July 13 Sermon
How are we to live in today’s culture and world with its perversity, sin and lying where evil abounds? We need to have the mindset of Christ and walk as He walked for He is our example. We are to live our lives through the love of Christ. John the apostle, in 1st John has been around for a bunch of years, 60 plus and the Spirit of Christ Jesus is still burning brightly within him. So he writes this letter to refute the misinformation being passed around inside the churches. Much like what needs to be done in the churches in America in our day. There is more misinformation, lies and outright nonsense being peddled by spinmeisters, and it does not represent the truth. All we have to do is look at our nightly news to see the enemy tried to shoot the presidential candidate, and we have the current hey man, in the white House saying we need to cut the rhetoric, when he is the one who say we need Trump in the bullseye.
So how do we live and what do we think? Do we believe this is the first time this has happened to believers then we have not paid attention to the truth? I believe we need to study the book of 1st John for several weeks. A ton to truth is welded within this letter from John to the churches and as I read it I believe it is for a time such as this when everything is in upheaval.
Father help us find our way our time of need. Speak to us, visit us, we need you to provide a “fresh touch from the master in our day.” Change us and make us as disciples of old boldly proclaiming and living the truth AMEN
The first letter or epistle of John, Chapter 1, verses 1 to 10. I alert you ahead of time, we will not cover all verses today. Turn and read with me now
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life <a person>— 2 the life <Christ> was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life <divinity> which was with the Father <eternal> and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that [a]your joy may be full.
Fellowship with Him and One Another
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
What a text, so much is here let begin to unpack it.
We get from Paul in the book of Romans that God has revealed Himself in creation (Rom. 1:20), but creation is insufficient to tell us the full story of God’s love.
Our Father has also revealed Himself much more fully in His Word, the Bible.
But God’s greatest, final and most complete revelation of HIs loved is in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus said,
John was and is an apostolic eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, including His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, and is one of the 3 apostles on the inner circle of Jesus (includes John, Peter, James)
Point 1.So John letter affirms the fact of a real physical and living person call Jesus Christ
Here we have John affirming the physical reality of Jesus Christ’s having come “in the flesh” (cf. 4:2, 3). By doing so John is countering any false teaching by immediately focusing his eyewitness and testifying of a.) the historic reality of Jesus’ humanity. b.) the certainty of the gospel. C.) and to the divine nature of Jesus.
Certain false teachers claimed to believe in Christ, but they denied the true nature of Christ (i.e., His humanity) demonstrating their lack of genuine salvation (2:22, 23). The confession and testifying to of the true nature of Christ constitutes the first test of genuine fellowship (v. 3; see 1:5–2:2 for test two).
Now In vs., 3 fellowship - this word “in our believers vocabulary” simply means “to have all in common.” The word is “Koinonia”. usually, is translated as “fellowship.” Acts 2:42, is the first place the word occurs in the Bible, where it says of the early Christians:
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship [koinonia], in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Koinonia in the New Testament
means a much deeper and more intimate fellowship than just associating with and enjoying the company of other Christians. It is fellowship in and by the love of God. For you see as sinners, we have nothing in common with a holy God. But God in His grace and mercy sent Christ to have something in save us by His blood sacrifice. Jesus Christ took upon Himself a human body and became fully human. He took a human nature so that by faith we might receive the very nature of God!
Point 2. This provision by the Father is the full manifestation of His love for us, to provide a way, a path to redemption and salvation. <Oh what a savior>
Acts 4;12 provides this - Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” God is exclusive in His love and jealous for His Son.
Fellowship with us. Fellowship does not mean social relations, but that his readers were to be partakers with John in possessing eternal life (cf. Phil. 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1; 2 Pet. 1:4). John writes not only to affirm the physical reality of Jesus (vv. 1, 2) but also to drive the reader to professions of faith in Christ and ultimately to salvation in the Son. According to this word, genuine Christians are never “out of fellowship” is clear, since this verse equates fellowship with salvation.
Verse 3 is huge - 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Ponder this point - Our invitation to fellowship is not with a human being but with the very person, and presence of God. God three in one – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God who is all knowing, God who is all powerful and God who is all present. He not only knows you but has specifically created us for fellowship with Him in the heavenly places. He has invited you.
Here in verse 4. Here John, in this epistle, used the word “joy” only once, but the sense or idea of joy runs throughout the letter. Joy is simply not just happiness; it is not something that we create and manufacture ourselves; Joy is a wonderful by-product of our fellowship with God. Sin creates unhappiness and it overwhelms us in our world today. Sin promises joy, but always produces sorrow. It seems pleasant for a season. Remember this God’s pleasures last eternally—they are forevermore (Ps. 16:11).
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1:5 we have heard from Him. The message that John and the other apostles preached comes from God not from men (cf. Gal. 1:12).
Point 4 - This is a God breathed and inspired message, no man could have thought or created so great a salvation.
God is light. In Scripture, light and darkness are very familiar symbols. Intellectually, “light” refers to biblical truth, while “darkness” refers to error or falsehood (cf. Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23; John 1:4; 8:12). Morally, “light” refers to holiness or purity, while “darkness” refers to sin or wrongdoing (Rom. 13:11–14; 1 Thess. 5:4–7). The heretics claimed to be the truly enlightened, walking in the real light, but John denied that because they do not recognize their sin. So, they were unenlightened.
Point 5- In God there is no darkness at all. With this phrase, John forcefully testifies to the reality that God is absolutely perfect, and nothing exists in God’s character that impinges upon His truth and holiness (cf. James 1:17).
Vs. 6-10 John and other New Testament authors refer to the Christian life as a “walk.” This walk begins with a step of faith when we first trust Christ as our Savior. But salvation is not the end—it’s only the beginning—of spiritual life.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Point 6 - “Walking In Christ ” involves progress, and Christians are supposed to be advancing daily in their spiritual filled life. Just as a child must learn to walk and must overcome many difficulties in doing so, a Christian must learn to live [walk] “in the light.” And the fundamental difficulty involved here is this matter of sin.
Vs.1:7 A genuine Christian walks habitually in the light (truth and holiness), not in darkness (falsehood and sin).Their walk also results in cleansing from sin as the Lord continually forgives His own. Since those walking in the light share in the character of God, they will be habitually or continually characterized by His holiness (3 John 11), indicating there is a true fellowship with Him (James 1:27). A genuine and practicing Christian does not walk in darkness, but only in the light (2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12, 13), and cleansing from sin continually occurs (cf. v. 9).
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Last Point - Confession and repentance should be continual as God’s heart overcomes your
How are we to live in today’s culture and world with its perversity, sin and lying where evil abounds? We need to have the mindset of Christ and walk as He walked for He is our example. We are to live our lives through the love of Christ. John the apostle, in 1st John has been around for a bunch of years, 60 plus and the Spirit of Christ Jesus is still burning brightly within him. So he writes this letter to refute the misinformation being passed around inside the churches. Much like what needs to be done in the churches in America in our day. There is more misinformation, lies and outright nonsense being peddled by spinmeisters, and it does not represent the truth. All we have to do is look at our nightly news to see the enemy tried to shoot the presidential candidate, and we have the current hey man, in the white House saying we need to cut the rhetoric, when he is the one who say we need Trump in the bullseye.
So how do we live and what do we think? Do we believe this is the first time this has happened to believers then we have not paid attention to the truth? I believe we need to study the book of 1st John for several weeks. A ton to truth is welded within this letter from John to the churches and as I read it I believe it is for a time such as this when everything is in upheaval.
Father help us find our way our time of need. Speak to us, visit us, we need you to provide a “fresh touch from the master in our day.” Change us and make us as disciples of old boldly proclaiming and living the truth AMEN
The first letter or epistle of John, Chapter 1, verses 1 to 10. I alert you ahead of time, we will not cover all verses today. Turn and read with me now
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life <a person>— 2 the life <Christ> was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life <divinity> which was with the Father <eternal> and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that [a]your joy may be full.
Fellowship with Him and One Another
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
What a text, so much is here let begin to unpack it.
We get from Paul in the book of Romans that God has revealed Himself in creation (Rom. 1:20), but creation is insufficient to tell us the full story of God’s love.
Our Father has also revealed Himself much more fully in His Word, the Bible.
But God’s greatest, final and most complete revelation of HIs loved is in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus said,
John was and is an apostolic eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry, including His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, and is one of the 3 apostles on the inner circle of Jesus (includes John, Peter, James)
Point 1.So John letter affirms the fact of a real physical and living person call Jesus Christ
Here we have John affirming the physical reality of Jesus Christ’s having come “in the flesh” (cf. 4:2, 3). By doing so John is countering any false teaching by immediately focusing his eyewitness and testifying of a.) the historic reality of Jesus’ humanity. b.) the certainty of the gospel. C.) and to the divine nature of Jesus.
Certain false teachers claimed to believe in Christ, but they denied the true nature of Christ (i.e., His humanity) demonstrating their lack of genuine salvation (2:22, 23). The confession and testifying to of the true nature of Christ constitutes the first test of genuine fellowship (v. 3; see 1:5–2:2 for test two).
Now In vs., 3 fellowship - this word “in our believers vocabulary” simply means “to have all in common.” The word is “Koinonia”. usually, is translated as “fellowship.” Acts 2:42, is the first place the word occurs in the Bible, where it says of the early Christians:
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship [koinonia], in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Koinonia in the New Testament
means a much deeper and more intimate fellowship than just associating with and enjoying the company of other Christians. It is fellowship in and by the love of God. For you see as sinners, we have nothing in common with a holy God. But God in His grace and mercy sent Christ to have something in save us by His blood sacrifice. Jesus Christ took upon Himself a human body and became fully human. He took a human nature so that by faith we might receive the very nature of God!
Point 2. This provision by the Father is the full manifestation of His love for us, to provide a way, a path to redemption and salvation. <Oh what a savior>
Acts 4;12 provides this - Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” God is exclusive in His love and jealous for His Son.
Fellowship with us. Fellowship does not mean social relations, but that his readers were to be partakers with John in possessing eternal life (cf. Phil. 1:5; 1 Pet. 5:1; 2 Pet. 1:4). John writes not only to affirm the physical reality of Jesus (vv. 1, 2) but also to drive the reader to professions of faith in Christ and ultimately to salvation in the Son. According to this word, genuine Christians are never “out of fellowship” is clear, since this verse equates fellowship with salvation.
Verse 3 is huge - 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Ponder this point - Our invitation to fellowship is not with a human being but with the very person, and presence of God. God three in one – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God who is all knowing, God who is all powerful and God who is all present. He not only knows you but has specifically created us for fellowship with Him in the heavenly places. He has invited you.
Here in verse 4. Here John, in this epistle, used the word “joy” only once, but the sense or idea of joy runs throughout the letter. Joy is simply not just happiness; it is not something that we create and manufacture ourselves; Joy is a wonderful by-product of our fellowship with God. Sin creates unhappiness and it overwhelms us in our world today. Sin promises joy, but always produces sorrow. It seems pleasant for a season. Remember this God’s pleasures last eternally—they are forevermore (Ps. 16:11).
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1:5 we have heard from Him. The message that John and the other apostles preached comes from God not from men (cf. Gal. 1:12).
Point 4 - This is a God breathed and inspired message, no man could have thought or created so great a salvation.
God is light. In Scripture, light and darkness are very familiar symbols. Intellectually, “light” refers to biblical truth, while “darkness” refers to error or falsehood (cf. Ps. 119:105; Prov. 6:23; John 1:4; 8:12). Morally, “light” refers to holiness or purity, while “darkness” refers to sin or wrongdoing (Rom. 13:11–14; 1 Thess. 5:4–7). The heretics claimed to be the truly enlightened, walking in the real light, but John denied that because they do not recognize their sin. So, they were unenlightened.
Point 5- In God there is no darkness at all. With this phrase, John forcefully testifies to the reality that God is absolutely perfect, and nothing exists in God’s character that impinges upon His truth and holiness (cf. James 1:17).
Vs. 6-10 John and other New Testament authors refer to the Christian life as a “walk.” This walk begins with a step of faith when we first trust Christ as our Savior. But salvation is not the end—it’s only the beginning—of spiritual life.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Point 6 - “Walking In Christ ” involves progress, and Christians are supposed to be advancing daily in their spiritual filled life. Just as a child must learn to walk and must overcome many difficulties in doing so, a Christian must learn to live [walk] “in the light.” And the fundamental difficulty involved here is this matter of sin.
Vs.1:7 A genuine Christian walks habitually in the light (truth and holiness), not in darkness (falsehood and sin).Their walk also results in cleansing from sin as the Lord continually forgives His own. Since those walking in the light share in the character of God, they will be habitually or continually characterized by His holiness (3 John 11), indicating there is a true fellowship with Him (James 1:27). A genuine and practicing Christian does not walk in darkness, but only in the light (2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12, 13), and cleansing from sin continually occurs (cf. v. 9).
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Last Point - Confession and repentance should be continual as God’s heart overcomes your
July 7 Sermon
Deuteronomy 34:6-7- says, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Before He did anything with the tablets and the giving of the Commandments, God proclaimed the greatness of His attributes, a declaration that is basic to all Jewish and Christian theology. Moses repeated these words to God at Kadesh Barnea (Num. 14:17–19), the Jews used them in Nehemiah’s day (Neh. 9:17, 18), and Jonah quoted them when he sat pouting outside Nineveh (Jon. 4:1, 2). We don’t read that Moses fell on his face when he saw the glimpses of God’s glory, but he did bow to the ground and worship when he heard God speak these magnificent words.
By the grace of God, Moses achieved his purposes: God promised to go with the people, God showed Moses a glimpse of His glory, and God forgave the sins of the nation. Moses could return to the camp with the second tablets of the law and tell the people God was with them and had forgiven them.
Moses had also won God’s promise to accompany His people in their journey, but would He forgive the people for their sins?
Prayer- for understanding and applying His word.
I. Introduction. The Lord had told Moses that he had found favor or grace in His sight. So Moses asked in this favor that he might see and experience the glory of God/Yaweh. The Lord told him that no man could see His face and live. But that Moses should stand <away> <we say in a cleft of a rock> and the glory of the Lord would pass by, and after the Lord had passed by, Moses could see His back.
Point I. Vs. 5 AND the Lord God DESCENDED IN A CLOUD AND PROCLAIMED His NAME and character.
A. Yaweh is the suggested pronunciation for the name of the true and living God who created this universe and all the life forms within it.
1. God is not His name, only His title. In the Hebrew text, we only have the consonants, YHVH. Since there are no vowel marks, it makes His name unpronounceable.
a. The Jews reverence the name to such a degree that they never attempt to pronounce it. They believe His name is too holy to cross the lips of a mortal being.
b. There are two suggestions as to the pronunciation, Jehovah and Yahweh. The majority of scholars leaning toward = Yahweh.. This name is really a Hebrew verb meaning the becoming One.
c. That is, God becomes to you whatever you might need. He becomes your peace, your salvation, your healer, your strength, your provider, your righteousness.
d. Remember again when Moses first met God at the burning bush, as God called him to lead the people out from their bondage in Egypt, Moses said, "Who shall I tell them has sent me?" and God said, "I AM that I AM has sent you."
e. His name is not God. There are many gods. There is only one true and living God and He will become to you whatever you may need to lead you personally to the promised land.
f. Jesus also used this name. The name Jesus is Yehoshua, which means, "I AM your salvation." Jesus one day said to the Jews, "Before Abraham was, I AM." In John 8:24, Jesus said, "If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins."
g. Again, In the garden when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He asked them, "Who are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." When He answered them, "I AM," they fell backward on the ground.
B. Back to the text when God proclaimed His name Yahweh, Yahweh God, He also described His nature.
Point II. The NATURE of the true and living GOD.- He is Merciful and gracious.
1.. "Merciful.", mercy is getting what you don’t deserve- a reprieve and grace
2 Justice on the other hand is getting what you deserve.
a. Sometimes we hear of a person, who after committing a horrible murder or some particularly heinous crime, and as he or she is trying to evade the police who are chasing him, they crashes into something or have an accident trying to escape and die. We then will hear people say, "Justice has been served. He got what he deserved." That's justice – punishment. But actually they probably are getting punished more severely especially if they die apart from Jesus Christ- eternal punishment is terrible. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God apart from Jesus.
b. Think also of how Jesus showed mercy and gave grace to the woman taken in adultery. This is the character and nature of our God- not willing that any should perish 2nd Peter 3:9-‑‑
b. The Jews wanted justice and to trap Jesus. They said, "According to our law, she should be stoned. What do you say?" Jesus said whichever one of you is without sin, cast the first stone. As He bent over and began to write on the ground. Then they began to leave, from the oldest to the youngest until there were none left. Jesus then stood and asked the woman, "Where are your accusers?" She responded, "I have none." Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." There was only one person in the whole crowd qualified to throw a stone, and He refused to do so, rather He showed grace and gave mercy unto her.
c. When David had committed his horrible sin, he didn't pray for justice, but rather said, "Have mercy upon me O God, according to the multitude of tender mercies, blot out my transgressions."
David said, "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those that fear Him."
d. In Lamentations Jeremiah said:
LAM 3:22 It is the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
LAM 3:23 [They are] renewed every morning: great is thy faithfulness- Lord unto me.
Point III. As part of His nature God is "Gracious." Grace is getting what you do not deserve.
a. We do not deserve the many blessings that God grants upon us daily.
b. In Ephesians, Paul speaks of redemption through the abundance of His grace. Paul then states that he was made a minister according to the gift of His grace. To Timothy he spoke of His saving us and calling us with a holy calling according to His grace. To Titus he speaks of being justified by His grace.
c. Because of our sin, none of us ever can earn or ever deserve redemption, salvation, justification or even being a minister of God. It is only by God’s grace that we can enjoy be saved and transformed to receive these things.
d. Did you know that grace of God was given very early in the history of men. Perhaps you remember reading that Noah found favor <grace> in the eyes of the Lord.
e. God also told Moses that he had found grace in the eyes of the Lord meaning, grace is part of the Old Testament teaching.
Point IV. God’s nature is Longsuffering. He is very patient <enduring over time> as He deals with our sinfulness, weaknesses and shortcomings.
a. God’s Word tells us that He knows are frames that we are but dust. Personally you may consider yourself a super saint, God knows your heart. You cannot hide from Him When you stumble He is there to pick you up.
b If you want to thing about this read the books of Kings or Chronicles and how longsuffering He was with the children of Israel. Think of how long God has been patient with America. Without repentance and revival there may be no future America.
c. Think how longsuffering and patient He has been with me and you.
d. Warning - I have some cautions and warnings concerning the longsuffering and patience of God:
1. There are limits. God said to Noah, "My Spirit will not always strive with man."
2. Some foolishly mistake the longsuffering of God as getting by with their sin. Because God has not immediately punished them, they think that God doesn't know or care about their sins.
PSA 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
3. Worse yet, some think because God has been so longsuffering that He doesn't care what they have been doing.
4. Worst of all is the one that thinks because God has not done anything to stop them, that God approves what they are doing. This is not so. God’s word will accomplish that for which is was sent. This includes our sin.
Point V5. God’s nature is also "Abundant in goodness and truth."
a. God is not just good, His nature and character is abundant in goodness.
b. One of the problems that I see is that we enjoy almost without thinking daily of the goodness of God. Rarely do we just stop and thank Him for what He has given us.
c. Remember the ten lepers who came to Jesus and were healed - Only one came back to thank Him.
d. In the book of Romans, Paul spoke of the riches of His goodness.
ROM 2:4 Do you despise the riches of the goodness of God, and His forbearance and longsuffering? Don't you realize that it is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance?
- God nature is also abundant in truth.
1. Man often declares that he is on a quest for truth. That was the whole inspiration for the age of Philosophy.
2. These same men often reject the truth, and many today declare that absolute truth does not exist. In their minds and their lust of the flesh they desire that their truth personally becomes or is the only relevant truth
e. At the trial of Jesus, Pilate cynically asked, "What is truth?"
f. The one who Pilate asked was the One who the night before had said to His disciples, "I am the way the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14.6)
He demonstrates and shows His mercy by "forgiving iniquity and transgressions."
a. But there are conditions for the forgiveness; they are:
1. Repentance.
2. Believing.
3. Obedience.
6. God "By no means clearing the guilty."
a. How does that equate with the fact that He just said in mercy He forgives iniquity and transgressions?
b. The forgiveness is to those who in repentance will come to Him. Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you shall perish."
Lastly. THE BIBLE declares itself to be GOD'S Revelation of HIMSELF to men. THIS IS GOD Describing Himself to you and I.
A. This whole issue comes down to which God do you serve? The God and Savior of the narrow gate and narrow road or the god of the wide gate and wide-open road?
1. We all serve some god, you can't escape that fact. Either the gods of this world of sin and lust, or the God who created this world.
2. Many serve the gods of this world, but you need to consider this:
The god of the sinful human heart will never prevail against the God of heaven and His Son. Your own personal god and what you want is at enmity – a fancy word for at war with the God of Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. The god of your heart is being deceived by the deceiver. The one who want to kill and destroy and he is a liar from the beginning and Satan once called Lucifer In the final analysis is the god of your individual heart is the god of this world. He apart from Jesus Christ will ultimately leave you empty and destroy you, and allow you to be cast into hell.
Only God is “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Deuteronomy 34:6-7- says, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
Before He did anything with the tablets and the giving of the Commandments, God proclaimed the greatness of His attributes, a declaration that is basic to all Jewish and Christian theology. Moses repeated these words to God at Kadesh Barnea (Num. 14:17–19), the Jews used them in Nehemiah’s day (Neh. 9:17, 18), and Jonah quoted them when he sat pouting outside Nineveh (Jon. 4:1, 2). We don’t read that Moses fell on his face when he saw the glimpses of God’s glory, but he did bow to the ground and worship when he heard God speak these magnificent words.
By the grace of God, Moses achieved his purposes: God promised to go with the people, God showed Moses a glimpse of His glory, and God forgave the sins of the nation. Moses could return to the camp with the second tablets of the law and tell the people God was with them and had forgiven them.
Moses had also won God’s promise to accompany His people in their journey, but would He forgive the people for their sins?
Prayer- for understanding and applying His word.
I. Introduction. The Lord had told Moses that he had found favor or grace in His sight. So Moses asked in this favor that he might see and experience the glory of God/Yaweh. The Lord told him that no man could see His face and live. But that Moses should stand <away> <we say in a cleft of a rock> and the glory of the Lord would pass by, and after the Lord had passed by, Moses could see His back.
Point I. Vs. 5 AND the Lord God DESCENDED IN A CLOUD AND PROCLAIMED His NAME and character.
A. Yaweh is the suggested pronunciation for the name of the true and living God who created this universe and all the life forms within it.
1. God is not His name, only His title. In the Hebrew text, we only have the consonants, YHVH. Since there are no vowel marks, it makes His name unpronounceable.
a. The Jews reverence the name to such a degree that they never attempt to pronounce it. They believe His name is too holy to cross the lips of a mortal being.
b. There are two suggestions as to the pronunciation, Jehovah and Yahweh. The majority of scholars leaning toward = Yahweh.. This name is really a Hebrew verb meaning the becoming One.
c. That is, God becomes to you whatever you might need. He becomes your peace, your salvation, your healer, your strength, your provider, your righteousness.
d. Remember again when Moses first met God at the burning bush, as God called him to lead the people out from their bondage in Egypt, Moses said, "Who shall I tell them has sent me?" and God said, "I AM that I AM has sent you."
e. His name is not God. There are many gods. There is only one true and living God and He will become to you whatever you may need to lead you personally to the promised land.
f. Jesus also used this name. The name Jesus is Yehoshua, which means, "I AM your salvation." Jesus one day said to the Jews, "Before Abraham was, I AM." In John 8:24, Jesus said, "If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins."
g. Again, In the garden when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He asked them, "Who are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." When He answered them, "I AM," they fell backward on the ground.
B. Back to the text when God proclaimed His name Yahweh, Yahweh God, He also described His nature.
Point II. The NATURE of the true and living GOD.- He is Merciful and gracious.
1.. "Merciful.", mercy is getting what you don’t deserve- a reprieve and grace
2 Justice on the other hand is getting what you deserve.
a. Sometimes we hear of a person, who after committing a horrible murder or some particularly heinous crime, and as he or she is trying to evade the police who are chasing him, they crashes into something or have an accident trying to escape and die. We then will hear people say, "Justice has been served. He got what he deserved." That's justice – punishment. But actually they probably are getting punished more severely especially if they die apart from Jesus Christ- eternal punishment is terrible. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God apart from Jesus.
b. Think also of how Jesus showed mercy and gave grace to the woman taken in adultery. This is the character and nature of our God- not willing that any should perish 2nd Peter 3:9-‑‑
b. The Jews wanted justice and to trap Jesus. They said, "According to our law, she should be stoned. What do you say?" Jesus said whichever one of you is without sin, cast the first stone. As He bent over and began to write on the ground. Then they began to leave, from the oldest to the youngest until there were none left. Jesus then stood and asked the woman, "Where are your accusers?" She responded, "I have none." Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." There was only one person in the whole crowd qualified to throw a stone, and He refused to do so, rather He showed grace and gave mercy unto her.
c. When David had committed his horrible sin, he didn't pray for justice, but rather said, "Have mercy upon me O God, according to the multitude of tender mercies, blot out my transgressions."
David said, "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those that fear Him."
d. In Lamentations Jeremiah said:
LAM 3:22 It is the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
LAM 3:23 [They are] renewed every morning: great is thy faithfulness- Lord unto me.
Point III. As part of His nature God is "Gracious." Grace is getting what you do not deserve.
a. We do not deserve the many blessings that God grants upon us daily.
b. In Ephesians, Paul speaks of redemption through the abundance of His grace. Paul then states that he was made a minister according to the gift of His grace. To Timothy he spoke of His saving us and calling us with a holy calling according to His grace. To Titus he speaks of being justified by His grace.
c. Because of our sin, none of us ever can earn or ever deserve redemption, salvation, justification or even being a minister of God. It is only by God’s grace that we can enjoy be saved and transformed to receive these things.
d. Did you know that grace of God was given very early in the history of men. Perhaps you remember reading that Noah found favor <grace> in the eyes of the Lord.
e. God also told Moses that he had found grace in the eyes of the Lord meaning, grace is part of the Old Testament teaching.
Point IV. God’s nature is Longsuffering. He is very patient <enduring over time> as He deals with our sinfulness, weaknesses and shortcomings.
a. God’s Word tells us that He knows are frames that we are but dust. Personally you may consider yourself a super saint, God knows your heart. You cannot hide from Him When you stumble He is there to pick you up.
b If you want to thing about this read the books of Kings or Chronicles and how longsuffering He was with the children of Israel. Think of how long God has been patient with America. Without repentance and revival there may be no future America.
c. Think how longsuffering and patient He has been with me and you.
d. Warning - I have some cautions and warnings concerning the longsuffering and patience of God:
1. There are limits. God said to Noah, "My Spirit will not always strive with man."
2. Some foolishly mistake the longsuffering of God as getting by with their sin. Because God has not immediately punished them, they think that God doesn't know or care about their sins.
PSA 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
3. Worse yet, some think because God has been so longsuffering that He doesn't care what they have been doing.
4. Worst of all is the one that thinks because God has not done anything to stop them, that God approves what they are doing. This is not so. God’s word will accomplish that for which is was sent. This includes our sin.
Point V5. God’s nature is also "Abundant in goodness and truth."
a. God is not just good, His nature and character is abundant in goodness.
b. One of the problems that I see is that we enjoy almost without thinking daily of the goodness of God. Rarely do we just stop and thank Him for what He has given us.
c. Remember the ten lepers who came to Jesus and were healed - Only one came back to thank Him.
d. In the book of Romans, Paul spoke of the riches of His goodness.
ROM 2:4 Do you despise the riches of the goodness of God, and His forbearance and longsuffering? Don't you realize that it is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance?
- God nature is also abundant in truth.
1. Man often declares that he is on a quest for truth. That was the whole inspiration for the age of Philosophy.
2. These same men often reject the truth, and many today declare that absolute truth does not exist. In their minds and their lust of the flesh they desire that their truth personally becomes or is the only relevant truth
e. At the trial of Jesus, Pilate cynically asked, "What is truth?"
f. The one who Pilate asked was the One who the night before had said to His disciples, "I am the way the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14.6)
He demonstrates and shows His mercy by "forgiving iniquity and transgressions."
a. But there are conditions for the forgiveness; they are:
1. Repentance.
2. Believing.
3. Obedience.
6. God "By no means clearing the guilty."
a. How does that equate with the fact that He just said in mercy He forgives iniquity and transgressions?
b. The forgiveness is to those who in repentance will come to Him. Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you shall perish."
Lastly. THE BIBLE declares itself to be GOD'S Revelation of HIMSELF to men. THIS IS GOD Describing Himself to you and I.
A. This whole issue comes down to which God do you serve? The God and Savior of the narrow gate and narrow road or the god of the wide gate and wide-open road?
1. We all serve some god, you can't escape that fact. Either the gods of this world of sin and lust, or the God who created this world.
2. Many serve the gods of this world, but you need to consider this:
The god of the sinful human heart will never prevail against the God of heaven and His Son. Your own personal god and what you want is at enmity – a fancy word for at war with the God of Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. The god of your heart is being deceived by the deceiver. The one who want to kill and destroy and he is a liar from the beginning and Satan once called Lucifer In the final analysis is the god of your individual heart is the god of this world. He apart from Jesus Christ will ultimately leave you empty and destroy you, and allow you to be cast into hell.
Only God is “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
June 30 Sermon
What is our starting point each day as we are commanded to be “in Christ and walking “to be filled with the Holy Spirit? I asked myself this question recently. If we are to walk according to faith and not according to feelings daily, where do we begin? I am not good at the starting up as I am semi-conscious most days and recently I would add barely functioning is the last 9 months. I believe I am much better physically but do not want to declare I am healed; for I am much run down and have little energy these days. But I would say I am better and improving but it is slow going.
So, I have been seeking a better way almost unconsciously to stay connected to the Lord. I keep encountering this verse from Deuteronomy and I believe it is the beginning of “a better way” to walk with the Lord daily. While I can’t say I begin here consistently, I do rely on these verses as it tells us about who God is and since He never changes it and orients me to Himself.
This scripture was a personal message and experience for Moses. Moses, while he stood in God’s presence on Holy ground. Moses was learning to know God, and God spoke directly to him.
Read with me from Deuteronomy 34, verses 6 &-7, 6The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”<He is justice>
This was a personal word for Moses for He had asked to see God’s glory. So God knew in Moses’ present state He could not stand in His presence and live so He had to prepare Moses to experience Him. God works in our lives similarly.
If we use Experiencing God as a model we need to understand the realities of what we find taught in the Word of God. First that God is already at Work in the World drawing a people to Himself to be on mission with Him. Next understand that God calls and speaks by the Holy Spirit, using the Word of God, using other believers, and using events in your life.
Also know that and God pursues you in a love relationship that is both real and personal; but unique to you as an individual. Remembering this scripture verse that no man comes to the Father but by Christ alone, by faith alone.
Once you hear and understand that God is speaking or as some say calling, you experience a crisis of belief. In this crisis you must either exercise faith and believe and trust it is God speaking, and He has a calling for you or you reject Him and deny the truth. This is initially how we must come to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
And this crisis happens every time we have another encounter or word spoken from God which has the potential to radically change our lives.
If we accept and trust that God is God and we move forward, we grow in the faith and knowledge of the Lord and we mature as Christian believers. As we trust Him more and more we believe and have faith more and more in what we read is God’s Word.
Given this understanding let’s examine the Word of God and use the text from Acts to show case how those who walk by faith can grow even in the midst of tribulation, fear and oppression. Being mindful of the Word of God in 2 Tim 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Please turn to the New Testament Acts, Chapter 4. Verses 7-31
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This<Jesus> is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [a]notable miracle has been done through them is evident[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Prayer for Boldness
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your Holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
You will notice some important events in this chapter, which actually began in Chapter 3. God used Peter and John when they were entering the temple and God chose to use them to achieve a miracle of healing – the lame man walked. <silver and gold have I none>They commanded Him to walk in the power of Jesus Christ.
Because of their faithfulness and the miraculous healing Peter is then called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Jerusalem temple
The Pharisees and Sadducees there were jealous and upset about them preaching there was salvation in no other name and that they were directly accused as the ones who allowed the Son of God/Man to be crucified. Over 5000 came to faith because of this event that day!– God was calling them to complete this event, They didn’t plan it – God did. God involved Peter and John in His work and tested their faith.
Before they commanded the man to walk – check out verses 9 and 10. There was no evidential fear demonstrated by these men. They testified to the truth, despite what the Pharisees wanted. Verses 12 and 13 testify to the candor and boldness of these two disciples in the hot bed of contention. Reminds me of the 3 young Jews about to be roasted in the fiery furnace.
Verse 17 was the absolute fear of the Leadership of the Temple – we don’t want this stuff to spread, need to cut it off. You realize if the Jewish people there hadn’t been there testifying to the events as they happened, that most likely they would have killed these two apostles? For us the lesson is that being in the will of God is the safest place you can be.
Verses 19 and 20 are an amazing verses – think about it, telling these guys NO WAY in the middle of the Lion’s den is awesome but they were not walking in their own power but the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember what Jesus said in- Mark 13:11 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, [a]or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Then miraculously they are released-Verse 21.
But God was not done with them another huge step of Faith was coming not just for these two but for all. God who was at work had another word for all the other believers who were suffering persecution in Jerusalem. God almighty was about to speak through the lives of these two disciples into the lives of others a new message of hope and redemption.
Their initial celebration about what God had done, now led to spontaneous prayer and praise to God. They began worship God for what He had accomplished. What a wonder God had wrought.
In their prayer and praise look at what happened - Verses 25-26. They took the Old Testament Psalm 2 verses and modified them to add in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now read Verses 27 and 28, here God reveals to them this was His plan to the end - to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. This was spiritual insight was provided by God Almighty through the Holy Spirits teaching and revealing to them the Truth.
This Word from God then led them to pray for boldness in Christ – read Verse 29. Remember this came to them - Not by might , not by power but by My Spirit says the Lord <Zech 4:6>
Verse 31 is what we need in the churches in America today – Holy Boldness not in our own power but in the anointing of the Holy Spirit in power to forthtell the Word of God and be filled with the Spirit.
Oh Lord bring revival, repentance and renewal- Yes Lord come quickly!
AMEN
What is our starting point each day as we are commanded to be “in Christ and walking “to be filled with the Holy Spirit? I asked myself this question recently. If we are to walk according to faith and not according to feelings daily, where do we begin? I am not good at the starting up as I am semi-conscious most days and recently I would add barely functioning is the last 9 months. I believe I am much better physically but do not want to declare I am healed; for I am much run down and have little energy these days. But I would say I am better and improving but it is slow going.
So, I have been seeking a better way almost unconsciously to stay connected to the Lord. I keep encountering this verse from Deuteronomy and I believe it is the beginning of “a better way” to walk with the Lord daily. While I can’t say I begin here consistently, I do rely on these verses as it tells us about who God is and since He never changes it and orients me to Himself.
This scripture was a personal message and experience for Moses. Moses, while he stood in God’s presence on Holy ground. Moses was learning to know God, and God spoke directly to him.
Read with me from Deuteronomy 34, verses 6 &-7, 6The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”<He is justice>
This was a personal word for Moses for He had asked to see God’s glory. So God knew in Moses’ present state He could not stand in His presence and live so He had to prepare Moses to experience Him. God works in our lives similarly.
If we use Experiencing God as a model we need to understand the realities of what we find taught in the Word of God. First that God is already at Work in the World drawing a people to Himself to be on mission with Him. Next understand that God calls and speaks by the Holy Spirit, using the Word of God, using other believers, and using events in your life.
Also know that and God pursues you in a love relationship that is both real and personal; but unique to you as an individual. Remembering this scripture verse that no man comes to the Father but by Christ alone, by faith alone.
Once you hear and understand that God is speaking or as some say calling, you experience a crisis of belief. In this crisis you must either exercise faith and believe and trust it is God speaking, and He has a calling for you or you reject Him and deny the truth. This is initially how we must come to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
And this crisis happens every time we have another encounter or word spoken from God which has the potential to radically change our lives.
If we accept and trust that God is God and we move forward, we grow in the faith and knowledge of the Lord and we mature as Christian believers. As we trust Him more and more we believe and have faith more and more in what we read is God’s Word.
Given this understanding let’s examine the Word of God and use the text from Acts to show case how those who walk by faith can grow even in the midst of tribulation, fear and oppression. Being mindful of the Word of God in 2 Tim 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Please turn to the New Testament Acts, Chapter 4. Verses 7-31
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This<Jesus> is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [a]notable miracle has been done through them is evident[b] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Prayer for Boldness
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [c]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your Holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
You will notice some important events in this chapter, which actually began in Chapter 3. God used Peter and John when they were entering the temple and God chose to use them to achieve a miracle of healing – the lame man walked. <silver and gold have I none>They commanded Him to walk in the power of Jesus Christ.
Because of their faithfulness and the miraculous healing Peter is then called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Jerusalem temple
The Pharisees and Sadducees there were jealous and upset about them preaching there was salvation in no other name and that they were directly accused as the ones who allowed the Son of God/Man to be crucified. Over 5000 came to faith because of this event that day!– God was calling them to complete this event, They didn’t plan it – God did. God involved Peter and John in His work and tested their faith.
Before they commanded the man to walk – check out verses 9 and 10. There was no evidential fear demonstrated by these men. They testified to the truth, despite what the Pharisees wanted. Verses 12 and 13 testify to the candor and boldness of these two disciples in the hot bed of contention. Reminds me of the 3 young Jews about to be roasted in the fiery furnace.
Verse 17 was the absolute fear of the Leadership of the Temple – we don’t want this stuff to spread, need to cut it off. You realize if the Jewish people there hadn’t been there testifying to the events as they happened, that most likely they would have killed these two apostles? For us the lesson is that being in the will of God is the safest place you can be.
Verses 19 and 20 are an amazing verses – think about it, telling these guys NO WAY in the middle of the Lion’s den is awesome but they were not walking in their own power but the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember what Jesus said in- Mark 13:11 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, [a]or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Then miraculously they are released-Verse 21.
But God was not done with them another huge step of Faith was coming not just for these two but for all. God who was at work had another word for all the other believers who were suffering persecution in Jerusalem. God almighty was about to speak through the lives of these two disciples into the lives of others a new message of hope and redemption.
Their initial celebration about what God had done, now led to spontaneous prayer and praise to God. They began worship God for what He had accomplished. What a wonder God had wrought.
In their prayer and praise look at what happened - Verses 25-26. They took the Old Testament Psalm 2 verses and modified them to add in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now read Verses 27 and 28, here God reveals to them this was His plan to the end - to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. This was spiritual insight was provided by God Almighty through the Holy Spirits teaching and revealing to them the Truth.
This Word from God then led them to pray for boldness in Christ – read Verse 29. Remember this came to them - Not by might , not by power but by My Spirit says the Lord <Zech 4:6>
Verse 31 is what we need in the churches in America today – Holy Boldness not in our own power but in the anointing of the Holy Spirit in power to forthtell the Word of God and be filled with the Spirit.
Oh Lord bring revival, repentance and renewal- Yes Lord come quickly!
AMEN
June 23 Sermon
In a darkening world of increased confusion and disillusion there is much discussion about spiritual things. Yes there is a spiritual hunger but this hunger is not always hungering after the right spirit. Satan is still called the Prince and power of the air for a reason for while defeated, he is still active to destroy His Father’s creation. And when he comes , he comes only to kill, maim or destroy. He is also named as a liar from the beginning. It is a frightful idea that the highest created being in the universe is the deceiver, who originally led the heavenly choir, who is also the one who fomented the rebellion in heaven against God. For the absolute desire of his heart was to replace God and receive all praise and worship in His place.<Isa. 14:12-21> One third of the Angels were deceived and followed his rebellion and these were cast into outer darkness awaiting a future and final judgement.
I sometimes wonder about our minds. That is our minds. The minds and thinking of us who are in the category of created beings. This question rings in my head, how can or how could a finite, created being, ever conceive in their head, that he or she, since God alone made them, male and female, think, and this includes Angels by the way, they could ever defeat an all-powerful, all knowing and all wise present Creator? Yet, we see evidence of this irrational hatred in what is being expressed today toward the Jews <God’s chosen people> presently; and lurking just around the corner is this idea of “them Christians aren’t to be trusted either.” New hate terms are being created as we speak to marginalize believers as rightwing, radicals/nationalists/hate mongers who devalue “democracy”. Democracy in their minds is not really democracy as we define it but is closest to full blooded communism; where a small group of elitists tell everyone what to do, when and how much to do. Do these deluded people really believe they have the ability to defeat God in a head to head battle? This is impossible. But according to prophetic scripture that is the path they are on! We have to be fully depraved and utterly deluded to believe such; and more importantly if God loves us why would we want this outcome? Would we not be overcome with joy that God Almighty has invited us to join Him? This is a question for the ages, but is reflected in what happened to Jesus, the Son of God while He was on the earth. We read in Isaiah 53, that Jesus was- a Man of [e]sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our [g]griefs
And carried our [h]sorrows;
Yet we [i]esteemed Him stricken,
[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
How is it then that Believers are not so deceived or swept away so easily into this fanatical deceptive philosophy. I believe it is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us by God’s grace and we will learn more of that presently.
Jesus gives us words specific words of instruction on how to walk the narrow road on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, Chapter 7, for which we should pay close attention. Let’s, begin at verse 13 reading:,
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; <Jesus is the door/gate> for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. <fruit of the Spirit evidence in Gal 5:23>
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, <great and terrible day of the Lord> ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ <evidence of true faith is missing, not born from above>
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,<James – be ye doers of the word> I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Our lesson today focuses on two sections of the text; first verses 13 and 14 and then on verses 15-19, discussing fruit because they are related
Point 1. Verses 13-14 states, 13“Enter by the narrow gate; <Jesus is the door/gate> for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
This sounds like a difficult passage to understand. Jesus here is discussing a difference in how we follow after God depending upon what is in our heart. Someone suggested putting some signs of these doors so that people could more easily relate to what they mean. For example for the narrow gate you could put “pain and suffering” as the sign. And for the wide gate you could put “fun and games” or something which evokes thoughts of pleasure. For many this wide gate is great for when I follow “fun and games” I can define and do pretty much what I want when it comes to my life. I define my own God and fulfill my particular wants and needs. After all I will define my own life, do what I want to do and how I want to do it. But to live my life for myself means I am defining this road/gate as I want and am ignoring any deeper meaning. On the wide path of “fun and games” I live entirely for self and for no other. God’s word says – this path or way leads to destruction.
But perhaps as Jesus was teaching He had an entirely different meaning, reference and understanding concerning this text. Please turn to John Chapter 10, verses 7 - 11,where we find an explanation about the gate/door. Beginning at verse 7, 7Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came [a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they <you> may have life, and that they <you> may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives <lays down > His life for the sheep.
This narrow gate for entry requires pain and suffering. To enter into a relationship with Christ and to continue in that relationship requires conviction, awareness of personal sinfulness, confession and repentance for my sin and pain for me to face it and pain on the cross for my Savior to bear it. It requires me to humble myself before God, to die to self and confession of my individual sin. This path makes me realize I am unable to save myself and I need and must ask Him to be my Lord and Savior. I am of myself unable to save myself.
Perhaps the sign on the narrow door should even be more dramatic. It should probably say “pain, suffering and death.” That is a sign most people want nothing to do with and is uninviting compared to “fun and games.” Verse 14 is important as it provides the understanding 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Since Jesus is the gate/door we can know that He will enable us to find the “Way,” since, Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by Him. The narrow way requires death to self and few who are who would choose it or could find it without help
Point #2 - Verses 15-23 are directly related to what we understand about the narrow road described in verses 13 and 14.Let’ read again verses 15-23 - 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. <fruit of the Spirit evidence in Gal 5:23>
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Here Jesus is making a distinction concerning good trees and bad trees and good fruit and bad fruit, saying you will see the evidence of people’s lives by the fruit they produce. So what He is telling us is that those who choose the narrow road will be the ones who produce good fruit, because of their yielding to the influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Good fruit is the result of God’s righteousness bringing a harvest within the life of the believer. Only those on the narrow road who are being disciplined to bring to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives will be. Those on the wide path leading to destruction are self-centered and not god-centered and have not been born from above. As we would say they are unregenerate and apostate. They have the knowledge of God but no relationship with the creator of the Universe and the Holy Spirit of God does not live within them. Their output is bad fruit, which is everything and all things evil, depraved and apart from the true nature of God.
The Apostle Peter in his 2nd letter says this in Chapter 1, verse 3 – as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
What is this divine power which has been given us? It is called the filling of the Spirit, the anointing which comes from above. It is God investing in each of us individually as He promised in Ezekiel 36- 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Who is this person of God? First His is God and there is no other. But Jesus labels Him the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth, the Paraclete, the Comforter, the one who Convicts, who guides into all Truth <John 14,15, and 16>. He enables us to walk according to the full counsel of God
In a darkening world of increased confusion and disillusion there is much discussion about spiritual things. Yes there is a spiritual hunger but this hunger is not always hungering after the right spirit. Satan is still called the Prince and power of the air for a reason for while defeated, he is still active to destroy His Father’s creation. And when he comes , he comes only to kill, maim or destroy. He is also named as a liar from the beginning. It is a frightful idea that the highest created being in the universe is the deceiver, who originally led the heavenly choir, who is also the one who fomented the rebellion in heaven against God. For the absolute desire of his heart was to replace God and receive all praise and worship in His place.<Isa. 14:12-21> One third of the Angels were deceived and followed his rebellion and these were cast into outer darkness awaiting a future and final judgement.
I sometimes wonder about our minds. That is our minds. The minds and thinking of us who are in the category of created beings. This question rings in my head, how can or how could a finite, created being, ever conceive in their head, that he or she, since God alone made them, male and female, think, and this includes Angels by the way, they could ever defeat an all-powerful, all knowing and all wise present Creator? Yet, we see evidence of this irrational hatred in what is being expressed today toward the Jews <God’s chosen people> presently; and lurking just around the corner is this idea of “them Christians aren’t to be trusted either.” New hate terms are being created as we speak to marginalize believers as rightwing, radicals/nationalists/hate mongers who devalue “democracy”. Democracy in their minds is not really democracy as we define it but is closest to full blooded communism; where a small group of elitists tell everyone what to do, when and how much to do. Do these deluded people really believe they have the ability to defeat God in a head to head battle? This is impossible. But according to prophetic scripture that is the path they are on! We have to be fully depraved and utterly deluded to believe such; and more importantly if God loves us why would we want this outcome? Would we not be overcome with joy that God Almighty has invited us to join Him? This is a question for the ages, but is reflected in what happened to Jesus, the Son of God while He was on the earth. We read in Isaiah 53, that Jesus was- a Man of [e]sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our [g]griefs
And carried our [h]sorrows;
Yet we [i]esteemed Him stricken,
[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
How is it then that Believers are not so deceived or swept away so easily into this fanatical deceptive philosophy. I believe it is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us by God’s grace and we will learn more of that presently.
Jesus gives us words specific words of instruction on how to walk the narrow road on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, Chapter 7, for which we should pay close attention. Let’s, begin at verse 13 reading:,
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; <Jesus is the door/gate> for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. <fruit of the Spirit evidence in Gal 5:23>
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, <great and terrible day of the Lord> ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ <evidence of true faith is missing, not born from above>
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,<James – be ye doers of the word> I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Our lesson today focuses on two sections of the text; first verses 13 and 14 and then on verses 15-19, discussing fruit because they are related
Point 1. Verses 13-14 states, 13“Enter by the narrow gate; <Jesus is the door/gate> for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
This sounds like a difficult passage to understand. Jesus here is discussing a difference in how we follow after God depending upon what is in our heart. Someone suggested putting some signs of these doors so that people could more easily relate to what they mean. For example for the narrow gate you could put “pain and suffering” as the sign. And for the wide gate you could put “fun and games” or something which evokes thoughts of pleasure. For many this wide gate is great for when I follow “fun and games” I can define and do pretty much what I want when it comes to my life. I define my own God and fulfill my particular wants and needs. After all I will define my own life, do what I want to do and how I want to do it. But to live my life for myself means I am defining this road/gate as I want and am ignoring any deeper meaning. On the wide path of “fun and games” I live entirely for self and for no other. God’s word says – this path or way leads to destruction.
But perhaps as Jesus was teaching He had an entirely different meaning, reference and understanding concerning this text. Please turn to John Chapter 10, verses 7 - 11,where we find an explanation about the gate/door. Beginning at verse 7, 7Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came [a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they <you> may have life, and that they <you> may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives <lays down > His life for the sheep.
This narrow gate for entry requires pain and suffering. To enter into a relationship with Christ and to continue in that relationship requires conviction, awareness of personal sinfulness, confession and repentance for my sin and pain for me to face it and pain on the cross for my Savior to bear it. It requires me to humble myself before God, to die to self and confession of my individual sin. This path makes me realize I am unable to save myself and I need and must ask Him to be my Lord and Savior. I am of myself unable to save myself.
Perhaps the sign on the narrow door should even be more dramatic. It should probably say “pain, suffering and death.” That is a sign most people want nothing to do with and is uninviting compared to “fun and games.” Verse 14 is important as it provides the understanding 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Since Jesus is the gate/door we can know that He will enable us to find the “Way,” since, Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by Him. The narrow way requires death to self and few who are who would choose it or could find it without help
Point #2 - Verses 15-23 are directly related to what we understand about the narrow road described in verses 13 and 14.Let’ read again verses 15-23 - 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. <fruit of the Spirit evidence in Gal 5:23>
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Here Jesus is making a distinction concerning good trees and bad trees and good fruit and bad fruit, saying you will see the evidence of people’s lives by the fruit they produce. So what He is telling us is that those who choose the narrow road will be the ones who produce good fruit, because of their yielding to the influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Good fruit is the result of God’s righteousness bringing a harvest within the life of the believer. Only those on the narrow road who are being disciplined to bring to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives will be. Those on the wide path leading to destruction are self-centered and not god-centered and have not been born from above. As we would say they are unregenerate and apostate. They have the knowledge of God but no relationship with the creator of the Universe and the Holy Spirit of God does not live within them. Their output is bad fruit, which is everything and all things evil, depraved and apart from the true nature of God.
The Apostle Peter in his 2nd letter says this in Chapter 1, verse 3 – as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
What is this divine power which has been given us? It is called the filling of the Spirit, the anointing which comes from above. It is God investing in each of us individually as He promised in Ezekiel 36- 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Who is this person of God? First His is God and there is no other. But Jesus labels Him the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth, the Paraclete, the Comforter, the one who Convicts, who guides into all Truth <John 14,15, and 16>. He enables us to walk according to the full counsel of God
June 16 Sermon Father's Day
Today for a few minutes we will choose to focus on Our Heavenly Father. Now to try and explain or even grasp even a measure of the glory and majesty of God in an hour is impossible besides being ridiculous. Since it is Father’s Day and we want to honor our Heavenly Father, we will simply apply in limited measure what Jesus His Son said to us about God our Father and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts to the truth of who God is.
Please pray that whatever we say and do will honor and life up the name of the Lord God almighty
Vain repetitions In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus is teaching what we call the sermon on the mount and this instruction is considered a direct repudiation of all that the Pharisees’ are teaching about worship and how to honor God. This verses we will look at in Chapter 6 are specifically about prayer and how to pray. <elsewhere in scripture> the disciples’ had noticed that Jesus always prayed before important events and they asked Jesus to “teach us to pray.” We however will only look at a very small portion of this text. Let’s read from Matt 6:8-10 - 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Let’s ask ourselves a question – who is God to you today, right now, right this minute? If you truly know Him the best answer is probably – God is! The revelation to Moses at the burning bush is I AM, THAT I AM, means God is for whatever God requires. That is why when we start cataloging the names for God and what He is able to do we can come up with over 5 single spaced pages of titles each one descriptive of who God is. Hopefully as you sit in the pew today you have a God is statement that He is teaching you about Himself today?
Point I. Now no longer assuming but stating God is, can you state that God is your Father? Perhaps your earthly father was an unworthy Father, your heavenly Father can meet every need and more! But you must learn to trust Him.
The Lord’s Prayer verses begin with a simple statement about who God is. Jesus invites us to say “Our Father” when we pray. The key to understanding the Lord’s Prayer is rightly understanding what that phrase means. When you say, “Our Father in heaven,” you are admitting you do not pray alone. The Lord’s Prayer is not a “private” prayer. The words “I” and “me” are nowhere to be found. You are admitting that you are not the only one in who has concern{s} to bring to God. To begin with the word “our” means that you are identified with and involved in a fellowship and the community of God’s children around the world. This is important because it is easy to become me-oriented when we pray. But when you pray “Our Father,” you are confessing your problems are not the only problems in the world. You are admitting that there are many others around the world who have concerns just as great as yours.
And that leads us to a crucial point. The first step in prayer is to learn to call God “Father.” In a true biblical sense, the only people who have the right to do address God as Father are those who are the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26), who have been born from above, by water and the Spirit. I know it is popular today to say “We’re all God’s children” with a glibness that blurs the distinctions between those who know Jesus Christ and those who don’t. But in contrast to those who would apply the Lord’s Prayer to everyone, even to non-Christians, we declare that this is a prayer only true Christians can pray. You might say this prayer but you would not actually be praying. Remember there is a vital difference between a said faith and real faith. Real faith is confessed and believing in your heart in Christ and His atonement for your sin. There is no other kind!
Point II. Like Father, Like Son
Second, you are to call Him “Our Father’”. When you call God “Father,” you are saying there is One in heaven who hears and knows and understands and cares. Whatever a good father on earth would do for his children, that’s what God in heaven will more than do for his children. Did you understand this or have you never really thought about you are calling God your Father? Perhaps the best way for us to learn about the Father is to learn what Jesus said about Our Father-
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, beginning in verse 9 9 Jesus said to him<Phillip>, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
What Jesus teaches us is that He is an exact representation of the Father in heaven. Jesus is God made real in flesh and bones. If Jesus is love, God is love. How can we be sure of this well Jesus tells us in His high priestly prayer before He goes to the cross of Calvary in John Chapter 17, verse
John 17:11- Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. Here Jesus states that He and the Father are One.
So recognizing God as our Father means 3 things biblically :
a.) it refers to source or paternity or origin. God is the source of all that you have. When we sing the Doxology, we begin with the words “Praise God from whom all blessings flow“. Or as the Scripture says, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25). When you call God “Father,” you declare that your ultimate origin rests with Him.
Second, He is sovereign, the word Father speaks of parental authority. He is God and you are not. He is running the show and you are not. He is a father; you are his child. We must not use the fact of God’s love as an excuse to reject his right to rule over us. Because he is our Father “in heaven,” he has the right to do as he pleases even if his ways do not always make sense to us.
Third, when you call God “Father,” you confess that he is a God of tender loving care. There’s a Hebrew word in the Old Testament-hesed-which is translated a number of different ways. In the King James, hesed is usually translated as lovingkindness. As in “thy lovingkindness is better than life”. The newer translations take that concept and add the concept of faithfulness to it. This word hesed speaks of God’s loyal love to all His children. It is the love that keeping on loving no matter what we do or how badly we blow it or how many dumb mistakes we make. He is a God who never lets his children go. He loves his children with an everlasting love that is faithful and loyal no matter what happens.
Part 3 – Now one more part. We have in part 1 spoken about the word, Ours. And just now finished speaking about Our Father. Now we will discuss the phrases, Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Third, we pray to our Father who is “in heaven“. That’s usually a throwaway line for most of us. We tend to think it means that earth is where we are and heaven is where God is, which is somewhere in the great beyond – out there. That’s not what it means. The phrase “in heaven” refers to heaven being the center of everything, the seat of all authority, all power, all dominion and all greatness. We are on earth and are therefore limited to this little ball of dirt floating around the sun in a little corner of a galaxy called the Milky Way. And that galaxy is just one of an unimaginable number of galaxies in a universe so large it cannot be measured. Stating we are “on earth” means that we pray from a position of weakness, corruption and insignificance. God’s throne in heaven is in the seat of all authority and all power. Therefore, when you say, “Our father in heaven,” you are proclaiming that Our Father has the all authority and all power to hear you and to help you in whatever circumstance you are dealing. It is because God is in heaven. He is the source and that he has the will and power to help you.
Think of it this way:
Our = I pray with others.
Our Father = I pray to One who cares for me.
Our Father in heaven = I pray to one who has the power to help me.
Every single word is important. Every single word is crucial. “Our“ opens you up to a big view of the universe. “Father“ encourages you to believe that He who is the God of Heaven who cares- He sent His Son to die for you! “In heaven“ means that you don’t have a problem that he is unable to handle. You don’t have a need in your life that he can’t meet because he’s your Father in heaven who hears and answers prayer.
IV. Conclusion– this should give us a new way of thinking about God as our Father and it is His gift to us on Father’s Day 2024. When we come to the New Testament, we discover that Jesus called God “Father” more than 60 times. Why this enormous difference? Because the revelation of God as our personal Father is based on the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. It’s not that he wasn’t a Father to his people in the Old Testament, but that’s not the primary way He revealed Himself. Only in the New Testament do we discover that God is now the Father of those who come to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.
This is also very good news for prodigal sons and daughters who need to return to God via repentance and acknowledging it is better to be a servant in my Father’s house that to be a slave to sin.
Understanding this about the Lord’s Prayer and having a Father in heaven also provides us an understanding that the Lord’s Prayer answers the greatest question of the universe-Is there anybody up there who cares about me? Is there anybody up there who watches over me? Is there anybody up there who knows my name? And the answer comes back-Yes. Yes. Yes. There is a God in heaven who cares about you. And he is called Our Father.
All that a good father is to his children God will be to his children when they approach him in prayer. And that is why the most profound prayer you will ever pray has only three words-“Our Heavenly Father.” Pray that and if you really understand what it means, that is the prayer and everything else is just the P.S.
Jesus made prayer simple because in the end, we are simple people. If it were difficult, most of us would forget it or mess it up somehow. Yet these simple words are profound beyond our understanding. Everything God has for us and that He is for us is wrapped in the word “Father.” When we come to Him in Jesus’ name, we are not coming to an angry God, but to a friendly Father. So don’t be afraid to talk to God. Your Father is waiting to hear from you.
Prayer- Lord God, you have called us out of darkness into your marvelous light and by grace you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. All things are ours because all things are yours and we are your beloved children. We claim no merit of our own but cling to the imputed righteousness of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We make bold to pray the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus commanded us to do so and with his own blood he opened the way into your presence. We thank you for the privilege of calling you Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
.
Today for a few minutes we will choose to focus on Our Heavenly Father. Now to try and explain or even grasp even a measure of the glory and majesty of God in an hour is impossible besides being ridiculous. Since it is Father’s Day and we want to honor our Heavenly Father, we will simply apply in limited measure what Jesus His Son said to us about God our Father and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts to the truth of who God is.
Please pray that whatever we say and do will honor and life up the name of the Lord God almighty
Vain repetitions In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus is teaching what we call the sermon on the mount and this instruction is considered a direct repudiation of all that the Pharisees’ are teaching about worship and how to honor God. This verses we will look at in Chapter 6 are specifically about prayer and how to pray. <elsewhere in scripture> the disciples’ had noticed that Jesus always prayed before important events and they asked Jesus to “teach us to pray.” We however will only look at a very small portion of this text. Let’s read from Matt 6:8-10 - 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Let’s ask ourselves a question – who is God to you today, right now, right this minute? If you truly know Him the best answer is probably – God is! The revelation to Moses at the burning bush is I AM, THAT I AM, means God is for whatever God requires. That is why when we start cataloging the names for God and what He is able to do we can come up with over 5 single spaced pages of titles each one descriptive of who God is. Hopefully as you sit in the pew today you have a God is statement that He is teaching you about Himself today?
Point I. Now no longer assuming but stating God is, can you state that God is your Father? Perhaps your earthly father was an unworthy Father, your heavenly Father can meet every need and more! But you must learn to trust Him.
The Lord’s Prayer verses begin with a simple statement about who God is. Jesus invites us to say “Our Father” when we pray. The key to understanding the Lord’s Prayer is rightly understanding what that phrase means. When you say, “Our Father in heaven,” you are admitting you do not pray alone. The Lord’s Prayer is not a “private” prayer. The words “I” and “me” are nowhere to be found. You are admitting that you are not the only one in who has concern{s} to bring to God. To begin with the word “our” means that you are identified with and involved in a fellowship and the community of God’s children around the world. This is important because it is easy to become me-oriented when we pray. But when you pray “Our Father,” you are confessing your problems are not the only problems in the world. You are admitting that there are many others around the world who have concerns just as great as yours.
And that leads us to a crucial point. The first step in prayer is to learn to call God “Father.” In a true biblical sense, the only people who have the right to do address God as Father are those who are the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26), who have been born from above, by water and the Spirit. I know it is popular today to say “We’re all God’s children” with a glibness that blurs the distinctions between those who know Jesus Christ and those who don’t. But in contrast to those who would apply the Lord’s Prayer to everyone, even to non-Christians, we declare that this is a prayer only true Christians can pray. You might say this prayer but you would not actually be praying. Remember there is a vital difference between a said faith and real faith. Real faith is confessed and believing in your heart in Christ and His atonement for your sin. There is no other kind!
Point II. Like Father, Like Son
Second, you are to call Him “Our Father’”. When you call God “Father,” you are saying there is One in heaven who hears and knows and understands and cares. Whatever a good father on earth would do for his children, that’s what God in heaven will more than do for his children. Did you understand this or have you never really thought about you are calling God your Father? Perhaps the best way for us to learn about the Father is to learn what Jesus said about Our Father-
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 14, beginning in verse 9 9 Jesus said to him<Phillip>, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
What Jesus teaches us is that He is an exact representation of the Father in heaven. Jesus is God made real in flesh and bones. If Jesus is love, God is love. How can we be sure of this well Jesus tells us in His high priestly prayer before He goes to the cross of Calvary in John Chapter 17, verse
John 17:11- Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. Here Jesus states that He and the Father are One.
So recognizing God as our Father means 3 things biblically :
a.) it refers to source or paternity or origin. God is the source of all that you have. When we sing the Doxology, we begin with the words “Praise God from whom all blessings flow“. Or as the Scripture says, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25). When you call God “Father,” you declare that your ultimate origin rests with Him.
Second, He is sovereign, the word Father speaks of parental authority. He is God and you are not. He is running the show and you are not. He is a father; you are his child. We must not use the fact of God’s love as an excuse to reject his right to rule over us. Because he is our Father “in heaven,” he has the right to do as he pleases even if his ways do not always make sense to us.
Third, when you call God “Father,” you confess that he is a God of tender loving care. There’s a Hebrew word in the Old Testament-hesed-which is translated a number of different ways. In the King James, hesed is usually translated as lovingkindness. As in “thy lovingkindness is better than life”. The newer translations take that concept and add the concept of faithfulness to it. This word hesed speaks of God’s loyal love to all His children. It is the love that keeping on loving no matter what we do or how badly we blow it or how many dumb mistakes we make. He is a God who never lets his children go. He loves his children with an everlasting love that is faithful and loyal no matter what happens.
Part 3 – Now one more part. We have in part 1 spoken about the word, Ours. And just now finished speaking about Our Father. Now we will discuss the phrases, Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Third, we pray to our Father who is “in heaven“. That’s usually a throwaway line for most of us. We tend to think it means that earth is where we are and heaven is where God is, which is somewhere in the great beyond – out there. That’s not what it means. The phrase “in heaven” refers to heaven being the center of everything, the seat of all authority, all power, all dominion and all greatness. We are on earth and are therefore limited to this little ball of dirt floating around the sun in a little corner of a galaxy called the Milky Way. And that galaxy is just one of an unimaginable number of galaxies in a universe so large it cannot be measured. Stating we are “on earth” means that we pray from a position of weakness, corruption and insignificance. God’s throne in heaven is in the seat of all authority and all power. Therefore, when you say, “Our father in heaven,” you are proclaiming that Our Father has the all authority and all power to hear you and to help you in whatever circumstance you are dealing. It is because God is in heaven. He is the source and that he has the will and power to help you.
Think of it this way:
Our = I pray with others.
Our Father = I pray to One who cares for me.
Our Father in heaven = I pray to one who has the power to help me.
Every single word is important. Every single word is crucial. “Our“ opens you up to a big view of the universe. “Father“ encourages you to believe that He who is the God of Heaven who cares- He sent His Son to die for you! “In heaven“ means that you don’t have a problem that he is unable to handle. You don’t have a need in your life that he can’t meet because he’s your Father in heaven who hears and answers prayer.
IV. Conclusion– this should give us a new way of thinking about God as our Father and it is His gift to us on Father’s Day 2024. When we come to the New Testament, we discover that Jesus called God “Father” more than 60 times. Why this enormous difference? Because the revelation of God as our personal Father is based on the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. It’s not that he wasn’t a Father to his people in the Old Testament, but that’s not the primary way He revealed Himself. Only in the New Testament do we discover that God is now the Father of those who come to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.
This is also very good news for prodigal sons and daughters who need to return to God via repentance and acknowledging it is better to be a servant in my Father’s house that to be a slave to sin.
Understanding this about the Lord’s Prayer and having a Father in heaven also provides us an understanding that the Lord’s Prayer answers the greatest question of the universe-Is there anybody up there who cares about me? Is there anybody up there who watches over me? Is there anybody up there who knows my name? And the answer comes back-Yes. Yes. Yes. There is a God in heaven who cares about you. And he is called Our Father.
All that a good father is to his children God will be to his children when they approach him in prayer. And that is why the most profound prayer you will ever pray has only three words-“Our Heavenly Father.” Pray that and if you really understand what it means, that is the prayer and everything else is just the P.S.
Jesus made prayer simple because in the end, we are simple people. If it were difficult, most of us would forget it or mess it up somehow. Yet these simple words are profound beyond our understanding. Everything God has for us and that He is for us is wrapped in the word “Father.” When we come to Him in Jesus’ name, we are not coming to an angry God, but to a friendly Father. So don’t be afraid to talk to God. Your Father is waiting to hear from you.
Prayer- Lord God, you have called us out of darkness into your marvelous light and by grace you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. All things are ours because all things are yours and we are your beloved children. We claim no merit of our own but cling to the imputed righteousness of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We make bold to pray the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus commanded us to do so and with his own blood he opened the way into your presence. We thank you for the privilege of calling you Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
.
June 9 Sermon
Derived from The Seven Wonders of the Word of God, by Adrian Rogers. Reference Psalm 119:18, 27 & 129
1) INTRODUCTION
a) Psalm 119 deals with the Word of God.
i) Psalm 119:18-Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
ii) Psalm 119:27- Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
iii) Psalm 119:129 - Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.
In these passages, the writer speaks twice of wondrous things and then says that they are wonderful. We have heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and today’s message will look into the wonders of the Word of God and what is it? Is it really His Word?
b) Today Our great battle is actually over the Word of God. <Standard>
i) The danger is less from those who attack Christ’s church from the outside.
(1) These are like mites pecking on the church.
(a) We can see them and can scoot them away.
ii) Others internally who are more like termites, eating at the foundation.
(1) These are communists, and antichrist’s we call then progressives or liberals on the inside.<regressives>
(2) Preachers in today’s pulpits are denying the Bible and are destroying faith in the Bible.
c) The Bible is being attacked today.
i) There are those who say that there is no need to defend the Bible because the Bible will defend itself.
(1) The Bible commands us to earnestly contend for the faith in Jude Chapter –
The point of difference is what people believe about the inspiration of the Word of God.
2) Point 1- the bible is a supernatural book
a) There is no other book was written as the Bible has been written.
b) 2 Timothy 3:16- all scripture is given by inspiration of God….
i) The Greek word for “inspiration” means “God-breathed.”
(1) All scripture is God-breathed.
(a) We couldn’t speak without breath and the Bible is the breath of God.
(2) This means that God breathed the Scriptures out.
(3) The Bible is as much the Word of God as if God were here in a physical body speaking these words.
ii) Note on major caveat All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, not part of it.
c) We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible.
i) “Verbal” from its Latin word means “word.”
(1) This means the word-by-word inspiration of the Bible; that every word of God is pure. Proverbs 30:5
(2) Matthew 4:4- 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
ii) Some people believe that the Bible is inspired in its thoughts but not the words.
(1) But you cannot have accurate thoughts without accurate words.
(a) To have thoughts without words would be like trying to have mathematics without numbers.
(2) The Lord Jesus taught us that even a jot or a tittle in the Word of God is important.
(3) In the original manuscripts, every line, every point, every pen stroke, every jot and every tittle were placed there by the will and the purpose of Almighty God.
iii) All parts of Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
d) 3,808 times, the Bible states a phrase such as “God said” or “The Lord said” or “Thus saith the Lord” or “The Lord spoke.”
i) Either the Bible is the Word of God, or it is a fable because over and over again it says that this is what God says.
e) If the entire Bible is the breath of God, then why do different books sound different from each other?
i) For example, the book of James doesn’t sound like what Paul wrote.
(1) Why is the language and style so different if it’s all given by inspiration of God?
ii) This is because we can see the personalities, temperaments and characteristics of each human author ingrained within each text. This s because Almighty God is behind all of them.
iii) God used human instruments to write the Bible, but behind these human instruments was Almighty God.
(1) 2 Peter 1:20-21 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private [j]interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [k]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
iv) The Bible is a very human book in that we see the prayers, the praises, the fears, the victories, the yearnings, and the failures of the men who wrote each book.
v) Yet, God, in and through these men, was the one who did the speaking and the leading.
3) Point 2 -the bible is a spiritual book
a) The Bible, written by the Holy Spirit, must be interpreted by the Holy Spirit.
i) Revelation is God’s communication of truth to man.
ii) Inspiration is the recording of that revelation.
(1) Revelation and inspiration are not enough; we still need illumination to be able to understand the Word of God.
b) In Luke 24:45 it says The Lord Jesus opened their understanding so that they could understand the Scriptures as they walked to Emmaus
c) 1 Corinthians 2:14 says the natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirt of God
i) The “natural man” means the soulish man, the psychological man/fleshly man
(1) This is the man apart from the Spirit of God.
(2) He cannot understand the Bible.
He may be able to recite the names of the kings of Israel and be able to articulate the doctrines of the Bible in his own way, but he will never know the real truths of the Bible until the Holy Spirit of God opens his soul’s understanding.
ii) The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God.
(1) This is why intellectual pride is just dust when we come to the Bible and ask the Lord to speak to us.
d) Isaiah 55:7 - Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him;
i) Forsake your thoughts.
(1) Put away your intellectual pride and ask the Holy Spirit of God to teach you.
e) The Bible is a spiritual book, and we will not rip truth out of it.
We have a perfectly inspired Word of God; but until the Holy Spirit illumines us as a student of it, it will not live in our hearts.
4) Point 3 - the bible is the savior’s book
a) This is Jesus’ book because He believed it and because it presents Him.
b) Jesus Christ is the main point, central feature of the entire Bible.
i) If you read the Bible, and don’t see Jesus Christ somewhere standing in the shadows or presented in plain view, then re-read it. The Bible is about the Lord Jesus Christ.
c) Jesus spoke to the inerrancy of the Word of God.
i) John 10:35- The Lord Jesus said, the Scripture cannot be broken.
ii) John 5:39 - 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me
(1) The Lord Jesus was describing the Old Testament for the New Testament didn’t exist
(2) The Old Testament testifies of Jesus. Don’t get the idea that the Old Testament is about Israel, and the New Testament is about the church; or that only the New Testament is about Jesus.
(3) The Lord Jesus was talking to the Jews of His day.
(4) When He mentioned Moses, He was talking about the Pentateuch.
(a) The Pentateuch are the writings of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
(5) Jesus believed that Moses wrote the Pentateuch see John 5:46
(6) Moses wrote about the Lord Jesus. Jesus is in the Old Testament, including the first five books of the Bible.
iii) The Lord Jesus put the writings of Moses and His sayings as equals.
(1) John 5:47 - 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
iv) If Jesus is our Master. Then the servant’s view of the Bible must be the same as the Master’s.
v) Luke 24:25
(1) This is what the Lord Jesus would call us today if we don’t believe all that the Old Testament prophets said.
(2) “Fools and slow of heart” means “dull of hearing.”
vi) Luke 24:26-27
(1) He started in the Pentateuch and went through the rest of the Bible.
(2) He showed them in all of the Bible (the Old Testament) the things concerning Himself.
d) Jesus is the theme and the hero of the Bible.
i) In Genesis, He’s the promised seed.
ii) In Exodus, He’s the Passover lamb.
iii) In Leviticus, He’s that perfect sacrifice.
iv) In Numbers, He is the star out of Jacob.
v) In Deuteronomy, He’s the prophet that is greater than Moses.
vi) In Joshua, He is the Commander-in-Chief.
vii) In Judges, He is the deliverer.
viii) In Kings, Chronicles and Samuel, He is the King of kings.
ix) In Ezra, He is God’s temple.
x) In Nehemiah, He is the gate to the city.
xi) In Esther, He is the one come for such a time as this.
xii) In Job, He is the Redeemer who will stand in the last day upon the Earth.
xiii) In Psalms, He is the Good Shepherd.
xiv) In Proverbs, He is the wisdom of God.
xv) In Ecclesiastes, He is the one upon whom we attend.
xvi) In Isaiah, He is the virgin-born Son of God.
xvii) In Jeremiah, He is the righteous branch.
xviii) In the Song of Solomon, He is the one altogether lovely.
xix) In the book of Hosea, He is God’s Son called out of Egypt.
xx) In Malachi, He’s the Son of righteousness with healing in His wings.
e) There are some who will accuse you of loving the Bible too much.
i) They will accuse you of bibliolatry, which means that you’ve made an idol of the Bible; you worship the Bible. But if your love for the Bible brings you closer to Christ, then pay no attention to them. Just keep on loving the Bible.
