All over the world, there is great tribulation for the Church. Christians are being persecuted for the name of Jesus. They give up their lives for Jesus. Why? Why are they willing to give up their lives and endure persecution for the sake of the name of Christ? If the threat of tribulation is coming for the entire Church, even here in the West, the free world, is there hope? Why is paying the price of following Jesus worth it? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he sheds light on the reward for following Christ in his final message, It’s Worth the Price, of his message series, The Cost of Following.
Matthew 13:44–46 Mark 8:36–37 (KJV) Luke 12:20–21 John 14:1–3 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV) 1 Corinthians 2:10–12 Hebrews 11:5–6 Matthew 5:5 Revelation 21:1–4 Revelation 21:20–27 Revelation 22:6–7 Revelation 22:10–17, 20-21
It’s Worth the Price Summary
Why is following Jesus worth it?
Right now the Church is like a woman in labor pains. The world feels impossible and difficult right now, but there is always hope. It is worth paying the price of following Jesus.
16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?”
18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:16-24, 33
Tribulation will come, but one day Jesus will return for His people. He’ll wipe away every tear from their eyes, heal every wound. There won’t be any more sorrow or pain. But, there is so much more in store for those of us who can find that it’s worth paying the price of following Jesus.
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Our freedoms are dwindling all around us. Everywhere we turn, someone is trying to take away our freedom while trying to convince us that we want it because it’s for our own good. But is it really for our own good? Why do we need to give up so many of our freedoms? What is their end goal? Will the Church be persecuted? Do the conspiracies of a One World Government (The New World Order) and the persecution of the Church have any truth to them? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to coming persecution of the Church in his sobering message, The Cost of Following Pt. 5: The Threat.
What does the Bible say about the persecution of the Church? Here are a few instances of the Church going through tribulation under a One World Order.
1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.
Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Revelation 13:1-10
According to Revelation 13, we have the coming threat of the Beast who, as leader of the New World Order (a One World Government), will make war on the Saints of God. The Saints of God are the Church.
15 So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Matthew 24:15-22
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24:29-31
It isn’t until after the Great Tribulation that the rapture (the second coming of Christ) occurs. During this time, the Church will be under persecution like never before under the rule of a One World Government (The New World Order). This calls for great faith and endurance of the Church. This is the threat that is coming upon the Church. We have to prepare for the threat that is upon us instead of turning a blind eye because it makes us uncomfortable and filled with fear.
We don’t’ have to be afraid of this coming threat because Jesus has already conquered and we conquer through Him.
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
2,000 years ago, Jesus paid the ultimate price for the souls of not only His friends but for His accusers, torturers, and all who put Him on the cross. Jesus paid the ultimate price by giving His life not only for His friends but also for each and every one of His enemies. Today, in the underground Church, all over the world, they are still paying the ultimate price. They are giving their lives so that they can share the Gospel of Christ with those who have never heard. They are giving their lives so that even their torturers may see the love of God in their sacrifice that they might be saved. What are you willing to give for the chance to save a life? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he shares the importance of preparing yourself for the day of persecution that is coming upon the Church in his sobering message, The Cost of Following Pt. 4: Paying the Ultimate Price.
John 16:1-4a
Verses on Paying the Ultimate Price
The Prophets’ on Paying the Ultimate Price
22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
Psalms 44:22
9 For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
Psalms 69:9
Jesus on Paying the Ultimate Price
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:37-39
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:25-33
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
John 12:23-26
The Apostles’ on Paying the Ultimate Price
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 5:40-42
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 21:13
How To Prepare For Times of Persecution
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer selfis wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Pentecost in the Bible is called by three names, Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, and Shavuot. As Christians, every year, we celebrate or remember the day of Pentecost, but do we truly understand what we are celebrating? We know that on the day of Pentecost 2,000 years ago, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh, but do we truly understand what this means for mankind? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the mysteries of Shavuot, the day of Pentecost.
Leviticus 23:15–22 Genesis 6:15 Genesis 7:24 Genesis 9:28-29 Genesis 18:24 Leviticus 27:3 Leviticus 27:16 John 4:22 Romans 1:16 Leviticus 23:9–10 1 Corinthians 15:20 Matthew 5:17 John 20:17 John 20:27 Acts 2:17-21 Revelation 19:10 Acts 2:38–39 Acts 10:45 Romans 10:11–13 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 Revelation 19:6–8 Mark 7:24–30 1 John 5:14–15
The Day of Pentecost
The Feast of Weeks Decreed in the Bible
15 You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. 16 You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord. 17 You shall bring from your dwelling places two loaves of bread to be waved, made of two tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour, and they shall be baked with leaven, as firstfruits to the Lord.
