Resolutions - Frank Brancato

From our text that we just read a moment ago.

We find that Daniel knew that Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater

and that a portion of the royal Provisions was given over to

consecrate the idol in connection with the feasts.

And for this reason, his conscience would not consent for

him to take part in the false religion by accepting food.

And so he requested the prince to be excused from are taking

the prince of the eunuchs was responsible for the development

of these specially chosen men and he would naturally be

unwilling to Grant to Daniel the exemption requested.

But God took a hand in the matter and caused him to have a

tender love for Daniel. Which led him at least to be

personally disposed to favor him.

This is but one example that we can find in God's word, where a

man purpose tour resolved in his heart, the course of action that

he is going to take or he was going to do.

I believe that the Bible upholds resolving or purposing with many

examples that are found throughout all the pages of

divine inspiration. We find in God's word, how it

was that God himself, truly purposed.

We find often that the Apostle Paul did the very same, he

purposed, and he would also exhort others to purposes, well

regarding their giving and second Corinthians chapter 9 and

2 Corinthians 9 · chapter mention

verse. Number seven, the entire idea

was that a man needs to purpose in his heart, purpose in his

mind, well, in advance before an action is taken, if we wait

until we are stuck in a Crossroads of making A

determination or a decision for changes in our life.

Chances are we are not going to make those changes and as we

look back across the landscape of the previous year we will

find that we are no different than we were a year ago and so

it is something that we must do we must take stock and we must

take a view into our life, into our heart, into the things that

mean something You are in this life and determine the changes

that we must make. I will say this though that not

necessarily in our life, do we have to have negative things or

bad things going on for us to realize that we need to make

changes? If we are going to stand?

You know the old saying that if we do the same things we've

always done. We are going to be in the same

place that we've always been. With reference to the body of

Christ in the goals that we have congregationally here at this

place or congregationally across town with those that call the

Brundage Lane congregation in their home or all throughout the

Brotherhood of wherever the Lord's Church meets in any

designated area. In order for there to be growth

and development, there needs to be change a constant changing.

The message that I wish to convey for a few moments this

afternoon is that we as Christians need to take that

retrospective view of ourselves in order that we might grow.

The only way that we can determine or purpose where we

want to go. As the body of Christ.

Is to first, take inventory to decide where we are.

Businesses must do the very same thing.

If a person is going to have a This plan that individual is

going to have to look as the lead individual of that

business, they have to take a look at where they are today.

They have to ask their self, where do they want to be in the

future? And then there must of

necessity, be a plan of action in order to get there.

If we don't do that, we will never grow as the body of

Christ. You know, the problem with

resolutions today, Especially those that the world makes

especially at the very dawning of a brand new year is that

shortly after the year begins usually by February or March.

What we have resolved to do what we have purpose to do, goes by

the wayside. I would say, perhaps the most

common resolution that people make around New Year's is I am

going to lose a few pounds or I am going to get a membership.

Better Jim. I'm going to do something to

improve my health. I want to do something by way of

my eating habits, so that I might be healthier.

If I have a problem with my health, I want to do the things

that will alter my health for the good, but oftentimes those

resolutions go by the wayside quite frequently.

After they start and changes are never made.

I want you to know too that I understand that when people

resolve to make changes in their life, I do believe with all of

my heart that there are many well-meaning people that have

all of the best intentions about them.

They just like a plan and they lack the focus to see it

through, but did you know that when one makes a resolution for

that, which is good regarding their spiritual life, it is

never to be broken. Hear the words of old that's

found in. Estes chapter 5 and Verses 4 and

5, which says when thou Hast a vow unto God, defer not to pay

it for, he hath. No pleasure in fools pay that

which thou Hast vow'd better. Is it that thou shouldst not vow

them. That thou shouldst thou and not

pay. Those things for good.

Spiritually are not to be broken.

Let me just say this if I may that the only way that we can

take a good look at ourself and determine where we are.

Perhaps is one of the most difficult things that we must do

in the flesh. And that is we must be

completely and brutally honest with ourselves.

You know, it's pretty easy for me to be honest.

