Eastside Church Weekly Sermon Podcast

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There will be no podcast for Sunday 12-10.  We had a guest speaker talk to us about mission work in Guatemala.  We will return next week with a new sermon 12-17.  Thanks.

As you know, I preached on George Muller’s life the last two Sundays. I want to share these final words about him in order that we might have this man’s life fixed in our minds. This man’s life is worthy of our attention in modern times. Mark Fakkema, a man I am not familiar with, wrote the following words about Brother Muller. (Abe Miller)

If one reads about George Muller, you will be inclined to agree that he is the mightiest man, spiritually considered, of modern times. A man specially raised up to show to a cold, calculating, selfish age, the realities of the things of God and to teach the church how much she might gain if only she were wise enough to take hold of the Omnipotent arm.

The crying need of the hour is faith, the faith of a George Muller! His faith was not a special kind of faith, it was not a miraculous faith. Says he, “My faith is the same kind of faith that all God’s children have had.”

How can you and I increase our faith? If we could ask George Muller, he would answer on this wise: Be willing to pay the price. What price? Study the Word of God and believe its blessed promises. Be ready to say, “My whole life shall be one of service for the living God.” Walk up rightly and do not regard iniquity in  your heart.

With the simplicity of a child, confide in God. George Muller’s faith was not a Jonah’s gourd. It was of slow growth. It grew and increased familiarity with the Word of God. It flowered in an increased personal fellowship with God; and it came to fruition through trials, obstacles, difficulties, and defeats, all of which he welcomed as so many stepping stones which his heavenly Father affectionately placed in his life’s pathway.

We would encourage the reading of this booklet. It contains a message for our “cold, calculating, selfish age.” In one sentence this message can be stated thus: “Feed your soul upon the Word of God and you will have an increase of faith in the mea-sure that you exercise it.”

Without passing judgment upon this outstanding saint of modern times, we believe God would have us employ legitimate means for financing Kingdom causes. But let means be and remain means. In using God-given means let us not place our trust in the arm of flesh. While using legitimate means let us not rely upon the chariots and horsemen of Egypt. While our hand is placed upon means, let our eye of faith be fixed upon God. Kingdom work is ever a work of faith. To use the means and to look to God from whence cometh our help calls not only for the same kind of faith as that exercised by Mr. Muller, but, contrary to popular opinion, it calls for an equal measure of faith. Not to see this is to forget that a means is after all only a means, not to see this is to disregard the biblical teaching. “For of him, and through him, are all things. To God be the glory for ever.  Amen.                                              ~Mark Fakkema

After living what I felt was a “decent” life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the “prosecutor.” He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me.  He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as he moved across the room; I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. As he took his seat behind the bench, he said, “Let us begin.”

The prosecutor rose and said, “My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell.”  He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated.  Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.  I knew I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life, couldn’t that at least equal out part of the harm I’d done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, “This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.”

When it was his turn, my Attorney first asked if he might approach the bench.  The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in his full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, “Hi Dad,” and then He turned to address the court.  “Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won’t deny any of these allegations.  And yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished.”  Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, “However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life, and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine.”

My Lord continued with, “Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me.  Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.”

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, “There is nothing else that needs to be done.”

“I’ve done it all”

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips.

“This woman is free”

“The penalty for her has already been paid in full. Case dismissed.”  As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, “I won’t give up, I will win the next one.” I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, “have you ever lost a case?”

Christ lovingly smiled and said, “Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you.”

~Paid In Full~                                                                                                          ~Anonymous

III. One hour interview with Muller before     his death. A. “You have always found the Lord to be faithful to His promises?” 1. Answer: “He has never failed me! For 70 years every need in connection with my   work has been supplied.”

B. “I suppose you have never contemplated a reserve fund?” 1. Answer: “To do so would be an act of the greatest folly.  How could I pray if I had reserves?”

C. “Of course, you have never thought of saving for yourself?” 1. Answer: “All I am possessed of is in that purse, every penny! Save for myself! Never!

D. “How much time do you spend on your knees?” 1. Answer: “Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise.

E. I asked him, “whether he had any idea where unto the work would be when he first began?” 1. Answer: “I only knew that God was in it, and was leading His child into untried and untrodden paths. The assurances of His presence was my stay.”

F. “I suppose though all these years you have worked for God, you have met with much to discourage you?” 1. Answer: “I have met with many discouragement’s but all the time my confidence has been in God.”

G. “May I ask you to give me a word of special counsel in regard to my own work for God?” 1. Answer” “Seek entirely to depend on God for everything. Put yourself and your work in His hands. 2. “When you are thinking of a new undertaking, ask, ‘Is this agreeable to the mind of God?’ ‘Is it for His glory?’ ‘If it is not for His glory, it is not for your good.’” 3. “Do not regard iniquity in your heart.”

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