Keep The Promise Ministries, Inc. - Sermons by Pastor Buddy Chapman

Jonah, Man Overboard. Disobedience; Is costly not only for the person disobeying but for others as well. It is the fuel for the devil's fire. It drives us further from God and deeper in destruction. It is a slippery slope that starts us running from God. Hatred divides and reveals our hardened heart. Running from God; You cannot seek God's love and run from Him at the same time. Even when Jonah wasn't physically running from God, he was still resisting on the inside. Focusing on fear instead of faith drives us away from God. When we stop running, God can even use our past mistakes to help others see His mercy. Repentance; Jonah had an awakening. God gave him a second chance. God is patient with sinners and His servants for a season. Jonah changed his heart and it changed his course. If we will obey God, He will direct our steps. Returning to God; The purpose of God's judgment is correction not revenge. God revealed Himself through grace and forgiveness. God spared the sailors when they pleaded for mercy God save Jonah when prayed from the inside of the fish. God restored the people of Nineveh when they responded to Jonah's preaching. It's not our hearing God's word that please Him, but our responding obediently to His word. God saves all who call on His name by grace through faith. Jonah 1-4, Rom 10, Eph 2:8-9.

Gripped. Gripped by the Gospel; What is the Gospel? It is the good news that we have forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ that died for our sins and that He was buried and was raised on the third day according to the scriptures. It is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. What grips our hearts, guides our steps. When we grasp the gospel we begin to grasp the power of His sacrifice. Gripped by His Sacrifice; Do I still consider the cost of Christ. Time does not deplete the power of His sacrifice. Gripped by His Love; God's love produces wholeness and power. God's love produces peace and boldness. When we are gripped in His love, we experience His forgiveness. Gripped by His Forgiveness; Pardon, relief of blame, release and set free. Gripped by His Grace; We are no longer enemies of God. We are now His children. We are partakers of His blessings. We are in right relationship, redeemed. We are secure in Christ. 1Cor 1:18, Rom 1:17, Isa 53:5, Matt 20:28, Heb 10:10, John 1:16, 15:13, Eph 3:19, Philp 4:7, Psa 103:8-12.

Joseph, "Not Your Regular Joe". Fellowship with God; Joseph's circumstances changed but his love for God was constant. God's love is constant. God can change the circumstance. Joseph's relationship with the Lord is his key to his fruitfulness. Favor with God and man; Joseph has favor with God and with those he came in contact with because of God. Don't forget our position in Christ, we are not alone as a child of God. Faithfulness in his responsibilities; Joseph was faithful with what he had and where he was at. Joseph chose what was best over what was good. Joseph reflected the Lord well. Reverence for God; Stay close to God. Joseph fled from sin and toward God. Love and respect the Lord. Forgiving nature; Joseph responded with a forgiving heart. Joseph refused to allow the wrongs in his life control his rights in Christ. He held no bitterness and resentment. Fortitude; He didn't give up hope. He had endurance to get through the tough times. He committed everything to God and he endured to the end. Gen 37-40, Rom 8:28, Rom 8:35

At Your Service. Attitude; Our attitude is birthed from out heart condition. Our responses are shaped by our understanding and level of receiving. Delight in serving. Be Cheerful-Not Discontented. Work with enthusiasm, do your best even when no one is looking. Run your own race. Does you attitude point others to Christ? Heart; Check your motives. Character matters. Serve our of love for the Lord. Flow with God. Be attentive to the needs of others. Be compassionate. Take time and let God mold the moments He gives you. Commitment; don't had off what you know you should carry (Be Committed). Do what you say. Don't over extend yourself. Build into others lives. Be supportive. Speak words that build up not tear down. Worship; Reflect on the faithfulness of God. Remember what he has done. Rejoice in your salvation. Keep the fire burning. Walk with Him daily. Model Christ to the world. Serve with excellence. Col 3:23-24, Phil 2:3, Matt 6:21, Prov 16:3, James 4:8

Forever God. God never changes; God is perfection, if perfection changed then it is not longer perfection, and if it needed change it was never perfection. The Lord is merciful. The Lord is faithful. God's word never changes; God and His word are one. His word is what should change us. His love is what should change us. His goodness should change us. His word is a constant anchor for our soul. God's plan of salvation never changes; it’s His plan based on sacrifice. We are still saved by grace through faith. His grace our faith in His sacrifice. We cannot add to perfection. We cannot save ourselves. It’s still a gift. It is still the cross of Christ, and it's still His love for His children. God's love never fails; Why does His love never fail? Because it's unconditional. It has no conditions that would void it. It is sealed with the blood of Christ. It's still the heart of God to see everyone saved, however not everyone will be saved. Life is about choices; We have free will. We have an opportunity today. We have an unchanging God. We have His unchanging Word. He offers His unfailing love to you. Choose life in Christ forever God. Heb 13:8, Lam 3:22, Ezek 18:32, John 1:1, 3:17, 1Tim 2:4

