Sickness Sunday Service April 12th, 2009 Resusrection Day Special
The Church Ministries
Bible Truth Christian Church
I wish I never caught what ever disease or virus I picked up this day a little less then 5 -1/2 years ago.
Good Morning: I will not talk about my health; God will take care of that. No more worry, no more darkness, we all Love Jesus and that is it. Of course we Love the Father and the Holy Spirit all as one. I love you all and I am sorry that I have been so sick, but I am not giving up. The Church Ministries is going to stand out and give love and hope to all that share with us. Many have helped me and no matter how I feel The Church will help them in return. We will feel the anointing the healing and the presence of God where ever this sermon is shared.
Dear Heavenly Father, Love is the key to Christians and I am glad to be one. I have been fighting darkness for a long time, and it will stop from now on, during this weekend Jesus and all of us will celebrate the resurrection of our Jesus. We all thank Jesus for saving our souls and giving us a second chance at eternal life. We don’t need some long prayer to explain our love and faith for our Jesus. The Church Ministries will help us not to fear, and have pure faith in our God. If I can’t build a mission I will do the best I can with this web-site, it has been a long time since we opened and I pray more and more people will come around and feel and see the truth of Jesus Christ. You are all welcome to be a part of this church. Even though no one comes to the office, we are classified as a public charity, we are still The Church Ministries and we will go on sharing and teaching the bread of life. I am not giving up; I have to much love for all mankind. Pray with me that so many others that do not know Jesus will. Pray with me also that we learn God’s Word, and enjoy it and learn from it. Let us all learn to love and help one another from now on, we are all we have, so we have to stick together, worship together, sing and give praises to God together, we are not going to be a lukewarm church- we are going to show this world that Love conquers all. We are going to show the world that money, big nice cars, big houses mean nothing to us on this planet, only the Love and trust and our faith in Jesus Christ will prevail. Soon we will all be together in our new homes that God has prepared for us. See you all in heaven. Thank you all and I ask this prayer in Jesus Name.
What is Easter all about? If you have gone to any type of super center, you would think Easter is all about candy. If you have gone to any department store, you would think Easter is about new clothes. If you have gone to any park or even any church grounds you would have thought that Easter is about Easter Egg hunts for the little ones.
Those are all part of Easter but not the most important part. In our two passages of Scriptures this morning three different sets of people remind us that the most important part of Easter is remembering Jesus. The angels said, “Remember how he told you.” The women who came to the tomb said that they remembered his words. And the Apostle Paul tells Timothy to remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. All three said the most important part about Easter is remembering Jesus.
So I needed to explore the connection of Easter and remembering Jesus. And I believe as I studied these two Scriptures passages that it told me what I am to remember about the connection between Easter and Remembering Jesus.
Body
1. Because of the connection between Easter and remembering Jesus I am to see that morning as unique.
2Timothy 2:8-remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.
As we get older our memories fail us a little bit, but usually we will remember the unusual. The commonplace things we might forget. For example back in the early 1980’s Anne and I took our friends Brian and Kerri on their anniversary to the Top of the Marriott in New Orleans and we ordered from the menu every flaming dessert that they made. I remember it to this day because it was unusual. Now I can’t tell you what I wore to church two weeks ago or what I had for supper two weeks ago because that is the usual day-to-day stuff we forget.
Paul is telling us the events of Easter are so unique that we should never forget them. This was no ordinary Sunday. No one else has been raised from the grave to live every more. How can we forget Easter it is so unique. No Sunday before it has ever been like it nor any Sunday after it has been quite like it.
Because of the connection between Easter and remembering Jesus it reveals to me that the person who died on the cross was the God-man.
2 Timothy 2:8-Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the death, descended from David.
Paul is saying that this was no usual person who died on the cross that Good Friday. He was certainly all man, He was a descendant of David but He was also the Christ, God incarnate. He was 100% God and 100% man.
Do I understand that? No, but the resurrection provides that to me because I knew that no man could rise of His own from the grave. He had to be God.
Because of the connection between Easter and remembering Jesus it makes what Jesus tells me believable.
Luke 24:7- the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.
If you would tell me the most far- fetched thing you could tell me and it comes to happen just exactly like you say, I would believe that everything else you say would happen like you say. For example, if you told me that tomorrow on the stock market the Dow Jones Industrial Average will rise by 32.33 points and it happens, you know what you will have my attention when you say something else.
Jesus said that he was going to rise from the dead on the third day and He did exactly that. You know what, He got my attention for whatever else he would say. If He can do the most unique thing I can think of, why would I not believe that He could not do anything He says.
Because of the connection between Easter and remembering Jesus it makes the bad times I go through in life bearable.
2 Timothy 2:8-9…this is my gospel for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.
Paul is saying that I am going through some tough times in my life right now and He is saying that Easter makes them bearable.
Look how Paul says that in vs. 12-If we endure; we will also reign with Him.
