Sermons

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.
John 14:12-14 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. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
The name of Jesus is precious and we should recognize the power it represents.
One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the temple for prayer. There was a crippled man setting at the temple gate, who was begging for help.
Acts 3:4-7 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Peter and John must have passed that way often. Perhaps they had seen this man before. This time Peter was led by the Spirit to do something. He and John didn’t have money to offer but the power in the name of Jesus was exactly what he needed.
Today the name of Jesus is just as powerful as it was when Peter spoke it and saw the crippled man receive strength. God has commissioned each Christian to teach. Jesus said: “Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:”
One of the things Jesus commanded us to do is to ask the Father in Jesus name.
Respect for the name of Jesus is something we learn as we grow. Peter and John did not tell every cripple to rise up and walk. There may have been others there that day who needed God’s help. Recognizing the need and knowing how to address the situation is something the Holy Spirit wants to teach us.
The disciples came back from their missionary trip and were excited that the name of Jesus was instrumental in working miracles.
Luke 10: 17-20 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 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. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
The most important message we can bring is the message that Jesus died, was resurrected and lives to provide our freedom from hell and all the works of darkness. There is freedom in the name of Jesus.

by Emily Wooten

Matthew 6:5-8 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
In response to the request, “Teach us to pray.” Jesus started by telling the disciples what not to do. Don’t pray to be seen or heard. Don’t use vain repetitions. Prayer is not a chant or mantra. We see from these scriptures it is possible for a Christian to turn prayer time into lip service. Dotting all the i’s and crossing all the T’s can turn prayer into a meaningless act of checking the box. Prayer is meant to be a time of communication between a human or humans and God. We talk, we listen and Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and understanding.
Jesus continued to share with us all the correct way to approach God in prayer.
Matthew 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Submitting ourselves to his will as we come to him in praise acknowledges God’s sovereign power while thanking him for all he has done and who he is. Notice Jesus prayed your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
In Matthew 18-18 is recorded where Jesus told them whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven: and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. He didn’t say what things I bind or loose. He said whatever you bind and loose. It is the Christian who is speaking in the authority of our risen savior to bind or loose.
Verse 11 we ask for our needs to be met. Our heavenly father knows what we need before we ask so there is no need to call out a detailed list of wants, but we are instructed to ask. .
Verse 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. There exist a spiritual law. If you don’t forgive others, it hinders mercy. We are required to loose all those grudges, and hurt feelings to our father and let him heal our hearts.
Matthew 6: 14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mark 11: 25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Verse 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Our prayer begins and ends with praise to God and submission to his authority. This isn’t really the end of our prayer. We can continue the conversation with God throughout the day. We listen for his instructions, as he shares from his insight and wisdom and Holy Spirit reveals to us God’s his plan. Prayer is as much about hearing as it is speaking.

By Emily Wooten

Paul wrote thirteen books of the New Testament. Many of these books were written to churches he had ministered to or helped establish on his missionary journeys. He wrote the letter to the Galatians. The purpose was to help the folks of Galatia to understand the gospel of faith.
Paul started the letter with grace and peace, which was a common gracious greeting. Common niceties before getting to the actual reason for the letter.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
He said if anyone should preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. If anyone was aware of the laws of Moses and how to manage the Hebrew acceptable rules, times and holy days, it was Paul. He reminded them he was a devout religious man who observed the traditions of the synagogue and persecuted Christians. Because of meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus he had come to understand the salvation offered through faith in Jesus Christ. One might say he had changed his tune.
Here we see a man who was qualified to teach, educated and observing the customs of men. The good news changed Paul. The revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah brought freedom from the law, traditions of men and acts of obedience. Paul emphasized that Jesus’ sacrifice is the only way to be considered righteous before God, and that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not by following the law.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Every day we make choices. Even in the modern church we have to guard against doctrines of men and devils. The enemy of our faith has been working for centuries to confuse, distract and mislead Christians.
The letter continues in Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
The measure of our dedication to God and faithfulness to fulfilling God’s commission depends on the Holy Spirit’s leading and our obedience. Our obedience to answer what God calls us to is the most important thing we will ever do. Comparing our lives to the word of God and not other humans reveals our success or failure.
James 1: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

By Emily Wooten

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God gives grace to the humble. We see in Daniel 1 the story of a young man who was torn from his people and his country. He was taken by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Daniel and his friends were described as being children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach.
We learn that Daniel and his friends had purposed in their hearts not to be defiled. Hebrew men observed and worshiped the One God. We know him as creator, self-existing, I am that I am. These men were keeping themselves separated to the One Holy God. Daniel’s desire was to be used by God and to please God. The degree of a person’s humility determines the limitations of their usefulness to God. Daniel recognized this and chose to position himself to be useful.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Did you know that the most humble man in his generation was the most used man of God in his generation? Jesus who, was king of kings, humbled himself to wash the disciples feet.
Mark 9:35 And he (Jesus) sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Even when Daniel and his friends were pressured by the king of Babylon, they continued to worship the One True God. Daniel prayed three times a day. No matter what was happening, he bowed his knees and honored God.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he knelt upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel was thrown in a den of lions to punish him for not bending his knee to any other God. But God sent an angel and delivered Daniel.
Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
God was able to save Daniel because he chose to humble himself before God and obeyed. God was able to use Daniel and he promoted him. God asks us to humble ourselves and pray. The same God who created the wonders of the universe chooses to spend time with us when we will make room for him. Three times a day Daniel pulled himself away from the affairs of this life to give God his time. During his time with God in prayer, he learned how to manage a kingdom. God spoke secrets to him, revealing the interpretation of dreams and giving him visions.
God is not a respecter of persons but he is a respecter of those who will humble themselves and put God first. Is God first in your life? Is there anything that you have made important above him? Thank God he is always a prayer away and we can adjust our thought life to move God to the most important place in everything we do.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