5) Point 4 - the bible is a sovereign book
a) The Bible is the supreme authority in spiritual matters, not human reason. Don’t take the Bible and parade it past the bar of human judgment to see if you agree with it or not.
b) Conscience is not a supreme authority.
i) If you had to choose between obeying the Bible or obeying your conscience, obey the Bible. Conscience is not an infallible guide. We must look at the Bible in the light of the Holy Spirit of God, not the flashlight of public opinion.
c) Tradition is not the authority.
i) Mark 7:13 Note the Pharisees - Jesus warned of those who make the Word of God of none effect through their tradition.
d) Psalm 138:2
i) God has magnified His Word above His name. God’s character and nature and His Word are the same.
6) Point 5 - the bible is a surviving book
a) It goes on and on and on.
i) Matthew 24:35 -35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
ii) 1 Peter 1:25- But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
b) When the Earth becomes a cinder and the stars splinter and fade, the Word of God survives.
c) Don’t be concerned that the Bible doesn’t agree in every instance with science.
i) Science is constantly changing , sooner or later, will catch up with the Word of God.
d) Don’t be ashamed of the Bible.
i) It is the book of the ages. Psalm 119:89
7) Point – 6 the bible is a sustaining book
a) Not only does it survive, but it enables us to survive. Just as we are physically sustained by physical nutrients, we are spiritually sustained by the Word of God.
i) Matthew 4:4 - Bread of life - Every word that comes from God’s mouth is to our spirit what bread is to our body.
b) 1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes desire
i) Many Christians remain baby Christians because they don’t get enough of the Word of God, and they’re not growing.
(1) Many Christians are only playing at Bible study.
(2) The only real nutrient they get is when they go to church on Sunday.
8) Point 7 - the bible is a supercharged book
a) It has incredible power.
b) John 6:63
i) We read other books, but the Bible reads us.
c) Hebrews 4:12- But the Word of God is
i) The word “quick” in this passage means that it is living, it breathes, it sings and it pulsates with power.
ii) There is power in the Word of God.
iii) It is quick and powerful and full of energy.
d) The Bible is able to penetrate and scrutinize the innermost part of our personality.
i) The Bible is called a fire because it burns. <Word burns>
ii) It is called a hammer because it crushes.
iii) It is called a sword because it cuts. Sword of truth
9) the bible IN CONCLUSION
a) The purpose of the Bible is to present Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
b) Romans 1:16 -16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
c) Check out James 1:18
Do you know Jesus personally today? If not, you can pray to Him today by asking Him to come into your life.
Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23
ii) Romans 10:9-10
iii) Romans 10:13
iv) Acts 16:31
v) John 3:16
Derived from The Seven Wonders of the Word of God, by Adrian Rogers. Reference Psalm 119:18, 27 & 129
1) INTRODUCTION
a) Psalm 119 deals with the Word of God.
i) Psalm 119:18-Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
ii) Psalm 119:27- Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
iii) Psalm 119:129 - Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.
In these passages, the writer speaks twice of wondrous things and then says that they are wonderful. We have heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and today’s message will look into the wonders of the Word of God and what is it? Is it really His Word?
b) Today Our great battle is actually over the Word of God. <Standard>
i) The danger is less from those who attack Christ’s church from the outside.
(1) These are like mites pecking on the church.
(a) We can see them and can scoot them away.
ii) Others internally who are more like termites, eating at the foundation.
(1) These are communists, and antichrist’s we call then progressives or liberals on the inside.<regressives>
(2) Preachers in today’s pulpits are denying the Bible and are destroying faith in the Bible.
c) The Bible is being attacked today.
i) There are those who say that there is no need to defend the Bible because the Bible will defend itself.
(1) The Bible commands us to earnestly contend for the faith in Jude Chapter –
The point of difference is what people believe about the inspiration of the Word of God.
2) Point 1- the bible is a supernatural book
a) There is no other book was written as the Bible has been written.
b) 2 Timothy 3:16- all scripture is given by inspiration of God….
i) The Greek word for “inspiration” means “God-breathed.”
(1) All scripture is God-breathed.
(a) We couldn’t speak without breath and the Bible is the breath of God.
(2) This means that God breathed the Scriptures out.
(3) The Bible is as much the Word of God as if God were here in a physical body speaking these words.
ii) Note on major caveat All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, not part of it.
c) We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible.
i) “Verbal” from its Latin word means “word.”
(1) This means the word-by-word inspiration of the Bible; that every word of God is pure. Proverbs 30:5
(2) Matthew 4:4- 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
ii) Some people believe that the Bible is inspired in its thoughts but not the words.
(1) But you cannot have accurate thoughts without accurate words.
(a) To have thoughts without words would be like trying to have mathematics without numbers.
(2) The Lord Jesus taught us that even a jot or a tittle in the Word of God is important.
(3) In the original manuscripts, every line, every point, every pen stroke, every jot and every tittle were placed there by the will and the purpose of Almighty God.
iii) All parts of Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
d) 3,808 times, the Bible states a phrase such as “God said” or “The Lord said” or “Thus saith the Lord” or “The Lord spoke.”
i) Either the Bible is the Word of God, or it is a fable because over and over again it says that this is what God says.
e) If the entire Bible is the breath of God, then why do different books sound different from each other?
i) For example, the book of James doesn’t sound like what Paul wrote.
(1) Why is the language and style so different if it’s all given by inspiration of God?
ii) This is because we can see the personalities, temperaments and characteristics of each human author ingrained within each text. This s because Almighty God is behind all of them.
iii) God used human instruments to write the Bible, but behind these human instruments was Almighty God.
(1) 2 Peter 1:20-21 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private [j]interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [k]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
iv) The Bible is a very human book in that we see the prayers, the praises, the fears, the victories, the yearnings, and the failures of the men who wrote each book.
v) Yet, God, in and through these men, was the one who did the speaking and the leading.
3) Point 2 -the bible is a spiritual book
a) The Bible, written by the Holy Spirit, must be interpreted by the Holy Spirit.
i) Revelation is God’s communication of truth to man.
ii) Inspiration is the recording of that revelation.
(1) Revelation and inspiration are not enough; we still need illumination to be able to understand the Word of God.
b) In Luke 24:45 it says The Lord Jesus opened their understanding so that they could understand the Scriptures as they walked to Emmaus
c) 1 Corinthians 2:14 says the natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirt of God
i) The “natural man” means the soulish man, the psychological man/fleshly man
(1) This is the man apart from the Spirit of God.
(2) He cannot understand the Bible.
He may be able to recite the names of the kings of Israel and be able to articulate the doctrines of the Bible in his own way, but he will never know the real truths of the Bible until the Holy Spirit of God opens his soul’s understanding.
ii) The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God.
(1) This is why intellectual pride is just dust when we come to the Bible and ask the Lord to speak to us.
d) Isaiah 55:7 - Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him;
i) Forsake your thoughts.
(1) Put away your intellectual pride and ask the Holy Spirit of God to teach you.
e) The Bible is a spiritual book, and we will not rip truth out of it.
We have a perfectly inspired Word of God; but until the Holy Spirit illumines us as a student of it, it will not live in our hearts.
4) Point 3 - the bible is the savior’s book
a) This is Jesus’ book because He believed it and because it presents Him.
b) Jesus Christ is the main point, central feature of the entire Bible.
i) If you read the Bible, and don’t see Jesus Christ somewhere standing in the shadows or presented in plain view, then re-read it. The Bible is about the Lord Jesus Christ.
c) Jesus spoke to the inerrancy of the Word of God.
i) John 10:35- The Lord Jesus said, the Scripture cannot be broken.
ii) John 5:39 - 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me
(1) The Lord Jesus was describing the Old Testament for the New Testament didn’t exist
(2) The Old Testament testifies of Jesus. Don’t get the idea that the Old Testament is about Israel, and the New Testament is about the church; or that only the New Testament is about Jesus.
(3) The Lord Jesus was talking to the Jews of His day.
(4) When He mentioned Moses, He was talking about the Pentateuch.
(a) The Pentateuch are the writings of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
(5) Jesus believed that Moses wrote the Pentateuch see John 5:46
(6) Moses wrote about the Lord Jesus. Jesus is in the Old Testament, including the first five books of the Bible.
iii) The Lord Jesus put the writings of Moses and His sayings as equals.
(1) John 5:47 - 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
iv) If Jesus is our Master. Then the servant’s view of the Bible must be the same as the Master’s.
v) Luke 24:25
(1) This is what the Lord Jesus would call us today if we don’t believe all that the Old Testament prophets said.
(2) “Fools and slow of heart” means “dull of hearing.”
vi) Luke 24:26-27
(1) He started in the Pentateuch and went through the rest of the Bible.
(2) He showed them in all of the Bible (the Old Testament) the things concerning Himself.
d) Jesus is the theme and the hero of the Bible.
i) In Genesis, He’s the promised seed.
ii) In Exodus, He’s the Passover lamb.
iii) In Leviticus, He’s that perfect sacrifice.
iv) In Numbers, He is the star out of Jacob.
v) In Deuteronomy, He’s the prophet that is greater than Moses.
vi) In Joshua, He is the Commander-in-Chief.
vii) In Judges, He is the deliverer.
viii) In Kings, Chronicles and Samuel, He is the King of kings.
ix) In Ezra, He is God’s temple.
x) In Nehemiah, He is the gate to the city.
xi) In Esther, He is the one come for such a time as this.
xii) In Job, He is the Redeemer who will stand in the last day upon the Earth.
xiii) In Psalms, He is the Good Shepherd.
xiv) In Proverbs, He is the wisdom of God.
xv) In Ecclesiastes, He is the one upon whom we attend.
xvi) In Isaiah, He is the virgin-born Son of God.
xvii) In Jeremiah, He is the righteous branch.
xviii) In the Song of Solomon, He is the one altogether lovely.
xix) In the book of Hosea, He is God’s Son called out of Egypt.
xx) In Malachi, He’s the Son of righteousness with healing in His wings.
e) There are some who will accuse you of loving the Bible too much.
i) They will accuse you of bibliolatry, which means that you’ve made an idol of the Bible; you worship the Bible. But if your love for the Bible brings you closer to Christ, then pay no attention to them. Just keep on loving the Bible.
5) Point 4 - the bible is a sovereign book
a) The Bible is the supreme authority in spiritual matters, not human reason. Don’t take the Bible and parade it past the bar of human judgment to see if you agree with it or not.
b) Conscience is not a supreme authority.
i) If you had to choose between obeying the Bible or obeying your conscience, obey the Bible. Conscience is not an infallible guide. We must look at the Bible in the light of the Holy Spirit of God, not the flashlight of public opinion.
c) Tradition is not the authority.
i) Mark 7:13 Note the Pharisees - Jesus warned of those who make the Word of God of none effect through their tradition.
d) Psalm 138:2
i) God has magnified His Word above His name. God’s character and nature and His Word are the same.
6) Point 5 - the bible is a surviving book
a) It goes on and on and on.
i) Matthew 24:35 -35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
ii) 1 Peter 1:25- But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
b) When the Earth becomes a cinder and the stars splinter and fade, the Word of God survives.
c) Don’t be concerned that the Bible doesn’t agree in every instance with science.
i) Science is constantly changing , sooner or later, will catch up with the Word of God.
d) Don’t be ashamed of the Bible.
i) It is the book of the ages. Psalm 119:89
7) Point – 6 the bible is a sustaining book
a) Not only does it survive, but it enables us to survive. Just as we are physically sustained by physical nutrients, we are spiritually sustained by the Word of God.
i) Matthew 4:4 - Bread of life - Every word that comes from God’s mouth is to our spirit what bread is to our body.
b) 1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes desire
i) Many Christians remain baby Christians because they don’t get enough of the Word of God, and they’re not growing.
(1) Many Christians are only playing at Bible study.
(2) The only real nutrient they get is when they go to church on Sunday.
8) Point 7 - the bible is a supercharged book
a) It has incredible power.
b) John 6:63
i) We read other books, but the Bible reads us.
c) Hebrews 4:12- But the Word of God is
i) The word “quick” in this passage means that it is living, it breathes, it sings and it pulsates with power.
ii) There is power in the Word of God.
iii) It is quick and powerful and full of energy.
d) The Bible is able to penetrate and scrutinize the innermost part of our personality.
i) The Bible is called a fire because it burns. <Word burns>
ii) It is called a hammer because it crushes.
iii) It is called a sword because it cuts. Sword of truth
9) the bible IN CONCLUSION
a) The purpose of the Bible is to present Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
b) Romans 1:16 -16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
c) Check out James 1:18
Do you know Jesus personally today? If not, you can pray to Him today by asking Him to come into your life.
Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23
ii) Romans 10:9-10
iii) Romans 10:13
iv) Acts 16:31
v) John 3:16
June 2 Sermon
Until the lord returns or we die, we must live in this hostile world and face continued opposition. How can we do this? What is the secret to victory over the flesh and satanic oppression? So today as Jesus did in the upper room at Passover with the disciples; and before we today eat the bread and drink the cup of the new covenant we celebrate this meal as the blessed hope of His return and listen and study the words He spoke then to encourage, strengthen and give eternal hope to those who would remain.
Did you know It is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who is God in our lives? It is He who enables us to live the Christian walk. So let’s remind ourselves who this person is.
The Holy Spirit is God in person: Jesus referred to the Spirit as He and not an “it.” The Holy Spirit has a mind (Romans 8:27), a will (1 Cor 12:11), and emotional feelings (Gal5:22-23). And the Holy Spirit has a living presence and residence in the temple of every believer. We are sealed by the Spirit unto the resurrection. We are to walk, worship and witness (Acts 1:8) by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Now lets go to the text and read from John, Chapter 15 beginning in verse 5. We begin here for there are two I call them conditions which we must be mindful of to have these truths be present in our lives as believer.
Conditions 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Now we will look at Hope personified to those who are His
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Love verses
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
The World’s Hatred & ministry of the Holy Spirit
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
Pray- may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord my strength and my redeemer. AMEN
Going back to the start of the passage we have two primary conditions which must be met.
1. First in verse 5- Jesus is the source of all that we can and will do as believers- We need to literally understand that we are clay and moldable clay has no will of its own. Our job is to be pliable in the hands of the master for apart from Him we cannot do any kingdom work. He is the source, His is the director and He is the power
2. Verses 6- abiding. For us to be available and useful to Jesus and be His witnesses, and bond servants, we must abide in Him. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
These words are straight forward. You must orient you live, personal, professional and private towards Christ. You cannot compartmentalize or rationalize yourself away from Him. If he gives you life and He is the truth and the way, to be in the truth and the way – abiding in or living in the presence of Christ is critical. All the hope that follows is impossible to receive apart from Him and His love for you.
3.Ok now to the Hope. Verse 9 – God loves you and Jesus personally tells you this in this verse. Of course we also remember Jesus telling Nichodemus the same thing in John 3:16. How often does God tell you and demonstrate His love for you. He is speaking to every heart who is hearing this word. Verse 10 is the outgrowth of internalizing the love of Christ. Because you love Him you keep His commandments.
4. Verses 11 and 12 – Obedience to the Master creates joy in the heart of the bond slave- rejoicing, happiness, gladness. But this is not just any joy but His Joy awarded and given to you as a faithful believer in Christ. This joy and His love in you will enable you to love fellow believers even with all our flaws
5. Verses 13 Jesus is telling those in the upper room and you and I, why and what He is doing for us. He is laying down His life for you and I that the burden of sin might be removed from our lives to allow us renewed fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
6. Verse 14 and 15 are together a most wonderful promise. As a believer in Christ the Son of God, who is the creator and sustainer of all things is granting you elevation from being bond slaves to being friends and sons/daughters of God, if you will obediently keep His commandments. 7. If you ever wonder at the amazing grace and love of God look no further than verse 16. This verse deserves a whole sermon and study for the implications of what are said here are phenomenal – read verse 16 again 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
You did not choose Me but I chose you ought to put a stop to doubts about God’s love and salvation for you. Before God made the earth, He knew you and chose you, set you apart and as David says in psalm He knew my coming in and my going out.
Again obedience is demonstrated by keeping His commandments and thereby proving our love for Him.is coHHh
8. Verses 18- 25 describe the hatred the world feels concerning God and thereby you as you walk obedient to Jesus Christ. Life is always difficult for believers and will be until Christ returns but verse 33 provides the hope and remedy for this blight – in verse 33 Jesus says , “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Hope for today and bright expectations for tomorrow is what Jesus was giving to us. Easy no, difficult yes, but be at peace for Jesus is with us always and apart from Him we can do nothing. Hide this blessed hope in your hearts today FOR YOU will need it tomorrow.
AMEN
Until the lord returns or we die, we must live in this hostile world and face continued opposition. How can we do this? What is the secret to victory over the flesh and satanic oppression? So today as Jesus did in the upper room at Passover with the disciples; and before we today eat the bread and drink the cup of the new covenant we celebrate this meal as the blessed hope of His return and listen and study the words He spoke then to encourage, strengthen and give eternal hope to those who would remain.
Did you know It is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who is God in our lives? It is He who enables us to live the Christian walk. So let’s remind ourselves who this person is.
The Holy Spirit is God in person: Jesus referred to the Spirit as He and not an “it.” The Holy Spirit has a mind (Romans 8:27), a will (1 Cor 12:11), and emotional feelings (Gal5:22-23). And the Holy Spirit has a living presence and residence in the temple of every believer. We are sealed by the Spirit unto the resurrection. We are to walk, worship and witness (Acts 1:8) by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Now lets go to the text and read from John, Chapter 15 beginning in verse 5. We begin here for there are two I call them conditions which we must be mindful of to have these truths be present in our lives as believer.
Conditions 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Now we will look at Hope personified to those who are His
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Love verses
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
The World’s Hatred & ministry of the Holy Spirit
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
Pray- may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord my strength and my redeemer. AMEN
Going back to the start of the passage we have two primary conditions which must be met.
1. First in verse 5- Jesus is the source of all that we can and will do as believers- We need to literally understand that we are clay and moldable clay has no will of its own. Our job is to be pliable in the hands of the master for apart from Him we cannot do any kingdom work. He is the source, His is the director and He is the power
2. Verses 6- abiding. For us to be available and useful to Jesus and be His witnesses, and bond servants, we must abide in Him. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
These words are straight forward. You must orient you live, personal, professional and private towards Christ. You cannot compartmentalize or rationalize yourself away from Him. If he gives you life and He is the truth and the way, to be in the truth and the way – abiding in or living in the presence of Christ is critical. All the hope that follows is impossible to receive apart from Him and His love for you.
3.Ok now to the Hope. Verse 9 – God loves you and Jesus personally tells you this in this verse. Of course we also remember Jesus telling Nichodemus the same thing in John 3:16. How often does God tell you and demonstrate His love for you. He is speaking to every heart who is hearing this word. Verse 10 is the outgrowth of internalizing the love of Christ. Because you love Him you keep His commandments.
4. Verses 11 and 12 – Obedience to the Master creates joy in the heart of the bond slave- rejoicing, happiness, gladness. But this is not just any joy but His Joy awarded and given to you as a faithful believer in Christ. This joy and His love in you will enable you to love fellow believers even with all our flaws
5. Verses 13 Jesus is telling those in the upper room and you and I, why and what He is doing for us. He is laying down His life for you and I that the burden of sin might be removed from our lives to allow us renewed fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
6. Verse 14 and 15 are together a most wonderful promise. As a believer in Christ the Son of God, who is the creator and sustainer of all things is granting you elevation from being bond slaves to being friends and sons/daughters of God, if you will obediently keep His commandments. 7. If you ever wonder at the amazing grace and love of God look no further than verse 16. This verse deserves a whole sermon and study for the implications of what are said here are phenomenal – read verse 16 again 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
You did not choose Me but I chose you ought to put a stop to doubts about God’s love and salvation for you. Before God made the earth, He knew you and chose you, set you apart and as David says in psalm He knew my coming in and my going out.
Again obedience is demonstrated by keeping His commandments and thereby proving our love for Him.is coHHh
8. Verses 18- 25 describe the hatred the world feels concerning God and thereby you as you walk obedient to Jesus Christ. Life is always difficult for believers and will be until Christ returns but verse 33 provides the hope and remedy for this blight – in verse 33 Jesus says , “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Hope for today and bright expectations for tomorrow is what Jesus was giving to us. Easy no, difficult yes, but be at peace for Jesus is with us always and apart from Him we can do nothing. Hide this blessed hope in your hearts today FOR YOU will need it tomorrow.
AMEN
May 26 Sermon
What is the day of the Lord and what is its importance to us as we are living today in pretribulation America 2024? Well to begin with the day of the Lord is not just a day but is a period where we as believers will rejoice in what God is doing in us preparing us for heaven and to rule and reign with Him. For unbelievers the period is a period of devastation and destruction like has never been. There is much confusion of when and what exactly is the day of the Lord.
We read in 1st Thessalonians Chapter 4, verses that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night and occurs when people are crying peace and safety, when there is no peace and safety. That is when destruction comes. It says, 3then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
I believe there is strong BIBLICAL evidence that the Day of the Lord commences the moment God initiates the rapture of His church. And this event actually commences the beginning of sorrows upon the earth.
Now understand this -The future “Day of the Lord,” which unleashes God’s wrath, spans two major events: 1) the beginning of the 7-year tribulation period (cf. Rev. 19:11–21), and 2) ends at the end of the Millennium. These two events are actually 1,000 years apart, and Peter refers to the end of the 1,000-year period in connection with the final “Day of the Lord” (cf. 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 20:7–15). IN our text here, Paul refers to that aspect of the “Day of the Lord,” which concludes the tribulation period. a thief in the night. This phrase is never used to refer to the rapture of the church. It is used of Christ’s coming in judgment on the day of the Lord at the start of the 7-year tribulation which is distinct from the rapture and it is used in conjunction with the judgment that concludes Jesus’ 1000 yr. reign on the earth (2 Pet. 3:10). As a thief comes unexpectedly and without warning, so will the day of the Lord come in both of earths final phases.
Let’s read from 2nd Thessalonians, Chapter 2, beginning with the first verse- Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. <not removed just moved out of the way> 8 And then the lawless one <Satan>will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned <did not choose God>who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Stand Fast
jump to verse 15 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our [h]epistle.
Pray Father I ask for clarity and ease of understanding as we attempt to determine what you want us to know. I need you help in Jesus name. AMEN
We need to walk back this text and ensure we are understanding what Paul is teaching.
Vs.1 & 2- Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come.
The aspect of His particular coming in view here is identified by the next phrase “our gathering together,” which conveys the idea of all believers meeting together with the Lord Jesus, referring to the rapture of the church. Soon shaken. This term has been used of an earthquake and a ship at anchor slipping its mooring in the midst of heavy winds. Along with the word “troubled,” it describes the state of alarm which gripped the church. They were greatly distressed because they had expected the Rapture, the gathering together to the Lord, to take place before the day of the Lord. They had expected to be taken to glory and heavenly rest, not left to persecution and divine wrath. They had become confused by the persecution they were experiencing, thinking they were experiencing the day of the Lord. This error was reinforced by messages to them claiming that they were indeed in the day of the Lord. Paul noted the source of these messages as “spirit,” “word,” and “letter.” A “spirit” would most likely refer to a false prophet claiming divine revelation as in 1 John 4:1–3. A “word” would refer to a sermon or speech given, while a “letter” indicated a written report. The powerful but harmful effect of this false information was gained by claiming it was from the apostle Paul (“as if from us”). Whoever was lying to them and telling them they were in the day of the Lord claimed it was from Paul. Thus this lie was given apostolic sanction. The result was shock, fear, and alarm. They had expected the Rapture before the day of the Lord. This Apostolic letter corrects the error was essential. the day of Christ. Should read day of the Lord. The idea that the Day of the Lord had already come conflicted with what Paul had taught. Paul corrected this idea in the remaining verses.
Vs.3 makes it clear that none of this can happen until . read verse 3- 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
The Anti-Christ must be revealed in the 7yr. tribulation, at the beginning in signing a treaty with Israel and after 3.5 years where he demands to be worshiped as God in the temple.
Vs. 4-5 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? This is the false messiah of Satan who copies all that God does. <counterfeiter> He is the Anti-Christ
Vs. 6-7 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. <not removed just stepped out of the way. This is the spirit of lawlessness already prevalent in society ( 1 John 3:4; 5:17), but still a mystery in that it is not fully revealed.
Vs. 8 -10 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
This spirit of lawlessness already exists in our society (cf. 1 John 3:4; 5:17), but still a mystery, in that it is not fully revealed, as it will be in the one who so blatantly opposes God that he blasphemously assumes the place of God on earth, which God has reserved for Jesus Christ.
The spirit of such a man is already in operation (cf. 1 John 2:18; 4:3), but the man who fully embodies that spirit has not come.
<look at America and look at our leaders- they embody the spirit of antichrist> This anti-Christ will exhibit all the traits specified in verse 9. Verse 10 tells us who will be doomed - because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved -
Now one more major point is in vs. 11- 12. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
We see growing dissention and confusion in the churches look at the failing denominations-split by Satan. Here is the issue they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. And God is allowing now the delusion, perhaps not in full measure as in the last days. John 6:44 reigns - 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Because their hearts were not inclined to receive the truth they were doomed to destruction. The time is short we need to share and shine for Jesus, praying for boldness and telling others about the times. We are allowing others to go to destruction when we know the truth, the way and the life and HIS name is JESUS
What is the day of the Lord and what is its importance to us as we are living today in pretribulation America 2024? Well to begin with the day of the Lord is not just a day but is a period where we as believers will rejoice in what God is doing in us preparing us for heaven and to rule and reign with Him. For unbelievers the period is a period of devastation and destruction like has never been. There is much confusion of when and what exactly is the day of the Lord.
We read in 1st Thessalonians Chapter 4, verses that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night and occurs when people are crying peace and safety, when there is no peace and safety. That is when destruction comes. It says, 3then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
I believe there is strong BIBLICAL evidence that the Day of the Lord commences the moment God initiates the rapture of His church. And this event actually commences the beginning of sorrows upon the earth.
Now understand this -The future “Day of the Lord,” which unleashes God’s wrath, spans two major events: 1) the beginning of the 7-year tribulation period (cf. Rev. 19:11–21), and 2) ends at the end of the Millennium. These two events are actually 1,000 years apart, and Peter refers to the end of the 1,000-year period in connection with the final “Day of the Lord” (cf. 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 20:7–15). IN our text here, Paul refers to that aspect of the “Day of the Lord,” which concludes the tribulation period. a thief in the night. This phrase is never used to refer to the rapture of the church. It is used of Christ’s coming in judgment on the day of the Lord at the start of the 7-year tribulation which is distinct from the rapture and it is used in conjunction with the judgment that concludes Jesus’ 1000 yr. reign on the earth (2 Pet. 3:10). As a thief comes unexpectedly and without warning, so will the day of the Lord come in both of earths final phases.
Let’s read from 2nd Thessalonians, Chapter 2, beginning with the first verse- Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. <not removed just moved out of the way> 8 And then the lawless one <Satan>will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned <did not choose God>who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Stand Fast
jump to verse 15 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our [h]epistle.
Pray Father I ask for clarity and ease of understanding as we attempt to determine what you want us to know. I need you help in Jesus name. AMEN
We need to walk back this text and ensure we are understanding what Paul is teaching.
Vs.1 & 2- Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [a]Christ had come.
The aspect of His particular coming in view here is identified by the next phrase “our gathering together,” which conveys the idea of all believers meeting together with the Lord Jesus, referring to the rapture of the church. Soon shaken. This term has been used of an earthquake and a ship at anchor slipping its mooring in the midst of heavy winds. Along with the word “troubled,” it describes the state of alarm which gripped the church. They were greatly distressed because they had expected the Rapture, the gathering together to the Lord, to take place before the day of the Lord. They had expected to be taken to glory and heavenly rest, not left to persecution and divine wrath. They had become confused by the persecution they were experiencing, thinking they were experiencing the day of the Lord. This error was reinforced by messages to them claiming that they were indeed in the day of the Lord. Paul noted the source of these messages as “spirit,” “word,” and “letter.” A “spirit” would most likely refer to a false prophet claiming divine revelation as in 1 John 4:1–3. A “word” would refer to a sermon or speech given, while a “letter” indicated a written report. The powerful but harmful effect of this false information was gained by claiming it was from the apostle Paul (“as if from us”). Whoever was lying to them and telling them they were in the day of the Lord claimed it was from Paul. Thus this lie was given apostolic sanction. The result was shock, fear, and alarm. They had expected the Rapture before the day of the Lord. This Apostolic letter corrects the error was essential. the day of Christ. Should read day of the Lord. The idea that the Day of the Lord had already come conflicted with what Paul had taught. Paul corrected this idea in the remaining verses.
Vs.3 makes it clear that none of this can happen until . read verse 3- 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
The Anti-Christ must be revealed in the 7yr. tribulation, at the beginning in signing a treaty with Israel and after 3.5 years where he demands to be worshiped as God in the temple.
Vs. 4-5 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? This is the false messiah of Satan who copies all that God does. <counterfeiter> He is the Anti-Christ
Vs. 6-7 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. <not removed just stepped out of the way. This is the spirit of lawlessness already prevalent in society ( 1 John 3:4; 5:17), but still a mystery in that it is not fully revealed.
Vs. 8 -10 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
This spirit of lawlessness already exists in our society (cf. 1 John 3:4; 5:17), but still a mystery, in that it is not fully revealed, as it will be in the one who so blatantly opposes God that he blasphemously assumes the place of God on earth, which God has reserved for Jesus Christ.
The spirit of such a man is already in operation (cf. 1 John 2:18; 4:3), but the man who fully embodies that spirit has not come.
<look at America and look at our leaders- they embody the spirit of antichrist> This anti-Christ will exhibit all the traits specified in verse 9. Verse 10 tells us who will be doomed - because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved -
Now one more major point is in vs. 11- 12. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
We see growing dissention and confusion in the churches look at the failing denominations-split by Satan. Here is the issue they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. And God is allowing now the delusion, perhaps not in full measure as in the last days. John 6:44 reigns - 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Because their hearts were not inclined to receive the truth they were doomed to destruction. The time is short we need to share and shine for Jesus, praying for boldness and telling others about the times. We are allowing others to go to destruction when we know the truth, the way and the life and HIS name is JESUS
May 19 Sermon
Based upon the Word of God in 2nd Corinthians, chapter 6, vs.17, we are commanded to: 17 Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
We are commanded to come out from unbelievers and be separated from them to become fully the children of our God and King and to share and shine for Jesus Christ. We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matt.10:16). This is despite the fact that we are in the midst of wolves.
We are commanded to come out from among those who were as we were and be different. This relates back to a foundational scripture which we have used many times -2nd Corinthians 5:17, which says we are new creatures after Christ comes in and have born from above. If true then we are changed from within and therefore not the same as those in the culture or society. The person of God who is now living within us, if we listen to His leading will guide us differently from how we were to how God wants us to be.
Paul in our text in Chapter 6 is defending his ministry to those who were in Corinth. He was under attack by a group claiming his ministry was not authentic and that is the way many have presented these verses as a means of showing why he behaved the way he did and how his ministry was produced. I agree they may be read and understood that way. I also believe we can look at these verses and gain insight into how God is working in our lives and how we may use them to springboard or help us walk “in Christ.” Let’s examine our text and allow the “Teacher and Paraclete” to come and give us a “Word from the Word” to grow on and in Christ. Turn to 2 Corinthians, Chapter 6
2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (Isaiah 49:8)
3 We.<Paul> give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend <proving oneself> ourselves as ministers of God: <enduring> in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 <these righteousness traits produced in us by the Holy Spirit> by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; <regardless of external rebukes, comments, posts, words said against us, we remain true to God>9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Skipping now to verse 17
17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”
Pray – may God instruct us and teach us in the way we should go, into the truth everlasting – AMEN
If you were speech writers, verse 2 would be THE CHARGE. Why do we do what we do as Christians comes directly from Isaiah in the Old Testament - Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (Isaiah 49:8). This is what happened that Christmas eve- God came to man and He is God with us -Immanuel. This is good news and is the core of the gospel, why we have a message of power and how, but now is a time for us to choose this day who we will serve. And to go and tell for Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and His name is Jesus. This is why we issue the call now, today for the time is short and we only have today. We are not guaranteed tomorrow.
Verses 3, 4 and 5 are the behaviors we try to exhibit as we live in this world and listening to the Spirit who is within us. Read-3 We.<Paul> give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend <proving oneself> ourselves as ministers of God: <enduring> in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings <in whatever sufferings and difficulties we find ourselves because we are obedient to God’s commands> This does not apply if we are sinful or become self-willed.
Verse 6 then speaks directly into the ministry of the Holy Spirit - 6 <these righteousness traits produced in us by the Holy Spirit> by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love. Each of these traits are called fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:23ff. These are not natural gifts but those enabled and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
These gifts must enable us to overcome-spiritual warfare such as seeing the wrongness of Choice vs murder of the unborn; wrongness of managed care vs socialized medicine which is also murder on the basis of value to society; or sending control of our healthcare to the UN, whose agenda is to reduce America’s population by inflicting social controls through managed diseases; or destroying our economy and having a single party dictatorship with rigged elections.
We need to remember in Paul’s day they had no “rights.” They lived in Rome who had absolute authority over everything. Unless God brings revival, repentance and renewal to America we may be living in the last days of what we know as constitution democracy. So our dependency is not upon a political party, or the economy or a beneficial president but upon the grace and provision of our Lord, Our ability to operate is provided read with me the last part of verse 6 - 6 <these righteousness traits produced in us by the Holy Spirit> by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love, Remember God is with us, He will never leave us or forsake us.
Here is our KEY Verse Chapter 6: verse 7 and we are given helps from God. How? Read ---1.-by the word of truth. The Scriptures, the revealed Word of God (cf. Col. 1:5; James 1:18). During his ministry, Paul nor you or I will ever be able to effectively operate beyond the boundaries of the direction and guidance of divine revelation. A word from God is imperative 2. by the power of God. Paul did not rely on his own strength nor can we when ee minister as unto the Lord. We are called and accountable to Him (see notes on 1 Cor. 1:18; 2:1–3; cf. Rom. 1:16). 3. by the<God’s> armor of righteousness. Neither Paul or you and I can fight Satan’s kingdom with human resources, but only with spiritual virtue and support (see 10:3–5; Eph. 6:10–18). 4. the right hand . . . the left. Paul and you and I, must have both offensive tools, such as the sword of the Spirit, and defensive tools, such as the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, at our disposal to fight the good fifth of faith (see notes on Eph. 6:16, 17).
One more thing is absolutely required see verse 10 -
6:10 making many rich. The spiritual wealth Paul possessed and which we possess must be imparted to others to enable them to become spiritually (rich or) wealthy (cf. Acts 3:6). We are told to go to be His witnesses in our hometown, our state, our nation and to the ends of the earth.
Do you have the joy of the good news of Jesus? COME out from among them today. Give hope to others so they may be spiritually rich and share life in Christ with others today. For today is the day of salvation. Now is the time to receive Him for the days are short. AMEN
Based upon the Word of God in 2nd Corinthians, chapter 6, vs.17, we are commanded to: 17 Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
We are commanded to come out from unbelievers and be separated from them to become fully the children of our God and King and to share and shine for Jesus Christ. We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matt.10:16). This is despite the fact that we are in the midst of wolves.
We are commanded to come out from among those who were as we were and be different. This relates back to a foundational scripture which we have used many times -2nd Corinthians 5:17, which says we are new creatures after Christ comes in and have born from above. If true then we are changed from within and therefore not the same as those in the culture or society. The person of God who is now living within us, if we listen to His leading will guide us differently from how we were to how God wants us to be.
Paul in our text in Chapter 6 is defending his ministry to those who were in Corinth. He was under attack by a group claiming his ministry was not authentic and that is the way many have presented these verses as a means of showing why he behaved the way he did and how his ministry was produced. I agree they may be read and understood that way. I also believe we can look at these verses and gain insight into how God is working in our lives and how we may use them to springboard or help us walk “in Christ.” Let’s examine our text and allow the “Teacher and Paraclete” to come and give us a “Word from the Word” to grow on and in Christ. Turn to 2 Corinthians, Chapter 6
2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (Isaiah 49:8)
3 We.<Paul> give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend <proving oneself> ourselves as ministers of God: <enduring> in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 <these righteousness traits produced in us by the Holy Spirit> by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; <regardless of external rebukes, comments, posts, words said against us, we remain true to God>9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Skipping now to verse 17
17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”
Pray – may God instruct us and teach us in the way we should go, into the truth everlasting – AMEN
If you were speech writers, verse 2 would be THE CHARGE. Why do we do what we do as Christians comes directly from Isaiah in the Old Testament - Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (Isaiah 49:8). This is what happened that Christmas eve- God came to man and He is God with us -Immanuel. This is good news and is the core of the gospel, why we have a message of power and how, but now is a time for us to choose this day who we will serve. And to go and tell for Behold the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and His name is Jesus. This is why we issue the call now, today for the time is short and we only have today. We are not guaranteed tomorrow.
Verses 3, 4 and 5 are the behaviors we try to exhibit as we live in this world and listening to the Spirit who is within us. Read-3 We.<Paul> give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend <proving oneself> ourselves as ministers of God: <enduring> in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings <in whatever sufferings and difficulties we find ourselves because we are obedient to God’s commands> This does not apply if we are sinful or become self-willed.
Verse 6 then speaks directly into the ministry of the Holy Spirit - 6 <these righteousness traits produced in us by the Holy Spirit> by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love. Each of these traits are called fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:23ff. These are not natural gifts but those enabled and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
These gifts must enable us to overcome-spiritual warfare such as seeing the wrongness of Choice vs murder of the unborn; wrongness of managed care vs socialized medicine which is also murder on the basis of value to society; or sending control of our healthcare to the UN, whose agenda is to reduce America’s population by inflicting social controls through managed diseases; or destroying our economy and having a single party dictatorship with rigged elections.
We need to remember in Paul’s day they had no “rights.” They lived in Rome who had absolute authority over everything. Unless God brings revival, repentance and renewal to America we may be living in the last days of what we know as constitution democracy. So our dependency is not upon a political party, or the economy or a beneficial president but upon the grace and provision of our Lord, Our ability to operate is provided read with me the last part of verse 6 - 6 <these righteousness traits produced in us by the Holy Spirit> by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love, Remember God is with us, He will never leave us or forsake us.
Here is our KEY Verse Chapter 6: verse 7 and we are given helps from God. How? Read ---1.-by the word of truth. The Scriptures, the revealed Word of God (cf. Col. 1:5; James 1:18). During his ministry, Paul nor you or I will ever be able to effectively operate beyond the boundaries of the direction and guidance of divine revelation. A word from God is imperative 2. by the power of God. Paul did not rely on his own strength nor can we when ee minister as unto the Lord. We are called and accountable to Him (see notes on 1 Cor. 1:18; 2:1–3; cf. Rom. 1:16). 3. by the<God’s> armor of righteousness. Neither Paul or you and I can fight Satan’s kingdom with human resources, but only with spiritual virtue and support (see 10:3–5; Eph. 6:10–18). 4. the right hand . . . the left. Paul and you and I, must have both offensive tools, such as the sword of the Spirit, and defensive tools, such as the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, at our disposal to fight the good fifth of faith (see notes on Eph. 6:16, 17).
One more thing is absolutely required see verse 10 -
6:10 making many rich. The spiritual wealth Paul possessed and which we possess must be imparted to others to enable them to become spiritually (rich or) wealthy (cf. Acts 3:6). We are told to go to be His witnesses in our hometown, our state, our nation and to the ends of the earth.
Do you have the joy of the good news of Jesus? COME out from among them today. Give hope to others so they may be spiritually rich and share life in Christ with others today. For today is the day of salvation. Now is the time to receive Him for the days are short. AMEN
May 12 Sermon Mother's Day
Happy Mother’s Day 2024 to all you have been actual Mothers, to those who have been surrogate Mothers to men, boys and girls over your lifetimes. Greeting and Blessings to you from our Father in Heaven. He sends His blessings to you who are faithful in the Lord.
With all the vicious hate and warfare or lawfare we have here and abroad it is a fearsome thing to be a mother in these days. Unfortunately some mothers will be as Mary who will have a sword pierce their heart and soul because of what happens to their children when they are unable to protect them, whatever age they are. We are told that in the last days during the tribulation -Woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those days!
We are praying for the protection of God upon Mothers today as we are in a time of extreme darkness and sins
Key verse Matthew 10:16-16 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[a] as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
The Old Testament is full of prominent characters whose lives prove God uses individuals to help grow and mature the faith of others and to see how they go on to do in some cases miraculous things. The types of relationships are diverse: family relationships, ministry-type relationships, mentoring-type relationships, as well as two prophet-king relationships. One such figure is part of the foundation story of Moses. One of those who had a direct impact on his life was his mother Jochebed. Here we’ll focus on the influence of Moses’s mother. While the biblical data is does not say a lot about Jochebed, we see that Moses’s mother was God’s direct instrument in preserving and maturing his life at a time of a treacherous threat to the emerging nation.
The preeminent world power in 1500 BC were the Egyptians. Headed up by Pharaoh Aahmes (or Amosis), they were keeping a watchful eye on the fast-growing Israelite nation and had begun oppressing and enslaving the Israelites out of fear of experiencing a revolt from within. The scripture indicates that the time came when the Pharaoh no longer remembered Joseph. The time had finally come for God to raise up a deliverer who would free his people from Egyptian bondage and lead them to the land God had promised Abraham. It would still be another 500 years until God would raise up a man after his own heart, King David, to rule the nation.
Moses’s mother, was a Levite, later identified as Jochebed (Numbers 26:59). She had married a Levite and given birth to a son. When she saw that he was a “fine” child, she hid him for three months and when she could do so no longer, she made a basket out of bulrushes and put him among the reeds by the river.
Lets’ read from Hebrews Chapter 11 beginning in verse 23, 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the [g]passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the [h]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures [i]in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
Pray - may God add His blessing to the reading of His word and to our understanding and application to our lives. Amen
Here are some things which can be gleaned from this Scripture reference beginning in verse 23.
1. His parents decided to have children despite the oppression of the Egyptians. His mother and father were walking by faith and decided to obey the charge to all people - which is to be fruitful and multiply
They were walking by faith and not by sight
2. This couple chose to have multiple children and rejected fearing men and obeyed God. Note in the biblical account in Exodus Chapter 2, Miriam is already a young girl when Moses was born, so they were already having kids and they would have another after Moses whose name was Aaron. He would become a prophet and the great high priest in Israel. This family was not stymied by fear and God honored their commitment and gave them children. Fear did not overtake them, they chose to walk with and as God commanded. They relied upon God’s protection.
Remember also- children are a gift from the Lord. Note the testimony in latter part of this verse - because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
Not afraid is a great testimony – for she and her husband were obedient to God for their protection. And while the text does not say so God did protect and guide them, you can see the results. /And what a family they had. Three major players in the future life and restoration of the nation of Israel.
3. By faith Jochebed chose to trust God in establishing HIs future plan for Moses her son. This is evidenced by placing her child in a pitch covered reed boat in the middle of river infested with crocodiles. If God is who He says He is and He promises to protect those who are His, then this was a faith-based decision on the basis of her relationship with her God. She was and is a child of the King and she was working and doing everything she could to save her son.
4. She fought against and resisted abortion- Remember what Pharaoh told the midwives to kill all the male Jewish babies at birth. Jochebed had a choice even to conceive yet let alone give birth to a child even when the ruler of the land had dictated that the murder of Hebrew children was a desirable thing. In our day we need to remember the author of all life is the Lord God and He alone has the right to cause it to cease. Children are a gift from God. (Psalm 127:3)
5.In verses 24-26 we have another series of statements - 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the [g]passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the [h]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures [i]in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
If we go back to the account in Exodus chapter 3, we find that Jochebed was called back to nurse her own child until he was weaned. In those days mothers milk was highly respected and probably nursed Moses (named by Pharaoh’s daughter, meaning out of the water) until around 3 years old. So perhaps, this is my speculation- Moses mother may have been in close proximity to him for many years thereafter. What was the charge given to Jewish parents? To home school their children, read Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
So her influence upon a growing and maturing young boy to manhood may have been upon many occasions. How else could Moses have walked by faith, choosing to identify and be afflicted with God’s people as it states in our lesson?
We can only suppose what additional things were caught by Moses and not necessarily taught. We read in these other verses and they are always preceded By faith. So by faith Moses forsook Egypt, by faith he kept the Passover and by faith through the Red Sea on dry land. By analogy we see many modern heroes of the faith actually come to faith because of praying, faithful and loving mothers. Could Moses have been deeply impressed by the life style, character and integrity of a Godly Mother? I believe the answer is yes. Her influence may have been the catalyst to turn his life to God.
Mothers – thank you for what you do, but never discount or trivialize the impact of a Godly mother and what she can accomplish in the life of her children.
Proverbs 1:8-9 says, My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.
Amen
Happy Mother’s Day 2024 to all you have been actual Mothers, to those who have been surrogate Mothers to men, boys and girls over your lifetimes. Greeting and Blessings to you from our Father in Heaven. He sends His blessings to you who are faithful in the Lord.
With all the vicious hate and warfare or lawfare we have here and abroad it is a fearsome thing to be a mother in these days. Unfortunately some mothers will be as Mary who will have a sword pierce their heart and soul because of what happens to their children when they are unable to protect them, whatever age they are. We are told that in the last days during the tribulation -Woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those days!
We are praying for the protection of God upon Mothers today as we are in a time of extreme darkness and sins
Key verse Matthew 10:16-16 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[a] as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
The Old Testament is full of prominent characters whose lives prove God uses individuals to help grow and mature the faith of others and to see how they go on to do in some cases miraculous things. The types of relationships are diverse: family relationships, ministry-type relationships, mentoring-type relationships, as well as two prophet-king relationships. One such figure is part of the foundation story of Moses. One of those who had a direct impact on his life was his mother Jochebed. Here we’ll focus on the influence of Moses’s mother. While the biblical data is does not say a lot about Jochebed, we see that Moses’s mother was God’s direct instrument in preserving and maturing his life at a time of a treacherous threat to the emerging nation.
The preeminent world power in 1500 BC were the Egyptians. Headed up by Pharaoh Aahmes (or Amosis), they were keeping a watchful eye on the fast-growing Israelite nation and had begun oppressing and enslaving the Israelites out of fear of experiencing a revolt from within. The scripture indicates that the time came when the Pharaoh no longer remembered Joseph. The time had finally come for God to raise up a deliverer who would free his people from Egyptian bondage and lead them to the land God had promised Abraham. It would still be another 500 years until God would raise up a man after his own heart, King David, to rule the nation.
Moses’s mother, was a Levite, later identified as Jochebed (Numbers 26:59). She had married a Levite and given birth to a son. When she saw that he was a “fine” child, she hid him for three months and when she could do so no longer, she made a basket out of bulrushes and put him among the reeds by the river.
Lets’ read from Hebrews Chapter 11 beginning in verse 23, 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the [g]passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the [h]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures [i]in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
Pray - may God add His blessing to the reading of His word and to our understanding and application to our lives. Amen
Here are some things which can be gleaned from this Scripture reference beginning in verse 23.
1. His parents decided to have children despite the oppression of the Egyptians. His mother and father were walking by faith and decided to obey the charge to all people - which is to be fruitful and multiply
They were walking by faith and not by sight
2. This couple chose to have multiple children and rejected fearing men and obeyed God. Note in the biblical account in Exodus Chapter 2, Miriam is already a young girl when Moses was born, so they were already having kids and they would have another after Moses whose name was Aaron. He would become a prophet and the great high priest in Israel. This family was not stymied by fear and God honored their commitment and gave them children. Fear did not overtake them, they chose to walk with and as God commanded. They relied upon God’s protection.
Remember also- children are a gift from the Lord. Note the testimony in latter part of this verse - because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
Not afraid is a great testimony – for she and her husband were obedient to God for their protection. And while the text does not say so God did protect and guide them, you can see the results. /And what a family they had. Three major players in the future life and restoration of the nation of Israel.
3. By faith Jochebed chose to trust God in establishing HIs future plan for Moses her son. This is evidenced by placing her child in a pitch covered reed boat in the middle of river infested with crocodiles. If God is who He says He is and He promises to protect those who are His, then this was a faith-based decision on the basis of her relationship with her God. She was and is a child of the King and she was working and doing everything she could to save her son.
4. She fought against and resisted abortion- Remember what Pharaoh told the midwives to kill all the male Jewish babies at birth. Jochebed had a choice even to conceive yet let alone give birth to a child even when the ruler of the land had dictated that the murder of Hebrew children was a desirable thing. In our day we need to remember the author of all life is the Lord God and He alone has the right to cause it to cease. Children are a gift from God. (Psalm 127:3)
5.In verses 24-26 we have another series of statements - 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the [g]passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the [h]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures [i]in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
If we go back to the account in Exodus chapter 3, we find that Jochebed was called back to nurse her own child until he was weaned. In those days mothers milk was highly respected and probably nursed Moses (named by Pharaoh’s daughter, meaning out of the water) until around 3 years old. So perhaps, this is my speculation- Moses mother may have been in close proximity to him for many years thereafter. What was the charge given to Jewish parents? To home school their children, read Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
So her influence upon a growing and maturing young boy to manhood may have been upon many occasions. How else could Moses have walked by faith, choosing to identify and be afflicted with God’s people as it states in our lesson?
We can only suppose what additional things were caught by Moses and not necessarily taught. We read in these other verses and they are always preceded By faith. So by faith Moses forsook Egypt, by faith he kept the Passover and by faith through the Red Sea on dry land. By analogy we see many modern heroes of the faith actually come to faith because of praying, faithful and loving mothers. Could Moses have been deeply impressed by the life style, character and integrity of a Godly Mother? I believe the answer is yes. Her influence may have been the catalyst to turn his life to God.
Mothers – thank you for what you do, but never discount or trivialize the impact of a Godly mother and what she can accomplish in the life of her children.
Proverbs 1:8-9 says, My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.
Amen
May 5 Sermon
We today as believers need to walk having courageous faith. In all the ages since Jesus has departed from the earth, His disciples have had to have had courageous faith. So why or how can I make this statement? Well if we remember the words of Jesus in the gospel of John, Chapter 15 verses 19 and 20, He said to His disciples - 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
This is a word for you from the Son of God - A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you
Now checking the records of hate and persecution of Christians which began at the cross on Mount Calvary; and according to the Word of God, will continue until Jesus Christ returns to this planet earth as promised in the book of Revelation when He rules and reigns over all of earth again after the great tribulation.
We find believers of all ages have had to live boldly and with faith to survive in all the ages since Jesus departed earth. We in America have had a wonderous grace period of 200 plus years because God granted this here. But that is no longer true since 9/11 His presence and provision over America has departed. If you do not believe this then look at the TV News tonight and see all the prevalent and pervasive sin, which is in your face in each and every show. How could God continue to bless us when we have rejected Him in all our forms of Government, in our homes and more and more in our churches.
So we need to renew this call and repeat the message today from our scripture text. I repeat this is not a new message but a constant and inspired message of how we are to live in this environment. Go to Ephesians 6:10-13 - 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Pray – Father may you find us faithful in following what you have to say concerning keeping us faithful. May we hear your call today. AMEN
Our words from scripture implore us to- be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. How then are we to be strong in the Lord? Well going down in the text a bit further we find the answer of how to put on the whole Armor of God. Verses 14 to 17 provide our answers which are in summarized as follows:
Lastly an encouragement from God found in 2nd Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The Holy Spirit is His promise and Helper who will enable us to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Putting on the full armor and being strong in the power of His might is not easy. Without the empowering of the Holy Spirit it is impossible to do so. In human strength you will find living the courageous faith God desires is impossible. Pray then for the Holy Spirits presence as promised in 2nd Timothy 1:7- God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power- yes, His power and His love for your and Jesus has given you His peace to have a sound mind.
Walk in in this truth by seeking Him today. Remember with God all things are possible. We are in a spiritual battle and you cannot be successful apart from Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit – lean on Him and learn from Him. AMEN
We today as believers need to walk having courageous faith. In all the ages since Jesus has departed from the earth, His disciples have had to have had courageous faith. So why or how can I make this statement? Well if we remember the words of Jesus in the gospel of John, Chapter 15 verses 19 and 20, He said to His disciples - 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
This is a word for you from the Son of God - A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you
Now checking the records of hate and persecution of Christians which began at the cross on Mount Calvary; and according to the Word of God, will continue until Jesus Christ returns to this planet earth as promised in the book of Revelation when He rules and reigns over all of earth again after the great tribulation.
We find believers of all ages have had to live boldly and with faith to survive in all the ages since Jesus departed earth. We in America have had a wonderous grace period of 200 plus years because God granted this here. But that is no longer true since 9/11 His presence and provision over America has departed. If you do not believe this then look at the TV News tonight and see all the prevalent and pervasive sin, which is in your face in each and every show. How could God continue to bless us when we have rejected Him in all our forms of Government, in our homes and more and more in our churches.
So we need to renew this call and repeat the message today from our scripture text. I repeat this is not a new message but a constant and inspired message of how we are to live in this environment. Go to Ephesians 6:10-13 - 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Pray – Father may you find us faithful in following what you have to say concerning keeping us faithful. May we hear your call today. AMEN
Our words from scripture implore us to- be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. How then are we to be strong in the Lord? Well going down in the text a bit further we find the answer of how to put on the whole Armor of God. Verses 14 to 17 provide our answers which are in summarized as follows:
- Gird your waist with truth - John 17:17 says, - 17 Sanctify[i] them by Your truth. Your word is truth. This truth I believe is all about Jesus, know Him personally and having been born from above. None of the remainder of this text can apply except to those who God has saved miraculously by grace- His grace.
- Then, Put on the breastplate of righteousness. God’s word says, our righteousness is as filthy rags. What we need is His righteousness. Check out Romans 3:22 - 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [a]and on all who believe. So we receive the righteousness of Christ, when we ask Jesus into our hearts by faith and confess Him as Lord and Savior.
- Next, we are to have our feet shod, that is having your feet covered with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Preparation is Key. We you must go into battle fully prepared and armed with the truth. That is what Jesus did. Would you step into the lion’s den without some knowledge and experience in dealing with these types of predators? So the real questions is are you studying to put God’s Word in your heart that you might not sin against Him?
- Taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Literally trusting by faith alone, in Christ alone that God in His power and in His might is able to do all things- and there is nothing too hard for God. Hold fast to this word from God in Isaiah 55:11- So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me [c]void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
- Then in verse 17 it says 17 And take the helmet of salvation, meaning to cover your mind and heart with the hope , the assured expectation of your ongoing salvation – which is being conformed to the image of His Son (See 1st Thess. 5:8). Your salvation as promised by God is eternal and secured by His word.
- Also take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. This is our only and sufficient weapon we have against evil, deception and perversity. God’s Word is the only needed weapon, it is infinitely more powerful than any of Satan’s. The Gr. term refers to a small weapon (6–18 in. long). It was used both defensively to fend off Satan’s attacks, and offensively to help destroy the enemy’s strategies. It is the truth of Scripture.
- Praying with all prayer and supplication for all the saints- 1) “all prayer and supplication” focuses on the variety; 2) “always” focuses on the frequency or the how often of praying (cf. Rom. 12:12; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17); 3) “in the Spirit” focuses on submission, as we line up with the will of God (cf. Rom. 8:26, 27); 4) “being watchful” focuses on the manner of waiting upon God (cf. Matt. 26:41; Mark 13:33); 5) “all perseverance” focuses on our being persistent (cf. Luke 11:9; 18:7, 8); and finally 6) “all saints” focuses on who we pray for continually
Lastly an encouragement from God found in 2nd Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The Holy Spirit is His promise and Helper who will enable us to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Putting on the full armor and being strong in the power of His might is not easy. Without the empowering of the Holy Spirit it is impossible to do so. In human strength you will find living the courageous faith God desires is impossible. Pray then for the Holy Spirits presence as promised in 2nd Timothy 1:7- God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power- yes, His power and His love for your and Jesus has given you His peace to have a sound mind.
Walk in in this truth by seeking Him today. Remember with God all things are possible. We are in a spiritual battle and you cannot be successful apart from Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit – lean on Him and learn from Him. AMEN
April 28 Sermon
Repentance is needed in 2024. Look at the news daily, nightly and all that is highlighted including: murder, incest, rape; nation warring against nation; arson, robbery, sexual sin; perversion of every kind which is no longer hidden but overt<in your face>. Deception, no truth just lies and more lies, everywhere and this is happening even in churches. There is open lawlessness in every institution of government. Churches welcoming and adopting abortion, homosexuality, open borders <invasion>, allowing and encouraging gender mutilation and multiple genders as part of Dei <which is their idol>.
Each sin is a rejection of God, of His intentions and purpose for men and women. We are so far gone it appears there is no way back, but not too far for God or God’s people. We have been here before. Question - according to the Word of God, Is there anything too hard for God? The answer is No!
So where does a turn around begin? Short answer is in you and I - to become serious with God. Then extend this to the churches – many believers, then if God enables to the school house, the state houses and as He directs to a nation.
But what is true repentance? And how does it happen? We will look at Luke Chapter 15 and the parable of the Prodigal son to begin in determining the answer of what God expects in His people. Three parables in Chapter 15 a sheep, a coin and a son - all lost but all found.
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with [d]prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the [e]pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, [f]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Pray- May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding and application AMEN
This story is usually called the parable of the Prodigal Son. However, the prodigal son—the reckless and wasteful son who got himself lost—is only part of the focus of the story. He’s an essential character, but the parable also includes the older brother because Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and scribes (see 15:1-3). And a third and most essential character is the Father. But Jesus is emphasizing to these self-righteous leaders who had no compassion on the lost items to see themselves in that brother. We will focus only on the younger son today.
(15:11-13) Now the younger of the two sons had become tired of the restrictions of living at home. He wanted to spread his wings; he wanted his so-called freedom. In requesting his inheritance, it was tantamount to wishing his father were dead (15:11-12). The younger son was thus strong willed, self-indulgent, independent, unencumbered, and well-funded.
15:12. According to Deuteronomy 21:17, the older of two sons was entitled to a double portion of a father’s estate. The younger son would have therefore received one-third. His request would have been regarded as shameful to a first-century Jewish audience as it demonstrated that he was willing to end his relationship with his father in order to receive his money. And it soon became clear why he wanted to leave, this nowhere villa for somewhere bright and shiny: He squandered his estate in foolish living (15:13). A person’s heart is revealed by his credit card statement. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (12:34).
This action is a picture of all sinners (related to God the Father by creation) who waste their potential privileges and refuse any relationship with Him, choosing instead a life of sinful self-indulgence. This is what sin is.
15:13 gathered all together. The prodigal son took his share in liquid assets, and left, abandoning his father, heading into a life of sinful iniquity; called prodigal living. Not merely wasteful extravagance, but wanton immorality (v. 30). The Gr. word for “prodigal” means “dissolute” and conveys the idea of an utterly debauched lifestyle.
Then the situation changes as he wastes away his inheritance, the economy fails, famine sets in, and he is no longer privileged. He’s a broke. In Chapter15:15-17 The young man became so desperate that he accepted a job feeding pigs (15:15). Don’t miss that. This is a Jewish man accepting a job to feed unclean animals. The pods were carob pods, <inedible to humans> the fruit of the carob tree, which were used to feed livestock. And no one gave the prodigal anything to eat (15:16), the pigs were doing better than he was. And pigs are unclean to the Jew.
His acquired freedom and supposed independence had come at a high cost. Notice the emphasis on - no one gave him anything. He could not even eke out a living by begging. His situation could hardly have been more desperate. This is symbolic of the estranged sinner who is helpless in despair and without hope. Sometimes God tests us and allows us to experience a tremendous failures for that is what it takes to open our eyes to our sinfulness (15:17).
15:17-18. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
He came to himself – he hated his sin as a fact of his life and He hated His lifestyle as a moral failure. He repented of His sin and his place in their family and said I am only worthy to be a slave/servant. This is what happens in repentance and we turn back to God- (NASB) Acts 3:19- Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
15:20-22 This is a beautiful picture of repentance, salvation and the restoration of sinners to be saints. A destitute sinner comes to a holy God in repentance and faith with nothing to offer but desperate need. God the Father responds with love and compassion (15:20), granting the sinner all the privileges of sonship in the family and showering him with blessings—“every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ” (Eph 1:3). 15:20.
The important point is the father had not yet heard his son’s confession (see v. 21), but like the seekers for lost things in the previous two parables, His desire was to see the restoration of that which was lost. ran. The Father’s eagerness and joy at his son’s return is unmistakable. Jesus audience would have been surprised by the Father’s actions. This is the magnificent attribute of our God that sets Him apart from all false gods invented by men and demons. He is not indifferent or hostile, but a Savior by nature, longing to see sinners repent and rejoicing when they do. From Gen. 3:8 to Rev. 22:17, from the fall of man to the end of time, God has been and will be seeking to save sinners, and rejoicing each time one repents and is converted.
15:22 the father said. There is not a single word of rebuke for the past, the Father pours out his love upon the son and expresses his joy that what was lost had been found. Each of the Father’s gifts said something unique about his acceptance of the son: robe. Reserved for the guest of honor. ring. A symbol of authority. sandals. These were not usually worn by slaves, and therefore signified his full restoration as a son.
Conclusion- What is repentance to God but an expression of His everlasting and amazing love for those who willingly turn to Him.
For us - Repentance requires you and I to see ourselves as God sees us – full of sin and rebellion, and departed from Him. In most cases without any hope of redemption, morally bankrupt and realizing how lost we are because of our deeds and actions. Only by the activity of God sending His Son can we be saved and returned to the loving fellowship of the - God who so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. <Jn.3.16>
Repentance is needed in 2024. Look at the news daily, nightly and all that is highlighted including: murder, incest, rape; nation warring against nation; arson, robbery, sexual sin; perversion of every kind which is no longer hidden but overt<in your face>. Deception, no truth just lies and more lies, everywhere and this is happening even in churches. There is open lawlessness in every institution of government. Churches welcoming and adopting abortion, homosexuality, open borders <invasion>, allowing and encouraging gender mutilation and multiple genders as part of Dei <which is their idol>.
Each sin is a rejection of God, of His intentions and purpose for men and women. We are so far gone it appears there is no way back, but not too far for God or God’s people. We have been here before. Question - according to the Word of God, Is there anything too hard for God? The answer is No!
So where does a turn around begin? Short answer is in you and I - to become serious with God. Then extend this to the churches – many believers, then if God enables to the school house, the state houses and as He directs to a nation.
But what is true repentance? And how does it happen? We will look at Luke Chapter 15 and the parable of the Prodigal son to begin in determining the answer of what God expects in His people. Three parables in Chapter 15 a sheep, a coin and a son - all lost but all found.
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with [d]prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the [e]pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, [f]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Pray- May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding and application AMEN
This story is usually called the parable of the Prodigal Son. However, the prodigal son—the reckless and wasteful son who got himself lost—is only part of the focus of the story. He’s an essential character, but the parable also includes the older brother because Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and scribes (see 15:1-3). And a third and most essential character is the Father. But Jesus is emphasizing to these self-righteous leaders who had no compassion on the lost items to see themselves in that brother. We will focus only on the younger son today.
(15:11-13) Now the younger of the two sons had become tired of the restrictions of living at home. He wanted to spread his wings; he wanted his so-called freedom. In requesting his inheritance, it was tantamount to wishing his father were dead (15:11-12). The younger son was thus strong willed, self-indulgent, independent, unencumbered, and well-funded.
15:12. According to Deuteronomy 21:17, the older of two sons was entitled to a double portion of a father’s estate. The younger son would have therefore received one-third. His request would have been regarded as shameful to a first-century Jewish audience as it demonstrated that he was willing to end his relationship with his father in order to receive his money. And it soon became clear why he wanted to leave, this nowhere villa for somewhere bright and shiny: He squandered his estate in foolish living (15:13). A person’s heart is revealed by his credit card statement. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (12:34).
This action is a picture of all sinners (related to God the Father by creation) who waste their potential privileges and refuse any relationship with Him, choosing instead a life of sinful self-indulgence. This is what sin is.
15:13 gathered all together. The prodigal son took his share in liquid assets, and left, abandoning his father, heading into a life of sinful iniquity; called prodigal living. Not merely wasteful extravagance, but wanton immorality (v. 30). The Gr. word for “prodigal” means “dissolute” and conveys the idea of an utterly debauched lifestyle.
Then the situation changes as he wastes away his inheritance, the economy fails, famine sets in, and he is no longer privileged. He’s a broke. In Chapter15:15-17 The young man became so desperate that he accepted a job feeding pigs (15:15). Don’t miss that. This is a Jewish man accepting a job to feed unclean animals. The pods were carob pods, <inedible to humans> the fruit of the carob tree, which were used to feed livestock. And no one gave the prodigal anything to eat (15:16), the pigs were doing better than he was. And pigs are unclean to the Jew.
His acquired freedom and supposed independence had come at a high cost. Notice the emphasis on - no one gave him anything. He could not even eke out a living by begging. His situation could hardly have been more desperate. This is symbolic of the estranged sinner who is helpless in despair and without hope. Sometimes God tests us and allows us to experience a tremendous failures for that is what it takes to open our eyes to our sinfulness (15:17).
15:17-18. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
He came to himself – he hated his sin as a fact of his life and He hated His lifestyle as a moral failure. He repented of His sin and his place in their family and said I am only worthy to be a slave/servant. This is what happens in repentance and we turn back to God- (NASB) Acts 3:19- Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
15:20-22 This is a beautiful picture of repentance, salvation and the restoration of sinners to be saints. A destitute sinner comes to a holy God in repentance and faith with nothing to offer but desperate need. God the Father responds with love and compassion (15:20), granting the sinner all the privileges of sonship in the family and showering him with blessings—“every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ” (Eph 1:3). 15:20.
The important point is the father had not yet heard his son’s confession (see v. 21), but like the seekers for lost things in the previous two parables, His desire was to see the restoration of that which was lost. ran. The Father’s eagerness and joy at his son’s return is unmistakable. Jesus audience would have been surprised by the Father’s actions. This is the magnificent attribute of our God that sets Him apart from all false gods invented by men and demons. He is not indifferent or hostile, but a Savior by nature, longing to see sinners repent and rejoicing when they do. From Gen. 3:8 to Rev. 22:17, from the fall of man to the end of time, God has been and will be seeking to save sinners, and rejoicing each time one repents and is converted.
15:22 the father said. There is not a single word of rebuke for the past, the Father pours out his love upon the son and expresses his joy that what was lost had been found. Each of the Father’s gifts said something unique about his acceptance of the son: robe. Reserved for the guest of honor. ring. A symbol of authority. sandals. These were not usually worn by slaves, and therefore signified his full restoration as a son.
Conclusion- What is repentance to God but an expression of His everlasting and amazing love for those who willingly turn to Him.
For us - Repentance requires you and I to see ourselves as God sees us – full of sin and rebellion, and departed from Him. In most cases without any hope of redemption, morally bankrupt and realizing how lost we are because of our deeds and actions. Only by the activity of God sending His Son can we be saved and returned to the loving fellowship of the - God who so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. <Jn.3.16>
April 21 Sermon
Jesus in the beginning of Chapter 13 of Luke discusses and gives the disciples divine power to serve as a witness to the people of His divine authority and power as both Son of God and Son of Man who has come as messiah. Many things happen in the Chapter including the miraculous feeding of the 5000 and the Mount of Transfiguration. Sandwiched in between these two miraculous events is a passage of great significance to all who would be dedicated followers of the Master.
The passage begins with a question which all of us who would believe is Jesus are destined to answer for ourselves and for our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the question Jesus asks each of us - who do you say that I am? Not who do others say that I am, but who do you say that I am?
Let’s read from our text and Let’s stand as we honor the Word of God and its Author
Luke 9, beginning with verse 18
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
Amen
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” Ultimately, this is the question every human being must answer and the foundation of our confession of faith (Rom. 10:9, 10). To say that Jesus is the Christ means we believe that He is God incarnate, born of a virgin, crucified unto death, buried, resurrected on the third day, and fully capable of forgiving our sins and reconciling us to Himself. By faith we believe that all He taught is true, and that we have eternal life because of Him, and all He has promised and that has been prophesied about Him will be fulfilled. Is this truly what you believe? Do you have more than just a said faith that Jesus is the Savior? Today Who do you say He is?
Well the disciples had just been commissioned to cast out demons and to pronounce the truth of the Word among men, and they were soon to experience the feeding of the 5000 which would confirm a great deal to the disciples of what He said and did was true. But you must remember that the crucifixion and the betrayal were soon to come and all would abandon Him. So what kind of faith did they have? Maybe faith a lot like we have when things are going well? Perhaps that is why Jesus is about to instruct them on what is required to have genuine faith and trust in Him. There are some pretty hard words coming to the hearts of the disciples in what follows and they may be difficult for us as well as we evaluate our ability to stand for Jesus Christ in the final days.
Let’s look at them verse by verse beginning with verse 21-22- 21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Here Jesus does what? -Jesus Predicts His own Death. The disciples have not yet fully comprehended who Jesus is and His Messiahship. Many first-century Jews expected the Messiah to be a powerful and glorious warrior who would deliver them from the political oppression of the Gentiles. Peter apparently shares this widespread Jewish view about the Messiah. In this section, Jesus supplements there understanding of the Messiah with the suffering “Son of Man” (v. 22). Jesus reveals He must pass through the cross before his glorification (vv. 22, 26). This would greatly concern the disciples since they also must deny their own lives when they follow Jesus. How about you have you counted the cost of being a disciple of Christ?
Now to verse 23- the toughie - 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me.
To deny themselves means they are to abandon their own ambitions and goals. <daily> This is quite unexpected and then the next part was to take up their cross. That means to imitate Jesus and follow His will and the will of his Father. Do you understand Discipleship demands a drastic shift in our “daily” life to accommodate the mission of Jesus, possibly even to the point of death? Here is the truth! You don’t just put on Jesus on Sunday and Wednesday night and revert to the same ole thing when you get home afterwards. His lifestyle is a radical change and transformation 0- it is new life. And after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, you and I as His disciples are called to continue His mission by representing Him as salt and light today! This has the radical potential to alter our lives and future forever and will.
Verse 24 lays this out - 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Think about this verse – only by giving up your life can you gain eternal life and the blessings of heaven. You see this verse actually gives context to and explains vs. 23: The understanding is this for it is only those who, like Jesus, are willing by faith to give up their own earthly and human desires and ambitions who can and will obtain the spiritual blessings that Jesus’ resurrection brings. This is a sobering thought! Where am I in this I ask myself?
Verses 25 sand 26 says, 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Here are the disciples. They were thinking they had the whole world in front of them. Their rabbi is the expected Jewish Messiah. The purpose of their version of Messiah is to restore the nation and drive out its enemies. Jesus is expected to bring peace, prosperity, and the respect from other kingdoms. As the Messiah's closest followers, the disciples think they would rule with Him. They believe they are following the lesson of this verse. Jesus is now telling them of the cost. It is too much for them but if they reject Him they lose more than life, they lose Jesus and a future in eternity with Him. More importantly they lose their own souls.
What a tragedy think of the rich young ruler he lost not only his money but his very soul and life eternal in heaven. Wow what a loss.
Verse 27 says, 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”- In all 3 of the Synoptic Gospels, this promise is made just prior to the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1–8; Matt 16:28). Also, the word for “kingdom” can be translated “royal splendor.” Therefore, it is natural to interpret this promise as a reference to the Transfiguration, which “some” of the disciples--Peter, James, and John— would witness only 6 days later and has been fulfilled.
Where are you with this idea today ? – And who do you say that Jesus is? Perhaps for the first time you realize there is depth to this commitment which maybe you never fully understood and have taken for granted? Jesus asks you right now to count the cost. Do you understand that in order to save your life you must lose? This is contrary to the what the world practices and is contrary to the values of self-preservation. Giving your life to Christ has potentially very high costs and requires constant prayer, study and meditation. Are you willing to give it all to Jesus? He is asking that whosoever will, will now come to receive Jesus Christ today.
Jesus in the beginning of Chapter 13 of Luke discusses and gives the disciples divine power to serve as a witness to the people of His divine authority and power as both Son of God and Son of Man who has come as messiah. Many things happen in the Chapter including the miraculous feeding of the 5000 and the Mount of Transfiguration. Sandwiched in between these two miraculous events is a passage of great significance to all who would be dedicated followers of the Master.
The passage begins with a question which all of us who would believe is Jesus are destined to answer for ourselves and for our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the question Jesus asks each of us - who do you say that I am? Not who do others say that I am, but who do you say that I am?
