Transcription
God. If you have your Bible with you, I would like to direct your attention to the book of Philippians, chapter number one. Philippians, chapter number one and verse 6. [Music] The scripture says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." And we thank him for his word. I'd like to preach to you for a few minutes here tonight on this thought. Turn the page. We pray God's blessings upon us. Can we pray one more time before you're seated and pray that God would help us to accomplish his will here? Jesus, thank you for this service. Thank you, God, for your people. Thank you for the opportunity we have to be in your presence. We don't take it for granted. Help us to get everything out of this service that we can while we're here. Help us to leave different than the way that we came. And we'll give you praise for it, God. Let the enemy be destroyed and let the name of Jesus be exalted. And we give you thanks in Jesus' name. And everyone said, "Amen." That's all right. If you want to clap your hands to him again, and you may be seated.
congregation of this size. I'm pretty sure that there are some very avid readers among us here this evening. I enjoy reading, but I have met some readers that are on another level and they inspire me to read more. They tell us that in ancient days when they would choose to put information down in print, they were written on large, very large scrolls and then if the information was important and wanted to preserve it, they were stored on these large scrolls. History says over time they realized that when they would want to retrieve the information from these scrolls that they had to get out the large scroll, unroll it, find the information they needed, roll it back up, put it back in, and it was time-consuming and it wore the scrolls out quickly. And so they found out if we subdivide these scrolls into sections and then and then store them together and then when we need information, we could go to that section that had what we needed and it was time-efficient and it didn't wear on the rest of the scrolls. They also tell us that those scrolls that were compartmentalized by and large they contained about 3 to 5,000 words each. And as modern writing evolved and the printing press came to us, that same standard was held. And so they say even today that a modern chapter in a book still has around 3 to 5,000 words in it.
By definition, the word chapter is number one a main division of a book. Another definition is a significant specified unit. And then thirdly, a chapter means a period of time in a person's life or nation or history. a chapter. The chapter is the vocabulary, so to speak, for noting the way things are organized. And chapters stop and it allows another chapter to begin. And we see chapters as we look back over the shoulder of our life. We can see the chapters of our life. As you're living it out, you may not fully comprehend what chapter you're in or when it's closing or another one is beginning. But as you look back, you can see more clearly and definitely where chapters began and where they end. These chapters are made up within relationships, within jobs, education, even hardships of life. which is a large heading itself. And they come and they go and they close and they open. And it is it is as it goes. It's making the story of our life.
If you like to read you will know that to enjoy a book, you need a good author. Now, I don't want you to lose confidence in the preacher here tonight, but I'm going to be a little transparent and take a risk. But it's probably hard for you to believe this, but the Bible's not all I read. I know you thought I was so spiritual that I just always read the Bible. I do read it, but I from time to time I enjoy a good story. But you know, a good story has to have a good author. Because if a good story begins in the first chapter, everything's awesome. And you get to chapter two and everything's still awesome. And you get to chapter three and whoever the story is about, everything's still awesome and they're making great decisions and and their family is intact and they've avoided sickness. And you get to chapter four and things are just still going good for them. And you get to chapter five and nothing negative is happening. and you get all the way to the end of the book and everything is bliss. It's great for the person living it, but not so good for the reader because as a reader, you want and you look for suspense, something to pull you in. Am I right about it? You want you want that person to have good days, but if you're going to read the book, they need to have some bad days, too. You want you want some highs and lows. You want some ups and downs. You want to find them sometimes in predicaments where you have no idea how they're going to get out of it. And when you find yourself engrossed in that type of book, it's hard to quit. It's hard to lay it down because it is appealing and it's intriguing and it has your interest.
