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Where is GOD?

Last week we commemorated 9/11, one of the darkest moments of the 21st Century. 3000 thousand innocent lives died in the hands merciless individuals driven by hate. In the event of 9/11, many questions arose. Preacher after preacher tried to interpret the situation and others tried to link it to Biblical situations.
It led many around the world to ask the question, "Where is God". Where was God in the midst of all this. A Nebraska Senator has even went ahead and sued God over natural disasters. We all remember Jesus' final words on the cross Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani. Does God really care during and after a disaster? Is God watching and surprised like us whenever a catastrophe occurs?

Epicurus, who lived 342-270 B.C., presented three concepts about God and human suffering: (1) If God wishes to prevent evil and cannot, He is not all powerful; (2) If God can prevent evil and will not, He is not good; (3) If God has the power and will to eliminate evil, why is there evil in the world? Epicurus didn't understand who God is but deep on the inside I am sure he felt a little bit different about all that he said about God. He was writing from "I wanna know more" point of view, "so I ask."

The truth of the matters is: God is there when it all happens. Sometimes we misuse the freedom he has given us do things our own way without honoring him at all. But God's love still surrounds us and each one of us called to respond and to share in his love. God is in the prayer vigils. He is in the rivers of tears flowing from everyone affected. He is in the community coming together to offer support to the families. He is at work in the love and strength people are offering each other. God is with us. Thomas Andrew Dorsey was a black jazz musician from Atlanta. In the twenties he gained a certain amount of notoriety as the composer of jazz tunes with suggestive lyrics, but he gave all that up in 1926 to concentrate exclusively on spiritual music. "Peace in the Valley" is one of his best known songs, but there is a story behind his most famous song that deserves to be told.
In 1932 the times were hard for Dorsey. Just trying to survive the depression years as a working musician meant tough sledding. On top of that, his music was not accepted by many people. Some said it was much too worldly-the devil's music, they called it. Many years later Dorsey could laugh about it. He said, "I got kicked out of some of the best churches in the land." But the real kick in the teeth came one night in St. Louis when he received a telegram informing him that his pregnant wife had died suddenly.
Dorsey was so filled with grief that his faith was shaken to the roots, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, he turned to the discipline he knew best-music. In the midst of agony he wrote the following lyrics:

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light;
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.

If you live long enough, you will experience heartache, disappointment, and sheer helplessness. The Lord is our most precious resource in those hours of trauma. "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble (Psa_9:9). Tom Dorsey understood that. His song was originally written as a way of coping with his personal pain, but even today it continues to bless thousands of others when they pass through times of hardship. Rom 8:18, For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us.

He was there in the Lion's Den when Daniel was thrown in there
He was there in the Colosseum when people were thrown to be eaten by the Lions
He was there in the fiery furnace when Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace
He was there when Paul was beaten and left to die at the City gates
He was there when King David was being pursued by Saul and wondered where he would hide and be safe...He was there with our Lord Jesus on the very last breath...
He was there ........ and He will be there.

Bella the Movie

True inspiration and very uplifting on family values. This movie is a must see for everybody. More info here.



THE MOVIE Bella
Bella is a love story that goes much deeper than romance. A story about a man who gave up his life to save the girl he loved, Bella is a heartwarming story that celebrates life, love, family and relationships. Starring Mexican superstar Eduardo Verastegui (Chasing Papi) who is known as the “Brad Pitt of Latin America” and Emmy award winning actress Tammy Blanchard (The Good Shepherd), Bella is inspired by a true story that shows how one moment can change your life forever. Below is a second trailer.

Rapture! Are you ready?

GET READY!

John 15:1-3. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you, I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. YOU KNOW THE WAY TO THE PLACE WHERE I AM GOING.”

Eschatology = the study of the last things/end times
Eschatos = the last, or end.

Two Biblical Views of the “last things”
Apocalyptic in which God gives up on history and breaks in with a whole new order
Eschatological in which God moves history toward its ultimate consummation. Already but not yet.

A. The Second Coming is Imminent. Matt 26:64, John 14:2-3, Rev 22:20, Matthew 24: 1 Thes 4:14-18.
i. Jesus testified to his second coming. Matthew 24:30, 25:31, 24:3, 26:64.
ii. Other Scripture testifies, Acts 1:11, Phil 3:20 etc
iii. We have to remember that the time is not very clear as the coming. No one knows. Acts 1:7, Mark 13:32, 33, 35. Matt 24:36-44.
iv. We have to get ready. Triumphant and Glorious.
v. First stage: secret rapture of the saints & Second stage: coming with the saints to judge the world and set up Millennial kingdom. Rev 10:1-7 (1000 years of reign) i.e. coming for the saints, then coming with the saints with the great Tribulation in between. Matthew 24:39-41 Left Behind.
vi. The dead shall resurrect, and those alive and meet with Christ. Then there is the final judgment.

B. Rapture
i. 1 Thessa 4:14-17. 1 Cor 15:51. A thief in the night. During or after a period of great tribulation. Tribulation Matt 13:7, Matt 24:21-22. Pre, Mid and Post.