18 And you shall present with the bread seven lambs a year old without blemish, and one bull from the herd and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to the Lord, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 19 And you shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old as a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.
21 And you shall make a proclamation on the same day. You shall hold a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a statute forever in all your dwelling places throughout your generations. 22 And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 23:15-22
Pentecost in the New Testament
We see the term Pentecost first used in the New Testament in Acts 2 when all of the followers of Christ were all together in one place, in one accord. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh, both Jew and Gentile, fulling Joel’s Prophecy of the coming Pentecost.
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1-4
After they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and the people around there mock them, Peter stands up and quotes the prophecy of Joel 2. Peter explained that this prophecy was a prophecy of Pentecost.
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
Acts 2:14-21
Peter goes on to explain this prophecy of Pentecost was fulfilled on that day when God sent His Holy Spirit to all of mankind so that both Jew and Gentile might be saved. God sent this prophecy of the coming Pentecost to the Prophet Joel and fulfilled it 2,000 years ago.
What are you willing to pay for your Christianity? What a hard and even odd question to ponder in the free world. We can’t imagine what it’s like to actually suffer for the name of Jesus. In fact, we even get offended by the mere suggestion that God would allow us to suffer for His name. But, in the underground Church, they rejoice in persecution. Why? What’s the difference between the underground Church under heavy persecution and us here in the free world? Join Reverend Kenny Yates in his sobering message, The Cost of Following Pt. 3: The Joy of Suffering.
Hebrews 12:1-4 John 1:1-5 Matthew 13:20-21 Romans 10:17-18 Matthew 24:13
The Joy of Suffering
Rejoicing in Persecution Bible Verses
38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 5:38-42
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:8-11
The early Church, as does the persecuted Church overseas, counts it a joy to suffer for the name of Christ Jesus. They rejoice in their persecutions. They rejoice, not because they’re masochists, but because they have been found worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. The persecuted church rejoices because they have been found worthy, and therefore they rejoice in persecution.
Why Should You Rejoice In Persecution?
11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
1 Peter 4:12-16
24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:24-27
It’s not easy to find joy while suffering while being persecuted and tortured, but when we focus on the eternal reward waiting for us, we can retain the Joy of the LORD. For the Joy of the LORD is our strength. The joy that tells us that the night won’t last forever or that this persecution will only be for a little. This is what the persecuted church holds on to so tightly during their trials and tribulations, the Joy of the LORD.
Right now, the persecuted church has withstood much pain and suffering all for the name of Christ Jesus because they hold on to the Joy of the LORD. This is what we have to do in the free world, hold to the Joy of the LORD so that when it’s our time to face persecution, we will be able to stand strong in Christ Jesus.
What would you say if I told you that over here in the free world, the Church is more chained than the persecuted Church? Imagine, we have all the freedom in the world, yet we live as though we will be persecuted and join the martyrs who have gone before us if we mention the name of Jesus, when in actuality we may make someone uncomfortable, or at worst, lose our job. While the persecuted Church risks their lives every day just to save one person. Why? Why are we so caged here in freedom while the persecuted Church lives free? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he melts our hearts with his fiery message series, The Cost of Following Pt. 2: The Joy of Telling.
Mark 16:15–20 Matthew 6:19–21 Proverbs 11:30 Matthew 24:44 Hebrews 9:27
The Joy of Telling
The Great Commission
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:15-18
14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:14-17
Blessing For Sharing The Gospel
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isaiah 52:7
19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
The LORD God has called us all to share His Word. We are to have joy when telling others of the Gospel. We should all know the joy of telling. The joy of evangelizing. The joy of winning a soul to Christ. Our hearts should jump for joy over the Salvation of one sinner, just as Heaven rejoices.
Rejoice With Heaven
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:4-7
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:8-10
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And He said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Paul, a man beaten, stoned, jailed, and persecuted for the Gospel of Christ, said these light afflictions couldn’t compare to the joy in store for him as a faithful believer and follower of Christ. Stephen, while being stoned, cried out for God to forgive those who were stoning him. The early Church prayed for their persecutors, they had joy even when they were persecuted, but the Church (in the West) today seems to have the complete opposite outlook. We scream judgment and revenge for those who have done wrong. We recant our faith and Christ at the slightest amount of discomfort. Why? What do we lack that the early Church had? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the Joy of Serving in his new message series, The Cost of Following.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10
The cost of following is great. It’s not an easy road that we have set before us, but God has given us a joy like no other. We have been given the Joy of the LORD as our strength.
It’s easy to look at the World and grow envious. They seem to have it all, the best cars, the best house, the best jobs, and all the connections. They never have to worry about paying bills or how they’re going to feed their families. The World seems to prosper as the Church struggles, leaving us discouraged and feeling hopeless. But how can we find hope in these seemingly hopeless times? Join Rev. Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the light at the end of this dark tunnel in the second part of his fiery message series, Finding Hope In A Hopeless World: The Solution.