About Ryan's faults, that's real easy or someone else.

What's difficult is for me to be honest about my deficiencies.

Now that's tough. Let me illustrate it this way.

Sometimes, we don't see that, we don't see outside of our self

and recognize that anyone who has ever played the game of golf

will understand when I give this illustration.

Exactly what I mean, about being honest with yourself, A story

was once told where two fellows went out on a golf course and

they were good buddies and they were traveling in a golf cart

together enjoying the day. And as they finished one hole,

there was one fellow and he'd be the guy that kept score, you

know how that goes and they got back into the cart.

And he took that card and he's thinking about the whole that he

just played and he's counting up The Strokes that he had taken

for that whole. Well as he added those things

up, he writes down. Well, I think I had it 6 and he

writes that number down. Then he asks his good buddy.

He says what do you have? Well, he thought for just a

moment and he said Better give me a 62 and then after awhile as

time went on, he was thinking over the next few seconds.

And he says, no. Wait a minute.

Wait, wait, wait, that's not right.

That's not right. I don't think I had a six.

I think I had a five. Well, his buddy looks at him and

kind of pauses for a moment took that pencil and writes down an

eighth. He said, what'd you do that for,

why'd you write down eight? I didn't have an eight.

He said, well, this is the reason you said you had a six,

then you said you had a 5. You had a seven, why'd you put

down eight? He said that's the penalty for

improving your lie. Very difficult sometimes to

examine ourselves and look to exactly how we all and what we

do. Number one, I want to talk to

you for a few minutes. Now, about four things that are

worth resolving worth purposing in our life.

Number one, let's take this time from this point forward and

let's make the resolve the serious resolve in our hearts

and our minds in our lives. And so on that, we're going to

be more faithful in church attendance.

You know let me say this, it has to be said right now because it

is part of our job as fellow Christians not just preaching.

Teachers and teachers, but fellow Christians to encourage

one another and exhort one another about assembling with

the Lord's church, when the debt, when the doors are open.

But I have to say, also, it is also necessary to commend and

recognize when Brethren have done that, which is good.

I Want To Praise all of you that have come to this meeting.

You've turned out and come out to Services.

Last night, we had a full house. That was wonderful Friday.

Wasn't much shorter than a full house It's very important that

we recognize when Brethren do good.

To not only are we supposed to admonish, not only are we

supposed to bring up things that are negative reprove and rebuke.

Remember, that's what Paul said. You have to be instant in season

and out of season to a young evangelist Timothy.

He told them this reprove, any and rebuke, that's easy because

that's all the negative stuff then he says you have to exhort

With all long-suffering and Doctrine.

That's to encourage people to do what they already know is,

right? And they already know what they

should do, but we need to praise Brethren to When they do that,

which is good when they do that, which is right.

And I appreciate very much the attendance of all the Brethren

that have come to be with us, you have truly added to this

meeting. But, you know, there are far too

many people that aren't sick. They're not old, they're not

feeble, but they want to take their Christianity in capsule

form administered and Sunday morning.

Doses, they want to be the Sunday morning crowd, you know,

very sadly. We look out throughout the

Brotherhood. Why is that?

Why is it that we have a Sunday morning crowd.

It's one size, a Sunday, evening crowd, another size and a

Wednesday evening crowd, still another size.

Why is that? Couldn't it be that as we look

to the lives of all of all of us and Brothers and Sisters in

Christ, couldn't it be that we need to make a resolution that

we need to take a full examination being very honest.

With ourself and ask ourself the question we're really is my

heart. I believe this with all my

heart. Folks are say it with all the

love, I can possibly muster, here's the deal.

If we go out and do other things except come and worship with the

Saints, when the doors are open, there's no way around it.

We have to accept it for what it is.

You know the saying you are, what you are?

Or it is what it is. We have to accept the fact that

we truly have I made a decision to do something else.

Let's call it. What it is, that's what it is.

We've just made a willful choice to do other things.

Why would I constantly bring that out?

Why would it constantly be mentioned in Bible studies?

