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First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service July 19 2026 Sermon Title–Maranatha Amen Come Lord Jesus Text – Revelation 22:6-7,20-21 Rev. Key Min Lee Why do we experience so many hardships and difficult seasons in life? When people are asked that question, most of us naturally look for the problem in someone else rather than in ourselves. We tend to justify our own actions by pointing out the faults of others. But is that really what God wants us to do? Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3). Perhaps the greatest obstacle in our lives is not someone else—it is ourselves. Satan does not want us to move in the direction God desires. Instead, he works through our sinful desires to convince us that we are always right and that our actions are justified. When we hold onto our selfish desires instead of surrendering them to God, we drift away from His will. Rather than living a life that serves God and others, we begin serving ourselves. As a result, our lives often become filled with struggles, hardships, and wilderness seasons. So does that mean suffering is always a bad thing? The Bible gives us a clear answer. Hebrews 12:7 says, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” The reason we sometimes walk through the wilderness is not because God has abandoned us, but because He loves us. In His grace, He uses those difficult seasons to teach us not to cling to our sinful desires but to cling to Him - the invisible God who never leaves us. Today’s passage says, “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll” (Revelation 22:7). What does that blessing mean? It means that when we obey God’s Word and walk daily with Jesus, we experience the greatest blessing of all. In other words, true blessing is not measured by wealth, success, or comfort. True blessing is walking with the Lord. In His presence there is peace, joy, gratitude, satisfaction, and fullness of life. Satan knows this very well. He does not want believers to experience the fullness of God’s presence because his goal is to lead as many people as possible into darkness. That is why he constantly tries to keep our attention fixed on our circumstances instead of on Christ. He uses our sinful desires to distract us from the path God has prepared for us. Dear brothers and sisters, God created this world. Out of His great love, He sent His only begotten Son to save us. Jesus died, rose again, and promised that He will return for us (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20). Jesus is the Lord over all creation. He is our Creator, our King, and the only Savior who can save us. But the moment we begin holding onto our sinful desires, God becomes less visible to us, while the things of this world become more attractive. To focus on worldly things means allowing our hearts to chase whatever pleases us instead of pursuing Christ. So let me ask you a question. What is it that you truly love? Does it fill your heart with lasting joy and gratitude? Does it draw you closer to Jesus? Does it shape your words and your actions to become more like Christ? If the things you enjoy are producing more worry than peace, more anxiety than gratitude, and more emptiness than joy, then perhaps your life is being led by your desires instead of by God's purpose. Jesus gives us this invitation in Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to Me, you all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Have you truly experienced that rest? Today’s passage calls us to live with a Maranatha faith. What is a Maranatha faith? Simply put, it means living each day with our eyes fixed on Jesus rather than on what we possess. It means remaining unshaken no matter what happens around us. It means taking one faithful step after another with gratitude and joy as we walk together with the people God has placed in our lives, always looking forward to the day our Lord returns. A beautiful picture of this is a wedding ceremony. The groom enters first. Then the bride begins walking down the aisle. Let me ask you a question. When the bride enters, where is the groom looking? And as the bride walks down the aisle, who is she looking at? Even though the room is filled with cheering, applause, and celebration, the bride and groom keep their eyes on each other. They walk toward one another, take each other’s hands, and remain together until the ceremony is complete. That is what I believe a Maranatha faith looks like. Jesus is our Bridegroom. Our calling is to keep our eyes fixed on Him, holding tightly to His hand and continuing to walk with Him regardless of the noise, distractions, or changing circumstances around us. Isn’t that the greatest joy we could ever experience? Even in my own life, I often tell people that I still look at my wife the same way I did when we first married. To me, she is the most beautiful and gorgeous person ever in the world. When I am with her, other things fade into the background because through our marriage I continually experience God’s love and His presence. In the same way, when our hearts are fixed on Christ, the things of this world lose their grip on us. When we align our lives with God - the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End - everything else begins to fall into its proper place. That is the Maranatha life. As we live each day with thankful hearts while eagerly awaiting Christ’s return, we grow deeper in His presence. Our lives become channels through which His love, His grace, and His presence flow to the people around us. A Maranatha faith keeps our hearts from becoming attached to the things of this world. Instead, it causes us to worship with greater passion as we eagerly wait for our returning King. So worship Him wholeheartedly. Sing His praises with joy. Pray boldly and often. And every day, remind yourself who you are. You are the Bride of Christ. May you walk with the Lord every day, overflowing with His joy and thanksgiving as you eagerly await His glorious return. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! May the Lord richly bless you all. Hallelujah!