Now, here's where I'm going to take my risk. A good author can have a cowboy in the desert. He's been running from some crime he didn't commit. His adversary, the we could just call him a posi has shot his horse out from under him a few days earlier. And in doing so, a bullet went through the canteen and now he's out of water, too. And he doesn't have anything to eat. And he's been he's been moving by night cuz it's too hot to walk during the day. And after a few days in the desert, nothing to eat, nothing to drink, and his his lips are parched and his clothes are tattered. And he can see the dust trail of dust coming up behind him. And that lets him know his adversary is closing in. and he has no idea how he's going to get out of this predicament. But if he's a good author, he can get anybody out of it. And even though as the reader you can quickly come to the conclusion, this guy's done for. It's over for this guy. I mean, he they're fixing to surround him and he doesn't have any water. He doesn't have any ammunition. He he don't have transportation. He's in the desert. He's he's he's about dead. But what I like about this scenario is that none of these factors are in control of the story. The hot sun is not calling the shots. The dead horse is not calling the shots. The empty canteen is not in control of the story. The adversary that has surrounded him is not going to determine the outcome. And the desert is not going to determine what's going to happen. and his parched lips are not going to determine what's going to happen. But what determines what's going to happen next is the man that's got the pen in his hand. And the man that's in control of the story is the author. And since he is the author, he can write in anything in the story he wants to write in the story. He can bring in a friend to come out of nowhere and you're thinking, "I didn't even know the man had a friend." And he comes riding up over the horizon and saying, "I heard you was in trouble and I come to bring aid to your to your situation and you're thinking, I didn't even know he had a friend and I certainly didn't know he had a friend in the desert and in the area." You didn't have to know. The author said, "I'm going to put a friend here because he needs a friend right now." [Applause]
What I'm here to tell you tonight is there's nothing externally in control of the story. There's nothing here in control of the story. The author is calling the shots. The author is in control of the story. Hallelujah. Can I tell you here on Monday night? I don't know where you are. I don't know what predicament you may be in. I don't know what you're facing. But I want to tell you that the sickness is not in charge. The devil's not in charge. The lack of finances is not in charge. The dilemma is not in charge. Let me tell you who's in charge. The author's in charge. The author's in charge. He is in control. Somebody clap your hands to the Lord here this evening. Hallelujah.
If we may go to Genesis chapter 37. Genesis chapter 37 introduces us to the story of Joseph, which is one of the most beautiful stories of the Bible. Now, if I could just throw this out, the Lord begins the scripture, or at least he begins the book of Genesis with the creation story. The creation story is done in about 26, 28 verses. We're we're done with creation and we're on to other stuff. I'm talking about sun, moon, stars, solar system, dividing light from darkness. I mean, all of that stuff he he spends 20-some verses on it says enough of that. But when it comes to the story of Joseph, Genesis has 50 chapters in it. 13 of them are devoted to the story of Joseph. 20-some verses creation says just want to tell you about it but let's go on but about a fourth of the book of Genesis is devoted to the story of Joseph. Now, you may have your own conclusions why that is, but just as a very practical bird's-eye view, even though it's there and I believe it with every fiber in my being as humanity, it's hard for me to wrap my mind around the creation story. Now, that don't mean I don't believe it. I do believe it. But as as a human being, it's hard for me to identify with let there be light. Boom. And there was light where there was never light before. Ever. Ever. Okay. Now, let's divide the light from the darkness. And let's make some stars more than anybody will ever know. I mean, I believe it with all my heart, but it's hard for me to identify with it. But he spends a fourth of the book of Genesis on the story of Joseph. Because brother, we can identify with Joseph. We can identify with thinking, I'm on the right track now. Then all of a sudden, the rug gets pulled out from under you and you're like, I'm on the wrong track now. We can identify with, yeah, everybody here's got my back and everybody here's my friend and then before you know it, okay, I just I I I misjudged some of that. Everybody here doesn't have my back and everybody here isn't on my team. Uh, we can all identify with with going forward a few steps and then all of a sudden life puts you in reverse a little while and you have to you have to get your bearings again. You have to pull yourself up again. Everybody has a getting place in life where you have to learn to forgive people that have done you wrong. And it's not just for their sake. Uh, it's more for your sake so you can go forward in life. So we spend little time on creation but much time on Joseph because we can all identify with many of the aspects of Joseph's story.
And so it begins in chapter 37 and the Lord introduces us to Joseph and his special relationship with his father. It tells us about the coat of many colors that his father made for him and and the dreams that he had and how he how he gave them to his family and and uh they didn't all just really uh buy into it. They didn't tell him but but privately they they wasn't on board with it. And so the scripture it it gets pretty quickly to the point to where to where his brothers put him in a pit and they sold him to a band of Midianites coming through. And then they took him off to Egypt and sold him as a slave. And when you come to the end of chapter 37, this God that's got dreams and got ambitions and goals and promise and potential. When you get to the end of chapter 37, the Bible ends it with this verse. And the Midianites sold him to Egypt under Potterer, an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of the guard. And if you're not careful, you think, well, man, that story came to an end quick. I mean, it just shot up and just went right back down. And that was that was just a flash in the pan. And so, I guess we'll never hear from him. Never hear from him again. And then chapter 38, it it's still the Joseph story, but in chapter 38, the name Joseph is never mentioned in chapter 38. So if you turn the chapter to chapter 38, you just just to make sure that what you thought was true. And yeah, he's gone. Well, uh, will, man, but but the guy had so much potential. Well, let's see what's next in Genesis. So, you go to chapter 39, and sure enough, there's Joseph again. Well, there he is. He's not done. And so as you read chapter 39, the Bible tells us how how uh he was given to the keeper of the prison and and he was put everything in his charge and God gave him favor. And Genesis chapter 39 ends in that way. The Lord was with him and that which he did and the Lord made it to prosper. And you're like, man, well, I can't quit on Joseph now. I have got to turn the page here and go to chapter 40 and see what's happening now.
