A Street Called Straight

 Scripture:

Acts 9: 1-20  (King James Version)                                                                                                 "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."

Our text is Verse 11....."And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,"

This man Saul actually thought Jesus was an impostor.  The followers of Christ were deceived as well.  But, suddenly as Saul traveled toward Damacus with authority from the high priests to bind, imprison and even put to death more of those who followed Jesus.  Saul was struck down by the power of God and humbled in the dust of the Damascus road.  Jesus revealed Himself to Saul and He was a changed man.  Saul was convicted - converted - and commissioned by the Lord.  He was gloriously saved and set free.

A stock photo of Straight Street in Damascus

Turn Right = Go Straight

Saul was led from there into Damacus to a house on "a street called Straight."  (Verse 10-11)  Straight Street was a famous street because of what happen on it.  In this message we we will discuss what happened on that "street called Straight". Things happened there that can happen to you - right now.  

It was at this street called Straight that a man rejoiced in a new found salvation.  Down on his face before God no doubt Saul marveled at the mercy and grace of God  that had been manifested to him on the Damascus Road.  How in just a moments time he came to know that Jesus was no impostor.  For He had seen Him alive.  He heard His voice and answered His call to serve Him.  Sauls life was wonderfully transformed.                                                                                                   

Has your life been changed?                                                                               If not, it sure can be.....today.                                                                           You too, can rejoice in a new salvation.

This street called Straight was a place where a man really learned to pray.  The Lord told Ananias that He would know Saul because He would be praying.  Behold He prayers.  Straight street became a place of prayer.  When a person really asks Jesus in to their heart and is "born-again", he begins to pray.  .....Paul became a great man of prayer.  No doubt, whenever Paul thought of Straight Street he said, "that's where I learned to pray"? 

                                                                      

What is your place of prayer?                                                                        Where is your Straight Street?                                                                          This place is a good place to find out what God wants you to do for Him.              Saul said, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"                                                           Have you asked that question?                                                                            If you are a Christian, what are you doing for the Lord?

This street called Straight was a place where a man discovered God's will for his life.  When Saul asked , "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?......the Lord said, "Arise, go into the city and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  Right there in the city and on the street called Straight, Saul discovered God's will for his life.  What a glorious thing to know what God wants you to do?  Do you know God's will for your life? If so, are you doing it?  Today, if you seek Him in prayer, He will reveal His will for you.    **************

On Straight Street a man openly identified himself with the Lord and His people. (Verse 18)  The great persecutor identified himself with God's people.                       **************

The street called Straight was a place where a man was healed by the power of God.  Saul was healed of his blindness.  Right there on Straight Street Saul came to know and experience the healing power of God.                                                                                                          If you need healing today there is a place .....Straight Street .......of healing.

This street called Straight was a place where a man was filled with the Holy Spirit.  You talk about the full gospel.  The former Saul received in on Straight Street.  He asked Jesus into his heart, made a turn around for his life, he was saved.  He was healed, and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Every convert needs an Ananias to help him to a deeper experience.  God gave Ananias Saul's address.  

A man was introduced to new wonderful fellowship. Fellowship of the saints.                Verse 8 - "And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but "they" led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.          *This verse doesn't say who "they" were. Were they believers, followers of Christ?           Verse 11 - "And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas, for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayereth"  *These were followers of Christ who had opened up their home.                                                                                                                   Verse 17 - "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said,Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus..........."                                 *Notice Ananias did not say, "Are you Saul of Tarsus"?  He said, "Brother Saul".

Lastly, this street called Straight was a place where a man went out to be a mighty witness for Christ.   Verse 20 says, "straightway he preached Christ....that He was the Son of God.          God can do for you, right now, all that He did for Saul and send you out to tell others about Jesus.  

                                             Today......

What do you need from God?

What Will Happen When Jesus Appears In The Clouds? (10 Words)

 

Scripture:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (King James Version)

" But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

John 11: 25-26 (King James Version)

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

                                                     

"What will happen when Jesus appears in the clouds

 to catch away His followers in the air?

"I want you to know that this message is not the products of man's thinking.  

It is The Word of God.  

Paul, the apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says that what he is telling us is a divine message, "this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord".  If Christ had not died, He would not have to be resurrected.

As I studied again this portion of Scripture concerning the appearing of Jesus to rapture His Church, the Lord gave me a number of descriptive words.  Today I want to share them with you.  My prayer is that these words will strengthen your faith, stimulate hope and challenge your hearts.

