October 2, 2022 – CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday October 02ND 2022, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

On the first Sunday of August 2022 I preached my sermon – “Honor & Respect” – to my church family. It’s based on 1 Peter 2:10-2:25. The following week here on #SundayScripture I began presenting it in its original written form. Here’s the 8TH and final part of this series:

You’ve heard of the word “shalom” before. My old pre-Internet Webster’s dictionary from some 40 years ago defines “shalom” as “a greeting or farewell among Jews”. That’s all it says. Luckily we have the Internet today. “Shalom” means peace, and harmony, and prosperity, and welfare, and tranquility. It means to be whole. He was beaten, so we could be whole. W-H-O-L-E. We could be whole in body. We could be whole in mind. We could be whole in relationships. Christ was pierced, crushed, and beaten – so that we could be whole and healthy in everything we do during our temporary stay here on this Earth.

Jesus gave His life for our sins – just as God our Father planned – in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. (Galatians 1:4)

Paul to the Philippians (2:9-11), and this will bring my message for you to a close. This is part of the Christ Hymn in the Bible:

Therefore – God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names – that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow – in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. And every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord – to the glory of God the Father.

Our God has supreme authority and power. Our God is Almighty. On that day that we all eagerly await – all of creation will acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord. God will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in Heaven – and everything on Earth. Many will be saved forever, and they will live with Him forever. Many will not be saved. Do you know someone who may not be saved – because they do not yet believe in Him – or follow Him – or trust Him ? Maybe you yourself are not sure all of the time.

Why wait until later – to be absolutely sure – that you are a believer – that you are a follower – that you are a truster – of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Why wait until later ? Later – may not come. Later – may be too late. Now is the time.

Maybe you believe with your mind, but do you believe with your heart ? If you’re not sure then now is the time.

This is not just for non-believers, or new believers. This is for all believers. I’ve made this simple for you. All you have to do is say this – right where you are. Wherever you are – our God comes to you. You can say this with me – right now – if you wish. Just say:

Oh God. I’m a sinner. I’m sorry for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask that You forgive me for my sins. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins, and that you rose again so that I may live. I receive You Jesus as my Lord and as my Savior. From this moment on I want to believe in You. I want to follow You. I want to trust You. I want to serve You in the fellowship of Your church. I want to love You more than any one and more than any thing of this world. I belong to you Lord. Take me. I am yours. In Your loving name I pray this to You Lord. AMEN.

And that’s the last slide, and you can take a picture of that with your cell phone. Use your thumb and your index finger to zoom-in on it (modern technology). And here’s the important part – share that prayer – share it with someone you love – share it with someone who does not yet believe, follow, and trust our God. Share that prayer with someone who you want to see in Heaven.

That is how you “Honor & Respect” our King of Kings.

And may our God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Go in peace. Go in love. Let’s gather together again next Sunday – at 11. We’ll observe and celebrate Communion together.

(End of Part 8 / End of Sermon)

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.