prayer, but the answer was not at all what the prophet expected. Rather than immediately destroying the enemies of Israel, God allowed the Chaldeans—the Babylonians—to rise up in judgment against His own people. They were violent, cruel, and oppressive, and God allowed them to invade the land.
We closed by reminding ourselves of this truth: when God is working, the finished result will always be better than what we could have designed ourselves.
Tonight I want to continue that thought and preach on this subject:
God Is at Work
Sometimes we assume that because we cannot see God moving, He must not be doing anything at all. We do not get updates from Heaven as often as we would like, so we think God is idle. But God gave Habakkuk a verse of hope.
Habakkuk 1:5
“Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.”
Habakkuk was asking, “How long?”
“Why aren’t You moving?”
“Why does sin go unpunished?”
And God answered, “I am moving. I am working behind the scenes.”
But then God said something eye-opening: “You would not believe what I am doing even if someone told you.”
Habakkuk expected immediate judgment. He likely expected God to send fire from Heaven and handle the situation quickly. But God was interested in something deeper and longer lasting.

Point 1 — The Generational Work
Notice the wording of verse five:
“For I will work a work in your days…”
God did not say “in a day.”
He said “in your days.”
Habakkuk wanted a quick solution to a long-standing problem. The burden had already weighed on him for some time because he cried, “How long?” Yet God answered in a broader way. It was as if God was saying, “During your lifetime… during your generation… during your ministry… I am working.”
Sometimes God works suddenly, but many times His work is generational.
We must remember that if we are not dead, then God is not done.
There are parents praying for wayward children who want them to come home immediately, but sometimes God allows the road to get longer so the lesson becomes deeper. God may allow someone to discover for themselves that He truly is all they need.
It has often been said: when God is all you have, you realize He is all you need.
Sometimes we are too quick to rescue people from hard circumstances, not realizing that those very circumstances may be what God is using to reveal Himself to them. If people always have someone else to lean on, when will they learn to lean on God?
National repentance and healing in Habakkuk’s day would take time, but God assured him:
“I will work a work in your days.”
There is another lesson here for Christians today.
Too many believers are living in somebody else’s day.
We talk about old revivals. We talk about former glory days. We remember what God used to do in churches, ministries, and meetings. But when was the last time we prayed:
“Lord, I thank You for what You did then, but would You do it again in my day?”
We cannot survive on yesterday’s manna.
The God who moved before can still move today.
If God ever could, He still can.

Point 2 — The Guaranteed Work
Habakkuk 2:1-3
Habakkuk 2:1-3
Habakkuk 2:1-3
“I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Habakkuk had complained to God about the wickedness around him. God answered, but the answer was not what Habakkuk wanted. The prophet struggled with it. Yet instead of walking away from God, Habakkuk chose to wait on Him.
He pictured himself as a watchman standing on the wall, faithfully watching and waiting for further instruction.
Even when he did not fully understand God’s ways, he still positioned himself to hear from God.
That is a lesson for us.
Even when life does not make sense…
Even when things are not unfolding according to our preferences…
We must continue to stand our post.
We must not abandon our responsibilities to God, to His work, or to the next generation.
Habakkuk took a teachable posture before the Lord.
He said:
“...what I shall answer when I am reproved.”
Many people know they are wrong but hope God will change His mind to agree with them. Habakkuk instead desired to get right with God.
Sooner or later, God reproves His children because He loves them.
In Habakkuk’s day, God often spoke audibly to prophets. Today, God reproves us through His Word and through the Holy Spirit.
Then God told Habakkuk:
“Write the vision, and make it plain…”
Some commentators say the writing was to be so clear that someone running by could still read it. Others say it was written plainly so that those who read it would be moved to action.
What was the vision?
Judgment was coming upon sin and injustice, including Babylon itself. But amid all the warnings, God gave this foundational truth:
Habakkuk 2:4
“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Habakkuk 2:4
The righteous are not to live by circumstances.
We are not to live by emotions.
We are not to live by preferences.
We are to live by faith.
Faith trusts God when His timing is slow.
Faith trusts God when His methods are unfamiliar.
Faith believes that God’s finished product will be better than anything we could have planned ourselves.
God warned against pride, greed, violence, and idolatry, but He also assured His people that He saw every injustice.
Our plans are often rushed and impatient, and the results are usually shallow. But God is methodical. He works according to His omniscience, His foreknowledge, and His perfect wisdom.
God sees the end from the beginning.

Conclusion
God is working.
Sometimes it may only seem like small movements behind the scenes, but He is still at work.
What is encouraging in this story is that God still wanted to use Habakkuk even after his complaints, frustrations, and questions. God saw beyond the prophet’s attitude and looked directly at his heart.
Habakkuk got his heart right, submitted himself to God, and kept moving forward.
May that be a lesson to us.
God still wants to use imperfect people. He still uses people who struggle, people who ask questions, and people who sometimes wrestle with discouragement.
What God desires from us is simple:
Live by faith.
Trust Him.
Repent when you are wrong.
Get back up.
And keep moving forward.
To be continued...

1. Habakkuk struggled with questions about what God was allowing. Why do you think God sometimes seems silent or slow when we are hurting or confused?
2. In Habakkuk 1:5, God said, “I will work a work in your days.” What are some ways God may be working behind the scenes in our lives even when we cannot see it?
3. The sermon mentioned that many Christians try to live on “yesterday’s manna.” How can we stay expectant for God to move in our generation instead of only talking about the past?
4. Habakkuk chose to “stand upon the watch” and wait on God even when he did not fully understand His plan. What does it look like practically to remain faithful while waiting on God?
5. Habakkuk 2:4 says, “the just shall live by his faith.” What areas of your life right now require you to trust God by faith instead of by sight or feelings?

Family Under Fire: The Burden of the Home

Bible Text: 1 Samuel 1:27 
“For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.”
Take your Bible this morning to 1 Samuel chapter 1.
We’ll look at verse 27 in just a moment.
I’ll get you to stand with me in honor of God’s Word, and then I’ll let you be seated. I’ll be mindful of your time today. I know many of you have family plans, places to go, and I hope you’ll enjoy that time together.
And let me say this while I’m here—there’s no evening service tonight. Take some time with your family. Be intentional about it. Life moves fast, and those moments don’t wait on us.
Sandy and I are going to try to do the same today—just a little family time, maybe the park, maybe a bike ride. Just being together.
And let me say this plainly: families need time together.
I believe you ought to be in church every chance you can, but I also believe there are moments where you need to pause and invest in your home. Because as the family goes, so goes the church.

1 Samuel 1:27 says:
“For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.”
You can be seated.
Last week we began this series, Family Under Fire.
We talked about holding the line at home—Joshua’s declaration: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
And somebody has to make that decision in the home. Somebody has to draw the line and say, “We’re going to serve God.”
But let me say this—while that leadership is often associated with fathers, the reality is, much of the spiritual tone of a home is carried by mothers.
And I thank God for godly mothers.
Can we just pause and appreciate the mothers who carry that weight in the home?

The Influence of a Burdened Mother
From Jochebed hiding Moses…
to Naomi shaping Ruth…
to Lois and Eunice shaping Timothy…
The influence of a mother in the home is undeniable.
And I want to say this clearly: moms, don’t ever say, “I’m just a mom.”
There is no “just” about it.
Whether you’re at home full-time, working full-time, or doing both—you are carrying a weight that shapes generations.
But here’s something I’ve learned:
great influence in a home usually comes from great burden for a home.
A burdened mom is a powerful mom.
A burdenless home drifts.
And honestly, that same truth applies to fathers too.

1. Her Burden Was Her Responsibility
In 1 Samuel 1, we meet Hannah.
She is barren. Her womb is closed. And in that culture, that meant shame, grief, and deep personal pain.
The Bible says she wept sore. She was in bitterness of soul. She could not carry what she longed for most.
But when God finally gave her a son, she said something powerful:
“For this child I prayed…”
In other words—I know what it was like not to have him… and I know what it means now to have him.
And now she understands something deeper:
This child isn’t just a blessing—he is a responsibility.
Parents, let’s be honest: when you become a mom or dad, they don’t stay optional in your life.
They become your priority.
And we’ve got to stop outsourcing the spiritual responsibility of our children.
Not the school system.
Not the church alone.
Not the culture.
It’s ours.

2. Her Burden Drove Her to Prayer
The Bible says Hannah prayed and wept sore.
She prayed until others misunderstood her.
Eli even thought she was drunk because her burden looked strange to people who didn’t carry it.
But she wasn’t out of control—she was under conviction.
And here’s the truth: burdened parents pray.
Not occasionally. Not casually.
They pray and pray and pray.
And let me just say it plainly—we are raising children in a world that is not neutral.
Sex trafficking is real.
Pornography is constant.
Immorality is everywhere.
Comparison is destroying identity.
And anxiety is shaping a generation.
So we don’t just pray, “Lord help them have a good day.”
We pray:
“Lord, save them.”
“Lord, protect their mind.”
“Lord, keep their heart.”
“Lord, go where I cannot go.”
Because God can be where we are not.

3. Her Burden Became Her Mission
Hannah didn’t just receive a child—she surrendered a child.
“I will give him unto the Lord…”
She didn’t raise Samuel to belong to her comfort.
She raised him to belong to God’s purpose.
And somewhere in today’s culture, we’ve become more concerned with what people think about our children than what God wants to do with them.
But let me say this gently—people who won’t give an account for your home are not the ones who should be shaping your home.
God has entrusted you with that child.
And He is interested in what He can do through them.

4. Her Burden Produced a Prophet
1 Samuel 3:20 says:
“All Israel… knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet.”
Let that sink in.
One burdened mother.
One answered prayer.
One surrendered child.
And a nation received direction.
What started in private prayer became public impact.
And I wonder today—what if what you’re carrying in private is meant to shape something in public?
We pray, “God bless our nation.”
But maybe the better prayer is:
“God, shape my home.”
Because revival doesn’t start in a crowd—it starts in a cradle, in a kitchen, in a living room, in a prayer closet.

Closing Thought
So let me ask you:
When was the last time you truly carried a burden for your home?
Not frustration. Not pressure. Not routine.
But burden.
When was the last time you called your child’s name before God and said:
“Lord, save them.”
“Lord, use them.”
“Lord, don’t let them miss You.”
And maybe today, you don’t just need a message—you need a burden again.
Because Hannah didn’t just raise a child.
She surrendered one to God.
And God used him to change a nation.

HABAKKUK WEEK 1 
When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Text: Habakkuk 1:1–3 

“The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.”
I am beginning a new series from the book of Habakkuk in the Old Testament. This week’s message is titled When Life Doesn’t Make Sense. Along with our Sunday messages, we will begin a Wednesday night Bible study that will take us through the month of May as we walk verse by verse through this small, yet powerful book.
I don’t know that I’ve heard many messages from Habakkuk, but it is in our Bible for a reason. In an expository way, we are going to look closely at what God has preserved for us—and what it reveals about the honest struggles of faith.
There are moments in life when our understanding of God, righteousness, and good living collides with reality. We often think that if we live right, go to church, and read our Bibles, life will be filled with blessings—while the wicked will face misery. But life doesn’t always unfold that way.
Sometimes a drunk driver survives, and an innocent person loses their life. Sometimes godly people pass unexpectedly, and we find ourselves thinking of others who seemed far less deserving. Pain often comes to those we would least expect.
And so the question rises in the human heart: Why do bad things happen to good people?
The book of Habakkuk speaks directly to those thoughts. Perhaps that’s why it isn’t preached often—it isn’t filled with easy answers or comforting clichés. It’s not roses and cupcakes. It is raw, real, and honest. It is a man of God bringing hard questions to the Lord—questions many have asked in private but hesitate to voice publicly.

