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Pastor Thomas S. Goff
Carson Church of the Nazarene

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Sermon Titles:
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"Save me - Take me - Teach me"
"Jesus Christ, The Lord Almighty"
"Blessings Upon You"
"Victory"
"A Brand New Year Full of New Things"
"Until We See Jesus For Who He Really Is"
"Wonderful Things In The Bible I See"
"In Regard To Your Church Leaders"
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
"Pray For Our Nation"
"Love Your Church"
"Easter Morning Service "
"Because it is Your Kingdom, Your Power and Your Glory"
"Pentecost Sunday"
"A Father to the Fatherless"
"A Passion For Souls"
"Blessed Is The Man Who Trusts In You"
"After Independence"
"The Good News Invitation"
"New Things and Missed Opportunities"
"The Great Awakening"
"The Kingdom of God - Given to a People Who Will Produce It's Fruit"
"Can Revival Really Happen Here?"
"Leaders In The Church"
"Those Who Are Led By The Spirit of God, Are Sons of God"
"Communion and Fellowship; More Than Just A Birth"
"As Stars That Shine"
"Thankfulness For The Truth"
"A Month of Thankfulness"
"Forgiveness: One of God's Favorite Gifts"
"In Christ, There Is A Place For You"
"In Christ - Through Christ - Because of Christ"
"I'm Looking Forward and Upward"
"Lord Willing, Tomorrow Starts A Brand New Year"

Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"Save me - Take me - Teach me"
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Ephesians 4:21-24 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

"Save me - Take me - Teach me." These are probably three of the most significant, personal prayer requests that a person will ever make in their lifetime: "Save me" (and Jesus does! Jesus Saves!)- "Take me" (just as we sang moments ago, "take my life and let it be, consecrated and beautiful for Thee")- and then, "Teach me" (to do Your will; to trust and obey, and each day, to make the right choice). I found these themes in the first three songs that we sang this morning (Jesus Saves - Take My Life and Let it Be - Teach Me, Lord). They speak so well to the bigger picture; to the fuller understanding of our Christian life; to the entire consecration of all we ever have been - all we are - and to all we ever will be here on this earth. These three phrases speak to our plea for salvation and our thankfulness that Jesus saves! They speak to our desire to be entirely consecrated, completely His, entirely dedicated and entirely sanctified unto the work of God. They speak to our deepest cry; the prayer that God will not only save us, but also shape our lives and teach us His will, enabling us and empowering us to trust and obey and to make the right choice each day.

Does this sound possible? Is this possible for anyone? Is this possible in your life? I believe it is! Listen to the apostle Luke as he speaks about the message that John the baptist would preach concerning what the Lord Jesus Christ would do, and what His Holy Spirit will enable us to become...

Luke 1:69-75 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us (meaning the Lord Jesus Christ)in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

What was that promise? ... "The Lord Jesus Christ would rescue us from the hand of our enemy." Our enemy is not "flesh and blood" . . . our enemy is Satan!

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Yes, our enemy is Satan and all his evil influences. But God has promised to rescue us from that enemy! Through Christ Jesus our Lord and the fullness of His Holy Spirit, He also promised (the Scriptures say, "He swore an oath") He promised to "enable us to serve him without fear - in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." Now let me ask you that same question once again, "Does this sound possible? Is this possible for anyone?"

I believe it is! Why do I believe that? . . . because God's Word tells us that "a horn of salvation has been raised up for us in the house of his servant David - (the Lord Jesus Christ) - to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days."

Now, if God's Word promises this enablement "to serve Him in holiness and righteousness all our days," then who are we to say it isn't so? Who are we to say it is not possible for us? Is it possible? Yes, it is possible! And I believe it, first of all, because I do no want to contradict God! I believe it because I do not want to reject God! Paul says . . .

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

There was a time, I am sure in all of our lives when we called out to God that He would save us - and He did that, didn't He? He forgave each one of us our sins, gave us a new life in Christ Jesus, and washed us as white as snow. We cried out to Him, that He would shape us and mold us into what He wants us to be, and He is doing that. At the same time we have prayed that God would show us His will for our lives, that He would make His calling for our lives clear - and He has done that! God has made His will clear to us from His Word. The Word says He has called us to live a holy life; a life of holiness and righteousness as the Bible says, "all our days." That life is possible through Christ Jesus.

Verse 8 says, "therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit." God said it, so I believe it. I do not want to be found rejecting God's Word!

The life of holiness is possible! It is im-possible only when (we refuse - when we doubt - or when we resist). God is willing, but sometimes we resist. That's where the danger lies, and in our resistance to this biblical truth we find ourselves staring smack dab in the face of some very eternal consequences. God's Word says that holiness is possible, and to emphasize the importance of holiness, the book of Hebrews tells us . . .

Hebrews 12:14-15 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord (you should write that verse down!). 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

We have a responsibility, not only to ourselves, but also to others, to make sure, "to see to it, that no one misses the grace of God." We need to spread the good news of this holiness message that God is able to cleanse, forgive and to make holy. At the same time God has called us to make sure "no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Now this bitter root could take on many forms of description, but in context with this passage and the teaching that "without holiness, no one will see the Lord," we need to see to it that no bitter resentment or bitter root grows up against this call to holiness. Those who reject this teaching, as Paul told us from 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, reject God. Rejection and a bitter attitude toward the teaching of holiness will indeed, just as the writer of Hebrews told us in verse 15 of chapter 12, "cause trouble and defile many." It will defile many, because rebellion is contagious.

But so much for the warnings and the dangers of rejecting holiness - what about the blessings and the joys of a life of holiness? What blessings are there in holiness? First of all, "peace with God!" Knowing Jesus brings peace with God . . . Paul says . . .

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Even the lamenting writer of the book of Ecclesiastes wrote . . . Ecclesiastes 2:26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness . . .

Isaiah says . . . Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

And Paul says . . . Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

These are but a few of the many, many promises of blessing that God has given us from the Bible. And we believe them don't we? Great, I'm happy to hear that. So, if we believe God's promises, then what should we do about it? Paul says . . .

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

In her early teen years, Louise Chapman heard and learned of the promises of God. The remainder of her life will filled with the joy of knowing God and joy of seeing His promises fulfilled over and over again, all around the world. At her 100th birthday at the Nazarene retirement center at Casa Robles, Louise Chapman said, "Holiness changes hearts. It makes us what we are not - patient, kind, humble. All we need is God, the wonderful power of God!" Looking at the friends gathered around her she said, "O Lord, clothe them in Thy glory. Clothe every one of them with glory. No matter if they get nothing else. . . . I'm expecting God to work in you - all of you," she said earnestly. "I pray for a holiness church - a holiness crowd. People who look and act like and talk like they have been with God. Don't ever retire! I will never retire until the day God takes me home. Ask God for something to do. Nobody can keep us from God, nobody can keep us from praying!"

