July 20th, 2025

GOD PART:

 

JOHN 11

 

The Death of Lazarus

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 

2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

 

They appealed to Jesus based on his love for Lazarus! 

 

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 

6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 

7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 

10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 

13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

 

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 

18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 

19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 

22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

 

She goes From complaint to confession so quickly.

What did Jesus say or do or his look.

 

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

 

In- apart of or included with

 

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 

Jesus- REZ IS ME

 

26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 

The drama of this, Jesus says this in the middle of a cemetery.

Do you believe this?

Jesus is saying he’s the Lord of the cemetery even death!

 

27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

 

Evidently, all Jesus needed was a mustard seed confession, and he was off and running!

 

Jesus and Death, the Last Enemy

 

28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 

30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 

31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 

34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

35 Jesus wept. 

 

Wept

Why?

Is Jesus sorry for them?

Are they tears of anger they don’t have faith?

Maybe he’s mad at death and the grave and it’s control over them.

 

36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

 

Lazarus Raised from the Dead

 

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 

39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 

 

This is very personal – do you believe?

 

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

 

Jesus practiced prayers of gratitude and Thanksgiving in impossible situations.

If Jesus did this, this might be the key to resurrection life when we think all is lost.

 

42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 

43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 

 

Jesus issued a command- not an invitation.

He issued  an imperative-not an idea.

Jesus issued a summons-not a suggestion. 

 

JESUS…

“cried with a loud voice” (NRSV),

 “roared with a great voice,”2

 “shouted as loudly as he could” (GOD’S WORD).

 

ROMANS 14: 9 For to this end Christ died [a]and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

 

44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

 

An encore is scheduled one day

Lazarus was but a warm-up. 

Jesus will someday shout, and the ingathering of saints will begin. 

Graveyards, ocean depths, battlefields, burned buildings, and every other resting place of the deceased will give up the dead in whatever condition they might be found. 

They will be recomposed, resurrected, and re-presented in the presence of Christ.”

 

TAKE AWAY:

 

John 20

That You May Believe

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

 

That we might believe

Why these miracles…

 

water-to-wine miracle? So WE would believe that Jesus can restore what life has taken.

the faith of a nobleman? That WE might believe Jesus hears our prayers though you think he doesn’t.

the lame man who took up his mat?That WE might believe in a Jesus who sees a new version of us.

the blind man who washed the mud from his eyes? That WE might believe in a Jesus who gives new vision to us.

walking on water? That WE would believe God still stills the storms of life.

feeding the thousands? That you would believe God still solves the problems of life. 

Why raise the dead? That WE would believe God still brings the dead to life.

 

The hope of John, the hope of his book, indeed the hope of God, and the hope of this book. 

 

That we would believe:

not in our power-

not in humanity’s ability to help itself, 

not in tarot cards or good fortune, 

not in good looks or good luck. 

 

But that we would believe in Jesus. 

 

Jesus as:

the Christ

the Messiah

the Anointed One

the Son of God.”

 

Next time you’re in a cemetery:

1 THESS 4:

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

 

GOD WANTS US TO KNOW:

 

I know everything about you (Ps. 139:1).

I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Ps. 139:2).       

I’ve numbered the hairs on your head (Matt. 10:29–31).

I’ve adopted you into my family (Rom. 8:15).

Before you were the size of a freckle in your mother’s womb, I knew you (Jer. 1:4–5).

You are my idea, and I have only good ideas (Eph. 1:11–12).

You won’t live a day longer or less than I intend (Ps. 139:16).

I love you as my own child (1 John 3:1).

I will take care of you (Matt. 6:31–33).

I love you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

I can’t quit thinking about you (Ps. 139:17–18).

You are my treasured possession (Ex. 19:5).

Let’s do great things together (Jer. 33:3).

Nothing will ever separate you from my love (Rom. 8:38–39).”

John 9

JOHN 9

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 

5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.

7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 

9 Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.

“I don’t know,” he said.