Habakkuk is labeled a “minor prophet,” not because of importance, but because of the book’s size compared to prophets like Isaiah or Jeremiah. What makes this book unique is its direction. Most prophets speak to the people on behalf of God. Habakkuk speaks to God on behalf of the people.
There is no long sermon to the nation. No sweeping call to repentance like in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Instead, there is a burdened man looking at a broken world and saying, “God, this doesn’t make sense.”
Violence, injustice, corruption—everywhere he looks, and heaven seems silent.
He begins with a simple but sincere question: “O Lord, how long?”
That’s not rebellion—it’s reality. Many of us have been there. We’ve looked at the wickedness of this world—the abuse, the pain, the persecution—and asked, “God, how long will You allow this?”
David asked similar questions in the Psalms. This is the cry of a heart trying to reconcile faith with what it sees.

Faith Still Asks Questions
Habakkuk cries, “How long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear?”
This is a man of faith—but his faith is being stretched. He voices what many have whispered: “God, do You even hear me?”
We’ve often been told not to question God—but why? If we are made in His image, and even our children ask us questions, then surely we can come to God respectfully and ask Him the “why” of life.
Faith is not the absence of questions. Faith is bringing those questions to God instead of walking away from Him.
There was a time when we surprised our children with a cruise. We didn’t reveal everything upfront. They asked questions—where are we going, what are we doing—and we answered vaguely. Not because we didn’t care, but because the surprise would be worth it.
Sometimes God works the same way. He doesn’t reveal everything—but His plan is still good.
Habakkuk questioned—but he never stopped praying.

Life Can Challenge What We Believe
In verse 3, Habakkuk says, “Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance?”
He is struggling with what he sees. The wicked seem to prosper, while the righteous suffer. Justice appears delayed. The law seems powerless.
He’s not wrong—he’s honest.
And if we’re honest, we’ve felt that too. People grow weary. Even in churches, there is a sense of fatigue. We fight the good fight, we give, we serve—and yet wickedness still abounds.
Habakkuk’s belief system is being shaken—but instead of walking away, he keeps talking to God.

God Is at Work Even When We Don’t See It
As Habakkuk pours out his complaint, it seems like heaven is silent. No response. No immediate answer.
But then God speaks.
In verse 5, the Lord says, “I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.”
Finally—an answer.
Surely this means deliverance is coming. Surely God will vindicate His people.
But then comes the unexpected.
God says He will raise up the Chaldeans—the Babylonians—to accomplish His purpose.
That wasn’t the answer Habakkuk expected.
The Babylonians were ruthless, violent, and godless. Yet God declares He will use them.
Can you imagine the confusion? The weight of that moment?
We’ve seen moments like that. People pray, believing a miracle is coming—only to face worse news. The bank fails. The diagnosis worsens. The door closes.
And we find ourselves saying, “God, this isn’t what I expected.”
But here is the truth we must hold onto:
When God is silent, He is still working.
And when God is working, it may not look like what we would choose—but it will always be what is best.
This is only the beginning of the story.
To be continued…

Understanding the Text

1. In Book of Habakkuk 1:2–3, what emotions do you hear in Habakkuk’s questions? Why do you think he speaks so openly to God?
2. How is Habakkuk different from other prophets in the way he communicates with God and the people?

Personal Reflection

1. Have you ever experienced a time when what you believed about God didn’t match what you were going through? What did that feel like?
2. Which question do you relate to most: “How long?”, “Why?”, or “Are You listening?” Why?
3. What are some situations today that make people feel like God is silent or absent?

Faith and Doubt

1. The sermon says, “Faith is not the absence of questions.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
2. What is the difference between questioning God and walking away from God?
3. Why do you think people are sometimes afraid to be honest with God about their doubts?

Seeing vs. Believing

1. How can what we see in the world (violence, injustice, suffering) challenge our faith?
2. What are some healthy ways to respond when life doesn’t make sense?

Jesus for My Family
Acts 16:31
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
There are moments in Scripture when God slows us down and causes us to see something we’ve read many times—but never fully noticed.
That’s what happened to me in Acts 16:31.
We often focus on the first part: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” And that is right. That is the greatest decision anyone could ever make. Salvation is not found in religion, routine, or good works—it is found in personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ. There is a blessed assurance in those words—thou shalt be saved.
But the verse doesn’t stop there.
It continues with three powerful words: “and thy house.”
That phrase stirred my heart.
Because while salvation is personal, it is never meant to be contained. The gospel was never designed to stop with us—it is meant to reach our homes, our families, and our households.
The most important thing you can ever do is trust Jesus Christ. Nothing else in this life compares.
But right behind that is this: we must care about our house.
Not that every person will automatically be saved—but they should know the God we serve. They should see it in us. They should feel the difference. They should witness a life that has been changed.
Because one day, they will have to make that decision for themselves.
So how do we bring Jesus into our family?

Jesus Is the Foundation of Our Family
Every home is built on something.
It may look strong on the outside. It may appear put together. But if the foundation is not right, it will not stand when the storms come.
Jesus taught in Matthew 7 that the wise man built his house upon a rock.
That rock is Christ.
A strong family is not built on money, emotions, or circumstances—it is built on Jesus Christ. Storms will come, but a home grounded in Him will stand.
So where is your foundation?
Being in church is not the same as being grounded in Christ. Activity is not the same as a foundation.
Jesus must be the center.
That means we must be intentional.
Pray together.
For a long time, I struggled with praying in front of my family. I would pray for them, but not with them. There was hesitation there. But when we started praying together, something changed.
We began bringing our kids together at night. Not perfectly, not every single night—but consistently.
And something would happen in that room.
Peace.
No matter how chaotic the day had been, there was a calm that settled over us. Even the kids felt it.
I watched one of my children go from saying, “Dear Lord, thank you, amen,” to praying with boldness and sincerity.
Why? Because prayer became normal.
Pray together.
Read the Word together.
Make decisions based on truth.
When the foundation is right, everything else can hold together.

Jesus Is the Example for Our Family
Everyone follows someone.
When I was growing up, I looked to the best players I could find and tried to model my game after them.
So who are we pointing our families toward?
There is no greater example than Jesus Christ.
He showed us how to live—with humility, love, forgiveness, and service.
And He didn’t just say it—He lived it.
If we want our families to reflect Christ, we must model Him.
Love when it’s hard.
Forgive quickly.
Serve one another.
Bitterness will destroy a home, but forgiveness will restore it.
When a family follows the example of Jesus, the home becomes a place of peace instead of conflict.
And in a chaotic world, peace in the home is a gift.

Jesus Is the Only Hope for Our Family
Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
That is a decision every family must make.
Jesus is not just part of the solution—He is the only hope.
No matter your past…
No matter your failures…
No matter what your family has been through…
Jesus can restore.
Jesus can heal.
Jesus can lead you forward.
And many of us are here today because someone made that decision before us.
Someone chose Christ.
Someone set the foundation.
Someone changed the direction of the family.
And because of that, we had a chance.

I’ll never forget a moment that made this real to me.
I was in West Virginia at a conference, staying alone in a hotel room. Before that trip, Presleigh had been asking questions—questions about the Bible, about salvation—but she didn’t fully understand.
Every time we talked about being saved, she would shut down.
That night in the hotel, I had a dream I will never forget.
I dreamed that my family and I were walking through the gates of Heaven—but something wasn’t right. Presleigh wasnt with us. I woke up in that room, overwhelmed, crying like a child.
From that moment on, I began to pray harder than I ever had before. Every day. Every night. I asked God to work in her heart.
About two weeks later, on a Wednesday night, everything changed.
On the way home, she told her mom, “I want to get saved tonight.”
She wanted to understand. She wanted to trust Jesus for herself.
And that night, she did.
I thank God for that moment.
Because nothing in this world matters more than that.
Not jobs.
Not schedules.
Not activities.
Nothing is more important than knowing that your family knows Jesus Christ.
So believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
But don’t stop there.
Make sure your house knows Him too.
Build your home on Him.
Live as an example of Him.
Trust Him as your only hope.
Because those words still matter:
“And thy house.”

A Family Under Fire
For some time now, I have wanted to preach on the home and the family. There is no greater organization in our lives than the family.
You may say your job is everything because it supports your family—but your focus better be on your family.
I love the church, but always remember: God instituted the family before He instituted the church. If you want to serve God well, make your family strong.
The family is where we find our greatest joy, our greatest pride, and our greatest blessing.
But today, families are struggling.
Satan is on the attack. He wants to redefine the family, distract the family, and ultimately defeat the family.
I’ve said it before—if he can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.
It used to be that everything centered around obvious sins—drugs, immorality, rebellion. But now? Satan has learned something. He doesn’t have to destroy with wickedness—he can distract with busyness.
He fills our calendars with good things until we neglect the best things.
He disconnects us.
He creates conflict.
He shifts our focus.
And before long, instead of building, we’re constantly repairing.
That’s why for the next few weeks, we’re looking at this truth: Families Under Fire.
And today’s message is simple:
Holding the Line at Home

1. The Pressure Demands a Decision
We are living under pressure as families today—maybe more than ever before.
Not always from wicked things, but from constant demands:

• Busy schedules
• Rising costs
• The fear of missing out
• The pressure to keep up

And in that pressure, Joshua gives a command:
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”
Pressure demands a decision.
There are many families today who won’t decide—and they end up crushed because of it. The road is full of “dead squirrels” that couldn’t make up their minds.
Joshua makes it plain:
You will either serve the gods of this world, or you will serve the Lord.
It cannot be both.
We like to think we can balance everything—but don’t be fooled. You cannot take what belongs to God and give it somewhere else and expect God to bless it.
So decide.
Draw the line.
Hold the line.
Declare it.
What you’re facing right now will either refine you or redefine you—but it will change you.
So why not choose Him?

2. The Pressure Reveals Who We Are Serving
Joshua says something important:
Not “what” you will serve—but “whom” you will serve.
There is always an object of our service.
It’s either:

• God
• Others
• Or ourselves

And pressure reveals which one it is.
I’m not a know-it-all when it comes to family. I’ve made my share of mistakes. But I do know this—pressure reveals what’s inside us.
When life gets hard:

• We say things we wouldn’t normally say
• Our attitudes shift
• Our priorities change

Why? Because pressure exposes us.
Difficult seasons will reveal your relationship with God.
Now let me say this—pain is real.
Grief is real.
Loss is real.
Hardship is real.
And those things will change you.
But don’t let what happens in a moment become your identity.
Don’t let hardship push you away from God—let it push you toward Him.
Let your schedule reveal Him.
Let your stress reveal Him.
Let your pain reveal Him.
Be a living testimony that says:
“Yes, we’ve been through hard times—but we still serve the Lord.”

3. The Pressure Requires Someone to Hold the Line
Joshua is nearing the end of his life. This is his farewell.
He knows leadership is about to change. He knows the people will be vulnerable.
So he makes his position clear:
“As for me and my house…”
He wasn’t waiting on everyone else.
He wasn’t following culture.
He made his decision.
And every family needs someone who will do the same.
One day, every parent will leave this world.
And when that day comes, what will you leave behind?
Will it be something shallow and temporary—or something eternal?
Dads, moms—you have a responsibility to lead your family spiritually.
Tell them:

• Live for God
• Stay faithful
• Be in church
• Serve the Lord

Because somebody has to hold the line.
And let me say this clearly—the line still matters.