by Emily Wooten

Jesus left us this message and it is recorded in John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
God left instructions through his servant Paul and it is recorded in Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (or anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We can say with the Psalmist as in Psalms 23:1 & 4 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
That whole psalm is a proclamation of God’s unfailing love to his children. We can take his words as our own and declare as in verse 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Every family faces challenges, times of disappointment and distress. Many times it is how we act and react to the challenges that determines the outcome. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and Psalms 91 are packed with words of encouragement as to what God’s intentions are toward us. He isn’t bashful when he says in Matthew 11:28 & 29 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Would you like to find rest and peace for your soul? God our father has promised us he would be with us, comfort us and keep us. Through every storm, those in the atmosphere and those in our life, God is with us.
He says we have not because we ask not. Let’s not fail to ask God for his peace. Let’s not fail to seek his wisdom. When we need shelter from the storms of life he has encouraged us to knock and the door of refuge will be opened to us. In Mark 4:39 our savior spoke the words peace be still and there was a great calm. We can access that calm even in the midst of the storm.

by Emily Wooten

Psalm 100:4-5 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Fellowship with God and other Christians positions us to receive from God. We see in Acts 2:1 the chapter begins with everyone being in one location with one accord. The chapter ends with people being added to the church daily as they continued daily with one accord in the temple.Acts 2: 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.Acts 2:46-47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.When we come together in church, we have the opportunity to share our hope in God and encourage one another. We can all reflect on the times when God has moved on our behalf. We can say with King David, God has forgiven our sins, healed our bodies, delivered us from destruction and crowned our lives with tender mercies and loving kindness. It is God who fills our mouth with good things so our youth is renewed as the eagles.Let’s consider all that God has done for us as we enter into his house to praise him.What God has done for others, we can expect him to do for us. We see time and time again in Jesus’ ministry where people were healed, the lame walked and blind people received their sight.Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

This week we can remember to pray for our leaders in government, schools, church and at home.
We can pray with confidence, knowing our Father hears us and is resolving situations as we pray.
Luke 11:2-4 When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

We can be strong because greater is God who is in us than the devil who is in the world.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

God has warned us about holding a grudge. It is our responsibility to forgive those that mistreat us. Forgiving doesn’t ignore bad conduct. Forgiving refuses to hold unforgiveness. God can give us wisdom in every situation letting love do its work in us and others.
Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

God tells us to be strong and of a good courage. Our battle is not with flesh and blood, dispite what some might think. Every human has, at one time or another, chosen to have faith in something. It is our privilege and right as children of the Living God to choose to do things the way God does.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

In Luke 15 it is recorded where Jesus was teaching his disciples about the value of all humans to God. Jesus told them a shepherd would leave 99 sheep in the sheepfold, to go look for one lost lamb. He explained that a woman would search high and low for that one coin she had lost. Jesus taught them the parable of the prodigal son. He said the father told the other son he should be rejoicing because his brother who had been lost, had come home.
Jesus didn’t stop there. He continued the series in chapter 16:19-31 the chapter concludes with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Two humans die. One has been a rich man who enjoyed the finer things in life. The other, Lazarus, barely had enough to stay alive. In his earthly life Lazarus suffered much. Every day the rich man, who might have eased Lazarus’ suffering passed by unconcerned. The rich man and the beggar were both of Abraham’s lineage. It wasn’t Lazarus’ poverty that bought him a place in paradise. It wasn’t the rich man’s wealth that kept him out. We learn from reading about these two men that God cares for all humans.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The rich man was not sorry for his sins until he found himself in hell. He didn’t show mercy. In his life he lived to please himself.
In Acts 3:1-8 we see where another poor man sitting in the gate, begging. Peter noticed him and reached out to him. He said, ” Look on us.” The man looked at Peter and John expecting something. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” He took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. The man went into the temple leaping and praising God.
We can learn from these stories. God loves all humans and wants to help them. It is necessary for humans to see their need and humble themselves before God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The crippled man looked to Peter and John expecting. We have to acknowledge God, give him our attention and look for his instruction.
Luke 17:5-6 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. The Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
Let’s listen for instructions, be willing to do what he says and expect a miracle. God loves us, has given us his word and with faith in him we can move mountains!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Paul and men like him left behind writings of encouragement. He was confident that he could do anything if Christ was in it. We can have that confidence too.
Our time on earth is subject to conditions and situations beyond our domain.
Moses told Joshua and the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
They sung songs like the one in Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Did you know that singing praises to God for the great things he has done strengthens us? When we join together today to sing praise and worship songs, we aren’t just singing a cute peppy diddy. The words we sing together are a war cry. We are taking God’s word to the enemy’s camp and exalting God above every situation.
We learn from scripture that men like David encouraged themselves with songs, psalms and spiritual songs. It could be that if we give ourself, surrendering to Holy Spirit, he will lead us in words to sing that will remind us of all that God has promised to those who love him and keep his commandments.
We need to learn to talk like David talked. It was common for him to stand before all of Israel and declare. Look at 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reigns over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
David knew our God was powerful and his strength can be ours. Whatever temptation we face this week, it is not stronger than Holy Spirit in us. Paul gave us an example of the things we can expect from God in Colossians 1:9-16.
We can be filled with knowledge with wisdom and understanding, Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power and that is just the beginning! Call yourself strong in the Lord and in the power of his might!