Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Revelations 1:5&6 "5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." The Apostle John, the writer of Revelation, was imprisoned by the Roman authorities for preaching the gospel. They banished him to the barren rock of the island of Patmos. This is when and where John is given the experiences that become the book of Revelation! The book of Revelation provides the clearest picture of GOD'S grand judgment on the sinfulness of humanity and the promise and hope for the faithful in Jesus Christ. All creation will return to goodness and beauty; God has the final victory! We need to read the Holy Bible generally and the book of Revelation specifically. We want to understand what is being taught and ...

Revelations 1:3&4 "3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne;" We are journeying through the Lenten season, we will be studying; Experiencing GOD. We have turned to the last book of the Holy Bible; Revelation! The Apostle John, the writer of Revelation, had many GREAT experiences with GOD. John was imprisoned by the Roman authorities for preaching the gospel. They first tried dropping John into a vat of boiling oil, but he did not die! After that they banished him to the barren rock of the island of Patmos. This is when and where John is given the experiences that become the book of Revelation! The book of Revelation provides the clearest picture of GOD'S grand judgment on th...

Revelations 1:1&2 "1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." We were studying God Sightings the last few weeks. Culminating with Jesus sacrificed on the cross. What a place to see the Son of God?!?! And, if the story ended there we would have no reason to talk about it today. But, the events did not end there, where men INTENDED it to end, NO! It continues on Easter morning when Jesus rises from the grave! Having defeated sin and death! Rising to claim the throne over all creation and being the ruler of all eternity! GOD is NOT dead! GOD is our Savior! Now, and always!! As we journey through the Lenten season we will study Experiencing GOD. Today starting in the last book of the Holy Bible; Revelation! The Apostle John, ...

Luke 23:44-46 "44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost." GOD is dead. WE killed Him. He came to walk among us. WE tortured Him and hung Him on a cross like a murderous criminal. The Roman rulers hung a sign above His head that said; "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." Insulting the Jewish leadership of the day, and trying to strike fear in the hearts and minds of the Jewish population. Even one of the men being executed on a cross beside Jesus picks up the MEAN spirit of the Romans and is audaciously rude and disrespectful to Jesus! Also, noteworthy; the OTHER thief on a cross saw Jesus for who He is. It was a gift from the Holy Ghost that this thief could know that he was sharing this terr...

Luke 23:42&43 "42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise." We are studying GOD SIGHTINGS. The Roman rulers are all mocking Jesus; above His head hangs a sign that says; "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." The Romans insulting the Jewish leadership of the day. And, generally trying to strike fear in the hearts and minds of the Jewish population. All for some brutal and manipulative control over people.  One of the men being executed on a cross picks up the mean spirit of the Romans and is audaciously rude and disrespectful to Jesus! It should not surprise us then when we encounter people in our own walk of life who disrespect GOD.  AND! We should not be surprised when we encounter someone like the OTHER thief on a cross. Some people see Jesus for who He is. This is the gift from the Holy Ghost that this thief could know that he was sharin...

Luke 23:40&41 "40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss." We are studying GOD SIGHTINGS. This event is most unusual in that the Creator of the Universe is being executed along side common criminals. Like He was guilty TOO, deserving the severest treatment and ultimately DEATH! Present here are Roman soldiers tearing up Jesus's clothes and gambling over the ownership of them! The soldiers and their rulers are all mocking Jesus. Above Jesus's head hangs a sign that says; "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." The Romans insulting the Jewish leadership of the day. And, generally trying to strike fear in the hearts and minds of the Jewish population. All for some brutal and manipulative control over people.  One of the men also being executed on a cross picks up the mean spirit of the Roma...

Luke 23:38&39 "38 And a superscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us." When someone has a GOD SIGHTINGS what should their response be? We are at the point where our Lord and Savior is on the cross! This is NOT the place we expect to see the Creator of the Universe; being executed along side common criminals. Like He was guilty TOO, deserving the severest treatment and ultimately DEATH! Beaten to near death, stripped of His clothing and hung up on display for everyone to watch as He takes His last breath; this is GOD! BEHOLD this whole scene! The Roman soldiers are tearing up His clothes and gambling over the ownership of them! The rulers witnessing this event said; "...let Him save himself," Following their lead the soldiers also mocked Him. And, there's more in today's verses;...

