Before the weekly offering was taken
Came a short message that should not be forsaken
We heard how Proverbs 15 :23
Could be related to how tithing should be
We should tithe first, by planning to bless
God will then bless us with more, not less
We then heard a testimony from Gary Toh
From Singapore to Hawaii he is about to go
The rest of his family had become Christian
When he did too, he found his life's mission
Now he gets his strength from God
And he never has to put on a facade
The "Cross Culture" series came to an end
To Pastor Larry's sermon our ears we did lend
He asked who we thought had had a perfect life
Not Bill Gates or Solomon with more than one wife
Not Samson or even a big sports star
Who is famous and drives a fancy car
As Paul said in Philippians 3, verses four to seven
He had the pedigree but would not go to heaven
Unless he lost all for Jesus Christ's sake
Is that a path we are willing to take?
"Are we living or just existing?"
God's way we should not be resisting
To achieve the "Power To Live" said Pastor Larry
There are steps to follow - one, two , three
"Loving the life giver" is step number one
We can have wealth, fame, and lots of fun
But still feel very empty inside
To John 14 verse six we should abide
From Philippians 1 :21 and 3 :8
We see that above all Christ should rate
In Galatians two verse twenty
Paul's life has Christ a-plenty
Going back to John one, verse four
Of our time, should we give God more?
He can be the light of men
Working through us, amen!
But we must not neglect His Word
Even is we are put to the sword
"Living for a cause" is step number two
Are we doing what God wants us to do?
Verses ten and eleven of Philippians three
Paul says from suffering we should not flee
Are we representing God in our actions daily?
Or are we like the stiff-necked Israeli?
From Isaiah 55, verses three, six, and eight
We must seek and listen to the Lord who is great
We must find a purpose real
Then God's love we will really feel
If we live for ourselves, too small is our cause
And of course there will be lots of flaws
"Speaking life" is step number three
It's not enough an optimist to be
Proverbs 18 : 21 refers to the power of the tongue
We can hurt or help others, both old and young
The seventeenth verse of Isaiah fifty four
Says the Lord can refute accusations evermore
Pastor Larry says he was afraid of a crowd
But now he can speak well and very loud
This is proof of God's great power
About which we should never sour
Philippians 3, verses twelve to fourteen
Say to forget our past and comments mean
Nothing should ever hold us back
For with God, nothing shall we lack
From Ezekiel 37, verses three to five
"Dry bones" can hear the Lord and revive
A difference can be made by a student one
Through him or her lots can get done
"Revivals happen because people believe"
But that doesn't mean that we won't ever grieve
Just remember that when we are very weak
We should listen to our strong God speak
Isaac Watts used a different rhyme scheme
But "At The Cross" has the same basic theme
"Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith, I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day! "
Another moral of this sermon's story
Is not to let the enemy get the glory
God deserves our honor and praise
Now and for the rest of our days
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