• Where we go matters
• What we do matters
• What we say matters
• Our habits matter
• Our faithfulness matters

I’m not preaching perfection—but I am preaching example.
If nowhere else, be an example in your home.

What Does It Mean to Serve the Lord?
Serving God is more than being on a church roll.
It means:
Put God First When Life Gets Busy
Your schedule may fill—but your priorities are your choice.
Turn to God in Problems, Not Just Peace
Let your children see your faith when life is hard.
Include God in Everyday Moments
Pray with your children. Talk about Scripture. Make God part of daily life.
Be Vocal About Your Faith
It’s okay to draw lines and explain why your family lives differently.
Be Willing to Say “I’m Sorry”
Nothing builds respect like humility.
Your children don’t need perfection—they need authenticity.
A Personal Word
One of the greatest moments of my life was when my father looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m sorry.”
Not because he was perfect—but because he was honest.
That moment built more respect than anything else ever could.
If you make a mistake—own it. Apologize. Move forward.
That’s how you lead your family.
Final Questions
Let me ask you:

• How confident are you in your family’s relationship with God?
• What do you see that points to eternity?
• Are you leading your home spiritually?

There is an eternity ahead of your children.
And there is an enemy after them.
Someone must stand.
Someone must lead.
Someone must hold the line.
Conclusion
Joshua made his choice.
Now it’s your turn.
Draw the line in your home and declare it boldly:
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” the Line at Home

Directly Cited or Referenced:

1. Joshua 24:15 - Main text: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
2. Galatians 5:7 - Alluded to: "Paul said in one place in the New Testament, he said, you used to run well, but who did hinder you?"
3. Exodus 20:3 - Alluded to: "thou shalt have no other gods before me"
4. 1 Timothy 4:12 - Referenced: "Paul told Timothy, he said, you be an example of the believer. He said, word, deed, conversation."
5. John 10:10 - Alluded to: "He come to steal, kill, and destroy"
6. 1 Peter 5:8 - Referenced: "The Bible said there's a roaring lion seeking who he may devour"
7. Luke 22:31 - Alluded to: "Jesus told Peter he wants to sift you as wheat"

Relevant Verses for Main Themes:
Family Leadership and Faith:

• Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teaching children diligently
• Proverbs 22:6 - Training up a child
• Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers not provoking children but bringing them up in the Lord

Choosing to Serve God:

• Matthew 6:24 - Cannot serve two masters
• 1 Kings 18:21 - How long will you waver between two opinions?

Prioritizing God:

• Matthew 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God
• Luke 10:27 - Love the Lord with all your heart

Forgiveness in Families:

• Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and forgiving to one another
• Colossians 3:13 - Forgive as the Lord forgave you

Bringing the Children to Christ
Text: Mark 10:13–16

The sermon is titled Bringing the Children to Christ. I’m using Mark 10:13–16 as my text.
We are beginning a campaign on Sunday in our Sunday School to help us reach new goals and new people through the teaching ministry of our church. How many people miss out on a great relationship and also great growth in their personal lives by not involving themselves in a class of some kind?
And tonight I want to encourage all of our adults to get involved in a Sunday School class. But as we all get involved in Sunday School, I am particularly interested in making sure that all of our boys and girls are involved to their maximum in our Sunday School, Children’s Church, and Wednesday night program.
In our text, Mark is recording an event that happens between Jesus and some children in the community. It’s one of our favorite stories because of how Jesus dealt with the children—and how He dealt with those who tried to prevent them from getting to Him.
Let’s look at a few thoughts from the story.

1. Children should be brought to Jesus
Mark 10:13 – “And they brought young children to him…”
Here in this verse, we don’t know exactly who brought them—mothers, fathers, caretakers—but somebody brought them.
And I would just say this: it’s a wonderful thing when families dedicate their children or desire a Christian home, but the greatest blessing to your children is when you personally bring them to the house of God to hear about Jesus.
I am so thankful I was able to go to church as a young man—but even more than that, I’m thankful my parents brought me to church.

2. Children need the touch of Jesus
Mark 10:13 – “…that he should touch them.”
We have to understand something—children in Bible days were not always viewed the way we view them today. They were often overlooked, sometimes even pushed aside.
And yet Jesus didn’t ignore them—He touched them.
He made them feel like they mattered. He didn’t push them away. He didn’t make them feel like they were in the way. He made them feel important.
I believe it was a physical touch—picking them up, putting His hands on them, maybe patting them on the head. But I also believe it was a spiritual touch. The God of heaven in the flesh reaching down and giving them worth, care, and security.
Our church ought to be a place where children come in week after week and they feel safe, they feel loved, and they feel the touch of Jesus on their life.

3. Children should not be hindered
Mark 10:13 – “…but the disciples rebuked those that brought them.”
So you’ve got people bringing children to Jesus, and then you’ve got the disciples rebuking them for it.
Now I’ve been in ministry long enough to know most people love kids—but every now and then you run into someone who just doesn’t. Sometimes it’s personality. Sometimes it’s just a mindset.
But in this story, I think the disciples were just reacting out of what they knew. They thought kids were insignificant. Maybe even a distraction. And remember, Jesus is becoming known at this point—so they’re acting like security trying to keep things orderly.
But Jesus corrects it all by saying, “Let them come.”
Because if we’re not careful, we can create an atmosphere where somebody walks away thinking Jesus is not for them.
And I never want that to happen.
I can remember as a child, our family didn’t have much. We weren’t really anybody in our community or even in our church. But when I went to church, those people made me feel like I was somebody. Like I mattered. Like I had everything in the world I needed. They loved me and my family.
That’s what the house of God ought to do.
Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” And I’m glad nobody ever stopped me from coming to Jesus.

4. Children are a picture of the kingdom of God
Mark 10:14
Jesus didn’t say children didn’t need salvation. But He did point to their openness, their trust, and their simplicity.
There’s something about a child’s heart that reflects what the kingdom of God is supposed to look like—humble, trusting, receiving.
Jesus was saying, “This is what my kingdom is like.”

5. Children teach us childlike faith
Mark 10:15
Jesus said we must receive the kingdom of God as a little child.
When my children were small, I would pick them up and sit them on top of our refrigerator. And I would say, “Jump to me—fall into my arms.”
And at their age, they weren’t thinking about gravity. They weren’t thinking about distance. They weren’t calculating risk. They just knew this: if Daddy said jump, Daddy would catch them.
That’s childlike faith.
And that’s exactly what Jesus is talking about. Not overthinking it. Not trying to control it. Just trusting Him.

6. Children are blessed when they come to Jesus
Mark 10:16 – “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
This is the picture right here.
He held them. He touched them. And He blessed them.
That’s why church matters for children—because they get close to Jesus, they hear His Word, and blessings are spoken over their lives.
And let me just say this: when children are in church, it’s not just babysitting until they get older—it is ministry right now.

So what can we do?
We can:

• Remove barriers
• Make kids feel wanted, not just tolerated
• Show them Jesus through affection and attention
• Speak blessings over them
• Teach childlike faith
• And make sure welcoming children is a church-wide culture

Because boys and girls ought to feel just as comfortable in the auditorium as they do in the children’s building.
Why? Because Jesus is exalted in this place.

The Awe of His Preservation
Bible Text: Psalm 12:6–7

God’s Word is forever settled in heaven.
And yet, at the same time, it is always new—living, active, and alive. Just when someone thinks it has grown old, dry, or irrelevant, God brings a fresh reminder of its power. A new song is written about the same old gospel. Another sermon is preached from the same eternal Book. And still—it speaks.
It is living water. It is alive.
Psalm 12:6–7 says,
“The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
This truth brings us to the final message in our series, “The Awe of Him.”
We have stood in awe of Him in creation. We have stood in awe of Him in salvation. And now, we stand in awe of Him in preservation—specifically, the preservation of His Word.
Because here’s the question:
How do we know creation is true?
How do we know salvation is real?
The answer is simple:
“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

The Awe of the Source
The Bible is not man’s idea—it is God’s revelation.
Scripture says these are “the words of the Lord.”
2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God.
Yes, men physically wrote it down—but God is the Author.
Over 40 writers, across 1,500 years, from different backgrounds and locations, wrote a Book that perfectly harmonizes from Genesis to Revelation. That does not happen by accident. That is divine orchestration.
God breathed His Word.
God inspired His Word.
God delivered His Word—to you.
Somewhere along the way, someone placed a Bible in your hands. A parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a preacher. However it happened, you are holding something sacred.
This is not just a book.
It is the Book.

The Awe of the Purity
We live in a contaminated world.
Everything around us is flawed—people, systems, opinions, even our best efforts. Everything fades, breaks down, or fails.
But not the Word of God.
It is described as pure words, like silver refined seven times.
In a world full of error, we have something that is completely right.
People question it. Doubt it. Try to explain it away. But if God can create a universe out of nothing, then nothing written in His Word is beyond His power.
And even when you feel like you’re not retaining what you read, the Word is still working.
Like water running through a strainer—you may not hold much, but you’re being cleaned.
The Word purifies the mind.
It cleanses the heart.
It shapes the life.

The Awe of the Keeping
God didn’t just give His Word—He promised to keep it.
“Thou shalt preserve them… forever.”
If preservation depended on men, it would have failed long ago.
David died.
Moses died.
Paul was martyred.
But God lives forever—and so does His Word.
Through persecution, burning, banning, and bloodshed, the Bible has endured. It has been translated into thousands of languages and distributed by the billions.
And yet, beyond all the statistics, here’s what matters:
It made it to you.
From one generation to the next, God has faithfully passed down His Word. What may feel familiar to us is brand new to the next generation. And God is still using it.
Whether it’s printed on a page, displayed on a screen, spoken from memory, or even written in chalk on a sidewalk—the Word of God is still the Word of God.
And it still works.

The Awe of Its Power
Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.”
“Quick” means alive.
“Powerful” means active and effective.
The Word of God is not static—it moves, works, and operates in real time.
It meets you on the mountaintop.
It meets you in the valley.
It speaks differently in different seasons, yet never changes.
It convicts.
It corrects.
It comforts.
It points us to Christ.
Faith comes by hearing—and hearing by the Word of God.
After all these years, through every season of life, one truth remains:
The Bible still works.
The Message of the Book
At its core, the message of Scripture is simple enough for a child to understand:
God loved man.
Man sinned.
Sin required payment.
Jesus said, “I’ll pay it.”
He went to the cross.
God placed our sin on Him.
God offers His righteousness to us.
“And as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.”
That is the message preserved through the ages.
That is the message God fought to get to you.

A Final Word
Why would anyone ignore a God who has gone to such lengths to reach them?
If you don’t know Christ, receive Him today.
And if you do know Him—get in His Word.
Not as a routine. Not as a ritual. But as a lifeline.
We fill our minds with so many things, yet neglect the one thing that truly transforms us.
God’s Word will not return void.
It will do exactly what He sent it to do.
So let it in.
Live it out.
Pass it on.
Because we are not just holding a book—
We are holding the preserved, powerful, living Word of God.

The Awe of Him (Part 2: The Awe of His Salvation)
Text: Ephesians 2:1–10

There are moments in Scripture where just a few words carry overwhelming weight. In Ephesians chapter 2, we find two of the most powerful words in all the Bible: “But God…”
Those words change everything.
The passage begins in a dark place: “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” We were not struggling—we were dead. We were not wandering—we were following the course of this world. We were not neutral—we were children of wrath.
But then comes the turning point: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…”
And that love should leave us in awe.
We have been walking through a series titled The Awe of Him. We’ve already stood in awe of Him in creation—how vast and powerful He is. But today, we turn our attention to something even more personal: the awe of Him in salvation.
It is a wonderful thing to be saved. Everything good in my life traces back to salvation—when Christ changed me, changed my family, and changed my eternity. And when we truly consider salvation, we cannot help but stand in awe.

