SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – GENTLENESS.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. - Philippians 4:5.

Extravagant over-reaction! That's what we're programmed to seek, and to display, in our modern world of sound bytes and over-hyped personality.

But gentleness, that moderating grace in the midst of chaos and conflict, is so vital to bring the peace of God to conflict-laden churches, families, and relationships. How can we be gentle, how can we restrain from over-reacting to the wounds, offenses, and slights that come our way?

The Lord is near! He is our vindication. He is our example. He is our comfort. He is our hope. He is our strength. He is near. We are not alone and our destiny, reputation, and value are not up to us to establish or to defend.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to be gentle at all times, that my witness of you may be evident to all. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – SHARING OUR FAITH.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. - 1 Peter 3:15-16.

How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to faith?

First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as Lord. Second, we prepare a presentation of faith that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others.

Of course we would never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don't live a life of faith that makes an impact on those around us.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to use my influence, and the quality of my life to bring others to Jesus. Grant me wisdom as I seek to bring the following friends to Christ: (Name them personally!) May my words and actions lead them closer to you, and show them my respect and love. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – REAL REFORM!

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. - Jeremiah 7:3.

We often take for granted what we have, where we live, the friends who bless our lives, and the family that gives us a place to belong and grow.

All of these are all gifts to us from God. We don't deserve them. We don't earn them. But, we can surely destroy them. God wants us to live obediently, not just to please him, but also to protect ourselves and those we love.

So let's reform our actions and live for him and not for ourselves.

Loving Heavenly Father, forgive me if I have taken my gifts for granted. Thank you for your love and forgiveness, and for all the gifts you have bestowed upon me. By the power of the Holy Spirit, empower me, as I seek to turn my life around to live passionately for you, and your glory. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – THE COST OF PEACE.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, - Romans 5:1.

The cost of peace is always high.

Our peace was purchased by Jesus' enormous sacrifice. God made sure the price for our rebellion was paid, but he didn't make us pay it because we could never have fulfilled our obligation.

Instead, God paid it himself in Jesus.

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for making peace, and bringing me back to you, at great cost to you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for willingly surrendering yourself to the horrible cruelty of theCross. Thank you that I'm not treated as your enemy because of my sin, but as a lost sheep that needs to be found. Thank you for adopting me as your beloved child. In the mighty name of Jesus I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – GOD’S GENEROSITY, GRACE, AND LOVE.

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. - Deuteronomy 8:17-18.

What do we have that wasn't given to us, either by God's generous grace, unexpected blessing, disciplining hardship, providential opportunity, or good health?

And when we stand before the throne of judgment, what will our claim to grace be? Our claimon grace is based only God's generous and loving gifts that have made us pure, holy, and whole! Nothing we possess, accomplish, or buy can give us such a claim.

Only God's generosity, grace, and love can bring heaven's greatest gifts to us.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for your wonderful and extravagant blessings. All that I have, all that I am, and all that I ever hope to be, exists only because of the mercy or grace you have lavished upon me. I thank you again, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!

Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. - Proverbs 3:31-32.

While many are seeking a cure for the rampaging violence that destroys lives, threatens schools, and makes our streets unsafe, why has no one bothered to remind us what God's wise servant taught us centuries ago?

Let's not let any person, real or fictional, be our hero if his or her fame is built on violence. The son of Israel's most famous warrior understood this better than anyone.

Surely the Son of the Most Powerful on High said it best: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Loving Heavenly Father, save us from the violence of our culture, and the worship of violence that pervades our land. Please give us heroes who are true peacemakers. In addition, by the power of the Holy Spirit, please give us eyes to see them, and the courage to honor them. In ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – LIVING WITH URGENCY!

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15.

Living with urgency doesn't mean living irresponsibly.

It means living with a holy abandon to honour God, and with a holy passion to make each moment count for righteousness.

That means we must be deliberate about our choices, taking care that we use our opportunities wisely as we live a life of character different from the world around us, because we are committed to Jesus.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, fill me with wisdom, that I may honour you with my choices, and use of time today and everyday. Protect me from the deceptive influences of the evil one, and grant me a holy and productive use, of the time you bless me with each day. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – DEMONSTRATE FOR GOD!