The first word is REAPPEARANCE.  The Word says here (text above) that Jesus Himself shall descend from Heaven.  When Jesus ascended to the Father, two men in white apparel said, "this same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go." (Acts 1:11)  The same Jesus that was born of the Virgin Mary, conceived of God, raised from the dead, who ascended on high and who sent us the precious Holy Spirit.  This same Jesus is going to REAPPEAR in the clouds of glory.  Amen?  He will appear again 7 years later from this time and literally come back to this earth.  But - His REAPPEARANCE at this time will be in the air.  It will not be a mistake - not a mystery nor a myth.....it will be a MIGHTY MANIFESTATION .  There is much speculation as to what "His shout" will consist of.  Certainly it will be a shout of authority and victory. Perhaps His shout will correspond with

Revelation 4:1 which says, "come up hither and I will show you things which must be hereafter."  One thing we do know and that is His people will recognize His voice and hear His command.  He said in John 10:27-28, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me."   Only those individuals who have given their hearts to the Lord Jesus will hear Him when He shouts from the Heavens.  Only those who have heard His voice of pardon and forgiveness.  At this moment of time it will be irrelevant if you are alive on this earth or you have already departed and have already gone to the grave.  Those who recognize His voice will drop what they are doing.  Can you imagine?  

My next word is REVELATION.  Following the shout of Jesus another voice is heard.....the voice of the archangel.  Angels accompanied Jesust first appearance to earth and REVEALED Him as the Savior which is Christ the Lord.  A humble babe in a manger.  But, when He reappears to rapture His church the archangel will unveil Him in all of His power and glory.  2 Thessalonians 1:7.."The Lord shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels.  What the archangel says we don't know for sure...but, perhaps it will correspond with Revelation 19: 6-7, "Hallelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  Let us rejoice and be glad for the marriage of the Lamb is come and the bride hath made herself ready."  

Have we made ourselves ready?  

Are we ready for His reappearing?  

Are we ready for the revelation of Himself 

as Lord of Lords and King of Kings

in ALL of His power and glory?  

The Lord God Omnipotent is coming!

REVEILLE is my next word.  Following the shout of the King and the voice of the archangel will be the trump of God.  The signal to arise!  Listen.....the night is about over, a new day is dawning.  Christ is about to come back.  The trumpet is about to signal us home.  It is REVEILLE time for God's people!  We are about to get our marching orders to come a little higher.  Time is so close!  We can almost stop looking for signs and start listening for sounds.  Listen for the shout of Jesus and the voice of the archangel.  Listen for the trumpet of God.

Are we ready to rise?

The next word that God revealed to me was RESURRECTION.  In response to the sound and signals from the skies, those who have previously died in the Lord will come forth from their graves.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says that "The dead in Christ shall rise first and those that are alive and remaining shall not prevent (or precede) them who had died in the Lord".  Praise God!  Whether we have died before Jesus comes or if we are alive when He comes....We will be caught up together (no one takes precedence over another) to be forever with the Lord.  This is a resurrection from among the dead....the first resurrection.  The second resurrection will be when the unbelievers will come forth to face the great white throne judgment...the resurrection of damnation.

When the saints of God come bursting forth from their graves, there are three words that will describe this scene.  At this time there will be no congestion, no collisions and nothing more than the suns rays streaming....

There will be a REVIVAL.  When we see our living loved ones and our Lord Jesus, it will be a REUNION like no one has ever been witness to.  Talk about something to REJOICE over.  If this REVIVAL, this REUNION and the unbelievable REJOICING doesn't cause us to shout with excitement, I'm not sure what will.  

My next word is RAPTURE.  

God's REVIVED, REUNITED and REJOICING people will be caught up to be with Jesus.  At the time of rapture those alive will undergo a mighty change that is equivalent to death.   1 Corinthians 15:52 tells us that "in a moment in the twinkling of an eye" we shall shed these old bodies and put on a new body just like those that burst forth from the graves.  They will be bodies that are not subject to sin and sickness but, "like unto His glorious body"....(Philippians 3:21) the glorified body of Jesus.  When we see Him we shall be like Him!  Hallelujah!  

What a blessed hope we have as the children of God!

Revelation 22:12 says, "Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me...."

