A Collection of Sermons for Every Occasion

By George Thompson

 The aim of this book is to present a comprehensive and balanced selection of sermon writings. Chapter one deal with sermons to balance the believers. The sermons in chapter two give us a good insight of the Church and the realm of the spirit. Chapter three opens up the reality of Satan and heaven. In chapter four w

• Language: English
• Publisher: TOPLINK PUBLISHING, LLC
• Release date: May 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949169294

George Thompson

George Thompson, a Vedic scholar and Sanskritist, has more than twenty years of experience teaching the Bhagavad Gita at college level. He is an assistant professor at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts.

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A Collection of Sermons for Every Occasion

George Thompson

Copyright © 2018 by George Thompson.

Paperback: 978-1-949169-28-7

eBook: 978-1-949169-29-4

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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Contents

CHAPTER ONE

REAL BELIEVERS’ MESSAGES

1. Make a Decision and Stop Procrastinating

2. God Uses Anything to Accomplish His Will

3. The Cost of Commitment

4. The Sinfulness of Pride

5. God Has Been Faithful

6. Check Your Words Before Giving Them Liberty

7. The Signs of Spiritual Growth

8. Renew Your Covenant with God

9. The Sins of the Tongue

10. Stop Worrying and Start Living

11. The Words of the Wise

12. We Are Called To Unity

CHAPTER TWO

GOD’S SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH

1. The Church – Part One

2. The Church – Part Two

3. The Church – Part Three

4. Walk in the Spirit

5. The Spiritual Realm has no Limit

6. The Lord’s Supper

CHAPTER THREE

THE REALITY OF SATAN AND HEAVEN

1. Heaven is Real

2. Satan is real

CHAPTER FOUR

THE DIVINE PROTECTION

1. One Man With God is the Majority – Part One

2. One Man With God is the Majority – Part Two

3. You Are Under God’s Divine Covering – Part One

4. You Are Under God’s Divine Covering- Part Two

5. There is Protection in the Name of Jesus

6. God Will Take Care of You

7. God’s ministering angels at work – Part One

8. God’s ministering angels at work – Part Two

9. God’s ministering angels at work – Part Three

10. The Lord Shall Rule Over You

11. Deliverance Will Come

CHAPTER FIVE

DEATH – THE MOST DEMOCRATIC EXPERIENCE

1. The Final Hour – Part One

2. The Final Hour – Part Two

3. The Final Hour – Part Three

CHAPTER SIX

DREAMS CONTAIN DIVINE MESSAGES

1. The Lord Speaks to Us in Dreams – Part One

2. The Lord Speaks to Us in Dreams – Part Two

3. The Lord Speaks to Us in Dreams – Part Three

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE REALITY OF LIFE

1. Man’s Three Sources of Trouble

2. The Trials of Life

3. The Journey of Life

4. The truth about losses

CHAPTER EIGHT

PRAYER - THE GREATEST WEAPON

1. The Power of Prayer – Part One

2. The Power Of Prayer – Part Two

3. The Power of Prayer – Part Three

4. Pray in Jesus’ Name

CHAPTER NINE

LIVING A PURE CHRISTIAN LIFE

1. Hold Fast Your Integrity – Part One

2. Hold Fast Your Integrity – Part 2

3. The Nature of a Pure Heart

4. The Heart Is The Center of Life

5. Christian Standards

6. We are called unto holiness - #1

7. We are called unto holiness - # 2

8. We are called unto holiness - #3

9. We are called unto holiness - # 4

10. We are called unto holiness - # 5

CHAPTER TEN

TRUE VICTORY

1. Endure to the End

2. The Power of Faith - Part One

3. The Power of Faith – Part 2

4. Finish the Race

5. Keep Your Focus During The Storm

6. A Victorious Life

7. Keep Your Covenant With God – Part One

8. Keep Your Covenant With God – Part Two

9. Practicing God’s Presence

10. God’s Will is Your Prosperity

11. Growing Through Temptation

12. Be Strong and Courageous

13. Trust in The Lord with all Thine Heart

CHAPTER ELEVEN

EVANGELISTIC SERMONS

1. The True Purpose of Life

2. It is Decision Time

3. Your Sins Cannot Be Hidden – Part 1

4. Your Sins Cannot Be Hidden – Part 2

5. Escape From The Penalty of Sin and Be Converted

6. Welcome Home to the Body of Christ

7. The Love of God – Part One

8. The Love of God – Part Two

9. Get Off The Road of Destruction and Get on The Road of Eternal Life

10. Your Soul is in Poverty

11. The Voice of Repentance

12. You Need The Redeemer – Part One

13. You Need The Redeemer -Part Two

14. You Need The Redeemer - Part Three

15. You Need the Redeemer – Part Four

16. The New Birth – Part 1

17. The New Birth – Part 2

18. The New Birth – Part 3

