Remember – Part One

Sunday Morning Sermons

Remember – Part One

Pastor Don Carpenter

Psalm 103:2

REMEMBER ME – a letter from the American Flag

Lately I have become concerned about the people I represent. I no longer see the Pride in your eyes that I once seen when I traveled down your streets in the Veterans Day parades and on the 4th of July. The people that once saluted me and those that held their hand over their heart as I passed now just look around to see what others are doing.

Could it be that they don’t see me? This is what it must be, because I haven’t changed. I am still the same flag that accompanied so many of our countrymen as they defended this great country. As I wave in the breeze I am waving for each and ever one of them. I represent the people of this country and not the disappointment you may have with our Government. I have never had a vote in anything. I stand for the freedom that the people have given to this country.

You are the heroes, not the Government. You are the ones that go to work each day and do what is necessary to see that the children have clothes and shoes and plenty of food.

That is why I call you heroes. This is the spirit that I represent. This is why I was created, as a constant reminder to the people of American that with pride in our country and a strong belief in God we can overcome any obstacle that is put in our path. We are still the greatest country in the world. WE ARE AMERICA.

So the next time you pass by me just give me a wink or allow a glimmer of pride or just a simple wave to let all the soldiers that have died so you can live free and I can fly free will know that their sacrifice was not in vain.

Your Flag

___

America is facing some troubling and dangerous times. We have faced challenges in the past for sure but one that looms dark on our horizon is cancel culture. There is an effort to ignore and perhaps even re-write our history. It is an effort to characterize this great nation founded on Godly principles as an evil tyrannical force that must be completely dismantled and rebuilt. The older I get the more I hear myself saying, “This is not the nation I remember”.

Thank God for Memorial Day! This is a time when we are forced to take a break from life and remember! I will tell you that I really struggled with what to preach today. I have seen otherwise like minded believers go careening off into the dark and extrabiblical realm of conspiracy theories and mark of the beast metaphors. I have heard preachers that I love calling for God’s people to unite in prayer and pray that political opponents be put in front of firing squads so that we can “Have our country back”. So I genuinely wrestled with how to approach this holiday. Do I out my brethren for such extrabiblical rants? Do I launch some rants of my own about the precarious position our historic freedom finds itself? God moved me to get away from the rhetoric an back to the Bible.

Memorial Day is about remembering. We remember the Fallen, the cost of Freedom, and the responsibility we have to be good stewards of the freedom we have been allowed by God to enjoy.

The word “remember” is used 207 times in the King James Bible. God has a lot to say about making sure we do not forget certain things. As I explored scriptures, my heart was stirred by the emphasis placed upon our responsibility to remember.  So both this morning and this evening, we are going to dig deep and learn to reflect on purpose… to take the time to remember.

Remember That You Were Once A Slave

As A Nation

Deuteronomy 5:15 KJV

And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Deuteronomy 15:15 KJV

And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

Deuteronomy 16:12 KJV

And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

As A Sinner

Revelation 2:5 KJV

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Remember What God Did To Pharaoh

Deuteronomy 7:18 KJV

Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;

Remember God’s Leading

Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV

And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

Psalm 106:7 KJV

Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; They remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; But provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.

Remember God’s Power

Psalm 105:5 KJV

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Psalm 111:4 KJV

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

Remember God’s Empowerment

Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

1 Chronicles 16:12 KJV

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Nehemiah 4:14 KJV

And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

Remember the Days of Old

Deuteronomy 32:7 KJV

Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and he will shew thee; Thy elders, and they will tell thee.

Psalm 77:11 KJV

I will remember the works of the LORD: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psalm 143:5 KJV

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Remember the Day of Liberation

Exodus 13:3 KJV

And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

Esther 9:20–28 KJV

And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, 

To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 

As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 

And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; 

Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; 

But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 

Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, 

The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; 

And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

• Noah’s Memorial was an Ark.

• Abraham’s Memorials was found in his altars.

• Isaac’s Memorials flowed from his wells.

• Moses’ Memorial was the Law (which included the Tabernacle and it’s furnishings).

• Caleb’s Memorial was a mountain discovered in his youth but captured in his old age.

• David’s Memorial was a God-sized heart.

• Nehemiah’s Memorial was a rebuilt wall.