REWARD.  God will reward every Christian according to this work. (Romans 2:6) At the judgment seat of Christ, every Christian will have their character and conduct tried by the fire of God.  Let us now examine ourselves....judge ourselves....check out our character and conduct...and our motives, in the light of God's Holy Word that we might receive a "well done".

My final word is the word REMAINING. 

Friends, Christ if coming again for those individuals who are prepared and ready for His coming.  

But, what about those who have been left behind?  

What about those who were not prepared 

and were not ready for His return?

  

Yes, the coming again of our Lord is the blessed HOPE of those who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.  However, what a horrible dred it must be for those who are not saved and are not ready for this reunion with God.  They will be subjected to the terrors and horrors of the tribulation period...the wrath and judgment of God....and the judgment bar of God.   There will be the great white throne judgment and the Lake of Fire that will burn forever and forever.  

(Revelation 20:11-15)

Hell is the final and eternal abode of all who reject Jesus Christ in this life. 

There will be no second after death. 

 

Today is the accepted time.....

NOW....

while you are alive and God is speaking to your heart.

Today is the day of salvation.

  

Cast All Your Cares Upon Him

 Scripture:  (King James Version)

1 Peter 5:7  "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Today I feel deeply impressed to send out these words of comfort to those who may be burdened down.  

These are momentous days of crisis....of wars and rumors of wars.  Men's hearts are failing them for fear.  But, praise God, in a day such as we now live there is a caring, passionate, powerful Savior that invites us to "Cast All Our Cares Upon Him.

Isn't it wonderful that in a careless, corrupt and cruel world when it seems no one cares for us, there is one who does care?  That one is Jesus!       His Word assures us that He does - and - His Word is truth.                  God has exalted His Word above His name.

The Bible tells us that ....

*...man had sinned and God came down in the cool of the day and walked in the Garden.  He called, "Adam, Adam, where art thou?"  God cared about Adam.  God cares where we are.  God is concerned about you!

*...Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.  He left the riches of Heaven and became poor for us.  He did this because - He cared for us.

*...Jesus went to the cross of Calvary and died for us. Again, He did this because - He cared.

*...Jesus did not leave us comfortless....because He cared.

*  On the cross Jesus took the stripes...because He cared.

*...Jesus was (and is) touched by the feelings of our infirmities.....because He cares.

*...Friends, Jesus told us that one day He would come back for us...because He cares.

*...Jesus promises to answer our prayers...because He cares.

God cares for you and I.  He knows that as long as you are in this early body, you will have cares.  You will experience all kinds of care, troubles, burdens, trials, problems and tribulations.  They will be spiritual, physical, emotional, financial and material.  They will be big, medium and little. All types and sizes.

                                                  

God knew you would have more than just one or two of these cares.  In our text (1 Peter 5:7) it is in the plural, "Casting all your cares."    In the book of Job, (Job 14:1), he says, "Man that is born of woman is of a few days and full of trouble."  Yes, but God says we can cast all of our cares on Christ.  Notice - He doesn't say some - or a few - just one or even two - but ALL.

                                              

You may ask, "What does it take to cast all our care on Him?  The word "cast" implies an act of faith.  It means, "to abandon, to let go, to cast off".  Verse 6 of 1 Peter 5 says...."Humble yourselves therefore under the might hand of God that he may exalt you in due time:"  It requires FAITH on your part to abandon your cares, to turn loose your cares, and cast them on Jesus.     Paul said in ( ) "I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him"  It is by faith that we cast our care upon Him.  If we keep on carrying our cares, frustrating and worrying about them, then we haven't really cast them upon Him.             We have really trusted Him with our cares! Humility.  God can not do anything with a proud heart and spirit.

This word "casting" is used here in the present - continuing tense.  It means to cast on Him....and keep on casting on Him.                     Casting your cares upon Jesus - continually!

In the Book of Exodus 15 the Israelites encountered bitter water and began to murmur and complain against Moses.  The had just been miraculously delivered from Egypt by The Red Sea.  Hardly had Miriams tambourine ceased when they began to murmur.  How quick people are to forget God's blessings and go back to murmuring and complaining!  Moses cried unto the Lord .....and the Lord showed him a tree.  Moses cast it into the water and they became sweet.

                                                   

Obedience to God's command makes bitter waters sweet, through the tree - the cross of Calvary.                                                      

God spoke and said, "I am the Lord that healeth thee".  He is the healer of any and all of our cares!  Cast your bread upon the waters....casting all your cares upon Him for He careth for you!