And so as he's here in the prison, he begins to build relationships and he starts talking to some men and they start telling Joseph their dream and the baker and the butler tells Joseph their dream and he he interpreted their dream for him and told them he said now Mr. Baker. Uh, I hate to tell you this, but um, you're going to die. Nice knowing you. Uh, Mr. Butler, you've got better news. You are going to be restored back to Pharaoh's side, and you're going to bear his cup again. And he tells this this butler that's going to be restored back to his post. He said, "Now, look, I'm not asking for much from you. But, uh, if if if you could just do me one favor." Yeah, man. Anything. What's it? You just tell me. I'll owe you my life. What What can I do for you? Well, when you get restored back to your post, would you remember me? Just don't whatever you do, don't forget about me here in this prison. You got it, man. I owe my life to you. Well, quickly he was restored. And the Bible said, it ends chapter 40 like this. Yet did not the chief butler remembered Joseph but forgot him. You like this look? A butler with a bad memory. That's just what I get. Somebody that can't remember yesterday. But you know, I can't quit now. I've got to turn the story and see what's going on here. Turn the page.
And the Bible said in chapter 41 and after the end of two full years that Pharaoh dreamed a dream and nobody could interpret it. But finally, finally, all of a sudden, the butler, he comes to his senses and says, "Oh, how in the world could I do this? How could this happen?" man, there is a man in in the in Pharaoh's prison that can interpret this dream. So they ran and they get Joseph and the Bible said they hastily bring him out of prison and they cleaned him up and bring him to Pharaoh. And sure enough, he interprets and tells and interprets Pharaoh's dream and they they promote him. And the Bible ends chapter 41 like this. And all the countries came to Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn because that the famine was sure in all the lands of Egypt. He promoted him to the man that was the most sec second most powerful man in all of Egypt and we could keep on going through the rest of the story. But my message here is tonight is when things look like it's over and it looks bad and it looks like it's coming to an end. Whatever you do, don't close the book on God. Just turn the page. The devil will try to tell you it's the end. Just go ahead and throw in the towel and close the book. I want to tell you it may be the end of the chapter, but it ain't the end of the story. Just turn the page and see what God is going to do next. Can I tell somebody here, I don't know what he's going to do, but I know he's going to do something next. I know he's going to do something next. I know he's going to do something next. So, turn the page and see, is there a miracle here? Is there a deliverance here? Is there a way to get out of this here? Is he going to lift me up here? Is he going to promote me here? Turn the page. Somebody clap your hands to the Lord again. [Applause]
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it. He will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Somebody say, "Amen." He's the author. Somebody say, "He's the author." If you're thirsty, he's the author. He can put streams in the desert if he wants to because he's the author. He can bring water out of a rock if he wants to because he's the author. He can make a dry well spring up again if he wants to because he's the author. You just got to turn the page to see it. Amen. If you're hungry, he's the author. He can send mana down from heaven if he wants to because he's the author. He can cause birds to come and bring you breakfast and bring your dinner if he wants to because he's the author. He can have an angel come down and cook a meal for you if you're hungry because he's the author. You just got to turn the page, dear brother. If your finances are low, he's the author. He can put money in a fish's mouth if he wants to. He can multiply the food in your pantry if he wants to. He's the author. He can bless your business in a time of famine if he wants to. He's the author. Just turn the page. If you're in a jam, he can part the water for you if he wants to. He can bring an earthquake out of nowhere and get you out of prison. He can make hungry lions turn into tame kittens. He's the author. He can do whatever he wants to do. If you're lost, he can find you in a tree. He can find you in a pit. He can found you on a stormy sea. He's the author. He can do He can do it any way he wants to do it. He can heal you any way he wants to heal you. He can deliver you any way he wants to deliver you. He can get you out any way he wants to get you out. [Applause]
Let's worship the Lord. Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Looking unto Jesus. Somebody pour up. Looking unto Jesus. who is the author and the finisher of my faith. The desert is not the finisher. The empty canteen is not the finisher. The hot sun is not the finisher. The adversary is not the finisher. The devil is not the finisher. Sickness is not the finisher. Change is not the finisher. The world is not the finisher. He's the author and the finisher. I don't care what the devil tells you. The devil can't finish you. The devil can't finish you. Jesus is the finisher. Jesus is the finisher. [Applause] Somebody shout yes. Musicians please come tonight.