• Zerubabel’s Memorial was a rebuilt Temple.

• Jeremiah’s Memorial was a river of tears that flowed from his head.

Let us stand strong and loud. Let us remind the next generation of who God is and what He has done. Let us Remember!

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:33 PM May 27, 2021.

Military Pictures

Announcements

Barbara Kizzia is looking for photos of military members – both active duty and veterans – for a very special Memorial Day bulletin board.  Effort will be made to return the pictures to you, but for precious photos, it is recommended that you give her a copy of the photo instead.  Please have the pictures to her no later than  May 23rd.

A Mother’s Love

Uncategorized

A Mother’s Love

Pastor Don Carpenter

Mother’s Day / Isaiah 49:15; Isaiah 66:13; Proverbs 31:26

Barbara Weiser of Kewanee, Illinois recalls this converstation with her daughter when she was six:

“Mom, there are five things I want to be when I grow up.”

“Oh, yeah? What are they?”

“I’m going to be a model, a movie star, a traveler and travel all around the world, and an artist and a singer.”

“What about a mom?”

“I don’t know… I think that’s too hard for me.” Being a mother is hard.

___

Today we celebrate mothers and motherhood because of the virtue that is naturally exhibited by a mother. Her love, endurance, grace and wisdom toward her children exceeds normal relationships.  God has such a high view of the passion a mother has that He compares His love for His children to the bond between mom and child. This morning, let us give thanks for a Mother’s Love.

A Mother Will Have Compassion

Isaiah 49:15 KJV

Can a woman forget her sucking child, That she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, Yet will I not forget thee.

A Compassion That Shows Mercy

racham (??????, 7355), “to have compassion, be merciful, pity.” The words from this root are found 125 times in all parts of the Old Testament. The root is also found in Assyrian, Ethiopic, and Aramaic.

The verb is translated “love” once: “I will love thee, O Lord …” (Ps. 18:1). Racham is also used in God’s promise to declare His name to Moses: “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy” (Exod. 33:19). So men pray: “Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses” (Ps. 25:6); and Isaiah prophesies messianic restoration: “… With great mercies will I gather thee.… But with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer” (Isa. 54:7–8). This is the heart of salvation by the suffering Servant-Messiah.1

1 W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 43.

A Compassion That Shows Tenderness

Can a woman forget her sucking child? The design of this verse is apparent. It is to show that the love which God has for his people is stronger than that which is produced by the most tender ties created by any natural relation. The love of a mother for her infant child is the strongest attachment in nature. The question here implies that it was unusual for a mother to be unmindful of that tie, and to forsake the child that she should nourish and love.

That she should not have compassion. That she should not pity and succour it in times of sickness and distress; that she should see it suffer without any attempt to relieve it, and turn away, and see it die unpitied and unalleviated.

Yea, they may forget. They will sooner forget their child than God will forget his afflicted and suffering people. The phrase ‘they may forget,’ implies that such a thing may occur. In heathen lands, strong as is the instinct which binds a mother to her offspring, it has not been uncommon for a mother to expose her infant child, and to leave it to die. In illustration of this fact, see Notes on Rom. 1:31.1

1 Albert Barnes, Notes on the Old Testament: Isaiah, vol. 2 (London: Blackie & Son, 1851), 210–211.

A Compassion That Shows A Permanent Bond

God uses the strongest images of personal attachment to protest that he has not forgotten or forsaken Zion. He asks a rhetorical question concerning mothers and their attachments to the children they have borne in their wombs and nursed at their breasts. Can mothers forget? The assumed answer is, “Of course not!” The attachment of fathers may be obstructed by the sense of distance that exists between father and child. After all, the child has never drawn its life from the father’s body either in the womb or after. But the attachment of a mother and child is direct, and thus almost mystical.

