Already a miracle has happened this morning. I thought I was coming to Sunday School at ten o’clock, and I came to find out that ten o’clock was worship. I got here on time without even knowing I was on time, and I’ll just call that a blessing from the Lord.

My wife Irma is back there. We’ve been married sixty-two years, and it’s been a wonderful sixty-two years. God has been good to us.

I want to ask, are there any long‑time residents of Annapolis here this morning? Sixty years or so? A few of you. That tells me I’m in good company.

Annapolis has always had a soft spot in my heart. Both of my parents were from here. My grandmother Copeland lived in a little two‑story house down near what used to be Vincent Sutton’s Texaco station, now the post office. Some of you remember it.

I spent weeks here as a boy, and I’ll be honest, I got bored sometimes. There wasn’t much to do except throw a ball up in the air and try to catch it, and I didn’t always succeed. But every day we’d walk up the hill to Carl’s store, and my grandmother would buy me a box of Cracker Jacks. The Cracker Jacks were good, but the prize at the bottom was what mattered.

Sometimes she’d give me a nickel to walk over to the Texaco station and buy one of those little glass Coca‑Colas, the kind that would make you burp and feel it in your nose. Those were strong back then.

My grandfather passed away before I was born, but he and my grandmother ran the coal and ice business here in town. After he died, she still had the ice house in the corner of her yard. Folks would ring a little cowbell, and she’d come out and chip off ice for them. I still have that cowbell on the mantel at my house.

This town is part of my story. So being here this morning, sharing God’s Word with you, really is like a dream come true.

Do you remember the days before television, when all we had was the radio? Programs like Fibber McGee and Molly. You couldn’t see anything, but you could picture everything in your mind. When someone opened that closet door and everything came crashing out, you could see it without ever seeing it.

We didn’t need pictures then. And sometimes I think we still don’t.

This morning, I want you to go with me to Jericho. There’s a large crowd there, and to understand why, we need to go back to Luke 9:51. That’s where Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem. He was determined.

The disciples had been with Him nearly three years. They had heard His teaching, seen His miracles, watched Him heal the sick, cast out demons, make the blind see and the lame walk. When they saw His determination, they believed this was the moment, this was when He would set up His earthly kingdom and free them from Roman rule.

As Jesus traveled, healing people like blind Bartimaeus outside Jericho, the crowd grew larger and more excited. Hope was building.

But Zacchaeus knew Jericho. He knew there was an old sycamore tree with a limb stretching over the road. So he climbed up and waited.

When Jesus came by, He stopped, looked up, and called Zacchaeus by name. He told him to come down, because He was going to his house.
And something happened in that house that day.

Zacchaeus stood and made a declaration. He said he would give half of what he owned to the poor, and if he had cheated anyone, he would repay them fourfold. That was a man whose life had been changed.

Jesus explained it simply, salvation had come to that house.
When salvation comes, there is change.
If there is no change, we need to take an honest look at our lives.

The crowd thought Jesus was heading for a coronation.
Jesus knew He was heading for a cross.

Because of that misunderstanding, Jesus told a parable, one meant for the time between His departure and His return. That’s where we are living right now.

Jesus told of a nobleman who went away to receive a kingdom and promised to return. Before leaving, he gave each servant the same amount and told them to do business until he came back.

Some hated the nobleman and didn’t want him to rule.
That opposition made the servants’ work harder.
When the nobleman returned as king, he called the servants to account.
One had multiplied what he was given tenfold.
Another had gained fivefold.
They were rewarded with responsibility.
But one servant returned exactly what he had been given, wrapped up and unused.
And what he had was taken from him.

This parable is about us. The nobleman is Jesus.
The time between His leaving and His return is the time we are living in now.

The business of the King is clear.
Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost.
And He sent us to do the same.
We are to take the gospel into our homes, our neighborhoods, and our communities.

The mina represents what every believer has been given, salvation and the Holy Spirit living within us. We are to share what God has done in our lives.

Some invest it faithfully.
Some increase it.
And some wrap it up and keep it to themselves.

Jesus is the foundation of our salvation.
But the question is how we build on that foundation.

Scripture tells us some will build with gold and silver, things that endure.
Others will build with wood and straw, things that burn away.
Salvation remains, but reward is lost.

There are many good people who never share their faith.
Their neighbors know they’re kind and dependable, but they never hear about Jesus.
We don’t lose salvation, but we lose opportunity.

This church has lost a beloved pastor and his wife, but the work is not finished.
There are still lost people in this community who need to hear that Jesus died for them.
God placed our sins on His Son at the cross. That is how much He loves us.

Maybe you’ve heard all of this before.
Maybe you’ve put it off.
But today is the day.

Don’t wrap up what God has given you and hold onto it.
Come. Pray. Respond.
Do the King’s business, until He comes.

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This article is based on a sermon delivered by Pastor Bill Jackson and has been adapted for written format.

This is a joyful church. I’m an old-fashioned Southern Baptist, and I don’t mind saying it. I’m excited about being here. You all better buckle up your seatbelts. I’ll let you know when it’s twelve o’clock.

I want you to know something, I consider this a five-star church. You don’t find many of those anymore. A five-star church is one that worships on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. It has Sunday School and disciple training. That tells me a church loves Jesus. It tells me a church loves preaching. It tells me a church cares about raising young people in the Lord and reaching its community. You can’t do better than that.

I believe in winning the lost, and I believe one of the best ways to do it is through a strong Sunday School. When you win someone to Christ, you already have a place to disciple them. You don’t dip them and drop them, you bring them into the life of the church, where they can grow.

I want you to meet my sweet wife, Peggy. She’s the best wife I’ve got, and I’m thankful the Lord brought us together. Some of you ladies ought to let her tell you the testimony of how we met. She was raised in Mississippi. I was raised in the desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico, about twelve hundred miles apart. How does God bring two people together like that? Only the Lord can do that.

She felt called to be a pastor’s wife, and God had called me to preach. I preached my first sermon when I was fourteen years old.

In 2006, Peggy and I walked through something no parents should ever have to face. Tonight, she’s going to give her testimony about the year our middle daughter and our youngest daughter took their journey to heaven just three weeks apart. You’ll want to hear that. I’m going to preach tonight on God’s grace being sufficient. No matter what you go through, deep loss, unanswered questions, or long nights of pain, God’s grace will carry you through.

I want you to open your Bible with me to Psalm 40. David wrote this psalm, and in the first three verses he gives thanks to God for some powerful blessings. I know this isn’t Thanksgiving Sunday, but early in this year, believers need to be reminded of what we have in Jesus.

David says he waited patiently for the Lord, and the Lord heard his cry. God lifted him out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, and set his feet on a rock. That’s a picture of salvation. If you know Jesus, you’re not standing on sinking ground, you’re standing on a firm foundation.

David also says God put a new song in his mouth. Every believer has a song to sing. It may not come out on key, but it ought to be in your heart. When you wake up in the morning, don’t say, “Oh me.” Say, “Good morning, Lord.” Let God speak to you before the world does.

I want to say this clearly, the most important place in this church building is this altar. This is where people meet God. This is where salvation happens. This is where broken lives find a new start. The invitation is the most important moment of the service. It’s not the time to check your watch or think about lunch. It’s the time to listen to the Holy Spirit and respond in obedience and humility.
 
David reminds us of three blessings every believer should be thankful for, not just one day a year, but all year long.

Salvation comes through Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. Every other religious leader is still in the grave, but Jesus rose again. He conquered sin, death, and the grave. David knew God had forgiven him, even after terrible sin. God removed his sin as far as the east is from the west.

No matter what you’ve done, no matter how deep or hidden your sin may feel, God can forgive, cleanse, and restore you. We’ve been redeemed. We’ve been transformed. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. There’s a lot of living between salvation and heaven, and it ought to be lived with joy.

We have a privilege lost people don’t have; we can come to God in the name of Jesus. God answers prayer. Call unto Me and I will answer thee. A praying church is a powerful church. Revival won’t come through programs or politics; it comes when God’s people get serious about prayer.

The joy of the Lord is our strength. A merry heart does good like medicine. I’ve been through heart attacks, surgeries, and hospital rooms, and I can tell you, joy matters. The joy we have in Christ is real, and the world needs to see it lived out in us.

Victory is ours through Him.
If you need to be saved, recommit your life, or answer God’s call, don’t put it off.
Today is the day.
Let the Lord lead.

This article is based on a sermon delivered by Pastor Sid West and has been adapted for written format.

There are moments in life and moments in the life of a church, when we simply don’t know what to do.

We face situations we can’t fix, problems we can’t solve, and burdens we can’t carry. Some of you may know exactly what that feels like. You’ve prayed for a loved one who won’t listen. You’ve faced sickness you couldn’t avoid. You’ve watched circumstances spiral beyond your control. And eventually, the question rises up: What can we even do?

The early church found themselves in that very place in Acts 12.
The church was small. It was persecuted. It was powerless in the eyes of the world. James had just been murdered. Peter had been arrested. And Herod was determined to crush the church completely. From every human perspective, this was a hopeless situation.

On earth, Peter was chained and guarded. But in heaven, prayers were rising to God.
On one side, there were bars, soldiers, and iron gates. On the other side, there was God.
And when the church prays, even a small church, heaven moves.

Prayer was not meant to be our last resort.
It was always meant to be our first response.
Our first response when we wake up.
Our first response when we lay our head down.
Our constant connection to our Savior.

Acts 12:6–7
Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.

Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, guarded by sentries, and facing execution the next day. James had already been killed. By every measure, this was one of the worst moments of Peter’s life.
Yet while Peter slept, God was working.
While the church prayed, heaven responded.

God sent an angel, not when things were easy, but when they were impossible.
The chains fell off. The guards remained asleep. And God moved in power.

Prayer does not guarantee that life will be easy. But prayer does guarantee that we will never face life alone.

D.L. Moody once compared prayer to a telegraph wire. Now, if history class serves me right, none of us here have ever actually used a telegraph, but the illustration still holds. A telegraph wire has no power in and of itself. It’s just a connection. There’s nothing special about the wire. But on the other end of that wire is power; power that can move information across great distances and even influence nations.

Prayer works the same way. Prayer itself isn’t powerful because of the words we use or how many times we pray. Prayer is powerful because it connects us to God. And He is the One who has the power.

Now, I want to be careful here, because one of my professors used to warn us about treating God like a cosmic vending machine. Sometimes we fall into the habit of thinking that if we pray the right words, or pray enough times, or show up to church enough, then God owes us an answer exactly the way we want it. That’s not how prayer works.
Even Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Prayer is not about pressing the right buttons, it’s about trusting the God on the other end of the line. The power of prayer is not found in repetition, technique, or ritual. It’s found in the God who hears.

The church is not powerful because of its numbers, budget, or building.
The church is powerful because it is connected to a God who cannot be defeated.

Look at what God does in this passage:

• Chains fall off without a key
• Guards stay asleep
• Soldiers are passed without resistance
• An iron gate opens on its own
• Peter walks straight into freedom

Every obstacle was removed by God.

So often, we spend our lives trying to fix things in our own strength, trying to change people, repair situations, and control outcomes. We are like toddlers who insist on doing everything ourselves until frustration finally forces us to ask for help.
But one move of God can do what we never could.

George Müller, who ran an orphanage caring for thousands of children, never once asked for money. One morning, there was no food, no bread and no milk. The children sat at empty tables. Müller prayed and thanked God for the food.

Moments later, a baker knocked on the door saying God had told him to bake bread. Soon after, a milkman arrived with milk his broken wagon could not deliver elsewhere.
No fundraising. No advertising. Just prayer.

When believers pray, God opens doors we could never imagine.

Many of you have seen this firsthand through Reach the River. When we first talked about Reach the River, it was just an idea, something that came out of a much larger mission trip in Panama City Beach. The idea was simple: go down to the river and reach the people who were already there.

That first year, it was really small. We had a few college students help us. We played music, handed out free snow cones, and just tried to start conversations. It didn’t look impressive, but God was working. That year, we had over 100 gospel conversations and saw two salvations.

When we started talking about Reach the River again the following year, there was no fundraising and no advertising. Several of our deacons and many of you were praying about how we could do it again. And through prayer alone, doors started opening. We were able to get in contact with a former state representative, Chris Dinkins, who opened up her campground at Twin Rivers in Lesterville to us.

Through prayer, we were given access to generators, equipment, and resources we didn’t have before. Then, out of nowhere, someone anonymously donated $1,000. Again, no fundraising, no advertising, just prayer.

Because of that, we were able to buy ice cream, get a freezer, and take everything down to the river and campground to serve people. And through that, we had just under 300 gospel conversations.

When we pray and seek God’s face, heaven responds.

Acts 12:12–15
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”

This may be one of the most humorous moments in Scripture.
The church is earnestly praying for Peter’s release. Peter is released.
He shows up at the door. And they tell Rhoda, “You are out of your mind.”

They prayed and yet they struggled to believe when God answered.
Why did God still respond?

Because prayer is not about the strength of the one who prays, but the strength of the One who hears.

God does not require perfect faith. He honors honest faith.

There’s a story of a town suffering from drought. The church gathered to pray for rain. Only one little girl brought an umbrella. That night, it rained.

Even faith that trembles still touches heaven.
Sometimes we pray simply because that’s what we’re supposed to do, without expectation.

Sometimes when we talk about prayer, we can fall into the habit of praying simply because that’s what we’re supposed to do, without any real expectation. I once saw a video of a social experiment that really illustrates this. It took place in a dentist’s waiting room. Everyone in the room was a hired actor except for one unsuspecting person. Every few minutes, a bell would ring, and when it did, everyone in the waiting room would stand up. No explanation was given. At first, the person who wasn’t an actor looked confused, watching everyone else stand. But after a few times, when the bell rang, they stood up too, even though they had no idea why. Then the experiment got even more interesting. The actors were slowly removed from the room and replaced with new people who also didn’t know what was going on. Eventually, the waiting room was filled with people who had no clue why they were standing, yet every time the bell rang, they all stood up anyway. No one told them to. They just did it because everyone else was doing it. Sometimes we pray the same way, not because we are expecting God to respond, but because it’s what we’ve always done.

