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Revelations 1:4-8 In 1849, financier Joshua A. Norton came to San Francisco with $40,000 and big ambitions. For five years he invested his money wisely until he was filthy rich. Then he took a gamble. He invested all his money in the rice market. The market fell through and he lost every penny. No one saw him again for five years. Then in 1859, Joshua Norton walked into the office of the San Francisco Bulletin and told them to print a proclamation that he was Emperor Norton I, Emperor of the United States. As a joke, the editor printed his proclamation. The people of San Francisco decided to humor Emperor Norton I. They treated him with great respect. Local ships and railroad lines gave him free passes. He was allowed to speak at sessions of the state legislature. He made suggestions about improving the city, many of which were acted upon. Emperor Norton I died in 1880. His funeral was lavish, and many thousands showed up to mourn him. He was a most successful fraud. Contrast his burial with that given to Jesus of Nazareth. There was nothing fraudulent about Jesus. Never was a man more authentic. Nobody walked the talk better than He did. What He preached, He practiced. Yet there were few admirers at Jesus’ funeral. He did not die a celebrity as did Emperor Norton I of San Francisco. That’s where most of us live. We have our successes. We are loved by our family and friends. And yet, when our time comes to go, the world will hardly notice. Like our Master, we will die somewhat in obscurity. There are two lessons we need to learn in light of these facts, and in light of our passage of Scripture for the day. I. THAT WHICH IS POPULAR MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE TRUE. a. In today’s world, moral relativity has the glory and Christian values have the pain. b. We need to make firm stands even when such stands are unpopular. c. That which smells sweet may not necessarily be healthy. II. YOU CAN’T BURY TRUTH FOREVER. a. Usually truth lags behind. b. Truth can be painfully difficult to confront. c. The Jesus who died in obscurity now reigns in glory. d. There is a just God who reigns over this world, and one day truth will be vindicated. John 17:17 John 18:37-38a

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Philippians 3:17-4:1 Introduction: The Philippian Christians were citizens of Rome by virtue of living in Philippi, a Roman colony, and they were proud of that fact. Paul, though, said there are only two kinds of people – citizens of the world and citizens of heaven. And the contrasts between them are stark. I. DESCRIPTION OF THE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD a. Their destiny is destruction. b. Their god is their stomach. c. Their glory is in their shame. d. 1 Peter 2:11 II. DESCRIPTION OF THE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN a. We have the advantage of knowing there is something better. b. We have the assurance of knowing that the one who created us will take us until Himself. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Hebrews 12:1-2 Colossians 3:1-2 Romans 6:23 1 Corinthians 2:14

Isaiah 40:21-31 The Jewish exiles from Judah who were captives in Babylon had begun to feel despondent and dejected, helpless and hopeless. What did God want to remind them of, and what does God want to remind us of when we’ve come to the end of our rope? I. GOD ALWAYS HEARS HIS PEOPLE. (V. 27) a. The cry of God’s people is never out of God’s hearing. b. He is always involved in the life situations of His children. c. He is always there, even when it seems He’s not. II. GOD IS MUCH GREATER THAN HIS PEOPLE. (V. 28) a. There is no limit to God’s power or wisdom. b. God’s life-giving energy is limitless. III. GOD SHARES HIS POWER WITH HIS PEOPLE. (V. 29, 30) a. God’s greatest desire is to share His quality of life (eternal) with us. b. God’s strength is unfailing. (II Corinthians 12:9) IV. GOD’S PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN GOD’S POWER. (V. 31) a. God wants us to “exchange” our strength for His. b. Psalm 3:1-3 c. There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! d. There’s an old rugged cross and an empty tomb at the end of your rope!

Genesis 22:1-18 In today’s passage, we have an example of a man, of a father, Abraham, who put his priorities in their proper place. The influence of a father, the effect he has on the lives of those around him, is enormous. It is imperative that we as fathers be spiritual examples in our homes. What are the spiritual principles taught to fathers in this passage? I. OUR FAMILIES BELONG TO GOD. a. God entrusts to us and expects from us. b. Isaac was a child of promise to Abraham and Sarah. c. Genesis 18:12 II. THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE HOME SHOULD BE THE FATHER. a. Ephesians 5:22-25 b. Ephesians 6:1-4 III. GOD RICHLY REWARDS THE FATHER WHO IS FAITHFUL TO HIM. a. Abraham placed faithfulness to God above everything else in his life. b. Ultimately, God spared the life of Isaac. c. Eventually, God did not spare His own Son’s life! (Romans 8:32) d. Joshua 24:14-15