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 

14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath.

15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”

But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”

The man replied, “He is a prophet.”

18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 

21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders,who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 

23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 

29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.

32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 

33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

THOUGHTS: 

The Story:

  • All of John’s other miracle stories- 10/12 verses
  • Why 41 verses?
  • No OT BLIND healings!
  • Only NT And with the exception of 1 all Jesus.
  • We are all blind.
  • Jesus saw a blind man
  • Others observed- Jesus saw
  • Vs. 2- The Disciples saw a theological discussion
  • Jesus saw someone who had never seen- anything!

Point 1-  GOD SEES YOU!

You are seen! You aren’t invisible. You aren’t overlooked or invisible!

  • The Pharisees missed the miracle:

“Charles Spurgeon said, “It is not our littleness that hinders Christ; but our bigness. It is not our weakness that hinders Christ; it is our strength. It is not our darkness that hinders Christ; it is our supposed light that holds back his hand.

THE SPIT:

  • Jesus takes the initiative
  • Jesus spits!
  • Jesus spitting: 

POINT 2: Sometimes God iniates the miracle through less than pleasant circumstances. He uses mud-moments.

  • Fear, frustration and failure- mud in the eye.
  • Shalom means sent
  • Jesus many time refers to himself as sent from the father!
  • To SEE we have to go to the SENT one
  • Those steps were 3 sets of 5 steps.

THE REQUIREMENT:

To RECIEVE A MIRACLE WHAT do YOU NEED TO KNOW:

  • He knew only this: a man called Jesus made clay, put it on his eyes, and told him to wash. 
  • He received sight, not because he deserved it, earned it, or found it. 
  • He received sight because he trusted and obeyed the One who was sent to “open eyes that are blind” (Isa. 42:7 NIV).”

Point 3: TRUST AND OBEY

EXAMPLE: opening blind eyes

Tom Doyle, a leading expert on contemporary dreams and visions experienced by Muslims. Doyle described a phenomenon of person after person seeing the same image: Jesus in a white robe, telling them he loves them, that he died for them, and urging them to follow him. This has been happening in Syria, Iran, and Iraq. It has happened so many times in Egypt that Christian outreach groups took out ads in the newspapers. 

The ads asked, “Have you seen the man in a white robe in your dreams? He has a message for you. Call this number.”

Doyle explains that 50 percent of Muslims around the world cannot read, so Jesus reaches them through dreams and visions. Eighty-six percent do not know a Christian, so Jesus goes to them directly.”

CLOSE THOUGHTS:

“And because the leaders refused to see, “They cast him out” (John 9:34).

The was-blind man found himself kicked out of the temple with no one to defend him. “When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man” (v. 35 NLT).

Christ was not about to leave the man unprotected. You can expect him to do the same for you. If you believe in him, he has given this pledge to you: “No one can steal [you] out of my hand” (John 10:28 NCV).”

APPLICATION:

“What Jesus did physically for the blind beggar, he desires to do spiritually for all people: restore our sight.”

TRUST AND OBEY

“Apart from Christ we are blind. 

  • We cannot see our purpose. 
  • We cannot see the future. 
  • We cannot see our way out of problems and pain. 
  • We cannot see Jesus. 
  • But he sees us, from head to foot.

EPHESIANS 1:18-20- 

18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 

20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Bible Prophesy

Bible Prophesy: Current

After attacks on 6/21/25

Israel scattered:

Jeremiah 9

Deut 28

The Fig Tree

MATTHEW 24

30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.[d] 

31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 

33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door.34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father.

37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;

39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 

40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 

41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 

43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 

44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Ezekiel 37:

The Bible clearly foretold that Israel would be scattered and regathered—the begining of the fulfillment on May 14, 1948. 

The prophetic time clock began to tick. That was not just a sign, that was a super sign.

EZEKIEL 38

Scripture also predicts that in the last days, a great coalition from the north—including Persia (modern-day Iran)—will rise up against Israel. 