In their arrogance the wicked hunt down the weak, catching them in the schemes they devise. - Psalm 10:2.

God absolutely hates violence, intimidation, or any means used for the powerful to control, manipulate, or harass those who are weaker.

He loathes wickedness, which is based upon the strong and the mighty, plundering on the weak and powerless.

We should, by our actions and resources, demonstrate both to the weak and the powerless that there is a God of love.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, give me a heart that despises the abuse of power, and the misuse of wealth. Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus to save me when I was powerless to bring about my own salvation. My desire is to have a heart like Jesus, when I see others being taken advantage of. In the wonderful and mighty name Jesus, I ask this. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE!

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:17-19.

Love that surpasses knowledge.

That's very difficult to explain, but when you have loved your spouse for decades you experience what this means. When you love a child, and do what you never dreamed you could do for another human being, you understand this phrase.

And when you stand before God, adopted as a full heir of all His great riches, a full sibling to Jesus Christ the Lord, and know you are seen as holy without reproach, and blameless, you begin to understand this phrase.

Loving Heavenly Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to know in my soul the lovethat is greater than words and knowledge, so that I may not only be like you, but that I may know you in experience, just as I know you in faith. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – THE REAL DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. - 1 John 4:10.

Love is demonstrated, not just said.

Love goes ahead sharing itself instead of waiting until things are easy or safe. Love redeems when all hope seems lost.

Love is not only what God is, but it is also what he does and what he gives.

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me so extravagantly. By the power of the Holy Spirit help me to see the opportunities to love others whom you place in my path everyday. Use me to demonstrate your love to someone today and each day that follows. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – A PASSION FOR GRACE TOWARDS OTHERS!

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. - Matthew 7:2.

Jesus is concerned that we not have a critical spirit toward others, especially about their motives as to why they did something.

We can't assume to know another person's heart; only God can. When we are unfairly critical, overly harsh, or unduly judgmental, we need to remember that God will use that same standard on us. I don't know about you, but I need grace. So do those I love.

I'm going to try very hard to be as gracious toward others, as I'm trusting that God, is going to be gracious with me.

Loving Heavenly Father, forgive me, for the times that I've been far more critical of others than I should be. Arouse within me a passion to be gracious toward others so that they can see your graciousness shining through me. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – A NEW WAY TO SERVE GOD!

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. - Romans 7:6.

We are free from Law! Does that mean anarchy and lawlessness? Absolutely not!

No, because the grace that freed us also brought God's Holy Spirit to live within. He can empower us to do what we could not do on our own. He can help us in our weakness to praywith confidence and boldness to the Father. With His help, we are brought into a circle of responsible people, tied by the grace of God, and the Spirit of Christ.

Thank God for the “new way!”

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming and delivering me from the requirements of law, and placing your Holy Spirit in my heart to help me be more than I could ever be, trying to obey the Law. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus, I praise you. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – RICH THE WISE WAY!

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. - 1Timothy 6:9.

This is not a message for folks who are financially rich.

No, this is for all of us who want to have that wealth. Craving it, coveting it, and going in pursuit of earthly wealth expose us to grave danger.

Let's be reminded of the words Jesus: Seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for your many blessings. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to be satisfied, and generous with the blessings you have already given to me. Help me to keep my focus on you and your Son! In the wonderful and mighty name of your Son and my Saviour, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – JESUS RISEN AND EXHALTED!

The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. - Acts 5:30.

Peter is making clear that his faith in Jesus didn't just begin with Jesus, it began with the Patriarchs, the great Jewish fathers.

The God who blessed them also raised Jesus from the dead, even though Jesus had been executed in the most atrocious and humiliating way possible for a faithful Jew. He was nailed to a cross, wholly illegal, and a sign of being cursed under Jewish Law.

