Hi, I'm Darrell Bailey. Thank you for tuning in for our Morning Sunday School. I'm going to be talking about how to witness to our children, to our laborers that are out there, our co-workers, our friends and family in our Morning Sunday School lesson. I'm going to be talking about the gospel in your hand. I'm glad that we can take our hand and present the gospel with just it. from years back when I used to do with Lita and I, when we did our Wednesday night and our children's program at Oakland Heights Baptist Church. I learned this years ago, way back then, and it's always stuck with me. But it's one of the easiest ways as we deal with Sunday school lesson this morning, of how to teach your children about salvation, about the gospel, because it'll be right in your hand that you can present the gospel with. All you need to do, even though that you have your hand, it doesn't hurt to have a Bible. But a lot of times you scare people when you have a Bible. Sometimes I have a little Bible, it'll fit right in my pocket and no one sees it a lot of times when I'm witnessing. And so the many times that we went out door to door over the years, There's a lot of folks, but I've never, ever went empty handed. I've always had the sword of the spirit with me. And if it wasn't visible, it would be in my back pocket or it would be in my suit pocket. And so here for Sunday school this morning, when we present the good news, the gospel will be in your hand. Here, January the 26th, 2025, the 26th of Tibet, 5785 of the Hebrew calendar. I want to invite every one of you to come and be with us at our home church at Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church. Here we're located on behalf of Pastor Keith Dempsey at 450 Iron Hill Road, Taylesville, Georgia 30178. Sunday school, 10 a.m. morning worship at 11. I want to tell you as I challenge every one of you that we're all soldiers of the Lord. And so when I look, I'm reminded that I'm a soldier in the army of God. My commanding officer is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. My code of conduct is the Holy Bible. Faith, prayer, and the Word of God are the powerful weapons that are wield in the spiritual warfare of every day. And so we're trained by the Holy Spirit, guided by seasoned saints, refined through adversity, tested by the fires of life. And I stand ready and I'm a volunteer in this army. and my enlistment is eternal. There's no discharge for me, only the glorious hope of retiring at the rapture, or marching until my final breath. I'll not retreat, resign, be talked down, sold out, or pushed out. I'm faithful, reliable, capable, dependable, and when my God calls, I answer. Whether it's teaching children, guiding youth, or whatever the circumstances, simply being present to learn, I am available. He doesn't need to convince me. Nobody needs to bribe me, chase after me. I'm already there, ready to serve. I'm a soldier of the Lord. My fivefold mission of the gospel is to spread the word of God to the ends of the earth, support the saints as well. to empower believers, both ministers and lay people, in understanding, preaching, and teaching the truth, reaching the lost to lead souls to Christ, ensuring their eternal destiny is secure, minister to the needy to reflect Christ's love by serving those in need, and exalt Jesus Christ because He is the one as we enthrone him as our Lord and Savior of everyday life, that he's the one that should be sitting upon our throne so we provide him his proper place. I'm not a spiritual infant who needs to be coddled or coaxed. I don't require pampering. praise are prompting to stay on mission. My commitment runs deep, anchored by my love for Christ and my desire to build his kingdom, and I salute my King of King and Lord of Lords. I follow his orders, praise his name, dedicate my life to his glory, and I don't need recognition and rewards and reminders to stay faithful. I'm steadfast. My resolve cannot be shaken by hurt feelings and discouragement or hardships. Even in the face of nothing, I still win because my victory is rooted in Jesus Christ. My God supplies all my needs. I'm more than a conqueror through him. No devil can defeat me. No circumstances can deter me. No sickness can stop me. No battle can break me. I cannot be silenced by the government, disillusioned by people, or dissuaded by lack. Even death itself is not my end. It's my promotion. When my commander-in-chief calls me from this battlefield of life, it'll be able to elevate me into his eternal kingdom, where I'll reign with him forever. I'm in the army of the Lord. I march with purpose, fight with courage, and stand with unwavering faith. I'll not quit, turn back, give in. I'm heaven-bound, claiming victory every step of the way because I'm a soldier, eternal, unyielding, and victorious in Christ. Please come and be with us at Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church. On behalf of Pastor Keith Dipsy, we'd love to have you come and be with us and visit with us as well. And so we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus, the Lord and ourselves, your servants for Jesus Christ. Amen. I'm glad that we operate to create self-sustaining evangelistic discipleship outreach ministry where Christians know their faith, share their faith and grow their faith to glorify God by making disciples through nurturing believers for their role and relational evangelism. I'm glad that we are a 501c3 religious non-profit formed to serve the public charitable purpose in the community and we operate alongside our church at Bethel Crossroads and Christian groups to help them to better know their faith and to be able to effectively share it with others, amen. And so I'm glad that as we go on into the word of God that we continue to give glory and honor to Jesus Christ, amen. Amen. There's a story about a boy that fell in a deep well. He cried out for help and just when it seemed hopeless, someone came with a rope and pulled him to safety. Just like that boy that