The challenge is not just to pray, but to pray believing that God can respond.

Acts 12:16-17
But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.  

Peter stood before the church and testified:
God answered prayer.
God broke chains.
God opened gates.
God rescued His servant.

History was changed because a small group of believers prayed.
That is the testimony of every praying church.
Families are restored.
Hearts are softened.
Addictions are broken.
Marriages are healed.
Souls are saved.
Not because of us but because of Him.

• Personally – faithfully, in every season
• Specifically – just as the church prayed for Peter
• Together – united as the body of Christ
• Expectantly – believing God can respond

The greatest thing the church can do is pray.
We may be small in number.
We may lack influence.
But heaven listens when God’s people pray.

Some of you may feel imprisoned by fear, illness, broken relationships, or uncertainty. The same God who opened iron gates in Acts 12 is still opening doors today.

When the church prays, heaven moves.

This article is based on a sermon delivered by Brenden Meinhardt and has been adapted for written format.

Because Jesus fully entered human suffering, He understands every bitter cup we face—poverty, betrayal, pain, bereavement, and even death. No matter what lies ahead, we are never alone. Christ has gone before us.

 God either causes or allows everything that happens.

To illustrate, here is a story about an old cowboy applying for insurance. When asked if he had ever had an accident, the cowboy replied no, despite being bitten by a rattlesnake and kicked by a mule. When pressed, he said, “They weren’t accidents. They meant to do it.”

From there, Pastor Don shifted to the church’s current season, particularly the challenge of being without a pastor. He shared the story of “Professor Little,” a man who lived in a little town, taught at a little college, earned a little salary, drove a little car, lived in a little house, and had six little children. When asked how he managed, Professor Little replied, “Every little helps a little.”

Every member of the church matters.
No one is too small to serve.
Everyone can do something, invite someone to church, send a card, make a phone call, sing, praise, testify, or simply show up faithfully. When every member decides to do something for the glory of God, the church grows stronger.



John 19:25–30

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

28 After this, Jesus, [a]knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Nowhere in Scripture do we see Jesus calling Mary “mother.” Even here, at the cross, He says, “Woman, behold thy son.” This was not disrespect. Rather, Jesus was fulfilling His responsibility and perhaps guarding against the future elevation of Mary beyond her proper place.
In this moment of intense suffering, Jesus ensured His mother would be cared for. John was entrusted with her well-being. Even in agony, Jesus was thinking of others.

Hour after hour, Jesus hung on the cross, suspended by tender tendons as waves of pain cycled through His body. Finally, with swollen and parched lips, He cried, “I thirst.”

This was the cry of physical suffering.
The only thing Jesus ever asked for in this world was a drink of water and He never truly received it. Instead of cool water, He was given vinegar soaked on a common hyssop weed.

There may have been bubbling springs, flowing rivers, and costly wine for the wealthy, but when Jesus asked for relief, He received bitterness.

When Jesus drank that bitter cup, He positioned Himself to sympathize with every human who would ever suffer. No matter what we face, Jesus can say, “I have been there.”

A person born with a silver spoon cannot truly understand poverty.
Someone who has never known sickness cannot fully understand chronic pain.
Someone who has never buried a loved one cannot truly understand grief.
Over 60 years of ministry, Pastor Don shared that he has buried 13 children and teenagers. Though he and his wife were blessed with healthy children, he could not imagine the pain of losing a child.
Until someone has walked that road, they cannot truly understand, but Jesus has.

As the church looks toward a new year, many have already drunk bitter cups, and others will drink them in the future. There may come a day when someone cries out, “Does anyone understand?”

The answer is yes, Jesus understands.

Poverty is a bitter cup.
Some are better off now than they once were, but many remember lean years.

We see images of starving children, their swollen bellies and frail limbs, a reminder of deep need.

My own father was the youngest of a big family growing up poor. One year, he longed for a cowboy hat that cost just a couple of dollars. His parents saved nickels and dimes, but when Christmas came, the money had to be used for groceries instead.
Remembering my childhood birthdays, we had no parties, no presents, just a simple cake.
 
Jesus understands poverty. Scripture says He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor. He was born in a borrowed manger, rode borrowed transportation, was crucified on a borrowed cross, and buried in a borrowed grave.
He said, “The foxes have holes, and the birds have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.”

Jesus understands poverty.

Betrayal cuts deeply.
True friends are rare.
A friend is someone who knows everything about you and still loves you, someone who speaks up for you when you are not present.

Painful stories from the past: a deacon whose best friend stole his wife, pastors who lovingly served people only to be stabbed in the back, and neighbors who returned kindness with lawsuits.

Jesus experienced betrayal firsthand.
Judas, one of His closest companions, betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver, with a kiss. Peter, who vowed loyalty, denied Him.

Jesus understands betrayal.

Pain is real and persistent.
Pastor Don spoke candidly about his own chronic back pain, the surgeries that could not help, and the dependence on medication just to function.
Many carry pain quietly, arthritis, illness, daily suffering.

Jesus endured unimaginable physical agony: a crown of thorns pressed into His head, a Roman scourging that left Him barely recognizable.

Jesus understands pain.

Grief never fully fades.
A few weeks ago, I spoke here at Annapolis First Baptist and on that day we watched a presentation in memory of loved ones who have passed. And that is good that we remember them, but they pain never fully goes away. First it was my father, then my mother, then my brother, and then my wife. In 2026, it may be my turn or the turn of one of my loved ones or friends. You might lose a member of the church, might loose more than one. It's a bitter cup to lose loved ones.

Jesus had dear friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
When Lazarus died, Jesus stood at the open grave and He wept.
"Lazarus come forth."

Jesus understands loss.

Though many claim not to fear death, everybody has a fear of the unknown.
The unknown brings fear.
The fear of how it may happen, cancer, alzheimer, etc.
Yet believers know that God gives grace when the moment comes.

Jesus knew why He came, to die for our sins.
Though He loved creation and life, He willingly fulfilled His mission.
In the valley of the shadow of death, there is light.
Shadows cannot harm us.


I read this from story from when they would send missionaries off and they would go down to the dock and this was back before the big modern boats. The missionaries would get on board and the people from the church that were standing there.
They would sing, "When we asunder part, it brings us inward pain. God be with you till we meet again."
 
Then as the ship went over the horizon, somebody invariably would say, "there they go, there they go." And he said he would always go back to the church depressed and said one day they saw some missionaries off and sure enough, somebody said there at the end, "There they go, there they go."

There at the church the pastor got to talking to the Lord. And said the Lord said, "Down there they may be saying 'there they go.' But in heaven they're saying 'There they come! There they come!"

Jesus understands death.

If you need Jesus, you can invite Him into your heart right where you are.
If you are carrying bitter cups today.
Do not walk alone.
Jesus understands.

This article is based on a sermon delivered by Pastor Don Estes and has been adapted for written format.

During the season of Advent, the church pauses to wait with purpose, remembering Christ’s first coming while longing for His return. Advent reminds us that the story of Jesus did not begin in Bethlehem. The baby born in the manger already existed from eternity past. Jesus did not simply begin His life at Christmas, He came.

Jesus already existed and chose to step into the world He created.

Philippians 2:5–11 gives us one of the most breathtaking descriptions of this truth. Some scholars believe this passage was an early Christian hymn, sung by the first believers to remind one another of Christ’s humility and unmatched love. Rather than viewing the Christmas story from a stable in Bethlehem, this passage allows us to see it from heaven’s perspective, from eternity looking down as God becomes man.

These passages present Jesus as fully God and fully man, the eternal Son, Creator, and ultimate revelation of God.

• John 1:1–18
• Philippians 2:5–11
• Colossians 1:15–20
• Hebrews 1:1–4

In Philippians 2:5–11, Paul traces the journey of Christ in three movements:

1. Christ’s Descent: The Humility of His Coming 
2. Christ’s Obedience: The Purpose of His Coming 
3. Christ’s Exaltation: Glory After the Cross

Paul begins with a command before he explains Christ’s actions: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” Before describing what Jesus did, Paul tells us how Jesus thought.

Christ’s coming to earth was not accidental. It was not a backup plan. It was deliberate humility. Jesus chose this path from the very beginning.

Philippians 2:5-7
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Paul tells us that Jesus existed “in the form of God.” This means that before His birth, Jesus fully shared in the divine nature. He was not created, nor did He become God later. He was eternally God, equal with the Father in glory, power, and majesty.

Yet Paul says that Jesus “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” He did not cling tightly to His rights or privileges. Instead, He willingly released them. This is where the wonder of Advent begins. Jesus did not cling to his position. He chose humility. He chose to come as a baby.

Paul goes on to say that Christ “emptied himself by taking the form of a servant.” This does not mean that Jesus stopped being God. Jesus never ceased to be God. Rather, He laid aside His divine privileges and accepted the limitations of human life.

Jesus did not come as a king in a palace. He came as a baby in a manger. He did not arrive surrounded by wealth and power, but in poverty and obscurity.

An example from a movie. A princess, who had spent her entire life in the safety and comfort of a castle, disguises herself as a servant and goes to live among her people. She gives up her bed, her protection, and her privilege. As she lives among them, she sees their brokenness and wickedness, and her heart begins to hurt for them. Though lighthearted, this helps us picture what it means to step down from privilege to serve.

So what exactly did Christ give up?

• He gave up His exalted heavenly status
• He gave up the visible display of His glory
• He gave up freedom from human limitations

When Jesus came to earth, He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, and physical weakness. He also gave up immunity from pain and suffering. He felt sorrow and grief.

The one who is seated at the right hand of the Father takes the form of a baby. The One who commanded armies of angels became dependent on two human parents, imperfect parents, to feed Him, protect Him, shelter Him, and help Him grow.
The One we pray to gave all of that up and became dependent on others for the first years of His life.

Toddlers often want to do everything themselves, only to become frustrated and finally ask for help. Jesus, however, never lacked the ability to do anything. Yet He chose dependence. He chose humility.

The humility of Christ’s coming reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. The world values strength, status, and recognition, but God chose weakness, lowliness, and service.
Advent invites us to marvel at this humility and examine our own hearts. If the Son of God was willing to humble himself for our sake, then humility must live in the lives of those who follow him.

Paul’s call is clear: “Let this mind be in you.” We may not give up a heavenly throne, but we humble ourselves by recognizing that we are sinners in need of a Savior and that Jesus is that Savior.

Paul takes us even deeper into Christ’s humility by focusing on His obedience.
Jesus, “being found in human form,” humbled Himself “by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.”

Philippians 2:8
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The incarnation alone is astonishing, but it was only the beginning. Jesus did not come merely to live among us. He came to die for us.
His entire life was marked by obedience to the Father. From His baptism to His final breath, He consistently chose submission over self-preservation.

The cross represents the lowest point of Christ’s descent. Crucifixion was physically brutal, socially humiliating, and spiritually significant. It was reserved for the worst criminals, yet Jesus willingly accepted it.
He did not resist.
He did not turn away.
Though He had the power to command an army of angels and avoid the cross entirely.
He chose obedience.

Instead of exercising those rights, he submitted to the Father and willingly went to a cross for our sake.
This is where Advent and the cross meet. The child born in Bethlehem was born with a purpose, to redeem sinners through His sacrifice.
The manger points us forward to the cross.

From the moment Mary gave birth, Jesus was moving toward this moment of obedience.
Christ came down humbly, lived as a servant, and served everyone. Brenden pointed to Jesus feeding both Jews and Gentiles—5,000 and 4,000—showing that His service was for all people. He washed His disciples’ feet. He gave His life.

The most humiliating act of His service was the cross.

Paul does not end with Christ’s humility. He shows us how the Father responded.

Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Because Christ humbled Himself and obeyed fully, God highly exalted Him.

In the Greek, this phrase carries extra emphasis—“exalted with all exaltation.” The Father raised the Son from the dead, seated Him at His right hand, and gave Him supreme honor.
The One who was humiliated is now glorified. The One who was rejected is now honored.

Paul tells us that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. No one is excluded.
The humble child of Bethlehem will be recognized by all as the sovereign King.

This is where Advent points us forward. We remember Christ’s first coming, but we also anticipate His return. The Jesus who came quietly will come again in power and glory.
For believers, this is great hope.
Humility leads to glory.
Obedience leads to exaltation.
Suffering is never the final word.

Philippians 2:5–11 gives us the full gospel story in three movements:

• The humility of Christ’s coming
• The obedience of His sacrifice
• The glory of His exaltation

First, we are called to humble ourselves.
Paul begins with, “Let this mind be in you.”
We humble ourselves by recognizing that we are sinners.

Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Sin separates us from God, and we cannot fix that separation on our own.
We humble ourselves by acknowledging our need for a Savior and recognizing that Jesus is that Savior.

Second, we are called to exalt Christ.
God exalted Jesus, giving Him the name above every name.
 We join God in that exaltation through worship, praise, and obedience.

This holiday season is the perfect time.
It’s a perfect time to tell somebody about Jesus.

Many people recognize Jesus as Savior but struggle to recognize Him as Lord.
Exalt with all exaltation!
Exalting Christ means placing Him first, above everything else.

The first way we exalt Christ is by recognizing Him as Lord and Savior.
For those who have never done that, the first step is acknowledging sin and the inability to save ourselves.

If getting to heaven was 99.99% God and 0.1% us, it would be just enough to send us right to hell. Salvation is entirely dependent on Jesus.

If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross and rose again, you will be saved.

This article is based on a sermon delivered by Brenden Meinhardt and has been adapted for written format.

In Matthew 15:32–39, we read the familiar account of Jesus feeding the four thousand. It comes just one chapter after He fed the five thousand, so it shouldn’t surprise us how the story unfolds. And yet, every time we read it carefully, it exposes something deeper about our own hearts.

Matthew 15:32

“Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.’” 

The people in this passage had followed Jesus for three days. Three days, without food, just to be near Him, to hear His words, and to witness His work. Their physical hunger revealed a deeper spiritual hunger.

