Weekend Sermon -- II Corinthians 5:1-9

     Welcome to this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am glad to be able to post the sermon this week. We did not get any bad weather, and I am thankful to the Lord for that. Thank you for your prayers in that matter. I hope everyone is having a very good day.
     Last week, I announced that we would be starting a new series of messages this week. We will be studying II Corinthians 5 for the next few weeks. This is a chapter that has a lot of important things in it that I want to share.
     Today, we will be covering the section from verses 1 through 9. In this section, the Apostle Paul speaks about being in our earthly body but longing to be with Jesus in the heavenly dwelling place.
Paul states clearly in Chapter 5 and verse 1 that those who belong to Jesus have a resurrected body with the Lord in heaven when death comes to this earthly body. Paul states, "We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
     Those who belong to Jesus don't have to worry about death. Jesus has triumphed over death through His glorious resurrection. Jesus has promised that those who believe in Him will be with Him forever in the place that He has prepared for those who love Him.
     In Philippians 3:21, Paul tells us that one day, we will receive a new body that is like the glorious body of the Lord Jesus. That is certainly something to look forward to. Death does not have the final victory over the Christian because Jesus is the resurrection and life.
     While we are still in this body, Paul says that we groan and long to be in heaven with the Lord. Paul also states that in this body, we are burdened. Paul speaks about groaning in this life in another passage in Romans where he talks about all of the created order groaning and awaiting the day when Jesus make all things new.
     I truly understand what Paul is speaking about when he says we groan and are burdened in this life. I haven't been feeling well lately. I've also had a flair up with the depression that has plagued me since I was in my teens. Life can be hard to deal with.
     Many people have to deal with problems that are much worse than what I have to deal with. People all over this world are facing horrific circumstances. I don't know how some people can stand to go on facing what they have to face in life.
      When we are faced with so many burdens and problems in this life, we long to go home and be with the Lord Jesus. We long to be out of these bodies with their sickness and pain, and we long for a glorified body that is not hindered by the hurts and limitations of this existence.
     I know that I would most certainly like to be at home with the Lord. I am so tired of this world. I am tired of  having to read and hear about all of the suffering that people have to endure. I am tired of the war and political turmoil. I am tired of the fact that so many don't care about the world and the animals that are in it. I long to be at home with Jesus.
     Most of my family and friends are at home with the Lord right now. One day, we will all have a great reunion. It is all possible because of what Jesus has done through His death and through His resurrection from the dead.
    Paul says in verse 8 of chapter 5 that he would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. I certainly feel that way. I find it hard to understand Christians who don't feel this way, but I know some people who do feel that way. They make statements such as I want to go heaven, but I'm not ready to go yet. Paul was ready to go to be with Jesus right away. However, he was trusting in God's will for his life. That is the key.
     The Lord has a reason and a purpose for keeping us here on this earth instead of taking so to be with Him. We are called to do His will and to spread the message of His love to others. We are to be ambassadors for the Lord as long as the Lord wants us to be here.
     Paul tells us in verse 10 that our goal should always be to please the Lord wherever we are. We are to follow the Lord faithfully in the circumstances in which we are in.
     Life is hard at times, and I want to go and be with the Lord and see my family again. However, I have to carry on and do the things that the Lord has called me to do. I have to do what I can to tell others about the Lord, and I have the duty to try and make this world a better place and help others. That is what all followers of Jesus are called to do.
     Whatever problem or difficulty you are facing in life, I urge you to pray and ask the Lord to help you. Ask Him to help you to do His will in His way in this world. Always pray for the Lord's will to be done in you life. One day, we will be with the Lord, and all things will be well and right and good. That will be a glorious day. Amen


Prayer Requests and Other Matters:

