YOU TUBE VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

WHO IS MY MOTHER - PART 1
WHO IS MY MOTHER? - PART 2
WHO IS MY MOTHER? - PART 3

SPECIAL MUSIC BY COURTNEY JENKINS - "LIKE MOTHER DOES"
COURTNEY JENKINS SINGINGS “LIKE MOTHER DOES”

Who Is My Mother? 
A Sermon by Pastor Mark Taylor

“Jesus answered and said unto him: Who is My mother? and who are my brothers and sisters? (Matthew 12:48)

Sunday in the USA we will celebrate a Holiday called "Mother's Day".  We honor all of our living and deceased Mother's as we follow God's commandant to "Honor your Mother's and Fathers".

“Mother’s Day” can be a difficult time for some ladies and men and children.  For some, their mothers have already gone to Heaven and are greatly missed during this holiday and on other special days we shared with them while they were with us here on Earth.  For some mothers it is a difficult day because their children have preceded them to Heaven and they are greatly missed.  For some ladies and their husbands it is a difficult day because they are childless and cannot celebrate this day as others do.  But it does not mean they cannot celebrate it.

I want to give you a different perspective of how our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, viewed His relationship to Mothers and Brethren (brothers and sisters).  When you look at this day through His eyes you will not see yourself as an orphan or as childless. 

My Father was taken out of this world when I was ten years old and my Mother when I was sixteen.  My Heavenly Father reminded me of His care for me even when I was an orphan.  “When my father and my mother leaves me, then the LORD will take me up....I would have fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD, in the land of the living.  Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27: 10-14).  God provided a loving Aunt and a caring Uncle to provide for me and my brother during these difficult days.  There were days like today that I missed my parents greatly.  It was difficult at graduation services, my wedding, the birth of my children, and holidays.  But in their absence, I sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort me when the waves of grief and loneliness came upon me.  “The LORD is near unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a sorrowful spirit.” (Psalm 34:18).  

In Matthew 12 Jesus was both teaching and healing many people who were in need at a local church (synagogue).  It was so full of people that day that the Lord’s own family could not get in.  They sent someone in to tell Jesus to stop what He was doing and come out of the service to talk with them.  That is when our Lord said: “Who is my mother? and who are my brothers and sisters.  And He stretched out his hand toward the disciples and said: Behold, my mothers, and my sisters and brothers.  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in Heaven, the same is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12: 48-50).  Just as our Lord loved His Mother and His brothers and sisters, He wants to extend that invitation to you to be an equal part of His eternal family.

If your mother is alive today, you are to honor her. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  Honor your Father and Mother; which is the first commandment with promise. That it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.”  (Ephesians 6: 1-3).

For the Mothers who read or hear this message, I would like you to know that God has given you an awesome job to take care of your children, grandchildren, and even to be a Godly Mother figure to the children that God puts in your life.  People who have not studied about the Holy Spirit may not realize how much the Holy Spirit has in common with Mothers.   Mother’s do a lot more than they get credit for, and so does the Holy Spirit.  Mothers, you have one of the most powerful jobs on earth. 

You worth cannot be counted in dollars, but some have tried.   How much should a “Stay-At-Home Mom” be making?  According to salary.com:

Day-care Center Teacher - $26,891,  Van Driver - $30,762, Housekeeper - $18,750 Cook - $31,099, CEO - $612,623, Nurse -$56,113, General Maintenance Worker -$29,656.  Considering the time mom spends in each of the above jobs her salary should be:  Base Pay (40 hours) - $43,461   Overtime (60 hours) - $88,009

Mom’s salary   --- $131,471

I would encourage children today to do something to honor your Mother by writing her a note of love, doing an act of kindness, and giving her praise and thanks for being such a blessing to you.  I would encourage husbands to do the same.

How can you “honor” your Mother today and many other days of the year.  First you can tell her how much she means to you.  What greater words does a Mother want to hear than “I love You”.  The Bible tells us not to just show our love in words, but also in deeds.  Demonstrate your love by some visible action.  One of the greatest gifts we can give anyone is our time.  Slow down, and spend some time with your Mother.  Your Mother will not always be here with you on Earth.