That verse convicted me deeply.
I had to ask myself a hard question: Why don’t I want it that badly?

The people in this story are so hungry for the word of God that they're going to sit there and starve their bodies to death just to be closer to him, just to have chance to hear his words. I got to the point where I was sitting there so calloused and stale in my walk that I couldn't hardly even get through the morning service without checking my watch, tapping my foot, and wondering when it would be over so I could move on with my day. Shame on me, but if we’re honest, many of us drift into that mindset from time to time.

Spiritual apathy doesn’t usually arrive all at once. It creeps in quietly. We get distracted, by work, hobbies, schedules, responsibilities. Satan doesn’t always need to pull us into obvious sin; sometimes he just fills our lives so full that there’s no room left for hunger for God.

We begin treating Jesus like He’s on a schedule:

• One hour on Sunday morning
• Maybe Sunday night
• Rarely Wednesday

And forbid things go longer than expected.

What if the pastor got up here, whoever it is, and preached for 5 hours? I'd have been mad, I would get hungry and grouchy. But that's not the outlook to have.

But Scripture says these people continued with Him.
That phrase matters.

In the King James Version, Matthew 15:32 says they “continued with me now three days.” Jesus can tell when we truly want to continue with Him and He can tell when we’ve checked out. We all know what a half-hearted conversation feels like. Do we really think Jesus can’t tell when our faith is half-invested?

Throughout Scripture, God consistently emphasizes obedience.

“...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice...” (1 Samuel 15:22)

God isn’t impressed by religious activity that lacks obedience.
He desires hearts that listen and respond.
 Hebrews 10:25 reinforces this:

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…”

If we say we want to obey God, we cannot treat gathering with His people as optional or disengage mentally when we are present.

We must ask ourselves:

• Have I grown stale in my walk?
• Am I merely going through the motions?
• If I’m not on fire, have I become lukewarm?

Lukewarm faith is dangerous. It never gets hot enough to be refined. As believers, we should want to place ourselves where God can work on us, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

First, not after work, not after hobbies, not after schedules and responsibilities.
Everything else must come second.

Paul echoes this in Titus 2:13–14, reminding us that we are a people who belong to Christ, called to be zealous for good works. If we belong to Him, does our passion reflect that?
Most of us have never gone three days without food just to hear someone preach, but these people did.

When the disciples saw the hungry crowd, they asked:

“Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” (Matthew 15:33)

Jesus had just fed the five thousand, yet doubt still crept in. How often does that happen to us? God provides again and again, yet when the next challenge comes, anxiety replaces trust.

Jesus asked a simple question: “How many loaves do you have?”
Seven loaves. A few small fish.
And Jesus did the rest.

This wasn’t a parable or a symbolic lesson, it was a real, historical miracle. Four thousand men, plus women and children, were fed and satisfied, with seven baskets left over.
The same Jesus who multiplied bread still works powerfully today. We often say, “If only I could see a miracle.” But Scripture reminds us that one lost sinner being saved is no less miraculous than Lazarus being raised from the dead.

God’s Word still has that kind of power.

I once heard a testimony about a prison guard who regularly dealt with an uncontrollable inmate. One day, the guard read him a single line of Scripture from a pocket Bible. The man calmed down and begged him to come back and read more.
Over time, that inmate’s heart changed.

Years later, that same man, once violent and unmanageable, knocked on the guard’s door. He had planted a church and wanted to invite him to attend.

All of that from one line of Scripture.
Even the guard couldn’t remember which verse he read.
God’s Word does the work.

• Are you lost and in need of a Savior?
• Are you saved but spiritually stale?
• Are you half-invested?
• Are you continuing daily with the Lord?
• Are you anxious about the future?
• Do you desire a deeper walk with Jesus?

Only you can answer those questions.

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you… as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)

May we be people who hunger for Christ, not out of routine, but out of genuine desire. May we continue with Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, and allowing His Word to transform us day by day.

This article is based on a sermon delivered by Deacon Lee Chronister and has been adapted for written format.

There was a church where a generous businessman owned the local pharmacy. He often volunteered to buy whatever the church needed but he always used it as a chance to advertise his drugstore.

The church needed new songbooks, so at a business meeting he said, “I’ll take care of it. I’ll buy them.” Everyone expected that he would put an advertisement in the front of every book.
The books arrived, and they checked the cover, no advertisement. They checked the back, nothing. They thought he was slipping.

Then Christmas came. The first song scheduled was Hark the Herald Angels Sing. But as they began singing, the lyrics were… different:

“Hark the herald angels sing,
Burpee’s pills are just the thing.
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
Two for an adult, one for a child.”

The psalmist wrote in Psalm 37:25, “I was young and now am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” I can testify that this is true. I’m an older pastor myself, nearly 80, and recently retired.
Sometimes younger pastors ask me for advice. One young man asked an older pastor, “How did I do?” The old pastor answered, “Three things were wrong with your sermon:

1. You read it.
2. You didn’t read it very well.
3. It wasn’t worth reading!”

I hope today’s sermon will at least be worth reading.
Although it’s Christmas time, stay with me, you’ll see how this relates to the birth of our Savior.

Isaiah 14:12–14 says:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning…
I will ascend into heaven… I will exalt my throne… I will be like the Most High.

These words were spoken to the king of Babylon, but they mirror what happened to Satan.
Today I want to speak on the origin of the devil and the battle of the ages and show you what the Bible is really about.

Many say the Bible is about sin. It isn’t.
Some say it’s mainly about God. But God is the hero, the devil is the villain, and that’s still not the main point.
The Bible is a library of 66 books, and to understand it, we start with the Trinity, one God in three persons:

• God the Father – might, power, wrath, judgment
• God the Son – grace, atonement, redemption, salvation
• God the Holy Spirit – purity, comfort, holiness

Each person of the Trinity has heavenly helpers:

• The Father’s helpers: Cherubim
• The Holy Spirit’s helpers: Seraphim
• The Son’s helpers: Angels

There are also archangels, each representing a person of the Trinity:

• Michael represents God the Father
• Gabriel represents the Holy Spirit
• Lucifer once represented God the Son

Lucifer, whose name means “bright shining one,” was originally in harmony with Jesus, the Light of the World. But when God said, “Let us make man … he will fall, and we will redeem him and place him above the angels,” Lucifer said, “Not above me.”
He led a revolt and was cast out of heaven.
That’s the origin of the devil.

Scene 1: Lucifer Falls
God wins; Lucifer loses.

Scene 2: The Garden of Eden
Satan gets Adam and Eve to put him, rather than God, on the throne of their hearts.

Scene 3: God Pronounces the Curse
In Genesis 3, God says:

The seed of the woman will bruise the serpent’s head.

The “seed of the woman” is Jesus, born of the virgin Mary.
Satan knew then that God’s one plan, His one “arrow”, was the incarnation. If Satan could stop the birth of Jesus, he could stop redemption forever.
So for 4,000 years, the devil tried to stop the birth of Christ.

The devil attacked every generation:

• Cain and Abel
  Satan corrupted Cain and had him kill Abel. But God raised up Seth.
  
  
• Noah’s day
  The whole earth became corrupt except Noah’s family. The promised line continued through Shem.
  
  
• Abraham and Sarah
  Satan tried to prevent the promised son. Ishmael was born through the slave girl, but God said the Redeemer must come through the free woman, Sarah.
  
  
• Isaac
  Isaac was timid, but God directed the servant to find Rebekah as his wife.
  
  
• Jacob and Esau
  Satan made Esau carnal and tried to corrupt Jacob. Failing that, he stirred up hatred so Esau would kill Jacob.
  
  
• Joseph
  Satan thought Joseph, Rachel’s firstborn, would be the chosen line. He targeted Joseph for death, but God’s choice was Judah.
  
  

Again and again, Satan lost the trail.

When Jesus was finally born, Satan had no idea until wise men asked Herod, “Where is He who is born King of the Jews?”

Herod ordered the massacre of all Hebrew boys two years old and under. Satan was certain Jesus had been killed.

But at Jesus’ baptism, God announced:

“This is my beloved Son.”

He tried temptation.
He tried crucifixion.
Hell celebrated.

But on the third day, Jesus rose.
Satan lost, forever.

Since then, the devil has counterfeited:

• Grace with works
• Salvation with self-righteousness
• Baptism with sprinkling that does not picture death, burial, and resurrection
• Christian living with careless, worldly Christianity

He knows his time is short.
One day, God will say:

“Michael, take this chain and bind the devil.”

Satan will be cast into the pit for 1,000 years, then into the lake of fire forever.

Are you trusting:

• your goodness?
• your record?
• your works?

Or are you trusting the finished work of Christ?

Christmas is not merely the story of a baby in Bethlehem.
It is the story of God’s unstoppable plan to save you.

This article is based on a sermon delivered by Pastor Don Estes and has been adapted for written format.

On behalf of the congregation, Annapolis First Baptist Church announces that our pastor, Rev. Dan Pitchers, and his wife, Ginger, have accepted God’s call to serve another church. Their ministry with us concluded on Sunday, November 30, after 13 years of faithful service to our church family.

We are grateful for their leadership, their love for this congregation, and the lasting impact they have made over these years. Please join us in celebrating all God has done through them by praying for them as they step into this new season of ministry.

We also ask you to lift our church family and leadership in prayer as we navigate this time of transition together.

We have been waiting for the right time to post what has been going on the last month for us at First Baptist Church Annapolis. Goodbyes are never easy, yet when God directs, there is a comfort in saying, “We will see you again.”

On November 16th, I told the church of the new direction and the “Calling” God brought to our heart for planting a church. (For more on that journey, that will have to be another post or over blackberry cobbler and vanilla bean ice cream and a cup of coffee.)

Sunday morning, November 30th, was my last service as AFBC pastor, baptizing 2 and taking the Lord’s Supper. WOW, did God ever move! You can see in the pics the deacons came, and others as well, praying for us.

We dearly love AFBC. 13 years, 3 months God has allowed us to serve the church, community, school, and surrounding area. We will miss you… And yes, we will see you again.

We now will begin to serve in Warsaw, Missouri at LifePointe Warsaw. I will be the Lead Pastor there at that campus, preaching my first sermon December 7th. Already, we have felt their love for us, and we are extremely excited about what God is already doing and what the future holds for us as well.

The crazy people we are with in the picture below are just that… crazy! They took us in, taught us, loved us, and patiently put up with our “Hey, my computer is…” or “My phone won’t…” and “Wow, how did you do that so fast?”

Lyndal, Miranda, and Justin, everyone knows we loved our church, but when God placed you three in our lives, He said, “Those two are going to need a lot of help…!!” And He sent the three we needed.

Proverbs 3:6: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Staying true to His word with a new path for our life…

Christian discipleship is the lifelong process of growing in Jesus Christ, becoming more like Him as the Holy Spirit shapes us, strengthens us, and equips us to face the pressures and trials of this life.

Here’s what that looks like in everyday life:
As a born-again child of God, I want to become more and more like my Heavenly Father, not because of anything good in me, but because of the One I’m following. Growing up, my earthly father influenced me deeply. The more time I spent with him, the more I naturally picked up his traits, his habits, even the way he talked.
I know not everyone had a good earthly father, but all of us have had someone in our lives who left an imprint, someone whose character, attitude, or way of living rubbed off on us simply because we were around them.

It works the same way spiritually.

The more time you spend with Jesus and with other believers who love Him, the more His character becomes your own.

So draw close. Stay close. Get around Jesus and His people as much as you can!

Matthew 28:18–19
“Jesus came and spoke to them (His disciples), saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore…’”

Jesus wasn’t speaking to strangers, He was speaking to disciples He had already prepared. He was, in effect, telling them:
“You are ready.”
(Annapolis First Baptist… You are ready!)


34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

A Disciple Follows
Mark 8:34–38
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Before anything else, before ministry, before serving, before going, a disciple must follow.

Matthew 4:18–19
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.


Notice the order:
Before He says “I will make you fishers of men,”
He first says, “Follow Me.”

If you want to make an impact in the world through discipleship,
encountering Christ comes first.

Jesus didn’t just call us to go, He called us to teach.

Matthew 28:20
“…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”

Discipleship is not complete until teaching happens.

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Let’s break that down:

• Alive — “I portray the Savior.”
• Active — “I go as He is in me.”
• Sharper — “It gives me direction.”
• Penetrates — “It saves.”
• Judges — “It convicts us.”

Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

• Lamp — “It is power.”
• Light — “It illuminates direction.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

• Given — “Gifted to us.”

• Inspired by God — “He is the author.”
• Profitable for doctrine — “It discerns the right ways.”
• Reproof — “It shows what God disapproves.”
• Correction — “It rebukes and redirects.”
• Instruction — “It teaches the way.”
• Complete man — “The result of God’s work in us.”
• Equipped completely — “Becoming more Christlike.”

Our Story Should Never Stop at Salvation
There is so much more God wants to do in our lives.
He does not want us to stay the same.
This is the process of sanctification and disciples must teach this.

(Illustration: Justin and the bowl of rice for world missions.)


1 Corinthians 3:1-4
 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

Paul explains that spiritual infants must grow from milk to solid food.
People grow by learning the Word of God and following the direction it gives.
They must be taught:
Don’t just hear the words, study them and apply them.

We learn God’s whisper by learning His voice through His Word.

1 Kings 19:11–12
. . . but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Elijah was overwhelmed, surrounded by chaos, and ready to give up.
But God met him gently, with a whisper.
Among all the noise of this world…
Hear God’s whisper.

Jesus doesn’t leave us.
He walks with us, speaks to us, and grows us into who He created us to be.
And that must be taught so all will know.

When Jesus sends us, He never sends us by ourselves.
His presence goes with us, His Spirit lives within us, and His power prepares the way.

Matthew 28:20
 and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

When Jesus commands us to go,
He never expects us to go alone.
He prepares the path and walks it with us.

John 21:17
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. "

Jesus already knew the sheep.
He knew where they were.
And He knew Peter would not feed them alone because Christ would go with him.