Louise Chapman knew something about the promises of God; she knew they were trustworthy and true. She believed God and knew a deep and abiding joy that only the love of God can bring. She knew that holiness changes hearts, and she pressed that message everywhere she went. Louise loved God and trusted His promises. What more could a person ever want.

I encourage you today, trust God. Take His Word for exactly what it says. Seek to please God, and not reject Him. Seek holiness and to be all God has called you to be, for without holiness, no one will see the Lord! Just as Louise Chapman said, "Holiness changes hearts. It makes us what we are not - patient, kind, humble. All we need is God, the wonderful power of God!"

Let us pray . . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"NIV Scripture taken from HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House."
The Holy Bible: New International Version / International Bible Societies.—electronic ed.—Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984. (Logos Library System)

“Blessings Upon You”
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I have a very elderly friend who would say, “Blessings upon you,” whenever we parted. I liked that, and always thought it was a very nice way to say “good bye.” It made me feel good that someone wanted me to enjoy the blessings and goodness of God in my life. That’s the kind of man my friend is, and he means it. His heart-felt desire is that God will greatly enrich and bless my life. Isn’t that so much better than a simple “good bye?” Some of you may remember decades ago how the younger generation used to say things like “see you later alligator,” or “after while crocodile.” That was a bit before my time, but, somehow the words of my elderly friend seem so much more meaningful and rich, and blessing filled.

In certain places the Scriptures use the word “blessing” as a way to indicate “praise or invocation of blessing, a benediction indicating the pronouncement of concrete blessings upon you life.” The word “blessing” also means “prosperity, a gift or present, or as praise from God.” In each of these ways “blessing” means that you are receiving “good” things; either someone is saying good things about you, or you are receiving benefits or opportunities that are good for you - these things we would call a “blessing” as opposed to being a “curse.”

In the book of Deuteronomy, the second giving of the Law, the Greek words “Deuteros” (meaning “second”) and “nomos” (meaning “Law”) gives us the word Deuteronomy. God’s people had much earlier received the Ten Commandments, you’d think that would be enough wouldn’t you? But no, for some reason God thought it best to remind us all over again of the simple commands He gave us in the first place. You see, we are wonderfully created, but as humans we tend to forget. It’s not really an accident however, because our forgetfulness of God’s laws tends to be more intentional than accidental. Therefore the Lord has seen fit to remind us again of His commandments for our lives. Iif you read the Scriptures closely, you will see that we are reminded over and over again throughout God’s Word of His commands and His calling for our lives. He must feel it is good for us to be reminded - so if God feels it’s best to remind us again and again, then maybe we should take the hint, and listen. . . .

In Deuteronomy, the Second giving of the Law, our Heavenly Father not only gave us a second reading of His commands, but he also emphasized the blessings of following those commands. Rather than going over the Ten Commandments as stated in Deuteronomy, and in order that we may more fully appreciate the blessings involved, on this occasion I would rather focus upon the blessings of following those commands. And to put the Commandments and this mornings message in perspective, let’s read from Matthew, where our Lord Jesus Christ summarized those commands in a way that all of us can easily understand . . .

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Now this should be fairly self-explanatory - Love God; give to God; surrender to God all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself! When everything is surrendered to Him, in such a total and entire way, there leaves very little behind for sin to attach itself too. When all is His, greed, envy, anger and pride have little to work with. And when you treat others at least as well as you treat yourselves, then love begins to rule, and sin losses it’s foothold. That’s basically the message of holiness. That’s the message we have been called to preach, and to believe, and to live out in our daily lives.

The Pharisee from that 22nd chapter in Matthew was an expert in the Law and knew the difficulties of obeying all the rules they had added to the commandments. And having such a legalistic, pharisaic interpretation of the Law, this man needed some help. So Jesus simplified the heart of the matter and gave the basis, the center upon which all of the commandments stand: love. . . . As we love God entirely in all things, then obedience to all commands begins to fall in place so much more readily and completely.

Now with that short reminder of the heart and meaning of the commandments of God, let us turn back to Deuteronomy and hear what God has to say about the blessings attached to His commands. . . .

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

We have talked before about the concept of “promise and requirement,” meaning that whenever you see a promise, look close around it, for there will also be a requirement attached. In other words God often says, “If you will - I will.” Yes, I know He loved us, even when we did not love Him. But in the case of these promises of blessing you can easily see the principle of “If you will - I will.” Read that again . . .

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. 8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. 12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

The Lord God desires to bless His people, He desires to bless us with all these blessings and so much more. God wants to say, “Blessings upon you.” He wants the nations to look at us and say, “God’s blessing is truly upon them.” He wants us to pay attention and take these words to heart. He wants us to obey His commands, to remember to love Him with all our hearts, minds, body and soul - and to love our neighbor as ourselves so that He may pour out His blessings upon us in the fullness of all His love. But once again, even though He is willing, we must also be willing. How can God say, “Blessings upon you,” if we are not willing? The principle of “If you will - I will” seems to apply here so very well.

God tells us that when we really take His words to heart, and believe them and return to Him with all our heart, and with all our soul, then He will truly be able to say, “Blessings upon you!” In fact, that’s almost exactly what we read in . . . .

Deuteronomy 30:1-6 When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, 2 and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. 4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. 5 He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Our Lord God has set a point of decision before us. He calls us to choose. He wants to pour out His blessings upon us, so He calls us to obey - to choose between blessings or curses. It seems a simple choice to make. Which sounds best to you? I know what it feels like when people say bad things about me. I also know how good it makes me feel to hear my friend say, “Blessings upon you.” How much more so to hear God say, “Blessings upon you.”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Let us Pray . . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"Victory"
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We have fought wars around the world for freedom and for peace. In Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Italy, France, North Africa, the South Pacific and innumerable locations around the world, our nation has asked men and women to put themselves in harms way to help preserve freedom and our way of life. The cost has been heavy, but then, freedom has never been cheap. Warfare is a reality that has been with us throughout history. And though some may feel that war is an unacceptable thing of the past, we should realize that spiritual warfare of even far greater proportions is being waged every day in the lives of people all around the world in which souls are being lost due to a lack of solidarity, unity and encouragement that should be provided by Christian ministries reaching out with the Gospel message to those who need it most.

