In a world often shrouded in spiritual darkness, my heart burns with a singular mission: to ILLUMINATE that darkness and the shadowy places of religion with The Truth. I long to be a vessel God uses to speak into the hearts and minds of those who hunger for more than superficial religion—those who yearn for a full, life-changing understanding of the gospel.
Every book title, every blog post, is prayerfully chosen to guide readers toward the profound wisdom found in Scripture. Through these works, my hope is to enlighten and empower you on your spiritual journey—to help you find clarity, courage, and hope through the teachings of faith.
I am a Lamplighter. And if you’ve found your way here, I pray this light makes an impact in you today so that you can shine the light in someone else's life
In an age of shifting cultural norms around gender and marriage, the timeless words of Jesus in Matthew 19 call us back to the sacred design set in creation: “He which made them at the beginning made them male and female.”
This isn’t a nostalgic appeal—it’s a scriptural anchor.
True biblical marriage reflects God’s ideal: one man, one woman, united in a lifelong covenant.
It’s about companionship, spiritual growth, procreation, and mirroring Christ’s love for the Church. When society drifts, Scripture remains steady.
This design includes distinct, complementary roles:
– Husbands are called to loving leadership—sacrificial, protective, and grounded in Christlike humility.
– Wives reflect divine strength through submission rooted in respect, nurturing, and partnership—not inferiority but co-laboring in grace.
Far from outdated, these roles carry gospel weight. They bring order, beauty, and testimony in a world muddied by confusion.
If we seek revival in our churches and healing in our families, we must first honor God’s blueprint in our homes. When we do, our marriages become sacred protests against cultural chaos—living testimonies of God’s wisdom and glory.
“Every human being is valuable, not because he is a genius, but because he is made in the image of God.” – Francis Schaeffer
In a culture where truth feels negotiable and life is often measured by productivity, success, or personal preference, the biblical view of human worth stands in stark contrast.
Genesis 1:26 anchors this truth: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This isn’t poetic metaphor—it’s divine identity.
The Hebrew word tselem, often translated as “image,” can also mean “shadow” or “representation.” To be human is to reflect God’s nature. It means we possess personality (mind, emotion, will), morality (a conscience and sense of right and wrong), and spirituality (a deep capacity for communion with God).
These distinctions set us apart—not only from animals, but even angels. Yet, in rejecting God’s authority, humanity has slowly lost sight of the sacredness of life.
This drift is visible across history and culture:
– Relativism tells us value is subjective.
– Dehumanization treats life as disposable.
– Materialism links worth to usefulness or achievement.
– Cultural divisions rank lives by race, wealth, or origin.
– Autonomy places self above Creator.
And the results? We see them everywhere—loss of dignity, exploitation, hatred, broken relationships, and deep spiritual emptiness.
Human trafficking alone—modern-day slavery—has reached nearly 134,000 victims worldwide in 2023, with the U.S. as one of its epicenters.
Scripture is clear: when mankind distances itself from God’s design, moral decline is not accidental; it is inevitable.
Romans 1:28–32 paints the picture bluntly. So does Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”We must remember: once we cease to see others as image-bearers of God, justification for abuse, violence, and injustice creeps in.
History is littered with tragic evidence—from genocide and slavery to abortion and societal neglect.
But the gospel doesn’t leave us there. It tells us our identity is redeemable. That Christ restores what sin distorts.
As believers, we hold to three vital convictions:
1. Intrinsic Worth – Every life, from conception to old age, reflects God’s image and holds divine significance (Gen. 1:27).
2. Moral Responsibility – We are called to uphold justice, show mercy, and treat others with dignity (Micah 6:8).
3. Sacred Relationship – Humans alone are made for intimate fellowship with God (Jeremiah 1:5).
This understanding should compel us to act.
So how do we live counter culturally?
We defend life. We speak up for the vulnerable (Psalm 139:13–16).
We model redemptive love, knowing no life is too broken for restoration (Col. 3:10).