needed rescued, we all need help, but the good news is God has a plan to save us. Today, we use our hand to remind us of the greatest story ever told, God's love and salvation. As we open with our introduction, we see how that we can receive the good news of salvation by being able, as we go forward with the thumb, we see God's purpose. With the pointer finger, we see our problem. And with our middle finger, we see God's provision. With our ring finger, we see our part. And fifthly, our pinky, we see God's promise. And so this is what we have in store as we get in to the wonderful Word of God this morning in our Sunday School lesson. And so I'm glad how to receive the good news, amen, of salvation. We saw, first of all, the thumb of God's purpose and what that means for us to be able to have that relationship, amen, to be able to take that time and to go through the purpose that God has for every one of us, amen. We're not like anyone else. God created, crafted you with care and intentionality. and you have a unique role in his creation. You're a part of his amazing plan. Your life has meaning and purpose because you're a part of God's grand plan. And so he has a specific purpose for you in his eternal story. God's purpose is for you to know him, to live with him in a relationship. And so God desires to have that relationship for you to walk with him, experience his love, and spend eternity in his presence. And so I wonder, are you living out God's purpose for your life? Because he created you to know him and to love him and to glorify him forever. Will you respond to his invitation? I'm going to give you one at the end of my Sunday School lesson. Take time to reflect on God's purpose for your life because you were created for a relationship with him, a purpose that brings eternal joy and fulfillment. So don't miss out on the amazing plan that God has for you. Praise God. Here, we see the scriptures here that God has given us that as we look at them, they begin to tell us the love that God had for them. I put these up. Because he says, for by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him. He said in 1 John 4.19, we love him because he first loved us. He went on and he tells us in the book of Ephesians, Amen, that according as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, we should be holy without blame before him in love. having predestined us under the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasures of his will, to the praise of his glory, of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. All of this scripture is something that will help us at Matthew chapter 22 verse 37. Jesus said in him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And so as we see the scripture, we go forward as he continues to tell us here how to receive the good news of salvation, the thumb of God's purpose. We were created to please and glorify God by living forever in a personal, loving, authentic relationship with him. Genesis chapter 1 verse 27. So God created man in his own image. God made you special. You are a part of his amazing plan and God's purpose is for you to know him and to live with him forever, praise God. Now, the gospel in your hand, how to receive the good news of salvation is that we see that the thumb is God's purpose. Secondly, the pointer finger, that is our problem, amen. When we get into all of the scripture, We see, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Isaiah chapter 59, verse two, but your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you and that he will not hear. And so we look and we see that Romans 6, 23, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Here is a visual. of the scripture for you to look at and to read to know the pointer finger of our problem that we have as we go on how to receive the good news of salvation through that pointer finger our problem as our sin separates us from God who is holy and can only be paid for through death for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God you see sin separates us from God. It's like trying to reach something far away, but falling short. We can't fix this problem on our own. We look, our sin cannot be paid for through our own efforts. Sinful man versus a holy God. On one side we have sinful man and on the other side we have a holy God. This represents the great divine between us and God. Sin has separated us from him and because his holiness is perfect and our sin cannot stand in his presence, but the problem is many people think that they can bridge that gap on their own. being moral, or some people think that simply by being moral and doing what society considers right, or living a good life, they can make up for their sins. But morality, no matter how good it looks to others, falls short of God's standard of perfection. And so, Isaiah 64.6 tells us that all our righteousness are as filthy rags. And so, no matter what kind of good deeds that we try to do, Others believe that good deeds, helping the poor, being kind, or volunteering, can erase all of the sins in their lives. While these things are good, they cannot pay the penalty for our sin. Paul said in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8 and 9, that reminds us that salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast. We cannot work our way to God. And so being religious, still others try to rely on being religious and attending church, reciting prayers or performing rituals. But religion without a true relationship with Christ cannot save us. And so when we look and realize that John 14, 6 says, I'm the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father, but by me. It's not about religion. It's about a Savior, praise God. And so death and eternal life, the consequences of our sin is death and both physical and spiritual. Remember what we read in Romans 6, 23, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. And so there's nothing that we can do on our own to escape death or earn eternal life points, but