As you can see on the over-head projector, we have an example of two posters from World War II. The first plays on the famous "Uncle Sam Wants You" poster from the first World War. Posters of this type were often displayed in the workplace. Employers didn't necessarily expect their work force to take all poster slogans literally, however they used these posters to create an atmosphere of unity, urgency and productivity. The first poster carries the slogan, "Are you doing all you can? The second poster carries the slogan, "Strong in the strength of the Lord, we who fight in the people's cause will never stop until that cause is won."

These posters helped encourage, as I said earlier, a sense unity, urgency and productivity. Maybe we could use a little encouragement of unity, urgency and productivity in the battle for souls that we are waging every day, right here, right now; at home and around the world. Today and Monday we honor and respect our veterans for all they went through to protect and preserve our freedoms. Our veterans served at home and oversees to carry the victory forward. At the same time, others worked at home and in the labor of agricultural and heavy industry as well.

During the Second World War my father spent 37 months in actual war-time combat. My mother worked as a telephone operator, keeping the lines of communication open back here at home. Nearly everyone had some part to play in the effort to keep our nation free. Some labored in the work place, others encouraged through speeches and the selling of war bonds. Some kept the home-fires burning, while others gave of their finances and possessions to help carry the war effort forward. From my parents families, five went to war, three came home; one of them a wounded P.O.W. The price of peace came at a heavy price in our home as it did in the homes of families all across America. And as important and necessary as that war effort was, today there is still a war for souls raging all around us, even more costly and continual than any war we have ever been in. The battle for souls will cost us everything we are and everything we have, yet it is worth every sacrifice and every hardship - because the souls of every man, woman and child around the world are at stake, and the consequences are absolutely "eternal." Our battle may cost us our families, our jobs, our health: as Jesus said . . .

Luke 18:29-30 "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

As the writer of Hebrews said – Hebrews 12:4 "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

As we heard from the reading of the "Persecuted Church" from the November issue of "Holiness Today," some have "resisted to the point of shedding blood," but most of us here have never come to that point yet. It may come to that, and "Yes," our struggle here on Earth has eternal consequences, so maybe we should ask ourselves the same question as that first poster; "Are you doing all you can?" And maybe our slogan and mission should pick up the battle cry of that second poster: "Strong in the Strength of the Lord, we who fight in the people's cause will never stop until that cause is won."

According to the Bible the War is won . . . . . !

Romans 8:1-4 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."

"There is now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." He set us free from the law of sin and death. We do not have to sin and die! There is forgiveness available for those who have sinned! The Devil is a defeated foe, but realize if you will, there are still battles going on in the hearts and lives of every man, woman and child as Satan throws temptation in their path daily. Satan is defeated! But, as he goes and will eventually be cast into the place prepared for him and his followers, he will try to take every soul he yet can along the way. The Bible says . . .

1 Peter 5:8-11 ". . . Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Jesus Christ broke the law of sin and death on the Cross at Calvary. The power of sin has been broken for all who will embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and Master. But many have never heard, and even more have heard, yet they refuse to accept and believe. There is a spiritual war going on and they are casualties in the making.

So what shall we do about it? Do you think a bunch of posters saying, "God needs You," will do the job? Maybe posters and bumper-stickers saying, "Jesus is Lord!" will help encourage us to unity, urgency and productivity just like those war posters encouraged others who came before us in times of war? We used to have a few posters around here that said, "Expect a Miracle." Signs and posters are a great way to get people's attention just like the war time posters that we referred to earlier. Posters helped to create an atmosphere of urgency, building unity and productivity. Urgency in regard to the immediacy of the need, strengthened by a sense of unity of purpose resulting in productivity: that was the purpose of those war-time posters; to solidify a nation into productivity and unified action. Everyone had a part to play in the support of the war effort, but when you get to the bottom line, there were men and women who put their lives on the actual battlefield, in harms way, actually facing the enemies gun-fire and rage - Just putting up a few posters may not be sufficient. Some worked and encouraged from home, but on the front lines of battle many of them faced the horrors of battle personally, in order that the victory could be won.

Today, in this spiritual battle I am speaking of, Jesus has conquered the enemy, that is absolutely true, but in regard to our individual soul, in regard to our individual decision for Christ, in regard to our individual battle with sin that wages war against us, you and I and every human being around the world must face the front-line of battle personally, face to face with the enemy. But praise God, we are not alone; He is with us . . . Jesus, Himself promised . . .

John 14:16-19 "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live."

There is a battle here on Earth, but there is "Victory" in Jesus. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. His Holy Spirit lives with us and in us . . . In Christ and the fulness of His Holy Spirit there is unity, productivity and Victory. Yes, there is urgency, for the days are short and the harvest is very great, but there is Victory for all who love Jesus.
Let us pray . . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"A Brand New Year Full of New Things"
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This is the very first Sunday of a brand new year - aren't you excited? You should be. I wonder what God has in store for us this year. What brand new challenges? What new and wonderful things, just around the corner? The old year and all its troubles are past, and the new year has come. One great example, from the Bible, about old things being past and new things to come is where were are told that . . .
Revelation 21:4 He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

When all this old stuff has passed away, and God's new world and kingdom has come, every tear will be wiped away, and there will be no more death, no more crying or pain. To bad that we will have to wait until the end of time to realize the reality of "newness," where everything is new, and all the old suffering has passed away.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could realize a joyful sense of newness in the here-and-now, instead of having to wait? Well, maybe we can, after all, the old year and all its stresses are behind us. O, yes, there are some consequences that remain, but those days are gone, and God has given us a brand new day to live in, a brand new year in which to serve Him and love Him and love His people. We can't stop things that have already happened, but maybe we don't have to suffer some of the things we suffered last year? Maybe the things and situations of last year that troubled us can be looked at through brand new eyes this year? Maybe we can see things, and see one another in a brand new heavenly light? Jesus gives us and interesting perspective on worries and troubles from . . .

Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Each day has a big enough load of trouble without adding to it the unnecessary pain of worrying about past or about things future; things of which absolutely no amount of worrying will help. This is a brand new day, and Jesus is trying to encourage us to lean upon Him and the power of His Holy Spirit to provide; not to worry and fret about all the troubles that we have or might have someday. Instead He is encouraging us to have "faith," faith that He will provide. He is trying to get our eyes off of the stresses and cares of yesterday, and off the worries and possible fears of tomorrow, and to place our entire faith and trust into His holy care.