We live as though every neighbor is a sacred image-bearer—because they are.
We also pray—not as passive responders but as hopeful warriors:
– For repentance and awakening (2 Chronicles 7:14)
– For boldness to speak truth in love (Ephesians 6:19–20)
– For compassion for the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8)
– For wisdom among leaders and influencers (1 Timothy 2:1–2)
– For healing and reconciliation in broken communities (Psalm 147:3)
– For a renewed biblical lens on human dignity (Romans 12:2)
Lastly, we must equip others: teaching biblical truth, advocating for justice, and raising leaders who speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We engage with humility, courage, and Christlike love—even when it’s unpopular.Because when the world forgets the sacredness of life, the Church must remember.
TEXT: (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.
INTRO: Last month the Lord began to deal with me about admonishing the church of its need to Counter the Culture.
To counter means living in opposition to the dominant values, beliefs, and practices of the mainstream society when they conflict with biblical truth.
There is a call for you and I to arise and stand firm in faith rather than conforming. We are often bold to take our stand against these things of the world when we are in the company of those who are like minded.
Yet, we will entertain it on our reels, tv shows, and social media. (Not speaking against those “things” but rather what comes across them into our view.”
We will whisper our stance when at the restaurant while looking around making sure no one hears us.
If I may, I want to give to you from a book entitled “Counter Culter: Following Christ in an Anti-Christ Age” by David Platt, I would also encourage you to buy it and read it yourself.
“Consciously countercultural. This is the only possible posture for individuals, families, and churches who have any hope of following Christ in contemporary America.The rate of social and moral change in contemporary America is both staggeringly swift and historically unprecedented. Indeed, only God knows where we will be by the time you’re reading this book. So how should Christians respond to such a rapidly changing American culture? Do we resign ourselves to pessimism, convinced that many of the moral foundations upon which our society once stood have collapsed and are now irrecoverable? Or do we reassure ourselves with optimism, confident that we can still win the culture war if we’ll just unite together spiritually, personally, politically, and philosophically? I propose that neither pessimism nor optimism is the answer. Instead, realism is. Followers of Christ need to face the reality that contemporary American culture is increasingly anti-Christian.Across the world, followers of Christ live in settings that are hostile to Christianity (many of them far more hostile than the United States). After all, Christianity was born into a culture of opposition two thousand years ago. Across the centuries, Christians in countless cultures have lived out their faith in settings where belief in the Bible has been viewed as offensive and commitment to Christ has proved to be costly. So how should followers of Christ today live in an American or any other culture that is intentionally and increasingly anti-Christian? I am convinced that every professing Christian in any such culture has two clear options: retreat or risk. On the one hand, we can retreat.
We can retreat from Christ altogether, although I’m guessing that for most professing Christians, we won’t reject Christ outright and all at once. Instead, our retreat can be far more slow and subtle. In the name of “progressive” faith, “inclusive” belief, and “open” minds, we can begin trading in the timeless truths of God’s Word for the changing opinions of the world.
The ruins of such retreat are already evident across contemporary Christianity, as many professing “Christians” deny that God is the Author of Scripture or that Christ is necessary for salvation. In efforts to accommodate the culture, scores of individuals and churches have already abandoned Christ. Most dangerous of all is that they’ve done so under the semblance of supposed Christianity. Even if we don’t retreat from Christ, we might retreat from culture.
In the face of anti-Christian sentiments and social challenges, many Christians who hold to a belief in the Bible may choose to hide in the comfortable confines of privatized faith. We might stand up and speak with Christian conviction in the privacy of our homes and churches yet sit back and stay silent about Christian conviction in more public settings.
When the conversation at the café switches to the topic of homosexuality, for example, we might sheepishly, almost apologetically, stumble through a vague notion of what the Bible teaches, or probably more likely, we might say nothing at all. Or when our boss at work asks us what we believe and we realize that our job may be in jeopardy based on how we answer, we might find ourselves masking, or at least minimizing, the parts of our faith that could be most offensive to him or her.
