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1 Corinthians 16:22 It has become commonplace for many Christians to use the following expression when they are discussing their lives and their service to the Lord: “God understands.” You have most likely heard this and may have said it yourself. So we don’t misunderstand, let’s understand how this saying is often used. This expression is not an affirmation that God has divine omniscience, nor is it an assertion that God knows the individual inside and out. It isn’t even being used as an affirmation that God knows what’s happening in my life. This is being offered as an excuse for not doing what God has called His people to be and to do. Some time ago, a member shared with me why they had failed to attend the assembly for months. The reason was that they must work every Sunday to make ends meet. Thus, he could not attend any assembly nor associate with the church at any time because of this “hand to mouth” existence. But, you see, “God understands.” In other words, God sees this person’s terrible plight and gives him a pass on any opportunity for coming to worship, Bible study, etc., since his life is just one continuous slavish grind to eke out a living. “God understands” that my schedule is so packed that I have no time to make a visit to someone. “God understands” that my spouse frowns on my coming to the assembly, that somebody thirty years ago in the church hurt my feelings, that Sunday morning is a special family time for us, that Sunday is the only day of the week I have to “rest up”, that I am just not as spiritual as some other folks. Here is what God understands - that His beloved Son was plotted against, railroaded, lied about, cruelly treated, betrayed, mocked, made to wear a crown of thorns, slapped, scourged, crucified, and eyed with defiance as He died. He endured all of this to save every last one of us. God also understands this: “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed...”

Matthew 12:9-16; Luke 6:6-11 It was another disingenuous question from hard and disbelieving hearts. It wasn’t the first one, and it wouldn’t be the last. “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” The sacred Sabbath. The commandment was: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy...in it you shall not do any work...” But over the years the Jews had devised numerous other “laws” to specify the limits of Sabbath work, and then used them as a way to define who was truly holy in an effort to control the people. Obviously, Jesus did not agree with their views on the Sabbath. His question cuts right to the heart of the whole matter: “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?” In asking this question He removes healing from the “work” category and places it into the “good” category. Could these nay-sayers and “aginners” possibly disagree with doing a good and helpful deed on the Sabbath? Well, hearts mired in the mudhole of tradition and man-made rules can rarely clear away the muck to see the reality in a situation. So they all just waited to see what Jesus would do “that they might find reason to accuse Him.” Jesus readily accommodated them, not just to rile them (like poking a stick at a sleeping bear), but to show them the truth, and to let them know that Someone was here that would no longer stand for their self-made, restrictive and misguided rules. “Stretch out your hand!” He says to the man who had the withered right hand. And this curled up, shrunken, pale hand is extended out from under a cloak - an ugly sight and a witness to so much that was wrong in the world. But then, right in plain view of everyone, the hand changed and was made complete like the other! Incredible! A true miracle! Fantastic!! What a Lord! What a God!! Thank you, Jesus, for being our Savior. But the others went out to conspire how to destroy Him. This, too, is incredible.

2 Chronicles 25:5-13 Not one of us likes to make a bad decision and “mess up.” We usually try to do things well, think things through, and make informed choices. This is especially true when it comes to decisions involving money. But as careful as we might be, there are still times when our decision just doesn’t pan out. Those tires didn’t get the mileage you thought they would. That wash machine broke down after just three years. You find out you could have purchased the same lawn mower for $75 less at a different store. And so it goes. Now, we certainly aren’t advocating that we can be careless with money. Good stewardship is characterized by thoughtful giving and wise budgeting. But in a broken world (which includes ourselves), it doesn’t always work out. Amaziah, king of Judah, found that out the hard way. Amaziah was going to war with Edom, so he mustered his own troops. Evidently he didn’t think they alone were enough so he hired 100,000 warriors from Israel for 100 talents of silver. A talent is about 75 pounds so we’re talking about 7500 pounds of silver! At today’s exchange rate (as of this writing), that would be over $1,800,000. A tidy sum! Well, the Lord was not pleased with Amaziah’s plan, namely the hiring of the soldiers from Israel. So he sent a prophet to Amaziah who told him not to let the army of Israel go with him to this war because “the Lord is not with Israel.” The word was that if he took them along God would bring him down before the enemy. Amaziah was quite ready to send the men from Israel away, but he had this question - “What about the 100 talents of silver?” God’s reply through the prophet is profound: “The Lord has much more to give you than this.” Wow! So Amaziah made a bad choice about Israel, and the Lord says not to worry! He is able to bless with much more than those 100 talents of silver. His resources are endless. What a great lesson! What a comforting lesson for us.

