​​Welcome  to    Joy By Surprise

We live in a World of the Lost: a world in which millions - yea billions - of people haven't the faintest idea why they were born and where they will go when they die. The human race has lost its way. Moral standards, held sacred a few decades ago, are being jettisoned with frightening abandon. Millions are 'living for the moment' with little or no regard to the consequences. Greed, violence, sexual license and a 'sow to the wind' mentality is sweeping mankind. As a result we are 'reaping the whirlwind' in misery, poverty, homelessness, war, famine, disease and death. The private lives of millions lie in ruins. Families are falling apart and faith in YaHuWaH is rare. Yes, there is no doubt but that we live in a lost world.

Is there any hope for mankind: any message from YaHuWaH 's Word to which we can turn for comfort? Are there any answers to earth's myriad problems? I am happy to report this morning that there are answers: and they come from the lips of the greatest man who ever walked this earth: YAHUSHUA the Messiah the Savior of the World. His message of hope is found in the Holy Bible. This morning I will read part of that message from Luke chapter 15. I'll read the whole chapter and then concentrate on a few key points, which - if acted upon - will most certainly bring hope to the hopeless and life to the dead. In that chapter we read the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. All three parables tell of YaHuWaH 's infinite love for lost sinners: and that there is great joy in heaven when even one sinner repents and accepts salvation. You may even recognize yourself in one of the stories. Indeed, they were recorded for people like you and me. I read:

Freedom and human rights are big issues these days. Seldom a week passes but the news carries a story about someone's violated human rights. Travel to any country, talk to any group of people and sooner or later it will become evident that there is growing hunger for self rule, for freedom, for human rights. This is world-wide phenomena. From the darkest jungles of India to the sophisticated provinces of Europe and the USA, people are demanding freedom and human rights. They are tired of being ordered about: tired of bureaucracy: tired of being told what is good or bad for them. The youth of today are in the forefront of this fight for freedom. The young man in our story is just such a lad. He was tired of being told what to do and how to do it. He objected to his father's authority, his father's commandments. He wanted to be free, to live life his way. His father was a wealthy man. The boy also wanted his share of the family wealth and he wanted it now: not in the distant future when his father was dead - but now! He also wanted to get as far away from home as possible, to live his life as he pleased. So he said:

No one knows the potential for evil that exists in the human heart, your heart, my heart. Even the best people deceive themselves - regularly. Concerning human nature the Bible say this.

Very often when freedom is gained and distance separates, the true character of a person manifests itself. They will do things that would horrify close family and friend. It was like that with this young man.

It is not difficult to imagine the high-flying, decadent life-style this young man adopted when he got away from his father's influence. He had plenty of money to spend and money always attracts dubious friends. In that 'far away country' he plunged into the whirlpool of decadence. He "devoured his living with harlots." The Bible doesn't go into more detail; but we can imagine what happened.

That story is being repeated in millions of lives - today. Sin is fashionable. Sin is exciting. Sin is fun, especially if there is plenty of money on hand to spend. Freedom from restraint coupled with wealth is a deadly cocktail that usually results in trouble. Nevertheless, sin is very popular in the affluent areas of the world. That is the main reason why we have so many social problems: because sin reigns in the lives of millions. Every one knows what wealth is; but what about sin? Do you know what sin is? The Bible says:

And there you have it. Sin is disobedience. Sin is breaking the Almighty's Torah. Sin is doing what our heavenly Father has commanded us not to do.

The world does not know, and probably doesn't even care to know, what sin is. The very word 'sin' is taboo these days - even in religious circles - because people love to sin. Besides, every society has its own ideas about right and wrong. What is considered correct in one country is abhorred in another. Actions looked upon as 'evil' by one generation are practiced with impunity by the next. The world is totally divided on moral issues and therefore incapable of legislating against sin, even if there was a will to do so.

