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Is God Love? - January 22, 2023: full transcript and answers

· · Michael Silla, Vine Cluster Church · Uploaded January 23, 2023 · 73:24

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From the sermonIs God Love? - January 22, 2023 · Michael Silla▶ 0:00

Following “Is Love a Lie?”, this message answers: God is love. He provided Himself as the Lamb, was wounded for our sins, and died for us while we were sinners. His love is for all who repent; He transforms us and delivers the godly, as with Noah and Lot.

How does the service open?

▶ Watch this part (0:00)

Short answer: Mr. Tavis shares the morning scripture by phone, then it is prayed as a confession: humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 0:00 Morning everybody in the room and those online oh my goodness what a wonderful day it is good to be in the house of God this morning amen hallelujah. Uh we’re gonna get started and worship here uh we have Mr. Tavis on the phone and he’s going to share the scripture this morning out of James and we’re going to bring that up on the screen here. See. Everybody say hi Mr. Tavis foreign. Ers take it away. 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 people lament.

▶ 1:10 Mourn and we let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to bloom humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up. Okay and I’ve written that same. Scripture as a prayer. And it says I have I put on there I have sin in my life if you have sin in your life then you want to get closer to God you’re welcome to read this with me I call it chapter one verses one through four if I submit to God and resist the Devil he will flee from me if I draw near to God he will draw near to me.

▶ 2:10 Plans my sinning hands. God help me purify my double-minded heart. Lament and mourn and weep let my laughter be turned to mourning and my joy into gloom. Humble myself in the sight of the Lord and he will lift me up. Amen thank you mr davis thank you for joining us all the way from idaho. It’s good to see you we’re gonna get started worship this morning like to invite you to stand and we’re going to worship our God this morning. Are you ready to worship this morning hallelujah.

▶ 3:15 Let God rise and his enemies be scattered let God arise and his enemies rejoice. For him rejoice rejoice rejoice. Let God arise. Rejoice be glad for his enemies. Be glad foreign.

▶ 4:25 Foreign. Time of the right shine for thy light is come arise.

▶ 5:54 Let God arise and his enemies. Good. Jesus Christ. Foreign.

▶ 7:13 Lord we come before your presence intentionally knowing that when we arise and we shine then the nations of the earth are going to be drawn unto you Lord and this is our vision and this is our desire hallelujah. Amen we have a vision. For this nation. We have a dream. For this land. We join with angels in celebrations. For this nation. We have a dream. Foreign.

▶ 8:48 We share a dream hallelujah. We join with angels in celebration. By faith we speak revival. And worship you. And every time. And cross this nation.

▶ 9:41 We have a vision. For this nation. We have a dream. Land. Before we join with angels. In celebration. By faith we speak. Where every knee shall bow and worship you. And everything. Heaven heaven but anoint our prayers today and move your sovereign. That you are lost.

▶ 11:07 Across this nation give us glory. Anoint our prayers this day. And move your sovereign. Lord Jesus says in the Psalms and the scriptures God Lord that you will restore righteousness back Lord that you will come to your righteous people God and restore them Jesus Lord that you will bring the wicked down God Lord we pray that wickedness would not reign in our country that wickedness will not reign in our own lives God that wickedness will not reign in our family but Lord that your righteousness will arise throughout the world God throughout our country Jesus Lord that it would rain Lord we pray for the righteous to arise God Lord deliver you to follow you to be a life of the world Jesus Jesus.

▶ 12:25 Lord Jesus we pray. Thank you all right. Lord today we ask that your justice would roll down like a mighty river like mighty waters that cover the earth as the waters cover the sea Lord Jesus we agree with this prayer today that righteousness shall spring up before the nations of the earth hallelujah. We have a vision. For this nation oh we have a dream.

▶ 13:19 For this land. Um. In celebration. By faith we speak revival in this land. For every knee shall bow and worship you. That you are Lord. Give us an up in heaven anoint our prayers today and move your sovereign hands across this nation. Nation. Of Jesus.

▶ 14:31 Jesus. Yeah. Jesus over. Everything. He raised forever. Jesus Christ is Lord Jesus is over everything Jesus. Everything. He reigns. Forever more. Our song for holy.

