The message was brought by Rev. Derek Cowan.
Ephesians 4: 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
You are not saved by feeling, but there is a feeling that comes with salvation. This crowd got past feeling. You cannot get saved anytime you want to. God must draw you. I just want to stop here and say that you can go too far. You can put off the Spirit of God too long and he can stop dealing with you. He came to me several times but he didn’t owe me anything after that first time.
Do you know how it feels to have your sins forgiven? I was 16 years old. That night the preacher preached hell so hot I began to sweat. The Holy Spirit gouged me. I had been in church all my life. I wasn’t taken to church. I was sent. Parents, you need to take your kids to church. I reasoned with myself that I was a pretty good fellow. The more he preached, the more I realized how lost I was. He was putting the fear of God in my heart. That’s what we need today. Let people know its Jesus or hell. Those are the only two options. He went from hell to Calvary. The Holy Spirit gouged me again. I could see Jesus hanging there, the blood falling down. I saw the way to heaven. Calvary showed me the golden staircase to heaven. I saw how much Jesus loved me. When the invitation came, they sang “Just as I Am.” They got to the second verse—“just as I am and waiting not.” The Holy Spirit gouged me again and said what are you waiting for? I began the greatest journey of my life. Why the greatest? I passed from death unto life. The auction block of sin had me bound to Satan. Jesus paid the sin debt in full. I’m redeemed. That means Christ purchased me for himself. Do you know how it feels? If you draw your last breath do you know you’ll wake in glory land?
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. The song says: There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. It does us good to remember how God pulled us out of sin. I didn’t turn over a new leaf. I became a new creature. II Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. He reached way down for me. Do you know how it feels to have your sins forgiven? Are you ready to go?
Do you know how it feels to have the Spirit of God living in your heart? Jesus didn’t save us and just throw us out there on our own. Jesus told his disciples that it was expedient for him to go away so another Comforter could come. It was the Spirit of God that showed me I was lost. When I got saved he moved in. It is appointed unto man once to die. Remember every work will be revealed. It is the Spirit of God that helps and guides us, and yes he lives in me. First Corinthians 3:16 says Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? Romans 8:9 states But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Do you know it feels to have the Spirit of God living in you?
These are dark days, but I have heaven’s Comforter. Sometimes the problems of life can drive sleep from you. You get out of bed and fall to your knees for grace and guidance. Do you know how it feels to have the Spirit of God put his arms around you? Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. When my granddaddy died, they asked me to have a part in his funeral. He raised me since I was 9 years old. I was heartbroken and had no idea how I was going to do it. I sat in that seat while the song was sung knowing I had to get up. I felt arms go around me. God undergirded me. I felt it. Proverbs 18:24 tells us there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. I know how it feels to have the Holy Spirt help me live for God. I was never asked to do it on my own. Jesus said lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Do you know how it feels to have the Spirit of God living in you?
The Middle East is a time bomb. Israel is hated. Ezekiel said that old bear would come from the north. Russia is ready to move. Why? Oil—it’s all about money. Look at our nation. We’re weaker in military. Groceries are higher and higher. People wonder how they’ll provide for their kids. People are getting pink slips after years of faithful service on the job. I ask you. Do you know how it feels to know that Jesus is coming soon? Wars and rumors of wars. Earthquakes in divers places. Men are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. People are without natural affection. That’s not just the homosexuals. Moms turn their backs on their children for drugs. Moms and dads abandon their kids. That’s not a natural affection. Look up! It’s about home time! Do you know how it feels to know this could be the day Jesus comes again?
First Thessalonians 4 says For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. It thrills my heart. I’ll be reunited with kindred. I’ll get a glorified body. We shall be like Jesus. We’ll be seated at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Jesus will serve us. What a day that will be! I know these are troublesome times, but Jesus is coming soon.
Do you know you’re saved? I wouldn’t go to bed on a hope that I was. First John 5:13 says These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. You can know!
Do you know how it feels to have your sins forgiven? Do you know how it feels to have the Spirit of God living in you? Do you know how it feels to know that Jesus is coming soon? Second Corinthians 5:1 says For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I don’t know if I’ll go by way of death or by way of the rapture. I don’t care which way he gets me there. I’m just glad I’m going! Do you know how it feels?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 