Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Matthew 24:37&38 "37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark," We have entered the Season of Advent. This is the New Year in the Church calendar! In this season we want to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Of course Jesus always was/is and then He became incarnate and was sacrificed for all OUR sins. And, someday He will RETURN.  When will He return? We GOT to KNOW! NO ONE knows. Only GOD the Father Knows, is Jesus's answer from the Gospel of Matthew. And, in today's verses, Jesus explains more; "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." The King James Version uses the Septuagint's spelling of Noah's name; "Noe." Jesus is saying His return will be similar to the Great Flood, it was sudden...

Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Oh, we GOT to KNOW! When will Jesus RETURN?? NO ONE knows. Only GOD Knows. Sunday was the first day of Advent. This is the New Year in the Church calendar! In this season we want to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Of course Jesus always was/is and then He became incarnate and was sacrificed for all OUR sins. And, someday He will RETURN.   Yesterday we reminded ourselves of who Jesus IS!  •Jesus IS "the image of the invisible God," When people see Jesus they see GOD all mighty.  •Jesus IS "the firstborn of every creature:" This is to say He was begotten of GOD the Father in a manner inconceivable and inexpressible by men. •Jesus IS the bringer forth of every creature into being, "by Him were ALL things created," ALL things in heaven, and in earth, visible and invisible. This is definite and declarative; "by Him...

Colossians 1:15-17 "15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: 17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." Last week we studied Jesus forgiving and saving the woman who the scribes and Pharisees wanted to stone to death. Like this poor woman, we are all caught red handed. We are all guilty to the bone. Fortunately Jesus makes the first move. He came to earth to save us. While we are still sinners! Today was the first day of Advent. This is the New Year in the Church calendar! In this season we want to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In today's verses we read an explanation of who Jesus IS!  •Jesus IS "the image of the invisible God," When people see Jesus they see GOD a...

John 8:11 "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." "hath no man condemned thee?" Jesus asked. The accusers left one by one, Jesus was left alone with the woman, and the crowd of witnesses. All hear her answer; "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Jesus does not condemn her. His words must have sounded like words of mercy in contrast to the angry words of those who dragged here. He does not condemn her. But, the very words which bid her go are a condemnation of her sin; "go, and sin NO MORE."  Like the poor woman, we are caught red handed. We are guilty to the bone. We Underestimate God's mercy and grace. All that He does for us, everyday. We often think we get away with it. We go unpunished. But, God sees it. God knows it. You never get away with it. We are all caught red handed. And, like He did for this woman, Jesus makes ...

John 8:10 "When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" The scribes and Pharisees were not only attempting to have this woman stoned to death, they were trying get Jesus killed too! Jesus knelt down and wrote in the dirt. Whatever He wrote it convicted them; generally or specifically each of there sins is so clear and present for each of them they can no longer carry out their evil mission.  This all took place in the Temple. This poor woman was dragged in by the scribes and Pharisees. There is a crowd of people, including the disciples around. Before this interruption Jesus was engaged in teaching.  Now the accusers went out one by one, and then, Jesus was left alone with the woman. And, the crowd of witnesses around. "When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"...

John 8:8&9 "8 And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." The big mystery is WHAT did Jesus write in the dirt??? Jesus action of writing in the rocky dirt is reminiscent of GOD writing His Law on the stone tablets for Moses! It makes a lot of sense that Jesus could have written out the Ten Commandments or relevant parts. Just as a reminder to these wicked men what was at stake. These men are not just attempting to have this poor woman stoned to death, they are trying get Jesus killed too!  In today's verses Jesus returned to writing in the dirt; "And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground." This was important, Jesus returned to it. The law is written in their hearts, and this, while He writes on the ground, is convicting them. Generally or specific...

John 8:6&7 "6 This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." This trap the Pharisees have crafted is depraved and wicked. There would seem to be NO way out for Jesus. The Pharisees must be very proud of themselves. The big mystery is WHAT did Jesus write in the dirt??? These scribes and Pharisees were the interpreters of the Law. Jesus action of writing in the rocky dirt is reminiscent of GOD writing His Law on the stone tablets for Moses! It makes a lot of sense that Jesus could have written out the Ten Commandments or relevant parts. Just as a reminder to these wicked men what was at stake. These men are not just attempting to have this poor woman stoned to death, they are trying get Jesus killed too!  All would ...

John 8:5 "5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?" The Jewish leaders intentions are very insidious. Their Roman occupiers have reformed the legal system of Judea to match Roman laws. One outstanding difference was the penalty for adultery was NO longer death.  What the Pharisees are trying to set up is another trap! If Jesus says that the law of Moses needs to be enforced and this woman executed; then Jesus is guilty of sedition in the eyes of Rome. IF Jesus says the woman goes free they will say He is not upholding the Jewish law and is giving in to their heathen masters. The Jewish people would be very upset by this. This trap the Pharisees have crafted is depraved and wicked. There would seem to be NO way out for Jesus. The Pharisees must be very proud of themselves as they ask; "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but WHAT SAYEST THOU?"

