Sermon

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The Funeral

I’ve done many funerals in my time as a pastor. Each varies in length with how much the family tells me about someone, how much I know about the deceased, and what God lays on my heart.

I like to honor the one that has died, which is easier and much more joyful when the person knew Jesus as Savior.

It’s really not much different from a sermon – taking anywhere from twenty to forty-five minutes.

So I was a bit surprised by the amount of time the Bible spent on the death of a great man of God – a Patriarch of the Hebrews, Abraham.

Just forty-three words.

This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. Gen 25:7-8

But when you think of the words of Jesus, who said,

“Have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Matt 22:31-32

Abraham did not have a funeral – but a homecoming!

And so it is with all that die in this life to wake up in NEW LIFE!
Death is not the closing of one’s eyes and seeing the darkness – it is closing your eyes and seeing the Light!

And Abraham’s life speaks for itself in the descendants he left behind, including a Child born into his family under the family of Judah – Jesus!

Abba, when I die, may the words at my funeral be “He lived for Christ!” YES&AMEN

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What do you want from Abba?

man praying in churchAnd now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31

Everyone wants to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I know I really enjoy it.
But what is the reason that you want to be filled with God’s Spirit?
Many just enjoy how it makes them feel. I know I really enjoy it!

But the early church did not ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. They asked for boldness in preaching the word!
They also asked for healing power and miracles.
Still, it all started with asking for boldness to speak God’s word.

God responded with the filling of the Holy Spirit.

It reminds me of King Solomon.
That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” 1 Kings 3:5
Solomon could have asked for anything!
His response – Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. 1 Kings 3:9

It pleased God so much that He gave Solomon wisdom. He also gave him great fame and wealth.

There are a few things you must remember.

First, seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matt 6:33
And humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10

I am praying for brokenness and humility before God. I just want to serve Him. I want to be able to preach and teach God’s word with simplicity for everyone to understand. I want to lead more to Christ. It’s not about me. It’s about Christ.
As John the baptizer said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30

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Preach Jesus!

Picture 009Our first meeting at CrossRoads was on a Thursday night. It was a small Bible study and I didn’t want to interfere with the Wednesday night meetings of the other churches around the area.
That was April/May 1999 but the inevitable was bound to happen. Continue reading →

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The Permissive Pastor

kirbyvilleWhile I was attending JBC I was often sent to churches to preach. Many of these trips were to just fill-in and a few were in view of a call.
However I never was called to be a pastor at any of them. Continue reading →

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A message in me!

preach the wordI remember my first sermon in front of a crowd, other than my home church. The year was 1976 and it was at White Rock Baptist Church.
I had a message built up inside of me that I just had to get out. Continue reading →

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What Did He Say?

morning thoughts

Morning thoughts from Pastor Tim

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

42-15349783What do you get out of a sermon?
It’s funny how what is said and what is heard is often two different things.
I recall the time that I was preaching on the grace of God and had mentioned that salvation is by grace plus nothing else.
There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love, deserve His forgiveness, or get His salvation. Continue reading →