Zion Hill Baptist

Today we consider how we are to live our lives in order to be blessed by the Lord.

Communion is a command from Jesus Christ that we are to follow. We take the bread and fruit of the vine to remember His sacrifice of a broken body and blood poured out for out sins. We take the Lords Supper to communion with God and as a body of believers. We are reminded that we should conduct a self-examination prior to taking and to be serious when we partake.

What do we know about the third part of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. Today we are reminded that the Holy Spirit is there are our comforter, guide, helper, gift giver, intercessor, counselor, encourager, and seal. The work of the Spirit is to bring conviction to who are are not saved and guidance to those who are. We know we can grieve and quench the spirit, but we must listen and be obedient. The Spirit was active in creation, present at the conception of Jesus' earthly body, involved in the resurrection, and is at all times present in the believer. The most challenging question Christians have before them is not, 'how much of the Spirit you have,' but rather, 'hw much of you the Holy Spirit has.'

What do we know about God? Where do we get this knowledge? Have we put God in our little box? God does not fit inside of what we think we know about Him. The only way to come to know Him and continue to be known by Him is to allow Him to destroy the ways we've limited him. The reality is that 'our ways are not His ways' and 'nothing is too difficult for the Lord.' 'With God all things are possible.'

Jesus Christ is God's only Son. He is God and part of the Godhead, but has unique roles and duties. We discuss what his name means and just a little about Him. He is the incantation (God in the flesh), creator of the universe, exact living image of God, source of the universe, head of the church, born of a virgin, sinless, risen after death, coming again, reigning in heaven at God's right hand, and our atonement and redeemer. Oh what a God we serve!

God exists! He is a Spirit. God is three persons manifested as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While God is incomprehensible He has reveled some of his attributes by which we can know some things about Him and His nature. Remember; however, Gods IS fully all these things. They are not parts of God or things that make Him up, rather they find their completeness in Him. He is: self-sufficient, Eternal, Infinite, Immutable, Omniscience, Self-Existent, Wisdom, Omnipresent, Good, Faithful, Justice Mercy , Grace, Love, Sovereign, Holy, Immanuel. For more on each of these listen to the series A Proper View of God from 2021. (https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/taylorschapel/sermons/series/153892/)

The bible in the inspired or revealed Word of God to man. It is true, accurate, without error, and allows us to know doctrine, rules, and true history. It is our ultimate guide, map, compass, sword and resource for comfort and peace in this life. We know it was recorded (by inspiration) through around 40 men, across three continents, and over 1,500 years yet each book agrees with the other and points to our need of a savior. We know it's true because the bible itself claims to be, some 2,000 prophecies have been fulfilled, history and archology support it, and we know it internally through the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we must abide by all of it, know it, and continually (daily) take it into our lives.

Are you rich toward God? Are you wealthy in the world? Don't be too quick to answer the second. We have a real problem in many societies of valuing our selves based on our stuff, money, status, or position in this life. But we won't take any of that with us when we die. Jesus Christ reveals this by speaking plainly, that we a mans life consists not in the abundance of things, bur rather where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. Today we consider the parable of the Rich Fool and the words given in Timothy to have godliness with contentment for great gain. In sum, do you have a rich relationship with God?

We review how Daniel purposed his heart and chose to do what the Lord commanded. Here we see four things. 1 he purposed his heart, 2 he abstained from something, 3 he replaced what he abstained with something healthy, and 4 he had accountability with God and friends. We have much to learn from Daniel about our daily walks with God and even salvation.

During this Easter Sunday sunrise service we remember the empty tomb and celebrate that Christ is risen, he is risen indeed. We consider the road to Emmaus and what we can learn from the encounter that occurred there and how Jesus Christ witnessed to himself through prophecy, logic, miracles and the giving of the Holy Spirit. With these same witnesses and our testimony we are sent into the world to proclaim He Is Risen, Peace Be to You!