Like a Tree Planted by the Waters

Like a Tree Planted by the Waters     Sermon 8/27/2023

How to remain faithful in times of great distress

Elijah was faithful when having to deliver a terrible prophecy to King Ahab, he was faithful during a time of drought, he was faithful when he was under the threat of death, and he was faithful even when he was depressed and wanted to die!  How?

7   “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.  8  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river,  And will not fear when heat comes;  But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

1. Our roots must be planted in Christ Jesus!  He is our LIVING WATER!

• Clay Pot Watering System

• 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” – John 7:37-38

1. Without Christ we cannot GROW (photosynthesis and Nutrient Transport), we cannot STAND (Cell Turgor), we have no PROTECTION (transpiration), and we cannot be HEALTHY (Supporting Metabolic and Biochemical reactions)

1. In Christ there doesn’t have to be FEAR or ANXIETY when this world brings the HEAT…and the DROUGHT!

•  What does the heat look like?

•  What does the drought look like?

•  DESPITE the heat and drought, the leaf will be green and you will not cease from yielding fruit!

How do I plant my roots in Christ?  B.C.R.R.

(Romans 10:9-10; Acts 3:19; John 1:12)

Let us Pray

Like a Tree Planted by the Waters

Fear Not!

FEAR NOT!!!  Sermon March 15, 2020

Walmart

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ -- Isaiah 41:10

3  Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. -- Psalm 56:3

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. -- 2 Timothy 1:7

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.  2   The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;  My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. -- Psalm 18:1-2

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord. -- Isaiah 54:17

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  55 “O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?” -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

3 Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening burnt offerings. -- Ezra 3:3

Let us pray.

Fear Not!

The Purple Chapters of Psalms: Praise Him!

The Purple Chapters, Sermon I:  Praise Him!  Psalm 103  3/1/2020

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: -- Psalm 103:1-2

Why should we make time to praise (bless) The Lord?

1.  He is Worthy of Praise!  (Complacency)

•  Do what the Psalmist did, make a list of all He has done for you!

9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.  10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.  11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;  12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. -- Psalm 103:9-12

1.  Because it Reinforces Gratefulness and Contentment, it improves our attitude!

•  Statistics on Depression

•  Statistics on Happiness in America

•  Statistics on Gratefulness in America

(Electricity and Plumbing, along with almost all other modern conveniences have commonly developed in the last 100-150 years)

1.  Because it adds depth and volume to our prayer life.  (Stale Prayers)

•  When something is stale it is no longer fresh, it becomes dry and unpleasant to eat.  In a way, all the life is gone from it.

• How deep could your prayer life go if you explore the depths of gratefulness?

• How much more often, and how much longer, would you pray if you prayed like the Psalmist?

Let us pray.

Depression Statistics

Major depressive disorder affects approximately 17.3 million American adults, or about 7.1% of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year. (National Institute of Mental Health “Major Depression”, 2017)

1.9 million children, 3 – 17, have diagnosed depression. (Centers for Disease Control “Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health”, 2018)

Substance use: Over 20%  of Americans with an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression have an alcohol or other substance use disorder (both alcohol and other substances) experience depression. (National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions 2001 – 2006)

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. (World Health Organization, 2017)

Depression is the cause of over two-thirds of the 30,000 reported suicides in the U.S. each year. (White House Conference on Mental Health, 1999)

Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. 2018)

From 2001 through 2017 for the total population, the total suicide rate increased 31% from 10.7 to 14.0 per 100,000. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2018)

Happiness Statistics

Since the 1990’s the number of people surveyed shows that levels of happiness have decreased in the US by 50%

Republicans have maintained much higher rates of happiness since the 1970’s, the survey shows, regardless of who was in the White House, due to their “religiousity” which is linked in other studies to more happiness and satisfaction.

Gratefulness Statistics in US

Upper Middle Class has increased since the 70’s from 13%-30%

More than half of ALL Americans are considered high income, by global standards, and only 2%  are considered poor.

“Fantastic” products are cheaper than ever before requiring the time spent to earn for a refrigirator to drop over 52%, Microwave over 95%, and a gas range by 65%.

Yet, less than half of the people surveyed in 2018 claimed they were proud to be an American….

The Purple Chapters of Psalms: Praise Him!

He Heals the Broken Hearted!

He Heals the Brokenhearted:  Sermon 2/23/2020

Stitches and Scars

3  He heals the brokenhearted, And binds up their wounds. -- Psalm 147:3

18  The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. -- Psalm 34:18

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—

These, O God, You will not despise. -- Psalm 51:17

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; -- Isaiah 61:1

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed; -- Luke 4:18

1.  A word about the brokenhearted… (Restoration Videos)

• Broken; wrecked

• Contrite; crushed into powder

• Hearted; soul, mind, conscience, seat of your appetites

1.  He heals and binds! (God Sized Vacuum)

2.  He is near! (Life Alert)

3.  He saves and sets free

7  Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, -- Psalm 147:7

He Heals the Broken Hearted!

Fresh Start! Forgiveness Sermon VI Peter

Fresh Start!  Forgiveness:  Peter     2/16/2020

36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. -- John 13:36-38

25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”  26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed. -- John 18:25-27 (15-18)

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. -- Matthew 26:74-75 (partial)

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” -- John 21:15-19

1.  Sometimes the people that love you the most can fail you….and sometimes you fail them! (Peter physically defended Jesus; Peter jumped into the water to meet Jesus)

2.  When you hurt, lie to, and/or betray someone, you must repent!

3.  You are never too far gone for the grace of God in Jesus Christ and neither is anyone else!  This grace must be extended! 

Let us pray. (Reconciliation, Softened Hearts, Grace)

Point I.

“He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.” -- George Herbert

Point II.

Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them. -- Bruce Lee

If I owe Smith ten dollars and God forgives me, that doesn’t pay Smith. -- Robert Green Ingersoll

Point III.

Forgiving is the giving, and so the receiving, of life. -- George MacDonald

Fresh Start! Forgiveness Sermon VI Peter