Let’s read from our text and Let’s stand as we honor the Word of God and its Author
Luke 9, beginning with verse 18
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
Amen
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” Ultimately, this is the question every human being must answer and the foundation of our confession of faith (Rom. 10:9, 10). To say that Jesus is the Christ means we believe that He is God incarnate, born of a virgin, crucified unto death, buried, resurrected on the third day, and fully capable of forgiving our sins and reconciling us to Himself. By faith we believe that all He taught is true, and that we have eternal life because of Him, and all He has promised and that has been prophesied about Him will be fulfilled. Is this truly what you believe? Do you have more than just a said faith that Jesus is the Savior? Today Who do you say He is?
Well the disciples had just been commissioned to cast out demons and to pronounce the truth of the Word among men, and they were soon to experience the feeding of the 5000 which would confirm a great deal to the disciples of what He said and did was true. But you must remember that the crucifixion and the betrayal were soon to come and all would abandon Him. So what kind of faith did they have? Maybe faith a lot like we have when things are going well? Perhaps that is why Jesus is about to instruct them on what is required to have genuine faith and trust in Him. There are some pretty hard words coming to the hearts of the disciples in what follows and they may be difficult for us as well as we evaluate our ability to stand for Jesus Christ in the final days.
Let’s look at them verse by verse beginning with verse 21-22- 21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Here Jesus does what? -Jesus Predicts His own Death. The disciples have not yet fully comprehended who Jesus is and His Messiahship. Many first-century Jews expected the Messiah to be a powerful and glorious warrior who would deliver them from the political oppression of the Gentiles. Peter apparently shares this widespread Jewish view about the Messiah. In this section, Jesus supplements there understanding of the Messiah with the suffering “Son of Man” (v. 22). Jesus reveals He must pass through the cross before his glorification (vv. 22, 26). This would greatly concern the disciples since they also must deny their own lives when they follow Jesus. How about you have you counted the cost of being a disciple of Christ?
Now to verse 23- the toughie - 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me.
To deny themselves means they are to abandon their own ambitions and goals. <daily> This is quite unexpected and then the next part was to take up their cross. That means to imitate Jesus and follow His will and the will of his Father. Do you understand Discipleship demands a drastic shift in our “daily” life to accommodate the mission of Jesus, possibly even to the point of death? Here is the truth! You don’t just put on Jesus on Sunday and Wednesday night and revert to the same ole thing when you get home afterwards. His lifestyle is a radical change and transformation 0- it is new life. And after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, you and I as His disciples are called to continue His mission by representing Him as salt and light today! This has the radical potential to alter our lives and future forever and will.
Verse 24 lays this out - 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Think about this verse – only by giving up your life can you gain eternal life and the blessings of heaven. You see this verse actually gives context to and explains vs. 23: The understanding is this for it is only those who, like Jesus, are willing by faith to give up their own earthly and human desires and ambitions who can and will obtain the spiritual blessings that Jesus’ resurrection brings. This is a sobering thought! Where am I in this I ask myself?
Verses 25 sand 26 says, 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Here are the disciples. They were thinking they had the whole world in front of them. Their rabbi is the expected Jewish Messiah. The purpose of their version of Messiah is to restore the nation and drive out its enemies. Jesus is expected to bring peace, prosperity, and the respect from other kingdoms. As the Messiah's closest followers, the disciples think they would rule with Him. They believe they are following the lesson of this verse. Jesus is now telling them of the cost. It is too much for them but if they reject Him they lose more than life, they lose Jesus and a future in eternity with Him. More importantly they lose their own souls.
What a tragedy think of the rich young ruler he lost not only his money but his very soul and life eternal in heaven. Wow what a loss.
Verse 27 says, 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”- In all 3 of the Synoptic Gospels, this promise is made just prior to the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1–8; Matt 16:28). Also, the word for “kingdom” can be translated “royal splendor.” Therefore, it is natural to interpret this promise as a reference to the Transfiguration, which “some” of the disciples--Peter, James, and John— would witness only 6 days later and has been fulfilled.
Where are you with this idea today ? – And who do you say that Jesus is? Perhaps for the first time you realize there is depth to this commitment which maybe you never fully understood and have taken for granted? Jesus asks you right now to count the cost. Do you understand that in order to save your life you must lose? This is contrary to the what the world practices and is contrary to the values of self-preservation. Giving your life to Christ has potentially very high costs and requires constant prayer, study and meditation. Are you willing to give it all to Jesus? He is asking that whosoever will, will now come to receive Jesus Christ today.
Apr 14 Sermon
Jesus in the beginning of Chapter 13 of Luke discusses and gives the disciples divine power to serve as a witness to the people of His divine authority and power as both Son of God and Son of Man who has come as messiah. Many things happen in the Chapter including the miraculous feeding of the 5000 and the Mount of Transfiguration. Sandwiched in between these two miraculous events is a passage of great significance to all who would be dedicated followers of the Master.
The passage begins with a question which all of us who would believe is Jesus are destined to answer for ourselves and for our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the question Jesus asks each of us - who do you say that I am? Not who do others say that I am, but who do you say that I am?
Let’s read from our text and Let’s stand as we honor the Word of God and its Author
Luke 9, beginning with verse 18
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
Amen
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” Ultimately, this is the question every human being must answer and the foundation of our confession of faith (Rom. 10:9, 10). To say that Jesus is the Christ means we believe that He is God incarnate, born of a virgin, crucified unto death, buried, resurrected on the third day, and fully capable of forgiving our sins and reconciling us to Himself. By faith we believe that all He taught is true, and that we have eternal life because of Him, and all He has promised and that has been prophesied about Him will be fulfilled. Is this truly what you believe? Do you have more than just a said faith that Jesus is the Savior? Today Who do you say He is?
Well the disciples had just been commissioned to cast out demons and to pronounce the truth of the Word among men, and they were soon to experience the feeding of the 5000 which would confirm a great deal to the disciples of what He said and did was true. But you must remember that the crucifixion and the betrayal were soon to come and all would abandon Him. So what kind of faith did they have? Maybe faith a lot like we have when things are going well? Perhaps that is why Jesus is about to instruct them on what is required to have genuine faith and trust in Him. There are some pretty hard words coming to the hearts of the disciples in what follows and they may be difficult for us as well as we evaluate our ability to stand for Jesus Christ in the final days.
Let’s look at them verse by verse beginning with verse 21-22- 21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Here Jesus does what? -Jesus Predicts His own Death. The disciples have not yet fully comprehended who Jesus is and His Messiahship. Many first-century Jews expected the Messiah to be a powerful and glorious warrior who would deliver them from the political oppression of the Gentiles. Peter apparently shares this widespread Jewish view about the Messiah. In this section, Jesus supplements there understanding of the Messiah with the suffering “Son of Man” (v. 22). Jesus reveals He must pass through the cross before his glorification (vv. 22, 26). This would greatly concern the disciples since they also must deny their own lives when they follow Jesus. How about you have you counted the cost of being a disciple of Christ?
Now to verse 23- the toughie - 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me.
To deny themselves means they are to abandon their own ambitions and goals. <daily> This is quite unexpected and then the next part was to take up their cross. That means to imitate Jesus and follow His will and the will of his Father. Do you understand Discipleship demands a drastic shift in our “daily” life to accommodate the mission of Jesus, possibly even to the point of death? Here is the truth! You don’t just put on Jesus on Sunday and Wednesday night and revert to the same ole thing when you get home afterwards. His lifestyle is a radical change and transformation 0- it is new life. And after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, you and I as His disciples are called to continue His mission by representing Him as salt and light today! This has the radical potential to alter our lives and future forever and will.
Verse 24 lays this out - 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Think about this verse – only by giving up your life can you gain eternal life and the blessings of heaven. You see this verse actually gives context to and explains vs. 23: The understanding is this for it is only those who, like Jesus, are willing by faith to give up their own earthly and human desires and ambitions who can and will obtain the spiritual blessings that Jesus’ resurrection brings. This is a sobering thought! Where am I in this I ask myself?
Verses 25 sand 26 says, 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Here are the disciples. They were thinking they had the whole world in front of them. Their rabbi is the expected Jewish Messiah. The purpose of their version of Messiah is to restore the nation and drive out its enemies. Jesus is expected to bring peace, prosperity, and the respect from other kingdoms. As the Messiah's closest followers, the disciples think they would rule with Him. They believe they are following the lesson of this verse. Jesus is now telling them of the cost. It is too much for them but if they reject Him they lose more than life, they lose Jesus and a future in eternity with Him. More importantly they lose their own souls.
What a tragedy think of the rich young ruler he lost not only his money but his very soul and life eternal in heaven. Wow what a loss.
Verse 27 says, 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”- In all 3 of the Synoptic Gospels, this promise is made just prior to the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1–8; Matt 16:28). Also, the word for “kingdom” can be translated “royal splendor.” Therefore, it is natural to interpret this promise as a reference to the Transfiguration, which “some” of the disciples--Peter, James, and John— would witness only 6 days later and has been fulfilled.
Where are you with this idea today ? – And who do you say that Jesus is? Perhaps for the first time you realize there is depth to this commitment which maybe you never fully understood and have taken for granted? Jesus asks you right now to count the cost. Do you understand that in order to save your life you must lose? This is contrary to the what the world practices and is contrary to the values of self-preservation. Giving your life to Christ has potentially very high costs and requires constant prayer, study and meditation. Are you willing to give it all to Jesus? He is asking that whosoever will, will now come to receive Jesus Christ today.
Jesus in the beginning of Chapter 13 of Luke discusses and gives the disciples divine power to serve as a witness to the people of His divine authority and power as both Son of God and Son of Man who has come as messiah. Many things happen in the Chapter including the miraculous feeding of the 5000 and the Mount of Transfiguration. Sandwiched in between these two miraculous events is a passage of great significance to all who would be dedicated followers of the Master.
The passage begins with a question which all of us who would believe is Jesus are destined to answer for ourselves and for our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the question Jesus asks each of us - who do you say that I am? Not who do others say that I am, but who do you say that I am?
Let’s read from our text and Let’s stand as we honor the Word of God and its Author
Luke 9, beginning with verse 18
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
Amen
“Who do the crowds say that I am?” Ultimately, this is the question every human being must answer and the foundation of our confession of faith (Rom. 10:9, 10). To say that Jesus is the Christ means we believe that He is God incarnate, born of a virgin, crucified unto death, buried, resurrected on the third day, and fully capable of forgiving our sins and reconciling us to Himself. By faith we believe that all He taught is true, and that we have eternal life because of Him, and all He has promised and that has been prophesied about Him will be fulfilled. Is this truly what you believe? Do you have more than just a said faith that Jesus is the Savior? Today Who do you say He is?
Well the disciples had just been commissioned to cast out demons and to pronounce the truth of the Word among men, and they were soon to experience the feeding of the 5000 which would confirm a great deal to the disciples of what He said and did was true. But you must remember that the crucifixion and the betrayal were soon to come and all would abandon Him. So what kind of faith did they have? Maybe faith a lot like we have when things are going well? Perhaps that is why Jesus is about to instruct them on what is required to have genuine faith and trust in Him. There are some pretty hard words coming to the hearts of the disciples in what follows and they may be difficult for us as well as we evaluate our ability to stand for Jesus Christ in the final days.
Let’s look at them verse by verse beginning with verse 21-22- 21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Here Jesus does what? -Jesus Predicts His own Death. The disciples have not yet fully comprehended who Jesus is and His Messiahship. Many first-century Jews expected the Messiah to be a powerful and glorious warrior who would deliver them from the political oppression of the Gentiles. Peter apparently shares this widespread Jewish view about the Messiah. In this section, Jesus supplements there understanding of the Messiah with the suffering “Son of Man” (v. 22). Jesus reveals He must pass through the cross before his glorification (vv. 22, 26). This would greatly concern the disciples since they also must deny their own lives when they follow Jesus. How about you have you counted the cost of being a disciple of Christ?
Now to verse 23- the toughie - 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me.
To deny themselves means they are to abandon their own ambitions and goals. <daily> This is quite unexpected and then the next part was to take up their cross. That means to imitate Jesus and follow His will and the will of his Father. Do you understand Discipleship demands a drastic shift in our “daily” life to accommodate the mission of Jesus, possibly even to the point of death? Here is the truth! You don’t just put on Jesus on Sunday and Wednesday night and revert to the same ole thing when you get home afterwards. His lifestyle is a radical change and transformation 0- it is new life. And after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, you and I as His disciples are called to continue His mission by representing Him as salt and light today! This has the radical potential to alter our lives and future forever and will.
Verse 24 lays this out - 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Think about this verse – only by giving up your life can you gain eternal life and the blessings of heaven. You see this verse actually gives context to and explains vs. 23: The understanding is this for it is only those who, like Jesus, are willing by faith to give up their own earthly and human desires and ambitions who can and will obtain the spiritual blessings that Jesus’ resurrection brings. This is a sobering thought! Where am I in this I ask myself?
Verses 25 sand 26 says, 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Here are the disciples. They were thinking they had the whole world in front of them. Their rabbi is the expected Jewish Messiah. The purpose of their version of Messiah is to restore the nation and drive out its enemies. Jesus is expected to bring peace, prosperity, and the respect from other kingdoms. As the Messiah's closest followers, the disciples think they would rule with Him. They believe they are following the lesson of this verse. Jesus is now telling them of the cost. It is too much for them but if they reject Him they lose more than life, they lose Jesus and a future in eternity with Him. More importantly they lose their own souls.
What a tragedy think of the rich young ruler he lost not only his money but his very soul and life eternal in heaven. Wow what a loss.
Verse 27 says, 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”- In all 3 of the Synoptic Gospels, this promise is made just prior to the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1–8; Matt 16:28). Also, the word for “kingdom” can be translated “royal splendor.” Therefore, it is natural to interpret this promise as a reference to the Transfiguration, which “some” of the disciples--Peter, James, and John— would witness only 6 days later and has been fulfilled.
Where are you with this idea today ? – And who do you say that Jesus is? Perhaps for the first time you realize there is depth to this commitment which maybe you never fully understood and have taken for granted? Jesus asks you right now to count the cost. Do you understand that in order to save your life you must lose? This is contrary to the what the world practices and is contrary to the values of self-preservation. Giving your life to Christ has potentially very high costs and requires constant prayer, study and meditation. Are you willing to give it all to Jesus? He is asking that whosoever will, will now come to receive Jesus Christ today.
Easter Sermon
He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed.
We come this morning to celebrate a risen savior, as one alive from the dead. So we say, He is risen, He is risen indeed! Praise be to God Almighty He is Risen from the dead. Who is risen? Jesus <Col.1> 14 in whom we have redemption [a]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or [b]principalities or [c]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
This is the one we are here to say Thank you Lord God for Your indescribable gift. But do we know how wonderful and how marvelous was the gift which was given? I am not sure we do. Besides Jesus being the perfect gift, He (Jesus) is our greatest example of being a servant, no more actually, being a bondservant. Being a bondservant, that’s you and I, who willingly asked and now are expected to serve whenever, however and wherever, the Master chooses, because of the new life that lives in us.
Do you understand this? Are you with me? I ask again ,for you to have this same mind which Christ had, to serve willingly, whenever, however and wherever the Master chooses? Why do I say this? Quite simply, if Jesus paid it all, He serves as our example. Then should not his disciples, His bondservants follow Him and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things which He has commanded? Our Lord has commissioned us and put us under His authority. What authority? Jesus authority. According to the Word of God, God says that - at all authority in heaven and in earth is given to the Jesus. And secondly Jesus defeated Satan at the cross and while Satan is still the Prince of Power of the air, he is a defeated foe destined for the fires of Hell, and Jesus reigns over the destroyer.
So our greatest example as believers is the humbled and exalted Christ. Turn with me in your bibles and look at the Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2 verses 5 – 11, and see what Jesus has done for us.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Pray with me now- Father may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, and may Your word be hid in our hearts, that we might not sin against thee. AMEN
So where do I get this idea that we are expected to serve whenever, however and wherever, the Master chooses?
Well believe it or not I believe that is what this text states in 6 short verses in Philippians, tells of the great sacrifices Jesus made; and if He was so willing, why should be also not be willing to serve as obedient servants to our Lord. Let’s allow the Word of God, with the Holy Spirit to serve as our guide and teacher, instructing us in His truths,
1. Verse 5 says, - 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Christ is the ultimate example of selfless humility who gave Himself away for you and I. He volunteers to (Matt 11:29)
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. The mind of Christ is God centered, not man centered.
2. Verse 6 states - being in the form of God. Paul states that Jesus eternally has been, is and will be eternally God. The Gr. word for “being” is used here is a term that stresses —His Godly nature as a continuous state or condition. Paul also chose, one a particular Gr. word for “form,” that specifically denotes Jesus’ form as essential, unchanging character which is an end itself. After all don’t we say and believe that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever- He, God is unchanging – immutable.
not . . . robbery. The Gr. word is translated “robbery” here means “a thing seized by robbery.” It currently means anything clutched, embraced, or prized, and thus is sometimes translated “grasped” or “held onto.” Though Christ had all the rights, privileges, and honors as God—of which He was worthy of and could never be disqualified from—His attitude was not to cling to these things or His position, but was willing to give them up for a season because of His great love and obedience to the Father. Jesus loved us enough to go to the cross.
equal with God. This Gr. word for “equal” defines things that are exactly the same in size, quantity, quality, character, and number. In every sense, Jesus is God, and is equal to God and constantly claimed and demonstrated qualities equal to God’s during His life among us. Seven I AM statements in John.
3. Verse 7 - made Himself of no reputation. A better translation is He “emptied Himself.” This big theological word is “kenosis”; i.e., Kenosis is the doctrine of Christ’s self-emptying in His birth as a child which we call the incarnation. This was a self-denial, not a purging of Himself of deity nor an exchange of deity for humanity.
Jesus did, set aside His privileges in several areas: 1) His heavenly glory—while on earth He gave up the glory of a face-to-face relationship with God and the continuous outward display and personal enjoyment of that glory (cf. John 17:5); 2) He ceded His independent authority—during His time on earth, Christ completely submitted Himself to the will of His Father (see note on v. 8; cf. Matt. 26:39; John 5:30; Heb. 5:8);
3) He set aside divine attributes—the voluntary display of His divine nature and submitted Himself to the Holy Spirit’s direction (cf. Matt. 24:36; John 1:45–49);
4) He gave up His eternal riches—while on earth, Christ was poor and owned very little;
and 5) He ceded His very intimate and close relationship with God—He felt the Father’s wrath for human sin while on the cross (cf. Matt. 27:46; see note on 2 Cor. 5:21).
Go to the phrase- form of a bondservant. Again, Paul uses the Gr. word “form,” which indicates Jesus had the exact nature of a true servant, Jesus came to do the will of His Father (cf. Is. 52:13, 14).
In the likeness of men. Christ became more than God in a human body, but He took on all the fundamental attributes of humans, even to the extent that He identified with basic human needs and weaknesses (cf. Heb. 2:14, 17; 4:15). He became the God-Man: fully God and fully man. Son of God and Son of Man, both apply to Jesus
Now to verse 8 - in appearance as a man. This is not just a repetition of the last phrase in v. 7, but a shift from the heavenly focus to an earthly one. Christ’s humanity is described from the viewpoint of those who saw Him. Paul is stating Jesus outwardly looked like a man, but there was so much more to Him (His deity) than others recognized naturally (cf. John 6:42; 8:48).
He humbled Himself. After the humbling of his birth in a stable Jesus further humbled Himself in that He did not demand normal human rights, but subjected Himself to persecution and suffering at the hands of unbelievers (cf. Is. 53:7; Matt. 26:62–64; Mark 14:60, 61; 1 Pet. 2:23).
obedient . . . unto death. Beyond even persecution, Jesus went to the lowest point or furthest extent in His humiliation is dying as a criminal on the cross, following God’s plan for Him (cf. Matt. 26:39; Acts 2:23).
Even the death on the cross. . Even further humiliation because Jesus’ death was not by ordinary means, but was accomplished by crucifixion—the cruelest, most excruciating, most degrading form of death ever devised. The Jews hated this manner of execution
Now to Verse 9 - 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, Christ’s humiliation (vv. 5–8) and exaltation by God (vv. 9–11) are causally and inseparably linked. God highly exalted Him. Christ’s exaltation was 4-fold. The early sermons of the apostles confirm Jesus’ (1.) resurrection from the dead. They were and are eye witnesses to it . They also witnessed (2.) His new nature as He walked through walls and appeared out of nowhere, yet ate food with them. They saw (3.) His ascension into heaven and John saw Him in heaven in the book of Revelation, confirming His coronation (His position at the right hand of God), and allude to His intercession for believers (Acts 2:32, 33; 5:30, 31; cf. Eph. 1:20, 21; Heb. 4:15; 7:25, 26). Hebrews 4:14 refers to the final element, His ascension.
The (4th) and final exaltation did not concern Christ’s nature or eternal place within the Trinity, but His new identity as the God-Man (cf. John 5:22; Rom. 1:4; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:24, 25). In addition to receiving back His glory (John 17:5), Christ’s new status as the God-Man meant God gave Him privileges He did not have prior to the incarnation. If He had not lived among men, He could not have identified with them as our interceding High-Priest. Had He not died on the cross, He could not have been elevated from that lowest degree back to heaven as the final payment substitute for sin.
Verses 10 and 11 are the victory cry and triumph for our battle on this earth that is the name above all names. Christ’s name . . . above every name. Christ’s new name which further describes His essential nature and places Him above and beyond all comparison is “Lord.” This name Lord is the NT synonym for OT descriptions of God as sovereign ruler.
Because Jesus willingly humiliated Himself now God has and will continue to exalt and praise the name of Jesus above all other names.
What is the so what for you, as a believer in Jesus Christ.
1. You are a child of the King of Kings, who was, who is and who will be forever
2. The King of Kings promises to prepare a place for you that where He is you will be also. He is preparing that place for you right now.
3. The grave is not the end, but the beginning of an eternity with God, in which He will perfect you. His death and resurrection have assured you that He will bring you to Himself. He will never leave you or forsake you
4. You have direct access to Jesus the King and God the Father in prayer at any time. He is the way and the only way to live in heaven forever. AMEN
He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed.
We come this morning to celebrate a risen savior, as one alive from the dead. So we say, He is risen, He is risen indeed! Praise be to God Almighty He is Risen from the dead. Who is risen? Jesus <Col.1> 14 in whom we have redemption [a]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or [b]principalities or [c]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
This is the one we are here to say Thank you Lord God for Your indescribable gift. But do we know how wonderful and how marvelous was the gift which was given? I am not sure we do. Besides Jesus being the perfect gift, He (Jesus) is our greatest example of being a servant, no more actually, being a bondservant. Being a bondservant, that’s you and I, who willingly asked and now are expected to serve whenever, however and wherever, the Master chooses, because of the new life that lives in us.
Do you understand this? Are you with me? I ask again ,for you to have this same mind which Christ had, to serve willingly, whenever, however and wherever the Master chooses? Why do I say this? Quite simply, if Jesus paid it all, He serves as our example. Then should not his disciples, His bondservants follow Him and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things which He has commanded? Our Lord has commissioned us and put us under His authority. What authority? Jesus authority. According to the Word of God, God says that - at all authority in heaven and in earth is given to the Jesus. And secondly Jesus defeated Satan at the cross and while Satan is still the Prince of Power of the air, he is a defeated foe destined for the fires of Hell, and Jesus reigns over the destroyer.
So our greatest example as believers is the humbled and exalted Christ. Turn with me in your bibles and look at the Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2 verses 5 – 11, and see what Jesus has done for us.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Pray with me now- Father may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, and may Your word be hid in our hearts, that we might not sin against thee. AMEN
So where do I get this idea that we are expected to serve whenever, however and wherever, the Master chooses?
Well believe it or not I believe that is what this text states in 6 short verses in Philippians, tells of the great sacrifices Jesus made; and if He was so willing, why should be also not be willing to serve as obedient servants to our Lord. Let’s allow the Word of God, with the Holy Spirit to serve as our guide and teacher, instructing us in His truths,
1. Verse 5 says, - 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Christ is the ultimate example of selfless humility who gave Himself away for you and I. He volunteers to (Matt 11:29)
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. The mind of Christ is God centered, not man centered.
2. Verse 6 states - being in the form of God. Paul states that Jesus eternally has been, is and will be eternally God. The Gr. word for “being” is used here is a term that stresses —His Godly nature as a continuous state or condition. Paul also chose, one a particular Gr. word for “form,” that specifically denotes Jesus’ form as essential, unchanging character which is an end itself. After all don’t we say and believe that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever- He, God is unchanging – immutable.
not . . . robbery. The Gr. word is translated “robbery” here means “a thing seized by robbery.” It currently means anything clutched, embraced, or prized, and thus is sometimes translated “grasped” or “held onto.” Though Christ had all the rights, privileges, and honors as God—of which He was worthy of and could never be disqualified from—His attitude was not to cling to these things or His position, but was willing to give them up for a season because of His great love and obedience to the Father. Jesus loved us enough to go to the cross.
equal with God. This Gr. word for “equal” defines things that are exactly the same in size, quantity, quality, character, and number. In every sense, Jesus is God, and is equal to God and constantly claimed and demonstrated qualities equal to God’s during His life among us. Seven I AM statements in John.
3. Verse 7 - made Himself of no reputation. A better translation is He “emptied Himself.” This big theological word is “kenosis”; i.e., Kenosis is the doctrine of Christ’s self-emptying in His birth as a child which we call the incarnation. This was a self-denial, not a purging of Himself of deity nor an exchange of deity for humanity.
Jesus did, set aside His privileges in several areas: 1) His heavenly glory—while on earth He gave up the glory of a face-to-face relationship with God and the continuous outward display and personal enjoyment of that glory (cf. John 17:5); 2) He ceded His independent authority—during His time on earth, Christ completely submitted Himself to the will of His Father (see note on v. 8; cf. Matt. 26:39; John 5:30; Heb. 5:8);
3) He set aside divine attributes—the voluntary display of His divine nature and submitted Himself to the Holy Spirit’s direction (cf. Matt. 24:36; John 1:45–49);
4) He gave up His eternal riches—while on earth, Christ was poor and owned very little;
and 5) He ceded His very intimate and close relationship with God—He felt the Father’s wrath for human sin while on the cross (cf. Matt. 27:46; see note on 2 Cor. 5:21).
Go to the phrase- form of a bondservant. Again, Paul uses the Gr. word “form,” which indicates Jesus had the exact nature of a true servant, Jesus came to do the will of His Father (cf. Is. 52:13, 14).
In the likeness of men. Christ became more than God in a human body, but He took on all the fundamental attributes of humans, even to the extent that He identified with basic human needs and weaknesses (cf. Heb. 2:14, 17; 4:15). He became the God-Man: fully God and fully man. Son of God and Son of Man, both apply to Jesus
Now to verse 8 - in appearance as a man. This is not just a repetition of the last phrase in v. 7, but a shift from the heavenly focus to an earthly one. Christ’s humanity is described from the viewpoint of those who saw Him. Paul is stating Jesus outwardly looked like a man, but there was so much more to Him (His deity) than others recognized naturally (cf. John 6:42; 8:48).
He humbled Himself. After the humbling of his birth in a stable Jesus further humbled Himself in that He did not demand normal human rights, but subjected Himself to persecution and suffering at the hands of unbelievers (cf. Is. 53:7; Matt. 26:62–64; Mark 14:60, 61; 1 Pet. 2:23).
obedient . . . unto death. Beyond even persecution, Jesus went to the lowest point or furthest extent in His humiliation is dying as a criminal on the cross, following God’s plan for Him (cf. Matt. 26:39; Acts 2:23).
Even the death on the cross. . Even further humiliation because Jesus’ death was not by ordinary means, but was accomplished by crucifixion—the cruelest, most excruciating, most degrading form of death ever devised. The Jews hated this manner of execution
Now to Verse 9 - 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, Christ’s humiliation (vv. 5–8) and exaltation by God (vv. 9–11) are causally and inseparably linked. God highly exalted Him. Christ’s exaltation was 4-fold. The early sermons of the apostles confirm Jesus’ (1.) resurrection from the dead. They were and are eye witnesses to it . They also witnessed (2.) His new nature as He walked through walls and appeared out of nowhere, yet ate food with them. They saw (3.) His ascension into heaven and John saw Him in heaven in the book of Revelation, confirming His coronation (His position at the right hand of God), and allude to His intercession for believers (Acts 2:32, 33; 5:30, 31; cf. Eph. 1:20, 21; Heb. 4:15; 7:25, 26). Hebrews 4:14 refers to the final element, His ascension.
The (4th) and final exaltation did not concern Christ’s nature or eternal place within the Trinity, but His new identity as the God-Man (cf. John 5:22; Rom. 1:4; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:24, 25). In addition to receiving back His glory (John 17:5), Christ’s new status as the God-Man meant God gave Him privileges He did not have prior to the incarnation. If He had not lived among men, He could not have identified with them as our interceding High-Priest. Had He not died on the cross, He could not have been elevated from that lowest degree back to heaven as the final payment substitute for sin.
Verses 10 and 11 are the victory cry and triumph for our battle on this earth that is the name above all names. Christ’s name . . . above every name. Christ’s new name which further describes His essential nature and places Him above and beyond all comparison is “Lord.” This name Lord is the NT synonym for OT descriptions of God as sovereign ruler.
Because Jesus willingly humiliated Himself now God has and will continue to exalt and praise the name of Jesus above all other names.
What is the so what for you, as a believer in Jesus Christ.
1. You are a child of the King of Kings, who was, who is and who will be forever
2. The King of Kings promises to prepare a place for you that where He is you will be also. He is preparing that place for you right now.
3. The grave is not the end, but the beginning of an eternity with God, in which He will perfect you. His death and resurrection have assured you that He will bring you to Himself. He will never leave you or forsake you
4. You have direct access to Jesus the King and God the Father in prayer at any time. He is the way and the only way to live in heaven forever. AMEN
March 24 Palm Sunday Sermon
Fear is like fire it has both positive and negative aspects. Fire in its proper place keeps us warm, allows us to boil water for drinking and enables us to cook our food. We can use it to cleanse and as a means of cauterizing and healing wounds. On the other hand, a fire out of control destroys indiscriminately without regard to what it is attacking or destroying. Fear is much like fire, it has both positive and negative aspects. Scripture tells us many time that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear also can also be a lifesaving response in extreme danger, or it can cause us to panic and lose control of our clear thinking. So the fear of the Lord is a good thing . But the use of the word fear here is not meant as worry but as to reverently honor God.
Now we are told in Scripture to walk by faith, not by sight. (2nd Cor 5:7) Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1) Notice faith has substance, and it is not a fictional quality. Our faith actually has evidentiary results- that is actual proof that your faith is real
Faith is commanded by God Hebrews 11:6 says, 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Whoa, are we switching gears here? Are we talking about fear or are we talking about faith? Actually we are discussing how fear can impact our faith. You must understand if you are walking with Christ and your walk is not by faith but by sight, then fear can totally derail your walk. Then listening or harboring fear in our hearts is destructive. If our faith is weak, then fear can drive us away from God.
What does fear do? Fear causes us to distrust and doubt God. Walking by sight allows fear free reign in our hearts and minds, causing us to distrust and doubt for the Word of God. So a walk of faith requires us to reign in our feelings and believe and hold fast to the Word of God. So the injunction in scripture in 2nd Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
If you went back to the garden of Eden and listened to the conversation between Eve and the devil you would find this is the same temptation which Satan provoked Eve with – “Hath God said.” Satan is a liar and deceiver from the beginning.
Let us understand something, when does fear strike us as believers? It usually happens after we have heard God speak. Let’s set the history of God’s interactions with men as we review it from the Word of God. First and foremost God is at work in the world around us, attempting to redeem lost sinful souls who are separated from Him. God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.(2nd Peter 3:9)
No man ever came to God, God always comes to the individual first. John 6:44 speaks to this truth <44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.>So since the beginning God:
We have some good examples to choose from in the Bible. We could look at Gideon in the book of Judges Chapter 6:11-40, but specifically vs 15 after God spoke to Him. 15 So he said to Him, “O [d]my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
Or perhaps Moses in Exodus, Chapter 3, vs.11 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
The point being is when God speaks it causes us to have a crisis of belief, where we have to choose to walk by faith in what we know and believe about God versus doing what our feelings and personal doubts cause us to flee. We are really then being challenged to walk by faith and not by sight.
Let’s review Gideon for a moment. He was the least in his family, and his family least in the tribe of Manasseh.
God does not despise the little things, think of David who became King. He was timid and week and God said, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!
Gideon was weak and frail in faith and had to be continually encouraged by God was faithful and did so.
Looking further at Gideon – now the reason that Gideon was called is the Israelites had sinned and rejected God by departing from Him and worshipping other gods
In verse 12 it says 1He 2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Gideon did not know this was God, but after he offered Him a meal offering and “fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.
Gideon then realized He had seen God, He thought He was going to die. Then the Lord said to Him you will not surely die. But Gideon remained weak is his faith but continued to walk toward God
He needed encouragement but was overcoming His fear. All who learn to walk by faith are overcomers- for they overcame their fear
Then that same night the Lord came to him and said take your father’s Bulls and tear down his alter he made to Baal- not an easy task to destroy what you Father has built. Gideon was fearful but he did so. Notice he did so at night and laid an offering of one of His bulls on the alter he constructed there to the Lord God. Gideon as fearful and thought he might be killed but he overcame his fear and obeyed but at night. He was moving toward God.
Next comes the sign of the fleece if you remember the story – Chapter 6, verse 33 & 34 says, 33 Then all the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered together; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.
36 So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said
Then you may remember the story about the fleece first day dew only on the fleece, which God did and Gideon squeezed a bowl full of water. One day not enough day two – wet all surrounding the fleece, but the fleece was dry. God was gracious and did so for Gideon was learning to trust God.
32,000 men responded to the call of Gideon across the nation, God said too many I want the people to recognize that I defeated these people so He reduced the army first by sending all the fearful home that was 22,000. Then of the remaining 10, 000 only 300 lapped water like a dog. These God chose to secure the victory using only using trumpets, a shout and torches held by the 300.
But still Gideon was fearful but was overcoming His fears. You and I must learn to do the same thing as God leads us even through the valley of death- remember I will fear no evil for thou art with me?
So in Chapter 7, verses 10-14 God take Gideon down with his servant Purah to visit the camp and he hears them discussing a dream where Gideon leads them to victory. Gideon overcomes his fear and has a revival there in the enemy camp worshipping the Lord. Ultimately you and I need to become overcomers just like Gideon continually overcoming our fear with faith.
Go to 1 John Chapter 5.verses 4 and 5 and read with me -here is the certainty of God and His Word and this is not an idle promise - 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Will you come to the Lord today and allow His Spirit to live in you that you may become an overcomer, walking by faith and not by sight? Aware that God will challenge you and Satan will tempt you to not believe, but be of good cheer for Jesus has overcome the World and you work for Him. Greater is He who is in you.
AMEN
Fear is like fire it has both positive and negative aspects. Fire in its proper place keeps us warm, allows us to boil water for drinking and enables us to cook our food. We can use it to cleanse and as a means of cauterizing and healing wounds. On the other hand, a fire out of control destroys indiscriminately without regard to what it is attacking or destroying. Fear is much like fire, it has both positive and negative aspects. Scripture tells us many time that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear also can also be a lifesaving response in extreme danger, or it can cause us to panic and lose control of our clear thinking. So the fear of the Lord is a good thing . But the use of the word fear here is not meant as worry but as to reverently honor God.
Now we are told in Scripture to walk by faith, not by sight. (2nd Cor 5:7) Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1) Notice faith has substance, and it is not a fictional quality. Our faith actually has evidentiary results- that is actual proof that your faith is real
Faith is commanded by God Hebrews 11:6 says, 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Whoa, are we switching gears here? Are we talking about fear or are we talking about faith? Actually we are discussing how fear can impact our faith. You must understand if you are walking with Christ and your walk is not by faith but by sight, then fear can totally derail your walk. Then listening or harboring fear in our hearts is destructive. If our faith is weak, then fear can drive us away from God.
What does fear do? Fear causes us to distrust and doubt God. Walking by sight allows fear free reign in our hearts and minds, causing us to distrust and doubt for the Word of God. So a walk of faith requires us to reign in our feelings and believe and hold fast to the Word of God. So the injunction in scripture in 2nd Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
If you went back to the garden of Eden and listened to the conversation between Eve and the devil you would find this is the same temptation which Satan provoked Eve with – “Hath God said.” Satan is a liar and deceiver from the beginning.
Let us understand something, when does fear strike us as believers? It usually happens after we have heard God speak. Let’s set the history of God’s interactions with men as we review it from the Word of God. First and foremost God is at work in the world around us, attempting to redeem lost sinful souls who are separated from Him. God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.(2nd Peter 3:9)
No man ever came to God, God always comes to the individual first. John 6:44 speaks to this truth <44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.>So since the beginning God:
- pursues a love relationship which is real and personal.
- invites us to join Him in His Work
- Then God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, prayer, circumstances to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways
We have some good examples to choose from in the Bible. We could look at Gideon in the book of Judges Chapter 6:11-40, but specifically vs 15 after God spoke to Him. 15 So he said to Him, “O [d]my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
Or perhaps Moses in Exodus, Chapter 3, vs.11 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
The point being is when God speaks it causes us to have a crisis of belief, where we have to choose to walk by faith in what we know and believe about God versus doing what our feelings and personal doubts cause us to flee. We are really then being challenged to walk by faith and not by sight.
Let’s review Gideon for a moment. He was the least in his family, and his family least in the tribe of Manasseh.
God does not despise the little things, think of David who became King. He was timid and week and God said, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!
Gideon was weak and frail in faith and had to be continually encouraged by God was faithful and did so.
- He was continually granted grace and given encouragement by God.
- The same was true in the life of Moses
Looking further at Gideon – now the reason that Gideon was called is the Israelites had sinned and rejected God by departing from Him and worshipping other gods
In verse 12 it says 1He 2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Gideon did not know this was God, but after he offered Him a meal offering and “fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.
Gideon then realized He had seen God, He thought He was going to die. Then the Lord said to Him you will not surely die. But Gideon remained weak is his faith but continued to walk toward God
He needed encouragement but was overcoming His fear. All who learn to walk by faith are overcomers- for they overcame their fear
Then that same night the Lord came to him and said take your father’s Bulls and tear down his alter he made to Baal- not an easy task to destroy what you Father has built. Gideon was fearful but he did so. Notice he did so at night and laid an offering of one of His bulls on the alter he constructed there to the Lord God. Gideon as fearful and thought he might be killed but he overcame his fear and obeyed but at night. He was moving toward God.
Next comes the sign of the fleece if you remember the story – Chapter 6, verse 33 & 34 says, 33 Then all the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered together; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.
36 So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said
Then you may remember the story about the fleece first day dew only on the fleece, which God did and Gideon squeezed a bowl full of water. One day not enough day two – wet all surrounding the fleece, but the fleece was dry. God was gracious and did so for Gideon was learning to trust God.
32,000 men responded to the call of Gideon across the nation, God said too many I want the people to recognize that I defeated these people so He reduced the army first by sending all the fearful home that was 22,000. Then of the remaining 10, 000 only 300 lapped water like a dog. These God chose to secure the victory using only using trumpets, a shout and torches held by the 300.
But still Gideon was fearful but was overcoming His fears. You and I must learn to do the same thing as God leads us even through the valley of death- remember I will fear no evil for thou art with me?
So in Chapter 7, verses 10-14 God take Gideon down with his servant Purah to visit the camp and he hears them discussing a dream where Gideon leads them to victory. Gideon overcomes his fear and has a revival there in the enemy camp worshipping the Lord. Ultimately you and I need to become overcomers just like Gideon continually overcoming our fear with faith.
Go to 1 John Chapter 5.verses 4 and 5 and read with me -here is the certainty of God and His Word and this is not an idle promise - 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Will you come to the Lord today and allow His Spirit to live in you that you may become an overcomer, walking by faith and not by sight? Aware that God will challenge you and Satan will tempt you to not believe, but be of good cheer for Jesus has overcome the World and you work for Him. Greater is He who is in you.
AMEN
March 17 Sermon
In Isaiah 59.14-15 it says,
14Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
15 So truth fails,
And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
This truth we are discussing about being under siege is not some random truth, like the world says, and everyone makes their own truth. No this is God’s truth, make no mistake it is God’s Truth which is fallen in the street. Every week more sin is revealed across our nation and more lies are being told by our govt to cover them. These are people and institutions which we are supposed to trust and which are intended to serve and protect its citizens. Yet we see them and their senior leaders in govt lie daily. Justice is indeed turned back; righteous leaders don’t care about integrity or truth. Now notice what it says, For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
This shoots down this entire stated goals of DEI, for equity which is given by men is a means of indoctrination and it is false. Without the word of God leading this, there is no equity. For equity cannot enter.
We are being force fed communism and socialism as being the epitome of good, While pronouncing Democracy or a Republic is bad. This fulfills Isaiah 5:20 to the tee. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
So clearly as we are enjoined in Romans and in Judges - there is none righteous no not one, each one has gone his own way
Therefore, based upon the Word of God, we believe God is executing judgement against upon America today. You can see today in our commentary (news, internet, social media,) we are deluded, divided and have no fear of the Lord. And without the fear of the Lord there is no beginning of wisdom.
We have looked previously on several sieges being foisted upon us in America today. We are seeing; a journalistic siege, an economic siege, an academic and a political siege, an ideological siege, together with sieges medically, technically and ecclesiastically (meaning in our churches.) I believe we have a plague happening in COVID , as well. And the language of these sieges is expressed in socialism and Marxism.
Knowing then that our help cometh from the Lord and we reviewed the Book of Daniel- Chapter 1, Chapter 3 and then in Chapter 6 seeking how Daniel the three Hebrew boys stood on God’s Word in those days against the sieges of the devil and this world order.
Before proceeding further let’s define the problem, then we looked at 3 specific sieges. That summarizes our last weeks lessons
Here are 2 item to remember as we engaged today in all out spiritual warfare –
First and foremost this is where God wants us to be- on the front lines. He has called us to just a time as this.
And second, the weight of spiritual darkness across our nation is unlike anything we have seen before, but is not unlike anything which our God and our Savior have seen before. Can you imagine that day of darkness at the cross where Satan had thought he had won? That is not the real issue. If God is who He says He is and He is, then He has the power and the might to cast it into outer darkness.
The real issue facing believers in our churches is the churches of America have turned off their lights, and the pulpits are silenced to the righteousness of Christ because of a personal fear replacing our faith in Christ. Then this allows and enables others hearts to be turned away from God and we no longer hear; you lose faith, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, (Deut 30:17)
Our bibles says <From 2nd Timothy 3> But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! So if you church is not standing for righteousness of Christ and pursuing God what should you do – it says turn away!
Further, 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Walking day by day with the Lord in the Spirit is the only way to live righteously for Christ.
As we stated last week God’s Word tells believers who make up the churches in America that we need to take off our pajamas and put on the full armor of God. This is a firestorm and a battle for the soul and future of America. We need to speak for the truth of the Word of God and stand for the righteousness of God into a nation which is more hateful toward God and therefore us daily. This is what the church failed to do in Germany during the second world war. < Bonhoeffer>
As we have seen before, God always has a parallel for us in His Word- 2nd Chronicles 20 tells us this- It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord;
We will not read all, but the King prays and ask God are you not the God basically gave us all this, but skip now to verse 11 and 12 read, 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Here is a mighty prescription for us today. The first thing Leaders in our churches should do is humble ourselves and pray. Proclaim a fast of the Lord and seek Him, verse 3 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And it says as I paraphrase all the people of God came together to seek a word from the Lord.
Then something exciting and profound things happen. The King prays truthfully some astounding things. Go again to verse 12, 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
Wow 3 things –
#1. we have no power against this which is coming against us. <Jehosephat had a large army >
#2. nor do we know what to do, <He was military minded and had survived with His father King Asa>
#3. but our eyes are upon you <He could have been self-centered, but feared God>
Jehosephat had the fear of the Lord evidenced in his concern or fear of the enemy. He recognized he had no power or strategy to defeat an overwhelming army.
Jehosephat recognized in and of himself, he had no way forward for victor or perhaps just survival itself.
Perhaps Jehosephat remembered or had studied Psalm 121 just before this had happened and He remembered the key verse 2, 3 and 4.
2My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to [a]be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
But the very first step was to humble himself in prayer and fasting.
This is a message for all the churches. Let all who hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches – hear Him, if we want to see God work a miracle in our time. You have been called for this. AMEN
In Isaiah 59.14-15 it says,
14Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
15 So truth fails,
And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
This truth we are discussing about being under siege is not some random truth, like the world says, and everyone makes their own truth. No this is God’s truth, make no mistake it is God’s Truth which is fallen in the street. Every week more sin is revealed across our nation and more lies are being told by our govt to cover them. These are people and institutions which we are supposed to trust and which are intended to serve and protect its citizens. Yet we see them and their senior leaders in govt lie daily. Justice is indeed turned back; righteous leaders don’t care about integrity or truth. Now notice what it says, For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
This shoots down this entire stated goals of DEI, for equity which is given by men is a means of indoctrination and it is false. Without the word of God leading this, there is no equity. For equity cannot enter.
We are being force fed communism and socialism as being the epitome of good, While pronouncing Democracy or a Republic is bad. This fulfills Isaiah 5:20 to the tee. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
So clearly as we are enjoined in Romans and in Judges - there is none righteous no not one, each one has gone his own way
Therefore, based upon the Word of God, we believe God is executing judgement against upon America today. You can see today in our commentary (news, internet, social media,) we are deluded, divided and have no fear of the Lord. And without the fear of the Lord there is no beginning of wisdom.
We have looked previously on several sieges being foisted upon us in America today. We are seeing; a journalistic siege, an economic siege, an academic and a political siege, an ideological siege, together with sieges medically, technically and ecclesiastically (meaning in our churches.) I believe we have a plague happening in COVID , as well. And the language of these sieges is expressed in socialism and Marxism.
Knowing then that our help cometh from the Lord and we reviewed the Book of Daniel- Chapter 1, Chapter 3 and then in Chapter 6 seeking how Daniel the three Hebrew boys stood on God’s Word in those days against the sieges of the devil and this world order.
Before proceeding further let’s define the problem, then we looked at 3 specific sieges. That summarizes our last weeks lessons
Here are 2 item to remember as we engaged today in all out spiritual warfare –
First and foremost this is where God wants us to be- on the front lines. He has called us to just a time as this.
And second, the weight of spiritual darkness across our nation is unlike anything we have seen before, but is not unlike anything which our God and our Savior have seen before. Can you imagine that day of darkness at the cross where Satan had thought he had won? That is not the real issue. If God is who He says He is and He is, then He has the power and the might to cast it into outer darkness.
The real issue facing believers in our churches is the churches of America have turned off their lights, and the pulpits are silenced to the righteousness of Christ because of a personal fear replacing our faith in Christ. Then this allows and enables others hearts to be turned away from God and we no longer hear; you lose faith, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, (Deut 30:17)
Our bibles says <From 2nd Timothy 3> But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! So if you church is not standing for righteousness of Christ and pursuing God what should you do – it says turn away!
Further, 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Walking day by day with the Lord in the Spirit is the only way to live righteously for Christ.
As we stated last week God’s Word tells believers who make up the churches in America that we need to take off our pajamas and put on the full armor of God. This is a firestorm and a battle for the soul and future of America. We need to speak for the truth of the Word of God and stand for the righteousness of God into a nation which is more hateful toward God and therefore us daily. This is what the church failed to do in Germany during the second world war. < Bonhoeffer>
As we have seen before, God always has a parallel for us in His Word- 2nd Chronicles 20 tells us this- It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord;
We will not read all, but the King prays and ask God are you not the God basically gave us all this, but skip now to verse 11 and 12 read, 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
Here is a mighty prescription for us today. The first thing Leaders in our churches should do is humble ourselves and pray. Proclaim a fast of the Lord and seek Him, verse 3 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And it says as I paraphrase all the people of God came together to seek a word from the Lord.
Then something exciting and profound things happen. The King prays truthfully some astounding things. Go again to verse 12, 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
Wow 3 things –
#1. we have no power against this which is coming against us. <Jehosephat had a large army >
#2. nor do we know what to do, <He was military minded and had survived with His father King Asa>
#3. but our eyes are upon you <He could have been self-centered, but feared God>
Jehosephat had the fear of the Lord evidenced in his concern or fear of the enemy. He recognized he had no power or strategy to defeat an overwhelming army.
Jehosephat recognized in and of himself, he had no way forward for victor or perhaps just survival itself.
Perhaps Jehosephat remembered or had studied Psalm 121 just before this had happened and He remembered the key verse 2, 3 and 4.
2My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to [a]be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
But the very first step was to humble himself in prayer and fasting.
This is a message for all the churches. Let all who hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches – hear Him, if we want to see God work a miracle in our time. You have been called for this. AMEN
March 10 Sermon
Last week we discovered that in real events which can be documented that our Believer’s Faith is under siege. We are attempting to discover what exactly is a siege and if so can we acknowledged it as a siege. In many cases a siege is hard to identify because it has crept along slowly building and because we live it slowly. But for us we have seen the momentum build over the last 60 years. And the identification of the elements which constitute the siege culminated finally in COVID lockdowns, restrictions and vaccine mandates. Again all of this began in the 1960s and in some cases even earlier.
We defined a siege using a definition from Merriam – Webster - a: a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender; b: a persistent or serious attack .
A siege then is - a blockade of a fortified place <in this case on our hearts and mind/and upon our constitution. The desire of those who have us under siege is to compel us to surrender. I strongly believe that is what Satan and the regressives have been plotting against the United States to complete a reset for years.
The basis for our evaluation of the evidence is our bible, God’s word to us. Because God’s Word is infallible, inerrant and inspired, it is our compass. And because it is Holy Spirit/God inspired I believe it is faithful and accurate. And I believe God loves us and only wants us to know the truth. He has given us this book so we can learn about Himself, His purposes and His ways.
Ans the author, God Himself, does not change. Heb 13.8 says, 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
This means what was true in the Old Testament is true in the New Testament and unto this very day and will remain the same until Jesus bodily returns to this earth and His kingdom beyond.
We reviewed Deuteronomy 28, verses 1 -2: where God states, He will bless all those who keep His commands. And we also looked at verses 15 and beyond where God promises to execute all 40 plus versus of curses if you do not keep - His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
The simple statement if you do not obey is prophetic, for the Old Testament documents what happens when God’s people depart. Deuteronomy 30 17-18, provides this summary 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish;
Then we provided some evidence of how America has turned from God.
America has suppressed God’s truths by:
Eliminating prayer in schools, prohibiting the reading of His Word on school campuses. Removing the Ten Commandments from the eyes of our Children and eliminating the Christian Heritage of America from History books and not using it in schools
Courthouses cannot use God’s Word and prayer in school boards and other gatherings is verboten.
Corporate Boardrooms now are woke and find Christianity as racist and exclusive and deemed as “hate speech.”
We are indoctrinating our youth that evolution is a scientific fact. We have concluded Intelligent Design as delusional.
We defined a fetus not as a child but a blob of tissue. We call abortion is a choice (which is death murder?)
Isa 59.14 says, Truth is fallen in the street. We are seeing scandal after scandal being revealed in our govt agencies. Who’s role is to protect and defend our citizens. Our senior leaders in govt lie to us daily.
Communism and or socialism is being beaten into our heads as being good, while beating in our heads that a Democracy or a Republic is bad (Good evil, Evil good?)
So the evidence is clear with just a quick look- we have departed from God.
So based upon the Word of God, I am discerning that God is executing judgement against our nation today. You see today, we are deluded, and divided because we have turned away from God and His standards. (cursed?)
What kind or types of sieges might we expect then as we walk this path of destruction away from God. Multiple according to what we are seeing; we have a journalistic siege, economic siege, an academic and political siege, an ideological siege, together with sieges medically, technically and ecclesiastically (meaning in our churches.) I believe if we take our blinders off we can relate to all these areas based upon experience. And the language of the siege is expressed in socialism and marxism.
Knowing then that our help cometh from the Lord we began reviewing the Book of Daniel- Chapter 1, verses 1-14, seeking how to behave in these times
Before proceeding further let’s define the problem, then we will look at 3 specific sieges.
We are first and foremost where God wants us to be- on the front lines. There is spiritual darkness across our nation unlike anything we have seen before. That is not the real issue. The real issue is the churches of America have turned off their lights, pulpits are silenced to the righteousness of Christ. Churches need to take off their pajamas and put on the full armor of God because this is a firestorm and battleground for the soul and future of America. This requires believers to stand in the marketplace and proclaim
1. With that as our preamble we began looking at the Academic siege by reviewing Daniel Chapter 1, verses 1 -14. Now we will summarize the highlights of our discussion but not the full portion. Here are snippets of that scripture and our discussion.
As we begin, let’s pray, may the mediations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight Oh Lord our strength and our Redeemer. AMEN
Remember Daniel 1, verses 1- 14 recount the struggles of 4 Jewish teenagers ripped from Jerusalem and sent to live in Babylon.
Do you suppose that these Jewish teenagers lives, morals and beliefs were under siege? I believe so. Shipped 900 miles from home, moved to a pagan culture, exposed to an open sexual lifestyle. Every sin and perversion was available, with no moral consequences. New rules, new practices and different leaders, sights, sounds and day for day living and routine. No mom or dad, who were probably killed before these boys left Israel as slaves to the ruler. Everything had changed for them. if you were to read with me again the first 8 verses you would find this-
A. Nebuchadnezzar defeats Jehoiakim king of Judah, notice the phrase - the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, How often do we as the church discount weather, health and other worldwide events where God is actively moving against our nation? We the church, just like the Pharisees when Jesus came are missing the activity of God. We have become spiritually blind and doing nothing. Pew sitting!
B. Next step was to bring some of the best and brightest of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and [b]literature of the Chaldeans. <underscore this>
Today we would call this indoctrination, brainwashing, Psi ops, or perhaps diversity, equity and inclusivity training so that they might replace and unlearn all they had been taught at the knees of their parents and in the temple worship. Replacing it with the new language and teaching using the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Do you see what DEI, CRT and the rest is designed to do?
C. The king purposed to groom them day by day so he appointed for them a daily provision of His delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and instituted three years of training, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
The schools and culture were to indoctrinate them for 3 years, and to teach the ways of Babylon and cause them to reject the ways of God. This was an Academic siege designed to drive out their truth and make it relative. This is spiritual warfare and is happening today in our schools.
Verse 8 says, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;
Will you <the church> purpose in your heart not to defile yourselves with the king’s delicacies with all your heart and being today?
Case number 2 is a Journalistic or disinformation and propaganda siege. Turn to Daniel 6. I will summarize using modern terms. Daniels has his house staked out by the FBI with hidden cameras and microphones, read verse 4 Chapter 6,. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
They are trying to catch him praying to his God, for they had managed to get the King to sign a decree that worshiping anyone but the king was forbidden. But Daniel, not to be denied, hid nothing and opened his windows and prayed aloud to his God three times daily, but note , as was his custom. Daniel was faithful to God and the king realizing the law he had signed was bogus wanted to rescue Daniel, but he could not, Daniel was thrown in the Lion’s den And we know that God rescued him.
Note the Kings’ proclamation in verse 27, He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the [i]power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered
Case 3 the Biblical or Ecclesiastical siege seen in Daniel Chapter 3 where Nebuchadnezzar constructed a huge golden image and demanded everyone bow to it and worship it. This of course is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and the fiery furnace because they refused to worship the image. And the famous scripture from Daniel 3:16-18 says, 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
A totalitarian government is stating on who, what, when, where and why to worship, non-compliance results in death. Remember Hitler Health and Safety for the Jew.
We abandoned our constitutional and god given rights for COVID for health and safety, millions died from this. Government demanded many churches complied. Virus survivability was same as all viruses. Very few churches rejected these claims and fought to remain open. Will we stand like the young Hebrews or will we capitulate?
Psalm 119:90 says, His faithfulness extends to all generations. If you believe so then why are you not pursuing Him?
Last week we discovered that in real events which can be documented that our Believer’s Faith is under siege. We are attempting to discover what exactly is a siege and if so can we acknowledged it as a siege. In many cases a siege is hard to identify because it has crept along slowly building and because we live it slowly. But for us we have seen the momentum build over the last 60 years. And the identification of the elements which constitute the siege culminated finally in COVID lockdowns, restrictions and vaccine mandates. Again all of this began in the 1960s and in some cases even earlier.
We defined a siege using a definition from Merriam – Webster - a: a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender; b: a persistent or serious attack .
A siege then is - a blockade of a fortified place <in this case on our hearts and mind/and upon our constitution. The desire of those who have us under siege is to compel us to surrender. I strongly believe that is what Satan and the regressives have been plotting against the United States to complete a reset for years.
The basis for our evaluation of the evidence is our bible, God’s word to us. Because God’s Word is infallible, inerrant and inspired, it is our compass. And because it is Holy Spirit/God inspired I believe it is faithful and accurate. And I believe God loves us and only wants us to know the truth. He has given us this book so we can learn about Himself, His purposes and His ways.
Ans the author, God Himself, does not change. Heb 13.8 says, 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
This means what was true in the Old Testament is true in the New Testament and unto this very day and will remain the same until Jesus bodily returns to this earth and His kingdom beyond.
We reviewed Deuteronomy 28, verses 1 -2: where God states, He will bless all those who keep His commands. And we also looked at verses 15 and beyond where God promises to execute all 40 plus versus of curses if you do not keep - His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
The simple statement if you do not obey is prophetic, for the Old Testament documents what happens when God’s people depart. Deuteronomy 30 17-18, provides this summary 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish;
Then we provided some evidence of how America has turned from God.
America has suppressed God’s truths by:
Eliminating prayer in schools, prohibiting the reading of His Word on school campuses. Removing the Ten Commandments from the eyes of our Children and eliminating the Christian Heritage of America from History books and not using it in schools
Courthouses cannot use God’s Word and prayer in school boards and other gatherings is verboten.
Corporate Boardrooms now are woke and find Christianity as racist and exclusive and deemed as “hate speech.”
We are indoctrinating our youth that evolution is a scientific fact. We have concluded Intelligent Design as delusional.
We defined a fetus not as a child but a blob of tissue. We call abortion is a choice (which is death murder?)
Isa 59.14 says, Truth is fallen in the street. We are seeing scandal after scandal being revealed in our govt agencies. Who’s role is to protect and defend our citizens. Our senior leaders in govt lie to us daily.
Communism and or socialism is being beaten into our heads as being good, while beating in our heads that a Democracy or a Republic is bad (Good evil, Evil good?)
So the evidence is clear with just a quick look- we have departed from God.
So based upon the Word of God, I am discerning that God is executing judgement against our nation today. You see today, we are deluded, and divided because we have turned away from God and His standards. (cursed?)
What kind or types of sieges might we expect then as we walk this path of destruction away from God. Multiple according to what we are seeing; we have a journalistic siege, economic siege, an academic and political siege, an ideological siege, together with sieges medically, technically and ecclesiastically (meaning in our churches.) I believe if we take our blinders off we can relate to all these areas based upon experience. And the language of the siege is expressed in socialism and marxism.
Knowing then that our help cometh from the Lord we began reviewing the Book of Daniel- Chapter 1, verses 1-14, seeking how to behave in these times
Before proceeding further let’s define the problem, then we will look at 3 specific sieges.
We are first and foremost where God wants us to be- on the front lines. There is spiritual darkness across our nation unlike anything we have seen before. That is not the real issue. The real issue is the churches of America have turned off their lights, pulpits are silenced to the righteousness of Christ. Churches need to take off their pajamas and put on the full armor of God because this is a firestorm and battleground for the soul and future of America. This requires believers to stand in the marketplace and proclaim
1. With that as our preamble we began looking at the Academic siege by reviewing Daniel Chapter 1, verses 1 -14. Now we will summarize the highlights of our discussion but not the full portion. Here are snippets of that scripture and our discussion.
As we begin, let’s pray, may the mediations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight Oh Lord our strength and our Redeemer. AMEN
Remember Daniel 1, verses 1- 14 recount the struggles of 4 Jewish teenagers ripped from Jerusalem and sent to live in Babylon.
Do you suppose that these Jewish teenagers lives, morals and beliefs were under siege? I believe so. Shipped 900 miles from home, moved to a pagan culture, exposed to an open sexual lifestyle. Every sin and perversion was available, with no moral consequences. New rules, new practices and different leaders, sights, sounds and day for day living and routine. No mom or dad, who were probably killed before these boys left Israel as slaves to the ruler. Everything had changed for them. if you were to read with me again the first 8 verses you would find this-
A. Nebuchadnezzar defeats Jehoiakim king of Judah, notice the phrase - the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, How often do we as the church discount weather, health and other worldwide events where God is actively moving against our nation? We the church, just like the Pharisees when Jesus came are missing the activity of God. We have become spiritually blind and doing nothing. Pew sitting!
B. Next step was to bring some of the best and brightest of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and [b]literature of the Chaldeans. <underscore this>
Today we would call this indoctrination, brainwashing, Psi ops, or perhaps diversity, equity and inclusivity training so that they might replace and unlearn all they had been taught at the knees of their parents and in the temple worship. Replacing it with the new language and teaching using the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Do you see what DEI, CRT and the rest is designed to do?
C. The king purposed to groom them day by day so he appointed for them a daily provision of His delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and instituted three years of training, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
The schools and culture were to indoctrinate them for 3 years, and to teach the ways of Babylon and cause them to reject the ways of God. This was an Academic siege designed to drive out their truth and make it relative. This is spiritual warfare and is happening today in our schools.
Verse 8 says, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;
Will you <the church> purpose in your heart not to defile yourselves with the king’s delicacies with all your heart and being today?
Case number 2 is a Journalistic or disinformation and propaganda siege. Turn to Daniel 6. I will summarize using modern terms. Daniels has his house staked out by the FBI with hidden cameras and microphones, read verse 4 Chapter 6,. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
They are trying to catch him praying to his God, for they had managed to get the King to sign a decree that worshiping anyone but the king was forbidden. But Daniel, not to be denied, hid nothing and opened his windows and prayed aloud to his God three times daily, but note , as was his custom. Daniel was faithful to God and the king realizing the law he had signed was bogus wanted to rescue Daniel, but he could not, Daniel was thrown in the Lion’s den And we know that God rescued him.
Note the Kings’ proclamation in verse 27, He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the [i]power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered
Case 3 the Biblical or Ecclesiastical siege seen in Daniel Chapter 3 where Nebuchadnezzar constructed a huge golden image and demanded everyone bow to it and worship it. This of course is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and the fiery furnace because they refused to worship the image. And the famous scripture from Daniel 3:16-18 says, 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
A totalitarian government is stating on who, what, when, where and why to worship, non-compliance results in death. Remember Hitler Health and Safety for the Jew.
We abandoned our constitutional and god given rights for COVID for health and safety, millions died from this. Government demanded many churches complied. Virus survivability was same as all viruses. Very few churches rejected these claims and fought to remain open. Will we stand like the young Hebrews or will we capitulate?
Psalm 119:90 says, His faithfulness extends to all generations. If you believe so then why are you not pursuing Him?
March 3 Sermon
The Believer’s Faith is under siege is the course of events today, for sons and daughters of the king of kings. Many of us have never experienced a siege of if we have we have never acknowledged it as a siege, in many cases because it has crept along slowly building momentum for the last 60 years. Now some will say I haven’t been here that long and that is true but what culminated in COVID lockdowns and mandates began in the 1960s and in some cases even earlier.
So what is a siege you might be asking? From Merriam – Webster - a: a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender; b: a persistent or serious attack .
A siege then is - a blockade of a fortified place <our hearts and mind/constitution> to compel it to surrender or a persistent or continuous serious attack. I strongly believe that is what Satan and progressives, who are actually regressives have been plotting for the United States reset for years.
Again I am using the bible, God’s word to us as my reference and this is my conclusion. Since God’s Word is infallible, inerrant and inspired, it is my compass. And because it is Holy Spirit/God inspired I believe it is faithful and accurate. And because God loves us and only wants us to know the truth. He has given us this book so we can learn about Himself and His ways.
One other point which is vitally important is that God does not change. Heb 13.8 says, 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So God is the same for Jesus is God.
That means what was true in the Old Testament is true in the New Testament and unto this very day and until Jesus bodily returns to this earth and beyond.
So the Bible says in Deuteronomy 28, verses 1 -2: 28 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:
Then God states all His blessing. But then in verse 15 he makes this statement - 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
The simple statement if you do not obey is prophetic, for how many times do we read in the Old Testament history books that God’s people departed from the Living God both Israel the Northern Kingdom and of course Judah the Southern Kingdom.
Now we question have we really departed in the good ole USA from God? Well let’s check some evidence:
We have suppressed the His truth by:
Eliminating prayer in public schools, prohibiting the reading of His Word on school grounds/campuses. Removing the Ten Commandments from the eyes of our Children and removing the Christian Heritage of our nation from School books and deleting truth from our written history.
Courthouses are off limits for God’s Word and prayer as are school boards and other gatherings where someone might be offended because of His truth.
We are teaching evolution as a scientific fact and have excluded the concept of an Intelligent Designer. Our God is excluded from Educational curriculum.
A fetus is not a child but a blob of tissue. Abortion is a choice (murder?)
Truth is fallen in the street (Isa 59.14) on the basis of the performance and known scandals of our agencies, which are supposed to be protecting and defending our citizens. Our senior leadership lies to us daily. Communism and or socialism is being beaten into our heads as OK, but Democracy/a Republic is repulsive and is racist/ elitist, evil.
As would be say in a courtroom the preponderance of the evidence is overwhelming- we are guilty of turning away from God.
So God is executing Judgement against these United States. It actually began after WW II where Gen Douglas Arthur makes a prophetic statement basically saying if our hearts turn away we will fail as a nation. You are see this happening today, we are deluded, and divided because we have turned away from God and His direction.
So where do we go for Help in our time of need? Heb. 4.16 _ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We will not get far in this today but we will come back to this next Sunday, go to Daniel Chapter 1 and we will read how these Hebrew kids survived and actually thrived in a desperate time.
Daniel- Chapter 1, verses 1-14,
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of [a]the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and [b]literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and [c]goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to [d]the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days
Prayer – May God grant us wisdom and understanding to apply this truth to our lives today. AMEN
DO you suppose that these Jewish teenagers lives, morals and beliefs were under siege? I believe so. Shipped 900 miles from home, moved to a pagan culture, exposed to an open sexual environment where every sin and perversion was available, with no moral consequences. New rules, new practices and different leaders, sights, sounds and day for day living and routine. No mom or dad, who were probably killed before these boys left Israel as slaves to the ruler. Everything had changed for them. Read with me again the first 8 verses
1. Nebuchadnezzar defeats Jehoiakim king of Judah, notice the phrase - the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, How often does the church discount the events where God is actively moving against our nation today? The church is missing the activity of God, just like the Pharisees when Jesus came.
2. Next step was to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and [b]literature of the Chaldeans. Today we would label this re- indoctrination, brainwashing, Psi ops, or perhaps diversity, equity and inclusive training so that they might forget all they had been taught at the knees of their parents and in the temple worship- teaching the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Do you understand this phrase?
3.Thirdly, And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
The schools were turned against the young men so they might be fully trained 3 years, and taught the ways of Babylon and taught to reject the ways of God.
We have set the stage for the spiritual warfare of gigantic proportions which is happening today. Is this the end for the us? Could be depending on God’s Church, for as the church goes so will go our nation.
Jesus Cry was to repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. But one word of strong encouragement is contained in verse 6, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;
Will you purpose in your heart to follow God with all your heart and being today? More next Sunday on Daniel and His friends.
The Believer’s Faith is under siege is the course of events today, for sons and daughters of the king of kings. Many of us have never experienced a siege of if we have we have never acknowledged it as a siege, in many cases because it has crept along slowly building momentum for the last 60 years. Now some will say I haven’t been here that long and that is true but what culminated in COVID lockdowns and mandates began in the 1960s and in some cases even earlier.
So what is a siege you might be asking? From Merriam – Webster - a: a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender; b: a persistent or serious attack .
A siege then is - a blockade of a fortified place <our hearts and mind/constitution> to compel it to surrender or a persistent or continuous serious attack. I strongly believe that is what Satan and progressives, who are actually regressives have been plotting for the United States reset for years.
Again I am using the bible, God’s word to us as my reference and this is my conclusion. Since God’s Word is infallible, inerrant and inspired, it is my compass. And because it is Holy Spirit/God inspired I believe it is faithful and accurate. And because God loves us and only wants us to know the truth. He has given us this book so we can learn about Himself and His ways.
One other point which is vitally important is that God does not change. Heb 13.8 says, 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So God is the same for Jesus is God.
That means what was true in the Old Testament is true in the New Testament and unto this very day and until Jesus bodily returns to this earth and beyond.
So the Bible says in Deuteronomy 28, verses 1 -2: 28 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:
Then God states all His blessing. But then in verse 15 he makes this statement - 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
The simple statement if you do not obey is prophetic, for how many times do we read in the Old Testament history books that God’s people departed from the Living God both Israel the Northern Kingdom and of course Judah the Southern Kingdom.
Now we question have we really departed in the good ole USA from God? Well let’s check some evidence:
We have suppressed the His truth by:
Eliminating prayer in public schools, prohibiting the reading of His Word on school grounds/campuses. Removing the Ten Commandments from the eyes of our Children and removing the Christian Heritage of our nation from School books and deleting truth from our written history.
Courthouses are off limits for God’s Word and prayer as are school boards and other gatherings where someone might be offended because of His truth.
We are teaching evolution as a scientific fact and have excluded the concept of an Intelligent Designer. Our God is excluded from Educational curriculum.
A fetus is not a child but a blob of tissue. Abortion is a choice (murder?)
Truth is fallen in the street (Isa 59.14) on the basis of the performance and known scandals of our agencies, which are supposed to be protecting and defending our citizens. Our senior leadership lies to us daily. Communism and or socialism is being beaten into our heads as OK, but Democracy/a Republic is repulsive and is racist/ elitist, evil.
As would be say in a courtroom the preponderance of the evidence is overwhelming- we are guilty of turning away from God.
So God is executing Judgement against these United States. It actually began after WW II where Gen Douglas Arthur makes a prophetic statement basically saying if our hearts turn away we will fail as a nation. You are see this happening today, we are deluded, and divided because we have turned away from God and His direction.
So where do we go for Help in our time of need? Heb. 4.16 _ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We will not get far in this today but we will come back to this next Sunday, go to Daniel Chapter 1 and we will read how these Hebrew kids survived and actually thrived in a desperate time.
Daniel- Chapter 1, verses 1-14,
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of [a]the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and [b]literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and [c]goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to [d]the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days
Prayer – May God grant us wisdom and understanding to apply this truth to our lives today. AMEN
DO you suppose that these Jewish teenagers lives, morals and beliefs were under siege? I believe so. Shipped 900 miles from home, moved to a pagan culture, exposed to an open sexual environment where every sin and perversion was available, with no moral consequences. New rules, new practices and different leaders, sights, sounds and day for day living and routine. No mom or dad, who were probably killed before these boys left Israel as slaves to the ruler. Everything had changed for them. Read with me again the first 8 verses
1. Nebuchadnezzar defeats Jehoiakim king of Judah, notice the phrase - the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, How often does the church discount the events where God is actively moving against our nation today? The church is missing the activity of God, just like the Pharisees when Jesus came.
2. Next step was to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and [b]literature of the Chaldeans. Today we would label this re- indoctrination, brainwashing, Psi ops, or perhaps diversity, equity and inclusive training so that they might forget all they had been taught at the knees of their parents and in the temple worship- teaching the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Do you understand this phrase?
3.Thirdly, And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
The schools were turned against the young men so they might be fully trained 3 years, and taught the ways of Babylon and taught to reject the ways of God.
We have set the stage for the spiritual warfare of gigantic proportions which is happening today. Is this the end for the us? Could be depending on God’s Church, for as the church goes so will go our nation.
Jesus Cry was to repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. But one word of strong encouragement is contained in verse 6, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;
Will you purpose in your heart to follow God with all your heart and being today? More next Sunday on Daniel and His friends.