To me, that sounds like pretty good advice. After all, how can worrying help? If your last gallon of milk curdled and spoiled yesterday, what amount of worrying today can bring it back to a state of wholesome drinkability? And what amount of worrying will make a fresh new gallon appear tomorrow? Worrying is not the answer. Let me demonstrate just how silly and unnecessarily painful worry can be:

If you worry about yesterday's spoiled milk, and then add to that worry, the additional worry about milk that may or may not spoil at some time in the future, you begin to put yourself right smack dab in the middle of a unnecessary problem of addition. You know how simple addition works in math. The problem is, you are taking on, or adding to your present situation, worries of yesterday and worries of potential problems for tomorrow that may not even come to be. Jesus was right, "Each day has enough trouble of its own," so why take on unnecessary pain and worry that benefits absolutely no one, and which may even make matters worse?

So rather than worrying about the past and worrying about obscure potentials of the future, how about if we focus our attention upon where God has us right now, and consider what God has in store for us this year. What brand new and exciting challenges? What new and wonderful things may lie just around the corner? The old year is past, yesterday is gone, and the new year has come.

Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This is a brand new day. Why should we treat it like a "same old yesterday?" Or even sillier yet, why should we add to this brand new day the debilitating worries of things that could be, or might be, or potentially may go wrong tomorrow? That would only tarnish the glory of this brand new day which God has made!

Journalist and novelist Arthur Roche, who passed away in 1935 gave us this thought on the subject of worry: "Worry is a thin stream of fear, trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained!" It makes a lot of sense doesn't it? It's just like water running down a hillside causing land erosion. When we add unnecessary worry to the burden of concern which each day has enough of already, we become weary because of being "over-burdened," and our focus begins to erode and center upon our burdens rather than upon the One who is able to carry our burdens and anxieties. All our thoughts begin to flow into the eroded channel that fear has begun to cut through our mind. Maybe Arthur Roche was right when he called worry a "thin stream of fear, trickling through the mind." Perhaps worry is fear; fear or doubt that God is not able to provide or protect? The Bible tells us that God has given us everything we need for life.

2 Peter 1:3-8 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great 0 and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowlefge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly"kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In none of these passages we read today, nor in any passage I have ever read will you find that we need to "add more"worry to what each day may already have," not one"single time will you find a reference to that affect. quite to the contrary, everything I read speaks entirely to the positive side of concentrating upon, as Paul said, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy," we are to think about such things, and we are to put them into practice. This is a brand new year, a brand new day full of great potential for the glory of God.

Clovis Chappell, a great Methodist preacher who passed away in 1972 at the age of 90 told the story of a pilot flying around the world in the pioneer days of aviation. The plane was two hours out from it's last landing field and still another two hours till he would reach another landing site. The pilot began to hear a strange sound. He recognized it as the gnawing of a rat, and realized that a rat must have gotten on board at his last landing. These were the days where planes still used a lot of rope and wood and gabric. A rat could be a catastrophe.

At first the pilot did not know what to do, and he began to worry. But then he remembered that a rat is a rodent, and is not made for high altitudes. So he climbed to ten thousand feet, fifteen thousand feet, eighteen thousand feet, and finally to twenty thousand feet, till finally the gnawing ceased and the rat was dead. The pilot safely continued on his way completing his around-the-world flight.

Worry is a rodent. It cannot live in the high places of the Most High. It cannot breathe in the atmosphere strengthened by prayer and familiarity with the Word of God. Worry dies, when we lift our eyes up to the Lord through prayer and His Word.

I encourage you today, to put your cares and worries at the feet of Christ Jesus throughout this new year. And as we draw near to Him during our participation in the Communion meal, let us lay our every burden faithfully in His hands. Let us cast our every fear, our every doubt, our every worry upon the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. And let us focus our attention upon Christ: upon "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—upon those things which are excellent or praiseworthy—let us think about such things."
And if there be anything which hinders our fellowship with God and with one another, let us worry about that no more. Let us lay those things in His hands. This is a brand new day, a brand new year full of good things for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Communion . . . was served followed with Altar Call and Closing prayer . . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty"
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The Lord Jesus Christ is, indeed, the Lord Almighty, and He stands ready to bless all who will love Him and believe on His name for salvation. Are you ready to be blessed? A lot of people believe that they are. They pray to God, "Lord, bless us this day." Yet, in their desire to find blessing, they sometimes forget that even before we asked for blessing, God was pleading with us to let Him bless us. From the Bible, God has promised blessing. But when you read closely and honestly, you will see the promise was made with a condition. It is toward this promise and this condition that I would like us to direct our attention today as we search out what Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty has for us today.

PSALM 37:23-29 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. 27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. 28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; 29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

The Lord Jesus Christ is faithful and true to His word. The Almighty will never change, and so His promises are true. This passage reminds me that we have experienced blessing and we have experienced hard times. But even though there have been hard times our people have lifted their needs in prayer, and the Lord has heard and has provided. He provides in so many ways, as our testimonies have shown; quite often in ways and in times that we did not even expect. Yes, the evidence is there and we see the hand of the Almighty at work among us. So to Him we give all the glory, honor and praise, for He is indeed faithful and true - the Lord God Almighty.
But, even with such evidence, there may be some who might still be a little skeptical or hesitant to accept all this - Maybe a little hesitant to going forward, fearing that the river may dry up and all will be lost. Well, that is understandable, knowing that whenever anyone has gone through long periods of financial drought, there will always be a hesitancy in making any sudden moves forward. And as delighted as they may be to see things go forward, there still may be a certain sense of fear over the possibility of the "temporary" nature of things. And, yes, "things" are temporary. But the"Lord God Almighty is forever faithful and true. Are hard times a thing of the past and are all the bumpy roads fixed forever? No, not yet, for the Day of the Lord's return has not yet come. It may not be long, or it may be for some time yet, but still the Lord God Almighty is faithful, and He will provide.

