How to Find the Solution to Your Problem

 Found: How to Find the Solution to Your Problem

Introduction

We live in a world that is effectively a factory for crises. Every day, we are bombarded by reports of family breakdowns, terminal illnesses, financial failures, and the crushing weight of guilt and depression. Many people, seeing no exit and feeling the walls close in, make desperate and tragic decisions.

However, the Word of God rings out with a glorious, counter-cultural truth: Jesus Christ is the solution to our problems. * He is Sovereign: He laid down His life voluntarily to make a way where there was no way (John 10:17).

    • He is Faithful: He always provides a way of escape in the midst of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

    • He is Vital: Separated from Him, we can do nothing, but through Him, we can do all things (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13).

The Doctrinal Reality: Christ does not merely offer advice or "help"—He is the solution.

I. Jesus is the Solution for Sin and Guilt

The Case of Peter (Matthew 26:74–75)

Peter, the leader of the apostles, suffered a catastrophic moral failure. He denied Jesus three times, even calling down curses. He failed his Master, he cried bitterly, and he was consumed by shame.

    • The Options: Peter could have fled forever, he could have taken his own life like Judas, or he could have abandoned the faith in embarrassment.

    • The Turn: Peter remembered that Christ alone has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). His sorrow was not the worldly sorrow of pride, but a "godly sorrow" that produces repentance leading to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10).

    • The Doctrine: You cannot solve sin by hiding from Christ; you solve it by running toward Him.

II. Jesus is the Solution for Despair

The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:27–34)

In the darkness of a prison, a man drew his sword to take his own life. He thought his career was over and his life was a failure. He believed there was no way out.

    • The Spiritual Exit: Paul stopped him, not with a philosophical lecture, but with a Person. When the jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?" the answer was immediate: "Believe in the Lord Jesus."

    • The Transformation: Within hours, his despair turned to joy, and his entire household was saved.

    • The Doctrine: Suicide is never a solution; it is a permanent "fix" for a temporary trial that ignores the judgment to come (Hebrews 9:27). Christ is the solution because He transforms a crisis into a platform for salvation.

III. Jesus is the Solution for the Impossible

The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Luke 8:43–48)

For twelve long years, this woman suffered. She had spent all her money on doctors, but instead of getting better, she grew worse. She had reached the end of human possibility.

    • The Connection: She didn't just look at Jesus; she touched the hem of His garment. Luke 8:44 says, "Immediately her bleeding stopped."

    • The Active Faith: She believed, she sought, and she approached. She threw her anxiety upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).

    • The Doctrine: Active faith is the "spiritual cable" that connects our human need to Christ’s divine power.

IV. Jesus is the Solution for Long-Term Bondage

The Crippled Woman (Luke 13:11–13)

This woman had been bent over, unable to straighten up, for eighteen years. She had likely forgotten what the sky looked like. She was a fixture of suffering.

    • The Divine Call: Jesus saw her and called her forward. He said, "Woman, you are set free." What eighteen years of time and nature could not fix, the Word of Christ settled in a second.

    • The Doctrine: Time does not limit God. Whether a problem is eighteen minutes or eighteen years old, it is not too "set in stone" for the Creator to break.

V. How to Find the Solution in Christ

If you are facing a crisis today, the Bible provides a clear path to the solution:

    1. Recognize Your Need: Pride is the greatest barrier to a miracle. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

    2. Approach Jesus: Do not wait for the problem to dissolve on its own. Move toward the light of His presence.

    3. Trust His Word: God does not want anyone to perish; His desire is for your salvation and restoration (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4).

    4. Place Your Total Confidence in Him: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes or money (Psalm 118:8–9). He has promised: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

1. How to Avoid Making Bad Deals
2. How to Know the Size of Your Faith
3. The maximum we can do for God

Conclusion

Most people spend their lives searching for solutions in all the wrong places: in the bottom of a bottle, in a bank account, in a new relationship, or in impulsive decisions. But these are only bandages on a mortal wound.

Jesus Christ is the only one who can handle your past (guilt), your present (crisis), and your future (judgment). He is the solution for the sinner, the desperate, the sick, and the bound.

Don't leave this place carrying a burden that Jesus has already offered to carry for you.

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How to Avoid Making Bad Deals

 How to Avoid Making Bad Deals

Base Text: Hebrews 12:16–17

Introduction

In the world of commerce, we have all made "deals." Some were profitable, while others were "bad business" that left us with financial regret. However, in the spiritual realm, we are "negotiating" every single day. Every decision we make, every priority we set, and every compromise we weigh is a transaction.

The Bible presents a vivid gallery of people who made the worst deals in history—and one man who made the best investment of his life. Today, we ask: How can we avoid making bad deals with our souls?

I. Esau’s Bad Deal: Trading the Eternal for the Immediate

Hebrews 12:16–17; Genesis 25:30–33

Esau is the biblical poster child for a bad transaction. He sold his birthright—a massive spiritual and physical inheritance—for a single bowl of stew.

    • What was at stake? In the biblical tradition, the birthright included a double portion of the inheritance (Deut. 21:17), family leadership, and a special consecration to God (Exodus 13:2).

    • The Error: Esau looked at his hunger and said, "Of what use is this birthright to me?" He allowed a momentary physical impulse to outweigh a lifelong spiritual privilege.

    • The Application: Many today sell their spiritual "birthright" for overtime pay, temporary pleasures, or social convenience. We must remember the warning of Luke 12:20: the man who builds bigger barns but loses his soul is a "fool."

II. Judas’ Bad Deal: Trading Christ for Currency

Matthew 26:15; John 12:6

Judas Iscariot had the ultimate "front-row seat" to divinity. He had apostolic privilege, daily communion with Christ, and a front-row seat to miracles. Yet, he sold the Son of God for thirty pieces of silver.

    • The Root of the Problem: Judas allowed greed to fester until he saw Jesus as a commodity to be traded rather than a Savior to be worshipped.

    • The Result: His "profit" led to remorse, despair, and death (Matt. 27:5).

    • Doctrinal Truth: Any gain that leads to the loss of Christ is a total loss. As Matthew 16:26 asks: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"

III. The Rich Young Ruler: Trading the Future for the Present

Matthew 19:16–22

A wealthy young man asked for eternal life. Jesus offered him the deal of a lifetime: treasures in heaven and the privilege of following the Messiah.

    • The Obstacle: He went away sad because he had many possessions. He chose earthly equity over heavenly inheritance.

    • The Warning: 1 John 2:17 reminds us that "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." When we cling to what is passing, we lose what is permanent.

IV. Ananias and Sapphira: Trading Integrity for Appearance

Acts 5:1–10

This couple made a deal based on deception. They sold property and gave a portion to the church, but they faked total sacrifice.