John 8:3&4 "3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act." GOD is Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent! GOD is beyond our understanding. There is much more that God does than we can understand. It's okay to misunderstand God. BUT! We must also make our best efforts to know and love GOD. Our GOD who sent His only Son to become the sacrifice for all the sins in the world! AND! That Son sat amongst people and patiently taught them about Heavenly truths. In the Temple, the house of GOD. Were the people earnestly trying to learn??? Today's verses might indicate otherwise; "And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, IN THE VERY ACT."  By this time in the Gospel of John the scribes...

John 8:2 "And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught them." It is impossible to not Underestimate GOD. He is Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent! He is the Creator of All things. Even if one is blessed to be one of GOD'S GREATEST prophets, like Elijah, you will Underestimate GOD. When he thought he was the last true believer on planet earth; he was not! There were more than 7,000 that were still faithful! Even with Elijah's knowledge, insight and wisdom he did not understand all of God's plan. There is much more that God does than we can understand. It's okay to misunderstand God. GOD is beyond our understanding. Just trying to wrap our mind around sending Your only Son to become the sacrifice for all the sins in the world; boggles our mind! Today we return to the Gospel of John to study a time when the Son of God sat amongst people and patiently taught them about Heavenly truths. ...

1 Kings 19:17&18 "17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." Elijah was running scared. He "knew" he was all alone, the last true believer on planet earth! Then GOD answered; basically saying calm domn, "Go, RETURN on THY WAY..."  and names three men to anoint as kings over three regions. They too are faithful, Elijah is NOT alone. Far from being ALONE, in today's verses we read there are 7,000 that are still faithful! "And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me SEVEN THOUSAND in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him....

1 Kings 19:15&16 "15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room." Elijah was hiding when GOD finds him and asked; "What DOEST thou HERE?" Elijah answered that he was the only believer left and "they seek MY LIFE, to take it away." Elijah is a mess. He has been an outstanding prophet for the Lord. Achieved great success in a time when the Israelites were very unfaithful. And, now that the idolaters are out to KILL him; he's running scared. In today's verses GOD answered; "And the LORD said unto him, Go, RETURN on THY WAY to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha...

1 Kings 19:14 "And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." Elijah experienced wind that can tare up mountains and brake rocks is a frightening experience. Followed by an EARTHQUAKE! Followed by FIRE!! This is a unmistakable demonstration of GOD'S almighty power. GOD is Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent. Yet! With Elijah GOD uses a "still small voice." GOD is gentle, considerate and personal with Elijah. GOD asks; "What DOEST thou HERE, Elijah?"  Today's verse is Elijah's answer; "And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek MY LIFE, to tak...

1 Kings 19:12&13 "12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?" Elijah is on the run, hiding out, and feeling all alone. The false god worshipers are in hot pursuit, seeking to kill him. Elijah thinks he is unsupported and ALL ALONE! He Underestimates GOD.  Elijah's "hideout" is the same place Moses encountered GOD! The events described here are preparing Elijah to receive God with humility, reverence, and godly fear. A wind that can tare up mountains and brake rocks is a frightening experience. Followed by an EARTHQUAKE! This is a unmistakable demonstration of GOD'S almighty and irresistible power.  Next is FIRE! Today's verses; "And after the earthquake a fire; but ...

1 Kings 19:11  "And He said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:" Elijah is one of GOD'S GREATEST prophets and is on the run, hiding out, and feeling all alone with all the false god worshipers in hot pursuit, seeking to kill him. Elijah thinks he is the LAST believer in the world. Elijah thinks he is unsupported and ALL ALONE! He Underestimates GOD.  Then God spoke to Elijah; "And He said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:" Elijah's "hideout" is the s...

1 Kings 19:10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. "What doest thou here, Elijah?" GOD asked. And, Elijah answered; "I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." Elijah is on the run, hiding out, and feeling all alone with a world of false god worshipers in hot pursuit, seeking to end his life. Elijah's reply is laced with accusations that GOD is not doing His part. Now, Elijah thinks he is the LAST believer in the one True God. Elijah thinks he is unsupported and ALL ALONE! Elijah is one of GOD'S GREATEST prophets and he Underestimated GOD!?!? The pro...

1 Kings 19:9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? We have been studying how we Underestimate GOD. Last week Martha, Lazarus's sister, believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior BUT never expected her brother to be brought back from being DEAD! The week before that it was the Israelites and Moses didn't trust GOD for all their provisions in their wilderness journey as GOD was providing for their every need! The week before that we studied GOD GAVING the victory to Gideon and his troops when they entered into a hopeless situation. The odds were 450 to 1 against them, and they WON!!! The week before that we focused on Saint Peter trying to REBUKE Jesus after He shared GOD'S plan of the crucifixion with His Disciples. All of these events were times GOD'S best and brightest somehow Underestimated GOD!  This week we turn to the Book of First Kings to study the time...

