Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Matthew 22:37-40 "37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." As we have studied over the last few days, we recognize our lives and our society is better when we use the Ten Commandments to guide us and help us. God gave His Commandments to Moses and the Israelites who were recently freed from slavery in Egypt. They needed guidance then and we need guidance now! The Ten Commandments serves three functions for you and me: +A curb; gives us boundaries, helps keep us safe.  +A mirror; it shows us what our sin is +A ruler; it's a guide, and a measure for us The Ten Commandments are rigorous and challenging for us to maintain. In reality we can't keep them. Thankfully, Jesus came to save us and complete what we c...

Exodus 20:19-21 "19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was." When GOD first gave the Ten Commandments the people backed away. They retreated. Granted, there was thunder and lightning! Also, a loud trumpet and smoke billowing. Without a doubt a fearsome situation. It was an exclamation point on the importance of this moment and the GIFT of the Ten Commandments.  Even today people like to have a pastor or minister as their mideary with GOD. Form today's verses; "FEAR NOT: for God is come to PROVE you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye SIN NOT." This event was a rare moment when people were close in proximity to our Holy and Righteous God! In this situatio...

Exodus 20:16-18 "16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. 18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off." When GOD first gave the Ten Commandments the people backed away. They retreated. Granted, there was thunder and lightning! Also, a loud trumpet and smoke billowing. Without a doubt a fearsome situation. It was an exclamation point on the importance of this moment and the GIFT of the Ten Commandments.  Today, people still retreat from these Laws. We don't like to study them because we break them on a regular basis. BUT! We don't want to do that. We need to know the Commandments and we want to KEEP the Commandmen...

Exodus 20:11-15 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. We are studying GOD'S Covenant and realizing we need to reform and rededicate ourselves to GOD and His Ten Commandments! We have read about the FIRST Through THIRD COMMANDMENTS that make up what is called the First Table. These three Commandments inform us on our relationship with God. It is a challenging set of rules. We don't like to study them because we break them on a regular basis. People are not praising GOD like we should. And, we are not very good at keeping the Sabbath Holy.  Today's verse eleven really emphasizes the importance of the THIRD COMMANDMENT; "For in six days the LORD...

Exodus 20:7-10 "7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:" THE SECOND COMMANDMENT: You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. We should fear and love God, so that we do NOT curse, swear, practice witchcraft, lie or deceive by His name, but call upon Him in every trouble, pray, praise and give thanks. THE THIRD COMMANDMENT: You shall keep the day of rest holy. We should fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. These two, along with the FIRST COMMANDMENT: You shall have no other god...

Exodus 20:4-6 "4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep My commandments." The blessings and good things we have and experience today are thanks to GOD. And the faithfulness of our grandparents generation and our forefathers who LOVED GOD and kept His commandments. It's right here in the Ten Commandments!  We need to be concerned for the generations that come after us. There is such contempt and animosity toward GOD in our society today, it will lead to very bad consequences; "I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the ...

Exodus 20:1-3 "1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." We are studying God's Covenant. GOD saved us we want to be His light to the world. We will let Holy Scriptures "...GUIDE our feet into THE WAY of PEACE." Given to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! This week we focus on our obedience to God by studying His Ten Commandments. The people that received the two tablets of the law were saved by GOD from slavery in Egypt. These people witnessed and experienced many of GOD'S miracles. When we read the record of this time it seems almost unbelievable that these people would forget GOD'S glory and love and then have a tough time obeying GOD. But, are we really any different than them? Today's verses; "And God spake all these words, saying, I Am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the la...

Deuteronomy 5:33 "Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess." Last week we began our study of God's Covenant. We started in Genesis with Adam and Eve to see that we need God to save us. Then we went to the Gospel of Luke to read the prophecy of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptizer. Words that focus of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as the fulfillment of God's Covenant with all of us. With all that GOD has done for us; GOD asks us for our worship and obedience. God asks us to show His love for us through other people. "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to GUIDE our feet into THE WAY of PEACE." God's light to the world.  This week we continue to study God's Covenant. We will focus on our obedience to God by studying His Ten Commandments. Today we dip into ...