Feb 25 Sermon
We as Christians are supposed “to walk by faith and not by sight according” to 2nd Corinthians 5:7. Question is are we or is our faith fading and we are relying more on ourselves than on God? If this is so then according to the word of God, and these are the words of the Bible not mine, “we are departing or as some say falling away. So what do we mean by falling away or departing from God? Let’s examine scripture where we find these references about a heart that is falling away – departing from God Hosea 1:2 says, When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the Lord.” We being with our text for today which is from 2nd Corinthians, chapter 5 beginning in verse 5, 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as [c]a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. The Judgment Seat of Christ In the new testament it says in Hebrews, Chapter 3 12-13, 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but [a]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hardened hearts then draw away from God. This is what we call falling away or departing, in modern terms we say, backsliding away from God. How then are we to walk by faith without turning away along our journey to the celestial city of God? 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. What being by directing our focused attention to verse 7 which is where we are starting – we are to walk by faith and not by sight. Now, the word faith appears 391 times in the Bible, 87 times in the OT and 304 times in the New Testament. Overwhelmingly we have more emphasis and instruction about faith from Jesus and the Father, delivered by the Holy Spirit in the NT. We have a very specific and directed statement in the book of Romans 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” 1 “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” beginning in chapter 1, verses 16 & 17. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Paul states that believers, those who have been justified/saved by the blood of Christ, are to live by faith in Christ. So how does this happen? How can we be saved? First, we need to understand we cannot be saved by ourselves. God must come to us and it is hard for us to understand this. For many of us believe that we have come to Christ but that is not what God’s word says. John 6.44 says and these are the words of Jesus, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. If this is true then only God can deliver us and that is what He does. Go to Romans 3 for and let’s mine the word of God for its truth. Look with me at verses 10-12 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” Paul is writing here to the Romans in Chapters 3-6 about the law and sin. His beginning premise from his study of God’s word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit is man is absolutely sinful by his very nature- not one, no not one is righteous and virtuous before God. But God has a plan -go to verse 23, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Verse 23 says it all, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But He has a free gift to all those who come to Him (see verse 24) by grace. Yes God, extends His grace so that we being deep in sin; we can come to Him and understand our sinfulness and need a savior. We can then ask for the redemption which comes through belief in what Jesus Christ has done by His blood atonement. Jesus has paid for our sins and God exchanges our sin for His 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” 2 “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” righteousness. So God in His forbearance passes over the sins which we have committed and implants in us a new heart, a new nature and Christ’s righteousness covers us. God then is the one and only justifier for each and every one who comes by belief, faith in Jesus Christ. But without grace we could never receive the love of Christ. So those who accept what Jesus have done by faith, believe and trust in Him. If this has happened in your life and mine then there should be some changes in our thinking and the way we live life. First, we should now understand that God loves us and took the initiative to pursue a love relationship with us which is both real and personal. Now if God loves us so what should our response be -Jesus told us, He who has My commands and keeps (obeys) them, He is the one who loves Me. So we can demonstrate our faith by being obedient to His command and making it a habit of learning and obeying. This is how we pursue a love relationship and walk by faith. Next because of our love for God, we need to believe that God will never, repeat never, express His will to you except that it is an expression of His perfect love. What does this mean? It means His will is always best. Even Jesus conformed to His Father’s perfect will is going to the cross and living a perfect life. His will to those who pursue sin unrepentantly will be discipline, judgement and wrath. If we believe God and have faith in God His will is always best, that is His nature (Jn. 3.16 and 1sr Jn. 3.16) Next if we believe in God Almighty, we need to believe and trust that He is all knowing, Jesus spoke to our Father’s ability in Luke 12, verse 7 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. God knows when a sparrow falls and when you lose a hair on your head and He knows before it happens. So if we believe and trust that God is all knowing, Then His guidance or direction is always right. Question is do we always seek His direction by faith? What else should be believe about God? Well if we are to believe and trust that there is nothing too hard for God. Genesis 18:14 is God’s own testimony – Is anything too hard for the Lord” This was in giving a 90-year-old woman a baby past the prime of her life. And since God is all powerful then we are to believe by faith He can enable me to do His will. So learning to walk by faith begins with Knowing Him, Then loving Him by obeying Him. We are then to believe that His will is best for us. Know that HIs judgement in our lives is always right. And finally God is all powerful and He will enable me to accomplish 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” 3 “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” His will. By faith we love and obey and do His will. Being aware and obedient to these practices will enable us to walk with Jesus and to be filled with His Holy Spirit and walk by faith and not by sight. Hi ways are higher than our ways and He enable you to accomplish what He has begun. Amen
We as Christians are supposed “to walk by faith and not by sight according” to 2nd Corinthians 5:7. Question is are we or is our faith fading and we are relying more on ourselves than on God? If this is so then according to the word of God, and these are the words of the Bible not mine, “we are departing or as some say falling away. So what do we mean by falling away or departing from God? Let’s examine scripture where we find these references about a heart that is falling away – departing from God Hosea 1:2 says, When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the Lord.” We being with our text for today which is from 2nd Corinthians, chapter 5 beginning in verse 5, 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as [c]a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. The Judgment Seat of Christ In the new testament it says in Hebrews, Chapter 3 12-13, 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but [a]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hardened hearts then draw away from God. This is what we call falling away or departing, in modern terms we say, backsliding away from God. How then are we to walk by faith without turning away along our journey to the celestial city of God? 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. What being by directing our focused attention to verse 7 which is where we are starting – we are to walk by faith and not by sight. Now, the word faith appears 391 times in the Bible, 87 times in the OT and 304 times in the New Testament. Overwhelmingly we have more emphasis and instruction about faith from Jesus and the Father, delivered by the Holy Spirit in the NT. We have a very specific and directed statement in the book of Romans 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” 1 “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” beginning in chapter 1, verses 16 & 17. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Paul states that believers, those who have been justified/saved by the blood of Christ, are to live by faith in Christ. So how does this happen? How can we be saved? First, we need to understand we cannot be saved by ourselves. God must come to us and it is hard for us to understand this. For many of us believe that we have come to Christ but that is not what God’s word says. John 6.44 says and these are the words of Jesus, No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. If this is true then only God can deliver us and that is what He does. Go to Romans 3 for and let’s mine the word of God for its truth. Look with me at verses 10-12 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” Paul is writing here to the Romans in Chapters 3-6 about the law and sin. His beginning premise from his study of God’s word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit is man is absolutely sinful by his very nature- not one, no not one is righteous and virtuous before God. But God has a plan -go to verse 23, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Verse 23 says it all, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But He has a free gift to all those who come to Him (see verse 24) by grace. Yes God, extends His grace so that we being deep in sin; we can come to Him and understand our sinfulness and need a savior. We can then ask for the redemption which comes through belief in what Jesus Christ has done by His blood atonement. Jesus has paid for our sins and God exchanges our sin for His 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” 2 “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” righteousness. So God in His forbearance passes over the sins which we have committed and implants in us a new heart, a new nature and Christ’s righteousness covers us. God then is the one and only justifier for each and every one who comes by belief, faith in Jesus Christ. But without grace we could never receive the love of Christ. So those who accept what Jesus have done by faith, believe and trust in Him. If this has happened in your life and mine then there should be some changes in our thinking and the way we live life. First, we should now understand that God loves us and took the initiative to pursue a love relationship with us which is both real and personal. Now if God loves us so what should our response be -Jesus told us, He who has My commands and keeps (obeys) them, He is the one who loves Me. So we can demonstrate our faith by being obedient to His command and making it a habit of learning and obeying. This is how we pursue a love relationship and walk by faith. Next because of our love for God, we need to believe that God will never, repeat never, express His will to you except that it is an expression of His perfect love. What does this mean? It means His will is always best. Even Jesus conformed to His Father’s perfect will is going to the cross and living a perfect life. His will to those who pursue sin unrepentantly will be discipline, judgement and wrath. If we believe God and have faith in God His will is always best, that is His nature (Jn. 3.16 and 1sr Jn. 3.16) Next if we believe in God Almighty, we need to believe and trust that He is all knowing, Jesus spoke to our Father’s ability in Luke 12, verse 7 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. God knows when a sparrow falls and when you lose a hair on your head and He knows before it happens. So if we believe and trust that God is all knowing, Then His guidance or direction is always right. Question is do we always seek His direction by faith? What else should be believe about God? Well if we are to believe and trust that there is nothing too hard for God. Genesis 18:14 is God’s own testimony – Is anything too hard for the Lord” This was in giving a 90-year-old woman a baby past the prime of her life. And since God is all powerful then we are to believe by faith He can enable me to do His will. So learning to walk by faith begins with Knowing Him, Then loving Him by obeying Him. We are then to believe that His will is best for us. Know that HIs judgement in our lives is always right. And finally God is all powerful and He will enable me to accomplish 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” 3 “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 240225_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +42 “What is the status of my faith in 2024?” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” His will. By faith we love and obey and do His will. Being aware and obedient to these practices will enable us to walk with Jesus and to be filled with His Holy Spirit and walk by faith and not by sight. Hi ways are higher than our ways and He enable you to accomplish what He has begun. Amen
Feb 18 Sermon
The challenge to all believers is what do you actually believe about your faith? Meaning what do you actually believe about being a Christian? Are you actually able to express in words what your concrete believes are in God the Father, Hos Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Or is it just a feeling and it is hard to describe for you and others to understand? One of the purposes of being called as a witness to be able to clearly express what believing in Jesus, the Bible and other elements of faith mean personally not just in feelings but in knowledge.
Many today are unable to do so or their beliefs are hazy and they cannot express and articulate what they mean. This is why many so-called Christians are being converted to secular religions and incorrect theological concepts are abounding which the word of God calls blasphemous. This is nothing new and relates to the fact that Satan is a liar and has been a liar from the beginning. The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1st Peter 5:8).
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy John (John 10:10)
The Bible is written for believer so that you may know about God, His righteousness, His person, His salvation and many other things. But knowing about these things is only a part which engages the mind. Belief is required to engage the heart and spirit. Romans 10 says this 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Having head knowledge is insufficient to saved you for we live by salvation which is by God’s grace but requires faith. So todays lesson is for our strengthening and growth in faith so we like Timothy can be encouraged in the midst of the times we are living. Paul wrote these two letters to Timothy among a time of great bleakness, terror and discouragement is his own life.
Timothy who had been a strong Christian and believer in his own right was selected to pastor the church at Ephesus following Paul’s kicking off the church and ministering for a few years. Paul writes Timothy to encourage him and bolster his faith.
Turn with me to Ist Timothy Chapter 1, beginning at verse 3,
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may [a]charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is [c]contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
Glory to God for His Grace
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an [d]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Pray- may God lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to have and live by faith and to be saved by grace in You. AMEN
1. VERSE 3 and 4- teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes
ERROR has crept into the church at Ephesus which were and are fables <crazy wild stories which have n merit>. Told supposedly by believers but liars.
Ephesus was the center of sexual pagan worship with temple prostitutes- suggest if you were not strong in your faith or dedicate it would be easy to be subverted - lust of the eye and lust of the flesh drew many away. Timothy had become discouraged in the midst of his ministry and Paul is wanting to correct.
More from verse 4 – disputes rather than godly edification which is through faith. Instead of applying the gospel and the truths from the bible and the teaching of Jesus for spiritual edification and living the truths in God’s Word; they were being drawn away because they did not trust or believe fully in God. <Human heart failures>
Verse 5- and 6 commandment (here) is to love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,
The commandment here has reference to a spiritual charge. given in vv. 3, 4 and is the spiritual virtue defined in v. 5. Timothy was to deliver this charge to the church. The goal of our preaching and teaching the truth and warning of error is to call men to a true salvation in Christ, which produces a love for God from a purified heart (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:22), a cleansed conscience (Heb. 9:22; 10:14), and this produces genuine faith (Heb. 10:22). The idea of love referred to here is the love of choice and the will, which is characterized by self-denial and self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, and it is the mark of a true servant of Christ (John 13:35; Rom. 13:10; 1 John 4:7, 8; In contrast, false doctrine produces only conflict and resultant “disputes”- having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk
Verse 7 -7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
This statement defines what they were trying to do – to reinstate the covenant of the law. These Judaizers were discounting grace and forgiveness bought by Jesus’ life, death ,burial and resurrection/ascension into heaven. You cannot be saved by the works of the law- according to Romans this leads to death. Grace extended by God enables an individual to recognize their sin and seek a savior. Apart from Jesus Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5)
desiring to be teachers. The false teachers wanted the kind of prestige enjoyed by Jewish rabbis; but they were not concerned at all about truly learning the law and teaching it to others (cf. 6:4; Matt. 23:5–7). Instead, they imposed on believers in Ephesus a legalistic heresy that offered salvation by works. Choosing self-centeredness over God centeredness and thereby denyin the sufficiency of what Christ has done.
Verse 8 & 9 - 8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
Mosaic law is in view here, not just law in general. These Jewish would-be teachers wanted to impose circumcision and the keeping of Mosaic ceremonies on the church as specific needs for salvation. They plagued the early church (see notes on Gal. 3–5; Phil. 3:1–8).
Verse 9 – t(his verse is important for believers )-9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
not made for a righteous person. Those who think they are righteous will never be saved (see Luke 5:32) - 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Because they do not understand or believe the true purpose of the law. The false teachers, with their works and system of personally achieved self-righteousness, had shown clearly that they misunderstood the law. The law is not a means to self-righteousness, but a means to self-condemnation, sin, conviction, repentance, and pleading to God for His mercy. Only with the blood of Jesus can we be saved.
Those who are “ungodly” Those who are ungodly have no regard for anything sacred, <profaners> which means they are “sinners” because they disregard God’s law. “Unholy” people are indifferent to what is right, which leads them to be the “profane,” who step on or trample what God defines as sacred (See Heb. 10.29)
Verse 10 - the violations described here are violations of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth commandments
Practical applications of this truth.
1. We like Paul in verses 11, 12, and 13 are to be the upholders (practitioners) and defenders of sound doctrine, first in the church and then within our broader communities of influence.
2. We are to be people of the Word of God, living what we believe and say, not two faced. We are to practice what we preach and believe even in difficulty and in the dark days.
3. We are also to be people of our word, when we make a promise we are to keep it – imitators of Christ
4. We have no inherent goodness in and of ourselves. Our righteousness comes from above in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Scripture of the day is Matt 6:33- seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness.
Be strong in faith and belief….
The challenge to all believers is what do you actually believe about your faith? Meaning what do you actually believe about being a Christian? Are you actually able to express in words what your concrete believes are in God the Father, Hos Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Or is it just a feeling and it is hard to describe for you and others to understand? One of the purposes of being called as a witness to be able to clearly express what believing in Jesus, the Bible and other elements of faith mean personally not just in feelings but in knowledge.
Many today are unable to do so or their beliefs are hazy and they cannot express and articulate what they mean. This is why many so-called Christians are being converted to secular religions and incorrect theological concepts are abounding which the word of God calls blasphemous. This is nothing new and relates to the fact that Satan is a liar and has been a liar from the beginning. The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1st Peter 5:8).
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy John (John 10:10)
The Bible is written for believer so that you may know about God, His righteousness, His person, His salvation and many other things. But knowing about these things is only a part which engages the mind. Belief is required to engage the heart and spirit. Romans 10 says this 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Having head knowledge is insufficient to saved you for we live by salvation which is by God’s grace but requires faith. So todays lesson is for our strengthening and growth in faith so we like Timothy can be encouraged in the midst of the times we are living. Paul wrote these two letters to Timothy among a time of great bleakness, terror and discouragement is his own life.
Timothy who had been a strong Christian and believer in his own right was selected to pastor the church at Ephesus following Paul’s kicking off the church and ministering for a few years. Paul writes Timothy to encourage him and bolster his faith.
Turn with me to Ist Timothy Chapter 1, beginning at verse 3,
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may [a]charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is [c]contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
Glory to God for His Grace
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an [d]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Pray- may God lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to have and live by faith and to be saved by grace in You. AMEN
1. VERSE 3 and 4- teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes
ERROR has crept into the church at Ephesus which were and are fables <crazy wild stories which have n merit>. Told supposedly by believers but liars.
Ephesus was the center of sexual pagan worship with temple prostitutes- suggest if you were not strong in your faith or dedicate it would be easy to be subverted - lust of the eye and lust of the flesh drew many away. Timothy had become discouraged in the midst of his ministry and Paul is wanting to correct.
More from verse 4 – disputes rather than godly edification which is through faith. Instead of applying the gospel and the truths from the bible and the teaching of Jesus for spiritual edification and living the truths in God’s Word; they were being drawn away because they did not trust or believe fully in God. <Human heart failures>
Verse 5- and 6 commandment (here) is to love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from [b]sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,
The commandment here has reference to a spiritual charge. given in vv. 3, 4 and is the spiritual virtue defined in v. 5. Timothy was to deliver this charge to the church. The goal of our preaching and teaching the truth and warning of error is to call men to a true salvation in Christ, which produces a love for God from a purified heart (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:22), a cleansed conscience (Heb. 9:22; 10:14), and this produces genuine faith (Heb. 10:22). The idea of love referred to here is the love of choice and the will, which is characterized by self-denial and self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, and it is the mark of a true servant of Christ (John 13:35; Rom. 13:10; 1 John 4:7, 8; In contrast, false doctrine produces only conflict and resultant “disputes”- having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk
Verse 7 -7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
This statement defines what they were trying to do – to reinstate the covenant of the law. These Judaizers were discounting grace and forgiveness bought by Jesus’ life, death ,burial and resurrection/ascension into heaven. You cannot be saved by the works of the law- according to Romans this leads to death. Grace extended by God enables an individual to recognize their sin and seek a savior. Apart from Jesus Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5)
desiring to be teachers. The false teachers wanted the kind of prestige enjoyed by Jewish rabbis; but they were not concerned at all about truly learning the law and teaching it to others (cf. 6:4; Matt. 23:5–7). Instead, they imposed on believers in Ephesus a legalistic heresy that offered salvation by works. Choosing self-centeredness over God centeredness and thereby denyin the sufficiency of what Christ has done.
Verse 8 & 9 - 8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
Mosaic law is in view here, not just law in general. These Jewish would-be teachers wanted to impose circumcision and the keeping of Mosaic ceremonies on the church as specific needs for salvation. They plagued the early church (see notes on Gal. 3–5; Phil. 3:1–8).
Verse 9 – t(his verse is important for believers )-9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
not made for a righteous person. Those who think they are righteous will never be saved (see Luke 5:32) - 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Because they do not understand or believe the true purpose of the law. The false teachers, with their works and system of personally achieved self-righteousness, had shown clearly that they misunderstood the law. The law is not a means to self-righteousness, but a means to self-condemnation, sin, conviction, repentance, and pleading to God for His mercy. Only with the blood of Jesus can we be saved.
Those who are “ungodly” Those who are ungodly have no regard for anything sacred, <profaners> which means they are “sinners” because they disregard God’s law. “Unholy” people are indifferent to what is right, which leads them to be the “profane,” who step on or trample what God defines as sacred (See Heb. 10.29)
Verse 10 - the violations described here are violations of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth commandments
Practical applications of this truth.
1. We like Paul in verses 11, 12, and 13 are to be the upholders (practitioners) and defenders of sound doctrine, first in the church and then within our broader communities of influence.
2. We are to be people of the Word of God, living what we believe and say, not two faced. We are to practice what we preach and believe even in difficulty and in the dark days.
3. We are also to be people of our word, when we make a promise we are to keep it – imitators of Christ
4. We have no inherent goodness in and of ourselves. Our righteousness comes from above in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Scripture of the day is Matt 6:33- seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness.
Be strong in faith and belief….
Feb 11 Sermon
Have you as a child of the King heard, seen, and or touched the throne of grace recently? Or has it been some time since you stood in the presence of the Lord and had a Word from Him. And you have been operating on the last revelation or encounter with Him? Have you recognized that you have been in a “dry” spell or have you just now recognized His glory has departed you? I believe that each of us needs a fresh touch from the Master more often than not. How often is usually determined by the level of desperation in our hearts and the problem, difficulty or issue which we are facing. We often can related to the music where we sing – “I need thee every hour,” but in most cases we need Him more than just hourly. Now Hebrews (4:16) says we can come freely <boldly approach> to the throne of grace because of who we are in Christ Jesus. Read with me
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy. This is how we can touch Him.Jesus says in John chapter 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. We can hear the cry of Jesus with our hearts, spiritually.Now seeing Jesus is not a visual thing in my experience, but we see spiritually by the heart as the Holy Spirit encounters our heart through the scriptures as we study to show ourselves approved. That way we see. Now we know that many today have visions of the Lord Jesus that has not happened to me as of yet.Let’s pray and ask God to give us a fresh word today that we might hear, see, and touch the throne of grace today so we might be guided to what He wants us to do and accomplish with Him in the future. AMENRead with me from 1 John, Chapter 1, verse 1, 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that [a]your joy may be full.
Fellowship with Him and One Another5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us
Amen – May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word.If someone who you were chatting with, say a family member were to ask you, How does Jesus Christ speak and reach out in our word today, how would you answer today? Well the answers are in this text.
Verse 1- gives us the fact of what kind of a witness is provided in this scripture. It says - 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--
Notice the entry – That which was from the beginning, the very beginning of creation and we heard Him. We saw Him with our eyes and we looked upon Him for years and have handled Him. Notice not just a person, but a unique and holy person, who from creation until now spoke and speaks the Word of life. This person is far above a human being as you and I know them. He is the Word of life in addition to speaking the Word of Life. He is Jesus.
Verse 2 continues this theme - 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— The person who came to us is a real person <manifested>, a human but not exactly like us, for He came to us from God the Father and He brought eternal life for us. And this is a true saying because we experienced all and upon our witness as disciples through John, we are telling you.
Verse 3 follows with - 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
John is stating, I am not the only witness but I speak at this time for all the apostles and all those who have seen and heard the living Christ, that I give you a true and accurate testimony about this man, who is the Son of Man born upon this earth. We declare to you who He is. He is God and He is with God the Father and He is truly His Son. And believe and experienced it, as we had fellowship with Him. Think about this testimony it is beyond amazing. They have had fellowship with God the Father and God the Son in Jesus Christ. These are startling words for they were in the presence of God Almighty in Christ
Verse 4 -4 And these things we write to you that [a]your joy may be full. Can you imagine hearing this from John the disciple whom Jesus loved? This would have caused quite a stir in Jewish synagogues throughout the land, more so in Jerusalem, No wonder the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to kill John and silence his witness. We see this happening in our day to witnesses concerning the election, what’s happening at the border, foreign wars, abortion and many other things. But John’s witness and writings were beyond imaginings of hate filled men. This was God reaching down to sinful men and providing salvation and rescuing us from our sinful selves. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
Verse 5 - 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
John states clearly that Jesus and God the Father are of the light. There is no evil or darkness in this Christ. They, Father and Son, are the source of all light and truth. Sin is not part of their character or make up, no matter what rumors you have heard. The Son of God is of His Father and they have brought light into our present darkness, we testify to this and have experienced this.
Verse 6 – this. Is a pivotal verse – read it 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. The truth of the matter is this – If you and I say that we have fellowship – a personal relationship with Him, meaning we claim to be part of His family. And we say we have met and are experiencing Him while we are actively sinning and practicing darkness then we lie and the truth is not in us. OOPS does that mean I cannot be a practicing homosexual and be a Christian <oxymoron>, or that abortion is a choice, or that a man can have a baby and I believe it, or that Gender is my choice <delusion>, or many other of the immoral choices within dei or CRT which are being foisted upon and separating we the people in this nation. This is all darkness from the evil one and has no place in the church. Well people claim we are not relevant today. Let’s try this on. You remember 3 men being thrown into a furnace because they would not worship the idol? What did they say? Chapter 3, Daniel, verses 16 -16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” God preserved them and the Jews. Jesus says in Matthew 18,
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Relevant to whom the World? Jesus says I have overcome the World. Do you believe Jesus and His Word or do you believe the world?
Verse 7 - 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
True fellowship can only be if we are together and “in Christ,” as Paul teaches. To have fellowship together without the truth living in us is impossible. We can only be cleansed and free from sin if we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior – having been born of water and the blood from above. There can be no hidden darkness within us in true biblical Christ enabled fellowship, where we have been cleansed by His blood. Verse 8 foot stomps this truth.
These are words of life and the truth we need to live by them and use them to measure our lives. Are you doing so today? These are words from the Holy Spirit, who is God. He wants to speak a word into your life this day. Hear these truths, live them and use them as you seek to allow Him to apply them in you from this day forward. AMEN
Have you as a child of the King heard, seen, and or touched the throne of grace recently? Or has it been some time since you stood in the presence of the Lord and had a Word from Him. And you have been operating on the last revelation or encounter with Him? Have you recognized that you have been in a “dry” spell or have you just now recognized His glory has departed you? I believe that each of us needs a fresh touch from the Master more often than not. How often is usually determined by the level of desperation in our hearts and the problem, difficulty or issue which we are facing. We often can related to the music where we sing – “I need thee every hour,” but in most cases we need Him more than just hourly. Now Hebrews (4:16) says we can come freely <boldly approach> to the throne of grace because of who we are in Christ Jesus. Read with me
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy. This is how we can touch Him.Jesus says in John chapter 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. We can hear the cry of Jesus with our hearts, spiritually.Now seeing Jesus is not a visual thing in my experience, but we see spiritually by the heart as the Holy Spirit encounters our heart through the scriptures as we study to show ourselves approved. That way we see. Now we know that many today have visions of the Lord Jesus that has not happened to me as of yet.Let’s pray and ask God to give us a fresh word today that we might hear, see, and touch the throne of grace today so we might be guided to what He wants us to do and accomplish with Him in the future. AMENRead with me from 1 John, Chapter 1, verse 1, 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that [a]your joy may be full.
Fellowship with Him and One Another5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us
Amen – May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word.If someone who you were chatting with, say a family member were to ask you, How does Jesus Christ speak and reach out in our word today, how would you answer today? Well the answers are in this text.
Verse 1- gives us the fact of what kind of a witness is provided in this scripture. It says - 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--
Notice the entry – That which was from the beginning, the very beginning of creation and we heard Him. We saw Him with our eyes and we looked upon Him for years and have handled Him. Notice not just a person, but a unique and holy person, who from creation until now spoke and speaks the Word of life. This person is far above a human being as you and I know them. He is the Word of life in addition to speaking the Word of Life. He is Jesus.
Verse 2 continues this theme - 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— The person who came to us is a real person <manifested>, a human but not exactly like us, for He came to us from God the Father and He brought eternal life for us. And this is a true saying because we experienced all and upon our witness as disciples through John, we are telling you.
Verse 3 follows with - 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
John is stating, I am not the only witness but I speak at this time for all the apostles and all those who have seen and heard the living Christ, that I give you a true and accurate testimony about this man, who is the Son of Man born upon this earth. We declare to you who He is. He is God and He is with God the Father and He is truly His Son. And believe and experienced it, as we had fellowship with Him. Think about this testimony it is beyond amazing. They have had fellowship with God the Father and God the Son in Jesus Christ. These are startling words for they were in the presence of God Almighty in Christ
Verse 4 -4 And these things we write to you that [a]your joy may be full. Can you imagine hearing this from John the disciple whom Jesus loved? This would have caused quite a stir in Jewish synagogues throughout the land, more so in Jerusalem, No wonder the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to kill John and silence his witness. We see this happening in our day to witnesses concerning the election, what’s happening at the border, foreign wars, abortion and many other things. But John’s witness and writings were beyond imaginings of hate filled men. This was God reaching down to sinful men and providing salvation and rescuing us from our sinful selves. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
Verse 5 - 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
John states clearly that Jesus and God the Father are of the light. There is no evil or darkness in this Christ. They, Father and Son, are the source of all light and truth. Sin is not part of their character or make up, no matter what rumors you have heard. The Son of God is of His Father and they have brought light into our present darkness, we testify to this and have experienced this.
Verse 6 – this. Is a pivotal verse – read it 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. The truth of the matter is this – If you and I say that we have fellowship – a personal relationship with Him, meaning we claim to be part of His family. And we say we have met and are experiencing Him while we are actively sinning and practicing darkness then we lie and the truth is not in us. OOPS does that mean I cannot be a practicing homosexual and be a Christian <oxymoron>, or that abortion is a choice, or that a man can have a baby and I believe it, or that Gender is my choice <delusion>, or many other of the immoral choices within dei or CRT which are being foisted upon and separating we the people in this nation. This is all darkness from the evil one and has no place in the church. Well people claim we are not relevant today. Let’s try this on. You remember 3 men being thrown into a furnace because they would not worship the idol? What did they say? Chapter 3, Daniel, verses 16 -16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” God preserved them and the Jews. Jesus says in Matthew 18,
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Relevant to whom the World? Jesus says I have overcome the World. Do you believe Jesus and His Word or do you believe the world?
Verse 7 - 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
True fellowship can only be if we are together and “in Christ,” as Paul teaches. To have fellowship together without the truth living in us is impossible. We can only be cleansed and free from sin if we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior – having been born of water and the blood from above. There can be no hidden darkness within us in true biblical Christ enabled fellowship, where we have been cleansed by His blood. Verse 8 foot stomps this truth.
These are words of life and the truth we need to live by them and use them to measure our lives. Are you doing so today? These are words from the Holy Spirit, who is God. He wants to speak a word into your life this day. Hear these truths, live them and use them as you seek to allow Him to apply them in you from this day forward. AMEN
Feb 4 Sermon
Ever been discouraged and depressed as a believer? Well guess what you don’t need to be. Did you know that God has called you by name, and ordained you – meaning He has set you apart and He has given you new life in His Son. And think about this He has put the Word of Life within you to share with others. He placed His Holy Spirit so that you could be born from above. And as He told Nichodemus you needed to born of water and the blood, and you have>So welcome to the kingdom of God or some say the kingdom of Heaven. So maybe today we need some inspiration and to do so a good place to inhabit is the book of Psalms.
As the psalmist would say He has lifted up your head and honored you by calling you by name. He extended grace to you so that you might recognize your lost condition and illuminated your heart so that you could by faith believe He is the Son of God and He is your savior and Lord. You and I are then invested with the Word of Life- Jesus living in you and I. Do you understand the privilege you have because of what God has invested in you?
So let’s get down to the nitty gritty- and find out God promises blessings and encouragement to those who will walk in His ways
Psalm 1 speaks to us. Psalm 1 says,
1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the [c]rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
May God add His blessing to His Word and to our understanding. AMEN
Psalm 1 gives us a view of two different men. First the Godly man and second the Godless man. Psalm 1 begins with a blessing and ends with a curse. Psalm 1 is psalm of Christ. The first half is about the saint and the second half is about the sinner.
Blessed is transposed to mean happy verse 1- the Godly man’s path is separated from the world- 1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
He does not listen to the ungodly man, nor follow his leading.
He does not linger with the sinful man. There is nothing wrong with being friendly with lost men and women. This verse means not to participate in sinful activities. Abraham, Lot, Peter stood around and sinned
He does not laugh at the scornful man. The ungodly man has his counsel, the sinner has his way and the scornful has his set notice the progression in backsliding- walking, standing, sitting. We might think of the seat of the scornful as the chair of the professors, who rain scorn and disrepute upon God and His Word-. Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus day.
B. The godly man’s pleasure vs 2. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.
1.He is satisfied with the Word of God. He has a different counselor than the ungodly man, he finds different company than the sinful man, and has a different cause than the scornful man.
2. The Word of God has claimed his full attention- in it he meditates day and night. Carries it in his heart-prays it out loud and engages if fully not just silently
C. The Godly man’s prosperity – He is situated by the waters Vs 3
Meditation on the Word of God releases the river of God’s Spirit so that believers can be refreshed and revitalized. Seven things mark the life of those who reside by the river
· His prominence – he is like a “tree.”
· His permanence – like a tree planted. He had a deep and hidden life
· His position – He is planted by the river of waters. No drought, bleakness or barrenness can affect him or her. He has unfailing access to the source.
· His productivity – he brings forth fruit. He is a blessing to everyone.
· His propriety – He is not a freak, he does not worry about the fruit but as the Spirit leads so will it come
· His perpetuity – His leaf shall not wither. Nothing will affect or impact His life. He is secure.
· His prosperity – whatsoever He doeth shall prosper. His entire life, family, business and all other interactions will be in the Lord.
The Godless Man – it is not so.
Vs 4. He is driven, leaves God out of his life
Vs. 5 He is doomed- the sinner has no standing before a just God for He sent His Son as a free gift.
Vs. 6 He is damned. The way of the ungodly shall perish. There are two paths one narrow and difficult and one wide and broad leading to destruction. By nature and practice our we <humans> naturally seek the broad path which leads to destruction. Jesus comes that you may have life and have it more abundantly, have you opened your heart to Him today?
Where do you stand in this psalm, are you a tree of righteousness? Do you see the righteous man has the words of life given from above? Where is the treasure of your heart right now? Will you give it all to Jesus right now?
Ever been discouraged and depressed as a believer? Well guess what you don’t need to be. Did you know that God has called you by name, and ordained you – meaning He has set you apart and He has given you new life in His Son. And think about this He has put the Word of Life within you to share with others. He placed His Holy Spirit so that you could be born from above. And as He told Nichodemus you needed to born of water and the blood, and you have>So welcome to the kingdom of God or some say the kingdom of Heaven. So maybe today we need some inspiration and to do so a good place to inhabit is the book of Psalms.
As the psalmist would say He has lifted up your head and honored you by calling you by name. He extended grace to you so that you might recognize your lost condition and illuminated your heart so that you could by faith believe He is the Son of God and He is your savior and Lord. You and I are then invested with the Word of Life- Jesus living in you and I. Do you understand the privilege you have because of what God has invested in you?
So let’s get down to the nitty gritty- and find out God promises blessings and encouragement to those who will walk in His ways
Psalm 1 speaks to us. Psalm 1 says,
1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the [c]rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
May God add His blessing to His Word and to our understanding. AMEN
Psalm 1 gives us a view of two different men. First the Godly man and second the Godless man. Psalm 1 begins with a blessing and ends with a curse. Psalm 1 is psalm of Christ. The first half is about the saint and the second half is about the sinner.
Blessed is transposed to mean happy verse 1- the Godly man’s path is separated from the world- 1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
He does not listen to the ungodly man, nor follow his leading.
He does not linger with the sinful man. There is nothing wrong with being friendly with lost men and women. This verse means not to participate in sinful activities. Abraham, Lot, Peter stood around and sinned
He does not laugh at the scornful man. The ungodly man has his counsel, the sinner has his way and the scornful has his set notice the progression in backsliding- walking, standing, sitting. We might think of the seat of the scornful as the chair of the professors, who rain scorn and disrepute upon God and His Word-. Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus day.
B. The godly man’s pleasure vs 2. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.
1.He is satisfied with the Word of God. He has a different counselor than the ungodly man, he finds different company than the sinful man, and has a different cause than the scornful man.
2. The Word of God has claimed his full attention- in it he meditates day and night. Carries it in his heart-prays it out loud and engages if fully not just silently
C. The Godly man’s prosperity – He is situated by the waters Vs 3
Meditation on the Word of God releases the river of God’s Spirit so that believers can be refreshed and revitalized. Seven things mark the life of those who reside by the river
· His prominence – he is like a “tree.”
· His permanence – like a tree planted. He had a deep and hidden life
· His position – He is planted by the river of waters. No drought, bleakness or barrenness can affect him or her. He has unfailing access to the source.
· His productivity – he brings forth fruit. He is a blessing to everyone.
· His propriety – He is not a freak, he does not worry about the fruit but as the Spirit leads so will it come
· His perpetuity – His leaf shall not wither. Nothing will affect or impact His life. He is secure.
· His prosperity – whatsoever He doeth shall prosper. His entire life, family, business and all other interactions will be in the Lord.
The Godless Man – it is not so.
Vs 4. He is driven, leaves God out of his life
Vs. 5 He is doomed- the sinner has no standing before a just God for He sent His Son as a free gift.
Vs. 6 He is damned. The way of the ungodly shall perish. There are two paths one narrow and difficult and one wide and broad leading to destruction. By nature and practice our we <humans> naturally seek the broad path which leads to destruction. Jesus comes that you may have life and have it more abundantly, have you opened your heart to Him today?
Where do you stand in this psalm, are you a tree of righteousness? Do you see the righteous man has the words of life given from above? Where is the treasure of your heart right now? Will you give it all to Jesus right now?
Jan 28 Sermon
We have a great transition between the Old Testament and the New Testament it is the book of Malachi. From Malachi to the coming of the John the Baptist there are 400 years of the silence of God.
There is often a dispute as to whom is the actual author of this book, convention has it that most of the prophets identify themselves like Malachi did at the beginning of the book. For our purposes it is settled that Malachi was a real prophet, during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. He came to deliver a reprimand against the Jews who apparently had already strayed from the deliverances of God and the rebuilding of the 2nd temple and the walls of Jerusalem.
Here are some of the accusations contained in the book. To begin with Malachi sets forth his prophecy in the form of a dispute, employing the question-and-answer method. The LORD’s accusations against His people were frequently met by cynical questions from the people (1:2, 6, 7; 2:17; 3:7, 8, 13). At other times, the prophet presented himself as God’s advocate in a lawsuit, asking rhetorical questions to the people based on their defiant criticisms (1:6, 8, 9; 2:10, 15; 3:2).
Malachi accuses the priests and the people on at least 6 counts of willful sin: 1) repudiating God’s love (1:2–5); 2) refusing God His due honor (1:6–2:9); 3) rejecting God’s faithfulness (2:10–16); 4) redefining God’s righteousness (2:17–3:6); 5) robbing God’s riches (3:7–12); and 6) reviling God’s grace (3:13–15). There are 3 interludes in which Malachi rendered God’s judgment: 1) to the priests (2:1–9); 2) to the nation (3:1–6); and 3) to the remnant (3:16–4:6).
You might ask what is the value of studying this book. Good question! I believe this book speaks to the continuing pursuit of God to a people who He loves despite their sin. Oh yes judgement is promised to those who reject Him, but love and salvation is promised to those who love Him. These promises of God span from the Old Testament where they are indeed promises to the New Testament where they are fulfilled by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to provide salvation to those who would believe and confess. The same promises were made to the remnant of Israel here. God would have a book of remembrance to remind Him of the faithful who would honor Him and love Him.
Now all this background and tells you what are in the previous 3 Chapters, lets read now from Malachi Chapter 4 [a]“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
PRAYER - May God add His blessing to the reading of His word and to our understanding an application so that its truth may live in our hearts. AMEN
Let’s begin at the beginning with verse 1. ]“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. the day is coming. These first 3 verses continue the thought of the closing verses of the previous chapter, elaborating on God’s punishment of the wicked and His deliverance of the godly (cf. 3:1–5). This reference to the day of the Lord (cf. Is. 13:6; Joel 2:11, 31; Zeph. 1:14) is injected 4 times into the prophet’s final words (3:17; 4:1, 3, 5). It anticipated the return of the Lord Jesus will be in judgment as referred to in the book of Revelation Rev. 19:11–21).
Burning like an oven. Adding to the imagery of a refining fire spoken of in Chapter 3:2, Malachi speaks of God’s judgment as a destructive fire that swiftly and totally consumes with excessive heat with the proud of 3:15). The destruction force of the fire extends to the very roots, which are normally protected by their location, underground provides a vivid, proverbial picture of the totality of this destruction . All who refuse to repent will be cast into the fire of hell Rev. 20:11–15
The very first statement by the prophet in Chapter 1 verse 2 is this from God-2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’
God’s saving love and grace have been rejected by the people He loves and because of this rejection discipline and judgement are promised. Isn’t it amazing that the creatures who were created by God, reject in their arrogance the very one who create them. Do you not see the very problem with the sin nature and how it sets itself against the One who loves him or her? Amazing !
But despite this rejection of God look at verse 2- 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
What a promise for God to those who revere and honor God.
This is a very doleful way to end the Old Testament, but is a book of future expectations. I believe there is a strong emphasis should on verse 2 of this chapter: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;” The Old Testament does not close with only a curse. It closes with a great hope that, although the sun has gone down and it is very dark spiritually, there is a new day coming. We are living now in the night of sin, and the world is dark. It seems that we are at the darkest moment today. But there is coming a day when the Sun of Righteousness will rise and spiritual light will break upon this entire planet.
That Sun of Righteousness is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Pay attention to something that is very remarkable and very important. In the Old Testament Christ is presented as the Sun of Righteousness. In the New Testament He’s presented in a different way altogether. There He is presented to us as the Bright and Morning Star. Listen to Him as He speaks in Revelation 22:16, and this concludes Revelation: “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” “The root and the offspring of David” means that He is the King who will reign on this earth, but He is also something else—“the bright and morning star,” which is something new.
It is interesting that man’s attention has always been drawn to the heavens. Right now there are probably more people in this country who are interested in the horoscope and the star under which they were born than are interested in the Bible, the Word of God. To those who are playing with the zodiac and its signs, this is something which is evil and occult. We’re seeing today the worship of Satan as we’ve never seen it before. It is quite interesting that research shows that some years ago only 3 percent of those interviewed believed in a personal devil. More recently the percentage had jumped to above 48 percent who believe and are convinced that there is a devil. Some are not convinced that there is a God to whom they are responsible, but they believe in the devil.
Today scientists are making a greater study of the heavens than they have ever made before. Scripture does turn man’s attention repeatedly to the heavens. Psalm 8 reads: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Ps. 8:3–4).
Man happens to be the astronomer. He’s the one who can view all of this and can give praise and glory to God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Ps. 19:1).
The Old Testament closes here in Malachi with God directing man to look toward the heavens, and it is well that man looks up. Malachi closes with a thud: “Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse,” and the curtain comes down before the human story is over. Darkness closes in on man, but the play is not over. There are the good guys and the bad guys, and the good guys haven’t won yet. God says, “Look up at the heavens your redemption draweth nigh. It is important that you see. He says, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” This is a promise of a sunrise. There is a song that says that the world is waiting for a sunrise—and I believe it is—but the church is waiting for something else.
In one sense Malachi is the most disappointing book in the world if it stands by itself. But it points to the heavens, and it speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. This is a fitting figure for Him because He comes to usher in a new day and to end the night of man’s sin. The Day of the Lord is coming, and His kingdom will be established upon the earth. in Isaiah 60:19 we read: “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
It is of note that in the first coming of Jesus for salvation His coming was announced by a star of wonder, a star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading still proceeding, guide us by your holy light. The second coming of Jesus to judgement will be as the Sun of Righteousness, the Bright and Morning star. The star is the sign of the coming of Christ to take His church out of the world, and the sun is the sign of His second coming to the earth to establish His kingdom upon this earth.
Going now to verses 3 &4 we read 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. When Jesus comes to this earth to establish His kingdom, the. wicked will be put down. He will break them into pieces like a potter’s vessel. That is the language of Scripture.
And in verse 4 following this prophecy by Malachi, Israel is going to exist a period in which heaven is silent. God will not be speaking to Israel. There will appear another Zechariah [Zacharias] four hundred years later. He will be serving in the temple when the angel Gabriel will appear to him to announce the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5–25). The silence of four hundred years will then be broken. In the interim Israel is to remember the Law of Moses. It is to be their life; it will be God’s Word for them. They are under the Mosaic system unit Christ comes.
Verse 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
Revelation speaks of two witnesses who are to appear in the last days Rev. 11:3–12. I do not know who the second witness will be, but I am almost sure that one of them will be Elijah. At the Passover Feast, in the orthodox Jew’s home, a chair is set at the table in which no one sits. It is for Elijah who is to come. When John the Baptist appeared, the Jews thought he was Elijah, but John the Baptist was not Elijah in any sense of the word. The Scriptures do say that he could have been, but he wasn’t—and that’s the important thing. If Christ had established His kingdom, then John would have been Elijah. John the Baptist was not the fulfillment of this prophecy because he was announcing the Messiah, the Savior of the world. John said, “… Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). That is a little different from announcing the great and terrible Day of the Lord that is coming.
Your future is not in stars out there and neither is your present. If you want help for the present, you need to receive Jesus Christ and learn to live victoriously for Him who said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Are you defeated and discouraged? There’s no help in the stars. You’re nothing in the world but a pagan and a heathen if you believe that. Look to Jesus. It’s not some magic formula; it’s not lady luck; it’s not chance; it’s not fatalism; it’s not superstition. If you are defeated by life, if you are overcome by some habit—drink, dishonesty, temper, sex, or materialism—if you are cold and indifferent to spiritual things, may I say to you, He is the only answer and the promise for a bright and eternal future. Come unto Him today. Amen
We have a great transition between the Old Testament and the New Testament it is the book of Malachi. From Malachi to the coming of the John the Baptist there are 400 years of the silence of God.
There is often a dispute as to whom is the actual author of this book, convention has it that most of the prophets identify themselves like Malachi did at the beginning of the book. For our purposes it is settled that Malachi was a real prophet, during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. He came to deliver a reprimand against the Jews who apparently had already strayed from the deliverances of God and the rebuilding of the 2nd temple and the walls of Jerusalem.
Here are some of the accusations contained in the book. To begin with Malachi sets forth his prophecy in the form of a dispute, employing the question-and-answer method. The LORD’s accusations against His people were frequently met by cynical questions from the people (1:2, 6, 7; 2:17; 3:7, 8, 13). At other times, the prophet presented himself as God’s advocate in a lawsuit, asking rhetorical questions to the people based on their defiant criticisms (1:6, 8, 9; 2:10, 15; 3:2).
Malachi accuses the priests and the people on at least 6 counts of willful sin: 1) repudiating God’s love (1:2–5); 2) refusing God His due honor (1:6–2:9); 3) rejecting God’s faithfulness (2:10–16); 4) redefining God’s righteousness (2:17–3:6); 5) robbing God’s riches (3:7–12); and 6) reviling God’s grace (3:13–15). There are 3 interludes in which Malachi rendered God’s judgment: 1) to the priests (2:1–9); 2) to the nation (3:1–6); and 3) to the remnant (3:16–4:6).
You might ask what is the value of studying this book. Good question! I believe this book speaks to the continuing pursuit of God to a people who He loves despite their sin. Oh yes judgement is promised to those who reject Him, but love and salvation is promised to those who love Him. These promises of God span from the Old Testament where they are indeed promises to the New Testament where they are fulfilled by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to provide salvation to those who would believe and confess. The same promises were made to the remnant of Israel here. God would have a book of remembrance to remind Him of the faithful who would honor Him and love Him.
Now all this background and tells you what are in the previous 3 Chapters, lets read now from Malachi Chapter 4 [a]“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
PRAYER - May God add His blessing to the reading of His word and to our understanding an application so that its truth may live in our hearts. AMEN
Let’s begin at the beginning with verse 1. ]“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. the day is coming. These first 3 verses continue the thought of the closing verses of the previous chapter, elaborating on God’s punishment of the wicked and His deliverance of the godly (cf. 3:1–5). This reference to the day of the Lord (cf. Is. 13:6; Joel 2:11, 31; Zeph. 1:14) is injected 4 times into the prophet’s final words (3:17; 4:1, 3, 5). It anticipated the return of the Lord Jesus will be in judgment as referred to in the book of Revelation Rev. 19:11–21).
Burning like an oven. Adding to the imagery of a refining fire spoken of in Chapter 3:2, Malachi speaks of God’s judgment as a destructive fire that swiftly and totally consumes with excessive heat with the proud of 3:15). The destruction force of the fire extends to the very roots, which are normally protected by their location, underground provides a vivid, proverbial picture of the totality of this destruction . All who refuse to repent will be cast into the fire of hell Rev. 20:11–15
The very first statement by the prophet in Chapter 1 verse 2 is this from God-2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’
God’s saving love and grace have been rejected by the people He loves and because of this rejection discipline and judgement are promised. Isn’t it amazing that the creatures who were created by God, reject in their arrogance the very one who create them. Do you not see the very problem with the sin nature and how it sets itself against the One who loves him or her? Amazing !
But despite this rejection of God look at verse 2- 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
What a promise for God to those who revere and honor God.
This is a very doleful way to end the Old Testament, but is a book of future expectations. I believe there is a strong emphasis should on verse 2 of this chapter: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;” The Old Testament does not close with only a curse. It closes with a great hope that, although the sun has gone down and it is very dark spiritually, there is a new day coming. We are living now in the night of sin, and the world is dark. It seems that we are at the darkest moment today. But there is coming a day when the Sun of Righteousness will rise and spiritual light will break upon this entire planet.
That Sun of Righteousness is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Pay attention to something that is very remarkable and very important. In the Old Testament Christ is presented as the Sun of Righteousness. In the New Testament He’s presented in a different way altogether. There He is presented to us as the Bright and Morning Star. Listen to Him as He speaks in Revelation 22:16, and this concludes Revelation: “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” “The root and the offspring of David” means that He is the King who will reign on this earth, but He is also something else—“the bright and morning star,” which is something new.
It is interesting that man’s attention has always been drawn to the heavens. Right now there are probably more people in this country who are interested in the horoscope and the star under which they were born than are interested in the Bible, the Word of God. To those who are playing with the zodiac and its signs, this is something which is evil and occult. We’re seeing today the worship of Satan as we’ve never seen it before. It is quite interesting that research shows that some years ago only 3 percent of those interviewed believed in a personal devil. More recently the percentage had jumped to above 48 percent who believe and are convinced that there is a devil. Some are not convinced that there is a God to whom they are responsible, but they believe in the devil.
Today scientists are making a greater study of the heavens than they have ever made before. Scripture does turn man’s attention repeatedly to the heavens. Psalm 8 reads: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Ps. 8:3–4).
Man happens to be the astronomer. He’s the one who can view all of this and can give praise and glory to God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Ps. 19:1).
The Old Testament closes here in Malachi with God directing man to look toward the heavens, and it is well that man looks up. Malachi closes with a thud: “Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse,” and the curtain comes down before the human story is over. Darkness closes in on man, but the play is not over. There are the good guys and the bad guys, and the good guys haven’t won yet. God says, “Look up at the heavens your redemption draweth nigh. It is important that you see. He says, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” This is a promise of a sunrise. There is a song that says that the world is waiting for a sunrise—and I believe it is—but the church is waiting for something else.
In one sense Malachi is the most disappointing book in the world if it stands by itself. But it points to the heavens, and it speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. This is a fitting figure for Him because He comes to usher in a new day and to end the night of man’s sin. The Day of the Lord is coming, and His kingdom will be established upon the earth. in Isaiah 60:19 we read: “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
It is of note that in the first coming of Jesus for salvation His coming was announced by a star of wonder, a star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading still proceeding, guide us by your holy light. The second coming of Jesus to judgement will be as the Sun of Righteousness, the Bright and Morning star. The star is the sign of the coming of Christ to take His church out of the world, and the sun is the sign of His second coming to the earth to establish His kingdom upon this earth.
Going now to verses 3 &4 we read 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. When Jesus comes to this earth to establish His kingdom, the. wicked will be put down. He will break them into pieces like a potter’s vessel. That is the language of Scripture.
And in verse 4 following this prophecy by Malachi, Israel is going to exist a period in which heaven is silent. God will not be speaking to Israel. There will appear another Zechariah [Zacharias] four hundred years later. He will be serving in the temple when the angel Gabriel will appear to him to announce the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5–25). The silence of four hundred years will then be broken. In the interim Israel is to remember the Law of Moses. It is to be their life; it will be God’s Word for them. They are under the Mosaic system unit Christ comes.
Verse 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
Revelation speaks of two witnesses who are to appear in the last days Rev. 11:3–12. I do not know who the second witness will be, but I am almost sure that one of them will be Elijah. At the Passover Feast, in the orthodox Jew’s home, a chair is set at the table in which no one sits. It is for Elijah who is to come. When John the Baptist appeared, the Jews thought he was Elijah, but John the Baptist was not Elijah in any sense of the word. The Scriptures do say that he could have been, but he wasn’t—and that’s the important thing. If Christ had established His kingdom, then John would have been Elijah. John the Baptist was not the fulfillment of this prophecy because he was announcing the Messiah, the Savior of the world. John said, “… Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). That is a little different from announcing the great and terrible Day of the Lord that is coming.
Your future is not in stars out there and neither is your present. If you want help for the present, you need to receive Jesus Christ and learn to live victoriously for Him who said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Are you defeated and discouraged? There’s no help in the stars. You’re nothing in the world but a pagan and a heathen if you believe that. Look to Jesus. It’s not some magic formula; it’s not lady luck; it’s not chance; it’s not fatalism; it’s not superstition. If you are defeated by life, if you are overcome by some habit—drink, dishonesty, temper, sex, or materialism—if you are cold and indifferent to spiritual things, may I say to you, He is the only answer and the promise for a bright and eternal future. Come unto Him today. Amen
Jan 21 Sermon
Have you ever thought about who God
actually is and what He is capable of in our
lives? Many of us have sung a song called –
Our God is an awesome God, but do you
really believe it?
God of course is a triune God, with the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That is the three
in one. One God with three individual but
united essences. If you just begin with this
idea you can see just how difficult it is to
know about God.
But God wants you to know about Himself
so He wrote a book to help you understand
who He is. It states what He wants and how
to operate in and with Him. He may be a
mystery but He is a revealed mystery who
loves and cares for His creation-and as the
old recruiting poster says – this means you.
And He loves us with an everlasting love. I
was captured this week with the idea of the
eyes of the Lord described in Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Point #1. Do you just look at these words
and you find anything unusual? It says the
eyes of the Lord are everywhere- there is no
escape from His presence in all of creation.
This is affirmed in the Psalms {139}and in
the teachings of Jesus. Now note that He is
watching all of creation keeping tabs on the
evil and the good. There is nothing that
escapes the eyes of God and He is not
looking at the surface it says in 1 st Samuel,
Chapter 16:7 For [d] the Lord does not see as
man sees; for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
And if you understand what the bible says
about the human heart “The
heart is deceitful above
all things, And desperately wicked; Who
can know it?
So our great God in heaven looks at the core
of human beings and notes the evil and the
good. God is not limited by time or space
and so He is virtually present at all times
across all time and space. The temple in
Jerusalem or the tent of meeting could never
contain His presence- He is an awesome
God. We use the term omnipresent to
describe this trait. So the Lord is in this
place, right now. Now note this distinction
He is everywhere but He is not physically in
the parts of His creation. He built it and He
operates it and He is spiritually in present in
His kingdom.
Point # II. Now notice this verse Proverbs
5:21- For the ways of man are before the
eyes of the Lord,
And He [ i ] ponders all his paths.
According to this verse there is nothing
hidden from God. Now the first thing we
need to note is the ways of God are not the
ways of Men. God’s ways are always
higher that man’s ways (Isa. 55:8-9 -
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says
the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, So are My ways higher than your
ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Our thoughts and ways are not anywhere
close to the wisdom and knowledge of God
and most are tainted with sin.
So our human actions correspond to our
heart whether our actions and intention be
good or evil. God knows the heart of men
and He ponders all our paths. This means
He knows where our thoughts, actions and
intents are leading. This trait of God who is
super perceptive and all-knowing is called
omniscience. The God you serve is
perpetual, intentional and knows the future.
We serve an awesome God who understands
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
2
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
where our choices and actions are leading
even if we don’t.
Point III. Deuteronomy 11:12 (Israel) is a
land for which the Lord your God
cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are
always on it, from the beginning of the year
to the very end of the year. This verse
speaks of the awesome power of God who
has the ability to preserve, protect and
defend. God has set sights on Jerusalem and
Israel. He never tires, slumbers or sleeps,
and His arm never grows weary and His
blessings and mercies are renewed morning
by morning. God who is creator and judge
has the power to speak a word and it comes
into being. And in this power of creation,
He is able to bring anything He chooses into
being. Elsewhere in scripture it says His
people {Israel}are the apple of His eye. This
power is called omnipotence, meaning He is
all powerful. He who created the universes,
the cosmos of universes and planted His
very own people in the middle of them
whether Jew or Christian is the same God
who knew we needed a savior and in the
midst of our sinfulness sent His only
begotten Son. This is the awesome power of
God unto creation, salvation and preserving
that which is His eternally, This is the God
we serve.
Point #4. 2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to show Himself
strong on behalf of those whose
heart is loyal to Him.” (to strongly support
those whose heart is completely His.)
The Lord our God is a covenant creator and
a covenant keeper. A biblical covenant is an
agreement between a greater {God} and a
lesser {man}. It is God who initiates and
establishes the covenant agreement with His
creation – man. Not only is God the initiator,
He is the only one who is able to preserve,
protect and defend the covenants which He
has made. Men have continually
disregarded and denied the covenants of
God for themselves.
But notice this particular promise
the eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth to strongly
support those whose heart is completely His.
God is looking for a person, a particular
people or a nation whose heart is committed
to Him. If you were to read Deuteronomy
Chapter 28 verses 1-14, you get a complete
idea of all the blessing that will be incurred
because you are walking righteously before
the Lord and obeying His commandments in
His covenant. The promises sound too good
to be true but looking at the Old Testament
we see the power of God to protect a nation
who has God for their leader.
Jesus says many things which are similar.
How about Matthew 6:33, 3 But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you.
So being right in the eyes of the Lord in has
many benefits, look to Genesis 6:8 - But
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. It
says elsewhere in Genesis, that Noah was a
just man, perfect in his
generations. Noah walked with God.
In Psalm 34:15 it says,
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry. God sees
the righteous and He attends to their voices
and needs
In Proverbs 22:12 it says,
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the
faithless.
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
3
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
Here it speaks of how God rewards faith for
without faith it is impossible to please God,
He who comes God believes that He is and
that He is a rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him.
I have several more examples of what the
eyes of the Lord see and How our amazing
God responds to obedience, disobedience,
evil, but let’s close with this from the
New Testament – Peter does a good job of
summing what we have been speaking
about in 1 Peter 3:12.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the
righteous, And His ears are open to their
prayers; But the face of the Lord is against
those who do evil.”
Peter who knew reconciliation and
forgiveness were possible even after a
massive melt down in denying the Lord
Jesus Christ. Peter was restored because of
the Love of God. Jesus even predicted
Peter’s failure and told Him beforehand but
Peter refused the truth from the Son of God.
Jesus restored Peter by asking Him, do you
love Me, and if so feed My sheep. God did
not reject Peter but restored Him in love.
Jesus did the same thing with the murdering
Saul of Tarsus and called Him Paul. Saying
He was to suffer many thing for my Name
before the gentiles.
So God’s eyes are upon us and God is
present everywhere is this created universe.
<omnipresent>He has the power to save to
the uttermost and the power to set us free
from the law of sin and death. Neither height
nor depth…nor any created thing shall be
able to separate us from the Love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord<omnipotence> God
has the power to do anything – we ask the
question is there anything too hard for
Him?
God’s ways are not our ways. They are so
much higher and different and His thoughts
are not our thoughts. He knows the future
and the present and is omniscient <all
knowing>.
Perhaps today we need to reevaluate what
we think we know and believe about God
almighty? Peter did, Paul did
Our God is mighty to save – Put your
trust and faith in Him today.
I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me. Phil.4.13
And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus. Phil. 4.19
Extra verses concerning the eyes of the
Lord.
1. Deuteronomy 13:18 because you have
listened to the voice of the Lord your
God, to keep all His commandments
which I command you today, to
do what is right in the eyes of the
Lord your God.
2. 1 Kings 15:11 Asa did what was right
in the eyes of the Lord, as did his
father David.
3. 1 Kings 16:25 Omri did evil
in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse
than all who were before him.
4. 2 Chronicles 29:6 - For our fathers
have trespassed and done evil
in the eyes of the Lord our God; they
have forsaken Him, have turned their
faces away from the dwelling place of
the Lord, and turned their backs on
Him.
5. Zechariah 4:10 -For who has despised
the day of small things? For these
seven rejoice to see The plumb line in
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
4
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
the hand of Zerubbabel. They
are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan
to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
Have you ever thought about who God
actually is and what He is capable of in our
lives? Many of us have sung a song called –
Our God is an awesome God, but do you
really believe it?
God of course is a triune God, with the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That is the three
in one. One God with three individual but
united essences. If you just begin with this
idea you can see just how difficult it is to
know about God.
But God wants you to know about Himself
so He wrote a book to help you understand
who He is. It states what He wants and how
to operate in and with Him. He may be a
mystery but He is a revealed mystery who
loves and cares for His creation-and as the
old recruiting poster says – this means you.
And He loves us with an everlasting love. I
was captured this week with the idea of the
eyes of the Lord described in Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Point #1. Do you just look at these words
and you find anything unusual? It says the
eyes of the Lord are everywhere- there is no
escape from His presence in all of creation.
This is affirmed in the Psalms {139}and in
the teachings of Jesus. Now note that He is
watching all of creation keeping tabs on the
evil and the good. There is nothing that
escapes the eyes of God and He is not
looking at the surface it says in 1 st Samuel,
Chapter 16:7 For [d] the Lord does not see as
man sees; for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
And if you understand what the bible says
about the human heart “The
heart is deceitful above
all things, And desperately wicked; Who
can know it?
So our great God in heaven looks at the core
of human beings and notes the evil and the
good. God is not limited by time or space
and so He is virtually present at all times
across all time and space. The temple in
Jerusalem or the tent of meeting could never
contain His presence- He is an awesome
God. We use the term omnipresent to
describe this trait. So the Lord is in this
place, right now. Now note this distinction
He is everywhere but He is not physically in
the parts of His creation. He built it and He
operates it and He is spiritually in present in
His kingdom.
Point # II. Now notice this verse Proverbs
5:21- For the ways of man are before the
eyes of the Lord,
And He [ i ] ponders all his paths.
According to this verse there is nothing
hidden from God. Now the first thing we
need to note is the ways of God are not the
ways of Men. God’s ways are always
higher that man’s ways (Isa. 55:8-9 -
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says
the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, So are My ways higher than your
ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Our thoughts and ways are not anywhere
close to the wisdom and knowledge of God
and most are tainted with sin.
So our human actions correspond to our
heart whether our actions and intention be
good or evil. God knows the heart of men
and He ponders all our paths. This means
He knows where our thoughts, actions and
intents are leading. This trait of God who is
super perceptive and all-knowing is called
omniscience. The God you serve is
perpetual, intentional and knows the future.
We serve an awesome God who understands
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
2
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
where our choices and actions are leading
even if we don’t.
Point III. Deuteronomy 11:12 (Israel) is a
land for which the Lord your God
cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are
always on it, from the beginning of the year
to the very end of the year. This verse
speaks of the awesome power of God who
has the ability to preserve, protect and
defend. God has set sights on Jerusalem and
Israel. He never tires, slumbers or sleeps,
and His arm never grows weary and His
blessings and mercies are renewed morning
by morning. God who is creator and judge
has the power to speak a word and it comes
into being. And in this power of creation,
He is able to bring anything He chooses into
being. Elsewhere in scripture it says His
people {Israel}are the apple of His eye. This
power is called omnipotence, meaning He is
all powerful. He who created the universes,
the cosmos of universes and planted His
very own people in the middle of them
whether Jew or Christian is the same God
who knew we needed a savior and in the
midst of our sinfulness sent His only
begotten Son. This is the awesome power of
God unto creation, salvation and preserving
that which is His eternally, This is the God
we serve.
Point #4. 2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to show Himself
strong on behalf of those whose
heart is loyal to Him.” (to strongly support
those whose heart is completely His.)
The Lord our God is a covenant creator and
a covenant keeper. A biblical covenant is an
agreement between a greater {God} and a
lesser {man}. It is God who initiates and
establishes the covenant agreement with His
creation – man. Not only is God the initiator,
He is the only one who is able to preserve,
protect and defend the covenants which He
has made. Men have continually
disregarded and denied the covenants of
God for themselves.
But notice this particular promise
the eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth to strongly
support those whose heart is completely His.
God is looking for a person, a particular
people or a nation whose heart is committed
to Him. If you were to read Deuteronomy
Chapter 28 verses 1-14, you get a complete
idea of all the blessing that will be incurred
because you are walking righteously before
the Lord and obeying His commandments in
His covenant. The promises sound too good
to be true but looking at the Old Testament
we see the power of God to protect a nation
who has God for their leader.
Jesus says many things which are similar.
How about Matthew 6:33, 3 But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you.
So being right in the eyes of the Lord in has
many benefits, look to Genesis 6:8 - But
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. It
says elsewhere in Genesis, that Noah was a
just man, perfect in his
generations. Noah walked with God.
In Psalm 34:15 it says,
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry. God sees
the righteous and He attends to their voices
and needs
In Proverbs 22:12 it says,
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the
faithless.
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
3
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
Here it speaks of how God rewards faith for
without faith it is impossible to please God,
He who comes God believes that He is and
that He is a rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him.
I have several more examples of what the
eyes of the Lord see and How our amazing
God responds to obedience, disobedience,
evil, but let’s close with this from the
New Testament – Peter does a good job of
summing what we have been speaking
about in 1 Peter 3:12.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the
righteous, And His ears are open to their
prayers; But the face of the Lord is against
those who do evil.”
Peter who knew reconciliation and
forgiveness were possible even after a
massive melt down in denying the Lord
Jesus Christ. Peter was restored because of
the Love of God. Jesus even predicted
Peter’s failure and told Him beforehand but
Peter refused the truth from the Son of God.
Jesus restored Peter by asking Him, do you
love Me, and if so feed My sheep. God did
not reject Peter but restored Him in love.
Jesus did the same thing with the murdering
Saul of Tarsus and called Him Paul. Saying
He was to suffer many thing for my Name
before the gentiles.
So God’s eyes are upon us and God is
present everywhere is this created universe.
<omnipresent>He has the power to save to
the uttermost and the power to set us free
from the law of sin and death. Neither height
nor depth…nor any created thing shall be
able to separate us from the Love of God in
Christ Jesus our Lord<omnipotence> God
has the power to do anything – we ask the
question is there anything too hard for
Him?
God’s ways are not our ways. They are so
much higher and different and His thoughts
are not our thoughts. He knows the future
and the present and is omniscient <all
knowing>.
Perhaps today we need to reevaluate what
we think we know and believe about God
almighty? Peter did, Paul did
Our God is mighty to save – Put your
trust and faith in Him today.
I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me. Phil.4.13
And my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus. Phil. 4.19
Extra verses concerning the eyes of the
Lord.
1. Deuteronomy 13:18 because you have
listened to the voice of the Lord your
God, to keep all His commandments
which I command you today, to
do what is right in the eyes of the
Lord your God.
2. 1 Kings 15:11 Asa did what was right
in the eyes of the Lord, as did his
father David.
3. 1 Kings 16:25 Omri did evil
in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse
than all who were before him.
4. 2 Chronicles 29:6 - For our fathers
have trespassed and done evil
in the eyes of the Lord our God; they
have forsaken Him, have turned their
faces away from the dwelling place of
the Lord, and turned their backs on
Him.
5. Zechariah 4:10 -For who has despised
the day of small things? For these
seven rejoice to see The plumb line in
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
4
240121_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +38
“The Eyes of the Lord in 2024?”
“Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?”
the hand of Zerubbabel. They
are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan
to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
Jan 14 Sermon
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
We begin by asking, “What is the special character of biblical hope?” And we answer: Biblical hope is not finger-crossing. It is a confident expectation of good things to come. Hebrews (6:11).calls it the “full assurance of hope” (6:11).
Then we should ask, “Why can sinners like us be confident that a holy God will work for us and make our future bright?” And we find the answer with two words: grace and gospel. Paul says that “God our Father loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). And he urges us not to shift from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). So the grace of God and the good news of Christ crucified for sins and raised from the dead are the reasons that sinners like you and me can hope in God and have a confident expectation that the future will be good for us.
So exactly what is it that we are hoping for as biblical believers? Our answer is taken from Titus 2:13.
. . . awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
What is the content of our blessed hope according to this verse? THE APPEARING OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. We set our hope on the second coming of our Lord.
Today - world scholars would and do deny the reality of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and second coming which is your future hope. Who does so? Well people such as Carl Sagan, and Rudolph Bultmann and many other letter scholars and even professing believers.
Lee us encourage our hearts this morning that the blessed hope of all who believe is THE APPEARING OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Vs 13
Did you notice in our text there are two appearances of Jesus Christ?
Look at our text in Titus 2 that there are two appearances of Jesus Christ — one called an appearing of grace, the other called an appearing of glory.
In Verse 11: “For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men.” That is the first coming of Christ — the appearance of grace.
Then verse 13: 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ That is the second coming of Christ — the appearance of glory.
First comes Jesus by grace, and then He comes in glory. In Paul’s mind these two events. This is why the modern man’s rejection of a real second coming is an attack at the very center of our faith, namely, the first coming of Christ to die for sins. The Christ who will come in glory is the same Christ who came in grace.
Verse 14 describes specifically how that grace appeared — 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” So when the grace of God appeared in history about 2,000 years ago, it appeared as a real man, who really died to redeem us from sin and to make us zealous, or passionate, for good deeds. This was the aim or purpose of the appearance of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
That same aim of grace is described in verse 12 as well: “The grace of God appeared training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.” That is the same as saying (in v. 14) that Christ aimed to purify us and make us zealous for good deeds.
So verses 12 and 14 are like a sandwich which surrounds verse 13. Both verses describe the aim and effect of God’s grace as it appeared in the first coming of Jesus Christ. The meat in the middle of the sandwich is our blessed hope (v. 13). What God’s grace has begun in our lives through the first coming of Christ his glory he will complete in our lives through the second coming of Christ.
Scripture tells us - By grace are you saved by faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9)
Remember this -Jesus came to conquer! He did conquer! He will not be denied the fruit of his work. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. God made it. He redeemed it. He will have it. He has not evaporated into some never-to-be-touched-again realm of the spirit. Jesus is reigning at the Father’s right hand until the time for the restoration of all things. He is coming again
What should this blessed hope mean to you? According to Hebrews, Chapter 9:27-28 - Just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Christ is coming for those who eagerly await Him. His work began upon His birth and was completed upon the cross – where He cried – it is finished. The saving work of Christ completed – the second coming is setting the capstone on World History and the completion of God’s final plan. This will be a fact in History, which is His story.
Now down to brass tacks- This morning do you and I eagerly await the coming of Christ? And I don’t mean: Do you believe in the doctrine? Do you eagerly await him? This is a crucial test of your faith. And so the preciousness of Christ is the evidence of your faith. (see 1 Peter 2:7) And the anticipation of his coming is the evidence of his preciousness. And therefore you can test the level of your faith by whether you are eagerly waiting His coming.
Are you really trusting in the finished work of Christ or is this just an idea which is something beautiful to ponder? Is so then perhaps you may want to reconsider what you believe about the Word of God? Do you fully trust in it?
Christ’s coming is worthy of our eager expectation - close by trying to show from Titus 2:13 that the coming of Christ is worthy of our great and eager expectation. I pray that God will touch us and make us greatly desire His appearing.
Paul says that the appearance of the grace of God at Christ’s first coming trains us to wait eagerly for “our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Note three things
1. It Is our Blessed Hope
We should eagerly await the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ because this is our BLESSED hope. A blessed hope is the opposite of a cursed hope. So the first reason to be eager for this great day is that it will mean blessing and not cursing.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). There is only blessing for those who are in Christ Jesus. As awesome as the coming of Christ will be, there will be no curse in it for Christians. Notice what Christ is called in this verse: “the great God and SAVIOR!” Savior! Not merely Judge.
2. It Is a Visible Hope- this event will be seen by all.
It is the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Ever since the Son of God became a man, men and women have wanted to see Jesus. Philip said to Nathaniel, “Come and see!” Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree because he wanted to see! The Greeks said to his disciple, “Sir, we would see Jesus!” The apostle Paul wrote, “Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face!” And John seems to make everything hang on this one hope: “It does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
3. It Is a Glorious Hope
It is “the appearing of THE GLORY of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Listen to John’s attempt to put this into words in Revelation:
I saw . . . one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. (Revelation 1:13–16)
Do you strongly hope for the appearing of Christ? If not, confess your sin; repent and pray for the awakening of your heart; and set yourself to meditate on the blessedness, visibility, and glory of the coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, till He come.
AMEN
Outline and some textual content courtesy of John Piper. May 18.1986
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
We begin by asking, “What is the special character of biblical hope?” And we answer: Biblical hope is not finger-crossing. It is a confident expectation of good things to come. Hebrews (6:11).calls it the “full assurance of hope” (6:11).
Then we should ask, “Why can sinners like us be confident that a holy God will work for us and make our future bright?” And we find the answer with two words: grace and gospel. Paul says that “God our Father loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). And he urges us not to shift from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). So the grace of God and the good news of Christ crucified for sins and raised from the dead are the reasons that sinners like you and me can hope in God and have a confident expectation that the future will be good for us.
So exactly what is it that we are hoping for as biblical believers? Our answer is taken from Titus 2:13.
. . . awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
What is the content of our blessed hope according to this verse? THE APPEARING OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. We set our hope on the second coming of our Lord.
Today - world scholars would and do deny the reality of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and second coming which is your future hope. Who does so? Well people such as Carl Sagan, and Rudolph Bultmann and many other letter scholars and even professing believers.
Lee us encourage our hearts this morning that the blessed hope of all who believe is THE APPEARING OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Vs 13
Did you notice in our text there are two appearances of Jesus Christ?
Look at our text in Titus 2 that there are two appearances of Jesus Christ — one called an appearing of grace, the other called an appearing of glory.
In Verse 11: “For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men.” That is the first coming of Christ — the appearance of grace.
Then verse 13: 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ That is the second coming of Christ — the appearance of glory.
First comes Jesus by grace, and then He comes in glory. In Paul’s mind these two events. This is why the modern man’s rejection of a real second coming is an attack at the very center of our faith, namely, the first coming of Christ to die for sins. The Christ who will come in glory is the same Christ who came in grace.
Verse 14 describes specifically how that grace appeared — 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” So when the grace of God appeared in history about 2,000 years ago, it appeared as a real man, who really died to redeem us from sin and to make us zealous, or passionate, for good deeds. This was the aim or purpose of the appearance of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
That same aim of grace is described in verse 12 as well: “The grace of God appeared training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world.” That is the same as saying (in v. 14) that Christ aimed to purify us and make us zealous for good deeds.
So verses 12 and 14 are like a sandwich which surrounds verse 13. Both verses describe the aim and effect of God’s grace as it appeared in the first coming of Jesus Christ. The meat in the middle of the sandwich is our blessed hope (v. 13). What God’s grace has begun in our lives through the first coming of Christ his glory he will complete in our lives through the second coming of Christ.