Luke 23:36&37 "36 And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, 37 And saying, If Thou be the king of the Jews, save Thyself." We are studying GOD SIGHTINGS. It should surprise us to SEE GOD is tortured and murdered by His creation! Jesus On The Cross! This is NOT the place we expect to see the Creator of the Universe; being executed along side common criminals. Like He was guilty TOO, deserving the severest treatment and ultimately DEATH! Beaten to near death, stripped of His clothing and hung up on display for everyone to watch as He takes His last breath; this is GOD! IN contrast Jesus asks for forgiveness for His executioners. While He is doing that, they are tearing up His clothes and gambling over the ownership of them! While the person is dying on the cross they engage in this petty and trivial exercise. The rulers witnessing this event said; "He saved others; let Him save himself," Like many people, even to this day; "If...

Luke 23:34&35 "34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God." We are studying GOD SIGHTINGS. It should surprise us to see GOD is tortured and murdered by His creation! Jesus On The Cross! This is NOT the place we expect to see the Creator of the Universe; being executed along side common criminals. Like He was guilty too, deserving the severest treatment and ultimately DEATH! Beaten to near death, stripped of His clothing and hung up on display for everyone to watch as He takes His last breath; this is GOD! Just look at this contrast; "Then said Jesus, Father, FORGIVE them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Jesus is asking for forgiveness for these people as they murder Him. While He is doin...

Luke 23:33 "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left." We are studying GOD SIGHTINGS and last week was a BIG one; a dead man coming back to life, Lazarus was raised in front of a crowd of Jewish spectators. ALL of it happened to inspire belief in those present and the countless more that will hear and read about these events! We learn that it's not JUST Lazarus, but EVERYONE, you and me, will be raised from our graves one day! Jesus will call us by name. We will come out to meet our maker. Our friends and family will remove our grave clothes and welcome us home to the land of eternal life! This week we turn to a event that might surprise us to have a GOD Sighting; Jesus On The Cross! GOD is tortured and murdered by His creation!?!? This is NOT the place we expect to see the Creator of the Universe; being executed along side common criminals. Like He was gu...

John 11:44 "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." Lazarus came out of his grave!  Called out by name by Jesus. Mary and Martha, Lazarus's sisters, have to be loosing their minds! They watched their brother die. Now, he is walking among the living again! They were deep into mourning his death and expressing grief. Not any more!  We are studying GOD SIGHTINGS and on this occasion GOD revealing a BIG one. A dead man coming back to life is a event that even the most obtuse person has to recognize as an act of GOD. ALL of this happened to inspire belief in those present and the countless more that will hear and read about these events! In this account we learn that death does not win Jesus defeated it. All this sorrow and weeping became a party once Lazarus was raised. And, it's not JUST Lazarus, EVERYONE , all that is yet to come, you and me, wi...

John 11:41-43 "41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. 42 And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me. 43 And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth." Jesus is at Lazarus's grave. He is about to raise Lazarus from this grave. Mary and Martha, Lazarus's sisters, are racked with grief. There is really no way they can expect what will happen next. What they can see is that Jesus cares. Jesus is experiencing these emotions alongside His friends. This is the time of mourning and expressions of grief.  We are studying GOD SIGHTINGS and on this occasion GOD is saying He is showing His GLORY to His friends! BEHOLD! Today's verses; "And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I kne...

John 11:39&40 "39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Jesus is at Lazarus's grave. He is about to raise Lazarus from this grave. Bring His friend back to life from death. Mary and Martha, Lazarus's sisters, are racked with grief. Both questioned Jesus upon His LATE arrival. The stress and strain at this time is GREAT, and there is really no way they can expect what will happen next. What they can see is that Jesus cares. Jesus is experiencing these emotions alongside His friends.  As Jesus moves to His objective Martha has practical reservations in today's verses; "...Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days." She has to be wondering what on earth Jesus is going to do? The time for tending to ...

John 11:37&38 "37 And some of them said, Could not this Man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it." Jesus is at Lazarus's grave. He is about to raise Lazarus from this grave. Bring His friend back to life from death. The people around in the crowd know of Jesus and the speculate about what He could have done. Jesus is deeply moved by these events, He is NOT happy with this situation; "AGAIN groaning in Himself." Mary and Martha are racked with grief. Both questioned Jesus upon His late arrival. The stress and strain at this time is GREAT, and there is really no way they can expect what will happen next. What they can see is that Jesus cares. Jesus is experiencing these emotions alongside His friends. 