19. It is Well with My Soul

20. The Legacy of Peace

21. The Touch of the Master’s Hand

22. The Grace of God

23. The Celebration of Light into The World

24. His Last Command Should be our Main Interest

25. We Cannot go with These

26. The Steps of the Prodigal Son

27. Things Happen When You Give You Life to Jesus

28. The God of Second Chances

29. Back to the Altar

30. The Three Major Calls of Mankind

31. The Poured Out Blood To Set Us Free

32. Hope

FOREWORD

The value of this text lies in the author’s personal conviction, knowledge and wisdom in understanding that all the insurmountables of life are answered through the collection of the pages of the bible. The author understands that there is nothing more important in any lifetime than the timeless Word of God. Hence his passion in compiling bible-based sermons to help or serve as a coach to each reader in caring for their individual soul, in a better way.

Pastor, brother and friend – George Thompson, stays on target as he inspires all who will read this text in this generation, and generations to come. You will be blessed by the balance maintained in these sermons. May God be glorified. Let us read and re-read and pass on this truth with the same beautiful spirit in which the author engages us.

Dr. Wilda Mills, PharmD

PREFACE

In preparing these sermons, I have attempted to compile a selection of sermons for all occasions which will be stimulating to Christians. My hope is that these selections as well as my own spiritual contribution will help dispel the contrariness of preaching the gospel. The aim of this book is to present a comprehensive and balanced selection of sermon writings.

Is there anything more delightful than the preaching of the gospel? What is preaching? Two elements are vitally necessary in preaching – the correct blending of the sermon itself, and the actual act of preaching. It is vital that we explain our message in terms that the audience understands. We should use strong verbs and short sentences. We are called upon in our ministry to preach the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to awaken a sense of need in the hearts and minds of those outside of Christ.

The primary method to preach the gospel is through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. The secondary method is the five laws of persuasion. The five laws are: (1) attention (2) interest (3) desire (4) conviction of sin and (5) commitment. This is the way the human mind and heart reach conclusions and take action. This is what Jesus did with the woman at the well (John 4).

The bible said the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Our Lord has commanded us to preach and to make disciples. We have no choice. We are ambassadors under authority.

I am grateful for the helpful comments of my wife – Dr. Cheryl Thompson who read all the sermons of this manuscript; my two sons – Zachary and John and my daughter, Diane McPherson. I would also like to thank Enid Reader for her detailed and insightful suggestions that helped to make this manuscript successful.

CHAPTER ONE

REAL BELIEVERS’ MESSAGES

Make a Decision and Stop Procrastinating

1 King 18:21

Israel had not totally rejected the Lord but was seeking to combine worship of God with the worship of Baal.

Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the creator, supreme God, and judge of the world.

Procrastination is putting off, postponing or delaying a timely, relevant activity. There are many types and causes for procrastination.

Procrastination is a process that is personal. It varies from person to person. Procrastination is a universal deadly poison of life.

When you put things off until tomorrow, you subscribe to a system of unrealistic thinking which waste away the present in an idle hope for a better tomorrow.

Queen Jezebel, the wife of king Ahab worship Baal. She tried to convert the Israelites to her religion but was opposed by the prophet Elijah.

Elijah said ‘how long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him.’

People afflicted with procrastination often create elaborate excuses to cover their delays.

A pattern of procrastination often leads to a sense of helplessness and a lack of accomplishment.

There is not a person who does not put some things off and at some level, realize that he or she is engaging in procrastination.

Even the most efficient, organized and decisive person will occasionally procrastinate.

Nevertheless it is my intention to help raise your consciousness about procrastination and to point to ways to improve your accomplishment.

