Seminary (Master of Divinity) Funding! - GO FUND ME

GO FUND ME @ http://www.gofundme.com/sullyd

I am very excited about God is going to do in 2015! I have learned that we all have to be humble during our lives. I have so learned that when we need help, we need to ask for it. Brothers and Sisters, Seminary is very expensive so I would appreciate any consideration. If you can't give financially, please pray for my family and myself while we are on this journey.

 Many blessings to all,
 Pastor Dan Sullivan
http://www.gofundme.com/sullyd

Everybody Has a Story!- My Call to Ministry

Everybody Has a Story? Here's My Story

My Call to Ministry

I grew up in a small town called Cheraw, South Carolina. I am the youngest of five children. I was raised by my mother and a father who struggled with alcohol. We rarely went to church and I was left with a feeling of uncertainty throughout my adolescent years. During my ninth grade year, my father’s drinking was at its worst and we found out that he was cheating on my mother. My parents’ separation caused a lot of pain for my family and left me feeling even more uncertain about life and faith. After couple of  months of separation, I noticed a change in my father. He stopped drinking and started attending church.  Eventually he rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. This was a major turning point for me and my siblings because we finally had a Dad who was truly leading our family. During my tenth grade year, I finally started to understand about the love of God. I played baseball throughout high school and thankfully my coach was a Godly man. He took the time to show me love and taught me all about God’s love for me. I began attending church every Sunday, became president of my youth group and even started attending Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During this time I learned that Jesus had died for my sins, but I still had not truly accepted Christ as my Savior. 

I was blessed to receive a scholarship to play college baseball from a college in North Carolina, but like many students, I started partying and stopped attending church. In July 2001 when my baseball career was over,  I started coaching football at Catawba College, my life took another turn for the better. I befriended one of the coaches from the football team and he reintroduced me to God. One night he asked me, “When you die do you know where you are going?” I told him that I didn’t know and at that moment my eyes were opened for the first time. On September 1, 2001, I felt God leading me outside, so I decided to walk around the campus. It was during that walk that God got my attention. I was tired of worrying and not knowing where I was going. I was tired of not having a purpose for living.  I sat down by myself and asked Jesus into my life because I couldn’t do it without Him anymore. All at once, the weight I was carrying was lifted off my shoulders.  As John Wesley said, “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

Eight days later, God blessed with the love of my life. Only weeks before, she had broken up with her boyfriend (a non-believer) and vowed only to date Christian men.  Kelly and I have been happily for nine years and are blessed with two wonderful boys and a girl (Trey, 8, Levi, 4 and Clara, almost 2). I would also add that Kelly is a wonderful wife and strong in her faith.

Together Kelly and I started a FCA program for River Mill Academy (a charter school in North Carolina), where we both worked. When we lived in Graham, we became members of a church and became involved in small ministry, the praise band. For about five years I have felt the calling into ministries but I was unable to step out into the unknown. Since that time, I have felt called to ministry, but I was reluctant to step out in the unknown.

About six years ago, Kelly and my sisters Tana and Dawn paid for me to go to Walk to Emmaus. A weekend without a phone and my watch didn’t feel like a good weekend to me, but at the last minute I decided to go.  I glad I did because Emmaus was one of most influential things that I have ever done.  I saw that weekend that God’s grace is much greater than I could ever imagine. I also discovered not only what I was saved from but I was saved for… my purpose in life. Emmaus gave me the tools to go out into the world and share the Good News. I was very blessed to be asked to go back and give the Fourth Day talk and it was at that moment that I felt God’s call even stronger. Unfortunately I still couldn’t move out of His way and I stayed with what I knew: recreation.

Two years ago I prayed for the strength to give my future completely to God. I read Galatians 2:20, “my old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This passage convinced me that I could surrender my destiny to Him.

God had since revealed to me that He wants me to help lead a flock and spread the Good News. That wasn’t the answer that I was expected to hear, but that is what God has asked of me. I know that being a pastor is what God has called me to do. God has taken me through all the Parks and Recreation jobs and taught me how to organize, budget, administer, etc. in order to be a better pastor. As Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.”