    • The Error: Their sin wasn't in keeping the money; it was in pretending to be more spiritual than they were. They traded their lives for a "reputation" of piety.

    • The Consequence: God demands integrity, not a show. Liars and hypocrites find no profit in the presence of a holy God (Rev. 21:8).

V. Moses’ Good Deal: Trading the Temporal for the Eternal

Hebrews 11:24–26

Moses is the example of someone who made a "Superior" deal. He was a prince in Egypt with access to all the treasures and comforts of the world’s greatest empire.

    • The Choice: He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

    • The Logic: He "regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt" because he was looking ahead to his reward.

    • The Principle: The best business move you can make is to lose what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose.

VI. How to Avoid Bad Business with God

To ensure you are making "Good Deals" in your life, follow these five steps:

    1. Value the Eternal: Always weigh your decisions against eternity.

    2. Examine Your Priorities: Is your schedule built around God, or is God squeezed into your schedule?

    3. Refuse to Negotiate Integrity: There is no "acceptable" level of compromise with the truth.

    4. Persevere Under Pressure: Understand that "entering the kingdom of God" involves hardships (Acts 14:22). Don't trade the finish line for a temporary rest stop.

    5. Calculate the Value of Your Soul: Remember that the entire world is a small price compared to your eternal life.

Central Doctrine: The Eternal Investment

Christian life is not a series of losses; it is an eternal investment. Every decision you make either draws you closer to God or pushes you away. Every act of obedience "gains" eternity, while every compromise "loses" spiritual ground.

1. How to Know the Size of Your Faith
2. The maximum we can do for God
3. What Sin Does to Us

Conclusion

Esau wept when he realized his mistake, but it was too late. Today, you still have time to look at your "balance sheet." Are you trading your peace for a promotion? Are you trading your family for a hobby? Are you trading your Savior for the world?

Stop making bad deals. Like Moses, look toward the reward and choose the riches of Christ.

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How to Know the Size of Your Faith

 Measuring the Unseen: How to Know the Size of Your Faith

Introduction

As Christians, we must eventually move past generalities and ask ourselves an honest, surgical question: How is my faith? Is it a robust shield that can extinguish every flaming arrow of the evil one, or is it a fragile reed that snaps under the slightest pressure? Is it growing like a mustard seed, or has it become stagnant and fossilized? Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus was keenly observant of this. He marveled at the "great faith" of some, while He frequently rebuked the "little faith" of others.

The stakes could not be higher. Hebrews 11:6 declares:

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Faith is not just a religious sentiment; it is our lifeline. It connects us to the Creator, activates His power, and leads us to our ultimate destination: the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9). Therefore, we must learn how to measure it.

I. The Definition and Origin of Faith

Before we can measure the "size" of our faith, we must define what we are measuring.

1. What Is Faith?

Hebrews 11:1 provides the definitive biblical description: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

    • Faith is NOT: A feeling, mere optimism, or a temporary emotional "high."

    • Faith IS: A firm trust in the Character of God and a total security in His promises. It is being so sure of God that you don't need a physical sign to act.

2. Where Does Faith Come From?

Faith is not something we "conjure up" through willpower. Romans 10:17 explains the mechanics: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

    • Doctrine: Faith is fed by Scripture. Just as the body withers without food, faith weakens where the Word of God is absent. You cannot have a "big" faith if you have a "small" intake of the Bible.

II. Signs of a Weak Faith

Jesus used the term "O you of little faith" to point out specific spiritual deficiencies.

    • Doubt in the Storm: In Matthew 14:31, when Peter began to sink, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Weak faith focuses on the wind and the waves (circumstances) rather than on the One who walks on them.

    • Anxiety Over Material Needs: In Matthew 6:30, Jesus links excessive worry about food and clothing to "little faith." A small faith forgets that God is a Father who provides.

    • Dominated by Fear: When the disciples panicked during the storm on the lake, Jesus asked, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40). Fear is the shadow cast when faith is small.

    • The "Thomas" Syndrome: Demanding to see before believing (John 20:25). Weak faith requires constant "proof" and visible results.

    • Paralysis in Service: In Mark 9:18–19, the disciples failed to cast out a demon because of their unbelief. If an obstacle—be it fatigue, criticism, or laziness—stops you from praying, serving, or gathering (Hebrews 10:25), your faith is undernourished.

III. Signs of a Great Faith

In contrast, Jesus highlighted certain people as examples of "Great Faith."

1. The Faith That Perseveres

The Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:28 faced silence, apparent rejection, and deep testing. She did not take offense; she persisted. Jesus marveled: "Woman, you have great faith!" Great faith is tenacious; it refuses to let go of God until it receives the blessing.

2. The Faith That Trusts Absolute Authority

The Centurion in Luke 7:9 told Jesus, "Just say the word." He didn't need Jesus to visit his house or touch the sick servant.

    • Great Faith: Does not need a "feeling" or a "sign." It simply believes in the Authority of Christ’s Word.

3. The Faith That Acts

True faith is never passive. In Mark 11:22–24, Jesus says that the one who has faith in God can move mountains. Great faith prays with the expectation of an answer and then moves forward in obedience.

IV. How to Measure Your Faith: A Self-Diagnostic

To know where you stand, ask yourself these five questions:

    1. The Proximity Test: Do my difficulties push me away from God or draw me closer to Him?

    2. The Convenience Test: Do I serve God only when it fits my schedule, or when it costs me something?

    3. The Gathering Test: Do I find excuses to miss the assembly of the saints, or is my faith hungry for fellowship?

    4. The Results Test: Am I able to trust God even when I don't see the results I want right now?

    5. The Nutrition Test: Is my faith growing through daily study of the Word, or am I spiritually "starving"?

V. The Relationship Between Faith and Salvation

We must take this measurement seriously because our spiritual life depends on it. Hebrews 10:38 says, "But my righteous one will live by faith." We are "shielded by God’s power through faith" (1 Peter 1:5).

Central Doctrine: Saving faith is not a static mental "agreement" to facts. It is a persevering, growing, and obedient trust. If your faith is not growing, it is dying. But there is good news: the Apostles cried out, "Lord, increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5), and God answered.

1. The maximum we can do for God
2. What Sin Does to Us
3. How to Be a Godly Father to Your Son

Conclusion

How do you know the size of your faith? Look at your reactions to trials, your persistence in prayer, and your obedience to the Word.

If you find that your faith is small today, do not despair. Faith is a muscle that grows when it is used and fed. Go back to the Word, return to the place of prayer, and start trusting God with the small things today so you can trust Him with the mountains tomorrow.

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The maximum we can do for God

 The Highest Standard of Service: The Mystery of the "Unprofitable" Servant

Introduction

In the professional world, performance evaluations are a standard practice. An employee is usually graded on a scale:

    • Satisfactory: They meet the basic expectations of the job.

