Illustrations: As Alexander the Great was setting out on his conquest of Asia , he inquired into the finances of his followers. To ensure that they would not be troubled over the welfare of their dependents during their absence, he distributed crown estates and revenues among them. When he had thus disposed of nearly all the royal resources, his friend General Perdiccas asked Alexander what he had reserved for himself. "Hope," answered the king.
"In that case," said Perdiccas, "we who share in your labors will also take part in your hopes." He then refused the estate allotted to him, and several other of the king's friends did the same.
Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family's sole possession. In front of this destroyed home stood an old grandfather-looking man dressed only in his underclothes with a small boy clutching a pair of patched overalls. It was evident that the child was crying. Beneath the picture were the words which the artist felt the old man was speaking to the boy. They were simple words, yet they presented a profound theology and philosophy of life. Those words were, "Hush child, God ain't dead!"
That vivid picture of that burned-out mountain shack, that old man, the weeping child, and those words "God ain't dead" keep returning to my mind. Instead of it being a reminder of the despair of life, it has come to be a reminder of hope! I need reminders that there is hope in this world. In the midst of all of life's troubles and failures, I need mental pictures to remind me that all is not lost as long as God is alive and in control of His world.
Intro: (This happened recently to a church in St. Louis Holly Hills Boulevard
I. It reminds me that God is not done with us yet!
a. Jesus speaking to Simon, tells him, thou art Simon, but thou shalt be peter! A Rock!
b. He hasn’t experienced the change yet, but you SHALL BE!
c. Noah’s day there was a flood…God said Enough! to a bunch of people. He didn’t have to send His Son to us, the fact that He did says He is not done with us yet.
II. Change is possible
a. Peter changed
b. I changed
c. Not the power of a new resolution, but a new revolution, Christ becomes the king in our heart
d. To the sinner, He says Repent! Change is possible
e. That is what religion does, it condemns, but gives no hope to change. Tells you what is wrong, but doesn’t tell you how to get right, or offers methods that can not work.
i. Working and self change can’t do it
ii. Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
1. Labor…did He really mean physical labor?
a. No! Those that were laboring to find a way of acceptance before God. Trying to earn righteousness and salvation and always coming short!
2. Heavy laden…burdened by sins.
a. Bro. Ron’s testimony…”I felt like a car was lifted off of my shoulders!”
III. Door of Hope in the Valley of Achor
a. Achor means trouble
b. This was the valley they first came to when they were coming out of the promised land
c. It was a fruitful place that spoke of many possibilities to the children of Israel
d. But Achan, ruined it with his sin
e. When He refused to repent, (he had plenty of opportunities while the tribes, then the households, then the families, then the individual was being chosen!) judgment came, Achan was put to death and then the Children of Israel went on to victory!
f. Many times it is our trouble, our brick wall that brings us to the place where we can experience a change. A door of hope in the midst of our trouble. We begin to look to God when we are in a trouble that no one else can get us out of.
IV. Woman at Simon’s House (Read G. L. Crain’s sermon on “Jesus Knows” (included) for further insights on this point)
a. People couldn’t understand her worship
b. In another place they said “Why this waste?” Mary called it worship, but Judas called it waste!
c. Because He didn’t really know what it was like to have been forgiven.
Conclusion: When a priest says your sins are forgiven, that means nothing, but when Jesus says your sins are forgiven, that means everything!
G. L. Crain's Sermon:
Illustrations: As Alexander the Great was setting out on his conquest of Asia , he inquired into the finances of his followers. To ensure that they would not be troubled over the welfare of their dependents during their absence, he distributed crown estates and revenues among them. When he had thus disposed of nearly all the royal resources, his friend General Perdiccas asked Alexander what he had reserved for himself. "Hope," answered the king.
"In that case," said Perdiccas, "we who share in your labors will also take part in your hopes." He then refused the estate allotted to him, and several other of the king's friends did the same.
Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family's sole possession. In front of this destroyed home stood an old grandfather-looking man dressed only in his underclothes with a small boy clutching a pair of patched overalls. It was evident that the child was crying. Beneath the picture were the words which the artist felt the old man was speaking to the boy. They were simple words, yet they presented a profound theology and philosophy of life. Those words were, "Hush child, God ain't dead!"