From the moment I accepted the call to ministry, God has blessed me abundantly. I have learned that unexpected grace is possible if we are open to hear God and allow Him to move in our lives. God definitely sent me to the two Churches I have and now serve Pine Forest United Methodist Church (Goldsboro, NC), Bethel United Methodist Church(Midland, NC), and Wesley Memorial United Methodist (Chester, SC)-(Current Position). God is continually doing great things. He has reaffirmed my calling by allowing me to:

·         Prepare and delivered many sermons and talks in a variety of venues;

·         Serve as Assistant Spiritual Director of a Chrysalis Flight;

·         Plan and organize many church functions for Family, Children, and Youth;

·         Visit with those in need

·         Officiated funerals and assisted in several

·         Develop a Local Mission Project (Divine Project)

·         Administer/Organize Bible/Devotion Studies;

·         Organize Marriage Retreat for Couples;

·         Organize Mission Trip

·         Work with young people both in church youth group and as a coach at the local high school

·         Prepare and submit budgets

Through the amazing grace of our Lord and Savior I have seen many folks come to Christ and seen many folks rededicate their lives. God is so good and He truly gets all the glory.

I am also very excited about what God is doing at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Chester, South Carolina. Lives are truly being changed and excitement is coming back to this church.  During this year I still plan on continuing my education at Union Presbyterian Seminary as I strive to get my Masters of Divinity.  I do plan on getting involved with the local Chrysalis and Walk to Emmaus Community; and going on a Mission trip to Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky. Wesley Memorial UMC and myself are excited about what God is going to do; like Noah, we are preparing for rain and waiting on what God has in store for us in the days, months and year ahead!

I ask this question daily: What's next Papa?

God is all around and He knows the direction we ought to go. So my prayer is that we let Him have the wheel and get on the bus and enjoy the ride!

What's your Story?

Many blessings to all!

GET IN THE GAME! 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHRIST!

Nov 14, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Darius Robinson (8), head coach Dabo Swinney (center) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (2) prior to the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Clemson Memorial Stadium. (Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports)

I am truly not a Clemson Fan but this is going too far! Personally I applaud Dabo Swinney, who is the Head Coach for the Clemson Tigers! Leading people to a higher calling than just the game of Football should be what we challenge kids as parents, mentors, athletes, pastors, and coaches.  Yes winning and loosing is important for a Coach at the Division I level. All these other religions and Civil Rights groups get to say what they want but if you let a Christian stands up and tell the "GOOD NEWS" of Jesus Christ then folks want his head  on a platter and for him to step down from his particular job. 

Calling all Christians, when is enough, enough?  The apostle Paul at the end of his life said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." Folks we have to remain faithful and we have to stand up for the Good News of Jesus Christ. Easter is right the corner and we have to remember that Christ stood for us. You look where you want but here is the truth. He died for our sins on cross and He, being Jesus, whiped those sins as clean as snow. Here is the "Good News" though, He didn't stay dead. On the 3rd Day he rose from the dead. Mark 16:1-6 says,  "Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!" 

Folks our Savior is a live and well. This great gift we have been given with salvation is a great gift that we all have the opportunity to have it but it isn't just for us. That great gift is for the whole world! Stop being scared and share Jesus and remember He will be with you until the end of the age!

Which Way Will You Choose

Luke 18:9-14

What is Lent?- No I am not talking about what comes out of your dryer or your belly-button.  So again what is Lent? Is it the time where we get extra religious and we give up our Chocolate, or favorite soda, give up Facebook, etc… Doing things like that are great and show a sign of your love for the Savior. When it comes to Lent, Jesus has a greater concern. He desires something that is not temporary. I think Lent is a time of self-denial, a time to give up something and Jesus       wants that something forever! That something is your heart!

Lent can be summed up into two people: Pharisee and a Tax Collector. The  Pharisees were the people who lived good, clean lives. The tax collectors were people who swindled and intimidated others out of their money. Both of them came to church – went to the temple to pray.

“The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” Maybe you can sum up his prayer this way: “I thank you, God, that there’s nothing wrong with me.”

Then Jesus focuses on the tax collector in his story – the opposite of the Pharisee. He had been stealing money from people his whole life – ruining the lives of others so that he could live it up. He knew that his whole life had been a disaster, and that he deserved to go to hell when he died.

Jesus says that “the tax collector stood at a distance” – he wouldn't even walk up to the front of the temple – “He would not even look up to heaven” – he was so ashamed of his sin – “he beat his chest and said, ‘God have mercy on me, a sinner.’” His prayer was the opposite of the Pharisee’s, wasn't it – maybe you can sum it up this way, “God, there’s everything wrong with me. Help me.”

Which one do you think God desires? Self-righteous or Humble… Well Jesus says, that the sinful tax collector was the one that was forgiven by God, and not the perfect Pharisee. Why you might ask? Jesus tells us: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The Pharisee was proud, looking down on others, exalting himself.

