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REACHING THE WORLD FOR JESUS

May God bless the Pastors and Bible Teachers all over the world, we thank God that Sermons to the World is now reaching 156 countries and all 50 States and The District of Columbia in the U.S.

Reaching the unseen

Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Matt 28:19

MISSION

Mission: To be a resource to Pastors and Bible teachers in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. – Sermons to the World

VISION STATEMENT

Vision: To reach the world on the internet to fulfill the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 – “to go into all the world and teach all nations”.

Bible Verse

"Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." Acts 16:31

Saturday, March 22, 2014

BEING PART OF A MIRACLE



BEING A PART OF A MIRACLE
by Pastor Mark Taylor

Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.  JOHN 2: 1-12
This is our Lord's first Miracle.  He made a difference in the lives of many people when He walked the Earth. God's Word tells us that if all the books that were written were about Him, they would not include everything He did. He  is still making a big difference in my life and others.
He operates in different ways in the lives of different people.  He was called to a wedding.  When He is called He shows up.  
Psalm 50:15 "Call upon Me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
What Jesus did at the wedding signifies some very important things to us about Jesus and his compassion for people. He cares about even about our embarrassing shortcomings.  God is working behind the scenes to meet the need.  He is solving the problem when we have only looked at it.  He is curing the cancer when we are still trying to pronounce its name, providing the resources as the bills are placed in the mailbox, and giving the strength when we are weak.
To the Jewish people wine symbolized joy. The Jewish rabbis had a saying, ‘Without wine there is no joy.” At the wedding in Cana their joy had run out! In some ways it is a reminder of the emptiness of our life without Christ.  When the water was turned to wine, the shame of the bridal family was turned to joy. That is simply the way life works. There are times we run out of joy.   The change in our lives - our water into wine- is not based on our strength or efforts, it is available as we yield our lives to the Holy Spirit’s power.  Sometimes our joy runs out.  God is working in the background to make sure that someone is getting water so that He can turn it into wine to restore the joy of your salvation.  

This sermon today was just water when I begin to put it together, but as I deliver it today to you My prayer is that The Lord Jesus Christ will turn it into wine that your spiritual joy may be full.  This is what the Holy Spirit does for you and me.

Wherever Jesus went there was life and joy. He stated that his life mission was, as He said, that “His joy might be in us and that our joy might be complete” (John 15:11). He has come to bring His joy, and there is joy everywhere in our world. He is the God of irrepressible joy, and He has come to share it. He offers the wine of joy to all those who are thirsty for life — for those who will come and drink.

Mary said we have a problem.  They did not other options such as coke or even pure water.
Jesus answered his mother as "dear woman" - a respect question.

Perhaps Jesus could have used Mary.  Jesus could have looked to His disciples.  He could have told them to take it to the governor for them to impress Him with the good wine.    Surprisingly, to all who were at the wedding, Jesus did the unexpected - He looked to the servants.  Miracles meet ordinary needs in unexpected ways.    One of the deepest desires of every believer is to be part of the plan of God.  The compelling nature of the love of God creates a yearning in us to get off the bench and into the game.  We often assume that people with social, political or even spiritual status will be God’s first choice, But God does not look at the things that people look at.  “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart”  (I Samuel 16:7. 

Who did Jesus say were the greatest in the kingdom of God?  He said people who are like children, who are humble and have very little to offer.  Our building will be built with the small offerings we have.  He will use you.  He does not look at your resources, your age, or even your abilities, but He just wants you to be a part of the miracle.  Just give a cup of cold water in his name.

Illustration- grandmother's house dipper and basin.  The water was used for ceremonial washing of hands and feet.  They had to go to the well to get the water - not an easy job.  They did a good job filling them to the brim.  They did it for Jesus.

In our limited understanding, we don’t understand how filling jars with water solves a wine problem.  My job is to faithfully walk with a glass of water until He turns it into wine.  When I get out of the way and walk faithfully with a servant’s heart, God turns water into wine.  There will be times in life when you feel that what you are carrying is terribly inadequate.  That is when faith becomes real as you trust God to take what you have and make it something better.  “Now unto Him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.  Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.”  (Ephesians 3:20-21).

God does not need you, but He wants to use you so you can be blessed.  You may decide not to give your money to God in tithes and offerings.  Believe me, God does not need your money, but you need God's blessings.  You have have the attitude "let the other person get the water and carry the water", and God will select someone else, but you will miss being part of the miracle.  Jesus could have just said the word and the water pots would have filled themselves with wine.  But He let other people be a part of His miracle.

Will carry some water to someone else who needs a miracle and let The Lord Jesus turn it into wine for them?