If your Mother is not alive today or if she lives far away, how can you celebrate this day.  It is a difficult day for many of us who have lost our mothers, or who cannot be with them today..  But today, there are many Mothers who do not have children to share their love with.  There are many wonderful Ladies who do not have any children who would love to receive a call, visit, or a card from someone. There may be someone who gave you the love of a mother when you needed it.  You may have an Aunt or there may be someone in a nursing home that would love to hear “Happy Mother’s Day”.  Take a flower to your Mother’s grave site, say a prayer for her, tell her how much you miss her, and then transfer that love to someone who needs it today.  Even if your Mother is close by, share your love with other’s who will not be honored today, unless you do it!!

“Who is My Mother, my brothers, and sisters?”, Jesus asked.  His answer to His question was “whosoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in Heaven”.  Let us live like our Lord did by honoring others.  “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do god unto all people, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10).

Remember love is not just a feeling it is an action.  God bless all of our Mothers today both here and in Heaven!!

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

Things I Have Had To Do To Be Happy - Part 1

Things I Have Had To Do To Be Happy - Part 2

Things I Have Had To Do To Be Happy - Part 3

"THINGS I HAVE HAD TO DO TO BE HAPPY"


(Series from Living a Happy Life In an Unhappy World) 

“If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.”  (John 13:17)

In Part One of this series we look at qualities that a person who is living a life of well-being demonstrates.  This included love, optimism, courage, freedom to choose, and good physical and mental health.  In Part Two we discussed “How to be an Optimist in a World of Pessimists”.  In this message we emphasized the importance of overcoming fear by believing that God can and wants to make your life a happy life.

In this message I would like to give you some practical ways of doing what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told us to do.  I would like to give you a few things He told us to do to be happy.

One of the central teachings of our Lord was this:  “By this shall all people know that you are my disciples, if you have love one towards another.” (John 13:35).  He said it was not just a suggestion, but a command.  “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34).  Love is an action word not just a feeling or a mood.  Here are some ways to “love one another”.

• One special quality of love that really matters is APPRECIATION.  This is simple, requires little time, and cost you nothing.  A word of kindness not only brings happiness to others, but in turn will increase your happiness because you have shown love in a meaningful way. It may be as simple as being with Christian brothers and sisters at church and telling them that you are glad to see them and spend some time with them.

• Tell God how much you love Him by your actions of SERVICE TO OTHERS.  Every day we have the opportunity to do something good for someone without expecting something in return. Each of us has God-given talents and abilities we can use to make life better for others.

Another emphasis our Lord both taught and demonstrated was that of FORGIVENESS.  I know this is a difficult thing to do, but it is necessary for happiness.  Forgiveness is not about letting someone else get away with a past hurtful act against you, it is about you letting it go so God can give you happiness.  “If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15).

A memory is a memory is a memory - and there is no healthy way to erase it.  It is history and no one can go back and undo it.  You cannot simply talk a problem to death, but the Holy Spirit can teach you how to forgive.  You can rise above your anger by funneling your mental energy into your spirit and intellect.   They can create new meaning out of old memories.  Forgiveness will bless you with an inner security and give you an unexpected sense of personal power.  Our emotions should not be controlled by the actions of others.

Your painful memories, which may once have made you feel like a victim, battered and demeaned, can become your greatest motivators and your richest sources of wisdom.  Remember you have been forgiven many times for mean things you have done toward God.   You have sinned by sins of commission or by omission, but He has forgiven you.  “This is the covenant that I will make with them...says the Lord.  I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:15-16). 

We need to get the emotional power to forgive, and to stop torturing ourselves with the question: “Why Me?”. Everyone has losses in life.   Many people blame God for things He has nothing to do with.  When there is a great loss in your life through a death, or broken relationship, or loss of a job, God is not responsible.  Jesus said:  “Satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy, but I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).  If you have anger toward God, you need to ask for forgiveness for misdirecting your anger.  God can handle it, but if you continue to blame Him, you will cut your self off of the future blessings and happiness He wants to give you.  God does not to things to His children that are harmful or hurtful.

Another practical way of “Being Happy in an Unhappy World”, is by following the teaching and example of Christ about not worrying.  Our Lord said: “Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:1).  “Take no thought about tomorrow, for tomorrow shall take care of itself.” (Matthew 6:34).

