VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS: Ignoring Instructions

This Sermon, Brethren

Is Like No Other You'll Hear

And 
I Desire For Us All To Pay Close Attention:

Follow Almighty God's Commandments Always

And

To The Letter

And

Live Humbly In Godly Fear!

That's Nothing New!

I've Heard That All My Life!

In That Case, Big Mike

Since You Have Life-Long Experience

Come On Up Here With Me

And 
We'll Run An Experiment

For A Visual Aid To Bless Everybody!

Big Mike, Do You Like Garlic!?!

Of Course! Who Doesn't!?!

As A Matter Of Fact

I Take Two Garlic Capsules Every Day Without Fail!

Did You Take Your Capsules Today!?!

As You Well Know, Pastor Mac

Because I Told You When You Picked Me Up

I Was Running Late

And I Put Them In My Pocket For Later When We Eat!

I Have A Glass Of Water On The Lectern!

Would You Take Your Garlic Capsules 
Right Now ... In Our Presence!?!

No!

Would You Care To Tell Us 
Why You Won't Take The Garlic Capsules!?!

I Won't Take Them Now

Because The Instructions Clearly State:

Take With Food To Avoid Upset Stomach!

Sounds Reasonable!

Do You Always Follow Instructions!?!

By God's Grace, I Valiantly Try To Do So!?!

That's Fantastic, Isn't It, Brethren!?!

AMEN!!!

May I Encourage You To Not Follow 

The Instructions Aka The Rules

Aka The Commandments 
For Taking Your Garlic Capsules!?!

No!

What If I, Your Beloved Pastor

And 
Trusted, Lifelong, Friend

Your Brother By Faith

By Blood

And

By Affection

Were To Tell You That

I Also Take Garlic Capsules!?! 

I'd Say, Smart Man!

What If I Say I Take Garlic Capsules

On An Empty Stomach

And 
With No Ill-Effects!?!

I'd Say Good For You! 

I'd Say Prove It!

This Is Very Good, Brethren!

We Have Two Opinions:

The World And The Church

The Believer And The Doubter

The Right And The Wrong 

The Good And The Bad

Covering The Sinner And The Saint!

Big Mike, As We Discussed Prior

And 
To Open The Eyes Of The People Of God Today

How About We Both Take Our Daily Garlic Capsules

Just To See What Will Happen

To Those Who Dare To Ignore Instructions

Reject Rules

And

Defy Commandments!

Are You Game!?!

Against My Better Judgment

But All For A Good Cause

And Because It Won't Kill Me

I'm In The Game!

Brethren, 

Observe Carefully!

Big Mike, Do I Have Garlic Capsules In My Hand!?!

They Sure Smell Like My Garlic Capsules

That I Have In My Hand!

Very Good!

The Clock On The Wall Says It's 11:45 p.m.

Let's Give This Experiment Fifteen Minutes To Play Out!

Anybody Have Any Crackers ... Just In Case!?!

Lacey Macy Always Has Crackers!

I Sure Do!

Then We're Set!

Bottoms Up, Big Mike!

Likewise, Pastor Mac!

Not Even Five Minutes Later ... 

Lord Jesus, Help Me!

You Alright There, Big Mike!?!

No, Pastor Mac!

My Skin Is Going Clammy

And It Feels Like Someone 

Is Ripping Through My Stomach With A Hacksaw

And My Whole Body Feels ... Feels 
Feels Like It Is Electrified ... On Alert!

Aren't You Feeling Anything!?!

Not At All!

I Don't Understand Why Not! 

You Must Have A Cast-Iron Stomach!

Not Really!

I Had A Sandwich During The Five Minute Break!

But You Said You Take Yours On An Empty Stomach!

I Most Certainly Did Not!

The Congregation Gasped!

But, But ...!

... I Said: What If I Say ...!

Uhhhh, Uhhhhh, Ooooo, Mama! 

... You Alright, Big Brother!

I Feel Like I'm Dying!

Lord, Help Me ... The Pain! 

Sister Lacey, Bring Those Crackers Now, Please!

Here You Go, Big Mike!