And constantly be mentioned by congregational teachers

everywhere who stand in a public forum and teach on this quite

simply is this? Jesus said if there's anything

else in your life that's more. Important than I am.

You cannot be my disciple. That's as simple as that.

How would it be if we have chosen to do something else and

we're in the middle of doing all of that, at the Lord comes back,

sobering things to think about. I hope but understand this far

too many Christians. Want this.

They want the lines drawn, they want the parameters drum.

They want to know where does it begin, and where does it end?

So, all I have to do is that which is in between and then all

I have to do is survive. Serve God.

That way, the bare minimum. And I can go to heaven.

Let me just say this. If a person is seeking after the

bare minimum, it's their heart, that needs to change a man needs

to change his heart. It's all about the heart.

Did you know that? When the heart.

Is one way it determines where that person will spend eternity.

Because if the heart is not, right?

Jesus said, the seed of the Gospel will not produce fruit.

If the heart is not right, that person will not make the right

decisions in his or her life understand this too.

And that's why it's so important that we keep encouraging, one

another to guard the heart. The reason for that is a

Apostasy begins in the heart. The heart goes first, it's the

heart that comes to Jesus first and it's the heart that leaves

first as well. When we come and we, well

actually when we miss Services, we miss an opportunity to do

some wonderful things. Number one, we missed the

opportunity to worship God what a wonderful opportunity.

We've been given in life to do so.

We've been given the opportunity to come together and edify and

uplift each other. We've also been given the

opportunity to come and be edified.

You will never get that moment in time back ever again.

Don't lose those opportunities. Don't let the Lord be second in

your life. It won't be acceptable in the

day of judgment. We must put him first in all

that we do. Ladies and gentlemen, it begins.

In the heart. Now one more thing about this,

if you're a person that has no problem with church attendance,

Great. And make the resolution, make

the purpose in your heart, make the calm resolved in the serious

resolve that you're going to do what you have to do to encourage

others, to be the same way. Let's make that resolution and

let's stick to that. Number two, let's be mindful of

and make the resolve that we're going to be more prayerful that

we're going to have prayer, be a part of our everyday life that

it's going to Main part in a large portion of our day.

We must understand that God is willing to listen.

Have you ever stopped to consider that?

I know we've prayed we prayed tonight.

Our brother prayed for us and we said, Amen to that prayer and in

doing. So, that was our prayer. 20.

We believe in prayer. And prayer is had all the time,

but don't lose sight of what exactly is happening when we

pray. We, as a child of God is

Speaking to our heavenly father and he is listening.

How many times do we get confused in life?

How many times do we go through struggles?

Because we don't lay our cares in our burdens on.

The only one that can help. You know, that's what we do,

isn't it? We take our problems to our

friends. They can't help.

They can't relieve those burdens another time.

To you. Give somebody something that's

not there to carry. They'll pass it on to somebody

else. Lay your burdens.

On got shoulders. First Peter, chapter 3 and verse

1 Peter 3 · chapter mention

12. The Bible says, for the eyes of

the Lord are over the righteous. And his ears are open unto their

hearts. But the face of the Lord is

against them that do evil God has promised not only to listen

to our prayers, but he's also promised that he will answer

those prayers as well. In first John chapter 5 and

1 John 5 · chapter mention

verse 15. The Bible says, and if we know

that he hear us whatsoever, we ask We ask, we know that we have

the petitions that we desired of him.

You know, Jesus caught on prayer.

He surely did there were times when people would see Jesus

praying, and they would know that he was a man of prayer and

they would congregate to him, and they would be drawn to him

and they would even ask him, would you teach us a little more

about prayer? You know, we can learn a lot

from Jesus, about prayer, in all the times that we can find that

he prayed by Bowl. And also all the times that he

gave instruction about prayer, will not go into the story, but

you remember Jesus one time taught about pretension in

prayer and the heart that a man is supposed to have.

When he prays to the almighty God, we know that with the

Pharisee and the Publican, we know all of what the religious

Elite. The Pharisee did with his broad

and phylacteries as his robes were behind him as he was swept

up. Those stairs that day in the

hour of worship, as he stood there in the presence of the

almighty, God gazing up toward heaven and told God how great he

was. Nobody ever taught this whole

hapless Publican. How to pray?