God. in his love and mercy made a way through Jesus Christ, the only solution. So how do we bridge that gap between sinful man and a holy God? It's not through being moral, doing good deeds or being religious. It's only through Jesus Christ who paid the price for our sin on the cross. He's the only one who can bring us from death to eternal life. Will you trust him? And so our sin cannot be paid for through us. but it has been paid for through Jesus. And so, the gospel in your hand, how to receive the good news of salvation. And that, when we look at it, is the thumb, God's purpose. The pointer finger, our problem, it points right back at our sin nature. Then the middle finger is God's provision for each and every one of us. Because when we look, he tells us in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verses 3, 4, and 5, for I delivered unto you, first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures, and that he was seen of Cephas, and then of the 12. You know what? There ain't no one else out there. There ain't no Buddha. There ain't nobody in Mecca. There's no one. Muhammad, they're all still in their grave. But my scripture tells me that my Lord and Savior rose from the grave and death couldn't keep him. And so when we look and we realize that each and every one of us as we go through life today, we can realize that, as Paul said, for there's one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time. And then we see Oso in 1 Peter 3.18, for Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. And I'm glad there's nothing like old-fashioned scripture that tells us what we need to know, praise God, because Paul said in 2 Corinthians, amen, in verse 5, verse 21, For we hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. He goes on and he tells us, he says in 1 John chapter 5 verse 11 and 12, And this is the record that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. And verse 12, He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. He goes on as he shares with us more. He says in John chapter 11 verses 25 and 26, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? How many times have I shared this at the gravesite and behind the pulpit, going in and out before the flock, many, many times. And so, how to receive the good news of salvation? The thumb, We see God's purpose. The pointer finger, our problem. The middle finger, God's provision. Jesus Christ, God's sinless son, died in our place for all of our sin to save us from it and to bring us to God and to heaven. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. God sent Jesus to save us. Jesus died for our sins and he rose again, and his gift is free for all who believe. You don't got to do anything. You ain't got to do this or that. You may say, oh, I've got to go make some changes before I can come to church. No, come to him just like you are and let him change you, praise God. And so when we look and realize that the middle finger of God's provision, we see that through that middle finger of God's provision, amen, that it reminds us of the greatest truth in the gospel, God's provision for us through Jesus Christ, that when we could do nothing to save ourselves, God made a way for us. Jesus Christ, God's sinless son, came to die in our place for all of our sin, to save us, to bring us to God, to heaven. God sent Jesus to save us. And so in John 3, 16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. God loved us so much. that he didn't leave us in our sin and separation. He sent his son Jesus to step into our brokenness and to save us. And this wasn't just an act of love. It was an act of sacrifice. Jesus died for our sins and rose again. And so sinful man, a holy God and death and eternal life. Our sin created a barrier between us, sinful man and a holy God and sins penalty. is death, separation from God forever. God, but Jesus, who lived a sinless life, died in our place, and his death paid the penalty for our sin. And his resurrection proved who he is and what his death accomplished. He conquered death, hell, and the grave, bridged the gap to bring us eternal life. And I'm glad his gift is free to all who believe in him and take him at his word and step out on faith. The substance of things hopeful, the evidence of things not seen. And so the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. That's the good news that I present in Sunday School. We don't have to earn it. We could never deserve it. Eternal life is a free gift given to anyone who believes in Jesus. Listen, Will you receive that gift this morning in Sunday school? Because the resurrection three days after dying, Jesus came back to life, proven who he is and what his death accomplished. And so that resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Jesus is alive today and he's offering us the hope of heaven and the assurance that sin and death have been defeated and his victory becomes ours when we trust him as our savior. Jesus is God's provision for our salvation. We need to trust him. Please, would you consider it? God has provided everything that we need to be saved through Jesus. Will you believe in him, trust in his sacrifice, and receive the free gift of eternal life? How about it? Here, the gospel in your hand, how to receive the good news of salvation. We see, first of all, the thumb, God's purpose and the pointer finger, our problem. Thirdly, the middle finger, God's provision. Fourthly, the ring finger, our part. Now notice that we got our problem and we got our part, but God has his purpose. God has his provision and God has his promise that we'll get to in just a minute because I'm glad that when we look at the scripture for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that listen whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life and so in John 3 18 he that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God and so In John 3.36, the Word of God tells us and lets us know. He says, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. And