Free to believe in Christ without people attacking your beliefs. Freedom to make any amount of money you want without being hated by people who don’t work and want to take what I’ve worked for.

Free to express my opinion without fear of being punished or lose my job.

Free to disagree with the government and not believe some of the things they believe such as global warming, making friends with terrorist, having open borders, murdering children in the womb, homosexual marriage and just flat out lying to the American people.

Unless the constitution has been completely destroyed by this administration, (and they’re doing their best) I still have the freedom to not believe what they say and believe.

What they say is our American values, is absolutely foreign to me!

When someone like Hilary Clinton or Obama says these are the values that the American people hold dear to their hearts, I don’t know who she’s speaking about, if she means people like her, (Godless liberals) then I know what she means.

But if shes talking about those Americans who want the Constitution to remain as the law of the land, and those who love freedom and those who are believers in Jesus Christ, then she doesn’t hold my values.

Theres a vast difference in what values Godless liberals hold and the rest of us.

Their always talking how we must compromise and come together,  but unless one side or the other changes their values, we will never come together, a deep divide will continue to exist. As Joshua said, For me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

I will never accept the values of Godless liberals, I can only follow and love the same values of my God which is in direct opposition to the liberals of our country.

And according to – Godless liberals I’m small minded so it didn’t take a lot to fill my mind!!

& one of – things I thought about was how many people have left – churches that I’ve pastored over – yrs. There really weren’t allot, but in every church there were a few

Now I understand when there are huge problems where – people are fighting or a doctrinal issue is being violated, or – Word is not being preached

But what if – pastor IS preaching – truth? What if he’s doing his best to feed – flock & people are growing?

What if God is blessing in many areas? But a few people still leave?

This is one of – hardest areas that I had a difficult time dealing with, because no matter what, it was my faulteven if someone left because of something someone else did, it was still my fault because I didn’t fix it

I use to get so angry, because according to some, I didn’t preach like their favorite TV or radio personality, they weren’t growing spiritually

if I didn’t get to someones house who had been missing for wks, they quit, because I was uncaring

I use to think, since when did God make me responsible for someones spiritual growth or have to be someones babysitter?

At what point does it become a Christians responsibility to see to their own growth and to their own attendance?

When we stand before – Lord, I won’t be there to hold anyones hand or to be blamed for anyones lack of responsibility

because I’ll be in that same line with my own problems

With most of those who left, it never really surprised me however,

because on – most part, they were – ones who never attended much anyway, or they always had some problem, or crisis in their lives, or were angry about something

I use to take peoples dislike of me very personal, & – Lord reminded me that he himself was hated long before I ever came on – scene, & if they hate him, they will hate – ones who represent him

I told you lst wk, in 2007 when I left – pastorate I was severely discouraged because I was tired of being – focus of everyones blame

when – truth of – matter was, they were – ones who were reckless with their relationship to Christ

& when you really look at what scripture says, a pastor will only be – leader of those who are committed & I will never be – leader of those who are not

I thought about those who have left our churches and I could not think of one person who was a committed Christian, who loved – Lord & his church, ever left

Jesus is our best example of being a leader of – committed

Lk 4: 14-15

When Jesus first began his ministry, there were those who were committed to following him, said he was glorified of all

Jesus preached – truth, he was faithful to preaching – gospel

But then, he went to his hometown, Nazareth

Vs;16

going to your hometown when you’ve been away should be a wonderful experience

Sal & I left Michigan at age 17, & went to W. Virginia, then to Texas, to Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois

& everytime we came home to visit, it was great, to see family, & remember things you did as a kid, it brought allot of memories

But when Jesus went home, it wasn’t a good experience, his oldest friends & relatives tried to kill him

he was rejected violently in his hometown after reading scripture & making a brief statement about his ministry in his hometown synagogue

vs; 17-29

why was he rejected? Well to answer that, reveals why he is still rejected today

modern man has – same problem with Jesus as they did back then

Jesus hasn’t changed & neither has man, & man cannot handle – truth & they rejected Jesus because of unbelief

what went wrong that day was that – true gospel was majestically preached in pure perfection & power by – Son of God himself,

but – truth was no more of a crowd pleaser then, as it is today

do you ever wonder why a politician will never tell – truth? Because they know – people will refuse it

& thats why Obama can lie his head off & people know he’s lying but they will follow him because it pleases them

Gingrich told several lies in one debate in S. Carolina & they were documented lies & he still won that primary