The Awe of Being Chosen Before Salvation
One of the most humbling truths in all of Scripture is this: God loved us before we ever loved Him.
Ephesians reminds us, “He loved us.” Not after we cleaned ourselves up. Not after we came to church. Not after we got things right. He loved us while we were still dead in sin.
Before you ever held a Bible, before you ever said a prayer, before you ever made your first mistake—God loved you.
We often think God loves us because we came to Him. But the truth is, we came to Him because He first loved us.
Before your parents ever chose your name, God already knew it. Before your first sin, God had already made provision to forgive it. Before you ever ran from Him, He had already made a way for you to come home.
That is a love unlike any other—and it should leave us in awe.

The Awe of the Cost
Salvation may be free to us, but it was not cheap.
The Bible says we were made alive “with Christ.” That phrase reminds us that our salvation is directly tied to His sacrifice.
Jesus went to a Roman cross. He was stripped, mocked, beaten, and nailed to that cross. A crown of thorns pressed into His brow. A spear pierced His side. But beyond the physical pain, He bore the weight of all sin.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Two thousand years ago, before we were ever born, Christ saw us—and He chose the cross anyway.
He gave up everything. Not just comforts—His very life.
There’s an old love song that says a man would give up all his comforts for the one he loves. But Jesus did far more than that—He gave everything to have you.
And when He rose from the grave, He proved it was all worth it.
The cross paid it. The tomb proved it.
And that should leave us in awe.

The Awe of Grace
Perhaps the greatest wonder of salvation is this: it is all by grace.
Ephesians 2:8–9 tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith… it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
That goes against everything we understand.
In life, everything is a transaction. You work, you get paid. You give, you receive. Every relationship has some form of exchange.
But salvation is different.
You didn’t earn it.
You didn’t deserve it.
You didn’t work for it.
It is a gift.
And that’s hard for many people to accept. We ask, “What can I do?” But the answer is—nothing. Jesus already did it all.
If salvation were based on works, heaven would be full of bragging. But God designed it so that all the glory belongs to Him.
It is grace, and grace alone.
And that should leave us in awe.

The Awe of Our Transformation
Salvation doesn’t just change our destination—it changes us.
The Bible says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.”
In Ephesians 2, we see three stages:

• We were dead in sin
• We were made alive in Christ
• We now walk as His workmanship

There should be a difference.
When someone truly comes to Christ, there is a transformation. Not perfection—but change. A new direction. A new desire. A new life.
I’ve watched people try everything to fix their lives—but nothing transforms like Jesus.
Some people He delivers from a sinful past. Others He keeps from one. But every single person He saves, He changes their destiny.
We are no longer headed for hell—we are bound for heaven.
And that should leave us in awe.

In Closing
Salvation is simple. It is free. But it is not cheap.
Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we could receive the greatest gift.
Don’t let the simplicity of salvation keep you from receiving it. You cannot buy it. You cannot earn it. You can only receive it.
And if you have received it, take a moment and reflect on the cost, the love, and the grace that made it possible.
Because when you truly understand salvation, there is only one response:
To stand in awe of Him.
God has loved you from the beginning. He has pursued you through time. And today, He offers you life.
Why not say yes to Him?

The Christian Worker
Text: Jude 20–23

The book of Jude is one of the smallest books in all of the Bible. It is only one chapter, containing 25 verses. Its main theme is a warning against corrupt teachers and bad doctrine. It is written by Jude, who identifies himself as the brother of James, which would make him the half-brother of Jesus if he is indeed that same Jude.
This is a small letter written to a very specific group. Most letters in the New Testament are written to churches or to a specific church, and some are even written to individuals, such as Paul’s letters to Timothy. But this letter is written to a general group. Notice verse 1:
Jude 1
“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:”
This letter is written to those who are saved, sanctified, and called. I believe most everyone reading this fits into that category. I hope you are saved. I pray God is working in your life through sanctification, shaping and molding you. And I pray you are active in the calling God has placed on your life.
By way of introduction, Jude encourages us to earnestly contend for the faith.
Jude 3
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
The gospel does not need our approval, our vindication, or even our defense—but it does require our labor to carry it to the next generation.
Jude reminds us that God is serious about sin. He delivered Israel out of Egypt, yet judged those who did not believe.
Jude 5
“I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.”
Even angels are reserved in chains for their rebellion.
Jude 6
“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their sin.
Jude 7
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
Jude warns that this same kind of corruption is creeping into the church—error in teaching, greed in service, and corruption in conduct.
Judgment is coming.
Jude 15
“To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
He also tells us there will be mockers, sensual individuals who do not have the Spirit of God.
But in verse 20, Jude shifts his focus back to the believer by using the word “but.” In contrast to all the error and corruption, he gives us characteristics of a Christian worker who makes a difference.

1. A Christian worker builds himself up in the faith
Jude 20a
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith…”
The church is a great source of encouragement. It should be a place of discipleship and growth. But Jude is not writing to new converts—he is writing to the saved, the sanctified, and the called. And he tells them to build up themselves.
An oak tree was once a tender plant needing care, water, and support. But as it grows, it must learn to stand, endure the elements, and even provide shade for others.
How do we build ourselves up?
First, do not rely on others for your nourishment. Get into God’s Word. The answers are in God’s Word. Let it feed you.
Second, seek to grow. Many seek to attend. Many seek to belong. But those who seek to grow are different. Growth requires intentional pursuit.
Third, be honest about your commitment. Saying you want to grow is different than doing what it takes to grow. Desire without discipline produces nothing.

2. A Christian worker prays in the Holy Ghost
Jude 20b
“…praying in the Holy Ghost,”
At the very least, this means praying at all. The worst prayer is the one never prayed.
We can do more after we pray, but we cannot do more until we have prayed.
Praying in the Holy Ghost means praying under the leadership of the Spirit—being mindful of Him and obedient to Him. Sometimes it is simply saying, “Lord, I do not know how to pray, but here is my heart, and I will follow You.”
Too often we pray in our own spirit, telling God what to do. But Spirit-led prayer says, “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.”
If we are going to make a difference, we must be people of prayer.

3. A Christian worker keeps himself in the love of God
Jude 21
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
We are already loved. We are saved and secure. There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
But we can remove ourselves from the enjoyment of that love.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee likened the love of God to the sun. We cannot change the sun, but we can put up an umbrella that blocks its warmth.
May we not allow anything in our lives to block the love of God. Instead, we should bask in it, soak it in, and then let it flow through us to others.

4. A Christian worker has compassion and seeks to make a difference
Jude 22
“And of some have compassion, making a difference:”
The people in this verse are different from those in verse 23, yet our compassion should have no limits.
The best definition of compassion is seeing yourself in someone else’s condition and asking what you would want someone to do for you.
Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something.
Any difference is a big difference in someone’s life.

5. A Christian worker seeks to win the lost
Jude 23
“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
This fear is not fear of people—it is an awareness of the seriousness of judgment. It produces urgency.
Like a child running toward the road, action must be immediate.
This verse gives three actions: saving, pulling, and hating.
We do all we can to rescue people from an eternity in hell, while hating the sin that destroys them.
This is why we must build ourselves up—we never know when we will need to help someone.
This is why we must pray—to be led to those who need rescue.
This is why we must stay in the love of God—so nothing hinders our effectiveness.
This is why compassion matters—because people are hurting everywhere.

Conclusion
Are you saved? That is a simple yes or no.
If you are saved, then you should be growing and seeking God’s will for your life.
If you know your calling, then you should be working in it to make a difference for Christ.
Any difference is a big difference in eternity.

Discussion Questions:

• In what practical ways can we “build up ourselves” in our faith beyond just attending church? What does that look like in your daily life?
• What is the difference between praying in our own will and praying “in the Holy Ghost”? Can you share a time when God led your prayer life in a specific way?
• What are some “umbrellas” that can block us from experiencing the love of God, and how can we remove them?
• Who in your life right now might need compassion or even urgent spiritual help, and what is one step you can take this week to make a difference?

The Awe of Him (Part 1: The Awe of His Creation)
Text: Psalm 33:6–9

Psalm 33:6–9
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”

There are moments in life that simply cannot be explained—only experienced.
This past week, I watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. It was massive, vibrant, breathtaking. I could take a picture of it. I could try to describe it. But the truth is—you just had to be there.
Church can feel that way too.
You can watch it online. You can hear about it. But there are moments when God shows up in such a real way that words fall short. Moments where you don’t just attend—you stand in awe.
And that is what I fear we are losing.
In a world where church can become routine, preference-driven, and scheduled, we are in danger of losing the “wow”—the awe of God.
So for the next few weeks, I want us to focus on one theme:
The Awe of Him.
Today, we begin with this truth:
The Awe of His Creation

1. His Word Carries Absolute Authority
The psalmist reminds us:

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made… For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:6, 9)

God did not assemble the world from borrowed materials.
He didn’t gather parts.
He didn’t experiment.
He spoke—and it was.
Out of nothing, everything came into existence.
That means the same God who created the universe with His voice has the power to speak into your life.
When you face situations that seem impossible…
When you see no solution…
When it feels like nothing can be done…
Remember this:
Our God makes something out of nothing.
We must ask ourselves:

• Are we reading His Word?
• Are we trusting His Word?
• Are we obeying His Word?

Because when we drift from His Word, we begin to lose our awe of Him.

2. His Power Is Beyond Comprehension

Isaiah 40:12
“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?”

Isaiah paints a picture that stretches our understanding:

• God holds the oceans in His hand.
• He measures the heavens with His span.
• He knows every particle of dust on earth.
• He weighs mountains like we weigh small objects.

Think about that.
The same God who set the depth of the oceans…
The same God who determined the height of the mountains…
Is the God who knows your situation today.
Your problem is not bigger than God.
He does not need your strength, your wisdom, or your approval.
He is God all by Himself.

3. His Wisdom Is Self-Sufficient

Isaiah 40:13–14
“Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?”

Everything we know, we’ve learned from someone else.
But who taught God?
Who advised Him?
Who instructed Him?
Who gave Him wisdom?
No one.
God has never had an “aha” moment.
Nothing has ever occurred to Him.
He has never needed guidance—because He is perfect in knowledge.
And yet, we often treat Him as optional.
We give Him leftover time.
We fit Him into our schedule.
We neglect the very One who gives us breath.
If we would return to time in His Word…
Time in prayer…
Time in His presence…
We would rediscover the awe we’ve lost.

4. His Presence Makes Nations Small

Isaiah 40:15
“Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance…”

The nations of the world may seem powerful:

• Governments rise and fall
• Armies grow and threaten
• Leaders influence millions

But to God?
They are a drop in a bucket.
They are dust on a scale.
God is not intimidated.
He sets up kings.
He removes kingdoms.
He rules over all.
And because of that:
We do not have to live in fear—we can live in awe.

Conclusion: Have You Lost Your Awe of Him?
Creation reminds us of one simple truth:
We are completely dependent on God.
You cannot breathe without Him.
You cannot live without Him.
You cannot succeed without Him.
And yet—this Creator desires a relationship with you.
Think about that.
The One who spoke the universe into existence…
Wants to walk with you.
Hear from you.
Be known by you.
Not because we deserve it—
But because of His grace.
So let me ask you:

• When was the last time you were overwhelmed by His goodness?
• When was the last time you worshipped Him without prompting?
• When was the last time you simply stood in awe?