Or maybe our retreat will simply involve scrolling through headlines on social media each day where we see news of rampant poverty, refugee crises, racist violence, and regulated abortions (if abortion ever even shows up in the news we receive), and instead of deciding to do something in response to these realities, we might sympathetically shake our heads and move on as if there’s nothing we can (or should) do. One of the reasons I’ve written this book is because I see temptation to retreat in the above ways all around me. I see it in Christian students who don’t want to be labeled narrow-minded or intolerant and who are slowly (or sometimes swiftly) concluding that Christianity is outdated and irrelevant.
I see it in Christian singles who think the Bible’s teaching on sex is overly restrictive and Christian couples who believe the Bible’s teaching on marriage is offensively chauvinistic. I see it in Christian parents who either isolate their children from cultural challenges or send their children into the culture ill-equipped to face those challenges.
I see it in Christian leaders who are proud to stand up and speak out on social issues like poverty and slavery when they will be commended by the culture but prone to sit back and stay silent on social issues like abortion and sexuality when they will be criticized by the culture. I see it in churches who have practically given up the battle with materialism and others who have fundamentally contributed to the problem of racism.
Ultimately, I see temptation in my own life to retreat from following Christ in the culture around me.
I see a tendency in me, my family, and my church to prioritize my comforts over Christ’s commands and to elevate my thoughts over his truth, and I know that retreat on any of the above levels isn’t right. But if we don’t retreat, only one option remains: risk. Neutrality is not a possibility. Either we retreat from Christ or from the culture, or we risk following Christ by countering the culture. And risk is the right word.
As followers of Christ, we are fooling ourselves if we don’t face the reality that belief in and obedience to the Bible in an anti-Christian age will inevitably lead to risk in one’s family, future, relationships, reputation, career, and comfort in this world.”
As stated, there is a call going out. It is a call that absolutely must have a response.
I. THE CALL TO TRANSFORMATION – WHY GOD DESIRES RENEWAL OVER CONFORMITY
A. (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.Transformation is a spiritual process, not just a behavioral change. IT MOST DEFINITLY IS A CALL THAT INVOLVES BEING CHANGE FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, FROM DEATH TO LIFE, FROM THAT WHICH IS UNHOLY PROGRESSIVELY INTO HOLY.Our actions, attitudes, thoughts, and deepest desires will be and must be altered to match the truth of His WORD!
B. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.God calls for believers to reject worldly influences and embrace His truth.We will be what we are influenced by, may we determine to be influenced by the Word of God and the Spirit of God!
C. (Ephesians 4:22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Ephesians 4:24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.Renewal happens through Scripture, prayer, and dwelling in the Holy Ghost and He in you.
II. THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND – HOW CULTURAL INFLUENCES SHAPE THINKING AND HOW SCRIPTURE RESHAPES IT.
A. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
B. (Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
C. (Romans 8:6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.The world bombards believers, through various means, with messages that contradict God’s truth. From this bombardment comes spiritual warfare which begins in the mind, where the thoughts begin to shape our actions, words, and desires. However, victory over these comes through the intentional focus on God’s Word and rejecting the lies of the enemy.
III. LIVING OUT THE WILL OF GOD – PRACTICAL WAYS TO WALK IN HOLINESS DESPITE WORLDLY PRESSURES.
A. (1 Thessalonians 5:16) Rejoice evermore. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
B. (Ephesians 5:17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
C. (Colossians 1:9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;Living counter-culturally means choosing obedience over convenience.
We must understand that our obedience does more for us, than any earthly, fleshly, sinful convenience could. The best way to know what God expects is to seek His will and God’s will is revealed through daily prayer, Scripture study, and surrender. We must come to realize that holiness is not isolation – it’s engaging the world while remaining distinct. Its wearing a hazmat suit in the middle of the cesspool of sin.