One way to overcome worry and fear is gratitude or thanksgiving for what you have today.  When you begin to worry about tomorrow, think of the blessings you have today.  Not only think about them, but write them down.  “Count your many blessings and name them one by one, Count your many blessings and you will see what God has done.”  Take time to focus on things that are going well in your life instead of things you have no control over.  “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O Most High.” (Psalm 92:1).

You have the power to choose what you think about.  Keep in perspective the blessings you have and how little control you have over the actions and feelings of others.  You have the power to be happy by doing the things that our Lord has asked you to do.  The opposite of “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.”  (John 13:17), is that if you don’t do these things you will not be happy.  Doing things or not doing things is your choice, but our Lord wants you to be happy and blessed in this life time and the one to come in Heaven.

This is God’s will for your life now:  “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11).  You can be happy in an unhappy world and it is your choice.

(For more written and video Sermons go to: 
www.sermonstotheworld.blogspot.com)

BEING HAPPY IN AN UNHAPPY WORLD - PART 2

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS MESSAGE


BEING AN OPTIMIST IN A WORLD OF PESSIMISTS - PART 1
BEING AN OPTIMIST IN A WORLD OF PESSIMISTS - PART 2
BEING AN OPTIMIST IN A WORLD OF PESSIMISTS - PART 3
BEING AN OPTIMIST IN A WORLD OF PESSIMISTS - PART 4



BEING HAPPY IN AN UNHAPPY WORLD - PART 2

Being An Optimist in a World of Pessimists

BY PASTOR MARK TAYLOR

“Lord, I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24)

In this message I hope to continue the series on “Being Happy in an Unhappy World”, by addressing both an enemy of happiness and a great gift from the Lord to fight that enemy.  The enemy is fear, and the gift is “Optimism”.

Our Lord often told those He was going to heal or save from personal disasters to: “Fear Not” (Luke 8:50). Fear is the greatest enemy of happiness.  Fears will keep coming up, but we can rise above them.  Fear fits in to one of two categories:  Fear of not having enough and Fear of not being enough.

In Part One, I wrote about the greatest antidote to fear, and that was love.  You get love for yourself and for others from God.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.  He that does not love, does not know God.”  (I John 4:7-8).  It is unlikely you can be happy in an unhappy world without love, and loves starts with God and ends with God.

These words above were said to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ by a man who asked Him to heal his child.  The Lord had just said to him:  “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” (Mark 9:23).  With the help of the Holy Spirit today, it is my prayer that your unbelief can be helped by God’s Word and you can believe.

Believe what?  Believe that God loves you and that He wants you to be happy in an unhappy world, and wants to meet your needs. “My God shall supply all your need according to His in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).  In this message I would like to discuss "Optimism".  Optimism believes that God can help you.  It is a positive outlook on your circumstances and problems.

Optimism provides power over painful events.  Optimism gives you power over fear of the future and over regret for the past.  You can learn a set of skills that free you from the tyranny of pessimism and will allow you to use optimism when you choose.  Each of us carries a word in our hearts, a “no”, or a “yes” in deciding how we think of situations.

There are two kinds of people and they look at life in two different ways.  First there is the pessimists.  They live in fear. They say “no” to trying again after a failure.   They tend to believe bad events will last a long time and will undermine everything they do, and often blame themselves or others..  Secondly, the optimists, when confronted with the same hard knocks of this world, think about their misfortune in the opposite way. They say “yes” to starting over after a failure. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback and it is due to circumstances or bad luck..  They perceive their problems as a challenge and try harder.  They have learned what Jesus meant when he told His disciples “Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid. (Matthew 14:27).  He was telling them to be optimistic in the storms of life for He is there with us.

Our Lord wants us to be optimistic in difficult times and even be happy when the world around us is not a happy place.  “In this world, you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33).  Optimistic people become successes in school, at work, on the playing field and in relationships.  They are successful because of what they do when they feel they have run up against a brick wall.  What one does is the difference between helplessness and success,  They learn how to keep going and do not quit.  The child of God says and believes: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

The way we think about life can actually diminish or enlarge the control we have over it.  The pessimist can become paralyzed by fear and the very thought “Nothing I do matters”, prevents them from acting.  Pessimistic prophecies are self-fulfilling..  One of the most significant findings in psychology in the last twenty years is that individuals can choose the way they think.  Isn’t it amazing that the Bible told us about this 4000 years ago:  “For as a person thinks in his heart, so is he”  (Proverbs 23:7).  And our Lord Jesus told us how important it is the way we think.  “A good person out of the good treasure of the heart, brings forth good things, and an evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:35).

