Adapted Sermon  Luke 5:12-5:13 & Matthew 9:27-29
A man who was covered with leprosy came to Jesus

When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him,

“Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will: be thou clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:12-13

• One of the great principles of the Bible:

God is not a respecter of persons.

Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”
• God will do for me what he has done for others if I will meet the same conditions.

Illustrates a pattern I need to follow in order to reclaim wholeness.

STEP ONE: I Have To Admit That I Have A Problem I Can’t Fix.

1. A leper has clear qualifiers (Skin changes, parts missing, horrible pain at times, smell.)
2. Leprosy is a picture or type of sin in the Bible.

Outward signs, Emptiness, Numbness or Over Sensitiveness, your Life STINKS.
3. There is no help for a person who does not recognize he needs help.
4. The debt of sin cannot be solve without God’s help. (Guilt, fear, loneliness)

STEP TWO: Recognize God’s Ability to Make you Whole.

1. This leper realized Who Jesus was. “You can make me clean!”

2. Only God can meet my deepest needs. “Without Me ye can do nothing” Jn. 15:5

STEP THREE: Pray. (No short cut, no substitute)

1. Prayer is the God appointed way for me to touch the power of God to my need.

2. Passionate prayer is a mighty force.

3. Remember, change is directly equal to your willingness to humble yourself!

STEP FOUR: Believe God Is Willing To Meet My Need.

1. God is able, but is He willing. (Separate “Wholeness” from “Selfishness”)

2. My problem at this point is faith.

3. But don’t fail to ask because of some unknowns!

4. The words of Jesus in this passage ought to settle this question once and for all.

5. He loves, accepts, forgives, heals, delivers and transforms!!!!!

John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Matthew 9:29 “…According to your faith be it unto you.”

Please Pray for:

• PRAY FOR GOD’S WILL IN ALL THAT WE DO AT LIGHTHOUSE!
• Power & Fulness of God to fill our church and leaders.
• Pray God would bless our ministry with His Presence.
• Ask for Wisdom, Guidance, Courage, Strength, Compassion
• Ask that God would bless our ministries.
• Ask God to touch your heart, mind, spirit, & soul.
• Ask God to give you compassion for the lost.
• Ask God to bless the finances of our church.
• Ask God to give us laborers to do the work of the ministry.
• Ask God to bless your Pastor, Pastoral Staff, & Deacons.
• Ask God to give us a Brand New Excitement for Service.
• Ask God to Protect Our Church from the attacks of Satan.
• Ask God to Bless Our Fall Program during October.
• Thank God for His God Goodness & Faithfulness to us!

Please Pray for:                    8/31/2012

• PRAY FOR GOD’S WILL IN ALL THAT WE DO!
• Power & Fulness of God to fill our church and leaders.
• Pray God would bless our ministry with His Presence.
• Ask for Wisdom, Guidance, Courage, Strength, Compassion
• Ask that God would bless our ministries. – Services, Sunday School, Youth, Bus, Nursery, etc…
• Ask God to touch your heart, mind, spirit, & soul.
• Ask God to give you compassion for the lost.
• Ask God to bless the finances of our church.
• Ask God to give us laborers to do the work of the ministry.
• Ask God to bless your Pastor, Pastoral Staff, & Deacons.
• Ask God to give us a Brand New Excitement for Service.
• Ask God to Protect Our Church from the attacks of Satan.
• Ask God to Bless Our Fall Program during October.
• Thank God for His God Goodness & Faithfulness to us!

1.  The Word of God

          I John 2:1-5  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. BUT WHOSO KEEPETH HIS WORD, IN HIM VERILY IS THE LOVE OF GOD PEFECTED: HEREBY KNOW WE THAT WE ARE IN HIM.  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

2.  To Walk with the Lord!

          Deuteronomy 5:33  Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Deuteronomy 10:12  And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 Kings 8:23, 25, 61 And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart: 25 Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me. … 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

2 Chronicles 6:14 And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: …

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

3.  We Ought to have a Love for Souls.

 Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Matthew 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Ezekiel 3:18  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 33:6  But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

Ezekiel 33:8  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

II Cor. 5:11  “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”

Luke 14:23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Mark 16:15   And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Daniel 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

4.  Love for Others

John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.  

