Paul's Passion

Sermon Notes, March 24, 2019 PM

Paul’s Passion

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. If you are familiar with Stephen R. Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of High Effective  
    People, you will recognize this statement. “The main thing is to keep the main thing
    the main thing.”
    1. Although the statement is commendable the implementation of it is difficult.
    2. The urgent things in life often take precedence over the important things. The
        “main thing” often falls by the wayside.
B. There was no doubt about the main thing in the life of Paul the apostle.  Perhaps the
    most outstanding quality in his life was the ability to stay focused on the main thing.
    1. In Galatians 2:20 he wrote, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I
        but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of
        God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
    2. In Philippians 1:21 he wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
    3. The essence of Paul’s life was preaching the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 he told
        the Corinthians, “^For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:
        that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that
        he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
    4. Paul was totally abandoned to the Gospel.
C. Would you like to have the same level of commitment to the Gospel that Paul had?
    1. What was the source of his confidence and conviction?
    2. To what could you attribute his faith? What was the secret of Paul’s passion?
    3. What prompted Paul to “keep the main thing the main thing?”
    4. The answer to these questions can be found in Romans 1:14-17.
       a. When Paul wrote to the church in Rome he had not yet been to Rome.
       b. Romans 1:1-17 serve as an introduction of himself. In verses 14-16 we catch an
           autobiographical glimpse into the Paul’s personal passion.
       c. “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to
            the foolish. ¹⁵ So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who    
            are in Rome.¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for
            salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For
            in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But   
            the righteous man shall live by faith.”
C. I want you to notice three “I am” statements in these verses that provide the
    principles for Paul’s passion.
 
I. I AM A DEBTOR (vs. 14).
    A. Some people think the world owes them something. This was not the case with
        Paul. He considered himself to be a debtor.
        1. He knew that he could not pay for his sins. He recognized that salvation was a
            gift from God.
            a. In Romans 6:23 he wrote, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God
                is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
            b. To the Ephesians he wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith;   
                and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so
                that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
                Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk
                in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
        2. Paul understood that you cannot earn, purchase or deserve a gift. It is made
            available because of the benevolence and generosity of the giver.                          
        3. Paul also understood that someone had to pay for the gift. In this case it was
            God, Himself, who gave His “only begotten Son” (John 3:16). It was the Lord
            Jesus Christ who, “Bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die
            to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. ²⁵ For you
            were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd   
            and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25).        
        4. Paul understood that Jesus had paid his sin debt. Because of that he owed
            Jesus everything. I am persuaded one of his favorite songs (had it been
            composed at that time) would have been, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.”
    B. Paul was a debtor to others
        1. His education in the Jewish religion had made him keenly aware of the prophets
            who had been persecuted and killed because they foretold the coming of Christ.
        2. He knew of the sacrifices others made to be followers of Jesus. Remember, it
            was the young Saul who was present at the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:58.
        3. Have you ever considered how indebted we are to so many people who
            sacrificed so much so that we might receive the blessings of faith? Pioneer
            preachers traveled and labored without pay. Christians sat in brush arbors, cold
            and hot buildings and traveled for miles to hear the Gospel. People sacrificed to
            build this building and provide the comforts we enjoy. We, too, are debtors.
    C. Paul was a debtor to those who did not know Christ. Whether they were civilized
        or uncivilized, slave or free. He owed every human being the opportunity to hear
        the Gospel. 
        1. Suppose there was a man in prison sentenced to death. One day the governor
            called you to say, “I have pardoned this man and need you to take this certificate
            of pardon and give it to the man and the warden of the prison.” You put that
            document in your pocket intending to take it but you become distracted. Several
            days later you read that the man was executed. He could have been saved ut            
            you did not take the pardon.
        2. May God help us for our failure to take the pardon to others. We are debtors.
       