Chew, Brother! Chew!

After The Conclusion Of The Experiment ... 

Brethren, 

As You All Observed 

Temptation To Sin Can Even Come

From A Silken Cord Of Affection 
Aka The Hand Of Blood Brethren!

As You Also Observed

Nuanced Speech And Outright Lies

Cause Us To Yield Common Sense

And

To Disobey

And 
To Fall Into Satan's Traps!

You Also Observed That Rules, Instructions 

From Manufacturers, From Parents
Our Teachers, Our Civil Rules

The Commandments From Our God Holy

Are Not Put In Place To Make Us Miserable

To Deny Us Pleasure

To Lord It Over Us!

They Are There For Safety 
Comfort And Protection!

Big Mike, My Beloved Brother, 

Thank You For Participating: 
Sorry For You Pain, Your Trauma!

Is There Anything You'd Like To Say To Us!?!

First, Pastor Mac, Lil' Brother

In The Hour Of My Distress 

I Seriously Wanted To Hurt You Profoundly!

You Lied To Me!

I Apologize For Not Disclosing The Whole Plan!

Brethren, 

I Know The Rules!

I Was Fully Informed Of The Risks And The Rewards!

I Also Knew, In Advance

The Penalty For Disobedience!

I Paid The Price!
Foolishness Is Not Common Sense In Any Language!

Let Me Tell You

Almost Instantly Upon Taking My

Not The ... My Garlic Capsules

I Felt When They Hit My Empty Stomach!

I Felt ... The Change

And I Then Felt 
When They Fully Bloomed In My Stomach!

The Pain, The Upset
The Trauma To My Innards
Was, Is, Unbelievable ... Pastor Mac ...!

... I Understand! 

I'll Take It From Here! 

Brethren, 

Let This Be A Lesson To Us All! 

This Is What Sin Does! 

Temptation Is What Satan Proffers! 

This Is What Disobedience Works In Our Hearts! 

Do Not Play Games With Your Soul! 

Big Mike Is Going To Feel Pretty Poorly For A While!
He Is Going To Know ... Fully
The Cost Of His Disobedience!

Silken Cords Tie Us Up Tighter
Tighter Than A Ship's Anchor Rope
Because
They Are Smoother, Nearer, Softer
And
We Like, Love, Admire, Appreciate
That To Which They Are Attached!

Silken Cords ... Unchecked
Will Cut Us Off From Freedom
From Good Health
And
They Can Kill!

What We Have Witnessed Today Is Minor
In Comparison To What Sin Does To Us!
We Know When We Have Sinned!
We Feel When We Have Sinned!
We Suffer As A Result Of Our Sin
And
The After-Effects Of Our Sin
Are Of Long Duration
Even When We Confess And Repent
Of Our Known Sin!
Repentance Does Not Mean No Punishment!

The Sin Of Presumption
- Which This Was -
Can Lead To Deadly Outcomes
So Do Not Be Presumptuous!

Listen To This Closing Word

And

Know That We Cannot Hide From Our Maker:

It Takes An Enormous Amount Of 
Pride And Presumption ... Both Sins

For Mortal Beings To Believe That 
They Can Hide Anything That They Think
That They Did Or Are Doing 
From The Creator Of Us All! 

Who Makes It Knows It ...

Very Foolish Is The Builder Of The House That 

He Does Not Know How To Breach 
If He Is Locked Out! 

The Custom Watch-Maker Intimately Knows 
The Workings Of His Creations: 

Why Would The Creator God 
Know Less About Us, His Creatures!?! 

Do Not Be Presumptuous

Believing That You Are An Island

A Nation Unto Yourself

Impervious To Self-Destruction! 

Let's Us Be Ever Wise Unto Soul Salvation

And

With Contrite Hearts

Sorrowing Over Our Personal Sin
And
Desiring To Get Right With Our God

Humble Ourselves 

And

In The Time Appointed
The Lord Will Raise Us Up For Our Best Good 
And

For His Great Glory! 
When The Lord Says: 

"Don't Do It!

Thou Shalt Not ...!

Remember ...!

Keep ...!