    • Excepcional: They perform with excellence.

    • Superior: They consistently do more than what was required or expected.

In secular life, the "Superior" rating is the pinnacle because the individual exceeded their duty. But what happens when we translate this concept to the Christian life? As believers, we are called doulos—servants or bondslaves of God. This leads us to a profound question: What is the maximum we can do for God?

In Luke 17:1–10, Jesus provides a counter-intuitive and humbling answer that shatters our human concepts of merit and recognition.

I. The Context: The Duties of a Disciple (vv. 1–9)

Before Jesus reaches His conclusion in verse 10, He lays out four rigorous "job descriptions" for the believer. These are not suggestions; they are the baseline of Christian living.

1. Guarding the Path: Not Being a Stumbling Block (vv. 1–2)

The disciple must live with extreme spiritual caution. To cause a "little one" to sin is so grave that Jesus suggests a millstone around the neck is a better fate.

    • Doctrine: Personal holiness is not just for yourself; it is a protective wall for others (1 Corinthians 10:32).

2. Radical Forgiveness (vv. 3–4)

If a brother sins seven times in a day and returns seven times saying "I repent," the disciple must forgive.

    • Doctrine: Forgiveness is the evidence of a regenerated heart. If we do not forgive, we reveal that we have not truly grasped how much we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:14–15; Colossians 3:13).

3. Persistent Growth in Faith (vv. 5–6)

When the apostles heard these demands, they cried out, "Increase our faith!" Jesus replied that even faith the size of a mustard seed can move sycamore trees.

    • Doctrine: Spiritual growth is a mandate. Faith is strengthened through the Word (Romans 10:17) and constant exercise in grace (2 Peter 3:18).

4. Serving Without Seeking Applause (vv. 7–9)

Jesus uses the illustration of a servant coming in from the field. The master does not say, "Sit down and eat first." No, the servant is expected to prepare the master’s meal and serve him before eating himself.

    • Doctrine: Christian service is a duty, not a favor we do for God. In the Kingdom, the path to greatness is the path of a servant (Mark 9:35; Galatians 5:13).

II. The Central Principle: "Unprofitable" Servants (v. 10)

"So you also, when you have marked out everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy [unprofitable] servants; we have only done our duty.'"

1. What Does "Unprofitable" Mean?

In the Greek text, the word is achreios. It does not mean "worthless" or "useless" in the sense of having no value. Rather, it means:

    • We have not done anything beyond our duty.

    • We have not added any "profit" or essential benefit to God.

The Sovereignty of God: God is self-sufficient. He does not need our service. He is not served by human hands as if He lacked anything (Acts 17:25). He made us; we did not make ourselves (Psalm 100:3). Nothing we do increases His essential glory; we are simply reflecting back what He gave us.

2. The Maximum We Can Be

Think of the most "productive" Christian life: one that never stumbles, forgives every offense, moves mountains with faith, practices hospitality (Hebrews 13:2), helps the needy (Galatians 6:10), cares for orphans (James 1:27), and preaches the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Mark 16:15).

If a person does all of that perfectly, Jesus says the correct response is: "I have only done my duty."

III. Doctrinal Implications

1. The Impossibility of "Extra Credit"

We can never put God in our debt. We can never do "more" than we ought to because:

    • Every breath we take is His gift.

    • Every ability we have is His grace.

    • Every opportunity we find is His providence. 1 Corinthians 4:7 asks the humbling question: "What do you have that you did not receive?"

2. The Death of Spiritual Pride

This text is a "pride-killer." If doing everything perfectly leaves us as "unprofitable servants," how much more humble should we be when we consider how often we fail? This destroys:

    • Ministerial ego.

    • The "God owes me" mentality.

    • The comparison trap (looking down on others who "do less").

3. Obedience is a Debt of Love, Not a Merit

We are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Therefore, we do not obey to earn a seat at the table; we obey because we have already been given a seat by the blood of Christ.

IV. Practical Applications

    1. Evaluate Your Motives: Are you serving for the "Thank You," or because He is Lord?

    2. Abandon Comparisons: Do not measure your "satisfactory" against someone else's "poor." Measure your life against the standard of the Master.

    3. Serve with Humility: Do your work in the church, the home, and the world "as for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23), seeking His pleasure alone.

1. What Sin Does to Us
2. How to Be a Godly Father to Your Son
3. Biblical Proof That God is Always by Our Side

Conclusion

We return to our opening question: What is the maximum we can be as servants of God?

The answer is both simple and shattering: The maximum we can be is obedient. We can never be "Superior" in God's evaluation in the sense of exceeding His requirements, because His requirement is already everything—all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

When we have done our very best, we have not done God a favor; we have simply fulfilled the purpose for which we were created. Let us serve, then, not with the pride of a "star employee," but with the joy of a servant who loves his Master and realizes that the privilege of serving Him is a reward in itself.

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What Sin Does to Us

 The Deceptive Destroyer: What Sin Does to Us

Introduction

Tragically, many in our modern world treat sin as a game. For the masses, sin has become a form of entertainment, a diversion, or a lighthearted "vice." We live in a culture that laughs at what God mourns. However, the Word of God is clear: Sin is not a game; it is a serious and terrible reality.

Left unaddressed, sin does not just complicate our lives—it condemns our souls eternally. It is a poison that masquerades as a potion. Today, we will look deep into the Scriptures to understand the devastating mechanics of sin and, more importantly, how we can be liberated from its grip.

I. The Devastating Effects of Sin

1. Sin Enslaves Us

Many chase sin in the name of "freedom," but they find a prison instead. Jesus addressed the religious leaders of His day who claimed they had never been slaves to anyone.

    • The Reality: Jesus replied in John 8:34, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."

    • The Irony: You are not free to sin; rather, sin makes you unable to be free. It becomes a master that demands more while giving less.

2. Sin Separates Us from God’s Glory and Presence

The most tragic consequence of sin is the relational wall it builds between the Creator and the creature.

    • The Distance: Romans 3:23 declares that all have sinned and fall short of (are destitute of) the glory of God.

    • The Barrier: Isaiah 59:1–2 explains that God’s hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear, but our iniquities have made a separation between us and our God. Sin causes God to hide His face from us.

3. Sin Kills Us Spiritually

Sin is a terminal disease. It doesn't just make us "bad"; it makes us dead.

    • The Wage: Romans 6:23 tells us that the "wages"—the earned payment—of sin is death.

    • The Spiritual Delinquent: Ephesians 2:1 notes that before Christ, we were "dead in our trespasses and sins." Sin turns a human being into a spiritual "delinquent" or outlaw, living outside the life of God.