Acts 11:26 We have all seen them - personalized license plates. Perhaps you have them. People order these plates to particularly identify themselves or bring them some recognition as to who they are or what they do. Personal initials are popular. We also see such monikers as EMT, GRMMA, MOMTAXI, etc. We want folks to recognize us and to know something about us. Now where God is concerned, He does not need for us to tell Him anything about ourselves. Paul writes: “The Lord knows those who are His...” (2 Timothy 2:19). He knows those who are His sheep, and He knows all about each one of His sheep! Also, the Lord has given His people a name to wear by which they can be recognized. It is an honorable and noble name (James 2:7). It is the only name given in the New Testament for Jesus’ disciples to wear. It is the name CHRISTIAN (Acts 11:26). When worn by an individual the name Christian does two things. First, it glorifies Christ Jesus. He is honored in that this person has chosen to believe in Him and be one of His followers. Secondly, that person is recognized as one who belongs to Christ and has given themselves in service to God’s Anointed. In the early days of the church when there was violent persecution by the Roman authorities (often to death), the name Christian had great power. When the officers attempted to persuade believers to offer incense to Caesar and repeat “Caesar is Lord,” the frequent response to them was: “Christianus sum!” This simply translates, “I am a Christian.” That was their answer. It said it all. In some countries today, Christians are hated and persecuted. Even in our own country, people who wear the name Christian are despised by many because of what it stands for: a creator God who has given us a moral code, pro-life, man-woman marriage, etc. The name Christian is still powerful - powerful because of the Christ who stands behind it. Wear it with honor.

Matthew 11:15 The other day I was driving down our alley and came across a dangerous situation. A young man was cutting the grass in the back of the property between a fence and the alley. The strip of grass was not very wide so he had to keep stepping back into the alley in order to reposition the mower. Well, this isn’t such a bad situation as long as the person would keep checking for traffic. Here’s what made it dangerous. He had himself “plugged in!” With his ear buds in his ears and the mower roaring away, he could not hear me approach. I slowed down to a crawl, but he kept stepping back into the alley and never saw me. If I hadn’t been alert and extra cautious, I would have hit him. This brought to my mind Jesus’ words: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” This young man had his ears tuned to one thing and was unable to hear my vehicle approach. He did not have “ears to hear” something for which he should have been listening. Jesus’ warning is so true. We all have ears with which to hear, but so many people are just tuned in to certain things. They listen to their favorite music, to talk about their sports teams, hobbies, movies, etc., to those with their own political views, their favorite speakers, those who agree with them. But by and large God is turned out. Opposing views are tuned out. Anything challenging is tuned out. For some, anything different is tuned out. For many, they only hear themselves. Their ears hear only what they want to hear. Jesus means for us certainly to be listening for His voice, His words, and then take them to heart. If we have a closed mind to a new thought on a scripture, we will never hear it. If we have a closed mind to certain individuals, we will never hear their good words. If we are so tuned in to the world, we will not be in a position to hear Jesus when He calls for us to do something or wants to teach us some important truth. Don’t be plugged in. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Shirley and I enjoy going out for breakfast from time to time, and we have several restaurants which we visit when we choose to start our day this way. Recently, we went to one of our usual eateries for breakfast, but when we went in there was not a single booth or table available. It was totally packed! Since it was a small diner, and there wasn’t any place to wait for a table, we decided to go to another one of our regular stops. But that was the strangest feeling - as if the diner were saying: “There is no place for you here. You are not wanted. Go some place else.” This whole episode caused me to think of the kingdom of God, in particular the fact that the kingdom will never be full. There won’t be anyone standing at the door to say: “Sorry, no room.” There will always be room for more in the church of our Lord. Jesus gives us these words: “...the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” This would indicate that there is always room for “one more” in the kingdom, but it also indicates much more. He is saying that no matter what your situation or your background if you come to Jesus, He will welcome you. No matter what sins you’ve committed, no matter how many you’ve committed, no matter what kind of trouble you’re in at the moment, no matter how many problems you have, no matter if you’re into drugs or booze or porn or gambling - Jesus will not say “No!” He will say, “Come in.” This demonstrates the great love of our God to save every person. This demonstrates the great reach of the grace of God through the blood of Christ Jesus to forgive every sin. This demonstrates the determined will of the Father that He desires all people to be saved. Things are different where God is involved. Remember when Jesus came to the earth? How there was no room for Him and His parents in the inn? But now with Jesus, there is room, more than enough room, room for everybody! Thank you, Jesus.