If we’ve lost that…
Why not start today?
Give Him your life.
Give Him your burdens.
Give Him your everything.
Because the God who made everything from nothing…
Can do something incredible with you.

Death Defeated, Hope Alive
1 Corinthians 15:12–20

There’s a question that keeps surfacing in the world we live in today—what is true? What can we really believe? Everywhere we turn, things feel uncertain. Images can be generated. Stories can be manipulated. Narratives are constantly shifting. Even in everyday life, people are left wondering what they can trust.
And sadly, that same uncertainty has crept into how people view the church. People hear preaching and think, Is that really true? Can I trust that?
So the question stands—what is truth?
Jesus made a bold claim. He didn’t just say He knew the truth—He said He was the truth. He said He came to bear witness of the truth. But then something happened that shook everything—Jesus was crucified.
They mocked Him. They beat Him. They nailed Him to a cross. And He died.
So if He is dead… what does that say about His claims? If Jesus stayed in the grave, then everything He said collapses. Our faith is empty. Our hope is gone. As Paul said, our preaching would be in vain, and our faith would be vain also.
But the story doesn’t end at the cross.

On that Easter morning, the stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. Jesus Christ got up from the grave just as He said He would.
And in that moment, everything changed.
The resurrection became the validation of everything Jesus ever said.
If He got up, then He was right.
And because He lives, death has been defeated, and hope is alive.

The Resurrection Validates the Identity of Jesus
Everyone has an opinion about who Jesus is.
Some say He was a good man. Others say He was a teacher. Some dismiss Him altogether. But Jesus didn’t leave room for casual opinions—He made direct claims. He said He was the Son of God. He said He was the resurrection and the life. He said He had power over death.
Then He died.
And for a moment, it looked like those claims had failed.
But when that stone rolled away, every question was answered.
The resurrection confirmed His identity. It declared to the world that He is exactly who He said He is—truth, life, and Lord over death, hell, and the grave.
Anyone can make a claim—but only one walked out of a tomb to prove it.

The Resurrection Validates the Cross
The cross was a place of shame. It was reserved for criminals—the worst of society. And Jesus was numbered among them.
From a human perspective, it looked like failure.
The crowd mocked Him. The rulers rejected Him. Even as He hung there, dying, He cried, “It is finished.” To many, that sounded like defeat.
But the resurrection tells a different story.
If Jesus had stayed in the grave, then the cross would have meant nothing. The sacrifice would have failed. Sin would still reign. We would still be lost.
But when Jesus rose again, He proved that the cross worked.
The payment was accepted. The debt was paid. Sin was defeated.
What looked like the end was actually the victory.

The Resurrection Exposes the Limits of Religion
Religion existed long before Jesus came.
Structure, rituals, gatherings—those things have always been part of human life. And even today, people can participate in all the motions of religion without ever knowing Christ.
Paul addressed this directly. He spoke to people who heard preaching, sat in services, and yet still doubted the resurrection.
And the truth is simple—if Christ is not risen, then religion is empty.
You can attend church. You can go through the motions. You can look the part. But if your faith is in anything other than a risen Savior, it cannot save.
Religion might improve your life—but only Jesus can give you eternal life.
The resurrection draws a clear line: it’s not about what we do—it’s about who He is.

The Resurrection Demands a Response
When you read the Easter story, one thing becomes clear—no one stayed neutral.
Mary believed and ran to tell others. Thomas doubted until he saw for himself. The soldiers lied. The religious leaders resisted. The disciples were changed forever.
Everyone responded.
And today, we must respond too.
You cannot simply admire the story of Jesus and walk away unchanged. You cannot stay on the fence about the resurrection. If it’s false, it doesn’t matter. But if it’s true, it matters more than anything else in your life.
So what do you do with Jesus?
You come to Him.
You confess your need. You believe who He is. You bring Him everything broken in your life—your sin, your struggles, your burdens—and you lay it at His feet. You ask Him to save you, to lead you, to change you.
And then—you believe that He has done exactly what He said He would do.

Death has been defeated. Hope is alive.
But that truth must become personal.
It’s not enough to celebrate it in a church service—it must live in your heart.
Because the same Jesus who walked out of that tomb is still saving, still changing lives, and still offering hope to anyone who will trust Him.
So the question is simple—
Why not trust Him today?

The King They Expected and The Savior They Needed
Matthew 21:8-11

The streets of Jerusalem were alive with anticipation. Cloaks laid across the dusty road, palm branches waving wildly in the air, children singing, crowds shouting praises—this was Palm Sunday, a day of triumph and expectation. The people had waited generations for this moment, for the one who would finally come and set everything right.
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" The words echoed through the city streets as Jesus made His way into Jerusalem, not on a mighty war horse as many expected, but on a humble donkey.
Matthew 21:8-11 captures this pivotal moment: "And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way. Others cut down branches from the trees and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before and that followed cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."
The entire city was moved. But within days, these same voices crying "Hosanna" would be screaming "Crucify Him!" What changed? The answer reveals a timeless truth about human nature and our relationship with God.

Expecting a Political Fix
The Jewish people lived under the oppressive thumb of Rome. They were taxed beyond measure, controlled by a foreign government, stripped of their autonomy. When they cried "Hosanna"—which literally means "save us" or "rescue us"—they weren't thinking about spiritual salvation. They were thinking about political liberation.
The prophecies spoke of one who would shoulder the government, a conquering king who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel to its former glory. They expected a warrior on a white stallion, ready to lead them into battle and victory.
Instead, Jesus came on a donkey—the lowest, most humble of animals. He described Himself as "meek and lowly," entering not as a political giant but as a humble Savior.
We do the same thing today, don't we? We think if we could just get the right person in office, fix the right system, implement the right policies, everything would be better. We look for external solutions to problems that are fundamentally internal.
The world doesn't need better politicians or more talking heads on television. What the world desperately needs is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—a Savior who can transform hearts, not just circumstances.

Expecting the Miraculous
Jesus had built quite a reputation. He healed the blind, cast out demons, fed 5,000 men with just five loaves and two fish. Everywhere He went, miracles followed. The crowd waving palm branches had seen or heard about these wonders, and they were convinced that as long as they had Jesus, everything would be fine.
No more sickness. No more hunger. No more problems.
They were cheering for the loaves, for the material benefits, for the show. And what a show it was! But Jesus didn't come to put on a show—He came to seek and to save the lost.
We fall into this same trap. We want Jesus to heal our bodies, fix our finances, restore our relationships, help us land the big job. We treat faith like a networking opportunity or a cosmic vending machine. We want enough Jesus to get us out of trouble, but not so much that He actually changes how we live.
Jesus cares deeply about our physical needs and earthly struggles. He wants healing for our families, provision for our tables, restoration for our broken places. But His primary mission was never about building an earthly kingdom. As He Himself declared, "My kingdom is not of this world."
Too many people have expectations of Jesus that have nothing to do with Him becoming their Savior. They want what God can give them, but they don't want His Son.

Rejecting Him When He Confronts Them
Everything was going wonderfully—until Jesus started talking about holiness. Until He told Nicodemus, "You must be born again." Until He confronted the religious leaders about their pride, their sin, their hypocrisy.
Suddenly, the tone shifted in Jerusalem.
People love a healing Jesus. They love a supplying Jesus, a blessing Jesus, a Jesus who meets their needs. But people struggle with a holy Jesus. They struggle with a correcting Jesus, a Jesus who demands commitment and transformation.
The crowd's cry changed from "Hosanna, save us from suffering" to "Crucify Him, save us from submission." They wanted relief from hardship, but they didn't want to submit to the kingdom of heaven. They wanted rescue from the Romans, but they didn't want repentance. They wanted a savior, but not one who would rule over their hearts.
C.S. Lewis wisely observed, "I didn't go to religion to make me happy. A bottle of booze would do that. But if you want a religion to make you really comfortable, I certainly don't recommend Christianity."
Charles Spurgeon put it bluntly: "The reason why men do not come to Christ is not because they cannot, but because they will not."
We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying. We want the benefits of Christianity without the transformation. We want enough of God to get us into heaven, like a "get out of jail free" card, but we don't want Him changing how we live our lives.

What They Really Needed: Salvation
The people wanted to be rescued externally—from Rome, from taxation, from religious oppression. What they really needed was for Jesus to fix them internally.
When the angel told Mary she was with child, he said Jesus would "save his people from their sin." John the Baptist proclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world." Jesus Himself said He came "to seek and to save that which was lost."
It wasn't empty stomachs or earthly thrones that Jesus came for. He came to save souls—every person who would trust in Him.
People changed their tune about Jesus not because they didn't like Him, but because He didn't meet their expectations. He came preaching truth, transformation, and a kingdom not of this world.

The Lifeboat We Refuse to Board
On April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and began to sink. Despite the danger, many passengers refused to get into the lifeboats. They had been sitting at fancy tables, eating gourmet meals, drinking champagne. The Titanic was declared unsinkable—even God couldn't sink it, they boasted.
When crew members lowered the lifeboats, some passengers looked at those small, rickety boats and said, "I'm not getting in that." They were expecting comfort and luxury. What they needed was rescue.
Tragically, many waited too long. They missed their chance to be saved. The very thing that could save them was the very thing they were hesitant to step into.
Don't let that be your story.

What Do You Expect from Jesus?
The reality is that Jesus is not who we expect Him to be—He's so much more. He didn't come to pad our pockets or advance our careers. He didn't come to make our lives comfortable or give us everything we want.
He came to save us from our sin. He came to transform our sin-cursed hearts. He came to wash us clean, to write our names in heaven, to give us eternal life.
And here's the beautiful truth: if you give Him your heart, He'll give you the desires of your heart as well. Not necessarily everything you want, but everything you truly need. He'll meet your needs. He'll bless you beyond measure. He'll be faithful in ways you cannot imagine.
But first, He must be your Savior.
The crowd on Palm Sunday expected a king who would fix their political problems and perform miracles on demand. What they needed—what we all need—is a Savior who can rescue us from sin and death.
Jesus rode that donkey into Jerusalem knowing exactly where He was headed: to a cross. Within days, they would pierce His hands, mock Him, and declare Him a failure. But He came out victorious on the other side.
That same Jesus offers you salvation today. Not just better circumstances, not just temporary relief, but eternal rescue. The question is: will you receive Him as He is, or only as you expect Him to be?

SERIES: Let the Church Be the Church
SERMON 5: The Improving Church

This is the fifth sermon in our series, Let the Church Be the Church. We have already discussed the infant church, the involved church, the invested church, and the immovable church. As we look at all these attributes of the early church, sometimes we might think, “Boy, they had it all together.” And to some degree, they did—but I believe, just like us, they had room to improve, room to grow, and room to get better.
Let’s also see ourselves as a people who need to improve. I am not there yet. As Paul said, I have not apprehended.

Philippians 3:12
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

Members of this church have not arrived. And we, as a complete body, have much room for improvement. So let’s look at what the early church did—especially its leaders—in the way of improving.
From the start, let’s be clear: they were not working to improve the gospel, because it was flawless. They were not working to improve the story of Christ. But they were working to improve how they conveyed it and how they lived it.