Believe ...!

Don't Doubt ...!

Have Faith ...!

Trust ...!"

He Means It
Because
To Do Otherwise
Will Surely Cause Us Pain, Sorrow And Regret!

Please Do All To Walk In The Light Of Life

And

Do What's Right In The Eternal God's Sight! 

Let Us Endeavor ... By Willing Obedience

His Loving Heart

Always To Delight! 

AMEN!!! 

HAPPY SABBATH + Contentment!?!

The Sorrows Of This Life

Are Myriad

But
The Joys Reposing In Christ Jesus

Are Infinite! 

How Many Of Us Can Truly Say 
When We Are Short Of Money, Food
The Comforts Of Life
Personal Peace, Quiet, Rest
Pleasant Work
Or Even A Loving Relationship: 

"I Am Contented In Christ!?! 

Do You Remember To Say Likewise 
When All Is Well!?! 

Is Your Contentment From Having Things 

Or From Personally Knowing Jesus Christ Our Lord!?! 

Can You Recognize The Difference!?! 

Let Me Make It Perfectly Plain That
What Jesus Has For You, Is Yours: 
He Always Blesses No Matter How Things Look Or Feel! 

I Encourage Us All

To Stand On His Sure Promises

And 

To Be At Peace! 

Jesus Christ Is Caring For Us

And

Abundant Blessings Await All His Believing Ones! 

Let Me Point Out Here For Us All That
Contentment Is A Godly Attribute 

Which Is An Indicator Of 

Our Faith And Trust In The Living God 

To Be Our Provider!

AMEN!!!

That's A Whole Sermon That You Just Preached!

Truth Must Be Completely Told, Though, Brethren!

Contentment Is Scarce All Around 
Because 

People Don't Know The Real Jesus 

And 

Do Not Understand "This Faith Thing" 

That We Practice 
As They So Disdainfully Call It!

I Ain't Practicing!
I'm Living By Faith!

I'm With You!
This Is The Last Over Of The Game
And Jesus Christ Is Coming
And That Satan Is Bowling Bouncers
With Live Ammunition!

You Got That Right!
This Ain't No Practice Game!
This Is Do Time!

Jesus Christ Gives Unto Us 
- The Word Says Every Man -
The Daily Gift Of Faith
- Believers Use It To Cope With Life -

And

Since Multitudes Have No Faith

Because 
They Don't Know King Jesus

All Around Us Is Disarray

Sorrow, Discontentment
Murder, Mayhem, Spiritual Bankruptcy 
Carnality, Criminality And Conspiracy

And

The Real Problem Children Called 
And 
Known As 
Debilitating Doubt And Damnable Disbelief! 

A Lil' Bit Of Jesus Surely Soothes The Savage Heart! 

A Life Lived In And For Christ Jesus 
Makes The Pains Of Human Existence Easier To Bear! 

Indeed
And
With Your Kind Permission
Here Are Some Words To Live By
Which Will Settle This Matter
Once And For All
For Us All:

I Have Faith 

So I Am Trusting My Lord Jesus 

Who Daily Gives Me His Faith 

So That I Will Daily Trust Him

By Daily Having His Gift Of Faith

Which Daily Causes Me To Daily Trust Him!

It's A Beautiful Circle!

All In All A Good Day's Blessing!

Nice Circle!

Hear, Hear!
I Sincerely Thank Our Father In Heaven That
There Are No Angles In Or To Our Jesus!

Preach It, Brother! 

You Are All So Correct!
When I Look Around
I See The Detritus Of Lives Lived By False Gods
False Teachings From False Teachers
And Broken Promises
Because Of All The Angles Useful ... Supposedly
To Find Happiness Aka Contentment!

It Makes A Big Man Want To Cry!

Let Me Repeat, My Peoples
Contentment 
Is Only Found
In Jesus Christ The Lord!
Any Other Way ... Or Mode To Contentment
Is
Compliments Of Satan The Adversary
That Lying, Murdering, False God!

People!
Hope In The Lord!

Bless Yourself

Aka Make Yourself Truly Happy

By Pleasing Almighty God!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING + The Shopping List ... Prayer

The Bottom Line ...

