God Is Not Far Away.

First Church of God in Harvey

Sunday Morning – February 19th, 2012

Let us pray

Welcome……

Today is the third Sunday of Black History Month, and I believe we all can say we have been blessed. Have you been blessed? Has God been good to you? Can you praise God despite how things might appear to be?

During the past week we have heard the news over and over again that Whitney Houston is dead. The news is constantly mentioned, because a person of renown has passed away.. When people of renown pass away, the public is reminded of who they were, what they have achieved, and what evil or good they might have done. Just over two months ago, it appears Whitney Houston was poised for a comeback, as she sang the classic gospel hymn, “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” “Her performance was filmed for a scene in the upcoming movie “Sparkle,” in which Houston stars as the mother of a family of girls who form a singing group and struggle with fame and addiction.” Bishop T.D. Jakes who helped in producing the film said that, “she delivered it with such conviction that it was a very touching moment in the filming of the movie.” It was said that, her performance brought tears to the eyes of those on the “Sparkle” set. As we look back, we might really wonder as to what really happened to Whitney Houston.

Everyday we see lives being ushered into eternity; lives that have been lived away from God, even though God was not far away. Today if you feel God is far away from you, you have the opportunity to make it right by getting close to God before it is too late. If you find you are in the fast lane, or on the wrong road, you can slow down, get on the right road, and draw close to God. Two days before Whitney Houston’s death, she made her final performance for an audience in Hollywood where she sung this song, “Yes, Jesus Loves Me.” Only if she really knew, how much Jesus loved her……….….God loves you just as you are…

We are here today in the house of God, and we can make it right if it is not right. Our scripture reading for today will be taken from Acts 17 verses 22 through 28. Let’s all stand and read from the screen.

My to-pic for today is, “God Is Not Far Away.”

Our theme for this year is, “Getting To Know God.” In order to really know God, we have to know that he is not far away It is tax time. I remember years ago when I did my taxes, I had to get the tax forms and work from scratch, not knowing what the end result was going to be. Today everything is computerized, so as you work along doing your taxes, at any given point you can see if you are owing IRS, or if IRS is owing you. In doing your taxes you have to make sure you give the right answers to the questions being asked.

Today many people use a tax software such as Turbo Tax to do their taxes. They might use the software in order to avoid paying a tax consultant, but if you give the wrong answer or don’t know the answer to give you will be in big trouble. I was reading about a lady who was filing her tax on her own using a tax software, the result she received was going to cost her, and now she is searching for the right answers to the questions on the internet. If you don’t know the right answer to the question, find a tax consultant or someone who should know, because the wrong answer could be costlier than you think.

People are asking the right questions, but they are getting the wrong answers. Is there just one way to God? Good question. Oh no, there are many ways to God. Wrong answer.. What did Jesus says? In St. John 14 verse 6 Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Correct answer. What must I do to be saved? Good question. Go to church, and do the best you can. Wrong answer. The Bible says in Acts 16 verses 31, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved….. Correct answer. If I do all the right things, will that guarantee me a place in heaven. Good question. Oh sure, that is all you have to do live a morally upright life, and you will make it to heaven. Wrong answer. What does the bible says. In Isaiah 64 verse 6a we read, But we are all as unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags…. Correct answer. People all around us are searching for answers, do you have an answer to the question that they might ask? ................................