Romney has also stretched – truth to benefit himself & yet he remains on top

• problem is, we have become so familiar with politics & lies that it doesn’t faze us anymore

& that was – problem Jesus had, their unbelief was due in part to familiarity

vs;16-17

Nazareth was a small town & I’ll bet you almost everyone in that synogogue that day knew Jesus, they knew his family

& it was kind of a kick to have someone who had been away to come and read to them

as a guest, it would be an honor to him to be able to read to his family & friends, it would give him a chance to show everyone what he has learned

It was also – custom of a guest to stand while reading, afterward to would give – scroll back to – scroll attendant & take your place back on – floor

18-20

Jesus did something that was unthinkable, instead of going back with – crowd, he SAT DOWN, in front of – congregation

he took – position of – teacher & priest

notice it says everyones eyes were fastened on him, I’ve heard it said that they were so excited to have this new teacher

nope, they were shocked, actually greatly offended, after-all, this is – next door kid, our homeboy, no one ordained him to be our priest, who in – world does he think he is?

But then it gets worse

vs 21-22

They must have looked at each other & said; did he just say that God has sent him?

We have to remember that they were awaiting – Messiah, a king was coming to save Israel

not this local nut from down – street

they were familiar with Jesus, yeah he was a good speaker, but they had known him for his entire life

their knowing him became a barrier to them believing

familiarity can cause unbelief, some kids grew up in a Christian home or attended church & went to youth groups their entire childhood & they have – same problem – people did in Nazareth

they have just enough knowledge of Jesus to keep them from receiving him as Lord & Savior

In Russia, – Kremlin was – political center of an atheistic Communist regime, was filled with spiritual symbols

Cathedral Square is composed entirely of ancient churches and cathedrals, Each Orthodox church has 2 murals over – western doors that depicts paradise on one side and hell on – other with – white throne in – middle

Stalin, Lenin & other communist leaders walked past these murals thousands of times

but apparently they became so familiar with these symbols that they became blind to its spiritual significance

but we don’t have to go very far to find people who have ignored symbols that are pointing to God

in every town, there are churches with steeples & crosses & people see them everyday & never stop to consider what it really means

Isn’t it amazing at how certain groups are trying to get rid of crosses & why bother? Their not changing many hearts.

Vs 23

Jesus knew what they were thinking before they ever said anything, he says I know what your going to say, show us a miracle, one of those they say I did in Capernaum

Jesus was sort of a celebrity, it was rumored that he did some unexplainable tricks, so Jesus show us one!

Convince us, you say your – one God has sent, prove it

Vs;24

theres still people today that want to see some miracle but then they reject him when he doesn’t conform to their expectations

Jesus consistently refuses to allow men to dictate – terms on which they will place their faith in him

he himself is all – proof that faith needs and true commitment to him will provide its own proof

I want us to understand something, miracles do affirm – faith of those that already believe

but they don’t do one thing for those who don’t believe

how many times have we seen something happen that we know was a direct answer to prayer & you tell someone who doesn’t believe & they say oh thats nice

those folks could have proven he was – Messiah in an instant, if they would have repented and believed in him as Lord & Savior

but instead, they chose to put up a smoke screen in their heads but Jesus knew what they were thinking

wouldn’t you think someone would have said, wait a minute, how did he know I was going to ask for a miracle?

Vs;28

Jesus was also rejected because of pride & self righteousness

Its enough to turn your stomach when you watch & listen to people today who are so full of themselves, its a wonder they don’t have an ice cap on – end of their noses its so far up in – air

& then they attack – name of Jesus, they attack his children, they hate anyone who will tell – truth & stand on convictions & morals

in their deluded minds, anyone who would believe they need Jesus is a crazed lunatic

But we know thats what sin does to someone who rejects Jesus

It brings moral & spiritual bankruptcy

sin imprisons man taking away his freedom

Sin blinds man taking away his ability to see – things of God

& Sin oppresses man breaking his heart, his will, and his life

the worshippers in Nazareth had a problem with sin, they were not ready to admit they were poor, wretched & naked sinners before God

their pride prevented them from bowing their knees in submission to God

& sadly there are many churches all across our nation with – same problem, their too familiar with Jesus & too proud to admit they need a Savior

Jesus came to Nazareth to present – gospel, he didn’t go there because he needed them, he doesn’t need any of us, we need him

That was – last time he visited Nazareth, don’t let today be your last visit 

In this story, it talks about a woman who was severely ill for over 18 yrs, she had been bent over almost in half & couldn’t stand upI cannot imagine – agony that this poor woman had endured for so many yrs,  it would be almost impossible to do anything, back then they didn’t have one thing to make a handicapped & ill persons life easier

