Sermons

By Emily Wooten

Isaiah 53:4-5 It is a forever settled subject: Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. . .  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. We can rejoice and be glad for our redeemer lives ever making intercession for us with the father.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

We are forgiven! What a glorious thought that we have been redeemed. Have been. We aren’t waiting in line for God to get ready to make us free. His word says he has already accomplished victory for anyone who will call on his name. 

Have you ever read Psalms 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Again, that is talking about anyone who has asked Jesus to forgive their sin and be their Lord.

He continues in verses 9-11 Because thou (that means you if you belong to Jesus) hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. The entire 91st Psalm is a declaration of God’s commitment to keep us safe and deliver us from fear.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

Some of you are thinking you don’t have a purpose. Every member of the body of Christ is call to a purpose and redeemed so you can help others. Everywhere Jesus went he was teaching the word, rebuking devils and causing folks to be healed. He had compassion on them but he wasn’t led by compassion. He watched for the Father so he could tell him what to do.

John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

In these verses alone we are compelled to: live unto righteousness, remember and stir up the gift of God, do what the Father does. 

Last week Pastor talked about fasting. There are many ways to fast. Sure withholding food to give yourself to study and prayer is one way. Another way to honor God with our time is neglecting fleshly desires to feed ourself on his word. How about instead of watching your favorite movie or TV show try turning off your devices and open your bible. Turn to the scriptures where Jesus walked this earth in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read how he filled his day. Ask God to teach you how to fill your day like a redeemed Child of God with all his benefits.

by Emily Wooten

by Emily Wooten

Exodus 33:11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaks unto his friend. 

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Isaiah 41: 8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Psalms 25:12-14 What man is he that fears the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.  His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

God has shown us his love throughout time. He has expressed how dear we are to him. The fact that Jesus was willing to lay down his position as God’s son in order to come to earth in a human body shows us God’s commitment to us and to his word.

What is our commitment to God? Can we say we call God our friend? Do we trust and obey with excitement? How many times does God have to speak to us before we hear and obey? One step, one day at a time, consistently choosing God’s way over our own–that is the way to success in pleasing God. 

If we have chosen Jesus as our Lord we have been given the measure of faith. We have his word and with his help, we have the strength to make the next decision be a good one. If we don’t make choices on purpose, Satan will choose for us by pushing his will on us. He is an outlaw. We have to be consistent and stand on God’s word, being doers of the word in order to stop him. Many don’t know how to enforce the word and arrest bad behavior. 

John 10:10 says that Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundant. It also says that the devil who is a thief comes to steal, kill and destroy (anyone he can). It is up to us to tell him no! 

God’s covenant with us has enabled us to choose life. With that choice God our heavenly Father has also provided a way of escape from every obstacle. We are precious to him and he wants to spend time with us. As we communicate with God, we grow stronger. His Holy Spirit makes himself available to teach us if we listen.

by Emily Wooten

Ephesians 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Our heavenly father has made it possible for us to become children of God. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, all who believe and confess Jesus is the son of God are made heirs together with Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:4-6 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
1 John 5:1-2 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
God has called us to love one another.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is..

by Emily Wooten

Matthew 28: 18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-18 And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Go, Teach and Baptize. These are the three things Jesus told his disciples to do. We won’t see anywhere in the scriptures where that has been withdrawn. It stands today. Christians are encouraged to live a life that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus, including loving God and others.
In the world outside our doors there are people who are suffering. Every day they wake up to lack, sickness and for some, mental anguish. John 10:10 tells us the enemy of our faith has come to steal, kill and destroy. The devil and his forces have been hard at it for centuries. We have the opportunity to stop his efforts. Jesus continued in John 10:10 to say he has come that they might have life, and that more abundantly.
We have work to do!
Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Have you ever considered the Lord’s prayer? In it Jesus tells us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we pray that out loud, we are setting ourselves in agreement with God that his will be done in the earth where our realm of authority exists. Our homes, families, jobs and community: these are areas where we have a say so. We can allow the enemy of our faith to run rampant or we can set our foot down and say, “No Devil! You have no place here.”
See what Jesus told us in Luke 10:18-19 “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Let’s be doers of the word. Let’s start today!