What is sung?

▶ Watch this part (15:28)

Short answer: “Jesus over everything,” “We have decided to follow Jesus,” and a pledge of allegiance to the Lamb.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 15:28 Jesus Christ is born. Came from glory. He took on flesh to save the lost race and mercy. Displayed upon the cross attention. He’s the overall mankind one. Day over everything. Jesus. Over. Everything. He reigns. Forever. Our song for all.

▶ 16:24 Eternity. Jesus Christ. The arrival. Our resurrected king in one moment. He brought death to its knees all the powers. And all authority. One name over and one name over everything. Jesus over. Everything. He raised forever.

▶ 17:29 Jesus Christ is. Lord. Over fear over shame over all anxiety. Over troubles and all pain over sickness and disease for he reigns on the throne all praise darkness. One name over again.

▶ 18:59 Jesus Christ is Lord Jesus. Jesus. Lover everything. Jesus Christ. Jesus. Christ.

▶ 20:01 Foreign. He reigns forever. More my song.

▶ 21:18 Eternities. God. Foreign. With my Jesus.

▶ 22:52 Let’s sing this as a personal prayer under him this morning just tumbling ourselves declaring unto him if you can bow before him let’s do that right now and kneel before king our master just giving him glory and honor. Your. My Lord our commitment this morning. You have risen brothers. With my eyes. With my tongue.

▶ 24:20 I confess. That. Jesus Christ. And the Lord would put the mind of Christ within us to make Jesus everything in our life both in the natural and the spiritual on the road of life to make Jesus Christ everything. We listen to the mind of God to the spirit of God to make right choices.

▶ 25:19 To turn to what is pleasing to him in every part of our life the natural mind the Bible says is at enmity with God it doesn’t think like God but when God touches our life he puts the mind of Christ within us he gives us direction for the path of the just is as a shining light that shines brighter and brighter to give us that way forward and we thank you God this day for the spirit of Christ to touch our minds to touch our lives Lord that we truly make Jesus everything to us precious Jesus. To follow Jesus.

▶ 27:12 Still I will follow. No not going. With me. Still alive. We have decided. To.

▶ 28:04 Follow Jesus. We have decided. To follow Jesus. Glory bless you God.

▶ 29:25 Lord this morning God we pledge allegiance to you Lord Jesus not our own opinions not our own desires Lord not a man on this earth Jesus but we pledge allegiance to our king our Lord our savior God Lord we pledge allegiance to serve you with our lives God Lord we pray Lord that you equip us and enable us Lord follow you wholeheartedly Jesus God change our outlook on life our perspective everything Lord how we see everything God the Lord how you see things Jesus please Lord we ask that you come this morning. We love you we give our allegiance to you and everyone said amen you may find your saints. Foreign. Foreign.

Why ask “Is God love?”

▶ Watch this part (31:12)

Short answer: Last week asked whether love is a lie; everyone is redefining love and harm, and the confusion is causing problems.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 31:12 I pledge. Allegiance to. The land. My pledge. Allegiance to the left with all my strength with all I am I will see. Is coming. I play. Ed. Thank you Lord Jesus amen. Last week we talked about his love a lie a very important question in our day and hour because everyone is defining what love is and what harm is they’re defining that harm is this or love is this when all of that has to be tested against the Bible that and namely the ten commandments we cannot make up our own net definition amen.

▶ 32:25 And all that confusion is causing problems in our country today and in our world today and so that question still remains is love a lie. Scriptures say in 1 John 4:16 we know the answer God is love amen so is God a lie no no why because God is love Romans 3:4 let God be true say that true and every man a liar so. Is God is love a lie no. Men lie. We are misusing the word love today. Um. And we want to talk about God being loved so is God a liar Genesis chapter 22 verse 7.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

1 John 4:16 (NKJV)

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

— 1 John 4:16 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 32:25
Scripture (NKJV)

Romans 3:4 (NKJV)

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

— Romans 3:4 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 32:25

How did God show love?