II. I AM READY (vs. 15).
    A. “So, on my part, I am ready to preach the gospel to those who are in Rome.”
        1. How did Paul get to Rome?
        2. He was arrested (Acts 21), appeared before the Jewish council, almost killed by
            an ambush, tried before Felix, Festus and Agrippa and shipwrecked during the
            voyage to Rome where he was placed under house arrest.  
        3. Nothing was more important to Paul than preaching the Gospel.
            a. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 he wrote, “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not
                come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the
                testimony of God. ² For I determined to know nothing among you except
                Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
            b. He explained to the Philippians that his first concern was the preaching of the
                Gospel regardless of the personal motives of those doing the preaching
                (Philippians 1:12-18).        
            c. He told the Corinthians that he had become “all things to all men” so that he,
                by all means, might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22).
        4. Paul was not only ready to preach but to live or die for Christ. Notice Philippians
            1:21-25, “^For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² But if I am to live on in
             the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
             ²³ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and
             be with Christ, for that is very much better; ²⁴ yet to remain on in the flesh is
             more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and
             continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.”
    B. There are two fundamental questions each person must consider regarding the
        invitation of Christ. 
        1. Am I willing to die for Christ?
            a. No one can truly be a disciple without dying to Christ on a daily basis. Paul
                affirmed this truth in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ.” Indeed, for
                Paul the concept of being ready to “die with Christ” was a constant 
                consideration.
            b. Like so many who have gone before us, we must also recognize that dying
                because of persecution is a real threat. Moments of religious freedom are few
                and far between in world history. The reality of religious freedom for one
                generation is no assurance of religious freedom for succeeding generations.
        2. Perhaps the more important question is, “Am I ready to live for Christ?” Am I
            ready to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)? Am I ready to put
            Christ first in my life?
 
III. I AM NOT ASHAMED (vs. 16).
    A. Do you appreciate the certainty and boldness with which Paul proclaimed the
        gospel of Christ?
        1. He was not intimidated when confronted with opposition.
        2. He was not discouraged when he was rejected.
        3. He did not give up when others turned back (John Mark – Acts 13).
    B. Paul boldly proclaimed, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” How could he make
        such a statement?
        1. It is the “power” of God unto salvation.
            a. “Power” comes from the Greek “dunamis” meaning “capacity,” “ability,” or
                “power.” Our English words “dynamite,” “dynamic,” and “dynamo” come from
                this Greek word.
            b. Notice that Paul did not say, “human righteousness,” “education,” “wealth,” or
                “strength.” None of these can break the curse of sin. It is only the gospel of
                Christ that provides the “soul” cleansing blood of the lamb.”
        2. It is available to all (Jew and Greek). The gospel has no boundaries. It does not
            know any ethnic, racial, geographical or social barriers.
    B. Paul’s preaching was fueled by the power of the Gospel.
        1. He knew the world would not be converted through words of human wisdom
            (1 Corinthians 1). He understood that the message of the cross seemed like
            foolishness to people of the world (it still does). 
        2. To Paul the power of the gospel was greater than Roman philosophy, art,
            government or military might.  Paul knew, beyond any doubt, that one day,
            “every knee shall bow and tongue confess Jesus as Lord to the glory of God the
            Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
 
CONCLUSION:
A. There are two questions you need to take away from this message about Paul’s
    passion.
    1. What is the “main thing” in your life?
    2. Are you keeping the “main thing the main thing?”
B. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul wrote, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” Will you let
    the passionate purpose of Paul be your purpose in life? We invite you to come and
    put your faith and obedience in Christ today.
       

Ten Healed, One Saved

i

Sermon Notes, March 24, 2019 A.M.

Ten Healed One Saved

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.nt

stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. Which one of Jesus’ miracles is your favorite?
    1. Turning water into wine (John 2:1 – 12).
    2. Healing the paralytic who was lowered through the roof on a pallet (Mark 2:1-12).
    3. Stilling the storm on Galilee (Matthew 8:21-27).
    4. Walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33).
    5. Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44).
    6. John wrote, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written
        down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that
        would be written” (John 21:25).
    7. In this message we will consider a miracle that is one of the most dramatic
        and unique miracles recorded in the gospels. It is also one of the most disturbing
        miracles recorded in the gospels.
B. The physician Luke recorded thirteen miraculous events in his gospel (Luke: 4:31-37;
    4:38-44; 5:12-16; 5:17-26; 7:1-10; 7:11-17; 7:21; 8:26-39; 8:40-56; 9:37-45; 13:10-17;
    17:11-19; and 18:35-43). Among the miracles of healing three of these involved one
    person and one of them involved two people. In Luke 17:11-19 there were ten men
    who were healed of the dreaded disease of leprosy. 
    1. We can easily understand how Luke, as a physician, took special notice of this
        miracle.
    2. Luke must have been impressed by the stories of Jesus doing what the medical
        profession of that era could not do regarding the treatment of leprosy.
        a. In Luke 5:12-16 he recorded Jesus healing a leper in one of the towns of
            Galilee.
        b. In Luke 17:11-19 Luke records Jesus healing ten lepers.
C. What can we take away from this story? Notice four magnificent messages.
    from the ministry of Jesus?
   
