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A week ago, a close friend who was just a few years older than me passed away. He had an idiopathic lung condition that he struggled with for the last few years and every possible medical attempt failed. Death is a tricky, difficult, but necessary topic to talk about. Anyone’s death raises bigger metaphysical questions, such as: What is death? Why is it so grievous? Is there any hope in death? What is Death? Death is related to separation. Biologically, when a physician declares a person has died, he confirms that there is no breath, heart sounds, or pulse for a minute, no response to a painful stimulus, and the presence of fixed, dilated pupils. Metaphysically, death is a separation of the soul from the body. As a poet says, He did not feel the driver's whip,
  Nor the burning heat of day;
For Death had illumined the Land of Sleep,
  And his lifeless body lay
A worn-out fetter, that the soul
  Had broken and thrown away!
- A slave’s dream , Henry W. Longfellow It is not a question of if it is only a question of when. They say that death and taxes are inevitable, but I am not sure of the latter. Eventually, everyone dies. The Grievousness of Death But why is death so horrendous? Why is there this tremendous amount of grief when someone dies compared to many other things that happen to people? There are at least three factors that lead to grief. One is the relationship. The deeper the relationship, the more the grief. Therefore, for a spouse or a parent, the death of a loved one is more painful than a distant third cousin, for example. The death of a close friend is worse than that of a cousin you have never seen because the depth of the relationship is different. Second is the degree of separation. Any temporary or short separation is not as grievous as a long or permanent separation. I go back to India about once every two years, and when I leave, I say goodbye to my extended family for two years. That is more of a separation than when I go to work in the morning and come back home to my kids. Death is considered to be a long-term, possibly permanent separation. Hence, the grief is substantially greater. Third is the uncertainty of the future. It is this uncertainty that causes a toddler to cry uncontrollably when his mother leaves him to go to the store for an hour. It is a deep relationship, and the separation is only temporary. However, the uncertainty of the future in the kid's mind causes him to grieve. In death, the uncertainty of the afterlife contributes to the sadness. The most grievous kind of death, therefore, will be that of a close family or friend where the future is uncertain. There is a deep relationship, there is permanence in separation, and there is uncertainty. The Hope in Death Which worldview, if any, gives certainty in death? In Atheism and Buddhism, there is no life after death. When somebody dies, when a close family member dies, that is the end. When death can happen anytime to anybody under almost any circumstance, in this worldview, what is the hope when someone you love dies? In Hinduism, there is the concept of life after death, but the exact details are not certain. The impersonal law of karma dictates what happens to anybody after they die. There is also the concept of reincarnation, in which a person can come back as a person or a thing until their karmic good outweighs their karmic bad. In this worldview, though there is the concept of life after death, is there any certainty that you will see your parents or children again after death? In the Islamic worldview, there is the concept of the afterlife. After a transitional period (Barzakh), all souls are resurrected on the Day of Judgment. Then, based on one's adherence to the five pillars of Islam and the will of Allah, Allah will decide whether a person goes to heaven or hell. There is, however, no certainty that anyone has done enough to go to heaven. Therefore, there is also no certainty that your loved one will also be in heaven. (See here for a Sermon on Hope ). The Christian worldview gives both the origin of death and a plan for the afterlife. The Bible says that sin entered the world at a certain point in time, and as a consequence, death entered into the world. Sin and death were not part of the original plan for creation. But Jesus has promised to come back to take his children to the glorious afterlife. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3). What is the basis of the promise of heaven?
It is the resurrection of Christ.
If Jesus' resurrection happened, then the afterlife for believers will certainly happen. All the promises in the Bible are based on relationships. The relationship between Jesus and me is the cause of the blessed afterlife. Part of the joy in heaven is the fulfillment of relationships, both with God and with loved ones. Transition and Separation In the context of the afterlife, which is an eternity, the present life is simply a dot. Death is merely the transition to the afterlife. It is a transition for the person and a separation for the people left behind. I imagine the present life, death, and the afterlife, like the birth of twins. One twin is born first, and moments later, the second twin is born. There is a very brief separation. The twin left behind could theoretically go into grief because there was a deep relationship for nine months that is now no more. But the nine months and the time of separation pales in comparison to the life afterward. Life afterward is much more meaningful and has a much fuller relationship than life together for nine months. So also in death. We are together with people for 1 to 90 years, and it seems like a long time. When one person dies, the duration of separation can seem like a long time. But in the context of an eternal afterlife, both earthly life and the period of separation are simply flashes of moments. Death is simply a very brief period of separation in the wider context of time. The joy and fullness of relationships that follow will surpass the brief period of life and the even shorter period of separation. In a way, I cannot wait to get to heaven to have a fuller relationship with those I love. There, I will see and enjoy my friend again, as well as family members and others who have gone ahead. But most importantly, I will see and worship in person the Lord who died for me and whose grace brought me home. Meanwhile, we wait for the right time, the time to be born into the afterlife.