▶ Watch this part (33:20)

Short answer: God provided Himself as the Lamb—Immanuel, God with us in bodily form.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 33:20 He said this is Isaac talking to his father Abraham took Isaac up to sacrifice him because God asked him to and Isaac says look the fire in the wood but where is the lamb for the burnt offering. And Abraham said my son God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering so the two of them went together God has provided himself for the sin of the whole world God has provided himself as the lamb the sacrifice for our sin he didn’t go find somebody on earth he didn’t go crush somebody and put him under their feet no he provided himself. Is that not love. Greater love has no man that he lays down his life for his friends for God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son that whoever believes in him would not perish but have an everlasting life is God love yes God is love.

▶ 34:29 Behold the virgin shall be with child and bear his son and they shall call his name what Immanuel. Which is translated God with us another confirmation here that Jesus Christ when he came he is God he just came in a bodily form. And so we understand continually here that God is love and love came with us and dwelt among us did Jesus hurt anybody no. Did Jesus speak truth to people yes did he change their lives yes he healed their physical body and he also forgave their sin and called them out of what darkness remember him standing at the tomb where Lazarus was and what did he say Lazarus what come for come forth out of darkness come forth out of death come forth out of that tomb who wants to be in a tomb who wants to live around the the bugs they’re eating you the worms and everything you got darkness all around you get me out of there please that’s Jesus.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Genesis 22:7-8 (NKJV)

But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

— Genesis 22:7-8 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 33:20
Scripture (NKJV)

Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

— Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 34:29

What did Jesus suffer?

▶ Watch this part (35:47)

Short answer: He was wounded, bruised and scourged though He had no sin, and He nailed our sin to the cross.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 35:47 He’s calling you out. Does he love you yes. God Jesus is love. Isaiah 53:5 he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement for our peace was upon him you remember he had a crown of thorns pushed into his head they beat his head with a rod they whipped him and scourged him with the cat nine tails and ripped his flesh in this movie here I remember him showing that the guy got tired you got to remember there’s a whole band of soldiers around Jesus many and all the guy had to do is hand it off to the next guy and just start wailing on him again and hand it off to the next are you guys tired there’s no getting tired they didn’t get tired. They just handed on to the next person get whip him whip him we’ll show this man who thinks he’s a king.

▶ 36:46 Let’s show him who’s boss. Scriptures say that his visage was marred more than any other man’s God has laid upon him the iniquity of us all see he was had no sin and he was wounded he was bruised he was chastised and scourged he didn’t deserve any of it. Is God love yes God is love is love a lie no if you’re looking for love and you’re looking for the love that the world has to offer in sin or in some kind of harmful thing that you may want to define as love you’re looking in the wrong place Jesus Christ has the love he is love and there’s nothing that compares to our God Jesus Christ you’ve never experienced love until you’ve met Christ Jesus amen.

▶ 37:47 Colossians 2 verse 13 you being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh he has made alive together with him do you understand that you were in that tomb and because Jesus loved you because Jesus loved Lazarus because he loved the people he called them out. And you know heaven is a wonderful place you know Lazarus gets to go they all died eventually right. And we’re you know if they were following Christ they’re in heaven. But it’s all as an example that God is calling you out of that darkness out of the kingdom of darkness out of Satan’s grasp out of out of sin to his marvelous light to truth does he love us yes having forgiven you all trespasses wiped out the require handwriting handwriting requirements that is against us and it’s taken it has taken it out of the way having nailed it to the cross you see this was all his doing and when he was on the cross he gave himself up willingly he put his hands there you got to remember what he said when he was on the cross I can now call what a legion legions of angels I do this willingly.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

— Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 35:47
Scripture (NKJV)

Colossians 2:13-14 (NKJV)

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

— Colossians 2:13-14 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 37:47

Where is the greatest love?

▶ Watch this part (39:14)

Short answer: If you are looking for love and haven’t met Jesus, you are looking in the wrong place.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 39:14 My hands are here because I’ve decided to put my hands here and I’m nailing your sin to the cross why because I love you again if you’re looking for love and you haven’t met Jesus you’re looking in the wrong place. Jesus Christ is the greatest love. John 15:13. Here it is greater love has no man than this and a man lay down his life for his friends God Jesus Christ he is our friend he looks at us he says you guys are my friends isn’t that wonderful he looks down at you he you are his friend hallelujah. I’m I’m glad I got friends in high places Romans 5:8 God demonstrates his love toward us that while we were yet sinners he died for us.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

John 15:13 (NKJV)

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

— John 15:13 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 39:14

Did Jesus die for Peter while he denied Him?