Scripture tells us - By grace are you saved by faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9)
Remember this -Jesus came to conquer! He did conquer! He will not be denied the fruit of his work. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. God made it. He redeemed it. He will have it. He has not evaporated into some never-to-be-touched-again realm of the spirit. Jesus is reigning at the Father’s right hand until the time for the restoration of all things. He is coming again
What should this blessed hope mean to you? According to Hebrews, Chapter 9:27-28 - Just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Christ is coming for those who eagerly await Him. His work began upon His birth and was completed upon the cross – where He cried – it is finished. The saving work of Christ completed – the second coming is setting the capstone on World History and the completion of God’s final plan. This will be a fact in History, which is His story.
Now down to brass tacks- This morning do you and I eagerly await the coming of Christ? And I don’t mean: Do you believe in the doctrine? Do you eagerly await him? This is a crucial test of your faith. And so the preciousness of Christ is the evidence of your faith. (see 1 Peter 2:7) And the anticipation of his coming is the evidence of his preciousness. And therefore you can test the level of your faith by whether you are eagerly waiting His coming.
Are you really trusting in the finished work of Christ or is this just an idea which is something beautiful to ponder? Is so then perhaps you may want to reconsider what you believe about the Word of God? Do you fully trust in it?
Christ’s coming is worthy of our eager expectation - close by trying to show from Titus 2:13 that the coming of Christ is worthy of our great and eager expectation. I pray that God will touch us and make us greatly desire His appearing.
Paul says that the appearance of the grace of God at Christ’s first coming trains us to wait eagerly for “our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Note three things
1. It Is our Blessed Hope
We should eagerly await the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ because this is our BLESSED hope. A blessed hope is the opposite of a cursed hope. So the first reason to be eager for this great day is that it will mean blessing and not cursing.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). There is only blessing for those who are in Christ Jesus. As awesome as the coming of Christ will be, there will be no curse in it for Christians. Notice what Christ is called in this verse: “the great God and SAVIOR!” Savior! Not merely Judge.
2. It Is a Visible Hope- this event will be seen by all.
It is the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Ever since the Son of God became a man, men and women have wanted to see Jesus. Philip said to Nathaniel, “Come and see!” Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree because he wanted to see! The Greeks said to his disciple, “Sir, we would see Jesus!” The apostle Paul wrote, “Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face!” And John seems to make everything hang on this one hope: “It does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
3. It Is a Glorious Hope
It is “the appearing of THE GLORY of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Listen to John’s attempt to put this into words in Revelation:
I saw . . . one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. (Revelation 1:13–16)
Do you strongly hope for the appearing of Christ? If not, confess your sin; repent and pray for the awakening of your heart; and set yourself to meditate on the blessedness, visibility, and glory of the coming of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, till He come.
AMEN
Outline and some textual content courtesy of John Piper. May 18.1986
Jan 7 Sermon 2024
Are you willing to become new in Christ in 2024? What is your vision for OBC in the coming year? How can you help the church meet these goals?
Ephesians 4:11-24
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The New Man <what we should be becoming>
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as [f]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God,<due to sin> because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness <hardness> of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Vs 11-12 God in Jesus Christ gave skills to and through the church .Only 12 Apostles who had actually been and instructed by Jesus, and one out of time Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the disciple. Prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are present in the ministry today
As stated the purpose of these skills is for equipping us for the work of ministry to others to share Christ and other part is to edify or instruct the Church is doing its work on earth.
How long vs.13 says till we all come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ.
Faith here refers to the body of revealed truth that constitutes Biblical teaching, featuring the complete and unique content of the gospel. Oneness and harmony amongst believers are possible only when they are built on the foundation of His sound doctrine. Now, the knowledge of the Son of God. This does not refer to salvation knowledge, but to the deep knowledge of Christ that a believer comes to have through prayer, faithful study of His Word, and obedience to His commands.
The fullness of Christ. God wants every believer to manifest the qualities of His Son, who is Himself the standard for their spiritual maturity and perfection. See Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 1:28, 29.
Vs.14 If we are perfected in the renewing of our minds we will need to know and to practice discernment concerning the Truths in God’s Word. Then doctrine of a contrary nature will be detected and rejected as contrary to the explicit Word of God – Andy Stanley’s departure is an exemplar
Now to the key verse, vs. 15 - 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ--
Evangelism is most effective when the truth about God and what He has done is proclaimed in love. This can be accomplished only by the spiritually mature believer who is thoroughly equipped in and unto sound doctrine. Without spiritual maturity, the truth can be cold and love little more than sentimentality, meaning the term is used but there is no love just ego and pride. grow up . . . into Him. Believers in Christ must be completely yielded and obedient to the Lord’s will, subject to His controlling power and Christlike in all areas of their lives (cf. Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21). the head. Given the picture of the church as a body whose head is Christ, “head” is used in the sense of The authoritative leader who leads, guides, and commands.
The goal of salvation is to have us all become new men and women in Christ just like 2 Corinthians 5:17 states – becoming new creations.
Now He describes what you were previously
• that you should no longer walk as [f]the rest of the Gentiles walk, with futile minds
• having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the blindness of their heart;
• They have given themselves over to unbridled sin
Now He enters with what you can be with the help of the Holy Spirit who is in you for without <or apart from> Him you can do nothing (Jn.15.5).
So accordingly,
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
• 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. Jesus is the Word (Jn.1.1)
• you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
• be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness
• you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness
Romans 12:1-2 says, I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Our aim is to share Jesus Christ and shine with the light that is in us by speaking the truth in love to others in 2024. Pray to be filled with the Spirit of God to do His work. AMEN
Are you willing to become new in Christ in 2024? What is your vision for OBC in the coming year? How can you help the church meet these goals?
Ephesians 4:11-24
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The New Man <what we should be becoming>
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as [f]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God,<due to sin> because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness <hardness> of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Vs 11-12 God in Jesus Christ gave skills to and through the church .Only 12 Apostles who had actually been and instructed by Jesus, and one out of time Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the disciple. Prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are present in the ministry today
As stated the purpose of these skills is for equipping us for the work of ministry to others to share Christ and other part is to edify or instruct the Church is doing its work on earth.
How long vs.13 says till we all come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ.
Faith here refers to the body of revealed truth that constitutes Biblical teaching, featuring the complete and unique content of the gospel. Oneness and harmony amongst believers are possible only when they are built on the foundation of His sound doctrine. Now, the knowledge of the Son of God. This does not refer to salvation knowledge, but to the deep knowledge of Christ that a believer comes to have through prayer, faithful study of His Word, and obedience to His commands.
The fullness of Christ. God wants every believer to manifest the qualities of His Son, who is Himself the standard for their spiritual maturity and perfection. See Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Col. 1:28, 29.
Vs.14 If we are perfected in the renewing of our minds we will need to know and to practice discernment concerning the Truths in God’s Word. Then doctrine of a contrary nature will be detected and rejected as contrary to the explicit Word of God – Andy Stanley’s departure is an exemplar
Now to the key verse, vs. 15 - 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ--
Evangelism is most effective when the truth about God and what He has done is proclaimed in love. This can be accomplished only by the spiritually mature believer who is thoroughly equipped in and unto sound doctrine. Without spiritual maturity, the truth can be cold and love little more than sentimentality, meaning the term is used but there is no love just ego and pride. grow up . . . into Him. Believers in Christ must be completely yielded and obedient to the Lord’s will, subject to His controlling power and Christlike in all areas of their lives (cf. Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21). the head. Given the picture of the church as a body whose head is Christ, “head” is used in the sense of The authoritative leader who leads, guides, and commands.
The goal of salvation is to have us all become new men and women in Christ just like 2 Corinthians 5:17 states – becoming new creations.
Now He describes what you were previously
• that you should no longer walk as [f]the rest of the Gentiles walk, with futile minds
• having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the blindness of their heart;
• They have given themselves over to unbridled sin
Now He enters with what you can be with the help of the Holy Spirit who is in you for without <or apart from> Him you can do nothing (Jn.15.5).
So accordingly,
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
• 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. Jesus is the Word (Jn.1.1)
• you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
• be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness
• you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness
Romans 12:1-2 says, I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Our aim is to share Jesus Christ and shine with the light that is in us by speaking the truth in love to others in 2024. Pray to be filled with the Spirit of God to do His work. AMEN
Dec 31 Sermon
Opportunities in 2024. Do you understand the blessing and charter you have been given as you sit in this worship service today? God in his grace and mercy has granted to each of us the opportunity to be His servant and be obedient to His call for another year. Now, we don’t know how long we have in this new year until He comes or He calls us to Himself; but the fact that God is giving you breath, strength and resources for His service might startle you even though you are saved, born and again and are trying to allow God to lead you. We should realize that God has a plan for your life. But it is not your plan – you don’t own it God does and many of us have already begun plotting what we intend to do in the new year- many churches do the same thing. Do you understand that is selfish, self-centered and has shut God and the Holy Spirit’s leading right out the door? And if we do this we will miss the opportunities that God is going to bring before us, which He wants us to be about. OOPS- do you mean we will miss the blessing and miraculous workings of God for our own self-directed eagerness? Yes is the answer and what a waste.
So we need to focus on experiencing the presence and activity of God’s, who will lead us to see the opportunities which He wants. I personally believe that 2024 has the potential to have a richness and blessing which we cannot anticipate other than to believe that is what God in Christ Jesus wants for our church.
Oakland Baptist Church and we as a body of believers need to have a vision - Proverbs 29:18 says - Where there is no revelation <prophetic vision>, the people cast off restraint;
that means the vision is revealed to us by God and is not our wants
But happy <blessed> is he who keeps the law. We will be pleased and blessed if we keep to His vision.
I believe the vision for Oakland Baptist Church in 2024 should be to seek and to serve God for His purposes in 2024. This will cause us to make a personal commitment to share and shine for Jesus this coming year
To share Jesus means you become more devoted to the study and practice of the Word of God and its truths; it also means to seek Him in prayer and to hear His voice, which will result in our being available for active service day by day.
If we do this then the love of Christ will shine out through our hearts and
So the vision for OBC is to seek and to serve the Lord Jesus for His purposes in 2024. Then we will be available to share and shine as we walk by faith day by day.
You say great but how will this be possible as I live and function in a nation and a society which is increasingly more sinful, depraved and deluded and rejecting God?
To get some practical help in making this real in our lives, let us go to 1st Corinthians 13 and read this chapter. It is only 13 verses long with the punch line at the end – faith, hope and love remain but the greatest of these is love. I read from the NKJV for reference. Let us read,
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Prayer- God we have just read your truth, open the eyes of our hearts that we may understand, believe and give us the vision to be faithful servants in this year to come- AMEN
Now many people read this as love poetry and as an expression of what love is supposed to be and how it should function. Which is ok but in this Chapter Paul is actually admonishing the church at Corinth for bad and destructive behaviors. The church was focusing on the status of individual spiritual gifts and fighting within as to individual status. In other words the classical children’s game of I am better than you are because I have and you don’t. Do you remember the nonsense of these games? I do. Anyhow, this competition was dividing the church at Corinth, ruining their fellowship and unity internally and destroying their witness and effectiveness as ministers of light for God. So Paul pens this letter of correction to them to set them straight.
I believe if we look at the Spirit filled direction Paul was giving them, there is direction for us and our obedience today. Lets look at what Paul was saying and see how it applies for opportunities for today.
In Chapter 13, the word "love" (agape ) is used referring to the deep and abiding affection of God and Christ for each other (Jn 15:10; 17:26) and for us (1Jn 4:9). It is also used of Christians in their relationship with one another (e.g., Jn 13:34-35). Christians are to love, because they belong to God.
In writing about tongues and prophecy (13:1-3), Paul is trying to counteract the excessive emphasis the Corinthians had on these gifts, which was destroying their love for Christ and for their fellow believers. This is one of the purposes of this letter but I don’t believe it is where God is leading us in our lesson today.
There are 4 distinct sections in this chapter. Verses 1-3, verses 4 to 7, verses 8 to 10 and verses 11-13, with special emphasis on verse 13.
I. In verses 1-3 without God’s love being our motivating factor we have nothing to share or give. And it is not human love which can achieve God’s work, it is agape or God’s love which he is describing. His love is so far above us we cannot fathom or sustain it. It is a parallel to what we see in the book of James concerning works. We cannot earn or work or do anything which will get us into heaven. If we attempt to serve and be obedient to God and serve others in our own strength and self-love we will undoubtedly fail for a clanging gong or sounding brass is hollow and empty and cannot sustain. We <can only> love God <and know Him> because He first loved us (1 Jn.4.19) (Jn.3.16) (Jn.15.5)
1st John 4:8 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
It is evident all through scripture that we can only love if God is in us.
So we need to grow in love in 2024 and to produce more fruit and do His will we must learn to love more completely.
II. Verses 4 to 7 tells about what is love and also what does not constitute love. Here true Christian love is described in both positive and negative terms. Its positive characteristics are patience (slow to become resentful), kindness, delight in the truth, and a protective, trusting, hopeful, and persevering attitude. Verses 4b-6a state love's negative characteristics. "Is not rude", Love "keeps no record of wrongs";. Love does not rejoice in evil, in which it has no part; but it does "rejoice with" the truth, with which it is aligned.
Further, love covers the faults of others rather than delighting in them (v.7). Love is trusting, optimistic, and willing to endure persecution In short, it "perseveres". Question is do we exhibit this kind of love as believers. Is there room for improving that should be our goal? We can only be transformed by the enduring presence of the Holy Spirt. He will enable us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove <live out or exhibit> what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
This love requires us to learn to walk in the Spirit and study the Word of God in 2024, both individually and as the church of believers.
III. Verses 8 to 10 speaks to the transient or temporary nature of all these gifts which are causing dissention. Gifts such as speaking in tongues, knowledge, prophecies and the like are identified. God is using Paul to tell believers, all these will fail eventually, when that which is perfect has come. And here is the punch line- but love never fails. This means that love endures eternally.
When we fully embrace the fact that the God’s love is what saved us, His love caused Him to send us a savior. And Jesus love for us made Him willing to suffer persecution for the joy which was set before Him and endure the cross. But it was God’s love which has been shed abroad in our hearts when we received Christ as savior. Romans 5:5 says this, Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For 2024 we need to focus on that which endures which the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and He is our hope for today, tomorrow and for eternity.
Part IV verses 11-13, talks about growing in Christian maturity. Paul's illustration of a child's thoughts and speech, real but inadequately conceived and expressed in comparison with those of mature persons (v.11), speaks to the difference between the Christian's present understanding and expression of spiritual things and the perfect understanding and expression he or she will have in idea is that of an imperfect reflection seen in a polished metal mirror (cf. Jas 1:23) of the ancient world in contrast with seeing the Lord face to face (cf. Ge 32:30; Nu 12:8. Paul's thought in verse 12b may be: today through the Word of God, I know in part; then, in the presence of the Lord, I will know God more fully. So we should seek Him more fully as we become more vested in our faith.
But the three remain- Faith – 1. to grow in our faith and confidence is God (Heb 11.6). God is always angry when we exhibit a lack of faith. Jesus castigated His disciples continually for their continued lack of faith. What we Jesus have you do in 2024 to walk in faith?
2. Hope – for God is the God of Hope and we need to continue to place our trust and confidence in Him regardless of our circumstances. Romans 15:13 says, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Love- but the greatest of these is love in learning and allowing the Holy Spirit to grow us in love for Him, for one another and for others in 2024.
Amen
Opportunities in 2024. Do you understand the blessing and charter you have been given as you sit in this worship service today? God in his grace and mercy has granted to each of us the opportunity to be His servant and be obedient to His call for another year. Now, we don’t know how long we have in this new year until He comes or He calls us to Himself; but the fact that God is giving you breath, strength and resources for His service might startle you even though you are saved, born and again and are trying to allow God to lead you. We should realize that God has a plan for your life. But it is not your plan – you don’t own it God does and many of us have already begun plotting what we intend to do in the new year- many churches do the same thing. Do you understand that is selfish, self-centered and has shut God and the Holy Spirit’s leading right out the door? And if we do this we will miss the opportunities that God is going to bring before us, which He wants us to be about. OOPS- do you mean we will miss the blessing and miraculous workings of God for our own self-directed eagerness? Yes is the answer and what a waste.
So we need to focus on experiencing the presence and activity of God’s, who will lead us to see the opportunities which He wants. I personally believe that 2024 has the potential to have a richness and blessing which we cannot anticipate other than to believe that is what God in Christ Jesus wants for our church.
Oakland Baptist Church and we as a body of believers need to have a vision - Proverbs 29:18 says - Where there is no revelation <prophetic vision>, the people cast off restraint;
that means the vision is revealed to us by God and is not our wants
But happy <blessed> is he who keeps the law. We will be pleased and blessed if we keep to His vision.
I believe the vision for Oakland Baptist Church in 2024 should be to seek and to serve God for His purposes in 2024. This will cause us to make a personal commitment to share and shine for Jesus this coming year
To share Jesus means you become more devoted to the study and practice of the Word of God and its truths; it also means to seek Him in prayer and to hear His voice, which will result in our being available for active service day by day.
If we do this then the love of Christ will shine out through our hearts and
So the vision for OBC is to seek and to serve the Lord Jesus for His purposes in 2024. Then we will be available to share and shine as we walk by faith day by day.
You say great but how will this be possible as I live and function in a nation and a society which is increasingly more sinful, depraved and deluded and rejecting God?
To get some practical help in making this real in our lives, let us go to 1st Corinthians 13 and read this chapter. It is only 13 verses long with the punch line at the end – faith, hope and love remain but the greatest of these is love. I read from the NKJV for reference. Let us read,
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Prayer- God we have just read your truth, open the eyes of our hearts that we may understand, believe and give us the vision to be faithful servants in this year to come- AMEN
Now many people read this as love poetry and as an expression of what love is supposed to be and how it should function. Which is ok but in this Chapter Paul is actually admonishing the church at Corinth for bad and destructive behaviors. The church was focusing on the status of individual spiritual gifts and fighting within as to individual status. In other words the classical children’s game of I am better than you are because I have and you don’t. Do you remember the nonsense of these games? I do. Anyhow, this competition was dividing the church at Corinth, ruining their fellowship and unity internally and destroying their witness and effectiveness as ministers of light for God. So Paul pens this letter of correction to them to set them straight.
I believe if we look at the Spirit filled direction Paul was giving them, there is direction for us and our obedience today. Lets look at what Paul was saying and see how it applies for opportunities for today.
In Chapter 13, the word "love" (agape ) is used referring to the deep and abiding affection of God and Christ for each other (Jn 15:10; 17:26) and for us (1Jn 4:9). It is also used of Christians in their relationship with one another (e.g., Jn 13:34-35). Christians are to love, because they belong to God.
In writing about tongues and prophecy (13:1-3), Paul is trying to counteract the excessive emphasis the Corinthians had on these gifts, which was destroying their love for Christ and for their fellow believers. This is one of the purposes of this letter but I don’t believe it is where God is leading us in our lesson today.
There are 4 distinct sections in this chapter. Verses 1-3, verses 4 to 7, verses 8 to 10 and verses 11-13, with special emphasis on verse 13.
I. In verses 1-3 without God’s love being our motivating factor we have nothing to share or give. And it is not human love which can achieve God’s work, it is agape or God’s love which he is describing. His love is so far above us we cannot fathom or sustain it. It is a parallel to what we see in the book of James concerning works. We cannot earn or work or do anything which will get us into heaven. If we attempt to serve and be obedient to God and serve others in our own strength and self-love we will undoubtedly fail for a clanging gong or sounding brass is hollow and empty and cannot sustain. We <can only> love God <and know Him> because He first loved us (1 Jn.4.19) (Jn.3.16) (Jn.15.5)
1st John 4:8 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
It is evident all through scripture that we can only love if God is in us.
So we need to grow in love in 2024 and to produce more fruit and do His will we must learn to love more completely.
II. Verses 4 to 7 tells about what is love and also what does not constitute love. Here true Christian love is described in both positive and negative terms. Its positive characteristics are patience (slow to become resentful), kindness, delight in the truth, and a protective, trusting, hopeful, and persevering attitude. Verses 4b-6a state love's negative characteristics. "Is not rude", Love "keeps no record of wrongs";. Love does not rejoice in evil, in which it has no part; but it does "rejoice with" the truth, with which it is aligned.
Further, love covers the faults of others rather than delighting in them (v.7). Love is trusting, optimistic, and willing to endure persecution In short, it "perseveres". Question is do we exhibit this kind of love as believers. Is there room for improving that should be our goal? We can only be transformed by the enduring presence of the Holy Spirt. He will enable us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove <live out or exhibit> what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
This love requires us to learn to walk in the Spirit and study the Word of God in 2024, both individually and as the church of believers.
III. Verses 8 to 10 speaks to the transient or temporary nature of all these gifts which are causing dissention. Gifts such as speaking in tongues, knowledge, prophecies and the like are identified. God is using Paul to tell believers, all these will fail eventually, when that which is perfect has come. And here is the punch line- but love never fails. This means that love endures eternally.
When we fully embrace the fact that the God’s love is what saved us, His love caused Him to send us a savior. And Jesus love for us made Him willing to suffer persecution for the joy which was set before Him and endure the cross. But it was God’s love which has been shed abroad in our hearts when we received Christ as savior. Romans 5:5 says this, Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For 2024 we need to focus on that which endures which the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and He is our hope for today, tomorrow and for eternity.
Part IV verses 11-13, talks about growing in Christian maturity. Paul's illustration of a child's thoughts and speech, real but inadequately conceived and expressed in comparison with those of mature persons (v.11), speaks to the difference between the Christian's present understanding and expression of spiritual things and the perfect understanding and expression he or she will have in idea is that of an imperfect reflection seen in a polished metal mirror (cf. Jas 1:23) of the ancient world in contrast with seeing the Lord face to face (cf. Ge 32:30; Nu 12:8. Paul's thought in verse 12b may be: today through the Word of God, I know in part; then, in the presence of the Lord, I will know God more fully. So we should seek Him more fully as we become more vested in our faith.
But the three remain- Faith – 1. to grow in our faith and confidence is God (Heb 11.6). God is always angry when we exhibit a lack of faith. Jesus castigated His disciples continually for their continued lack of faith. What we Jesus have you do in 2024 to walk in faith?
2. Hope – for God is the God of Hope and we need to continue to place our trust and confidence in Him regardless of our circumstances. Romans 15:13 says, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. Love- but the greatest of these is love in learning and allowing the Holy Spirit to grow us in love for Him, for one another and for others in 2024.
Amen
Dec 24 Sermon Christmas Eve
I want to talk about the wonder of that first Christmas eve. Darkness was across the face of the Earth almost in parallel with what it was like at creation. But the darkness here at Jesus birth was not so much physical as spiritual. It is very much like it is today, with so much evil, disinformation, hatred, murder, and sexual licentiousness. Yes it was a dark night, the night of His coming into the world. But this darkness is representative of the evil which surrounded the nation. An evil which perpetual as we read the books of the Old Testament leading up to the birth of Jesus. There was 400 years between the last Word from the Lord in Malachi and the coming of the Light of Jesus. 400 years of no revelation from God.
What does light represent? I believe there is so much light given at the birth of Jesus because light represents the Glory and holiness of God, in His beauty and His Majesty. The introduction of light into the beginning of Jesus life and ministry is a response to the prophet foretelling of Him and His arrival and presents us with a major shift in the life of Israel and especially for us who were not of the nation of Israel.
As we begin our journey to look at the light which came at Christmas and the coming of the great light, I would like to anchor our thoughts and understanding to one verse, in Ephesians, Chapter 1 and verse 11. Here is what it says, 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. I pray you will meditate on the reality of this verse for it struck me like a bullet to the heart. The key phrase is according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
All things in our lives and in this world operate according to this concept. What concept? according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
So, there is nothing in this life and in our lives that does not function within this concept. God is working all things out according to the counsel of His will. Yes you have free choice but God according to Romans works all thing for good, regardless of your choices.
So the God who saw our lives before creation, and the God who knew that in His perfect garden, we would sin, and who led a rebellious nation still pursues all things according to the counsel of His will, for His purpose and by His ways.
This is the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God who is over all. He brings light to destroy and defeat the sins of this world.
So let’s walk through His Word, even though the light comes first and foremost in Genesis 1 we will begin Genesis 3 with the fall of Man as he hides from God who is walking in the cool of the evening calling for Adam. Sin and darkness have now saturated God’s perfect creation. There in Chapter 3, God promises to defeat the head of the snake and restore this relationship. But it will take generations for this to be accomplished
God’s people and God’s purpose were never defeated n=by our sin, even while we chose to depart from the ways of God and to no longer honor His covenant. Sacrificing Him to the values of a sinful world, just like we are doing in our days. We have departed as a nation and are warring against God. You must realize this is a spiritual war and will only be won on our knees, through obedience and sharing the truth and shining with the light from within.
So what story does God tell through the light of His Word After and in the midst of sin God gives the prophet in Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
Israel because of their sins rejected the truth but God was planning through His grace to send the light into the world to save a people for Himself. A great light meaning a messiah was to come because God shined the light
So where do we find mention of the light of His coming?
Matthew 2
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” {a star representing the light}
Go to verse 9
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star <the light > which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
<do you see the response to the light of the star, which is the promise of His coming, with exceeding great joy. Shouldn’t that be our response? So wise men see the light and walk to find it source. But even before that who did God send the light to first? The poorest and most lowly of society- Shepherds, the outcasts from the temple who was always unclean by the religious authorities.
Go to Luke, Chapter 2.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And [b]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Choirs of angels showed up quoting the words of Isaiah We have testimony to this in Matthew 4:16
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”
In John, chapter 8:12 It says, Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (you will have light in you)
In John 9:5, Jesus says, As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.” As long as the Spirit of God is present in you and I and in this world then the light of the world is present
Further in John 11:9, Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. The light in you is the presence of God. He is ensuring if you listen and obey you will not fall utterly.
Christ Jesus’ eternal light continues on and has the same impact today as it did when Jesus was here, see In Acts 22:6, it says “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
Paul is testifying that after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to heaven many years earlier. He, Paul, is struck to the ground by the light of Christ and his life is transformed completely.
So this Christmas is the light of Christ shining in your life and in your home. If His light is not shining in your hearts you will miss Christmas. We are to called to shine with light from above. Will you join me this Christmas in celebrating the life of Christ from within?
Merry Christmas to you and if you want to know more about the light, see me soon.
Amen
I want to talk about the wonder of that first Christmas eve. Darkness was across the face of the Earth almost in parallel with what it was like at creation. But the darkness here at Jesus birth was not so much physical as spiritual. It is very much like it is today, with so much evil, disinformation, hatred, murder, and sexual licentiousness. Yes it was a dark night, the night of His coming into the world. But this darkness is representative of the evil which surrounded the nation. An evil which perpetual as we read the books of the Old Testament leading up to the birth of Jesus. There was 400 years between the last Word from the Lord in Malachi and the coming of the Light of Jesus. 400 years of no revelation from God.
What does light represent? I believe there is so much light given at the birth of Jesus because light represents the Glory and holiness of God, in His beauty and His Majesty. The introduction of light into the beginning of Jesus life and ministry is a response to the prophet foretelling of Him and His arrival and presents us with a major shift in the life of Israel and especially for us who were not of the nation of Israel.
As we begin our journey to look at the light which came at Christmas and the coming of the great light, I would like to anchor our thoughts and understanding to one verse, in Ephesians, Chapter 1 and verse 11. Here is what it says, 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. I pray you will meditate on the reality of this verse for it struck me like a bullet to the heart. The key phrase is according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
All things in our lives and in this world operate according to this concept. What concept? according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
So, there is nothing in this life and in our lives that does not function within this concept. God is working all things out according to the counsel of His will. Yes you have free choice but God according to Romans works all thing for good, regardless of your choices.
So the God who saw our lives before creation, and the God who knew that in His perfect garden, we would sin, and who led a rebellious nation still pursues all things according to the counsel of His will, for His purpose and by His ways.
This is the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God who is over all. He brings light to destroy and defeat the sins of this world.
So let’s walk through His Word, even though the light comes first and foremost in Genesis 1 we will begin Genesis 3 with the fall of Man as he hides from God who is walking in the cool of the evening calling for Adam. Sin and darkness have now saturated God’s perfect creation. There in Chapter 3, God promises to defeat the head of the snake and restore this relationship. But it will take generations for this to be accomplished
God’s people and God’s purpose were never defeated n=by our sin, even while we chose to depart from the ways of God and to no longer honor His covenant. Sacrificing Him to the values of a sinful world, just like we are doing in our days. We have departed as a nation and are warring against God. You must realize this is a spiritual war and will only be won on our knees, through obedience and sharing the truth and shining with the light from within.
So what story does God tell through the light of His Word After and in the midst of sin God gives the prophet in Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
Israel because of their sins rejected the truth but God was planning through His grace to send the light into the world to save a people for Himself. A great light meaning a messiah was to come because God shined the light
So where do we find mention of the light of His coming?
Matthew 2
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” {a star representing the light}
Go to verse 9
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star <the light > which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
<do you see the response to the light of the star, which is the promise of His coming, with exceeding great joy. Shouldn’t that be our response? So wise men see the light and walk to find it source. But even before that who did God send the light to first? The poorest and most lowly of society- Shepherds, the outcasts from the temple who was always unclean by the religious authorities.
Go to Luke, Chapter 2.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And [b]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Choirs of angels showed up quoting the words of Isaiah We have testimony to this in Matthew 4:16
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”
In John, chapter 8:12 It says, Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (you will have light in you)
In John 9:5, Jesus says, As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.” As long as the Spirit of God is present in you and I and in this world then the light of the world is present
Further in John 11:9, Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. The light in you is the presence of God. He is ensuring if you listen and obey you will not fall utterly.
Christ Jesus’ eternal light continues on and has the same impact today as it did when Jesus was here, see In Acts 22:6, it says “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
Paul is testifying that after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to heaven many years earlier. He, Paul, is struck to the ground by the light of Christ and his life is transformed completely.
So this Christmas is the light of Christ shining in your life and in your home. If His light is not shining in your hearts you will miss Christmas. We are to called to shine with light from above. Will you join me this Christmas in celebrating the life of Christ from within?
Merry Christmas to you and if you want to know more about the light, see me soon.
Amen
Dec 17 Sermon
“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
The educated man is ignorant, the strong man is weak, and the wealthy man is poor who doesn’t understand the true meaning of Christmas. And each one fears something in their life.
Tell me what benefit is it to men on the moon or on Mars if we can’t get Christ in our hearts? What good is it to know astronomy, and how the heavens move, and not know Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star, and how to be assured of going to Heaven? What good is it to know botany and the study of nature and its functions and not know Jesus, Heaven’s sweetest rose, the Rose of Sharon, who can perfume any life? What good is it to know all history, yet not know that history is His story? What good is it to know geology and the ages of rocks and not know Jesus, the Rock of Ages? “For it is in Him we live and move and have our being”
Jesus was not just another child. He was not just the Galilean peasant, the great teacher. He was supernatural and He is God
The first Christmas God sent a package to earth. This package was a gift of deity wrapped up in humanity. What a marvelous thing this is. It’s supernatural.
You and I will not understand Christmas until we understand that this child was born of a virgin. This child is supernaturally birthed and is the very Son of God. Never forget this. Read the words of Isaiah 9:6-7. Let his prophecy about this child speak to you today.
The name Immanuel reminds us of this glorious promise of our eternal Father to His people. He is not a remote or distant God, but a God who is “with us.” This promise of the Lord’s sustaining presence has sustained many in their grief and devastation.“
Repeatedly in the Old Testament books, we are reminded that God is with His people. After the death of Moses, Joshua is faced with the frightening prospect of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, which is full of pagan tribes. Here is the promise to Joshua: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9).
Facing overwhelming armies, King Jehoshaphat is told, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. … the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17). Similarly, King Hezekiah, facing the mass of Assyrians, is again told not to be afraid or dismayed, for “with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:8). The Psalmist repeats that even in the valley of the shadow of death, God’s people should fear no evil, “for Thou are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Psalm 46 states in verse 10 than being anxious and afraid, we are told: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Peace in the midst of turmoil and confusion? Yes. We can trust our God, knowing that He is “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1) and is with us.
Should then we be surprised that one of the wonderful descriptive names given to our Savior is Immanuel. Matthew’s gospel account quotes from Isaiah 7:14, In Matthew, Chapter 1 verse 23 he writes, “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.’ “God with us” is one of the essential truths of Christmas. A truth that dispels loneliness and fear, brings comfort to our grieving hearts and provides peace to our anxious souls. With the arrival of God’s Son to Earth at Christmas, we celebrate that the great, eternal, awesome God who is now with us: Immanuel.
So the promise of Immanuel – God with us is delivered by Jesus as we live “in Him.” What does this mean, this having Jesus in our hearts? It means He:
1. Relieves man’s greatest fear
2. Solves man’s greatest need
3. Provides God’s greatest gift
4 Delivers a promise that no one else can match.
As we study God’s Word we will find the answers to these things. So number Point # 1 - Immanuel relieves man’s greatest fear. Man’s greatest fear is the fear of being alone. Many psychological studies and examination of men and women in total isolation provides insight into the human condition of what happens when we are totally isolated and alone with no interaction. The history of prisoners of war who were kept in isolation, whether it be the Korean war, Vietnam or more recent examples of people being totally isolated for over 438 days provides insight into what happens in the heart, mind and spirits of those kept. Many of those POWs actually committed suicide by losing heart and their touch with reality. They simply gave up and pulled a blanket over their heads and willed themselves to die. Many people hallucinate, demonstrate highly fearful and self-destructive behaviors, schizophrenia an lose touch with reality. God created men and women to interact with Him and have a personal relationship with Him. Many have died in their sins because they do not know the God who promises to be in us and with us. His name is Immanuel. Remember all the verses we just examined Joshua, Jehoshaphat, Moses, Hezekiah, all faced fearful and difficult circumstances and had to be reminded them that God would never leave them or forsake them. So having been saved by grace through faith and having calling upon the name of Jesus by whosoever will, allows the gift of Immanuel <God with us > to overcome our fear of being alone, because Jesus Christ is always present. Remember what God said in Genesis 2:18, " And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” We were never meant to live and function in isolation and the third but most essential part of this relationship is God as Immanuel is the apex of the triangle.
Point #2- Immanuel solves man’s greatest need. The bible is quite clear about what our need is. We have a chronic and incurable disease which is called by sin. Because of the fall of man we have a sin nature, which we are born with. The bible says quite clearly that, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 2:23). “The wages of sin is death” according to Romans 6:23 and none of us is righteous no not one and so none of all could ever stand in the presence of God on the basis of what we had done or served or given to God. But the miracle of grace which was given by God was a savior called Jesus, who from ages past was called Immanuel – God with us. The miracle of miracles is that God sent His Son in the midst of a sinful, God hating and rejecting people. Romans 5:8 should be written on the walls of your heart. It says that “8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Without Immanuel there would be no forgiveness of sins, meaning none of us would receive salvation through justification of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. So Immanuel when He is received by faith into the heart of a sinner saved by grace, has paid the sin debt, given you salvation by grace through faith and has eternally made you a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lord. The promise in John 14 is that where He is you will be also from the day, date, hour, minute and second your received Him. This is Immanuel God with us.
Point #3 -Immanuel provides us God’s greatest gift perpetually and eternally.
The very second you by faith ask to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, you are asking Immanuel, God with us, to come in and take up permanent residence in your lives not just for a moment but for eternity.
God does what you cannot do He seals you into Himself by the Holy Spirit of promise for eternity. He actually gives you a part of Himself as earnest <down payment> for your future redemption and translation into the Kingdom of Heaven. He does this not because of any merit on your part but He is providing Him your next step of salvation which is sanctification _ meaning I am being saved
Let’s understand something those who choose not to receive God in the Lord Jesus Christ do so deliberately. According to the Word of God, in Romans 1:20- 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
As a second measure God gives each of us a conscience to help us train our minds and find the truth. In Romans Chapter 2 it says in verses 14 to 16: for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. So there is no excuse. When men and women, boys and girls refuse the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ it has eternal and supernatural consequences. You are committing the unpardonable sin of rejecting the Holy Spirit of God.
Read Romans Chapter 6 vs 19-20 , good there proof of the truth. You will find there that Jesus has move His temple from a building to the human heart – for you are the temple of the Holy Spirit and you are not your own. You have been bought with the price of blood that comes from Immanuel’s veins.
Point #4 – Jesus as Immanuel, forever delivers a promise which no one else can deliver. He gives us the Philippians 4:6-8, 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
No one else can give us the mind of Christ. AMEN
Jesus our Immanuel
'
“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
The educated man is ignorant, the strong man is weak, and the wealthy man is poor who doesn’t understand the true meaning of Christmas. And each one fears something in their life.
Tell me what benefit is it to men on the moon or on Mars if we can’t get Christ in our hearts? What good is it to know astronomy, and how the heavens move, and not know Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star, and how to be assured of going to Heaven? What good is it to know botany and the study of nature and its functions and not know Jesus, Heaven’s sweetest rose, the Rose of Sharon, who can perfume any life? What good is it to know all history, yet not know that history is His story? What good is it to know geology and the ages of rocks and not know Jesus, the Rock of Ages? “For it is in Him we live and move and have our being”
Jesus was not just another child. He was not just the Galilean peasant, the great teacher. He was supernatural and He is God
The first Christmas God sent a package to earth. This package was a gift of deity wrapped up in humanity. What a marvelous thing this is. It’s supernatural.
You and I will not understand Christmas until we understand that this child was born of a virgin. This child is supernaturally birthed and is the very Son of God. Never forget this. Read the words of Isaiah 9:6-7. Let his prophecy about this child speak to you today.
The name Immanuel reminds us of this glorious promise of our eternal Father to His people. He is not a remote or distant God, but a God who is “with us.” This promise of the Lord’s sustaining presence has sustained many in their grief and devastation.“
Repeatedly in the Old Testament books, we are reminded that God is with His people. After the death of Moses, Joshua is faced with the frightening prospect of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, which is full of pagan tribes. Here is the promise to Joshua: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9).
Facing overwhelming armies, King Jehoshaphat is told, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. … the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17). Similarly, King Hezekiah, facing the mass of Assyrians, is again told not to be afraid or dismayed, for “with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:8). The Psalmist repeats that even in the valley of the shadow of death, God’s people should fear no evil, “for Thou are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Psalm 46 states in verse 10 than being anxious and afraid, we are told: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Peace in the midst of turmoil and confusion? Yes. We can trust our God, knowing that He is “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1) and is with us.
Should then we be surprised that one of the wonderful descriptive names given to our Savior is Immanuel. Matthew’s gospel account quotes from Isaiah 7:14, In Matthew, Chapter 1 verse 23 he writes, “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.’ “God with us” is one of the essential truths of Christmas. A truth that dispels loneliness and fear, brings comfort to our grieving hearts and provides peace to our anxious souls. With the arrival of God’s Son to Earth at Christmas, we celebrate that the great, eternal, awesome God who is now with us: Immanuel.
So the promise of Immanuel – God with us is delivered by Jesus as we live “in Him.” What does this mean, this having Jesus in our hearts? It means He:
1. Relieves man’s greatest fear
2. Solves man’s greatest need
3. Provides God’s greatest gift
4 Delivers a promise that no one else can match.
As we study God’s Word we will find the answers to these things. So number Point # 1 - Immanuel relieves man’s greatest fear. Man’s greatest fear is the fear of being alone. Many psychological studies and examination of men and women in total isolation provides insight into the human condition of what happens when we are totally isolated and alone with no interaction. The history of prisoners of war who were kept in isolation, whether it be the Korean war, Vietnam or more recent examples of people being totally isolated for over 438 days provides insight into what happens in the heart, mind and spirits of those kept. Many of those POWs actually committed suicide by losing heart and their touch with reality. They simply gave up and pulled a blanket over their heads and willed themselves to die. Many people hallucinate, demonstrate highly fearful and self-destructive behaviors, schizophrenia an lose touch with reality. God created men and women to interact with Him and have a personal relationship with Him. Many have died in their sins because they do not know the God who promises to be in us and with us. His name is Immanuel. Remember all the verses we just examined Joshua, Jehoshaphat, Moses, Hezekiah, all faced fearful and difficult circumstances and had to be reminded them that God would never leave them or forsake them. So having been saved by grace through faith and having calling upon the name of Jesus by whosoever will, allows the gift of Immanuel <God with us > to overcome our fear of being alone, because Jesus Christ is always present. Remember what God said in Genesis 2:18, " And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” We were never meant to live and function in isolation and the third but most essential part of this relationship is God as Immanuel is the apex of the triangle.
Point #2- Immanuel solves man’s greatest need. The bible is quite clear about what our need is. We have a chronic and incurable disease which is called by sin. Because of the fall of man we have a sin nature, which we are born with. The bible says quite clearly that, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 2:23). “The wages of sin is death” according to Romans 6:23 and none of us is righteous no not one and so none of all could ever stand in the presence of God on the basis of what we had done or served or given to God. But the miracle of grace which was given by God was a savior called Jesus, who from ages past was called Immanuel – God with us. The miracle of miracles is that God sent His Son in the midst of a sinful, God hating and rejecting people. Romans 5:8 should be written on the walls of your heart. It says that “8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Without Immanuel there would be no forgiveness of sins, meaning none of us would receive salvation through justification of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. So Immanuel when He is received by faith into the heart of a sinner saved by grace, has paid the sin debt, given you salvation by grace through faith and has eternally made you a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lord. The promise in John 14 is that where He is you will be also from the day, date, hour, minute and second your received Him. This is Immanuel God with us.
Point #3 -Immanuel provides us God’s greatest gift perpetually and eternally.
The very second you by faith ask to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, you are asking Immanuel, God with us, to come in and take up permanent residence in your lives not just for a moment but for eternity.
God does what you cannot do He seals you into Himself by the Holy Spirit of promise for eternity. He actually gives you a part of Himself as earnest <down payment> for your future redemption and translation into the Kingdom of Heaven. He does this not because of any merit on your part but He is providing Him your next step of salvation which is sanctification _ meaning I am being saved
Let’s understand something those who choose not to receive God in the Lord Jesus Christ do so deliberately. According to the Word of God, in Romans 1:20- 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
As a second measure God gives each of us a conscience to help us train our minds and find the truth. In Romans Chapter 2 it says in verses 14 to 16: for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. So there is no excuse. When men and women, boys and girls refuse the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ it has eternal and supernatural consequences. You are committing the unpardonable sin of rejecting the Holy Spirit of God.
Read Romans Chapter 6 vs 19-20 , good there proof of the truth. You will find there that Jesus has move His temple from a building to the human heart – for you are the temple of the Holy Spirit and you are not your own. You have been bought with the price of blood that comes from Immanuel’s veins.
Point #4 – Jesus as Immanuel, forever delivers a promise which no one else can deliver. He gives us the Philippians 4:6-8, 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
No one else can give us the mind of Christ. AMEN
Jesus our Immanuel
'
Dec 10 Sermon
Do you really know and appreciate our God, the Almighty God of the heavens? I am not so sure that I do. For all of a sudden, He gives me a word, or a phrase or a circumstance which I can relate to what He has done or has been doing, back since my childhood. The other day He took me reminiscing about something I used to do as a child for amusement in church? I now know that by my immature and ignorant response I did not understand that He was trying to speak to my heart; but I was nowhere and in no way inclined to listen or respond. Just too immature and blind to acknowledge His ways. But now I can see He had been working way back when in my life.
So now, He has given me this idea about blindness. Not physical blindness but spiritual blindness; and then He associates that with the idea of His name is Wonderful. Next, He builds a picture of how this all comes together at the advent or the birth date of His Son. Hopefully you will see and understand this in our lesson for today.
Did you ever stop to consider that Almighty God, the maker of heaven and earth, is the great orchestrator and He does not miss a single detail in His creation and linking all things perfectly. You could start by just looking at the timing of the birth of Jesus. We will not do that here but it might be good as you prepare for your Christmas.
We will begin in Isaiah Chapter 9, just verse 2, to begin with, and then we will later discuss verses 6 and 7. Read verse 2 with me,
2The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
May God bless His Word to our hearts and our understanding. AMEN
Remember with me, God in creation separated the darkness from the light and called them day and night. Here in Isaiah’s text the prophet is talking about the spiritual darkness created by sin. Which is very much like we have in our world today. We have read passages with similar messages from Jesus speaking in Matt. Chapter 24, Paul in his letters to the Churches, Jude and his letter, John and the prophets together all speak about sin and the spiritual darkness. You can go to the Gospel of John Chapter 1 where Jesus is called the light shining in the darkness, and the darkness could not comprehend or overshadow/dampen it or put it out.
Spiritual darkness is rampant in our world – many people question -why are we here? What are we made for? Is there really a God and I have read the Bible and not understood it or I have no interest in God, heaven or Jesus.
This is the beauty, the majesty and the wonder of Christmas that God, that on a dark night, in a time of great famine for the Word of God – 400 years since God had intervened; in a place where the spiritual and political leadership, and those supposed to be serving the people were all corrupt, having lost their heart for God and were spiritually blind. Why because they had reject God’s rule, making impure tithes, worshiping other Gods and sacrificing their children to idols- very much like we are doing today. Satan is a liar from the beginning and his objective is to destroy in hell what God has created for good.(Jn.8.44)
But darkness of the spirit creates despair, destroys hope and diminishes faith in God and in His plan and purpose “to give you a future and a hope.” Many in our world are living in that place today with all the drug use, addiction to cell phones, pornography and ever other vice which removes us for the pain of living in this world and at this time.
But God has a plan and it begins in verse 6 of Chapter 9 O Isaiah, please read;
6 For unto us a Child is born, <not just any baby>
Unto us a Son is given; <Son of God>
And the government will be upon His shoulder. <rulership of this world>
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Let’s only focus today on verse 6 and the first phrase of verse 7 only.
Isaiah’s message is that God is going to send someone, Who? His only holy and perfect Son is whom He will send. His Son who created all, so He will rule all creation and all created beings. That perfect and right rulership begins in a transformed human heart which has been purified and cleansed so it can even recognize or receive the truth, and by faith repent, then believe and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and the Son of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
So in His perfect timing of absolute darkness – night; He comes the light of our world - Jesus Christ and His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
These terms could also be used to describe the unity between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Wonderful is Jesus name, His name is Wonderful. Counselor could also relate to the Holy Spirit and Mighty God and Everlasting Father to God the Father and again Prince of Peace to Jesus Himself.
Have you ever considered Jesus as Wonderful? Wonderful is an adjective. The definition of is:
So God planned for Jesus to come in the middle of the night, in the darkness representing the spiritual darkness and they saw a great star in the East announcing His birth and the Magi followed the light to find the savior of all those willing to receive the gift of His Son and that He is Wonderful, splendid, astonishing, outside anything you could ever imagine.
We close with this story from the book of Judges about the birth of Sampson – gee another special baby. When Mrs. Manoah, who was barren told Mr. Manoah <her name is never told in the book> that a “man” came today and told her she would bear a son and he was to be a “Nazarite from birth.” Manoah said show me the man and the man, just happened to be “the Angel of the Lord.” A pre-incarnate visit from the Son of God, who we call Jesus. We read in
Judges Chapter 13: 17-18, . 17 Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?”
18 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”
And the person called Wonderful is the Spiritual and soon to be physical Light of the World and darkness flees and fears the light. He wants to be the light of your life will you surrender to Him today?
God has a plan for your life, a perfect plan. Will you walk with Him today to discover His will for your life? I believe you’ll find that the package He prepares for you and the life He lives in you will be astonishing and forever a blessing starting from today, for today is the day of Salvation AMEN
Do you really know and appreciate our God, the Almighty God of the heavens? I am not so sure that I do. For all of a sudden, He gives me a word, or a phrase or a circumstance which I can relate to what He has done or has been doing, back since my childhood. The other day He took me reminiscing about something I used to do as a child for amusement in church? I now know that by my immature and ignorant response I did not understand that He was trying to speak to my heart; but I was nowhere and in no way inclined to listen or respond. Just too immature and blind to acknowledge His ways. But now I can see He had been working way back when in my life.
So now, He has given me this idea about blindness. Not physical blindness but spiritual blindness; and then He associates that with the idea of His name is Wonderful. Next, He builds a picture of how this all comes together at the advent or the birth date of His Son. Hopefully you will see and understand this in our lesson for today.
Did you ever stop to consider that Almighty God, the maker of heaven and earth, is the great orchestrator and He does not miss a single detail in His creation and linking all things perfectly. You could start by just looking at the timing of the birth of Jesus. We will not do that here but it might be good as you prepare for your Christmas.
We will begin in Isaiah Chapter 9, just verse 2, to begin with, and then we will later discuss verses 6 and 7. Read verse 2 with me,
2The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
May God bless His Word to our hearts and our understanding. AMEN
Remember with me, God in creation separated the darkness from the light and called them day and night. Here in Isaiah’s text the prophet is talking about the spiritual darkness created by sin. Which is very much like we have in our world today. We have read passages with similar messages from Jesus speaking in Matt. Chapter 24, Paul in his letters to the Churches, Jude and his letter, John and the prophets together all speak about sin and the spiritual darkness. You can go to the Gospel of John Chapter 1 where Jesus is called the light shining in the darkness, and the darkness could not comprehend or overshadow/dampen it or put it out.
Spiritual darkness is rampant in our world – many people question -why are we here? What are we made for? Is there really a God and I have read the Bible and not understood it or I have no interest in God, heaven or Jesus.
This is the beauty, the majesty and the wonder of Christmas that God, that on a dark night, in a time of great famine for the Word of God – 400 years since God had intervened; in a place where the spiritual and political leadership, and those supposed to be serving the people were all corrupt, having lost their heart for God and were spiritually blind. Why because they had reject God’s rule, making impure tithes, worshiping other Gods and sacrificing their children to idols- very much like we are doing today. Satan is a liar from the beginning and his objective is to destroy in hell what God has created for good.(Jn.8.44)
But darkness of the spirit creates despair, destroys hope and diminishes faith in God and in His plan and purpose “to give you a future and a hope.” Many in our world are living in that place today with all the drug use, addiction to cell phones, pornography and ever other vice which removes us for the pain of living in this world and at this time.
But God has a plan and it begins in verse 6 of Chapter 9 O Isaiah, please read;
6 For unto us a Child is born, <not just any baby>
Unto us a Son is given; <Son of God>
And the government will be upon His shoulder. <rulership of this world>
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Let’s only focus today on verse 6 and the first phrase of verse 7 only.
Isaiah’s message is that God is going to send someone, Who? His only holy and perfect Son is whom He will send. His Son who created all, so He will rule all creation and all created beings. That perfect and right rulership begins in a transformed human heart which has been purified and cleansed so it can even recognize or receive the truth, and by faith repent, then believe and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and the Son of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
So in His perfect timing of absolute darkness – night; He comes the light of our world - Jesus Christ and His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
These terms could also be used to describe the unity between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Wonderful is Jesus name, His name is Wonderful. Counselor could also relate to the Holy Spirit and Mighty God and Everlasting Father to God the Father and again Prince of Peace to Jesus Himself.
Have you ever considered Jesus as Wonderful? Wonderful is an adjective. The definition of is:
- Admirable or very good; excellent or splendid.
- Capable of eliciting wonder; astonishing.
- Adapted to excite wonder or admiration; surprising; strange; astonishing.
So God planned for Jesus to come in the middle of the night, in the darkness representing the spiritual darkness and they saw a great star in the East announcing His birth and the Magi followed the light to find the savior of all those willing to receive the gift of His Son and that He is Wonderful, splendid, astonishing, outside anything you could ever imagine.
We close with this story from the book of Judges about the birth of Sampson – gee another special baby. When Mrs. Manoah, who was barren told Mr. Manoah <her name is never told in the book> that a “man” came today and told her she would bear a son and he was to be a “Nazarite from birth.” Manoah said show me the man and the man, just happened to be “the Angel of the Lord.” A pre-incarnate visit from the Son of God, who we call Jesus. We read in
Judges Chapter 13: 17-18, . 17 Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?”
18 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”
And the person called Wonderful is the Spiritual and soon to be physical Light of the World and darkness flees and fears the light. He wants to be the light of your life will you surrender to Him today?
God has a plan for your life, a perfect plan. Will you walk with Him today to discover His will for your life? I believe you’ll find that the package He prepares for you and the life He lives in you will be astonishing and forever a blessing starting from today, for today is the day of Salvation AMEN
Dec 3 Christmas Program Sermon
One of the great lines from the story, T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house, is the ending where Santa says, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Meaning may the gifts and the season please you and give you rest.
The expectation of the watchers that night was that there was a real Santa Clause who provided great gifts for all the children. This is a great and powerful belief, but there is one which is a whole lot better and more lasting than any gift which may be left under the green and sparkling lights of our Christmas tree. This Gift comes from our Father in heaven who uniquely created each one of us and that gift is a person and His name is Jesus – the Son of God. The gift that comes through trusting Him and believing and asking Jesus into our hearts is an everlasting and transforming gift which is unimaginable.
In the Bible in the book of Acts Chapter 9, when we read this text we see the awesome reality of an encounter with the risen and glorified Christ and the gifts He imparts.
If you will allow me to paraphrase some of the events in Chapter 9, it begins essentially as an event having two players. The main character is Saul of Tarsus who will soon become Paul the Apostle and a little know individual called Ananias. Now this is not the Ananias the high priest many of us think about who was part of the priesthood. This Ananias was the faithful mall-town servant of the Lord in Damascus.
Saul in on the way to Damascus to put those disbelieving Christians in jail for being deniers of the rightful laws of Judaism. According to what Paul knew before encountering Jesus, they had to earn their way into heaven my keeping the law and temple worship, purifying themselves according to the law of Moses, not by having faith and trusting in some dead criminal, who had died on a Roman cross. To be hung on a tree according to His bible was to be accursed of God. So Saul/Paul is thinking he is earning merit badges for heaven by persecuting people of the Way – which we now call Christians.
But a funny thing happens on the way to Damascus- Jesus comes and encounters Saul of Tarsus and changes everything. This fire breathing dragon of the Jewish Temple leadership in verses 3 through 6 is thrown down to the ground, blinded by the light of Jesus glorious presence and told to go wait for further instructions on the street called – no less straight.
Now Saul has been laid low and there has been a significant change in his attitude. For after Jesus spoke to Saul, he addressed Him as Lord. Saul recognized that this one whom he thought was dead was actually alive and He was God.
Secondly Saul realized what he was doing in having believers killed and imprisoned was not God’s will. He was so blinded to the truth He could not recognize the truth .
Third, because of his confusion Saul asked Jesus what was He to do. Jesus said Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Ananias then enters the picture for as a faithful servant of the Lord, he is told by Jesus to go and tell Saul what he is to do for the Lord Jesus Christ. Never discount what you may be called to do for the Lord which has eternal significance. You can and should read in Acts, Chapter9, verses 15 to 19, what Jesus commanded Saul to go and do.
{15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children[c] of Israel.16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”}
Let’s summarize the gift’s that came to us because of the birth of Jesus, his living a sinless life, with His death on a cross, and His resurrection and ascension into heaven.
First without the birth of Jesus we would not have a savior who could pay the sin debt. Our sinfulness separates us from God our Father. Because the heavenly Father is perfect and you can’t pay the penalty for your sin {which is death} you could never go to heaven. Jesus paid that sin debt for you.
Second without the birth of Jesus you could never have the ability to live eternally with Him in heaven.
Third without the birth of Jesus you would not have new life in Christ today and can be a different person, a servant to the living God. Sin would rule in you bodies and minds until you died. But with Jesus today you can live as a new creations.
Fourth without the birth of Jesus you would not have the Holy Spirit of God living within you. He is the teacher, the comforter, the Spirit of truth guiding you into all truth. He seals you as a believer in Christ.
This is why receiving Jesus Christ is the greatest gift you could ever receiver for Christmas. Have you asked Him in your heart today?
One of the great lines from the story, T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house, is the ending where Santa says, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Meaning may the gifts and the season please you and give you rest.
The expectation of the watchers that night was that there was a real Santa Clause who provided great gifts for all the children. This is a great and powerful belief, but there is one which is a whole lot better and more lasting than any gift which may be left under the green and sparkling lights of our Christmas tree. This Gift comes from our Father in heaven who uniquely created each one of us and that gift is a person and His name is Jesus – the Son of God. The gift that comes through trusting Him and believing and asking Jesus into our hearts is an everlasting and transforming gift which is unimaginable.
In the Bible in the book of Acts Chapter 9, when we read this text we see the awesome reality of an encounter with the risen and glorified Christ and the gifts He imparts.
If you will allow me to paraphrase some of the events in Chapter 9, it begins essentially as an event having two players. The main character is Saul of Tarsus who will soon become Paul the Apostle and a little know individual called Ananias. Now this is not the Ananias the high priest many of us think about who was part of the priesthood. This Ananias was the faithful mall-town servant of the Lord in Damascus.
Saul in on the way to Damascus to put those disbelieving Christians in jail for being deniers of the rightful laws of Judaism. According to what Paul knew before encountering Jesus, they had to earn their way into heaven my keeping the law and temple worship, purifying themselves according to the law of Moses, not by having faith and trusting in some dead criminal, who had died on a Roman cross. To be hung on a tree according to His bible was to be accursed of God. So Saul/Paul is thinking he is earning merit badges for heaven by persecuting people of the Way – which we now call Christians.
But a funny thing happens on the way to Damascus- Jesus comes and encounters Saul of Tarsus and changes everything. This fire breathing dragon of the Jewish Temple leadership in verses 3 through 6 is thrown down to the ground, blinded by the light of Jesus glorious presence and told to go wait for further instructions on the street called – no less straight.
Now Saul has been laid low and there has been a significant change in his attitude. For after Jesus spoke to Saul, he addressed Him as Lord. Saul recognized that this one whom he thought was dead was actually alive and He was God.
Secondly Saul realized what he was doing in having believers killed and imprisoned was not God’s will. He was so blinded to the truth He could not recognize the truth .
Third, because of his confusion Saul asked Jesus what was He to do. Jesus said Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Ananias then enters the picture for as a faithful servant of the Lord, he is told by Jesus to go and tell Saul what he is to do for the Lord Jesus Christ. Never discount what you may be called to do for the Lord which has eternal significance. You can and should read in Acts, Chapter9, verses 15 to 19, what Jesus commanded Saul to go and do.
{15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children[c] of Israel.16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”}
Let’s summarize the gift’s that came to us because of the birth of Jesus, his living a sinless life, with His death on a cross, and His resurrection and ascension into heaven.
First without the birth of Jesus we would not have a savior who could pay the sin debt. Our sinfulness separates us from God our Father. Because the heavenly Father is perfect and you can’t pay the penalty for your sin {which is death} you could never go to heaven. Jesus paid that sin debt for you.
Second without the birth of Jesus you could never have the ability to live eternally with Him in heaven.
Third without the birth of Jesus you would not have new life in Christ today and can be a different person, a servant to the living God. Sin would rule in you bodies and minds until you died. But with Jesus today you can live as a new creations.
Fourth without the birth of Jesus you would not have the Holy Spirit of God living within you. He is the teacher, the comforter, the Spirit of truth guiding you into all truth. He seals you as a believer in Christ.
This is why receiving Jesus Christ is the greatest gift you could ever receiver for Christmas. Have you asked Him in your heart today?
Nov 26 Sermon
Summary: Jude, the shortest book, but packed with wisdomThe Book of Jude, one of the shortest books in the New Testament, is a powerful yet often overlooked letter that offers a unique perspective on the Christian faith. This epistle, attributed to Jude, the brother of James and a servant of Jesus Christ, is a severe blend of warning, exhortation, and encouragement. Despite its shortness, Jude provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by early Christians and offers direct lessons for us as believers today.
Historical and Contextual Background
Dating the Book of Jude is a matter of debate, but it is likely that it was written in the late first century, shortly after the Gospels and other New Testament letters. The book is primarily addressed to early Christian communities, making them aware of the growing threat posed by false teachers and encouraging them to remain steadfast in their faith.
The central theme of Jude is the warning against false teachers and their ungodly influence within the church.
INTRODUCTION
In several passages throughout the New Testament, we find serious warnings about impending apostasy and the end of the age as we have known it.
Jesus warned us of false prophets who would arise, the love of many would grow cold, and only those who endure to the end would be saved - Mt 24:11-13
Paul foretold of many disciples being drawn away - Ac 20:29-30
Peter warned about the rise of false teachers, and how many would follow their destructive ways - 2Pe 2:1-3
But by the time the epistles of John and Jude were written, the danger was no longer impending, it was very real and happening.
Antichrists were present, and false prophets were in the world - 1Jn 2:18; 4:1; 2
Jude was forced to change his original purpose to deal with the crisis - Jude 3-4
If the danger of apostasy was already present in the First Century. We should not be surprised that these dangers exists today. So we should pay close heed to those epistles written to tell us how to survive and live as believers today.
This fact makes Jude’s book highly relevant, and this lesson important to us all. We begin in verses 1-2, as Jude begins his letter in typical fashion:
He identifies himself...
As "a servant of Jesus Christ" and "brother of James". It is likely that James was the brother of the Lord who had become prominent in the church at Jerusalem - cf. Ga 1:16; 2:9 And this would mean Jude was also a brother to the Lord Jesus - cf. also Mt 13:54-56
He then addresses his readers...as "those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:"
He concludes his greeting with a three-fold benediction: "Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you"
Notice, how Jude addressed his readers - Jude's purpose is to warn of those "ungodly men" who have crept in
That such a warning was and is necessary indicates a danger that is real: which is being led away from the faith
I would like for us to focus on three words in the title of our study: "Called! Sanctified! And Preserved!" Let's begin with Christians being Called
THOSE IN CHRIST HAVE BEEN "CALLED"...
We have been called with "a holy calling" - 2Ti 1:9
Jesus said in John 15:16 – Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you
This calling was not according to our meritorious works. It was according to God's own purpose and grace before time began
Our "Calling" Comes Through The Word of God and the wooing of the Holy Spirit (John 3)...ye must be born again
We became God's chosen and called through the means of the gospel of grace- 2Th 2:13-14
By commanding the gospel be preached to "every creature", the call is made available to all - cf. Mk 16:15-16
This is consistent with God's offer of His Son to be "a ransom for many" - 1Ti 2:5-6
And agrees with the Lord's pronouncement that "not any should perish", but that "all should come to repentance" - 2Pe 3:9. Our responsibility as having been born from above and having accepted the "Call", is to make our "CALLING AND ELECTION SURE"...
To make our call and election secure requires due diligence on our part -
Otherwise, we will be like the Israelites in the wilderness - He 3:12-19; 4:1-2,11
All the Israelites were called by God to enter the Promised Land of rest. But most were unable to enter the promised land because of their lack of unbelief and resultant disobedience to God and His word.
Related to the concept of being "called", is the idea that by God's grace we are also
"SANCTIFIED" BY GOD THE FATHER
The Words "Sanctify", "Sanctification"...
Are translated from the Greek word "hagiazo" {hag-ee-ad'-zo}, which means to make holy, to set apart for a special purpose. So God has set apart those who have been called
II. What is the means of Sanctification?
According to our Scriptures this is the work of the Holy Spirit of God, see
We are "sanctified by the Holy Spirit" - Ro 15:16
We are "sanctified...by the Spirit of our God" - 1Co 6:11
We are "sanctification by the Spirit" – 2 Th 2:13
III. Sanctification Is also how the Word of God works in our lives
Jesus said in John 17,"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." - Jn 17:17
"that He might sanctify...by the word" - Ep 5:26
Since the Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17), the Word is used by the Spirit to help accomplish our sanctification
IV. The Progress of SANCTIFICATION...:
The church at Corinth was made up of members...Who were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" - 1Co 1:2. Who had been "sanctified" - 1Co 6:11. Yet, many of these same members were "babes in Christ" and "carnal" - 1Co 3:1-3
In the book of Hebrews, it speaks of those in Christ are "being sanctified" - He 2:11
V. Now what is involved with being "Preserved" in Jesus Christ.
What is the meaning of preserved - It comes from the Greek word "tereo" {tay-reh'-o} - Which means "to guard (from loss or injury)"
It describes something which is closely monitored and guarded. These word speaks of our preservation in Christ.
Our lives are being carefully "guarded" in Christ! Peter uses a different word) to express a similar idea in 1Peter 1:5
Paul used yet another word (sozo, sode'-zo) to express his own confidence in God's preserving power in – 2 Tim 4:18
Jesus gives us the ultimate reassurance with His statement to His disciples that :”no one could "snatch" them out of His Father’s hand”-. John 10:27-29
Does this mean there no personal responsibility to remain "preserved in Jesus Christ"?
Yes there is personal responsibility
Jude uses the same word for "preserved" in Jude 21: "keep yourselves..." And we must actively Contend for the faith both within our hearts and also with the world and flesh around us.
Then we must strive to have faith and obey God and to be led by the Spirit of God as prime drivers. We must rely on
as Peter indicated, we are "kept by the power of God through faith" – 1 Peter 1:5
Philippians 2:13 also says “for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” And God is working out your salvation for His good pleasure and He has written your name in the Lamb’s book of life so , He will never leave you or forsake you.”
Yes, we can fall away deeply in sin just look at the Bible, but if we are truly saved and have been born from above then God’s Spirt will convict you of your sin and cause you to repent and nothing and no one can snatch us from God’s hand. God indeed provides the preserving power to keep us safe. Scripture teaches us - for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed unto Him against that Day.2 Tim 1:12
Again we must walk by faith and not by sight.
VI. Application for us today
1. Vigilance against false teaching: This book reminds us to be discerning and to critically evaluate the messages we encounter in the church and in Christian circles. It underscores the importance of adhering to the original, unaltered message of the gospel.
2. Steadfastness in faith: Jude's exhortation to "contend for the faith" is a call for believers to stand firm in their convictions, even in the face of opposition or persecution.
3. Trust in God's preserving grace: The doxology in Jude's closing verses offers comfort and assurance that God is able to keep us secure in our faith journey.
Summary: Jude, the shortest book, but packed with wisdomThe Book of Jude, one of the shortest books in the New Testament, is a powerful yet often overlooked letter that offers a unique perspective on the Christian faith. This epistle, attributed to Jude, the brother of James and a servant of Jesus Christ, is a severe blend of warning, exhortation, and encouragement. Despite its shortness, Jude provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by early Christians and offers direct lessons for us as believers today.
Historical and Contextual Background
Dating the Book of Jude is a matter of debate, but it is likely that it was written in the late first century, shortly after the Gospels and other New Testament letters. The book is primarily addressed to early Christian communities, making them aware of the growing threat posed by false teachers and encouraging them to remain steadfast in their faith.
The central theme of Jude is the warning against false teachers and their ungodly influence within the church.
INTRODUCTION
In several passages throughout the New Testament, we find serious warnings about impending apostasy and the end of the age as we have known it.
Jesus warned us of false prophets who would arise, the love of many would grow cold, and only those who endure to the end would be saved - Mt 24:11-13
Paul foretold of many disciples being drawn away - Ac 20:29-30
Peter warned about the rise of false teachers, and how many would follow their destructive ways - 2Pe 2:1-3
But by the time the epistles of John and Jude were written, the danger was no longer impending, it was very real and happening.
Antichrists were present, and false prophets were in the world - 1Jn 2:18; 4:1; 2
Jude was forced to change his original purpose to deal with the crisis - Jude 3-4
If the danger of apostasy was already present in the First Century. We should not be surprised that these dangers exists today. So we should pay close heed to those epistles written to tell us how to survive and live as believers today.
This fact makes Jude’s book highly relevant, and this lesson important to us all. We begin in verses 1-2, as Jude begins his letter in typical fashion:
He identifies himself...
As "a servant of Jesus Christ" and "brother of James". It is likely that James was the brother of the Lord who had become prominent in the church at Jerusalem - cf. Ga 1:16; 2:9 And this would mean Jude was also a brother to the Lord Jesus - cf. also Mt 13:54-56
He then addresses his readers...as "those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:"
He concludes his greeting with a three-fold benediction: "Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you"
Notice, how Jude addressed his readers - Jude's purpose is to warn of those "ungodly men" who have crept in
That such a warning was and is necessary indicates a danger that is real: which is being led away from the faith
I would like for us to focus on three words in the title of our study: "Called! Sanctified! And Preserved!" Let's begin with Christians being Called
THOSE IN CHRIST HAVE BEEN "CALLED"...
We have been called with "a holy calling" - 2Ti 1:9
Jesus said in John 15:16 – Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you
This calling was not according to our meritorious works. It was according to God's own purpose and grace before time began
Our "Calling" Comes Through The Word of God and the wooing of the Holy Spirit (John 3)...ye must be born again
We became God's chosen and called through the means of the gospel of grace- 2Th 2:13-14
By commanding the gospel be preached to "every creature", the call is made available to all - cf. Mk 16:15-16
This is consistent with God's offer of His Son to be "a ransom for many" - 1Ti 2:5-6
And agrees with the Lord's pronouncement that "not any should perish", but that "all should come to repentance" - 2Pe 3:9. Our responsibility as having been born from above and having accepted the "Call", is to make our "CALLING AND ELECTION SURE"...
To make our call and election secure requires due diligence on our part -
Otherwise, we will be like the Israelites in the wilderness - He 3:12-19; 4:1-2,11
All the Israelites were called by God to enter the Promised Land of rest. But most were unable to enter the promised land because of their lack of unbelief and resultant disobedience to God and His word.
Related to the concept of being "called", is the idea that by God's grace we are also
"SANCTIFIED" BY GOD THE FATHER
The Words "Sanctify", "Sanctification"...
Are translated from the Greek word "hagiazo" {hag-ee-ad'-zo}, which means to make holy, to set apart for a special purpose. So God has set apart those who have been called
II. What is the means of Sanctification?
According to our Scriptures this is the work of the Holy Spirit of God, see
We are "sanctified by the Holy Spirit" - Ro 15:16
We are "sanctified...by the Spirit of our God" - 1Co 6:11
We are "sanctification by the Spirit" – 2 Th 2:13
III. Sanctification Is also how the Word of God works in our lives
Jesus said in John 17,"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." - Jn 17:17
"that He might sanctify...by the word" - Ep 5:26
Since the Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17), the Word is used by the Spirit to help accomplish our sanctification
IV. The Progress of SANCTIFICATION...:
The church at Corinth was made up of members...Who were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" - 1Co 1:2. Who had been "sanctified" - 1Co 6:11. Yet, many of these same members were "babes in Christ" and "carnal" - 1Co 3:1-3
In the book of Hebrews, it speaks of those in Christ are "being sanctified" - He 2:11
- So sanctification <I am being saved> is an on-going and continuous progress so that we may be conformed to the image of Christ process <Romans 8>
V. Now what is involved with being "Preserved" in Jesus Christ.
What is the meaning of preserved - It comes from the Greek word "tereo" {tay-reh'-o} - Which means "to guard (from loss or injury)"
It describes something which is closely monitored and guarded. These word speaks of our preservation in Christ.
Our lives are being carefully "guarded" in Christ! Peter uses a different word) to express a similar idea in 1Peter 1:5
Paul used yet another word (sozo, sode'-zo) to express his own confidence in God's preserving power in – 2 Tim 4:18
Jesus gives us the ultimate reassurance with His statement to His disciples that :”no one could "snatch" them out of His Father’s hand”-. John 10:27-29
Does this mean there no personal responsibility to remain "preserved in Jesus Christ"?
Yes there is personal responsibility
Jude uses the same word for "preserved" in Jude 21: "keep yourselves..." And we must actively Contend for the faith both within our hearts and also with the world and flesh around us.
Then we must strive to have faith and obey God and to be led by the Spirit of God as prime drivers. We must rely on
as Peter indicated, we are "kept by the power of God through faith" – 1 Peter 1:5
Philippians 2:13 also says “for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” And God is working out your salvation for His good pleasure and He has written your name in the Lamb’s book of life so , He will never leave you or forsake you.”
Yes, we can fall away deeply in sin just look at the Bible, but if we are truly saved and have been born from above then God’s Spirt will convict you of your sin and cause you to repent and nothing and no one can snatch us from God’s hand. God indeed provides the preserving power to keep us safe. Scripture teaches us - for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed unto Him against that Day.2 Tim 1:12
Again we must walk by faith and not by sight.
VI. Application for us today
1. Vigilance against false teaching: This book reminds us to be discerning and to critically evaluate the messages we encounter in the church and in Christian circles. It underscores the importance of adhering to the original, unaltered message of the gospel.
2. Steadfastness in faith: Jude's exhortation to "contend for the faith" is a call for believers to stand firm in their convictions, even in the face of opposition or persecution.
3. Trust in God's preserving grace: The doxology in Jude's closing verses offers comfort and assurance that God is able to keep us secure in our faith journey.
Nov 19 Sermon
1) bACKGROUND
a) Worship is enjoying the presence of God.
b) The highest good and the greatest fulfillment as a Bible Believer is to know God intimately and to enjoy Him personally.
i) I ask you this question do you know God personally?