4. Sin Leaves Us Hopeless and Weighted

The life of sin is a life of "missing out" on the best God has to offer.

    • The Exclusion: Ephesians 2:12 describes the sinner’s state as being "without Christ... foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world."

    • The Weight: Hebrews 12:1 describes sin as a weight that "entangles" or "besets" us. It is an unnecessary burden that prevents us from running the race of life.

II. The Divine Solution: What Must We Do?

When the people in the book of Acts realized the gravity of their condition, they were "cut to the heart" and asked the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37).

1. The Prescription for Peace

Peter gave the definitive solution in Acts 2:38:

    1. Repent: Turn away from the sin that is killing you.

    2. Be Baptized: Every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

2. The Twofold Blessing

In the waters of baptism, God provides two distinct gifts:

    • Forgiveness: The slate is wiped clean; the debt is canceled.

    • The Gift of the Holy Spirit: As Ephesians 1:13–14 explains, the Spirit is the "seal" and the "deposit" (or earnest money/arras) of our inheritance.

Note on "Arras": In a wedding, the arras are coins given as a pledge of faithfulness. Spiritually, the Holy Spirit is God's "down payment"—a guarantee that He will complete our salvation and give us our eternal inheritance.

III. The Urgency of Now

The greatest ally of sin is the spirit of "tomorrow." We often react like Governor Felix, who trembled at Paul’s preaching but said, "When I find it convenient, I will send for you" (Acts 24:25).

    • The Acceptable Time: 2 Corinthians 6:2 screams across the centuries: "Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."

    • The Danger of Delay: In Luke 12:20, God called the man who planned only for the future a "fool." Why? Because that very night, his soul was demanded of him. Tomorrow is a debt no man is certain to collect.

1. How to Be a Godly Father to Your Son
2. Biblical Proof That God is Always by Our Side
3. Evidence that Jesus is above Natural Laws

Conclusion

Sin is not a toy; it is a trap.

    • It enslaves you.

    • It separates you from the glory of God.

    • It kills you spiritually.

    • It leaves you without hope.

But the invitation of Jesus remains open: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). The only way to escape the consequences of sin is to take the path of repentance and baptism, and then to remain "faithful, even to the point of death" (Revelation 2:10).

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How to Be a Godly Father to Your Son

 The Legacy of Grace: How to Be a Godly Father to Your Son

Introduction

In the kingdom of God, being a father is recognized as one of life’s greatest blessings, yet it carries a weight of responsibility that transcends this earthly realm. While many fathers are diligent in providing material comfort—food, shelter, and education—the eternal question remains: Are we being godly fathers?

To be "godly" is more than just attending church; it implies a life characterized by compassion, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and strict adherence to the principles of God. A godly father does not merely provide for his son’s body; he provides for his son’s soul through spiritual direction, a holy example, and a heritage of faith. Today, we will explore the biblical blueprint for godly fatherhood.

I. A Godly Father Provides Spiritual Leadership

Base Text: Genesis 18:19 — "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord..."

Godly fatherhood is, first and foremost, a spiritual calling. The father is the appointed leader of the home’s spiritual atmosphere.

    • Intentional Guidance: Faith is not caught by accident; it is taught with intention. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 instructs fathers to talk about God’s commands when they sit at home, walk along the road, lie down, and get up. The teaching must be constant and natural.

    • The Power of Example: Proverbs 22:6 tells us to "train up a child in the way he should go." This training is most effective when the father models the behavior.

    • The Example of Cornelius: In Acts 10:2, we find a man who was "devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly," and notably, he did this with all his family.

Practical Application:

We often demand academic excellence and supervise school assignments. But do we supervise our sons' spiritual growth? Do we prioritize the Word of God as much as the school curriculum? What we demand from our children reveals what we truly value.

II. A Godly Father Desires the Holiness of His Son

Base Text: Hebrews 12:14 — "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

A godly father understands that the greatest danger to his son is not poverty or failure, but sin.

    • Intercession like Job: In Job 1:4-5, we see a father who rose early in the morning to offer sacrifices for each of his children, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned." He was a watchman over their purity.

    • Environment and Discipline: Ephesians 6:4 commands fathers to "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." This requires correcting with love and disciplining with the purpose of restoration.

    • Guarding Companionships: Because "bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33), a godly father remains vigilant about the influences entering his son's life.

III. A Godly Father Cultivates Integral Growth

While physical health and professional success are important, they are secondary to the state of the soul.

    • The Prayer of Manoah: In Judges 13:8, the father of Samson asked the Lord, "Teach us how we should bring up the boy." A godly father acknowledges his own limitations and seeks divine wisdom for parenting.

    • The Example of Jesus: Under the care of Joseph and Mary, Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:40, 52). This is the model of integral growth—physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual.

    • The Example of Timothy: Paul reminds Timothy that "from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures" (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Early biblical exposure is a shield against the errors of the world, for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 1:7).

IV. A Godly Father Leaves a Heritage of Faith

Many fathers spend their lives accumulating houses, land, and bank accounts to leave to their sons. While not wrong, these are perishable. The greatest inheritance is spiritual.

    • David’s Charge to Solomon: In 1 Kings 2:1-3, as David faced death, his priority was not to discuss the borders of the kingdom or the gold in the treasury. He charged his son to "walk in obedience to [the Lord]" so that he might thrive.

    • Putting the House in Order: God told Hezekiah, "Put your house in order" (Isaiah 38:1). Ordering a house means ensuring that the family’s spiritual foundation is secure.

    • The Multi-Generational Legacy: Paul highlights the "sincere faith" that lived in Timothy, which first lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). This is a legacy that does not cause lawsuits or envy; it produces eternal life.

The Central Doctrine of Godly Paternity

The core of this message is that paternity is a ministry. A godly father:

    1. Loves God above all else.

    2. Leads his home as a spiritual servant.

    3. Models holiness in his private and public life.

    4. Invests in his son's soul more than his son's career.

Final Application

Father, as you look at your son today, ask yourself:

    • What am I modeling? (Your son will likely become who you are, not who you tell him to be).

    • What am I prioritizing? (Do your actions show that the Kingdom of Heaven comes first?)

    • What legacy am I leaving? (Will your son inherit a relationship with God or just a collection of things?)

See Also

1. Biblical Proof That God is Always by Our Side
2. Evidence that Jesus is above Natural Laws
3. How to Prepare for the Coming of Christ

Conclusion

Being a godly father does not mean being a perfect man. It means being an intentional man. It means realizing that your son is a gift on loan from the Creator, and one day, you will give an account for the direction you gave him. May we be found faithful in the most important mission of our lives.