▶ Watch this part (40:15)

Short answer: Yes—while we were still sinners; don’t give up if you have stumbled.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 40:15 You know back when I was a boy well yesterday when I was a sinner. Ah let’s let’s let’s change that. He died for us even though he knew Mark 14:71 Peter said I do not know this man of whom you speak and Peter remembered his words before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times and when he thought about it he wept see Peter denied Christ. And did not make it right until after Jesus rose from the grave can you believe that he didn’t see Jesus again he didn’t have an opportunity to come and humble himself before Christ he he denied him and Jesus was off to the cross.

▶ 41:15 did Peter sin yes. And while we were sinners he died for us even while Peter was in his sin Jesus died for Peter. Amen. Mark 14:27 we like to pick on Peter but it says in the scriptures all of you will be made to stumble because of me this night for it is written I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered see it wasn’t just Peter that left him all the disciples that were with him they left him they scattered when Jesus Christ was being beaten and bruised all the disciples like well I don’t want any part of that. And they split. They were afraid and we would have been afraid too.

▶ 42:11 But maybe we’ve forgotten our commitment to Christ maybe we have stumbled like the disciples Christ has still died. For us. Even while we were what sinners. So don’t give up. Don’t give up the disciples had a choice Peter had a choice whether or not he was going to give up or get up and keep moving forward just admit you’re wrong and move forward I was watching something from a military show the military guys are like stop giving me your excuses don’t sit here and debate about your problem just admit you’re wrong get up and move forward. There’s a battle to be fought and won amen. Admit it move forward. Improve. Fix your mistake and if you make the mistake again you do it what you admit it you get up you learn from it and move forward.

▶ 43:11 Luke 23:40. The thief on the cross here. Is talking to the other thief or the other bad guy and he says we receive the due reward of artists our deeds but this man has done nothing wrong and he said to Jesus Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise man. This guy. Was put to death for all of his wrongdoing and all he did was turn to cry that’s amazing. That’s amazing. Was the thief thinking to himself oh Jesus I gotta I gotta hold out so that he dies first so I can be cleansed I gotta just last longer than Jesus. Jesus died come on so you can cleanse me from my sin before I die is that how it was gone no why Revelations chapter 13 8 13 8.

▶ 44:08 Says the lamb slain from the what foundation of the world see job who was a sinner uh uh David uh Noah all these people in the Old Testament they had sin and because Jesus died at the foundation of the world their sin was forgiven and cleansed and redeemed through Jesus Christ. Even though he hadn’t come yet. Amen amen. So why is Jesus doing this so I hope we’ve answered this question is love a lie no God is love how does God love us we’ve shown you that through the scriptures here and the books cannot contain. All the love that God has shown us.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Mark 14:71-72 (NKJV)

Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

— Mark 14:71-72 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 40:15
Scripture (NKJV)

Mark 14:27 (NKJV)

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’

— Mark 14:27 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 41:15
Scripture (NKJV)

Luke 23:40-43 (NKJV)

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

— Luke 23:40-43 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 43:11

What is God’s goal for us?

▶ Watch this part (45:04)

Short answer: To transform us into His righteousness and present us holy and blameless—add to your faith.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 45:04 You must understand that if you’re looking for love right now you’re look you’re probably looking in the wrong place you need to submit to Jesus Christ a lot of people are looking at God saying God I don’t like you you’re you’re telling me to change you got I don’t no want your conviction no no no that’s real love. The love that comes and he wants to improve your life. That’s love so why here why does he love us in second Corinthians 5:21 he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us we know that you understand that when Jesus again was wounded when he was bruised he had no sin he did not deserve any of it. And he was God. When you got those two things that’s why his death on the cross can cleanse you from sin I cannot go nobody else can go no pastor no guy over here or some person in uh another country there’s no man on earth who can die for your sins only Christ why because he’s God and because he had what no sin.