So does God’s forgiveness based on how humble we are?  No because our salvation would only be based on how humble we are.  With that said, we would never know if we were truly forgiven because we wouldn't know if we were truly humble enough in God’s eyes. The truth of the matter, we don’t deserve any forgiveness but by God’s grace and mercy we are forgiven.

The truth of the matter is, neither the Pharisee nor the tax collector deserved God’s forgiveness. The Pharisee didn't because he was conceited and self-righteous – thought he was better than everybody else, thought he was perfect. The tax collector didn't deserve God’s forgiveness because of the terrible life he had led. Neither one deserved to be forgiven by God. But again by God’s grace and mercy we are redeemed. We are forgiven because of what Jesus did on Calvary.

For the next six weeks, I challenge you to look deep into your heart, to think about your life and how you've been living it. Again it is great to give up something for Lent but I want you to think deeper than that.  What sin will you give up for the rest of your life?

 Remember, Christ is really concerned about is what’s in your heart. Proverbs. 4:23 says, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Well if your heart isn’t clean and full of Jesus all good can’t flow from. If the heart is dirty then everything will be affected. So isn’t it time for a clean heart. The clear heart starts with Jesus Christ and He can make it as clean as snow!

So again what’s it going to be:

Pharisee- God, there’s nothing wrong with me.

OR

Tax Collector- God there is everything wrong with me and I need you!

I hope you choose Tax Collector! 

May you enjoy this journey that He has blessed you with and may you look to Him in all you do! Peace be with you always!

What is True Love?

With Valentines just passing and knowing I am going to speaking at the next Funtimers (Sr. Adults) gathering, this came to mind. The word”LOVE” comes up all the time. I see society throwing this word “LOVE” out with no reservation. So with that said it caused me to dive into what is “TRUE LOVE?”

I once heard a story of a wife who came into a pastor’s office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me." The pastor suggested an ingenious plan "Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, and then drop the bomb. Tell him that you’re getting a divorce. That will really hurt him." With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised?" And she did it with enthusiasm. Acting "as if." For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, and sharing.

When she didn't return, The Pastor called. "Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?" "Divorce?" she exclaimed, "Never! I discovered I really do love him." Her actions had changed her feelings. The motion resulted in emotion. The ability for her to show love established loved she didn't know was there and she saw the love could and was reciprocated.  
In the world of the 21st century, loves seems to be so far away: Crime rates are increasing, there are more violence on the streets. People are more lovers of themselves as Mark has shared with us in past sermons.

In times of pressures, instead of driving the families closer to each other seems to tear families apart. When there is problem in the church and seeking for a solution, the church as a whole is quarreling and breaking apart. The power of love seems to be absent even in the people of God.

You know thinking about that reminds me about Paul. He wrote a letter to a group of immature Christians in the ancient city of Corinth. The Corinthians were people who had cut loose from their own heritage. Corinth was over thrown by the Romans in 149 B.C. Then nearly a hundred years later the descendants of those who had been carried away in chains came back and rebuilt the city.

Paul came to Corinth and preached; many were converted but still had the culture of their environment in their hearts. But because he loved them he diligently wrote at least 2 letters to them, giving them instructions as to how Christians live and love in a secular world and I want to share them with you.

I. THE VALUE OF LOVE which you will find in (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
Which says:

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

Remember, the Corinthians were Greeks, and they prided themselves on their great orators. Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle were all Greeks. And Paul is saying though I had their tongues, though I had the power to sway vast crowds with articulation of my speech, if I did not love, I am nothing. Yet, Paul contends, the greatest articulation of speech in the world is nothing apart from love.

Remember Verse 2 says,

If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. 

Paul is basically saying I would be "worthless, meaningless, of no value". Think of it like this. If you have a very tiny amount of something, you can measure it, but when Paul said, "I would be nothing” that means if we don’t have love then we are like a paralyzed person.

Love says psychiatrist A.A. Brill, "is necessary to survival. It is quite as essential for a person to have love," says the doctor, "as to have pure air and food to sustain him."

II. THE TEST OF LOVE (1 Cor. 13:4-7)

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

A illustration I found speaks of this very thing and I want to share it with you today.