1: THEY IMPROVED IN HANDLING CONFLICT
In the book of Acts, we find a story involving Paul and Barnabas. These were men greatly used by God. Paul, the great missionary, pastor, and leader. Barnabas, his right-hand man—a preacher and encourager, especially to the Gentiles.
Together, they traveled, planted churches, and shook the world for Christ.
But then tension arose.
The issue was a young man named John Mark. His home had once been a meeting place for believers. He traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but during that journey, he left early. And now he had a reputation as someone who quit when things got hard.
Now Barnabas wants to give him another chance—but Paul disagrees.

Acts 15:39
“And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;”
This got heated. This was real conflict.
Barnabas took Mark, and Paul went another direction. But they agreed to disagree—and they did not let the conflict cancel the mission.
Instead of one team, now there are two. Instead of less work being done, now more can be accomplished.
Sometimes we think conflict means something is wrong. But conflict, when handled correctly, can stretch people, introduce new ideas, and open new doors.
If we think other churches don’t have conflict, our vision is skewed. Churches don’t post their problems on social media.
You don’t measure a church by the absence of conflict—you measure it by how it handles it.
What could have broken Paul and Barnabas actually broadened them and allowed them to do more.

2: THEY IMPROVED BY GIVING SECOND CHANCES
As we continue with John Mark, Paul and Barnabas had good reason to be concerned.
On the first journey, things got tough—and Mark quit and went home. Paul never forgot it.

Acts 15:38
“But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”
Ministry is work. If we want to be respected in ministry, we must work the ministry. People want to ride in the parade, but nobody wants to build the float—and that should never be said of leaders in the church.
Mark wanted to be on the team—but he avoided the hard work. That’s why Paul didn’t trust him. He wasn’t ready. He wasn’t reliable.
But the gospel did for Mark what it does for all of us—it changed him.
The gospel changes us, though not always in the same way or at the same pace. But it works from the inside out and prepares us for our purpose.
God was working on Mark. And at the same time, God was working on Paul.
Listen to what Paul wrote about forgiveness:

Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Colossians 3:13
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
As Paul wrote these words, no doubt God was working on his own heart.
Paul grew. Mark grew.
And Paul went from a hard “no” to a changed heart.

2 Timothy 4:11
“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
That is a second chance at its best.
To be an improving church, we must learn to change our hearts and minds about people.
Don’t freeze people in their failures. Yes, sin must be addressed. Yes, issues must be resolved. But don’t make a permanent decision about someone based on a temporary season.

3: THEY IMPROVED IN FORGIVENESS
Now we move from conflict and second chances into forgiveness.
In the book of Philemon, we meet a man named Onesimus. He was a servant who had wronged his master, Philemon. He broke trust, ran away—perhaps even stole—and ended up crossing paths with Paul.
He heard the gospel, and he got saved. God changed his heart. He became a new man.
And then Paul did something powerful—he sent him back.
He wrote a letter to Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus for the gospel’s sake, because now they were brothers in Christ.

Philemon 1:15–16
“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”
Then Paul says:

Philemon 1:17
“If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.”
Paul is saying—if you are in fellowship with me, and I am in fellowship with him, then receive him the same way you would receive me.
In other words, don’t treat him based on what he did—treat him based on what he has become.
That is forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not pretending it didn’t happen—it is choosing to relate to people through grace rather than their failure.
The same mercy we expect is the same mercy we must extend.

CONCLUSION
This early church—and especially its leaders—improved in biblical ways.
They handled conflict. They didn’t walk away from the mission—they used conflict to do more for Christ.
They gave second chances. When we think a second chance is enough, Jesus told us to forgive seventy times seven.
They forgave—because they had been forgiven.
God did not improve the gospel—but He improved people’s understanding of it, and how they lived it out.
And if we are going to be the church…
We must keep improving too.

Something to Rejoice About
Text: Luke 15:3–7

There are some chapters in the Bible that you can return to again and again, and every time you do, they stir your heart in a fresh way. Luke 15 is one of those chapters.
If your walk with God ever feels stale…
If your devotion time ever seems to lose its edge…
If your spirit ever feels a little dry…
Go to Luke 15.
This chapter is salvation at its best. It is lost and found at its best. It is mercy, grace, compassion, and soul-winning all wrapped into one. We see the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son—each painting a powerful picture of how much God values a soul.
Over the past weeks, we’ve focused much on the sadness of being lost. But this time, the focus shifts.
Not the tragedy of being lost…
But the triumph of being found.
There are two sides to salvation: lost and found. And if you’ve been saved by the grace of God, you know which side you’d rather be on.
“I once was lost, but now am found.”
That alone gives us something to rejoice about.

Rejoicing in God’s Seeking
The story begins with a shepherd who has one hundred sheep—but one goes missing. Without hesitation, he leaves the ninety-nine and goes after the one.
That’s the heart of God.
He is the seeker. The searcher. The One who comes looking.
Have you ever stopped to consider where you would be if God had not come looking for you?
What if no one had prayed?
What if no church had cared?
What if no Christian had witnessed?
But that’s not your story.
God came looking.
Maybe it was through a faithful church.
Maybe through a praying grandmother.
Maybe through a friend who wouldn’t give up on you.
However He did it—He sought you out.
And that alone is reason to rejoice.

Rejoicing in God’s Success
The Bible says the shepherd went after the lost sheep “until he find it.”
Not if… but until.
God doesn’t quit.
People may give up. We get tired. We get discouraged. We sometimes stop trying.
But not God.
He kept calling.
He kept searching.
He kept reaching.
And one day—He found you.
Your life is evidence that God is still in the saving business. He is not failing. He is not losing. He is still successfully seeking and saving sinners.
And if you are saved today, it’s because God didn’t give up on you.

Rejoicing in God’s Strength
When the shepherd finds the sheep, he doesn’t scold it… he doesn’t drive it… he doesn’t drag it…
He carries it.
“He layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”
That sheep didn’t make its way back. It couldn’t.
It was too weak.
Too lost.
Too close to danger.
So the shepherd lifted it up and carried it home.
That’s exactly what Christ did for us.
We weren’t strong enough to find our way back.
We weren’t good enough to earn our way back.
So He did the work.
He carried us.
Salvation is not about our strength—it’s about His.
We were nothing when He found us. But by His strength, we were brought back into the fold.

Rejoicing in Heaven’s Support
When the shepherd returns home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says:
“Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”
What a picture.
First, we see a rejoicing Savior.
Then we see rejoicing neighbors—a picture of the church celebrating when someone comes home.
But it goes even further than that.
Jesus said that heaven itself rejoices over one sinner that repents.
Think about it—every time someone gets saved, heaven doesn’t stay silent.
Heaven celebrates.
There is support from above.
There is joy among the angels.
There is rejoicing in the presence of God.
You are not alone in your salvation—heaven stands in celebration with you.
And I believe that when a soul is saved, all of heaven knows it. The rejoicing is real. The celebration is great. The support is overwhelming.
That’s something to rejoice about.

A Final Word
If you are saved today, don’t lose your joy.
Remember where you were…
Remember what God did…
And rejoice in the fact that you have been found.
You are no longer lost.
No longer wandering.
No longer without hope.
You have something to rejoice about.
But if you are not saved…
There is nothing that would bring more joy—to this church or to heaven—than for you to come to Christ.
Don’t ignore the tug on your heart.
Don’t step over the prayers of those who love you.
Turn to Him.
Repent.
Believe.
Come home.
And when you do…
Heaven will rejoice.

Behold, I Come Quickly
Introduction

Over the last several services, there has been a common thread.
We’ve heard preaching from Revelation, and we’ve been studying the church in Acts.
Even before I was asked to stay in that same rhythm, God had already been stirring my heart toward this passage.
And I love how God orchestrates even the small things.
Tonight, I want us to look at the last chapter of the Bible—Revelation 22.
Revelation 22:7 says,
“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:12 says,
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Revelation 22:20 says,
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Three times in this final chapter, we hear the same phrase:
“I come quickly.”
That ought to get our attention.

1. A Call to Pay Attention
The word “behold” means to stop and pay attention.
It’s God saying—don’t miss this.
Revelation 22:7 says,
“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:12 says,
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Jesus is saying—don’t get distracted.
Don’t get comfortable.
Don’t forget—I am coming again.
This isn’t a possibility.
It is a promise.
So the question is:
Are we paying attention?
Are we spiritually awake?
If Jesus came today—would we be ready?
Not the person beside you…
not your family…
but you.
Because the greatest decision you will ever make is your relationship with Christ.

2. A Promise of His Return
This is not symbolic language.
This is a promise.
Jesus is coming again.
The same Jesus who came the first time—will return.
He came as a Savior…
and He will return as King.
And this promise should not bring fear to the believer—it should bring hope.
Because this world is broken.
There is pain.
There is loss.
There is heartbreak.
But one day, that all ends.
The promise of His coming gives us:

• Hope in suffering
• Peace in uncertainty
• Comfort in pain

Revelation 22:20 says,
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
John didn’t fear His return—he longed for it.
And if the thought of Jesus returning brings fear instead of comfort,
we need to look in the spiritual mirror.
Because if you know Him—His coming is comfort.
If you don’t—it’s a warning.

3. A Reminder of Urgency
The Bible does not say, “I come eventually.”
It says, “I come quickly.”
That word “quickly” does not just mean immediate—it means suddenly, without warning.
At an appointed time.
In a moment.
In the twinkling of an eye.
And the danger is this—
We’ve heard it so much that we’ve grown used to it.
“Jesus is coming back.”
We know it—but do we feel the urgency of it?
Because when He comes:

• There will be no second chances
• No time to prepare
• No opportunity to fix things

It will be done.
And that means urgency matters:

• In our own salvation
• In our walk with God
• In reaching others

There are people in our lives who need the gospel.
Family.
Friends.
Coworkers.
Are we living like time is short?

Conclusion
Revelation 22 ends with a powerful reminder:
“Surely I come quickly.”
Not once.
Not twice.
But over and over again.
God is saying:
Pay attention.
Be ready.
Live with urgency.
So tonight, the question is simple—
Are you ready?
If He came today—would you be ready?
And if you are ready—
What about the people around you?
Because the final chapter of the Bible doesn’t end with confusion…
It ends with an invitation.
So let’s not ignore it.
Let’s not delay.
Let’s live ready.
Behold… He is coming quickly.

The Immovable Church
Let the Church Be the Church – Week 4

Introduction
This is the fourth message in our series, Let the Church Be the Church.
Over the last three weeks, we have been looking at the early church in the book of Acts.
We have seen:

• The infant church—young, eager, and surrendered
• The involved church—faithful in prayer, community, and service
• The invested church—giving of themselves and their resources

And in each of these, we have looked at ways we can model their passion and apply it to our lives today.
Tonight, I want us to look at the immovable church.
Times have changed.
Methods have changed.
There are even things God has ordained for this time in which we live.
But I am thankful that there are still some things we can be settled in, grounded in, and sure about—while still being obedient to the Lord.
Let’s look at the immovable church.

1. The Early Church Was Unmoved by Pressure
Sometimes we think we live under pressure in the modern church.
Maybe the auditorium is 69 degrees when we prefer 70.
Maybe the ice cream shop ran out of our favorite flavor after church.
Maybe the waterslide is closed at youth camp.
But the early church lived under real pressure.
They were facing the threat of imprisonment—and even death.
The government had warned them not to preach Christ.
After Peter and John healed the lame man, they were arrested and commanded to stop preaching in Jesus’ name.
But listen to their response in Acts 4:20:
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
They said, “We cannot stop.”
I wonder—how many of us would stop if we were told not to gather?
Recent years have shown us how possible that really is.
So what made them unmoved by pressure?