▶ 46:21 And why did he do all this that we might become. We’re not there yet Peter wasn’t there yet but he was being transformed and being changed to what the righteousness of God in him and so that’s where God has a goal for you and wants to bring you to what righteousness. God having raised up his servant Jesus sent him to bless you in turning you from your iniquities hey John over there turn come on come this way. Get out of that tomb Lazarus. Get away from sin he was sent to bless us in turning us from our sin he enables us he equips us to turn away from sin he enables us by his what his cleansing he enables us by his spirit he’s got so many things in store for his people to overcome.

▶ 47:27 Amen. His goal for us is that we would be transformed Christ can save you from sexually transmitted diseases wasting your money he can save you from a horrible past he can change your future. He can save you from the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol and bumming off of society to pay for your bad habits he can save you from bad relationships he can make you a wise person. But you have to come to him. Let him change you. And grow in what he’s calling here righteousness. Colossians 1:20 having made peace through the blood of his cross who once were alienated enemies in your mind by wicked works yes these people in the Bible and we have wicked works have had wicked works some worse than others.

▶ 48:28 So that he could present us what holy. Blameless and above reproach in his sight. Can you imagine that day doesn’t doesn’t the fear of God come to you and make you want to change amen. When you feel that that you know not wanting to offend God and even what it’s called the terror of the Lord hey I don’t I don’t I don’t want to step my foot in hell foreign. Don’t you want to be like get me away from that I want to serve God that Jesus Christ he wants to present you holy blameless without spot or wrinkle that’s what the church is going to be in the last day what they’re going to be without what spa. They’re going to be pure. They’re going to prepare it says that the the bride has made her self ready.

▶ 49:29 She’s she’s done all the work she’s I mean gotten herself ready she actually has done something the church is going to do something. It’s just not God forgive me I’m going to live my life how I want do what I want sin all of the oh am I without spot or wrinkle no. Did you make yourself ready no. Amen. Jesus Christ through his conviction through his presence through his spirit through his power he’s going to present a holy blameless church but you don’t have to wait till the second coming you can understand these scriptures now you can have it in your life now. If indeed you continue in oh do you see that if indeed you continue in the faith wow.

▶ 50:31 He’s going to present you holy and blameless if you continue in the faith what did Peter say he said add to your faith what virtue and he goes through a list of things you don’t stop at just faith you don’t just stop at just saying Jesus forgive me no you add to your faith and that’s what Colossians Paul is saying here if you continue in the faith amen. Colossians 3:1 if then you were raised with Christ seek those things which are above set your mind on things above not on things on the earth we have a choice we have a choice in our lives what we’re going to set our goals on you can have your own goals in your life to achieve your own things you know if you want to have a lot of money you want to be rich oh man you can work hard and you can you can attain that especially here in America.

▶ 51:24 But if you have not set your goals and sights on Jesus Christ in serving and pleasing him you are missing the mark. You are not getting any eternal real estate for your spirit. You may have all kinds of real estate here on earth but if you don’t have any in heaven you have made the wrong choice. What are God’s goals God God wants to reach the world with the gospel God wants to make disciples of all nations he wants them baptized he wants them to hear his word and he wants to use us the church to do it amen if you’re a sinner he wants you to repent from and turn from sin he wants to enable and equip you to turn from sin and go after righteousness if you’re living a righteous life and you’re following him he wants you to use you to go and make disciples of all nations.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

— 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 46:21

Is God’s love for all?

▶ Watch this part (52:30)

Short answer: Yes—for all willing to repent and turn from sin, regardless of skin color, status, race or sex, like Cornelius.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 52:30 Amen God’s got goals you got to include that and all in like the scriptures say and all of you are getting. Understanding get wisdom and all of your getting and all the goals you have make sure you have goals for God amen. Set your mind on things above John 11:49 the high priest he said it is expedient that one man should die for the people but not the whole nation not that the whole nation should perish and so he’s prophesying here he doesn’t even know what he’s prophesying about but in that time when Jesus was alive he prophesied this and because he was high priest God spoke through him and it was about Christ Jesus and he adds this not for that nation only but that he would gather together and won the children of God who were scattered abroad you see this high priest these religious people who believe that God was just for them that the law was just about them no he prophesied the high priest prophesied that God was going to reach the children of God scattered throughout the world he’s going to change it now he’s reaching the Gentiles that was always God’s goal to reach everybody.

