My! What a fantastic service we had last Sunday Night! - Sept. 3, 2000

In the Morning Service, I preached about an evil woman named Athaliah.


I used two short verses for text:

2 Kings 11:20 And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.

Proverbs 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.


I AM CONVINCED THAT THE CHURCH IS A BLESSING TO THIS WORLD!

AND WHEN IT GOES WELL WITH THE RIGHTEOUS -- THE CHURCH--- then the city will rejoice. Even that city where you labor for Jesus!

Now, you must realize that the world around us does not understand this. They don't know how much they need us-- the church. They don't know what the solution is.

Here this evil woman, Athaliah, her son, the king, after ruling for one year, died, she decided she would take the throne. Can you believe this? She had her own grandchildren boys killed so there would be no heirs. And took the throne! It's amazing what people will do to get what they want. At this point the kingdom went from bad to worse.

While it seems that evil has it's way, when it seems that your life is going wrong and nothing right happens --- Just be assured that somewhere in secret GOD has a savior, a king, a way of makeing things right!

Proverbs 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

Yes, this Athaliah was a froward woman, therefore and abomination to the Lord. BUT --- his secret is with the righteous!

What Athaliah didn't know was --- that in the House of the LORD, there was a little boy--- that was being raised, to take the throne. This was all being done in secret.

the priest-- got some trusted rulers together -- and revealed the truth--- and the hope for the right KING and got them to commit to support -- than brought out the weapons from the house of the LORD!

OUR weapons are not carnal--- but mighty spiritual weapons from the LORD! --

The secret of the LORD --- won't be made known and brought to bear in carnal ways. If we want salvation, if we want spiritual victory --- It comes through the Holy Ghost!

this secret--- needs to revealed through the righteous!

then the city will rejoice!

Sunday Morning
Aug. 20, 2000
6 Water pots

John 2:6-7
[6] And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of
the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

[7] Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled
them up to the brim.


I was asked to give a toast at a wedding--
A toast is a mini-speech -- of well wishing and or
recognition -- In this case the Bride and Groom!

This was NOT done with an alcoholic beverage in this
case!

So -- I agreed to do it.

I began out --- with this story that we find here in John
chapter 2

in a very short form -- I told the story

How that Jesus went to this wedding
His mother comes to him and let's him know that they
have run out of wine
Jesus said his time was not yet
But his mother said to the servants --
DO whatever he says to do
and walks away
Jesus said fill those 6 waterpots--- with water and serve
to the Governor----THEY DID

When the Governor tasted--- He said WOW --
You've saved the best till last!

Then I mentioned that The rest of their Life-- the Bride
and Groom -- the best is yet to come! --

See the Bride was my sister-- Diane & the groom was
Bro. Richard Murray

She had been through lots in her life --BUT sometimes
the LORD saves the best till LAST!

In essence that was what my toast was -- May the rest
of their lives be the best they've had!

Hebrews 11:39-12:2
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received
not the promise:

[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect.

[12:1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth
so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before
us,

[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.



Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake
in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his
person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had
by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on
high;

It just seems to God's way -- it just keeps getting better and
better!

The World -- and Satan -- have a tendency to paint it better
than it really is! --- waits till a person is sunk, or hooked, or
shamed --

then -- reality sets in --- and it's always WORSE at the last!



Matthew 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other
spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and
the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also
unto this wicked generation.





2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are
again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them
than the beginning.



Jesus said his yoke was easy --- and his burden light!



Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will
pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams:






So..........

I would like to examine --

This account of Jesus first miracle in John 2

First --

It uses the words --

?the Third day??

Some say it didn?ean the 3rd day of the week --
because virgins got married on the 4th and widows go
married on another day.

Some say -- perhaps it was the 3rd day in that area --

still some say it alludes to a plan by the author--
promoting the importance of the 3rd day --

Just a few verses later Jesus says something about the
3rd day.


In verse 19 of that same chapter where we find this
story.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and
in three days I will raise it up.


Is there a connection?
Let me say it this way--------
The 3rd DAY-- speaks of the resurrection!

of course -- there had to be a death -- and a burial-- for
a resurrection!

We've been talking about something BETTER!

Believe me -- resurrection POWER is something better!

Before there can be a joining -- a coming together, a
marriage if you will --- YOU-- MUST also go through a
DEATH, Burial, resurrection!

