Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny

God warned his people to follow him.   Isaiah prophecies not only about the destruction of Babylon but also the destruction of Satan himself.   Originally, the 'morning star' or Lucifer, he was an angel cast from heaven by God when he wanted to be his own boss.  Although it looks like evil is winning in our world, it is not.  Jesus wins, and so do we.

In Elisha's time the people were not doing a good job raising their children in the Lord.  The teens disrespected Elisha and were mauled to death.  This is a preview of Judgment Day.  Children and teens should be taught and parents and other adults are responsible.  Teach the ways of the Lord so that we can all stand before God on Judgment Day as children of Christ.

Spiritual education for children is important.  We were sinful from the time we were conceived.  The good new of Christ has been told to us, so we should pass on the message of hope to others.  Sunday school and a regular pattern of life that includes God's Word is important.

The older generation is important. They are close to heaven. God wills that we help them in their time of struggle and share our faith. They grow older each day and we should trust their wisdom and listen. Show appreciate for the elderly.

Feed my sheep. The children were brought to Jesus because they were precious and they too needed a Savior. We should feed the lambs and help in giving the word of God to everyone, including children.

The Israelites were often in turmoil, but they always had God and his promises.  God promised to send a savior and to always stay with them.  Those who believed would find peace in heaven.  God kept his promises and has given us the same promise of eternal life without sin through Jesus.

Our hope of heaven is dependant on God's grace. Who we are has nothing to do with it. Jesus was perfect and took away all of our sins for us. We are children of God because of his sacrifice.

God provided high priests to act as the go-between for God and his people.  The Word became flesh and communicated with God's people directly.  Jesus will return again in glory, but until then sits at the right hand of the Father. Now we have the opportunity to be God's representatives here on earth.  We can tell others of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.

God was present to his people through the tabernacle.  It was a place of the most high.  Today we have churches, but don't have a tabernacle that travels from place to place with high priests.  But we are also God's tabernacles.  Through us God is present.  We are his chosen children and through our actions and how we live our lives people can see the hand of God at work.

Most people don't bring a young calf to church with them on Sunday to sacrifice as an offering to the Lord.  We simply put our money in the offering plate.  The people of Israel gave sacrifices as offerings to God until Jesus was born a man to serve as the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. He served as our substitute so that we might have the hope of eternal life in heaven.  Let's never forget that Jesus gave his life so that we can have ours.