Title
911 or 333? 911 或 333
Date
05/24/2026
Description
Jeremiah 33:3: Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
耶 利 米 書 33:3: 你求告我，我就应允你，并将你所不知道、又大又难的事指示你。 (page 1290)
Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
羅 馬 書 10:13: 因为“凡求告主名的，就必得救。(page 1836)
1 Peter 2:24: He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
彼 得 前 書 2:24: 他 被 挂 在 木 头 上 ， 亲 身 担 当 了 我 们 的 罪 ， 使 我 们 既 然 在 罪 上 死 ， 就 得 以 在 义 上 活 。 因 他 受 的 鞭 伤 ， 你 们 便 得 了 医 治 。(page 1968)
Acts 20:32: “And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones.”
使 徒 行 傳 20:32: 现在，我把你们交付给上帝和他恩典的信息，它能坚定你们的信仰，并把上帝赐给他所有圣民的祝福赐给你们。(page 1804)
1 Corinthians 1:30: For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now He is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.
歌 林 多 前 書 1:30: 但 你 们 得 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 ， 是 本 乎 神 ， 神 又 使 他 成 为 我 们 的 智 慧 、 公 义 、 圣 洁 、 救 赎 。
(page 1848)
Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul.
詩 篇 19:7: 耶 和 华 的 律 法 全 备 ， 能 苏 醒 人 心 ； 耶 和 华 的 法 度 确 定 ， 能 使 愚 人 有 智 慧 。(page 897)
John 6:35: “I am the bread of life,” replied Jesus. “Anyone who comes to me will never be hungry! Anyone who believes in me will never be thirsty!”
約 翰 福 音 6:35: 耶 稣 说 ： 我 就 是 生 命 的 粮 。 到 我 这 里 来 的 ， 必 定 不 饿 ； 信 我 的 ， 永 远 不 渴 (page 1728)
耶 利 米 書 33:3: 你求告我，我就应允你，并将你所不知道、又大又难的事指示你。 (page 1290)
Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
羅 馬 書 10:13: 因为“凡求告主名的，就必得救。(page 1836)
1 Peter 2:24: He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
彼 得 前 書 2:24: 他 被 挂 在 木 头 上 ， 亲 身 担 当 了 我 们 的 罪 ， 使 我 们 既 然 在 罪 上 死 ， 就 得 以 在 义 上 活 。 因 他 受 的 鞭 伤 ， 你 们 便 得 了 医 治 。(page 1968)
Acts 20:32: “And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones.”
使 徒 行 傳 20:32: 现在，我把你们交付给上帝和他恩典的信息，它能坚定你们的信仰，并把上帝赐给他所有圣民的祝福赐给你们。(page 1804)
1 Corinthians 1:30: For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now He is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.
歌 林 多 前 書 1:30: 但 你 们 得 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 ， 是 本 乎 神 ， 神 又 使 他 成 为 我 们 的 智 慧 、 公 义 、 圣 洁 、 救 赎 。
(page 1848)
Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul.
詩 篇 19:7: 耶 和 华 的 律 法 全 备 ， 能 苏 醒 人 心 ； 耶 和 华 的 法 度 确 定 ， 能 使 愚 人 有 智 慧 。(page 897)
John 6:35: “I am the bread of life,” replied Jesus. “Anyone who comes to me will never be hungry! Anyone who believes in me will never be thirsty!”
約 翰 福 音 6:35: 耶 稣 说 ： 我 就 是 生 命 的 粮 。 到 我 这 里 来 的 ， 必 定 不 饿 ； 信 我 的 ， 永 远 不 渴 (page 1728)
Creator
Pastor: Mike Koger
Contributor
Hillside United Methodist Church
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
Transcription
911 or 333?
Jeremiah 33:3
? Who do we call first when life breaks down?
911? Google? YouTube? Ourselves? Or God?
In Luke 4:23, Jesus quotes an ancient proverb: “Physician, heal thyself.”