I. THE MISERY OF THE MEN
    A. As Jesus passed through Galilee on His way to Jerusalem He came to an
        unnamed village. Outside the village gates he encountered a group of
        lepers who cried out, “Unclean, unclean.” According to law their clothes had been
        ripped in lament and their faces were covered with dirt.
        1. From our study of Luke 5:13-14 you may recall that lepers were considered
            “unclean” according to the law of Moses (Leviticus 13-14).
        2. Due to the contagious nature of their disease the lepers were ostracized and
            separated from family and friends. The stood outside the city crying “Unclean!
            Unclean!”
        3. There was more, however, than the physical aspect of leprosy. This dreaded
            disease also carried that stigma of punishment from God.
            a. King Uzziah had been afflicted with leprosy after disobeying God (2
                Chronicles 26:19-21).
            b. Naaman, a commander of the Syrian army, was leprous (2 Kings 5:1).
        4. According to Luke 17:13, when these ten lepers saw Jesus their cry changes
            and they pleaded, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
    B. Let’s review some of the characteristics of their condition.  
       1. Leprosy, now known as “Hansen’s Disease,” began with a white patch of skin
            that would break into open sores. The skin became so numb that a person
            could not feel a needle piercing the spot. The sores would begin to spread
            causing tumors on the body.
        2. The nerve endings would become so numb that the victim could not feel pain
            from a bite or a burn. Many times infection would set in leading to death.
    C. Lepers were outcasts from society.
        1. Numbers 5:2-3 and Leviticus 13:45 required them to leave their homes and
           villages to live outside the city with other lepers.
        2. They could not work or worship in the temple. They were separated from
            their family. 
    D. How long had it been since these ten men had felt the touch of another human
         being? How long had it been since they had received an embrace from their wives
         or children?
    E. Would it not be appropriate to say that all of us could identify with these men in
        terms of our spiritual condition? Have we not been afflicted with the spiritual
        leprosy of sin?
        1. Do we not cry out with Isaiah, “I am a man of unclean lips and dwell among
            people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5)?
        2. Have we not experienced the pain that sin brings into our lives? Do we not know
            what it is like to be separated from loved ones because of the barriers erected
            by sin? Have we not experienced the alienation from God that sin brings?
      
II. THE MIGHT OF THE MASTER
    A. Can you imagine having no hope for a cure? No hope that tomorrow will be less          
        painful? No hope for being reunited with loved ones? 
        1. Hopelessness was the common denominator of these ten men.
        2. At least one of them was a Samaritan who, under normal circumstances, would
            have had no association with Jews. Here he was united by the common misery
            they all shared.   
    B. Suddenly, among the clouds of their grief came a ray of “sonshine” as Jesus
        approached the nameless village along the Galilee / Samaria border.
       1. How do you suppose they had heard of Jesus? Perhaps some of them had seen
            His miraculous works. Some may have heard through the voice of a friend
            or loved one.
        2. When Jesus entered that village these lepers knew He was their only hope.
            They cried, “Jesus, Master, heal us.”
            a. The word “Master” is from “epistotes” used only here in the gospels. It means,
                “someone with notable authority and power.”  
            b. These men recognized the authority and power of Jesus. He was their only
                hope. There was nothing they could do themselves to be healed and made
                whole.
        3. In their appeal for mercy they recognized not only Jesus’ power but his
            compassion as well. They knew of the tenderness in His heart and His concern
            for people – all people.
    C. Jesus heard their cry.
        1. Do you believe God hears the cries of people who are hurting?
        2. God heard the cries of Israel in Egypt (Exodus 3).
        3. God heard the cries of Israel during the days of the Judges.
        4. Does God hear the cry of a person who has lost their earthly possessions or a
            family member in a wildfire or natural disaster that has ravaged their home?
            Does God hear when you have been diagnosed with an incurable illness or
            when a loved one has passed away?
    D. Jesus heard their cry. 
 
III. THE MOMENTOUS MIRACLE
    A. Jesus could have healed these men immediately but He did not do so.
        1. People are always looking for signs and wonders that result in instant healing.
            Jesus often performed such miracles in response to human need.
        2. On this occasion, however, he asked these men for a demonstration of faith.
    B. Jesus commanded these ten men, “Go and present yourself to the priest.”
        1. The priest had no power to heal but under the law (Leviticus 14:2) they
            were the only ones who could pronounce a leper healed and give them a
            certificate of cleanliness so they could be readmitted to society.
        2. Why did Jesus command these men to go and present themselves to the priest?
            a. It was an acknowledgment that He had not come to abolish the Law of Moses
                but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-19). Only the priest had authority to pronounce
                the leper healed and eligible to be readmitted to society.
            b. It required a demonstration of faith on the part of these men. Some miracles
                were performed without faith on the individual’s part. At other times he asked
                for a show of faith. It was one thing to cry out, “Heal us.” It was another to
                head towards a priest with the confidence that you would be pronounced
                clean.
    C. As they were going, they were healed.
    