Exodus 13:21-14:14 Introduction: Lisa Price, a staff member at First Baptist Church of Sweeny, Texas, shared about a time of deep physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual turmoil in her life: “I had been so focused on my “Egyptians” that I had forgotten to be still and let the Lord fight for me. The Lord was assuring me through His word that He could take care of any “Egyptians” that could haunt me; moreover, I would never see them again”. Who or what are our personal “Egyptians”? Why not let the Lord take care of them for us, and as God told the children of Israel through Moses, “Move on!” If we do this, we will see that: I. TODAY’S OBSTACLES CAN BE TOMORROW’S OPPORTUNITIES. (v. 13-14) II. TODAY’S TRIALS CAN BE TOMORROW’S TRIUMPHS. (V. 25-28) III. TODAY’S DIFFICULTIES CAN BE TOMORROW’S DELIVERANCES. (V. 29-30) IV. TODAY’S TRAGEDY CAN BE TOMORROW’S TESTIMONY. (V. 25, 31) V. TODAY’S HOPELESSNESS CAN BE TOMORROW’S HALLELUJAH! (15:1-21) Psalm 46:10 Exodus 4:22 Matthew 25:40, 45 Isaiah 54:17 Isaiah 43:1-2 Romans 8:31-32 Watch our service here.

Acts 1:19-26 Introduction: It was the believers in the mission-minded church at Antioch who were first referred to as “Christians.” What are the determinative factors that distinguish Christians from non-Christians? I. CHRISTIAN KNOW THE SAME PERSON. a. To be a Christian is to throw oneself with radical faith and trust on Jesus Christ. b. People who are not willing to do that should not be called Christians. II. CHRISTIANS SHARE THE SAME CONVICTIONS. a. Christians are people who believe the same things. b. There is a clear core of beliefs upon which Christians agree. III. CHRISTIANS HAVE FOUND A FAMILY. a. Jesus broke down old barriers. b. He has formed a new community. IV. CHRISTIANS SHARE A MISSION. a. We have joined a movement. b. We believe Jesus is the only solution to the human problem. Matthew 16:13-18

Luke 8:40-56 “STUBBORN FAITH” Introduction: We have before us a passage from Luke’s gospel that so clearly bears the mark of a physician. The good doctor gives us two stories in one, different and yet related, dealing with Jesus’ power over sickness and death. We will concentrate on the story of Jairus, the man with the stubborn faith. What were the decisions he made, that we must make, which enable us to experience Jesus’ power in our lives? We must decide to… I. SEARCH FOR JESUS A. Jairus risked his professional reputation when he appealed to Jesus for help. B. We too must put aside all excuses and come humbly to Jesus. (Matthew 7:7-8) II. FOLLOW AFTER JESUS A. Jairus continued to follow Jesus even through numerous obstacles and interruptions. B. Satan constantly attempts to litter our path with spiritual “roadblocks”. III. BELIEVE IN JESUS A. Jesus knew Jairus needed comfort and reassurance. B. Jesus refuses to work and save and heal in a “faithless” environment. Mark 6:6 Hebrews 11:1, 6

Introduction: From the beginning of Jesus’ earthly life until the end, and beyond, Mary proved to be an exemplary mother. She was instrumental in the prophecy of His birth, involved in His upbringing, interested in His ministry, inseparable from Him at His death, and influential in His church. Let’s look at Mary from the following five passages of Scripture. I. Luke 1:26-33, 38 Christian motherhood begins before the actual birth of a child. II. Luke 2:1-7, 21-24, 39-52 Mary influenced the spiritual development of Jesus throughout the years of His childhood and youth. III. Luke 8:19-21 Mary’s mission as mother included supporting Jesus during His earthly ministry. IV. John 19:25-27 Mary’s loyalty and devotion to Jesus caused her to stand beside Him even through His death. V. Acts 1:12-14 Quite possibly, it was Mary the model of motherhood who played a vital role in the conversion of Jesus’ brothers. Galatians 4:4 John 1:14

John 21:1-17 Introduction: Bible scholars and pastors have long debated why this twenty-first chapter was added to the Gospel of John. The book does seem to end at the completion of Chapter 20, then begins again in the twenty-first chapter. It has been called the epilogue or P. S. Chapter. I want to share three insights that I believe emerge from this extra-ordinary breakfast. I. CHRIST RESURRECTS US FROM FAILURE a. All the events that took place during Holy Week had left the disciples disappointed, disillusioned, and defeated. b. To the disciples, all seemed lost and gone. c. Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter and the disciples because of their failure. II. THE RESURRECTION BRINGS GOD’S MEANING, PURPOSE, POWER AND PRESENCE TO EVERYDAY LIFE. a. Jesus Christ comes not only to places we worship but to the places we work and play. b. Not only were the disciples' nets empty – so were their lives. III. WE MUST BECOME GOD-DIRECTED RATHER THAN SELF-DIRECTED. a. The disciples became great leaders in the church after dying to themselves. b. We are not alone – we are not defeated. SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURES: Luke 5:1-11 Luke 22:31-34 Philippians 3:10