▶ 53:56 And so God’s love is not just for a certain group a certain people it is for all people all people that are willing to accept repent and turn from sin does God love is God love what’s the answer yes. Does God love all yes. But you must turn and repent toward him. You cannot say God loves me so I can do whatever I want God loves me and accept me no he made you. God made you. God is truth. You do not define who you are he defines who you are.

▶ 54:53 Acts 10:22 Cornelius the centurion a just man one who fears God has a good reputation. This is an example here of someone who is a centurion he was not a Jew. He was a man who feared God a just person had good reputation. And Peter had come. Because an angel told him to go and a messenger came from Cornelius and Peter came and he started speaking his message and all of a sudden the Holy Spirit came and fell and these people who were not Jews received the gift of the Holy Spirit and so God’s love now was not just for the Jews only but the Gentiles also and Peter was there to witness them receiving the Holy Spirit and if they receive the Holy Spirit then.

▶ 55:49 They’re part of the kingdom of God too amen. And one of the things that Peter said you know how it is unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation see it was unlawful. But see God has turned things around. Love God’s love is for all he doesn’t care about your skin color he doesn’t care about your social status your race your male or your female he is looking at your heart. And he’s pouring out his spirit on those willing to seek him Cornelius was seeking God Cornelius was living and following what he had a what a conscience he was following his conscience.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

John 11:49-52 (NKJV)

And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

— John 11:49-52 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 52:30
Scripture (NKJV)

Acts 10:22 (NKJV)

And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”

— Acts 10:22 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 54:53

What do Noah and Lot show?

▶ Watch this part (56:48)

Short answer: God sees sin as filthy conduct, knows how to deliver the godly, and reserves the unjust for judgment—stay committed even if the group is small.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 56:48 Noah in the Old Testament Genesis chapter 6 verse 8 he was before Abraham he was before Israel he was before David he was before Joseph he was before all of those people in the Old Testament and he still found grace in the eyes of the Lord he was a just man he was upright in his generation without blemish and he walked with God you see God’s love is not just for us today it was for them back there. God’s love is powerful. Second Peter 2:5. If God did not spare the ancient world but saved Noah one of eight people a preacher of righteousness bringing the flood on the world of the ungodly and also turning the cities of sodom and gomorrah into ashes if you know they were committing homosexuality there and God brought judgment on that country that nation.

▶ 57:54 It wasn’t you know it was all kinds of sin that they were doing. Making an example of them to those after who would live on golly and delivered lot out of the filthy conduct of the wicked so you see here I’m bringing this up because we have to recognize that God sees this the sins that we are committing today as filthy conduct that has to change God is still still has judgment for those sins his word hasn’t changed it hasn’t changed see Peter here is living in uh two thousand years ago right he’s talking about a time that’s two thousands of years before him now we are here we are in 2023 has God’s word changed no it didn’t change for Peter and his day it didn’t change for Noah in their day or as sodom and gomorrah it was the same and the word of God has not changed his judgments have not changed.

▶ 59:04 And if he knows how to say Noah. And the eight people on the ark if he knows how to save lot from destruction. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment God knows how to do his job. And if we apply that today we’ve got to understand. That we have to stay committed to his word regardless of what we think is happening out there in the world and how God may or may not be judging somebody oh Jesus isn’t following the rules he’s not God’s not following his rules. No. Don’t worry about his rules and what he’s implementing you worry about your commitment your faithfulness to his word you look at yourself work on yourself amen.

