If There Ever Was a Time to Pray...

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #60

Matthew 7:7-11: “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. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

There is no doubt about it, but we are indeed living in troubling times. Just this past week, our president publicly stated that he supports homosexual marriage. This month, we have college students graduating and they don’t even know whether or not they will be able to find work. Many people are still struggling financially. The financial system of Europe is on the verge of collapse. We think we have it bad in America with an 8.1% unemployment rate, but in Spain the unemployment rate is 24%

Perhaps, you have heard people make these statements: “Because of the economic downturn I lost my job. I don’t know what I’ll do for income.”

“I’ve lost my investments in the stock market, so now I don’t have any savings for the future.”

“We don’t have money to continue our mortgage payments, so we had to foreclose on our house.”

“Our hearts are grieving because of the loss of a loved one.”

“I had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Now the cancer has returned.”

We live in difficult days. These and other problems abound, hitting us on all sides. You may be facing the most devastating time of your life and you don’t know what to do. But there is something you can do. You can take your problem to God through prayer. God always hears our prayers and answers according to His will — even though they may not be answered the way we anticipated.

Many people in the Bible faced terrible problems, too. When they prayed, God answered and resolved their dilemmas. For example Hezekiah, king of Judah, was deathly ill, and when he prayed God healed him and extended his life. Others in dire circumstances — such as Peter in prison, David being pursued by enemies, and Paul being persecuted — prayed and God answered.

+ Plus, listen to Jesse Dixon singing “I Know What Prayer Can Do” and CeCe Winans singing “Anybody Wanna Pray”.

Life's Journey

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #59

Our Scripture for today is John 10:10: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 15:4: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Did you know that there are really only four things that you need to live a fulfilled and contented life? If you are thinking of money and riches, you are wrong. If you are thinking of a fine house and material possessions, you are wrong. If you are thinking of a good-paying job and a great retirement plan, you are wrong. If you are thinking of a spouse, you are wrong. If you are thinking of children, you are wrong. Those are all good things to desire and have; but I must add that some of those things may bring you more trouble than happiness. However, none of those things will give you a lasting, fulfilled, and contented life.

The fact of the matter is that only one person has all four of these things that will complete your life. Another fact is that no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to gain these things on your own. Money cannot buy these things. You cannot learn these things in college. Listening to a New Age guru or following some spiritual teacher will not give you these things. And these things will not rub off on you from a friend who seems to have them.

The only way that you can get these things is through a person — and that person is Jesus Christ. You cannot get these four things outside of yourself, instead you must get them by abiding in somebody else. Just as our passage for today which is John 15:4 states, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” The four things you must have in life only come through the person of Jesus Christ.

+ Plus, listen to the Chicago Mass Choir as they sing “You’re An Awesome God” and John P. Kee and The New Life Community Choir singing “Jesus Is Real”

Life's Journey

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #59

Our Scripture for today is John 10:10: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 15:4: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

Did you know that there are really only four things that you need to live a fulfilled and contented life? If you are thinking of money and riches, you are wrong. If you are thinking of a fine house and material possessions, you are wrong. If you are thinking of a good-paying job and a great retirement plan, you are wrong. If you are thinking of a spouse, you are wrong. If you are thinking of children, you are wrong. Those are all good things to desire and have; but I must add that some of those things may bring you more trouble than happiness. However, none of those things will give you a lasting, fulfilled, and contented life.

The fact of the matter is that only one person has all four of these things that will complete your life. Another fact is that no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to gain these things on your own. Money cannot buy these things. You cannot learn these things in college. Listening to a New Age guru or following some spiritual teacher will not give you these things. And these things will not rub off on you from a friend who seems to have them.

The only way that you can get these things is through a person — and that person is Jesus Christ. You cannot get these four things outside of yourself, instead you must get them by abiding in somebody else. Just as our passage for today which is John 15:4 states, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” The four things you must have in life only come through the person of Jesus Christ.

+ Plus, listen to the Chicago Mass Choir as they sing “You’re An Awesome God” and John P. Kee and The New Life Community Choir singing “Jesus Is Real”

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #58

The title of my message today is “The Cure for a Deadly Disease that Everyone Has.”

Thank God everyone does not AIDS. We pray for those who do. Thank God everyone does not have cancer. We empathize with those who do. Thank God everyone does not have Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Dementia or some of the other horrible diseases that people suffer with today. However, there is a disease that every single person born into the world has and that is the deadly disease of sin.

