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Bibleline Bibleline, here God’s word on Bibleline, here God’s truth on Bibleline. Welcome to Bibleline with Dr. Ralph Yankee Arnold, pastor of Calvary Community Church in Tampa, Florida, clearly declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ through the radio and the internet. Your regular prayers and monthly support make it possible for Bibleline to continue on the You can reach us toll free at 1-800-576-3771. Online donations may be made by clicking on the donations link on the BibleLineMinistries.org homepage. We pray that you will enjoy our commitment to the clear gospel of Jesus Christ and that today’s first part of this two-part message will be a blessing to you and your family.

I want to talk to you about viruses. Don’t tell a sound like an interesting subject. You probably haven’t heard anything about that at all lately, but I do want to talk about it just a tad because there are some colleges that are closing and there’s some schools that are closing. And then there’s a lot of sports things that have stopped and things around the world where They may not be having some of these meetings that people were gonna have, and people are not traveling like they were traveling, and it’s just a little fear because of a thing called coronavirus.

And there’s also churches where people are not coming to church and some services have been canceled. So that’s how serious it is, And so I thought I would say a word about this situation. They say it’s a little bit more devastating for those who are a little older and maybe have an immune problem. Maybe, you know, respiratory problems and they’re more susceptible than people that are younger. Now that’s what I’ve heard. I was told to make sure that you wash your hands every time you turn around.

and make sure you don’t touch your face. You say, how did you know that? Judge Judy said that. Well, I heard other things say it. So, evidently there is great concern concerning this. So, I want you to take your Bible and turn to the book of Isaiah chapter 35. Isaiah chapter 35. And I want you just kind of follow along with me because remember God is the Lord of heaven and earth. He actually has more power than any viruses that there may be.

God knows the future. He knows how everything is going to end up. But there is one that I want to talk to you about. The worst virus of all. The worst virus that anybody can ever get is the sin virus. You have no idea how it’s passed on probably and how everybody is getting the symptoms of this terrible, terrible virus. And the only problem with this virus is that everyone is 100% deadly. that gets that virus dies. Did I just tell you the truth?

So if you didn’t have that virus, you might be in good shape. But because you have this virus, you can catch all kinds of viruses. So in the book of Isaiah, God tells us something because, you know, everybody has that little element of fear. So when Isaiah chapter 35, I want you to look in verse 1. This is looking into the future a little bit so you can see what God has to say about how things are going to end.

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. I remember when my father-in-law who led me to the Lord talked about the land of Israel and how that God was going to touch that land and it would be like a rose. And I’ve been to Israel about eight times, and it really is a difference in the land of Israel than any other land that’s around it. It has really blossomed as a rose.

But now look what else he says here in verse three. Now you’ll read these scriptures also in the book of Hebrews chapter 12 where it talks about God’s children who are down and down. discouraged who are faint and weary. And it says, strengthen yourself and your we will knees because people are living in fear because they’re afraid. That verse in the book of Hebrews chapter 12 comes from right here in this chapter. So you see the book of Hebrews and the book of Isaiah Jewish books in which God kind of binds them together and we have in the New Testament a book that ties many of the Old Testament scriptures together.

But look what he says here in verse 3, strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees and the main reasons because of fear. Isn’t there a fear as we begin to get older afraid of catching some virus or some flu because we know that our time is already short and we don’t want it cut any shorter. Did I just tell you the truth? And a lot of people are afraid they’re going to get something or catch something because we might die earlier.

And it’s true and it’s a good possibility. So we don’t know. But God still does not want us to live our lives in fear because the Bible says God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and of a sound mind. Remember, the fear is a result of a lack of a sound mind. So there can be a concern for things and we can try to take safety precautions. But I was told that there’s been about 6,000 people died in the last two months just from catching the regular flu.

And now we have a few people that have died in America and people are scared to death. Well, it may get worse, but it may not. But how does God want His children to think? So He looked there now in verse 4, and you ought to underline this verse in your Bible, because the Israel faced many challenges. There were many times when they had problems, And there was enemies, and God says, fear not, I am with thee, I will protect you and so on.

So he says in verse 4, say to them that are of a, and you are on the line these two words, fearful heart. Be strong, fear not. Why do you think the word of God tells us over and over and over again not to be afraid? Because we’re afraid. We live in fear. afraid that we won’t have enough money to pay our bills, afraid our health is going to fail and we’re going to die early, afraid we’re going to leave all our money to the kids and they’re going to waste it.