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 

Hebrews 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 

1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 

Proverbs 31:10-28
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

1. Let the Peace of God rule in your hearts—Peace
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

2. Let the Word of God dwell in you—Strength
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

3. Let His Mind be in you—Conformity
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Obedience)

4. Let Your Moderation be known unto all—Character
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

5. Let your conversation be without covetousness—Conduct
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6. Let your light so shine before men—Testimony
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

7. Let your eyes always be Watchfulness
Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

God is Calling to us! We Must Listen!!

1. A Call to the Careless
Isaiah 1:16-20 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Luke 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

2. An Invitation to the Weary
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Galatians 6:1-9 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

3. A Call to the Thirsty
John 7:37-38 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 4:3-14 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

2. Me Must Be Working Together – We MUST BE A TEAM!!
II Corinthians 6:1
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
II Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

3. We Must Be Striving Together – We MUST HAVE ONE AIM!!
Philippians 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

It’s time for Christians to “wake-up” and put Jesus Christ and the things of God first, again!! It’s time to have a conversion and strengthen the brethren!

HAVING A CONVERSION – A New Attitude Toward God. An Outward Change in Your Life!

If your are gong to have a Conversion, that means you now have a Direct Objective:

a) to turn to

1) to the worship of the true God

b) to cause to return, to bring back

1) to the love and obedience of God

2) to the love for the children

3) to love wisdom and righteousness

Luke 22:31-34 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

God is looking for not just simply works of charity and deeds of mercy upon which He insists, but inward spiritual character. This much is demanded, and nothing short of it, will suffice.

1. One of the Christian’s greatest needs!

Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all

2. Christians Must Open Their Eyes!

I Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

I Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

3. If Christians Will Turn Their Eyes Upon Jesus, Sinners will be Saved!

Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

Hosea 14:8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

4. What’s Stopping us?!!

Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

1. BEING RIGHT WITH GOD – God’s man MUST walk with God:

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.”

Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

2. WE ARE ALWAYS IN TRAINING – God’s man studies the Bible:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

3. WE ARE TO BE UNITING – God’s man makes it a priority to connect with others. This is for the purpose of reaching others, having accountability, confession, and prayer.

Galatians 6:1-3 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Hebrews 10:23-24 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”

4. WE MUST BE SURVIVORS – God’s man must overcome. He must endure temptation and remain faithful to God.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold-cord is not quickly broken.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive
the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

5. WE MUST BE SHARING THE GOSPEL – God’s man MUST be a winner of souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be seeking and sharing our faith.

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things what soever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

6. WE MUST BE PRACTICING – God’s man learns how to apply God’s Word to all areas of his life. God’s man must live as a “doer of the word.”

James 1:22-25 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Ezekiel 33:30-32 “Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.”

7. WE MUST BE USING OUR GIFTS & TALENTS – A man of God that is not a giving person is going to fail!!

1 Peter 4:10-11 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 4:11-13 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”

8. WE MUST BE IMPACTING OTHERS – God’s man lives to invest in others for the Kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Mark 3:13-14 “And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would:
and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach”

adapted: from unknown author

Pastor Barnes’ 10 Outrageous Goals for Lighthouse’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, they are as follows:

1.  120 People Saved and Baptized between March 3, 2011 &  March 3, 2012.  This will only happen is God’s people allow God to work through them to win people to Jesus Christ. 

2.  Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with 12000 People.  There are thousands of people in our area and we are going to witness to at least 12,000 of them in the next year!

3.  Increase our church attendance by 25%.   That means every class, every service, every senior group, every bus route, every soulwinning group, every group in the church has to increase by 25%. 

4.  Develop at least 1 more Adult Sunday School class.  At least 1!  Our prayer is for more!   (Note: I presented this to the people of Lighthouse and many adults have come and ask if they could teach a class).

5.  Two Sundays with 800 or more in attendance.   This is a big deal!  We’ve had just one Sunday with more than 800 people in attendance in the whole history of Lighthouse!  For us to have two Sundays in one year…wow!  This one’s going to take a lot of wisdom and prayer, and a lot of inviting!!!  We’ve set Easter Sunday, April 24, as our first attempt!

6.  Start at least 1 More Bus Route.

7.  Visit Two Missionaries and their works on the Mission field.

8.  Raise-up 2 Full-Time Christian Workers.

9.  Have TWO Events that are for our Community.  These are church sponsered events (besides church services) that our community is invited to attend. 

10.  Start a Bible Education Class on Sunday Afternoon.

by Dan Barnes, Senior Pastor

Someone once said, “Opportunities are seldom labeled.”  – However, I have always felt that every day is a new opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- It is a new opportunity to move forward along life’s journey and to make one’s life more eternally meaningful.