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Biblical Proof That God is Always by Our Side

 Never Alone: Biblical Proof That God is Always by Our Side

Introduction

One of the most profound realities of the Christian faith is that the believer never lives alone, never fights alone, and never suffers alone. In a world characterized by sudden crises, shifting loyalties, and deep-seated uncertainty, our security is not found in a change of circumstances, but in the permanent presence of God.

The greatest promise found within the pages of Holy Scripture is not material prosperity or the absence of pain; it is the unwavering commitment of the Creator to be with His people. Today, we will explore the doctrinal foundations that prove God is not a distant observer, but an ever-present companion.

I. The Divine Vow of Non-Abandonment

Base Text: Hebrews 13:5 — "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

In the original Greek, this promise contains a powerful combination of five negatives, effectively saying, "I will never, no never, no never leave you."

    • Doctrinal Foundations: This is rooted in the Immutability of God (He does not change) and His Fidelity (He cannot lie).

    • The Security of the Believer: Our failures do not negate His presence. As 2 Timothy 2:13 declares, even when we are faithless, He remains faithful.

II. Peace Amidst the Storm

Base Text: John 16:33 — "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Jesus does not promise an easy path; He promises a victorious Presence.

    • Internal vs. External: Our peace does not depend on the "weather" of our lives, but on the Prince of Peace who is in our boat.

    • The Victorious Christ: Because Christ has already conquered the world, His presence provides a peace that surpasses understanding, even when the tribulation remains.

III. The Sustainer of Our Burdens

Base Text: Psalm 55:22 — "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you."

    • Divine Providence: God does not merely watch us struggle under heavy loads; He invites us to transfer the weight to Him.

    • Supernatural Support: To "sustain" means more than just helping; it means to provide the necessary strength so that the believer does not collapse. Our dependence is the doorway to His providence.

IV. Deliverance in Affliction

Base Text: Psalm 34:19 — "The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."

    • Reality of Suffering: The Bible is honest about the "many troubles" of the righteous.

    • Sovereign Liberation: Deliverance may come from the trial or through the trial, but the soul is always protected by the company of God. We are never left to drown in our afflictions.

V. Our Multi-Faceted Fortress and Refuge

The Psalms provide a rich tapestry of metaphors describing God's presence:

    1. Our Light and Salvation: Even if everyone else abandons us, the Lord receives us (Psalm 27:1, 10).

    2. Our Shepherd: Because He is with us, we lack nothing (Psalm 23:1).

    3. Our Shelter: He is our refuge, shield, and rampart (Psalm 91:1-4).

    4. Our Ever-Present Help: He is an "ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

    • Doctrinal Note: He is not a "distant help" we must call from afar; He is a "present help"—closer than our very breath.

VI. The Warrior Who Fights for Us

Base Text: Exodus 14:14 — "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

When Israel stood between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, their situation was humanly impossible.

    • The Divine Warrior: In the face of insurmountable odds, God’s presence manifests as a Defender.

    • Resting in Victory: The believer can find rest because the final victory belongs to the Lord, not to our own strength or strategy.

VII. The Ultimate Advocate

Base Text: Romans 8:31 — "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Base Text: 1 John 4:4 — "The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

    • Spiritual Security: The presence of the Holy Spirit within the believer acts as a seal of victory. The enemy may attack, but he cannot overcome the one whom God accompanies and inhabits.

VIII. Strength for the Mission

Base Text: 2 Timothy 4:17 — "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength."

The Apostle Paul experienced the abandonment of men during his trial, but his testimony was clear: The Lord stood by him.

    • Ministry Support: God’s presence is our fuel for the mission. It compensates for every human absence and empowers us to fulfill our calling even in loneliness.

IX. An Unbroken Promise of Continuity

Base Text: Matthew 28:20 — "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

    • Daily Companionship: Jesus did not say He would be with us "on Sundays" or "when things go well." He said "always" (literally: "all the days").

    • Covenant Fulfillment: This is the fulfillment of the name Immanuel—God with us. There is no day so dark and no hour so lonely that Christ is absent from His child.

Central Doctrine: The Foundation of His Presence

God is with us not because we are perfect, but because:

    • He is Faithful: He keeps His word.

    • He is Omnipresent: There is nowhere we can go from His Spirit.

    • He is our Father and Shepherd: It is His nature to care for His own. His presence does not depend on our fluctuating emotions; it depends on His unchanging character.

Practical Application

If God is truly at your side today:

    • Do not fear: No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

    • Do not faint: His strength is made perfect in your weakness.

    • Do not retreat: The Lion of Judah goes before you. The believer is not strong because of their own resolve; they are strong because the Almighty is their companion.

1. Evidence that Jesus is above Natural Laws
2. How to Prepare for the Coming of Christ
3. Three Enemies That Limit Our Service to God

Conclusion

The Bible leaves no room for doubt: you are not alone. Whether you are in the mountain of joy or the valley of the shadow of death, the King of Kings is at your right hand.

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Evidence that Jesus is above Natural Laws

 Sovereign Over Creation: Jesus Above Natural Laws

Introduction

The universe we inhabit is governed by rigid natural laws. Chemistry dictates the composition of matter; biology defines the boundaries of life; physics regulates the motion of the stars; and medicine struggles against the decay of the body. Every human being who has ever lived is subject to these laws. We are bound by gravity, limited by time, and constrained by our own biology.

However, the Holy Scriptures present us with a Person who is not a prisoner of these laws. Jesus Christ is not limited by natural laws because He is the Architect of those laws. The Gospel of John declares that Christ is not merely an extraordinary man or a profound teacher, but God manifested in the flesh (John 1:1, 14).

If Jesus stands above nature, it is because He is the Lord of Nature. Today, we will explore the doctrinal evidence that Christ is the Sovereign Creator, Sustainer, and Lord of all things.

I. Jesus is Above Chemistry

Base Text: John 2:7–11 (The Wedding at Cana)

In His first recorded miracle, Jesus bypassed the fundamental laws of chemistry. To create wine naturally, you need soil, water, sunshine, vines, grapes, fermentation, and—most importantly—time.

    • Instantaneous Transformation: Jesus converted water into wine without a chemical process and without the element of time.

    • Doctrinal Emphasis: This "beginning of signs" manifested His glory and confirmed His deity. Only the Creator can alter the molecular structure of matter with immediate authority. Christ does not manipulate nature; He governs it.

II. Jesus is Above Biology

Base Text: Matthew 1:18–25 (The Virginal Birth)

The very entry of Jesus into human history defied biological necessity. He was conceived not by natural union, but by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.

    • The Incarnation: This doctrine is essential to the Christian faith. The virgin birth affirms His divine nature (He is the Son of God) and His sinless humanity (He was not born under the federal headship of Adam).

    • The Only Begotten: As John 3:16 states, He is the Monogenēs—the unique, one-of-a-kind Son. He is fully God and fully man, a biological impossibility that became a historical reality.