I applaud and appreciate the cautious and the careful. Yet, at the same time I would urge us to see the Hand of God at work in the activities and the growth of this congregation- and encourage us all to go forward with the growth and development that God is providing . . . before the fruit 3 is lost! The man who watches the fruit grow and multiply upon the tree will lose the harvest if he only stands back and watches. He may marvel at the wonder of it all, but, unless he gets in there and works in the harvest field, the fruit will wither and rot away; lost to all, benefiting no one, not even the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to seek out service to God in meaningful and beautiful ways. To serve the Lord Almighty and to return unto God is such a privilege, and at the same time it brings with it such blessing and benefit. The prophet Malachi had to speak to the people at one time about their attitude about serving and returning unto the Lord. They didn't like His reprimand. It was harsh, but it was necessary for their spiritual growth and spiritual well-being. I would like to share with you a little of what He had to say, including the promise atuached:

MALACHI 3:11-15 . . . The Lord Almighty was saying, "Return to Me, and I will return to you". . . "I will prevent pests ! from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit" says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land?" says the LORD Almighty. 13 "You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, `What have we said against you?' 14 "You have said, `it is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'"

As this message was given to the people, I am sure that many were cut to the quick as they heard the Lord speak. I am sure that in some way or another, they saw themselves in the words spoken through the prophet Malachi. Some were guilty, some grumbled, some were probably angered, but some were wise and they took the Word of God to heart and they did something about it.........The Word says,.......

MALACHI 3:16-17 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

It is my prayer that we will be a wise and godly people this year, and that we will listen and hear God's Word and His will for us while there is yet time to serve Him, before He brings this old world to a close. And for everyone who hears His Word and honors His name, there is a promise . . . turn with me to . . .

MALACHI 4:1-6 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, (He is speaking to you right now, to all of you who love Him) the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty. 4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

As we read the news it seems the tide is turning ever towards the worse. Some people think that the End is very near. Perhaps the Earth is being struck with a curse - the curse of over-population - the curse of war and rumors of war - the curse of disease and the lack of compassion. And as we search the Scriptures for clues as to when the "last day" will be, we read a passage that settles a particular issue for those who are trying to figure out how long it will yet be till the Lord Almighty returns, and it refers to the "Elijah" that must come before the Last Day! . . .

Matthew 17:10-12 The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 11 Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."

So much has already been fulfilled, and "Yes," the end will come. However in returning unto God, which involves the committing of our hearts, our lives, and our possessions, there is the hope of continued fellowship, there is the hope of continued blessing . . . there is the hope that God will yet tarry and delay the hand of judgement upon a land which seems to be rushing towards moral destruction, at least until a few more come into the kingdom of God as true believers.
Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty, left the work of reaching the lost in the hands of His people – And that is who we are, His people. And if we are to be that example to the world, then we will have to get up out of our comfortable places and actively, dynamically, and with all our hearts and all our resources, and with all the Lord empowers us, reach out to this community with the message of salvation which cries out, "Return unto me."

Sounds like a big job doesn't it? And just in case you think that people aren't listening. I want you to hear something that just might cheer you up. When we read the news it seems as though the world is just going all to pieces, and people just don't want to listen to the Words of the Lord God Almighty. But, listen to this . . . Paul says . . .

ACTS 28:28 "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"

ROMANS 1:5-6 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone– 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Does this seem like too big a task for this new year? How are we going to get it done? Who do we have that will step forward to take on the responsibilities that the Lord God Almighty has laid in our hands? How are we ever going to find the strength to carry through . . . ?

MATTHEW 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty is faithful and true to His Word. On Him we depend, for He is utterly trustworthy and true. What great things stand before us, I don't really know. But, know this, God didn't place us here to be consumers, He placed us here to love Him and serve Him, and at the same time He asks us to love His creation so much that we will gladly go out there and reach out to the lost; to those without hope, to the suffering and the needy. We have been called to a high calling, into the service of God Almighty - into the service of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .

Closing prayer . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"Until We See Jesus For Who He Really Is"
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I would like to address a couple of dangerous misconceptions that seem to plague our country today. Millions of people throughout the ages have held poor and inadequate understandings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some believe He is the Son of God, but their concept of His Lordship and the possibility of being in close relationship to Him is remote and so vague to them. They casually treat Him as though He is some form of Santa Clause or something. Others see him as some kind of a prophet. Oh, they say he was a good man, a good prophet, but, just a man none-the-less. Both fail to see Him for What and Who He really is: the Lord of lords, the King of kings and Creator of all that exists.

John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
The evidence of His intervention and His divine creation is all around us. Everything that is, everything that exists was made through Him. The verse said, "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." You could say, the "Evidence shines in the darkness, but the darkness has refused to understand it." Listen to what our Heavenly Father says about Jesus Christ, His Son . . .

Hebrews 1:10 through 2:4 "He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" ? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 2:1 "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

Even our heavenly Father has testified to the truth of all these things by "signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." If this is true, and I believe it is, then the warning we read in chapter 2 verse 1 is even all the more important . . .

Hebrews 2:1 said, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

We must pay "more careful attention" - Why did the writer say that? Probably because he felt that proper attention was not being given to the truth of Scripture and the awesome holiness of Jesus Christ. People were beginning to drift away from the truth. They were beginning to drift away from the awesome realization of exactly "What and Who Jesus Christ really is." They were beginning to treat Him as just another curiosity, just another guy you hear about in the news or read about in some book.

I want to share with you a letter written by Dorothy Sayers. Born in 1893 and working hard right up to her unexpected death in 1957, she was a prolific writer and well published author. Her theology was traditionally Anglican with a strong emphasis on doctrine, and with a background emphasizing the deity of Jesus Christ, Dorothy wrote a letter expressing her concern about people drifting away from a true understanding of "The Real Christ," "What and Who Jesus is." She writes . . .

"The people who crucified Christ never accused Him of being a bore; on the contrary, they thought Him too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround Him with the atmosphere of tedium. We have very efficiently pared the claws (de-clawed) of the Lion Judah, certified Him "meek and mild," and recommended Him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies. To those who knew him, however, He in no way suggested a milk-and-water person; they objected to Him as a dangerous firebrand. True, He was tender to the unfortunate, patient with honest inquirers, and humble before heaven; but He insulted respectable clergymen by calling them hypocrites; He referred to King Herod as "that fox"; He went to parties with disreputable company and was looked upon as a "gluttonous man and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners"; He insulted indignant tradesmen and threw them and their belongings out of the Temple, . . . He showed no proper deference for wealth or social position; when confronted with heated dialectical traps, He displayed a paradoxical humor that affronted serious-minded people, and He retorted by asking disagreeable questions that could not be answered by rule of thumb . . . But He had a "daily beauty in his life that made us ugly," and officialdom felt that the established order of things would be more secure without Him. So they did away with God in the name of peace and quietness." (Dorothy Sayers)

Are the misconceptions about Jesus that Dorothy Sayers comments on any less dangerous than the modern day molding of the Lord God Almighty into some kind of a soft and cuddly "Jesus loves me" toy. No! They are both dangerous. One accuses Jesus of sinful behavior that He is not guilty of, and the other makes Him out to be a weak and innocuous little god who overlooks our sinful behavior and makes us feel "good" no matter how we behave.