When cartoonist Charles Schulz dined in the home of a friend, the host remarked that he needed to set off his dinner jacket. He disappeared and returned a few minutes with a heavy chain from which a medallion hung, and across the face of the medallion were the letters "love". Schultz fingered it for a few minutes and then handed it back. With a wry "Charley Brown" smile on his face, he said, "It’s just too hard for me. Do you have one that says, LIKE? In his honesty, Schultz pointed out an important truth. No matter how necessary it is, love is not easy.

I truly believe only God can really turn our "likes" to "loves" by the help of Grace and Faith.

Should I really defend the premise that many today really don’t know what love is?

What are the tests of love?

First, says Paul: Love suffers long.

A young man said to his father at breakfast one morning, "Dad, I’m going to get married." "How do you know you’re ready to get married?" asked the father. "Are you in love?" "I sure am," said the son. "How do you know you’re in love?" asked the father. "Last night as I was kissing my girlfriend good-night, her dog bit me and I didn't feel the pain until I got home." 
Those obviously are not expressions of true love. 

"We absolutely can’t wait to get married, "says a young couple in their late teens. You can’t wait? If you can’t, I would seriously question that what attracts you to each other is real love. As you know, many couples enter into marriages because of physical body, attractive appearances, pleasant personalities, stableness, etc. All that factors lead to hasty marriages.

Second THING IS, Love is patience.
The patience of love which helps a person before marriage also helps him after marriage.

Third is , Love is kind.
I was read an article about the impact of love on neglected children who are classified as retarded. The article told, "children were ignored and neglected, not kissed or hugged, or spoken to, and given a little stimulation, their intelligence degenerated."

Then while searching after reading this I ran across this article from Chicago Daily News….
The prominent psychiatrist Karl Menninger was featured in paper called "Love working miracles for the mentally Ill in Kansas." Dr. Menninger contended that Love is one of the most effective cures in healing mental illness. I can speak on that from experience as some of you may know. My mom & Dad ran a mentally challenged assistant living home. I saw where some patients would take medicines, therapy, etc… but a lot of them simply got better just with good old fashion love and care. Dr. Menninger says 80% of his patients recovered not by medicine but by one single word: And that is LOVE!

Love envies not.
The New Living Translation Bible puts it, Love is not jealous. You know, Solomon was a man who knew something of jealousy. Song of Sol. 8:6 says,

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.

Real love knows nothing of selfishness.

Philippians 2:4 makes it clear.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

One of my favorites Paul speaks about Love is…. Love bears all things.

The word “Bear” in 1 Cor. 13:7 tells us quite a bit about Christian love.

Bear is a verb (it describes action).  Bear is also a present tense verb (on-going action). This means when times get hard don’t pick up your ball and leave. It simply means hold on and endure.

III. THE PERMANENCY OF LOVE which you can find

(1 Cor. 13:8-13)

But In verse 8, Paul makes a rather categorical statement when he says, "Love never fails." Paul is saying that on the stage of life, love is bound to win. It is certain to succeed. And those who would practice it will never be defeated no matter how poorly they appear to be playing their part on the stage of life.

I think we all know this, but just as a reminder, will come a day in our lives when everything that we possess will fall away, but love will live on and on.

In Conclusion, one of my favorite definitions I have ever seen of LOVE was on a poster an it went like this:

"Love is like a bridge that connects our hearts when we’re apart, The rainbow that colors our world when we’re together, And the bond that keeps us learning and growing together in the LORD!"

I hope you have an amazing day! God bless!

Just Remember!

I have learned that society puts a lot of time and effort in sports. We have players making multiple millions of dollars. These players do however put their bodies in harms way and risk a lot by playing games they love whether that be football, basketball, hockey, baseball, etc... The world has made them into these heroes and saints and sometimes even demons. 

So with that said, being two days removed from the Super Bowl I am reminded how easily we forget and how I am reminded that this world is, "What Have You Done For Me Lately," kind of world. Peyton Manning who has been nothing but brilliant during his career on and off the football field. The big game, The Super Bowl, he and the Broncos laid an egg;they didn't play well. 

Yesterday there were the announcers, analyst, etc... who asked: Should Peyton retire? Is Peyton's legacy going to be tarnished? Is he a top 10 quarterback of all times? The list just goes on and on. After the game even in defeat Peyton was asked by a reporter to his face, “ Was tonight an embarrassment?”

And Manning said this:

"It’s not embarrassing at all. I would never use that word. The word ‘embarrassing’ is an insulting word, to tell you the truth."

He said, “We played a great team.”

And he was exactly right. The Seahawks have, arguably, one of the three or four best defenses of all time. Over the course of this season, the Seahawks have allowed exactly 16 passing touchdowns, an average of one per game. They allow the fewest number of passing yards per attempt of any team in the league.