The alliance Commander: 

Gog (Ezekiel 38:1–2, 7)

  • The name of a person rather than a nation.
  • Some scholars believe Gog is a title rather than a personal name.

Nations in the Alliance:

Magog

  • Modern-day “–stan” countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and perhaps Afghanistan)
  • Home of Gog
  • Noah’s second son (Genesis 10:2; 1 Chronicles 1:5; Revelation 20:8)
  • Today, these nations are predominantly Muslim.

Rosh

  • Modern–day Russia
  • Ruled by Gog

Meshech and Tubal

  • Many experts identify these as territories in modern Turkey
  • The fifth and sixth sons of Noah (Genesis 10:2)

Persia

  • Changed its name to Iran in 1935
  • Fiercely opposes Israel today.

Ethiopia

  • Modern–day Sudan and Ethiopia
  • Founded by Cush, grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:6)
  • Sudan is one of Israel’s greatest enemies

Libya

  • The same as modern–day Libya
  • Founded by Put, the grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:6)
  • Has current ties with Russia

Gomer

  • Modern Germany (theorized because the name sounds similar to “Gomer”)
  • First son of Japheth, grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2)

Togarmah

  • “From the far North” (Ezekiel 38:6); possibly modern–day Turkey
  • Third son of Gomer, great grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:3)

These are the nations that will form a coalition and march against Israel, setting the stage for this gigantic world war focused on the Holy Land. Though the northern armies of Russia and Turkey will lead the coalition, they will be joined by Iran from the east, Sudan and Libya from the south, and (possibly) Germany from the west in the form of a revived European coalition of nations.

EZEKIEL 38

The Lord’s Great Victory Over the Nations

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of[a] Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him 

3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of[b] Meshek and Tubal. 

4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. 

5 Persia, Cush[c] and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, 

6 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.

7 “‘Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them.

8 After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. 

9 You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.

10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. 

11 You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. 

12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.[d]” 

13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages[e] will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?”’

14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? 

15 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. 

16 You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

17 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You are the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel. At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. 

18 This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord. 

19 In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 

20 The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. 

21 I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. 

22 I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. 

23 And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’

EZEKIEL 39 

1 “Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of[a] Meshek and Tubal. 

2 I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel.

3 Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. 

4 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. 

5 You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord. 

6 I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the Lord.

7 “‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned,and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel. 

8 It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord. This is the day I have spoken of.

9 “‘Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up—the small and large shields, the bows and arrows, the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel. 

10 They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares the Sovereign Lord.

11 “‘On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east of the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog.[b]

12 “‘For seven months the Israelites will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. 

13 All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I display my glorywill be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord. 

14 People will be continually employed in cleansing the land. They will spread out across the land and, along with others, they will bury any bodies that are lying on the ground.

“‘After the seven months they will carry out a more detailed search. 

15 As they go through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will leave a marker beside it until the gravediggers bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog, 16 near a town called Hamonah.[c] And so they will cleanse the land.’

17 “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. 

18 You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls—all of them fattened animals from Bashan. 

19 At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. 

20 At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,’ declares the Sovereign Lord.

21 “I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them. 

22 From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. 

23 And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 

24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them.

25 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob[d] and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. 

26 They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. 27 When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations. 

28 Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. 29 I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

NEXT EVENTS

  1. I think the next event on the prophetic calendar is the Rapture of the Church. 
  2. Then, the Antichrist emerges on the scene and the Tribulation period begins. 
  3. The Tribulation ends with the Second Coming of Christ, and then the Lord establishes the Millennium (the 1,000-year reign of Christ).

Luke 21:28 NLT- Therefore, Jesus said, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near”  

Jesus did not say, “When you see these things begin to happen, freak out because we’re all dead.” 

Jesus said, “look up.” Bible prophecy isn’t meant to scare us—it’s meant to prepare us.

OUR RESPONSE

I don’t know what will happen next, but here are two things you can do today. 

