No More Fishing!

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "No More Fishing!"  He used John 21:1-12 as his reference scripture.

In this Bible story, Jesus is Risen!  He has appeared to the disciples several times. While he is away, Peter decides to go fishing.  Some of the other disciples decide to go with him.  If you remember, Peter was a professional fisherman when he met Jesus.  But Jesus called them to a new profession. Matthew 4:19 says, "Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!” (Living Bible)

Now I will give the disciples the benefit of the doubt.  They had been terrorized and traumatized by the crucifixion of Jesus.  They saw their dream of a new kingdom crumble right before their eyes.  Then they received the shocking news that Jesus was risen from the dead.  I imagine they just didn't know what to do next.  We may even be able to relate.  

So they went fishing.  They fished all night and didn't catch a thing!  Not even a minnow! In the morning, Jesus appeared on the shore.  They didn't recognize him. Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”  They answered him, “No.”  He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn't haul in the net." - John 21:5-6 (Common English Bible)  They immediately realized it was Jesus and rushed to the shore.  

What can we take away from this message? I'm so glad you asked. 

No matter what the situation looks like, always obey God!  Don't back-peddle!  If God has given you instructions, follow those instructions!  Don't go back to fishing for fish, after you've been called to fish for men! Proverbs 16:25 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."(New King James Version) 

Don't trust in your Technique, your Tackle, or your Timing!  I know you are extremely talented, and intelligent, but without God's supernatural power added to your natural ability you will fail.  Have you ever completed a difficult task and wondered, "How did I do that?"  The Apostle Paul wrote about this, "Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do." - Philippians 4:13 (Easy-to-Read Version)  

Proverbs 3:5-12 says, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.  Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this." (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Just as He Said

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas used Matthew 28:1-7 as his reference scripture at today's 7:30 am service.

Bishop commented about how difficult it can be to preach on Easter and Christmas, because the crowd always thinks they know exactly what will be said. Many times in church we hear but we don't listen.  Listening involves cognition or thinking. Jesus ministered and taught for three years.  He told his disciples what to expect, but they weren't listening. Mark 10:33 says, “Listen to me carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Romans, who will mock and spit on him, give him the third degree, and kill him. After three days he will rise alive.” (Message)

Jesus clearly told them what was going to happen, and yet Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were on their way to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.  They even wondered who would roll the stone away for them to enter the tomb.  But the unbelieving Pharisees and the Roman officials had more faith in what Jesus said.   They heard Jesus say that in three days he would rise again. They knew about all the miraculous works Jesus had performed.  They knew about the son of the widow from Nain, Jairus' daughter, and Lazarus all being raised from the dead.  Matthew 27:63-66 says,"After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.” Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards." (Message)  Sealing the tomb did them no good!  Matthew 28:2-4 says, "Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move." (Message)

What can we take away from this sermon? Great question!  Bishop gave us four points...

Fear Not - Just as the angel told the women, there is nothing to fear!  Jesus has overcome the enemy!  We are victorious through Christ!  No weapon formed against us can succeed!

He Is Risen, just as he said! - He is risen!  Thousands of years later we are still celebrating his resurrection and being blessed by his sacrifice. His Word is true!  He is trustworthy!

Come See - The old folks used to say, "Some things are better caught, than taught." or "I can show you better than I can tell you."  Meaning experience and hands-on practice will enable you to understand and comprehend better than verbal instructions. You have to see Jesus for yourself.  My experience may be inspirational, but experiencing God's love, power, deliverance, and provision for yourself is the best way to build trust and increase faith.

Go Tell - In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (King James Version)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Get the Word Out!

Happy Sunday!

At the 7:30 am service today, Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached from St. John 12:9-13.  These scriptures record the events that took place after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Verse 9 says, "Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead." (Message)  The religious leaders then plotted to kill Lazarus because they were so threatened by the multitudes that believed in Jesus because of this real life example.  

In the same way, our enemy wants to silence our testimony.  He wants to keep us quiet. He knows full well that when word gets out about the miraculous things God is doing and has done in your life, people will glorify God!  We are living testimonies! We are examples, illustrations, and exhibits of the power of God.  The Bible says that even the earth testifies about God.  Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork." (Amplified)

Years ago, a sales representative said, "You have something the world can't live without!"  Of course, she was speaking of the product that she was selling. God basically says the same thing.  The world is waiting for us to reveal who God really is!  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says, "All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.' (Message)  

Let's determine that this week we will tell someone about the wonderful things God has done!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Promises

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Charles Dickerson from Pearlie Grove Baptist Church in Fresno, California was our guest speaker today.  At the 7:30 am service he preached, "The Promises of Jesus". He used John 16:33 as his reference scripture.

It's sad that in this day and age "Integrity" is hard to find.  It used to be that a man's word was his bond.  Meaning that if a person said they would do something you could trust that they would in fact do it.  Psalms 15:4 says, a good person "keeps all promises no matter the cost". (Voice)  We sometimes even find a lack of integrity in the church!

Aren't you glad there is someone we can trust!  That someone is Jesus. He keeps all his promises.  The Apostle Peter encourages us by saying, "The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives". 2 Peter 3:9 (Common English Bible)

In John 16:33, Jesus made three promises;

PEACE - Jesus promised us peace.  Not happiness because happiness is based on what is happening.  Pure peace and joy can be experienced even in the absence of well-being, success, and good fortune.  But don't worry, Jesus has promised us an abundance of those good things too.  Mark 11:24 says, "So I tell you to ask for what you want in prayer. And if you believe that you have received those things, then they will be yours." (Easy-to-Read Version)

PRESSURE - In John 16:33, the literal translation of the word "tribulation" is pressure. In this life Jesus assured us we would experience pressure.  Bishop Dickerson commented about his enjoyment of the video game "Temple Run".  He explained that in the game his avatar can run, leap, jump, and fight.  If he dies he has extra lives that allow him to continue the game.  Sadly, real life is not so simple.  The Apostle Paul addressed this dilemma in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (King James Version) 

PRAISE - Jesus promised us an opportunity to praise! John 16:33 says, "But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.” (Common English Bible)   Jesus paid for our peace, prosperity, and healing on the cross.  He sacrificed his life in order for us to enjoy the benefits.  The work is already done!  We can praise God now for the blessings we enjoy and the blessings that are still to come.

Love and prayers, Cynthia