The fact is that the Broncos played bad and the Seahawks played great and now they are the World Champs. Folks someone has to win and someone has to loose. In life we are going to fall on our faces and the world might have to see us in this failure. The most important thing is, how do we react to failure?

Peyton Manning, like him or not handled the situation with class and respect. What he did after game speaks volumes of his character. Late in game Richard Sherman of the Seahawks, got hurt and had to get medical assistance. Peyton Manning went to and check on how he was doing. Sherman this about Peyton,

“He was really concerned about my well-being. After a game like that, a guy who’s still classy enough to say ‘How are you doing?’ To show that kind of concern for an opponent shows a lot of humility and class.

“[...] He’s a Hall of Fame player, he’s a living legend, he’s a record-holding quarterback, he’s a Super Bowl champion, he’s been a Super Bowl MVP.”  

This leads to another story of a person who failed but was redeemed and ended up being known as, "THE ROCK."

Luke 22:31-34 Jesus reveals to Peter that he will deny 3 times before the rooster crows. Peter lets Jesus know quick, "Surely not me Lord." 

Then the moment comes, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested. Peter follows the guards towards the high priest's home but on the way little did he know the moment Jesus was talking about would come so soon. 

The "BIG GAME," "BIG MOMENT," was here for Peter. In Luke 22:56-62 it says,56 "One of the servant-girls saw Peter as he sat by the fire and looked right at him. She said, “This man was with Jesus also.” 57 Peter lied and said, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 After awhile another person saw him and said, “You are one of them also.” Peter said, “No, sir, I am not.” 59 About an hour later another person said the same thing, “For sure, this man was with Jesus also because he is from Galilee.”60 But Peter said, “Sir, I do not know what you are saying.” And at once, while he was talking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. He remembered the Lord had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know Me.” 62 Peter went outside and cried with a troubled heart."

In this story we find out that even Peter failed and he failed miserably. But isn't awesome that we serve a God that forgives us. I am glad people in general are not the ones who govern me because I feel like they would do what they have done to Peyton Manning and that is just give up on him because I know he didn't perform well in the moment. The thing is, he will fail again. In a lot ways Peter faced his biggest game or test and guess he failed too! 

Check out what was told to Mary Magdalene and Mary (Jesus's Mother)as they noticed Jesus wasn't there. An angel spoke to them and said, "Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you."(Mark 16:7)

Notice what the angel says, "Especially Peter;" Why Peter, he failed Jesus miserably. He denied Jesus three times. Folks it's simply GRACE. By grace we are redeemed by GRACE we are made whole. You see, Jesus paid it all and he forgives us for our sins. He wants us to do the right thing even after we fall on our faces. 

Peyton Manning I applaud you and your actions. Thanks for being a wonderful role-model. Christians on the other hand, lets be easy to forgive and remember that the only Testament someone may see may not be the Holy Bible but simple may be through you. Stay classy and glorify, THE ONE AND ONLY," who redeems you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

What Choice Will You Make?

 What Choice Will You Make?

When I was growing up as a child I had these major fears of death like: how will die, when will I die, who I will leave behind, etc… I had to even see a counselor about this one topic. It truly bothered me to my core. I couldn’t even take people talking about it. Then growing up in my early 20’s I realized I was going down the wrong road and at that point I realized I had to make a choice.  On September 1, 2001 I made the choice and because of my choice I will spend eternity in heaven.

The other day I was talking with a friend the other day about whether or not her friend was in Hell or Heaven.  I also was thinking about different folks in my life and wonder, God where are they going to go? This caused me to jump into the Bible and started my creative juices flowing about this topic. I also yesterday read Luke 16 and the ideas went to another level. I felt the Holy Spirit is leading me to share this, so here you go!

Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’
“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

This is a familiar story. It’s very hard to be a student of the Bible for several years and not run into this one. It’s a frightening story. The subject is about death and the fact that some people die and go to Hell.

When I was growing up as a child I had these major fears of death like: how will die, when will I die, who will I leave behind, etc… I had to even see a counselor about this one topic. It truly bothered me to my core. I couldn’t even take people talking about it. Then growing up in my early 20’s I realized I was going down the wrong place and at that point I realized I had to make a choice.