That is what the gospel is all about! -- The good news!
of something better in the END -- at the LAST!

The LAW was first and it was good
BUT what came later was even better!
And what's coming LAST is the BEST!

ANYWAY--
Jesus and his disciples went to this wedding -- it's
possible that a relative or close friend of the family was
getting married---

It seems that Mary (Jesus mother) -- was involved -- in the whole thing

Remember this was Jesus FIRST miracle -- His disciples
have started following him ---
without a sign of a miracle!

WE ALSO FOLLOW JESUS -- NOT A SIGN

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the
whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in
the heart of the earth.



THE whale had to admit that you can't keep a
good man down!

What's the only sign given -- it's this 3 days
thing!--- a resurrection on the 3rd day!

Let me show you something!

1 Cor. 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe,
but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that
believe not, but for them which believe.



Some people say tongues have ceased -- I will ask you
this -- Are there still unbelievers?

-- Perhaps Tongues will cease when it's too
late to be saved!



So Here Jesus was -- at this wedding --

No doubt everybody is having a good time --

His mother comes up to Him --

"They have no more wine!"

It?ot my time --
Is it OUR responsibility -- (Jesus and His mother)

His ministry was not a family -- issue --

as a matter of fact -- he had to leave family -- they are
of lesser importance to the work that he had to do.

we also must feel our work for the gospel -- the church is
more important than family--

IF YOU DO -- you get it all back!

SHE had lots of faith! ---

to the servants --
Do what ever He says to do!

see those waterpots over there---

6 of them! --- ?er the manner of the purifying of the
Jews??t;br>
This was religious custom---

6 is the number of man -- and man definitely needs
purifying --

BUT real purifying can only come after true obedience to
God!------ NO MATTER HOW RIDICULOUS IT MAY SEEM!

JUST DO WHAT EVER JESUS SAYS!

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love
one another with a pure heart fervently:




IF YOU DO WHAT JESUS SAYS --

IF YOU OBEY THE WORD -- THEN THERE IS A GOOD
CHANCE YOU?GET THE WINE -- NEW WINE!
THE SPIRIT!

3RD DAY POWER -- RESURRECTION POWER!

REMEMBER -- PETER SAID -- THESE ARE NOT DRUNK AS
YE SUPPOSE! --

Mark 7:1-8 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of
the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

[2] And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that
is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

[3] For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft,
eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

[4] And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat
not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold,
as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

[5] Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy
disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with
unwashen hands?

[6] He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you
hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but
their heart is far from me.

[7] Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.

[8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of
men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things
ye do.


LATER -- HE TALKS TO THE PEOPLE --
AND LATER BEYOND THAT TO THE
DISCIPLES---

It?ot what goes in-- in the belly--- What you eat --
But what comes out of the Heart!

The HEART needs purification! -- and that only comes
through -- obedience to the gospel -- which in turn
--GETS the miracle of the NEW WINE -- or the Holy
Ghost! -- The heart is changed by the SPIRIT! --

BACK to the STORY ---------------------------------------

WHAT IF IT DOESN?ORK --

WE HAVE TO FILL THESE THINGS WITH WATER? -- HOW
IS THAT GONNA HELP? WHAT GOOD IS THE WATER
GONNA DO TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM--

LET'S SKIP IT -- AND RUN!

NO OBEDIENCE ----- NO WINE! - NO MIRACLE
NO WATER ----- NO WINE!- NO MIRACLE
NO FAITH ------ NO WINE! - NO MIRACLE

"WE TAKE THIS WATER AND GIVE IT TO THE HEAD MAN
OF THE FEAST?"

LETS RUN AND HIDE!
---------------------- SEE IT TAKES FAITH!

THE WATERPOTS ARE NATURAL
THE WATER IS NATURAL

BUT FAITH --- IN ACTION! -- FOR FAITH WITHOUT
ACTION IS NOT FAITH AT ALL!

BRINGS THE MIRACLE!


WOW!!! -- this is good---
you are not like everybody else!

JESUS SAVES THE BEST TILL LAST!

HAVE FAITH AND OBEY------

BE BAPTIZED IN WATER IN JESUS NAME!
BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT!

YOU'LL FIND THE BEST AT LAST!

Message Title for Sunday Aug. 20, 2000:

6 Waterpots