Praise God! He raised Jesus from the dead, exalted Him, and made him our Saviour and our Lord.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you for showing your power over evil, sin, hate, jealousy, and death. And I thank you that Jesus was raised from the dead and exhalted. In the wonderful name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, I offer my praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Be encouraged.

GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – AMAZEMENT AND AWE!

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” - Luke 5:26.

Jesus forgave a man who was lame, and then showed He had authority to forgive, by healing him.

As exciting and important as this healing was, the most important thing was the response of those who witnessed it; they praised God out of a sense of amazed awe. They recognised that Jesus had come to minister as God's very presence.

When we understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us, and will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today; we offer our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.

Loving Heavenly Father, I venerate your name, and thank you for your grace which you so lavishly poured out on me through your Son and my Saviour, Jesus, in whose wonderful name I offer this praise. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – DISCIPLESHIP VALUES.

Everyone will hate you because of me, but those who stand firm to the end will be saved. - Matthew 10:22.

Jesus' words are very strong! His emphasis is for a reason. Christians need to realise that they are not going to be the dominant culture. Discipleship can be hard and demanding; most folks want things simple and easy.

The values that disciples are called to put into place in their lives are not going to be the dominant cultural ones. "So be ready!" Jesus is telling us. "Be ready to face criticism and rejection." But while we know it may be an uphill battle to change the hearts of men and women, we can be God's tool to bless others and to lead them closer to him!

And for us, salvation in all its glory awaits us at the end of the journey.

Loving Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have grown impatient with the world around and started seeing it as the enemy rather than as the target of your grace. By the power of the Holy Spirit, give me the wisdom and the courage to balance my understanding of the world, with your passion to redeem it. In the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – STAND UP FOR JESUS!

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! - Acts 5:29.

Against a stern warning from the ruling council in Jerusalem, called the Sanhedrin, Peter and the apostles proclaimed Jesus as Lord.

They knew that Jesus had triumphed over the attempts of his enemies to extinguish Him and His ministry. The apostles blatantly disobeyed the orders of the very same people who had Jesus crucified. By any standard, that is faithful courage.

How are you doing in the "standing up for Jesus" battle?

Loving Heavenly Father, empower me by your Holy Spirit to be bold. With His help, I do not want to ever back down from my convictions, nor ever renounce my faith in Jesus, in whose wonderful and mighty name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – RUN TO JESUS!

Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. - Psalm 7:1.

Who or what is pursuing you?

Is it a past mistake? Is it an old enemy? Is it your conscience? Is it a nagging sense of guilt? Is it someone who wants to do you physical harm? Is it a physical illness? In the middle of all the storms and struggles of life, where do you go to find peace and security?

There is only One who can be a true and lasting refuge. Just One!

Loving Heavenly Father, you are my refuge and source of strength when my courage is gone and my soul is weary. Lord, destroy all the forces and powers and enemies that pursue me, that seek to take me captive and draw me away from you. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – PURE LOVE!

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8.

God didn't wait till we were “good enough” to bring us His Salvation. Instead, He came when we were most lost, and needed His grace the most.

But then, that's what love really means by God's definition… For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16.

It's more than something declared or felt, it's something radically demonstrated.

Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you, for demonstrating your love in such powerful, radical, and sacrificial way. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to share this love, with those who don’t know you yet. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY

SUNDAY SERMON ON THE BLOG – PURE RELIGION!

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. - Psalm 68:4-5.

Every time I read the above scripture, I can't help but think of what James, the brother of Jesus said: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27.

The principles which James specifies are:

(1) That pure religion will lead to a life of practical kindness;
(2) That it will keep us unpolluted from the world.

If these things are found, they show that there is true Godliness. If they are not, there is none.

Without a doubt, Jesus showed clearly, that this was the Father's heart in His ministry. Now it is up to us to continue it!

Loving Heavenly Father, may my life, my compassion, and my ministry reflect your heart for those who need care and protection and love. By the power of the Holy Spirit, give me eyes to see this need more clearly, and a heart to respond more positively, so that your love may be demonstrated through me. I ask this in the wonderful and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged.
GBYAY