      This was a very good week in my writing work, and I want to thank the Lord for providing for me. I would ask that you pray that I get to feeling better both mentally and physically. I thank you for your prayers.
     Please pray for the people in the Bahamas this week. The hurricane that hit that nation caused horrible damage. Many are in desperate conditions. Pray that the people will get the help and the aid that they need during this hard time.
     There were people affected by the hurricane in the Carolinas and in parts of Canada. Pray that these people will get the help that they need as well.
     Please pray that people on planet earth will start taking caring of this planet. I am upset that this week the US government announced that a large part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be opened up for oil exploration. Please pray that people will care about the earth and take care of it and not exploit everything for profit.
     Continue to pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in Congo.
     Pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Yemen and Syria are really in need of prayers for peace right now.
     For our prayer focus countries, let us pray for those in Tunisia and Bahrain. Pray that many will hear about the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
     Please pray for migrants and refugees. Pray for their safety and health.
     Next week, we will continue with our series on II Corinthians 5. I have several different series planned out for the next few weeks. On Monday, I will post the verses. I hope to have a review on Wednesday. I will post the sermon on Saturday. May God bless you all. Amen.

Prayer Request

    I would like to ask you to pray about a matter. The weather is predicted to be severe in my area this afternoon and evening. Please pray that these storms are not bad and that there won't be any flooding. I would also like to ask your prayers on another matter. They are starting construction on a very old house next to where I live. Please pray that this does not cause any damage to my house or the other houses surrounding it. Thank you for your prayers.

Review -- Dynasties

     I like to watch nature documentaries. Those who have read this blog for awhile know that I care deeply about animals and the environment. I have recently watched a DVD series that I found to be superb. "Dynasties" is a five-part series narrated by Sir David Attenborough.  

     Each episode of the series follows one animal species and one family unit within that species. There are separate episodes on tigers, painted dogs, lions, penguins and chimpanzees. Tigers and painted dogs are my favorite animals, so I was pleased that they were part of the series, and I thought the episodes about the tigers and painted dogs were the best of the series. 

     Each film really captures the beauty of the animals. Each of the animals is involved in a struggle to stay alive and to keep the family line going. In the episode about the painted dogs, the alpha female has kept her pack going for many years. However, her daughter who is the head of another pack drives her mother's pack out of their territory. The mother has to move her pack into lion territory and survive in a harsh environment. This is one of the best nature programs I've watched, and I've watched a lot. 

     Of particular interest to me in the painted dog episode was the fact that it was filmed in Zimbabwe in the same area where Painted Dog Conservation works with the painted dog population. I've helped support Painted Dog Conservation through Wildlife Conservation Network. WCN is a terrific charity that helps animals all over the world. I urge you to check them out. 

     The episode on the tigers was excellent as well. The mother tiger did an extraordinary job bringing up four cubs. 

      I highly recommend "Dynasties". Watch it as soon as you can. 

Verses For The Week

I John 4:4 -- "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

Ephesians 6:10 -- "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."

Colossians 1:11 -- "May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy."

