Sunday Morning Starters

Psalm 95:1-11; NKJV

1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

3 For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.

4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.

5 The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:

8 "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work.

10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.'

11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'"

In My Distress

"In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me" (Psalm 120:1; ASV).

When you find yourself in times of trouble what do you do?

Next time trouble finds you, cry out unto Jehovah and see what happens...

Jason Cicero

From Whence Comes My Help?

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come? My help cometh from Jehovah, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2; ASV).

Everyone needs help.

Where do you look for help?

Might I recommend Jehovah, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Jason Cicero

I Was Glad

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah" (Psalm 122:1; ASV).

Psalm 122 is a song the Israelites would sing as they made their way to Jerusalem. The Psalm speaks of physical Jerusalem. The "house" refers to the Temple where Jehovah dwelt. The people of GOD prayed for the peace of the city of GOD as they made their way to Jehovah's dwelling place.

There is a "New Jerusalem" where all of Jehovah's children will live forever and ever. In Christ, "we have no continuing city" (Hebrews 13:14). As we journey to the "New Jerusalem" we sing! "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Mercy

"Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that sittest in the heavens" (Psalm 123:1; ASV).

Question: Why does the Psalmist lift his eyes up toward the One that sittest in the heavens?

Answer: For mercy.

Mercy - Hebrew - chanan - properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (Strong's).

Jason Cicero

Our Help

"Our help is in the name of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:8; ASV).

Israel existed because of Him. Israel was protected by Him. Israel overcame her enemies through Him.

Recognize Him as your Maker. Seek His protection. Overcome through Him!

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Manners in God's House

1. Be on time.

2. Sit quietly.

3. Let others listen.

4. Sing praises to God.

5. Talk to God.

6. Give money quietly.

7. Walk with care.

8. Take care of God's house.

Jason Cicero

Come and See

Christ has given us the great responsibility to teach others about Him (Matthew 28:18-20). It may be that we fail to teach others because we do not know what to say or where to begin. Consider this. When Jesus began His public ministry He called Philip to “follow Me” (John 1:43). Philip then found Nathanael and explained that they had “found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). Nathanael was less than impressed. Nathanael believed that folks from Nazareth were from the wrong side of the tracks so he dismissed Philip’s idea that this Nazarene was the Messiah altogether (John 1:46). Philip simply said, “Come and see” (John 1:46).

Most folks we will try to teach will be similar to Nathanael. They will be unimpressed. Unimpressed that we have Lord’s Day Bible classes, that we preach from the Bible, that we come together on Wednesday evening to read and study God’s word. Why not simply say to them, “Come and see”? This seems to be an effective way to bring others to Jesus. For Nathanael did come and Nathanael did see (John 1:47-49). In fact, this same method is used by Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 11:27; Revelation 22:17).

As the Lord’s Day approaches, let us be about the business of inviting others to “come.” To “come and see.” To “come” and hear the good news about Jesus; the good news about His death, burial and resurrection; the good news about the forgiveness of sins; the good news about a heavenly home. Let us say to those who need Jesus, “Come."

Jason Cicero

Every Joint, Every Part

Question: Who is important in the body of Christ?

Answer: "...every joint...every part" (Ephesians 4:11-16)

You are important to the body. You have something to supply. You have something to share.

Jason Cicero

Understand God's Will

"Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17; NKJV).

Some believe it is not possible to understand the will of GOD. If it is not possible to understand GOD'S will, then one of two things is possible about Him. If He could not reveal His will in an understandable way then He lacks power. If He would not reveal His will in an understandable way then he lacks goodness.

Why would GOD give us a book we couldn't understand and then condemn us because we don't?

Don't be unwise. Understand what the will of GOD is. Then make His will your own.

Jason Cicero

Strengthen Yourselves in the Lord

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10; NKJV).

Strong - to empower (Strong's).

In the Lord - describes a relationship

Power - vigor (Strong's); power, might (Thayer's).

Might - ability, force, strength (Thayer's).

Ephesians 6:10 describes the proper combination of divine enabling and human co-operation. The strength is the Lord's, and without "the power of His might" we shall be defeated, but we still must be "strong in the Lord and the power of His might." The verb is a passive present which could almost be rendered 'Strengthen yourselves in the Lord' (Ephesians, Stott, p. 266).

Jason Cicero

The Whole Armor and the Word of God

Read through Ephesians 6:14-17 and notice how each piece of the whole armor of God relates to the Word of God.

1. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might - Read and meditate on His word!

2. Put on and take up the whole armor of God - Read and meditate on His word!

3. Withstand in the evil day - Read and mediate on His word!

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

"Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name." (Exodus 15:3; ASV)

1. See all of Him - Romans 11:22

2. Don't go to war with Him - Psalm 24:8

3. Allow Him to fight for you - Exodus 14:14

4. Be with Him - Revelation 17:14

Jason Cicero

But We See Jesus

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9; NKJV).

We live in a world that has not bowed the knee to Jesus. That world is to come. But what of this world? We see acts of terrorism, child abuse, crime, drug abuse, the list goes on. What keeps us going? Hebrews 2:9 does. “But we see Jesus...”

We might be tempted to lose hope if we focus on the world about us. The Hebrew writer reminds us that Jesus is. And because Jesus is, we can rest assured as we look to Him that everything is going to be all right – “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2; NKJV). If we are in Christ we have nothing to worry about. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus...” (Romans 8:1; NKJV). When we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). As we walk in the Spirit we remain in Christ (Romans 8:1). The happenings of this world can get us down, but they cannot separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35). When I focus on the things I can see I am out of focus. I must focus on “the King eternal, immortal, invisible” (1 Timothy 1:17; NKJV).