Please recognize this is not the same thing as knowing about Him. Is He today, in this very moment, in your heart and life, a bright and living reality in your life?
c) If so, then you know the deepest pleasure and have fulfilled the deepest need of your life
i) You have attained that for which you were created: to know God personally.
ii) You need nothing more; and you should settle for nothing less.
d) Believe it or not, there are many professing Christians who do not have, or are aware of the conscience presence of God in their lives. They go to church and sing songs, but there is a deadness, a dryness and a void in their lives.
e) Read Exodus 33:1-3. It says “I’m not going with you” are frightening words. The Jewish people were out in the wilderness.
i) God had given them a covenant and a promise and they were marching toward the Promised Land, and in the middle of their trip, they failed and sinned against God.
f) Despite their sin, God said that He would keep His promise and give them the Promised Land, but that He would not go with them.
Isn’t it interesting but also frightening to have success, possessions and protection, but not have the presence of the Lord.
g) This is a lesson for us - we should not settle for success apart the presence of our Lord and God
h) So what in the story do you remember?
i) Moses had been summoned to go up upon Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and to get instructions for the tabernacle.
i) And while Moses was gone, his brother Aaron led the people in a sinful revolt against Almighty God.
Let’s read Exodus 32:4-10
j) So when Moses came down from the mountain, he was so grieved by the people’s behavior that he threw the Ten Commandments to the ground and broke those tablets of stone.
i) Moses then took the golden calf, ground it up into powder, mixed that powder with water, and made the people drink it. Their great delight became death and over three thousand of the chief rebels were put to death that day
k) Moses knew they sinned against God. So He prayed, interceded, and placed himself between God and these people.
i) Let’s Read Exodus 32:30-32
(1) After Moses intercession, God said that He would not destroy the people and that He would fulfill His promise, but that He would not go with them or before them into the land.
(a) Exodus 33:1-3
Notice the spiritual wisdom of Moses
l) Moses would not settle for protection, provision and a Promised Land apart from the presence of God. You should know that when you have the presence of God, you don’t need anything else, and you should settle for nothing less.
m) Many so-called Christians have received salvation but have no real faith or joy in their lives for `God is not real to them.
i) They do not have the manifest presence of God in their hearts.
ii) They have God’s protection, His provision, His promise, but they do not have His living presence.
n) Think about this - just because you have God’s provision and protection, you think you’re totally right with God.
i) In fact, you may be on your way to Heaven, but you’re traveling second class. We can become so focused on receiving our provision, protection and claiming that promise that we fail to receive and live in His presence.
o) Read Exodus 33:4
i) It is an evil thing to receive God’s gifts apart from the Giver, to have God’s blessings without Him, and to have His promises without the Provider and the manifest presence of God. So we need to ask ourselves is God real to us?
p) Question - What made the nation of Israel different from all the other nations in the world? It was the manifest presence of God.
Our message today will discover four things that cause God to withdraw His manifest presence from His people.
These is no difference today. These same four things that will rob us of His manifest presence of God in our lives now.
#1 direct disobedience (exodus 32:7-8) will rob us of the manifest presence of God.
q) The People disobeyed God and because they disobeyed God, God withdrew His manifest presence from them
r) The problem with many Christians today is that they have confessed the Lord Jesus, but they don’t walk in the presence of God.
i) They don’t even have the assurance of their salvation.
ii) It is the Holy Spirit of God who gives us the assurance of our salvation and being sealed in Him for eternity
(1) 1 John 4:13 - He has given us of His Spirit.
(2) Romans 8:16- he Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are His
s) When we knowingly, willfully and openly disobey God, we grieve the His Holy Spirit
i) Ephesians 4:30 - and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed
ii) We can only grieve someone who loves us.
(1) The Holy Spirit loves us, but we can so grieve Him when we disobey God that He shuts up.
iii) 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says we can “quench” means “to pour cold water on a fire.”
The Holy Spirit of God represents to us in this day and time what the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire by night meant to the children of Israel.
iv) He is the Shekinah glory of God.
v) He is the manifested presence of God in our lives.
Our actions can cause us to wonder if we’re saved or not.
t) Read John 14:21- manifest presence
i) When people truly love God, you don’t just see it when they stand in the church and sing hymns, but the Bible makes a direct correlation with the manifest presence of God and in the keeping the commandments of God. His truth lives in us and shines forth
u) The Holy Spirit lives in us to make God real to us.
i) Many Christians are swilling to settle just for eternal security apart from than the manifest presence of God.
Here is an example -Some Christians don’t believe tithing is necessary – that’s OT.
(a) Malachi 3:8, 10
(2) Did you know when we choose not to tithe we are robbing God?
(a) We are saying to God that we don’t trust Him to take care of our needs.
(b) By doing so we become disobedient and sin
(3) If we are disobedient in tithing, why would we think God would continue to bless us with even more financial resources?
v) Aaron encouraged the people to disobey God.
i) Aaron was a priest, a religious leader.
ii) There will always be plenty of people, including some religious leaders, who will give us an excuse to disobey God.
w) If God is not real to you, then ask yourself if you have rejected a direct command of God.
x) God loves us too much to manifest Himself to us in glory and joy and, yet, have us to live in disobedience.
the Second thing which causes God to withdraw from us is - divided devotion (Exodus 32:4)
y) The children of Israel had divided devotion.
i) They claimed to be Israel, yet they made a golden calf.
(1) The word “Israel” means “the people of God.”
ii) They had made for themselves a god that was no bigger than their imagination.
iii) Rather than trusting in Almighty God, they began again to trust in the work of their hands. God calls this idolatry.
z) When a people make an idol, they become like the idol.
i) Here is a general rule - First, the man molds the idol, and then the idol molds the man.
aa) An idol is just a magnified sinner.
i) A man takes his own ideas and puts them into the work of his hands, and then he begins to worship it. What he is really worshipping is himself.
bb) An idol is anything that you love more, fear more, serve more and trust more than God.
cc) If God is not real to you, then ask yourself if there is anyone or anything that takes precedence over God in your life.
i) God doesn’t want a place in your life.
ii) God despises prominence in your life.
iii) God demands preeminence in your life.
dd) God’s throne is not a duplex.
i) Ask yourself is there a relationship that means more to you than God? Is there anything that gets more of your attention than God?
(1) If so, then that is a golden calf, and God will say, “I’m not going with you.”
(2) There are certain relationships in our lives that are wonderful relationships, but none can take the place of an undivided relationship to Almighty God.
ee) Idolatry is the sin of all other sins.
The third ACTIIVTY WHICH CAUSEs GOD to depart from us is displaced dependence (exodus 32:7-8)
ff) The people began to put their reliance and dependence in the work of their hands. What they could do and not on what God could do.
i) No longer was their dependence upon Almighty God, who brought them through the Red Sea.
gg) When God gives us a victory and we give the glory to something or someone else and then depend upon that rather than the God who gave the victory, then we will lose the presence of God.
hh) When we begin to depend upon our ingenuity, our wit, and our wisdom, we will lose the presence of God.
i) The children of Israel took the earrings off their own ears.
ii) They took the bracelets off their own wrists.
iii) With a graving tool, they made a god of a golden calf.
ii) Isaiah 42:8
jj) It is no wonder that we don’t have God’s presence in our lives when we have displaced dependence and begin to give credit where credit is not due.
i) We fail to give God the glory for bringing us through a storm and for giving us blessings.
The fourth ACTIIVTY WHICH CAUSEs GOD to depart from us is determined defiance (exodus 32:9)
kk) “Stiff necked” is the opposite of being meek and pliable.
i) God wanted to lead these people, but they were like a horse with a stiff neck, who rears up and is unyielding.
ll) If you want God to be real to you, then you must not be stiff necked.
mm) If God gives you a specific revelation, if He speaks to you about what He wants you to do, then obey Him.
i) Has God told you that there’s someone He wants you to witness to?
ii) Has God put it on your heart to serve in this or any church?
iii) Has God laid on your heart something He wants you to give, perhaps yourself?
iv) Has God laid on your heart someone you need to apologize to?
v) Have you told the Lord, “No”?
(1) If so, then you have a stiff neck.
nn) Thankfully, Moses refused to go forward without God’s presence.
oo) Worship is enjoying the presence of God.
2) CONCLUSION
a) Is God real to you?
i) He wants to be.
b) John 14:21
c) The children of Israel found grace long ago, and so may you today.
d) If you are already saved, then ask the Lord’s forgiveness for any direct disobedience, any divided devotion, displaced dependence, and any determined defiance.
e) If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, then surrender to Him today.
f) You can pray to Him now, and ask Him to come into your life.
g) Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23
ii) Romans 10:9-10
iii) Romans 10:13
iv) Acts 16:31
a sermon preached by Adrian Rogers while serving as pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
Copyright ©2021 Love Worth Finding Ministries, Inc.
1) bACKGROUND
a) Worship is enjoying the presence of God.
b) The highest good and the greatest fulfillment as a Bible Believer is to know God intimately and to enjoy Him personally.
i) I ask you this question do you know God personally?
Please recognize this is not the same thing as knowing about Him. Is He today, in this very moment, in your heart and life, a bright and living reality in your life?
c) If so, then you know the deepest pleasure and have fulfilled the deepest need of your life
i) You have attained that for which you were created: to know God personally.
ii) You need nothing more; and you should settle for nothing less.
d) Believe it or not, there are many professing Christians who do not have, or are aware of the conscience presence of God in their lives. They go to church and sing songs, but there is a deadness, a dryness and a void in their lives.
e) Read Exodus 33:1-3. It says “I’m not going with you” are frightening words. The Jewish people were out in the wilderness.
i) God had given them a covenant and a promise and they were marching toward the Promised Land, and in the middle of their trip, they failed and sinned against God.
f) Despite their sin, God said that He would keep His promise and give them the Promised Land, but that He would not go with them.
Isn’t it interesting but also frightening to have success, possessions and protection, but not have the presence of the Lord.
g) This is a lesson for us - we should not settle for success apart the presence of our Lord and God
h) So what in the story do you remember?
i) Moses had been summoned to go up upon Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and to get instructions for the tabernacle.
i) And while Moses was gone, his brother Aaron led the people in a sinful revolt against Almighty God.
Let’s read Exodus 32:4-10
j) So when Moses came down from the mountain, he was so grieved by the people’s behavior that he threw the Ten Commandments to the ground and broke those tablets of stone.
i) Moses then took the golden calf, ground it up into powder, mixed that powder with water, and made the people drink it. Their great delight became death and over three thousand of the chief rebels were put to death that day
k) Moses knew they sinned against God. So He prayed, interceded, and placed himself between God and these people.
i) Let’s Read Exodus 32:30-32
(1) After Moses intercession, God said that He would not destroy the people and that He would fulfill His promise, but that He would not go with them or before them into the land.
(a) Exodus 33:1-3
Notice the spiritual wisdom of Moses
l) Moses would not settle for protection, provision and a Promised Land apart from the presence of God. You should know that when you have the presence of God, you don’t need anything else, and you should settle for nothing less.
m) Many so-called Christians have received salvation but have no real faith or joy in their lives for `God is not real to them.
i) They do not have the manifest presence of God in their hearts.
ii) They have God’s protection, His provision, His promise, but they do not have His living presence.
n) Think about this - just because you have God’s provision and protection, you think you’re totally right with God.
i) In fact, you may be on your way to Heaven, but you’re traveling second class. We can become so focused on receiving our provision, protection and claiming that promise that we fail to receive and live in His presence.
o) Read Exodus 33:4
i) It is an evil thing to receive God’s gifts apart from the Giver, to have God’s blessings without Him, and to have His promises without the Provider and the manifest presence of God. So we need to ask ourselves is God real to us?
p) Question - What made the nation of Israel different from all the other nations in the world? It was the manifest presence of God.
Our message today will discover four things that cause God to withdraw His manifest presence from His people.
These is no difference today. These same four things that will rob us of His manifest presence of God in our lives now.
#1 direct disobedience (exodus 32:7-8) will rob us of the manifest presence of God.
q) The People disobeyed God and because they disobeyed God, God withdrew His manifest presence from them
r) The problem with many Christians today is that they have confessed the Lord Jesus, but they don’t walk in the presence of God.
i) They don’t even have the assurance of their salvation.
ii) It is the Holy Spirit of God who gives us the assurance of our salvation and being sealed in Him for eternity
(1) 1 John 4:13 - He has given us of His Spirit.
(2) Romans 8:16- he Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are His
s) When we knowingly, willfully and openly disobey God, we grieve the His Holy Spirit
i) Ephesians 4:30 - and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed
ii) We can only grieve someone who loves us.
(1) The Holy Spirit loves us, but we can so grieve Him when we disobey God that He shuts up.
iii) 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says we can “quench” means “to pour cold water on a fire.”
The Holy Spirit of God represents to us in this day and time what the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire by night meant to the children of Israel.
iv) He is the Shekinah glory of God.
v) He is the manifested presence of God in our lives.
Our actions can cause us to wonder if we’re saved or not.
t) Read John 14:21- manifest presence
i) When people truly love God, you don’t just see it when they stand in the church and sing hymns, but the Bible makes a direct correlation with the manifest presence of God and in the keeping the commandments of God. His truth lives in us and shines forth
u) The Holy Spirit lives in us to make God real to us.
i) Many Christians are swilling to settle just for eternal security apart from than the manifest presence of God.
Here is an example -Some Christians don’t believe tithing is necessary – that’s OT.
(a) Malachi 3:8, 10
(2) Did you know when we choose not to tithe we are robbing God?
(a) We are saying to God that we don’t trust Him to take care of our needs.
(b) By doing so we become disobedient and sin
(3) If we are disobedient in tithing, why would we think God would continue to bless us with even more financial resources?
v) Aaron encouraged the people to disobey God.
i) Aaron was a priest, a religious leader.
ii) There will always be plenty of people, including some religious leaders, who will give us an excuse to disobey God.
w) If God is not real to you, then ask yourself if you have rejected a direct command of God.
x) God loves us too much to manifest Himself to us in glory and joy and, yet, have us to live in disobedience.
the Second thing which causes God to withdraw from us is - divided devotion (Exodus 32:4)
y) The children of Israel had divided devotion.
i) They claimed to be Israel, yet they made a golden calf.
(1) The word “Israel” means “the people of God.”
ii) They had made for themselves a god that was no bigger than their imagination.
iii) Rather than trusting in Almighty God, they began again to trust in the work of their hands. God calls this idolatry.
z) When a people make an idol, they become like the idol.
i) Here is a general rule - First, the man molds the idol, and then the idol molds the man.
aa) An idol is just a magnified sinner.
i) A man takes his own ideas and puts them into the work of his hands, and then he begins to worship it. What he is really worshipping is himself.
bb) An idol is anything that you love more, fear more, serve more and trust more than God.
cc) If God is not real to you, then ask yourself if there is anyone or anything that takes precedence over God in your life.
i) God doesn’t want a place in your life.
ii) God despises prominence in your life.
iii) God demands preeminence in your life.
dd) God’s throne is not a duplex.
i) Ask yourself is there a relationship that means more to you than God? Is there anything that gets more of your attention than God?
(1) If so, then that is a golden calf, and God will say, “I’m not going with you.”
(2) There are certain relationships in our lives that are wonderful relationships, but none can take the place of an undivided relationship to Almighty God.
ee) Idolatry is the sin of all other sins.
The third ACTIIVTY WHICH CAUSEs GOD to depart from us is displaced dependence (exodus 32:7-8)
ff) The people began to put their reliance and dependence in the work of their hands. What they could do and not on what God could do.
i) No longer was their dependence upon Almighty God, who brought them through the Red Sea.
gg) When God gives us a victory and we give the glory to something or someone else and then depend upon that rather than the God who gave the victory, then we will lose the presence of God.
hh) When we begin to depend upon our ingenuity, our wit, and our wisdom, we will lose the presence of God.
i) The children of Israel took the earrings off their own ears.
ii) They took the bracelets off their own wrists.
iii) With a graving tool, they made a god of a golden calf.
ii) Isaiah 42:8
jj) It is no wonder that we don’t have God’s presence in our lives when we have displaced dependence and begin to give credit where credit is not due.
i) We fail to give God the glory for bringing us through a storm and for giving us blessings.
The fourth ACTIIVTY WHICH CAUSEs GOD to depart from us is determined defiance (exodus 32:9)
kk) “Stiff necked” is the opposite of being meek and pliable.
i) God wanted to lead these people, but they were like a horse with a stiff neck, who rears up and is unyielding.
ll) If you want God to be real to you, then you must not be stiff necked.
mm) If God gives you a specific revelation, if He speaks to you about what He wants you to do, then obey Him.
i) Has God told you that there’s someone He wants you to witness to?
ii) Has God put it on your heart to serve in this or any church?
iii) Has God laid on your heart something He wants you to give, perhaps yourself?
iv) Has God laid on your heart someone you need to apologize to?
v) Have you told the Lord, “No”?
(1) If so, then you have a stiff neck.
nn) Thankfully, Moses refused to go forward without God’s presence.
oo) Worship is enjoying the presence of God.
2) CONCLUSION
a) Is God real to you?
i) He wants to be.
b) John 14:21
c) The children of Israel found grace long ago, and so may you today.
d) If you are already saved, then ask the Lord’s forgiveness for any direct disobedience, any divided devotion, displaced dependence, and any determined defiance.
e) If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, then surrender to Him today.
f) You can pray to Him now, and ask Him to come into your life.
g) Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23
ii) Romans 10:9-10
iii) Romans 10:13
iv) Acts 16:31
a sermon preached by Adrian Rogers while serving as pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
Copyright ©2021 Love Worth Finding Ministries, Inc.
Nov 12 Sermon
We live in an evil an unrepentant generation which is under the condemnation written about in Romans Chapter 1, where God, our Father, has given over this nation first, to sexual immorality, second, to homosexual immorality and finally to a depraved mind, Now understand what is a depraved mind. It is a mind which cannot perceive, recognize or understand the truth, even though it is as plain as day in our faces. This past Tuesday was another day of infamy for our Nation and our constitution. How anyone could justify placing a death decree for abortion is a state constitution is beyond me. How much darkness is needed to see the spread of evil over the world. Yes in the world.
Just look at what has happened in Israel. The atrocities initiated by Hamas and defended by American Colleges, Universities - faculty and students against the Jewish people. This is not a current problem this is an age-old problem brought to us by our perpetual deceiver - Satan. How could this be except for God reminding us about wars and rumors of wars in Matthew 24:6
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Let’s dwell on this last phrase and attend closely to it - for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Hear what I believe the Spirit is saying to the churches. All these events we are seeing, including the increasing darkness, must happen before Christ returns. Returns first to receive the church of all believers in the air - rapture, and then comes the tribulation of 7 years, before Christ finally sets foot on this earth again on the Mount of Olives. But in the meantime while all these events are happening where should our focus be? It should be on the Lord Jesus and the messages He has left us. But remember this we are not able, nor should we try to do this by ourselves. Jesus said, apart from Me you can do nothing (John.15)
Jesus knowing the weakness in our flesh, which Paul describes in detail in Romans (Chapters 3-6), knew we would need some guidelines and help in our Biblical walk, for we are of the flesh and live in the domain of the evil one. So He gave us some tasking and some helps to guide us. Now like we used to say in the US Navy, use the KISS principle – Keep it simple stupid. So here is what He told us in the gospel of John, Chapter 14, beginning in verse 15: 15 “If you love Me, [d]keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Indwelling of the Father and the Son
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and[f]manifest Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
The Gift of His Peace
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.26 But the [g]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Prayer- May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding, our application and our obedience to His commands AMEN
I. The test of love- Jesus when He tests Peter concerning his three times denial of Jesus, does not rebuke Him but asks him simply – do you love Me, also three times. Many times we stumble over the fact that the real problem with human beings is the problem with the human heart. It is desperately wicked and evil because of our inborn nature to sin. Jesus knew Peter’s weakness before it happened and told him, he would deny him before the cock crowed twice. So Jesus knows your weaknesses, yet He loves you and died for you. Do you suppose then, that the giving of our love is our greatest test to prove our love for Jesus? Peter failed yet he kept seeking Jesus. When you fail do you continue to seek Jesus to avow your love, even in your weakness?
As with Peter, the greatest test of your love is obedience – if you love Me keep My commandments – Be obedient, pursue Christ continually and perpetually.
II. The promises of God - God in Christ promises Help in our times of need and He will help us be obedient. A sub-title for this section is – Jesus promises never to leave us see vs. 18 and 19. Now lets look at the promised help from Jesus - verses 16-17: 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
And verse 5 says, 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
What is stated in these two verses should cause us to tremble for unless God reveals Himself to us we would have missed the Kingdom of Heaven. And the door to that entry is Jesus Christ. To see and to enter the Kingdom of God or Heaven requires God through the Holy Spirit to be born from above. And without His prompting we would never have had the faith to ask Him to be our Lord and Savior.
So because of the mercy, grace and love of God we now have access to the heavenly realm and more importantly we now have the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, The Comforter living in us and helping our hearts to walk in His truth and be obedient and to love Him with a whole heart. Oh what a savior we have in Jesus. Now remember even in our failure Jesus says, in verse 18: 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
This is not the only promise for in Matthew 28:20 Jesus states - ; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
Not only does Jesus know our weaknesses and not only does He provide help for our walk as believers day by day but He provides the promise of His presence now and forever more. He is God and He is our Lord and He is our Savior. Amen.
III. But lastly in these verses Jesus provides us a challenge for our authenticity as believers.
One of the true marks of our faith in Jesus came in verse 15. “If you love Me, [d]keep My commandments. We find out more information concerning His love in verse 21-21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and[f]manifest Myself to him.”
Jesus in this verse confirms that if we love Him, we will press to be obedient to His commands. Love for Him is proven by how we honor His words and live according to His commandments. But this step of honor, respect, love and obedience by us causes the Father to love us and grants that Jesus will love us and make Himself present and real to us in our lives. Verse 23 repeats this promise and states He will make His home in us and in our lives. That is a real promise from God in Christ to us. Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop there and pay no attention to verse 24. Read what it says, 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
We have many professing Christians today who do not keep the Word of God. Maybe the word Christian is becoming obsolete because of the perversion of the leftists and. Our culture. Maybe we should go back to calling ourselves followers or more critically believers in the Way. This verse is the critical discriminator between belief and unbelief. A believer is one who keeps His Word because He loves Jesus Christ.
Now for real truth for today – so where do you stand? If you say you love Jesus and do not Keep His Words are you really saved and a true believer? According to what we just read the answer is absolutely NO.
Or do you just have a said faith? A said faith is what you say it is not what the Master says. So when you stand before the judgement seat of Christ we He say depart from Me I never knew you, or will He welcome you to the reward of the faithful?
You are just one step away from the Master turn and ask for Him to save you today. Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
We live in an evil an unrepentant generation which is under the condemnation written about in Romans Chapter 1, where God, our Father, has given over this nation first, to sexual immorality, second, to homosexual immorality and finally to a depraved mind, Now understand what is a depraved mind. It is a mind which cannot perceive, recognize or understand the truth, even though it is as plain as day in our faces. This past Tuesday was another day of infamy for our Nation and our constitution. How anyone could justify placing a death decree for abortion is a state constitution is beyond me. How much darkness is needed to see the spread of evil over the world. Yes in the world.
Just look at what has happened in Israel. The atrocities initiated by Hamas and defended by American Colleges, Universities - faculty and students against the Jewish people. This is not a current problem this is an age-old problem brought to us by our perpetual deceiver - Satan. How could this be except for God reminding us about wars and rumors of wars in Matthew 24:6
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Let’s dwell on this last phrase and attend closely to it - for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Hear what I believe the Spirit is saying to the churches. All these events we are seeing, including the increasing darkness, must happen before Christ returns. Returns first to receive the church of all believers in the air - rapture, and then comes the tribulation of 7 years, before Christ finally sets foot on this earth again on the Mount of Olives. But in the meantime while all these events are happening where should our focus be? It should be on the Lord Jesus and the messages He has left us. But remember this we are not able, nor should we try to do this by ourselves. Jesus said, apart from Me you can do nothing (John.15)
Jesus knowing the weakness in our flesh, which Paul describes in detail in Romans (Chapters 3-6), knew we would need some guidelines and help in our Biblical walk, for we are of the flesh and live in the domain of the evil one. So He gave us some tasking and some helps to guide us. Now like we used to say in the US Navy, use the KISS principle – Keep it simple stupid. So here is what He told us in the gospel of John, Chapter 14, beginning in verse 15: 15 “If you love Me, [d]keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Indwelling of the Father and the Son
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and[f]manifest Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
The Gift of His Peace
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.26 But the [g]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Prayer- May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding, our application and our obedience to His commands AMEN
I. The test of love- Jesus when He tests Peter concerning his three times denial of Jesus, does not rebuke Him but asks him simply – do you love Me, also three times. Many times we stumble over the fact that the real problem with human beings is the problem with the human heart. It is desperately wicked and evil because of our inborn nature to sin. Jesus knew Peter’s weakness before it happened and told him, he would deny him before the cock crowed twice. So Jesus knows your weaknesses, yet He loves you and died for you. Do you suppose then, that the giving of our love is our greatest test to prove our love for Jesus? Peter failed yet he kept seeking Jesus. When you fail do you continue to seek Jesus to avow your love, even in your weakness?
As with Peter, the greatest test of your love is obedience – if you love Me keep My commandments – Be obedient, pursue Christ continually and perpetually.
II. The promises of God - God in Christ promises Help in our times of need and He will help us be obedient. A sub-title for this section is – Jesus promises never to leave us see vs. 18 and 19. Now lets look at the promised help from Jesus - verses 16-17: 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
- The Helper <Holy Spirit> who will abide with you forever
- The Spirit of truth -who will guide you into all truth (Jn 16:13).
And verse 5 says, 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
What is stated in these two verses should cause us to tremble for unless God reveals Himself to us we would have missed the Kingdom of Heaven. And the door to that entry is Jesus Christ. To see and to enter the Kingdom of God or Heaven requires God through the Holy Spirit to be born from above. And without His prompting we would never have had the faith to ask Him to be our Lord and Savior.
So because of the mercy, grace and love of God we now have access to the heavenly realm and more importantly we now have the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, The Comforter living in us and helping our hearts to walk in His truth and be obedient and to love Him with a whole heart. Oh what a savior we have in Jesus. Now remember even in our failure Jesus says, in verse 18: 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
This is not the only promise for in Matthew 28:20 Jesus states - ; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
Not only does Jesus know our weaknesses and not only does He provide help for our walk as believers day by day but He provides the promise of His presence now and forever more. He is God and He is our Lord and He is our Savior. Amen.
III. But lastly in these verses Jesus provides us a challenge for our authenticity as believers.
One of the true marks of our faith in Jesus came in verse 15. “If you love Me, [d]keep My commandments. We find out more information concerning His love in verse 21-21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and[f]manifest Myself to him.”
Jesus in this verse confirms that if we love Him, we will press to be obedient to His commands. Love for Him is proven by how we honor His words and live according to His commandments. But this step of honor, respect, love and obedience by us causes the Father to love us and grants that Jesus will love us and make Himself present and real to us in our lives. Verse 23 repeats this promise and states He will make His home in us and in our lives. That is a real promise from God in Christ to us. Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop there and pay no attention to verse 24. Read what it says, 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
We have many professing Christians today who do not keep the Word of God. Maybe the word Christian is becoming obsolete because of the perversion of the leftists and. Our culture. Maybe we should go back to calling ourselves followers or more critically believers in the Way. This verse is the critical discriminator between belief and unbelief. A believer is one who keeps His Word because He loves Jesus Christ.
Now for real truth for today – so where do you stand? If you say you love Jesus and do not Keep His Words are you really saved and a true believer? According to what we just read the answer is absolutely NO.
Or do you just have a said faith? A said faith is what you say it is not what the Master says. So when you stand before the judgement seat of Christ we He say depart from Me I never knew you, or will He welcome you to the reward of the faithful?
You are just one step away from the Master turn and ask for Him to save you today. Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Oct 29 Sermon
Go to Genesis 1: verse 1- -5, reference this,
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness [a]was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. [b]So the evening and the morning were the first day.
Now to John 1 ;1-9 and read there, verse 1 -
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it. <could not overcome it>
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His [c]own, and His [d]own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Prayer - May God bless the reading of His Word, to our understanding and obedience AMEN
So for a moment consider your life represented by a lamp. What does it take to get a simple lamp to work in your home? Well, if we were to have a lamp and tried to turn it on and it didn’t work, we would have to troubleshoot it, right? We would need to find out why it doesn’t work.
So we start at the source first. Is it plugged into the wall? Well, yes it is. Then we check the chord, is it frayed or broken, still connected to the plug and is it running up into the light? Well, yes it is and there are no exposed wires. So having checked the plug and the chord and both being in good working order, we move to the switch. Is the switch on? Well, no it is not. So we turn it on. And still there is no light. So we check to the bulb. Is there a bulb? Well, yes there is. So we remove the bulb and shake the bulb to make sure the filament is still there and there is no ringing when we shake the bulb. We then reinsert the bulb, screwing in tightly and still no light. So rechecking the switch we find it was off. Turning the switch on – voila we now have light.
So what do we need to have an operative light? We need a power source where we are plugged in. We need to have the power source flow into the lamp with the chord; and likewise a switch which is turned on will cause the power to flow into the bulb. The bulb receives the power and in harmony with that power the bulb generates great light. That light emanates or shines forth from the bulb and makes light in the surrounding darkness.
God’s word says in Psalm 119:105 says, Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light my path. That light is the light of His Word and the person of His Son.
Then in the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, verse 12 it says, 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
According to this word from Jesus and the gospel we have read - if you are in the light as He is in the light, you will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses you from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Being in the light as we have just read doesn’t just happen because you want it to happen, but because you chose to receive the Word of Truth which the Lord Jesus has given you. Let’s look at this for a moment.
According to our analogy about the lamp which we just read, we need a few things to be in the light.
We need a power source
We need a chord to transfer the power
We need a switch which is turned on
We need an operating light or bulb
And the bulb must generate light
Thus, if all these conditions are met we have light.
So at the beginning, we need a power source. And when we are plugged into to receive power – according to the Bible that power is given in the Word of God, but you must be plugged into the Word of God. Are you plugged into His Book?
Next, we need a chord to transfer the power- Jesus said you would receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes upon you! So the disciples were told to wait to receive this power, and they did. You don’t have to wait. If you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, at the moment of repentance and confession, by faith the Holy Spirit <who is God> was given to you as the seal and promise of your future redemption in eternity. (Eph. 1:13-14). You should really read these verses and meditate on them to gain a full understanding.
So the Holy Spirit is the chord for leading, teaching, guiding, transmitting, witnessing and sharing the truth of God.
Next, we come to the switch, which must be turned on to operate. This is you and I folks. The switch is an act of your personal will. You can have the truth stored in your heart <many do> and in your mind <many do> but if your will and purpose is not turned on to be obedient to the will of the Father, then the power of God goes no further. This is your choice now- You must be like the Philippian jailer who after hearing the gospel of Jesus, asked what must I do to be saved? But it didn’t stop there for he was saved and then he brought his whole family to receive Christ. Jesus said to us in Matthew 11:27- 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
If you have received the will from Christ, what is keeping you from obeying except sin and self. Perhaps you are worried about losing something because you have asked Christ into your heart, friends, family, job, promotion and maybe even your life.
Did you ever consider that failing to obey the will of the Spirit may cost you eternally more than you could ever imagine? We are told to count the cost.
Next you need an operating bulb which generates light. I think we know we already have this since Jesus said, I am the light of the world. And the light of the World says come. He loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Will you turn on the switch of your heart and become obedient to the king of kings and Lord of Lords as He is lovingly calling you today?
Go to Genesis 1: verse 1- -5, reference this,
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness [a]was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. [b]So the evening and the morning were the first day.
Now to John 1 ;1-9 and read there, verse 1 -
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [a]comprehend it. <could not overcome it>
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His [c]own, and His [d]own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Prayer - May God bless the reading of His Word, to our understanding and obedience AMEN
So for a moment consider your life represented by a lamp. What does it take to get a simple lamp to work in your home? Well, if we were to have a lamp and tried to turn it on and it didn’t work, we would have to troubleshoot it, right? We would need to find out why it doesn’t work.
So we start at the source first. Is it plugged into the wall? Well, yes it is. Then we check the chord, is it frayed or broken, still connected to the plug and is it running up into the light? Well, yes it is and there are no exposed wires. So having checked the plug and the chord and both being in good working order, we move to the switch. Is the switch on? Well, no it is not. So we turn it on. And still there is no light. So we check to the bulb. Is there a bulb? Well, yes there is. So we remove the bulb and shake the bulb to make sure the filament is still there and there is no ringing when we shake the bulb. We then reinsert the bulb, screwing in tightly and still no light. So rechecking the switch we find it was off. Turning the switch on – voila we now have light.
So what do we need to have an operative light? We need a power source where we are plugged in. We need to have the power source flow into the lamp with the chord; and likewise a switch which is turned on will cause the power to flow into the bulb. The bulb receives the power and in harmony with that power the bulb generates great light. That light emanates or shines forth from the bulb and makes light in the surrounding darkness.
God’s word says in Psalm 119:105 says, Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light my path. That light is the light of His Word and the person of His Son.
Then in the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, verse 12 it says, 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
According to this word from Jesus and the gospel we have read - if you are in the light as He is in the light, you will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses you from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Being in the light as we have just read doesn’t just happen because you want it to happen, but because you chose to receive the Word of Truth which the Lord Jesus has given you. Let’s look at this for a moment.
According to our analogy about the lamp which we just read, we need a few things to be in the light.
We need a power source
We need a chord to transfer the power
We need a switch which is turned on
We need an operating light or bulb
And the bulb must generate light
Thus, if all these conditions are met we have light.
So at the beginning, we need a power source. And when we are plugged into to receive power – according to the Bible that power is given in the Word of God, but you must be plugged into the Word of God. Are you plugged into His Book?
Next, we need a chord to transfer the power- Jesus said you would receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes upon you! So the disciples were told to wait to receive this power, and they did. You don’t have to wait. If you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, at the moment of repentance and confession, by faith the Holy Spirit <who is God> was given to you as the seal and promise of your future redemption in eternity. (Eph. 1:13-14). You should really read these verses and meditate on them to gain a full understanding.
So the Holy Spirit is the chord for leading, teaching, guiding, transmitting, witnessing and sharing the truth of God.
Next, we come to the switch, which must be turned on to operate. This is you and I folks. The switch is an act of your personal will. You can have the truth stored in your heart <many do> and in your mind <many do> but if your will and purpose is not turned on to be obedient to the will of the Father, then the power of God goes no further. This is your choice now- You must be like the Philippian jailer who after hearing the gospel of Jesus, asked what must I do to be saved? But it didn’t stop there for he was saved and then he brought his whole family to receive Christ. Jesus said to us in Matthew 11:27- 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
If you have received the will from Christ, what is keeping you from obeying except sin and self. Perhaps you are worried about losing something because you have asked Christ into your heart, friends, family, job, promotion and maybe even your life.
Did you ever consider that failing to obey the will of the Spirit may cost you eternally more than you could ever imagine? We are told to count the cost.
Next you need an operating bulb which generates light. I think we know we already have this since Jesus said, I am the light of the world. And the light of the World says come. He loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Will you turn on the switch of your heart and become obedient to the king of kings and Lord of Lords as He is lovingly calling you today?
Oct 22 Sermon
Ezekiel 22:29-31 states: - The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
Acts 1:2-11 states: 2 until the day in which [a]He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many [b]infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit Promised
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses (martyra) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
I. Discussion - What God began because of the sinfulness of men He completed in Jesus Christ. Understand this, God’s eyes roved through all the days of the time of man and found no one - So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. (Ezekiel 22)
God was looking for a faithful witness in and among men; and how sad and how defeating that there was not one man in all of the future eternity of men of earth who had the integrity, dedication and love for God that would enable Him to be a faithful witness for God across the land. That’s the same conclusion Paul speaks of in Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned> and in Romans 6:23 for the wages of our inherent sin is death and none of earth could break this curse. Of course the short-term assessment was this was about Israel and their failure as the chosen people of God; but it had eternal implications on man’s redemption potential. Surely God knew this prior to His creation and had a plan, which He did. But He had to prove to men that they were not able to save themselves. Even coming from a perfect world and a perfect creation in the Garden, and selecting a people to walk before Him and be His witnesses. But God did know it, that is why He sent Jesus Christ His Son to redeem this lost and dying race. So God is looking for men and women, boys and girls who will shine with the love of God within them, and share what He has done in them through His Son.
II. So to be an effective and capable witness you must first trust implicitly in the Gospel of the God news and have it burn brightly in your heart.
So what is the gospel or the good news- that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to earth, witnessed and walked among men and lived a sinless life. He was crucified by sinful men on a cruel cross; He died and was buried in a rich man’s tomb, was resurrected on the third day and is alive today. Our text says vs. 3 - 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many [b]infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Do you remember in Luke 24 Jesus presented himself to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus - 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He [g]expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
They in turn remembered how their hearts burned when He opened their understanding to the scriptures. Do we truly understand the truth contained in this book which we continually call the Word of God and yet treat its truths so casually or loosely? To be an effective witness you must First hold the Word of God as His truth not yours and fear Him who made it. This is bedrock
III. But to share the Gospel you need more- you need to have Jesus in your heart. It is not enough to just have the facts but you must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus and accept this truth in your heart. Mark 1 says, Jesus came preaching and teaching on the heels of John the Baptist and here is what he said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Repentance and confession of your sin always must come before professing belief in the Son of God; for when we stand in His presence, His holiness, His love and His sacrifice should cause us to weep for our sin, and to desire repentance and forgiveness of sin. Belief In Him then leads to a radical new life in Jesus Christ. His love in us causes us to walk differently before men.
My life was radically different than it was before- my sister saw this in me and wondered if it was real. She thought it might be a stage. We perhaps you will need to be the judge of whether He has change my life, but how about yours?
IV. But that is still not enough faith, belief and a changed life are still awaiting a final blessing. See verses 4 and 5, 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Now many prophets Joel, Ezekiel and others had spoken of the promised coming and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the last days so our disciples latched on to this and questioned Jesus – when He was coming back-. But it was not for them to know-for this is exclusively under the authority of the Father in heaven.
They were to wait – now Paul and some of the disciples thought Jesus was coming back shortly and lived that way. And I believe that is our calling too. Jesus is coming back shortly and we need to be prepared for His coming soon. Just remember you are taking nothing from this earth with you but the treasure of souls which God grants you to witness their salvation.
So the one additional element which is needed for you to be not a good witness, not a prefect witness but an effective witness is the power of the Holy Spirit. Read verse 8 and tremble- 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses (martyra) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Now another pastor who we know has said this. God the Father is God without flesh, Jesus is God in the Flesh and the Holy Spirit is God in our flesh – leading us into righteousness, faith and holiness.
So to be and effective witness is to have the Word of God, Faith, belief and repentance in God’s Son and to be filled with the Spirit of God. Now if I were to take and inventory I believe that is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in you.
V. Now, this is where the rubber meets the road- What type of witness are you for Jesus Christ and His truth? Are you a covert Christian hiding in plain sight or are you a sweet savor in the nostrils of God, pleasing him and standing in the Gap? Remember God sought a man to stand in the gap for the land and He could find no one. Pleasing God levies requirements upon us. 2 Tim 3:12 says, 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures
Are you suffering persecution for your faith? Are you living a Godly life in Christ Jesus? Perhaps that is because you have a said faith, but not real faith in Christ. You have heard but not believed. What did Jesus say? John 15:19-20 , 9 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. <broad road to destruction> < narrow gate and road leading to salvation.>
Are you prepared to suffer persecution here in America, its coming? Just look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Nazi Germany 1935-1945. The German Christian Church said it couldn’t happen there either.
Are you prepared to be mocked and ridiculed for your belief? Are you a god phobe or some other kind of phobe?
You could lose family and friends. You could lose your money, your property - if Biden has his way being designated as domestic terrorists, insurrectionists. You could lose your promotion, your job and your income? You might even lose your life- read the verse again - and you shall be [c]witnesses (martyra) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
What happened to all the early disciples except John and he died in poverty? The word witness means <msrtyra> one who gives himself for another. God could call you to go to another land or this pagan land and become His martyr. Think of what you might lose if you chose otherwise. In Acts Chapter 7, do you remember Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, one of the first serving deacons was killed for his witness to the Religious leader. He accused them of always resist(ing) the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,
In verse54, . 54 When they heard these things they were [h]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
The Lord Jesus who sat down at the right hand of the Father after He completed His work on earth, now stands in honor of the testimony of Steven who was full of grace and truth. What an honor to be greeting by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
If you were to deny the opportunity to serve the Lord in death you may miss for eternity the blessing He wuld bestow on your eternal life. Would you want to miss the greatest gift of all the blessing of the Father and His Son for all the ages?
Is the fear of displeasing God more than the fear of men in your heart today? I hope you are preparing your hearts to serve the Lord faithfully and you can only do so if you are walking with Him daily in the Word of God, repentant and faithful to His truth, full of grace and truth. Are you there in Him today? If not, I pray He has spoken to you now about your need- repent, confess and seek Him now. AMEN
Ezekiel 22:29-31 states: - The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
Acts 1:2-11 states: 2 until the day in which [a]He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many [b]infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit Promised
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses (martyra) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
I. Discussion - What God began because of the sinfulness of men He completed in Jesus Christ. Understand this, God’s eyes roved through all the days of the time of man and found no one - So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. (Ezekiel 22)
God was looking for a faithful witness in and among men; and how sad and how defeating that there was not one man in all of the future eternity of men of earth who had the integrity, dedication and love for God that would enable Him to be a faithful witness for God across the land. That’s the same conclusion Paul speaks of in Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned> and in Romans 6:23 for the wages of our inherent sin is death and none of earth could break this curse. Of course the short-term assessment was this was about Israel and their failure as the chosen people of God; but it had eternal implications on man’s redemption potential. Surely God knew this prior to His creation and had a plan, which He did. But He had to prove to men that they were not able to save themselves. Even coming from a perfect world and a perfect creation in the Garden, and selecting a people to walk before Him and be His witnesses. But God did know it, that is why He sent Jesus Christ His Son to redeem this lost and dying race. So God is looking for men and women, boys and girls who will shine with the love of God within them, and share what He has done in them through His Son.
II. So to be an effective and capable witness you must first trust implicitly in the Gospel of the God news and have it burn brightly in your heart.
So what is the gospel or the good news- that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to earth, witnessed and walked among men and lived a sinless life. He was crucified by sinful men on a cruel cross; He died and was buried in a rich man’s tomb, was resurrected on the third day and is alive today. Our text says vs. 3 - 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many [b]infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Do you remember in Luke 24 Jesus presented himself to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus - 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He [g]expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
They in turn remembered how their hearts burned when He opened their understanding to the scriptures. Do we truly understand the truth contained in this book which we continually call the Word of God and yet treat its truths so casually or loosely? To be an effective witness you must First hold the Word of God as His truth not yours and fear Him who made it. This is bedrock
III. But to share the Gospel you need more- you need to have Jesus in your heart. It is not enough to just have the facts but you must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus and accept this truth in your heart. Mark 1 says, Jesus came preaching and teaching on the heels of John the Baptist and here is what he said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Repentance and confession of your sin always must come before professing belief in the Son of God; for when we stand in His presence, His holiness, His love and His sacrifice should cause us to weep for our sin, and to desire repentance and forgiveness of sin. Belief In Him then leads to a radical new life in Jesus Christ. His love in us causes us to walk differently before men.
My life was radically different than it was before- my sister saw this in me and wondered if it was real. She thought it might be a stage. We perhaps you will need to be the judge of whether He has change my life, but how about yours?
IV. But that is still not enough faith, belief and a changed life are still awaiting a final blessing. See verses 4 and 5, 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Now many prophets Joel, Ezekiel and others had spoken of the promised coming and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the last days so our disciples latched on to this and questioned Jesus – when He was coming back-. But it was not for them to know-for this is exclusively under the authority of the Father in heaven.
They were to wait – now Paul and some of the disciples thought Jesus was coming back shortly and lived that way. And I believe that is our calling too. Jesus is coming back shortly and we need to be prepared for His coming soon. Just remember you are taking nothing from this earth with you but the treasure of souls which God grants you to witness their salvation.
So the one additional element which is needed for you to be not a good witness, not a prefect witness but an effective witness is the power of the Holy Spirit. Read verse 8 and tremble- 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses (martyra) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Now another pastor who we know has said this. God the Father is God without flesh, Jesus is God in the Flesh and the Holy Spirit is God in our flesh – leading us into righteousness, faith and holiness.
So to be and effective witness is to have the Word of God, Faith, belief and repentance in God’s Son and to be filled with the Spirit of God. Now if I were to take and inventory I believe that is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in you.
V. Now, this is where the rubber meets the road- What type of witness are you for Jesus Christ and His truth? Are you a covert Christian hiding in plain sight or are you a sweet savor in the nostrils of God, pleasing him and standing in the Gap? Remember God sought a man to stand in the gap for the land and He could find no one. Pleasing God levies requirements upon us. 2 Tim 3:12 says, 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures
Are you suffering persecution for your faith? Are you living a Godly life in Christ Jesus? Perhaps that is because you have a said faith, but not real faith in Christ. You have heard but not believed. What did Jesus say? John 15:19-20 , 9 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. <broad road to destruction> < narrow gate and road leading to salvation.>
Are you prepared to suffer persecution here in America, its coming? Just look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Nazi Germany 1935-1945. The German Christian Church said it couldn’t happen there either.
Are you prepared to be mocked and ridiculed for your belief? Are you a god phobe or some other kind of phobe?
You could lose family and friends. You could lose your money, your property - if Biden has his way being designated as domestic terrorists, insurrectionists. You could lose your promotion, your job and your income? You might even lose your life- read the verse again - and you shall be [c]witnesses (martyra) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
What happened to all the early disciples except John and he died in poverty? The word witness means <msrtyra> one who gives himself for another. God could call you to go to another land or this pagan land and become His martyr. Think of what you might lose if you chose otherwise. In Acts Chapter 7, do you remember Stephen, full of the Holy Ghost, one of the first serving deacons was killed for his witness to the Religious leader. He accused them of always resist(ing) the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,
In verse54, . 54 When they heard these things they were [h]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
The Lord Jesus who sat down at the right hand of the Father after He completed His work on earth, now stands in honor of the testimony of Steven who was full of grace and truth. What an honor to be greeting by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
If you were to deny the opportunity to serve the Lord in death you may miss for eternity the blessing He wuld bestow on your eternal life. Would you want to miss the greatest gift of all the blessing of the Father and His Son for all the ages?
Is the fear of displeasing God more than the fear of men in your heart today? I hope you are preparing your hearts to serve the Lord faithfully and you can only do so if you are walking with Him daily in the Word of God, repentant and faithful to His truth, full of grace and truth. Are you there in Him today? If not, I pray He has spoken to you now about your need- repent, confess and seek Him now. AMEN
Oct 8 Sermon
Pray God’s blessing upon the reading of His word and our understanding and application; may it be so in our hearing and our obedience today O Lord. Amen
Our text today comes from Daniel, Chapter 6 verses 6-18. Let us begin by reading. Please stand if you are able. Begin at verse 6, 6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [a]does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [b]does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is [c]one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [d]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [e]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Now this is a familiar text and we have used it before to look at Daniel and his miraculous deliverance from death in the Lion’s Den because of the activity of God.
I believe there is a second and more relevant application as we learn to live in the midst of a heathen and godless culture, which has little value for life and liberty.
Daniel and the three brothers Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael, who we remember as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, made a covenant to honor God when they were first introduced as captives in the land. The proposed to honor the Lord God with their lives, their conduct and their resources. This began with their food if you remember? They refused to eat the food from the temple of the Babylonian gods, but ate vegetables instead and were found to be ruddier and healthier than those who ate from the King’s table. And because of their dedication God blessed Daniel with wisdom, understanding, interpretation of dreams and administrative skills which were used across the nation.
So step 1 is to purpose in your hearts today to honor and love God will all your heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30)
Daniel in the latter part of his life was called out of semi-retirement to serve as an administrator for the king in a toxic work environment. You might find that at work in our day with DEI, CRT and few other hateful/progressive things added in.
He was asked to serve as one of the top 3 advisors to the king from 122 others. He was a Jew and was hated by all the other administrators as a Jew and as an outsider. More importantly he was a trusted advisor to the king because he interpreted dreams. The others were jealous of his wisdom. Daniel was also consistent in his prayer and quiet times before the Lord God and had integrity of character in his behavior. In fact his behavior and practice was so consistent that those in opposition against him knew the only way he could be trapped and removed from authority.
So step 2 is for you and I to be faithful and consistent in our devotion to God. And may our resultant behavior be reflective of our integrity and fear of the Lord. Prayer is essential for remaining close to God and I must admit I need to spend more time in prayer, how about you?
So Daniel became trapped because of the egotism of the king and his willingness to listen to the other satraps and administrator knowing full well Daniel was not present, and was easily swayed by false praise and flatter.
Now interestingly enough we find Daniel unphased by the prospect of being caught in the midst of an unfair and unjust law. A law which was and is an abomination to God. Daniel seemed to know it was forthcoming and yet he did not change his daily routine of prayer but actually I think made his devotions as obvious as possible.
Many of us are caught today in unfair and unjust legal practices and know the risk we take by continuing to serve God faithfully. But like Daniel we must choose beforehand to place our trust in God and in His provisions.
But, that was not all. In the provisions of this new and unjust law was a sentence of death to be thrown into the lions den. Daniel’s accusers asked the king, vs. 12“Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
Daniel was willing to trust God with his life.
So Step 3 is to commit to trusting your entire life and being to God. After all, He gave you life and He has a plan for your time here; He also knows what is best for you. Do you trust Him and fear Him? (Prov.3:5-6)(Phil.4:6-7)
Step 4 is a repeat of step 1 but asks a very essential question which Daniel answered in spades. Do you love the Lord? Daniel did and was willing to trust Him with his life. Jesus said this about loving Him. John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jesus promises to show Himself to those who love Him.
This is an honest question and one we should answer in our hearts today for it is the beginning of preparation to serve God in Christ Jesus. After all not everyone is rescued from the lion’s den. Read Hebrews Chapter 11, it is called the Hall of Faith for all those God delivered. But the latter half it says this in verse 35 and following others were tortured and died and were not delivered.
God is sovereign and He chooses to act in every life individually. He is calling His church to have faith and trust Him today. Will you allow God to have access into your life today? For believers it is surrender and surrendering all. For those who have yet to trust and obey, there is no other way to happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. Your obedience is necessary -truth Him by faith right now. AMEN
Pray God’s blessing upon the reading of His word and our understanding and application; may it be so in our hearing and our obedience today O Lord. Amen
Our text today comes from Daniel, Chapter 6 verses 6-18. Let us begin by reading. Please stand if you are able. Begin at verse 6, 6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [a]does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which [b]does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is [c]one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he [d]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men [e]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Now this is a familiar text and we have used it before to look at Daniel and his miraculous deliverance from death in the Lion’s Den because of the activity of God.
I believe there is a second and more relevant application as we learn to live in the midst of a heathen and godless culture, which has little value for life and liberty.
Daniel and the three brothers Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael, who we remember as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, made a covenant to honor God when they were first introduced as captives in the land. The proposed to honor the Lord God with their lives, their conduct and their resources. This began with their food if you remember? They refused to eat the food from the temple of the Babylonian gods, but ate vegetables instead and were found to be ruddier and healthier than those who ate from the King’s table. And because of their dedication God blessed Daniel with wisdom, understanding, interpretation of dreams and administrative skills which were used across the nation.
So step 1 is to purpose in your hearts today to honor and love God will all your heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30)
Daniel in the latter part of his life was called out of semi-retirement to serve as an administrator for the king in a toxic work environment. You might find that at work in our day with DEI, CRT and few other hateful/progressive things added in.
He was asked to serve as one of the top 3 advisors to the king from 122 others. He was a Jew and was hated by all the other administrators as a Jew and as an outsider. More importantly he was a trusted advisor to the king because he interpreted dreams. The others were jealous of his wisdom. Daniel was also consistent in his prayer and quiet times before the Lord God and had integrity of character in his behavior. In fact his behavior and practice was so consistent that those in opposition against him knew the only way he could be trapped and removed from authority.
So step 2 is for you and I to be faithful and consistent in our devotion to God. And may our resultant behavior be reflective of our integrity and fear of the Lord. Prayer is essential for remaining close to God and I must admit I need to spend more time in prayer, how about you?
So Daniel became trapped because of the egotism of the king and his willingness to listen to the other satraps and administrator knowing full well Daniel was not present, and was easily swayed by false praise and flatter.
Now interestingly enough we find Daniel unphased by the prospect of being caught in the midst of an unfair and unjust law. A law which was and is an abomination to God. Daniel seemed to know it was forthcoming and yet he did not change his daily routine of prayer but actually I think made his devotions as obvious as possible.
Many of us are caught today in unfair and unjust legal practices and know the risk we take by continuing to serve God faithfully. But like Daniel we must choose beforehand to place our trust in God and in His provisions.
But, that was not all. In the provisions of this new and unjust law was a sentence of death to be thrown into the lions den. Daniel’s accusers asked the king, vs. 12“Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
Daniel was willing to trust God with his life.
So Step 3 is to commit to trusting your entire life and being to God. After all, He gave you life and He has a plan for your time here; He also knows what is best for you. Do you trust Him and fear Him? (Prov.3:5-6)(Phil.4:6-7)
Step 4 is a repeat of step 1 but asks a very essential question which Daniel answered in spades. Do you love the Lord? Daniel did and was willing to trust Him with his life. Jesus said this about loving Him. John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jesus promises to show Himself to those who love Him.
This is an honest question and one we should answer in our hearts today for it is the beginning of preparation to serve God in Christ Jesus. After all not everyone is rescued from the lion’s den. Read Hebrews Chapter 11, it is called the Hall of Faith for all those God delivered. But the latter half it says this in verse 35 and following others were tortured and died and were not delivered.
God is sovereign and He chooses to act in every life individually. He is calling His church to have faith and trust Him today. Will you allow God to have access into your life today? For believers it is surrender and surrendering all. For those who have yet to trust and obey, there is no other way to happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. Your obedience is necessary -truth Him by faith right now. AMEN
Oct 1 Sermon
Psalm 46, speaks to the issues of both strength and trouble. We will dive straight into understanding what does the Bible means concerning trouble(s) before quickly addressing what the Bible means concerning strength. First, let us being with a word of prayer. Please bow your heads and pray with me – Father we humbly ask you to illuminate our hearts and our understanding as we look at Your truth in Your Word. May the Holy Spirit access our hearts and minds fully! Amen Troubles, now I am sure these are a thing of the past for most of us. As you get older your troubles just sort of fade away – right? Not true! I thinks as I have aged my troubles have multiplied drastically. Age however, is no barrier to troubles. Troubles come because of who we are – sinful human beings in the midst of a sinful world. People are out to get you and, in many cases, we are out to get others for what they have done to us. Troubles then can be internally created or something that just happens which is outside our physical, social, mental or spiritual control. Examples of self-generated troubles could be something you said or did to another person, which was not kind, polite or honorable. Personal relationships fall into these type of trouble. Sinful behaviors such as stealing, lying, unfaithfulness and the like would also be in this category. Troubles also comes unbidden by us. We can get sick, terribly sick and lose our health, which impacts our personal and family welfare and ability to care for ourselves. How about a failing economy where the stock market and our savings plummet? That is also trouble. There are a whole range of events which can impact you – death of a spouse, a child or loved one; losing a job, a miscarriage, a divorce, unexpected unemployment and others. All these events can cause troubles. Many of which you had no choice in -such as an earthquakes, tsunamis, car or airplane accidents. Life happens and we have difficulties or troubles What might he Bible tell us about troubles? Let’s now read Psalm 46 , verses 1-3. God is our refuge and strength, a [a] very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Now focus us on the word – trouble. My friends used say “and here comes trouble’ when I was a kid. I was usually able to stir things up and not always for the betterment of myself or others. Sometimes it was a malicious or nasty effort to get someone or something I wanted. Trouble is mentioned in our scripture, first in verses 1 and in verse 3. It seems to just happen to men and women. Of course Satan is the prince of trouble and he stimulates a lot our troubles. Witness Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He stirred them up so they questioned the 231002_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +23 “ You will haves Trouble in 2023” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 231002_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +23 “ You will haves Trouble in 2023” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 2 accuracy and truthfulness of God’s word. That was trouble big trouble for all of creation and impacts all of us today living in America and across the world. A famous person who was impacted by trouble is Job. He also spoke about trouble. If there was ever and individual who got a full share of troubles it was Job. In Job Chapter 14 verses 1 and 2, we read, “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of [a] trouble. 2He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue. Man who is of few days and full of trouble, all His days. Our lives are so short and in the midst of all the time allotted we have difficulties or troubles in every season of life. Now you are saying to yourself, this guy is not telling me something which I didn’t already know. But I am given you the added dimension of the truth reinforced in the Word of God by an accurate witness of troubles. God the Father, He preserved the story of Job for us to learn from and apply to our lives. Jesus also was highly aware of our personal and individual troubles, as we live upon this earth. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives very practical and direct teaching about our troubles. Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. One of the causes of our troubles is worrying and trying to anticipating the future to meet our personal and professional needs. Will we have enough money, enough to eat, having the “right” clothes, a place to live and so on? In John 16:33, Jesus stated, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So believers and those who trust in Jesus Christ are not somehow exempted from tribulation or trouble. On the contrary Jesus says, “you will have tribulation.” So much for the myth of once you become a believer its “candy land and pleasures unlimited” until you enter heaven. Trouble is part of our human condition and is a direct result of sin and Satan acting upon this world. This is what the Bible – the Word of God teaches us. His truth. So how do we find strength? Go back to the verses we have used to define what is trouble or tribulation and we gain strength through the application of an antidote. Part of the antidote is contained in verse 1 of Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, a [a] very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. And part in Matthew 6:33 – Seek ye first And part in John 16:33 - but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world! Jesus saves us and sanctifies us forever
Psalm 46, speaks to the issues of both strength and trouble. We will dive straight into understanding what does the Bible means concerning trouble(s) before quickly addressing what the Bible means concerning strength. First, let us being with a word of prayer. Please bow your heads and pray with me – Father we humbly ask you to illuminate our hearts and our understanding as we look at Your truth in Your Word. May the Holy Spirit access our hearts and minds fully! Amen Troubles, now I am sure these are a thing of the past for most of us. As you get older your troubles just sort of fade away – right? Not true! I thinks as I have aged my troubles have multiplied drastically. Age however, is no barrier to troubles. Troubles come because of who we are – sinful human beings in the midst of a sinful world. People are out to get you and, in many cases, we are out to get others for what they have done to us. Troubles then can be internally created or something that just happens which is outside our physical, social, mental or spiritual control. Examples of self-generated troubles could be something you said or did to another person, which was not kind, polite or honorable. Personal relationships fall into these type of trouble. Sinful behaviors such as stealing, lying, unfaithfulness and the like would also be in this category. Troubles also comes unbidden by us. We can get sick, terribly sick and lose our health, which impacts our personal and family welfare and ability to care for ourselves. How about a failing economy where the stock market and our savings plummet? That is also trouble. There are a whole range of events which can impact you – death of a spouse, a child or loved one; losing a job, a miscarriage, a divorce, unexpected unemployment and others. All these events can cause troubles. Many of which you had no choice in -such as an earthquakes, tsunamis, car or airplane accidents. Life happens and we have difficulties or troubles What might he Bible tell us about troubles? Let’s now read Psalm 46 , verses 1-3. God is our refuge and strength, a [a] very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Now focus us on the word – trouble. My friends used say “and here comes trouble’ when I was a kid. I was usually able to stir things up and not always for the betterment of myself or others. Sometimes it was a malicious or nasty effort to get someone or something I wanted. Trouble is mentioned in our scripture, first in verses 1 and in verse 3. It seems to just happen to men and women. Of course Satan is the prince of trouble and he stimulates a lot our troubles. Witness Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He stirred them up so they questioned the 231002_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +23 “ You will haves Trouble in 2023” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 231002_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +23 “ You will haves Trouble in 2023” “Who have you invited to know Jesus Christ today?” 2 accuracy and truthfulness of God’s word. That was trouble big trouble for all of creation and impacts all of us today living in America and across the world. A famous person who was impacted by trouble is Job. He also spoke about trouble. If there was ever and individual who got a full share of troubles it was Job. In Job Chapter 14 verses 1 and 2, we read, “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of [a] trouble. 2He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue. Man who is of few days and full of trouble, all His days. Our lives are so short and in the midst of all the time allotted we have difficulties or troubles in every season of life. Now you are saying to yourself, this guy is not telling me something which I didn’t already know. But I am given you the added dimension of the truth reinforced in the Word of God by an accurate witness of troubles. God the Father, He preserved the story of Job for us to learn from and apply to our lives. Jesus also was highly aware of our personal and individual troubles, as we live upon this earth. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives very practical and direct teaching about our troubles. Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. One of the causes of our troubles is worrying and trying to anticipating the future to meet our personal and professional needs. Will we have enough money, enough to eat, having the “right” clothes, a place to live and so on? In John 16:33, Jesus stated, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So believers and those who trust in Jesus Christ are not somehow exempted from tribulation or trouble. On the contrary Jesus says, “you will have tribulation.” So much for the myth of once you become a believer its “candy land and pleasures unlimited” until you enter heaven. Trouble is part of our human condition and is a direct result of sin and Satan acting upon this world. This is what the Bible – the Word of God teaches us. His truth. So how do we find strength? Go back to the verses we have used to define what is trouble or tribulation and we gain strength through the application of an antidote. Part of the antidote is contained in verse 1 of Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, a [a] very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. And part in Matthew 6:33 – Seek ye first And part in John 16:33 - but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world! Jesus saves us and sanctifies us forever
Sept 10 Sermon
Did you know your Heavenly Father attends the funeral of every sparrow which dies? In this book of the Bible and three times in this chapter Jesus teaches about whom and what to fear. What do you fear today as you enter into this place?
You could look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and starting there use them to prioritize and guide your understanding.
But I believe there is a greater need here and that is with fear. Every one of us fears something, questions is, what is it? Remember as kids we used to capture our fears by writing them down, collecting them and then putting them in a bottle. This symbology was used to represent capturing and conquering our fears.
That doesn’t quite work in the real world. Many fears come from not being able to control our circumstances, or our health, or our finances, or our personal and professional welfare. Life is tough and fears abound. Ever fear losing your job because of COVID, or for not getting your injections or boosters?
However, in most cases our fear is misdirected.
Jesus taught about fear in chapter 6. Don’t worry about what you shall wear, or what you shall eat
Jesus teaches that worry is fear in action.
In the book of Matthew Chapter 10, Please turn to it, as we begin our lesson.
27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin?
Jesus was teaching His disciples what to fear and what not to fear.- hear the three things about fear which Jesus wanted His disciples to know and understand
First, vs. 25 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!26 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
Second vs. 28 - 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell.
Third vs. 29 ff - 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
We are told three times not to fear for you are more valuable than many sparrows!
We teach all in Bible study from the book of Proverbs-that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Are You listening to what Jesus is teaching --Fear not! Are you paying attention to His Word?
Notice the emphasis here on the predetermined will of God
And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Instead of fear we should know we are carefully loved and crafted by God beyond all measure to be instruments of His Will. After all He sent His Son to find you and save your from your sin.
10:29 apart from your Father’s will. Not merely “without His knowledge”; Jesus was teaching that God providentially controls the timing and circumstances of such insignificant events as the death of a sparrow. Even the number of hairs on our heads is controlled by His sovereign will (v. 30). In other words, divine will and His providence governs even the smallest details and even the most mundane matters. These are very powerful affirmations of the sovereignty of God.
He is God and we are not!
Did you know your Heavenly Father attends the funeral of every sparrow which dies? In this book of the Bible and three times in this chapter Jesus teaches about whom and what to fear. What do you fear today as you enter into this place?
You could look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and starting there use them to prioritize and guide your understanding.
But I believe there is a greater need here and that is with fear. Every one of us fears something, questions is, what is it? Remember as kids we used to capture our fears by writing them down, collecting them and then putting them in a bottle. This symbology was used to represent capturing and conquering our fears.
That doesn’t quite work in the real world. Many fears come from not being able to control our circumstances, or our health, or our finances, or our personal and professional welfare. Life is tough and fears abound. Ever fear losing your job because of COVID, or for not getting your injections or boosters?
However, in most cases our fear is misdirected.
Jesus taught about fear in chapter 6. Don’t worry about what you shall wear, or what you shall eat
Jesus teaches that worry is fear in action.
In the book of Matthew Chapter 10, Please turn to it, as we begin our lesson.
27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin?
Jesus was teaching His disciples what to fear and what not to fear.- hear the three things about fear which Jesus wanted His disciples to know and understand
First, vs. 25 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!26 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
Second vs. 28 - 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell.
Third vs. 29 ff - 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
We are told three times not to fear for you are more valuable than many sparrows!
We teach all in Bible study from the book of Proverbs-that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Are You listening to what Jesus is teaching --Fear not! Are you paying attention to His Word?
Notice the emphasis here on the predetermined will of God
And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Instead of fear we should know we are carefully loved and crafted by God beyond all measure to be instruments of His Will. After all He sent His Son to find you and save your from your sin.
10:29 apart from your Father’s will. Not merely “without His knowledge”; Jesus was teaching that God providentially controls the timing and circumstances of such insignificant events as the death of a sparrow. Even the number of hairs on our heads is controlled by His sovereign will (v. 30). In other words, divine will and His providence governs even the smallest details and even the most mundane matters. These are very powerful affirmations of the sovereignty of God.
He is God and we are not!
Sept 3 Sermon
Begin with me in the Gospel of John, Chapter 7, Verses 37-39 - 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [g]believing in Him would receive; for the [h]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
God please open my eyes that I may see and my ears that I might hear your truth, In Jesus name.
Is your life productive because the Spirit of God is working through you to reach others? Can God use you for whatever He wants and are you listening for His voice now? If not then perhaps this message from John 7 about Living waters is for you?
Let is being with Vs. 7:37 On the last day.
a. This language suggests that this event or occasion occurred on a different day than what was discussed just in the prior verses.
b. If anyone thirsts. There is a tradition which arose a sometime before Jesus lived, that on the 7th day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a golden container filled with water from the pool of Siloam was carried by the High-Priest from the pool to the temple. As the procession arrived at the Water Gate of the inner temple court, 3 trumpet blasts were sounded marking the joyous occasion and the people recited from Is. 12:3, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
As the people watched, the priests marched around the altar with the water while the temple choir sang the Hillel (Pss. 113–118). Then the water was offered as a sacrifice to God at the morning sacrifice.
The water symbolized the blessing of adequate rainfall for crops but this was a temporary fix.
Jesus used this event to teach and make a public invitation and invite His people to accept Him as the perpetual and eternal living water. His words recall Is. 55:1.
Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Now in Vs. 7:38 we see a reference to living water. This water-pouring rite was also associated within Jewish tradition as a foreshadowing of the eschatological rivers of living water foreseen in Ezek. 47:1–9 and Zech. 13:1. The significance of Jesus’ invitation centers in the fact that He was and He is the fulfillment of all the Feast of Tabernacles anticipated, i.e., Jesus Christ is the One who provides Living Water which gives and seals eternal life to any man who seeks Him as Savior and Lord(cf. 4:10, 11).
But there are 4 things of deep spiritual significance to pause and to highlight in this verse. We begin with :
I. First who is the source of the promise- It says Jesus stood. So the source of the promise is Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man. All God and All Man, the only Son of God, the only begotten from the Father before all ages, He is:
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of very God, begotten, not made;
being of one substance with the Father.
Through him all things were made, who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven; and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man.
He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty
He will come again in glory to judge the quick and the dead.
And His kingdom shall have no end.
This is the person and nature of Jesus Christ we are to worship and serve.
II. Second, to whom is the promise made – The answer is to anyone who thirsts. What do you mean by thirsts, is this for water or something to drink? No not for water or something to drink but any person who is desperately seeking a right, real, and personal relationship with God. To anyone who would want to know and seek God and is desperate and desires Him more than life itself. Could this be the desire of your heart today? For you know that you know in your heart, you what something more about faith and Jesus Christ than you are experiencing today. You have developed a thirst for Christ.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 says this, 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of <welfare> peace and not of <calamity> evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Is this you today? Are you seeking Him with a whole heart?
This Old Testament promise is fulfilled when one seeks Jesus Christ, because He is God as we established at the start.
III. To whom is the promise delivered-
The answer is he who come to Me and drink(s). <and> 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said,
Here is what we are told by Paul about Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved <Romans 10:13>, So this could be anyone couldn’t it? But scripture is more specific and candid revealing the picture of a changed heart and a changed perspective. Read with me again in Romans Chapter 10, the following verses 8 to 11, 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
So the promise is delivered to whosoever comes to Jesus and believes on Him according to the Word of God. What a wonderful savior we have in Jesus. Thank you, Father, for Your most exceptional gift.
IV. And Fourth, what is the promise that He delivers? According to vs 39 it says, 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [g]believing in Him would receive; for the [h]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
So the promise that God grants to whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord by faith, and confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead, is the Holy Spirit. God comes to indwell every believer. Eph 1:13-14 says, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Sealed in Christ Jesus unto the day of redemption.
You were and are sealed in Him if you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
The [g]Helper, tis the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in Jesus name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that Jesus said to you.
The final output of this is receiving the rivers of living water. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, the output is streams, literally rivers of living water which God will use to draw others to Himself. Because of God in you, your life will no become supernaturally productive because of the fruit which you bear because of heart which reflects the love of Jesus in you.
So you see this little verse is packed full of the promises of God and has a much deeper meaning for each of us, if we take the time to discover its value
Begin with me in the Gospel of John, Chapter 7, Verses 37-39 - 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [g]believing in Him would receive; for the [h]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
God please open my eyes that I may see and my ears that I might hear your truth, In Jesus name.
Is your life productive because the Spirit of God is working through you to reach others? Can God use you for whatever He wants and are you listening for His voice now? If not then perhaps this message from John 7 about Living waters is for you?
Let is being with Vs. 7:37 On the last day.
a. This language suggests that this event or occasion occurred on a different day than what was discussed just in the prior verses.
b. If anyone thirsts. There is a tradition which arose a sometime before Jesus lived, that on the 7th day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a golden container filled with water from the pool of Siloam was carried by the High-Priest from the pool to the temple. As the procession arrived at the Water Gate of the inner temple court, 3 trumpet blasts were sounded marking the joyous occasion and the people recited from Is. 12:3, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
As the people watched, the priests marched around the altar with the water while the temple choir sang the Hillel (Pss. 113–118). Then the water was offered as a sacrifice to God at the morning sacrifice.
The water symbolized the blessing of adequate rainfall for crops but this was a temporary fix.
Jesus used this event to teach and make a public invitation and invite His people to accept Him as the perpetual and eternal living water. His words recall Is. 55:1.
Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Now in Vs. 7:38 we see a reference to living water. This water-pouring rite was also associated within Jewish tradition as a foreshadowing of the eschatological rivers of living water foreseen in Ezek. 47:1–9 and Zech. 13:1. The significance of Jesus’ invitation centers in the fact that He was and He is the fulfillment of all the Feast of Tabernacles anticipated, i.e., Jesus Christ is the One who provides Living Water which gives and seals eternal life to any man who seeks Him as Savior and Lord(cf. 4:10, 11).
But there are 4 things of deep spiritual significance to pause and to highlight in this verse. We begin with :
I. First who is the source of the promise- It says Jesus stood. So the source of the promise is Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man. All God and All Man, the only Son of God, the only begotten from the Father before all ages, He is:
God of God, Light of Light,
Very God of very God, begotten, not made;
being of one substance with the Father.
Through him all things were made, who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven; and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man.
He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty
He will come again in glory to judge the quick and the dead.
And His kingdom shall have no end.
This is the person and nature of Jesus Christ we are to worship and serve.
II. Second, to whom is the promise made – The answer is to anyone who thirsts. What do you mean by thirsts, is this for water or something to drink? No not for water or something to drink but any person who is desperately seeking a right, real, and personal relationship with God. To anyone who would want to know and seek God and is desperate and desires Him more than life itself. Could this be the desire of your heart today? For you know that you know in your heart, you what something more about faith and Jesus Christ than you are experiencing today. You have developed a thirst for Christ.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 says this, 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of <welfare> peace and not of <calamity> evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Is this you today? Are you seeking Him with a whole heart?
This Old Testament promise is fulfilled when one seeks Jesus Christ, because He is God as we established at the start.
III. To whom is the promise delivered-
The answer is he who come to Me and drink(s). <and> 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said,
Here is what we are told by Paul about Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved <Romans 10:13>, So this could be anyone couldn’t it? But scripture is more specific and candid revealing the picture of a changed heart and a changed perspective. Read with me again in Romans Chapter 10, the following verses 8 to 11, 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
So the promise is delivered to whosoever comes to Jesus and believes on Him according to the Word of God. What a wonderful savior we have in Jesus. Thank you, Father, for Your most exceptional gift.
IV. And Fourth, what is the promise that He delivers? According to vs 39 it says, 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [g]believing in Him would receive; for the [h]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
So the promise that God grants to whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord by faith, and confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead, is the Holy Spirit. God comes to indwell every believer. Eph 1:13-14 says, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Sealed in Christ Jesus unto the day of redemption.
You were and are sealed in Him if you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
The [g]Helper, tis the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in Jesus name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that Jesus said to you.