It does not take much to produce this outcome. A slight positive shift in direction can help reduce the procrastination burden.

Breaking procrastination patterns takes effort, knowledge and will. Since there is no final cure, you will constantly have to work to keep your procrastination in check.

Overcoming procrastination involves a journey in self-discovery. During the journey you develop your resources and resourcefulness.

During this adventure, you stimulate your ability to stay on top of the challenges that you face.

Create opportunities and take advantage of opportunities that come about from new events.

As Solomon reflects on all of life, he expresses in a beautiful poem of 14 pairs of opposite events that God has a sovereign design behind all events.

There is an appointed time for everything, and there is a time for every event under heaven.

A time to give birth and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to uproot what was planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to weep and a time to laugh.

A time to mourn and a time to dance.

A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

A time to search and a time to give up as lost.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart and a time to sew together.

A time to be silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace. [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8]

Earthly pursuits are good in their proper place and time. Use the ‘do it now’ method and you will have more stress free time for yourself and you will get ahead of the game.

The ‘do it now’ method means you do reasonable things in a reasonable way, within a reasonable time.

Reasonable means your actions are bound by common sense, and they are neither excessive nor extreme relative to the conditions that challenge you.

However circumstances do vary and the timing and pacing of what you do can be unpredictable and demanding.

For instance, you can have multiple responsibilities and limited time to meet them and thus you have to burn the midnight oil.

God Uses Anything to Accomplish His Will

Joshua 2:3-9; 15-16, 22-24

Before launching an attack, a good leader will always try to gather as much information about his or her enemy as possible.

When Moses sent the twelve spies on a mission to gather information on the opposition they faced, the men brought back a report that struck fear into the hearts of the people and caused them to rebel against Moses and God.

Joshua was taking no chances. He secretly sent out two spies to check out the enemy, and report back to him.

The two men made their way to Jericho without being spotted by the enemy.

They made their way to an inn being run by a prostitute named Rahab. God’s protection was in the house they chose.

These spies were spotted either before they made it to Rahab’s house or maybe their questions in the house caused suspicion. The news of their presence was reported back to the king of Jericho.

When the king heard the news that there were two spies in the city, he immediately dispatched a security force to Rahab’s house to capture them.

They said ‘Rahab, bring out the men who have come here to spy out the whole land.’

Rahab had been alerted to the coming of the King’s men and had hidden the two spies.

She met the king’s men at the door and deceived them into thinking the spies had gone.

She acknowledged that the men had arrived earlier on, but she denied knowing who they were.

Then she lied to the king’s men ‘I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.

Many have argued whether Rahab’s lying was justified; she was a pagan so she was acting according to her own convictions.

God knew when he directed the men to the house of the prostitute that she would protect them.

When she later turned to God, her lying as well as her prostitution were forgiven.

After confessing her trust in God, Rahab demanded a promise from the spies.

Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you.

Give me a guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me and my family live.

The two spies agreed to her terms, and later on she helped them to escape.

Using a rope, the spies lowered themselves down through her window to the ground outside the city.

Rahab instructed them to go into the hills and wait three days before making their way back across the Jordan river.

The spies instructed Rahab that when they returned with the Israelite army, she was to tie a rope in the window that they had just climbed down from.

This cord would serve to identify Rahab’s house to the attacking Israelites and cause them to spare all within.

The king’s men continued to diligently search for the spies but were not successful.

After three days had passed, the spies descended from the mountains and made their way across the Jordan river and gave their report to Joshua.

The Lord has given us the whole land, for all the people in the land are terrified of us.

Rahab earned her living as a prostitute, yet this woman married a man who was an ancestor of King David and is listed in the bloodline of Christ. [Matthew 1:5-6]

How does Rahab’s story relate to the undesirable people in our community?

It is possible that God has a special mission for some drug addict or prostitute in our communities.

The Cost of Commitment

Ruth 1:16-22

Boaz’s name means in him is strength. He was a wealthy landowner of Bethlehem. He was a caring farmer who had concern for his workers’ welfare.

Boaz was a relative of Elimelech, Naomi’s husband. He felt responsible for taking care of his extended family.

During harvest time, farmers were required by Israelite law to help the poor, orphans and strangers.

Ruth’s love and commitment to her mother-in-law compelled her to stay with Naomi. Ruth vowed only to let death separate her from Naomi.

