Lazarus Came Forth

“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, ‘Where have ye laid him?’ They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.  Jesus wept.  Then said the Jews, ‘Behold how He loved him!’  And some of them said, ‘Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?’  Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.  Jesus said, ‘Take ye away the stone.’  Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, ‘Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.’  Jesus saith unto her, ‘Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?’  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, ‘Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.  And I knew that thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.’  And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’”  John 11:33-44

Believe Jesus, and Never Die

“Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.  Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.  Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house.  Then said Martha unto Jesus, ‘Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.’  Jesus saith unto her, ‘Thy brother shall rise again.’  Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’  Jesus said unto her, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?’  She saith unto him, ‘Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.’  And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, ‘The Master is come, and calleth for thee.’  As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him.  Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him.  The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, ‘She goeth unto the grave to weep there.’  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, ‘Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.'”  John 11:17-32

The Son of God Glorified

“Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.  When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.’  Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.  When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where He was. Then after that saith He to His disciples, ‘Let us go into Judaea again.’  His disciples say unto Him, ‘Master, the Jews of late sought to stone Thee; and goest thou thither again?’  Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.’  These things said He: and after that He saith unto them, ‘Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.’  Then said His disciples, ‘Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.’  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.’  Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with Him.'”  John 11:1-16

Those Doing the Will of God

There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling him.  And the multitude sat about Him, and they said unto him, ‘Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee.’  And He answered them, saying, ‘Who is My mother, or My brethren?’  And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, ‘Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.'”  Mark 3:31-35

Warning of Eternal Damnation

“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils.’  And He called them unto Him, and said unto them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.  No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:’ because they said, ‘He hath an unclean spirit.'”  Mark 3:22-30

Healing a Withered Hand

“And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.  And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse Him.  And He saith unto the man which had the withered hand, ‘Stand forth.’  And He saith unto them, ‘Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?’, but they held their peace.  And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man, ‘Stretch forth thine hand.’  And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”  Mark 3:1-5

Thanksgiving Sermon 112413

Thanking the LORD for His Goodness

Psalm 107:1-43

First we must note that the LORD is worthy of thanksgiving; who it is that ought to be thankful; and from whence the deliverance has come (vv. 1-3).

There are four groups of people which should be thankful to the LORD;

1.  THOSE WHO HAVE A LONGING SOUL (vv. 4-9);

2.  THOSE WHO ARE BOUND IN DARKNESS OF SOUL AND SPIRIT (vv. 10-16);

3.  THOSE WHO ARE FOOLISH IN THEIR INIQUITIES AND TRANSGRESSIONS (vv. 17-22);

4.  THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE SEAS, AND STORMS OF LIFE (vv. 23-32).

5.  NOTE – THE WORKS OF THE LORD IN THE LIVES OF ALL OF THESE (vv. 33-43).
-Tim A. Blankenship

Rest and Worship for Mankind

“And it came to pass, that He went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and His disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.  And the Pharisees said unto him, ‘Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?’  And He said unto them, ‘Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?  How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?’  And He said unto them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath.’” Mark 2:23-28

New Clothes, New Containers

“And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto Him, ‘Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Thy disciples fast not?’  And Jesus said unto them, ‘Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.  But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.  No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.  And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.’”  Mark 2:18-22

Jesus Forgives Sin

“And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house.  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the word unto them.  And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.  And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.  When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, ‘Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.’  But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?’  And immediately when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, ‘Why reason ye these things in your hearts?  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?’  But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (He saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.’  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw it on this fashion.'”  Mark 2:1-12

The Good News of the Kingdom of God

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.’  Now as He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.  And Jesus said unto them, ‘Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.’  And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him.  And when He had gone a little further thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.  And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him.  And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.  And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”  Mark 1:14-22

The Works of the Son of God

“…Many good works have I shewed you from My Father; for which of those works do ye stone Me?   …Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, Ye are gods?’  If He called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, ‘Thou blasphemest;’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?  If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not.  But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”  ~Jesus (John 10:31-38)

Hear His Voice; Receive Eternal Life

“I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.  But ye believe not, because ye are not of My sheep, as I said unto you.  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.  My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.  I and My Father are one.”   ~Jesus  (John 10:22-30)

Jesus, The Good Shepherd

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.” ~Jesus (John 10:7-18)

A Lesson in Sheep

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”  ~Jesus  (John 10:1-5)

The Creating Work of Jesus

“And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?’  Jesus answered, ‘Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,‘ (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.”  (John 9:1-7)

Jesus, The Unprecedented

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death.  …If I honour Myself, My honour is nothing: it is My Father that honoureth Me; of whom ye say, that He is your God: yet ye have not known Him; but I know Him: and if I should say, I know Him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know Him, and keep His saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.   …Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am….”  ~Jesus (John 8:51-59)

Hearing God’s Word

“Which of you convinceth Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me?  He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.  …I have not a devil; but I honour My Father, and ye do dishonour Me.  And I seek not Mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.” ~Jesus  (John 8:46-50)

Knowing GOD is Knowing Jesus

“I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.  …If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.  But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father.   …If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.  Why do ye not understand My speech? Even because ye cannot hear My word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  And because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not.”  ~Jesus (John 8:38-45)

The Disciple of Jesus

“…If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill Me, because My word hath no place in you.”  ~Jesus  (John 8:31-37)

When the Son of Man is Lifted Up

“…I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.   ‘…Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I Am, ye shall die in your sins.   ‘…Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him.   ‘…When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I Am, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.”  ~Jesus   (John 8:21-30)

True Judgment

“…I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. …Though I bear record of Myself, yet My record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, My judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of Me.  …Ye neither know Me, nor My Father: if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also.”  ~Jesus  (John 8:12-20)

No Condemnation from Jesus

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’ ‘…Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?’ ‘…Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”  ~Jesus  (John 8:7-11)

Through the Bible in a Year – Planned 110313

Counting Joy

James 1:1-4

We must realize that if we are to count joy…

1.  IT WILL BE A PURPOSEFUL DECISION (v. 2).
“Count” = consider, command (with authority), have the rule over.

2.  WE DO NOT HAVE A DECIDING FACTOR IN WHICH TRIALS WE WILL GO THROUGH
“Temptations” = trials, a  putting to proof, adversity
A.  That is the decision of the Creator;
B.  Sometimes bad decisions we make (‘Fall into divers temptations’ v. 2).

3.  WE CAN ALWAYS TRUST THAT THESE TRAILS WILL WORK OUT PATIENCE IN OUR LIVES (v. 3).
“Patience” = endurance, constancy,

4.  WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO OUR PATIENCE BEING PERFECT LACKING NOTHING (v. 4)
“Perfect” = complete, growth (mental and moral character)

-Tim A. Blankenship
This is the outline for the message I had prepared for Sunday November 03, 2013; but I had a heart attack on November 01 putting me in the hospital for the weekend.