Sunday May 9, 2021
Minister Avery Ford
THE MESSAGE
Have you ever missed service, especially one where you really wanted to be there? Of course you have, me too! Have you ever asked the following question(s) with the intent of some how getting what you missed in your absence?
What did Pastor preach? How was service? What was the message about?
It still amazes me how simplistic the gospel message is and how it can be packaged in an infinite number of ways and yet remain true! In our fast paced, short attention span, instant gratification, world we live in, anyone and everyone gets to weigh in on whether they like us or not. They don’t even have to provide a reason or comment. They can simply mash the thumbs up or down button and keep it moving.
Today with social media anyone can have a platform no validation required. You can log in free of charge at any library and boom you have access to the world. So many have something to say. The have a message, but listen closely, do you hear The message?
For a shot at attention people will say or do just about anything! How long will
they have yours?
In today’s lesson we are going to revisit a favorite passage of mine. It’s used as doctrine in many statements of faith. Especially in the denominations that believe in being “born again” or “getting saved” like us. The message is the gospel and it can only be received by faith.
The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith,
which we preach; 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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be
ashamed.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is
rich unto all that call upon him.For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How
beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of
good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our
report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The abc’s of salvation are as follows:
A = Admit – that you are a sinner – That’s easy seeing that you know you!
B = Believe – that Jesus is the Son of God who paid the price for your sin! – Not too hard
especially today at least to me seeing that the calendar begins on or about his resurrection.
C = Confess – Jesus as your Lord and savior and live like it. This will take your whole heart,
mind, and soul. In other words your full effort and attention for the rest of your life. This isn’t
easy and only possible with the Helper, the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
The message makes plain and sets forth an option, or choice. It serves as a reminder that God
has an opinion on everything of consequence in this life. The message removes the cloak,
“ignorance” as excuse for sin. The message gives hope for our future and provides
confidence in our God. The message provides boundaries to keep us from straying when it’s
difficult to hear God ourselves. It’s The message that encourages us to know that every
demon is subject to the name of Jesus. It will be The message and The message alone that
transforms and renews our mind. The message is the gospel or good news. It’s delivered with
words by the WORD. The WORD that spoke everything that exists or ever existed into
existence and his name is Jesus! The message reminds us that we have value and purpose.
The message helps define our purpose and gives us meaning. It’s the word of faith that we
preach, that in the end we (that stay with Jesus) win!
Rev 21:3 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