Hebrews 2:1 said, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

I believe it's true, we must pay more careful attention to what we believe; we must pay more careful attention to what we hear; we must pay more careful attention to what we read, to what we teach and preach - - - "so that we do not drift away."

Matthew 8:18-9:8 "When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men."

They saw the miracles - they heard and saw the fulfillment of the Word of God in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, but they still did not see Jesus for who He really is. Instead they praised God for giving a "man" such authority as this to work such miracles.

You need to ask yourself, "What and Who do I believe Jesus is?" How true and accurate is your understanding of who Jesus really is? How accurate and complete is your picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Creator of all that is, the Lord God Almighty. . . or are you in danger of "drifting away." To drift away is such a slow and sometimes imperceptible movement away from the truth, yet it is filled with danger. In our times there are many who are so very willing to tell you anything your ears want to hear, just to win your trust. Because of this ...

Hebrews 2:1 said, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

As your pastor, called to shepherd this congregation, called by God to encourage you, and if necessary admonish you in the things of Christ Jesus; to lead you into the Truth and away from that which would cause you to drift away, I encourage you to get into the Word of God; make it your joy and your greatest pleasure, then, and not until then will you begin to understand "What and Who the Lord Jesus Christ really is." His Word tells us . . .

2 Peter 1:2-4 "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

Let us pray . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"Wonderful Things In The Bible I See"
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I pray that you develop a beautiful hunger and thirst for the Word of God. As your pastor, I wish to instill in you a desire to hear God speak from His Holy Word; a desire that compels you to seek understanding and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ for every situation, and for your every moment here on earth . . . The Psalmist wrote . . .

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Have you got your Bibles in hand? Just moments ago we sang "Jesus Loves Even Me." In that first verse we sang, "Wonderful things in the Bible I see; This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me." How beautiful it is to hear and read God's Word. There we find encouragement. There we find the "Words of Life." His life giving, sin cleansing, soul saving Word is right there in your hand!

Psalm 119:129-136 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.

This is an interesting psalm written by a man who had a hungering, authentic thirst for the Word of God. He loved God's Word and was extremely saddened knowing that others did not hunger, and love, and thirst for the life giving water of God's Word. I want to look closely at this passage today, but rather than go through this passage reading the verses in chronological order like we would go through most other passages, let's study this passage in reverse: from the last verse back up through the first verse (verses 136 through 129.

Psalm 119:Verse 136 says, "Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed."

Does it grieve your heart to know that others, maybe even loved ones, don't love to hear the Word of God. They despise the Word of God through their actions, by the way they speak and in general don't want a thing to do with Church, with God's Word or with God's people. Their lives are evil, and it breaks your heart to know that they are missing out on the most precious gift of all time; eternal life, the forgiveness of sin and the love of Christ Jesus. You're not the only one who is grieved by their actions. Every pastor I know, who loves the Lord Jesus, also loves his people and their hearts are crushed by the knowledge that so many people are going hell because they despise the Word of God. They read the newspapers, they hear the television news programs and their hearts grow weary and heavy because of the tragedies we see every day, week after week, and yet so few are turning to the Living God, the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

The Lord Jesus Christ felt the same way. As He looked over the city of Jerusalem, the city filled with people He loved, the city that would also nail Him to the Cross, Jesus said . . .

Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!"

In the midst of great pain and heart-felt anguish over the desperately lost situation of the people before Him, Jesus cried out, "I have longed to gather you to me, to comfort you, to heal you, to save you and to love you, but you would not. . . you are not willing." This pain over the desperately lost, tears at the heart of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This pain over the desperately lost tears at the heart of every loving pastor I know. This pain over the desperately lost should also tear at the heart of every believer here today who claims to know the Lord Jesus Christ at all! Do you ever feel that way? You should, because souls are being lost to the kingdom of God every single day.

If you follow the news, each day seems to be more and more wicked than the day before. Who can protect us and save us from this sinful world? Where can I turn to for hope? Do you remember the title of this message? "Wonderful Things In The Bible I See." Do you remember the story about Sodom and Gomorrah? Do you remember how God rescued Lot from the clutches of that wicked city? Well, If you read God's word there are "Wonderful Things In The Bible" for you to see concerning this very subject. One of those wonderful things involve a man by the name of Lot . . . The Word says . . .

2 Peter 2:7-8 "and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—"

Lot was tormented night and day by the evil all around him; tormented night and day by the awful understanding that souls were perishing. But God encouraged him and saved him out of all that. Sodom and Gomorrah had no love for the Word; they had no hunger, they had no thirst for the life giving Word of God in their hearts. Oh, how that grieves the hearts of all of us who love the Lord.

Psalm 119:Verse 135 says . . . "Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees."

The psalmist uses terms that describe the great joy of receiving the blessing of hearing the Word of God; "Dear God, turn your face toward me, hear my plea; pour out your blessing upon me and teach me your ways . . ." That's what He did for Lot!

Psalm 119:Verse 134 says . . . "Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts."

He cries out, "Redeem me, cleanse me, re-claim me, save me from the power of sin that used to rule my life, save from the temptations and the evil of this world so that I may obey your precepts." That's what He did for Lot! There is no way we can obey God, until he saves us, cleanses us and redeems us from the evil one. Paul said:

Romans 8:7-8 "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."

That's exactly why the psalmist cries out in verse 133 "Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."

Who or what directs your footsteps? Who or what rules where you go? Which decisions you will make? What choices you will take? The psalmist knew, just like Lot did; that we cannot serve two masters. As Jesus said . . .

Luke 16:13 "Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other."

The psalmist never heard Jesus speak or preach a sermon, but the Word of God is steady and unchanging. It is as true today as it was in the days of King David. And because he knew that God is faithful and true to hear the cries of those who love Him, he wrote . .

Psalm 119:Verse 132 "Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name."

David believed and you can too, for God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will hear your cry. Just open your heart and open our Bibles and let your heart discover the wonder and love of God. As you learn to hunger and thirst for the things of God, your heart too will also cry out, "Wonderful things in the Bible I see." David wrote:

Psalm 119:Verse 131 "I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands."