There wasn't a rule book at the door.

He just found himself in the presence of the almighty God.

And when he did, he recognized his sin.

He smote his breath, which is a his breast which is an outward

sign of inward anguish. He wouldn't even look up toward

Heaven. He bowed his head down toward

the ground and he said, father be merciful God.

Be merciful to me a sinner. You know what Jesus said, he

went home Justified. You know what that word means to

have acquitted. That's right.

That'll happen public in and all the extortion and all the

horrible sin that was guilty in his life, he went away,

forgiven, the other one, all of his wonderful works.

All of his wonderful attributes that he told God, what he was.

He went home with all of those and his sins to Jesus.

Also, taught something that you and I need to think about

though, I don't know anyone. I really don't, I don't know

anyone in the sound of my voice tonight.

Night. I don't know that.

I know anyone. Personally, that's a Christian

that would fall into the category of one who was guilty

of pretentious prayer. I don't know anybody like that.

But, you know, Jesus talk something else about prayer.

He taught persistence in prayer to you remember, when Jesus gave

the parable of the friend at midnight, he was teaching about

persistence in prayer, and as he gave that Parable and talk that

sermon so long. Go.

He said this, which one of you that has a good friend?

That's your neighbor, your dear friend, and it's midnight.

And somebody that's also a friend of yours comes into town,

comes to your house. Comes to your door and you open

the door and you let him in. But you go back inside the house

and you open up the cupboards as it were and you look in there.

And you see that there's no nothing to give your dear

friend. You are short of Of provision.

So what do you do? Jesus says, you go at midnight

to your friend's house. When you do though, I could just

imagine in my mind's eye, the picture of this, you knock on

the door. Your friend is a good friend.

He calls out. What do you want?

And you said, and you tell them what happened?

Someone's come to my house, I'm short of provision.

Please, let me have loaves of bread that I might feed a friend

that has come through. You know what Jesus said?

even though he's your friend, He'll say no.

Don't bother me with that. Don't bother me with that right

now. It's midnight.

I'm in bed, my children are fast asleep, Don't burden me with

that right now. But Jesus says, this person

talking to the same friend is persistent.

In fact, he says this, when he's persistent, he won't give them

the bread because of his friendship.

He'll give him the bread because of his importunity.

That's what the King James version, says means persistence

because of his persistence. He'll finally say, okay, here it

is. Here's the bread.

I hope we know what Jesus was talking about.

He was talking about this. If your friend at midnight, you

can persuade your friend at midnight to give you bread.

If you're persistent, surely you can be persistent in the heart.

In the eyes of God and pray and receive the same.

He continues to teach an application about that Parable.

And he goes on to say this, What, father, in the world,

which by the way, Earthly fleshly father's can be Wicked.

They surely, can they can be evil?

In fact, there are wicked evil fathers in life that are evil to

other people and Jesus painted that picture.

But then Jesus said the same father with his with his own

son, he's going to be completely and thoroughly different.

Notice what Jesus says. Says about that.

He says, first of all, for us to continue to do, so continue to

ask he says, and I say unto you ask, and it shall be given you

seek, and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you,

for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh

findeth and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

I think we understand and looking at the verbiage That's

described there. That, that is a continual asking

a person that will continually ask continually knock

continually pursue. That's the person that's going

to receive the blessings of god. Notice what Jesus says really

quickly. Now in the scriptures as he

Compares a physical father in the flesh that could very well

be a wicked. Man.

In comparison to god, notice verse 11.

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father.

Will he give him a stone? Why surely not or if he asks for

a fish, will he give for a fish? Give him a serpent or if he ask

an egg, will he give him a scorpion if ye then being evil

know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more

shall your heavenly father? Give the Holy Spirit to them

that ask him by the way, this Holy Spirit here Some

manuscripts a good spirit. What he's talking about is the

same language. He was talking about on the

great Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, when it talks about

good things, how much more will your heavenly father?