Oswalt, J. N. (1998). The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40–66 (pp. 305–306). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

A Mother Will Comfort

Isaiah 66:13 KJV

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; And ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

She Will Sigh Along With Her Child

Compare chapters 40 and 61 for God’s plan and design for His people. The Hebrew word translated “comfort” in this verse is from a root meaning “to sigh!” It might be rendered, “As one whom his mother sighs with, so will I sigh with you.” We know how a loving mother enters into the sufferings of her children. Taking the little one in her arms she sighs with him as he sobs out his grief upon her bosom. So does God feel for us in our trials. Of old He said concerning Israel when they were in Egyptian bondage, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people … I know their sorrows; and am come to deliver them.” He is ever the same in His concern for His afflicted children. His great heart of love is moved with compassion as He beholds the ravages that sin has made and the sufferings that it has entailed upon all mankind. Yet we are so slow to refer our troubles to Him, thinking of Him as a stern Judge rather than a tender, loving Father.1

1 H. A. Ironside, Expository Notes on the Prophet Isaiah. (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1952), 367.

She Will Help Her Child Choose A Different Path.

Nacham may also mean “to comfort.” The refugees in Babylon would be “comforted” when survivors arrived from Jerusalem (Ezek. 14:23); the connection between “comfort” and “repent” here resulted from the calamity God brought upon Jerusalem as a testimony to the truth of His Word. David “comforted” Bathsheba after the death of her child born in sin (2 Sam. 12:24); this probably indicates his repentance of what had happened in their indiscretion.

1 W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 202.

A Mother comforts. She helps her child to choose a different path after the brutal lesson of actions and consequences has been given.

She Will Continue When Her Child Is Grown.

Ver. 13.—As one; literally, as a man. Israel is now looked upon as grown up, and receiving comfort from God himself in Jerusalem.1

1 H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Isaiah, vol. 2, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 486.

For Mother’s Day- One time a little boy was called up front to solve a math problem. The teacher asked him, “You have a pie with 6 pieces. There are 5 in your family: your brother, your sister, your mother and father and you. Each one gets one piece of the pie. Now you only have one piece left. We don’t want to cause any disagreements so it is decided to divide that last piece of pie evenly among your family. Tell me with a fraction how it will be divided up.” The little boy said, “1/4th.” The teacher said, “No, it would be 1/5th because there are 5 in your family and it will be divided evenly.” The little boy said, “No, teacher, it will be 1/4th. This happens all of the time in my family and my mother divides up the piece of pie but she never gives any to herself.”

A Mother Will Counsel

Proverbs 31:26 KJV

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She Will Counsel With Wisdom

She openeth her mouth with wisdom. She is not merely a good housewife, attending diligently to material interests; she guides her family with words of wisdom. When she speaks, it is not gossip, or slander, or idle talk, that she utters, but sentences of prudence and sound sense, such as may minister grace to the hearers. The Septuagint has this verse before ver. 25, and the first hemistich again after ver. 27. So in Lam. 2, 3, 4, the pe and ayin verses change places. This is also the case in Ps. 37. In the former passage the LXX. renders, “She openeth her mouth heedfully and lawfully (??????????? ??? ???????);” and in the other, “wisely and in accordance with law (????? ??? ??????????).”

She Will Counsel With Kindness

In her tongue is the law of kindness (thorath chesed); i.e. her language to those around her is animated and regulated by love. As mistress of a family, she has to teach and direct her dependents, and she performs this duty with gracious kindness and ready sympathy. Septuagint, “She places order on her tongue”1

1 H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Proverbs, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 601.

____

Dr. Benjamin Carson would agree listen to what he says about his mom:

Dr. Benjamin Carson, renowned surgeon at John Hopkins, has a story told about his mother by Kevin Lemam. Mrs. Carson insisted that Ben and His brother Curtis write a book report every couple of weeks. This wasn’t for school-this was for their mom. Ben and Curtis dutifully obeyed.

About the time he was in junior high, Ben finally realized something quite shocking. His mom couldn’t read. For years Ben had read books and scratched out reports, assuming that his mom was checking every word. But she didn’t have a clue what he was saying.

Now consider this: raised by an illiterate mother, Ben grew up to be a world famous surgeon who was featured in many articles and was the author of several books. His illiterate mom didn’t twist her hands over her lacking of learning and give up hope of raising intelligent boys. Instead, she gave her boys what she had interest, accountability, and courage to demand extra work.

And it paid off. Years later, someone asked Ben why his mother still lived with him, even after he was married and had a family of his own. “You don’t understand,” Ben answered. “If it weren’t for that woman, I wouldn’t be living here, She earned this.”