Nobody Should Have To Instruct 
Or Even Order Us To Say A Grateful 
"Thank You, Father, Bless You!" 

To The Eternal God 

Who Daily ... Moment By Moment

Showers Us With His Abundantly Good

And 

Grace-Filled Blessings! 

Since We All Know That We Can Do Better
Let Us From This Moment On

Energetically Practice Having 
The Grateful-For-Grace Heart

And 

Eagerly Endeavor To Give Our God Holy
His Rightful Due: 

Be Obedient 

And

Give Him Soul-Comforting Thanks

And
Grateful Praise

All Day, Every Day!

Brethren, Beloved

I Am Thankful For You! 

Blessings Be Upon All You Today

And 

Forever! 
Peace Be Upon You!

PRAYER:

Father,

I Bless You

And

I Thank You

In Jesus Christ's Holy Name!

Dear Lord,

I Come Humbly And With Hope Of Success

Because I Believe That You Are Able

And

Because You Say To Come Boldly:

I Come With Godly Fear!

I Have A Shopping List Of Things, Father

That I Desire From You

And

Chief Atop My List, Oh, Lord

Is For You To Help Me

To Remain To And For You

Humble, Obedient, Working,

Watching, Waiting

Enduring, Persevering

Faithful, Holy And True!

Next, I Desire To Be Blessed To Be A Blessing 

To Bless My Brethren

In The Name Of My Lord

To Tell Them The Good News

And

Plead For Your Holy Spirit

To Convict And Convince Them

So That Your Call To Salvation

They Will Not Refuse

Because

They Recognize That

With Jesus Christ As Captain, Lord, And God 

They Have Absolutely Nothing Valuable

On This Dying Earth To Lose!

I Pray For Courage For The Watchmen

Stationed On Zion's Walls

And

I Beseech You, Dear Father

To Help Them To Remain Faithful

And

To Not Sell Out Jesus Christ

For Filthy Lucre's Sake

To That Wily, Wicked, Lying, Murdering Satan

The Known And Damned God-Fraud!

Next, Lord

I Pray For The Little Children

Whose Angels Always Behold Your Glorious Face

And

I Ask You To Protect Them From The Predators

Who Are Convincing Them That

How You Have Caused Them To Be Born 

Is Something Nothing Short Of A Disgrace 

That Must Needs Be Changed

Before They Can In This World 

Take Their Rightful Place!

Father, 

I Am Pleading For Your Help

Against The Rampaging Spirit Of Discontent

That Is Pervading The World And The Church

The Young And The Old

Those With Copper And Those With Gold

And

All Who Have Power

And

Have World Domination As Their One Goal!

How I Pray That They Will All See

That They Have Need

For Our Savior

Jesus Christ The King

And

Soon Returning Lord!

I Pray For The Mommies

The Hands That Rock The Cradles

The Mommies Who Must Be Daddies

Trying Hard To Keep The Family Stable

And

I Beg You In Their Behalf

For Strength Of Character

For The Wisdom Of The Wise

And

The Courage To Teach The Children About Christ Jesus

And

For Their Personal Salvation

Him Crucified!

Remember The Mothers

Who Have No Blood-Children

But

Are Sincerely Mothering

All In Need And Withing Their Spere Of Influence!

I Pray, Lord, For The Daddies

And

All Those Performing The Role

With No Biological Bond 

Who Have Drawn The Children Into Their Hearts

And

Are Trying Valiantly

To Keep Them Out Of The Clutches Of The Devil

Who Would Devour Them, Just Because!

Father, 

Some Daddies Have To Be Daddy And Mommy

And

They Are Trying Their Best To Live And Do Right

And

I Plead, In The Name Of Jesus, Father

That They Will Accept The Call Of Your Sweet Spirit

And

Spread Heavenly Light

At Home And Abroad

To Short-Circuit Satan And His Motivated Minions

From Turning These, Our Children

Your Purchased Possession

From Becoming Rebellious 

And, Thus

Agents For Satan

Beelzebub

The God Of Dung Flies!