In medicine and healthcare, this basically means that experts should “practice what they preach” and sometimes seek help themselves rather than relying entirely on self-treatment.
Well… I just returned from a 10-day health program where all nine of us probably thought we were experts on health and nutrition — and yet there we were together, all seeking help in order to become healthy again.
Since my late teens, I have been fascinated — maybe sometimes even obsessed — with alternative health and natural healing.
Back then, all we had were a few hard-to-find health books and articles in Prevention Magazine.
Now we have the internet, YouTube, podcasts, influencers, and A.I. to ensure we remain thoroughly confused about the right choices to make.
And in recent months, my own thoughts have sounded something like this:
“What if I try this?” “What if I stop eating that?”
“What am I doing wrong?” “What do I need to change?”
“What supplement am I missing?”
And honestly… this is humbling to admit.
But I suspect some people listening today can relate.
And what is the common element in all those questions?
“I.” “Me.” “My effort.” “My understanding.”
The focus becomes what I can do.
But the older I get, the more I realize: Self-focused effort can only take us so far.
Sooner or later, we all come to the end of ourselves.
And that brings me to the real question this morning:
Who are you going to call? 911… or 333?
Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Rather than merely seeking healing… we must run directly to the Healer.
When life breaks down… when our bodies fail…
when our minds are overwhelmed… when our hearts are exhausted…
God says: “Call unto Me.”
Not: “Figure it out yourself.”
Not: “Carry it alone.”
Not:“Trust only your own understanding.”
“Call unto Me.”
I remember my pastor many years ago quoting this verse to me:
1 Tim 4:8: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Paul was telling Timothy that while physical discipline and exercise have benefit, spiritual life and fellowship with God are far more important because they affect both this life and eternity.
And hear me clearly:
There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve your health.
There is nothing wrong with learning wisdom about the body God gave you.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
But rather than merely seeking healing… we must run directly to the Healer.
Rom 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
And remember: Our New Covenant salvation touches every area of life — spirit, soul, and body.
We needed salvation, so God sent a Savior.
Jesus said in John 6:47: “Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth in Me hath everlasting life.”
There is nothing I can do in my own power to overcome sin.
Nothing I can do to cleanse myself. Nothing I can do to redeem myself.
And in the same way, even with all the modern knowledge and technology available today, Jesus Christ is still the True Healer. (True or true?)
The question is: Where is our focus when we seek restoration?
Because self-effort without God eventually becomes exhausting.
Salvation and healing flow from God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:24: He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
And when we finally come to ourselves… we must run back to Jesus.
There is healing today at the Throne of Grace.
One more day of God’s amazing grace.
Jesus said: “Repent ye and believe the Gospel.”
Acts 20:24 calls it: “the Gospel of the grace of God.”
And then Acts 20:32 says: “And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones.”
Did you hear that? The message of His grace is what makes us strong.
Paul said: “But whether I live or die is not important, for I don’t esteem my life as indispensable. It’s more important for me to fulfill my destiny and to finish the ministry my Lord Jesus has assigned to me, which is to faithfully preach the wonderful news of God’s grace.”
Church, we must get this Good News about the good things of God to as many people as possible.
Romans 10:14 says: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
I think about the woman with the issue of blood. She spent everything she had.
She suffered for twelve years. She tried everything within her own power.
And the Bible says her condition only became worse.
But then… “she heard about Jesus.”
She stopped chasing methods… and reached for the Master.
And today we must do the same.
We look to the Savior.We look to the Healer.
Now, yes — it is wise to have discipline concerning what we put into our bodies.
They belong to God. It is His temple.
But scripture also warns us not to become overly consumed with comparisons, arguments, dietary restrictions and external regulations.
Romans 14:6: The one who eats everything eats to honor the Lord, because he gives thanks to God, and the one who has a special diet does it to honor the Lord, and he also gives thanks to God.
This does not mean we throw away common sense.
It means we keep our focus centered on Christ.
We all need wisdom. And Jesus Himself is our wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:30: For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now He is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.
Christ becomes our wisdom. Our guide. Our direction.