The final output of this is receiving the rivers of living water. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, the output is streams, literally rivers of living water which God will use to draw others to Himself. Because of God in you, your life will no become supernaturally productive because of the fruit which you bear because of heart which reflects the love of Jesus in you.
So you see this little verse is packed full of the promises of God and has a much deeper meaning for each of us, if we take the time to discover its value
Aug 27 Sermon
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, <spirit filled> <fruit of the spirit > perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. <apostacy>14 But you must continue in the things <take up you cross> which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration <god breathed> of God, and is profitable <worthy> for doctrine <should do>, for reproof <shouldn’t do>, for correction, <get right> for [c]instruction in righteousness,<how to stay right> 17 that the man of God may be complete <made perfect> thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Pray – May God use His Word to lead us in the way everlasting – Amen
We are told to:
- From Childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures <Old Testament, no New Testament had been published yet. So you heard that the OT can make you wise to salvation – this is not progressive revelation, The words written in red are not better or more inspired than OT stories, psalms. After all Jesus preached from{Isaiah 61. 1-3}- The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to [a]heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are unbound2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To [b]console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
So, in the age we live in as believers, we have a responsibility to balance knowledge and responsibility, we read about this balance and responsibility in 2nd Timothy Chapter 3. Specifically we have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus and our need for a savior. And we need to have the knowledge imparted by the Holy Spirit by applying the Word of God.
So as we go to our text we actually begin by moving from Chapter 2 in 2nd Timothy, which is about being a servant. My friend and mentor Henry Blackaby likens servanthood to being like clay. Clay has no will of its own, it is molded and shaped by the potter who controls it. So as God shapes and directs the clay of a servant so should he or she go and complete the tasking for which he or she was sent. Are you moldable clay in the hands of the potter today?
By the way do you know when the “last days” of scripture began? It began with the ministry of the Son of God. They are called “last days” because God is completing His work in and through His people. Many scoff at His coming, but He who has called you is faithful and He will fulfill the purpose of HIs calling.
The “times” of the last day will be seasons of earth will be perilous, meaning “dangerous, hard to deal with, savage.” This is the same Greek word used to describe the dangerous, violent demoniac in Galatia. This suggests that demons will be driving the violence of the last times. So in the last days we will see an acceleration in the intensity of troubles. Do you think this might be happening today?
Now we will not be addressing verses 1 to 9 but the general overall tenor and thread pulled through this section is the need for believers to “turn away from the false teaching and lies that are out there.” Now caution – turn away means to separate ourselves. But to separate does not mean to isolate or totally remove ourselves, as some interpret. What it means is to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Separated to Christ yes, distinct but not involved/ imbedded in worldly pursuits.
1. Now beginning in verse 10 of 2nd Timothy Chapter 3, In these days follow those who are true. It is critical is these last days to follow faithful servant of God and we are to use that measure established by the Word of God. In verses 10 – 12 Paul defines the characteristics of leaders to follow.
a. Their lives are open to all to see – Pastors and teachers should be what they teach and preach – not set apart
b. They teach true doctrine – the true faith. He must teach the Word of God and the full counsel of God.
c. They must practice what they preach- remember like Paul, was a preacher not a celebrity, found peace in poverty or in abundance.-
d. Their purpose is to glorify God – want to finish. complete the work for which God sent them like Paul did. In this they only want to do God’s will (Phil. 1.21}. A man of faith, trusting in God to meet the needs. Longsuffering who bore personal attacks. A man of love willing to give himself to others
e. They are willing to suffer- Paul considered suffering a joy for it meant God was working in and through his life. Many today discount and avoid suffering wanting to be pampered and protected from any discomfort Part II. In verses 13-17 Paul addresses the need for all to continue in God’s Word.
Today more than ever we need to surround ourselves with the truth as the days worsen. Deception and distortion are growing daily as the Prince and power of the air continues to pollute the hearts and minds of many.
III. In verses 15 and following Paul makes great distinction about the Scriptures and their importance to us
a. (vs 15a)They are the Holy Scriptures – literally “sacred letters.” The word for Holy means “consecrated for sacred use.” The Bible is different from any other book,
-Timothy raised on the Holy Scriptures, in a godly home
-not saved until Paul led him to salvation in Jesus Christ.
What does the Bible do then? It reveals our need for salvation. It mirrors how filthy in our own dirty rags we are before God’s sight.
c. The scriptures are true and dependable for our use and reliance
- “All Scripture is God breathers” -the Scripture is written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
- Satan has attacked “God’s Word” since the beginning “Asked Eve “hath God said.?) (Gen. 3.1)
- God only wants His people to know the truth, so why would He give us a book of errors
- Pastor Adrian Roger said He has been studying and using the Bible for 50 years and yet to find any errors in it or its author
God is the God of truth (Deut 32.4)
Jesus is “the truth.” (Jn. 14.6)
The Holy Spirit is truth (1st Jn. 5.6)
Jesus said of the Scriptures thy word is truth (Jn. 17.17)
The Holy Spirit used men of God to write the “Word of God.”
d. Vs. 16 provides us another perspective on the application and applicability of scripture to our lives. The Word of God is profitable -- - for doctrine – tells us what is right
- for reproof – tells us what is not right
- for correction – how to get right
- for instruction in righteousness – how to live and stay right before God
e. The Scripture equips us for service (vs. 17) That the man or woman of God can be thoroughly equipped unto every good work. Here is where God states that any believer can become a person “of God.’ How? By studying the Word of God and letting it control and direct our lives
So scripture provides the knowledge of how we are to live, but God provides the balance in the provision of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. He is the Counselor, He is Truth, He is God and He the teacher who walks in us daily. Are you yielded to Him today? We sing often Living for Jesus in all that I do. Is He?
God is at work – Question? – Am I growing in the grace and knowledge of God and His Son Jesus Christ?
Luke 9:23 says, - 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
To gain life in Christ is to lose yourself, your ego, your ambitions and your present life in Jesus. You need to remember who Jesus is and surrender. He gives life and He is the life and if you are a believer His is your life.
Desire to come after Jesus today. AMEN
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, <spirit filled> <fruit of the spirit > perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. <apostacy>14 But you must continue in the things <take up you cross> which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration <god breathed> of God, and is profitable <worthy> for doctrine <should do>, for reproof <shouldn’t do>, for correction, <get right> for [c]instruction in righteousness,<how to stay right> 17 that the man of God may be complete <made perfect> thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Pray – May God use His Word to lead us in the way everlasting – Amen
We are told to:
- Carefully followed my {Paul’s) doctrine, and manner of life
- Out of all the Lord delivered me- what the Lord did
- Alert- alert - All who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution
- The times they are a changing apostates, pure evil, Imposters in the faith are here now today!
- From Childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures <Old Testament, no New Testament had been published yet. So you heard that the OT can make you wise to salvation – this is not progressive revelation, The words written in red are not better or more inspired than OT stories, psalms. After all Jesus preached from{Isaiah 61. 1-3}- The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to [a]heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are unbound2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To [b]console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
So, in the age we live in as believers, we have a responsibility to balance knowledge and responsibility, we read about this balance and responsibility in 2nd Timothy Chapter 3. Specifically we have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus and our need for a savior. And we need to have the knowledge imparted by the Holy Spirit by applying the Word of God.
So as we go to our text we actually begin by moving from Chapter 2 in 2nd Timothy, which is about being a servant. My friend and mentor Henry Blackaby likens servanthood to being like clay. Clay has no will of its own, it is molded and shaped by the potter who controls it. So as God shapes and directs the clay of a servant so should he or she go and complete the tasking for which he or she was sent. Are you moldable clay in the hands of the potter today?
By the way do you know when the “last days” of scripture began? It began with the ministry of the Son of God. They are called “last days” because God is completing His work in and through His people. Many scoff at His coming, but He who has called you is faithful and He will fulfill the purpose of HIs calling.
The “times” of the last day will be seasons of earth will be perilous, meaning “dangerous, hard to deal with, savage.” This is the same Greek word used to describe the dangerous, violent demoniac in Galatia. This suggests that demons will be driving the violence of the last times. So in the last days we will see an acceleration in the intensity of troubles. Do you think this might be happening today?
Now we will not be addressing verses 1 to 9 but the general overall tenor and thread pulled through this section is the need for believers to “turn away from the false teaching and lies that are out there.” Now caution – turn away means to separate ourselves. But to separate does not mean to isolate or totally remove ourselves, as some interpret. What it means is to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Separated to Christ yes, distinct but not involved/ imbedded in worldly pursuits.
1. Now beginning in verse 10 of 2nd Timothy Chapter 3, In these days follow those who are true. It is critical is these last days to follow faithful servant of God and we are to use that measure established by the Word of God. In verses 10 – 12 Paul defines the characteristics of leaders to follow.
a. Their lives are open to all to see – Pastors and teachers should be what they teach and preach – not set apart
b. They teach true doctrine – the true faith. He must teach the Word of God and the full counsel of God.
c. They must practice what they preach- remember like Paul, was a preacher not a celebrity, found peace in poverty or in abundance.-
d. Their purpose is to glorify God – want to finish. complete the work for which God sent them like Paul did. In this they only want to do God’s will (Phil. 1.21}. A man of faith, trusting in God to meet the needs. Longsuffering who bore personal attacks. A man of love willing to give himself to others
e. They are willing to suffer- Paul considered suffering a joy for it meant God was working in and through his life. Many today discount and avoid suffering wanting to be pampered and protected from any discomfort Part II. In verses 13-17 Paul addresses the need for all to continue in God’s Word.
Today more than ever we need to surround ourselves with the truth as the days worsen. Deception and distortion are growing daily as the Prince and power of the air continues to pollute the hearts and minds of many.
- Some might say I needed the bible when I was younger but I don’t need it any more
- Adults need the Bible more than children do
- We need to teach our children and grandchildren about God
- Use Kenneth Taylor’s Bible Stories with Pictures for little eyes. Many of which are still available
III. In verses 15 and following Paul makes great distinction about the Scriptures and their importance to us
a. (vs 15a)They are the Holy Scriptures – literally “sacred letters.” The word for Holy means “consecrated for sacred use.” The Bible is different from any other book,
- Set apart by God and protected for special use
- Must see and know the Bible is different
- The way we treat our Bibles tells others about how much we respect or disrespect it
- There is a difference between marking our bibles and defacing or decorating them
-Timothy raised on the Holy Scriptures, in a godly home
-not saved until Paul led him to salvation in Jesus Christ.
What does the Bible do then? It reveals our need for salvation. It mirrors how filthy in our own dirty rags we are before God’s sight.
- Bible explains we as lost sinners are condemned before God’s holiness (Jn. 3.18-21)
- Bible explains a lost sinner cannot save Him or Herself
- Bible reveals Jesus as the way to salvation (Jn. 3.16-18)
- Bible helps us understand the assurance of our salvation (Eph 1.13-14) and (Ist John 5.9 -13)
c. The scriptures are true and dependable for our use and reliance
- “All Scripture is God breathers” -the Scripture is written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
- Satan has attacked “God’s Word” since the beginning “Asked Eve “hath God said.?) (Gen. 3.1)
- God only wants His people to know the truth, so why would He give us a book of errors
- Pastor Adrian Roger said He has been studying and using the Bible for 50 years and yet to find any errors in it or its author
God is the God of truth (Deut 32.4)
Jesus is “the truth.” (Jn. 14.6)
The Holy Spirit is truth (1st Jn. 5.6)
Jesus said of the Scriptures thy word is truth (Jn. 17.17)
The Holy Spirit used men of God to write the “Word of God.”
- Each book is special use each author, in the middle of their circumstances to craft
- God brought each writer the skills and preparation needed
- We need to think of inspiration not like Shakespeare but supernatural – supra – above, only enabled by God and intended for a higher purpose which is salvation.
d. Vs. 16 provides us another perspective on the application and applicability of scripture to our lives. The Word of God is profitable -- - for doctrine – tells us what is right
- for reproof – tells us what is not right
- for correction – how to get right
- for instruction in righteousness – how to live and stay right before God
e. The Scripture equips us for service (vs. 17) That the man or woman of God can be thoroughly equipped unto every good work. Here is where God states that any believer can become a person “of God.’ How? By studying the Word of God and letting it control and direct our lives
So scripture provides the knowledge of how we are to live, but God provides the balance in the provision of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. He is the Counselor, He is Truth, He is God and He the teacher who walks in us daily. Are you yielded to Him today? We sing often Living for Jesus in all that I do. Is He?
God is at work – Question? – Am I growing in the grace and knowledge of God and His Son Jesus Christ?
Luke 9:23 says, - 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
To gain life in Christ is to lose yourself, your ego, your ambitions and your present life in Jesus. You need to remember who Jesus is and surrender. He gives life and He is the life and if you are a believer His is your life.
Desire to come after Jesus today. AMEN
Aug 20 Sermon
I MET A MAN and asked Him did He know about all the problems facing America today?
a) He said no he didn’t know and He didn’t care. Those are the two greatest problems in our world today. They are ignorance and indifference.
b) As believers should not and cannot be ignorant of or indifferent to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the end of this age. Time is short.
c) This earth is coming to a climax.
i) It would be blasphemous to try and set a date as to when Jesus is coming again. No man knows only the Father in heaven. (Jesus said this)
d) The Bible does teach that we can know what the days will be like when Jesus Christ will return.
i) Jesus said that they will be like the days of Noah.
(1) Go to Matthew 24:35-39
(a) “Eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” speaks to indifference.
(b) “And they knew not” speaks to ignorance.
(2) Ignorance and indifference are the two major problems that will mark the last days just before Jesus comes.
ii) If we want to know what the days of Noah were like, then we must go back to Genesis.
e) By comparing the days of Noah to our day, we then understand why it is ripe for the Lord Jesus to return.
f) There are seven telling signs of the days of Noah that we can find these in the book of Genesis. Turn there.
2) Sign 1- A time of SECULAR philosophies (Genesis 6:5-6)
a) The word “imagination” in this passage in Genesis comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to fashion as a potter.”
i) In Noah’s day they were trying to mold society by philosophy.
b) Strange philosophies are rampant now.
i) These secular or human philosophies are taught from pulpits by preachers and teachers who no longer are faithful to Christ.
(1) They teach strange doctrines, which deny the Bible.
(2) They mock the blood atonement of Christ.
(3) They reject the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
(4) Several once-great denominations have turned worldly.
c) The faith that was delivered to Adam, the truth that the martyr Abel died for, and the truth that was revealed to Enoch the prophet receded quickly in the days of Noah.
We are living in a day and age just like this.
d) Secularism in America and in the world today has taken over the arts, the sciences, philosophy and education.
e) There is only one common accepted prejudice and bigotry in our world today and that is the bigotry against a Bible-believing Christians.
3) Sign 2- A time of SCIENTIFIC advancement
a) Regardless of what you believe the days of Noah had reached a zenith in knowledge and achievement.
b) In the early chapters of Genesis, we find men of renown known as Nephilim.
i) Genesis 6:4
ii) They had great intellects.
c) There were great cities in the days of Noah.
i) Genesis 4:17
(1) This was not just a village but a metropolitan city.
d) There was an industrial revolution in Noah’s time.
i) Genesis 4:22
ii) They were making tools and machinery.
iii) Man, who had been driven from Eden because of his sin, was now trying to create an artificial paradise of wit, wisdom and fire.
e) Noah’s day experienced technological advancement.
i) Noah’s Ark, designed by God, was an engineering miracle.
(1) It was a three-story vessel that was over 450 feet long and 150 feet wide.
(2) Ship builders and engineers s tell us that it was about the same proportion and size as many a super tanker today.
(3) The ark was built strong enough to withstand the greatest storm in history.
f) Our day parallels these technological and scientific advancements.
i) My parents and grandparents of Americans began with a horse and buggy and ended up with the splitting of the atom.
ii) We have walked on the moon and built space stations.
iii) We are deeply involved in genetic engineering.
iv) And can now have avatars and live in our perverted imaginations using virtual reality.
4) Sign 3 - A time of SOCIAL Upheaval (Genesis 6:11-13)
a) Noah lived in a time of great violence.
i) Their scientific knowledge did not produce good.
ii) Our day is also a day of great violence.
(1) In modern times, we have had two world wars.
(2) We live in a day of minor wars, rebellions, upheavals, kidnappings, and needless murders and assaults.
(3) People today are filled with violence and revenge.
iii) Genesis 4:23-24
(1) This passage tells of a man who was consumed with a spirit of revenge.
(a) His name is included in the Scriptures as typical of many in that day who were filled with the spirit of violence and revenge.
iv) Since 1960, violent crimes in America have increased exponentially.
(1) Crimes against women are epidemic today.
(2) Prison overcrowding is common today.
(3) Churches have compromised themselves out of existence.
(4) School violence is unprecedented today.
(5) We have taken prayer and the Ten Commandments out of schools and raised a generation with refined intellects and undisciplined emotions.
(6) Teen suicide has increased to unprecedented levels.
b) Divorce and multiple marriages were rampant then as they are now.
i) Genesis 6:1-2
ii) Matthew 24:38
(1) Bible commentators tell us that “marrying and giving in marriage” refers to a multiplicity of wives.
c) One of the greatest social plagues in America is abortion.
i) The life of the unborn, and even newborn, is devalued in many sectors of our society today.
d) Genesis 6:11
i) The world had become corrupt in Noah’s day, and it is corrupt in our day.
5) Sign 4 - A time of SEXUAL PERVERSION (Genesis 6:5)
a) Genesis 6:5 does not mention what the “evil” was.
b) In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus gives us further insight into the days of Noah depicted in Genesis 6:5.
i) Turn to Luke 17:26-30
(1) In this passage, the Jesus links the days of Noah with the days of Lot.
ii) As In the days of Noah, there had been a sexual revolution; which were days of sexual perversion.
iii) Lot lived in the city of Sodom; this is the city from which we get the word “sodomy,” which speaks of sexual perversion.
(1) Leviticus 20:13
c) Today’s world is filled with sexual perversion.
i) The vile diseases that often accompany these sins are not necessarily the judgment of God, but the built-in results of these sins.
(1) Read Romans 1:27
(a) “Meet” in this passage means “fitting.”
(b) If mankind were to follow God’s laws concerning marriage, these diseases would not disappear.
(i) God’s plan is one man and one woman till death do them part.
(c) Disease is the consequences of these sins, and the innocent often suffer along with the guilty.
(d) When God judges, He does so with specificity.
(2) Romans 1:24, 26, 28
(a) A “reprobate mind” is a mind that cannot think straight.
ii) In today’s society we question whether we are born with homosexual tendencies, but God would never cripple someone and then blame them for limping.
(1) These tendencies are come from the heart, which is deceitfully wicked and sinful.
(a) Urges toward incest.
(b) Urges toward adultery.
(c) Urges toward violence.
(d) Urges toward any sin
(2) We are born sinners, and we need to be born again.
d) The entertainment industry has made sexual perversion to be fashionable. It is an abomination.
6) Sign 5- A time of SELFISH prosperity (Ezekiel 16:49-50)
a) Some believe that God must be pleased with America because of the prosperity we have experienced.
i) America may be prosperous, but not every nation is prosperous.
ii) America is an island of prosperity and perversion, in the middle of an ocean of need.
b) It was the same in the days of Lot and Noah as it is today; they, too, were days of selfish prosperity.
i) Ezekiel 16:49-50
(1) Sodom had pride.
(a) Pride now struts sin in the main street, there is no hiding.
(2) Sodom had “fullness of bread;” they had more than they needed.
(3) There was an abundance of idleness.
(a) The people had leisure time.
At the height of their prosperity, the fire and brimstone fell. Jude vs. 7
ii) We should not be lulled asleep by our economy and think that everything will be okay.
7) Sign 6 - A time of SOLEMN Evangelism (Genesis 6:13)
a) Do you know that God never sends judgment without first sending a warning.
i) Genesis 6:13 is that warning
b) 2nd Peter2:5 says Noah not only built the ark, but he also preached.
i) Noah preached
c) Enoch, a near contemporary, also preached a warning.
i) Jude 14
d) Their preaching did not penetrate the hearts of the people.
i) They were marrying and giving in marriage, eating and drinking.
ii) They had their technology, their culture, and their entertainment.
iii) They saw themselves as rich and needing nothing.
e) Our generation, too, has been warned.
i) There has been much faithful preaching, evangelism and warning
ii) The last days are marked by solemn preaching.
8) Sign 7 - A time of Panic (Genesis 6:17)
a) Just when everything seems to be going fine and the rounds of life continued, there was sudden panic.
i) The day may have begun bright and fair. Then some clouds began to gather. Then the rains came suddenly and cataclysmically.
b) Genesis 7:1 says
i) God brought Noah and his family into the ark and God shut the door.
ii) God shut Noah in and shut the others and the water out. the heavens and the earth opened and water and rain came forth.
iii) Those who had been laughing and mocking Noah were now filled with panic as the rains came and the water began to rise.
(1) Scripture indicates that prior to the flood, it had never rained on Earth
(a) The Earth had been moisturized by a canopy of vapor.
9) Do you know Jesus
a) Jesus is the door and He is the ark of safety;
i) If you will place your faith in Him, He will transform your life.
b) Does it cost to follow Jesus?
i) When Noah drove the last nail into the ark, he may have had nothing left.
ii) But when he came out of the ark, he had inherited the Earth.
iii) It pays to serve Jesus. Jesus is the ark of safety, and He will save you if you put your faith in Him today.
c) Do you know Jesus personally? If not, you can pray to Him today by asking Him to come into your life.
d) Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23
ii) Romans 10:9-10
iii) Romans 10:13
iv) Acts 16:31
v) John 3:16
Adapted and modified from Adrian Rogers’ sermon on “The days of Noah”
I MET A MAN and asked Him did He know about all the problems facing America today?
a) He said no he didn’t know and He didn’t care. Those are the two greatest problems in our world today. They are ignorance and indifference.
b) As believers should not and cannot be ignorant of or indifferent to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the end of this age. Time is short.
c) This earth is coming to a climax.
i) It would be blasphemous to try and set a date as to when Jesus is coming again. No man knows only the Father in heaven. (Jesus said this)
d) The Bible does teach that we can know what the days will be like when Jesus Christ will return.
i) Jesus said that they will be like the days of Noah.
(1) Go to Matthew 24:35-39
(a) “Eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” speaks to indifference.
(b) “And they knew not” speaks to ignorance.
(2) Ignorance and indifference are the two major problems that will mark the last days just before Jesus comes.
ii) If we want to know what the days of Noah were like, then we must go back to Genesis.
e) By comparing the days of Noah to our day, we then understand why it is ripe for the Lord Jesus to return.
f) There are seven telling signs of the days of Noah that we can find these in the book of Genesis. Turn there.
2) Sign 1- A time of SECULAR philosophies (Genesis 6:5-6)
a) The word “imagination” in this passage in Genesis comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to fashion as a potter.”
i) In Noah’s day they were trying to mold society by philosophy.
b) Strange philosophies are rampant now.
i) These secular or human philosophies are taught from pulpits by preachers and teachers who no longer are faithful to Christ.
(1) They teach strange doctrines, which deny the Bible.
(2) They mock the blood atonement of Christ.
(3) They reject the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
(4) Several once-great denominations have turned worldly.
c) The faith that was delivered to Adam, the truth that the martyr Abel died for, and the truth that was revealed to Enoch the prophet receded quickly in the days of Noah.
We are living in a day and age just like this.
d) Secularism in America and in the world today has taken over the arts, the sciences, philosophy and education.
e) There is only one common accepted prejudice and bigotry in our world today and that is the bigotry against a Bible-believing Christians.
3) Sign 2- A time of SCIENTIFIC advancement
a) Regardless of what you believe the days of Noah had reached a zenith in knowledge and achievement.
b) In the early chapters of Genesis, we find men of renown known as Nephilim.
i) Genesis 6:4
ii) They had great intellects.
c) There were great cities in the days of Noah.
i) Genesis 4:17
(1) This was not just a village but a metropolitan city.
d) There was an industrial revolution in Noah’s time.
i) Genesis 4:22
ii) They were making tools and machinery.
iii) Man, who had been driven from Eden because of his sin, was now trying to create an artificial paradise of wit, wisdom and fire.
e) Noah’s day experienced technological advancement.
i) Noah’s Ark, designed by God, was an engineering miracle.
(1) It was a three-story vessel that was over 450 feet long and 150 feet wide.
(2) Ship builders and engineers s tell us that it was about the same proportion and size as many a super tanker today.
(3) The ark was built strong enough to withstand the greatest storm in history.
f) Our day parallels these technological and scientific advancements.
i) My parents and grandparents of Americans began with a horse and buggy and ended up with the splitting of the atom.
ii) We have walked on the moon and built space stations.
iii) We are deeply involved in genetic engineering.
iv) And can now have avatars and live in our perverted imaginations using virtual reality.
4) Sign 3 - A time of SOCIAL Upheaval (Genesis 6:11-13)
a) Noah lived in a time of great violence.
i) Their scientific knowledge did not produce good.
ii) Our day is also a day of great violence.
(1) In modern times, we have had two world wars.
(2) We live in a day of minor wars, rebellions, upheavals, kidnappings, and needless murders and assaults.
(3) People today are filled with violence and revenge.
iii) Genesis 4:23-24
(1) This passage tells of a man who was consumed with a spirit of revenge.
(a) His name is included in the Scriptures as typical of many in that day who were filled with the spirit of violence and revenge.
iv) Since 1960, violent crimes in America have increased exponentially.
(1) Crimes against women are epidemic today.
(2) Prison overcrowding is common today.
(3) Churches have compromised themselves out of existence.
(4) School violence is unprecedented today.
(5) We have taken prayer and the Ten Commandments out of schools and raised a generation with refined intellects and undisciplined emotions.
(6) Teen suicide has increased to unprecedented levels.
b) Divorce and multiple marriages were rampant then as they are now.
i) Genesis 6:1-2
ii) Matthew 24:38
(1) Bible commentators tell us that “marrying and giving in marriage” refers to a multiplicity of wives.
c) One of the greatest social plagues in America is abortion.
i) The life of the unborn, and even newborn, is devalued in many sectors of our society today.
d) Genesis 6:11
i) The world had become corrupt in Noah’s day, and it is corrupt in our day.
5) Sign 4 - A time of SEXUAL PERVERSION (Genesis 6:5)
a) Genesis 6:5 does not mention what the “evil” was.
b) In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus gives us further insight into the days of Noah depicted in Genesis 6:5.
i) Turn to Luke 17:26-30
(1) In this passage, the Jesus links the days of Noah with the days of Lot.
ii) As In the days of Noah, there had been a sexual revolution; which were days of sexual perversion.
iii) Lot lived in the city of Sodom; this is the city from which we get the word “sodomy,” which speaks of sexual perversion.
(1) Leviticus 20:13
c) Today’s world is filled with sexual perversion.
i) The vile diseases that often accompany these sins are not necessarily the judgment of God, but the built-in results of these sins.
(1) Read Romans 1:27
(a) “Meet” in this passage means “fitting.”
(b) If mankind were to follow God’s laws concerning marriage, these diseases would not disappear.
(i) God’s plan is one man and one woman till death do them part.
(c) Disease is the consequences of these sins, and the innocent often suffer along with the guilty.
(d) When God judges, He does so with specificity.
(2) Romans 1:24, 26, 28
(a) A “reprobate mind” is a mind that cannot think straight.
ii) In today’s society we question whether we are born with homosexual tendencies, but God would never cripple someone and then blame them for limping.
(1) These tendencies are come from the heart, which is deceitfully wicked and sinful.
(a) Urges toward incest.
(b) Urges toward adultery.
(c) Urges toward violence.
(d) Urges toward any sin
(2) We are born sinners, and we need to be born again.
d) The entertainment industry has made sexual perversion to be fashionable. It is an abomination.
6) Sign 5- A time of SELFISH prosperity (Ezekiel 16:49-50)
a) Some believe that God must be pleased with America because of the prosperity we have experienced.
i) America may be prosperous, but not every nation is prosperous.
ii) America is an island of prosperity and perversion, in the middle of an ocean of need.
b) It was the same in the days of Lot and Noah as it is today; they, too, were days of selfish prosperity.
i) Ezekiel 16:49-50
(1) Sodom had pride.
(a) Pride now struts sin in the main street, there is no hiding.
(2) Sodom had “fullness of bread;” they had more than they needed.
(3) There was an abundance of idleness.
(a) The people had leisure time.
At the height of their prosperity, the fire and brimstone fell. Jude vs. 7
ii) We should not be lulled asleep by our economy and think that everything will be okay.
7) Sign 6 - A time of SOLEMN Evangelism (Genesis 6:13)
a) Do you know that God never sends judgment without first sending a warning.
i) Genesis 6:13 is that warning
b) 2nd Peter2:5 says Noah not only built the ark, but he also preached.
i) Noah preached
c) Enoch, a near contemporary, also preached a warning.
i) Jude 14
d) Their preaching did not penetrate the hearts of the people.
i) They were marrying and giving in marriage, eating and drinking.
ii) They had their technology, their culture, and their entertainment.
iii) They saw themselves as rich and needing nothing.
e) Our generation, too, has been warned.
i) There has been much faithful preaching, evangelism and warning
ii) The last days are marked by solemn preaching.
8) Sign 7 - A time of Panic (Genesis 6:17)
a) Just when everything seems to be going fine and the rounds of life continued, there was sudden panic.
i) The day may have begun bright and fair. Then some clouds began to gather. Then the rains came suddenly and cataclysmically.
b) Genesis 7:1 says
i) God brought Noah and his family into the ark and God shut the door.
ii) God shut Noah in and shut the others and the water out. the heavens and the earth opened and water and rain came forth.
iii) Those who had been laughing and mocking Noah were now filled with panic as the rains came and the water began to rise.
(1) Scripture indicates that prior to the flood, it had never rained on Earth
(a) The Earth had been moisturized by a canopy of vapor.
9) Do you know Jesus
a) Jesus is the door and He is the ark of safety;
i) If you will place your faith in Him, He will transform your life.
b) Does it cost to follow Jesus?
i) When Noah drove the last nail into the ark, he may have had nothing left.
ii) But when he came out of the ark, he had inherited the Earth.
iii) It pays to serve Jesus. Jesus is the ark of safety, and He will save you if you put your faith in Him today.
c) Do you know Jesus personally? If not, you can pray to Him today by asking Him to come into your life.
d) Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23
ii) Romans 10:9-10
iii) Romans 10:13
iv) Acts 16:31
v) John 3:16
Adapted and modified from Adrian Rogers’ sermon on “The days of Noah”
Aug 13 Sermon
One of the great misunderstanding or fallacies of our age is that we believe better training and more education, or a better environment or greater equality in social, political and economics realities will make life better for each one of us. Then all will be good between men and women on this planet and peace, prosperity and happiness will reign through-.
Embedded in this flawed concept is the idea that man is inherently good and that he is able to improve his circumstances and he < I am using a representative he to include all men and women> has control over all things apart from any help for outside, let alone a Holy and Righteous creator God.
Secondly , this attitude of man denies that God is or has any ability or right to intervene or interact with the affairs of men. The ultimate denial is there “is no God.”
What we have here is the “best” thinking of man and it is flawed, delusional and without merit.
Psalm 100:3 says, Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Given that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God then we should reflect on the assumptions being spoken in the market place and among friends that we <flawed men and women> can make all things better apart from God. As you see all this striving and sin around us how can this be? Where does it come from?” Surely if we have all these abilities, we should be able to fix it and make life better – to correct and repair those things which are broken. So our track record over the centuries and has demonstrated that we are not capable of achieving this goal. If this is son what is the root cause of our problem? And second if there is a God who is loving and caring why does He not fix the problem?
My recommendation is we begin at the beginning. We have hinted at this point several weeks ago but have not specifically addressed it. I would like to do so today.
As Ken Hamm says, “the answers are in Genesis.” Please join me in opening your bibles to Genesis, Chapter 3, beginning reading with me in verse 8 through verse 15 - 8 And they heard the [c]sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [d]cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”
12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and our application and obedience in understanding and keeping it. May your word be ‘a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Amen
Let’s examine the facts as presented in the Bible beginning in Genesis
1. God created everything- including the weeds and bugs and it was good! He declare it so!
2. On the sixth day God created man in His image, both male and female He created them. Please note there was no confusion in God’s mind> He knew and still knows the differences between male and female.
3. Next God in His creation original and ongoing creations made no mistakes. All was created perfectly and the Garden of Eden had no flaws and no mistakes. It was a great place – all was made to give this couple a perfect, sinless and distraction free environment so they could come to know God in all His beauty, love and wonder.
Number 4. Despite all God had done to create a perfect- sin free, stress free, now work, no chores and enjoyable, beautiful environment and encourage man - Men and women had a fatal flaw. They chose not to trust in the Word of God. One prohibition they were given not to eat of the tree of good and evil. For when you eat, you will surely die.
5. We understand the tempter and father of lie from the beginning tempted they by questioning what was it? Oh, it was the Word of God, after all “hath God said?’ Now is there anything new about the tempters approach today, why no it is the same ole drivel ‘ Did God really mean that? This is why even so-called believers continue to bring apostasy and heresy into the church. After all hath God said? Did God really mean what He said. That Jesus was sufficient and all things and all power in heaven and earth have been given unto Him. So why do we think we need Jesus plus something else? CRT, Marxism, EDI, are all false doctrines.
Back to our message from Genesis, why is it today that many on planet earth believe God is hiding and we have to find Him and reveal Him?
My book says something else and it is important for both Christians, those who claim to be believers, unbelievers and you and I today.
Go to the text and read verse 8 and then verse 9.
Adam and Eve heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden as He had done times before and they hid themselves from God.
I ask you, has anything changed in todays world? Men and Women claim that God is hidden or cannot be found, when in fact “they know” that God is and they hid from Him. Why do we hide? Because we are naked and afraid. When we realize this it is so overwhelming to our fragile egos and sensibilities reject the truth. Paul teaches us in Romans we are confronted by creation and everyman has built in them an understanding of God.
Verse 9 says, 9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
God called to the man, “Where are you?”
He is asking this question to the believers of our day, “Where are you?”
Jesus approached this idea similarly when teaching about the heart. Let’s look at Luke Chapter 6, verses 43-45, 43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil [i]treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Because of our relationship to Adam and Eve we have the same disease as they generated. It is known as sin. Because of sin we make God in our image as say He hides from us. When in fact it is we who hid ourselves from Him.
Check it out nowhere in this Word of God does any man come to God. God as always has to say Where are you?” He must send the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart before you even realize you need a savior.
Now before leaving the Genesis account we need to understand the full impact of this one transgression and how sin continues to impact us today.
Point #1. Sin not only separated us from God and we hid, but in verse 12 the perfect trust and openness between man and woman was broken. “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” This person, this thing she did it. If only you hadn’t, she ruined everything. This brokenness of excuses and blaming others is evident in all our culture today, especially in personal relationships between men and women. Other sexual relationships are an abomination to God.
Point #2. Lies and deception are part of us and our part of our culture- The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” With this act deception occurs in our world and lies are accepted as fact. This would preach for a week if we stay on this subject.
Point #3, all of creation, all the majesty and greatness was turned against us. Instead of harmony and order, peace and life, death, destruction, toil, hate and rejection became the dominant factors. Instead of the lion laying down with the lamb, vipers living alongside of children and infants, no murder, no rape, no insanity all was good. The poof all was changed. Can you imagine the horror of Adam and Eve as they surveyed the death and destruction now poured out upon the earth? It would have been frightening for me almost unimaginable.
But, but despite the sin of man, grace was evident in large measure that day. First God saved them from His justice and His wrath. He would have been justified to kill them outright and give them death. HIs love, mercy and grace saved them.
And more importantly He provided a means of reconciliation for all peoples in verse 15- the serpent and sin would be defeated by the seed of the woman. On that day the love of God despite the incredible sin of man was focused on the Cross of Calvary from eternity past. God’s love would provide a savior who we know is Jesus Christ our Lord.
{2 Cor 5:21}
He will save you, He will save your now
One of the great misunderstanding or fallacies of our age is that we believe better training and more education, or a better environment or greater equality in social, political and economics realities will make life better for each one of us. Then all will be good between men and women on this planet and peace, prosperity and happiness will reign through-.
Embedded in this flawed concept is the idea that man is inherently good and that he is able to improve his circumstances and he < I am using a representative he to include all men and women> has control over all things apart from any help for outside, let alone a Holy and Righteous creator God.
Secondly , this attitude of man denies that God is or has any ability or right to intervene or interact with the affairs of men. The ultimate denial is there “is no God.”
What we have here is the “best” thinking of man and it is flawed, delusional and without merit.
Psalm 100:3 says, Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Given that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God then we should reflect on the assumptions being spoken in the market place and among friends that we <flawed men and women> can make all things better apart from God. As you see all this striving and sin around us how can this be? Where does it come from?” Surely if we have all these abilities, we should be able to fix it and make life better – to correct and repair those things which are broken. So our track record over the centuries and has demonstrated that we are not capable of achieving this goal. If this is son what is the root cause of our problem? And second if there is a God who is loving and caring why does He not fix the problem?
My recommendation is we begin at the beginning. We have hinted at this point several weeks ago but have not specifically addressed it. I would like to do so today.
As Ken Hamm says, “the answers are in Genesis.” Please join me in opening your bibles to Genesis, Chapter 3, beginning reading with me in verse 8 through verse 15 - 8 And they heard the [c]sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [d]cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”
12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and our application and obedience in understanding and keeping it. May your word be ‘a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Amen
Let’s examine the facts as presented in the Bible beginning in Genesis
1. God created everything- including the weeds and bugs and it was good! He declare it so!
2. On the sixth day God created man in His image, both male and female He created them. Please note there was no confusion in God’s mind> He knew and still knows the differences between male and female.
3. Next God in His creation original and ongoing creations made no mistakes. All was created perfectly and the Garden of Eden had no flaws and no mistakes. It was a great place – all was made to give this couple a perfect, sinless and distraction free environment so they could come to know God in all His beauty, love and wonder.
Number 4. Despite all God had done to create a perfect- sin free, stress free, now work, no chores and enjoyable, beautiful environment and encourage man - Men and women had a fatal flaw. They chose not to trust in the Word of God. One prohibition they were given not to eat of the tree of good and evil. For when you eat, you will surely die.
5. We understand the tempter and father of lie from the beginning tempted they by questioning what was it? Oh, it was the Word of God, after all “hath God said?’ Now is there anything new about the tempters approach today, why no it is the same ole drivel ‘ Did God really mean that? This is why even so-called believers continue to bring apostasy and heresy into the church. After all hath God said? Did God really mean what He said. That Jesus was sufficient and all things and all power in heaven and earth have been given unto Him. So why do we think we need Jesus plus something else? CRT, Marxism, EDI, are all false doctrines.
Back to our message from Genesis, why is it today that many on planet earth believe God is hiding and we have to find Him and reveal Him?
My book says something else and it is important for both Christians, those who claim to be believers, unbelievers and you and I today.
Go to the text and read verse 8 and then verse 9.
Adam and Eve heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden as He had done times before and they hid themselves from God.
I ask you, has anything changed in todays world? Men and Women claim that God is hidden or cannot be found, when in fact “they know” that God is and they hid from Him. Why do we hide? Because we are naked and afraid. When we realize this it is so overwhelming to our fragile egos and sensibilities reject the truth. Paul teaches us in Romans we are confronted by creation and everyman has built in them an understanding of God.
Verse 9 says, 9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
God called to the man, “Where are you?”
He is asking this question to the believers of our day, “Where are you?”
Jesus approached this idea similarly when teaching about the heart. Let’s look at Luke Chapter 6, verses 43-45, 43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil [i]treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Because of our relationship to Adam and Eve we have the same disease as they generated. It is known as sin. Because of sin we make God in our image as say He hides from us. When in fact it is we who hid ourselves from Him.
Check it out nowhere in this Word of God does any man come to God. God as always has to say Where are you?” He must send the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart before you even realize you need a savior.
Now before leaving the Genesis account we need to understand the full impact of this one transgression and how sin continues to impact us today.
Point #1. Sin not only separated us from God and we hid, but in verse 12 the perfect trust and openness between man and woman was broken. “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” This person, this thing she did it. If only you hadn’t, she ruined everything. This brokenness of excuses and blaming others is evident in all our culture today, especially in personal relationships between men and women. Other sexual relationships are an abomination to God.
Point #2. Lies and deception are part of us and our part of our culture- The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” With this act deception occurs in our world and lies are accepted as fact. This would preach for a week if we stay on this subject.
Point #3, all of creation, all the majesty and greatness was turned against us. Instead of harmony and order, peace and life, death, destruction, toil, hate and rejection became the dominant factors. Instead of the lion laying down with the lamb, vipers living alongside of children and infants, no murder, no rape, no insanity all was good. The poof all was changed. Can you imagine the horror of Adam and Eve as they surveyed the death and destruction now poured out upon the earth? It would have been frightening for me almost unimaginable.
But, but despite the sin of man, grace was evident in large measure that day. First God saved them from His justice and His wrath. He would have been justified to kill them outright and give them death. HIs love, mercy and grace saved them.
And more importantly He provided a means of reconciliation for all peoples in verse 15- the serpent and sin would be defeated by the seed of the woman. On that day the love of God despite the incredible sin of man was focused on the Cross of Calvary from eternity past. God’s love would provide a savior who we know is Jesus Christ our Lord.
{2 Cor 5:21}
He will save you, He will save your now
Aug 6 Sermon
Lord as we begin our study today, guide our hearts and minds to love You. May we seek desperately to hear You, love You and obey You more fully, by faith and with Your grace. Come to us, abide with us. In Jesus name Amen
In a society of freedmen, which was the concept developed by the framers of the constitution, there was a central key. That key came from the Bible and the writings of Locke and others.
Those men desiring to be free understood what it meant to be in bondage both physically and spiritually.
So how do people get into bondage? Lots of ways really - conquered and enslaved by another nation; you put yourself in bondage through the abusive use of sex, drug, alcohol, power and morally through the abusive slavery to children or women o any race or nation. But actually all of us are born into bondage spiritually and morally because of sin.
Men and women today have disregarded totally the truths presented in Genesis Chapter 3, where Moses records from God the circumstances of the fall of Man, which occurred in the Garden of Eden. Those who use Twitter, X, Facebook, snapchat or whatever is the current social media method of data sharing there is absolutely and increase in knowledge but a decrease in both wisdom and perception.
The Bible is regarded as irrelevant as is the author and those who wrote the 66 books over 1500 years. We are so smart we call our earth billions/millions of years old because we use a carbon dating process which is absolutely flawed and inaccurate.
So the problem then is that the events which God has recounted in Genesis 3-6 are regarded as fables instead of the truth. So we today have a truth problem, a deception problem but these problems are actually caused by sin.
Now listen this is important- because of Adam and Eve’s rejection of God’s instruction and their failure to have faith in His Word, we all have been cursed who are of the nature of Adam and Eve. Even the new testament writers saw this in the men and women of their day and said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit- all have sinned and there is none righteous, no not one. And the pronouncement is that because of our sin – we have come short of the glory of God, and the wages of our sin is death. Not just physical death but the second death eternal death which is separation eternally from the God who love you.
So for freedmen to live in the sovereignty of the covenant called the Constitution, men and women had to have Christ living in them so that men were no longer, as Paul says, slaves to sin. But freedmen freed from the slavery of sin and who knew the key to truth.
We have half an understanding now, so we need to go back to the Garden of Eden now to knowing the one more thing. Truth is the key and because of sin, men have lost their ability to find the truth. Truth is only found in Jesus Christ, apart from Him spiritually, physically and emotionally nothing is possible. Original sin is really this – human beings choosing their will over God’s. This is what Satan intended when he spoke to Eve and said, you will be like gods. Sin is us choosing self over God. Sin is us telling God: I am neither a man nor a woman, I am binary or 57+ varieties of sickness. It is defying God and saying we don’t believe in creationism we want to believe in evolution. We deny evidence in the very stars and solar system and talk about the big bang and say we are studying to determine how it happened. We deny our God in the reality of the aids virus despite the evidence of scripture which says about men recouping the sin in their own bodies for homosexuality. Wokism is a religion with the religious intensity meant to replace God, the state and the functioning of the churches, the family and the responsibilities of parents. It attempts to put in place racist Marxism, communism as a denial of Truth.
But there is only according to the Bible one truth and that is Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by Me.” So Jesus is the Truth embodied in human form. Now remember Jesus prayed in John 17, 17 Sanctify[i] them by Your truth. Your word is truth. So according to Jesus, the Son of God the very word of God, the Bible which records God’s Word is Truth.
And one more very important item is this Jesus promised His disciples a Helper, who would assist them in knowing all the truth. He is God, the Spirit of Truth. John 16:13 records this verse, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
Notice one very important item, the Holy Spirit is not of men and He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
So gaining the ability to discern the truth and secondly having the ability to denial self can happen ONLY upon coming into Christ and His truth. It is of vital importance we remember this foundational truth. Now let’s move to our text of how to be free and know the key. Turn to the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, beginning in verse 31 to verse 36 - 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Begin now in verse 34, the very notion of slavery in v. 34 moves to the status of slaves. While the Jews thought of themselves only as free sons of Abraham, in reality, they were slaves of sin. The genuine son in this context is Christ Himself, who sets slaves free from sin.
Only those whom Jesus Christ liberates from the tyranny of sin and the bondage of legalism are really free (Rom. 8:2; Gal. 5:1) (stand fast in the Liberty of Christ0.
So, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Free from what? Free from the bondage and tyranny of sin. These are the only ones who can know the truth otherwise we are dead in our trespasses and sin according to the Word of God.
Go back to verse 31 and notice this phrase - who believed Him. The first step in the progress toward true discipleship and knowing truth is attesting to belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Son of God. You must begin here, there is no other way!
Then Jesus states, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. This reveals the second step in the making progress toward true discipleship and walking in the truth. Perseverance in obedience to Scripture (cf. Matt. 28:19, 20) < 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you> is the fruit and evidence of genuine faith (see Eph. 2:10). <we are His workmanship>
The word “abide” means to habitually live, meditate, obey and study in Jesus’ words. A genuine believer holds fast, obeys, and practices Jesus’ teaching. The one who continues in His teaching has both the Father and the Son (2 John 9; cf. Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:26). Real disciples are both learners (the basic meaning of the word) and faithful followers.
“Truth” here has reference not only to the facts surrounding Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God but also to the teaching that He brought. A genuinely saved and obedient follower of the Lord Jesus will know divine truth and discover both freedom from sin (v. 34) and the search for reality. This divine truth comes not merely by intellectual assent (1 Cor. 2:14) but saving commitment to Christ (cf. Titus 1:1, 2).
In verse 34 Jesus states Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Whoever commits sin. The kind of slavery that Jesus had in mind was not physical slavery, but slavery to sin (cf. Rom. 6:17, 18). The idea of “commits sin” means to practice sin habitually and continually(1 John 3:4, 8, 9). The ultimate bondage is not political or economic enslavement, but spiritual bondage to sin and rebellion against God. Thus, this also explains why Jesus would not let Himself be reduced to merely a political Messiah (6:14, 15).
So the key is found in verse 36- 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
To actually know truth and practice truth you must be set free from the law of sin and death and only the blood of Christ can do so. Jesus holds the key and He is the key to life both now and in eternity.
Come to Him today. He will save you He will save you now! Do you want to know Him? Speak and call upon Him today. AMEN
Lord as we begin our study today, guide our hearts and minds to love You. May we seek desperately to hear You, love You and obey You more fully, by faith and with Your grace. Come to us, abide with us. In Jesus name Amen
In a society of freedmen, which was the concept developed by the framers of the constitution, there was a central key. That key came from the Bible and the writings of Locke and others.
Those men desiring to be free understood what it meant to be in bondage both physically and spiritually.
So how do people get into bondage? Lots of ways really - conquered and enslaved by another nation; you put yourself in bondage through the abusive use of sex, drug, alcohol, power and morally through the abusive slavery to children or women o any race or nation. But actually all of us are born into bondage spiritually and morally because of sin.
Men and women today have disregarded totally the truths presented in Genesis Chapter 3, where Moses records from God the circumstances of the fall of Man, which occurred in the Garden of Eden. Those who use Twitter, X, Facebook, snapchat or whatever is the current social media method of data sharing there is absolutely and increase in knowledge but a decrease in both wisdom and perception.
The Bible is regarded as irrelevant as is the author and those who wrote the 66 books over 1500 years. We are so smart we call our earth billions/millions of years old because we use a carbon dating process which is absolutely flawed and inaccurate.
So the problem then is that the events which God has recounted in Genesis 3-6 are regarded as fables instead of the truth. So we today have a truth problem, a deception problem but these problems are actually caused by sin.
Now listen this is important- because of Adam and Eve’s rejection of God’s instruction and their failure to have faith in His Word, we all have been cursed who are of the nature of Adam and Eve. Even the new testament writers saw this in the men and women of their day and said under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit- all have sinned and there is none righteous, no not one. And the pronouncement is that because of our sin – we have come short of the glory of God, and the wages of our sin is death. Not just physical death but the second death eternal death which is separation eternally from the God who love you.
So for freedmen to live in the sovereignty of the covenant called the Constitution, men and women had to have Christ living in them so that men were no longer, as Paul says, slaves to sin. But freedmen freed from the slavery of sin and who knew the key to truth.
We have half an understanding now, so we need to go back to the Garden of Eden now to knowing the one more thing. Truth is the key and because of sin, men have lost their ability to find the truth. Truth is only found in Jesus Christ, apart from Him spiritually, physically and emotionally nothing is possible. Original sin is really this – human beings choosing their will over God’s. This is what Satan intended when he spoke to Eve and said, you will be like gods. Sin is us choosing self over God. Sin is us telling God: I am neither a man nor a woman, I am binary or 57+ varieties of sickness. It is defying God and saying we don’t believe in creationism we want to believe in evolution. We deny evidence in the very stars and solar system and talk about the big bang and say we are studying to determine how it happened. We deny our God in the reality of the aids virus despite the evidence of scripture which says about men recouping the sin in their own bodies for homosexuality. Wokism is a religion with the religious intensity meant to replace God, the state and the functioning of the churches, the family and the responsibilities of parents. It attempts to put in place racist Marxism, communism as a denial of Truth.
But there is only according to the Bible one truth and that is Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by Me.” So Jesus is the Truth embodied in human form. Now remember Jesus prayed in John 17, 17 Sanctify[i] them by Your truth. Your word is truth. So according to Jesus, the Son of God the very word of God, the Bible which records God’s Word is Truth.
And one more very important item is this Jesus promised His disciples a Helper, who would assist them in knowing all the truth. He is God, the Spirit of Truth. John 16:13 records this verse, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
Notice one very important item, the Holy Spirit is not of men and He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
So gaining the ability to discern the truth and secondly having the ability to denial self can happen ONLY upon coming into Christ and His truth. It is of vital importance we remember this foundational truth. Now let’s move to our text of how to be free and know the key. Turn to the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, beginning in verse 31 to verse 36 - 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Begin now in verse 34, the very notion of slavery in v. 34 moves to the status of slaves. While the Jews thought of themselves only as free sons of Abraham, in reality, they were slaves of sin. The genuine son in this context is Christ Himself, who sets slaves free from sin.
Only those whom Jesus Christ liberates from the tyranny of sin and the bondage of legalism are really free (Rom. 8:2; Gal. 5:1) (stand fast in the Liberty of Christ0.
So, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Free from what? Free from the bondage and tyranny of sin. These are the only ones who can know the truth otherwise we are dead in our trespasses and sin according to the Word of God.
Go back to verse 31 and notice this phrase - who believed Him. The first step in the progress toward true discipleship and knowing truth is attesting to belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Son of God. You must begin here, there is no other way!
Then Jesus states, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. This reveals the second step in the making progress toward true discipleship and walking in the truth. Perseverance in obedience to Scripture (cf. Matt. 28:19, 20) < 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you> is the fruit and evidence of genuine faith (see Eph. 2:10). <we are His workmanship>
The word “abide” means to habitually live, meditate, obey and study in Jesus’ words. A genuine believer holds fast, obeys, and practices Jesus’ teaching. The one who continues in His teaching has both the Father and the Son (2 John 9; cf. Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:26). Real disciples are both learners (the basic meaning of the word) and faithful followers.
“Truth” here has reference not only to the facts surrounding Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God but also to the teaching that He brought. A genuinely saved and obedient follower of the Lord Jesus will know divine truth and discover both freedom from sin (v. 34) and the search for reality. This divine truth comes not merely by intellectual assent (1 Cor. 2:14) but saving commitment to Christ (cf. Titus 1:1, 2).
In verse 34 Jesus states Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Whoever commits sin. The kind of slavery that Jesus had in mind was not physical slavery, but slavery to sin (cf. Rom. 6:17, 18). The idea of “commits sin” means to practice sin habitually and continually(1 John 3:4, 8, 9). The ultimate bondage is not political or economic enslavement, but spiritual bondage to sin and rebellion against God. Thus, this also explains why Jesus would not let Himself be reduced to merely a political Messiah (6:14, 15).
So the key is found in verse 36- 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
To actually know truth and practice truth you must be set free from the law of sin and death and only the blood of Christ can do so. Jesus holds the key and He is the key to life both now and in eternity.
Come to Him today. He will save you He will save you now! Do you want to know Him? Speak and call upon Him today. AMEN
July 30 Sermon
“ Practical Christianity in 2023”
Shine and Share are two words we use and apply more and more each week to get us thinking about God might choose to use us each week after we are departed from worship here at Oakland Baptist Church.
As we walk with the Lord and in the Spirit by his grace we are to shine and share out faith. Just so we understand our terms when we talk about shining or to Shine we are talking about how you live for Christ
Matt. 5:16 -16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We are also commanded in the OT as well as the new to Shine. Scripture says You shall be holy because I AM HOLY and specifically in 1 Peter 1: 16 the word says, 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Share on the other hand is to do exactly what it says, to share Jesus Christ with others.
A good example in Luke Chapter 8 is of the Demon-Possessed Man who Jesus healed. It says in verse 38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city <and the 10 pagan cities of Decapolis> what great things Jesus had done for him. This is what we are to do, Share what Christ has done for usPhilippians chapter2, verses 14 & 15, 14 Do all things without complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will [a]prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you [b]appear as [c]lights in the world (NASB). Again as for sharing the truth of God’s Son and testifying to His Word, In ACTS Chapter 1 verse 8, Jesus says, 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
So sharing Christ as well as shining is important for the believer whatever stage and whatever age of their Christian pilgrimage.
So question is how do we Shine and Share for Jesus, wherever we are?
At this year’s Southern Baptist Convention Love Worth Finding ministries was giving away small books from Adrian Roger’s sermons which have never been preached. It was a book called “Pastor to Pastor.” The book had 5 sermons never broadcast outside of His church in Memphis. But tucked in the back was a section entitled practical ministry helps. This might be something we could use for our walk with Jesus.
This is a quick story from Jeff Shreve, 1st Baptist Church, Texarkana, Tx. A friend of his used to annotate His bible after listening to sermons with these initials YBH. He said He had heard many good sermons. But after hearing them he marked his bible after the text used the YBH. YBM means, yes, but how? – Many good words have been preached in sermons from many Pastors but they never got around to the practical application. They had a great spiritual message, but needed to provide the practical means need of showing the art of the possible to make it so. I believe this is true and I agree, So how do I make it work in my life?
Adrian Rogers used this acronym called PACE or P-A-C-. It is an acronym which impacts or can impact three levels of our lives - It has the potential to directly impact our Spiritual, Physically, Social lives. So for today this is what I want us to apply to help us make us walk more circumspect as believers in a dark world.
I. P-A-C-E – in the Spiritual domain
A. P is for Praise the Lord. This begins when I wake up; that I acknowledge that He is in charge, that He gives us life, and that He gave us Jesus as Lord and Savior. O I raise my hands in Praise and thank Him for what He has done. Psalm 150 says to Praise Him
b. A is for Accept. I accept what God has given me by His grace. I turn my hand inward as I accept His mercy, grace and forgiveness. Need to learn how to accept grace – Prodigal Son in Luke 15 states - 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
But the Father ran to accept the prodigal back into fellowship. None of us are worth it is God’s act that enables us to receive His grace with Him coming to us which enables us to respond by faith
Grace is God’s acceptance of you. Faith is your acceptance of God’s gift to you by trusting it is true. Remember we are made worthy of the blood of the lamb
c. C is surrender Control – We as believers surrender control of our lives to the Holy Spirit- John 15 tells us that apart from Christ we can do nothing. And Jesus tells us that He is sending One just like Him to live within your
We are to remember regardless of that is happening that God knows all things. For us to live as believers we must surrender all to Him, trusting in His mercy and grace.
d. E is for Expect – do you go into your day expecting God to do great things or is this just another day? Regardless of what is happening in the world, if God is able to do all things, should we not expect Him to do all things well. Is Romans 8:28 the truth or is it a myth? – that God works all things well and according also according to the council of His will. What about Philippians 4:19
II. The second area the application of PACE is THE social application. Here PACE is to enable your walk- Personally in a dark and dreary, sin filled world.
a. P here stands for POSTURE. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross. Get your chest out shoulders back, child of the King why are you downtrodden O my soul. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Your posture signals to others how your feel about what you are doing and what your outlook is for the day, and how you will address your challenges
b. A here is for Attitude – keep your attitude positive, not negative. We should be worshipping the God of all Hope Romans 5:13, Yes life is hard and difficult but you serve the only God who is able is able , Psalm 24? So you need to wait for the Lord in all you do
c. C is for Countenance – if you are happy and you know it let it reflect on your face. Phil 3: 20 says, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
d. E is for Enthusiasm – En Theos – focused
Phil 4:13- 13 I can do all things through [f]Christ who strengthens me.
Learned how to be filled with vitality and the spice of life
III. PACE _ Socially
YBH yes but how do I put this in practice
a. P is for Praise – when you encounter others and without being artificial find something about someone else, which you can praise. Try not to be artificial but real. This gives the message of acceptance as worthy of my time.
b. A is for Approach. Approach others as your encounter them, don’t be stand apart. Let others know you are approachable and care about them and their concerns.
c. C is for Concern – think of the example of Joseph, who was in jail falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph noticed their faces. Showed concern for noticing face of baker and candlestick maker, ask questions of them.
d. E is to Encourage – Give a word of encouragement to others. The example of Jesus is He saw, He approached, and He touched – He encouraged them, blind men, lepers, demoniac.
It doesn’t cost you anything to be nice to people. Make time and encourage others.
Example of Coach Mac Brown, UT Football Coach – This Longhorn coach has a reputation for being a person who is genuinely interested and focused on the individuals he encounters. This means whether they are interested in UT Football or not.
If you are a child of the King of King know that you matter to God, after all He sent His Son to die for whosoever will may come. This makes you a chosen person.
Phi 2:14 says 14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e]15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Note do all things without grumbling or disputing, goggusmos so you may be children of lights Moses led the people out of Egypt into the wilderness but the people were constantly grumbling <goggusmos> about water, about manna, about lack of meat. People grumbled and said to Moses, you brought us into the desert to have more graves. Moses told them they were grumbling against God, not Moses. And God hates our grumbling = goggusmos.
PACE yourselves and learn to grow closer to our Lord Jesus
“ Practical Christianity in 2023”
Shine and Share are two words we use and apply more and more each week to get us thinking about God might choose to use us each week after we are departed from worship here at Oakland Baptist Church.
As we walk with the Lord and in the Spirit by his grace we are to shine and share out faith. Just so we understand our terms when we talk about shining or to Shine we are talking about how you live for Christ
Matt. 5:16 -16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We are also commanded in the OT as well as the new to Shine. Scripture says You shall be holy because I AM HOLY and specifically in 1 Peter 1: 16 the word says, 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Share on the other hand is to do exactly what it says, to share Jesus Christ with others.
A good example in Luke Chapter 8 is of the Demon-Possessed Man who Jesus healed. It says in verse 38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city <and the 10 pagan cities of Decapolis> what great things Jesus had done for him. This is what we are to do, Share what Christ has done for usPhilippians chapter2, verses 14 & 15, 14 Do all things without complaining or arguments; 15 so that you will [a]prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you [b]appear as [c]lights in the world (NASB). Again as for sharing the truth of God’s Son and testifying to His Word, In ACTS Chapter 1 verse 8, Jesus says, 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
So sharing Christ as well as shining is important for the believer whatever stage and whatever age of their Christian pilgrimage.
So question is how do we Shine and Share for Jesus, wherever we are?
At this year’s Southern Baptist Convention Love Worth Finding ministries was giving away small books from Adrian Roger’s sermons which have never been preached. It was a book called “Pastor to Pastor.” The book had 5 sermons never broadcast outside of His church in Memphis. But tucked in the back was a section entitled practical ministry helps. This might be something we could use for our walk with Jesus.
This is a quick story from Jeff Shreve, 1st Baptist Church, Texarkana, Tx. A friend of his used to annotate His bible after listening to sermons with these initials YBH. He said He had heard many good sermons. But after hearing them he marked his bible after the text used the YBH. YBM means, yes, but how? – Many good words have been preached in sermons from many Pastors but they never got around to the practical application. They had a great spiritual message, but needed to provide the practical means need of showing the art of the possible to make it so. I believe this is true and I agree, So how do I make it work in my life?
Adrian Rogers used this acronym called PACE or P-A-C-. It is an acronym which impacts or can impact three levels of our lives - It has the potential to directly impact our Spiritual, Physically, Social lives. So for today this is what I want us to apply to help us make us walk more circumspect as believers in a dark world.
I. P-A-C-E – in the Spiritual domain
A. P is for Praise the Lord. This begins when I wake up; that I acknowledge that He is in charge, that He gives us life, and that He gave us Jesus as Lord and Savior. O I raise my hands in Praise and thank Him for what He has done. Psalm 150 says to Praise Him
b. A is for Accept. I accept what God has given me by His grace. I turn my hand inward as I accept His mercy, grace and forgiveness. Need to learn how to accept grace – Prodigal Son in Luke 15 states - 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
But the Father ran to accept the prodigal back into fellowship. None of us are worth it is God’s act that enables us to receive His grace with Him coming to us which enables us to respond by faith
Grace is God’s acceptance of you. Faith is your acceptance of God’s gift to you by trusting it is true. Remember we are made worthy of the blood of the lamb
c. C is surrender Control – We as believers surrender control of our lives to the Holy Spirit- John 15 tells us that apart from Christ we can do nothing. And Jesus tells us that He is sending One just like Him to live within your
We are to remember regardless of that is happening that God knows all things. For us to live as believers we must surrender all to Him, trusting in His mercy and grace.
d. E is for Expect – do you go into your day expecting God to do great things or is this just another day? Regardless of what is happening in the world, if God is able to do all things, should we not expect Him to do all things well. Is Romans 8:28 the truth or is it a myth? – that God works all things well and according also according to the council of His will. What about Philippians 4:19
II. The second area the application of PACE is THE social application. Here PACE is to enable your walk- Personally in a dark and dreary, sin filled world.
a. P here stands for POSTURE. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross. Get your chest out shoulders back, child of the King why are you downtrodden O my soul. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Your posture signals to others how your feel about what you are doing and what your outlook is for the day, and how you will address your challenges
b. A here is for Attitude – keep your attitude positive, not negative. We should be worshipping the God of all Hope Romans 5:13, Yes life is hard and difficult but you serve the only God who is able is able , Psalm 24? So you need to wait for the Lord in all you do
c. C is for Countenance – if you are happy and you know it let it reflect on your face. Phil 3: 20 says, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
d. E is for Enthusiasm – En Theos – focused
Phil 4:13- 13 I can do all things through [f]Christ who strengthens me.
Learned how to be filled with vitality and the spice of life
III. PACE _ Socially
YBH yes but how do I put this in practice
a. P is for Praise – when you encounter others and without being artificial find something about someone else, which you can praise. Try not to be artificial but real. This gives the message of acceptance as worthy of my time.
b. A is for Approach. Approach others as your encounter them, don’t be stand apart. Let others know you are approachable and care about them and their concerns.
c. C is for Concern – think of the example of Joseph, who was in jail falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph noticed their faces. Showed concern for noticing face of baker and candlestick maker, ask questions of them.
d. E is to Encourage – Give a word of encouragement to others. The example of Jesus is He saw, He approached, and He touched – He encouraged them, blind men, lepers, demoniac.
It doesn’t cost you anything to be nice to people. Make time and encourage others.
Example of Coach Mac Brown, UT Football Coach – This Longhorn coach has a reputation for being a person who is genuinely interested and focused on the individuals he encounters. This means whether they are interested in UT Football or not.
If you are a child of the King of King know that you matter to God, after all He sent His Son to die for whosoever will may come. This makes you a chosen person.
Phi 2:14 says 14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e]15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Note do all things without grumbling or disputing, goggusmos so you may be children of lights Moses led the people out of Egypt into the wilderness but the people were constantly grumbling <goggusmos> about water, about manna, about lack of meat. People grumbled and said to Moses, you brought us into the desert to have more graves. Moses told them they were grumbling against God, not Moses. And God hates our grumbling = goggusmos.
PACE yourselves and learn to grow closer to our Lord Jesus
July 23 Sermon
This is a challenging message for us as believers. Today we need to do more than simply say “I am saved and have trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.” In this day given the threats against the individual by wokeness, the state and the media against the family, against the body of believers we need to have increasing faith and trust in the One who has delivered us from sin and destruction. We like the saints we read about in the John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs need to understand that being in Christ is a life style and is meant to be worn wherever we go in life. When evil is present we need to be salt and light with the understanding that the culture will hate us because we are not in line with the worlds narrative; and We trust in Jesus Christ as the “Way, the Truth and the Life.” This very important trust will infuriate and unsettle the Woke leftist, communist base who trust in nothing but themselves.So in to prepare for this coming onslaught we need to firmly examine ahead of time -who and in what do we trust. As a believers In Christ, we need to know and have faith in what God is teaching and instructing us in the Bible, so that we can stand in the evil day.So God gives us faith to believe and trust in Him and He gives it in full measure to meet your need. I think often of Joshua who comes after Moses to lead the 3+million Jews who have exited out of Egypt and have been in the Wilderness for 40 years and are entering the promised land. As God gives Joshua his first challenge to go and conquer a city with 40-foot-high walls which were 6-8 feet thick with prayer, a marching band of rag tags with horns and shouting to make the walls fall down- that was some strategy – only of God.Now Joshua had been around for a while. All the time Moses was in the “tent of Meeting” with God. Joshua had been there listening in on what God was telling Moses. Joshua did not understand the purposes of God as He was training him up so that He could eventually take Moses place.So we have words of Instruction and Commission for Joshua about what God tells him what he is to do in Joshua, Chapter 1, it reads as follows: 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may [b]prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you[c] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be <discouraged> afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” God was going to lead and instruct Him.
This is good news for us as well. These three verses should serve us well and sustain us through coming controversies, as we trust and have faith in the Word God has given us.
Now with this in mind turn to our text Romans Chapter 1 beginning in verse 16. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man.
Now may God open our understanding to the application of His truth. Amen
Today we will not study all these verses they are given as context. They will be studied at a later date. Our focus will be on verses 16- 20, we need to trust God’s word and apply it appropriately by faith.
Let us review our text and actually beginning from verse 8 of this Chapter for some bacground. Paul is expressing His concerns in vs. 8 where He is thankful for them as a group of believers. In vs.9-10, he has prayed fervently for them. In verse 11, he expresses his love for them, as other labors had delayed his arrival in Rome. In verses 13-14, he is in debt to them for he was burdened for them and their salvation in Rome. And in verse 15, he was eager to visit with them to share Jesus and the truth of the gospel. The focus of our study is here in verses 16 and 17. Despite all the issues and events that had happened in Paul’s life, he was not ashamed of the gospel of our Lord- He had been imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:23, 24), chased out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:10), smuggled out of Berea (Acts 17:14), laughed at in Athens (Acts 17:32), regarded as a fool in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:18, 23), and stoned in Galatia (Acts 14:19), but Paul remained eager to preach the gospel in Rome—the seat of contemporary political power and pagan religion. Neither ridicule, criticism, nor physical persecution could curb his boldness So what do these verses teach us.
1. The very origin of the Gospel or good news is in the very life of Christ from birth, to ministry, to trial, to His crucifixion, death and resurrection. For His is the Word of God the very truth of His personhood. (vs.16a)
2. The operation of the gospel, is in the power and efficacy of God. God’s power is mightier than any power known on earth. He has the power to change a life or create by simply speaking a word. God is the author and grantor of this power and it does not come from men. It is solely of God and is dynamite towards men Dunamis-explosive. This power we refer to is the omnipotent power of the person of God Almighty and has the power to create, save to the uttermost or destroy completely.
3. The outcome of the gospel of power of God is unto salvation. Salvation here means -deliverance and it is applied to personal and national deliverance for repentance and renewal or rebuilding in Him alone. As Paul recognized as did Jesus- salvation is the greatest need for your and I and the entire human race. The power of the gospel delivers people from lostness (Matt. 18:11), from the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9), from willful spiritual ignorance (Hos. 4:6; 2 Thess. 1:8), from evil self-indulgence (Luke 14:26), and from the darkness of false religion (Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9). It rescues them from the ultimate penalty of their sin, i.e., eternal separation from God and eternal punishment ( Rev. 20:6).
4. The outreach of this gospel of Christ is to everyone who believes. To Everyone was a radical and controversial concept to the Jews. It ranks right up there with whosoever will may call upon the name of the Lord. God made man, and then separated them to confuse us by language and other customs. This includes Jews, Greek, all men and all women who were of one race, specifically created by God. The Jews were told to make distinctions and to live that way- separated.
Remember it is faith in Jesus Christ and what He did that saves sinners, not color, race, gender, financial status, prizes won in life or who has the most expensive toys, or who has given so much to the church or attended VBS for 20 years. Contrary to popular belief there are not multiple ways to heaven. There is only one way by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Does He live in your heart today?
So Christ broke not only the sin barrier but also provided a way for whosoever will to come to Himself. You can only come one way and that is the way of faith. But faith in what or whom is the question. It is only by asking Jesus to enter your life and rule in your heart as His servant. Jesus has to be established firmly on the throne of your heart, if He is not on His throne in your heart then you are deluding yourself about His strong salvation.
True faith has some distinctive characteristics-
True saving faith is supernatural, a gracious gift of God that He produces in the heart and is the only means by which a person can appropriate true righteousness (cf. 3:22, 25; 4:5, 13, 20; 5:1; ). Saving faith has 3 elements: 1) mental: the mind understands the gospel and the truth about Christ (10:14–17); 2) emotional: one embraces the truthfulness of those facts with sorrow over sin and joy over God’s mercy and grace (6:17; 15:13); and 3) volitional: the sinner submits his will to Christ and trusts in Him alone as the only hope of salvation (see note on 10:9). Genuine faith will always produce authentic obedience. Note this last statement- genuine faith produces authentic obedience in that believer without fail.
Now to vs 17 - 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”No one can be declared righteous except by faith and again faith is in Christ alone, and by faith alone in the Son of God. The world of men rejects this claim. So faith in Christ is impossible without having received His righteousness and His salvation which is the gospel of grace given better translated “righteousness from God.” A major theme of the book, appearing over 30 times in one form or another, righteousness is the state or condition of perfectly conforming to God’s perfect law and holy character. Only God is inherently righteous in and of Himself. Perhaps a quick excursion can add value to our understanding. Please turn to Romans 10: 8-11 - But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” So we should conclude that it is by faith alone, in Christ alone that saves us and causes us to endure and grow in Him. In the Old Testament we have works of righteousness <sacrifices and offerings> leading to salvation which is a by works concept. In Christ and the New Testament we have the work of Christ in the life of a believer being sufficient to produce righteousness by faith. God wants us to live by faith in His Son which is the power of God unto salvation and life eternal.
Will you surrender to Him today? Amen
This is a challenging message for us as believers. Today we need to do more than simply say “I am saved and have trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.” In this day given the threats against the individual by wokeness, the state and the media against the family, against the body of believers we need to have increasing faith and trust in the One who has delivered us from sin and destruction. We like the saints we read about in the John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs need to understand that being in Christ is a life style and is meant to be worn wherever we go in life. When evil is present we need to be salt and light with the understanding that the culture will hate us because we are not in line with the worlds narrative; and We trust in Jesus Christ as the “Way, the Truth and the Life.” This very important trust will infuriate and unsettle the Woke leftist, communist base who trust in nothing but themselves.So in to prepare for this coming onslaught we need to firmly examine ahead of time -who and in what do we trust. As a believers In Christ, we need to know and have faith in what God is teaching and instructing us in the Bible, so that we can stand in the evil day.So God gives us faith to believe and trust in Him and He gives it in full measure to meet your need. I think often of Joshua who comes after Moses to lead the 3+million Jews who have exited out of Egypt and have been in the Wilderness for 40 years and are entering the promised land. As God gives Joshua his first challenge to go and conquer a city with 40-foot-high walls which were 6-8 feet thick with prayer, a marching band of rag tags with horns and shouting to make the walls fall down- that was some strategy – only of God.Now Joshua had been around for a while. All the time Moses was in the “tent of Meeting” with God. Joshua had been there listening in on what God was telling Moses. Joshua did not understand the purposes of God as He was training him up so that He could eventually take Moses place.So we have words of Instruction and Commission for Joshua about what God tells him what he is to do in Joshua, Chapter 1, it reads as follows: 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may [b]prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you[c] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be <discouraged> afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” God was going to lead and instruct Him.