Countering the culture does not happen naturally, as our fleshly nature leans in the direction of being one with the world. Yet, the call is for you and I to be transformed. Where our desires no longer match that of the world. It beings internally and manifests externally.
The battle field which the enemy has chosen to work is the one of the mind, we see if every day and as the old adage says, The eyes and ears are the windows to the mind. This battle is won by being filled with truth and the intentional focus of the individual on the things of God.
Us living out this truth and living God’s will requires absolute daily surrender and a bold faith that declares, “Come what may, I will serve the Lord. I will stand for truth!”
Our prayer should be, “Lord, transform me in body, soul, and mind. Empty me and fill me with you. Let me to desire truth and live truth! Help me to be bold and declare your gospel to all who will hear. For this is the purpose I have been saved. To worship you and to declare your name among the heathen!
TITLE: OUR CALL TO GOD’S HOLINESS
TEXT: Lev_11:44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy…
Lev_11:45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
1Th_4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1Pe_1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
INTRO: “Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word. ” ~ J.C. Ryle
Rom_6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
There is one thing that we must understand. We have all heard that famous phrase used by people who justify their lifestyles by saying, God is Love, and thus indicating that the nature of God is love. This is wrong thinking. The Nature of God is absolute Holiness! He is Holy! That is His Nature! All the other things we say of God, such as being love, and merciful, are His attributes! So now that we understand that Holiness is His Nature, lets find out the definition of Holy and Holiness!
Holy is that which has been dedicated and/or consecrated to God. Holiness is the state of being holy. That which has been sanctified. Pure and having integrity! Before we go any further we must understand what holiness means to the Christian. Thankfully scripture puts it plainly…
2Co_6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
1Pe_2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Holiness is separation and dedication to God! If we cannot understand this simple definition then we do not understand God.
When we are saved we are called to be separate from them of the world! Eph_4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Yes, I understand that we must live in this world, but the bible says that we are to not be of this world! We are to partake of the worlds lust and desires! We are to adhere to what God’s desires are and nothing else! God has called every believer to be Holy as He is Holy! It is not an impossible feat! It is not something that is beyond our reach! We are to strive to be Holy as our Father is Holy!! It must be a habit to choose holiness over unholiness if we are to progress from the old man to the new man.
We are told to be Holy, according to the definition given and according to God’s word, in
I. Thought
Rom 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.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
We must bring under subjection every thought that is not of God! If it doesn’t edify your spirit to be more like God then it isn’t worth thinking! Be cautious! We are to show holiness in our thoughts by thinking on the things of God!
II. Word
Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Let the words we say be the words that glorify God! Let our words be those of the ones that come from the mouth of God! The bible says that we will be judge by the words of our mouths. We are to show holiness by our words by speaking the things that glorify God!
III. Conduct
1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
His essential character is holiness. As His children we are to live lives that reflect that character.
The extent of this holiness is to be seen in all our conduct! Every part of our life is given over to the will of God, not the lustful passions of our ignorant past.
What so many people neglect to understand is the way they present themselves to others, declares what is in their hearts! Our conduct should scream out to who we serve! Our conduct should prove that we are striving for something that is greater than any monetary gain! Our conduct ought to say that I am a Christian and I am striving to be like Him who saved me!
CLOSING: There is so much more that could be said about what God expects from us concerning holiness! And if you want to talk about it I am more than willing to get with you and discuss it. I understand that there have been some people that have wrongly represented what holiness is, but it doesn’t negate the fact that we are called to be holy as He is Holy! In fact the bible says, “Without holiness no man can see God! Heb_12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
We must desire the holiness of God within our hearts and strive to be Holy as He is Holy!