It is important about what you believe and say to yourself.  It is important the way you explain things to yourself.  If you have a pessimistic conversation with yourself you are more likely to get depressed easily, second, you are probably achieving less in your life than your talents could produce, and third, your physical health is probably not what it should be and may even get worse as you get older.  Ask yourself: “What good will it do me to dwell on these negative feelings and thoughts?”

The Lord is saying to us all today, to think about how you treat yourself and in turn others.  “You have planted much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough, you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you put clothes on yourself, but there in no warmth;; and he that earns wages, earns wages to put into bags with holes.  Thus says the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”  (Haggai 1:6-7).  This is what happens to people who live a life of pessimism.  Will you “Consider your ways”?

You may say that you cannot help the way you feel, but you can control what you think.  And when you control what you think and what you say to yourself, your feelings will change.  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).

It is not easy to change, but it is possible.  Happiness is a choice, and a choice that the Lord Jesus desires to help you with. “I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).

Will you be happy in this unhappy world?  It depends on how you talk to yourself and if you will let God help your unbelief.

BEING HAPPY IN AN UNHAPPY WORLD - PART ONE

BEING HAPPY IN AN UNHAPPY WORLD  PART ONE

“I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10).

“These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)

In the next few sermons, the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to all of us the hidden or lost principles of happiness.  There have been many books and articles written on the subject of happiness and it is my desire that the Lord will show us through His Word and the wisdom He has given others, how to “Be Happy in an Unhappy World”.

Millions of people throughout the world have become so used to not being happy that they barely even notice it. They have accepted unhappiness and think it is normal.  Even great men in the Bible, like David found themselves wondering why they were unhappy at times.  “What are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you troubled within me?  Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42:11).  But notice David knew it was still possible to find happiness. Happiness is possible for all of us who love the Lord, because He has desired that quality to be in all of us. Happiness is neither a mood nor an emotion. 


 Happiness is a way of life.  An outlook composed  of qualities such as:  optimism, courage, love, and fulfillment.  It is amazing how quickly people can begin to change, once they start dealing with their whole lives, not just their feelings. 

 “Being Happy in an Unhappy World” requires some understanding and some soul work.  It requires that you ask the same question David did:  “What are you cast down, O my soul?”.  Then it requires that you find some answers.

There is another word for happiness and that is “peace”.  This is a word our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ often used.  “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives to you.  Let not your heart be troubled,neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).

Fear is the greatest enemy of happiness.  Fear fits in to one of two categories:

Fear of not having enough. Fear of not being enough.  There are many faces of fear - perfectionism, obsession, insecurity, shyness, guilt, and many more.  We often try to make sense of our pain by assuming that it is outside forces that are causing our pain.  We blame others, our jobs, the traffic, etc.  It is really some inner turmoil that is causing us to have fears and be unhappy.  We will discuss fear and how to deal with it in another sermon.

Your mind, body, and spirit, working together can make you happy.  Sometimes when our minds and bodies are shattered by life it is only our spirit that can heal us and keep us alive.  

This is why you need to be “born again”, to have the Holy Spirit guiding your spirit to overcome things that are making you unhappy.  “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, who the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things.” (John 14:26).

To begin this journey of “Being Happy in an Unhappy World”, let us look at a few things we can work on to receive the happiness the Lord wants to give us.

LOVE.  We often think that being loved is the best feeling in the world when the best is loving someone else.  It is the antidote to feat and the first step toward happiness. “This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.”  (John 15:12).  Isn’t it odd that the Lord had to command us to love?  That would remind us that Love is more than just a feeling, it is an action.  Demonstrate your love by actions this week. 

OPTIMISM.  Optimism provides power over painful events.  Optimism gives you power over fear of the future and over regret for the past.  God wants to remind us that he has a great future for those who love Him.  “Eye has not seen, nor has ears heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for them that love Him.”  (I Corinthians 2:9).  Speak words of optimism to yourself and to others this week.