 It’s not pleasant to think of how a person will be in such terrible torments in a place called Hell. It’s a forgotten story. Many preachers today have chosen not to use this Bible text for a sermon. In fact all references to Hell have been deleted from many pulpits in our day. It’s a true story. It was told by Jesus and He never tells a lie. Some say it’s a parable (a made-up story). I don’t believe it is. Jesus said there was a certain rich man and a certain beggar named Lazarus. Jesus gave a name to one of the characters. It gives the appearance of a real event. If it wasn’t a true story, Jesus would have said so. He would have said, “what I’m about to tell you doesn’t really happen, but there was this certain rich man…”
When Jesus told of His second-return and the preparation of mansions, he said this, “In my Father’s house are many mansions and if it was not so, I would have told you…” John 14:2 Jesus did not waste words on pointless stories.

As Jesus tells this story of the rich man and Lazarus, let’s remember that there is a story behind the story. Many of the stories, parables, and lessons Jesus gives are motivated by something being said, or taught by others, especially the religious rulers of the day---the scribes and Pharisees.

Luke 16:14-15  The proud religious law-keepers heard all these things. They loved money so they made fun of Jesus. Jesus said to them, “You are the kind of people who make yourselves look good before other people. God knows your hearts. What men think is good is hated in the eyes of God.

They focused on the outside. They looked good in the eyes of men, but God knew their hearts. Jesus tells this story and simply tells them…they are going to Hell. They hated him for the story.

I’ve titled this writing ---- THE ETERNAL HOMECOMING.

Everyone ON SOME day will be going to their ETERNAL HOME. BUT THE QUESTION OF THE DAY IS, WHERE WILL THAT HOME BE? Will it be the home of this rich man in the story? Or will it be the home of Lazarus?

 In America we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave but folks contrary to popular believe there is on 2 choices when it comes to this topic. HEAVEN OR HELL....

 SO HEAVEN OR HELL  only 2 choices ... That's it! YEP... THAT IS IT...

The Bible says, “it’s appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

·         Our Eternal Home is not based on what we POSSESS.

·         Our Eternal Home is not based on what we PROFESS.

·         Our Eternal Home is based on WHO WE KNOW. 

1. Our Eternal Home is not based on material POSSESSIONS.

BASED ON THE RICH MAN …..
Luke 16:19 Having fancy clothes… latest fashions…designer labels,drive the most expensive car/truck….have millions in the bank does not give signs of going to heaven, does he?

Mark 8:36 says, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

You see again in Luke 16:19 fared wonderfully…lavishly every day…life of ease, you see The Pharisees thought wealth was a sign of acceptance with God…Very much like the prosperity gospel today…

1) He had wealth
2) He had what money could buy
3) He had friends…prestige…clout in the community…(this is inferred from the passage) No doubt he had political connections….Board member of some prestigious institution …A person of community status……well thought of…

Folks understand this ---it does not matter what great wealth you have…or what people think of you….may be popular, a part of the in-crowd…NONE OF THAT WILL KEEP YOUR SOUL FROM A BURNING HELL!

4) he had a great send-off…. “was buried”…….

I have no doubt about this…. there was well-known officials came to his funeral and said something respectful and honorable……he got some pretty flowers…the funeral parlor looked so pretty….so soothing…His friends / family..dressed him up…made it look so pretty…so dignified….soft music played in the back ground…

I once read about at story of this guy who went to his home town and he visited a cemetery there and will there he saw a tombstone of  where a well-known atheist is buried……Meanwhile there were preachers were looking at his tombstone. The writings on the rock spoke of atheism…no heaven..no hell….While the preachers were looking at his tombstone…a lady in a car spoke up. She was way up in years.

She said, "I remember as a child…when he died. They had a funeral for him…..a band played…..

People, It does not matter how they send you off……make it look important…flags fly half-mast…..bands playing….celebrities come and speak on your behalf…NONE OF THAT WILL KEEP YOU FROM A BURNING HELL…

The rich man found his eternal homecoming in hell. And the bands weren’t  playing…no one making great speeches then, no one applauded his arrival, no welcome party was awaiting him…..all he heard was the screaming of his own voice…screaming and crying in excruciating pain….a place of incredible torment…

NOW LETS TURN OUR ATTENTION TO LAZZURUS….

• He was a beggar. He did not have clothes from a  high end clothing company. Folks he wore the beggar clothes….an awful sight to see I can imagine (the Pharisees believed the beggar…was a sign of God’s displeasure…and the least likely candidate for Heaven.)
• Going to heaven….is not based on what you possess in material things…don’t have a penny to your name….fancy clothes….this poor ole’ beggar clothed in robe of righteousness…washed in the blood of Jesus…

What did Lazarus possess…..that made it possible for him to go to Heaven?