That vivid picture of that burned-out mountain shack, that old man, the weeping child, and those words "God ain't dead" keep returning to my mind. Instead of it being a reminder of the despair of life, it has come to be a reminder of hope! I need reminders that there is hope in this world. In the midst of all of life's troubles and failures, I need mental pictures to remind me that all is not lost as long as God is alive and in control of His world.
Intro: (This happened recently to a church in St. Louis Holly Hills Boulevard
I. It reminds me that God is not done with us yet!
a. Jesus speaking to Simon, tells him, thou art Simon, but thou shalt be peter! A Rock!
b. He hasn’t experienced the change yet, but you SHALL BE!
c. Noah’s day there was a flood…God said Enough! to a bunch of people. He didn’t have to send His Son to us, the fact that He did says He is not done with us yet.
II. Change is possible
a. Peter changed
b. I changed
c. Not the power of a new resolution, but a new revolution, Christ becomes the king in our heart
d. To the sinner, He says Repent! Change is possible
e. That is what religion does, it condemns, but gives no hope to change. Tells you what is wrong, but doesn’t tell you how to get right, or offers methods that can not work.
i. Working and self change can’t do it
ii. Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
1. Labor…did He really mean physical labor?
a. No! Those that were laboring to find a way of acceptance before God. Trying to earn righteousness and salvation and always coming short!
2. Heavy laden…burdened by sins.
a. Bro. Ron’s testimony…”I felt like a car was lifted off of my shoulders!”
III. Door of Hope in the Valley of Achor
a. Achor means trouble
b. This was the valley they first came to when they were coming out of the promised land
c. It was a fruitful place that spoke of many possibilities to the children of Israel
d. But Achan, ruined it with his sin
e. When He refused to repent, (he had plenty of opportunities while the tribes, then the households, then the families, then the individual was being chosen!) judgment came, Achan was put to death and then the Children of Israel went on to victory!
f. Many times it is our trouble, our brick wall that brings us to the place where we can experience a change. A door of hope in the midst of our trouble. We begin to look to God when we are in a trouble that no one else can get us out of.
IV. Woman at Simon’s House (Read G. L. Crain’s sermon on “Jesus Knows” (included) for further insights on this point)
a. People couldn’t understand her worship
b. In another place they said “Why this waste?” Mary called it worship, but Judas called it waste!
c. Because He didn’t really know what it was like to have been forgiven.
Conclusion: When a priest says your sins are forgiven, that means nothing, but when Jesus says your sins are forgiven, that means everything!
Illustrations: As Alexander the Great was setting out on his conquest of Asia , he inquired into the finances of his followers. To ensure that they would not be troubled over the welfare of their dependents during their absence, he distributed crown estates and revenues among them. When he had thus disposed of nearly all the royal resources, his friend General Perdiccas asked Alexander what he had reserved for himself. "Hope," answered the king.
"In that case," said Perdiccas, "we who share in your labors will also take part in your hopes." He then refused the estate allotted to him, and several other of the king's friends did the same.
Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family's sole possession. In front of this destroyed home stood an old grandfather-looking man dressed only in his underclothes with a small boy clutching a pair of patched overalls. It was evident that the child was crying. Beneath the picture were the words which the artist felt the old man was speaking to the boy. They were simple words, yet they presented a profound theology and philosophy of life. Those words were, "Hush child, God ain't dead!"
That vivid picture of that burned-out mountain shack, that old man, the weeping child, and those words "God ain't dead" keep returning to my mind. Instead of it being a reminder of the despair of life, it has come to be a reminder of hope! I need reminders that there is hope in this world. In the midst of all of life's troubles and failures, I need mental pictures to remind me that all is not lost as long as God is alive and in control of His world.
Intro: (This happened recently to a church in St. Louis Holly Hills Boulevard
I. It reminds me that God is not done with us yet!
a. Jesus speaking to Simon, tells him, thou art Simon, but thou shalt be peter! A Rock!
b. He hasn’t experienced the change yet, but you SHALL BE!
c. Noah’s day there was a flood…God said Enough! to a bunch of people. He didn’t have to send His Son to us, the fact that He did says He is not done with us yet.