Listen, every one of us in this room will go through tough times in our life. Knowing Jesus Christ can make those bad times bearable. If in the bad times, I know that there is something good on the other side it has to make the bad times bearable.
Because of the connection between Easter and remembering Jesus it makes telling others that much more important.
Vs 10 Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus.
We are told in the Bible that it is our responsibility to tell others about Jesus Christ. Jesus spent His earthly ministry of three years preparing the disciples to tell others about Him.
The fact that Jesus rose from the grave makes that telling of others so much more important because it tells us that death does not settle it. With death, it is not over. Since Jesus rose from the grave there is eternal life and since there is eternal life there is also eternal death.
Don’t give up on your praying for and sharing with family and friends because of the connection between Easter and remembering Jesus makes it so important that we share the Gospel.
What is Easter all about? Simply put it about remembering Jesus. The uniqueness of that day, the uniqueness of the person, the assurance of what He says, the belief that something better exist and the urgency to tell others.
Jesus’ Church, Is it our Church?
Mark 2:1-7
There are many, many types of churches today. Some that use instruments and some those don’t. Some that are liturgical, and some that are non-liturgical. Some those are right and some that are wrong.
And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? (Mark 2:1-7 KJV)
There are the: Assembly of God, Church of God, Church of Christ, Church of God in Christ, Church of God of Prophecy, Church of the Living God, Baptist, Southern Baptist, Northern Baptist, Full Gospel Baptist, Missionary Baptist, Episcopal, Reformed Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Reformed Lutheran, Methodist, Weslyian, Methodist, Pentecostal, United Pentecostal, Faith Churches, Word Churches, Hope Churches, Victory Churches, Christian churches, Church of the way, Church of the Savior, Church of the King, and the Church of what’s happening Now!
Just like there are many types of churches today, there are many types of pastors too.
The Pastor that leads, the pastor that follows, the pastor that feeds and the pastor that bellows. The one who cares the one who shares, and the one who has funny hair.
If Jesus were a Pastor over a church, today, what would it be like?
In the ministry of Jesus here, on earth He used Peter’s house as a “headquarters” of His ministry. Peter’s house was in Capernaum, on the NW shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus would regularly go back to Capernaum to minister by preaching the Word of God, and healing.
Let us look at Jesus’ church…
1. Jesus’ church was an evangelistic church
2. Jesus’ church was filled with people
3. Jesus’ church was filled with faith
4. Jesus’ church was a healing center
5. Jesus’ church was a place to find forgiveness for sin
6. Jesus’ church had critics
7. Jesus’ church had praise and worship
Verse 1. Jesus’ church was an evangelistic church
The purpose of the church is two-fold, to be a gathering place for corporate worship and to evangelize the nations.
The mission is giving to us as the church.
Jesus’ church set the example of a church that evangelized
In the KJV of the bible, it says, “it was noised” that Jesus was in the house.
They went out into the city, and made a noise that or that they told people that Jesus was in the house.
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus gives us the mission to go into all of the world, preaching, teaching, baptizing, and to make disciples of all men.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matt. 28:19 KJV)
Is our church like that of Jesus’?
Are you a person that evangelizes?
Jesus’ church was a church filled with people
Because of their evangelistic efforts, the church was filled with people.
Not only was it because of their efforts, but because Jesus was in the house
Where God is moving, the people will go to
. The Brownsville Revival is a good example of people flocking to the true and powerful move of God
They stand on the streets for hours just in hopes of getting in to the place.
Let’s pray for a true move of God, that even the sinner will come in
Why don’t people come to the church anymore?
Because people are tired of the same old, religious routine
They are tired of the hypocrisy from the clergy and the congregation
In Jesus’ church the preacher always set the example
Jesus’ church was filled with faith
An excited church is a faith-filled church
Here in Jesus’ church, they KNEW that the paralytic was going to be healed, all they had to do is get him to Jesus
Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God…”
That must mean that a FAITH-FILLED church must really make God’s heart pleased
Faith must be the key to all of our churches, but it starts in the heart of all our church members
Jesus recognized these men’s persistent faith
Jesus WILL Always recognize persistent Faith
Is our church filled with Faith?
Are you filled with Faith?
Jesus’ church was a healing center
In Jesus’ church, miracles happened
I believe that this was so because of two things:
Faith within the members
There will be an authentic move of God
Our churches should be healing centers for the sick
Why does it seem, that God has limited this type of miracles to certain men of God?
The fact of the matter is that it is open for all of us
Mark 9:23, "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
All we have to do is believe, accept, recognize, realize, and familiarize ourselves with the power of God, and then we can expect the miracles of God
Jesus’ church was a place to find forgiveness for sin
So many of America’s churches today are filled with condemnation, and pre-judgments, it is a shame.