III. Jesus is Above Physics

Base Text: Mark 6:49–51 (Walking on Water)

In the middle of a storm, Jesus demonstrated that the laws of gravity and fluid dynamics are subject to His feet.

    • Master of the Elements: When He walked on the sea and silenced the wind, He was not being "supported" by physical laws; He was supporting the laws themselves.

    • Doctrinal Emphasis: Psalm 89:9 declares that only God rules the swelling of the sea. By walking on the waves and calming the tempest, Jesus did what only Jehovah can do. He revealed His identity as the Lord of the Universe.

IV. Jesus is Above Economic Laws

Base Text: Matthew 14:17–21 (Multiplication of Loaves and Fish)

In the desert, the math was simple: five loaves plus two fish cannot equal a meal for five thousand men. Yet, in the hands of Christ, scarcity was swallowed up by abundance.

    • Sovereign Provider: Everyone ate, everyone was satisfied, and there was more left over at the end than there was at the beginning.

    • Doctrinal Emphasis: Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6). Where human resources end, divine provision begins. He is the Lord of the harvest and the Master of all resources.

V. Jesus is Above Medicine

Base Texts: Matthew 9:20–22 (The Woman with the Issue of Blood); John 9:1–7 (The Man Born Blind)

Medicine works through treatments, surgeries, and progressive recovery. Jesus healed without clinics or prescriptions.

    • Restoration Beyond Nature: He healed a woman whose condition was chronic (12 years) and a man whose condition was congenital (blind from birth). He restored what nature could not repair.

    • Doctrinal Emphasis: Christ has absolute authority over the human body because He is the Lord of Life. However, He reminds us in Mark 2:17 that His greatest healing is not of the flesh, but of the soul. He is the Great Physician of our eternity.

VI. Jesus is the Lord of History

Base Texts: Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13

Jesus declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega." Using the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, He defines Himself as the beginning and the end of all things.

    • The Center of Time: History is literally "His-story." The calendar of the world is divided into Before Christ (B.C.) and Anno Domini (A.D.).

    • Doctrinal Emphasis: This affirms the Eternity of Christ and His absolute sovereignty. Before Him, there was none; after Him, there will be none. He is the midpoint between time and eternity.

VII. His Universal Authority

Consider the paradoxes of His authority:

    • He had no servants, yet they called Him Lord (John 13:13).

    • He did not study under famous rabbis, yet they called Him Teacher.

    • He had no army, yet kings trembled at His birth (Matthew 2:3).

    • He won no military battles, yet He declared, "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

He did not conquer territories with a sword; He conquered human hearts with His Word.

The Central Doctrine: Christ the Sustainer

If Jesus is above chemistry, biology, physics, and history, then we must conclude: He is God. Colossians 1:16–17 provides the theological bedrock:

"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth... all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Practical Application

If Jesus dominates the massive laws of the cosmos, then He is surely capable of dominating the circumstances of your life.

    • If He rules Chemistry, He can transform your bitter situation into something sweet.

    • If He rules Biology and Medicine, He is the master of your health.

    • If He rules Economics, He is the source of your provision.

    • If He rules History, your future is secure in His hands.

Nothing—no crisis, no disease, no lack—is outside of His authority.

1. How to Prepare for the Coming of Christ
2. Three Enemies That Limit Our Service to God
3. Lessons from Men Who Knew God

Conclusion

Jesus is not subject to the laws of nature; the laws of nature are subject to Him. He is the Sovereign God, the Creator, and the Savior. To know Him is to know the One who holds the universe in the palm of His hand.

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How to Prepare for the Coming of Christ

 Ready for the King: How to Prepare for the Coming of Christ

Introduction

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not a myth, a metaphor, or a distant possibility. It is an irrefutable biblical truth, a glorious hope, and an imminent event. As surely as He walked the dusty roads of Galilee and ascended into the clouds of Bethany, He will return.

The angels declared in Acts 1:11: "This same Jesus... will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." And the Apostle John echoes this in Revelation 1:7: "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him."

While we do not know the day or the hour, we have the absolute certainty of the event. Therefore, the most vital question for every human soul today is not if He is coming, but rather: Are we prepared?

I. Preparation Means Constant Vigilance

In Matthew 24:44, Jesus gives a direct command: "So you also must be ready." He emphasizes that because the hour is unknown (v. 36), the posture of the believer must be one of "watching" (v. 42).

    • Doctrinal Emphasis: The imminence of Christ’s return demands constant vigilance.

    • Active Expectation: Preparation is not a one-time event or an occasional thought; it is a daily lifestyle of living in the light of His return.

II. Preparation Means Being About the Father’s Business

When Jesus was twelve, He asked, "Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house [business]?" (Luke 2:49). Later, He commanded us not to work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life (John 6:27).

    • Faithful Service: We are not called to be idle spectators waiting on a mountaintop; we are called to be faithful laborers in the harvest.

    • The Principle: Christ is coming for a church that is active, committed, and fruit-bearing.

III. Preparation Means Enthusiastic Anticipation

For the world, the end of the age brings terror. For the believer, it brings triumph. Paul commends the church for "eagerly waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed" (1 Corinthians 1:7).

    • The Blessed Hope: We are "waiting for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).

    • Doctrina: Biblical eschatology (the study of last things) is intended to produce joy, not panic.

IV. Preparation Means Living a Righteous Life

We must never forget that Christ returns not only as Savior but as Judge. He will "bring to light what is hidden in darkness" (1 Corinthians 4:5) and judge the secrets of every heart (Romans 2:16).

    • Holy Conduct: Peter asks a piercing question: "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives" (2 Peter 3:11).

    • The Standard: Grace does not grant us a license to sin; it empowers us to live righteously in view of the Judgment Seat of Christ.

V. Preparation Means Growing Toward Maturity

The goal of the Christian life is not just to "get in" to heaven, but to be transformed into the image of Christ. Paul prays that our whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

    • Spiritual Growth: We are called to grow until we reach the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

    • Progressive Sanctification: Preparation involves a continuous, upward trajectory of spiritual maturity.

VI. Preparation Means Obedience and Faithfulness

In his final instructions to Timothy, Paul charges him to "keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Timothy 6:14). Similarly, Jesus tells the church in Smyrna to be "faithful, even to the point of death" (Revelation 2:10).

    • Consistent Faith: It is not enough to start the race well; we must finish it well. Faithfulness is the external evidence of an internal, genuine faith.

VII. Preparation Means Patient Endurance

The wait can be long, and the world can be cruel. James encourages us: "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming... because the Lord’s coming is near" (James 5:7–8).