Jesus told his disciples on multiple occasions. He began to tell them how he would die. And but he was going to rise again on the third day. He told them this. Don't don't let this surprise you when it happens. This is what's going to happen. This is this is my mission. It's what I come to do. Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. When the story gets rough, don't close the book on me. Just turn the page with me. I feel Jesus here tonight. Does anybody feel Jesus in this room? [Applause]
When they take me down to the whipping post and they put the cat-o'-nine tails across my back and expose flesh and bone, brother, whatever you do at that point, don't close the book. Just turn the page with me and see what happens next. When they take me up the Golgotha's hill and have me bear my own cross as much as I can and they put me up on that Roman cross, whatever you do, don't close the book, just turn the page. When a Roman soldier comes by and instead of breaking my legs, when he you when you see him thrust a spear into my side and all of a sudden you see blood and water flow out and you see my body slump on that cross and give up the ghost, don't close the book on me. Just turn the page with me. when they carry this body of mine and put it in this tomb and they put a stone in front of that tomb and they set a guard and a watch in front of it and it looks like there is no way that I could possibly get out of this tomb and it looks like it's secure and it's set and it's settled and it's finished and it's done. I don't care what you do or what you think. Don't close the book on me. Just turn the page with me. Amen. Because I want you to know there's another chapter coming. Uh, just turn the page with me. There's another chapter coming. Uh, because while I'm there, I'm going to take the keys of hell and of death. And I'm going to come out of the grave on the third day and I'm going to spoil principalities and powers. Uh, I'm going to make a show of them openly. I'm going to leave captivity captive. I'm going to give good gift gifts to men. I'm going to bring deliverance. Uh, I'm going to bring freedom. Don't close the book on the Lord. Just turn the page with Jesus Christ. Hallelujah.
In closing here, when you read the 11th chapter of the book of John, Lazarus is sick. Jesus is absent. A funeral is held. And Lazarus is put in a grave. That's John chapter 11. John chapter 12. There's a bunch of people in a house. Dinner's being served. And the Bible tells us Mary's there, Martha's there, Jesus is there. And the Bible said, "And Lazarus, what one chapter ago, Jesus was nowhere to be found and they put him in a grave and he was dead. and the funeral was had and you're telling me one chapter later they're eating dinner as we would say in Alabama supper and and Lazarus is at the table eating supper with Jesus. How do you get from being dead in a grave to eating dinner at a table with Jesus? I tell you how you get there. You get there like this. You turn the page. That's how you get there. You don't get there by closing the book and say, "Well, Jesus doesn't care. Jesus ain't nowhere to be found. Jesus don't know what I'm dealing with. Jesus don't know what I'm going through. Jesus doesn't love me." You're not going to get there like that. You're going to get there by saying, "I got a good author here. He's got a good story going on. He's doing a great work in me. Something great's about to happen. I got to turn the page. See how he's going to do this. See how he's going to get me out of this. See how he's going to make a way. See how he's going to come through. Turn the page." Somebody shout yes. Come on. Would you put both hands in the air and just start talking to the Lord and say, "God, I don't know what you're going to do, but you're the author. You're going to do something next. You're going to do something next. You're going to do something great. I don't know what all is going to happen, but here's what's not going to happen. I'm not going to close the book on Jesus. I'm not going to close the book on his power. I'm not going to close the book on his glory. I'm not going to close the book on his ability. I'm not going to close the book on his compassion. I'm not going to close the book on his grace. I'm not going to close the book on his mercy. But I'm going to turn the page and see what God is going to do next in my life. [Music]
I feel a well springing up in this altar. I feel a well springing up in this house. Come on, lift your voice up. Let that well spring up. Let that well spring up. [Music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. I know there's a lot of people already coming to this altar, but I don't feel like just quitting yet. If you're here on this Wednesday night, you may be visiting with us. I don't know why you're here or how you got here, but you're here and God's got a message for you and God's got a word for you. If you said, "Brother Cheryl, I don't feel like I can turn the page myself." Well, when you get the Holy Ghost in your life, uh, the Holy Ghost will help you turn the page on some things. Uh, the Holy Ghost will help you turn the page. Uh, I feel like I'm stuck. Let the Holy Ghost come in. It'll help you turn the page. I don't feel like I can get out. Let the Holy Ghost come in. It'll help you turn the page in your life. Everybody that will, if you feel like God is talking to you, I want you to come and join us at this altar, come and lift your hands to the Lord and cry out to God. Lord, I'm here to turn the page. I'm here to turn the page with Jesus. [Music] That's it. It's Wednesday night, but everybody's welcome at the altar. Everybody's welcome to come to Jesus. Everybody's welcome to approach the King of Heaven and the God of glory. He that begun a good work in you will He that begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ. You're making waves in the wilderness. He's doing a work in you. He's doing a work through you. Come on, Holy Ghost. Help me turn the page. Help me turn the page. Hallelujah.