1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Jeremiah 7:23-24  But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Acts 19:1-5 (KJV)

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

2 Timothy 1:3-6  I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Note, this sermon was recorded live outdoors at our Drive-In service. While we have edited the recording, some background noise (wind, passing aircraft, etc.) remains. Thank you for understanding!

Eyes of Faith
2 Corinthians 4:15-18  
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We notice in verse 18 the word “look”.  The way a follower of Jesus Christ looks at things is not with the same kind of eyes that others do.  We, as Christians, must look at life and circum-stances with Eyes of Faith!  We must look at the situation we are facing presently through Eyes of Faith!   
             With Eyes of Faith...

1. We Look to God’s Glory (v. 15)   2 Cor. 4:6; 1 Cor. 10:13; Romans 11:36 

2. We Look for God’s Strength (v. 16)  Luke 18:1; Hebrews 12:3; Galatians 6:9; 2 Cor. 4:1

3. We Look at God’s Blessings (v. 17)  Hebrews 11:16; 2 Cor. 4:7-9

4.  We Look with God’s Vision (v. 18)  Matt. 6:19-20; Col.4:1-2;  I John 2:17 

Do you have Eyes of Faith to look at this life and present circumstances in the right way? 

Philippians 3:20-4:1 (KJV)

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

A Message of Hope and Help

1. God created all things. 
   • (Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.)
2. God is eternal. 
3. Man sinned against God. 
4. Sin brings death and destruction. 
   • Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
5. We have all sinned. 
   • Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
6. Sin has a penalty.
   • Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
   • Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 
   • 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
7. God's plan
   • God is a trinity - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
   • God the Son is Jesus, and was sent to pay the price for our sin.
     • Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
     • Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.) 
   • What motivated God to send His son? God loves YOU! 
     • Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
     • John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
8. The Gospel
   • Jesus is alive! 
     • 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
   • Believe on and receive Jesus. 
     • Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
   • Turn to Jesus. Not by works or religion. Faith in Jesus alone! 
     • Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
   • You are a whosoever! Call out to Jesus to save you. 
     • Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
9. God gives purpose. There is HOPE and HELP in Jesus.