He teaches us how to live. How to conduct ourselves.
What to pursue. What to avoid. How to walk through unique situations.
“Lean not unto your own understanding.”
Psalm 19:7 “The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul.”
And the Book of James tells us that if we ask in faith without doubting, God will give us wisdom for every unique situation we face.
So why depend entirely upon worldly wisdom… when as believers we have access to Divine Intelligence? (D.I.)
God still says: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
So now - this very morning, let us prepare our hearts to come to the table of God’s amazing grace.
Come as you are.
Romans 10:4 says: “For Christ is the end of the law. And because of him, God has transferred his perfect righteousness to all who believe.”
Bring your needs. Bring your burdens. Bring your prayer requests.
Come knowing that through Jesus Christ, you have been accepted into the Beloved.
John 6:47: “I speak to you living truth: Unite your heart to me and believe—and you will experience eternal life!”
John 6:35: Then Jesus declared, ‘I Am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”
Closing Congregational Prayer
Heavenly Father, today we come to You honestly and humbly.
We confess that so often we rely upon our own understanding,
our own strength, our own wisdom, and our own efforts.
But today we turn our hearts back toward You.
Teach us to call upon the Lord first. Teach us to trust You more deeply.
Teach us to rest in Your grace.
Lord Jesus, thank You for carrying our sins, our burdens, our fears, and our brokenness to the cross.
Thank You that by Your wounds we are healed.
Thank You that Your grace is still greater than our weakness.
Today we bring You every need:
our physical needs, our emotional needs, our family needs, our spiritual needs.
Give us wisdom for every situation. Give us strength for every battle.
Give us peace in every storm.
Help us to keep our eyes upon You, Lord Jesus —
our Savior, our Healer, our Wisdom, and our Life.
And as we come to Your table today, we come by grace alone.
We receive Your love. We receive Your mercy. We receive Your life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Jeremiah 33:3
? Who do we call first when life breaks down?
911? Google? YouTube? Ourselves? Or God?
In Luke 4:23, Jesus quotes an ancient proverb: “Physician, heal thyself.”
In medicine and healthcare, this basically means that experts should “practice what they preach” and sometimes seek help themselves rather than relying entirely on self-treatment.
Well… I just returned from a 10-day health program where all nine of us probably thought we were experts on health and nutrition — and yet there we were together, all seeking help in order to become healthy again.
Since my late teens, I have been fascinated — maybe sometimes even obsessed — with alternative health and natural healing.
Back then, all we had were a few hard-to-find health books and articles in Prevention Magazine.
Now we have the internet, YouTube, podcasts, influencers, and A.I. to ensure we remain thoroughly confused about the right choices to make.
And in recent months, my own thoughts have sounded something like this:
“What if I try this?” “What if I stop eating that?”
“What am I doing wrong?” “What do I need to change?”
“What supplement am I missing?”
And honestly… this is humbling to admit.
But I suspect some people listening today can relate.
And what is the common element in all those questions?
“I.” “Me.” “My effort.” “My understanding.”
The focus becomes what I can do.
But the older I get, the more I realize: Self-focused effort can only take us so far.
Sooner or later, we all come to the end of ourselves.
And that brings me to the real question this morning:
Who are you going to call? 911… or 333?
Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Rather than merely seeking healing… we must run directly to the Healer.
When life breaks down… when our bodies fail…
when our minds are overwhelmed… when our hearts are exhausted…
God says: “Call unto Me.”
Not: “Figure it out yourself.”
Not: “Carry it alone.”
Not:“Trust only your own understanding.”
“Call unto Me.”
I remember my pastor many years ago quoting this verse to me:
1 Tim 4:8: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Paul was telling Timothy that while physical discipline and exercise have benefit, spiritual life and fellowship with God are far more important because they affect both this life and eternity.
And hear me clearly:
There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve your health.
There is nothing wrong with learning wisdom about the body God gave you.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
But rather than merely seeking healing… we must run directly to the Healer.