Please Disappoint The Deceiver:

You Promised!

I Pray For Your Faithful Servants

Many Of Whom Are Coming To Journey's End!

Please Help Them, Father Faithful

To Be Faithful To Life's End!

Grant Them, Lord

Another Opportunity To Tell The Good News

About The Savior That They Personally Know

Giving Their Heart's Testimony

That Christ's Christianity

Is Not About Show

But Is Of Love, Sacrifice, Blessing, Giving

Sharing, Caring

Modeling The Life Of Christ

In All That They Do And Say

No Matter The Payment From The World 

That They Earn That Day!

Please Grant Unto Them

Through The Eye Of Faith

The Vision Of The Lord In All Of His Glory!

Father, 

I Pray For Us All Who Will To Be Saved

That We Will Make A Covenant With You

By Sacrifice

And

By Blood Should That Be Our Domain!

Please Help Us To Stand For Jesus

To Live By The "Thus Saith The Lord!"

To Go On Your Errands Willingly

To Deny The Liar

And

With Alacrity

From All Wrong-Doing To Flee!

Please Help Us, Dear Father

To Obey The Laws Of The Land

As Long As They Do Not Conflict With Your Holy Laws

Which Are The Laws Of Life

For Life

And

Help Us To Live In Peace With All Men

Whenever And Wherever There Is That Possibility!

I Give You Thanks With A Grateful Heart!

I Give You Praise Because You Deserve It!

I Worship You Because You, Alone, Are Holy

And

I Pray All In Jesus Christ's Matchless Name

For This Is The Only Way To You

And

You Command It!

I Love You, Father!

May The Holy Spirit

In Latter-Day Rain Power

Fall Upon Us

So That We May Finish The Work 

Of Warning The World 

Of The Judgment Soon To Come!

Father,

We Need You!

Please Help Us To See That This Is Our Greatest Need

And

Diligently Act To Fix It Under Your Hand!

Grant Unto Us The Will

To Attain The Promised, Provided, Victory Over Sin

And

Please Come For Us Soon!

AMEN!

Constant Praying Is A Necessity + PRAYER: Father, Make Me To Be Like You!

Every Man, Woman, Child Has An Adversary

The Bold Enemy

Who Wants To Pounce On Us

When We Don't Say Grace Before And After Meals

When We Go To Bed

When We Arise From Sleep

When We Receive A Blessing 

When We Desire A Blessing 

When We Are In Fear

When We Have Overwhelming Care

When We Desire Leading

When We Are Saved From A Distress 

When We Have Sin To Confess

When We Need To Bless God For His Dear Grace

When We Receive The Daily Gift Of Faith ...!

... Yes, Yes, Yes, I Hear All That!

What's Your Point!?!

The Point Is That Satan Is Ready, Willing
And
Well Able To Destroy Anyone One Of Us

Who Thinks ... Believes ... That

He Can Walk This World Alone

Without Certain Comfort ... Aid 

From Him Who Lovingly Made Us!

Oh. 

Is That All You're Going To Say!?!

Yes. 

come On Now!
What's Wrong With You!?!

Everything. 

Why Do You Say That!

Dunno. 

Huh!?!

Sorry! I Don't Know!

I Feel Off-Center!

Have You Been Doing Your

Forgetting That Without Christ Jesus

There's No You For You To Do!?!

Yes. 

Having You Been Praying!?!

For Yourself!?!

Sometimes.

Have You Lost Your Mind!?!

Probably. 

Well You'd Better Hurry Up

And 
Find It Real Fast!

Why?

No Christian Can Or Will 
Survive The Mortal Strife

The Warfare For Eternal Life

If 
They Do Not Have A Private, Personal, Prayer Life! 

Your Prayer Life Must Also Include You

And

Must Not Just Be For Others!

Without Constant, Personal, Prayer-Communication

With The Lord Christ 

We Are Nothing But Cannon Fodder

For Satan's Big Guns To Destroy!

I Don't Feel Good Always Begging God For Things!

Really!?!