That’s no concern of yours. You said I don’t have any money to lead to my kids. You ever seen those little statements they have on the back of some motor home as they’re driving down the highway? Been of a sound mind, we’re spending our kids inheritance. I think that’s pretty good myself. Look at the next part of the verse. Be strong, fear not, behold your God. Will come with vengeance, even God, will they recompense, He will come and save you.

Now in the next couple verses, it tells you some things that are going to be bad, that are bad, and that things are going to change. You see, there is a day coming when we we won’t have to worry about climate change. Somebody ask me, you believe in climate change? I’ve heard of the four seasons ever since I’ve been born. You know, I’ve always heard that if there’s summer, then it’s gonna be fall, and then fall, then it’s gonna be winter, and then winter that’s gonna be spring.

That’s been going on for however long. But now notice what it says in verse five. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened. You know there are some people that live their lives and are blind. We have somebody here, his name is Tom, Stokes. Raise your hand, Tom. He’s blind as a bat. He even wears sunglasses because the lights are bright. No. That’s so we can’t recognize him. Well, look what he says. The eyes of the blind shall be open.

Now that is a time coming when there’s people today that are blind and can’t see, but they’re going to be able to. Then look what he says, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Do you know there’s people that are deaf today? They can’t hear a thing. We used to have a lady that used to come and sit right down here on the front row. And she was deaf, she couldn’t hear. But she would sit there and read my lips.

Because she said, I spoke clearly and plainly. But she couldn’t hear me, but she could read my lips very well. Look in verse 6, then shall the lame men leap as a heart and the tongue of the dumb sing. There’s people who can’t walk. And there’s people that can’t sing. They can’t speak. But you know there’s a time coming when all that’s going to be taken. You know, all these things are symptoms of a problem. They’re the symptoms of a virus.

It’s called a sinful nature. And it’s in our physical bodies and we have a problem. But God says that the day is coming, when they’re going to be streams in the desert. And it’ll blossom as a rose. And people are going to be happy. People are going to get that brand new body. And those that are blind are going to be able to see. And those that are definitely going to be able to hear. And those that we’re going to be able to speak.

I think it’s something to look forward to. Look in the book of John chapter 14, the Gospel of John in chapter 14. John chapter 14, they looked there in verse one. John chapter 14 and verse one. It says in verse one, says, let not your heart be troubled. Why did he have to tell them that? Because their heart was troubled. Who’s he talking to? walking with him, to his disciples. And did you know that it didn’t matter where you are, everybody is facing some kind of problems or giants, some challenges in their life that they may not know how to solve?

And so, he says, fear not. Be not afraid. Melieu, Jesus, say. Like God. And my father has50 Hawaiians in me. plopl, he said, Flame!!! just jump from the present into the way out there when I get there. But I’m not there yet, but it’s going to happen. There’s going to be another mansion, and you’re going to live in a mansion, and the Bible says, for all eternity. That wherever I am, there you may be also. So we’re supposed to have hope in what God’s Word says, and not live these few little years that we have done here, worried to death, and scared to death.

What would you like to have been in the time when Jesus was here? And if you believed on Jesus, you know, you could have been taken and hauled into court, into prison, lions, den, killed, all kinds of things that could have happened to you. There’s been wars. You may not be facing a war. Nobody’s attacking our land right here. But there’s always an element of fear that we have to live with in this life. And so courage is not the absence of fear.

Courage is fear that says it’s prayers and goes ahead because you put your confidence in what God says. There you had Moses. He passed away. Along comes Joshua. And the Lord had to give him a word of encouragement. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you. be courageous, be strong, meditating my word day and night that thou may have subsurd to do and prosper wherever you do, wherever you go, because you’re gonna do what I want you to do.

So see God knows that we have this problem that we live with. Now in chapter 14 look there also in verse 27, verse 27. Now Jesus knew He was going to be leaving them. And here’s the disciples and they say, wait a minute, you started this thing and got us involved and now you’re gonna what? It says, I’m going away. So he says in verse 27, peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Now, is Jesus worried about anything?

Do you know of anything he’s worried about today? Does Jesus have a problem he can’t handle? All right, the peace that he has. He wants to give that to you. He doesn’t want you to be worried any more than he is. He doesn’t want you to fall apart any more than he does. Did Jesus know why he was born? Did he know about the end results of his ministry? Did he know how he was going to die? And he cried, get me out of here.

I don’t want to do this. I’m not going to do that. No way. No. He… Father, whatever your will is, whatever your will, and be able to accept and have a peace of mind. Does God know about the corona virus that’s going on right now? And so God wants us to be fearful and live in fear? Or does He want us to put our trust in Him and to have peace of mind? See, it doesn’t matter whether it’s coming, it’s going to take over, we can still trust the Lord.