IV THE MAN OF MERIT
   A. As these ten were healed one of them – only one- went back to Jesus to
       thank Him. It was the Samaritan.
       1. Jesus said, “Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”
       2. Where were the others? After they had been pronounced clean what do you
            suppose happened to them?
            a. Perhaps some went to be reunited with their family and loved ones.
            b. Some may have returned to their jobs.
            c. Some could not wait to rejoin society.
    B. Only this one, the Samaritan, returned to say, “Thank you,” to Jesus.
        1. He fell in worship and adoration at the feet of Jesus.
        2. He cried out with a “loud voice,” a term used only by Luke (3 times) especially
            significant since leprosy often affected the vocal chords and left a person unable
            to speak above a whisper.
        3. He was the only one who heard the words, “Rise and go; your faith has made
            you well.” The phrase, “made you well” is better translated as “saved you.” All of
            them were made well. He was the only one to receive the supreme blessing
            from the great High Priest.
 
CONCLUSION:
A. In Romans 1 Paul provided the description of a pagan society that had forgotten
    God. Beginning in verse 21 he wrote, “Because, although they knew God, they did
    not honor Him as God or give thanks but they became futile in their speculations, and
    their foolish heart was darkened.
B. There are many reasons why people lose their attitude of gratitude in life.
    1. “I don’t have enough.”
    2. “I don’t have what others have.”  
    3. “I don’t have the right things.”
    4. “I am not in the right place.”
C. God has given you the opportunity to be made clean. Why not accept His offer with a
    grateful and thankful heart today?
 
 
     
  
 

Rich Man / Poor Man

 

Sermon Notes, March 1 7, 2019 AM

Rich Man / Poor Man

Steve W. Reeves 

steve@wschurch.net

stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com

 

INTRODUCTION:

A Saddam Hussein, the former president of Iraq, lived a life of luxury, opulence and
    prestige. During his years in power Saddam was extremely rich and powerful. He
    ruled his country as an iron fisted dictator. He amassed a fortune from the sale of oil.
    He built lavish palaces furnished with rare treasures. He was the epitome of wealth
    and power. At the end of his life, however, he was a fugitive from justice. When he
    was captured by United States troops he was hiding in a hole. He was wearing filthy
    clothes and looked more like a homeless person than the former ruler of a nation. He
    was very different from the proud picture of power he once displayed.
B. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told the story of a man who was much like Saddam Hussein
    in terms of his wealth and riches.
    1. This is the last in a series of stories Luke records in which Jesus was speaking to
        a crowd that included people of contrasting situations.
    2. There were people who were rich and propel who were poor.
    3. There were people who enjoyed good health and people who were sick and needy.
    4. There were people who were religious and people who had no religion.
    5. In His masterful way, Jesus told a story that spoke directly to the heart of every
        individual. It indicted those whose lives were filled with prestige and pride while it
        comforted those who were ostracized and outcast.
        a. Earlier in Luke 16:1- 9 Jesus told the story of the unjust steward. One of three
            parables told by Jesus dealt with the subject of wealth.  
        b. In verse 13 Jesus said, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will
            hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise
            the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”        
        c. There was always a reason for the parables Jesus told. You need to understand
            the meaning of this story within the broader context of Luke 16.
C. The parable of the “Rich Man and Lazarus,” is a story of contrasts between a rich
    man and a poor man.
    1. The poor man became rich while the rich man became poor.
    2. The poor man had been on the outside while the rich man was on the inside. As
        the story progresse s the poor man ends up on the inside while the rich man is left
        outside.
    3. The poor man had no food while the rich man dined lavishly. In eternity it was the
        poor man who sat at a banquet while the rich man could not find a drop of water.
    4. The story began with a poor man who had immense needs and a rich man who
        had no needs. It ends with the poor man having no needs and the rich man having
        immense needs.
    5. The poor man had only the company of dogs while the rich man was surrounded
        by dignitaries. After death the poor man was surrounded by dignitaries while the
        rich man cried out in isolation.
D. The story is comprised of three scenes. Scenes one and three are contrasting
    scenes separated by the common reality of death.
 