▶ 1:00:10 Stay committed to his truth. It doesn’t matter the size of the group of people that are following right it matters that we stay committed to Jesus Christ and Noah’s day there is a small group and lord’s day he had his wife and his daughters and his wife rejected it. Not that we want that but we want a lot of people following Christ but we have to. Turn to Jesus Christ oh goodness gracious. Acts 19:16. The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them overpowered them and prevailed against them so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded now this story is about a uh. A man who was had a evil spirit in him and some people that really weren’t committed to Christ really not serving Christ came and wanted to cast it out and so they came and they said in in the God of whom Paul preaches come out of him and these and the evil spirit says Paul I know and Jesus I know but who are you and so it says that the evil spirit through the man leaped on the person overpowered them and prevailed against them and they fled naked and wounded.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Genesis 6:8 (NKJV)

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

— Genesis 6:8 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 56:48
Scripture (NKJV)

2 Peter 2:7-9 (NKJV)

and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

— 2 Peter 2:7-9 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 57:54

Can things change in one day?

▶ Watch this part (1:01:39)

Short answer: Yes—in Ephesus one incident made the name of Jesus magnified and the word grew mightily.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 1:01:39 And this story became known to all the Jews and all greeks dwelling in Ephesus and fear fell on them all and the name of Jesus was magnified and so just in one incident things changed. Can can that be true today and I’m putting up the towers because we all remember that incident right and it may not have lasting change but things can change in in the snap of your finger. And I’m reminding you that because we we’ve got to stay committed to God and his word no matter what’s going on because God can turn things around just like that I mean we didn’t have a pandemic all of a sudden we got a pandemic and I never heard a pandemic all my life and you know everything was upended right.

▶ 1:02:34 And I’m not saying that that caused any good purposes for God what I’m saying is things can come Jesus God can bring things to turn things around in one day amen. We have to surrender submit and keep our commitment to Christ Acts 19 verse 18 many who believe came confessing and telling their deeds many of those who practice magic brought their books together burned them in the side of all and they counted up the value and it totaled 50 000 pieces of silver see people at that time they were willing to get rid of valuable things during that day to surrender unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Isn’t that beautiful we need that in our day and so the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed God’s word that’s what we want in our country that’s what we want in our city we want his word.

▶ 1:03:35 The word of God to grow to grow mightily and prevail over the word of the kingdom of darkness right now we have a war of the word amen there’s so much information out there there’s so much teaching out there people are less you know we don’t know who’s listening to what the simple people there they’re on their phone they’re they’re listening to their stuff right all their message is about you know uh sleep with this person oh I’m gonna do that uh we’re gonna you know they’re learning disrespect they learn. Horrible character. Right. Right and so the war of the word is going on. And we want God’s word to prevail. Thank you. But it’s going to take a group of people to stay committed.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Acts 19:17-20 (NKJV)

This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

— Acts 19:17-20 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 1:01:39

How does the service close?

▶ Watch this part (1:04:31)

Short answer: Prayer, praying for one another, and an invitation to come forward pledging allegiance to the Lamb.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Michael Silla

▶ 1:04:31 It’s going to take a group of people that are going to follow God no matter what. This morning do we understand God’s love for us at the beginning we laid out how God loves us amen. We answer the simple question is God love of course he is is level I know. And do we understand that God loves us so that he can turn us and change us from sin bring us to himself are we willing to accept his love by repenting and turning from our sin. Will we side with the wicked because it seems like God is not correcting. We will we be faithful to God’s word regardless of what the world is doing I’d like to invite.

▶ 1:05:29 My guitar player to come on up as we spend some time in prayer this morning. And we’re going to spend some time just letting this word sink into us I this morning I’ve given you a lot of scripture in the Bible God’s word is powerful when you put it into you it becomes life there’s a lot of people out in the world that are depressed and and they’re just living in agony. But God’s word is truth it’s life-giving and this morning we don’t want to just read and hear words we also want to exercise the word we also want to experience Jesus Christ we want him to come and move in our midst amen. So we’re going to invite him we’re going to sing that song again that we sing during worship you’re my Lord and that that’s just a commitment this morning that we’re committing to Christ saying God I’m going to follow you I’m going to continue following you not my own will not my own way you Jesus I submit to you.

▶ 1:06:31 So would you stand with me we’re going to sing the sun to him. My Lord. Your my Lord. You have risen. From the dead and your mind. When everything. Foreign. Every time.