Give good spirit or good things to those, who ask, You know, I

think it's important that we're persistent in prayer.

Prayer needs to be a focal point of our day.

Someone said this about prayer prayer, may cause us to Quick

sinning, but sin will cause us to quit praying trouble.

Drives us to prayer, but prayer drives us away from trouble.

We should pray without ceasing very sadly.

Some cease without praying prayer needs to be an important

part of our life. Life.

We must pray daily as if everything depends on the

almighty God and we must work every day as if everything.

Depends on us. Start your day in prayer, Pray

during your day and certainly never pill your head at night

without clearing things up with your maker.

That's a wonderful blessing. We're not perfect. we can go to

the god of Heaven in an attitude of prayer before our heads, our

pillowed at night before we drift deep into the

unconsciousness of night, we can pray to God and ask God,

sincerely from the bottom of our heart, to forgive us of any

transgression or anything that stands between us, so that we

can know and feel confident, and sure, and comfortable with all

the Blessed, hope that if the Lord came back that night, or if

your soul shall be required of you that night, You would be

okay. One man said this though he who

runs from the Lord in the morning, we are scarcely, find

him the rest of the day. Begin your day in prayer.

Thirdly let's make the resolve and we're going to do better

about visiting those who are less fortunate and those that

are in need. Remember what Jesus pictured,

when he pictured the Judgment seat in Matthew, the 25th

chapter in the Judgment scene. There, beginning in verse 34

Jesus said then shall the king say unto them on his right hand.

Come you blessed of my father inherit the Kingdom prepared for

you from the foundation of the world.

For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat.

I was thirsty and you gave me drink.

I was a stranger and you took me in naked and you clothed me.

I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to

me then shall the righteous answer him saying.

Lord, when saw we thee and Hungered and fed thee or thirsty

and gave thee. Drink when saw we thee a

stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily?

I say unto you inasmuch, as ye have done, it unto the least of

these my brethren You have done it unto me.

But notice the sobering were just found in verse 41.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand?

Depart from me depart from me. You cursed into Everlasting fire

prepared for the devil and his angels for I was an hungred and

ye gave me no meat. I was thirsty and you gave me no

drink. I was a stranger and you took me

not in naked and you clothed me not sick and in prison and you

visited me. Not then, shall they also answer

him saying, Lord, when saw thee we The hungered or thirst or a

stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not Minister unto

thee. Then I shall be answered.

He answered them saying, verily, I say unto you inasmuch.

As you did it. Not to one of the least of these

my brethren. You did it not unto me?

Jesus said, and these shall go away into Everlasting

punishment, but the righteous into life eternal, I realize

that there are many wonderful people.

This congregation right now. Also, from Brundage Lane, I know

you personally. I know you do this.

I've seen you do it. We all know that, by the way, if

you think you're doing things and secret, which is the way we

do it, we don't want to blow the horn, but I'll tell you

something, you cannot, go and continually do good deeds for

others in your life and not have people know it.

People will know it. You influence will scream

volumes Without You uttering, even a word.

So I do appreciate all those that do that.

They go and they see to the sick, they take Things to the

needy and so on, especially those of the household of faith.

And we're so thankful for you, But if you notice, we're getting

bigger, we're growing, that means there are more that have

needs. Now, that means that there are

others that are among us, that need something from us in every

way shape, or form. You know, we can defeat that old

devil and we can get to heaven, one day, but I'm going to tell

you this right now. It's going to take every one of

us. I believe that with all my

heart, a few people cannot do the work of the church.

A few people. Cannot go out and see to the

needs of the sick. And those that are in need,

it'll take us all. Let us be resolved to do that to

be better than we've ever been in the past.

Let's help others. Especially help us all get to

heaven. But finally, this afternoon

Let's make the resolve that we're going to be better about

telling others about Jesus. Sometimes, I think that church

members think that as long as they live the Christian Life and

live their life away from sin and and attend Services of the

church that that's really all that's required that we really

don't have any other responsibilities that we live

our life as Christians over here in like a group or I hate to say

the word but like a click or something.