And whether you run out of money, you can still trust the Lord. If He can give you an eternal life, He can probably give you a hamburger from day to day. He said, well, what if I starve? Well then He met all your needs. If you died today, didn’t He just meet all of your needs? You don’t have another care in the world, right? So what’s the problem? We’re supposed to live believing that when all of this is over, we win.

So let’s live like that. We don’t have to be worried and huddle some place in fear. I don’t think that honors the Lord. But look what he says in the last part of this verse. He says, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be what? Trouble, neither let it be what? Afraid. I’m just telling you, there’s things God says, but God knows there’s things in the world that can cause people to be afraid, but he says, trust him, and don’t be afraid.

You’ll find out throughout scripture God keeps saying those words, be not afraid, be not afraid, be not afraid. And the reason is because people are afraid. Now turning your Bible to Psalms 27, the book of Psalms 27, look there in verse 1, in verse 1. And this is what it says. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Not only should we ask the question, whom shall I fear, but what shall I fear? What shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear? Because if the Lord is my shepherd and he leadeth me and he can protect me. There’s natural things that we should do. Yes, it’s kind of like the person that jumped off the Empire State Building. Lord, I’m just gonna trust you to take care of me. And halfway down, so far so good. Now you know they got a appointment with the concrete in just a few seconds. You can jump out in front of a Mack truck.

And Lord, if you don’t want me to die, I know I’m not gonna get hit. Smack, temp not the Lord thy God. So there’s to be a balance in scripture, balance in your Christian life. Some people are just plain stupid, dumb. Like putting your hand into the fire. Well, if it’s God’s will for me not to get burned, it won’t hurt. Duh. And then you blame it on God because you made bad decisions. You’re just turning the word of God and make the right decisions.

But notice what he says, whom shall I fit the Lord is the strength of my life? There’s a song we often sing called the joy of the Lord is my strength. And whenever you don’t have peace of mind, you don’t have joy. And when you don’t have joy, you don’t have strength to keep going on because then fear stops you. Fear is a success crusher. Fear causes people not to do the things that they should. And the last part of that verse says, and whom shall I be afraid?

Now take your Bible and go all the way back to the book of Genesis. Back to the book of Genesis. Genesis in chapter two. Because I wanna use some of the things that we’ve talked about. And relate it to the worst virus in the world. world, and that it is 100% fatal. And there is an antidote for this. Fatal virus. There’s only one antidote. You see, they’re struggling right now to try to come up with an antidote to some of these viruses that we have.

Well, God already has one. Do you know what that antidote is? To the sin problem? It’s called Jesus Christ. And he is the only antidote because see this virus may kill but the antidote gives me life. Eternal life. I’m going to say that I’m going to be in my eternal life. Once I trust Christ as my Savior, I received an antidote. And this old body, whenever it’s gone, that’s fine and dandy because God says that very moment of death is the victory of deportation.

Now look what he says. says here in chapter two. Look in verse seven. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostles the breath of life and man became a living, so God created you. Now look in verse 15. And the Lord God took the man, put him in the garden of eating to dress it and to keep it. And then in verse 17 or 16. And the Lord God commanded the man sent of every tree of the garden thou mayest free to eat, of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat, or you’re going to get a deadly virus.”

That was in the Hebrew. But it’s right there. In the day that thou eateth, thou shalt surely die. And he made that statement, and then God also did something else. Look at verse 21. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. He slept, and he took one of his ribs, closed up the flesh instead thereof, and the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman and brought her unto the man.

God made a woman out of a man’s rib. I came home from work one day in Betty’s, I thought she was trying to tickle me. I said, what are you doing? Because I’m very ticklish. She says, I’m counting your ribs. I said, why? See if there’s another woman in your life. Y’all’s laughter really made me thankful. Because sometimes, you know, I put out those little jewels and it just goes right over your head. She didn’t even get it. But then God made a woman.

You say, well, why did God make a woman? Well, it depends on who you ask. He asked a woman, she said, well, God made a man. And then after looking at him, it says, I can do better than that. But you see, if you asked a man, he says, do you realize that he would have been perfect? He’d still be alive today? But the woman was the only one that’s selling the truth. She’s always up in the air, nothing to wear and harp on something.

Anyway, here in the book of Genesis in chapter 3, it makes this statement, looking for six, and when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree desired to be made one wise, she took the fruit that Rob did eat and gave also unto her husband with her and he did eat. Number one, don’t always listen to your wife. No, I’m just joking. You’ve got to be careful nowadays, but I’m just reading the scriptures here.