Why did David write in terms of such awe and longing for God's Word . . . ? Why? The answer is found in . . .

Psalm 119:Verse 130 "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."

God's Word is life! The Word sheds light on this world of darkness. Things which we just could not understand: things about eternity, salvation and even coping with everyday problems, the Word of God gives light and understanding, and we begin to see what God's will is for our lives. When the Light of God shines upon the things of this world, we begin to see them for what they really are. We find direction and hope in an otherwise confusing and evil world. Realizing this, David wrote from . . .

Psalm 119:Verse 129 . . . "Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them."

Do you hear his attitude in this verse? "Your statutes are wonderful." That was his way of saying, "Wonderful things in the Bible I see." His life, his mind, his heart, his spirit hungered and thirsted for the "wonderful things" that God's Word has for those who will open their Bibles and search them out.

I have made quite a bit to do about the attitude of awe and wonder that the psalmist had concerning the reading and hearing of God's Word. But it didn't just happen by accident. It wasn't just a whim or fanciful curiosity. That attitude of awe and wonder was purposeful and intended, and was the direct result of prayer; the prayer of a hungry and thirsting heart . . . God hears that kind of prayer and He will honor that prayer. Go back, just over a hundred and eleven verses to Psalm 119, verse 18 and listen to what he prayed . . . .

Psalm 119:18 "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."

*and God answered! God has great and wonderful things just for you in His Word. I encourage you, I plead with you, open your Bibles - and read them. Let us not be like so many were in Jerusalem as Jesus looked over the city and wept as he said, "How I have longed to gather you to me . . . but you would not." Instead, let us dig and search; let us hunger and thirst for the Word of God. God has something there for you; something for you today. Of all the things that God wants to reveal to you, maybe you'll find, just like we sang earlier this morning, "Wonderful things in the Bible I see; This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me."

Let us pray . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"In Regard To Your Church Leaders"
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Hebrews 13:14-18 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

This admonition to obey your leaders and submit to their authority was written specifically to encourage us to obey our church leaders; such as a congregation being under the authority and leadership of a senior pastor. But at the same time, this applies just as well to the rest of our church leaders, such as these fine people that stood before you just a few moments ago. As a body of believers we nominated and elected these people to formulate and direct the organizational workings of the local church. It is right that we not only expect them to fulfill their elected duties, but also that we help them do their duties. We elected them and in doing so we are telling them that we have confidence in their abilities, and trust them to represent us in all Church Board actions. Therefore, it is reasonable for us to help them get the job done by giving them the authority to do the job that we elected them to do. Verse 17 said . . "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account." Yes, your pastor and your church board are accountable; accountable to you and most certainly accountable before God as to our faithfulness to the responsibilities that He has called us to and you have placed in our hands.

In Verse 18 Paul said . . . "Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way." Yes, we need your prayers. And, yes, we serve with a clear conscience before you and before God, and we desire to live honorably in every way. It is reasonable to expect this of Church leaders, but not just Church leaders; this is the reasonable and biblical expectation for all Christians. According to God's Word, this is our "reasonable duty."

Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." I know the NIV says, "this is your spiritual act of worship," as do several other versions. However, the original Greek logiken or logikos is more properly translated as "reasonable." Therefore it is reasonable to offer our bodies as living sacrifices just as completely as any of the Old Testaments sacrifices were expected to be given, except that they we are to be "living" sacrifices, "holy and pleasing to God." As verse one says, "this is our reasonable act of worship; our spiritual act of worship; our rational, logical, spiritual and reasonable act of worship and way of living!"

This is how we are commanded to live as Christians. And because this is such a high calling, we all will need one another's prayers and encouragement, and the fullness of God's Holy Spirit in order to live this way. And as Christian leaders: your Church leaders, your Church board members, and myself, your Pastor, each one of us will need your constant prayer and encouragement. Just like Paul said, "Pray for us."

After that note of high calling, I just want to say to each of our board members, I applaud your willingness to share your gifts and abilities with your Church family through the ministry of your elected Church offices. I am very proud of you and look forward to a good year of working together with you. This is a big job you are taking on, but what a blessing and privilege it is to minister in God's harvest field. And that's exactly what your Church offices are, ministries! As each one of us faithfully carries out our duties in the leadership of the local church, we are enhancing and helping the effective ministry of this local Church family to the community around us and to the Work of the Gospel message and the work of Missions around the world. Your local responsibilities have a major impact upon our world-wide missions and ministerial ability to reach the lost with the soul-saving message of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.

And as thrilled as I am over these folks who have stepped forward this year, there are some people, however, who don't like to be involved . . . I mean, really, don't like to be involved. I have something I would like to share with you. I read this just the other day, and, Wow, it really caught my attention: in reference to not being involved . . .A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day; he didn't care to be involved.

A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him:
Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day? I don't care to really get involved either.
The crow answered: sure, why not. Go for it!
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested; not a care in the world.
All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate him.
The crow thought: Poor rabbit, I should have told him that if you want to do
nothing, you must sit very high . . . but I just didn't feel like getting involved!

However, I have good news for you; there is a way to be involved, even if you aren't one of the elected Church officers for this new statistical Church year . . . First of all, you can do exactly what Paul asked of his church in verse 18 . . . "Pray for us!" That is the first and most important thing you can do. In fact that is the most important work that can be accomplished by any Church family - - "Prayer!"

Secondly, Paul also gave us another very practical, logical and reasonable piece of advice that I have not really pointed out yet from verse 17 . . . Paul said, "Obey them." "Obey them," Why? "So that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Now doesn't make sense? "Obey them, so that their work will not be a burden."

The ministry is a joy, but there are burdens as well. There is the burden of caring, of laboring, of sacrificing, of serving others before yourself, of leaving loved ones and relatives to go out into the ministry field to serve and to harvest wherever God sends you . . . Yes, there are many burdens to ministry and leadership, especially the burden of caring and hurting over the thought of lost souls . . . Paul said, "Obey them, so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Yes, the joyful willingness of working together; the blessing of encouragement and the prayers of our Church family does miracles in the area of making ministry leadership a joy. The willingness to listen and to joyfully obey the leadership that God has put in place, and putting into practice the Word of God that is proclaimed to you: these things go a long way toward lightening the multiple burdens that already exist. These things work miracles toward putting aside burdens that simply do not have to be. I can scarcely begin to tell you of the many unnecessary tragedies in the ministry of leadership that simply never had to be - and never need to be. Sunscape Ministries of Colorado reports that in all denominations nationwide, 1,600 ministers per month leave the ministry entirely. Now, if you add to that the number of Church officers and workers that quit their ministry positions as well: now that is what I call a tragedy: a preventable tragedy, if only more people would be more involved in prayer and encouragement and helping to carry the load. One thousand six hundred pastors per month! Rev. Stan Toler says it much higher than that even, plus church workers and officers as well . . . What are we going to do?