He had Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior….

Just thinking about that gives me Holy Goosebumps but lets dive in  a little closer.

See we need to look at Lazarus as an example of one receiving Christ….
1) His poverty…beggarly status….speaks of how a person must come before the Lord….we come “blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Spiritually, we are bankrupted! 

2) His inability….Lazarus had to be laid at the rich man’s gate. Unable to walk….unable to do for himself. (Pharisees taught…..God helps those who help themselves…sounds good, but God saves not by works, but  only by grace…) To be saved we must come to the Lord Jesus in our inability. We don’t come bragging off to God about our abilities…and what an asset we are to His kingdom….(the Pharisees….justified themselves, see Luke 16:15)
---WE ARE UNABLE TO COME TO GOD ON OUR OWN….Jesus said, “You are the kind of people who make yourselves look good before other people. God knows your hearts."
You can’t pray a pretty prayer, that God will accept….we don’t have it in us.
You can’t live a strict life that God will accept….we are totally unable to do anything to MERIT SALVATION…

3) Lazarus sickness…FULL OF SORES  the Bible says…

LUKE 5:31-32 Jesus said to them, “People who are well do not need a doctor. Only those who are sick need a doctor.  I have not come to call good people. I have come to call sinners to be sorry for their sins and to turn from them.”

Until we come to know Christ as Lord and Savior, we are a sick people….the Bible says we’re dead in our trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1….that’s how sick we are….sick to death…..
As long as we think we can handle it…we can manage….we got our own remedy for our situation then  JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS means little or not enough to you.

Many people are as what’s describe in Revelation 3
Revelation 3:17  You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

You see you don’t see His Desire.. YOU ONLY SEE YOURS!

LUKE 16:21  talks about desiring to be fed…
YOU SEE, Lazarus did not find satisfaction in his present condition. He did desired to be fed….not just the crumbs….That’s the sign of a real believer in Christ…not satisfied with their present condition…..desire to be fed and I don’t mean physically.. I mean spiritually….
1Peter 2:2  Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

God did not allow Lazarus to be fed from the rich man’s table….he sent angels to carry him….to God’s banquet table…Heavenly Manna….
The crumbs of this life don’t satisfy the child of God.

Some people love the crumbs that fall from the tables of the casino….the lottery,….people today…long for the crumbs from the rich and the famous…they follow their lives…and long to have just a crumb of what the wealthy have….maybe the crumbs of the wheel of fortune, or maybe we’ll win a shot at DEAL, OR NO DEAL…. The saints of God desire the table of the Lord!

I often refer to a Bible verse when it comes to this… (Proverbs 30:7-9)

O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.  For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

Folks I simply just want enough. I want His daily bread; no more no less. Whatever his will is for me to have then that is good enough for me!

           Charles B. Widmeyer wrote an awesome poem that speaks about this very thing. 

Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed
He invites His chosen people:
’Come and dine’.

With his manna,  he does feed
And supplies every need
Oh, it’s good to be with Jesus all the time.

’Come and dine’, the Master calls,’Come and dine’
You can eat at Jesus’ table anytime.
He who fed the multitude,
Changed the water into wine
To the hungry call now, ’Come and dine’.

His disciples by him stand
Thus obeying Christ’s command
For he called to all of them:
’Come and dine’
He fulfilled their hearts’ desire
Bread and fish were on the fire
And he satisfied their hunger every time.

Soon the Lamb will take his bride
To be ever at his side
All the Hosts of Heaven shall assembled be,
Oh, t’will be a glorious sight
All the saints in spotless white
And with Jesus we shall feast eternally.

Isn’t that an awesome Poem!

4) NOW back to Luke 16:25  where it talk about  His comfort

In LIFE…the rich man had all the comforts of home.
To Lazarus…there was very little comfort for him.

One sign that you are a believer in Christ…you HAVE an uncomfortable feeling about this ole’ world down here….you have a longing for another place…THIS WORLD IS NOT YOUR HOME, YOU’RE JUST PASSING THROUGH….

Colossians 3:1-4 says,  Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ² Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. ³ For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ And when Christ, who is you life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Many of us ….seek the comfortable life…. We don’t want to give until it hurts… We don’t want to have help a person in need because that might take too much of our time… OR we might be scared to help someone because they might do something to us…. SO We live in comfort don’t we…  We live like we don’t want to honor and Glorify HIM.. But folks one day our days on EARTH WILL BE OVER AND THEY WILL COME TO AN END>…....