Ask yourself, “Am I ready for the Lord’s return?”

  • Christ is coming again.
  • This is a wake-up call to get right with God, walk closely with Him, and stay spiritually awake.

John 14:2–3 NKJV) Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself. . .” 

John 14:27 NKJV – But then He says, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”

Let’s obey Scripture and “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).

  • God is in control. 
  • But let’s pray for our friends in Israel.
  • Let’s pray for the Jewish people. 

Let’s Live Soberly

TITUS 2:

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

LIVING SOBERLY

  1. Self-Control and Moderation:
  • Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts:
    This means actively rejecting sinful desires and behaviors that are contrary to God’s will.
  • Living righteously and godly: This involves aligning one’s actions with God’s standards of righteousness and pursuing a life that is pleasing to Him.
  • Self-control: This is a key aspect of sober living, encompassing the ability to manage one’s appetites, passions, and affections.
  1. Focus and Vigilance: 
  • Looking for the blessed hope:
    A sober person is mindful of the future, specifically the return of Jesus Christ, and lives with hope and anticipation.
  • Girding up the loins of the mind: This signifies being mentally prepared and focused, not easily distracted by worldly temptations
  • Being vigilant: Sober living requires being aware of the spiritual dangers and temptations that surround us, and being prepared to resist them.

Let’s Keep Watch

  • Parable of the 10 virgins

MATTHEW 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 

3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 

4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 

5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 

8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

The Virgins: Represent members of the Church, all invited to the wedding feast, symbolizing those who anticipate Christ’s return

The Bridegroom: Symbolizes Jesus Christ and his Second Coming

The Lamps: Represent our Faith life or outward expressions of faith.

The Oil: Symbolizes spiritual readiness, faith, and the Holy Spirit. Some interpretations also include good works and a life lived according to God’s teachings.

The Wedding Feast: Represents the joy and blessings of eternal life with Christ.

 

Summer Fundays!

Summer Fun for Kids!

June 15-Aug 3

We have fun for your kids every Sunday in the Summer!

  • June 15 – Wear Your Colors
    Details: Show up bold and bright—represent your group’s color with pride!

 

  • June 22 – Mismatch Shoe Day
    Details: Two shoes, no rules—let’s get mismatched and wild!

 

  • June 29 – Wacky Wacky Day
    Details: Dress your silliest from head to toe—anything goes!

 

  • July 6 – Tropical Day
    Details: Leis, shades, and island flair—paradise is calling!

 

  • July 13 – Disney Day
    Details: Be your favorite Disney character—princess, hero, or talking snowman!

 

  • July 20 – Pajama Day
    Details: Roll out of bed and come cozy—jammies and slippers welcome!

 

  • July 27 – Crazy Hair or Favorite Hat
    Details: Wild hair or your coolest cap—it’s all about the top today!

 

  • August 3 – Silly Socks & Stuffed Animals
    Details: Flash those fun socks and bring your fluffiest friend for the ride!

Pentecost Notes

GOD PART:

Shavuot – “Weeks” – 7 weeks after Passover

The fourth and final spring festival is called Shavuot, which means “weeks” in Hebrew. Beginning with Passover, Israel is commanded to count seven whole weeks until the 50th day at which point Shavuot is observed.

Exodus 23:14-16:

Details the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Harvest (Pentecost)

Deuteronomy 16:9-12:

9 Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. 10 Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lordyour God has given you. 11 And rejoice before the Lordyour God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites in your towns, and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows living among you. 12 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees.

LEVITICUS  23:15-21

(15) You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. 

(16) You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord. 

(17) You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an [c]ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the Lord. 

(18) Along with the bread you shall present seven one year old male lambs without defect, and a bull of the herd and two rams; they are to be a burnt offering to the Lord, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord.  

(19) You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 

(20) The priest shall then wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering with two lambs before the Lord; they are to be holy to the Lord for the priest. 

(21) On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations. 