Psalms 73:1–19 2 Thessalonians 1:9 Mark 9:47-48 Revelation 21:8 Matthew 25:41 Matthew 8:12 Matthew 13:41-42 Revelation 20:10 Revelation 3:15–22 Psalms 73 2 Corinthians 4:17 Romans 8:38–39 Ephesians 6:13–18
Finding Hope In A Hopeless World
Questions To Ask Yourself
How you answer these questions determines who you have a relationship with and where you will spend eternity.
How much time do you spend with God (Reading your Bible, Going to Church, Praying, Worship, etc.)?
How much time do you spend with secular things (watching T.V./movies, reading books/magazines, playing games, watching/playing sports, etc.)
How much do you know about God?
Do you know His likes and dislikes (sin vs. righteousness)?
Can you quote Scripture?
Do you know His plan for your life?
Do you know Him?
How much do you know about the World?
How many secular song lyrics do you know?
How many movie lines can you quote?
How many celebrities, sports stars, singers/musicians, actors, etc., do you know random facts about?
How many different kinds of cars, guitars, designers, etc., do you know?
What you spend your time, money, emotions, hard work, etc. on will tell you where your heart is. And where your heart is, so will your soul be also.
Verses About Hope
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him”—
1 Corinthians 2:9
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4
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I was reading a book about life for a Christian under Communism. And the story was about these women who had been arrested for being Christians. They were beaten and given long, hard hours of work. And after they worked their strenuous 14-hour day of hard labor, they gathered together for prayer and worship. It didn’t matter to them that they were exhausted. It didn’t matter to them that they would face more persecution and torture. Even though it was forbidden, they couldn’t wait to worship and pray. They couldn’t wait to enter into the presence of their God because they knew they would be renewed in His presence.
Then I thought about us here in the West, with our freedoms and our easy loads compared to theirs. We can hardly make it out to church on a Sunday morning, and forget about midweek service.
Our world today seems hopeless. The news and media seem to only spew out darkness and division. We hear of someone we know dying every day. In our society, how can we find hope today? Join Rev. Kenny Yates as he brings hope to our seemingly hopeless world with his powerful message Finding Hope in a Hopeless World Pt. 1: The Problem.
Luke 24:13–35 Isaiah 55:9 2 Peter 3:9 Acts 5:40–42 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 Acts 7:58–60 Romans 8:35
The Problem Finding Hope in a Hopeless World
What we focus on and what we look for, will be what find and what we see. And what we find and see, will be what we become.
22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Matthew 6:22-23
When we focus on darkness and grief and pain, with no light, we become dark, depressed, and hopeless. No matter how dark a situation may look, God always shines His light in the darkness for His people to have hope.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercyshall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwellin the house of the Lord forever.
Psalms 23:4-6
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Today we celebrate the Resurrection of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. And just as the early Church was mocked because of their faith in the Resurrection, so are we today. Look at what the world says about Easter. It’s the Easter Bunny. Eggs. Candy. Family Time, but no Resurrection. In fact, they say it’s foolish to even believe in the Resurrection. They say Christ didn’t arise and shine before men and women because He is dead.
The world will tell us that there was and is no resurrection. They’ll try to convince us that Jesus was just a man like everyone else; there was and is nothing miraculous about Him or His story. Yet, so many willingly laid down their lives as they declared that Jesus was dead and then rose again on the third day. As Christians, this is our core belief; why? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he touches our hearts with his powerful Easter Sunday message, ‘Arise and Shine.’
Mark 16:1–7 John 19:31 Matthew 27:55–56 John 19:25 Matthew 6:27 1 Corinthians 15:12–19 Acts 12:1-2 2 Corinthians 11:23–28 Isaiah 60:1
Verses on The Resurrection of Christ
The Gospels’ Account of the Resurrection
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place whereHe lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:1-10
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:1-8
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Luke 24:1-12
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
John 20:1-10
Importance of The Resurrection
4 We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Romans 6:4-6
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Summary
Christ had to first arise (The Resurrection) and shine (show them His glory) before His disciples and the people of His time so that one day we might be able to arise from the ashes of our old self and shine before the people of our time. Look what the Scripture says about how we are to arise and shine:
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16-17
This is why we celebrate Easter. This is why we worship and gather together, especially on Easter Sunday. Because on Saturday night, our God was dead in the grave, but on Easter Sunday, our God rose again, defeating death and the grave. This Resurrection Sunday, remember all that our God went through for us. All that He gave so that we could live. So, that one day, we could follow in His footsteps and arise and shine as well.