Daily Submission. Character of Christ Revealed; We must submit daily to the Lordship of Christ. We need Holy Spirit to empower us. Paul tells timothy to run form all evil things. Knowing when to run is just as important as knowing when and how to fight. Christ must be the Lord of your character. Actions speak louder than words; Christ must be the Lord of our actions. Pursue righteousness and a Godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance and gentleness, We must act on our faith or it becomes dormant. Focus your sights on Godly living. Love God first, He'll direct everything else. What are your actions telling other people? He must become the Lord of our attitudes; How do you server? How do you respond to others? Do others know you’re a follower of Christ by your attitude towards life, job, etc. Be a reflection of Christ; Never give up. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed before so many witnesses. Remember your destination. Let the Lord be your guide on the journey. The steps you take today can either bring you closer to Christ or distance you from Him. Remember a heart for God is led by God. 1Tim 6:11-12, 2Cor 3:1, Psa 119:105, James 2:17

A little man in a big tree. God's perfect timing; This was a divine appointment. Zacchaeus was at the right place at the right time. God knows right where you are. Do you remember where you were when God called you to Himself. Rising above your obstacles; The Bible makes note that Zacchaeus is a short man. Notice something his size was an obstacle in meeting Jesus. He rose above his obstacle, what obstacle do you need to rise above. Responding to the call; We should respond at once (obedience). We should respond with excitement and joy. We need to receive His presence. Welcome Christ into your life and situation. You matter to God, and God is calling you today. Making room for God; Do you make room for God, or does He just get what’s left over. Is there room for God in your week, in your family, you job? Luke 19:5, Rom 2:4, Matt 16:26

Shine. Direction from the Word; You are the light of the world, charge up with the Word. Witness wherever you go. Model of Christ; God gives us word to read and His Son to follow as our example. Jesus is our role model. It's not just knowing what Jesus would do in a situation but its us responding the same way as Jesus. Take an active role in following Christ. Reflecting, Relating, and Revealing Christ to others. Power through the Holy Spirit; God has equipped us for the mission, make space for God. He has gifted us according to our calling. Ask God to reveal your God given gift. Seek the Lord in ways and opportunities to use your gift. Ask God to multiply your gifting. Rely on His Spirit for prompting power and guidance. Shine, what God has given you, you can make a difference in the Kingdom. Matt 5:1-12, Matt 5:14-16

Don't let failure defeat you. Disappointment; We can become disappointed with life, with others, with our situations and with ourselves. Failure; Disappointment and failure aren't identical, but they often occur together. Both can hold us back from God's best. A true success in life is someone who has such great faith in Jesus that he or she will not be easily discouraged. Why, because Jesus is still in control. Failure isn't final unless you quit. Hope; Turns the tide. Remember that God's love for you has not changed. Disappointment and failure are not signs that God has forsaken you or stopped loving you. He is always ready to forgive and restore us to himself. Grace; Only in Heaven will we be free of all disappointment and failures but God's grace gives us peace, freedom and forgiveness to live victorious her and now (fully loaded). Gratitude; A heart of gratitude requires the soul. Gratitude pleases God. Gratitude promotes a joyful spirit in us. Joy in you shows Jesus to others. Gratitude shows reverence for what God has done. Psa 145 13-18, Heb 8:12, Micah 7:19

Revive. Revive; To bring back to life, to restore consciousness, resuscitate, to impart new health, vigor or spirit. Restore to use or activity. To renew the mind. Spiritual CPR; Cultivate, Pray, Receive. Cultivate; Our hearts with the word of God. Repent, turn from sin and back to God. Forgiveness, when we receive His forgiveness we move from guilt to gladness. Praise, focusing our thoughts on God moves us closer to Him. Pray; Communicate with the Lord. Prayer keeps us connected. Communication is vital in every relationship. Prayer shows our dependence on God and opens the door to unlimited possibilities. Prayer feeds our spirit and renews our strength. Receive; what the Lord is sharing with us and apply it to our lives. Receive with gladness and not worry. God created life in you and can be trusted with the details of your life. Worrying about the future hampers your effort for today. God does not ignore those who depend on Him. Psa 85:6, Psa 1:1-3, Psa 85 1-6, Matt 6