The fact is YaHuWaH the Creator is the only one who has the authority to legislate on moral behavior, on righteousness and sin - because He made us. The prodigal son broke virtually every rule his father (YaHuWaH in the parable) had taught him. He plunged into sin and, as the story goes: ... wasted his substance with riotous living.

The results of sin are catastrophic: for YaHuWaH is never mocked. Those who violate His laws pay a heavy price. Regardless of what psychologists may say, regardless of what popular opinion may suggest, sin always produces a harvest of pain, sickness, sorrow and death! The Bible says:

In our story this young man's pleasure binge soon came to an end. It didn't take long for him to spend all his money. It was then that his decadent 'friends' all vanished. He was now alone in a foreign land without friends and without funds.

The Bible says:

How true this is of so many people. They venture forth on, what they think, is the 'road to freedom,' the 'highway of happiness.' But all to often things go wrong and they begin to be in want. They experience a 'famine of the soul,' an emptiness within that the world cannot fill. They thrash around desperately looking, searching, seeking fulfillment in this and that pleasure, but to no avail. Failure greets them at every turn. It is a common sight in this sin-sick world. Yes "he began to be in want."

Sad to say it is when we most need help that none is available. We are desperate for food, for somewhere to live, for a job or for friendship: we are prepared to do almost anything to survive: and no one comes to our rescue. Is not this the situation many find themselves in? The Bible continues:

This story, my dear friends is not old. It is happening in our day. It is the on-line story of mankind. It's taking place in your home town this very day. It may well be that it is the story of your life! Lost souls are enslaved by Satan in every country of the world: and they are living on 'swine's food.' The Bible tells us that: 'Man was created in the image of Elohim.' This means that we were molded by the Creator to be 'like Him!' Can you begin to appreciate the awesome potential for good that divine specification is spelling out? Yes, you and I were created to be 'like Elohim!' And so was that young man. But he joined himself to Satan who sent him out to 'feed his pigs.' Satan has done just that to the whole human race. He and the evil angels who sided with him are symbolically referred to in the Scriptures as unclean beasts - a herd of swine! This young man was employed to feed swine: a job which reflects the current activities of the human race. Yes, the vast majority of mankind is currently feeding swine and eating swine's food: all have sinned and have engaged in activities which delight and nourish Satan and his evil angels. In varying degrees the whole human race is guilty of sin. We have all sinned.

I am happy to report that this young man had second thoughts. He took a close look at himself and analyzed his terrible condition. He thought about his father and mother and the servants who had gladly served him. He then looked at himself in the pigsty. Oh what a mess he was in! What a terrible mistake he had made! Guilt overwhelmed him. He thought about those fickle friends who had helped him squander his money. He thought about the parties, the pleasure, the prostitutes. What a waste of time and money they had all been. Now he knew how shallow the life of sin is. More than this, he decided to do something about his condition. The Bible says: he came to himself!

Note his words:

• I will arise and go to my father ...
• I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
• I am no more worthy to be called thy son ...

He recognized that he had sinned against his father and against YaHuWaH. That is the first step towards reconciliation. In Bible terminology it is called repentance. The Savior's aim was to call sinners to repentance. The degree of sin matters little: it is the repentance, the sorrow at committing that sin that is vital. The Savior said:

This young man repented of his sins and set off home to his father. He was even willing to be a servant. Anything to get away from that stinking pig's sty.

What awaited him when he met his father is impossible to describe. This young man knew precious little about his father's true character. He had completely misjudged the reception he would receive.

• He had expected stern, parental rebuke. Instead he was greeted with overflowing compassion.
• He had expected a servant's garb. Instead he was given the best robe in the house.
• He had expected a mocking reception: a 'I warned you this would happen' taunt. Instead he received a joyous banquet.

It is the same with our heavenly Father? Many people incorrectly believe that YaHuWaH is a stern, merciless spoil-sport, who delights in dealing out punishment. The very opposite is true. He delights in mercy, grace and peace. Our heavenly Father is the most loving, kind and merciful Being in the entire universe. That is a fact very few sinners know. This wayward lad was soon to learn many things about his father.

