The way we have told stories to our children for generations.

Society today though… has never left the story.

Reality is that not everything has a Happily ever after.

Let’s see a few examples.

Once upon a time… Adam and Eve were placed in Paradise.

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

 (Monologue)

Genesis 3:23-24 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Where was the Happily ever after?

Let’s look at another

Once Upon a time… God Chose a man named Noah to help save the world…

Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
[8] But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

(Monologue)  2 Peter 2:5b…but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness…

Genesis 9:20-21 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

Where was Noah’s Happily Ever After?

Once upon a time… there was a Servant of God named Jonah

Jonah 1:1-2 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

(Monologue)

Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Jonah.4:1-11 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry? So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Where was Jonah’s happily ever after?

(IF TIME)

Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

(Monologue)

Luke 15:28-32 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Where was the Older Son’s Happily Ever After?

So HOW do I have a Happily Ever after?

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Christ Makes the difference.

But not that you can have what YOU want… but that you may be content with what you have.

The Happily ever after is when you stop being selfish and start being generous… Stop demanding what is fair to you… and simply being content or happy with what you have.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

The ending of this message is yours…

Because you get to write the ending.

Will YOUR story be one of hatred, betrayal and selfishness?

OR one of happiness, sharing and contentment?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Reading the word

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Reading is not studying.. Keep a pad next to you when you read.

Studying the word

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Methods of Bible Study

Meditation – It’s not emptying your mind… it’s filling it.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Topical – Looking up a topic – Use Caution!

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Character Study

Hebrews 11 – By faith Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rehab

Word Study

1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Expository

When you see therefore and wherefore .. Find out what they are there for.

2 Peter 3:16-18 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Why?

Learning from this Bible will help you be a better parent, a better husband/wife, better son/daughter, better student, better citizen.  But that is not what the Bible was primarily written for…

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1. The Testimony of the Church is the testimony of the people.

Vs 3

2. The comparison

Vs. 5 … as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

3. Christians have troubles…

Vs 6 … having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

4. Setting the standard

Vs 7 … So that ye were ensamples

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

5. Jesus is coming again

Vs … 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

• In America, 3500 — 4000 churches close their doors each year. (from the Barna Study — www.barna.org) 2012 statistic
• That has moved up to 4,000-7,000 estimated in 2014 (Huffington post quoting same survey)
• Reported periods of 2010-2012 only half of American Churches report ANY new church memberships.
• Churches lose an estimated 2,765,000 people each year to nominalism and secularism. (from the Barna Study — www.barna.org)
• Usual Sunday church attendance has from dropped from 1,606,000 in 1968 to 881,000 in 2005.  (www.churchsociety.org)
• Only 21% of Americans now attend religious services every week.
  (www.religioustolerence.org)
• There are People out there still looking for a Church. Though something may have influenced them to leave, their problem is still there. We must be prepared to help fill the needs of those lost and forgotten souls…

Why Do People come to Church?

• The Church is not a building. The décor should not be a factor in whether people come to church, a Church needs to grow, but the right ways. We should not use the methods of the world to grow the church.

Let’s look at some reasons Why People come to church

1. Some come to Church for Community.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 Some people just need someone to talk to

Some may lost a spouse, kids are grown, husband is always away at work.

2. Some come to Church because of Calamity.

Sometimes Church is like a spiritual Hospital

September 11th.. Temporary increase in Attendance

3. Some come because of their Children.

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Many parents are seeing the effects of a derogated society and seeking a better way.

Others Simply are looking for a safe haven for their kids.

4. Some come because they are Confused.

2 Timothy 2:15

Some may have sat under doctrine that over time showed itself false.

Others are seeking for a “True” faith… not a generic doctrine…

There is a reason we put the name on the sign….

5. Some come because of a Connection.

There are here because someone invited them to come.

They are here because they saw something in you… that they wanted too.

All good Reasons… But they are all wrong.

Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Maybe those who are no longer going to church, are not going there because they went for the wrong reasons.

Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Ezekiel 22:23 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
24 Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.
26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.
29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 
30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. 

When I read these verses the comparison to our state as a society is glaring…

• Conspiracy of her prophets… they have devoured souls (religious associations)
• Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. (Scandels, Adultery, Fornication, tax fraud)
• Her princes (leadership) destroy souls, to get dishonest gain
• And her prophets… Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. (TV Evangelists)
• Vexed the poor and needy – Social programs do not build up, educate and empower lives.. Rather they keep them sustained at the status quo.

We indeed live in a time that is seeing the end result of a generation that has tried to build a society without God… and like then God is still looking for a man to stand in the gap.