(22) When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’ ”

BOOK OF RUTH READ

There are many HEBREW traditions associated with Shavuot:

  1. reading the Book of Ruth.
  2. spending the entire night studying Torah until dawn.
  3. decreeing the Ten Commandments
  4. decorating synagogues and homes with aromatic spices, and partaking of a dairy meal and dessert.

The Book of Ruth is traditionally read during Shavuot because the biblical account takes place during the summer harvest. 

The book of Ruth celebrates God restoring honor and dignity to Naomi and her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. 

Ruth is a gentile who identifies with the Jewish people by committing herself to Naomi and Naomi’s people, the Jewish people. King David, Ruth’s great-grandson, was born and died on this festival.

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PENTECOST MEANING:

pentēkostḗ (from 4002 /pénte, “five”) – properly fiftieth, referring to the festival of Pentecost – a one day festival celebrated at the end of the barley harvest. This was a joyous time of giving great thanks to God. 

[The workers could only spare one day at this season of the year because the wheat harvest was already in process.]

FEAST OF WEEKS

Leviticus 23:15-16 instructs observers to count 50 days from the day after the Sabbath (the day the sheaf of the wave offering is presented) to the day after the seventh Sabbath, marking the Feast of Weeks

This 50-day period is also known as the “Counting of the Omer“

The Feast of Weeks commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and, in the New Testament, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. 

JUBILEE YEAR:

The Jubilee year is mentioned in Leviticus 25:8-13 and occurs after every seventh Sabbath year (49 years), making it the 50th year.

Jubilee involves social and economic resets, including the release of slaves and the return of ancestral lands.

Jubilee is a complete reset, a release from captivity, with themes of freedom and restoration.

2 Pentecost Thoughts:

Signs and Wonders

EXODUS 19

16 On the morning of the third day there was thunderand lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 

17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 

18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke,because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 

19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.

20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up

EXODUS 20 

1 And God spoke all these words:

ACTS 1

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 

5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)

ACTS 2

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 

2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 

3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 

4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

ACTION:

They  Obeyed: followed, waited.

God’s Promise:

They Received

They Spoke

FIRST FRUITS BLESSING:

  1. First fruits reminds us that God is the source of ALL blessings and disciplines us to seek his kingdom FIRST and that he is to be our FIRST love!
  1. First fruits gives us confidence that our Father will always provide and creates an EXPECTATION of VISITATION as we watch our inheritance and promises be mature!
  1. First fruits releases revelation that directs us from the Wave offering to gathering the HARVEST and develops the final INGATHERING in our hearts.
  • Hebrews 11:13-14
  • Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18
  • Colossians 1:12
  • 1 Peter 1:4
  1. First fruits giving honors God as your source … a declaration that your blessings come from God!
  1. First fruits giving sanctifies (makes holy) the rest of your income!  

Romans‬ ‭11:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.”

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  1. First fruits giving releases the fullness of God’s blessing.  

Ezekiel‬ ‭44:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

“The first of the ripe fruits and all the gifts brought to the Lord will go to the priests. The first batch of dough must also be given to the priests so the Lord will bless your homes.”

  1. First fruits giving opens us to receive God’s overflowing provision.  

Proverbs 3:9-10

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”

 

PENTECOST DECLARATION:

Today as we  celebrate the Lord’s Pentecost, we rejoice that God has given His Word, poured out his Holy Spirit, and has brought us into an abundant provision. 

We recognize the Lord in His extravagant giving, has provided all we need to accomplish His purposes and fulfill our destiny.

In gratitude and faith, we give our first fruits offerings knowing our supply comes from the Lord most high.

Therefore, we declare and decree that we will walk in the power and spirit of Pentecost, that God’s kingdom might prevail for the glory and honor of the King of Kings! 

We decree the Right to take out enemies we’ve never taken out before because of honoring the Blood.

We decree a New Supply has opened.

We decree a New anointing is Here.

We decree New empowerment is mine!

AMEN!