But one day, Jesus happened to meet her, I really don’t think it was by chance

Our God is in complete control of everything and knows who are his children & I believe this woman believed Jesus was – Son of God & was at – synagogue and she went to see him

Vs:12

As Jesus was teaching he was waiting for this woman to show up & finally she slowly inches her way inside & Jesus sees her & he immediately stops & looks at her, and he calls for her to come to him

• reason why I think this woman was a believer is, because Jesus never asks her about her sin, there is nothing about her wanting forgiveness  What she needed that day is a favor from her Lord

When you & I have a need, who should we go to first? Our Lord

Our Lord wants us to come to him when we need a favor, he wants to bless us, but we have to come to him & ask, just as this woman did

I wonder what – people thought when this woman began to come between them & – Lord? Some would have moved to give her room & anticipated how Jesus would deal with this situation

But there were others (as we will see) who thought this woman was despicable and this whole scene was disgusting & offensive

its amazing – different reactions you can get from people when you are with someone who is handicapped

vs;12 again Jesus said Woman thou are loosed from your infirmity

Jesus looked at sick & handicapped people with love & compassion and was more than willing to heal anyone who would come to him & believe

when you read through – gospels you realize that there was probably hundreds of people healed but only a few were recorded for us like this miracle that had a great message for us

vs;13

there was an immediate change, she stood up straight

Loosed = she was immediately & completely healed

God doesn’t heal by steps, when he touches someone, theres no waiting for healing, he’s not a Benny Hinn or a Joel Olsteen who pretend at healing

When God heals, your illness is gone

When you & I asked Jesus to forgive our sins and to come into our hearts and save us

there was no waiting, he immediately saved us, immediately forgave us our sin, he immediately promised us a home in heaven with him for eternity

Thats what takes place when God touches our lives

Vs;13

She immediately gave God praise, she knew exactly who it was that healed her

and thats exactly what should happen to every person that says Jesus has touched their lives

if you have accepted Christ as your Savior, if you have grabbed ahold of Jesus, just like this woman, he has touched your life

& we should be giving God praise both day & night & give thanks for touching our lives

There ought to be a marvelous transformation in someones life that says they are a child of God

if theres no change, or being with Gods people isn’t that important,

you can go for days without reading your bible & it doesn’t bother you

and praying is only when you think you should, not because you want to talk with – Lord because you love him

I would be asking myself , was I really ever touched by God?

But as I said, when this woman crawled to Jesus, some rejoiced, others were disgusted & disgruntled

vs;14

We’re going to call this man – Disgruntled Man

Do you know anyone who is disgruntled? Probably do! If you smile, they frown & ask you whats your problem!

If you laugh, they curse, if your joyous, their depressed

This man in vs;14 was one of those kind of people & get this, he was – ruler of – synagogue, he was a religious ruler

How would you like come to me & say, Pastor, O Great One! I’m depressed

& I say to you, I’m more depressed!

Or, Pastor my life is terrible all I want to do is scream & I say, go ahead, I did this morning

or you say, Pastor, I just want to die & I say, NEED HELP!!!

I don’t think you’d come to me for anymore advice would you?

Well look at this gloomy gus, in vs;14 he says “With Indignation” = anger or a feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base

lets distinguish – difference between – woman who needed healing and – disgruntled ruler

• woman went to worship & seek God because she needed his love & favor, she needed God personally in her life

But – ruler sought after God through rituals, laws & ceremony, he was still living in Leviticus & – woman was living in relationship

vs;14, because Jesus had healed on – Sabbath

The Ruler was ridged, and he believed you had to do things according to – rules & through – regulations they had made

theres many a church still today, who love their regulations, – pastor must be in a suit & tie, women must wear dresses

they have an order of service & no one had better deviate from what is spelt out in – bulletin

theres nothing wrong with having order in your church service, Paul said everything must be done decently & in order

but he never meant that our order & regulations should take pre-eminance over – moving of – Holy Ghost

There have been countless people who have left a church because someone messed with their program

One of – greatest tragedies of those kind of people & those kind of churches is:

They have everything in their program, but they left out a time for God to have his way

the ruler thought that – Lord healing on – Sabbath was – most awful thing he ever saw, it messed up his program, it defied his regulations It didn’t fit his Jewish service

now you would think that he would have been astonished at that woman being healed, it should have taken his breath away, he should have fallen on his face in holy worship

but it didn’t faze him, his heart was so cold & dead that all he wanted to do was use his power & position to straighten out – Lord