John 11:25-27 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. Jesus's friend Lazarus died and was buried before Jesus even arrived! Now, Jesus is dealing with the grieving sisters. Martha expects a miracle here. She doesn't understand. Jesus has a better plan for her, for her sister and their recently deceased brother Lazarus. Jesus's plan is GOD'S plan and it is for you and me, too!!!  Martha doesn't expect Jesus to bring her brother back from the dead, today! BUT, He does! Even on our Deathbed we can know that our best days are ahead of us. We will all experience a new life in heaven. This occasion let's Jesus's friend demonstrate to the world that Jesus is GOD! In spite of our own...

John 11:23&24 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus's friend Lazarus was ill, his sisters sent for our Lord and Savior to HELP! Only Lazarus dies and is buried before Jesus even arrives! Now, Jesus is dealing with the grieving sisters. Martha almost chides Jesus, the other sister,  Mary, will say the same thing to Jesus in a few verses. Martha believes, she has seen and heard what Jesus does. She expects a miracle here.  In today's verses; "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the LAST DAY." Martha believes, yet she doesn't understand. Jesus has a better plan for her, for her sister and their recently deceased brother Lazarus. Jesus's plan is GOD'S plan and it is for you and me, too!!!  Martha doesn't expect Jesus to bring her brother back f...

John 11:20-22 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee. It's Jesus plans to help His friends in a way that will BLOW their MINDS!!! Jesus's friend Lazarus was ill, his sisters sent for our Lord and Savior to HELP! Only Lazarus dies and is buried before Jesus even arrives! Now, Jesus is dealing with the grieving sisters. In today's verse Martha almost chides Jesus; "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." The other sister,  Mary, will say these same words to Jesus in verse thirty-two. This family was among the first to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. We can read the sureness of their belief in their words with Jesus. Martha believes; "But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God wil...

John 11:17-19 17 Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. On this occasion Jesus plans to help His friends in a way that will BLOW their MINDS!!! Jesus's friend Lazarus was ill, his sisters sent for our Lord and Savior to HELP! Only Lazarus dies and is buried before Jesus even arrives! They are only two miles from Jerusalem, in Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. People from Jerusalem come here often and many know the family. Today's verse; "And MANY of the Jews CAME to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother." Jews from Jerusalem have come to comfort and support the sisters. Some of these people would have opposed our Lord. Some might have even tried to stone Him in chapter ten and then tried to take Him by force. Lazarus' family was...

John 11:3&4 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. This is our GOD. We cannot imagine the lengths GOD has gone to just to save us for all eternity. We are not prepared for the blessings that GOD has planned for us. For an example of this we return to the Gospel of John, chapter eleven. On this occasion Jesus plans to help His friends in a way that will BLOW their MINDS!!!  Jesus's friend Lazarus is mortally ill, his sisters have sent for our Lord and Savior for HELP! They are only two miles from Jerusalem, in Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. In today's verse; "Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick." "When Jesus heard that, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the GLORY of GOD, that the Son...

John 11:1&2 1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) God solves problems! As we studied last week; the Israelites wanted meat while wandering the wilderness and GOD sent them COUNTLESS quails! So many quails that people were working around the clock to butcher them and preserve them for later. This is our GOD. We cannot imagine the lengths GOD has gone to just to save us for all eternity. We are not prepared for the blessings that GOD has planned for us. For an example of this we return to the Gospel of John, chapter eleven, verse one. This is the occasion Jesus has set aside to help His friends in a way that will BLOW their MINDS!!! Today's verses; "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with oint...

Numbers 11:31&32 31 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. 32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. God solves the problem! Boy, does He solve problems! The Israelites wanted meat to eat and Moses didn't understand how GOD was going to make it happen! In today's verses we all find out; "And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upo...

Numbers 11:26-30 26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put His spirit upon them! 30 And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. God solves the problem! And, even His believers don't believe it! Yet, people want to help GOD by doing their own thing! Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp seemed to Joshua to be acting independently, and so establishing a separate center of authority. But, they have NO a...

Numbers 11:21-25 21 And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and Thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. 22 Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them? 23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee or not. 24 And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle. 25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. God solves the problem! And, even His believers don't believe it! Moses, who should know better, is talking with GOD and doubting...

Numbers 11:16-20 16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone. 18 And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. 19 Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; 20 But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among y...

Numbers 11:11-15 11 And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast Thou afflicted Thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in Thy sight, that Thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that Thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which Thou swarest unto their fathers? 13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if Thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in Thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness. Everyone is unhappy! The Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt and are wandering through the desert. Day after day they are eating manna. For every meal they are eating manna. And, they are sick and tired of manna! We read with amazement, ...