Sermon Notes & Videos
2020-11-27 | Genesis 28-32 | A Nation Divided
“So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”” Genesis 29:25 NKJV
“But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”” Matthew 12:25 NKJV
2020-11-20 | Genesis 25-28 | The Impetuous Seed
Impetuous: impulsive, rash, hasty, reckless, heedless, foolhardy, imprudent, injudicious, ill-conceived, ill-considered, unplanned, unreasoned, unthought-out, unthinking, precipitate, precipitous, headlong, hurried, rushed. Anything but a cautious and sober-minded decision. For years I have taught my children, “Stop…think before you do anything.” At one point I had rubber bracelets made with these words on them: “What would dad think?” I’m not joking; I forced my children to wear them.
How many times have you wished you could stuff your words back into your mouth? As they leave your lips you’re thinking, “please no!” I am sure Esau felt that way the moment after his belly was full. “Sure, take my entire inheritance for a bowl of soup.” No more impetuous words were ever spoken. Let’s take a trip through the Bible and find the many instances when man spoke too soon, without thinking, sometimes extensively. It never works out well. We will land in the modern day and see how this is playing out in our world, even now.
2020-11-13 | Genesis 23-25 | Fleeces and Testimonies
Have you ever been pressed to the limit and you know that beyond any doubt the only way you will find peace, the only way you will be certain, is if God Almighty answers your petition in every detail? I’m not talking about a vague feeling or gentle leading; I’m talking exact and detailed answers. I’ve been there! We all have. In my three decades as a devout Christian I can recall those testimonies as if they were yesterday. They seem so fresh in my mind, I’m sure because I have told the stories over and over and over again. I believe it glorifies God as it testifies to His majesty.
But, it also encourages me and others to keep the faith when times are tough and when “there I am again” needing another specific and detailed answer from the Lord. He has never let me down. And that’s the thing; His track record in my life is so long and so predictable that every time I’m up against it, I know just what to do. It’s who He is and it’s how I’ve learned to live, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. For those of you who have been there, you know what I mean. For some of you who have yet to test the deep waters of radical faith, jump in; “the water is fine!” Finally, let me leave you with this; I love to tell stories, mostly because I love to tell of my testimonies, which has led me to this simple yet profound conclusion: “If you tell your testimony, God will give you more testimonies to tell!”
2020-11-06 | Genesis 18-22 | A Prophetic Bailiwick
I’m not certain you’ll find a portion of Scripture that has more prophetic big ticket items than Genesis 18 to 22. We could certainly grab any one of them and teach an entire sermon on it. Let’s see: nothing is impossible with God; all things happen in their appointed times; God does not hide what He will do from His prophets; who are you to judge me; don’t look back, forget the past; God always shows us what He will do in the future; God provides where He guides; faith is a combination of hearing and doing; what happens when you don’t withhold your only begotten son; what it means to be a living sacrifice; a third day return to life; the worship and faith connection; the ram of God and lamb of God; the significance of descendants as numerous as stars and sands; the singular “seed” of promise; fear not, He already has your spouse picked out!
But, instead of just one, I decided—let’s do them all! Hence “A Prophetic Bailiwick.” In other words, let’s operate in a certain sweet spot, in this case, the prophetic! Besides, you can’t build THE CHURCH without it. Remember, “You are members of the household of God, which is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Y’shua Himself being the chief corner stone.”
2020-10-30 | Genesis 12-17 | Are You the One?
Are you the one or should I look for another? It’s hard to imagine that you can experience so many encounters with God, and still have doubts. At times, even after you have tasted the promises of God, you still might end up in a difficult situation. In those moments do you look for another? At other times you have to wait on the Lord for what seems like a lifetime. During those long dry seasons, do you look for another? Do you find another? And what happens while you are enjoying the other, and Yahweh encounters you with what you have been waiting for?
Only, you’re no longer waiting, as you already took matters into your own hands. All of a sudden you’re in a sticky wicket; on one hand you have been enjoying “another,” and now God is ready to fulfill His promises. If your reaction is, “God, can’t I just keep what I already have, and You can bless that?”, you’re in good company! Abram soon to become Abraham did just that. “Why not let Ishmael inherit what you have promised me?” Let’s explore this all too common occurrence in our walk of faith, “Are you the one, or should I look for another?”
2020-10-23 | Genesis 6-11 | Tender Branches – The Fate of Two Messengers
Sometimes Yahweh’s instructions seem quite ridiculous. Why build a boat to save you from floodwaters when it has never before rained? We’re all familiar with Abraham’s extreme act of faith that was accounted to him for righteousness, but Noah’s obedience to build the ark might be considered the most significant act of faith prior to Abraham. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear and prepared an ark for the saving of his household…
Tragically, kept outside the ark were all those who had corrupted their way on the earth. What would have happened had Noah ignored the warning? Would he and his family have perished along with the rest? Of course, divine instruction did not end with Noah. Many times since, God has reached down and prophetically called a leader to step up with extreme faith to direct or shepherd His people. What happens when man refuses? What is happening right now? What will happen in the future should God’s chosen vessels neglect to “prepare an ark”?