Everybody in the world was born sick. When you came out of the womb you had a deadly disease. You were infected with an epidemic that has touched every man and woman who has ever lived. You were sick with sin. Now, you may think, I’m not a very bad person — I don’t sin that often. Well, if you have even done one thing wrong, that is all it takes to prove that you have the sin disease. John Bunyan said “One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner.”

The verse we just read in Romans 6:23 tells us that the result of the sin disease is — death. We will die because of our sins. We die physically because of our sins and we die spiritually because of our sins. Revelation 21:8 states, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” In fact, many people are spiritually dead right now because of our sins. The Apostle Paul agonized in Romans 7:24: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” But what is the cure for sin? What will heal us of this deadly disease?

+ Plus, listen to Ricky Dillard singing “Jesus Paid It All” and the Sensational Nightingales singing “Glory To His Name”

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #58

The title of my message today is “The Cure for a Deadly Disease that Everyone Has.”

Thank God everyone does not AIDS. We pray for those who do. Thank God everyone does not have cancer. We empathize with those who do. Thank God everyone does not have Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Dementia or some of the other horrible diseases that people suffer with today. However, there is a disease that every single person born into the world has and that is the deadly disease of sin.

Everybody in the world was born sick. When you came out of the womb you had a deadly disease. You were infected with an epidemic that has touched every man and woman who has ever lived. You were sick with sin. Now, you may think, I’m not a very bad person — I don’t sin that often. Well, if you have even done one thing wrong, that is all it takes to prove that you have the sin disease. John Bunyan said “One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner.”

The verse we just read in Romans 6:23 tells us that the result of the sin disease is — death. We will die because of our sins. We die physically because of our sins and we die spiritually because of our sins. Revelation 21:8 states, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” In fact, many people are spiritually dead right now because of our sins. The Apostle Paul agonized in Romans 7:24: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” But what is the cure for sin? What will heal us of this deadly disease?

+ Plus, listen to Ricky Dillard singing “Jesus Paid It All” and the Sensational Nightingales singing “Glory To His Name”

The Rich Fool

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #57

Text: Luke 12:15-21

We have here in this parable told by Jesus Christ a man who is a rich business owner. Today, he might be a wealthy Wall Street investor. He lives in a mansion, has two or three cars in the garage, a yacht, and a vacation home in the Caribbean. This man has it going on. But in verse 20 of our passage, God calls this man a “fool.” Oh, yes, it seemed like he was doing all of the right things, but God called this man a “fool” because in actuality he was living his life the wrong way. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Today, I want you to notice with me four reasons why God called this wealthy, successful man a “fool.”

+ Plus, listen to the Mighty Clouds of Joy singing “Order My Steps” and The Charles Fold Singers singing “Revive Us Again”

The Rich Fool

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #57

Text: Luke 12:15-21

We have here in this parable told by Jesus Christ a man who is a rich business owner. Today, he might be a wealthy Wall Street investor. He lives in a mansion, has two or three cars in the garage, a yacht, and a vacation home in the Caribbean. This man has it going on. But in verse 20 of our passage, God calls this man a “fool.” Oh, yes, it seemed like he was doing all of the right things, but God called this man a “fool” because in actuality he was living his life the wrong way. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Today, I want you to notice with me four reasons why God called this wealthy, successful man a “fool.”

+ Plus, listen to the Mighty Clouds of Joy singing “Order My Steps” and The Charles Fold Singers singing “Revive Us Again”

Titanic USA

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #56

I Thessalonians 5:3 says: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

The title of my message for today is “Titanic USA: America is the Titanic and the Titanic is Going Down”.

100 years ago, on April 14, 1912, a great tragedy occurred in the dark and murky waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean. A great ship — the Titanic — which everyone believed to be “unsinkable” struck an iceberg and sank beneath the ocean waters on her maiden voyage. The ship was hailed as a “moving city”. It was the largest moving man-made object ever crafted. Titanic set sail from England to New York City with much fanfare and well-wishes. But it never reached its destination.