John 11:35&36 "35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him!" At this point in Jesus's ministry He is wildly popular; people are clamoring for His healing powers. Jesus's friends; Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus that they needed help when their brother Lazarus was very ill. Jesus was delayed and arrived AFTER Lazarus died. FIRST Martha confronts Jesus coming back, "Why weren't you here?" Jesus tried to teach her.  Next, Mary confronts Jesus with the same questions. Mary and Martha are racked with grief. Jesus is deeply moved by these events, he is NOT happy with this situation. Is it the stress and strain on the family and friends suffering their loss? Is it that Jesus knows he will be bringing His friend, Lazarus, back from heaven to return to life on earth? Is it that His best friends do not understand His purpose for being with them and walking the dusty roads of this wicked world? Or, something else? There is a lot of speculat...

John 11:33&34 "33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see." We are studying "God Sightings." This week we witness an increase in the revelation of GOD in His Son, Jesus Christ, as we go to the GRAVE of Lazarus. At this point in Jesus's ministry He is wildly popular; people are clamoring for His healing powers. Jesus's friends; Martha, Mary and Lazarus were very close and they KNEW Jesus could save Lazarus. When Lazarus was ill they sent word to Jesus that they needed help. JESUS did not come to help. Jesus was delayed and arrived AFTER Lazarus died. FIRST Martha confronts Jesus coming back, "Why weren't you here?" Jesus tried to teach her.  Next, Mary confronts Jesus with the same questions. Martha and Mary get huge props for their FAITH. And, Jesus is deeply moved b...

John 11:32 "Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." We are studying "God Sightings." We have studied the Holy Trinity being present at Jesus's Baptism with John the Baptizer, Moses at the burning bush, GOD sending the prophet Nathan to tell King David about GOD'S judgment, GOD filling the Disciples at Pentecost and Jesus at His friends wedding at Canna where He preformed the first miracle! This week we witness an increase in the revelation of GOD in His Son, Jesus Christ, as we go to the GRAVE of Lazarus. At this point in Jesus's ministry He is wildly popular; people are clamoring for His healing powers. Jesus's friends; Martha, Mary and Lazarus were very close and they KNEW Jesus could save Lazarus. When Lazarus was ill they sent word to Jesus that they needed help. JESUS did not come to help. Jesus was delayed and arrived AFTER Lazarus...

John 2:11 "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him." Turning water into wine was the FIRST miracle recorded for Jesus of Nazareth! It helped grow the FAITH of His Disciples. We cherish this event today. It's a fantastic look into the heart and mind of our Lord. Jesus saveed His friends from the embarrassment of running OUT of wine; He made them look generous and savvy by having the best of wine!  They were greatly blessed by having Jesus in their lives and at their wedding. They were not the only ones; the nameless servants helped and witnessed Jesus's FIRST miracle! They were obedient and followed His strange instructions. They had to serve the water that was turned into wine. How strange they must have felt having seen everything. The obedience of each person along the way mattered. It's true, this has a profound effect, but none of this could have happened if they did not have Je...

John 2:9&10 "9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." THE. GOOD. WINE. The best for last. This was the water that Jesus turned into wine. Not only did He save their friends from the embarrassment of running OUT of wine; He made them look generous and savvy by having the best of wine! What a wonderful benefit of having Jesus at their wedding.  They were greatly blessed by having Jesus in their lives. They were not the only ones; the nameless servants helped and witnessed Jesus's FIRST miracle! They were obedient and followed His strange instructions. They had to serve the water that was turned into wine. How strange they must have felt having se...

John 2:7&8 "7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it." Jesus's friends celebrating at their wedding ran out of wine! Running OUT of wine early in celebration would bring shame and disgrace. Mary doesn't want this for their friends and she knows her Son can help! This reads like it was NOT part of GOD's plan. This is His Mother's plan, before Jesus was ready to start His public ministry.  Consider what might have NOT happened if the servants had NOT done what Jesus said. There would have been no NEW wine at this celebration. The family would have experienced embarrassment and shame. The good times for this wedding would be over and possibly some of the Disciples would not have realized just who our Lord and Savior is. Obedience is VERY important! These nameless servants helped with Jesus's FIRST miracle! S...

John 2:5&6 "5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece." It all started at this wedding, with Jesus's Mother and all about some delicious WINE! Jesus's friends are experiencing the BEST of TIMES; They are celebrating their wedding! Unfortunately, they ran out of wine! This was a time for the family to earn credit and honor with their peers. Running OUT of wine early in celebration would bring shame and disgrace. Mary doesn't want this for their friends and she knows her Son can help!  Only, He was not ready to help, it was NOT part of GOD's plan. This is His Mother's plan, to help the friends in their hour of need. To save them from the embarrassing situation. Before Jesus was ready to start His public ministry. "His mother saith unto the servants, WHATSOEVER He saith unto you, DO ...