The Promise of the Second Coming
Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the second coming of Christ. There are 1,845 references in the Old Testament alone and a total of 17 books that give it prominence.
Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to Christ's second coming. That averages one out of every 30 verses. Furthermore, 23 of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. That leaves only four books that do not refer directly to the Second Coming. Interestingly, three of these four books are single-chapter letters which were written to specific persons on a particular subject.

C. There is no definitive, absolutely unquestionable plan of what will take place in the future and so we are only making educated guesses as to what will take place.

D. Contrasting trends in Eschatology.
i. Eschatomania which is extensive preoccupation of some conservative evangelicals with the endtimes, with their charts and graphs. Current political and social events, especially those relating to the nation of Israel, are identified with prophecies in scripture.
ii. Eschatophobia which is the fear or aversion of eschatology. So that they avoid the eschatomaniacs.
iii. I fall right in the middle.

C. MODERN ESCHATOLOGICAL TRENDS
i. Moral Eschatology/19th Century Liberalism. Preachers trying to reconcile the Bible with modern science. Liberal theologians are buying much into this. Where Jesus message is considered with high moral value and brotherhood of humanity is the center of all things. These rejected the second coming of Christ.
ii. Anti-Liberal Eschatology. Jesus message is thoroughly eschatological, futuristic and even apocalyptic. The Message of repent for the end is near. Albert Schweitzer is attributed to this.
iii. Realized Eschatology/C C. Dodd. Essential to Jesus message. We are in the last days. The bread has already been broken. The kingdom of God has come
iv. Existential Eschatology. It is all happening in the heart of the individual. Attributed to Rudolph Bultman.
v. Jurgen Moltman: Theology of Hope. Christianity has to offer hope in times of trouble. Christianity has to be on the front line in offering aid and helping people. The idea of Hope is authentically Christian. NO doubt. We are participants in creating hope and fulfilling the eschatological promise. It is not a passive thing before us.
vi. Dispensational Eschatology. John Nelson Darby, a Plymouth Brethren is the champion of this. Portrayal of seven dispensations. The present dispensation being the church age. It is almost literal in its interpretation of Scripture. This also seeks to identify the antichrist, the Beast, Time of Tribulation. Examples: Rome, Dometian, One of the early persecutions of the Church etc.

All Christians must stand for the truth and proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ. This is the hope that we have in him that we will be with him in eternity forever and ever. I don't have any charts or graphs to clearly give the time line, but I believe that JESUS IS COMING
1. Hope in this Life
2. Human cooperation with God’s desire to bring hope to the world
3. God is victorious in the end
4. Christians must be on the front line.

Romans Contd 11:1-16:27

A. REMAIN FAITHFUL EVEN WHEN THE WORLD IS TORN APART
1. Remember that you’re not alone. Someone is helping you pray. Someone is praying with you.
2. Most of all God is with you. He knows your voice and hears your cry. He is always there for you no matter what comes your way.
3. You have been chosen by Grace. God has entrusted to you so many things and you have to take pride in it and do it faithfully. You’ve been given ownership by all standards. 11:5
B. DON’T TAKE FOR GRANTED GOD’S KINDNESS
1. We must guard the gift that God has given us.
2. Don’t play a juggling game with God, instead strive to be faithful 11:22.
3. Don’t think you’re above God’s judgment just because you’ve been saved and can do whatever you want. All of them preachers out there who think they will interpret the scriptures the way they want and manipulate God’s people will face very harsh consequences for their actions.
4. The Fact that God’s is merciful doesn’t mean that he won’t punish those who are stupid.
C. WE ARE LIVING SACRIFICES TO GOD
1. Called unto HOLINESS.
2. It is an act of worship
3. We have received enough information what we now need is transformation
4. It all begins in a clear state of the mind.
5. God’s good, pleasing, perfect will is realized in obedience (12:1-2)
D. WE MUST SERVE DILIGENTLY IN GOD’S KINGDOM
1. Emphasis on the issue of leadership in the Church and the need for it. I don’t have to be paid to be in a leadership position. Am just using the gifts that the Lord has given me. I would still preach even if I got fired today. 12:5-6b.
2. LOVES NOTHING BUT GOD HATES NOTHING BUT EVIL
E. SUBMISSION TO GOVERNMENT
1. We have a responsibility in ensuring whom we place on power
2. Not voting is putting wrong leadership in place so don’t blame nobody.
3. Love overcomes everything else. 13:8.
F. WE ARE CALLED TO BUILD EACH OTHER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
1. 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
2. 14:19. We have to create and build peace instead of tearing everything apart.
3. 15:2. It is not about what I want, It is about what others want and how better I can make the world for them.
4. We have to learn to accept others as we would like them to accept us. 15:7. That is what true servant hood modeled in Christ is.
5. Paul then gives benediction. 15:13.
G. PAUL’S JOY IN SERVING THE LORD
1. 15:17.
2. 16:20. Victory is coming. Let us never give up on doing what is good. Let us overcome evil with good.
3. READ 16:25-27.