How great is YaHuWaH 's love for the human race, for you, for me? Not one of us really knows: but I can tell you this: that YaHuWaH loves you with immeasurable love: love so great that He sacrificed His only begotten Son YAHUSHUA to rescue us from eternal death.

Sad to say the human race is totally unlike our merciful Father in heaven. Even so-called 'saved members of the church' are incapable of recognizing the immeasurable worth of the human soul. They do not rejoice when, from the pigsty of sin, some wayward person returns to YaHuWaH. They look down their noses at repentant sinners: all the while forgetting that their 'holier than thou' attitude is repulsive to YaHuWaH and far worse than the sins of the souls they disdain. The church, every church, has its Pharisees! In our story the elder brother was the Pharisee. He somehow couldn't rejoice at his brother's conversion. He was furious at his father's gracious treatment of him. Like a spoiled child he stayed away from the party and sulked.

Can you recognize the Pharisaic attitude in him, in yourself? To be sure you can. How often have I caught myself behaving like this older brother. "I am better than this or that person. I keep the commandments: or think I do. I fast. I pay tithes. I study the Bible. I go to church. I pray twice a day. I'm a good boy." May YaHuWaH deliver us from that mentality - the nauseating mentality of the Pharisee.

Notice how the Pharisee prayed - with himself. You can be certain that his prayer was a futile waste of time: it accomplished nothing. YaHuWaH wouldn't even listen to him and he went home - as he had come - unjustified. But the repentant sinner, the publican, he went home justified. Remember that parable.

What is salvation? Salvation is being rescued from sin and its terrifying consequences - eternal death! Salvation is accepting mercy and life from YaHuWaH. Salvation is being found by YaHuWaH. Salvation is being saved for all time from annihilation. Salvation is being born into the Kingdom of Heaven. Salvation is your heritage, your YaHuWaH - given destiny. Salvation is free! When a person accepts salvation there is great joy in heaven; for yet another soul is saved from hell.

Multiplied billions of Christian tracts have been written about salvation. Perhaps you have read some of them. But have you personally accepted salvation? Have you said: I will arise and go to my Father and say unto him, Father I have sinned against you and against heaven!

Have I Accepted Salvation?

This is the most important question you will ever have to answer. There simply isn't another issue as important as the salvation of your own soul. I ask again: Have you accepted salvation? Neglecting salvation is the greatest mistake a person can make. YAHUSHUA the Messiah died for your sins. Accept His offer of salvation before it is too late.

"Dear heavenly Father I now accept Your offer of salvation through your YAHUSHUA. I am very sorry for the many sins I have committed: for ***(list your sins here)****. Please forgive me these sins and grant me Your Holy Spirit to stay away from sin in the future. Enter my name in the Book of Life because I want to live for ever. When I study Your word help me to understand Your will: and give me the power to obey Your commandments. Keep me faithful to You all my life and never let me go. Amen"

This is a sample prayer. You may change the wording if you wish; but the theme should be the same. Tell YaHuWaH that you accept His free offer of salvation through His Son YAHUSHUA the Messiah. Confess and forsake your sins. Then begin a study of His Word (the Bible) in order to learn His will. Ask for His Holy Spirit to enable you to do His will, to keep His commandments. Study and pray on a daily basis. Attend a congregation if possible and get to know other believers. Never give up your faith no matter what happens: and remember that from henceforth you are a son or daughter of YaHuWaH the Almighty Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.

The simplicity of this procedure may amaze you: but it is true and it works. So do not delay. Accept salvation today. Remember, you were born to live forever! Accepting salvation will ensure that you do. My prayer is that the Spirit of YaHuWaH and His only begotten Son YAHUSHUA, will be with you for all time, for His Name's sake.