As I have shared  about the rich man… hopefully you have see his life of ease, comfort CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT!!!

All comfort gone! No more Comfort Inn. No more Comfortable pillows. No more comfortable lifestyle. No more soft, velvet linen…ALL COMFORT GONE..

YOU SEE  the rich man….  ENDED WITH TORMENT….WHAT ELSE CAN YOU SAY……BUT PURE TORMENT…. IF YOU DON’T KNOW JESUS THEN FOR ETERNAL YOU WILL KNOW THREE TYPES OF TORMENT

1) PERSONAL torment. Hell is a real place, where real people go…and personally experience real torment…

2) REGRETTABLE torment. “How, I wished…I had done something about my soul…..which will be a sad day of sad regrets…

3) FIXED torment. Will not be undone. …

Nothing will change for a person in Hell.  IT is Fixed….. NEVER CHANGING

YOU SEE THERE WON’T BE…
•  Answered prayers in Hell

·        YOU Can scream all you want  but know will care

·        The maggots of Hell will tear upon your  burning flesh

·        NO PITTY ~  NO CELEBRATIONS ~ NO SINGING ~ NO LAUGHING 

•       Some say…God loves everybody…and He will not let anyone go there…

My answer to them is YES, HE does love everybody but he also gives you a choice to love and choose Him as your LORD and SAVIOR or on the other side  you can choose to say, NO and then at that point you have rejected him.

FOLKS THE BIBLE IS CLEAR …..Check out this verse…
1Corinthians 6:9-10   Do you not know that sinful men will have no place in the holy nation of God? Do not be fooled. A person who does sex sins, or who worships false gods, or who is not faithful in marriage, or men who act like women, or people who do sex sins with their own sex, will have no place in the holy nation of God. Also those who steal, or those who always want to get more of everything, or who get drunk, or who say bad things about others, or take things that are not theirs, will have no place in the holy nation of God.
Oh, that’s a list of all the “bad” people. Everyone outside of Christ is on that list.

YOU SEE…. Our Eternal Home is not based on what we PROFESS.
Check out what it says in Matthew 7: 21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will go into the holy nation of heaven. The one who does the things My Father in heaven wants him to do will go into the holy nation of heaven.

And then  22 & 23
22 Many people will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not preach in Your Name? Did we not put out demons in Your Name? Did we not do many powerful works in Your Name?’ ²³ Then I will say to them in plain words, ‘I never knew you. Go away from Me, you who do wrong!’

Well this show that Our Eternal Home is based on WHO WE KNOW.

Jesus will say to many….I NEVER KNEW YOU….. GOING TO HEAVEN IS BASED ON KNOWING CHRIST AND CHRIST KNOWING YOU….

YOU SEE.. The Rich man had a plan of salvation…….even in Hell….it was a hellish plan

Luke14:27  says….. If he does not carry his cross and follow Me, he cannot be My follower.

Folks we can carry a cross, wear a cross, put one on our Car, etc.. But if we don’t do it to Honor Christ then we are not His follower.

Back to Luke 16 at Verse 30. Where Lazarrus was raised from the dead

Ironic…Lazarus (not the same one) was risen from the dead…still what did they do to Jesus? crucified Him.

Solution: something supernatural…sensational…people will believe….amazing stories from the afterlife…

NO!!!

Jesus…..they have Moses and the prophets (OT ) Word of God

Today, people doubt,….even seemingly among the church today…we have doubts about the sufficiency and power of the Holy Bible……we think we’ve gotta to have this BIG PRODUCTION…draw a crowd…and then…on the tail end of the sensational exhibit…slip in Jesus…just like the rich man….this is a hellish plan from hell…detracting from God’s Word….

PROBLEM…PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO HEAR FROM HIS WORD……

Folks this even true for me! I was one of  those people. I thought we had to draw people in with some flair or that would draw attention. Folks we got to get back to the fundamentals as my college coach would have said. FOLKS it is time we get back to the Bible!

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Jesus took our Hell for us…..Calvary was Hell on a Hill…He took your torment…paid your penalty of sin IN FULL…)

There’s coming an Eternal Homecoming! The greatest homecoming you will ever know is when you come by faith to Jesus Christ confessing your sins and you determine to follow Him in obedience.

Now having knowing this, what will be your decision today. What will you choose to do today and for your Eternal Homecoming?  Will it be HEAVEN OR HELL?