They journeyed to Bethlehem together. Upon their arrival, the women of the city were shocked to see Naomi.

She told them to call her Mara which means bitter. She felt the Lord had dealt with her harshly since she was now a poor widow.

She had left Bethlehem with a husband and two sons and returned alone. To be blessed we have to be committed.

Boaz was very kind to Ruth. He respected her commitment to Naomi. His conversation with Ruth expressed his compassion for her.

His words indicated that he wanted to make sure Ruth understood his motives were purely out of concern for her.

Boaz told Ruth not to go and glean the field, which suggested he wanted to protect and take care of her.

Boaz instructed the men no to touch her. He told her to drink water whenever she got thirsty.

Ruth was overwhelmed by Boaz’s gracious treatment. She bowed down in humble gratitude before him.

Ruth wanted to know why he was so kind to her. She was a Moabite and was considered to be an enemy of the Israelites.

Ruth had exhibited admirable qualities while working in Boaz’s fields. Boaz asked God to bless Ruth’s life.

It was clear that Ruth was willing to endure hardship for the sake of her mother-in-law.

We must admit that none of us deserve blessings, but because of God’s grace we are rewarded for our commitment.

Ruth embraced the God of Israel as her own and put her trust in him. She received earthly and spiritual blessings.

Though she was residing in a land of her people’s enemies, she was secure under the care of God.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shall thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Ruth carried her barley back to the city and took it to her mother-in-law. She also gave her the leftovers from her dinner.

The Sinfulness of Pride

Proverbs 16:18

Believers should identify all areas of Pride in their lives and repent. Pride invites divine judgement, but God responds with forgiveness to a broken and a contrite Spirit.

Pride is not just a flaw in one’s character. It is a plague that brings destruction.

The whole world has been affected by Pride. Going back to the fall of Satan, Pride was the eroding factor which brought destructions of evil and wickedness.

Therefore, serious consideration should be given to the effects of Pride. The deception of Pride is that, it is appealing to the individual, but it is contrary to God.

Pride gives false assurance and confidence. It destroys the souls of mankind.

Pride becomes sinful when we become conceited in our own accomplishments and fail to give proper credit to the Lord.

Pride destroys beauty. It manifests itself, not only in outright rebellion against God, but it can also manifest itself in the misuse of the things of God.

The reign of Nebuchadnezzar had come to an end in Babylon and Belshazzar reigned in his stead.

Belshazzar put on an elaborate banquet for a thousand of his nobles, and during the festivities he ordered that the gold and silver goblets which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, be brought to the feast, so he and his guests could drink from them.

These vessels had been consecrated to the service of the Almighty God, and now they were treated without respect.

The defilement was not just in the fact that they had been removed from the temple, and were used for a different purpose, but they were also profaned in the way they were used by praising other gods.

The gods described in Daniel 5:4 represented prideful characteristics.

The metals and materials were an indication of prideful lust and human self-centeredness.

The gods were used to reflect the King’s boasting about finances and industry.

The gods were also of created materials, and Belshazzar was using God’s people to blaspheme against their maker.

Belshazzar’s party was a blasphemous, prideful display of self-conceit and idolatry.

Pride introduces in our life, the seeds of corruptive assumption of power.

Belshazzar failed to see the implications of God’s judgement upon his sinful pride.

A godly response would have been to repent of his blaspheming against God and try to make amends for his actions.

Nowhere in the scriptures is it mentioned that he turned from pride and displayed humility. He should have fallen down before Jehovah God, pleading for forgiveness.

The night Belshazzar was deceived by his own Pride, when he thought he could presume upon the Most High God, was the night he was judged.

He was slain that very night, and the Kingdom of Babylon was overthrown, divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

When Belshazzar thought he was the strongest, God made him the weakest. Pride not only deceives, but it also destroys.

Exodus 5:2 said ‘And Pharaoh said, who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not he Lord, neither will I let Israel go.’

Proverbs 11:2 said ‘When pride cometh, then cometh shame, but with the lowly is wisdom.’

Christ has paid the price for every Prideful heart, and His redemption is applied when a person repents.

Repentance turns a Prideful heart into one that is broken and contrite.

1 John 2:16 says ‘For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the