John 2:3&4 "3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." In these verses Jesus's friends are experiencing the BEST of TIMES; They are celebrating their wedding! As busy as Jesus was, and with important work needing His attention; Jesus took time out to visit His friend's wedding. Joy is multiplied when shared. Even in the best of times we find reason to become stressed and anxious. In today's verses; "They HAVE NO WINE!?!?" 😲 The wedding FEAST was a time for a family to earn credit and honor with their peers. Running OUT of wine early in celebration would bring shame and disgrace. Mary doesn't want this for their friends and she knows her Son can help!  Yet, He was not ready to help; "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is NOT YET come." This sounds like it was NOT part of GOD...

John 2:1&2 "1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage." GOD makes everything possible! We DON'T need a sign or a wonder, we have Jesus! We have everything in Jesus! And, Hid words are recorded for us in the pages of Holy Scripture! This is a blessing beyond all expectations! The Creator of the Universe wants you and me to "LEARN OF ME (GOD); for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." This is amazing! It's fascinating to see people's indifference to GOD'S overtures. Yet, when the going gets tough people are in constant prayer. They desperately seek God's help and even His rescue from the perils they experience. BUT, what about the good times? When we are happy and everything is going our way, do we pray to GOD? OR, do we put GOD on the back burner? Today we turn to the Gospel of John, chapter two...

Matthew 11:28&29 "28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." JESUS'S words are recorded for us in the pages of Holy Scripture! This is a blessing beyond our appreciation; we can't quantify it, at best we can receive it, read it and say, "Praise the LORD!" The prophets spoke GOD'S words to people waiting for the Messiah. The Disciples participated in the works of our Lord and Savior. Still, it was GOD who made everything possible! Today we understand that we DON'T need a sign or a wonder, we have Jesus! We have everything in Jesus!  Today's verses from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter eleven, verse twenty-eight and twenty-nine; "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and LEARN OF ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and y...

Hebrews 1:1&2 "1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;" This week we read in the boom of Acts where the Disciples were miraculously given the ability to speak in foreign languages! No translation needed! GOD is doing all the work for them. Peter did stand up and preach. The others answered questions and help where they could. It was GOD who made everything possible! By the end they brought 3,000 people to FAITH in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  We begin to understand that encountering Jesus is encountering GOD! We DON'T need a sign or a wonder, we have Jesus! We have everything in Jesus! As today's verses drive home; "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days SPOKEN UNTO US by His Son, who...

Acts 2:7&8 "7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" "ALL amazed and marvelled!" The Disciples were miraculously given the ability to speak in foreign languages! The people there "heard them speak in his OWN LANGUAGE." No translation needed! GOD is doing all the work for them. They are experiencing the greatness and glory of GOD!  Peter will stand up and preach. The others will no doubt answer questions and help where they can. The Disciples do their part, but it's GOD who made everything possible! By verse forty-one we read about their success; "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about THREE THOUSAND SOULS." When Pentecost came they were together. The wind came and gave them tongues of fire. The Holy Ghost will come and teach you al...

Acts 2:5&6 "5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." In both the passages we are study this week we see wind and fire! In both GOD seeks out the people where they are HIDING. GOD calls them to help His plan move forward in the world. To testify to others about the greatness and glory of GOD!  By default people seem to not want to believe. In Jesus's ministry people saw the signs and wonders He performed. People came from far and wide for healing. Even so, many did not believe that He was the Son of God. They did not have faith. Once He was crucified and rose from the grave more came to faith but some still did not believe. The signs and wonders continue with the Disciples. Even so, not everyone believes.  In today's verses we read the record where the Disciples were mira...

Acts 2:3&4 "3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." "tongues like as of fire" This is a lot like the account Elijah gives in First Kings! First there was wind! Next fire? God's presence can be overwhelming. Elijah experienced GOD as "...a still small voice." And, GOD asked Elijah "What doest thou here?" Elijah was hiding in a cave. The Disciples are hiding in a room, God chases them down there. "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Many people at this time followed Jesus because they saw the signs and wonders He performed. People came from far and wide for healing. Even so, many did not believe that He was the Son of God. They did not have faith. Once He was crucified and r...