Let us pray for faith that we might see Jesus more clearly (Hebrews 2:9).

Jason Cicero

Jehovah Gives

“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27; NKJV).

The GOD Who Gives. Our GOD is giving. Need wisdom? Ask of Him “who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5; NKJV). GOD “gives us richly all things to enjoy,” not just wisdom (1 Timothy 6:17). We can pray in faith that our Father in Heaven will give “us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11; NKJV). We rejoice that through “the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22; NKJV).

GOD Gave His Son. Is there a blessing our good Father will withhold from us? Look to Calvary and ask the question of Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Our Father “gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; NKJV).

The Son Gave His Life. Jesus “gave Himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4; NKJV). He “gave Himself” for the church, the people of GOD (Ephesians 5:25; NKJV). In truth Jesus of Nazareth is “the good shepherd” who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

The Spirit Gave the Word. We know that GOD is giving thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit. The things of GOD have been revealed to us “through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10; NKJV).

GOD’S Will for Us. Our Father is giving. Our Savior is giving. The Holy Spirit is giving. GOD longs to transform each of us into givers! He would have us work that we “may have something to give him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28; NKJV). To have the heart of GOD is to love “in deed and in truth,” to give in order to meet needs (1 John 3:17-18).

The Heart of Christianity. Giving is the heart of Christianity. The Father gave His Son. The Son gave His life. The Spirit gave the word. The key to giving: “And not only as we had hope, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:5; NKJV). Give yourself to GOD and allow Him to mold you into His image!

Jason

Is the Bible Relevant to Me?

Perhaps the single greatest challenge GOD'S people have today is to take GOD'S book, the Bible, and help people to see the relevance of it to their lives. GOD'S word is practical. It speaks to the issues of everyone's life.

The Bible is relevant to you because of what the Bible is - The Word of GOD. Scripture is "inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible did not originate in the mind of man. Scripture originated in the mind of GOD. Men "moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" and were guided to put His word in written form (2 Peter 1:21). "For the word of God" is from Heaven, not from Earth (Hebrews 4:12). Written by our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior, the Bible is relevant to us!

The Bible is relevant to you because of the nature of the Word of GOD - Living, Powerful, Piercing, and Discerning. Nature is a thing's essential qualities or character. "For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12; NKJV). The Word of GOD speaks to the heart of man about the issues of the heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Is the Bible relevant to me? Read it and see!

Jason

Christ Died For Me

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6; NKJV)

When I come to see Christ on the cross because of my sins…

My pride will be broken. Pride has to do with having a high or over bearing opinion of one’s worth or importance. No one is worth more or more important than Him. How can I have a high opinion of my importance as I stand at the foot of His cross with the realization that He is dying for my sins?

My guilt will be expunged. The broken and contrite find forgiveness at the Cross. The sins of the poor in spirit are erased, removed, and remembered no more at the Cross. I am free from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus relieves my guilt at Golgotha.

Love will be kindled. Love is the response of the good and honest heart that gazes at the love expressed at Calvary. Love for Him because He is expressing love for me. Seeing Him bleed and suffer and die for my sins moves me to love Him, to worship Him, to serve Him.

Hope will be restored. Sin destroys. It robs me of hope. The Cross communicates the most profound truth of all – Jesus loves me. I have confident expectation now and forever because He died for my sins.

My character will be transformed. Jesus died for me so that I might live for Him. To gaze upon His glory is to become like Him. The more I go outside the camp and see Him suffer for me, the more conformed to His image I become.

“…and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to rightesouness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24; NASBU).

The Beginning and the End

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8; NKJV).

Where do we begin?

Where do we end?

Every question begins and ends with Jesus.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17)

Question: Who is able to stand?

Answer: "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)

Jason Cicero

Our Citizenship is in Heaven

Our Citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20)

1. Conveyed into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9)

2. Sojourners and Pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11)

3. Not to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:4)

4. Things in this world are not going to get better (1 John 5:19; 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 13)

5. We should not be concerned about how to fix the world, but how to get out of the world

(Galatians 1:3-4; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Peter 3).

6. We are here for the purpose of bringing others to Christ (1 Timothy 2:4)

7. The Lord keeps us here because of his longsuffering (John 17:5; 2 Peter 3:9)

8. We have obligations in the secular realm because of our relationship to Christ (Romans 1-13;

1 Peter 1-2; 1 Timothy 1-2; Titus 3:1)

Jason

The Preeminence of Christ

1. Because of Who He Is!

The Christ of God, the Savior of the World!

2. Because of What He Did!

He died for our sins on the Cross!

3. Because of What He Is Doing!

He lives to make intercession for us!

4. Because of What He Is Going To Do!

He is coming again to take us home!

“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18; NKJV)

Jason

Holiness and Weaknesses

1. Holiness in the absolute can only be gained through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ – not just the cleansing that takes place at baptism (Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4), but which continues on a daily basis as one repents and turns to Him for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-10).

2. This cleansing comes only to those who are devoting themselves to living a holy life (1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 1:7; 2:6).

3. We must rise above this world to see ourselves as heavenly citizens, sitting together with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:9-12).

4. We must look away from our present weaknesses and envision what we can become in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Psalm 103:10; Matthew 26:41; Romans 7:23-25; Philippians 3:12-14).

Conclusion: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

Jason

Take Time to Be Holy

1. Perfecting holiness is “not a sudden attainment of complete holiness, but a continuous process” (A.T. Robertson)

2. Perfecting holiness is a process that takes time (Hebrews 12:14).

3. Many are busy perfecting their: careers, appearance, houses, lawns, golf swing, etc. (1 Corinthians 7:33).

4. The cares of the world leave little time for perfecting holiness (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14; 21:34).

Jason