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First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service July 12 2026 Sermon Title–The God Who Is Always with Us Text – Joshua 3:7-13 Rev. Key Min Lee People often allow their hearts to change when their circumstances and situations change. Therefore, it is important for us to have an unshakable heart regardless of our circumstances and environments. However, Satan continually stirs up our desires so that we become attached to our circumstances and situations. Through our words, he desires to create death and darkness. That is why it is so important for us to practice looking toward the unchanging God instead of focusing on our circumstances and situations. James 1:17 says: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadow.” This means that God never changes. He has loved us the same way yesterday, today, and forever. This is important because when we look only to the unchanging God, our hearts will not be shaken, and we will be transformed into Christians who can overcome what the world cannot overcome. Therefore, we must look only to God. If our hearts are currently being influenced and changed by our circumstances and situations, we must remember that we are moving in the direction that darkness desires. Today’s passage shows the moment when Joshua, the new leader of Israel, was leading the people to cross the Jordan River. We need to understand that when the leadership changed from Moses to Joshua, there could have been division among the people. However, when we look at the actions of Joshua and the actions of Israel, we can see what was truly greater in their hearts. Joshua 1:17-18 says: “Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey whatever you command him will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” The reason Israel was able to make this confession was because, in their hearts, the unseen God was greater than visible circumstances and situations. When we look at those who truly serve God with all their hearts, we see complete obedience and sacrifice. I believe this is the kind of image that today’s church needs. Only through complete obedience and sacrifice can true unity be established. God also spoke to Joshua: “Look only to Me, and be courageous.” (Joshua 1:1-9). These words were spoken to Moses as well (Exodus 3:11-12), and they are also words that God speaks to us today. Therefore, regardless of our circumstances, we must look only to the Lord and offer Him thanksgiving and worship. Through this, God receives glory through our lives, and the lives of those we encounter can be restored. That is why we must first become united with God, and then become united with the people God has placed in our lives—just as Joshua and Israel were united. We must remember this: the reason we must look only to God is because everything visible is only a temporary phenomenon that appears and disappears. (2 Corinthians 4:18). Satan tries to make us hold onto visible things through our desires because he wants to separate us from God’s will. A representative example of this is the battle of Aphek (Ebenezer) recorded in 1 Samuel 4. After Israel was defeated in their battle against the Philistines, they brought the Ark of God from Shiloh to the battlefield. Why did they do this? The reason was that they used the Ark as if it were a charm that would bring them victory. They believed that if the Ark was with them, God would be with them and they would win the battle. However, the result was devastating. Thirty-four thousand soldiers died, and the Ark of God, which represented His presence, was captured by the Philistines. Beloved brothers and sisters, we must understand that the Ark itself was a visible sign. Even when the Ark was placed in the center when Israel conquered Jericho, the Ark was never the source of victory. It was only a visible sign that pointed Israel toward serving the invisible God. As 2 Chronicles 20:15 says: “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” In other words, when we look to the invisible God and walk with Him, then true restoration and unity can finally take place. Beloved brothers and sisters, if we continue chasing after what is visible, we will no longer be able to sincerely serve the invisible God. As a result, true restoration and unity cannot take place. I believe this is one of the areas where today’s church is lacking. We are often good at following visible circumstances and outward appearances, but perhaps we have become less devoted to loving the invisible God and walking faithfully with Him. I believe what we need today is a faith that thinks only of God, refuses to be controlled by circumstances and situations, and continues moving forward. Remember this: God is with us. When we keep our eyes fixed on Him, our circumstances and situations no longer become our focus. We begin to pursue unity. We seek to understand others and willingly sacrifice ourselves for their sake. Whatever we do, we desire to do it together. We do not force or pressure others. Our responsibility is simply to live in such a way that those who encounter us can freely choose God for themselves. May the Lord bless each one of you to keep your eyes fixed on Him and walk with Him every day. God is Always with You. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service July 5 2026 Sermon Title–United Through Love Text – John 21:15-18 Rev. Key Min Lee One of Satan’s greatest desires is for people to live in despair. Why? Because despair pulls us back into our old selves and keeps us from moving forward in the new life God has given us. It fills our hearts with complaints, self-condemnation, and feelings of inferiority. Instead of producing life (creation), it creates an environment where spiritual death begins to grow. That is why Satan wants us to remain trapped in despair. Peter experienced that very kind of despair. After denying Jesus three times, he forgot the Lord’s promise that He would rise again and returned to his former occupation as a fisherman. But we must remember who Peter was. He was a man of faith who stepped out of the boat to walk on the water toward Jesus (Matthew 14:28). He was also the disciple who boldly confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). He loved the Lord deeply. Yet now he found himself unable to escape the swamp of despair. This reminds us that even a person with great faith can lose sight of God’s calling in a single moment. That is why none of us can boast about our faith, for our salvation is entirely by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). When Jesus appeared to Peter, He asked him the same question three times: “Do you love Me?” Years ago, I heard a pastor preach on this passage, and he explained Jesus’ three commands this way: “Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My sheep.” He said the first command means to encourage and strengthen those who already follow Christ so they can faithfully finish the race. The second means to pray for those who will come to believe in Christ and help them grow in their faith. The third means to show understanding and compassion toward those who oppose you or think differently from you, never giving up on praying that they will return to the Lord. After hearing that sermon, I wondered why he interpreted it that way . Then one word came to my mind: Love. The Bible tells us, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). At that moment, I realized something important. When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” He was reminding him that God’s love never changes. Even though Peter had denied Jesus three times, pretended not to know Him, and returned to his old life in despair, Jesus came to him personally. He restored him completely and gave him a new mission—to help bring even one more soul into the kingdom of God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Rise from your despair. Be strengthened, and move forward. I am with you always. You are not alone.” (Matthew 28:18–20) My prayer is that each of us will believe this promise today. Amen? What Jesus wanted from Peter was not simply an answer. He was asking something much deeper: “Will you love the people you meet the same way I have loved you? They are My children.” Please remember this. The people sitting beside you in this church are God’s beloved children. God has placed them in your life so that you may experience His love and also share His love with them. Then Jesus continued, “When you were younger, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18) The message is clear. Until now, we have lived according to our own plans and chosen where we wanted to be. But now we are called to stand where the Lord wants us to be. That place is where we love people who are different from us with the love of Christ. Everyone around us is different. The people we work with, study with, meet at the grocery store, and even live with are all different from us. The important question is this: how we will share God’s love with those who are different from us. When God’s love is shared, true unity becomes possible. And through that unity, the Lord builds His church. The United States is made up of fifty independent states and one federal district, Washington, D.C. Each state has its own constitution, legislature, governor, court system, and laws. Yet together they form one nation that has had tremendous influence throughout the world. In the same way, unity is divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). If we want to experience genuine unity, we must first learn to love and understand people who are different from us. That may require changing the way we speak and act. It may require leaving our past behind and moving forward by faith. Sometimes we will have to do things we do not enjoy. Sometimes we will have to accept people and situations that are difficult for us. But remember this: when we choose love over ourselves, true unity begins to grow. Just as Jesus came to Peter after his betrayal, restored him completely, and called him back into fellowship and ministry, He asks each one of us the same question today: “Do you love Me?” Only unity that is rooted in the love of Christ can build the Lord’s church. May we all be united in His love, bring joy to our Lord, and faithfully fulfill His calling. Amen. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service June 28 2026 Sermon Title–We Already Received It Text – Mark 11:20-26 Rev. Key Min Lee A person’s words and actions are determined by what they set their eyes on. If I look at what is good, joy and thanksgiving come out from within me, but if I look at what is not good, darkness comes out from within me. In other words, my words and actions can be said to be determined by what I focus on. Furthermore, whatever I speak and act—whether good or bad—bears fruit just the same. Today’s passage is the part that speaks about how great the power is in the words that come from Jesus. Before entering Jerusalem, Jesus cursed a fig tree that had many leaves but no fruit, saying that no one would ever eat fruit from it again (11:14). And the result of those words was that the fig tree withered and died. To put it another way, this means that all of you here are people who also have authority in your words like Jesus does. Because we are made in His image and His Spirit dwells within us. This passage shows an important truth about how the authority of words, which carry the power of creation, works in our lives. There is power in human words: first, the power of creation; second, the power of death. So whatever we say, our words will bear one of two kinds of fruit—either creation or death. The fruit of creation brings peace to others, brings comfort, and even opens closed hearts. On the other hand, the fruit of death makes others anxious, brings hardship, and causes hearts to close. The Bible says, “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them” (11:23). Whatever we say brings results. And it says, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (11:24). If we declare what we have prayed for, believe it has already been done, and live our lives that way, it means that through us, life is being delivered to everyone we encounter. Beloved saints, words create either life or death. Having many leaves means speaking words but having no action. Having fruit means that words and actions are aligned in life. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you may become those who, like Jesus, bear much fruit by having your words and actions aligned in your life. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service June 21 2026 Sermon Title–With A Father’s Heart Text – Deuteronomy 4:1-8 Rev. Key Min Lee The Bible reveals the Father’s love from creation to the return of our Lord. Yet human knowledge and experience are inevitably limited when it comes to fully understanding God’s love. The reason is our sinful desires. These desires prevent us from receiving God’s love as it is and instead lead us to interpret Scripture according to our own understanding and knowledge. As a result, rather than walking in the direction God desires, people end up living according to the path they have chosen and interpreted for themselves. When we look at such lives, they are often filled with complaints, blames, grumblings and dissatisfaction. They continually wrestle with questions such as, “Is God really exist?” and live with frustration and discouragement. Therefore, if we are to understand God’s love, we must receive the Word God has given exactly as it is, without adding to it or taking away from it (v. 2). To add or subtract from God’s Word means accepting only the parts that make sense according to our own knowledge and understanding. God’s Word includes unconditional obedience. That is why the Bible declares that even though “heaven and earth may pass away, the Lord’s Word will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35); though “the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8); and “all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”(2 Tim. 3:16–17). In other words, when we do not fully understand Scripture, we should not decide for ourselves what to accept and what to reject. Rather, we must live as those who have already received God’s promises, applying His Word to our daily lives. For example, Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” The Bible clearly says that we have already received it. Then we are to believe. Therefore, we should pray, speak, and live as people who have already received what God has promised. This is what we call unconditional obedience. Today’s passage records Moses’ final words before his death. With the heart of a loving father, he offers his last counsel to Israel. What kind of life did Moses live? Moses lived a life of unconditional obedience. He applied God’s Word exactly as it was given to his life. He delivered every message God commanded him to deliver without leaving anything out. Even when God told him before his death, “You will not enter the land of Canaan. Joshua will lead the people into the Promised Land,” Moses humbly obeyed God’s Word. He demonstrated through his own life what it meant to submit to God, and he modeled that obedience for Joshua, the new leader. Watching Moses’ example, Joshua became a leader who obeyed God until the very end of his life. In other words, God carries out His plans through leaders who lead by example. Never forget that each one