COURAGE.  This is the strongest weapon for overcoming the split second power of the fear system.  It is the quality that allows us to thrive instead of just survive.  We have the same promise that God gave to Joshua.  “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9).  Step out of your comfort zone and make a decision that will make you and others happy this week.

FREEDOM.  Freedom is choice, and choice is what makes us human.  When we choose, we define who we are.  Everyone has the power to make choices, but unhappy people don’t know they have it.  Choice is available to anyone who has the courage to exercise it.  The Lord Jesus Christ living in your life can give you both the desire and courage to choose happiness.  “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36).  Remind yourself that choice is the father of freedom.  Anyone can choose the course of their lives, but only happy people do it.  Happy people turn away from fear and look at their options and act upon upon them. Make a “freedom choice” this week regardless of how little it is.

THE RESURRECTION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS WRITTEN SERMON

THE RESURRECTION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE - PART 1


THE RESURRECTION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE - PART 2

THE RESURRECTION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

All of the natural world talks about the resurrection.  This time of the year we can see plants that look like they were dead come to life as leaves, flowers, and green grass.  Just a few weeks ago the grass was brown and lifeless.  Today, on Resurrection Sunday we see new life all around us.

That must have been what it seemed like to the disciples and the friends of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ just three days before His resurrection. 

 “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received & on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.   For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, & that He appeared to Peter, & then to the 12.   After that, He appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, & last of all He appeared to me also."  I Corinthians 15: 1-3).

The Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection was not a quite observation by only the twelve disciples and a few of His friends.   “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”   Matthew 27:51-54

“He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

Before His resurrection, the cross was known only as an instrument of horrible death, rough wood soaked with human blood. So terrible was this form of execution that the Roman Empire prohibited the crucifixion of Roman citizens. Crucifixion was only for the worst of slaves & enemies of the empire.

But today, because of His resurrection, we wear a replica of the cross as a piece of jewelry, a thing of beauty, for all around the world the cross is seen as a symbol of hope, & a reminder of God’s love for us.

And what about His tomb? Before the resurrection, for most of the world, the grave was looked upon as the final chapter, the closing of a great door, the end of everything.

But because of His resurrection, we can rejoice today that beyond death is where life really begins, & it will never end. That makes you wonder, doesn’t it, why we spend so much time worrying & fretting about material things?  Before the resurrection, death was the end. Before the resurrection, death was the final curtain call. Before the resurrection, all we could do is mourn as those who have no hope.

But after the resurrection, when someone dies, we mourn because we have lost a loved one. But we mourn as people who have great hope because Jesus Christ is alive, & the promise of Scripture is that if He is alive, then we, too, can live forever.  “Do not sorrow, even as others do which have no hope.”  (I Thessalonians 4:13).   Our sins are forgiven by His shed blood, & we have the promise of everlasting life. It changes the whole concept of death itself.

Paul wrote, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" "Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through Jesus Christ, our Lord." (I Corinthians 15:55,57).  You see, the resurrection makes the difference.

Then there is the transformation of time. Before the resurrection, time was a limited thing. The Bible talks about the breath of life that we have in our nostrils, & then it is gone. And there is no promise that when we exhale that we will inhale again. Life is brief indeed.  But on the other side there is Jesus & eternity, & that changes the whole purpose & meaning & scope of our life.

Have you been hearing the voices of hopelessness & despair that seem to be so pervasive today?  If you watch & listen very long, you can be filled with despair. And if the only hope that we have is the hope that this world offers, we have no hope because the message of this world is despair.

In contrast, Jesus said, "I have come to bring you life, & that more abundantly, to show you how to live, to bring you hope & joy & peace & love, to give you a reason for living." (John 10:10).  “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full.”  (John 15:11).

One of the greatest human abilities is to alter how we look at things in our life.  This means that no matter how difficult your life may become, you will always have the power to rise above suffering.  The act of choice is so powerful, that we can choose to live a new life - a resurrected life.

Whatever your problem is today, because of the resurrection, there is hope for you.  There is the possibility of new life for your dreams. and hope as you look at new life all around you.  I would encourage all of us not to look at this Sunday as just another holiday, but a message from Heaven of God’s love for all of us.  Today you can begin to make better choices that will lead to true happiness.  This begins from within, like a seed in the ground.  