There is no limit to his grace. What Jesus gives is never just enough, it is always more than enough, with plenty left over. He did not give just enough trees; he gave more than enough. He did not create just enough mountains; he created more than enough. He did not give just enough ocean; he gave more than enough. He did not give just enough life and joy; he gave more than enough.  He gave us more than enough to complete the water cycle to give us rain and oxygen.

Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus transforms our everyday experiences. Jesus did not come to give us information; he came to give us a transformation. He changes things. 
Jesus did not just change the color of the water, He changed its substance.  When God gives you the new life, He can give you enough grace to stop sinning, start forgiving, and live a life of meaning. Wine takes years to make from the time the vines are planted to the harvesting and the aging.  But god can reduce that time.  He can reduce the time it takes for you to get healed or get out of debt.  He can reduce the time it takes to forgive and move n in our lives.

He has a way of taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. He did not come to bring new ideas; he came to make new people. The water did not just appear to be wine; it was transformed into wine — the best of wine at that.  “Behold, I make all things new.”  (Revelation 21:5).  The best wine was always offered first. Isn’t that just like our Lord? The best always comes at the end. The grace we once tasted cautiously—we now drink freely. Jesus has poured out in us the richness of his love and forgiveness.  He has a lot of wonderful things planned for you and I after we leave this Earth and all of its problems.
In very ordinary places he creates extraordinary beauty. Let Jesus touch you, and see if your life is not filled with new beauty and wonder — new flavor and fragrance.   Jesus is in the business of turning water into wine, sinners into saints, fear into courage, sorrow into joy, defeat into victory, despair into hope and death into life. 

Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus extravagantly provides for our everyday requests. There were six jars containing between 20 and 30 gallons apiece.  Though we anticipate that God may give us enough to get by, we often do not expect abundance.  Our expectations are far too low.  Filling the purification jars with water was hard work.   Out of those water jars came 2,500 glasses of water turned into wine - more than enough to satisfy the needs of the wedding banquet.  The Lord Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was more than enough.  His shed blood was enough to offer forgiveness for not just for our sins of the past, but for our sins today, and for the inevitable sins of tomorrow.   Why did Jesus give so much wine? Because he is an extravagant giver. He never gives just enough; he always gives superabundantly.

Isaiah 39:29 "He gives power to the weak,And to those who have no might He increases strength."  
Joel 3:10. "Let the weak say, I am strong."  He wants to give you an abundance.

You have to use what you have before the Lord Jesus changes your water into wine.  You may have to fill some jars which requires effort and hard work on your part. You may have to go to where Jesus is working to receive the wine.  Everyone there at the wedding that day was at the right place at the right time when the Lord Jesus showed up.  But He is still working miracles today in the lives of His children when they are living right and serving Him.  “Blessed is the person that does not walk in the company of the ungodly, nor stands in the same place as sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.  But their delight is in the words of the Lord, and in His words do they mediate day and night.”They shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his/her fruit in their season; their leaf shall not wither, and whatsoever they do shall prosper.”   (Psalm 1: 1-3). 

God is not here today playing church with you.  He is here today to give you a miracle or to make you a part of a miracle.  Everyone at that wedding was blessed because the servants did their part.    You have a part to do.  You want your loved ones saved, you have a part to do.  It may be to invite them to church.  It may be to pray for them.  It may be share the Gospel with them and tell them how to be saved.  

Sunday, March 16, 2014

WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH



WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH
(PROVERBS 29:18)
By Pastor Mark Taylor

Today, I want to bring to you a message from the Lord about your future.  What you think and plan for today will determine where you will be a year from now.  This applies to every aspect of our lives including, retirement, health, relationships with others, and most important our relationship with the Lord.  This message could apply to an individual, a church, a family, or a business.  The message is simply: Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).

There are people depending on you and the church to get a vision from God.  We are not just an organization, we are a life changing arm of God.

Why do people die shortly after they retire, they do not have a vision?  Why do some churches have two or three hundred people or even a thousand in them, and others only have 30 after many years?  They have no vision.  We all need to ask God for a vision today.

VISION IS: THE ABILITY TO SEE: AWARENESS

Vision comes from God.  God allows us to see things as they can become.

Having a vision is more than just looking on the bright side. It is looking on God’s side. Finding the vision God has for us takes time and prayer. 

The way that we received a vision for a church is the same way that you and I can receive a vision for our lives and our families. We need to humble ourselves before God. We need to come before Him with no agenda other than the desire to hear from Heaven. We need to labor in prayer until we hear Him speak to our hearts, and He will speak my friend. 

We need to get back to cottage prayer meetings and times of group prayer.

Helen Keller, probably the most recognized blind person who has ever lived, once said, "What would be worse than being born blind? To have sight without vision." 