    • Future Reward: Patience is perseverance under pressure. We endure because we know that we must all appear before Christ to receive what is due us (2 Corinthians 5:10). Injustice will not have the last word.

VIII. Preparation Means Abiding in Christ

Finally, the Apostle John gives us the ultimate key to confidence: "And now, dear children, continue [abide] in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming" (1 John 2:28).

Abiding involves:

    1. Walking as He walked (1 John 2:6).

    2. Keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3).

    3. Finishing the race (2 Timothy 4:7).

1. Three Enemies That Limit Our Service to God
2. Lessons from Men Who Knew God
3. Why We Must Always Depend on God?

Conclusion

To be prepared for the coming of Christ is to live every day as if it were the day of His return, while working as if we have a hundred years. It is a life of watchfulness, holiness, and abiding. When the trumpet sounds, let it find us not in the shadows of worldliness, but in the light of His presence, busy with His work, and filled with His peace.

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Three Enemies That Limit Our Service to God

 The Shackled Servant: Three Enemies That Limit Our Service to God

Introduction

The call of Jesus Christ is not a suggestion; it is a profound, life-altering command. In Luke 9:23, the Master sets the terms of engagement:

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

This is a call to total surrender. However, many of us find our service to God hindered, interrupted, or even stagnant. We desire to serve, but we feel held back. This limitation is not a mystery; it is the result of three formidable enemies that seek to shackle the believer: Ourselves, the Devil, and the World. If we fail to identify these enemies, our ministry will be weak and our fruit will be sparse.

I. The First Enemy: Ourselves

The most dangerous enemy does not always lurk in the shadows outside; often, he is looking back at us in the mirror.

1. The Deceptive Heart

Jeremiah 17:9 warns us: "The heart is deceitful above all things..." The greatest problems we face are internal before they are external. From the heart sprout the weeds that choke our service:

    • Envy (Romans 1:29)

    • Impurity (Galatians 5:19)

    • Deceit (Ephesians 4:25)

    • Pride (1 Peter 5:5) Paul’s advice to Timothy is vital for every servant: "Take heed to yourself..." (1 Timothy 4:16). Sanctification begins with personal vigilance.

2. The Civil War: Old Man vs. New Creation

Though we are "new creatures" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we still reside in a body that hungers for the flesh.

    • We are commanded to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and abstain from fleshly lusts (1 Peter 2:11).

    • The Doctrine: The Christian life is a constant battlefield where the Spirit and the flesh compete for the throne of our will.

3. Critical Areas of Limitation

    • Sentimental and Sexual Integrity: Paul doesn't say "discuss" or "resist" youthful lusts; he says "Flee" (2 Timothy 2:22). Moral failure is the fastest way to destroy a testimony.

    • Relationships and Marriage: Can two walk together unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3). An unequal yoke is a weight that prevents you from running the race God set before you.

    • Priorities and Discipline: Often, the enemy isn't "sin," it is disorder. "Exercise yourself toward godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7-9). When we say "I don't have time for God," we are admitting our priorities are misaligned.

4. The Delusion of Success

The world defines success through Fame, Power, Money, and Pleasure. King Solomon, who had all four, concluded they were "Vanity of vanities" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). True success is only found in fearing God and keeping His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

II. The Second Enemy: The Devil

Our service to God faces real, organized spiritual opposition. Paul noted in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 that "Satan hindered us."

How the Enemy Operates:

    • The Accuser: Pointing out your past to make you feel unworthy to serve (Revelation 12:10).

    • The Tempter: Searching for a crack in your armor (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

    • The Deceiver: Appearing as an "angel of light" to offer "spiritual" shortcuts (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Our Doctrinal Defense:

We are not defenseless. We have Justification against his accusations (Romans 8:33), an Advocate in Heaven (1 John 2:1), and the Blood that cleanses us (1 John 1:7). The devil can hinder the path, but he cannot defeat a believer who stands firm in the Armor of God.

III. The Third Enemy: The World

The world system is designed to alienate us from the Father. 1 John 2:15-17 tells us not to love the world, for it offers only the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

The Danger of Friendship with the World

James 4:4 is categorical: friendship with the world is enmity with God.

    • Symptoms of Worldliness: Excessive anxiety over material things, uncontrolled leisure, and spiritual indifference.

    • The Case of Eutychus: In Acts 20:9-10, Eutychus fell asleep and fell to his death. This is a physical picture of a spiritual reality: the world "sleep-induces" the believer.

The Word of God screams to the sleeping servant: "Awake!" (Ephesians 5:14) and "Stir up the gift [fan the flame] of God" (2 Timothy 1:6).

1. Lessons from Men Who Knew God
2. Why We Must Always Depend on God?
3. When We Are Lacking in Spirituality

Conclusion

The call of Christ to "follow Me" is often limited by our own heart, the schemes of the devil, and the seduction of the world. However, these limits are not permanent.

Today, you are invited to:

    1. Confront yourself: Put the flesh to death.

    2. Resist the devil: Stand firm in the truth of your justification.

    3. Renounce the world: Wake up from spiritual slumber.

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Preaching on Matthew 16:26 What Good Is It to Gain the World and Lose Your Soul?

 The Great Exchange: What Good Is It to Gain the World and Lose Your Soul?

Introduction

The words of Jesus Christ are often comforting, but they are also surgically precise. In Matthew 16:26, He presents us with a cosmic balance sheet, asking a question that every human being must eventually answer:

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

We live in a generation obsessed with the "gain": more followers, higher salaries, greater recognition, and fleeting pleasures. Even within the church, the temptation to prioritize the temporal over the eternal is a constant shadow. Today, we will examine why the soul is our most valuable asset, look at those who tried to trade it for "the world," and learn how to secure our eternal destiny.

I. The Incomparable Value of the Soul

1. The Soul is Eternal

The primary reason the soul outweighs the world is its duration. The planet, the stars, and our physical bodies are subject to decay.

    • 1 John 2:17: "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." If you gain the world, you gain something that has an expiration date. If you lose your soul, you lose something that exists forever.

2. The Lack of a Human Ransom

Jesus asks, "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?" This implies that once the soul is lost, there is no currency on earth—no amount of gold, influence, or merit—that can buy it back.

    • Doctrinal Truth: Salvation cannot be purchased. Only the precious blood of Christ provides the redemption required for the soul. The soul is worth more than the total sum of all earthly treasures.

II. Biblical Examples of Those Who "Gained" and Lost Everything

History is littered with individuals who accepted the enemy's bargain. They reached for the world and ended up with nothing.

    1. Eve — The Desire for Status: She saw the fruit was "desirable for gaining wisdom" (Genesis 3:5-6). She gained knowledge, but it was the knowledge of shame, guilt, and spiritual death.