Romans Continued 5:12-10:21

A. All Have SINNED and FALL short of the GLORY of God.

1. 5:12 Sin entered the world through one man. And death through sin. Therefore all sinned.
2. It is a sinfully stained world
3. Quote “A Holy life is every preacher’s badge of authority, and his shield of protection for living pure in a sinfully stained world.” Orville W. Jenkins. Add every believer’s/every preacher’s.

B. The SIMPLE way of SALVATION

1. Just as sin entered into the world through one man so has salvation come to us.
2. There could have never been a simpler way of doing it.
3. We don’t have to have a seminary degree to know the way of salvation
4. It is as simple as Repent. (Matthew 4:17).

C. Salvation’s long journey

1. Living in Christ 6: 11.
2. The excitement of Salvation must continue in all life’s aspects. 6:11-14.
3. Sin must not be our master but we must master it. I tell my body what to do not what it tells me to do. If I lived my life the way my body wants, it would be a disaster. Thank the Lord for Grace. By the grace of God, I am what I am. I am the righteousness of God. No devil on earth and in hell can dictate what I do.

D. Victory over Sin

1. We must become slaves of righteousness and not sin no more. 6:18.
2. All the things we continue to struggle against were all paid for on the cross
Healing is mine, Deliverance is mine, victory is mine, and courage is mine, because Jesus said so.
3. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. The benefit we reap leads to HOLINESS (6:22)
5. 7:6. It Is a continual process that never gives up.

E. It is time to hand it over to God.

1. My future belongs to him. I may suffer today but I know who holds tomorrow. The song writer says, “because he lives I can face tomorrow, all fear is gone”. Fear is a negative form of faith. The more you fear it the stronger it becomes and it builds up. 8:18. 8:25.
2. We must remain hopeful. 8:25. It may not happen now, but I know its going to happen some day. They may mock me now but I know its going to happen some day. They mocked Noah, and look what they got.
3. God’s love is ALL. 8:37-39. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. After all is said and done, nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

F. THE WAY OF SALVATION

1. Christ is the end of the Law 10:4.
2. All you got to do is to believe (10:9)
3. Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame (10:11)
4. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (10:13)
G. Benediction
We must continue to preach the message with which we are sent. 10:14-15.

Romans

A. Introduction
Paul introduces himself as (verse 1)"a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God" (NIV). He realizes the humility with which he has to undertake this duty and knows that the task ahead belongs to Christ and not to him. He also acknowledges the fact that he has been set apart, a statement that would later define his commitment and desire to give his very best in all circumstances to ensure that the message is correctly defined. Another critical part of this introduction is the giving of thanks. It is only by God's grace that he is able to attain the levels that define his ministry.

B. God Revealed in Nature
Paul then gives an overview of God's revelation in nature. He says that this revelation is plane to men and has been understood more and more in the course of the ages. This revelation ensures that every man is aware of who God is without a doubt (1:20)

C. Sinful desires of men
Paul then enters into the critical topic of sin. That despite God's grace that literally sets us up to uphold his beauty and creation, we still lean toward sin which is rebellion against him. He vividly talks of perversions like sexual impurity, homosexuality which he calls "unnatural" and therefore sinful. 1:26-27. He says that our rebellious nature leads us to sinning despite knowing that sins leads to destruction (1:32).

D. Sin and Judgment
Just as the example that Jesus gave of the the speck in someone's eye, Paul says that we tend to pass on judgments against people yet we do the same things. We have even overlooked the "riches of God's kindness, his tolerance and his patience" which he concludes by saying that "God's kindness leads us toward repentance" (2:4). This should be critically interpreted. It is because of his kindness that we ought to be propelled to repent and seek him. We have to remember too that each person will be rewarded according to that which he has done.

Quotes
1. God's kindness leads you toward repentance
2. God will give each person according to what he has done
3. God does not show favoritism
4. It is those who obey the law and not those who merely hear it that will be declared righteous before God
5. Inward transformation is necessary more than anything else. We don't only need information but we also urgently need transformation.

E. God is All
We can totally depend on God in our walk with him. Instead of trying to do things on our own, we should ask God to take full control of our lives. Despite our sinful nature we have been justified freely by God's grace "through redemption in Jesus Christ" (3:24). We may seek to obey the law but we must remember the rich young ruler. Obedience is always the key.

F. It is all paid for
This brings to mind 1:17 which says that the righteous shall live by faith. Paul gives reference to Abraham in Chapter four where his obedience was credited to him as righteousness. Paul concludes chapter 4 by saying that "He (Christ) was delivered over to death or our sins and was raised to life for our justification." The knowledge that Christ has paid it all just for us itself should be an awakening call for every believer to stand strong in the Lord. God works are necessary but not for redemption. Christ is the only way.

G. The Long Journey of Faith
We have justified through faith and that leads us to rejoicing in "hope and glory of God." Paul goes on to remind us that "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (5:3-4). We will continue to explore 5:12 in the next sermon.