TITLE: Deceived until their End
TEXT: 2Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
INTRO: This is not an original title. I was reading the writing of another preacher who told of His trip to Israel. He said that he had went to see the sites of biblical significance. However, it was a non-biblical related site that stirred his heart. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum on top of the Mount of Remembrance in the Holy Land. It wasn’t its size or the art work their to describe the significance of what had happened, but it was a model of a concentration camp and above that model was inscribed a quote that read, “The camp’s law is that those going to their death should be deceived until their end.” Written by a non Jewish prisoner named Tadeusz Borowski. He recounted what would happen as they would bring in prisoners. They would be divided by those who were strong enough to immediately begin forced labor and those who would be brought to the gas chambers. Most of these being the sick, weak, women and children. To control them mass number of people they were told that they were headed to the showers to be de-liced, never realizing what was happening until the gas coming from the so called shower-heads began to take affect. The preacher goes on to say, “This tactic did not originate with hitler and his henchmen. It came right out of the playbook of the very one who inspires all such destruction. Satan. It is Satan’s law. It is satan who keeps all of humanity blinded from seeing that the road he has encouraged them to travel is headed for destruction and eternal torment. His goal is to keep them deceived until their end. Until it is to late. Until the day of salvation has passed!”
I. Satan’s Plan!
Satan’s plan since he was thrown out of heaven has been to destroy humanity. The bible says that He cometh not but to steal, kill, and destroy! His desire is to make sure every person goes to hell with Him! He preys upon the weak and unexpecting to devour them as a roaring lion does! He hates you! We in church often say that he doesn’t need to hinder the lost , because they are already lost, but our text says that He blinds their eyes so they cannot see the truth! He is evil, wicked, and destructive! His plan is that we all go to hell with him!
He paints a pretty picture of the pleasure sin can bring. He promises the world and riches and power, just like he did with Christ! He lies and tells you everything is ok and this or that isn’t bad. But beware sinner and Christian, His devices are deadly! Beware lest you are deceived until your end!
II. Christ’s Desire!
The bible tells us that he came to give us life and have it more abundantly! It is not is desire that any person perishes in their sins. He has come to open the blinded eyes that the devil has blinded. He has come to reveal the truth of the enemies plan! He preached repentance (Turning) from sin! He preached hope to the hopeless! He preached truth to those who had been lied to! He showed people the error of their ways, but also told them of the love and mercy of the Father! He came to die in our place to redeem (buy back) us from the chains of sin and to give us the freedom that comes from salvation!
III. Your Choice!
However, it all comes down to you! It all comes down to your choice! God is a gentleman and He will never force you to be saved from sin and hell! The devil is not a gentleman and will do everything within his power to cause you die in your sin! You can either enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season, which will bring death. Or you can turn from sin and turn towards the love, grace, mercy, and eternal life of God!
Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
SERMON BY REV. DANIEL TAYLOR
TORMENT– TO CAUSE EXTREME PAIN TO THE BODY OR MIND.
In verse 23 the bible reads, “TORMENTS” There are plural torments when concerning hell. We will look at 7 that come directly from our text.
The Heat
THE SOUL WILL LIVE ETERNALLY IN THE EXTREMES OF THE TORMENTS. HELL IS HOT AND PUNISHMENT IS ETERNAL. THE HEAT WAS CONSTANT AND EXTREME!
2. The Thirst
THERE IS NO WATER IN HELL. THE THIRST IS SO SEVERE THAT YOU WOULD SETTLE FOR JUST A SINGLE DROP!
3. The recognition
THIS ISN’T BODILY TORMENT, THIS IS THE TORMENT THAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE MIND. THE ROLES HAVE TURNED. ETERNITY IS A EQUALIZER
4. The Remembrance of the past
YOU WILL BE CONFRONTED WITH THE BLESSINGS GOD DID BESTOW UPON YOU, IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE YOU REALIZE HIS LOVE FOR YOU. YOU WILL REMEMBER YOUR TREATMENT OF OTHERS WHO YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP BUT NEGLECTED TO DO SO. YOU WILL REMEMBER AND REALIZE IT, BUT IT WILL BE TOO LATE!