The Titanic was warned of icebergs at least five times within the twelve hours before it met with tragedy. After icebergs were reported up ahead, the captains were so convinced of the ship’s invincibility that they had the ship continue full speed ahead. They were so confident that the ship would not sink that they only had 16 lifeboats on board when a ship of that size carrying that many passengers was supposed to carry 48. The men who designed and commissioned the Titanic were so confident in their abilities that they even had the passengers convinced that the Titanic would not sink. While the ship was going down, people came out on deck and had snowball fights, some people put on lifejackets and danced, still others who heard the news simply rolled over and went back to sleep. In this tragedy, 1,514 people drowned, suffocated or froze to death in the icy waters. Only 710 people were saved. All the ingenuity, all the technological prowess, and all the safeguards (or lack thereof) could not keep the Titanic from sinking.

Men will say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them…and they shall not escape.

I am here to tell you today, my friends, that there is another Titanic. And you and I are on it. That Titanic is the United States of America. Yes, I believe that America is the Titanic and the Titanic is going down. Allow me to share with you why this is so.

+ Plus, listen to Al Green and Mahalia Jackson singing “Nearer, My God, to Thee”

Titanic USA

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #56

I Thessalonians 5:3 says: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

The title of my message for today is “Titanic USA: America is the Titanic and the Titanic is Going Down”.

100 years ago, on April 14, 1912, a great tragedy occurred in the dark and murky waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean. A great ship — the Titanic — which everyone believed to be “unsinkable” struck an iceberg and sank beneath the ocean waters on her maiden voyage. The ship was hailed as a “moving city”. It was the largest moving man-made object ever crafted. Titanic set sail from England to New York City with much fanfare and well-wishes. But it never reached its destination.

The Titanic was warned of icebergs at least five times within the twelve hours before it met with tragedy. After icebergs were reported up ahead, the captains were so convinced of the ship’s invincibility that they had the ship continue full speed ahead. They were so confident that the ship would not sink that they only had 16 lifeboats on board when a ship of that size carrying that many passengers was supposed to carry 48. The men who designed and commissioned the Titanic were so confident in their abilities that they even had the passengers convinced that the Titanic would not sink. While the ship was going down, people came out on deck and had snowball fights, some people put on lifejackets and danced, still others who heard the news simply rolled over and went back to sleep. In this tragedy, 1,514 people drowned, suffocated or froze to death in the icy waters. Only 710 people were saved. All the ingenuity, all the technological prowess, and all the safeguards (or lack thereof) could not keep the Titanic from sinking.

Men will say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them…and they shall not escape.

I am here to tell you today, my friends, that there is another Titanic. And you and I are on it. That Titanic is the United States of America. Yes, I believe that America is the Titanic and the Titanic is going down. Allow me to share with you why this is so.

+ Plus, listen to Al Green and Mahalia Jackson singing “Nearer, My God, to Thee”

Titanic USA

Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message #56

I Thessalonians 5:3 says: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”

The title of my message for today is “Titanic USA: America is the Titanic and the Titanic is Going Down”.

100 years ago, on April 14, 1912, a great tragedy occurred in the dark and murky waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean. A great ship — the Titanic — which everyone believed to be “unsinkable” struck an iceberg and sank beneath the ocean waters on her maiden voyage. The ship was hailed as a “moving city”. It was the largest moving man-made object ever crafted. Titanic set sail from England to New York City with much fanfare and well-wishes. But it never reached its destination.

The Titanic was warned of icebergs at least five times within the twelve hours before it met with tragedy. After icebergs were reported up ahead, the captains were so convinced of the ship’s invincibility that they had the ship continue full speed ahead. They were so confident that the ship would not sink that they only had 16 lifeboats on board when a ship of that size carrying that many passengers was supposed to carry 48. The men who designed and commissioned the Titanic were so confident in their abilities that they even had the passengers convinced that the Titanic would not sink. While the ship was going down, people came out on deck and had snowball fights, some people put on lifejackets and danced, still others who heard the news simply rolled over and went back to sleep. In this tragedy, 1,514 people drowned, suffocated or froze to death in the icy waters. Only 710 people were saved. All the ingenuity, all the technological prowess, and all the safeguards (or lack thereof) could not keep the Titanic from sinking.

Men will say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them…and they shall not escape.

I am here to tell you today, my friends, that there is another Titanic. And you and I are on it. That Titanic is the United States of America. Yes, I believe that America is the Titanic and the Titanic is going down. Allow me to share with you why this is so.

+ Plus, listen to Al Green and Mahalia Jackson singing “Nearer, My God, to Thee”