    2. Achan — The Lust for Wealth: He hid a beautiful robe and bars of silver and gold in his tent (Joshua 7:21). He gained luxury for a moment, but it cost him his life and the lives of his family. Sin promised elevation but produced a fall.

    3. Gehazi — The Ambition for Opportunity: He lied to Naaman to get silver and garments (2 Kings 5:21-27). He gained wealth but inherited Naaman’s leprosy. Ministry is never a platform for personal enrichment.

    4. Judas — The Price of Betrayal: He traded Christ for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 27:3-5). He gained the money but lost his peace, his purpose, and eventually his life. Betraying Christ never pays off.

    5. The Rich Fool — The Illusion of Planning: He looked at his full barns and told his soul to be merry (Lucas 12:19-20). God’s verdict? "You fool! This very night your life [soul] will be demanded from you."

    6. Ananias and Sapphira — The Cost of Hypocrisy: They sold property but lied about the price to look more spiritual than they were (Acts 5:1-10). They gained a reputation for generosity but lost their lives.

III. The Illusion of Earthly Riches

We often toil for things we cannot keep. Jesus and the Apostles provide a reality check:

    • The Command: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20).

    • The Reality: We brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out (1 Timothy 6:7).

    • The Testimony: Job, in his darkest hour, understood this: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart" (Job 1:21).

IV. How is the Soul Lost Today?

The tragedy of losing one's soul doesn't always happen in a single, dramatic moment of rebellion. It often happens through:

    • Misplaced Priorities: Being too busy for God.

    • Love of Money: Making the pursuit of wealth our primary god.

    • Unrepentant Sin: Clinging to habits that we know grieve the Spirit.

    • Religion Without Conversion: Having a form of godliness but denying its power.

    • Living for the Temporary: Seeking happiness in parties, substances, or status instead of the Creator.

V. How to Win and Secure Your Soul

    1. Fear God: This is the beginning of wisdom. "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

    2. Shift Your Trust: Do not put your hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but put your hope in God (1 Timothy 6:17).

    3. Persevere to the End: The promise is for those who endure. "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown" (Revelation 2:10).

    4. Reject the Retreat: We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and are saved (Hebrews 10:39).

1. Preaching on to Follow Jesus Matthew 16:21–25
2. Preaching on Discontentment: The Danger of Dissatisfaction
3. Preaching on Psalm 15:1–5 - Who Shall Dwell in Your Tabernacle?

Conclusion

Of what use is it to have the highest bank account, the most famous name, or the most comfortable life, if at the end of the journey, you face eternity without God? The world is a fleeting shadow; your soul is an eternal reality. Today, if you find yourself trading your peace, your integrity, or your time with God for the "gain" of this world, it is time to stop and re-evaluate.

Give your soul back to the only One who can keep it—Jesus Christ.

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Lessons from Men Who Knew God

 Walking with the Almighty: Lessons from Men Who Knew God

Introduction

A common misconception in our modern world is that a deep, intimate relationship with the Creator is reserved for a select few—the "spiritual giants" or people of a bygone era. We often look at our own flaws and conclude that true closeness with God is an impossible dream.

However, Scripture paints a different picture. It introduces us to ordinary men who pleased God not because they were superhuman, but because of their faith and obedience. As James 5:17 reminds us, even the great prophet Elijah was "a man with a nature like ours." If these men could walk with God despite their weaknesses, so can we. Today, we will explore the biblical examples and doctrinal principles that show us how to cultivate a thriving relationship with our Heavenly Father.

I. Biblical Portraits of Divine Fellowship

1. Abel: A Foundation of Faith

Genesis 4:4 tells us that "the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering." The secret to this favor is found in Hebrews 11:4: he offered a better sacrifice by faith.

    • The Principle: Relationship begins with faith, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). There is no intimacy without obedient faith.

2. Enoch: The Constant Companion

Genesis 5:24 gives us one of the most beautiful descriptions in the Bible: "Enoch walked faithfully with God." He didn't just visit God; he lived in a state of constant communion.

    • The Principle: A good relationship with God is a daily journey, not an occasional destination.

3. Noah: Obedience in a Stormy Culture

In a world described as entirely corrupt, Genesis 6:8 says, "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." Because of his faithfulness, God established a covenant with him.

    • The Principle: Faithful obedience in the midst of a corrupt generation attracts divine favor.

4. Job: The Integrity of the Heart

God Himself boasted about Job’s character, calling him "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1, 1:8). Even in the furnace of suffering, Job did not turn away.

    • The Principle: True spirituality is reflected in integrity and reverent fear of the Lord.

5. Moses: The Humility of Intimacy

Exodus 33:11 notes that God spoke to Moses "face to face, as one speaks to a friend." Yet, Numbers 12:3 highlights that Moses was the humblest man on earth.

    • The Principle: Humility is the key that opens the door to divine intimacy.

6. Abraham: The Friend of God

Abraham's relationship was so profound that James 2:23 calls him "God’s friend." When God called, Abraham went, even when he didn't know the destination (Hebrews 11:8).

    • The Principle: Real faith is demonstrated through practical, sacrificial obedience.

7. David: A Heart Aligned with God

Despite his failures, David was a man "after God’s own heart" (Acts 13:22) because he sought God’s counsel before acting (1 Chronicles 14:10).

    • The Principle: A heart aligned with God’s will maintains constant communion.

8. Paul: The Christ-Centered Life

For the Apostle Paul, the relationship was transformative: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). He considered everything else "garbage" compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).

    • The Principle: Depth with God requires total surrender and making Christ our absolute priority.

II. How to Cultivate Your Relationship with God Today

To walk in the footsteps of these men, we must apply these seven biblical pillars to our lives:

    1. Walk by Faith: We must live by trust, not just by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7), constantly strengthening our faith through the Word.

    2. Aim to Please Him: Our daily conduct should reflect a desire to "abound more and more" in pleasing God (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

    3. Pursue Holiness: Without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). A pure heart is the "lens" through which we see God (Matthew 5:8).

    4. Obey to Befriend: Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:14). Obedience is the language of friendship with Christ.

    5. Live for Him, Not Yourself: We must shift our focus from our own ambitions to His purposes (2 Corinthians 5:15).

    6. Practice Gentleness and Humility: We are called to learn directly from the character of Jesus, who is "gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29).

    7. Guard Your Mind: Fill your thoughts with things that are true, noble, right, pure, and lovely (Philippians 4:8).

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2. When We Are Lacking in Spirituality
3. Why Are Christians So Heavily Criticized? Matthew 11:18–19

Conclusion

The Bible is filled with men who were not perfect, but who were present with God. From Abel’s sacrifice to Paul’s surrender, the message is clear: God is looking for a heart that is turned toward Him. You don't need to be a "super-saint" to start; you just need to start walking.

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