Annapolis, Maryland, USA September 2024 Romans 12:3-8 (ESV) 3  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5  so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 1. Who I Am Alone There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I have heard people admit that they are bad-tempered, or that they cannot keep their heads about girls or drink, or even that they are cowards. I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time, I have very seldom met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to it in others. There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others. The vice I am talking of is Pride.  - CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, “The Great Sin” 2. Who We Are Together  a. There Are Many Parts with Different Functions b. The Parts Are Parts Of Each Other 3. What We Do Together  a. Use the _____ b. Lead with _____ c. Serve with _____ d. Gifts and ______ Acts 21:8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the  evangelist , who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 2 Tim 4:5  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an  evangelist , fulfill your ministry. Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the  evangelist s, the shepherds and teachers,

Timonium, Maryland, USA September 2024 1. Paul the _____________ Acts 22:3-4 (ESV) “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women 2. Paul the _______________ Acts 22:1-21 Acts 26:9-23 Romans 15:23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you." Cross connections Earth-side stories Heaven-side stories 3. Paul the _________________ 1 Corinthians 4:11 (NIV) To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. Galatians 6:17 … I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. Philippians 1:12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake #evangelism #story #paul #prayer #persecution #conversionstory #conversion #resurrection

Sandy Cove, Maryland, USA August 2024 Matthew 16:24 NASB Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 1. Experience His Glory Luke 9:18-20 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  19  And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”  20  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9:28–36 ESV 28  Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29  And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30  And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31  who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32  Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33  And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34  As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36  And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. 2 Thess 2:8  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. Phil 3:20-21 20  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Jeremiah 31:34 they shall all know me Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD 2. Encounter His Power Mark 5:21–43   21  And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22  Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23  and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24  And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25  And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26  and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27  She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28  For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29  And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30  And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31  And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32  And he looked around to see who had done it. 33  But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34  And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35  While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36  But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37  And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38  They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39  And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40  And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41  Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42  And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43  And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. 3. Embrace His Suffering Mark 14:32-37 32  And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33  And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34  And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35  And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37  And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?

Sandy Cove, Maryland, USA August 2024 Matthew 16:24 NASB Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 1. The Issue of Relationships Luke 9:59-62 ESV 59  To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”  60  And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  61  Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”  62  Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor 7:7   I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8  To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. [See: A Sermon on Human Love ] 2. The Issue of Familiarity Mark 6:1-3  Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.  2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”  3. The Issue of Money Matthew 19:16-22 16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Sandy Cove, Maryland, USA August 2024 Matthew 16:24 NASB Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 1. The Identity of the Self Gen 1:26-27 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Heb 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature… Gen 2:19 Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. Gen 1:28 And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Gen 2:5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, Gen 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 2. The Elevation of the Self Gen 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. Gen 3:17 cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; Genesis 3:8 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:16 NASB Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” 3. The Desires of The Self 2 Peter 2:10 (NASB) 10 … those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt passion, and despise authority. Reckless, self-centered, they speak abusively of angelic majesties without trembling… 4. The Denial of the Self Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 5:16-17 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 1 Cor. 15:31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 1 Cor 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. To deny oneself is to say no to the self and yes to God in every circumstance.
It is to dethrone ourselves and enthrone God.

Timonium, Maryland, USA July 2024 Luke 18:1-8 ESV 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 17:22–37 22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” 37 And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” 1. The Fact of the Parousia John 14:1-3 ESV “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 2. A Delay in the Parousia Luke 18:6 ESV And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. 2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Matthew 24:42 ESV Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 3. Active Waiting - What to Do During the Waiting Period a. The Prominence of Prayer 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. b. The Fortification of Faith Luke 18:8 Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Romans 14:12 ESV So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. ESV Rev 1:5-7 ESV Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him… of God.

Timonium, Maryland, USA July 2024 Matthew 13:31-34 ESV 31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 1. The Grand Story 1 Samuel 8:7 ESV And the Lord said to Samuel, … they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 2. Description With Pictures Matthew 4:17 ESV From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3. Comparative Greatness 4. Characteristics of the Kingdom of God a. Freedom from Natural Evil Mark 4:39-41 And [Jesus] awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm… And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” b. Freedom from Moral Evil Matt 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 5. Citizenship in the Kingdom of God John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Annapolis, Maryland, USA June 2024 1 Samuel 15:10-26 (ESV) 10 The word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. 12 And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” 13 And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” 14 And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” 15 Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.”  17 And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” 20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,    as in obeying the voice of the Lord?Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,    and to listen than the fat of rams.23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination,    and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,he has also rejected you from being king.” 1. The Mission Exod 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 2. The Perception a. In Immaterial Entities 12 And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” b. In Material Things 3. The Evaluation 4. The Application a. In Immaterial Entities b. In Material Things The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control
Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a savior
- DC Talk, Jesus Freak , In the Light, 1995 Phil 2:5-8 Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. #self #disobedienceob

Interpretation of Parables

From The Beauty of the Gospel [Sermon] https://www.anushjohn.com/post/beauty-of-the-gospel #gospelcall #gospel #invitation #loveofgod

From The Beauty of the Gospel [Sermon] https://www.anushjohn.com/post/beauty-of-the-gospel