John 14:15-17
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

A disciple is never sent without the Spirit.
Every step of obedience is empowered by the One who walks with us, fills us, and leads us.


 The Call to Discipleship Summed Up

• Follow — before you go.
• Teach — so they will know.
• Go — but never alone.

Next Step: Identify Where You Are With Jesus

As you think about the call to discipleship, ask yourself honestly:

• Are you introducing others to Someone you haven’t truly met yet?
• Is your belief built on man’s words or God’s Word?
• Have you spent time with Jesus, but never shared Him with others?

Every journey of discipleship begins in the same place, with the call to salvation.
If you sense that today…
If you feel the draw…
If you feel the Lord tugging at your heart…
That is the call.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,
” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

2 Corinthians 6:17–18
17 Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate,
says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.”

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Romans 10:9–10
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Acts 2:21
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Ephesians 2:8–9
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

If God is calling you today, step toward Him.
Salvation is the beginning.
Discipleship is the journey.
Jesus is the One who leads every step.

What is the most generous thing someone has ever done for you that did not involve money?
For me, it has been people investing their time in me.
Family: My mom and dad
Friends: John Will, Gerald Eckert, Frank Kramer, Dave Jaycox, Dave Modglin, Kabeta
Pastors:

• Dr. Danny O’Guinn (evangelism)
• Frank Whitney (pastoral wisdom)
• Gerald Davidson (leadership)
• Todd Foreman (perseverance)
• Brian Lester (doing your best, and even how to drive a bus!)

Their generosity came through caring for me and taking the time to invest in my life.

Generosity
Generosity is a quality of being kind.
For me, generosity begins as a prompting of kindness, a moment when the Holy Spirit nudges me to respond to a need.

Examples:

• Helping someone in Walmart who couldn’t reach the top shelf
• Mowing a yard
• Responding when I see a need

These simple actions came from seeing, feeling prompted, and choosing to help.
This leads me to a question:

Is my heart in a place where God can prompt me to be generous?

2 Corinthians 9:6–15
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,
14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

There is no doubt that we should practice financial generosity.

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously… God loves a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthians 9:6–7

“The generous will prosper, and those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” -Proverbs 11:25

Followers of Christ are generous because they understand everything they have belongs to God. They willingly and joyfully share their resources with God and others.
BUT…
Today is not about money.
It is about mission.
It is about eternity.

2 Corinthians 9:8

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so that you, having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

What abilities has God given you?
What skills do you excel in that you could pour into someone else?
Examples:

• Volunteering in church ministries, community service, or non-profit work
• Mentoring someone, especially youth or those in need

The apostle Paul himself was a tentmaker by trade.
Acts 18:3–4
So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

Paul stayed and worked with Priscilla and Aquila because they shared the same occupation. He supported himself in Corinth during his second missionary journey, and every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
Paul used his skills and time generously and God used that generosity to reach people with the gospel.

Could God be waiting for you or perhaps already using you to do the same through your time and skills?

Today is not about money.
It is about mission.
It is about eternity.

Examples of hospitality:

• Welcoming others into your home
• Inviting someone for a meal or fellowship
• Providing shelter or support to those in need

2 Corinthians 9:11–12

“You are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving to God. For this service not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.”

Liberality means being open-handed, open-hearted, willing to give freely and welcome others. This kind of hospitality leads people to thank God.

Remember the extra steps taken by the Good Samaritan:
Luke 10:33–35
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ?35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

He saw the injured man, had compassion, bandaged his wounds, poured on oil and wine, put him on his own donkey, took him to an inn, took care of him, paid for his stay, and promised to cover any extra expense.

This story of generosity is still told today because his hospitality went above and beyond.
Should we not follow his example?
Should we not also be people who go the extra mile?

Today is not about money.
It is about mission.
It is about eternity.

Examples:

• Sharing your faith
• Praying for others and their needs

These practices reflect Christian values of love, compassion, and community support.
2 Corinthians 9:13–15
13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

When we minister generously, people glorify God, recognizing the obedience of our confession of Christ and the grace of God within us.
God has given every Christian spiritual gifts!

The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
For the common good
1 Corinthians 12:7

“The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

To build up the church
1 Corinthians 14:12

"Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel."

To prepare us for works of service
1 Corinthians 12:4–6
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

God did not save us to be silent.

The gifts He gives are not meant to be wasted but to be used generously to reach the lost in our mission field.
John 4:35

“Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Today is not about money.
It is about mission.
It is about eternity.

Show generosity in every way, especially with your spiritual gifts.

Memorize and Do:
Proverbs 3:6

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”

Romans 10:1
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”

I remember my father wanting me to play golf with him. One thing about beginners is this: we see a lot of the course from one hole. (Golfers understand.)

My father could have taken several approaches:

• He could have let me learn on my own and wait until I improved before playing with him.
• He could have taken me along but only let me putt, never letting me learn the whole game.
• Or he could do what he actually did, take the time to teach me by talking with me, showing me, and helping me become a golfer.
• He even invested in me by buying the right equipment so I could grow, whether he was there or not.

Now, Paul isn’t teaching golf in this passage. That’s obvious.
Paul wants Israel to be saved, period.
But he also understands he cannot teach or preach to them alone. It requires a church, a congregation, a community of believers. His message in writing makes this clear:

 The Gospel Needs a Carrier

From the very beginning, God has chosen people, ordinary people like you and me, to carry His light to those in darkness.
To our:

• Israel
• Annapolis
• Wherever people are

Today, we step into our identity as Carriers of Hope.
This light doesn’t just shine from pulpits or platforms. It shines through conversations, generosity, obedience, and everyday faithfulness.

Romans 10:13–15
13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
15 “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’”

Paul’s logic is undeniable:
If salvation depends on hearing the Gospel, then someone must share it.
That leads us to our first truth.

Salvation is for “everyone who calls.”
The message is universal. The invitation is open to whosoever.

Romans 10:13
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

The “whosoevers” in Scripture:

• The Thief on the Cross — Luke 23:39–43
• Zacchaeus the Tax Collector — Luke 19:1–10
• The Woman Caught in Adultery — John 8:1–11
• Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) — Acts 9:1–19
• The Philippian Jailer — Acts 16:25–34
• Cornelius the Centurion — Acts 10:1–48
• The Samaritan Woman at the Well — John 4:1–30
• The Ethiopian Eunuch — Acts 8:26–39
• Pastor Dan Pitchers — September 1979

And you, sitting here today, you are a whosoever, and you need to know Jesus is here, ready and waiting.

God’s heart is global toward the “whosoever” and the “all.”

• “For God so loved the world…” John 3:16
• No person, no place, no past disqualifies anyone from the Gospel.

Jesus Himself said: “Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations.” Matthew 28:19
Jesus is an “All” kind of God.
When He cried from the cross, “Forgive them all,” His forgiveness reached universally, to all of us.

The Gospel levels the playing field.
Everyone needs it, and everyone is welcome.
We carry a light meant to shine in every nation, every neighborhood, every heart.
But how will they know unless someone tells them?
The Gospel cannot remain a secret.
Which leads us to the next truth:

We must impact.
We must shine where God has placed us.

Romans 10:14
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”

God uses ordinary people to carry an extraordinary message.

• “We have this treasure in jars of clay…” 2 Corinthians 4:7
• You may feel unqualified, but you are exactly who God wants to use.

God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.
He will never leave us or forsake us.

Ordinary People Used in Extraordinary Ways:

• Moses – The Reluctant Leader
• Rahab – The Courageous Prostitute
• David – The Flawed King
• Gideon – The Fearful Warrior
• Jonah – The Runaway Prophet
• Peter – The Impulsive Disciple
• Paul – From Persecutor to Apostle

Our daily lives are divine opportunities.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5

Every conversation, workplace, grocery aisle, these are places to carry light.

Biblical examples of divine opportunities:

• Esther 4:14 — “For such a time as this.”
• Acts 8:26–40 — Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
• John 4:1–42 — Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

Your light doesn’t need a passport; it has purpose.
You carry hope where you are.
But just as some are called to go, others are called to send.
Missions is a team effort.

Missions requires both feet and finances.
Those who give are just as essential as those who go.

Senders enable the mission.

• “How can anyone preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:15
• Our willingness to send is part of Gospel partnership.

God honors the sacrifice of sending.

• “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Isaiah 52:7 / Romans 10:15
• When you give, you are not just funding travel, you are fueling transformation.

You may never go to the next church plant, across state lines, or overseas,
but your prayers and your willingness to send will reach people you may never meet.

The Gospel is too good to keep to ourselves.
Missions is not someone else’s job, It is our shared assignment.

You are the carrier.
You are the sender.
You are the light-bringer.

Let’s not be the generation that dimmed the light.
Let’s be the generation that sends it farther than ever before.

• Start a Gospel conversation with someone in your life.
• Pray to send or be sent.

Isaiah 6:8
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’”
“Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

There’s a strange story in Exodus 8.
A story most Christians have read but few have really thought about.

God is sending plagues on Egypt, and one of those plagues is frogs.
Not a few frogs, not a pond full of frogs, the Bible says frogs were everywhere.

In the palace.
In the houses.
In the bed.
In the kitchen.
In the baking bowls.
Everywhere you turned, frogs.

Pharaoh calls Moses and says, “Pray for God to take these frogs away!”

So Moses asks him a simple question:
“When do you want God to remove the frogs?”

And unbelievably, Pharaoh answers: “Tomorrow.”

Not today.
Not right now.
Not as soon as possible.
Tomorrow.

Can you imagine that?

Your house is full of frogs.
You’re sleeping in frogs.
You can’t eat without frogs.
You can’t sit down without frogs.

And Pharaoh says, “One more night.”

People do this every single day with their souls.

They know what God is calling them to do.
They know what needs to change.
They know the sin that needs to be repented of…
But instead of surrendering today, they say:

“I’ll get right with God… someday.”
“I’ll forgive… later.”
“I’ll come back to church… when I have time.”
“I’ll get serious about my walk… eventually.”

One more night with the frogs.

I believe God brought someone here for one reason:
To say, “No more tomorrow. Tonight is the night.”

Exodus 8:1–10
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 2 If you refuse to let them go, I will send a plague of frogs on your whole country. 3 The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. 4 The frogs will come up on you and your people and all your officials.’ ”
5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’ ”
6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land. 7 But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.
8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”
9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.”
10 “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said.
Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God.

Exodus 8:1-7
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 2 If you refuse to let them go, I will send a plague of frogs on your whole country.
3 The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. 4 The frogs will come up on you and your people and all your officials.’ ”5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’ ”
6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land. 7 But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh didn’t take God seriously.
He ignored the voice of God, so God sent frogs to confront his stubbornness.

That’s what God does with us.

He confronts the sin we try to ignore:
• bitterness
• addiction
• unforgiveness
• sexual sin
• pride
• spiritual laziness

We don’t like confrontation.
We like to push things to the side… pretend they’re not there.

But sooner or later, God brings frogs into the house.
Not to punish us, but to wake us up.

Sometimes God will make you uncomfortable, so you’ll finally get serious.

Maybe someone wonders:
“Why does life feel messy?
Why does everything feel out of control?”

It might be God saying:
“I’m trying to get your attention.”

Exodus 8:8-10
8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”
9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.”
10 “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said.
Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God.

Moses asked, “When should I pray for God to remove the frogs?”

Pharaoh should have said, “Right now!”
But he said… “Tomorrow.”

People don’t mind God working, as long as it doesn’t have to be today.

We want salvation… later.
We want purity… later.
We want commitment… later.
We want obedience… later.

But tomorrow is not promised.

Some of the saddest words in the Bible are found in Acts 24.
Paul preached to Felix about righteousness and judgment, and Felix said:

“When I have a more convenient time, I’ll call for you.”

He waited for a better moment.
Scripture never says he found it.

Hell is filled with people who were planning on getting saved tomorrow.

Church pews are filled with people planning to surrender tomorrow.

Pharaoh wanted one more night to think about it.
One more night living in misery.
One more night in disobedience.

Some of you have been putting off what God has been calling you to do:
• Get saved.
• Be baptized.
• Restore a relationship.
• Confess sin.
• Come back to church.
• Commit to serving.
• Surrender your life fully.

Exodus 8:12-13
12 After Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the Lord about the frogs he had brought on Pharaoh. 13 And the Lord did what Moses asked. The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields.

When did the frogs leave?

Not when Pharaoh felt sorry.
Not when he got emotional.
Not when he promised he’d change someday.

They left the moment he asked God today.

Revival is not about how many services we attend, but how we respond to the voice of God.
God is not looking for good intentions; He’s looking for obedience.

• Not “I’ll read my Bible sometime,” but today.
• Not “I’ll repent someday,” but today.
• Not “I’ll give my life to Christ later,” but today.

2 Corinthians 6:2
For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

Hebrews 3:15
As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

If God is speaking, the time to respond is now.

A pastor once visited a man who had been out of church for years.
Every time the pastor came by, the man said,
“I know I need to come back. I’m going to. I just need to fix some things first.”

He said it in spring. He said it in summer.
He said it in fall. He said it in winter.

One night the man died suddenly in his sleep.

He always meant to come back...tomorrow.

Salvation — tonight.
Repentance — tonight.
Forgiveness — tonight.
Surrender — tonight.

Don’t live one more night with the frogs.

If you need salvation, come.
If you need to repent, come.
If you need to forgive someone, come.
If you need to come back to church, come.

Don’t wait for a better moment.
Don’t wait for the perfect time.
Don’t wait until you “feel ready.”

This is your moment.
This is your night.
This is God calling your name.

Acts 2:41-47

a. To the teaching of Scripture (v. 42, 46), to the fellowship of the believers (v. 42, 46), to the ordinances (v. 42, 41), to prayer. (v. 42)

b. Revitalization is not an emotional experience. It is the shaping of our hearts in devotion to God.

c. Biblical devotion begins with recognizing your sin, confessing it before God, and trusting in Christ.