5. The Hopelessness
NO ONE CAN GET OUT OF HELL AND NO ONE CAN DOWN THERE TO OFFER HOPE…BECAUSE THERE IS NONE!
6. The Dread
THE DREAD THAT THOSE WHO FOLLOW US WILL COME HERE TOO, BECAUSE OF OUR EXAMPLE.
WHY HE DID NOT WANT HIS BROTHERS TO COME TO HELL:
HE PROBABLY LOVED HIS BROTHERS
HE FELT A MEASURE OF RESPONSIBILITY
HAVING TO FACE THEM LATER
THE RICH MAN REALIZED, AS BAD AS HELL IS, IT CAN GET WORSE!
7. The Realization
THE RICH MAN WAS MADE TO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE AND NEED OF RESPONDING TO WORD OF GOD! UNFORTUNATELY HE REALIZED IT TOO LATE!
Concluding thought from Bro. Tommy:
The reality of hell and the churches preaching on it has become a taboo topic. We need to realize that hell is real and people, even some we know, will find themselves for eternity! It is our responsibilty to warn all we can of the reality of hell and its torments! We need to understand a couple of things…
Hell was made for the devil and the fallen angles.
It was never God’s intention for humans to go there.
However, Sin will never be permitted to into heaven, so those with sin in their lives will spend eternity in hell.
God has made a way to escape the torments of hell. He offered His son Jesus Christ as the mediatore and supreme sacrfice for humans! We need to tell the world of this Amazing Grace and gift of Salvation!
“Desperation isn’t only for when you have hit rock bottom, but also when you’re on the mountain top.”
There are three types of desperation and how they are brought about.
The Choices We Make.
Automatically, when we talk of desperation or being desperate, we think of hopelessness and despair. We often think of that rock bottom experience, where we have no where else to turn, no one else to turn to, and we feel alone and helpless. Yes, there are times when we get to this point and we come to a realization that we need God desperately! We realize that He, alone, can help us and change us! This type of desperation is brought about by our own choices. The Prodigal son comes to mind in Luke 15 starting in verse 11. This son, by his own choosing, found himself in the middle of a pig pen. Not only in it but eating the slop fed to the pigs. He came to himself and got desperate. He goes to the father and the father forgives him and restores him. This shows God’s willingness and readiness to forgive and restore us, despite our choices!
2. The Persecution of Others
Psa_142:6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
This cry for help shows a desperation. Take comfort, when you feel surrounded by the enemy of your soul, when you are fighting the destructive words of those around you, when you feel like you have fought all you can; God is still there beside you! Take comfort, for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1Jn_4:4)!
3. The Great Desire for More
“Desperation isn’t only for when you’ve hit rock bottom, but is also for when you’re on the mountain top.”
I told one of my young people this recently. I had brought several to a youth conference and my reoccurring thought was, “We need to be desperate for God!” This is what I really want to focus on. We so often come into God’s house, get a blessing, and leave feeling great. However, somewhere between the church door and the following day we get complacent and satisfied with what we received, that we don’t strive for anymore.
Desperate has another definition. “Having a great need or desire for something.” I would like to show you some examples of men who were desperate for God.
Paul:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
My favorite Scripture is this one right here. Particularly verse 12. “Apprehend” speaks of desperation, but it’s not a desperation of hopelessness, but rather one of great desire!
David:
Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
“Panteth” speaks of a great longing! A great desperation for a touch from God! For fellowship with the Lord Almighty!
Moses:
Exo_33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
“Beseech” is to urge great! To beg! To be desperate for God’s glory…for God Himself!
I also told this young person, “If you remain desperate for God, even on the mountain top, then that desperation will keep you in the valley!”
Lord, help us not to grow complacent and satisfied, that we lose our desire for you! Help us God to be desperate for you! Help us to do whatever is necessary to pursue you! Help us to long for you, even on the mountain top!
THE LAMPLIGHTERS PROJECT 