That's not Christian Living because Jesus said that I'm

supposed to go out and tell somebody about it and you too,

not just the preachers you too. Oh, that's a responsibility that

all of us have to share. Let me ask you this question,

though. I want you to think back of when

you became a Christian. When you once heard the gospel

preached, many of you grew up in families that were Christians.

I was very fortunate that. I was a young boy when my

parents were converted, very thankful for that.

What about the folks that did not have parents that were

instrumental in converting them somewhere in your in the course

of your life? Somebody preach the gospel to

you. What if go back in time in your

mind? What if that person would have

never said a word? What if they would have never

invited yet to come to services to a gospel meeting where

preacher? Preach the gospel?

What if Where would you be today?

And where would you be an eternity if no one took an

interest in your soul? Why do you suppose that the

truth is often the best kept secret in town?

Here's some reasons. Why folks.

Say excuse is often given they say well I don't have enough

knowledge, you know, something I am convinced that you will do,

you will know exactly what you want to know.

If you're truly interested in something, you will learn it,

you will study it. It will, you will think about

it, you will talk about it until, you know, it.

Some people say, well, I would I just don't know any candidates.

I just don't have any leads. I don't know anybody.

You go to school. Go to work.

Have you ever gone to the grocery store?

The ever seen a trashman a gardener and the ever lived in

between two houses and those people next year called

Neighbors. You ever been part of a club you

ever been in a sport, have you ever known somebody?

Have you ever conversed with another human being?

Oh, we know people, we surely do.

You know, don't be fearful either.

Don't be fearful of rejection. Just remember what Jesus said

when they reject it. They're not rejecting you.

They're rejecting me. That's what Jesus said.

But think about this never met a Salesman that didn't sell.

You ever met a ball player who didn't play?

Here amid a Christian. It didn't save Souls.

I hope we would never be indifferent.

I would hope and pray that we would never be lulled into

complacency security. Where were just content with

where we are? Because I'll tell you something,

if we want to grow as the body of Christ and we do we've had

some tremendous growth in this area.

We've had growth amongst our members.

We've had growth of those that have been baptized into Christ

and, and have been converted. That's great.

That's wonderful. But listen, we are not done.

We are not finished. We have so much more to do.

And we are not satisfied because the Lord's not satisfied either.

We have work to do until he comes back.

Don't be lulled into complacency and security.

Let's not hold back. Let's resolve that we're going

to build bridges into the lives of others.

Let's continue to spread the gospel to those that are lost

and hope and pray that they have good and honest hearts.

Let's take the word of God and try the very best we can to

soften even the hardest of hearts.

So they can go to heaven, too. I want you to listen to these

very sobering words. As found in Ezekiel chapter 3,

Ezekiel 3 · chapter mention

beginning in verse 18. Where the Bible says when I say

unto the wicked Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him.

Not warning nor speakers to warn the wicked from his Wicked way

to save his soul the same Wicked man shall die in his iniquity

but his blood I will require at thine hand.

Yet if thou warn the wicked and he turned not from his

wickedness nor from his Wicked way, he shall die in his

iniquity. But thou Hast delivered thy Soul

again, when a righteous man does turn from his righteousness and

commit iniquity and I lay a stumbling block before him, he

shall die. Because thou Hast not given him

warning. He shall die in his sin and his

righteousness, which he hath done.

Shall not be remembered but his blood will.

I require At thine hand. That perhaps is some of the most

chilling words in all the Bible. I wonder how many folks would

have been receptive if we would have just been brave and

courageous and bold. If you don't know what to do you

and just invite him. You don't know what to say, get

me involved, I'll say it, but let's reach into the lives of

people that we come in contact with, and let's save.

So in conclusion, let me just say this, In order for us to

take a good view of our self and be really honest of where we are

today. We must realize that often

times, we like to inflate our self.

We like to give ourself a little too much credit.

We can see the faults in others. We don't see them in ourselves

because after all it doesn't apply to me.

Sometimes we exalt ourselves or we esteem ourself more than we

ought to think. We need to get out of that

mentality and get out of that spirit, and that heart, because

that won't make change in our life.