Micah 7:18-20 By and large a great many people do not understand God. (I’m not trying to say that anybody fully understand's Him!) We hear it said, “God will get you for that!” In such ideas we are made to think that God lurks around corners and eavesdrops behind doors to catch us in some wrong - and that He enjoys doing so! The “eye watching you” becomes the “eye spying on you.” For others God is very distant and not much concerned with their daily affairs. He offers little help in life except maybe when a great tragedy occurs, and He can be roused from His divine remoteness by tears and cries of heartache. But are these views of God and others like them correct? Or has the devil done a good job in deceiving the world about the truth concerning God? What does the Bible say? In our scripture, the prophet Micah reflects upon Israel’s God. Israel has rarely been consistent in following God’s commands, acting immorally, unjustly and worshiping false gods of all sorts. God has every right to punish them (which He has done) and leave them mired in their sins. But because of Who He is, the Almighty cannot and will not abandon Israel! Micah recalls that God’s anger does not last forever. He reminds His readers that God delights in mercy (lovingkindness) and that He shows truth or faithfulness to His people. When God makes a promise, He will not go back on it. He is a God of compassion touched by the plight of those He loves. And, Micah asserts, this God pardons iniquity and passes over their rebellious acts. God does not overlook sin nor treat it lightly, but for those who are truly repentant, God is fully ready to forgive and welcome them home. And He won’t be dredging up those past sins in the future for “You will cast all their sins into thedepths of the sea.” Thank God for all His goodness and His grace shown to us in Christ Jesus! And remember: No fishin’!

Revelation 19:11-16 So He knocks on the door where the emperor was staying during his visit to Caesarea. The door opens; the Roman overlord scowls, and the visitor asks, “You Tiberius, the Roman emperor?” “That is who I am,” the Roman says. “And who are you?” “I’m Jesus of Nazareth.” “And what is your business here?” “I came to tell you that I have come to dismantle your empire—to bring it down in ruins.” “Talk like that will have you hanging on a tree!” said the most powerful man on the planet. Over his shoulder as he walked away the young Jesus said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” “You say that now,” the emperor barked after Him, “but when we hang you up on that tree that’ll be the end of you.” Still over his shoulder the young Jewish prince shouted back, “Good luck with that! When I’m lifted up I will draw multiplied millions of people to me and into service in My kingdom while yours is in ruins.” “Talkers like you, poor little man, we’ve heard hundreds of you. Here today, gone tomorrow. Before long they’ll have forgotten your very name.” “You wish,” comes the reply, now from a distance and fading, “Millions will be singing, writing, speaking, praying and glorying in My name when you and your empire will be remembered only by its ruins and visited by tourists. I have seen empires like yours. Here today and gone tomorrow.” - Jim McGuiggan, The Irish Papers In Daniel’s visions of the four beasts and the Ancient of Days (chapter 7), the prophecy is made that the kingdom of “one like a Son of Man” will be everlasting. And so it will be. PRAISE HIM!!

Luke 18:35-43 It is a wonderful story. A true story. It is another in a long line of Jesus’ miracles, a demonstration of God’s working in Him and of His compassion for the oppressed of humankind. of which He had become a brother. (Take a moment to read our scripture.) The blind beggar hears the great stir and asks what it means. Jesus of Nazareth is coming. Somehow this man has heard of Jesus, His teaching and his miraculous healings, for he begins to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Son of David is a messianic phrase so this man is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. Despite the sharp words of those walking in front (who, by the way, could easily “see” Jesus), the beggar continues to cry out his entreaty. We are pleased, rather thrilled, to see that Jesus stops and has the sightless man brought to Him for we realize that we are this blind beggar in need of help from our Savior. We are thankful that even those who are less than whole and forced to beg can have an audience with Jesus. And, yes, we are elated that his faith is rewarded (for he truly was walking by faith and not by sight), and Jesus restores his physical ability to see. But in our eagerness to know the outcome or perhaps in our complacency in already “knowing” the story, we tend to overlook what may be the most significant idea embedded in the whole event. Did you see it? What do you make of the question which Jesus asked the blind man: “What do you want Me to do for you?” Wasn’t it obvious that the man was blind? You didn’t have to be the Son of God to see that! Was Jesus being callous? Difficult? Or is this question (which, by the way, Jesus regularly poses to us) in order to get him to carefully consider what it is that he really wants? Too often we ask God for junk food when we should ask for the bread of life. We ask for trinkets when we could have the true riches. If you were ushered in before Jesus today and asked by Him “What do you want me to do for you?”, what would you answer?

Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus’ parable of the two sons called to work in their father’s vineyard demonstrates His brilliant use of parables and the often multi-leveled lessons which they can teach. Please take the time to read our text. The picture of the father coming to each of the sons and telling them to go work in the vineyard would be easy to remember, especially as it drew upon their agricultural economy and the long-held practice for the sons to participate in the family business. The first son refused to go but later regretted his decision and went to work. The second son agrees to go, but he never did. Jesus involves His listeners by asking them the simple question of “Which one of the two did the will of his father?” The answer is quite plain, and they give the correct answer as being the first son. With that having been established, Jesus explains the parable. The first son represents the tax collectors and sinners who were living as children disobedient to the law of Moses. But, when they heard John the Baptist’s call to repentance, they believed him, turned from their evil ways and began seeking the kingdom. The second son represents the chief priests and elders who appeared to be following Moses but failed to heed the call of John who was sent by the Father and whose coming was prophesied! This must have really rankled those religious leaders sitting there in their long robes. But we can draw other, more general truths, from this parable. Being in the kingdom requires us to “do” something. Mere talk doesn’t get it. And it requires us to do what the Father asks. We won’t be praised for tanning hides when vineyard work is expected. The Father allows for repentance. Making a wrong choice doesn’t nullify an opportunity to make the right choice later. However, the right choice must eventually be made. So each of us must make the personal application. “Which son am I?” “Am I doing vineyard work?”

1 Corinthians 15:58 From time to time, we get frustrated and disappointed in our serving the Lord. Things don’t work out like we thought they should. People don’t appreciate your efforts. Sometimes, we’re not even sure what to do!! This should not surprise us since we live in a broken world filled with sinful people. Paul’s words should be taken to heart, then, so we won’t give up: “...your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” Read and absorb the whole verse! So... Some folks are just grumpy - Say “Hello!” anyway Visits can be very difficult - Visit anyway Phone calls are often unproductive - Call anyway Some people avoid you - Seek them out anyway Your prayers seem to go unanswered - Pray anyway Many folks only talk about themselves - Listen anyway You rarely know if your card did any good - Send it anyway The needs keep arising - Give anyway Gloomers and doomers keep glooming and dooming - Encourage anyway Somebody’s always wandering away - Go get them anyway Sicknesses never seem to end - Minister anyway So few respond to the gospel - Tell it anyway It seems all the time somebody’s in trouble - Help anyway So many never seem to learn - Teach anyway Complainers abound - Engage them anyway The weak keep fainting - Lift them up anyway Sinners keep sinning - Forgive anyway Many are ungrateful - Serve anyway Evil is everywhere - Keep doing good anyway The world keeps hating - Love anyway The work seems endless - Keep working anyway You often feel defeated - Do it for Jesus anyway

1 Peter 2:4-5 Peter gives us the beautiful picture of the “spiritual house” of God being built “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the living corner stone on which the house of God is being built. He is tried, true and precious in the eyes of God. He is the perfect corner stone and foundation for this holy edifice. Each person who comes to Christ Jesus for salvation and service is laid as a “living stone” in God’s holy temple. They are being built together on the sure foundation of Christ. But be sure to note this: each one comes individually to Christ for cleansing and then is laid up as a living stone in this royal house. One at a time. One by one. Even when we read on Pentecost how three thousand were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:41), we must understand that they came and were added one at a time. Each person believed Peter’s message, personally repented and was baptized into Christ as an individual. One at a time God continued to add to His holy building (Acts 2:47). This is the way in which Christ’s church is built. This is the way a congregation is built. One soul at a time. This is a truth which must never be forgotten. People are saved as individuals. Each person comes to Jesus with certain beliefs, some true but some not. Each person has fears, concerns, doubts and problems. Each person has plans, hopes and dreams. Each person has ideas about what it means to be a Christian and how they should fit into the congregation’s service and fellowship. Some of these can be addressed thru pulpit preaching and Bible classes, but many cannot. They must be handled person by person. Congregation leadership must be particularly aware of the situation and needs of each new “stone” which is being built into the Lord’s temple. Individual instruction and encouragement are a must. Counseling may be needed. Each person must be cemented in with the mortar of love (lots of it) and purposefully brought into the fellowship. This is how a congregation is built: one stone at a time.