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 5:58 PM May 6, 2021.

Empty Gestures

Sunday Evening Sermons

Empty Gestures

Pastor Don Carpenter

Worship: What’s Stopping You? / 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:13; Ezekiel 33:31; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:5

The sin of the Pharisees was paying attention to outward demonstrations of piety for appearance’s sake rather than giving attention to inward obedience. This can be well illustrated by two eggs. One egg is a normal raw egg that, when placed under the palm of the hand and pressed evenly cannot be broken because of the structure of the egg itself. The second egg is exactly the same on the outside, but its insides have been removed. When it is placed under the same palm pressure, it breaks easily because it is internally weak. So, too, one who gives himself to the sin of the Pharisees is empty of substance and will eventually crack under pressure.

As we finish our study of hindrances to true Worship we are going to take a few minutes to think about the seduction of symbolism over substance. In May we will be continuing to examine the building blocks of Worship. We will not only how to be properly motivated to worship, but also how to Biblically express worship. This is where we can get messed up. As we see that shouting, dancing, loud instruments, crying, singing or standing silent in awe are all a part of worship, we can be tempted to do the worship things without actually worshipping. For the next few minutes let us identify things that can move us away from genuine worship.  Let us discover how we can reduce our worship to empty gestures.  

Worship is Empty Without Obedience

1 Samuel 15:18–22 KJV

And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 

Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? 

And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.

Worship Is Empty Without Repentance

Isaiah 1:13–16 KJV

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; The new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: They are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: Your hands are full of blood. 

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Worship Is Empty Without Hearing AND Doing

Ezekiel 33:31 KJV

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

James 1:22–24 KJV

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Worship Is Empty Without Intimacy With God

Hosea 6:6 KJV

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Worship Is Empty If It Is Just For Show

Matthew 6:5 KJV

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:47 PM April 21, 2021.

Order of Service April 25, 2021

Order of Service

April 25, 2021

Stand

Doxology Hymn # 554

“O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: Fear before him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:9, KJV)

Hymn # 55 Holy, Holy, Holy!

Opening Prayer (do not play here)

“Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11, KJV)

Hymn # 37 Praise To The Lord, The Almighty

Be Seated

“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (2 Chronicles 7:1–3, KJV)

Hymn #  2 How Great Thou Art

Hymn # 38 Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Hymn # 232 Calvary Covered It All

Testimonies

Missionary Letter

Brief Announcements

Special Music

Dismiss For Kiddie & Junior Church

Scripture Reading Psalm 96:9

Message:  The Beauty of His Holiness

Invitation Hymn # 366 Near To The Heart of God

The Beauty Of Holiness

Sunday Morning Sermons

The Beauty of His Holiness

Pastor Don Carpenter

Building Blocks of Worship / Deuteronomy 10:12; Leviticus 10:1–3; 2 Chronicles 7:3; Psalm 2:11; Psalm 68:35; Psalm 96:9; Ecclesiastes 5:1

Pastor Mike Wilkens tells this story: Once, I took the kids up to the cabin without Pam. The cabin is a rustic place with no running water, no electricity, but plenty of space for the kids to run and play. On the day that we were to come back home, I got them dressed in the morning, packed up the van, and loaded them in. I took a look at them as I was getting them in the van, and thought they look pretty good – a little grubby, but clean enough. They all slept as I drove until we pulled into a McDonald’s to get lunch – I looked back at them, and they were disgusting! What looked clean at the cabin, now in the light of civilization looked disgusting!

This morning we are launching a series called “The Building Blocks o Worship”. For the next several weeks we are going to look at essential elements that are required for us to worship God in spirit and in truth. David reminds us that we need to be mindful of God’s Holiness when we enter into His presence. When we see His beauty, we are reminded of our dreadful state. Only when we can see the contrast between our sin and His righteousness can we worship the Lord in the Beauty of His Holiness.

Psalm 96:9 KJV

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: Fear before him, all the earth.

Fear The Lord and Serve Him With Your Whole Heart.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words To Fear

Used of a person in an exalted position, yare? connotes “standing in awe.” This is not simple fear, but reverence, whereby an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders him proper respect. In this sense, the word may imply submission to a proper ethical relationship to God

Fear that leads to whole hearted obedience.

Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

 • Walk in His ways

 • Love Him

 • Serve Him

Fear that leads to repentance.

Deuteronomy 10:16–17 KJV

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 

For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Fear that compels you to watch your step when you enter into His presence.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 KJV

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Fear The Lord and Obey Him Completely

Leviticus 10:1–3 KJV

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 

And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 

Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

The Book of Leviticus Fire from the Lord (1–3)

I must be sanctified (?eqq???sh). Holiness (qdsh) is one of the great themes of Leviticus. The whole nation was called to be holy, but how much more responsibility rested on the priests whose duty was to perform the sanctifying rituals and to teach the people the way of holiness. They preeminently were near (q?r??) to God, for they drew near to him themselves (q?r??) (e.g., 9:7–8) and brought near the sacrifices (hiqr???) (e.g., 7:9, 33; 9:9, etc.). Honored or “glorified” is the verbal form (k????, Niphal) of the word for “glory” (k??ô?) (cf. 9:23

Isaiah 6:1–3 KJV

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory.

The Book of Leviticus Fire from the Lord (1–3)

Moses’ words may be loosely paraphrased, “the closer a man is to God, the more attention he must pay to holiness and the glory of God.” The unspoken implication is that the sons of the high priest ought to have known better than to act so presumptuously. The same theological point is made in many different ways in the OT. It is because Israel is God’s covenant people that she faces the covenant curses listed in Lev. 26 and Deut. 28. Amos says that while other nations deserve God’s punishment for their grave sins against humanity, Judah and Israel will be punished just because they have not kept the law (Amos 2–3). Holy men within Israel are judged by an even higher standard: they are expected to follow out God’s injunctions to the last jot and tittle. In their case, the slightest transgression tends to attract the most startling punishment. The greatest of all Israel’s leaders, Moses, was denied the fulfilment of his lifelong ambition for slightly deviating from God’s commands (Num. 20), “because you did not believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the Israelites” (Num. 20:12).

When we approach God, we must do it on His terms not ours.

Hebrews 9:13–14 KJV

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Moody’s Stories: Being a Second Volume of Anecdotes, Incidents and Illustrations The Wrath of God Was on Him

I heard of a rich man who was asked to make a contribution on behalf of some charitable object. The text was quoted to him—“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” He said that the security might be good enough, but the credit was too long. He was dead within two weeks.

Fear The Lord and Praise Him for His Mercy.

2 Chronicles 7:1–3 KJV

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 

And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house. 

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

 • Sacrifices were made pointing to the need of innocent blood to cover the guilty.

 • When fire fell, it could have just as easily consumed the sinful crowd, but instead consumed the sacrifice pointing to the work of Jesus on the Cross.

 • This led the people to bow down and praise God for His mercy.

When we approach God in corporate worship, we must have a sense of the Awesomeness and Beauty of His Holiness. We are to open our minds anew and afresh to a sense of trembling before Him. We are not to cower like a beaten puppy, buy we are to be moved as the door posts of the Temple in Heaven shook with the sound of Holy! Holy! Holy! We are to me moved to whole hearted worship. We are to be warned that we must not usurp Biblical mandates. God’s word tells us to use instruments, voices, passion and praise to worship Him and that is what we must do. When His presence in manifested in the congregation, and people are saved and restored, let us shout praise for His great mercy. He could have consumed us, but instead he has healed us! Let us worship Our God in the Beauty of His Holiness!

The Heart of a Godly Leader

Wednesday Evening Sermons

The Heart of a Godly Leader

Pastor Don Carpenter

2021 Bible Reading Challenge / 1 Kings 3:5–15

One morning the young new president of a bank made an appointment with his predecessor to seek some advice. He began, “Sir, as you well know, I lack a great deal of the qualifications you already have for this job. You have been very successful as president of this bank, and I wondered if you would be kind enough to share with me some of the insights you have gained from your years here that have been the keys to your success.”

The older man looked at him with a stare and replied: “Young man, two words: good decisions.”

The young man responded, “Thank you very much, sir, but how does one come to know which is the good decision?”

“One word, young man: experience.”

“But how does one get experience?”

“Two words, young man: bad decisions.