• The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. This gender gap shows up in all age categories.
• On any given Sunday there are 13 million more adult women than men in America’s churches.
• For Sunday Morning Service almost 25 percent of married, churchgoing women will worship without their husbands.
• Midweek activities often draw 70 to 80 percent female participants
• There are a little more than 2.5 million men in prison today. Compared to under 500,000 in 1980. So roughly were looking at 1 in 20 men are now in jail.

I BELIEVE THAT THE ONE IS RELATED TO THE OTHER.

Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

• Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia that’s a 410 ft long bridge that wraps around mountains for safe passage
• Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge, Japan – which is the longest suspension bridge in the world
• Siduhe Bridge, China – the worlds highest bridge at over 1,600 feet above the rocks below
• Hoover Dam – took more than 582 miles of 1-inch steel pipe in the concrete circulating ice water through it from a refrigeration plant could produce 1,000 tons of ice in 24 hours. Otherwise the amount of concrete used would generate so much heat it would have taken 125 years to cure 
• Glen Canyon Dam – endured the great flood of 1983
• Grand Coulee Dam – 550ft high and nearly a mile long

Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

God is searching for a man that will span the gap, to make a way for the lost to get to him. This man must have his foundations deep and back strong for the load he would carry… He must be able to be the hedge for his family and others.. Knowing for certain that if he ever let go… destruction is certain for those he would protect…

God is looking for a man to stand in the gap. But it takes work.

Presenter Note: Walk to the back of the church and show the gap between the world and the Cross

Take all the men and start at the back door, have them hold hands to span the gap between the world and the cross… there’s a gap

You look across the churches today… and you see men, we are coming just short.

We don’t have enough men that will span the dangerous canyon. To hold back the raging waters.

Remember a dam redistributes the load. As we have men standing here together it good to know that you are not alone… as Christians we build each other up… the Bible says we are to bear on another’s burdens..

So you say this morning.. How do I stand in the Gap..

First are you saved? 

Next, are your foundations planted deep, can you bear the load?  Are you ready to get to work for the Glory of God?

Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

What is an Excellent Spirit?

An excellent Spirit is simply someone who is godly.. Insomuch as that is what you are known for. TESTIMONY

How Do I get an Excellent Spirit?

1. Knowledge

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2. Divine Nature – Are You Saved – Are you a New Creature?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

If you are saved then you have a Divine Nature

3. The Example: Daniel

Daniel 5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.

Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4. The Fruits of the Spirit – What are the traits of a Christian?

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Do you have an Excellent Spirit?

Are you ready to take that divine nature for a spin?

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

1. What’s the difference?

If you going to make a difference then what difference are you going to make?

Salvation should be first…

If we truly have compassion, our heart should be to a world that simply does not know of what is coming down the road. We should be warning of a hell to come or a heaven to gain! Think of it this way…

If a car is driving down the road and the bridge is out…

Note: You cannot choose whether or not he keeps driving… but you can warn him.

Next if you are going to make a difference, be a mentor.

HELP someone be a better person, husband, wife, kid, employer, employee

It takes compassion… it takes TIME.

2. Sometimes making a difference requires ACTION

Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Fear what?    

There are those who have never been taught to fear the Lord.

Psalm 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalm 9:16-17 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
 jump
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Sometimes to make a difference requires getting involved, getting in the car and hitting the brake.
Then walk them to the edge… Show.. Them.. What.. They.. Were.. Saved.. From..

Saving others with fear… still takes compassion.

Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

This is a quick lesson done by Lance Brewer

Luke 15:11-32

The Story of the prodigal Son is a well known story.. And rightly so. It speaks of a young man who went to the world and lived a riotous life.. And when he hit rock bottom… he came home. Thus making it a great example of someone getting saved after they had lived a life of sin.

Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

So that begs the question —— Who Needs Repentance?

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Let me show you a comparison that sometimes gets overlooked in this powerful story.

Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

The other son was the “good son”

• He was the one in the fields making sure things got done
• He was the one who made sure the servants we out tending the sheep and cows
• He was the one who stayed faithful
• He didn’t take the family fortune and the family name and throw it all away
• He wasn’t the one who ended up eating the pigs leftovers!

HE WAS THE GOOD SON — Wasn’t He?

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Regardless of how you were raised you still need Christ.

• I was born into a Christian Home.
• I have Never tasted of Alcohol
• I have never cussed or heard my parents cussed
• I have never taken illegal drugs…

I AM THE OTHER SON!

Yet; I still needed a Saviour!

Proverbs 24:9a The thought of foolishness is sin:

JUST LIKE YOU…

• This Morning I ask the question… Which one of the sons are you?
• Are you the one who came home from the world?
• Or the “good son” who came in from the fields?
• Both need salvation.
• Have you trusted in Christ today?