Have you trusted in Christ?
Do you love to study Scripture?
Do you love to spend time with other believers?
Do you cherish the Lord’s table?
Do you persevere fervently in prayer?
Are you willing to be devoted to the things God wants you to be devoted to?
Pray that God would cause your heart to be devoted to Him in these ways.

a. The early church was amazed by what God was doing in their lives. (v. 43)

b. A sense of awe cultivates a heart of worship. (v.43 & 47)- Luke 7:36-48- woman puts oil on Jesus’ feet

c. Many Christians need to desperately ask God to restore a sense of awe in His presence.

Have you been forgiven much? Are you still amazed at what God has forgiven you for?
Are you amazed at what God does for other people, through Christ?
Is your life marked by an attitude of worship?
Pray that God would make you awestruck in His presence: not just tonight, not just for the remainder of this revival, but throughout each day of your life. Seek to go through each day in amazement of who God is and what He has done.

a. The early church put the needs of others before their own, showing a Christ-like love within the church.

b. Revitalization will orient our hearts to sacrificially care for others as Christ has sacrificially cared for us.

In what ways have you put others before yourself this week?
Has the way you’ve treated others, especially brothers and sisters in Christ, provided an example of Christ-like love and humility?
Are there any sinful behaviors/attitudes that have been affecting the way you treat people?
Pray that God would shape your character each day to resemble Christ more closely. Repent of any sins that have prevented you from demonstrating the compassion of Christ to others.

a. If we want to see God add to our number those who are being saved, we must be laborers in the harvest.

Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

b. Many people say they want the results, but few people want to do the work necessary to see the results.

c. Evangelism requires time, preparation, courage, and love. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

When was the last time you labored in evangelism?
Who could you reach out to this week with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Do you believe that God can save that person through the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Pray that God will give you an opportunity to share the Gospel with that person this week. Pray that God will give you the time to talk with that person, that He’ll prepare you to share the Gospel, that He will equip you with courage to talk to them about Christ, and that He will give you a love for them so strong that you can’t help but tell them about Christ.

The passage is bookended by salvations through faith in Christ. Revitalization starts with faith in Jesus Christ. Faith makes us devoted, awestruck, compassionate, and evangelistic as we are affected by Christ’s work on the cross for us.

This month, we’re focusing on something that challenges every believer, impact.
To impact means to have a strong effect on someone or something.
And when we think of impact, we can’t find a better example than Jesus Christ.

Jesus impacted the world through both words and action.

• Teachers impact students (words and action).
• Parents impact children (words and action).
• Churches impact communities (words and action).

When a church truly impacts its community, the question naturally follows:
“How will you impact?”

Revelation 7:9

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language…

We tend to see what we’re trained to see.

• A doctor sees symptoms.
• A builder sees structures.
• A tourist sees attractions.

But Jesus sees the world through the lens of eternity, and He invites us to do the same.
When Jesus looked at the crowds, He didn’t see an annoyance or background noise, He saw a harvest.

Looking Beyond the Play
Just because a man is open doesn’t mean it’s a good pass.
If he can’t handle it or he’s guarded by someone 7'4" tall like Victor Wembanyama, then maybe it’s not the right move.

Jesus also looked beyond the surface. He saw not just where people were, but what they could become.

Matthew 10:5–6

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Jesus was teaching His disciples discernment, to go, but to know where to go.
He was preparing them for their field, just as He prepares each of us for ours.
Jesus is saying to His church today:

“Open your eyes.”

The mission doesn’t start with movement, it starts with vision.

John 4:35-38
35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.  37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

In John 4, Jesus has just spoken to the woman at the well.
The disciples are confused by His priorities, but Jesus invites them to see what He sees.

The world is spiritually hungry, more than for food or comfort.
Studies show that 72% of people are willing to have a gospel conversation.
John 4:35(b)

I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

Every husband knows this scene:

“Honey, I can’t find it!”
And the wife replies,
“Did you look right in front of you?”

Often, the item was there all along, hidden behind a butter stick or a jelly jar.
Christians can be the same way.
We miss what’s right in front of us because we aren’t truly looking.

Matthew 9:36

When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Jesus saw people, not problems.
He looked beyond their condition and saw their need for a Shepherd.
John 4:35(b)

They are ripe for harvest.

Spiritual blindness is the root of many visible problems.
2 Corinthians 4:4 reminds us:

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…

Behind every headline is a heart issue. Lostness is the greater crisis.

We’re invited into a harvest that God is already preparing.
God will never send you somewhere He hasn’t already been.
John 4:38

Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.

We are not starting from scratch, God is working behind the scenes.

The Apple Orchard
Before you ever pick one apple, someone has already:

• Cleared the land
• Tested and prepared the soil
• Planted and watered the trees
• Pruned and protected the orchard

By the time you show up, the work has been going on for years.
The same is true in God’s mission, the Spirit prepares hearts before we arrive.

Acts 16:14

The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Like Lydia, many people around us are already being softened by God’s Spirit.
We’re called simply to see, step in, and share.

John 4:35

I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

Compassion leads to vision. Vision leads to action.
Luke 10:33–34

But a Samaritan… took pity on him… and took care of him.

Compassion doesn’t just feel, it moves.
James 2:15–16

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their needs, what good is it?

We don’t need more time or talent, we need more tenderness.
The world is ready, but too often, the church isn’t looking.
When we open our eyes, God opens doors.

The Starfish Story
A boy was walking along the beach covered with starfish.
Knowing they would die in the sun, he began throwing them back one by one.
A man said, “You can’t save them all, there are thousands!”
The boy replied, “No, but I just saved that one.”
Every person matters. Every encounter counts.

Ask God to give you:

• Eyes to see the world as He sees it.
• Eyes to see the lost and broken around you.
• Ears to hear their heart and need for Jesus.
• Courage to view people as opportunities, not obstacles.
• Power to share His love wherever you go.

Every opportunity can become a gospel opportunity.

Pray this five-word prayer every morning this week:

“Lord, help me see people.”

Then, as you go to work, walk through your neighborhood, or scroll through social media, watch for one act of kindness, one conversation, one open door.
You might be surprised. the harvest is closer than you think.

Think about a submarine. What does it do most often?
It studies.
It tracks.
It targets.
A submarine learns its enemy.
its patterns, its defenses, its captain’s habits and reflexes.
Then it attacks where the ship is weakest.
Satan does the same thing.
He studies our patterns and normal routines.
He knows our strengths, and especially our weaknesses.
He targets them one by one.
But remember: Satan can only do what God allows.

Satan: The Ruler of This World

John 12:31  “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”
John 14:30  “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.”

Satan idolizes that title “Ruler.”
He exploits it like any tyrant would by targeting weakness.


David’s Example: When the Ruler Attacks
Many call David’s greatest sin his adultery with Bathsheba.
It cost the lives of Uriah, their child, Amnon, and Absalom.
But there was another sin, one that cost 70,000 lives.

1 Chronicles 21:1–2, 7–8, 14–19
Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel…
David said, “I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing.”
And the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men fell.

Why was this sin “great”?
Because it was a sin of the spirit, rooted in will, pride, and independence from God’s will.

“Surrender to me!”

Satan wants control of your will so that your life becomes out of control.
That’s how he moved David to number Israel.

1 Chronicles 21:1–2 “Satan moved David [his will] to number Israel.”

Only God had the right to command a census (Exodus 30:12).
David counted what did not belong to him.
And God was displeased.

Exodus 30:12 God told Moses, “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them.”

We belong to God, body, spirit, and purpose.
When we assert our own will above His, we drift into deep danger.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”

The Will of the Christian
Developing spiritual willpower means:

• Pray whether you feel like it or not.
• Obey God’s Word regardless of emotion.
• Acknowledge Him in all your ways (Proverbs 3:6).

Satan’s first rebellion was the sin of “I Will.”
(Isaiah 14:12–14 five times Satan declares, “I will.”)
And he still tries to duplicate that sin in our lives today.

“Come on, you’re stronger… you can do it on your own!”

David had won twenty (in 1 Chronicles alone) great victories.
Satan whispered, “You’ve got this. Count your army. Look what you have built.”
And David’s ego took the bait.
Adultery was a sin of the flesh, but numbering Israel was a sin of the spirit.

2 Corinthians 7:1 — “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.”

Churches are quick to condemn the sins of the flesh, but slow to confront the sins of the spirit: pride, stubbornness, gossip, jealousy, competition, bragging, etc.

Remember: Pride enters into almost every temptation.
It’s the same lie that caught Eve: “You shall be as God.”

1 Peter 5:5–6 “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

When Jesus was tested:
Matthew 4:8-9 Satan tried Jesus with Pride
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
This shows . . . If Jesus would have followed this asking . . . Self would have been glorified and God Not!

That is why Peter writes
1 Peter 5:5-6
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

• Joseph's Brothers Genesis 37 'Envied Joseph' and sold him in to slavery telling their father Jacob, He had been eaten by a wild beast. 
• Solomon Son Rehoboam . . .  allowed Pride 2 Chronicles 10 . . .  and a nation turned against him.
• Pharisees and Sadducee constantly Envied and with Pride filled hearts their position among the people was being put to the and this drove them to Crucify Jesus. 

When David numbered the people

• He did for his own glory! 
• No redemption money was collected.

 . . . It was his word not God's . . .

“Don’t wait. Don’t listen. Do it your way!”

Man loves the words “I did it.”
But Scripture reminds us:

Acts 17:28 “In Him we live and move and have our being.”
Romans 11:36 “From Him and through Him and for Him are all things.”

When we start acting independently of God’s will, we move outside His protection.
David had ten months to repent before the census was complete but his independence persisted.
He wanted to use God for his own purpose.
Many of us do the same:
We want God in our lives, but not in control of our lives.

A Christian woman once married an unbeliever despite every warning of Scripture.
Now her atheist husband decides where they go to church because he feels “comfortable” there.
Independence from God’s will always leads to compromise.

No Christian can work independently of God’s will.
We need His provision physically and spiritually.
We need His Word to stay the course.

When Satan fires his torpedoes, our defense is the Holy Spirit within us.

Philippians 2:12–13
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

The Holy Spirit is not just a helper, He is the living presence of God within us,
shaping our hearts to align with His will.

What It Means to Work Out Your Salvation
The phrase “work out” means to bring something to completion, to live in obedience.
We do this by pursuing holiness with reverence and awe.

Romans 12:1–2 “Present your bodies a living sacrifice… be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Psalm 2:11 “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.”

We are not working for salvation, we are working out the salvation God has already placed within us.

Practice:

• Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11–17).
• Speak the Word as Jesus did: “Away from me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10)

Memorize:

Galatians 5:25 — “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Imagine a battlefield where the most potent weapons are not guns or tanks, but ideas and emotions. A submarine fires no torpedoes, yet through radio communication it can instill fear in the minds of enemy captains, paralyzing an entire fleet.
Now, imagine this battlefield in the human heart. Satan is like a submarine, launching invisible torpedoes of deception and fear that can paralyze a Christian’s life. This is the realm of Satan's psychological warfare through accusations, complex, subtle, yet powerful enough to change the course of someone’s life.

Psychological Warfare
Psychological warfare is like a high-stakes chess game, with human minds as pawns. It involves manipulation, misinformation, and fear to control thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese strategist, said,

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

Satan uses the same principle. Before we even leave our house, before we pray, before our quiet moments with God, he deploys his torpedoes of accusation.

The Accuser in Action
Zechariah 3:1-7 provides a vivid picture of Satan’s strategy.

Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Joshua. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.” 3 Joshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. 4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Joshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” 5 Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by. 6 Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Joshua and said, 7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Joshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” 

Joshua represented the people of Israel, whose garments were filthy due to sin. Satan, the accuser, points to these imperfections and declares guilt.

Satan’s submarine says:
"You can’t possibly win. We are stronger, smarter, and more numerous. You are no match for what we can do. We have destroyed many like you before. Give up!"

Zechariah 3:1, 3
"...The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Joshua...3 Joshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel."

Satan whispers,
"Now, c’mon God. How could this ragtag bunch of exiles from Babylon be the ones You’ve chosen to rebuild the temple and establish a new priesthood? This is the same defiled generation that rebelled against You decades ago, which led to Babylonian captivity. Are You really going to bring this morally impure group back under Your protection and blessing?"

Standing in filthy garments, Joshua certainly appears “guilty as charged” (Zechariah 3:3).
The priestly garments of Israel’s High Priest were meant to be holy and undefiled:
Exodus 28:3-4  “So they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. These are the garments they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.”

Satan is the master accuser, quick to remind God and us of our spiritual faults and failures. Imagine the conversation:
"Really? This man or woman… you know where they’ve been, what they’ve done, the walk they’ve walked… how can You still bless them?"

No wonder Revelation 12:10 calls him “the accuser of the brethren.”

But God’s response is always truth and restoration:
Proverbs 24:16 “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”

The truth: The righteous may fall, even seven times but God ensures they rise again.

Satan bends the truth, saying:
"You fell; you will always fall. You are hopeless. You are alone. No one can help you. You cheated, lied, stole, looked with lust… no hope!"

But Jesus counters every accusation:
"They (you) will rise again. I am faithful and just to forgive all sin. Though your sins are scarlet, I will wash them whiter than snow."

God says to Satan:
"I work with forgiveness; you work with condemnation. Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more."

Fear is a mind game. Satan tries to paralyze us with “what may happen”: threats, consequences, or the unknown.
The bear may eat me.
The IRS is going to take all my money.
She or he will never forgive me.
Satan’s whispers aim to paralyze your faith before you even take a step.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Joshua, representing Israel, stood before God carrying the weight of fear and failure.
Satan accused him: "God is going to send you back! You don’t deserve to be here. You’ve failed."

Zechariah 3:1 “The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Joshua.”

But God immediately responds:
Zechariah 3:2 “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘I, the Lord, reject your accusations.’”

God silences fear with truth.
He declares, “I will not allow you to send fear into My children. I know who they can become, not what you want them to remain forever.”

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

When Satan says, “Run,” God says, “Stand firm.”