Daniel 1: 8-16 [NKJV] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
Everyday we make decisions. What to wear, what to eat and what to say are just a few of the choices we make each day. Do our choices honor God? We see in the book of Daniel that God caused Daniel to have favor and goodwill. God has the ability to help us have favor too. Jesus said if he was lifted up he would draw all men to him. Let’s endeavor to lift Jesus up and follow his example in everything we do.

by Emily Wooten

If you haven’t yet told your young one about the miracle of the Great Exchange, today is the day. Jesus Christ who knew no sin, became sin for us. He exchanged his perfect health, righteous spirit and sanctified mind for our imperfect being. Because Adam sinned, we all are born into a sin nature. Without Jesus Christ we have no hope beyond this life. 

Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin (Christ Jesus) to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 8:3-4 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son (Jesus Christ) in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God sent this son to take our place, our punishment. The Great Exchange happened over 2,000 years ago. When we accept Jesus as Lord, we accept ever benefit of the exchange. 

James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

David, in Psalms 103 reminded us some of the benefits of the Great Exchange.

Psalms 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

It is finished. All we ever needed or will need has been purchased by the blood of Jesus. Once and forever, it is a forever settled subject.

All we have to do is take what he has provided.

by Emily Wooten

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
To “wait upon the Lord” is not about passive inaction, but rather an active state of faith and expectancy, trusting in God’s timing and guidance. It involves continually seeking His presence, through prayer, reading and reciting scripture, worship, and trusting that God’s will is revealed in his promises. We can see how he helped others in the scriptures and expect him to help us too. Those who wait upon the Lord can expect his grace and ability to work through them.
Luke 9:1-2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
We see that it is God’s will to inform people about the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Why would Jesus have sent his disciples out to preach and heal if it was not his will? It was and is God’s will, according to Luke 4:18-19, to preach the gospel to the poor; heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised or bound and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus did all those things and now we are equipped with the tools to do the same. In time with God we learn out to use our tools.
We see in Matthew 14:23 where Jesus went alone to pray. Mark 1:35 and Luke 5:16 In the early morning, he got up and departed to a solitary place, and there he prayed.
Spending time with God and giving him our attention is the most important decision we will make every day. It is by hanging with Jesus, listening to his Spirit and considering his word that we grow and are enabled to face life’s challenges equipped to win every battle.
Luke 14: 10-13 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Praising God for all he has done and is doing is exercising our faith and declaring God’s promises are ours too. We can expect God’s word to come alive in our understanding as we spend time giving God our attention.

by Emily Wooten

The scriptures reveal God’s heart. God is not a respecter of people. What he has done for others we can expect him to do for us if we obey his word. Let’s begin with Luke 5:12-13 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Proverbs 4:20-23 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
We see in these scriptures provision. God has provided a way for us to be in health. He promises that if we keep his word foremost in our minds and conversations to do what it says, they are life and health to all our flesh.
We believe that the scriptures are inspired by God. God caused humans to record the scriptures so we can understand and know what he expects of us, what he has promised us and how to please him by doing his word.
Psalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 1:17-23 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Paul prayed this over the church at Ephesus. We can ask God to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him too. Ask God to open the eyes of your understanding so they are enlightened to know the will of God.

by Emily Wooten

Matthew 21: 12-16 (ESV) And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
When we talk about Jesus overturning the money changer’s tables, we don’t often say the first thing he did was to teach. He didn’t throw a fit and storm off at all. His actions were one of cleaning house. He told them what God expected of them and where their error was. The results were miracles happening. They were given opportunity to correct their behavior. God wants us to be a house of praise. It is our privilege and opportunity to share his love everywhere we go. Forget pomp and circumstance of pageants and programs. What God really desires is a people who will consider him every morning, noon and evening: to see what he wants to do with our day.
In 2 Corinthians 6:2 we are reminded today is the acceptable day; now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
There is nothing more important than sharing the good news in our speech, in our demeanor, in our lifestyle.
Hunting Easter eggs does not glorify God or point anyone to Christ. What you do 365 days a year is more weighty than any program on a holiday.
Remember 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Let’s practice considering God in all our ways and make every day an expression of his will in us. Then we can have all the programs we want knowing we have put God first and pleased the Lord with our whole life.