Luke 1:76-79 "76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Zacharias, the father of John the Baptizer, has his voice back and uses it to glorify GOD! He prophesied about the coming Christ. Then, he recalled to everyone's memory the Holy Covenant God made. This oath is recorded in Genesis 22:16-17. God swore that He would surely bless Abraham and his posterity. This promise was fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah. All that GOD is asking of us is worship and obedience. With all that GOD has done for us; it is a small request. We may feel like GOD is asking a lot, but in reality God's plan is for us...

Luke 1:73-75 "73 The oath which He sware to our father Abraham, 74 That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life." We are in the Gospel of Luke, where Zacharias, the father of John the Baptizer, has his voice back and uses it to glorify GOD! He prophesied about the coming Christ. Now, he is recalling to everyone's memory the Holy Covenant God made. Which continues in today's verses... "The oath which He sware to our father Abraham," This oath is in Genesis 22:16-17. God swore that He would surely bless Abraham and his posterity. This promise was fulfilled by the coming of the Messiah. "That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life." All that GOD is asking of us is worship and obed...

Luke 1:70-72 "70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His Holy Covenant;" Back in Genesis God asked Adam and Eve; "WHERE ARE YOU?" They had eaten the forbidden fruit and thought they could HIDE from GOD. A lot of people today are hiding from God. The only way out of this predicament is to trust and believe GOD! Learn about the covenant GOD made with people. Learn how and why Jesus is our Redeemer. Jesus came to restore us. God calls to YOU; "WHERE ARE YOU?"  Today we return to the Gospel of Luke, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptizer, lost his voice when he disbelieved. His lips were opened when he believed. Following in the steps of the Psalmist, Zacharias uses "horn of salvation" as a description of the COMING CHRIST, who is to be raised up in t...

Luke 1:67-69 "67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David;" Back in Genesis God asked; "WHERE ARE YOU?" We understand that GOD knows where we are. We also anticipate that GOD knows what we are GOING to DO! Even when what we are doing is "forbidden fruit." GOD often sees us focus on what we might gain for ourselves and NOT on what we can do for others. We can hide from GOD, but we cannot escape GOD! AND, we can't un-bite the forbidden fruit. We often put ourselves in this exact same situation! A lot of the time people are hiding from God TODAY. How do we get out of this situation? The same way the people who lived before us did; believe in GOD! Learn about the covenant GOD made with people. Learn how and why Jesus is our Redeemer. Jesus came to resto...

Genesis 3:7-9 "7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?"  "WHERE ARE YOU?" Our Omniscience GOD knows where Adam and Eve are. God knows what they have done. I think GOD knew they were going to do it, before they did it. And, GOD knew the serpent would tempt Adam and Eve. Convincing them to eat from the tree. For some reason, which I don't fully understand, GOD had everything happen this way. In this moment, you and I get to see a clear picture of sin. We see how the Serpent twists God's words. The desire for the forbidden fruit twists Adam and Eve in on themselves. The picture of sin focuses on what w...

Genesis 3:4-6 "4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."  Jesus incarnation was the fulfillment of God's Covenant with people since the beginning of time. Covenant is not a word we use everyday. It's an agreement between two people. Like the Marriage Covenant. We began our new study of Divine Covenants; returning to Genesis. Back in the Garden of Eden when everything was "perfect." The serpent comes to Eve asking her to question GOD. Eve HAD it right! She knew what God's "commandment" was! Like Eve, we know what God's commandments are, BUT we try to ra...

Genesis 3:1-3 "1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." It was all women who FIRST witnessed the empty tomb and angels. Their record was documented and given to you and me for all time and all people. This report is true and impeccable. Their words become part of The Gospel message that we cherish more than life itself! This was the grand finale of our study series on Experiencing GOD. This is the glory of Easter morning! This annual celebration and our study of Holy Scripture makes us want to stick to Jesus! Jesus incarnation was the fulfillment of God's Covenant with people since the beginning ...