A. A Personal Experience with Christ
These were not people repeating religion.
They were not going through the motions.
They had experienced Christ personally.
1 John 1:1 says,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”
They had seen Him.
They had heard Him.
They had experienced Him.
And when you truly experience Christ—you cannot help but tell it.

B. A Higher Authority
They had lived under Roman rule—under tyranny, bondage, and control.
But now, they had submitted themselves to God Almighty.
Acts 4:19 says,
“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”
Acts 5:29 says,
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
We should do all we can to submit to earthly authority.
But we must never forget—there is a higher authority.
And when we stand with Him, we can be confident—He stands with us.

2. They Were Unstopped by Persecution
This wasn’t inconvenience.
This wasn’t preference.
This was real persecution.
In the book of Acts:

• Peter and John were warned not to preach (Acts 4)
• The apostles were imprisoned (Acts 5)
• The apostles were beaten (Acts 5)
• Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7)
• James was executed and Peter imprisoned (Acts 12)
• Paul was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14)
• Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed (Acts 16)

The persecution was real.
And yet—they kept going.
So here’s the question:
What does it take for us to stop?
Bad weather?
Disagreements?
A busy schedule?
They were unstopped.

3. They Were Unshaken in Their Production
It’s one thing to be unmoved—and accomplish nothing.
To be stubborn but fruitless.
But the early church was immovable in the right things—and it produced something.
They made an impact.
They understood they were called to bear fruit.
To use what God had given them.
To give Him a return on His investment in their lives.
And because they stood firm—their influence spread.
Acts 17:6 says,
“And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”
That was meant as a criticism.
But what a compliment.
They turned the world upside down for Christ.
May it be said of us.
We can still make a difference:

• In our homes
• In our communities
• In the morals of our world
• In the priorities of people

But our impact is directly tied to our consistency.
It’s hard to follow inconsistent people.
It’s hard to follow invisible leaders.
It’s hard to follow ever-changing convictions.
Yes, the world will change.
Yes, the church must adapt in some ways.
But:
The gospel must stay the same.
The mission must stay the same.
The truth must stay the same.
And our impact should keep growing.

Conclusion
The early church faced pressure—but they didn’t move.
They endured persecution—but they didn’t stop.
They stayed grounded—and they produced fruit.
They were an immovable church.
And in a world that is constantly shifting…
in a culture that is always changing…
God is still looking for a church that will stand.
Not stubborn in preference—
but steadfast in truth.
Not rigid in tradition—
but rooted in Christ.
So the question is this—
Are we easily shaken?
Or are we firmly grounded?
Because when the church stands firm…
the world takes notice.
May it be said of us—
that we are still standing,
still serving,
still speaking,
and still making a difference.
Let the church be the church.

The Invested Church
Let the Church Be the Church – Week 3

Introduction
In this series, Let the Church Be the Church, we’ve been walking through the early church in the book of Acts.
In week one, we saw the infant church—young, inexperienced, yet eager and surrendered.
Last week, we looked at the involved church—a people committed to prayer, community, and faithfulness.
But tonight, I want us to see something deeper.
The early church was more than just attenders…
They were an invested church.
Anytime the subject of giving comes up in church, people often get quiet.
They think, “Oh no… here comes the money sermon.”
Some assume pastors are lining their pockets or trying to take advantage of people.
And I believe part of the problem is this:

“Giving is often talked about as a duty rather than a joyful thing. Giving can be viewed as a bill from the church rather than worship unto God.”

But when we look at the book of Acts, we see something completely different.
We see a church that wasn’t pressured… they were passionate.
They weren’t manipulated… they were transformed.
They gave—not just their time, not just their prayers—but their resources.
Why?
Because their hearts had been changed by the gospel.

1. Giving Reflects the Heart of God
To truly understand giving, we have to begin with God Himself.
God is—and always has been—a giver.
The Bible says in 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.”
He gave first.
He gave freely.
He gave without asking anything from us beforehand.
James 1:17 reminds us,
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
So when we give, we’re not losing something.
We’re not subtracting from our lives.
We are reflecting the very character of God our Father.
Giving is not about obligation—it is about imitation.

2. The Early Church Was Invested
When we read the book of Acts, we’re not just reading about church attendance.
We’re reading about transformed lives.
This isn’t just a group of people who kind of got it.
This is the Acts of the Apostles.
A disciple is a student.
But an apostle is one who had seen the risen Christ.
Acts 1:21–22 says,
“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
These were eyewitnesses to the resurrection.
And that encounter changed everything.
They moved from:

• Law to grace
• Religion to relationship
• Selfishness to generosity

Acts 4:32 says,
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”
They stopped saying, “This is mine and that is yours,”
and started living like, “Look what God has trusted us with.”
Their mindset shifted to:
“How can we come together and do more for Christ?”
Now, God is not calling us to sell everything and move into a compound.
But the principle is clear:
If we all give, and we all serve,
we can push the gospel further together than we ever could alone.
So the question is:
What has God trusted you with?
Are you keeping it… or investing it?

3. Giving Frees Us from Materialism
Jesus said in Matthew 6:21,
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
In other words—your heart follows your money.
What you invest in is what you will care about the most.
Money has a way of gripping us.
It promises:

• Security
• Control
• Comfort

But those promises are empty.
Giving breaks that grip.
When we give, we stop trusting in our money
and start trusting in the faithfulness of God.
Someone once said:
"A closed fist cannot receive anything new."
Money is necessary for living.
But if it controls how we live, we are using it wrong.
And remember what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10,
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Giving loosens its hold on our hearts.

Conclusion
The early church wasn’t just present—they were invested.
Their giving wasn’t forced, it wasn’t pressured, and it wasn’t mechanical…
it was a reflection of hearts that had been changed by the gospel.
When you truly understand what God has given to you,
giving back to Him stops feeling like an obligation
and starts becoming an act of worship.
So the question tonight is simple—
What has God trusted you with, and what are you doing with it?
Because when the church is invested…
the gospel moves forward,
lives are changed,
and God is glorified.
Let the church be the church.

LOST AND FOUND
Luke 15:8–10

Luke chapter 15 records three of the most well-known parables Jesus ever told: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Some say these are three separate stories. Others say it is one story told from three different angles. Either way, the message is unmistakable—God cares deeply about the lost.
In a recent message, I preached from the third parable about the prodigal son. One phrase stood out to me in that passage: “and kissed him.” When the son came home, the father did not lecture him. He did not shame him. He simply embraced him and kissed him. That kiss said more than words ever could.
Today I want to step back a few verses and focus on the second parable in the chapter—the parable of the lost coin.
Jesus said:

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
(Luke 15:8–10)

This simple story reveals powerful truths about the condition of the lost and the heart of God toward them.

THE LOSTNESS OF THE COIN
The Bible says the woman “swept the house.” That tells us something about the environment where the coin was lost. In Bible times, homes often had dirt floors. The ground was sandy soil that people would sweep regularly.
Things would fall into that dirt—dust, debris, spilled food, and scraps from daily life. In many ways, the dirt acted like a place where everything unwanted was pushed aside and covered over.
Jesus’ description is intentional. It reminds us that living in a lost condition is like living in a dirty place spiritually.
Now let me be clear: I am not saying a lost person is worthless. But living apart from Christ is a dark and dirty place for the soul. Sin blinds us and separates us from God.
Sometimes people try to explain why someone is lost. They put labels on people’s lives and circumstances.
But the truth is simple: lost is lost.
In these three parables we see different reasons for lostness:

• The sheep was lost through wandering.
• The son was lost through willful rebellion.
• The coin was lost through neglect.

But regardless of the reason, the condition was the same—they were lost and needed to be found.

THE COIN DID NOT KNOW IT WAS LOST
The second truth we see is that the coin was ignorant of being lost.
The coin never cried out. It never called for help. It simply lay there in the dirt, unaware of its condition.
That picture reflects the spiritual reality of many people today.
The Bible says we are “dead in trespasses and sins.” A spiritually dead person does not recognize spiritual truth. They cannot fully understand their own lost condition.
Jeremiah wrote:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
(Jeremiah 17:9)

And Revelation describes people who think they are fine but are actually spiritually destitute:

“Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing… and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
(Revelation 3:17)

That is the danger of being lost.
But an even greater danger is being lost and not knowing it.

THE COIN WAS LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
The third truth in the story is this: the coin was lost, but it was not forgotten.
The woman had ten coins. When she realized one was missing, she did not shrug her shoulders and move on. She lit a candle. She swept the house. She searched diligently until she found it.
Why?
Because that one coin mattered.
The entire chapter of Luke 15 is not really about sheep, coins, or sons. It is about souls.
Every lost person matters to God.
The shepherd left ninety-nine sheep to find one.
The woman swept the house to find one coin.
The father waited and watched for one son to return home.
God wants us to see the worth of a single soul.
The song says it well: He thought I was worth saving.
And that is exactly the message Jesus was giving in these parables.

THE COIN WAS CLAIMED
Finally, we see that the coin was claimed when it was found.
Verse 9 says:

“When she hath found it…”

She did not merely notice it—she claimed it. She picked it up and restored it to its place.
The same thing happens when Christ saves a sinner.
Colossians reminds us:

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
(Colossians 1:13)

And Peter wrote:

“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God.”
(1 Peter 2:10)

When Jesus finds a lost soul, He does more than forgive them. He brings them into His family.
We were once outside of mercy—but now we live under grace.
The Joy of Being Found
The woman in the story did something interesting when she found the coin. She called her friends and neighbors and said:
“Rejoice with me.”
Jesus said heaven does the same thing.
When one sinner repents, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God.
Imagine that. Heaven celebrates when someone comes to Christ.
And that leads to an important question.
Are you lost or found?
I remember the day my life changed forever. On March 24, 1991, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart in a church service. In a moment—faster than a blink of an eye—I went from being lost to being found because I trusted Christ as my Savior.
Do you have that testimony?
Can you say with confidence that you have been found?
If not, you do not have to remain lost. The same Savior who told this story is still seeking souls today. He still lights the candle, sweeps the house, and searches diligently.
And when He finds a sinner who turns to Him, heaven rejoices.
Why stay lost when you can be found?

The Last Cry
Text: Book of Revelation 21:4 
GREG LAYFIELD

“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.”

Life begins with a cry.
The first sound most of us ever made was the cry of a newborn entering a broken world. From that moment forward, tears become a familiar part of the human story. Children cry when they are hurt. Parents cry when they are burdened. Hearts cry when they are broken.
From the cradle to the grave, tears mark the human experience.
But the Bible gives us a promise that stretches beyond this life. In Book of Revelation 21:4, the Apostle John the Apostle records a vision of eternity where God Himself brings the crying to an end.
One day, for the child of God, there will be a last cry.

The Reason for the Cry
We live in a world where tears are common because sin has touched every corner of human life. The Bible shows us several reasons why people cry.

First, there is the cry of loss.
Death separates families, empties homes, and leaves chairs at the table unfilled. Scripture reminds us in First Epistle to the Corinthians 15:26 that “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Every funeral we attend is a reminder that this world is not as God originally designed it.

Then there is the cry of pain.
Pain comes in many forms. Sometimes it is physical suffering in the body. Other times it is emotional distress in the heart. Many carry burdens that no one else can see. The Bible says in Epistle to the Romans 8:22 that the whole creation groans under the weight of a fallen world.
But thank God—pain has an expiration date.

There is also the cry of regret.
In eternity, those who rejected God’s offer of salvation will face the sorrow of realizing what they turned away from. Book of Revelation 20:15 speaks of those whose names are not found written in the Book of Life. That is a sobering truth and a reminder of why the gospel matters today.