Weekend Sermon -- Zephaniah -- Conclusion

      Thank you for reading the Weekend Sermon. I am glad to be able to be back posting new sermons after being off last week. I am feeling better this week, and I thank you for your prayers on my behalf.
     Two weeks ago, we began a two week series on the Old Testament book of Zephaniah. We saw that Zephaniah was a prophet who proclaimed the message given to him by the Lord during the time of the reign of Josiah in the southern kingdom of Judah.
      Zephaniah proclaimed a message of judgement. He stated that the Lord was growing tired of the people's continual sins. They were worshiping false gods, and they were doing those things that God had commanded them not to do.
     Zephaniah was not the first, nor was he the last prophet to bring God's warning before judgment came. Isaiah, Jeremiah and others all called the people to repentance. We saw that God was merciful and wanting to forgive then, and the Lord is merciful and wants to forgive today. As the Bible says, the Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
     The book of Zephaniah does not just contain a word of judgement. It also contains words of promise and hope. This is especially true at the end of chapter 3. The Lord had made promises to Abraham and David. The people of Israel would not cease to exist even though the Lord would bring about judgment for sin.
     In the last part of the book of Zephaniah, the Lord says that there will be a remnant who will return from captivity and be restored to the land of Israel. This prophecy was fulfilled, and it also has an ultimate fulfillment.
     We know from history that after Josiah died, his reforms died with him. The people went back to serving false gods. The kings that followed Josiah were all immoral and terrible leaders. In 586 BC, the nation of Judah would be conquered by the Babylonian Empire and its ruler Nebuchadnezzar. Many people were carried away into captivity. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Temple was also destroyed.
     God was faithful to His promise. After a period of captivity, the people were allowed to return to the land when the Persians conquered the Babylonians. The people went back and rebuilt the Temple. We read about this in Haggai and Ezra. The people went and rebuilt Jerusalem and wall around it. We read about this in Nehemiah.
     We know from countless examples in God's Word that God always keeps His promises. If He says that He will do something, He will do it. God has kept His promises to Abraham, Noah, David and others. He has kept His promise that a Messiah would come, and Jesus has come into this world.
     Because God has kept His promises in the past, we can have confidence that He will do so in the future. He has promised that all who believe in Jesus will inherit eternal life. Jesus says that He has gone to prepare a place for us so that we can be with Him forever. Jesus said that He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him will live with Him forever.
    We can count on these promises because we can see from the Bible that the Lord honors His Word. One of the promises we have from Jesus is that He will return to this earth one day in power and great glory. That is the ultimate fulfillment of the words in Zephaniah chapter 3.
     When the Lord Jesus returns, all will be restored to its original state before sin entered into the world. The Lord will make all things new. We read about this is Acts 3:21 which states, "He must remain in Heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through His holy prophets."
     I am looking forward to the return of Jesus. He will judge the living and the dead. Those who have followed Him will be with Him for all eternity in the new world that is free from death, sickness, war and injustice. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
     If you have never repented of your sins and turned to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness, I hope that you will do so today. He is waiting for whoever wants to come to Him. I  hope that you are ready for the coming of the Lord and that great day when every knee bows at the name of Jesus. Amen.



Prayer Requests and Other Matters

     This last week was very difficult. I am feeling better but not great. Please pray that I will start to feel all the way better. Thank you for your prayers.
     Please pray for all of those who were affected by hurricane Dorian. The devastation in the Bahamas is horrific. Pray for those who mourn that they will be comforted. Pray that the people will receive the aid that they need. Please also pray for those in the US who were affected as well. I know that people in South and North Carolina had damage from the storm.
     Continue to pray that the Ebola outbreak in Congo will end. Pray that those who are sick will recover.
    Let us pray for peace in the troubled areas of the world. Let us pray specifically for the nations of Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia.
    For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in Iraq and Senegal. Pray that many will respond to the love and mercy of Jesus.
    Next week, the sermon will be posted on Saturday, and I will be starting a new series of messages Lord willing. On Monday, I will post the verses. I will post a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.

Book Review

    The book that I am reviewing today is called "The Last Sanctuary In Aleppo" written by Alaa Aljaleel and Diana Darke. This book tells the story of Alaa who is also known as the Cat Man of Aleppo.
     This book begins with Alaa telling about his life growing up in the Syrian city of Aleppo. This is important background for the rest of the book.
     During the time of the Arab Spring, many nations in the Middle East attempted to overthrow the dictators running their nations and establish democratic governments. Syria was one of these countries.
     For the last several years, a horrific civil war has been occurring in Syria, and the city of Aleppo has suffered terribly as a result.
     In this book, Alaa details how he began work as an ambulance driver during the war. He stayed behind while others left the city because he wanted to help as many as he could.
     Alaa didn't just help people. He always had a love of animals especially cats. When people started to flee the city, many cats where left behind. And there were stray cats caught in the middle of the violence. Alaa began helping the animals, and word about his cat sanctuary spread around the world.
     I urge you to read "The Last Sanctuary In Aleppo". This is a great book that tells the story of those who are dealing with a terrible situation. It tells the story of a man who is trying to make a difference.

Verses For The Week

     Thank you for your prayers this last week. I am doing better. Please pray for those in the Bahamas who were hit by the hurricane. Pray that this storm will weaken and stop hurting people.

Verses:

Isaiah 54:10 -- "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord who has compassion on you."

Ephesians 4:32 -- "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."