of you has been called to be such a leader—a leader who demonstrates God’s truth through your life. Moses also lived as a mediator between God and Israel. Through him, God even changed His intention to destroy Israel and turned His anger into blessing. In the same way, you are mediators like Moses. Through you, God opens and closes the doors of heaven. This means that you are not ordinary people. Our lives, therefore, should be filled with the love of God. Furthermore, we are called to encourage people, understand them, and accept them. To do this, we must first live a life of unconditional obedience while also fulfilling the role of a mediator. Such people are not driven by their own desires. Rather, out of love for the Father, they live lives of complete obedience, submission, and sacrifice. They receive people with grace, seek to understand them, encourage them, and cover all of their shortcomings with the Father’s love. We call such people parents - fathers and mothers. In other words, the role of a parent is to lead by example, to serve as a mediator between God and their children, and regardless of what their children may do or how they may behave, to receive them with love, understand them, encourage them, and cover all of their shortcomings with God’s love. The Bible says, “Fathers, do not exasperate (provoke) your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). No parent desires for their child to fail (Luke 11:11). Parents always want to give the very best to their children. The greatest gift Moses emphasizes is “walking with God.” That is why Moses says, “Do not add to or subtract from the commands I give you, but keep the commands of the LORD your God.” When God’s people do this, those who do not know God will see the wisdom and understanding of His people and be led to glorify the living God. In other words, the example you set through your life opens the way for your children to become sons and daughters of God who serve as the light and salt of this dark world. Beloved brothers and sisters, we must possess both the heart of a mother and the heart of a father. We need the heart of a mother who nurtures and prays for her children in love, and we need the heart of a father who keeps his children from going down the wrong path by leading through example, encouraging them, understanding them, and accepting them. When we have both of these hearts, the next generation will live lives that proclaim the reality of the living God. Then many souls will come to encounter the living God through our lives. It is my prayer that such grace may be upon all of us. I bless you in the name of the Lord. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service June 14 2026 Sermon Title–By Their Fruit You Will Recognize Them Text – Matthew 7:15-20 Rev. Key Min Lee Matthew 7, as part of the Sermon on the Mount, teaches us how those who belong to God's kingdom are to live in this world. The Lord’s concern is not merely what we do outwardly, but what resides within our hearts. Our actions and way of life ultimately flow from the condition of our hearts. In other words, when Jesus Christ is at the center of our hearts, our lives begin to reflect what pleases God. However, when self occupies the throne of our hearts, our lives will naturally display the values and desires of this world. In verse 15, Jesus warns us, “Beware of false prophets.” These false prophets are not those who proclaim the things of heaven, but those who set their hearts on the world and encourage others to follow its ways. Outwardly, they may appear to be servants of truth, yet inwardly they are like ravenous wolves. The Holy Spirit does not dwell within them; instead, they are influenced by the spirit of this world—a spirit that deceives and leads people away from God (2 Peter 2:1–3). Like Balaam, they are driven by worldly desires and lead God’s people into sin and compromise (Revelation 2:14). This is why Jesus says in verse 16, “Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” The Lord is teaching us that the fruit we bear reveals the spirit that is at work within us. Scripture makes it clear that different roots produce different fruits. The Apostle Paul, in the book of Romans, speaks of two kinds of fruit: the fruit that leads to death and the fruit that leads to eternal life. When we were slaves to sin, whatever fruit we produced ultimately led to death. But when we became servants of God, we began to bear fruit that leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life (Romans 6:20–22). God is concerned not merely with our activities, but with the kind of fruit our lives are producing. As we journey through life, the most important question is not simply what we have accomplished. Rather, have we pursued love and borne the fruit of Jesus Christ? Or have we followed the desires of the world and produced the fruit of the flesh? Those who bear the fruit of Christ’s love become instruments of God’s grace. They bring peace to the brokenhearted, freedom to the oppressed, and hope and joy to those who are weary and discouraged (Luke 4:18–19). Dear brothers and sisters, what truly matters is the fruit that our lives are producing. Through godly fruit, many souls are comforted, brought to repentance, and drawn back to the Lord. The fruit of our lives has the power to become a channel of God’s grace to others. Today, let us examine our hearts before the Lord. What kind of fruit are you bearing in your life today? Does your life reveal the fruit of Christ, or the fruit of the world? May we be found bearing fruit that glorifies God and leads others into His everlasting kingdom. Amen. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service June 7 2026 Sermon Title–Cross Bearing Life Text – Matthew 16:21-28 Rev. Key Min Lee Our sinful nature does not naturally lead us to empty ourselves and embrace the heart of Jesus. Instead, it drives us to take from others and fill our lives with the things of this world. As a result, those who do not understand the love of Jesus often become overwhelmed by sorrow, pain, suffering, and emptiness. In some cases, they even fall into depression or choose destructive paths that lead to the loss of life itself. The process of breaking away from these sinful habits and desires is the training of emptying ourselves — in other words, the training of carrying our cross and following Jesus. So why must we deny ourselves daily and live a life of carrying the cross? In Philippians 2, it says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” Though Jesus was fully God, He willingly emptied Himself, humbled Himself, and incarnated in the form of a servant. Jesus chose the position of a Son who perfectly loved the Father and gave all glory to Him. This is the example Jesus showed us of emptying Himself and denying Himself. One of the most beautiful gifts God has given humanity is the ability to choose. Therefore, with the love of God in our hearts, we must choose Jesus every single day and walk in obedience to Him. An important truth is this: Satan tries to drag people toward destruction, but God, because He is love, never forces or drags anyone against their will. That is why we must choose love by our own free will and choose God daily. Choosing love and walking in it is the training of dying to ourselves every day. When Paul said, “I die every day,” he was acknowledging the weakness and limitations of human nature. We may succeed one day and fail the next. Without the daily discipline of dying to ourselves, the enemy can find an opening and bring destruction into our lives. Then what kind of training helps us deny ourselves daily and carry our cross? First, we must live each day as if it were our last. Second, we must continually train ourselves so that our words and actions are consistent with one another. By choosing love and dying to ourselves moment by moment, we keep Satan from gaining a foothold in our lives. That is when true restoration begins. I pray in the name of the Lord that this grace may be upon you and upon me as well. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service May 31 2026 Sermon Title–You Will Be My Witnesses Text – Acts 1:8 Rev. Key Min Lee First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service May 24 2026 Sermon Title–The Spirit Leads Us into All Truth Text – John 16:13 Rev. Key Min Lee After Jesus died and rose again, He spent forty days with His disciples before ascending into heaven. This event is very significant, because the promise Jesus gave at His ascension remains unchanged even today. That promise is that He would send the Holy Spirit to us (John 16:7). This promise has been fulfilled, and now we are able to live each day walking with the Lord through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. That truth is Jesus Christ Himself (John 14:6). In other words, the Holy Spirit is the only One who teaches us how to become more like Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, the following things take place: 1. We become witnesses of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8) Being a witness of Jesus means that everything we speak and proclaim is centered on Him alone. What we have seen, heard, and experienced is that Jesus came to this world, died for our sins, rose again, and will come again. A witness is called to faithfully share what they have seen and experienced. No matter how others respond, we are to understand, be patient, and continue in prayer until they come to the Lord. 2. We deny ourselves and take up our cross (Matthew 16:24). Taking up our cross means choosing the opposite of what we want to say or do according to our own desires. The key here is “what I want.” We are those who seek what the Lord desires, not what “I” desire. This is what it means to deny ourselves. 3. We bear the fruit of Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:22–24). The easiest way to bear the nine fruits of the Spirit is to follow the teaching in Ephesians 5:16–18: “Joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.” When we walk with the Holy Spirit, we begin to live a heavenly life—one that moves according to love, just as Christ does. This is what it means to live a life of fullness (Ephesians 1:23). This fullness means finding contentment in every situation. In other words, it is a life filled with thanksgiving every day, a life that overcomes circumstances and situations. The Holy Spirit leads you into truth. I pray in the name of the Lord that your life would reveal Jesus Christ so clearly that many souls will be brought out of darkness into light through your life. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes Sunday Service May 17 2026 Sermon Title–Passing the Baton of Faith Text – Deuteronomy 31:1-8 Rev. Key Min Lee |
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