Often it takes the pain of trial and error in order to gain wisdom. What if you could get the wisdom without having to endure the errors? Would you desire wisdom like that if it were offered to you?

If a miracle was to happen, and you could have what your heart desires the most, what would it be? If the miracle happened while you were sleeping this evening, how would you know that it did when you woke up? Ponder these answers in your heart. Everyone will have a different answer. These answers will help us discover what we view to be the most important things in our lives.

God asked David’s son, Solomon, the new King of Israel, this kind of question. God gave Solomon a blank check of blessing and let him fill it in. The young king could have asked for anything. His answer revealed much about his heart. Tonight we will study this answer and see what lies in the heart of a Godly leader.

Humility

1 Kings 3:6–7 KJV

And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

 A. Acknowledge God’s mercy – you did not get what you deserved.

 B. Acknowledge God’s kindness

  1. That protects you from evil

  2. That provides you with blessings

 C. Acknowledge your own weakness.

  1. Do not count on your own strength.

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 KJV

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

  2. Be aware of your own frailty.

James 4:7–10 KJV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Matthew 18:4 KJV

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

A man approached a speaker and said, “You Christians are all brainwashed.” The speaker replied, “I think we are all brainwashed to a degree. The important thing is that we Christians choose what we want to wash our brains with.”

Accountability

1 Kings 3:8 KJV

And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

 A. These are God’s chosen people.

 B. You are accountable to God for these people.

Acts 20:26–27 KJV

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

1 Corinthians 4:1–4 KJV

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

An ancient Persian proverb offers the following excellent advice on developing leaders.

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool—shun him.

He who knows not, and knows that he knows not is a child—teach him.

He who knows, and knows not that he knows is asleep—wake him.

He who knows, and knows that he knows is wise—follow him.750

Total Dependence

1 Kings 3:9 KJV

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

 A. Cry out to God for what you need.

  1. Wisdom

 James 1:5 KJV

 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

  2. Boldness

  Acts 4:29 KJV

  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

  Ephesians 6:18 KJV

  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 B. God blesses the selfless servant.

 1 Kings 3:10–14 KJV

 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 

And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

  1. Gives you what you ask for in order to serve Him better.

  2. Adds extra blessing when your heart is in the right place.

  Philippians 2:1–4 KJV

  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 An important rule of leadership “Don’t allow the patient to prescribe the medicine.”

 C. Always remember the price that was paid for your sins – don’t get too proud.

 1 Kings 3:15 KJV

 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:51 PM April 19, 2021.

Order of Service April 18 AM

Order of Service

April 18, 2021

Stand

Doxology Hymn # 554

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Revelation 2:17, KJV)

Hymn # 189 A New Name In Glory

Opening Prayer (do not play here)

 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, KJV)

Hymn # 220 Saved By The Blood

Be Seated

Chorus # 217 There Is A Redeemer

Hymn – If That Isn’t Love

Testimonies

Missionary Letter

Brief Announcements

Special Music

Dismiss For Kiddie & Junior Church

Scripture Reading 2 Corinthians 5:17

Message:  This Is Love That Makes All Things New

Invitation Hymn # 374 Whiter Than Snow

The Horizontal Choke To Worship

Sunday Evening Sermons

The Horizontal Choke to Worship

Pastor Don Carpenter

Worship: What’s Stopping You? / Isaiah 1:11–17; Amos 5:21–24; Matthew 5:23–24

Last week, as we began our series: “Worship: What’s Stopping You?” we were reminded that Jesus wants us to worship God in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23 KJV

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

In order to do that we need to have a river of Grace that flows unhindered. We discovered that worship is about relationships/ We have a vertical relationship, between us and God, and a horizontal relationship between fellow believers. Last week we discovered that a wrong vertical relationship can choke the flow of Grace that allows us to worship in spirit (genuine passion) and in truth. Tonight we will identify the barriers in our interpersonal relationships that can also choke the flow of Grace that aids our passionate worship. We will discover and stop the horizontal choke to worship.