The lost come in, to find forgiveness, but rather they feel rejected and thrown away
Jesus never intended for the church to be like a “club-med.,” but a hospital for the sick, and lost souls
If a man can’t find forgiveness in the church, where can he go?
Jesus says, “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive you” Matthew 6:14-15
Are we a church that forgives?
Are you a person that forgives?
Jesus’ church had critics
Every church will have its share of critics
You would think that some of you are in the construction business, because all you do is criticize.
There are people that criticize the move of God, and there are the ones who criticize the reaction of people to the move of God
Are you a critic? Stop!!!
There are people who think they know what is in a men’s heart, well – you DON’T
Only God knows the condition of a person, spiritually speaking
The Bible talks about criticism, but it uses the word JUDGING others
Get the plank out your own eye!
Jesus’ church had praise and worship
The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people
Can you say like David in Psalms 34 “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Jesus’ church was a church that praised the Lord
We ought to be like that always
Let us praise Him when we are up *
Let us praise Him when we are down *
Let us praise Him when we are rich *
And let us praise Him when we are poor *
Dear Lord, as we go on living in this world, we may suffer, cry, be hurt, sometimes we may think we are alone, but we are never alone. Most of you all know me, and most of you know what I have been through, but heaven awaits us and the love and friendship, and caring for one another, will soon come to pass, so there is no more reason to have fear, God is with us, and maybe we are hurt for a time in this world, but our God will reward all that we have been through. God loves us, so we all will soon have joy weather here or beyond. Let us all keep our hearts pure, and the Love flowing and soon our inner selves will understand one another and understand what it is truly like to be a servant of Jesus Christ. Mark my words we will see the happiness the bible promises us all. Share your hearts with Jesus, share your feelings with Him, and love all Life. Shake out all bitterness, darkness, any dislike, or hatred, you are a Christian- Love all things, always carry kindness in your hearts, and forgive all mankind, I ask and pray for these blessings through Jesus Name, Amen and Amen.
The Church Ministries wants to thank Dr. Dave M. Hartson from the Bala Chitto Baptist Church.
As you all know we have several prayer lists for our friends and family hopfully the email will function properly and I will be able to tell how and what has happened to each of our people. When I feel better I will re-write all the prayer lists, and including our Leadership from the Presidential Prayer Team and all our countries Leadership. Please continue to pray for the lists that we already have. We just learned how our church should be feel, and act, I hope you all got something from the Jesus Church I know, and how close it can be to The Church Ministries.
Press the yellow button and Look for the two sections one with the candle, in-which we call the Candle-Light Prayer, then also look for the Presidential Prayer Team Logo, so you can pray for all our troops, all the armed forces no matter where they are stationed, plus all our leadership from our President on down, each list is very large, and they contain everyone I care about, and a list of most heads and each leader of our country. The Candle-Light Prayer has all the people that I love, and then some- I may have forgotten a few, but when I feel better and can sit in this chair, my memory will return and hopfully God will heal me long enough so I can tend to this very hard task. Don't worry I love all people, even the people who have hurt me- led by evil, they are in the Candle-Light Prayer now, to tell you all the truth my blood family has hurt me the most. Pure forgivness is in each prayer. My mom, I love- has learned about me, and has saved my life many times, I call her every Sunday so she is starting to get to know what I stand for and my spiritual Love for others. The rest of the Candle-Light Prayer are mostly my deepest friends and loved ones. I find it an honor just to be apart of the Presidential Prayer Team, and most of the time I am in tears because I sometimes tend to feel what our troops are going through, and all our leadership to make all the right decisions to help and aid so many others. Love conquers all! My step sister has lupus and they are breaking her foot so she can have feeling in it, so we need prayer there, my Mom is only functioning on 50% of her kidneys so she needs prayer, my friend Jim just died about a month ago, I tried to get him saved, then the walks up the hill became too hard, I gave him a new bible (NIV) so he could understand it, not knowing him being saved has broken my heart, I could have been more pushy but I don't know if he was a believer, I tried so hard to heal him, as I prayed- it just didn't seem like he believed he could be healed. I feel he is in heaven and the visits and readings and films we shared hopfully sunk in. Please pray for Jim's soul, that would be important to me. A good friend Randy who was my prayer partner for years, he died of a heart attack walking home from church, he was healthy and my age. Please pray for his soul, and a friend Don had two friends- one died just a while ago, and the other is in bad shape please pray for them both. I spend time praying for each person, but sometimes I feel I should pray even more, God knows my heart, He knows the Love that is wrapped up inside me, I should not feel like I did not do enough, but that is only evil trying to make me feel that way. With all the things wrong with me, I wonder how much time I have on this earth, and if I am a worthy enough servant. I have another friend that is suffering please pray an open prayer for all of us and I know another Paul that also is a pastor he needs prayer along with his whole family, plus all my staff members that are so dear to me. And all the other ministers and priests and chaplains that I have been close to, please pray for us all. Thanks