Rom 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
And remember: Our New Covenant salvation touches every area of life — spirit, soul, and body.
We needed salvation, so God sent a Savior.
Jesus said in John 6:47: “Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth in Me hath everlasting life.”
There is nothing I can do in my own power to overcome sin.
Nothing I can do to cleanse myself. Nothing I can do to redeem myself.
And in the same way, even with all the modern knowledge and technology available today, Jesus Christ is still the True Healer. (True or true?)
The question is: Where is our focus when we seek restoration?
Because self-effort without God eventually becomes exhausting.
Salvation and healing flow from God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:24: He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
And when we finally come to ourselves… we must run back to Jesus.
There is healing today at the Throne of Grace.
One more day of God’s amazing grace.
Jesus said: “Repent ye and believe the Gospel.”
Acts 20:24 calls it: “the Gospel of the grace of God.”
And then Acts 20:32 says: “And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones.”
Did you hear that? The message of His grace is what makes us strong.
Paul said: “But whether I live or die is not important, for I don’t esteem my life as indispensable. It’s more important for me to fulfill my destiny and to finish the ministry my Lord Jesus has assigned to me, which is to faithfully preach the wonderful news of God’s grace.”
Church, we must get this Good News about the good things of God to as many people as possible.
Romans 10:14 says: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
I think about the woman with the issue of blood. She spent everything she had.
She suffered for twelve years. She tried everything within her own power.
And the Bible says her condition only became worse.
But then… “she heard about Jesus.”
She stopped chasing methods… and reached for the Master.
And today we must do the same.
We look to the Savior.We look to the Healer.
Now, yes — it is wise to have discipline concerning what we put into our bodies.
They belong to God. It is His temple.
But scripture also warns us not to become overly consumed with comparisons, arguments, dietary restrictions and external regulations.
Romans 14:6: The one who eats everything eats to honor the Lord, because he gives thanks to God, and the one who has a special diet does it to honor the Lord, and he also gives thanks to God.
This does not mean we throw away common sense.
It means we keep our focus centered on Christ.
We all need wisdom. And Jesus Himself is our wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:30: For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now He is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.
Christ becomes our wisdom. Our guide. Our direction.
He teaches us how to live. How to conduct ourselves.
What to pursue. What to avoid. How to walk through unique situations.
“Lean not unto your own understanding.”
Psalm 19:7 “The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul.”
And the Book of James tells us that if we ask in faith without doubting, God will give us wisdom for every unique situation we face.
So why depend entirely upon worldly wisdom… when as believers we have access to Divine Intelligence? (D.I.)
God still says: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
So now - this very morning, let us prepare our hearts to come to the table of God’s amazing grace.
Come as you are.
Romans 10:4 says: “For Christ is the end of the law. And because of him, God has transferred his perfect righteousness to all who believe.”
Bring your needs. Bring your burdens. Bring your prayer requests.
Come knowing that through Jesus Christ, you have been accepted into the Beloved.
John 6:47: “I speak to you living truth: Unite your heart to me and believe—and you will experience eternal life!”
John 6:35: Then Jesus declared, ‘I Am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”
Closing Congregational Prayer
Heavenly Father, today we come to You honestly and humbly.
We confess that so often we rely upon our own understanding,
our own strength, our own wisdom, and our own efforts.
But today we turn our hearts back toward You.
Teach us to call upon the Lord first. Teach us to trust You more deeply.
Teach us to rest in Your grace.
Lord Jesus, thank You for carrying our sins, our burdens, our fears, and our brokenness to the cross.
Thank You that by Your wounds we are healed.
Thank You that Your grace is still greater than our weakness.
Today we bring You every need:
our physical needs, our emotional needs, our family needs, our spiritual needs.
Give us wisdom for every situation. Give us strength for every battle.
Give us peace in every storm.
Help us to keep our eyes upon You, Lord Jesus —
our Savior, our Healer, our Wisdom, and our Life.
And as we come to Your table today, we come by grace alone.
We receive Your love. We receive Your mercy. We receive Your life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.