Let the Lord Jesus Christ walk with you as He did he disciples after His resurrection.  None of us ever remain the same.  We are always changing as the new growth in spring does. We can allow life’s weeds to grow up all around us and not experience our resurrection, or we can thrive instead of just survive.  New life is a choice.  Allowing the Lord to give us new life is also a choice.  He showed Himself alive to many who loved Him after His resurrection, and today He is still showing Himself real to all who seek Him.

Good Friday

PLAY

LORD's SUPPER

CROSS WALK IN STREETS

LIVING EACH DAY AS IT WERE YOUR LAST

Video Links to This Message

Living Each Day As It Were Your Last - Part 1

Living Each Day As It Were Your Last - Part 2

Living Each Day As It Were Your Last- Part 3

LIVING EACH DAY AS IT WERE YOUR LAST 

In today’s message I would like to retrace some of the things that Jesus did during His last week.  His resurrection was going to happen, but before this He knew what He had to face.  He had to make a choice of what He would do with His life during this week.

Jesus spent the last three years of His life in service and ministry.  Even in the last week of His life He was thinking of others.  Below is a poem by General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army:

Lord, let me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer shall be for others.
Others, Lord, yes, others;
Let this my motto be.
Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.

Jesus not only took time to let others minister to Him, but He used his power and gifts to minister to others.  When you have the opportunity to do good for others, you should do it: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" --when you have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28).

Another thing that our Lord and Savior did during His last day was to be thankful.  At the “Last Supper”, the Lord Jesus knew that this would be His last meal with the friends He loved so dearly and with whom He had spent the last three years.that   At that meal He was thankful.  “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.”  (Luke 22:15).  Even knowing that He was going to suffer and die, He was thankful for the opportunity to do it for those He loved.  “Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, an gave it to them, and said: Take, eat this is my body.”  And He tok the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank of it.  (Mark 14:22-23).  

The question for us is “Can we be thankful as we approach difficult times?”  Yes, Jesus could see the cross and the resurrection, and knew that this sacrifice was the reason He came from His Father.   “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth...”  (John 18: 4). But He did not play the “victim card” or the “blame game” nor did he blame the Jewish religious leaders, or the Roman government.  

With less than a week left in his earthly life he continued the work that His Father God had given Him.  On His way to Jerusalem to be crucified, he stopped at Jericho to have supper with one of the worst sinners in that community.  Zaccheus was “chief among the publicans, and he was rich”.  Jesus told Him about heaven and about salvation.  His life was changed and he gave back all the money he had taken wrongfully from others.  Jesus changed His life and the life of others, and gave Him eternal life: “This day is salvation come to this house….For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”.  As we go through life, there are people we need to talk to about the Love of God and offer hope. When we influence one life, we affect many lives.

On His way to the cross, the Lord Jesus also stopped to heal blind Bartimeus: “And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Hm on the way” (Mark 10:51-52).  We need to stop and ask others the same question:  “What do you want me to do for you?”

Before He went to the Cross, the Lord Jesus stood up for other people who were trying to do the right thing.  The Lord was eating in the home of Simon the leper.  This man was probably one of the ten whom Jesus healed.  While He was eating a woman anointed the Lord Jesus’ head with a very expensive oil.  She was criticized for her act of love for the Lord.  “And Jesus said, Let her alone; why do you trouble her?  She has done a good for work by anointing me....She has done what she would: she is come a head of time to anoint my body for my burial.  Verily I say unto you.  Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”  (Mark 14: 6-9).  Don’t let the criticism of others keep you from serving the Lord with the gifts and abilities God has given to you.  You must make a choice to “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”  (Colossians 3:2).

The question today is how are you going to spend the rest of your life?  We do not know how much time we have. “Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you know not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).  Just because you have limitations like financial problems, or health issues, does not mean you cannot make a difference in the lives of others in using your time.  This is one thing you and I have control of is our time.  We do not know how much longer we will live, but each day should be a day where we live like the Lord Jesus Christ did.

As we enter this “Holy Week” and think about the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, let us do as our Lord did.  He spent time with friends and family.  He met the needs of others.  He blessed others who were living right and serving Him.  He did not let others discourage Him from finishing the work that His Heavenly Father sent Him to do.