Luke 24:12 "12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass." Contrary to the culture and tradition of this time; it was all women who FIRST witnessed the empty tomb and angels. Their record was documented and given to you and me for all time and all people. These ladies report is true and impeccable. Their words become part of The Gospel message that we cherish more than life itself! The Apostles did not believe these FIRST reports. In today's verses Peter goes to investigate for himself; "Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, WONDERING in himself at that which was come to pass." Peter will follow the same path the women were on. He will remember Jesus's words and teaching. He will be blessed with his own experiences with our resurrected ...

Luke 24:9-11 "9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not." This whirlwind of events has to have a toll on the people experiencing them. These first Christians were STUCK when Jesus was killed. They feared that they would be next! They went to the tomb looking for the lifeless body of their teacher and friend. And it's NOT HERE! It's not where they left it!? They are met by angels who begin to bring them up to speed; "...remember how He spake unto you..." Jesus's words are God's words! God's words bring power to get UNSTUCK... Contrary to the culture and tradition of this time; it was all women who witnessed the empty tomb and angels. Their record was documented and given ...

Luke 24:6-8 "6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered His words," Try to fully understand that their minds are clouded with grief. These first Christians were STUCK when Jesus was killed. They feared that they would be next, the Romans would be after them! They are looking for the lifeless body of their teacher and friend. And it's NOT HERE! It's not where they left it!? Very perplexing, instead they are greeted by a pair of angels asking; "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" If this is a pop quiz on Jesus's teachings; they are failing! In today's verses, the angels ask them to remember Jesus's words; "He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of ...

Luke 24:3-5 "3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?" Of all the Experiences of God recorded by people in the Holy Scriptures, the Easter morning accounts are outstanding! These first Christians were STUCK when Jesus was killed. Many heard Him cry out. Some helped bury Him. They feared that they would be next, the Romans would be after them! They had to worry about the spices for embalming. They needed to figure out how to roll the boulder away to gain access to tomb. There were a hundred things that needed to be done. And, when they get there it's ALL TAKEN CARE OF... Today's verses; "And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus." They are looking for the lifeless body of their ...

Luke 24:1&2 "1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre." In preparation for Easter we have looked up the many Experiences people have had with God. Most recently we read about the Disciples on the Sea of Galilee witnessing Peter walk on water and Jesus calming the storm! This profound moment showed the Disciples just who Jesus was; "Thou art the Son of God." This was from first hand Experience. BUT, it did not prepare them for the first Easter morning! Today's verses take us there; "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre." These first Christians were STUCK when Jesus was killed. Many ...

Matthew 14:32&33 "32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth Thou art the Son of God." The Disciples were caught up in a storm that was about to sink their ship! It's a terrifying experience for the Disciples and Jesus comes in the night, in the storm, walking on the water to help them! Peter stepped out on the water and meet Jesus. And! Peter ALSO walks on water!!! It was miraculous! Peter has faith enough to step out of the boat and walk across the surface of the sea!!! All to quickly Peter sank into the water. He cried out; "LORD, SAVE ME!" Immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him. The way Jesus saves Peter here, is just like Jesus saves all mankind by being sacrificed on the cross. Jesus's incarnation is like the hand that reaches down and pulls Peter up out of the water, saving him from drowning. Jesus saves us all from drowning in the wa...

Matthew 14:30&31 "30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" The Disciples sailed away from the shore and Jesus. Soon they were in trouble, a storm blew up and was about to sink their ship! Jesus comes walking over the chaos of waves and wind. It's a terrifying experience for the Disciples and Jesus comes in the night, in the storm, walking on the water to help them! Jesus calls to them; "be not afraid." They are His followers but they don't yet understand who Jesus is.  Peter answered Jesus asking to step out on the water and meet Jesus on the waves! And! He does!! Peter ALSO walks on water!!! It was miraculous! Peter has faith enough to step out of the boat and walk across the surface of the sea!!! IT'S AMAZING!!! Today's verses; "But w...