then Paul tells us in the book of Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8 and 9. For by grace are you saved through faith that not of yourselves, it's the gift of God, not of words lest any man should boast." And so here we see the scripture and the visual part of how to receive the good news of salvation. Thumb, God's purpose. The pointer finger, our problem. The middle finger, God's provision. The ring finger, our part. God, salvation is received and as a free gift by placing trust in Jesus Christ for it. We place it as if we place a ring on our ring finger, because our part is to trust in him completely and only. And so if thou shalt confess with thy mouth and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with all thy heart, thou shalt be saved. Believe in Jesus with your heart. Tell others that Jesus is your savior and then trust him to guide your life every single day. Praise God. And so when we look, we see on that ring finger our part of sinful man. Faith is in the middle of the gap where the cross of a holy God And death is on one side and eternal life on the other. From sinful man to holy God, the problem of sin, that sin separates sinful man from a holy God and no amount of good works or morality or religious activity can bridge the gap between us and God. And so the Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In Romans 3 23 our sin creates a barrier between us and God and our own we are powerless to fix the separation. This is the bad news that makes the good news so incredible because the bridge between sinful man and holy God In Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8, for by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it's the gift of God. Faith in Jesus Christ is the only bridge between sinful man and a holy God. And when we trust in Jesus and his finished work on the cross, we are forgiven and reconciled to God. It's not about what we can do, but about believing in what Jesus has already done. And so, from death to eternal life. In Romans 6.23, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Sin leads to spiritual death. an eternal separation from God. But Jesus, oh thank God for Jesus, he stepped in and he offered us eternal life through his sacrifice. His death paid the price for our sin and his resurrection guarantees our victory over death and our hope of eternal life. And so when we look at sinful man, faith, and a holy God, death and eternal life we look and realize that faith in Jesus transforms everything. Without Him, we remain sinful, broken, and headed for eternal death. But through faith in Him, we're brought into the presence of a holy God, given a new life. Our names have been recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life, written down in the Lamb's Book of Blood, and promised eternity with Him. And the choice is yours. Will you trust in Jesus this morning, because the bridge is built, the price is paid, and the gift of eternal life is offered. All that's left is for you and I to take the step of faith. And that is if we step out on the substance of things hopeful, the evidence of things not seen. Now, when we look at the gospel in hand, how to receive the good news of salvation, again, the thumb is God's purpose. The pointer finger is our problem. The middle finger is God's provision. The ring finger is our part, aid man, that we've got to step out. and take God at his word. Amen. But then we see the pinky. That's God's promise. Oh, we can do the pinky promise because God has a promise for all of us. And in that promise, we look and we see the scriptures because he tells us in John chapter five, verse 24, for those that need a visual barely, barely. I said he that hear my word and believe it on him that sent me have everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life and so I'm glad that he goes on and he tells us this he says in John 10 10 the thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy I am come that you might have life and that they might have it more abundantly we go on And he tells us in John 10, 28, And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. We go on a little bit more in 1 John 5, 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. Ain't this some great Sunday school? Because it doesn't get any better than this. And so we're looking and realizing that how to receive the good news of salvation is all about the thumb of God's purpose, the pointer finger our problem, the middle finger God's provision, the ring finger our part, the pinky God's promise. All who trust in Jesus Christ are forgiven and given new eternal life beginning now in a personal family relationship with God. You ain't got to wait tomorrow, you can do it right now and I'm gonna have an altar call right here at the end of my Sunday school lesson. John 14 verses two and three, I go to prepare a place for you. God promises eternal life in heaven. You will always be with him because the soul is either going to be in damnation, hellfire forever and ever, or your soul that lives eternity will be with him. Nothing can separate you from his love. And so God's promise of that pinky finger eternal life through Jesus Christ. All who trust in Jesus Christ are forgiven and given eternal life starting now in a very personal family relationship. And so the promise of God is not just about a distant future in heaven. It begins the moment you place your trust in Jesus Christ. His promise is one of forgiveness, eternal life, and an unbreakable relationship with him as part of his family. Praise his mighty name. And so when we look and realize that how truly blessed that we are there's the assurance of eternal life. John chapter 5 verse 24, Believer say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life. And so Jesus assures us that when we hear his word and believe in him eternal life begins immediately. You are no longer under condemnation but a condemnation but have crossed over from death to life and so abundant life as John 10 10 the thief that cometh not but for to steal and to kill and destroy I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. And so Jesus not only promises eternal life, but abundant life here and right now, life filled with purpose, life filled with joy and hope in him, that eternal security of John 10, 28. that I read to you a while ago, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish. Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Once you trust. Whoo. Hallelujah. I love that. Once you trust. In Jesus, your eternity is secure. No one can ever take you out of his hands or separate you from his love. Confidence in his promise of 1 John 5, 13, these things have I written unto you. that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. Because this verse reminds us that God's promises are trustworthy. And if you believe in Jesus, you can live with confidence, knowing that eternal life is yours. Placing your trust in Jesus. Trusting in him isn't just knowing the right information or agreeing with it intellectually. It's a personal reliance on him. an act of faith where you depend completely and only on Jesus to save you and to bring you to God. This step of faith is very personal. It's about surrendering your will and coming to God in simple faith, trusting Jesus as your savior. Listen, have you made that decision? Have you? Because in John chapter 14, verses two and three, he tells all of us I go to prepare a place for you. God promises eternal life in heaven. You will always be with him. That's his promise. Nothing can separate you from his love. And so if you haven't already, why not tell God now that you are trusting in his son alone as your savior? His promise is sure. His love is eternal. Will you respond to him this morning? Because God's promise is for you. Trust in Jesus. Step into the eternal relationship that he offers a life with God. That starts right now and last is forever. Will you trust in Jesus? And as we move forward and as we get ready to close out on our last point, I hope and pray that as I close out and get ready to leave, In our time, each and every one of us are all reminded of what the Lord is doing in all of our lives. And so there's a story about a wealthy jeweler who owned a priceless diamond. One day while cleaning it, the diamond slipped from his hand and it rolled across the table and it disappeared down a drain. Well, the jeweler was devastated. He thought the diamond was lost forever. But instead of giving up, he called a specialist who used a delicate tool to carefully search the drain. It was dirty. It was messy work. But the expert didn't quit. Finally, after hours of searching, the diamond was found still shining brightly despite all the grime that had covered on top of it. The jeweler was overjoyed. The diamond was restored to its rightful place of honor. This story reminds us of God's purpose and love for us. And like the diamond, we're precious to him. But sin has caused us to fall away and be covered in ground. And yet God didn't give up on us. He sent Jesus to rescue us. Jesus entered the mess of this world and paid the price to bring us back to him. When we believe in Jesus and accept his gift of salvation, He cleanses us and restores us to shine for His glory. And just like that jeweler cherished his diamond, God promises to keep us safe with Him forever. Every time you look at your hand, remember this story. God's purpose for your life, our problem of sin, God's provision through Jesus, and also our part to believe in God's promise of eternity This is the gospel message of salvation. Will you accept it and let God rescue you? I'm going to tell you, God's purpose is for you to know him. And our problem is sin. But God provided Jesus to rescue us. And when we believe and follow him, he promises us a forever home in heaven. So every time you look at your hand, you see God's purpose. our problem, God's provision, our part in God's promise. I'm glad that we need to remember that God loves us. What's God's purpose for your life? I believe it is to know him and to live with him forever. Why do we need Jesus to save us? Because sin separates us from God. You know what? Do you want to make Jesus your savior this morning? As I close out, If you're ready to ask Jesus to be your savior and to follow him, you can pray this simple prayer with me. Will you? Dear Jesus, I know I've sinned and I need your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and rise it again. I believe in you and I ask you to come into my heart and life. Help me to live for you and follow your plan. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name, amen. If you prayed this prayer this morning here in this Sunday school lesson with me, go and talk to your pastor and tell him what you've done, that you've made a commitment, you've stepped out on faith and made a commitment and ask the Lord to be the keeper of your soul. If it ain't your pastor, go to your Sunday school teacher and tell them, Go to your mother or your father or your relative, someone that's a close Christian friend, and talk to them and tell them the commitment that you've just made. Because I am so excited to help you take that next step in following Jesus. And if you have asked the Lord from your heart to be the keeper of your soul, you are now a brother and sister in Christ with us. Can I close out as we do? I want to thank you for taking the time to join in with us and to be able to learn more about our lesson of being able to take our hand and have the good news of salvation, the gospel in your hand. Let's pray as I close out. Thank you for your love, the gift of salvation, for those ones that will look at this and ask Jesus to come into their heart and lives through our Lord and Savior. Help us to remember your purpose, your trust, your promises, as we follow you every day. Bless each child, each person. Guide them in your ways. In all of this, we just give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. God bless you.