I. SCENE 1 – RICHES AND RAGS
    A. This scene introduces us to the two primary characters in this story.
        1. The rich man is described in verse 19, “Now there was a rich man, and he
            habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.”
            a. Over the years theologians have named this man, “Diodes” (the Latin word for
                wealth).
            b. He was habitually clothed in purple cloth, the sign of royalty and wealth. You
                may recall that Lydia mentioned in Acts 16:14-17, was a seller of purple from
               Thyatira.
            c. He wore fine linen. Common people wore undergarments that were scratchy
                and uncomfortable. Only the rich could afford undergarments made of
                Egyptian cotton woven into fine linen.  
        2. The poor man was named Lazarus.
            a. Lazarus  is the only character in a parable told by Jesus with a name.  This 
                has led some people to speculate that this was a true account. Given its
                location at the end of a series of parables I find this doubtful. Whether it is or
                is not does not affect the meaning of the story in any way.
            b. “Lazarus” is a familiar Biblical name meaning “God is my help” (see Exodus
                6:25’ Leviticus 10, Numbers 20, 26, 27). ,
            c. He was laid at the gate of the rich man. The word “laid” means “thrown.” He
                was not treated gently but was tossed aside.
            d. What a pitiful sight Lazarus was. He wore clothing that was tattered and torn.
                He smelled bad. He was sickly and his body was covered with sores.
            e. He longed to eat crumbs from the rich man’s table.  Those who were wealthy
                used white bread to wipe their hands on after the meal. This bread was then
                thrown out to be eaten by the dogs. This is what Lazarus had to eat. .
    B. Day after day Lazarus sat by the rich man’s gate. The rich man did not even notice
        him as he walked past going and coming.          
        1. It is easy for us to become blind to the needs of people.
        2. Several years ago Wyatt Jones led a prayer in which he asked God to help us
            see the needs of people we meet on a daily basis. He referred to the young,
            single mother working for a minimum wage at the department store. The people
            who have disabilities, the elderly, the homeless and downtrodden.
        3. In the 1920’s the Central church of Christ in downtown Nashville, Tennessee,
            made a concentrated effort to reach out to people in need. They had a dental
            clinic and medical clinic in their building to care for the poor. They
            had a home for young women who needed a place to stay while they worked in
            the city. Later, the built a dormitory for young men. They provided care for
            children while their parents worked.
    C. There is no indication that the rich man in this story attained his wealth by
        dishonest means. It was not ill gotten gain. The rich man’s liability was not in what
        he did but in what he failed to do. He failed to see the need of someone at his front
        door.
 
II. SCENE 2 – REALITY AND REVERSAL
    A. Luke 16:22 reminds us of a stark reality. “Now the poor man died and was carried
        away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was
        buried.”
        1. Death came to both of these men.
        2. The bodies of the poor were often buried in common graves or even thrown into
            the city dump. The rich man’s friends mourned his passing and gave him a
            proper burial.    
    B. Death is not a respecter of persons.
        1. It comes to the rich and poor alike. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “It is appointed
            unto man once to die and after this the judgment.”
        2. Job said, “Man, who is born of woman,Is short-lived and full of turmoil.
                 ² “Like a flow er he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and
            does not remain.”
        3. James asked, “What is your life but a vapor that appears for a little while and
            then vanishes” (James 4:13-14).
    C. Death comes to the wealthy and the poor. It comes to the old and the young. It
        comes to those who are prepared and those who are unprepared.
 
III. SCENE 3 – REWARD AND REGRET
    A. Beginning at death there was a huge reversal in the roles of these two men.
        1. From the time of his death Lazarus received comfort.
            a. The angels came and carried Lazarus into the presence of Abraham.
            b. Abraham was the father of the faithful, the recipient of God’s great promise.
                There could be no greater honor for a Jew than to be in the presence of
                Abraham.  
        2. The rich man went into torment.
    B. Although I do not believe the purpose of this story is to give us a definitive picture
        of heaven or hell it is important to notice some of the characteristics of the torment
        faced by the rich man.
        1. He was conscious of his state of torment. He longed for Abraham to send
            Lazarus to dip his finger in water and tough his tongue so that he might have
           some relief. 
        2. He was aware of his surroundings and of the state of others. He saw Lazarus far
            off being comforted by Abraham. He knew of his brothers and their lost
            condition.
    C. What a startling reversal of roles. It was the man who was considered acceptable   
        by society who suffered rejection by God and the one who was rejected and
        scorned by society that was welcomed by God.
 
CONCLUSION:
A. The parable concludes with the rich man making a desperate plea, “Send Lazarus to
    my brothers. Surely they will believe if someone from the dead comes back.”
    Abraham responded, “They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.”
B. You may be waiting for a “religious experience.” You may be waiting for something
    spectacular as a sign from God. Such a sign never came to the rich man. He went into ternity unprepared.
    1. Are you prepared for eternity?
    2. You are if you have put on Christ in faith, repentance and baptism. You are ready if
        you are living faithfully for God regardless of your wealth or poverty.
  invite you to come to Christ today.