Let me illustrate it. This trailer really quickly.

The story was once told about a fellow that was a very well-off

well-to-do, man. He was the CEO of a very large

corporation. I understand, he was a very,

very important Land. One day being in all his

importance, he's in his important car with his wife and

the driving down the road and they see a gas station.

They decide to pull in there and get some gas.

Well, here, the CEO wish his car into that gas pump jumps out of

his car and the gasoline. Comes over he no more even looks

up at this fellow. He just says fill it as he walks

on by and goes inside the store area there and wait for it's

time for his time to pay. Well, after a little while, the

gas station attendant was finished and the gas was done

pumping, he looks out the window and he sees that his wife is

having an animated discussion with this gasoline attendant.

He thought will how odd she can't surely know him.

But then he pays for his gas, goes out to his car, the

gasoline, attendant waves, goodbye.

He gets in that car and he pulls away and when he does he says to

his wife, you know, I couldn't help but realize or I couldn't

help but see that you were talking to that fella like you

knew him. Did you know that man?

She said, yeah, I knew him. Went to high school with him.

Well, he inquired a little further, he said, well, was he a

friend? An acquaintance of classmate who

was he? She says, well, no actually we

dated quite extensively while we were in school. first thing out

of his mouth, he said this Man honey.

Are you lucky? She looked at him, kind of

surprised and said, well, why am I lucky?

Oh, are you lucky that I came around?

You are so lucky that I came around.

She said, well, how's that? He said, if I hadn't come

around, you would not be the wife of a CEO.

You'd be the wife of a gasoline attendant.

She looked him dead straight in his eyes and she said this,

let's get one thing straight honey.

If I hadn't married him, he'd have been the CEO and you'd have

been the gas station attendant. Sometimes we exalt how we really

are. We need to step out of ourselves

and see ourselves for what and who we are and make the results.

We're going to change in conclusion.

If there are changes that you need to make this afternoon in

your life, I implore you don't put it off for tomorrow.

Don't do that one man. Wrote this about tomorrow.

He said, tomorrow is the great enemy of advancement.

Boasting of Tomorrow is the Lazy Man's way of evading.

Today's duties tomorrow leaves more tasks, undone more books

on, read more houses, unclean, more programs unlocked, more

resolutions unkept than any other factor in life.

Tomorrow, is the great enemy of the church are great.

Liability is not our ignorance or our unconcerned or our

unwillingness. But tomorrow, more absentees

have been neglected, more lessons have gone, unprepared

more prospects have gone unlisted and more lost.

People have gone unsaved because of tomorrow, where one man being

an atheist or an agnostic died in a lost condition, losing his

soul. There are thousands of

well-meaning people who found themselves in that same

condition because they were waiting in counting on tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Satan's best scheme and keeping lost men.

Lost. Yes, Satan knows.

He will never destroy your faith in the Bible or your belief in

the love of God. He does not care when you

realize that you are lost and that you need to be a Christian.

He knows all of these things are of no avail to you. if he could

just keep you waiting, For tomorrow.

Are you not a Christian? Are you not a Christian this

afternoon? The Bible, clearly states.

So then Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,

when we hear God's word, that's what moves us to make a

decision. We believe what we've heard and

believed in Jesus, for whom he is as the Son of God.

We make the determination in our life that we no longer want to

travel in that way. We want to go a different

direction. That's called repentance, I'm

making a change, I'm making a resolution.

I am making a purpose in my heart.

I'm going to change this. Then the Bible says that a man

must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and upon these

steps. As we noticed this morning,

these things are unto or up to a man's salvation.

But Galatians 3, and 27 says, it is, when a man is baptized, he

is baptized into the body of Jesus Christ.

His sins are washed away. He is saved in a safe condition.

Added to the body of Christ. The Lord's church and starts his

life. The only one that matters right

then. We thank you for listening to

our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.

Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional

information, or you would like to receive a free Bible

correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at her

Church of Christ Bakersfield.com.

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Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us.

We would love for you to be our honored guest.