Unresolved Conflict

Matthew 5:23–24 KJV

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Ephesians 4:26 KJV

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Proverbs 25:9 KJV

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; And discover not a secret to another:

Romans 12:17–18 KJV

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Bill White, of Paramount, California, talks about his friend, Greg, who recently put together a mini high school reunion when he went back home to Indiana to visit his parents. He hadn’t seen many of his classmates in over 17 years; but when they got together, they had a riot reliving their glory days and finding out what was currently going on in everyone’s life.

As the night was winding down, Greg noticed that his friend Debbie was getting teary-eyed, and he couldn’t help but ask what was going on. Through tears she said, “It’s sad that there are some things you just can’t forget.”

Certain that something spiritual was going on, Greg pressed Debbie about what she meant. Finally she told him. In the second grade — 27 years previously! — a girl named Karen had started the “Debbie Haters’ Club.” Debbie had never gotten over the pain of that, and she had never forgiven Karen.

Knowing that Karen was at the reunion that night, Greg told Debbie she should talk to her. Debbie refused, but Greg insisted. In fact, Greg ended up orchestrating the effort toward reconciliation! When Karen was collecting her coat to leave the party, Greg pulled her aside into a separate room, and asked her to wait for him to return. Then Greg went to get Debbie. When both women were together in the room, Greg stepped out of the room and stood guard outside the door. Greg couldn’t hear a word that passed between them, but he didn’t need to. As they both left, he could see the freedom on their faces — a freedom that only comes with reconciliation.

Unfair Treatment of Others

Something Makes Our Worship Stink Before God

Amos 5:21–23 KJV

I hate, I despise your feast days, And I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; For I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

It is a Lack of Justice or Fairness

Amos 5:24 KJV

But let judgment run down as waters, And righteousness as a mighty stream.

Micah 6:8 KJV

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the LORD require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?

A family went to dine at a restaurant and the six-year-old boy was asked to say the blessing.

As they bowed their heads he said, “God is great. God is good. Thank you for this food. And I would even thank you more, God, if Mom bought us some ice cream after dinner with liberty and justice for all. Amen.”

This brought several chuckles from other customers and also one strong remark from an older woman seated nearby, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why I never!”

Tears welled up in the little boy’s eyes as he exclaimed, “Did I do something wrong? Is God mad at me?”

The mother reassured him that he had done nothing wrong and that he had done a great job as an elderly gentleman walked up and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer!”

“Really?” asked the little boy.

“Cross my heart,” answered the man and with sly grin nodding toward the woman, “Too bad she never asks for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

Of course, mom bought ice cream for everyone. The little boy stared at his ice cream for a moment. Then he slid out of the booth, took his ice cream and placed it in front of the older woman.

With a big smile he told her, “This is for you. Sometimes a little ice cream is good for the soul and my soul is good already.”

Apathy Toward The Oppressed.

Isaiah 1:11–17 KJV

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; And I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 

When ye come to appear before me, Who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; The new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: They are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: Your hands are full of blood. 

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 

Learn to do well; Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

 • To ignore the oppressed and suffering is to do intentional hurt (evil) by omission

James 4:17 KJV

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Arthur Pink wrote about how some people do not worship:

They bring their bodies to the house of prayer but not their souls. They worship with their mouths but not in spirit and in truth.

They are sticklers for early morning communion with God but they take no thought about keeping their hearts with all diligence.

They boast of their orthodoxy but disregard the precepts of Christ.

Multitudes of professing Christians abstain from external acts of violence, yet hesitate not to rob their neighbors of a good name by spreading evil reports against them.

They contribute regularly to the church but shrink not from misrepresenting their goods and cheating their customers persuading themselves that business is business.

They have more regard for the laws of man than those of God for his fear is not before their eyes.

__

God wants us to worship freely and passionately. We need His Grace and power to flow through us in order to do that. If we are mistreating our fellow man, that Grace gets clogged. Let us resolve our personal conflicts, treat others fairly, and stand for those who have no voice. Then we can remove the vertical choke to worship.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 8:10 PM April 15, 2021.

Love That Makes All Things New

Uncategorized

Love that Makes all Things New

Pastor Don Carpenter

***This is Love / 2 Corinthians 5:17

I saw a guy with his new car the other day, or at least it sure seemed new the way he admired it walking away backwards from it almost to the point of stumbling over the curb. You know one thing we like to do, is show off the new. I could relate with the man, he couldn’t stop looking at the shiny black convertible…. or perhaps it was a Jasper Green Subaru Forester.

