Monday, February 1, 2021 - Mission Baptist Cincinnati's Winter Revival Sermon #3. Dr. John Hamblin returns to Luke 16 for a message entitled: "The Hounds Of Heaven". This chapter is a glimpse of eternity either in the joy and comfort of Heaven or the agonies of Hell. The focus of the sermon is on God's "Hounds" and how they work on people to come to Jesus! The preacher exclaimed: "There are saints sitting all around this sanctuary that could stand and say it was the howling and hounding of some despised-by-the-world hound that hung onto my heels all the way to that hill called Calvary." There are five "dogs" that do the Heavenly Father's direction in delivering sinners from Hell, all found in the Bible.
• PAPER Witness
God used the written word by Pilate nailed to the cross above Christ's head that reached many people that proclaimed Jesus was the King of the Jews. (John 19:19) God also uses his hounds of PAPER witness today in the most published book ever printed...the Holy Bible. Gospel tracts are also useful (and sometimes a key part) that God uses to break through to a sinner's heart.
• PRAYER Warrior
The Evangelist cites another "Hound of God" from the biblical example of a praying barren woman pleading for a son who she could dedicate to the Lord in I Samuel 1:20. God answered her prayer and she named him Samuel, meaning "heard of God". Hannah was a PRAYER Warrior! Godly Mothers praying for her children are God's "Blood Hounds" who'll always hunt you down.
• PREACHER Wide Open
Forceful Bible preaching has always been a Hound from Heaven to bring sinners to the realization that we need God. John the Baptist was a PREACHER Wide-Open who didn't mince words when it came to men who believed they were justified by their own works. That preacher was Heard, but also Humble and Hard Working, obviously loving those he preached to. This didn't keep him from delivering red hot, old fashioned, spirit filled, wide opened Bible preaching that brings many to God's truth! So-called "christians" who murmur to others beside the preacher himself about their disapproval of this kind of preaching are gutless wonders!
• PERSONAL Worker
Dr Hamblin points out another dog God that follows God's direction, a PERSONAL Worker. Andrew, the bother of Peter is led by God to bring Peter to Jesus. (John 1:42) This was the beginning of the calling of the disciples and Apostles. Our relationships with others, family, friends, co-workers can be used to hound them to conviction by US witnessing Christ. We are God's PERSONAL Workers.
• PRESSING Whisper
After Peter lifted up his voice to preach to the men of Judea at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14), God used the Hound of Heaven via the Holy Spirit to "prick the heart" of the hearers of his bold preaching. Three thousand souls responded to the call and were saved and baptized that day! The Holy Spirit is a PRESSING Whisper that's ALWAYS connected and related to the Hounds of Heaven to speak to human hearts of our need for Jesus!
Have you experienced this conviction of sin and that you need the Lord Jesus to save you from your sins? If you've never been convicted of your sin, you haven't been born again. Don't put it off, tomorrow is not guaranteed. Come to Jesus for the salvation that only he can provide!