Theres nothing more dangerous, than a sinner with power & a position

look how he approaches Jesus, vs14 with indignation

he was angry, why? Because he disagreed with – Lord

Some people become very angry if you differ with them & with what they believe

Some people believe that a pastor should never say anything political & that churches ought to be out of politics as well

Well, thats exactly whats happened, Christians got out of politics, & sinners took control & look at – moral devastation that has occurred because of it

But lets go further not only does he get angry with Jesus but he takes it out on – people who follow him

Vs14 and said unto – people there are 6 days in which men ought to work, therefore come and be healed, not on – Sabbath

when Jesus is rejected – people will suffer and a nation will crumble

Why did – ruler take out his anger on – people instead of – one who did – miracle on – Sabbath?

Because he was a gutless wonder who didn’t have enough courage to unleash his anger on Jesus & stand up to him

its – same thing when a preacher stands up & gives out – Word of God UN-appologetically, there are those who will get angry at – pastor & say they don’t like him

the bible is – truth from God himself, why don’t they get mad at God instead of – messenger?

Its because their – same as – ruler, they don’t have enough spiritual spunk to take it out on God, they have to take it out on someone else

it doesn’t matter if they want to admit it or not to, their angry at God for him calling them a sinner!

just like Jesus knew – ruler was really mad at him & not – people

but Jesus isn’t going to let him get away with it, just as he won’t let sinners today get away with their sin

Vs 15-16 Jesus doesn’t mix words here, he looks directly at him & says you hypocrite

Yrs ago we use to hear messages about hypocrisy but not too much today

a hypocrite was someone who comes to church & acts like – greatest saint that ever lived

but outside – church he’s everything but a saint, more like a saint bernard

Yrs ago preachers would expose hypocrites publicly to keep their church pure before God

but today they fear – people, don’t want to lose a paycheck or want to stay popular

You just ignore – disgruntled in your churches, just appease them so not to rock – boat, just keep everything positive

the problem is, everyone goes home – same way they came in, with no changes in their lives

sinners are still sinners & – saints are still not sanctified

one of the reasons why – church is so dead today is because hypocrites are never exposed, dealt with or corrected & believers don’t want any trouble

But Jesus exposed this hypocrite publicly & said to – ruler you care more about animals than you do that woman

This by – way is why animal rights people have such a huge problem with Jesus, he put Humans before Animals!!

vs17 when Jesus got done speaking, – people realized how wrong they were, and were ashamed

rules & regulations are not to take – place of loving God and his people & it says that – people rejoiced

they rejoiced not only because – woman got straighten out, but so did their ruler

rejoice that God has touched our lives & don’t be disgruntled

• incandescent light bulb which has lit our homes for centuries is said to be dangerous because of CO2

Everything that is alive needs C02 in order to live, Christian scientist say that heavy concentrations of Co2 is actually better for plants

but our country is outlawing those bulbs and switching to Florescent which contains mercury a known toxic that causes cancer

another problem that has not been addressed is how to dispose of them, but they pass laws without caring about consequences

Ro. 1:22

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools

We have all this technology, anything we want to know is at our fingertips but instead of using that for our good

we have people trying to figure out how to stop cows that have been grazing in pastures since creation, not to pass gas because its hurting our ozone

We are one of – most advanced industrialized nations in – world, but we have to buy all of our oil from foreign countries because we cannot drill for our own, after-all it might disturb a mouse in a field

we need electricity to run all of our high tech gadgets, but we cannot dig for coal because it might get into our water, which we shouldn’t drink because of delicate eco-systems

or chop down wood to keep warm due to a rare owl

They thought they were so wise, they became fools

We have unmanned drones that can locate anyone coming across our borders with cameras, and fencing, we have not only – ability but – power to shut down – border to where a mosquito couldn’t cross

But Obama cut – budget, removed men on – ground & so far imprisoned 3 agents for doing their job

leaving our borders more open & accessible than ever to drug smugglers & terrorist while our government closes their eyes

Anyone knows, at least anyone who is not in Washington, that an open border leads to a countries destruction

But yet our nations leaders boast about how powerful & wise they are, that they know whats in our best interest

Its customary when our military comes home from a campaign to select a soldier to meet a loved one on – dock for a welcome kiss

our military last week selected 2 lesbians to greet each other with a kiss & it was published & praised across our airwaves

Or how the TSA confiscated a cupcake saying it could pose a threat?