Romans 13:8-14    ”Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.  And that, knowing  the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

If we believe today is a new opportunity for the Lord, then we must spend much time in Prayer, Bible Reading, and Goal Setting.  I trust that you, too, have set some goals and are trusting the Lord to use you in a greater way today!

It has been said, “He who aims at nothing hits it every time!” I would rather try and fail than never try to do the things God lays upon my heart.  Let me encourage you to step out by faith each and every day!

Pastor Paul Chappel posted this list witten by Pastor Walter Schoedel.  He had  prepared this list as resolutions for his new year and called it his “The Seven Ups.”  I’ve taken that list and added a few Bible verses to it…hopefully it can be a help to you and yours…as you live in this crazy world.

1.  The first is WAKE UP – begin the day with the Lord. It is His day. Rejoice in it.

Romans 13:10-12  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing  the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

 I Corinthians 15:31-34  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

           Psalm 118:22-28  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

2.  The second is DRESS UP – put on a smile.  It improves your looks. It says something about your attitude.

 Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 

 Proverbs 15:13  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.  

Proverbs 15:15  All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.                

Proverbs 15:23  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

3.  The third is SHUT UP – watch your tongue. Don’t gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.

Proverbs 4:24  Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.                                         

Proverbs 6:2  Thou art snared with the mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.                                

Proverbs 6:12  A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.  He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his finger; frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

Proverbs 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

James 1:26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

4.  The fourth is STAND UP – take a stand for what you believe. Resist evil. Do good.

James 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves

James 4:5-8  Do ye think the scriptures saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

5.  The fifth is LOOK UP – open your eyes to the Lord.  After all, He is your only Saviour and He has promised to return!

 Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psalm 40:8-13    I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine heard: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.

Luke 21:25-28    And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.   And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

6.  The sixth is REACH UP – spend time in prayer with adoration, confession, thanksgiving, & supplications to God.

 James 5:13-16  Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of the faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Philippians 4:6-7   Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

7.  And finally, LIFT UP – be available to those in need, serving, supporting and sharing with each of them.

James 4:7-10  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Okay!  I must admit! When I was a child, every Saturday night, my family and I sat down to watch “Hee Haw” on television.  Now, that’s not something I’m proud of, but…there was one song from that show I remember most vividly…and it describes perfectly the nature of some in the ministry today…it goes: 

“Gloom, despair and agony on me-e!    Deep dark depression, excessive misery-y!

If it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all!    Gloom, despair and agony on me-e-e!”

      My husband and I have been in the ministry for some years, and we use to go to area preacher meetings. It was suppose to be a time of rejoicing and fellowship but it always seemed to end up turning into a complain fest! Dan, my husband, got tired of hearing preacher after preacher stand to tell some horror story about where they were serving.  They would complain about “how hard it is to convince people to serve God” or “my people just don’t care about me!” and his favorite, “you just can’t do it anymore.”  He said “every time I go to one of those meetings I want to quit everything!”  All this complaining and wining caused a dark cloud to hover over the meetings leaving everyone with a feeling of “gloom, despair and agony!” What causes us to get this kind of perspective of life? Especially in the ministry?  Is that all God has for us is gloom, despair and agony on me-e?  I personally believe God’s plan is much better.

      Now, I’m not being critical, and I must admit the ministry can be trying at times!  It is difficult and there is a lot of heartache and pain.  As a pastor’s wife, I’ve seen it first hand, you open your heart to person after person often to your own detriment!  Believe me!  I’m no stranger when it comes to heartache…I’ve given myself to the ministry…only to go home and cry myself to sleep.  You watch the people you’ve given your life for head down the wrong path and you’re helpless to do anything…accept pray and cry…alone!

     Then, here it comes…what my husband calls the “dark monster”  better known as depression!  It comes like a thick, dark cloud, surrounding every aspect of your life.  It’s like falling into a dark room with no door, and as this depression takes control of your life, you fall into a gloomy despair and it brings agony into your heart.  Once this “dark monster” attacks it’s so hard to keep yourself from falling into excessive misery! 

     And once you’ve given into excessive misery, you will begin to say “If it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all! Gloom, despair and agony on me-e-e!” 

     Now, here’s something to think about…if you choose to allow this “monster” to control you…you are not going alone!  Your depression will affect everyone around you.  It will upset your relationships, such as but not limited to: your walk with God, your spouse, your kids, your extended family, your church, not to mention your job performance, and on and on!  This depression monster is a rabid creature!  It will cause you to imagine things that don’t even exist. You’ll begin to do things like:  thinking everyone is against you; or blame your problems on others; or you may become hateful and very selfish, because you think you deserve better.  And if you’re not careful, you might even begin to think your life is not worth living! 