Well, I have good news for you. Yes! Even if you are not right out there in the spotlight - even if you never take an official Church position the rest of your life, there are many ways that you can be powerfully effective in the encouragement and support of your Pastor and Church leaders. You are the backbone and the vital support of this family of God, right here in the Carson Church of the Nazarene, and I applaud you and encourage you today - Pray for us - encourage us - call us, as we call you, to a high standard. And at the same time, love us and forgive us our weaknesses, just as we love you and forgive you your weaknesses. No, don't give us any license for sin, just as we won't give you any license for sin. But pray for us, just as we will pray for you; for we are all one body; all the same family, brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ . . .

Romans 12:4-8 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

And may God bless this new year and all that we desire to accomplish in and through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fullness of His Holy Spirit . . . (altar call - to prayer)

Let us pray . . .

Questions - Contact, call 1-509-427-8398 ask for Pastor Tom

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Carson Church of the Nazarene
What We Believe

"KJV Scripture taken from The Holy Bible : King James Version.—Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.—Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995."

"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
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Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear Desire of ev'ry nation, Joy of ev'ry longing heart!

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a Child and yet a King.
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone.
By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy Glorious throne.

"O come, Thou long expected Jesus!"

The Word of God promised the coming of Messiah, the Christ, and true to His Word, He came; the apostles testified to this truth . . .

1 John 1:1-3 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus said He would come, and He did. He came to save the lost, but most of the people rejected Him. In fact, as they looked forward to the promised Messiah, many people were crying, "Come, thou long expected Messiah," but still they hung Jesus on a cross to die, where He willingly gave up His life that you and I may live. And though He died on the Cross, on the third day, on that first great and glorious Easter morning, He rose again from the dead. And in keeping with His promise, He reassured us that even though He was returning to our Father in heaven, that He would prepare a home for us in heaven and that He would one day come back to take us home to be with Him forever.

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

According to many scholars we are coming up to Easter Sunday number 1974, since the Crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Confusion over calendars and ways of accounting certain known events gives us only a close approximation of the exact calendar date, but regardless of exactly what the calendar says, still we know the truth: Jesus came in the flesh; gave up His life on the Cross for you and I; He rose from the grave on the third day, and He will come again to take His people home; to our heavenly home to be with Him forever . . .

And as we wait for His return, and even as we prepare for the upcoming Easter season, many people still wonder "what does it take to get to heaven." Jesus said, "Believe in me and you will be saved." Romans 10:10-11 says . . .

Romans 10:10-11 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

And so it is that we believe our salvation comes only through Christ Jesus, and that, by faith alone. You cannot buy it, steal it or earn it; salvation is by faith in Christ, the free gift of grace given to all who will trust in Him by faith . . . Yet many still wonder, "What do I have to do, and how can I get to heaven . . . ?"

The Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his career when he arrived
in a small town to preach a sermon.
Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young man where the post office was.
When the boy told him, Reverend Graham thanked him and said,
"If you'll come to the revival meeting this evening, you can hear me tell everyone how to get to Heaven."
"I don't think I'll be there," the young man said.
"You don't even know your way to the post office."

No, you cannot "do" anything to earn salvation, but, there is a Way to get there; that Way is Christ Jesus. And no, you cannot do anything that will obligate God, or any way to save up enough points to earn the grand prize of salvation, but there are many things you can do that will cast salvation far from you: First of all, deny Christ. Right off the top, that stops all hope of salvation. Or maybe we should stay out of the Word of God; ignore it and plug your ears whenever anyone tries to share the Scriptures with us? We could refuse to hear God speak to us through the Scriptures: What do you think: is there any hope of salvation in activity like that? No, none at all. The only hope of salvation and getting to heaven lies squarely in and through Christ Jesus our Lord. Repentance of sin, belief in the Word of God and faith in Christ Jesus are not "things" we do to earn salvation. But are simply the norm, the natural and expected way of life for those who dare to call themselves Christians. Long ago, the apostle Peter spoke about this great hope of salvation and our way of life when he said . . .

1 Peter 1:8-16 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

The Carson Church of the Nazarene believes and teaches that "holiness" is possible, and is commanded. We believe and teach this biblical truth because many times over the Scriptures say, just as it does from . . .

Hebrews 12:14-15 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

No, holiness is not something we "do" in order to earn salvation; holiness is exactly what verse 15 says, "The grace of God." Holiness is from God. Holiness is because of, and through, the cleansing power of Christ Jesus and the fullness of His Holy Spirit. Holiness is a way of life, a beautiful biblical truth that comes from, and is, the result of our relationship with Christ Jesus, the Son of God, the Giver of His Holy Spirit. There is no other way to holiness; there is no other way to salvation; there is no other way to heaven, except Jesus Christ!

Acts 4:10-12 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

John 14:5-7 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

This is not a popular message: Jesus was put to death because He spoke these words. People are put to death today, just like Saul dragged Christian men and women off to prison for believing these very same words in his day. They weren't called Christians in Saul's day, they were called "Followers of the Way." And that "Way" is Christ Jesus, Lord and Savior of all who will believe . . . Way back then -- Today -- and Forever!

The Word said that Jesus would come. The people waited, and suffered, and hungered and thirsted for the Word of God that gave these precious promises. As they waited, they cried out, "Come, Thou long expected Messiah." And according to His timing, not ours, but according to His timing, just as the Word promised, He came. Then after He arose from the grave He said he would come again . . . And so we wait, hungering and thirsting for the fulfillment of the promise as we look forward to His Return. And as we see the wickedness, the trouble and suffering and warfare in this world our hearts cry out, "Come, Thou long expected Jesus."

Oh, how our hearts yearn to see that day. On that first Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we received the evidence true and forever trustworthy that Jesus can and will return. That day will hold no fear for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ. Only the wicked, the unbeliever, liars, cheats, murderers, thieves and all those who practice wickedness, only they need to fear. But there is hope, even for them, because for those who turn from their sin; for those who love Jesus; for those who cry out, "Come, Thou long expected Jesus; For those who love Him and joyfully look forward to His return . . .