Proclaiming the Word of God

Initial Feelings and Unworthiness Nervous about speaking. Feels unworthy of the opportunity to speak. Asks for prayers to calm nerves and for the Lord to have His way. Requests prayers for his wife to return to the will and house of God. Recalls a past experience at Mountain View Baptist Church where he made mistakes while preaching. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 Paul did not come with excellency of speech or wisdom. Paul determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Prayer Asks God to take over his body and use him as a servant. Prays for God to speak to hearts and save those who don’t know Him. Thanks God for the opportunity to proclaim His Word. Expresses gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Observations and Reflections A door slamming shut at work prompted thoughts about God’s work. A strong wind pushed a large rock out of the way to slam the door. Burning brush at night led to reflections on life’s fleeting nature. Life is like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. Embers blowing in every direction. The Importance of Knowing Christ Paul focused on knowing only Christ crucified. Wants to be wise enough to win souls for Christ. Doesn’t want to see lives wasted, ending in hell. Noah’s Ark Noah built the ark as God instructed. Noah proclaimed God’s coming judgment and love while building the ark for 120 years. Noah told people about Jesus and the love of God. Noah warned of God’s wrath and the need for safety in the ark. “Pitching” the ark within and without symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ. Pitch is the same as the blood that Jesus Christ shed. Believes Noah was telling people about Jesus. Whosoever will may enter the ark and be saved. Abraham and Isaac God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son on a mountain. Abraham prepared wood and traveled with Isaac and a servant to the designated place. Abraham got up early and prepared everything. Abraham told his servants that he and Isaac would worship and return. Abraham had faith that God could raise Isaac from the dead. Isaac questioned the absence of a lamb for sacrifice. Abraham said the Lord would provide a sacrifice. The mountain was on the same ridge as Mount Calvary. The blood shed on Calvary is still effective today. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sin. Abraham looked around and saw a ram caught by its horns. It had to be caught by the horns to be without blemish. The ram was Abraham’s perfect sacrifice due to his obedience. Jesus as the Perfect Sacrifice Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, willingly sacrificed Himself. Jesus looked through time and chose to go because of God’s love and man’s wickedness. Jesus offered Himself as a perfect, spotless sacrifice. Jesus willingly laid down His life. Jesus came to take away the sins of the world for those who believe. Offering Oneself to God Wants to lay down his body and offer everything to God. Believes in having faith to trust in God. Sharing Jesus is an honorable act. The gospel provides life and salvation. Jesus regained what was lost in the Garden of Eden. Jesus walked the corridors of hell for us. Accepting Jesus into our hearts is all that is required. The work of salvation is finished; it’s up to individuals to accept it. Impact of Wise Women Miss Ruth Atkins and Miss Bernice Millsaps mentored him early in his ministry. Miss Ruth shared scriptures about being wise enough to win souls. Miss Bernice was 94 and Miss Ruth was 92. They invited him to quilt with them at Coralville Center. He initially sneered at the invitation but later accepted. He brought his mother along, surprising the women. The women were ready to sow the word of God. The Ark and God’s Provision The ark represents a seed with life inside. God shut the door of the ark. God gave mankind seven days to enter the ark. God provided a way through Jesus Christ. The mountain where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac was on the same ridge as Mount Calvary. The Nail on the Tree Isaiah speaks of a nail hung upon a tree. The key to salvation was hung there for everyone, even the worst sinners. The key was hung in a sure place because of God’s love. Personal Testimony and Challenges Works with people daily and sees himself in them. Uses Greg Watson’s visit to his wife as an illustration. Sees the lost as a challenge. Was backslidden in his teenage years, turning to alcohol and other vices. Three preachers persistently shared the love of God with him. They would come up every night and tell him about the love of God. He initially hated their persistence but knew they were telling the truth. Their faithfulness and prayers eventually led him back to God. A preacher told him to repent or his wife would be lost. He repented and begged God back into his heart. God called him to preach the gospel while he was hunting. He resisted for six years until God saved his house. Doesn’t want anyone to end up screaming from hell because they didn’t know the truth. You can judge a tree by the fruit it bears. The Importance of Faithfulness and Love We need to be like Moses, standing in the gap. We need to be faithful to God. Love is the motivation behind discipline and correction. God’s faithfulness, justice, and grace are special. It’s not a waste to love the way Christ loved. Salvation and the Gift of God The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Hell was created for Satan and his angels. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Salvation is simple. Life is near, even at the last. God can cleanse the mind of sin and set captives free. Confessing with your tongue leads to salvation. The law cannot save you; only Jesus Christ can. Salvation is as simple as Peter stepping onto the water by faith. The scriptures are written simply enough for a child to understand. Trust in Him, believe in Him, and invite Him into your heart. God has no respect for a person or age. He knocks on the door and asks to be let in. Closing Remarks If he didn’t already have Jesus in his heart, he would run to the altar. Encourages listeners to renew their relationship with God. If you don’t know Him, this morning would be a good morning. If you have a burden for the lost, God will bless you.