In like manner Elisha cast salt in the corrupted water of Jericho and purified the city water.  (2 Kings 2:21)  Another time He cast meal into the poisoned pot of wattage and death was no longer in the pot.  Elisha had FAITH that when he cast it in, God would undertake.  Cast all your cares upon Him and know that He will undertake!!  Our text says, "Cast all your cares upon Him".   Do it - today - and trust Him to undertake.

In 2 Kings 6, the sons of the prophets were felling trees and one of them lost their axe head.  The man of God cut down a branch and cast it where the axe head had fallen.....and as steel drawn to a magnet the iron did swim.  The miracle happened!

The man of God cast in the branch and believed God to do the miracle.

The Word of God says that by faith "you" do the casting

and the Lord will do the miracle.  Amen?

Jesus invites YOU 

to cast all of our cares upon Him..

for He careth for YOU.  

Won't you trust Him?

                                                

Song:  Take Your Burdens To The Lord and Leave Them There

 

                                                                       

The Message Of Moses

 Scripture:  (King James Version)

Text - Hebrews 11:24-27                                                                                                                                            "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."

                                                           

At Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale California rests the replica of the      Statue of Moses The Law Giver.  It was sculptured by the great and famous  Michelangelo. We are told that when the famous artist finished this work of art of Moses he tapped the lips of the statue, quickly stepped back and clicked his heels together and said "Speak". (Parla)

parla - translation (he/she/it) speaks or talks

The mere statue of Moses cannot speak to us but the message of his life through faith in God yet speaks to us today.  A message penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by the writer of the Hebrews.  In Hebrews 11:4 it says, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh".   So it is with Moses. The title of my message today is The Message of Moses.

This message from God will reveal Moses faith in God.  Faith that led him in a series of definite steps.  Decisions of Faith.  I believe these same steps and same decisions will be ours also if we intend to make Heaven our home.

Let's notice what Moses has to say to us in this message.                                                                  First of all Moses would say, "REFUSE".  Verse 24 - "By faith Moses when he had come to years (about 40)  refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter".     Moses was reared amid all the splendor, pleasures and advantages of the greatest empire of his day.  He was destined for Position, Prestige and Power.  Luke tells us that Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.  " And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds". (Acts 7:22)  

                                                                                

Moses was groomed for high honor.  He could of had all that Egypt had to offer.                           But, he refused - He said, "NO"!                 

He refused to be called something He was not.

By birth Moses was one of God's people.

He was not an Egyptian.

He was not of the world.

Today, as born again Believers into God's family, the Christian is not of this world.  We are not   to be enticed, lured or pressed into the mold of this world.  The grace of God teaches us in  Titus 2:12 says, "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world".

Secondly, Moses would tell us to "CHOOSE".                                                                                       Verse 23 of Hebrews 11 says, Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season".      Just because Moses refused some things and denied some things did not mean he lived and negative life and testimony.  His refusing was only preliminary to his choosing.  Faith refuses that which is wrong and chooses that which is right and is the will of God.

Moses realized that the very worst that God had to offer was better than the very best that this world and our deceiver had to offer.  

                                                

Next, Moses would say "ESTEEM".     Moses made the right choice because he had the right sense of values.  He carefully weighted the whole matter.  He "esteemed" (or valued) the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.  Moses realized things of this world are temporal while the things of God are eternal.  

2 Corinthians 4:18

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Romans 8:18

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Friends, we need to learn to value the things of God above the things of this world. 

Moses next word to us is "FORSAKE".                                                                                               Hebrews 11:27, "  By faith he forsook Egypt......"  not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."      Moses made a complete break from his old life.    This element of separation must be built into our character if we are to live victorious Christian lives!

                                               

Our final exhort to us from Moses would be "ENDURE".  In the last part of verse 27 of Hebrews 11 we read, "....not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."     Moses endured.  He endured reproach, misunderstandings, temptations, tribulation, persecutions and more.  

And then....Moses tells us "how" to endure.  How?  The last 6 words of Verse 27 say, "as seeing him who is invisible."                  JESUS.  

                                                                   

Because Christ endured we can endure.  

Because He overcame we can overcome.  

John 16:33 Jesus tells us....."These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” 

REFUSE

CHOOSE

ESTEEM

FORSAKE

ENDURE

By faith.....

looking unto JESUS

                                              

           

           

8/15/1979 - Avon, North Carolina