I know we’ve all been there and it’s something we like doing. Even years after the item we once had has come and gone we still talk with love and admiration about the relationship we have or had with that vehicle, or that guitar, or that special thing we once had.

Our relationship with Jesus should be the same way!

Telling and leading someone to the option of trading in their old life for the new and improved one God has prepared and has waiting for them to experience. Is one of the most exciting things a person can ever do or be part of the experience!

This is our last sermon in the Easter Series: This is Love. 

Romans 5:8 KJV

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

We have seen that this love demonstrated was a love that forgives sins. We have seen that this demonstrated love conquered death. This morning we are going to discover that this love makes all things new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

There are well meaning folks who use this verse to try to shame professing believers into reform. this comes dangerously close to heresy. You see, there is not one work, rite or ritual that we can do to merit or maintain our salvation. We become saved when we surrender trust in our own dead works and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Romans 10:9–10 KJV

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Acts 16:30–31 KJV

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

This morning we are going to discover what God does with those who make that decision. We are going to see that it is all Him! It is all Grace! This is love that makes all things new!

A New Father

John 8:44 KJV

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Romans 8:15 KJV

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

A New Family

Romans 8:17 KJV

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

2 Corinthians 6:14–17 KJV

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

A New Righteousness

Philippians 3:4–9 KJV

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

A New Name

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 KJV

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Revelation 2:17 KJV

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

A New Nature

Romans 6:4–6 KJV

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Romans 7:6 KJV

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Galatians 5:16–18 KJV

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Romans 8:9–10 KJV

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

New Affections

Colossians 3:1–2 KJV

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

New Lifestyle

Ephesians 4:22–24 KJV

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

New Destiny

John 3:36 KJV

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 14:1–3 KJV

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Revelation 21:3–5 KJV

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

A young woman named Margaret had spent decades battling depression and anxiety that were traced back to a horrible day in school when a Teacher, frustrated with her tardiness, made her stand in front of the room and invited all the students to come up to the board and write something bad about her on the chalkboard. The kids were ruthless. They wrote things like “Margaret is ugly!”, “Margaret smells” and “Margaret is stupid.” All twenty-five students went up to the board and wrote these hurtful things. This event inflicted wounds that Margaret found difficult to heal. She battled depression, discouragement, and was angry all the time. Finally she went to a psychologist for help. She spent two years meeting weekly but finally they had reached the end of their sessions.

The counselor said, “Margaret, I know this will be difficult, but just to make sure you’re ready to move on, I am going to ask you to do something. I want to go back to your schoolroom and detail the events of that day. Take your time. Describe each of the children as they approach the blackboard, remember what they wrote and how you felt–do this for all twenty-five students.

In a way, this would be easy for Margaret. For forty years she had remembered every detail. And yet, to go through the nightmare one more time would take every bit of strength she had. After a long silence, she began the painful description. One by one, she described each of the students vividly, as though she had just seen them, stopping periodically to regain her composure, forcing herself to face each of those students one more time.

Finally she was done, and the tears would not stop, could not stop. Margaret cried a long time before she realized someone was whispering her name. “Margaret, Margaret, Margaret.” She looked up to see her counselor staring into her eyes, saying her name over and over again. Margaret stopped crying for moment.

“Margaret, you left out one person.”

“I certainly did not! I have lived with this story for forty years. I know every student by heart.”

“No, Margaret, you did forget someone. See, he’s sitting in the back of the classroom. He’s standing up, walking toward your teacher, Ms. Garner. She is handing him a piece of chalk and he’s taking it. Margaret, he’s taking it! Now he’s walking over to the blackboard and picking up and eraser. He is erasing every one of the sentences the students wrote. They are gone! Margaret, they are gone! Do you recognize him yet? Yes, his name is Jesus. Look, he’s writing new sentences on the board. ’Margaret is loved. Margaret is beautiful. Margaret is gentle and kind. Margaret is strong. Margaret has great courage.’”

And Margaret began to weep. But very quickly, the weeping turned into a smile, and then into laughter, and then into tears of joy.

Romans 5:8 KJV

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

This is Love That Makes All Things New!