Satan’s submarine also uses smoke and mirrors, a deception meant to confuse and intimidate.
He says: "You have no idea who we are, what we can do, or when we’ll attack. You’d better hide!"

This is the illusion. Satan wants you to believe:

• He has the final say.
• The battle is already lost.
• There’s no point in praying, fasting, or seeking help.

Zechariah 3:1 again paints the picture:

“Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Joshua.”

If the passage ended there, Satan’s claim would seem true. It would sound like “It’s over. Joshua is a fraud. Israel deserves judgment.”
But it doesn’t end there.
Zechariah 3:2

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘I, the Lord, reject your accusations.’”

In other words, “You have no control here.”
It’s not over until God says it’s over.
The Amplified Bible describes the devil this way:
1 Peter 5:8

“That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.”

Notice, it says like a roaring lion.
That’s the smoke and mirrors: he wants you to believe he’s more powerful than he is.
Jesus warned of another illusion:
Matthew 7:15

“Beware of false prophets (smoke), which come to you in sheep’s clothing (mirrors), but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

So how do we tear down the illusion?
We point Satan to an empty tomb.
We remind him of his own future.

Revelation 20:10

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

When Satan says, “It’s over,” you can answer with confidence:
“It’s not over because my God still speaks.”

God’s strategy is simple but powerful. He silences Satan’s accusations with truth, forgiveness, and authority through Christ.

• Jesus intercedes as our advocate.
• Scripture gives us the power to speak back: “Away from me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10).
• James 4:7-8  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

We can confront the accuser boldly, knowing his power is limited and temporary.

God knows that Satan will use his warfare of accusations but He has already given us the weapons to fight back.

Tell Satan He Has Limited Power
As Christians, we must take the enemy’s voice seriously, but we must also remember his limitations.

Satan is not like God.
He is not all-powerful.
He is not all-knowing.
He is not present everywhere.
And he knows that if you are in Christ, you already have more than enough power to turn him away.

1 John 4:4  “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 Corinthians 10:13  “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Perhaps the devil’s greatest success is how he has exaggerated his own power.
But the truth is, in Christ you are beyond Satan’s reach forever.
Jesus is always with you.
You are not alone.

A Simple Sentence to Silence Satan
The psychologist Abraham Maslow once said,

“If the only tool you have is a hammer, then every problem is a nail.”

Satan wants his accusations to be the hammer in your mind, pounding away at your peace, your purpose, and your identity.
But you have a stronger tool: the Word of God.
In the wilderness, when Satan tempted Jesus three times, Jesus responded each time with Scripture: “It is written.”
And in His final response, Jesus added a verbal rebuke:

“Away from me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10)

That one phrase silences the enemy.
Let it be your declaration today:
“Away from me, Satan!”
Or, as one author wrote:

“Satan, I rebuke you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Power of Submission
We silence the voice of the devil not by shouting louder, but by standing closer to God.

James 4:7–8
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

When we submit to God, the devil loses his authority.
When we resist the devil, he flees.
And when we draw near to God, peace returns to our hearts.

The next time the enemy tries to accuse, condemn, or deceive you, remember this truth:
Satan’s power is limited. God’s Word is final.

Takeaways

1. Recognize Satan’s Submarine Tactics: Accusation, fear, smoke and mirrors.
2. Respond with Scripture: “Away from me, Satan!”
3. Trust God’s Authority: His word has the final say.

Memorize This Week:
Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17) and declare:

“In the name of Jesus, away from me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
-1 Peter 5:8

Last week, we saw Satan’s deception, how he hides beneath the surface and uses spiritual acoustic masking to disguise his presence. The Depth Charge that exposed his deception was the Word of God.

But this week, we face a darker truth:
When Satan cannot deceive you, he will attempt to destroy you.

A submarine is deceptive for one reason and one reason only, to destroy all active or potentially active ships. It will never target a dead or inactive vessel. It hunts what threatens it.

The same is true for the believer.
If you are alive in Christ, you are a target.

When you became a Christian, you were enlisted in battle and you became Satan’s #1 target of destruction.
He doesn’t waste torpedoes on inactive believers.
His goal is to sink the ships that move.

Just ask Job.
In Job 1 and 2, Satan appears before God, seeking permission to attack God’s faithful servant. Job loses his children, his wealth, and finally his health.
Even Job’s wife says, “Curse God and die.”
But Job refuses to sin with his lips.

Job 2:1-10
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” 4 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Satan’s first torpedo is aimed at the body.
Why? Because God uses our physical lives as vessels for His mission.

• Noah’s hands built the ark.
• The disciples’ hands distributed bread and fish.
• Their mouths and tongues preached the Gospel.

God wants to use your body as a vehicle for revealing Him to a lost and dying world.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- Matthew 5:16

Satan’s goal is to cripple that vessel, to destroy the means by which you serve and disciple others.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
- 1 Peter 2:9

If he can’t silence your faith, he’ll try to disable your body and discourage your spirit.

When Satan targets the body, his weapon is suffering.
Job 2:7 says,

“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”

But remember, Satan can do nothing that God does not allow.

“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.”
-Luke 22:31

1. The Natural Breakdown of the Body
   We age, we ache, we weaken because "all creation groans under sin" (Romans 8:18–23).
   
   
2. Suffering for Discipline
   

   “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord… for whom the Lord loves He chastens.” -Hebrews 12:5–6
   God’s discipline is not punishment; it’s child training.
   The purpose here is not a Judge to a criminal, but a Father to His son.
   It’s not anger, it’s loving care.
   God desires more than anything to build us up, not tear us down.
   Think of a coach who tears into a team after a sloppy game, not to destroy them, but to get their attention, to train them, to make them better.
   
   David understood this kind of loving correction.
   When he tried to cover his sin, Psalm 32 tells us he suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually. God’s hand was heavy upon him, not to crush him, but to restore him.
   
   Jonah learned the same lesson.
   When he refused to go to Nineveh, he went in the direct opposite direction.
   He found a ship to Tarshish, but God interrupted his rebellion with a storm.
   The sailors threw him overboard, and Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, what he later called a “living death.”
   Only when facing that living death did Jonah finally look up.
   The storm came for the purpose of correcting God’s servant who had been disobedient.
   
   God doesn’t send storms to sink us, He sends them to save us from ourselves.
   
   

3. Suffering for Perfection
   Sometimes, suffering is the fire that matures our faith.
   
   Warren W. Wiersbe explains it well:
   “All the calamities of Job’s life seemed to have natural explanations.”
   
   
   • The Sabeans took his oxen and donkeys.
   • Fire from heaven (lightning) burned up his sheep.
   • The Chaldeans raided and stole his camels.
   • A great wind (a tornado) destroyed his oldest son’s home, killing all inside.

Each event appeared to be a random tragedy, but Satan was allowed to be behind them all.
When God gives permission, Satan can be allowed to use people and even the forces of nature to accomplish God’s greater purpose.

But Christians know the truth, God is in control.
That’s why we cast all our cares upon Him

God allows Satan to light the furnace, but He keeps His hand on the thermostat.


Job didn’t know that God was allowing him to suffer so that Satan might be silenced
and so that both Job and we might see that God controls it all.
There was a spiritual battle unfolding in heavenly places that Job couldn’t see.

Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Satan wanted to use Job’s body to defeat God, but God used Job’s body to defeat Satan.
You cannot control the origin of your suffering, but you can control the outcome, how you walk through it, and Who you trust in the fire.

Satan’s third torpedo is designed to make you impatient, to make you give up before God’s work is finished.

“You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” -James 5:11

Patience is faith under pressure.
When we grow impatient, Satan wins ground in the battle of the mind.

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” -James 1:2–4

Biblical Examples of Impatience

• Saul: offered a sacrifice before Samuel arrived, lost his kingdom.
• Moses: struck the rock instead of speaking, lost entry to the Promised Land.
• Jonah: grew angry when Nineveh repented.
• Peter: swung his sword in fear instead of trusting Jesus’ plan.

Impatience can turn victory into defeat.

God will never let the enemy take us through the fire without having a definite reason.

When Satan’s torpedoes come, God responds with a single, unstoppable weapon, His Grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul’s thorn in the flesh, “a messenger of Satan” became the platform for divine strength.
God allows the suffering, but He also imparts His grace.
We are more than conquerors not because we avoid the battle, but because the victory was secured before it began.

The Riches of His Grace

“That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” -Ephesians 2:7

Grace for serving – 1 Corinthians 15:10
Grace for sacrificing – 2 Corinthians 8:1–9
Grace for singing – Colossians 3:16
Grace for speaking – Colossians 4:6
Grace is not just a word, it’s the weapon that sinks the submarine.


Take the Needed Steps Toward God

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” -Proverbs 3:6

When the battle rages and the waters grow rough, take deliberate steps toward God:

• Submit to God’s authority.
• Spend time in His presence.
• Thank Him even for your trials.

As you do, He will faithfully guide your path.
If you live to please yourself, then Satan wins.
If you live to glorify God, then Satan loses.

The imparted grace of God is the only weapon that can defeat him, and that grace can be found only in what Warren Wiersbe called: “The Grace of all Grace.” 

“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
— Romans 5:20

If you live to please yourself, Satan wins.
If you live to glorify God, Satan loses.

So today, launch the Depth Charge of Grace.
Remind Satan that he’s already defeated and remind yourself that your Captain still commands the sea.

Submit to God. Spend time with Him. Thank Him for your trials.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.
— Proverbs 3:6

The Submarine
A submarine’s primary deception tactic is acoustic masking. This technique allows submarines to conceal their presence and movements from enemy sonar systems.

Key Aspects of Acoustic Masking:

• Noise Reduction: Submarines minimize their own noise by adjusting machinery operations and using sound-dampening materials.
• Environmental Sounds: They use background noise from ocean currents, marine life, and other vessels to blend in and avoid detection.
• Countermeasures: Submarines deploy decoys or devices to mislead sonar, creating false targets.

These strategies make submarines nearly impossible to detect, hidden and waiting to strike.

The Enemy Below: Satan
Satan’s primary tactic of deception is much like acoustic masking. He conceals his presence and movements from Christians by blending in with the noise of life.

Key Aspects of Satan’s Acoustic Masking:

• Noise Reduction: Satan minimizes his presence by adjusting his operations so you won’t recognize him at work.
• Environmental Sounds: He uses the “background noise” of life, family pressures, friendships, culture, and worldly desires, to blend in and avoid detection.
• Countermeasures: Satan deploys false images, fake promises, and distractions to mislead believers and create false targets.

His stealth makes it difficult for Christians to stay alert, serve faithfully, and evangelize effectively.

Genesis 3:1-6
1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

What Is Truth?
Just as a submarine silently waits beneath the surface, Satan quietly manipulates our thinking.

In Genesis 3:1, Satan asks, “Has God indeed said...?”
The key word here is every. He twists God’s words just enough to plant doubt.
Eve responds correctly, but the seed of uncertainty has already been sown. Satan’s subtle approach is always the same: “Did God really say?”

Louie Giglio, in Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table, reminds us that we are constantly in the presence of our enemy.

Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...”

Satan whispers,
“How’s it going with your spouse? I’d leave.”
“That boss of yours? I’d quit.”
“But you do what you want…”
His voice is disguised as reason, concern, or logic, always mingling the mind with doubt.

Examples from Scripture where the mind is mingled with doubt and fear:

• Abraham: Satan whispers, “They will kill you!” Abraham responds outwardly by saying, “She’s my sister.”
• Jonah: Satan accuses, “You don’t want them to repent; you hate them!” Jonah replies, “When is the next boat leaving?”
• Peter: Satan whispers fear, “They will kill you as well.” Peter responds by denying: “I don’t know Him!”

These are mind games: fear, doubt, and self-protection masquerading as logic. What is truth? The enemy mixes facts and fears until obedience becomes clouded.

Like a submarine hidden beneath the waves, Satan convinces you he isn’t really there.

Genesis 3:3–4  “You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.”

Satan’s message is always the same: “That won’t happen to you.”
He whispers:
“Why is your life falling apart if God is good?”
“Didn’t Jesus say He’d never leave you? Looks like He did.”

John 8:44 – “When he (Satan) speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Warren Wiersbe once said,

“Satan’s target is your mind, and his weapon is lies.”

When Satan mixes lies with truth, disobedience follows.

Genesis 3:6 – “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and desirable to make one wise (pride of life)…”

They had seen that tree many times before, but now, deception had changed their perception.
When disobedience becomes an option, Satan gains a 50/50 chance at victory.

He whispers:
“It’s just a small compromise.”
“It’s not really cheating.”
“It’s only a text.”
“All is good…”

Just like a submarine waiting to strike, Satan hides beneath the surface of your thoughts, undetected, until it’s too late.

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Only the inspired Word of God can reveal and defeat the devil’s lies. You cannot reason with Satan, nor can you safely converse with him.”

Even Jesus used the Word when tempted in Matthew 4:1–11. He didn’t use divine power, He used Scripture.

Matthew 4:1-11
Satan Tempts Jesus (Power Points Just the verses marked)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him . . .


Our Weapons:

• Memorize God’s Word: Psalm 119:11
  “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.”
• Meditate on God’s Word: Psalm 1:2
  “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.”
• Use God’s Word: John 14:26
  “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Ephesians 6:11–18
“Put on the whole armor of God…”

Challenge: Read this passage every day this week. Armour up!

Evil is not an abstract idea, it is real, it is active, and Scripture makes it clear that followers of Christ will face it. The question is not if but how we respond when evil confronts us. God’s Word doesn’t leave us in the dark. It gives us wisdom, comfort, and direction for living faithfully in a world filled with opposition.

Below are eight biblical ways to respond rightly to evil—and four dangerous mistakes to avoid.

We should never be surprised when we encounter evil. Scripture tells us plainly that wickedness abounds in this world.

• Proverbs 6:16–19 lists the things the Lord hates: pride, lies, murder, deceit, and sowing discord.
• Jesus warned in John 15:18–19, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
• Peter writes, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you” (1 Peter 4:12).
• Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 that the last days will be marked by selfishness, arrogance, and brutality.