They professed themselves to be wise & they became fools

what causes great nations like Rome, Babylon, Assyria, USSR, Germany & – United States to go from being wise to becoming fools?

Ro. 1:21

Because that, when they knew God

Everyone of these countries, once had a relationship with God, they humbled themselves before almighty God with fear & trembling

but they got big & powerful & full of themselves, they became proud

21; they glorified him not as God

everyone of those nations did – exact same thing, they were so powerful that they didn’t believe they needed God anymore & they turned their backs on God

They didn’t think it was Gods power that enabled them to be what they had become, they believed it was through their own talent & strength

21; neither were they thankful

They no longer thanked God for his strength & blessings

America has done – same thing, no one any longer thanks God, we don’t need him, we’ve accomplished so much because of our own wisdom

Do you realize that it took from Abraham Lincoln all – way to George W. Bush to put this nation 10 trillion dollars in debt?

But it only took our all wise new president 31/2 yrs to add 6 trillion more to that debt?

Its said that if he remains in office for another 4 yrs he will double our debt which will be irreversible and a total collapse of our economy will be inevitable

An economist stated a vote for this administration is a vote for the complete destruction and removal of – greatest superpower ever developed

but I disagree with that statement wholeheartedly

vs21 again, but became vain (futile) in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened

we’re being destroyed not because our leaders love to spend money

we’re being destroyed because our hearts have become darkened due to our foolishness of rejecting almighty God

23

and changed – glory of – uncorruptible God, into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds and to four-footed beast and creeping things

Look at this country has done, we reject worshiping God to be willing to destroy our very lives over mice, owls, fish & clean air

why? Because its nature that they really worship, their mission is to save & protect their object of worship, mother earth

They believe man is warming up Mother Earth & is harming – one they worship

So to – Obamas, & Gores of our world, it truly would be better to reduce – number of people in – world to save their idol

So this forces our God to do something

vs: 26 For this cause, God gave them up unto vile affections

its a vile thing to worship anything other than God himself, & when a nation does that, God gives them up

what does it mean to give us up?

It means he removes his blessings & allows us to reap what we sow

Doesn’t this describe our nation?

But wait a minute, theres still allot of Christians in this nation that hasn’t gone down that road, what about them?

Oh yeah, is there really that many who haven’t gone along with them?

Vs 32 who knowing – judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death

we definitely know as Christians that those who reject God and worship nature are worthy of death

we don’t dispute that, but why should we suffer along with them?

Vs32 not only do – same, but have pleasure in them that do them

let me ask you a very personal question, how have you voted over – yrs?

Did you vote for people that supported abortion?

That supported global warming?

That supported – worship of nature?

That supported homosexual rights & marriage?

If you have happily casted a vote for them that support those things, your just as guilty as those who commit them

a question was asked on a radio program, do you hold your nose and vote anyway even if you don’t agree with everything that, that candidate believes in?

A vote for evil is still a vote for evil

a sin is still a sin, no matter if you’ve stolen a million dollars or 5 cents

I’m not telling you how to vote, but showing you what scripture says

What about weddings, if you have a couple that has shacked up together in sin & then decide to get married

& they think everything they’ve done is perfect & they make their big plans & have – big day

do you go & celebrate a couple who has stuck their fist in – face of God & you rejoice & congratulate them?

Wouldn’t you be a partaker of their sin?

What I’m asking you I know is not easily answered, but we have to wrestle with this between yourself & God and be comfortable with what you believe would honor God

We can get upset over what is happening in our country & as we go into 2012 we know its going to get worse

but we have to know, God turning us over is partly due to – decisions and participation of Christians who have not done things that honor God

I believe we as Christians are at a crossroads right now

ch 2:1

therefore thou art inexcusable O man, whosoever thou art that judgest for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself for thou that judgest doest – same thing

Are we willing to not vote if that candidates beliefs go against Gods Word and let our nation fall

but keep our hands clean before – almighty God?

Even if it means we may collapse as a nation?

Are we willing not to participate in celebrations even if it means our family and friends turn against us

but our hearts are brought closer to – love of God for maintaining a right relationship with him

it is Gods desire that we who are his children maintain a right relationship with him even at – expense of our own comfort

even if our nation has to go through tribulations due to their rejection of God

we are to keep walking with – Lord by faith

What does 2012 look like?

We have no clue & – truth is, it doesn’t matter what – direction that nation decides to go, to turn back to God, or continue on – path of destruction

But for us, we are to be concerned about what God wants us to do. & serve him regardless