Matthew 14:27-29 "27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. 29 And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." Jesus and the Disciples had fed the multitude. Then Jesus arranged to have some quiet time "ALONE." The Disciples sailed away and then found themselves in trouble. A storm blew up and was about to sink their ship! Jesus comes walking over the chaos of waves and wind that have the small boat tossing and turning. It's a terrifying experience the Disciples are having and Jesus comes in the night, in the storm, walking on the water to help them! Today's verses; "But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Jesus comes to His Disciples in the night walking on the water. They are His followers but they d...

Matthew 14:24-26 "24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear." Jesus taught His Disciples and us; "with God ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE." In the verses we are studying He demonstrates that! We pick up where Jesus and the Disciples had fed the multitude. Jesus has arranged to have some quiet time for Himself, "ALONE." The Disciples have sailed away and they soon find themselves in trouble. In today's verses; "But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, WALKING ON THE SEA. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for FEAR...

Matthew 14:22&23 "22 And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone." We are studying Experiencing GOD. There are many experiences recorded in Holy Scriptures. By learning from these writings we can know GOD better. In the process we are learning about ourselves too. The last few days we looked at the verses about the aspiring follower who would not give up the pleasures of this life for the rewards in the next life. As people in our culture we need to meditate on those verses. We too have "great possessions" and we will have a tendency to hold on to material things rather than focusing on our Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ. Don't get bummed out though, Jesus also taught us; "with God ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE." Today we...

Mark 10:24&25 "24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Jesus told the aspiring follower; "sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, TAKE UP the CROSS, and follow me." Jesus "LOVED HIM" and has great compassion for Him and knows that he will not give up the pleasures of this life for the rewards in the next life. As people in our culture we need to meditate on these verses. We too have "great possessions" and we will have a tendency to hold on to material things rather than focusing on our Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ.  As Jesus and Holy Scriptures do, when something is important it get repeated. In today's verses; "...

Mark 10:22&23 "22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" This person who came forward from the crowd wanting to join the ranks of Jesus and His Disciples started out GREAT! He was like many people today who want to know what can "I" do? Feeling we can earn eternal life, after all "I" deserve it! Jesus has a lesson unfolding for this young man and the rest of us looking on. Jesus knows the heart of this person, Jesus knows He is about to reveal a difficult truth to this prospective follower; "...said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, TAKE UP the CROSS, and follow me."  We can see ourselves in the person's place, we all lack at least one thing. It's no...

Mark 10:21 "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." "LOVED HIM" Beholding this person who came forward from the crowd wanting to join the ranks of Jesus and His Disciples! He started out GREAT; running up, in a culture where ONLY walking was dignified. Then kneeling as to worship and praise the one true King! He asked Jesus; "GOOD Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Like many people today who want to know what can "I" do? We feel we can earn eternal life, after all "I" deserve it!!! Jesus has a lesson planned for this young man and the rest of us looking on. Jesus asked about this young man knowing the Ten Commandments. The young man not only knows them, he has kept them! This poor person seems unaware of his own nature. He seems to ...

Mark 10:19&20 "19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth." As we study Experiencing GOD we delight in His GRACE and MERCY. The attribute of GOD that we cannot be prepared for is His HOLINESS. We have turned to the Gospel of Mark, when the Apostles were following and learning from Jesus. When someone from the crowd comes forward to join their ranks! He starts out GREAT! Running up, in a culture where ONLY walking was dignified. Then kneeling as to worship and praise the one true King! He asks Jesus; "GOOD Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Like many people today who want to know what can "I" do? We feel we can earn eternal life, after all "I" deserve it!!! In the face of this narcissism our Lord and Savior has an interesting ...

Mark 10:17&18 "17 And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." One of the main ways you and I Experience GOD is through Holy Communion. The BREAD is Christ's body broken for us. The CUP, the wine, is Christ's blood shed for us. Nothing is more fulfilling and satisfying to our souls, than Christ's making atonement for our sins. As believers we need repetitive refilling by the Holy Ghost. This can happen at the table of Holy Communion.  Today we turn to the Gospel of Mark, back when the Apostles were following and learning. When some from the crowd comes forward to join their ranks! He starts out GREAT! Running up, in a culture where only walking was dignified. Then kneeling as to worship and praise the one true King! Today's verses; "And when...