Evil is not an interruption to God’s plan, it’s part of the reality we are called to navigate with faith.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Jesus calls us not to retaliate, but to endure with grace. In Matthew 5:38–48, He teaches us to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 13:7–8: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Endurance is not weakness; it is Christlike strength.

Ephesians 5:20 calls us to “give thanks always and for everything to God the Father.” Even when evil presses in, God can use it to refine our character, deepen our dependence on Him, and make us more like Christ.

Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Loving God means refusing to tolerate or excuse evil, it should grieve our hearts as it grieves His.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Prayer is not a last resort; it is our first defense.

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:11: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Silence can become complicity. As children of light, we shine truth into dark places.

Romans 12:21 is simple but powerful: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Goodness is not passive; it is active resistance against the enemy’s schemes.

James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In Christ, we are not helpless against temptation. By God’s Spirit, we can stand firm.

Ephesians 1:11 assures us that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Evil is real, but it is never sovereign, God is.

History is stained with war, murder, and injustice. It can feel overwhelming. But Romans 11:33, 36 reminds us: “From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.” Life is not absurd; it is upheld by the wisdom of God.

Believing life is meaningless because of evil
Accusing God of injustice
Doubting God’s love for you in Christ

When evil strikes close to home, we may be tempted to question God’s fairness. But Psalm 145:17 says, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways.” His justice is perfect, even when we cannot see the whole picture.

This may be the hardest temptation when suffering comes. We may think God is punishing us or abandoning us. But the cross proves otherwise. In Christ, all of God’s wrath against our sin has been absorbed.

Nothing we face, not cancer, not tragedy, not violence, means God has turned against us. If you belong to Christ, every trial is under His sovereign hand for your ultimate good and His glory.

The devil designs destruction, but God designs redemption. When we renounce the devil’s schemes and trust in God’s wisdom, love, and power, the supreme worth of Christ shines through our endurance.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4 that though we are afflicted, we are not crushed, because our hope is in the eternal glory that far outweighs every trial.

So, let us expect evil, endure it, hate it, pray against it, and overcome it with good. Let us never despair, never lose faith, never accuse God, and never doubt His love in Christ.

Paul asks a timely question then and I believe a timely question today in Gal. 4:16

"Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?"

I and many people are still troubled in spirit since the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
What should be said about this? If we say too much about Charlie, then some would say we are talking too much about the man and not enough about the Lord. On the other hand, if I say nothing or too little of Charlie Kirk, then I'm not being sensitive to the anger, the sadness and the grief that many Americans feel right now particularly among Conservative Evangelical Christians.

So, I'm going to thread the needle today to share what the Lord has put on my heart.
There will be a tribute to Charlie, I want to share about the reality of evil in our world, the importance of truth and how we can engage a culture at war with God.

I suspect that what we are feeling as a nation now was very similar when President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated in the 1960's. I've often wondered what the tone and tenor of church was like after those assassinations.

What makes the assassination of Charlie Kirk different is that we have technology at our fingertips to capture this horrific event in real time. Which is what happened when thousands of college students gathered on that campus with their phones recording unaware of what they were about to capture. And then once captured, they began posting to social media this horrific atrocity. People have seen something that they cannot unsee. A man brutally murdered because he loved Jesus.

Charlie loved Jesus and he loved people and let others know about his faith.

He was a sharp apologist who boldly defended his faith. He loved America and he loved people enough to speak the truth no matter how unpopular it might be. He was only controversial because his biblical views shaped his political views which confronted cultural views.

He believed in free speech and respectful dialogue but unfortunately his rights were silenced by an assassin who was too cowardly to engage him in a debate, so he murdered him instead.

To fight words with violence by killing them for what they believed or said, is not only Un-American, but also evil and demonic!

Let me tell you what is evil and demonic, the House Democrats objecting and booing prayer for Charlie's widow and kids. You can't put aside your political vitriol and pray, evil and demonic.

What's even more evil and demonic, people celebrating the murder of this man.
All of this to remind us that Satan is always at work to incite people towards evil.

Have you noticed lately that Satan is inciting people to hate Christians and Jews:

Violence toward a synagogue, church, school, the rise of antisemitism. And anti-Christian hatred in our world today. Where does it come from? It comes from the pit of Hell.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12: Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

How did they persecute the prophets before them? They murdered them.
Jesus is saying to his followers, beware there are evil men who want to kill you!

John 3:19-20 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Since Satan was cast to the earth, there has been this war between light and darkness, between good and evil, between truth and lie. And every time that we as Christians shine the light, promote godly values and tell the truth, it will rattle the forces of evil and stir up the dominion of darkness.

Back to Galatians 4:16 - "Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?"

If you and I decide to boldly and courageously live the truth and tell the truth, we will have enemies. And it's not that we regard them as enemies, they see us as enemies. Why? Because they don't like the truth. This is what happened to Charlie. This is what we can expect in weeks to come, that people will look at truth tellers as enemies.

Paul asks this question of the churches of Galatia, because he is telling them some hard truths in his day. He doesn't want them to be offended by the truth that he is telling them, because the truth he is telling them comes from a heart of love.

Paul is saying, ""I love you enough to tell you the hard truths'

Which should always be our motivation. We should always want to speak the truth because we love people. Are you prepared to love people by speaking truth even if they dislike you or hate you for doing so?

Listen to what Jesus said in John 15:18-19 18 'If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Jesus is being vey blunt here, the world is going to hate you for following Me.

The evil in this world can't stand the truth or its light. So, when we turn on the light and tell the truth it makes people angry, but we must be a voice for biblical truth, seasoned with grace, in this world no matter how unpopular or how offended people may be.

Do we really believe the words of Jesus in John 8:32?
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’

Because if we do, we must never shrink back from declaring the truth nor should we ever apologize for the truth. Because we want people to be free from the bondage of sin and death, free from shame, from guilt, from addiction, from identity confusion, from every sinful chain that shackles people.

Jesus said in John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

We should want freedom for every soul! So, let's tell the truth and be bold about it!
We must be a voice for biblical truth now more than ever!
Jesus before Pilate, what is truth?

Jesus said in John 18:37 For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[a] from the Father, full of grace and truth

Jesus is the personification of truth. He is the objective standard of truth. Which means if I am going to follow Jesus, I'm going to follow His truth and I'm going speak His truth as it relates to Sexuality, Marriage, Divorce, managing material things, how you raise kids, how you speak, business practices, as it relates to everything!
The Book of Life is the Word of God!!

So, when God determines the things that are right and wrong, and we come under the Lordship of Jesus, then Jesus is our objective moral standard through whom we evaluate everything in our world.
It's all about Jesus!

But for someone who doesn't know Jesus, what is their objective moral standard? It is Self, Self is God, a very subjective moral standard. "It's all about me."

And people without Jesus will say nonsensical things like, "My truth, your truth."
You only say that when you have no objective moral standard by which to determine what truth is!

When you step forward as a follower of Christ and speak about what is right and wrong, truth versus falsehood, good versus evil, as God defines them, it will inevitably confront and convict those who have placed themselves on the throne as their own god. It will rub them the wrong way, and that’s okay. Our calling is to remain bold and unapologetic in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. If they need to hear it, where else will they hear it? As someone once said, you may be the only Bible someone ever reads.

Be the light and life of Jesus even when it irritates, even when people hate you, even if people want to kill you. Don't shrink back, be bold for the Glory of God!

Denzel Washington said it best, yes, the actor, and yes, the licensed minister, "Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons." 

Paul said in Philippians 1:20-21 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

That was not a death wish, Paul was saying that as long as God gives me breath, I want to be fruitful for the kingdom of God. So, it's all good whether he lived or died, he was going to his part in advancing the kingdom of God. But if I'm taken early or late in life, it will be that much better to be with Him. It's a win-win.

Death is not the end for the believer it's just a change of address!

We have to love Jesus and love people more than we love our own lives and we can't let evil or fear intimidate us. Be bold and courageous in loving others into the kingdom.

Charlie Kirk or anyone else living or not. Don't make idols of men but do let their lives inspire you to a deeper walk with Christ. That should be true of everybody If more people are drawn to Charlie more than to Christ, Charlie would say I have failed.

In Acts 14, when Paul and Barnabas healed a man crippled from birth, the people wanted to treat them as gods and even offer sacrifices to them. But Paul quickly stopped them, saying, we are mere men, like you, and we bring the good news that you should turn from these vain things to a living God.

Don’t idolize people, worship the Lord.

I want to address this to the younger generation but it's true of all of us.

But my heart goes out to the younger generation, many have felt stunned and shocked by what had happened, and they should, it is a stunning and shocking thing. But my encouragement to you and all of us is to be bold ambassadors for Christ, unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
That is your charge, young people, be bold for Jesus Christ!

Paul writing to the Ephesians from a prison cell -- (6:19-20) and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak 

Paul was asking them to pray that he would be a bold ambassador for Christ until his dying breath!

Be fearless and bold to the glory of God! 
Stand unashamed!
Step forward with confidence!
Face fear with faith and courage!

Have you ever had to step into something completely out of your comfort zone? Maybe the Holy Spirit was nudging you, and you couldn’t explain why you said yes, it just felt like a spiritual trust fall. Then when it was over, the only words you had left were: “But God!”

That’s what I mean by Overboard Faith. It’s when you step out into deep waters, far past your own ability, and God shows up in a way only He can.

Think of Elijah calling down fire against the prophets of Baal:
1 Kings 18:37
Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”

And then fire fell, consuming the altar, the wood, even the water in the trench! The people fell on their faces declaring, “The Lord, He is God!” (vs 38-39)

That’s a “But God!” moment.

We see them throughout the Bible:

• The 10 plagues in Egypt → But God!
• Samson’s strength → But God!
• David defeating Goliath → But God!
• Your own salvation story → But God!

This isn’t just Bible history, it’s personal. Think about it:

• You applied for a job you had no business getting… and you got it. But God!
• A relationship worked out that seemed impossible. But God!
• You or someone you love made a bold move that made no sense until God opened the way.

In Matthew 14, we meet Peter in the middle of a stormy sea. Jesus is walking on the water, and Peter does something wild, he steps out of the boat to go meet Him.
Overboard Faith isn’t safe faith. It doesn’t wait until the waves calm down. It says, “Lord, if it’s You, call me out!” and then actually takes the step.

Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

The disciples had faced storms before, but this one was different. Fear blinded them to the fact that the same Jesus who fed 5,000 was still with them.

Faith Will Be Tested
Your faith will be tested—that’s a guarantee. Notice that this storm on the Sea of Galilee came right after the miracle of feeding the 5,000.

It’s easy to trust when Jesus is right in front of us, multiplying loaves and fish, doing all the work. But what about when He feels absent? What about when the storm rolls in and you can’t see Him anywhere? That’s when trust fall faith becomes overboard faith.
It’s in those moments that you discover it really is God and God alone.

Naaman, a Syrian commander, came to the prophet Elisha desperate to be healed of leprosy. He showed up in full parade, horses, chariots, the whole display of power. But Elisha didn’t even come to the door. He just sent a message: “Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River, and you’ll be healed.”
Naaman was furious. This wasn’t how he pictured his miracle. He wanted fireworks, a dramatic prayer, a hand wave that instantly healed him. Instead, God’s answer was simple obedience to a humble command.

Sound familiar? The disciples strained at the oars in the storm, probably thinking, “Jesus, what have You done? Why send us out here?”

We do the same thing:

• “Lord, You gave me this job, but now I’m overwhelmed, what have You done?”
• “God, You called me into this relationship, but it’s harder than I thought, what have You done?”

Naaman nearly missed his healing because pride blinded him. He stormed off in anger, ready to give up. But his servants reasoned with him: “If the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? How much more when all he asked was, ‘Wash and be clean’?”

Naaman finally obeyed. He dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, and on the seventh time he came up healed, his skin like a child’s. His pride had to die before his healing could come.

Overboard Faith Is God Alone
Right now, some of us are like Naaman, so proud that we almost miss what God is asking of us because it’s too simple or too humbling. Others of us are like the disciples, struggling at the oars, frustrated, exhausted, wondering why God would let us row against the storm.

But here’s the truth:
Overboard faith doesn’t rest on your position, your strength, or your ability to figure things out. It’s not about your title, your income, or your influence.
God will often let us come to the end of ourselves before He moves, so that when He does, there’s no mistaking it. When He shows up in your storm, or in your sickness, or in your struggle, you’ll be able to say with certainty:
Overboard Faith is God and God alone.

Peter didn’t wait for a safe moment. He moved while the storm was raging. That’s the essence of faith: walking by faith, not sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

The other eleven disciples stayed in the boat, clinging to safety. But Peter, even in his hesitation, chose to move toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:27-29
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Even in Peter’s question, “Lord, if it’s You…” we see both doubt and faith. He knew that if it really was Jesus, then Jesus could do what only God can do: call him into the impossible.
This is faith in action. It doesn’t wait for conditions to be perfect. It moves on God’s command.

Faith That Makes No Sense
Think about it:

• A virgin gives birth to the Son of God.
• Jesus chooses fishermen, tax collectors, and nobodies to be His disciples.
• God blinds Saul, the enemy of the church, and turns him into Paul, the missionary who writes half the New Testament.

Faith always looks unreasonable from the outside.
And we still see it today:

• Marriages restored when there seemed to be no hope.
• Prodigals coming home.
• People receiving salvation in the very last moments of life, like the thief on the cross.
• Healing breaking through after every doctor said it was impossible.
• Finances provided just in time.

Every one of these moments whispers the same truth: God, it can only be You.

Walking Toward Jesus
When Peter climbed out of the boat, he wasn’t just testing the water, he was testing his faith. And for a few miraculous steps, he actually walked on the sea.
That’s what overboard faith looks like. It doesn’t wait until it all makes sense. It doesn’t wait until the storm dies down. It steps out at God’s word and trusts Him to do what only He can do.

It’s the same kind of faith the bleeding woman had when she reached for the hem of Jesus’ garment. The same kind of faith the widow showed when she gave her last mite. The same kind of faith that continues to inspire millions through their stories.