Moses: leading the people of Israel, David: slaying Goliath, Solomon: building the Temple, and Nehemiah: Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, All had a vision.


God has always given His people a vision.  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward.(Genesis 15:1).  His goodness is written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet (2 Chronicles 32:32).  And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision.(Daniel 10:7).  You and I may not see a vision as dramatic as these, but God still shows His people what they can accomplish with His power and guidance. The Lord may not speak to you in an audible voice, and you may not see your vision, but God wants to motivate us through His Word and His Holy Spirit.  I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.(Joel 2:28).

VISION IS: THE FAITH TO BELIEVE: ATTITUDE

Vision brings out the best in people.

God’s vision is always possible.
Vision moves forward: There is no such thing as vision that moves in reverse.

Vision makes life worth living.  “Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision.”  A vision brings life and joy.

The Lord Jesus is interested in you as an individual and wants to give you a vision to reach your full potential.  The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly(John 10:10).  The Lord is interested in your happiness and contentment. I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full. (John 15:11).  

His words to you are not to restrict your joy or put you under some man-made set of rules, but they are to give you joy and true freedom.  Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed(John 8:36).  The Lord Jesus has a great plan for your life if you will allow Him to fulfill it in you.  You can accomplish a lot with the Lord as your partner.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me(Philippians 4:13).

VISION IS: THE COURAGE TO DO: ACTION

God does not guide where He will not also provide.

Vision focuses on the future.

The difference in Young people who become successful in life is the result of taking action when you are young.  When I was a young person I read a lot of self-improvement books.  I read books and took courses in speed reading, short-hand, key-boarding.  I read biographies about men and women who had visions and their lives were successful.  At 13-14 I was reading books like "How to win friends and influence others, by Dale Carniage and books and sermons by Hudson Taylor, Billy Graham, Dwight L. Moody, John Wesley.  I caught a vision to take something from each of their lives and make my life better.  Just don't get caught up in the culture of drugs and "zoning out",  or think the world "owes you".  Life is full of opportunities for those who will get a vision. 

When you are older, you can still catch a vision and have a life that is meaningful and enjoyable.  One of the visions the Lord gave me was to become a missionary and reach the world with the Gospel for Him.  (Matthew 28:19-20).  At the age of 60, with the help of a Pastor in India - Pastor Francis, we are reaching over 133 countries around the world weekly with these sermons on www.sermonstotheworld.blogspot.com.

The courage of vision is to say "Lord if that is you, let me come to you walking on the water."

The courage of vision is to say "If God be for us, who can be against us."

The courage of Vision is to say "The trials of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory of the next life."


Once God gives us a vision -- then what?" Once God gives us a vision we must never turn back from what He has placed in our spirit and heart. 

Never stop pursuing the vision! Never, never, never stop pursuing that which God has placed in your heart! Never let anyone tell you, "It can't be done. You are foolish for even trying such a thing. Give up while you can still preserve your dignity." Regardless of the criticism that comes your way, regardless of the laughter that may fill your ears, regardless of the condemnation that may be hurled your way -- never turn back


The Lord Jesus is interested in you as a Church a community of believers.
I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.(Matthew 16:18).  He can use you and I as His mouth, His feet, and His Hands to build Hischurch.  I am not just talking about buildings and programs.  If we are going to bring more people to this place, you will need more of both, but you need more.  You need a vision.  God has given you a group of people who love Him and love people.  You need to take that to your community and invite them to become a part of Gods family.  Every organization will either grow or die.  Where there is no vision, the people perish(Proverbs 29:18).  This is a reality that every church has to face.

The vision we need to pray for involves these questions.  

What can I do better in my life and for the Lord?How can I make this vision happen?

Will I sacrifice my time, energy, and money to make it happen?.  

Will I stick with it until my vision becomes reality?.  I hope that you and I will begin to ask ourselves these questions and move forward with our lives.

There is a saying that says: If you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you have always gotten.

If you will take a step of faith, the Lord will give you the strength and provide the resources you need to see your vision fulfilled.  There is a time of waiting, praying, and planning.  But there is also a time of moving forward.

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.(Isaiah 40:29-31).

Get a vision for your personal life, your family, and your church.  Dont let the negative comments of others keep you from accomplishing things.  There will always be those who say you cant do that, but with the Lords help, you can say  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me(Philippians 4:13).

Doing nothing is not an option.  Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).

Today, you may have been asking yourself, "What is my purpose in life? What is it that God wants me to do?  If I don't have a vision, what should I do?  Ask Him to give you a vision to not just to be able to do more, but to do what you are doing better. Some people can do more in one hour than others in four hours because they have a 
vision and a willingness to work hard to complete their vision.