"RUN YOUR OWN RACE"

VIDEO LINKS TO SERMON BELOW

RUN YOUR OWN RACE - PART 1

RUN YOUR OWN RACE - PART 2

RUN YOUR OWN RACE - PART 3

RUN YOUR OWN RACE    

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“When the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)

God has given each of us a race to run and a purpose to fulfill.  Our Heavenly Father and many others in Heaven are watching us run this race.  “Wherefore seeing we also are watch by a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sins which do so easily overpower us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”  (Hebrews 12:1)

God had a plan for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  That plan was to die on the cross for you and I and the world.  Jesus knew that this was an unusual and difficult mission the Heavenly Father had given Him, but He was determined to “run His own race”.  Speaking of the crucifixion, He said:  “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto Me.” (John 12:32).  He was not only running this race for Himself, but for you and I.

Many of His disciples and friends tried to talk Him out of “running His own race”.  “Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying Be it far from you, Lord, this shall not be done unto you.” (Matthew 16:22).  The Lord’s response to someone He loved who was trying to tell Him to quit His race was:  “Get you behind me, Satan: you are an disgrace unto Me: for you do not choose the things that be of God, but those that are of men.” (Matthew 16:23).

God has called you and I to run to “run our own race” called the Christian Life.  Each of us is different.  God loves variety.  It is ok to be you. You were created to be you. He went to great lengths to make sure that each of us is an original.  Don’t compare yourself to other people; learn to be happy with who God made you to be.  We should always try to be better people and have positive role models in our life.  We should strive to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ.  But we will never be the Lord Jesus, or like anyone else, because God the Father has made you different than anyone else.  Our race is different than others.  Our purpose and mission in life is one that God has given to us..  With the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can find that purpose.  There are times we need Godly counsel, but sometimes you can get too much advice from others.  If you are not careful, conflicting opinions will simply cause confusion.  We don’t need to be getting advice from people who can’t even run their own lives, but are willing to tell you how to run yours.

The reason people are discontented today is because they compare themselves with other people.

The “race” the Father has given you to run is unique to your personality and your gifts and abilities.  God has an individual plan for each of our lives.  You can run your own race and be an individual.  You are not in a contest that requires you to compare yourselves with anyone else.  “Examine yourselves, to decide whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves.  Do you not know your own selves whether the Lord Jesus is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  If you have the Lord Jesus in you, then you have the Holy Spirit in you, and God the Father in you.  With these three, you don’t need to compare who you are with anyone else.  

You are a child of God and and the “race” He has for you to run is your own race. There are people running with you.  Some are behind you and some are ahead of you.  Some have just started, and some have quit.  It really doesn’t matter what others are doing as far as your race is concerned.  If we have our eyes on other people, we will get discouraged and even quit.  We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and He will give us the strength to keep on running.  No one else can run it for you, and you cannot run anyone else’s race for them.

How was the Lord Jesus able to “run His race” even though He knew it would be difficult?

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross; despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2).  He was willing to “run His race” because He knew that there would be a resurrection after the cross.

While you are “running your race” you need to focus on the victory at the end of the race.  Unlike team sports, this is your race.  If you finish, it will be up to you.  If you quit, it will be up to you.  You will receive the rewards and approval from your Heavenly Father at the end of the race.  Not only will you become a citizen of Heaven and receive all the things He has prepared for you, but you will hear Him personally say something like this to you:  “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23).

Are you being the person God made you to be?  Or are you just going around pretending and trying to be what everybody else wants you to be.  Are you trying to live up to the expectations of others and following their dreams for your life?  If you are, missing the creative purpose God has put into you to have a happy and fulfilled life.  Don’t be afraid to take a risk in trying something new that God has given you the ability to accomplish.  Don’t be afraid to ask God to give you both the desire and resources to accomplish the things He has put into your heart to do.  God has said this to all of us:  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a good future.  When you call upon Me and you shall go and pray unto Me, and I will listen to you.  And you shall seek Me, and find me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

See yourself as God sees you - as a winner, and overcomer.   You will never rise above the image you have of yourself in your own mind.  As long as you say “I can’t”, you won’t.   Don’t focus on your weaknesses; focus on your God.  God loves to use ordinary people just like you and me, faults and all, to do extraordinary things.  “I take pleasure in difficulties, in criticisms, in lack of resources, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 10).  You have a great resource to call upon as you “run your race”.