Overboard Faith doesn’t wait for calm seas. It moves when Jesus says, “Come.”

Peter sank when fear got louder than faith, but Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. The miracle wasn’t just walking on water, it was trusting Jesus enough to get out of the boat in the first place.

This is Peter’s Elijah moment.
Remember Elijah in 1 Kings 19? One day he’s calling down fire from heaven, slaughtering false prophets, standing boldly in God’s power. The next day, at Jezebel’s threat, he runs into the wilderness, hides under a broom tree, and begs to die.

How quickly the mighty can sink when their eyes shift from God to circumstances!
God had just sent fire, consumed the water, proved His victory. And yet Elijah cried out, “I’m all alone!”
Really, Elijah? Did you part the heavens? Did you ignite the altar? Was that your strength?
Really, Peter? Did you feed 5,000 before this storm? Did you calm the sea before you stepped out? Was it your power holding you up?

We get like that too:

• “God, it’s just me!”
• “I can’t do this anymore.”
• “The storm’s too strong. The fear’s too real. The pressure’s too much.”

And God answers gently but firmly:

• “I knit you together in the womb.”
• “I know every hair on your head, even the real color.”
• “The breath in your lungs? That’s Mine. The job, the provision, the healing, the children, they’re Mine too.”
• “You are never alone.”

As David declared:

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.” (Psalm 94:18–19)

Overboard Faith
Storms will rock us. Winds will howl. But faith, real faith, moves anyway. It falls, but it falls into Jesus’ arms.
That’s why I call it trust fall faith.

Faith doesn’t mean you never feel fear. It means you move through fear. You risk stepping out when the waves are high. You trust Jesus even if you stumble, because you know His hand is already reaching to catch you.

We admire Peter for walking on the water. But the greater miracle? That he trusted Jesus enough to leave the boat in the first place.
Maybe you’re standing at the edge right now, between safety and surrender. The boat feels safer, but the Savior is out on the water.

Faith always requires leaving the boat, your place of security. Maybe for you it’s:

• A job application you’ve been scared to submit.
• A relationship you need to step into (or out of).
• A ministry opportunity you’ve been resisting.
• A move, a risk, a conversation you know God is calling you to.

Faith doesn’t mean fear disappears. It means you choose to move through the fear, trusting that Jesus already has His hand reaching out to you.

• Apply for the opportunity.
• Say yes to God’s call.
• Start the conversation.
• Take the step.

Your knees may shake, the waves may roar, but you’ll find that Jesus is already there, waiting to pull you up. Because at the end of it all, every act of Overboard Faith ends with the same testimony:
“But God!”

James 2:14–26
We live in a culture where belief is often enough
“I believe in love.”
“I believe in justice.”
“I believe in God.”

There’s a whole lot of belief going on!

But James, the half-brother of Jesus, pushes deeper. And that’s important, because James didn’t even believe Jesus was the Messiah at first.

• John 7:5 says, “For even his own brothers did not believe in Him.”
• Mark 3:21 tells us that His family thought He was “out of His mind.”

So when James writes about faith, he knows exactly what it takes for someone like him, someone skeptical, someone slow to believe, to finally trust. And when he writes, he doesn’t hold anything back. He comes straight at us with a piercing question:
 “What good is belief if it doesn’t show up in what you do?”

In other words: If your faith doesn’t move you, it might be dead.

• More words than works.
• More outward than inward.

James 2:14-26
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

True faith produces visible action that reflects the heart of God.
Faith is a trust fall. The first thing you have to do is let go of comfort and lean toward someone. And in the same way, real faith leans toward people. That’s where it begins…

1. Trust Fall Faith Is Compassionate
Faith isn’t passive, it moves toward people in need. It doesn’t just say, “I’ll pray for you.” It says, “Here’s how I’ll help you.”

James 2:15–16

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

Action speaks louder than words.

• It’s seeing someone shivering in the cold and saying, “Get warm,” while your closet is full of coats.
• It’s seeing a yard knee-deep in grass and saying, “That grass needs mowing,” while your mower sits full of gas.
• It’s saying, “They need Jesus,” while the Word of God is living inside you, but you never share it.
  
  

 1 John 3:17–18 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity… let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

James is saying: Get out and go. Do something.
The Good Samaritan didn’t just feel compassion—he acted (Luke 10:33–37).
 Compassion is the first movement of faith.
But it’s not the only one. James takes us deeper.

James 2:18–19

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

James is blunt: even demons believe. Faith that moves must go beyond belief—it must act courageously.
We see courageous faith all through Scripture:

• Daniel: faith in the lions’ den.
• Esther: faith in God’s timing and protection.
• The Centurion: a faith that amazed Jesus (Matthew 8:5–13).
• The woman with the issue of blood: faith for healing.

Each displayed courageous trust beyond comfort.

Charles Blondin, the famous tightrope walker, crossed Niagara Falls multiple times in 1859. He waked 160 feet above the falls back and forth between Canada and the United States, in a sack, on stilts, on a bicycle, blindfolded, even with a stove to cook an omelet. His most famous act: walking backward across the tightrope to Canada and returning pushing a wheelbarrow.

After proving himself, Blondin asked the crowd: “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?” They cheered and shouted and screamed, “Yes!”
Then he asked: “Who will get in?”
No one moved.
They believed… but not enough to trust.

Isn’t that us sometimes? We say, “I believe in Jesus.” But when it’s time to get in the wheelbarrow, we hesitate.

 It’s one thing to say we believe in God. It’s another to act courageously in that belief.

That’s exactly what Abraham did.
James 2:21–23

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.”

You have to realize, Abraham was over 90 years old and had been childless for decades. To be told at that point that he would father a biological son, and that his descendants would one day number in the millions, was a stretch beyond human reason. Yet the Bible says Abraham believed God’s revelation. That’s why, when God asked him to place Isaac on the altar, Abraham obeyed, trusting that God Himself would provide the sacrifice in the end.

Genesis 22:5
"Then Abraham said to the young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy (Isaac) and I will go over there to worship; then we will come back to you . . .

Abraham believed God’s promise even when it didn’t make sense. His courageous faith impacted generations, eventually leading to the Messiah Himself.

What am I doing that shows future generations “faith that moves”? What's your story?

And James points us to Rahab as well, a woman who wasn’t perfect, but had bold faith that risked everything. Sometimes faith means risking your reputation, your comfort, or your security. That’s the kind of trust fall that shows the world what real belief looks like.

James 2:26

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Faith that moves becomes contagious, it inspires and transforms others.

• Contagious salvation saves and moves us: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
• Contagious good works set the example: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7).
• Contagious care looks out for others: “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

Bob Goff puts it this way:
“Don’t ask yourself, ‘How am I doing?’ It’s better to ask: ‘How are the people around me doing?’”

Faith isn’t just something you confess, it’s something you express.

• Abraham climbed a mountain.
• Rahab opened her home.
• Jesus carried a cross.

If your faith feels stuck, check for salvation. If the answer is yes, maybe it’s time to put your faith back in motion and let it become contagious again.

Memory Verse:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Have you ever seen a child play the game “trust fall”? They don’t stop to evaluate risk or measure distance, they just fall, expecting someone to catch them.

A pastor friend of mine once had a little girl do this to him. She yelled, “Trust fall!” and went straight back without hesitation. He almost didn’t catch her, but she wasn’t worried. In her mind, of course he would.

That’s the essence of childlike faith. And that’s exactly what Jesus points to when He invites us to follow Him.

When God calls, it’s not with cautious calculation; it’s with complete trust.

Think about Noah. God’s call to him wasn’t a polite suggestion: “Hey, when you think about it… what do you think?” No, it was a direct call to obedience.

Maybe you’ve thought: “Well, God never called me to go anywhere or change anything, that’s for pastors.” Oh, yes, He does. For pastors, it may look like the next calling or the next place He’s sending them. For some, it’s retirement. For others, it’s stepping into something new.
And maybe you’re sitting here thinking your days of “trust falls” are over. But what if these are the days of some of the greatest trust fall moments of your life?

Have you ever asked God, “Why not me? What’s my calling now?”

Look through Scripture:

• Noah
• Abraham
• Moses
• David
• Esther
• Mary
• Paul
  
  

Not once do you find God saying, “If you want, try this.”

Faith is a trust fall into God’s arms.

By faith, will I let go of my rut-secured life?

Our church is in a season of growth, and with growth comes growing pains.

The nursery is huge!
Vacation Bible School keeps getting larger and larger.
Sunday School is better than ever.

And with all of that, it may mean some of us need to make changes. Maybe it looks like giving up Sunday night or Wednesday night control and instead serving in the nursery. Maybe it means rearranging your schedule. Maybe it even means giving beyond the tithe.

Some might say, “I’m already giving and doing all I can.” And to that I say Amen! But maybe now it’s time to get out of God’s way and let Him show you what you can do. Stop telling God what you can do and let God tell you!

Because here’s the truth: a growing church requires more from all of us.

There are really only two kinds of churches today:

• Dying churches
• Living churches

Churches are either moving forward or moving backward.

And tonight, you’re going to see a budget that reflects growth, a budget that shows forward movement. If you’re looking for a forward church, a loving church, you’re here! But that’s going to require one thing from all of us: a trust fall.

Here’s what’s amazing: this message was prepared months ago, before we ever reached this point. God already knew what was coming.

God already had the ark wood ready for Noah.
God already had the stone David would need for Goliath in place.
God already had the tree growing that would one day be used for the old rugged cross.

So the question for us today is this:

Will I be like Isaiah, saying, “Yes Lord, send me”?
Or will I be like Jonah, looking for the next boat out of here?

That kind of trust fall into God’s arms isn’t just for “spiritual things.” It shows up in every part of our lives, in our:

• Witness
• Finances
• Family
• Friendships
• Jobs
• Relationships

Mark 10:13-31
Blessing the Children
13 People were bringing little children to Him in order that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them. 17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother. 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel,  30 who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time —houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions —and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

In Mark 10, Jesus blesses the little children and then challenges the rich young ruler. Those two moments aren’t random, they’re deeply connected.
The children come with open hands, ready to receive. The ruler comes with full hands, unwilling to let go.
One group receives freely; the other clings tightly.
And through both, Jesus is teaching us what faith really looks like.

Trusting God doesn’t mean overanalyzing or trying to control every step. Faith is a trust fall, it’s letting go and believing that God will catch you. That’s exactly how God wants us to approach Him.

Mark 10:13
13 People were bringing little children to Him in order that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Here, we see two sets of people demonstrating faith:

• The parents bringing their children, believing Jesus would heal and bless them.
• The children themselves, trusting He will.

Think of it like this: the parent says, “Let’s go swimming,” and gets you to the lake. The child trusts the parent enough to jump in, knowing they won’t drown. That’s the kind of faith Jesus is asking for: childlike faith, believing that God will.

It’s the same process with salvation. Someone prayed for you, trusting God to work. You were drawn to Him and responded with a wholehearted trust fall into God’s arms, just like a child.

We don’t earn our way into God’s Kingdom; we receive it with open hands.

Ephesians 2:8-9  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

A child trusts because they know they can’t do it themselves, they depend on someone bigger.
Just like that little girl trusted my friend to catch her, childlike faith trusts God will catch us every time.

“Faith is not believing that God can, it’s trusting that God will.”

God not only wants us to trust Him in the process, but He also wants that trust to define what we possess…

The rich man in Mark 10 couldn’t follow Jesus because he trusted his stuff more than his Savior.

Love for “stuff” can outweigh love for God.
Mark 10:21–22

Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, "You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

The rich young ruler believed in God, but he didn’t trust Him enough to let go. What he held onto ended up holding him back.

Jesus wasn’t trying to take from him; He was trying to free him.

And here’s the truth we all have to face:
You can’t divide your faith, it’s impossible.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Think of it like a trust fall. You can’t fall backward if you’re clutching onto something in front of you. Imagine trying to play the game while gripping the rail, you won’t fall, you’ll resist. What you cling to keeps you from surrender.

So what’s the answer? If clinging holds us back, then faith means letting go.
And that’s exactly where Jesus points His disciples next.

You can’t follow Jesus while still insisting on control.

Following Jesus means pressing on, with surrender as your captain!
Mark 10:29-30  
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time —houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions —and eternal life in the age to come.

When you let go, you discover God’s blessings are greater than anything you gave up.

Following Jesus is faith with surrender.
Luke 9:23  
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”

Trust isn’t a one-time fall… it’s a daily choice to let go and lean back into God’s arms.
Philippians 3:14
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

This is what the writer of Hebrews points to in the “Trust-Fall Hall of Fame”:

• Abel: trusted God with his offering.
• Enoch: trusted God with his walk.
• Noah: trusted God by building an ark.
• Abraham: trusted God by leaving home.
• Sarah: trusted God for a child.
• Isaac: trusted God in blessing his sons.
• Jacob: trusted God’s promises to future generations.
• Joseph: trusted God’s deliverance in Egypt.
• Moses: trusted God to lead Israel out.
• Rahab: trusted God when she hid the spies.
• Gideon: trusted God against Midian.
• Barak: trusted God alongside Deborah.
• Samson: trusted God despite his failures.
• Jephthah: trusted God in battle.
• David: trusted God as king.
• Samuel: trusted God as prophet.

 
Trust fall is not “once and retire.”

It’s over and over again. And the joy is in the trust, the laughter that comes from knowing God always catches you.
That’s the Christian life: daily trust falls into God’s love.

You see, trust-fall childlike faith isn’t naïve—it’s courageous.

• It looks like letting go of control.
• It looks like refusing to cling to false securities.
• It looks like believing God will catch you every single time.

The world says, “Hold on tighter.”
Jesus says, “Let go and trust fall, I Am here.”

Name one thing you’ve been holding onto for security (money, comfort, or control). Pray: “Jesus, I give You this. I trust You to catch me.”

Take one practical action this week that proves you’re trusting God instead of holding on.

Tell a trusted friend what you did and how God showed up.

Memory Verse:
Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.