There was a game show called, “Let’s Make a Deal” where contestants were given the opportunity to win prizes. A prize was offered then contestants were tempted to choose between what they had and an offer hidden from their sight. It could be a great deal, or it could be a “zonk”. Fun, maybe. But when it comes to eternity in Heaven or Eternity in Hell common sense tells us we don’t guess and hope we don’t get zonked. But that is what many do in fact. The door to Heaven is an open door and there is no guesswork involved. The same is true for the door that leads to Hell. 

We have all hear the saying, “When things get tough, the tough get going”. That should describe every child of God. When the problem comes when there is pressure—and things get tough—when doing right means standing up and speaking out against error—where are fair-weather Christians? Nowhere to be found. We have the word of God the greatest message ever told, the most powerful gospel, all supported by the Creator and our Lord Jesus Christ. We have all that pertains unto life and godliness, every spiritual answer to every spiritual question. When questions are asked what must we do? Run? God forbid it. We are commanded to “…sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). When we are asked to participate in some “ungodly” activity what must we do? Go along with our peers? God forbid it. We stand for righteousness and say no! We need to stand firm during the storm and trust that the Lord will be with us and see us through. 

Unfeigned Love of the Brethren: Christians and their love, in the last 9 months have been tested by two things. (1) The advent of a killer virus—which has divided many—and continues to test the sincerity of our love and (2) The division of society, opposing ideologies, governing authorities—also test the sincerity of our love. If you took the time to read today’s bulletin you would have read the statement that Christianity has experienced many aberrations. By definition [aberration: is a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome, A characteristic that deviates from the normal type]. Perhaps none has been so difficult and, in many cases, unique—as those who because of health, or because of choice are now hermits of a sort—we tend to call them “shut-ins”. Paul wrote, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). This brings us to the point for this lesson. For every Christian, one part of our service in Christ—Is administering to the needs of others, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ…

GOD IS REAL: I am going to use the word real as an acronym R-Reason E-Examination A-Accepting Truth L-Live. We are not questioning if God is real—because we know He is, but how can I prove to someone else that God exists. The first step is by way of pure reason? Reason Proves God is Real.

Great significance must be applied to these two words when spoken by Jesus. “Follow Me”. For Peter and the other Apostles, this meant two things. One, as you follow Me in this world you will suffer persecutions, even death. Two, if you stay the course you will be with Me where I am in eternity. Easier said than done especially when the invitation to follow Jesus is preceded by “when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish” meaning you will die at the hands of another. In Peter’s case that meant he would be lead to be executed by crucifixion. So, If I were Peter what would I have done? Would I run, hiding my faith to save my life or would I stay the course and save my soul and bring glory to God in the process? 

When Jesus asked Peter for the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”, Peter was grieved and said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You”  (John 21:17). I believe that what grieved Peter was two fold. One, being called “Simon”, and two, realizing his sin that he was fishing for fish not for men, and relating three questions, “Do you love Me”, “I don’t know the man”, “Do you love Me”, “I don’t know the man”, and “Do you love Me”, “I don’t know the man”. But what is remarkable is that instead of condemnation, “Peter why did you deny Me?”, Jesus extended Grace. Friends, if we never failed, never sinned—we would not stand on His grace! We could…

As odd as it sounds, there are some who believing—don’t believe, that is to say—there are people who seem to believe but they do not have working faith. Demonstrated by the disciples who never showed any sign of “faith”. Think, if you believed your mother would be raised to life three days after she was laid to rest–where would you be on that third day? And there it is, that is not where the disciples were. They were all hiding and…

If you have ever gone down a stream in a canoe when the water was shallow you will understand me when I say, it is a very difficult thing to do. The idea is to be in deep water so the canoe can carry you. But when the water is shallow, you must carry the canoe, drag it, expelling all your strength. Great faith is like a deep flowing river that carries you over the rocks. That is a nice way to go but is faith easy? We read our Bibles and see great faith, it cannot be helped. Matthew, John, great faith, Peter, great faith, and John the baptizer. All these face the wrath of the Jews, and Romans and suffered many things because of their great faith, even death. But did you know there was a time when they didn’t believe? No, not before Jesus came, not just while He was with them, but after His crucifixion and burial.  On the first day of the week when Mary and the others came to the tomb they came with spices they prepared to finish anointing the body, not expecting to see Him risen…

Just read the text, they went to the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene (John 20:1), the other Mary (Matt. 28:1), Salome (Mark 16:1) and, Peter and John (the other disciple, whom Jesus loved). But truly it amazing that we read, on the first day of the week they went to the tomb early, but not to see a resurrected Savior, but to continue with the proper preparation of the body of Jesus. Amazing because they did not expect to see an empty tomb, even though the Master told them many times, on the third day I will rise. Those closest to Him, went to see a body, and when no body was found, neither was there any faith to be found for they didn’t say, the Lord, He is risen lets go tell everyone the good news! Mary ran to report. What did she report? “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him” (John 20:1). Listen as we learn from John’s gospel some things that will help us to believe…

Go back to the crucifixion scene, Jesus has been arrested, tried and found guiltless 3 times by Pilate. But still He was scourged, put on display, forced to carry a cross, crucified and died. What happens next, as with everything the preceded, happened according to the will of God. Prophecy, not one bone was broken, and in this lesson, they pierced His side another powerful point that John brings out to you so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name…