The Hand That Stops the Cry
But the promise of Book of Revelation 21:4 is not only about the end of tears—it is about who ends them.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Notice who does it.
Not an angel.
Not a loved one.
Not time.
God Himself.
The Creator who formed us, the Savior who redeemed us, and the Shepherd who carried us through life will personally wipe away every tear.
And when He does, four things disappear forever:

• Death will be gone.
• Sorrow will vanish.
• Crying will cease.
• Pain will end.

The verse concludes with this beautiful phrase: “for the former things are passed away.”
Everything that once caused heartbreak will belong to the past.
A Future Without Tears
Think about what that means.
One day there will be:

• The last funeral ever held.
• The last hospital waiting room.
• The last sleepless night.
• The last tear that ever falls down the face of a child of God.

John the Apostle saw a future where sorrow has an ending.
And the Bible does not say we will wipe our own tears away.
It says God Himself will wipe them away.
No more graves to visit.
No more pain in the body.
No more broken hearts.
No more midnight cries.
The things that broke us in this life will become former things—gone forever.
The Hope Behind the Promise
But this promise is only possible because of what Jesus Christ has done.
The gospel reminds us in Gospel of 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.”

And Epistle to the Romans 5:8 declares:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Because of that love, anyone who comes to Christ can be forgiven, redeemed, and given eternal life.
That is why the invitation of the gospel matters today.
One Day the Cry Will End
One day the last tear will fall.
And when it does, the hand of God will wipe it away.
And after that moment, God’s children will never cry again.

When Will Christ Come Again?

Over the last couple of weeks there has been significant unrest in the Middle East. Conflict between Iran and Israel once again reminds us how fragile peace in that region really is. It seems like every time a treaty is made, sooner or later someone breaks it.
Many Americans instinctively say, “I stand with Israel,” and certainly Israel has faced many enemies throughout history. But the truth is that region has always been a place of tension, conflict, and broken agreements.
While we may not know every detail about current attacks or military responses, one thing is clear: the Jewish people, their allies, and their enemies remain at the center of world attention.
For students of the Bible, that should not surprise us.
The Word of God teaches that the end-time events of history will revolve around the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem. The Temple Mount will play a role in the last days. The final battles of this age will occur in that region. And according to Scripture, the thousand-year reign of Christ will be centered in Jerusalem.
The Bible teaches that one day Jesus Christ will return.
Not at the rapture—but at His Second Coming—He will stand upon the Mount of Olives and establish His kingdom on earth.
Before that happens, we believe the rapture of the church will occur. In that moment, believers will be caught up to meet the Lord, and the church will be removed from the earth. Seven years later, Christ will return in glory and power.
To some people that may sound strange. To others it may sound like a fairy tale.
But to those who believe the Bible, it is the blessed hope.
Whenever we see turmoil in the Middle East, it reminds us that the stage of history is always moving toward the fulfillment of God’s Word. Now, I’m not a doomsday preacher. Just because there is a war does not necessarily mean this is the final war.
But it could be.
And every believer ought to live with the awareness that Christ could come at any moment.
Luke 21:28 says:

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

When we see the events of our world unfolding, Jesus said we should look up.
Not panic.
Not despair.
But look up.
Because our redemption may be nearer than we think.
The Question of the Ages
For centuries people have asked the same question:
When will Christ come again?
The disciples themselves asked this question.
In Acts 1:6 they said:

“Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”

In Luke 21:7 they asked:

“Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?”

In Matthew 24:3 they asked:

“What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

And in Mark 13:4 they asked again:

“Tell us, when shall these things be?”

The disciples believed Jesus might return in their lifetime.
Paul thought it might happen in his day.
Peter believed it was near.
So are we foolish to think Christ could come in our lifetime?
Not at all.
In fact, believers in every generation have looked toward the eastern sky with expectation.
History is filled with people who tried to predict the exact date of Christ’s return:

• In the year 999 A.D., crowds packed into St. Peter’s Basilica believing Christ would return when the calendar turned to 1000.
• In 1528, a German self-proclaimed prophet said the world would end that year.
• A respected Bible teacher once predicted Armageddon before 1933.
• In 1988, a minister wrote a book claiming Jesus would return that year.
• Even Joseph Smith predicted the Second Coming by 1891.

Every one of those predictions was wrong.
Why?
Because Jesus Himself said:

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man.” (Matthew 24:36)

If anyone claims to know the exact date of Christ’s return, you should run the other direction.
But while no one knows the day, the Bible makes something else very clear:
Jesus will return.

His Imminent Return
The return of Christ is what theologians call imminent.
That word simply means it could happen at any moment.
If you say you’re meeting someone for lunch at 12:30, that is a scheduled appointment.
But if you say, “We’ll meet sometime today,” that is imminent. There is no set time, but it will happen.
That is how the Bible describes Christ’s return.
He is coming.
But we do not know when.

1. No One Knows the Time
Jesus said plainly:

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man.” (Matthew 24:36)

People may speculate about moons, wars, or world events, but ultimately the Father alone knows the moment.

2. We Are Commanded to Watch
Mark 13:35–37 says:

“Watch ye therefore… lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.”

Watching does not mean sitting around doing nothing.
Watching means preparing.
If you were expecting a loved one to come home, you would clean the house, prepare a meal, and make everything ready.
You would be watching—but you would also be working.
That is how believers should live while waiting for Christ.

3. It Will Be Sudden
Many people believe they will have time to get ready when the rapture happens.
But Scripture says it will happen:

• “In the twinkling of an eye”
• “As a thief in the night”

Just like a sudden power outage or an unexpected alarm, the moment will arrive without warning.
And when it happens, it will be too late to prepare.
Signs to Consider
While we cannot know the exact time, Jesus did say there would be
Signs Pointing Toward His Return.

1. The Gospel Reaching the World
Matthew 24:14 says:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

For centuries missionaries struggled to translate the Bible into new languages.
Today, because of technology, the internet, and even AI, Scripture is available in thousands of languages. The gospel can reach places that missionaries once could not enter.
What seemed impossible 100 years ago is now happening rapidly.

2. The Increase of Knowledge
Daniel 12:4 says:

“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

Think about how true that is today.
People travel across the country in a single day. Business is conducted through video calls. The information in your phone today is greater than what entire libraries once held.
Knowledge has exploded.

3. Israel Back in Their Land
One of the most remarkable fulfillments of prophecy occurred in 1948.
Ezekiel prophesied that the Jewish people would one day be gathered back into their land.
For nearly 1900 years they were scattered across the world.
But on May 14, 1948, the modern nation of Israel was reborn.
A prophecy written about 2,500 years earlier came to pass.
Today Israel stands again in the land God promised them.

What Should We Do?
So what should we do with all of this?
We cannot stop Christ from returning.
We cannot speed it up.
But there will be a moment when the Father will say to the Son:
“Go get your bride.”
And in that instant the trumpet will sound, the church will be caught up, and history will change forever.
Prophecy is not meant simply to inform our minds.
It is meant to convict our hearts.
Every person must answer one question:
Are you ready to meet the Lord?
This is not about becoming a Baptist.
It is not about joining a church.
It is not about giving money or singing in the choir.
It is about your soul.
Have you trusted Christ as your Savior?
Have you confessed your sin and received His forgiveness?
Jesus said when we see these things begin to happen:
“Look up.”
For the believer, that is a message of hope.
But for the person who is not ready, looking up may simply mean watching the church leave.
Friend, Christ could come today.
And the most important question you will ever answer is this:
Are you ready?

One Thing Thou Lackest
Text: Mark 10:17–27

Today is the first Sunday in March. In just about a month, we will celebrate Palm Sunday — the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Later that week He would go to the cross, then to the tomb, and three days later He would rise again in victory.

All of that is on the horizon.

So today, I want us to step back about a month before the cross and look at a powerful encounter Jesus had along the road. It is the story of the rich young ruler. This story is so important that it is recorded in three of the four Gospels — here in Mark 10, as well as in Matthew 19 and Luke 18.

It is the story of a salvation that never happened.

Most everyone who came in contact with Christ followed Him. Most who heard Him obeyed Him. Most who desired something from Him received it.

But not this man.

Why?

Jesus said, “One thing thou lackest.”

Let’s look at what was missing.

I. He Truly Was Seeking

Mark 10:17
“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Let’s not criticize this young man. He was seeking something. He ran. He kneeled. He asked about eternal things.

He had likely heard Jesus speak of eternal life. Perhaps as a ruler he had crossed paths with Nicodemus, another ruler, who once came to Jesus by night.

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.”

This young man needed it. He wanted it. He came in a hurry to try to get it.

But notice his question:
“What shall I do?”

He lived in a world of doing. He was a mover and a shaker. A buyer. A fixer. A man used to achieving outcomes. So he assumed eternal life must be achieved the same way.

Let me remind us all:

Ephesians 2:8–9
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Salvation cannot be earned. It cannot be bought. It comes at the cost of surrendering to Christ.

He was truly seeking something.

II. He Was a Perfect Candidate

Mark 10:19–20
“Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”

This was a good man.

He was moral. Upstanding. Disciplined. Religious.

If anyone looked like a candidate for heaven, it was him.

But something was missing.

Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”

We cannot live so clean that we do not need a Savior.

Even if we could keep all the commandments, we would still be lost apart from Christ.

James 2:10
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Living a good life is not the same as living a godly life.
Living a moral life is not the same as surrendering your life to Christ.

He was the perfect candidate — but he still lacked one thing.

III. The Truth in Love

Mark 10:21
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest…”

Jesus could have said, “You’re doing great. I think you’ll be fine.”
But real love tells the truth.

The Bible says Jesus loved him.

He did not want him to live and die moral.
He did not want him to live and die religious.

He wanted him saved.

I’m glad we have a God who loves us enough to confront us about our sin.

If we truly love people, we will speak the truth in love. Love does not flatter someone into hell. Love tells them what they need to hear.

And what was the truth?

“One thing thou lackest.”

IV. Surrender Was Necessary

Mark 10:21–22
“...Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”

Was Jesus saying he could buy salvation?
Was Jesus saying he could earn it by good works?

No.

The issue was not his money — it was his master.

His possessions possessed him.

Jesus still said, “Come… take up the cross… and follow me.” The question was whether he was willing to surrender.

Jesus did the same with others.

To Peter, a fisherman settled into routine:

Matthew 4:19–20
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”

To Matthew, the tax collector, living in profit and corruption:

Luke 5:28
“And he left all, rose up, and followed him.”

To Paul, the religious zealot climbing the ladder of influence:

Philippians 3:8
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

To Peter, it was surrendering his routine.
To Matthew, it was surrendering his dirty money.
To Paul, it was surrendering his religion.

To this rich young ruler, it was surrendering his wealth as his god.

There are people today who know they need Christ. They have questions. They don’t want to miss eternal life. But there is a part of them they refuse to surrender.

Maybe it’s an addiction.
Maybe it’s a relationship.
Maybe it’s pride.
Maybe it’s religion.

And we often have the same struggle as Christians.

We want a Savior — but not a Lord.
We want eternal life with Christ — but not an earthly life for Christ.

Let me say it clearly:

We want a Savior, but not the Lord.
We want eternal life with Christ, but not an earthly life for Christ.

Jesus closed with this:

Mark 10:27
“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

Salvation is impossible with men. It is not earned. It is not achieved.

But it is possible through surrender to Christ.

I’m glad Jesus does not require every one of us to sell everything we own. But there must be a surrender of the will if we are to possess eternal life.

Many will seek it.

But to some He still says:

“One thing thou lackest.”