▶ 1:07:30 We’re going to lift up our voices in prayer right now with our heads bound our eyes closed and we’re just going to invite Jesus this morning to come with his love again if you’re looking for love in the wrong place Jesus Christ has so much love he has the best love for you just let’s lift up our voices invite him right now to come come with his love and come and let it change us invite him right now just say it let’s let’s pray unto him Jesus Lord we call you right now Lord Jesus you’re the king of kings and Lord of lords God Lord that you came and you were born on this earth God Lord there was no room for you to not come with with great riches or pump Lord Jesus you came humbly Lord Jesus we thank you Lord for Lord being wounded for our transgressions Lord we thank you Jesus for the scourges and the shrine floor that have healed us Lord Jesus God Lord this morning God we call on you Lord Jesus we ask and invite you to come Lord come with your truth your power and your love God Lord you love us you die for us Lord even though we for sinner is God you you laid down your life for us Jesus God we’ve calling you this morning Jesus Jesus we surrendered to you this morning God we invite you Jesus come Lord come with your power come with your love Jesus.

▶ 1:09:01 You’re my Lord. You’re my Lord. You have risen. From the dead and you’re my Lord. With my knees. With my tongue. I contest. Energy. Jesus your foreign. Right where you’re at let’s just turn to our neighbor we’re gonna put your hand on your neighbor we’re gonna pray for one another right now.

▶ 1:10:09 We’re going to pray that. We would repent like Jesus said repent and turn from sin we’re going to pray that we right now if we’re repenting and living for him that we stay committed to his truth that we stay committed to his gospel and share it with the world let’s pray for one another right now Lord Jesus God we calling you this morning oh God I thank you Lord Jesus for this woods I thank you Lord for my neighbor God Lord I ask Jesus that you continue to enable her and continue to equip her Lord continue to give her life Jesus Lord give let it be Lord like a well Jesus. Drawing water from that everlasting life that well inside of her Jesus God Lord please Jesus Lord we ask Lord Jesus you continue Lord and do your will in us Lord we ask Lord this morning that you continue Lord Jesus to use us to further your kingdom God Lord Jesus Lord we pray that we would be committed to you no matter what is going on around us Jesus Jesus Jesus please who are we calling you this morning come let your power your truth Jesus Jesus.

▶ 1:11:29 Right now we’re gonna invite you to come forward out of your chair just right in in this area here just as a step saying God I’m gonna come to you and we’re gonna sing this song I pledge allegiance to the lamb and this is your commitment saying God I’m going to serve you God I’m going to follow you God I pledge my allegiance Lord I’m gonna set my goals to you for you for your for your gospel for your truth I’m going to pledge my allegiance to you and this morning I invite you to come out of your chairs right up here to the front just as an act of saying Jesus I submit commit to you let’s sing this unto him. I am I will see to honor.

▶ 1:12:35 His coming. I. Pledge. Allegiance to. Do. That I pledge. Allegiance to the the land of lamb with all my strength with all I am I will see. Pledge allegiance to. The. Land.

More questions this message answers

Short answers drawn only from what he says in this message, each with the moment in the video.

What was last week’s topic?

Is love a lie?

▶ Watch at 31:12

Who lies, God or men?

Men lie; we are misusing the word love.

▶ Watch at 32:25

What did they do to His head?

Pushed in a crown of thorns and beat it with a rod.

▶ Watch at 35:47

How does he correct himself?

From “when I was a boy” to “when I was a sinner.”

▶ Watch at 40:15

Were Old Testament saints forgiven?

Yes—through the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

▶ Watch at 44:08

What can Christ save you from?

Disease, wasted money, drugs and alcohol, bad relationships and a horrible past.

▶ Watch at 47:27

What are you missing without goals for God?

Eternal real estate for your spirit.

▶ Watch at 51:24

What war are we in?

A war of the word.

▶ Watch at 1:03:35

About this transcript

This transcript comes from YouTube’s automatic English captions, which supply the timing and the words. Punctuation, capitalization and paragraphing were added from the speaker’s pauses and then corrected by hand, and obvious caption errors (names, Bible references) were fixed; his wording was not rewritten. “[unclear]” marks a word or name that was not clear. Select any time to jump to that moment on YouTube.

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