Do you realize if she hadn’t had done that, we’d still be back in the garden of eating, eating strawberries? Just laying there and she’d feed them to us, you know? Now look at us. We’re all dying. Because see, a virus was brought into the world. That sinful nature, that rebellion to God. And see, that’s why whenever you read that and you study that, you’ll find out there’s something that happens. Look in verse seven. And verse seven, and the eyes of them both were open and they knew that they were naked.

And that means that they now know they are guilty. You see, some of the signs that you have this, this terrible virus is there’s a thing called guilt when you do something that’s wrong. And when you do something that’s wrong, you didn’t want to hide. And that’s why people want to hide from God because God is righteous and they’re not. So he came walking in the garden and it says in verse 8, and they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.

So that means you run from God because of guilt. You see, there are some of these signs that you have this deadly virus. You know, there are some people that don’t believe they’re centers because they say, I don’t have any signs that I’m a sinner. I haven’t done anything wrong. What they mean is I haven’t murdered anybody lately, you know, and I haven’t done anything really bad like Robin A Bank. But did you know that when Jesus was here and he did everything perfectly well.

And that a statement that I got from Jesse, the other now, he’s a and Jesus. He never had one impure thought. Now, I’ve known that, but I never thought about it and said it like that. So I appreciate that. See, I can learn some things from him, not much, but I can learn a few things. And so there is the guilt. And in verse nine, it says, and Jesus came along and says, where are thou? And that’s accountability. In other words, are you going to be held accountable to your Creator for what you do?

Evidently. You see, the stories are in the Bible to let us know how God acts, what God knows, what God sees. See, He knows and describes the so sinful nature that we have. And then He makes a statement there in verse 10. Verse 10, and He said, I heard thy voice in the garden and I was what? I was afraid. See this, one of the symptoms of this terrible virus is the fear. You see, fear doesn’t come from God.

Fear comes because of a sinful nature. See, that’s because we have sinned against a holy God. And that fear robs you of joy, robs you of peace of mind. And you and I are supposed to be careful. Now you look there in verse 12 and 13. This is where the blame comes in. You see there in verse 12, he says, why did you do that? The man says, the woman whom thou gave it, God it was your fault. You know that woman you made?

I wouldn’t have done this, hadn’t been for that woman you made. You ever seen a guy that he mirrors the perfect wife? And the man, he’s never been perfect, never will be perfect, but that perfect wife. She does everything right. That’s why I never try to remember anything, because Betty remembers everything. And no sense both of us try to remember all of it. Did you know that if God never slumbers and never sleeps, there’s no sense both of us stand awake at night worrying about something, is there?

So if he never slumbers, never said, but just let him stay awake. He’s already awake. But I need my sleep. I’m going to bed. Now in verse 13 he said to the woman and says, you got to, you know what she did? She blamed the serpent. You know that serpent, he did it. I listened to him. But see God, if you hadn’t made that, and Lord if you hadn’t made that one, did you realize none of us would be doing anything wrong if somebody else hadn’t done something, it’s always somebody else’s fault.

Why’d you slap your wife? Well, the woman and a man had to go before the judge. And the judge says to the wife, it says, why did you kick your husband in the stomach? She says, he turned around. Now, in verse 16, you have sorrow. So there’s fear, there’s terror, there’s sorrow. All of these are symptoms because of this great sin that came into the world. Are you a new listener to Bibleline? Do you enjoy the teachings of Dr.

Well, if you’ve never contacted us before, we want to give you Dr. Arnold’s book, The Gospel Driven Man. Every day we receive many emails from folks who have questions about repentance and salvation, about faith in works, and about how to share the gospel with friends and loved ones. This book, The Gospel Driven Man, covers all those topics, and we want all new listeners of Bibleline to receive a free copy. There’s no obligation, no donation necessary, simply call us at 1-800-576-3771 or write to us and request your free copy of the Gospel-Driven Man.

The mailing address is 4811 George Road, Tampa, Florida, 33634. Again, don’t forget to include your mailing address, and God bless you and thank you for listening to Bibleline. Thanks for joining us on Bibleline. If you are in the area, we welcome you to visit us. The address for Calvary Community Church is 4811 George Road, Tampa, Florida, 33634. And now, a closing thought from Pastor Arnold. Friend, one day it will happen. The trumpet will sound, and we will be changed.

Caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So live today and every day. leaving that the Lord is coming soon. Just keep looking up.