II. Change is possible
a. Peter changed
b. I changed
c. Not the power of a new resolution, but a new revolution, Christ becomes the king in our heart
d. To the sinner, He says Repent! Change is possible
e. That is what religion does, it condemns, but gives no hope to change. Tells you what is wrong, but doesn’t tell you how to get right, or offers methods that can not work.
i. Working and self change can’t do it
ii. Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
1. Labor…did He really mean physical labor?
a. No! Those that were laboring to find a way of acceptance before God. Trying to earn righteousness and salvation and always coming short!
2. Heavy laden…burdened by sins.
a. Bro. Ron’s testimony…”I felt like a car was lifted off of my shoulders!”
III. Door of Hope in the Valley of Achor
a. Achor means trouble
b. This was the valley they first came to when they were coming out of the promised land
c. It was a fruitful place that spoke of many possibilities to the children of Israel
d. But Achan, ruined it with his sin
e. When He refused to repent, (he had plenty of opportunities while the tribes, then the households, then the families, then the individual was being chosen!) judgment came, Achan was put to death and then the Children of Israel went on to victory!
f. Many times it is our trouble, our brick wall that brings us to the place where we can experience a change. A door of hope in the midst of our trouble. We begin to look to God when we are in a trouble that no one else can get us out of.
IV. Woman at Simon’s House (Read G. L. Crain’s sermon on “Jesus Knows” (included) for further insights on this point)
a. People couldn’t understand her worship
b. In another place they said “Why this waste?” Mary called it worship, but Judas called it waste!
c. Because He didn’t really know what it was like to have been forgiven.
Conclusion: When a priest says your sins are forgiven, that means nothing, but when Jesus says your sins are forgiven, that means everything!
Rev. G. L. Crain's Sermon:
He Knows What You Are!
Text: Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Bible Reading
Luke 7:36-40 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Introduction:
A. Jesus At Simon’s House.
1. In our Bible setting we see a man named Simon invited Jesus to his house to eat.
2. Simon was a Pharisee. Which the Pharisees was a religious sect of the Jews. Simon was a Pharisee a religious hypocrite.
3. Jesus accepted the invitation & went to Simon’s house and sat down to eat.
4. And about that time a woman in the city which was a sinner.
5. She was known in the city of Nain
6. When she knew that Jesus sat at meat in Simon’s house she brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping.
7. And she began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head. And she kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
a. This was a custom among the Jews, Greeks & Romans.
b. It was a mark of affection & reverence.
c. It was practiced by supplicants in making an important request & by conquered people as a token of subjection & obedience.
d. This was the first of three anointing of Jesus – here & twice during the week of His death.
B. Simon Finds Fault.
1. Now when Simon saw this he found fault. And he said within himself….
2. This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who & what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
3. Who knows what people say in their hearts….
4. But Jesus knew who she was & what she was. He even knew Simon’s thoughts by the Holy Ghost.
C. Jesus Knows.
1. And Jesus said to Simon, Simon I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he said, Master, say on.
D. A Certain Creditor.
1. Luke 7:41-47
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
2. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
3. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
4. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
5. And he said to the woman, thy faith hath saved thee: go in pace.
I. Jesus Knows Who We Are.
A. Jesus Knew Who She Was.
1. Simon said, This man if he were a prophet, would have known who & what manner of woman this is that toucheth him.
2. He reasoned in his own mind & concluded that Christ did not know wht kind of woman this was.
3. But Jesus knew who she was & what kind of woman she was.
4. And he knew
B. Jesus Knows Who We Are.
1. He knows who we are & what we are.
C. The Work of the Holy Spirit.
1. The first thing the Holy Spirit seeks to do in the life of a sinner is to convince them of:
2. Who they are.
3. What they are.
4. Their need of a Savior.
II. Jesus Knew She Needed Forgiveness.
A. He Not Only Knew What She Was.
1. He knew what she needed.
2. Simon didn’t know.
B. He Knows What We Need.
1. He knows what we have need of.
2. Healing, Forgivness, mercy, love, difficulties, tested, etc…. Holy Ghost power….
C. Salvation.
1. A Savior. He knew what we needed that’s why he sent his son…
D. Holy Ghost.
1. Power.
2. Helpeth our infirmities.
II. He knows What He Can make You
III. He knows What you can Become!
IV. It doesn't Matter what you Are.
Conclusion:
