THE GREATEST CHRISTIAN CELEBRATION: THE RESURRECTION
Matthew 27: 62-28: 20
Hillcrest Baptist Church, April 11, 2004
"Jesus, the King"
Into the tomb His body was laid;
This was not the way they had prayed.
They expected a king to rule the world,
To ascend to the throne with power unfurled.
How disappointed the disciples were;
Hopes were crushed; the throne was bare.
Soon they would finally understand
That Jesus died for every man.
The resurrection had such an impact!
It was real! It was a proven fact!
At last Jesus' words became clear
To disciples who had cowered in fear.
When they saw Jesus, they believed.
All their doubts and fears were relieved.
Their lives now were changed forever.
Nothing would cause their faith to waver.
Jesus arose, and He is the King!
He lives todaysalvation to bring!
He seeks to be the Savior to all
Who will accept His loving call.
Will you accept Him as your Savior?
His invitation you must not ignore!
SRH4/8/04 (revised from 3/21/99)
THE FINAL SUPPER AND THE FIRST COMMUNION
Hillcrest Baptist Church, March 28, 2004
Matt. 26: 17-30; Mark 14: 12-26; Luke 22: 7-38; John 13: 1-30
"Journey to the Cross"
Jesus rode upon a donkey
Into the city of Jerusalem.
Crowds waved palm branches.
They wanted to welcome Him.
How little did they know
Of God's salvation plan.
Jesus, precious Son of God,
Born to die for sinful man.
During the next three days,
Jesus continued His ministry.
He pronounced a curse
On a fig tree, barren as it could be.
He chased from the temple
The greedy money changers.
Religious leaders were angry.
They would pose many dangers.
Jesus taught in the temple
Showing His authority.
Preparing His disciples
Was His great priority.
Jesus knew that the time
For Him to leave the earth was near.
He wanted His disciples to be ready,
To not be bound in fear.
At the Passover supper,
Jesus washed the disciples' feet.
This was a lesson of humility,
An example of love complete.
Jesus took the cup of wine,
And He broke the bread.
These were symbols of His death
And all that lay ahead.
Today when we take communion,
The ordinance that Jesus began,
Remember the precious blood
That Jesus shed for sinful man.
Until Jesus returns again,
Let us remember His sacrifice.
Jesus willingly died for our sins.
He willingly paid the awful price.
SRH3/27/04
MANAGE MONEY WISELY
Hillcrest Baptist Church, February 29, 2004
Lesson from various passages in Proverbs
"Ants and Sluggards"
God has many lessons
That we need to learn.
Let His wisdom lead us,
As the truth we discern.
The busy little ant
Has a lesson for us all.
It performs its task of
Gathering food before fall.
The ant has no overseer,
Yet it works diligently.
It works through summer,
Focusing on its task intently.
The ant shows us how
To get the job done.
It does not procrastinate.
It finishes what it has begun.
Ants will work together.
Each does his fair part.
For such a tiny insect,
An ant is very smart!
God wants His people to
Prepare for days ahead.
Don't be like the sluggard
And remain all day in bed.
Do the work God sends,
And work with a willing heart.
Attend to financial matters
With the wisdom He imparts.
Remember, we are stewards.
God owns everything.
Give as unto the Lord.
He is our Savior and King!
SRH2/27/04
GODLINESS
Godliness means a God-centered life
Hillcrest Baptist Church, March 21, 2004
I Timothy 4: 1-16
"A Godly Life"
Paul's advice to Timothy
Can benefit us as well.
False teachers still deceive
Getting people under their spell.
The Spirit has warned
That in the latter days
Many would depart from the faith
Following the devil and his ways.
Train yourself in godliness!
This will help everyone.
Place all hope in God.
Above Him, there is none.
Demonstrate your faith
Be honest and dependable.
Strive to live a godly life
Have an attitude commendable.
Be sensitive to the teachings
Found in God's Holy Word.
Avoid misguided leaders
Whose doctrines are absurd.
Your attitude and actions
Touch everyone you meet.
Exhibit godly conduct
To everyone you greet.
God should be on display
In the way that you live.
Show others that you care.
Let love be your guiding motive.
Be willing to forgive
When you are mistreated.
God will get the glory,
And Satan will be defeated.
A godly life brings joy and
Makes the world a better place.
Does your life reveal to others
God's love and His grace?
SRH3/19/04
EVANGELISM
Hillcrest Baptist Church, March 7, 2004
I Timothy 1: 1- 2: 15
"An Apostle's Advice"
Paul wrote to young Timothy
And urged him to stay true.
God's work must go forth.
There was so much more to do.
Timothy had a tough assignment
To deal with the church at Ephesus.
Paul sent him encouragement
And sound advice he could trust.
Timothy had served with Paul.
Both of them preached God's word.
Their message was good news
To many who had never heard.
Paul was always thankful
That God forgave his sin.
Paul, the former blasphemer,
Now had God's peace within.
Paul was depending on Timothy
To teach the gospel of grace.
False teaching must be stopped!
Its doctrine must be erased!
Some people had gone astray,
Wanting to be teachers of law.
Their teaching was erroneous
Filled with many a flaw.
Paul said that the law was good.
It pointed out things that were wrong.
Paul's heart was in saving souls.
His witness was always strong.
God still calls believers
To share the gospel news.
Will you witness to the lost,
Or just sit idly in the pews?
SRH3/5/04
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Hillcrest Baptist Church, March 14, 2004
I Timothy 3: 1-16
"Standards for Servants"
God holds a very high standard
For those who bear His name.
Upholding these standards
Should be every Christian's aim.
Paul gave God's instructions
Regarding Christian behavior.
Live above reproach and
Seek to please the Savior,
Qualifications of a pastor
Leave nothing in doubt.
Pastors must be blameless,
Called by God, and devout.
Deacons must also be
Worthy of respect.
They must be servants,
Doing what God expects.
Guidelines for leaders
Apply to all believers too.
Living a godly life
Is not for just a few.
God expects all believers
To serve with joy and love.
Christians must also remember
To be grateful to God above.
Do you qualify for service?
Will you fulfill your role?
Your life will be blessed
If you submit to God's control!
SRH3/12/04
BE WISE ABOUT SEXUAL PURITY
Hillcrest Baptist Church, February 15, 2004
Lessons from Proverbs 5: 1-23 and 6: 20-35
"Deception"
God requires purity
From those who bear His name.
Becoming more like Jesus
Should be the Christian's aim.
The Bible warns us
To flee from immorality.
It tells us how to live
Each day in love and harmony.
Daily we are bombarded
With temptations galore.
Our world is in a mess!
It is worse than ever before.
Illicit sexual involvement
Is a deceptive lure today.
Commercials and movies
Lead many viewers astray.
Dire consequences await
Those who satisfy their lust.
The wise thing to always do?
Obey God whom you can trust!
Sex outside of marriage
Is strictly forbidden; it's wrong.
Transgressors of God's law
Will regret it before long.
Despite our wicked culture,
We can choose to do what is right.
Living by God's plan
Is sure to bring us delight.
The Holy Spirit will lead us,
If we yield to His control.
Will you hearken to His voice
And have peace in your soul?
SRH2/13/04
BE WISE ABOUT FAMILY
Hillcrest Baptist Church, January 25, 2004
Verses from several chapters in Proverbs
"The Family Plan"
God designed the family unit.
He wants our homes to be happy.
He wants peaceful homes.
He wants families in harmony.
God designed marriage, a blessing.
He wants couples to love each other.
He wants children to get along.
He wants love between sister and brother.
God's design was for parents to be wise.
He wants children to obey.
He wants parents to have integrity.
He wants parents to lead the way.
God's design includes teaching.
He wants parents to train the youth.
He wants them to discipline lovingly.
He wants them to guide in the truth.
Do you have a happy home?
Is there peace in every room?
God has a clear design
For keeping love and joy in bloom.
By seeking God's wisdom,
Our homes will be blessed.
Will you let Him direct your home?
Will you always try to do your best?
SRH1/22/04
BE WISE ABOUT ALCOHOL
Hillcrest Baptist Church, February 8, 2004
Lesson from different verses in Proverbs
"The Affliction of Alcohol"
The Bible has good advice
That everyone should heed.
It contains instructions for life.
It is the best book to read!
God gives many warnings
About drinking alcohol.
Strong drink ruins lives,
It causes many to fall.
Alcohol causes misery.
It tears families apart.
An alcoholic father
Will break a mother's heart.
Each year drunk drivers
Take innocent lives.
No highway is safe
When a drunk driver arrives.
The first drink of alcohol
Can lead to an addiction.
Becoming an alcoholic
Would be a terrible affliction.
Alcohol clouds the mind.
A drunkard behaves like a fool.
Surely alcohol has become
One of the devil's favorite tools.
Social drinking is accepted
By today's modern society
But a person who is wise
Will follow a path of sobriety.
Considering all of the facts,
It is easy for me to see
That alcoholic consumption
Is definitely not for me!
What will be your response
If you are offered a drink?
Remember God's warnings.
Just stop and THINK!
SRH2/7/04
A NOT SO GOOD FRIDAY
Hillcrest Baptist Church, April 4, 2004
Matt. 26: 36-27: 55; Mark 14: 32-15: 41
Luke 22: 39-23: 49; John 18: 1-19:37
"It Was for Me!"
After the last supper,
Jesus left the upper room.
His disciples were with Him.
Ahead were the cross and the tomb.
In the coolness of that night,
To Gethsemene's quiet garden,
Jesus retreated to pray
Along with three of His men.
Jesus' pain was intense,
As with the Father he pled.
Jesus accepted the cup.
He knew what lay ahead.
Taken by the Roman guards,
Jesus endured more agony.
He withstood illegal trials,
Knowing this had to be.
Weak from cruel scourging,
Beaten from head to feet,
Jesus was forced to bear His cross.
There would be no retreat.
Naked and all alone,
Jesus went to the cross.
He paid the debt of sin
That none might be lost.
Jesus suffered agony.
He shed His blood for me.
He proved His love,
He fulfilled every prophecy.
Such a loving sacrifice
We cannot understand.
We only know that He died
To redeem sinful man.
Payment for your sin
Has already been paid.
Where will you spend eternity?
What plans have you made?
Jesus offers life eternal.
He is the Truth, the Way.
Will you accept His gift?
Believe and be saved today!
SRH4/1/04
TRIPPED UP BY PRIDE
Hillcrest Baptist Church, August 15, 2004
II Kings, Chapter 20
" Push Pride Aside"
Though Hezekiah was a good king,
He was not without faults.
He did what was right and,
God's name he tried to exalt.
When Hezekiah became very ill,
Isaiah told him he would die.
When he heard this upsetting news.
He faced the wall and began to cry.
Before Isaiah had gone very far,
God spoke to him again.
He said Hezekiah would not die,
But have fifteen more years to reign.
Hezekiah asked for a sign,
Just so that he could be sure.
So God moved the shadow back,
Assuring him of the cure.
After Hezekiah recovered,
Visitors from Babylon came.
They had heard of the miracles.
They had heard of Hezekiah's fame.
This proved to be a test
Of Hezekiah's humility or pride.
But Hezekiah did not act humbly.
He became a boastful guide.
He showed off all the treasures.
He showed off his armor and gold.
Isaiah tried to tell the king
His pride would bring misery untold.
Isaiah prophesied that
In the days that were ahead
Babylonians would take the treasure.
All Judah would be filled with dread.
We must be on our guard
When pride enters our hearts.
Pride makes us boastful.
That is when trouble starts!
Don't be tripped up by pride!
Instead, live with humility.
Pride will lead to suffering.
Pride can cause a catastrophe.
Cultivate a heart of humility!
Allow God to have His way!
Will you heed His Word?
He will not lead astray!
SRH8/13/04
SEEK THE CURE
Hillcrest Baptist Church, June 20, 2004
II Kings 5: 1-27
"HE Can Heal!"
Naaman was commander
Of Aram's entire army.
The king relied upon his skill.
He was a leader of first degree.
All was going well until
Naaman was stricken with leprosy.
He felt that there was no hope.
His days were full of misery.
A young maiden served
In Naaman's houshold,
She was a captive slave,
But she was confident and bold.
The young slave girl
Told her mistress of a plan.
She knew where Naaman could get help.
He must seek Elisha, God's man.
Naaman went before the king
To seek his permission
To travel to a hostile land.
The king sent him on his mission.
Naaman went to Elisha.
He was filled with anticipation,
But Elisha sent a messenger
With some strange information.
Naaman was very disappointed,
And he became agitated.
How could a dip in Jordan
To his disease be related?
