31 December 2017 - ENCS

Pastor Larry gave his last sermon of year twenty seventeen

Through the Bible, the theme of giving thanks is clearly seen

Per First Thessalonians five sixteen, Paul took no chances

“Rejoice always, pray,…and give thanks in all circumstances”

The power of giving thanks, four points Pastor said we glean

From the story of the ten lepers in Luke chapter seventeen

Leprosy is an illness but also represents being an outcast

Something we will all face even if we have not in the past

By giving thanks and acknowledging God, we remain humble

Remember that even the men of faith in the Bible did stumble

Per passages in First Peter five and Second Chronicles seven

If people humble themselves, healing will come from heaven

That the obedient lepers were cleansed reminds us to obey

Worship includes listening to God, Pastor did emphatically say

This was evidenced by Namaan’s story in Second Kings five

Only when he finally listened to Elisha did his cleansing arrive

Giving thanks builds our faith and that of those around us

In John four, the woman at the well testified about Jesus

Romans one says those who do not give thanks are fools

Ephesians two says we are saved by faith, not our tools

Having a grateful heart brings and sustains our healing

We should give thanks no matter how we may be feeling

But this must be a continual action, not just a point in time

For throughout our lives, there will be mountains to climb

In summary, so many references to being thankful are seen

We should thank God for He is good per Psalm one eighteen

Per Philippians four, we are not to be anxious but thanks give

He will guard our heart and mind for as long as we shall live

10 May 2014 - Good King Hezekiah

Hezekiah became king of Judah, per Second Kings eighteen

Apparently no better king before or after him was ever seen

In the eyes of the Lord he always did what was right

He removed the Asherah poles from the people's sight

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord and kept His commands

God was with him as he defeated those of other lands

But the Assyrians laid siege to Samaria for three long years

And eventually captured it, bringing about suffering and tears

 

Assyria captured cities of Judah, per Second Kings eighteen

From Jerusalem, the Assyrian armies were clearly seen

To the Lord, Hezekiah did give much praise and pray

He asked God to listen to the words that he had to say

Praying that from the Assyrian army, God would Jerusalem deliver

God told Isaiah that King Hezekiah had no reason to fear or shiver

One hundred eighty five thousand Assyrian men an angel did kill

The Assyrian king withdrew, for he did not want more blood to spill

4 May 2014 - Israel Into Exile

Per Second Kings seventeen, as the prophets had foretold

The sinful Israelites went into captivity in Assyria and toiled

They had done things in secret that were far from right

And did not respect the Lord God’s strength and might

They burned incense and to anger they did God provoke

And had ignored the prophets through whom He spoke

God’s commands and decrees, the people did reject

Like their forefathers, the Israelites were stiff-necked

8 April 2014 - Solomon: The Wisest King

As David was ready to die, in Second Kings two

He told his son Solomon important things to do

He said, “Be strong, show yourself a man”

“Keep His…commands” as best as you can

“So that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go”

“If your descendants…walk faithfully”, the kingdom will grow

So then, as per First Chronicles twenty nine

Solomon sat on the throne and did just fine

All of Israel to King Solomon pledged their submission

“The Lord highly exalted Solomon” in everyone’s vision

God appeared to Solomon one night, per First Kings three

The Lord said to him, “Ask whatever you want [from] me”

Solomon was wise and showed great humility on his part

He therefore asked God to give him “a discerning heart”

So he would be able “to distinguish between right and wrong”

God was pleased that he had not asked for wealth or life long

With “a wise and discerning heart” Solomon was thus blessed

God said that in this way, as a king, he would be the best

In addition, God gave him riches and honor and many things

“So that in [his] lifetime [he would] have no equal among kings”

The Israelite people were numerous, per First Kings four

They ate and drank and had a lot to be thankful for

Solomon ruled over all of the kingdoms in the region

“These countries brought tribute” to him that was legion

“God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight”

“He was wiser than any other man”, be it day or night

To all the surrounding nations, his fame did thus spread

He wrote thousands of proverbs and songs, it is said

“Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom”

For he would teach about everything to them who did come

In Proverbs one, Solomon wrote about their purpose and theme

“For attaining wisdom and discipline”, “words of insight” teem

“For…doing what is right and just and fair”

To the simple, giving prudence and care

And to “let the wise listen and add to their learning”

To provide guidance for those who are discerning

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”

True wisdom and discipline are worth more than college

In Luke eleven, Jesus said “this is a wicked generation”

For they asked for signs, but will only get condemnation

“The Queen of the South…came…to listen to Solomon’s wisdom”

But “now one greater than Solomon” to earth has come