If You Don't Go To The Father

In Jesus Christ's Holy Name

Who Do You Believe 

Is Going To Provide For You

Protect You

Direct You 

Correct You On The Pilgrim's Way!? 

No One!

How Often Do You Say

"Thank You, Father!" 

For The Daily Gifts Of Love That 
You Unfailingly Receive!?! 

Honest Answer Or Diplomatic!?! 

Diplomacy 
Is 
Not A Tactic Recognized In The Realm Of Prayer! 

Then The Truth Is Not Often Enough! 

We Could All Say "Thank You, Father!" 
More Often! 

You Know, 

We Don't Know How To Pray As We Ought!
The Bible Says That
And 

It Also Says That The Holy Spirit 
Interprets Our Prayers

With Groanings Which Cannot Be Uttered! 

Jesus Christ Presents Our Prayers To The Father

Perfumed By His Merit 

As Though The Prayer Is His Own! 

We Are Blessed!

Indeed!

Did Not Jesus Ask Us 

To Cast Our Every Care On Him

To Be Instant And Constant In Prayer

To Pray Without Ceasing

To Boldly Approach The Throne Of Grace

To Pray In His Name To The Father 

In Faith ... Nothing Wavering

To Believe He Is Able To Give Us What We Desire

To Have Faith

To Trust Him At His Word 

To Enduringly Obey!?! 

A Thousand Times, "Yes!"

Even Though Jesus Christ 
Is 
The Only Begotten Son Of The Eternal God
In His Human Incarnation

He Deeply Felt The Need To Pray 
To Constantly Communicate With His Father! 

Need!?! 

Need As In I Can't Stand By Myself And Prosper! 

Need As In I Feel Strong When You Are Near! 

Need As In You Are My Salvation! 

Wow! I Didn't Consider That! 

Most People Don't Either! 

Jesus Prayed For Strength

For The Bitter Cup
Separation From The Father
To Be Removed 

And

He Also Prayed For The Father's Will 
To Be Done By His Willing Obedience 

Even Unto Death

The Cruel Death On Calvary's Rugged Cross! 

He Also Prayed For Us, You And Me! 

Lacey, We Show Faith In

And

Reliance Upon The Lord

When We Step Out In Our Gift Of Daily Faith

Accepting The Blood Stained, Personal, Invitation

To Make Our Supplications ... With Thanksgiving

Known 

Unto God Almighty! 

Trust The Promises Given
And
Know That We Cannot Wear Out The Lord! 

We Can't Stop The Living God From Giving

- Blessing, Healing, Sealing
Leading, Feeding, Revealing -

His Good And Perfect Gifts! 

You Are Not Bigger Than Your Creator

So, Humble Yourself ... And Pray 

Plead, Beseech, Supplicate ... Beg! 

The Eternal God Doesn't Sleep

Doesn't Play Favorites 

And

His Storehouses Can Never Run Out Of Stock!
You Are Always First In Line! 

Bend ... Humble Yourself

And

He Will Lift You Up Mightily! 
Willingly Express Your Need For His Favor!

Thank ... Thank You For Your Kindness! 

I've Been Exceedingly Foolish! 

The Lord Loves Me More Than I Love Myself

And He Promises Never To Leave Me

Nor Forsake Me
And I Do Know That
Everything About Me Concerns Him! 

Indeed! 

PRAYER:

Father, 

I Am Sorry! 

Forgive Me, I Pray! 

I Have Been Very Foolish

Giving Satan Room In My Life

Unopposed To Play! 

I Have No Excuse, Lord! 

I Cannot Say I Was Not Thinking! 

I Have Been Skimping On Praying

And My Security Blanket

Has Been Slowly Tearing!

I Have Been Depriving Myself

Of 

Your Comfort

Your Leading

Your Blessing In My Life

And

In Repentance

I Come Confessing My Sin

So Please Forgive Me

And

Fix Me

And

Guide Me Safely Unto Your Eternal Life! 

I Need You, Dear Lord! 

Please Help Me So That The Longing For You

In My Heart Never Diminishes

But Exponentially Increases! 

Make Me To Be Like You! 

My Heart Is Pleading! 

I Love You! 

AMEN.