I AM a Christian! 10/4/15
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Sunday, OCTOBER 4, at 11:00 AM, I am HONORED to be ministering in Word and song at:
IN-CHRIST CHURCH
349 MACON ST.
MCDONOUGH, GA.
Off the square and across the street from Snapper mower.
I PRAY you are able to be there!
THAT DAY IS TODAY!!!!
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening-Whenever and Wherever you are reading this!
It is 5:30 AM on a cool and rainy day in Georgia as I prepare for an 8:30 AM music rehearsal.
It has been a while since I "guitar-ed UP" and actually performed live on any stage.
I remind myself this morning that I will be "performing" for an Audience of ONE!!
I PRAY honor to those CHRISTIANS who WILLINGLY gave their lives in Oregon this past week!
One by one, they were ordered to stand and profess their FAITH and then MURDERED for their FAITH!!!!
I cannot even imagine how difficult it was for the FIRST person to rise and declare,
"
I AM A CHRISTIAN," let alone the others who followed in their footsteps.
Ya see, the second and the third, etc. well KNEW their fate and the COST of their TESTimony!!!!
On the news and of course, FaceBook I saw a picture of a presidential candidate sitting in his car, holding a large sign simply DECLARING his mutual faith:
It read- "I AM A CHRISTIAN!"
As I PREACH this morning, "LORD WILLING," I too am simply declaring:
"
I AM A CHRISTIAN!"
So far, my FAITH and my humble profession has NOT cost me my life!?
Hebrews 12:4 (KJV)
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
I am reminded AGAIN today of the wise council that Corrie Ten Boom's father gave her when she also wondered and despaired if she had the FAITH to lay down her life for her Savior, Jesus Christ?
She was a young girl in a war torn country and thousands of Jews and Christians were being murdered for their FAITH.
Her father asked his daughter a simple question:
"
When we take the train weekly into town to shop, WHEN do I give you your ticket?
The young girl dutifully replied, 'Right before we board the train.'
I am POSITIVE that Jesus gave these brave souls their "TICKET TO RIDE," just BEFORE they boarded the GLORY EXPRESS TRAIN!!!
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:2 (KJV)
2 For by it the elders obtained a GOOD REPORT!!!!!
Now let us READ the Christian "HALL OF FAME!"
Hebrews 11:4 (KJV)
4 BY FAITH Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:5 (KJV)
5 BY FAITH Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)
7 BY FAITH Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Hebrews 11:8 (KJV)
8 BY FAITH Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews 11:9 (KJV)
9 BY FAITH he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Hebrews 11:11 (KJV)
11 THROUGH FAITH also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:17 (KJV)
17 BY FAITH Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Hebrews 11:20 (KJV)
20 BY FAITH Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Are YE getting tired now??? Stay with me, please!
Hebrews 11:21 (KJV)
21 BY FAITH Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Hebrews 11:22 (KJV)
22 BY FAITH Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11:23 (KJV)
23 BY FAITH Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Hebrews 11:24 (KJV)
24 BY FAITH Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Hebrews 11:27 (KJV)
27 BY FAITH he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:28 (KJV)
28 THROUGH FAITH he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Hebrews 11:29 (KJV)
29 BY FAITH they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Hebrews 11:30 (KJV)
30 BY FAITH the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Hebrews 11:31 (KJV)
31 BY FAITH the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Hebrews 11:32-34 (KJV)
32 AND WHAT SHALL I SAY MORE?
for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of
the prophets:
33
Who THROUGH FAITH subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
34 VERSES OF ABSOLUTE VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRAISE THE LORD!!
LET'S GO TO DISNEYWORLD!!!
WE WON THE SUPERBOWL!!
WE won the lottery, WE got that job/contract, my child is born whole and well!!!
MY Church is exploding, I got a great deal on ..........!!!!
I would LOVE to close my sermon out RIGHT HERE!!!
Let's FORGET the next FIVE Verses!!
Can we call it a day????
Let's just read one more Verse-only HALFWAY, however:
Hebrews 11:35 (KJV)
35 WOMEN RECEIVED THEIR DEAD RAISED TO LIFE AGAIN:
I WISH their was a PERIOD instead of a COLON!!!!!!
and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Hebrews 11:36-38 (KJV)
36 AND OTHERS HAD TRIAL of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
"
OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY!!!!"
MARCH 11, 2002-Baby Connor died of SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME.
FEBRUARY 22, 2003-Amanda, mother of Connor sustains brain injury.
APRIL 7, 2004- Youngest son Joshua arrested for double murder and receives death penalty.
2008-My physical Church loses its land due to "THE GREAT RECESSION."
2009-My wife of 42 years diagnosed with malignant cancer of the face and because we had no health insurance had to look for a year to face medical treatment.
Today she cannot eat any solid foods and weighs 88 lbs.
2012- Oldest grandson, whom my wife and I raised from the day he was born, diagnosed with END STAGE RENAL DISEASE-age of 20!
DECEMBER 7, 2013-Oldest daughter Wendy, arrested and jailed for a domestic dispute dies on prison floor-Age 39.
JANUARY 7, 2014-Oldest grandson, Devin, son of Wendy, drops dead before my very eyes of END STAGE RENAL DISEASE!!
"
AND OTHERS HAD TRIAL!!!!"
Brothers and sisters, not everybody wins!!!
1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)
19
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Please FORGIVE the length of this sermon!!!
As I close out this early morning, I hear the cries of little Amanda-awake and unable to rest.
I done changed her DIAPER and gave her a drink, AND put Carmax on her lips, but still she cries?
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
God would have YOU know today:
"
FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW
YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"
THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN
BE YE STEDFAST, UNMOVEABLE
ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD!!!"
GOD BLESS YOU TODAY!
PASTOR DOUG
404-295-5644 or
CHURCH ADDRESS:
70 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA. 30253
Your tithes and offerings are greatly appreciated and much needed and can be sent to the above CHURCH ADDRESS or by accessing our website:
and/or via PAYPAL.COM