     Oh! Depression!  It’s a terrible creature and I believe with all my heart, if the Devil can bring you down by throwing the fiery dart of depression, he has won a spiritual battle that will destroy many souls!  But the good news is…it can be defeated!  You can beat this fiend!  God has given you the victory and the arsenal to stop this brutal attack!  The problem is, to possess the weapons of defense is not good enough, you must know how to use them too!  It’s like buying a piece of exercise equipment…owning the treadmill is not good enough…you must use the treadmill to shed the extra pounds! Having the weapons to defeat depression (i.e. the attacks of Satan) is a wonderful gift from God, but unless you use the weapons they are useless to you and Satan will win.

      God says in Ephesians 6  “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” That’s weapon #1!  Be Strong in the LORD!!! And in the power of him might!  God is able!  Don’t listen to those who say “it can’t be done” or “God’s just not working anymore.”  God is alive and well!  He is with you right now!  Be strong in that!  Be strong in the Lord!  His power is the greatest of all-time, if He is with you, you have nothing to fear!

     Weapon # 2, God has given you the things necessary to make it through any attack, it’s call the armour of God!  Put it on!  It’s not going to work its self, you must ready yourself for battle!

     My husband tells us all the time “I can’t change you, but I CAN change me!”  I can’t make you strong in the Lord, but I will be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.  It doesn’t matter if anyone else is trusting in God, I’m going to trust God.  It’s doesn’t matter if anyone else is living in the power of His might, I’m going to live in the power of His might!  Victory comes only if I decide to have victory, God told me I can stand if I want too! Therefore, I choose to stand!

     But there’s more, the battle is going to be a vicious one. Satan is not going to go down without a fight. Yes, God is on my side but I must fight too!  I can’t just stand there and let the fiery darts hit me and tear me apart.  God has provided armour for me, He has  given me truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, and salvation to protect me and He has placed in my hand the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, to fight with, to stop the enemy where he stands! But if I do not use God’s armour, Satan’s attacks will ruin my life and my usefulness for God will be limited. 

     Depression will destroy you!  You must beat it!  But victory can only come through God and the power of his might!  And as you fight, you must wear the whole armour of God. You must carry the truth of God in your heart. It is God that has made you righteous, Satan will try to cloud your mind telling you “you are not good enough.” That’s why God gave us the breastplate of righteousness…it’s God that makes you righteous, not you.  Always be ready to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Never let your faith down!  Keep your mind clear, never forget you are born-again. And most of all, never set your sword down!  The Word of God is your greatest protection against any attack Satan may send your way. And after all is said and done…and it comes your time to stand before the Lord, you can say as the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight!”

     Ladies, depression is everywhere.  So many ladies give into the “dark monster” of depression. Don’t let it destroy you and all the people you influence! Stay strong in the Lord and use the defenses of God.  May God bless you as you serve Him!

                                                                             - Mrs. Dalisa Barnes

                                                                                      Lighthouse Baptist Church  105 Shun Pike    Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356

OUTLINE OF SERMON PREACHED – April 25, 2010, 6 PM (est)

Sermon Title: WHAT IS HINDERING YOUR PRAYERS FROM BEING ANSWERED?

 PREACHER: Senior Pastor Dan Barnes

Prayer is the amazing line God has provided for direct access to His throne.

D.L. Moody once said,  “Next to the wonder of seeing my Savior will be, I think, the wonder that I made so little use of the power of prayer.”

Truly, it is a resource we should avail ourselves of continually.

Sometimes, however, we jam this line of communication and prohibit our prayers from being answered.

Dr. John R. Rice often spoke of the hindrances to prayer. Below is a list of seven.

1.  Personal known sin in the believer’s life

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).

2.  Strained relationships between husbands and wives

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).

3.  Unreconciled wrongs, debts, or offenses between Christian brothers and sisters.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23–24).

4.  An unforgiving or bitter spirit

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21–22).

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

5.  The sin of covetousness

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:1–3).

6.  Neglect and indifference to the Word of God
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Proverbs 28:9).

7.  Prayerlessness itself

“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (1 Samuel 12:23).

How tragic it would be to allow any of these things to hinder our prayers from the answers our Heavenly Father delights to give.