This is good news for us as well. These three verses should serve us well and sustain us through coming controversies, as we trust and have faith in the Word God has given us.
Now with this in mind turn to our text Romans Chapter 1 beginning in verse 16. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man.
Now may God open our understanding to the application of His truth. Amen
Today we will not study all these verses they are given as context. They will be studied at a later date. Our focus will be on verses 16- 20, we need to trust God’s word and apply it appropriately by faith.
Let us review our text and actually beginning from verse 8 of this Chapter for some bacground. Paul is expressing His concerns in vs. 8 where He is thankful for them as a group of believers. In vs.9-10, he has prayed fervently for them. In verse 11, he expresses his love for them, as other labors had delayed his arrival in Rome. In verses 13-14, he is in debt to them for he was burdened for them and their salvation in Rome. And in verse 15, he was eager to visit with them to share Jesus and the truth of the gospel. The focus of our study is here in verses 16 and 17. Despite all the issues and events that had happened in Paul’s life, he was not ashamed of the gospel of our Lord- He had been imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:23, 24), chased out of Thessalonica (Acts 17:10), smuggled out of Berea (Acts 17:14), laughed at in Athens (Acts 17:32), regarded as a fool in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:18, 23), and stoned in Galatia (Acts 14:19), but Paul remained eager to preach the gospel in Rome—the seat of contemporary political power and pagan religion. Neither ridicule, criticism, nor physical persecution could curb his boldness So what do these verses teach us.
1. The very origin of the Gospel or good news is in the very life of Christ from birth, to ministry, to trial, to His crucifixion, death and resurrection. For His is the Word of God the very truth of His personhood. (vs.16a)
2. The operation of the gospel, is in the power and efficacy of God. God’s power is mightier than any power known on earth. He has the power to change a life or create by simply speaking a word. God is the author and grantor of this power and it does not come from men. It is solely of God and is dynamite towards men Dunamis-explosive. This power we refer to is the omnipotent power of the person of God Almighty and has the power to create, save to the uttermost or destroy completely.
3. The outcome of the gospel of power of God is unto salvation. Salvation here means -deliverance and it is applied to personal and national deliverance for repentance and renewal or rebuilding in Him alone. As Paul recognized as did Jesus- salvation is the greatest need for your and I and the entire human race. The power of the gospel delivers people from lostness (Matt. 18:11), from the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9), from willful spiritual ignorance (Hos. 4:6; 2 Thess. 1:8), from evil self-indulgence (Luke 14:26), and from the darkness of false religion (Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9). It rescues them from the ultimate penalty of their sin, i.e., eternal separation from God and eternal punishment ( Rev. 20:6).
4. The outreach of this gospel of Christ is to everyone who believes. To Everyone was a radical and controversial concept to the Jews. It ranks right up there with whosoever will may call upon the name of the Lord. God made man, and then separated them to confuse us by language and other customs. This includes Jews, Greek, all men and all women who were of one race, specifically created by God. The Jews were told to make distinctions and to live that way- separated.
Remember it is faith in Jesus Christ and what He did that saves sinners, not color, race, gender, financial status, prizes won in life or who has the most expensive toys, or who has given so much to the church or attended VBS for 20 years. Contrary to popular belief there are not multiple ways to heaven. There is only one way by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Does He live in your heart today?
So Christ broke not only the sin barrier but also provided a way for whosoever will to come to Himself. You can only come one way and that is the way of faith. But faith in what or whom is the question. It is only by asking Jesus to enter your life and rule in your heart as His servant. Jesus has to be established firmly on the throne of your heart, if He is not on His throne in your heart then you are deluding yourself about His strong salvation.
True faith has some distinctive characteristics-
True saving faith is supernatural, a gracious gift of God that He produces in the heart and is the only means by which a person can appropriate true righteousness (cf. 3:22, 25; 4:5, 13, 20; 5:1; ). Saving faith has 3 elements: 1) mental: the mind understands the gospel and the truth about Christ (10:14–17); 2) emotional: one embraces the truthfulness of those facts with sorrow over sin and joy over God’s mercy and grace (6:17; 15:13); and 3) volitional: the sinner submits his will to Christ and trusts in Him alone as the only hope of salvation (see note on 10:9). Genuine faith will always produce authentic obedience. Note this last statement- genuine faith produces authentic obedience in that believer without fail.
Now to vs 17 - 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”No one can be declared righteous except by faith and again faith is in Christ alone, and by faith alone in the Son of God. The world of men rejects this claim. So faith in Christ is impossible without having received His righteousness and His salvation which is the gospel of grace given better translated “righteousness from God.” A major theme of the book, appearing over 30 times in one form or another, righteousness is the state or condition of perfectly conforming to God’s perfect law and holy character. Only God is inherently righteous in and of Himself. Perhaps a quick excursion can add value to our understanding. Please turn to Romans 10: 8-11 - But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” So we should conclude that it is by faith alone, in Christ alone that saves us and causes us to endure and grow in Him. In the Old Testament we have works of righteousness <sacrifices and offerings> leading to salvation which is a by works concept. In Christ and the New Testament we have the work of Christ in the life of a believer being sufficient to produce righteousness by faith. God wants us to live by faith in His Son which is the power of God unto salvation and life eternal.
Will you surrender to Him today? Amen
July 16 Sermon
Many believers take issue with the God of the Old Testament as being blood thirsty, punishing, threatening and generally being a fear mongering, having almost a hateful attitude toward the children of men, which after all He created. Now far be it from me to stand in the place of the living God, but I personally believe there is little difference between God Almighty in the Old Testament and God Almighty in the New Testament. What we do have in the New Testament is a further revelation or as some call “dispensation” revealed and that is in Jesus Christ. Hebrew 13:8 states, 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So God Does Not change and Jesus is God, for the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, hear Him,” when the disciples were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. 1st Corinthians 12:5-7 states, 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works [a]all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
2nd Peter 3:8-9 also states quite clearly, 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
So Father, Son and Holy Spirit are engaged in the redemption, regeneration and salvation of men. This has not changed. God just stated that He is not willing that any should perish but all would come to redemption. You do realize that both faith and grace had to be extended to Abraham, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and all through the 3 Kings of Israel and into the divided Kingdom and beyond, or no one would have been saved or delivered into the promise of the Father. This is the same faith and grace extended to us and all new testament believers.
So why does God appear to be bloodthirsty, mean, vindictive or whatever adjective description you wish to use?
Let’s investigate this as a means of determining who God is, by using His word and His record of events. Turn with me to find Moses as He is approaching God after having destroyed the original tablets upon which God had written the 10 Commandments. If you remember Moses threw them in the face of the sinning, reveling and sexually promiscuous Israelites who were celebrating their new god which Aaron had made.
Exodus 34: vs.4-11, we read, 4 So he cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.
5 Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
8 So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. 9 Then he said, “If now I have found grace <favor> in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked[a]people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
The Covenant Renewed
10 And He said: “Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do [b]marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
So we can learn from this account who God is. He tells us. 6“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
God who from the beginning and through all the rebellious sin accumulated from creation until the days of Noah, even when there was no law for it had yet to be written, loved men and brought them forth to honor and worship Him.
Remember, Adam was given one command to keep; and that was to not eat of the tree of good and evil, for if he did He would surely die. They did not believe God and because of their sin all humanity will surely perish with the curse of sin to all generations (Rom 3:23). Then after being forbidden to eat of the tree of life, they were forcibly evicted from the Garden of Eden. Then, came the birth of many children and the first murder by Cain who slew Abel because of his personal pride and jealousy. After this time literally all hell broke loose, very much like today. Every egregious sin which man could commit against God was done. The Word of God tells us in Genesis 6:5-6< 5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. But, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
The next period of History for the believer is from Noah to Moses and includes the following players of significance – Abram or Abraham as he was renamed by God. Isaac, Jacob, Joseph which basically takes us to the end of the book of Genesis. In this period God has continued His people project. He is calling a people out of the earth to be uniquely His. If you will, “a people for God’s own purposes.” So we see the culling of all these leaders warts and all, with all their mistakes and yet God continues to pursue them to lay the foundations for His deliverer- Jesus the Christ. We see God calling for different attitudes and different behaviors for they are to be a people – the Jews - who are uniquely linked to the God Jehovah. Their lives were to be focused on Him and His temple and His worship. During this period God commands the Jews to be separated from those around them and warns them not to intermarry or attend worship of other Gods. In many cases God actually uses these patriarchs to inflict destruction and death on those outside of Israel. But in the middle of this you have Sodom and Gomorrah, where God allows Abraham to intervene in this destruction down to “even 10 righteous living,” He would not destroy it. Of course the only ones who made it out were Lot and His two daughters. Others were destroyed because of the foulness of their sin.
So again, God set rules for conduct and behavior. The Jew as you know ended up in Egypt rescued by Joseph under God’s guiding and providential hand. They lived there for 400 years flourishing until there arrived a Pharaoh in Egypt who did not know Joseph and the times of cruel bondage began.
Next phase of His Story involves God sending Moses to be His leader and to rescue the people from their bondage in Egypt. They were to be delivered to the promised land- the land of Canaan, which God gave to Abraham as a birth right. During this period of releasing the people from Pharaoh, God performs many destructive and horrendous plagues on the Egyptians. This seems destructive to us, but God warned both Pharaoh and the people that if Pharaoh did not “let My people Go,” there would be terrible consequences.
There are at least two reasons God used these measures. First to warn the people of Egypt and their leader; these Jews were His personal possession and He was not just another god, but He was the one and only God Almighty. The second reason was to break the yoke of mental bondage on His people and draw them unto Himself- for they were and are a people for God’s own purpose. They needed to know God.
In the wilderness, God weeded sin and unbelief out of His people as they were in there for 40 years. The sin of unbelief kept Israel from entering the promised land. God removed unbelievers from entering.
Next, they entered the promised land. There they had to develop a new heart of faith trusting God to provide as He said He would. God uses Joshua to lead the people and their first challenge came at Jerico where God granted a miraculous victory. But the failed at little AI because of sin present among the people.
While the Jews were in the 40 years of sifting, they received the 10 Commandments (our text for today) and Moses wrote the Pentateuch, the first five books to the bible -inclusive of Exodus and Deuteronomy. In these books and by His personal presence before the people in Numbers, God demanded certain behaviors under penalty of death to all Jews who would disobey.
So Deuteronomy 28 lays out specifically the behaviors and the faith/trust which the people would need to place in God as He led them. One other specific item was to avoid and destroy those nations/people who would come against them.
As Balaam rightly prophesied, the way to defeat God’s armies and His people was to invite the Jews to their idol worship festivals or orgies and turn their hearts from God. This is why God commanded His generals and Kings to destroy these nations, and taking nothing and destroying all families, possessions and children. This was to keep the people of God from falling away. Has anything changed in thousands of years? Today sexual sin, pornography, and drugs are turning many hearts away today. This is why God commanded the total destruction of these nations and obedience. Anything less would draw them away, for sin so easily besets them, as it does us.
God is true to Himself and His nature and delivers on all He promises . Our individual obedience and faith track record leaves much to be desired, as we fail moment by moment.
Thank God for Jesus and His saving grace for our times but God is not finished judging a sinful and unbelieving earth for the time of testing and tribulation is coming and destruction and judgment will be total and complete.
While God is not willing that any should perish, some will. But that does not keep you and I from pursuing God, praying with ceasing and in all things giving thanks for the gifts we have received. We should also understand God is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. He loves you and I and has a plan for each life. May we surrender to Him who holds this world in the palm of His hand. AMEN
Many believers take issue with the God of the Old Testament as being blood thirsty, punishing, threatening and generally being a fear mongering, having almost a hateful attitude toward the children of men, which after all He created. Now far be it from me to stand in the place of the living God, but I personally believe there is little difference between God Almighty in the Old Testament and God Almighty in the New Testament. What we do have in the New Testament is a further revelation or as some call “dispensation” revealed and that is in Jesus Christ. Hebrew 13:8 states, 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So God Does Not change and Jesus is God, for the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, hear Him,” when the disciples were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. 1st Corinthians 12:5-7 states, 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works [a]all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
2nd Peter 3:8-9 also states quite clearly, 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
So Father, Son and Holy Spirit are engaged in the redemption, regeneration and salvation of men. This has not changed. God just stated that He is not willing that any should perish but all would come to redemption. You do realize that both faith and grace had to be extended to Abraham, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and all through the 3 Kings of Israel and into the divided Kingdom and beyond, or no one would have been saved or delivered into the promise of the Father. This is the same faith and grace extended to us and all new testament believers.
So why does God appear to be bloodthirsty, mean, vindictive or whatever adjective description you wish to use?
Let’s investigate this as a means of determining who God is, by using His word and His record of events. Turn with me to find Moses as He is approaching God after having destroyed the original tablets upon which God had written the 10 Commandments. If you remember Moses threw them in the face of the sinning, reveling and sexually promiscuous Israelites who were celebrating their new god which Aaron had made.
Exodus 34: vs.4-11, we read, 4 So he cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.
5 Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
8 So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. 9 Then he said, “If now I have found grace <favor> in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked[a]people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
The Covenant Renewed
10 And He said: “Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do [b]marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
So we can learn from this account who God is. He tells us. 6“The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
God who from the beginning and through all the rebellious sin accumulated from creation until the days of Noah, even when there was no law for it had yet to be written, loved men and brought them forth to honor and worship Him.
Remember, Adam was given one command to keep; and that was to not eat of the tree of good and evil, for if he did He would surely die. They did not believe God and because of their sin all humanity will surely perish with the curse of sin to all generations (Rom 3:23). Then after being forbidden to eat of the tree of life, they were forcibly evicted from the Garden of Eden. Then, came the birth of many children and the first murder by Cain who slew Abel because of his personal pride and jealousy. After this time literally all hell broke loose, very much like today. Every egregious sin which man could commit against God was done. The Word of God tells us in Genesis 6:5-6< 5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. But, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
The next period of History for the believer is from Noah to Moses and includes the following players of significance – Abram or Abraham as he was renamed by God. Isaac, Jacob, Joseph which basically takes us to the end of the book of Genesis. In this period God has continued His people project. He is calling a people out of the earth to be uniquely His. If you will, “a people for God’s own purposes.” So we see the culling of all these leaders warts and all, with all their mistakes and yet God continues to pursue them to lay the foundations for His deliverer- Jesus the Christ. We see God calling for different attitudes and different behaviors for they are to be a people – the Jews - who are uniquely linked to the God Jehovah. Their lives were to be focused on Him and His temple and His worship. During this period God commands the Jews to be separated from those around them and warns them not to intermarry or attend worship of other Gods. In many cases God actually uses these patriarchs to inflict destruction and death on those outside of Israel. But in the middle of this you have Sodom and Gomorrah, where God allows Abraham to intervene in this destruction down to “even 10 righteous living,” He would not destroy it. Of course the only ones who made it out were Lot and His two daughters. Others were destroyed because of the foulness of their sin.
So again, God set rules for conduct and behavior. The Jew as you know ended up in Egypt rescued by Joseph under God’s guiding and providential hand. They lived there for 400 years flourishing until there arrived a Pharaoh in Egypt who did not know Joseph and the times of cruel bondage began.
Next phase of His Story involves God sending Moses to be His leader and to rescue the people from their bondage in Egypt. They were to be delivered to the promised land- the land of Canaan, which God gave to Abraham as a birth right. During this period of releasing the people from Pharaoh, God performs many destructive and horrendous plagues on the Egyptians. This seems destructive to us, but God warned both Pharaoh and the people that if Pharaoh did not “let My people Go,” there would be terrible consequences.
There are at least two reasons God used these measures. First to warn the people of Egypt and their leader; these Jews were His personal possession and He was not just another god, but He was the one and only God Almighty. The second reason was to break the yoke of mental bondage on His people and draw them unto Himself- for they were and are a people for God’s own purpose. They needed to know God.
In the wilderness, God weeded sin and unbelief out of His people as they were in there for 40 years. The sin of unbelief kept Israel from entering the promised land. God removed unbelievers from entering.
Next, they entered the promised land. There they had to develop a new heart of faith trusting God to provide as He said He would. God uses Joshua to lead the people and their first challenge came at Jerico where God granted a miraculous victory. But the failed at little AI because of sin present among the people.
While the Jews were in the 40 years of sifting, they received the 10 Commandments (our text for today) and Moses wrote the Pentateuch, the first five books to the bible -inclusive of Exodus and Deuteronomy. In these books and by His personal presence before the people in Numbers, God demanded certain behaviors under penalty of death to all Jews who would disobey.
So Deuteronomy 28 lays out specifically the behaviors and the faith/trust which the people would need to place in God as He led them. One other specific item was to avoid and destroy those nations/people who would come against them.
As Balaam rightly prophesied, the way to defeat God’s armies and His people was to invite the Jews to their idol worship festivals or orgies and turn their hearts from God. This is why God commanded His generals and Kings to destroy these nations, and taking nothing and destroying all families, possessions and children. This was to keep the people of God from falling away. Has anything changed in thousands of years? Today sexual sin, pornography, and drugs are turning many hearts away today. This is why God commanded the total destruction of these nations and obedience. Anything less would draw them away, for sin so easily besets them, as it does us.
God is true to Himself and His nature and delivers on all He promises . Our individual obedience and faith track record leaves much to be desired, as we fail moment by moment.
Thank God for Jesus and His saving grace for our times but God is not finished judging a sinful and unbelieving earth for the time of testing and tribulation is coming and destruction and judgment will be total and complete.
While God is not willing that any should perish, some will. But that does not keep you and I from pursuing God, praying with ceasing and in all things giving thanks for the gifts we have received. We should also understand God is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. He loves you and I and has a plan for each life. May we surrender to Him who holds this world in the palm of His hand. AMEN
July 9
Oh that our God would come down and ring the heart chimes of His people today, for if we are anything, concerning the churches (bodies of believers) in America today, we are complacent. There is little or no fervor or heat concerning the fear of the Lord and ardor concerning what is happening to His Word or His people. Do you see churches swelling and wanting to conduct rallies, revivals, or prayer meetings? Do you see believers flocking to church services crying out for justice or forgiveness, repentance?
Where is the outcry for God’s mercy and grace to flow into us that we might be used of God for His work and His purposes? Where is prayer in our priorities for seeking God’s favor and empowering us to witness and outreach to the lost and dying in our families, our neighbors, our community and our nation. I must say, as I examine my own heart, I am convicted and must wear the same shoes for they fit my feet as well.
I believe that decision time has come for us as believers. There can be no more sitting on the fence, we are being forcefully engaged by the culture and must be prepared to fight as Christian soldiers, marching for the Lord. Today’s lesson is a call to spiritual arms but is a call for preparation.
We can no longer be complacent for the freedoms you enjoy are rapidly diminishing and if the party of power has its way, there will be no going back despite the next election. Too much is happening to do nothing.
So how are we to engage? I believe that Peter in this text, is delivering to us the mindset of what we should know and how we should engage the culture. So let’s read and pray that God would being to revive us to eliminate our complacency and give us fervor to do His will. Read with me from 2nd Peter, Chapter 3, beginning in verse 1,
3 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of [a]us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The Day of the Lord
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
I pray that God would do just that to stir up our hearts and minds and remind us of our place as servants to the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this in Jesus name and for our sake. AMEN
I. As we begin our mind set should be:
II. Believe it -There is a day of judgement coming for all men. God has always provided warning to those of His impending decision, most of which have been rejected. <exception is Jonah and Nineveh which repented and God forgave them and honored their repentance>
Do you suppose Noah heard this same rebuke recorded in verse 4 saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
This is a direct challenge concerning the Word of God, but notice what the next verse of our text says, Verse 5:
5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
They challenge the truth of creation – we hear this all the time, something continually by all the learned scholars concerning evolution of the species and millions of years. These are all theories parading as facts. Add global warming now modified to climate change as one of these theories folks, another fairy tale by the elites.
And they challenge the flood- which has been proven by geological evidence over and over. Pay attention to this part of the text - this they willfully forget: that by the word of God.
So these professing to be wise have become fools for they have rejected the book of all books and more importantly the God who delivered all of these.
II,(A) Judgement is coming and that is truth. This is despite the prevailing narrative.
Being unloving would mean to deny the truth and allow others to perish. Loving means to tell the truth. God’s work is consistent. God is outside the time of men and does not fit in the way we think it should. God created and God judged in this example. God moves as He sees fit and not to the order of men.
God has the power to “break into His Story any time he wants.” Given the birth of Jesus “in the fulness of time,” God has already proven He has the capacity and will to do so. Destruction of the earth has been promised by fire on the last day – the day of Judgement, since God stated He would never again destroy the earth by a flood.
III. God’s will is merciful, despite what others say – not only were <are> the Scoffers Scoffing about the past but they are ignorant about what God is like.
IV. So how should you be living? (vs. 11) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
Oh that our God would come down and ring the heart chimes of His people today, for if we are anything, concerning the churches (bodies of believers) in America today, we are complacent. There is little or no fervor or heat concerning the fear of the Lord and ardor concerning what is happening to His Word or His people. Do you see churches swelling and wanting to conduct rallies, revivals, or prayer meetings? Do you see believers flocking to church services crying out for justice or forgiveness, repentance?
Where is the outcry for God’s mercy and grace to flow into us that we might be used of God for His work and His purposes? Where is prayer in our priorities for seeking God’s favor and empowering us to witness and outreach to the lost and dying in our families, our neighbors, our community and our nation. I must say, as I examine my own heart, I am convicted and must wear the same shoes for they fit my feet as well.
I believe that decision time has come for us as believers. There can be no more sitting on the fence, we are being forcefully engaged by the culture and must be prepared to fight as Christian soldiers, marching for the Lord. Today’s lesson is a call to spiritual arms but is a call for preparation.
We can no longer be complacent for the freedoms you enjoy are rapidly diminishing and if the party of power has its way, there will be no going back despite the next election. Too much is happening to do nothing.
So how are we to engage? I believe that Peter in this text, is delivering to us the mindset of what we should know and how we should engage the culture. So let’s read and pray that God would being to revive us to eliminate our complacency and give us fervor to do His will. Read with me from 2nd Peter, Chapter 3, beginning in verse 1,
3 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of [a]us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The Day of the Lord
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
I pray that God would do just that to stir up our hearts and minds and remind us of our place as servants to the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this in Jesus name and for our sake. AMEN
I. As we begin our mind set should be:
- to Scoff at the Scoffers and
- what the educated elites think about the truths in God’s Word.
- Some are ignorant because they lack of opportunity to learn
- Some are ignorant because of the lack of information available
- Some lack the ability to learn,
- Others are “willingly ignorant by choice.”
- Verses 1- 3 speak to the fact that God’s Word is true. It is inspired, infallible and inerrant and was given to us by revelation –
- We as believers need to be more than mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
- and of the commandment of [a]us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
- 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts
- God’s word is absolutely true and we need to very seriously avail ourselves to these truths. These words and events were not some keenly wrought fables but word from God. Which lustful men choose to ignore, disparage and demean.
- Why do they do this Romans Chapter 1 tell us
- who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (vs 18)
- God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; (vs. 28)
II. Believe it -There is a day of judgement coming for all men. God has always provided warning to those of His impending decision, most of which have been rejected. <exception is Jonah and Nineveh which repented and God forgave them and honored their repentance>
Do you suppose Noah heard this same rebuke recorded in verse 4 saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
This is a direct challenge concerning the Word of God, but notice what the next verse of our text says, Verse 5:
5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
They challenge the truth of creation – we hear this all the time, something continually by all the learned scholars concerning evolution of the species and millions of years. These are all theories parading as facts. Add global warming now modified to climate change as one of these theories folks, another fairy tale by the elites.
And they challenge the flood- which has been proven by geological evidence over and over. Pay attention to this part of the text - this they willfully forget: that by the word of God.
So these professing to be wise have become fools for they have rejected the book of all books and more importantly the God who delivered all of these.
- We need to remember that He is God Almighty and He hath made us and not we ourselves. We have been created in the image of God but He is- I AM that I AM is He
II,(A) Judgement is coming and that is truth. This is despite the prevailing narrative.
Being unloving would mean to deny the truth and allow others to perish. Loving means to tell the truth. God’s work is consistent. God is outside the time of men and does not fit in the way we think it should. God created and God judged in this example. God moves as He sees fit and not to the order of men.
God has the power to “break into His Story any time he wants.” Given the birth of Jesus “in the fulness of time,” God has already proven He has the capacity and will to do so. Destruction of the earth has been promised by fire on the last day – the day of Judgement, since God stated He would never again destroy the earth by a flood.
III. God’s will is merciful, despite what others say – not only were <are> the Scoffers Scoffing about the past but they are ignorant about what God is like.
- They choose to make God in their image and therefore God has their attributes and limitations
- Read vs 8-10- Lord is not slack concerning His promise
- is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
- The reason the flood did not happen and the reason the tribulation will not happen until exactly the right time is God is giving men time to repent and come to the knowledge of the Lord until exactly the last sheep has been found. This will happen again in the millennium to come as well.
- God’s timing is not our timing and working all things out according to His plan, applying HIs foreknowledge and His providence
- We exist at the providence of God even Scoffers benefit because of His love
- Repentance comes as a result of the activity of God in the hearts of men
- day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,
IV. So how should you be living? (vs. 11) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
- Reject Scoffers, false narrative reject
- Believe and have exclusive faith in this delivered Word of God
- look for the new heavens and a new (vs.13)
- Pray and repent of complacency, be diligent and intentional to live godly lives now.
July 2 Sermon
1) where do we obtain the strength to live the spirit-controlled life (CHECK OUT galatians 5:16-18)?
a) We need strength to live the Spirit-controlled life, We don’t have it in and of ourselves
b) According to Galatians 5:16-17
i) Our Strength comes from walking in the Spirit. In this passage, the word “lust” means “has strong desires. ”There is a part of our nature called the “flesh” and a part of our nature (of someone who is saved) called the “Spirit.”
These two are struggling against each other.
ii) The old flesh wants to be in control.
iii) The Holy Spirit and the human spirit want to live for God.
In ourselves, we do not have what it takes to do the things that we should do. We cannot do it by self-effort.
c) Galatians 5:16
i) He does not say, “Don’t fulfill the lust of the flesh, and then you’ll be walking in the Spirit.”
ii) That is backwards, and that is legalism. We do not become more like Jesus by practicing all these particular things.
iii) Our being holy is not the way to Christ.
(1) Jesus Christ is the means to becoming Holy.
iv) Paul does not say that if we do not walk in the flesh, then we will be in the Spirit. He says that if we walk in the Spirit, then we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
d) Where do we get this strength?
i) Galatians 5:18
(1) “Be led by the Spirit” means “to be willingly led of the Spirit.” Not forcefully but willingly being led. Like an animal which responds to the yoke by pulling and not resisting
(2) So in our lives there must come a time when we are willingly led of the Holy Spirit.
(a) To be led of the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit.
(i) This is an act of our will.
e) Now the Spirit-controlled life is just like our walking as human beings.
i) So a walk begins by the commencement of the walk:
(1) As our Chinese brethren say A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step.
(2) But part of the walk, if we are going to walk, means we have to decide to walk.
(3) And commencing our walk is an act of the will.
(a) Now one thing to remember is the Spirit-controlled life is not lived by our individual will power, but we do enter it by an act of our will.
(4) Walking in the Spirit is not lived by will power; it is lived by the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes from God. Remember and never forget the Holy Spirit He is God
But we must choose to be led of the Spirit. That is what Galatians 5:18 tells us -18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. No one can choose for us.
(5) Ephesians 5:18 is
(a) This verse is not only for contrast but for comparison, because being filled with the Spirit is a lot like getting drunk with wine.
(i) A person must decide to drink. Once he decides to drink, then the liquor takes over. He is now under the control of the liquor.
(b) Similarly, by an act of our will, we decide that we are going to be led of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes over, and we are filled with the Spirit of
ii) Second Part II – There is a circumference of the walk in the Spirit:
(1) Galatians 5:16
(a) This verse doesn’t say, “Walk with the Spirit,” or “Walk after the Spirit.” It says, “Walk in the Spirit.”
(2) We are to stay in the Spirit.
(a) The Holy Spirit of God is to be the element in which we walk.
(b) The Holy Spirit of God is to be the environment of where we live or lives.
(c) Now the flesh tries to tell us that outside of the Spirit, there are certain pleasures that we need that will make us happy.
(d) However a person who has decided upon and is leading a Spirit-controlled life has come to the settled conclusion that there is nothing worth having outside of Jesus.
(e) Now, If we do not come to this conclusion, then we will never live a victorious life.
(3) We have to walk in the Spirit.
(a) All things we do need to be in the context of the Holy Spirit of God leading and directing our lives.
(b) The Bible says that we are to let the peace of God referee in our hearts.
Colossians 3:15 says, - 5 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
(4) In this verse, the word for “rule” is the word from which we get the word “umpire”. So, If were to step out of bounds, then the Holy Spirit tells us that we are out of bounds.
(i) Then with the Holy Spirit’s conviction we repent and step back in. That is example of and what is meant by living and walking the Spirit-controlled life.
iii) Part III - The continuance of the walk in the Spirit
(1) Again back to Galatians 5:16
(a) The Greek verb that says, “Walk in the Spirit,” means “to keep walking in the Spirit .” and keep walking.
(2) Walking is a continuous series of steps that begins with a decision but does not end there.
(3) The Spirt-controlled life is a crisis where we say, “I will.”
(a) But it is a crisis that is followed by a process, a step at a time.
(i) Then, we keep on walking.
Colossians 2:6 is a major verse to living the Spirit-controlled life. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,
(b) We receive the Lord Jesus by repentance and faith. So we are to live the victorious life the same way we got it, by repentance and faith.
(4) A walk is one step at a time.
(a) It takes two feet to walk.
(b) When we walk, we are off-balance and will fall if we do not take another step.
(i) We take one step, and then the other step is necessary.
(5) What are the two feet of the Christian faith? They are repentance and faith.
(a) Repentance and faith are not just something that we do in order to be saved. This is how we live the Spirit-controlled life.
(i) Colossians 2:6
(6) How do we walk?
(a) We put down the foot of repentance, and then we put down the foot of faith.
(i) Repentance is God’s means of revealing ourselves <heart> and necessarily our sin to us.
(ii) Faith is God’s way of revealing Jesus Christ and His life to us.
(iii) Repentance is where we see our personal bankruptcy.
(iv) Faith is where we see the glory of Christ our Lord.
(b) When we are saved, we give all we know of us to all we knew of Him.
(c) As we walk in Him:
(i) We learn more about ourselves.
1. We learn more of what we need to repent.
(ii) We also learn more about Jesus.
1. We find more to trust.
(7) Sometimes a person may think that if they are saved, then they would not have a great conviction of sin.
(a) The Truth is we have a conviction of sin because we are saved and because we are learning more about ourselves and more about the Lord Jesus.
(i) It is not a sign that we are not saved.
(ii) It is simply a sign that we are understanding what it is all about.
(8) If we are truly saved, we turn from self, and we turn further to Him.
(a) We realize that we are not in control. God is the one in control through the Holy Spirit. And the flesh has been put out of business, and we are growing in the Lord Jesus.
2) So our satisfaction comes in living the spirit-controlled life (galatians 5:22-23)
a) The devil tries to tell us that we don’t want to live this way.
i) But this is the only satisfactory life.
ii) Paul calls it “fruit.”
(1) Fruit is luscious, beautiful, fragrant; but most of all, it is satisfying.
b) Fruit is to be consumed.
i) It meets our basic hunger.
(1) We have a hunger for the Lord.
(a) That hunger will never be satisfied apart from the Lord Jesus.
c) What a joy it is for a life to be controlled by the Spirit rather than controlled by the flesh.
3) CONCLUSION
a) The flesh and the Spirit are warring within you, and it is up to you.
Sermon by Adrian Rogers-LWF Ministries
1) where do we obtain the strength to live the spirit-controlled life (CHECK OUT galatians 5:16-18)?
a) We need strength to live the Spirit-controlled life, We don’t have it in and of ourselves
b) According to Galatians 5:16-17
i) Our Strength comes from walking in the Spirit. In this passage, the word “lust” means “has strong desires. ”There is a part of our nature called the “flesh” and a part of our nature (of someone who is saved) called the “Spirit.”
These two are struggling against each other.
ii) The old flesh wants to be in control.
iii) The Holy Spirit and the human spirit want to live for God.
In ourselves, we do not have what it takes to do the things that we should do. We cannot do it by self-effort.
c) Galatians 5:16
i) He does not say, “Don’t fulfill the lust of the flesh, and then you’ll be walking in the Spirit.”
ii) That is backwards, and that is legalism. We do not become more like Jesus by practicing all these particular things.
iii) Our being holy is not the way to Christ.
(1) Jesus Christ is the means to becoming Holy.
iv) Paul does not say that if we do not walk in the flesh, then we will be in the Spirit. He says that if we walk in the Spirit, then we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
d) Where do we get this strength?
i) Galatians 5:18
(1) “Be led by the Spirit” means “to be willingly led of the Spirit.” Not forcefully but willingly being led. Like an animal which responds to the yoke by pulling and not resisting
(2) So in our lives there must come a time when we are willingly led of the Holy Spirit.
(a) To be led of the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit.
(i) This is an act of our will.
e) Now the Spirit-controlled life is just like our walking as human beings.
i) So a walk begins by the commencement of the walk:
(1) As our Chinese brethren say A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step.
(2) But part of the walk, if we are going to walk, means we have to decide to walk.
(3) And commencing our walk is an act of the will.
(a) Now one thing to remember is the Spirit-controlled life is not lived by our individual will power, but we do enter it by an act of our will.
(4) Walking in the Spirit is not lived by will power; it is lived by the power of the Holy Spirit, which comes from God. Remember and never forget the Holy Spirit He is God
But we must choose to be led of the Spirit. That is what Galatians 5:18 tells us -18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. No one can choose for us.
(5) Ephesians 5:18 is
(a) This verse is not only for contrast but for comparison, because being filled with the Spirit is a lot like getting drunk with wine.
(i) A person must decide to drink. Once he decides to drink, then the liquor takes over. He is now under the control of the liquor.
(b) Similarly, by an act of our will, we decide that we are going to be led of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes over, and we are filled with the Spirit of
ii) Second Part II – There is a circumference of the walk in the Spirit:
(1) Galatians 5:16
(a) This verse doesn’t say, “Walk with the Spirit,” or “Walk after the Spirit.” It says, “Walk in the Spirit.”
(2) We are to stay in the Spirit.
(a) The Holy Spirit of God is to be the element in which we walk.
(b) The Holy Spirit of God is to be the environment of where we live or lives.
(c) Now the flesh tries to tell us that outside of the Spirit, there are certain pleasures that we need that will make us happy.
(d) However a person who has decided upon and is leading a Spirit-controlled life has come to the settled conclusion that there is nothing worth having outside of Jesus.
(e) Now, If we do not come to this conclusion, then we will never live a victorious life.
(3) We have to walk in the Spirit.
(a) All things we do need to be in the context of the Holy Spirit of God leading and directing our lives.
(b) The Bible says that we are to let the peace of God referee in our hearts.
Colossians 3:15 says, - 5 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
(4) In this verse, the word for “rule” is the word from which we get the word “umpire”. So, If were to step out of bounds, then the Holy Spirit tells us that we are out of bounds.
(i) Then with the Holy Spirit’s conviction we repent and step back in. That is example of and what is meant by living and walking the Spirit-controlled life.
iii) Part III - The continuance of the walk in the Spirit
(1) Again back to Galatians 5:16
(a) The Greek verb that says, “Walk in the Spirit,” means “to keep walking in the Spirit .” and keep walking.
(2) Walking is a continuous series of steps that begins with a decision but does not end there.
(3) The Spirt-controlled life is a crisis where we say, “I will.”
(a) But it is a crisis that is followed by a process, a step at a time.
(i) Then, we keep on walking.
Colossians 2:6 is a major verse to living the Spirit-controlled life. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,
(b) We receive the Lord Jesus by repentance and faith. So we are to live the victorious life the same way we got it, by repentance and faith.
(4) A walk is one step at a time.
(a) It takes two feet to walk.
(b) When we walk, we are off-balance and will fall if we do not take another step.
(i) We take one step, and then the other step is necessary.
(5) What are the two feet of the Christian faith? They are repentance and faith.
(a) Repentance and faith are not just something that we do in order to be saved. This is how we live the Spirit-controlled life.
(i) Colossians 2:6
(6) How do we walk?
(a) We put down the foot of repentance, and then we put down the foot of faith.
(i) Repentance is God’s means of revealing ourselves <heart> and necessarily our sin to us.
(ii) Faith is God’s way of revealing Jesus Christ and His life to us.
(iii) Repentance is where we see our personal bankruptcy.
(iv) Faith is where we see the glory of Christ our Lord.
(b) When we are saved, we give all we know of us to all we knew of Him.
(c) As we walk in Him:
(i) We learn more about ourselves.
1. We learn more of what we need to repent.
(ii) We also learn more about Jesus.
1. We find more to trust.
(7) Sometimes a person may think that if they are saved, then they would not have a great conviction of sin.
(a) The Truth is we have a conviction of sin because we are saved and because we are learning more about ourselves and more about the Lord Jesus.
(i) It is not a sign that we are not saved.
(ii) It is simply a sign that we are understanding what it is all about.
(8) If we are truly saved, we turn from self, and we turn further to Him.
(a) We realize that we are not in control. God is the one in control through the Holy Spirit. And the flesh has been put out of business, and we are growing in the Lord Jesus.
2) So our satisfaction comes in living the spirit-controlled life (galatians 5:22-23)
a) The devil tries to tell us that we don’t want to live this way.
i) But this is the only satisfactory life.
ii) Paul calls it “fruit.”
(1) Fruit is luscious, beautiful, fragrant; but most of all, it is satisfying.
b) Fruit is to be consumed.
i) It meets our basic hunger.
(1) We have a hunger for the Lord.
(a) That hunger will never be satisfied apart from the Lord Jesus.
c) What a joy it is for a life to be controlled by the Spirit rather than controlled by the flesh.
3) CONCLUSION
a) The flesh and the Spirit are warring within you, and it is up to you.
Sermon by Adrian Rogers-LWF Ministries
June 25 Sermon
If you need a yardstick to measure the mire we are immersed in our churches and society today. Here it is direct from scripture telling us about falsehood and those who present and endorse these lies and especially in churches. Now we could delve deeply into the mess we are living in and rail against it but to what purpose? It is more important for us to become more heavenly minded but to put into place tools and measures to help us evaluate what we in churches are being told and then to make plans to effect change not just blow-in-the wind with some bluster and stomp. We need to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for combat for it is here and we are part of the Lord’s army. He is asking us to stand fast in the power and glory of His might and the truth, which He embodies. He is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by Him. Amen
Read from 2nd Peter 2, verses12 - 22, 12 But these, <false prophets and false teachers> like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to [d]carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, [e]carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of [f]adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, [g]clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness [h]forever. <pay attention >
Deceptions of False Teachers
18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who [i]have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of [j]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [k]bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit, ”and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
May God bless the reading of His Word.
Peter is here advising the church on issues related to false teachers and false prophets making inroads into the church and influencing believers and making difficulty for those who don’t know the Lord to find Him. It seems that this is happening today but unlike Peter some are not speaking out and challenging the church to reject false teachings.
Who are these who are doing this?
Men of depraved natures who are living in the flesh, who submit to no authority and are not afraid to attack or defame others in authority are coming against the church. The depraved nature of these men and women who are called natural brute beasts have allowed their sinful natures and pride to elevate themselves and their needs against those of God and His church. These brutish beasts are not afraid to demean and speak out against dignitaries, exalted ones” or even angels as referenced later in this passage. Authority or respect is of no boundary to them. There is a huge problem with this reviling attitude and language which they are using against others with no restraint. They are judging others on what they think is truth and not what is the truth. Their standard of truth is a lie.
Speaking evil of others is a great sin when there is no justification or truth upon which to base their judgement. This is arrogance and the elevation of pride beyond imaging again reflecting on the sinfulness of men.
II. Not only is there a reviling against others but there is their reveling (vs.13-14a). Carousing and feasting in the daytime or the idea of pleasurable or eccentric living is part of this reveling. These who practice apostasy revel in many cases in extravagance. In our society, we see ministries often calling for giving to meet some financial need. But, when you see how the monies are actually being spent on, luxury homes, expensive cars, jewelry and clothing. Which they claim are needed as part of their service to the church. So not only do they deceive others but they deceive themselves for they will quickly use scripture to justify these actions. Can this type of behavior really be the truth of life in Christ? I believe this is deception.
According to Paul, many of these types actually shared the love feasts of the early church, where these feasts were meant to feed the poor. Instead the feasts became opportunities for the wealthy to show off their wealth. Instead of bringing the blessings of fellowship and genuine sharing to others these false teachers were spots and blemishes that actually defiled the assembly. Because these teachers do not minister according to truth of the Word. It is only the word of God which is able to remove the spots and blemishes in people. (Eph. 5.27)
Here is the problem with false teachers – false teachers must either “alter” the Word of God or allow the Word of God to alter them. Because of their hard hearts false teachers will not, nor are they able to allow God’s truth to change their lives. Only God can change a heart. False doctrine leads to false living which then encourages more false doctrine.
Second Peter 2:14 makes it clear apostates attend church services for two purposes first to satisfy their own lusts, and second to capture converts to their own causes- they cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. The evil within them perpetuates and encourages more sin for they have a heart trained in sin. While they appear to be children of the light, they are actually children of the devil. 2 Peter 2. 18 and 19 suggests that they are unable to stop because instead of being free as they teach others their new reality, they are actually in bondage of sin for the lust of pleasure for money and power. Their god is covetousness.
III. Not only is there a reviling and reveling, but they have revolted against the truth. These apostates according to Phillips “they have abandoned the right way.” They know there is a right way, but they have departed from it. So the question remains were their hearts and minds actually regenerated or was there simply an emotional experience, with no real conversion or regeneration?
(Verses 15-19) Here is a great theological discussion raised by Peter about Balaam, son of Beor. Do you remember this story it is in Numbers Chapters 22-25? Balaam represent the problem with the false teachers/prophets. Balaam was easily seduced by the lure of promised wealth and influence from a King to lead the nation of Israel astray. Balaam was unable to curse the nation of Israel for Balak the King. Balaam actually blessed the nation of Israel. But Balaam did give the King, the strategy for leading the nation away from God, by telling the king of Moab to allow the Israelites to share in their pagan feasts. This false worship and sexual lust proved very difficult for the Israelites to resist and they fell into false worship and sin, not separating themselves apart. Balaam revolted against the truth of where God was leading him. Balaam was deceived by his own lusts.
A true servant of the living God patterns himself after the character and nature of the Father, or His Son, Jesus Christ.
Further Peter tells us - These false prophets have patterned themselves by first speaking - great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who [i]have actually escaped from those who live in error.
And second by 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of [j]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [k]bondage. This promise of new freedom and new insight into religion and worship is actually an invitation into bondage not just physical but spiritual. False prophets lead people only into bondage and false misguided hopes. We see this evidenced in our own world today and those who promise us this “great spiritual truth and supposed freedom” are false believers. The offer their truth, not God’s truth. Those who are deceivers bring not freedom but bondage by their lies. The Lord Jesus promises freedom by bring us into the truth. John 8:32 says, “and you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jesus was of course speaking about the Word of God. 17 Sanctify[i] them by Your truth. Your word is truth, is what Jesus prayed about God’s Word in John 17.
Through the Word of God we discover not only God’s truth, but it convicts us about ourselves and we learn the truth about ourselves, often leading us to repentance and necessary change. We cease living in a world of fantasy and enter a world of reality to approach change honestly only through the power of God. Here is a quote from Warren Wiersbe – “ Temporary reformation without true repentance and rebirth only leads to greater sin and judgement. Essentially, reformation may clean up the outside but only repentance and regeneration with God’s help can clean up the inside. True freedom is only experienced in the new life given in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is why both John the Baptist and Jesus preached “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus is calling you now – only trust Him. Only trust Him now.” He will save you He will save you. He will save you now. Only receive Him and ask Him now- whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus can be saved. AMEN
If you need a yardstick to measure the mire we are immersed in our churches and society today. Here it is direct from scripture telling us about falsehood and those who present and endorse these lies and especially in churches. Now we could delve deeply into the mess we are living in and rail against it but to what purpose? It is more important for us to become more heavenly minded but to put into place tools and measures to help us evaluate what we in churches are being told and then to make plans to effect change not just blow-in-the wind with some bluster and stomp. We need to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for combat for it is here and we are part of the Lord’s army. He is asking us to stand fast in the power and glory of His might and the truth, which He embodies. He is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by Him. Amen
Read from 2nd Peter 2, verses12 - 22, 12 But these, <false prophets and false teachers> like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to [d]carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, [e]carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of [f]adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, [g]clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness [h]forever. <pay attention >
Deceptions of False Teachers
18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who [i]have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of [j]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [k]bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit, ”and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
May God bless the reading of His Word.
Peter is here advising the church on issues related to false teachers and false prophets making inroads into the church and influencing believers and making difficulty for those who don’t know the Lord to find Him. It seems that this is happening today but unlike Peter some are not speaking out and challenging the church to reject false teachings.
Who are these who are doing this?
Men of depraved natures who are living in the flesh, who submit to no authority and are not afraid to attack or defame others in authority are coming against the church. The depraved nature of these men and women who are called natural brute beasts have allowed their sinful natures and pride to elevate themselves and their needs against those of God and His church. These brutish beasts are not afraid to demean and speak out against dignitaries, exalted ones” or even angels as referenced later in this passage. Authority or respect is of no boundary to them. There is a huge problem with this reviling attitude and language which they are using against others with no restraint. They are judging others on what they think is truth and not what is the truth. Their standard of truth is a lie.
Speaking evil of others is a great sin when there is no justification or truth upon which to base their judgement. This is arrogance and the elevation of pride beyond imaging again reflecting on the sinfulness of men.
II. Not only is there a reviling against others but there is their reveling (vs.13-14a). Carousing and feasting in the daytime or the idea of pleasurable or eccentric living is part of this reveling. These who practice apostasy revel in many cases in extravagance. In our society, we see ministries often calling for giving to meet some financial need. But, when you see how the monies are actually being spent on, luxury homes, expensive cars, jewelry and clothing. Which they claim are needed as part of their service to the church. So not only do they deceive others but they deceive themselves for they will quickly use scripture to justify these actions. Can this type of behavior really be the truth of life in Christ? I believe this is deception.
According to Paul, many of these types actually shared the love feasts of the early church, where these feasts were meant to feed the poor. Instead the feasts became opportunities for the wealthy to show off their wealth. Instead of bringing the blessings of fellowship and genuine sharing to others these false teachers were spots and blemishes that actually defiled the assembly. Because these teachers do not minister according to truth of the Word. It is only the word of God which is able to remove the spots and blemishes in people. (Eph. 5.27)
Here is the problem with false teachers – false teachers must either “alter” the Word of God or allow the Word of God to alter them. Because of their hard hearts false teachers will not, nor are they able to allow God’s truth to change their lives. Only God can change a heart. False doctrine leads to false living which then encourages more false doctrine.
Second Peter 2:14 makes it clear apostates attend church services for two purposes first to satisfy their own lusts, and second to capture converts to their own causes- they cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. The evil within them perpetuates and encourages more sin for they have a heart trained in sin. While they appear to be children of the light, they are actually children of the devil. 2 Peter 2. 18 and 19 suggests that they are unable to stop because instead of being free as they teach others their new reality, they are actually in bondage of sin for the lust of pleasure for money and power. Their god is covetousness.
III. Not only is there a reviling and reveling, but they have revolted against the truth. These apostates according to Phillips “they have abandoned the right way.” They know there is a right way, but they have departed from it. So the question remains were their hearts and minds actually regenerated or was there simply an emotional experience, with no real conversion or regeneration?
(Verses 15-19) Here is a great theological discussion raised by Peter about Balaam, son of Beor. Do you remember this story it is in Numbers Chapters 22-25? Balaam represent the problem with the false teachers/prophets. Balaam was easily seduced by the lure of promised wealth and influence from a King to lead the nation of Israel astray. Balaam was unable to curse the nation of Israel for Balak the King. Balaam actually blessed the nation of Israel. But Balaam did give the King, the strategy for leading the nation away from God, by telling the king of Moab to allow the Israelites to share in their pagan feasts. This false worship and sexual lust proved very difficult for the Israelites to resist and they fell into false worship and sin, not separating themselves apart. Balaam revolted against the truth of where God was leading him. Balaam was deceived by his own lusts.
A true servant of the living God patterns himself after the character and nature of the Father, or His Son, Jesus Christ.
Further Peter tells us - These false prophets have patterned themselves by first speaking - great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who [i]have actually escaped from those who live in error.
And second by 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of [j]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [k]bondage. This promise of new freedom and new insight into religion and worship is actually an invitation into bondage not just physical but spiritual. False prophets lead people only into bondage and false misguided hopes. We see this evidenced in our own world today and those who promise us this “great spiritual truth and supposed freedom” are false believers. The offer their truth, not God’s truth. Those who are deceivers bring not freedom but bondage by their lies. The Lord Jesus promises freedom by bring us into the truth. John 8:32 says, “and you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jesus was of course speaking about the Word of God. 17 Sanctify[i] them by Your truth. Your word is truth, is what Jesus prayed about God’s Word in John 17.
Through the Word of God we discover not only God’s truth, but it convicts us about ourselves and we learn the truth about ourselves, often leading us to repentance and necessary change. We cease living in a world of fantasy and enter a world of reality to approach change honestly only through the power of God. Here is a quote from Warren Wiersbe – “ Temporary reformation without true repentance and rebirth only leads to greater sin and judgement. Essentially, reformation may clean up the outside but only repentance and regeneration with God’s help can clean up the inside. True freedom is only experienced in the new life given in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is why both John the Baptist and Jesus preached “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus is calling you now – only trust Him. Only trust Him now.” He will save you He will save you. He will save you now. Only receive Him and ask Him now- whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus can be saved. AMEN
June 18 Sermon
2nd Peter 2, verse 2, 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
Doom of False Teachers
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [b]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, Amen
I believe we sometimes have very short memories and do not trust that God will do what he promises to do in His word. If so we need to repent and begin believing that when we turn to the Lord, His will, will be done according to what He promises in Isaiah 55 verses 10 & 11 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Our world and ears are filled with disinformation everywhere you turn, the truth to these people is irrelevant. It is what is the political speech or current woke pint of view which must be proclaimed. It is very interesting that when a montage of the various talking heads is presented on a particular issue that they all use the same wording to express whatever point of perversion which they are proclaiming. If you listen there must be an email published by some coordinator at midnight which specifies the talking points and woke speech which must be used during the following day. This is so much like communist haranguing practices made during the Korean and cold war.
We need to seriously ponder and consider what Peter is speaking here for it is relevant and will occur during our lifetimes. Notice in our reading of this text the number one characteristic is there is “NO FEAR of the Lord. When man turns his heart away, and you no longer, hear and you serve other gods all sorts of evil occurs.
Msn is so prideful and is rejecting God even in our days. For example what month is it being celebrate and all sorts of evil is occurring especially with regards to indoctrinating our children. This is diabolically evil but part of the strategy of turning the hearts of the children away from their family. Satan’s plan is to kill, maim and to destroy the following; definitions of gender, race, family, country and eliminate God- celebrating the pridefulness and arrogance of man towards because of their sin and selfishness.
In the midst of this we need to remember: Our God is a consuming fire and He loves His children. Those who remain faithful to Him and draw near to Him, He is our shield and buckler. He is the defender of the faithful and with Him all things are possible. And last but far from the least is “this is My Father’s world.” He will prevail and His will, will done on earth as it is in heaven.
So let’s dive into our text and see what the result is of defying God and exalting ourselves over Him.
1. 2nd Peter, Chapter 2, verses 2 &3- 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
When the way of truth is blasphemed and truth is relative and no weight is given in consideration of what God thinks, the Bible tells us what will happen. Look in the book of Judges – it says “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” This is destructive just like it says in the text and everyone wants their ears tickled with whatever brand of current philosophy is being endorsed. And where does this way of living lead? It leads to death, just look at the communist countries. The way is clear and it is evident. Proof is in the bible and from current history 1850’s to the present. Men and women become deceived and think they can rebel against God. That is why we say today that what is happening in our day is a spiritual battle for the hearts and souls of men. Evil is rampant and accelerating over the face of the earth.
2. Verses 4 through 12 have a variety of conclusions which relate to one another. First let’s look at the overall picture described in these verses.
a. Rebellion is evident in each case as the hearts of men depart from the instruction of the living God. The rebellion which began in the garden of Eden continues and will continue according to the book of Revelation even past the Millennial kingdom when Jesus reigns on the earth, until the last rebellious heart is condemned to the lake of fire. This is the true evidence of sin and if we check our own hearts it is present in us today. Only because of the indwelling Holy Spirit can we resist and remain pure and forgiven in Christ Jesus.
We see both Noah and Lot living in times of abject rebellion to God. The Angels in heaven actually rebelled against God.
b. God exacted punishment upon those who rebelled because of their denial and rejection of God. As always pride and arrogance of men leads to elevate ourselves over the commandments and instructions of God. Pride is such a debilitating factor leading to our deceptive thinking that somehow, we will not allow God His rightful place in our lives.
c. Sexual sin was and remains a core part of the rejection of God’s instructions. Homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and all sorts of perversion were evident and around Noah and Lot. God was so disappointed that He wonders out loud – “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Gen.6.6) These sins were present in Sodom and Gomorrah and in Noah’s day, Verse 10 speaks to both cases - 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries.
Here in this passage, their sin is fully described, as those who walk completely given over to the sinful desires of the flesh, into every perversion, which has entered the mind of man. The Word of God says, they are presumptuous and self-willed denying the truth of God. They, in and of themselves, have no fear of God, and are insistent and deluded, willing to die for a lie. How true is the word of God, when it says, men reach a point where they are given over to strong delusion (2nd Thess. 2:10 – 13). I believe it is here now in our day and being revealed more daily.
Next point d. In those dark days, faithful men still witnessed and proclaimed the truth of God and the need for repentance even in a sinful, hateful culture where God was scorned and rejected. For 120 years every day I am sure that Noah invited repentance and told others of the flood to come because of the evil they were committing. This is confirmed by the words in this passage. Even Lot in the middle of the perverted sickness of Sodom and Gomorrah would have been a witness for righteousness and fear of the Lord, despite the fact of his choice of pitching his tent toward Sodom. I am sure the lure of riches and wealth and whatever else tempted him to make these choices. This proves our choices to sin carry serious consequences to us and to our families. Lot’s choices cost him his wife and his two daughters. And His two daughters committed sin because they believed that no one would ever come to love them. They did not trust the saving providence of God even though God sent an Angel to guide them out of Sodom before its destruction. We do well to remember that God is faithful and true to His Word, and that He knows the beginning and the end. We need to practice this idea - Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
Last point – e. verse 5 - 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly
And verse 7 and delivered righteous Lot,
And verse 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
I believe many of us worry about our survival in these days which are coming, God is looking out for you. He can see what you don’t! Even in the center of destruction God is looking out for those whose heart is tender towards Him. And believe it or not that includes you and I today in this mess we are in as the final days approach and the Father is preparing to bring us to Himself. This is what God wanted from the beginning for a people to have fellowship with Himself. Will you respond to however He is calling you today? He has a future and a hope and a plan for your life, which always ends in Heaven with Jesus. Amen
Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved for eternity. God loves you. That is why He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sin which separates you from God. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved today.
2nd Peter 2, verse 2, 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
Doom of False Teachers
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [b]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, Amen
I believe we sometimes have very short memories and do not trust that God will do what he promises to do in His word. If so we need to repent and begin believing that when we turn to the Lord, His will, will be done according to what He promises in Isaiah 55 verses 10 & 11 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Our world and ears are filled with disinformation everywhere you turn, the truth to these people is irrelevant. It is what is the political speech or current woke pint of view which must be proclaimed. It is very interesting that when a montage of the various talking heads is presented on a particular issue that they all use the same wording to express whatever point of perversion which they are proclaiming. If you listen there must be an email published by some coordinator at midnight which specifies the talking points and woke speech which must be used during the following day. This is so much like communist haranguing practices made during the Korean and cold war.
We need to seriously ponder and consider what Peter is speaking here for it is relevant and will occur during our lifetimes. Notice in our reading of this text the number one characteristic is there is “NO FEAR of the Lord. When man turns his heart away, and you no longer, hear and you serve other gods all sorts of evil occurs.
Msn is so prideful and is rejecting God even in our days. For example what month is it being celebrate and all sorts of evil is occurring especially with regards to indoctrinating our children. This is diabolically evil but part of the strategy of turning the hearts of the children away from their family. Satan’s plan is to kill, maim and to destroy the following; definitions of gender, race, family, country and eliminate God- celebrating the pridefulness and arrogance of man towards because of their sin and selfishness.
In the midst of this we need to remember: Our God is a consuming fire and He loves His children. Those who remain faithful to Him and draw near to Him, He is our shield and buckler. He is the defender of the faithful and with Him all things are possible. And last but far from the least is “this is My Father’s world.” He will prevail and His will, will done on earth as it is in heaven.
So let’s dive into our text and see what the result is of defying God and exalting ourselves over Him.
1. 2nd Peter, Chapter 2, verses 2 &3- 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
When the way of truth is blasphemed and truth is relative and no weight is given in consideration of what God thinks, the Bible tells us what will happen. Look in the book of Judges – it says “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” This is destructive just like it says in the text and everyone wants their ears tickled with whatever brand of current philosophy is being endorsed. And where does this way of living lead? It leads to death, just look at the communist countries. The way is clear and it is evident. Proof is in the bible and from current history 1850’s to the present. Men and women become deceived and think they can rebel against God. That is why we say today that what is happening in our day is a spiritual battle for the hearts and souls of men. Evil is rampant and accelerating over the face of the earth.
2. Verses 4 through 12 have a variety of conclusions which relate to one another. First let’s look at the overall picture described in these verses.
a. Rebellion is evident in each case as the hearts of men depart from the instruction of the living God. The rebellion which began in the garden of Eden continues and will continue according to the book of Revelation even past the Millennial kingdom when Jesus reigns on the earth, until the last rebellious heart is condemned to the lake of fire. This is the true evidence of sin and if we check our own hearts it is present in us today. Only because of the indwelling Holy Spirit can we resist and remain pure and forgiven in Christ Jesus.
We see both Noah and Lot living in times of abject rebellion to God. The Angels in heaven actually rebelled against God.
b. God exacted punishment upon those who rebelled because of their denial and rejection of God. As always pride and arrogance of men leads to elevate ourselves over the commandments and instructions of God. Pride is such a debilitating factor leading to our deceptive thinking that somehow, we will not allow God His rightful place in our lives.
c. Sexual sin was and remains a core part of the rejection of God’s instructions. Homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and all sorts of perversion were evident and around Noah and Lot. God was so disappointed that He wonders out loud – “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Gen.6.6) These sins were present in Sodom and Gomorrah and in Noah’s day, Verse 10 speaks to both cases - 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries.
Here in this passage, their sin is fully described, as those who walk completely given over to the sinful desires of the flesh, into every perversion, which has entered the mind of man. The Word of God says, they are presumptuous and self-willed denying the truth of God. They, in and of themselves, have no fear of God, and are insistent and deluded, willing to die for a lie. How true is the word of God, when it says, men reach a point where they are given over to strong delusion (2nd Thess. 2:10 – 13). I believe it is here now in our day and being revealed more daily.
Next point d. In those dark days, faithful men still witnessed and proclaimed the truth of God and the need for repentance even in a sinful, hateful culture where God was scorned and rejected. For 120 years every day I am sure that Noah invited repentance and told others of the flood to come because of the evil they were committing. This is confirmed by the words in this passage. Even Lot in the middle of the perverted sickness of Sodom and Gomorrah would have been a witness for righteousness and fear of the Lord, despite the fact of his choice of pitching his tent toward Sodom. I am sure the lure of riches and wealth and whatever else tempted him to make these choices. This proves our choices to sin carry serious consequences to us and to our families. Lot’s choices cost him his wife and his two daughters. And His two daughters committed sin because they believed that no one would ever come to love them. They did not trust the saving providence of God even though God sent an Angel to guide them out of Sodom before its destruction. We do well to remember that God is faithful and true to His Word, and that He knows the beginning and the end. We need to practice this idea - Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
Last point – e. verse 5 - 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly
And verse 7 and delivered righteous Lot,
And verse 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
I believe many of us worry about our survival in these days which are coming, God is looking out for you. He can see what you don’t! Even in the center of destruction God is looking out for those whose heart is tender towards Him. And believe it or not that includes you and I today in this mess we are in as the final days approach and the Father is preparing to bring us to Himself. This is what God wanted from the beginning for a people to have fellowship with Himself. Will you respond to however He is calling you today? He has a future and a hope and a plan for your life, which always ends in Heaven with Jesus. Amen
Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved for eternity. God loves you. That is why He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sin which separates you from God. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved today.
June 11 Sermon
2nd Peter 2, verse 2, 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
Doom of False Teachers
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [b]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, Amen
I believe we sometimes have very short memories and do not trust that God will do what he promises to do in His word. If so we need to repent and begin believing that when we turn to the Lord, His will, will be done according to what He promises in Isaiah 55 verses 10 & 11 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Our world and ears are filled with disinformation everywhere you turn, the truth to these people is irrelevant. It is what is the political speech or current woke pint of view which must be proclaimed. It is very interesting that when a montage of the various talking heads is presented on a particular issue that they all use the same wording to express whatever point of perversion which they are proclaiming. If you listen there must be an email published by some coordinator at midnight which specifies the talking points and woke speech which must be used during the following day. This is so much like communist haranguing practices made during the Korean and cold war.
We need to seriously ponder and consider what Peter is speaking here for it is relevant and will occur during our lifetimes. Notice in our reading of this text the number one characteristic is there is “NO FEAR of the Lord. When man turns his heart away, and you no longer, hear and you serve other gods all sorts of evil occurs.
Msn is so prideful and is rejecting God even in our days. For example what month is it being celebrate and all sorts of evil is occurring especially with regards to indoctrinating our children. This is diabolically evil but part of the strategy of turning the hearts of the children away from their family. Satan’s plan is to kill, maim and to destroy the following; definitions of gender, race, family, country and eliminate God- celebrating the pridefulness and arrogance of man towards because of their sin and selfishness.
In the midst of this we need to remember: Our God is a consuming fire and He loves His children. Those who remain faithful to Him and draw near to Him, He is our shield and buckler. He is the defender of the faithful and with Him all things are possible. And last but far from the least is “this is My Father’s world.” He will prevail and His will, will done on earth as it is in heaven.
So let’s dive into our text and see what the result is of defying God and exalting ourselves over Him.
1. 2nd Peter, Chapter 2, verses 2 &3- 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
When the way of truth is blasphemed and truth is relative and no weight is given in consideration of what God thinks, the Bible tells us what will happen. Look in the book of Judges – it says “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” This is destructive just like it says in the text and everyone wants their ears tickled with whatever brand of current philosophy is being endorsed. And where does this way of living lead? It leads to death, just look at the communist countries. The way is clear and it is evident. Proof is in the bible and from current history 1850’s to the present. Men and women become deceived and think they can rebel against God. That is why we say today that what is happening in our day is a spiritual battle for the hearts and souls of men. Evil is rampant and accelerating over the face of the earth.
2. Verses 4 through 12 have a variety of conclusions which relate to one another. First let’s look at the overall picture described in these verses.
a. Rebellion is evident in each case as the hearts of men depart from the instruction of the living God. The rebellion which began in the garden of Eden continues and will continue according to the book of Revelation even past the Millennial kingdom when Jesus reigns on the earth, until the last rebellious heart is condemned to the lake of fire. This is the true evidence of sin and if we check our own hearts it is present in us today. Only because of the indwelling Holy Spirit can we resist and remain pure and forgiven in Christ Jesus.
We see both Noah and Lot living in times of abject rebellion to God. The Angels in heaven actually rebelled against God.
b. God exacted punishment upon those who rebelled because of their denial and rejection of God. As always pride and arrogance of men leads to elevate ourselves over the commandments and instructions of God. Pride is such a debilitating factor leading to our deceptive thinking that somehow, we will not allow God His rightful place in our lives.
c. Sexual sin was and remains a core part of the rejection of God’s instructions. Homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and all sorts of perversion were evident and around Noah and Lot. God was so disappointed that He wonders out loud – “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Gen.6.6) These sins were present in Sodom and Gomorrah and in Noah’s day, Verse 10 speaks to both cases - 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries.
Here in this passage, their sin is fully described, as those who walk completely given over to the sinful desires of the flesh, into every perversion, which has entered the mind of man. The Word of God says, they are presumptuous and self-willed denying the truth of God. They, in and of themselves, have no fear of God, and are insistent and deluded, willing to die for a lie. How true is the word of God, when it says, men reach a point where they are given over to strong delusion (2nd Thess. 2:10 – 13). I believe it is here now in our day and being revealed more daily.
Next point d. In those dark days, faithful men still witnessed and proclaimed the truth of God and the need for repentance even in a sinful, hateful culture where God was scorned and rejected. For 120 years every day I am sure that Noah invited repentance and told others of the flood to come because of the evil they were committing. This is confirmed by the words in this passage. Even Lot in the middle of the perverted sickness of Sodom and Gomorrah would have been a witness for righteousness and fear of the Lord, despite the fact of his choice of pitching his tent toward Sodom. I am sure the lure of riches and wealth and whatever else tempted him to make these choices. This proves our choices to sin carry serious consequences to us and to our families. Lot’s choices cost him his wife and his two daughters. And His two daughters committed sin because they believed that no one would ever come to love them. They did not trust the saving providence of God even though God sent an Angel to guide them out of Sodom before its destruction. We do well to remember that God is faithful and true to His Word, and that He knows the beginning and the end. We need to practice this idea - Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
Last point – e. verse 5 - 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly
And verse 7 and delivered righteous Lot,
And verse 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
I believe many of us worry about our survival in these days which are coming, God is looking out for you. He can see what you don’t! Even in the center of destruction God is looking out for those whose heart is tender towards Him. And believe it or not that includes you and I today in this mess we are in as the final days approach and the Father is preparing to bring us to Himself. This is what God wanted from the beginning for a people to have fellowship with Himself. Will you respond to however He is calling you today? He has a future and a hope and a plan for your life, which always ends in Heaven with Jesus. Amen
Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved for eternity. God loves you. That is why He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sin which separates you from God. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved today.
2nd Peter 2, verse 2, 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
Doom of False Teachers
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [b]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, Amen
I believe we sometimes have very short memories and do not trust that God will do what he promises to do in His word. If so we need to repent and begin believing that when we turn to the Lord, His will, will be done according to what He promises in Isaiah 55 verses 10 & 11 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Our world and ears are filled with disinformation everywhere you turn, the truth to these people is irrelevant. It is what is the political speech or current woke pint of view which must be proclaimed. It is very interesting that when a montage of the various talking heads is presented on a particular issue that they all use the same wording to express whatever point of perversion which they are proclaiming. If you listen there must be an email published by some coordinator at midnight which specifies the talking points and woke speech which must be used during the following day. This is so much like communist haranguing practices made during the Korean and cold war.
We need to seriously ponder and consider what Peter is speaking here for it is relevant and will occur during our lifetimes. Notice in our reading of this text the number one characteristic is there is “NO FEAR of the Lord. When man turns his heart away, and you no longer, hear and you serve other gods all sorts of evil occurs.
Msn is so prideful and is rejecting God even in our days. For example what month is it being celebrate and all sorts of evil is occurring especially with regards to indoctrinating our children. This is diabolically evil but part of the strategy of turning the hearts of the children away from their family. Satan’s plan is to kill, maim and to destroy the following; definitions of gender, race, family, country and eliminate God- celebrating the pridefulness and arrogance of man towards because of their sin and selfishness.
In the midst of this we need to remember: Our God is a consuming fire and He loves His children. Those who remain faithful to Him and draw near to Him, He is our shield and buckler. He is the defender of the faithful and with Him all things are possible. And last but far from the least is “this is My Father’s world.” He will prevail and His will, will done on earth as it is in heaven.
So let’s dive into our text and see what the result is of defying God and exalting ourselves over Him.
1. 2nd Peter, Chapter 2, verses 2 &3- 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.
When the way of truth is blasphemed and truth is relative and no weight is given in consideration of what God thinks, the Bible tells us what will happen. Look in the book of Judges – it says “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” This is destructive just like it says in the text and everyone wants their ears tickled with whatever brand of current philosophy is being endorsed. And where does this way of living lead? It leads to death, just look at the communist countries. The way is clear and it is evident. Proof is in the bible and from current history 1850’s to the present. Men and women become deceived and think they can rebel against God. That is why we say today that what is happening in our day is a spiritual battle for the hearts and souls of men. Evil is rampant and accelerating over the face of the earth.
2. Verses 4 through 12 have a variety of conclusions which relate to one another. First let’s look at the overall picture described in these verses.
a. Rebellion is evident in each case as the hearts of men depart from the instruction of the living God. The rebellion which began in the garden of Eden continues and will continue according to the book of Revelation even past the Millennial kingdom when Jesus reigns on the earth, until the last rebellious heart is condemned to the lake of fire. This is the true evidence of sin and if we check our own hearts it is present in us today. Only because of the indwelling Holy Spirit can we resist and remain pure and forgiven in Christ Jesus.
We see both Noah and Lot living in times of abject rebellion to God. The Angels in heaven actually rebelled against God.
b. God exacted punishment upon those who rebelled because of their denial and rejection of God. As always pride and arrogance of men leads to elevate ourselves over the commandments and instructions of God. Pride is such a debilitating factor leading to our deceptive thinking that somehow, we will not allow God His rightful place in our lives.
c. Sexual sin was and remains a core part of the rejection of God’s instructions. Homosexuality, adultery, fornication, and all sorts of perversion were evident and around Noah and Lot. God was so disappointed that He wonders out loud – “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Gen.6.6) These sins were present in Sodom and Gomorrah and in Noah’s day, Verse 10 speaks to both cases - 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-will ed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries.
Here in this passage, their sin is fully described, as those who walk completely given over to the sinful desires of the flesh, into every perversion, which has entered the mind of man. The Word of God says, they are presumptuous and self-willed denying the truth of God. They, in and of themselves, have no fear of God, and are insistent and deluded, willing to die for a lie. How true is the word of God, when it says, men reach a point where they are given over to strong delusion (2nd Thess. 2:10 – 13). I believe it is here now in our day and being revealed more daily.
Next point d. In those dark days, faithful men still witnessed and proclaimed the truth of God and the need for repentance even in a sinful, hateful culture where God was scorned and rejected. For 120 years every day I am sure that Noah invited repentance and told others of the flood to come because of the evil they were committing. This is confirmed by the words in this passage. Even Lot in the middle of the perverted sickness of Sodom and Gomorrah would have been a witness for righteousness and fear of the Lord, despite the fact of his choice of pitching his tent toward Sodom. I am sure the lure of riches and wealth and whatever else tempted him to make these choices. This proves our choices to sin carry serious consequences to us and to our families. Lot’s choices cost him his wife and his two daughters. And His two daughters committed sin because they believed that no one would ever come to love them. They did not trust the saving providence of God even though God sent an Angel to guide them out of Sodom before its destruction. We do well to remember that God is faithful and true to His Word, and that He knows the beginning and the end. We need to practice this idea - Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
Last point – e. verse 5 - 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly
And verse 7 and delivered righteous Lot,
And verse 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
I believe many of us worry about our survival in these days which are coming, God is looking out for you. He can see what you don’t! Even in the center of destruction God is looking out for those whose heart is tender towards Him. And believe it or not that includes you and I today in this mess we are in as the final days approach and the Father is preparing to bring us to Himself. This is what God wanted from the beginning for a people to have fellowship with Himself. Will you respond to however He is calling you today? He has a future and a hope and a plan for your life, which always ends in Heaven with Jesus. Amen
Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved for eternity. God loves you. That is why He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sin which separates you from God. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved today.
June 4 Sermon
To reap and to sow is an agricultural principle. If you plant wheat, you hope and expect to reap wheat in return. What is true in the physical world is true for the spiritual world as well. We have sown evil in America and we are now reaping the whirlwind of the harvest. Rejecting the truth and premises of scripture about fearing and honoring God, we are now in the same place as the idolatrous Israelites who having rejected the kindness and mercy of God, were now being punished and disciplined by God as God sowed corruption, reprobate minds turned them over to their delusions. With this they no longer had the ability to distinguish the truth. The nation apart from God and His repentance continued to accelerate into degenerative behavior. Is this not what we see more clearly daily in our nation? Are we blinded today even in the church and do not recognize the truth of this teaching?
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Notes. 6:8 sows to his flesh. Here it means pandering to the flesh’s evil desires. corruption. From the Gr. word for degeneration, as in decaying food. Sin always corrupts and, when left unchecked, always makes a person progressively worse in character (cf. Rom. 6:23). sows to the Spirit. To walk by the Holy Spirit (see notes on; Eph. 5:18; cf. John 8:31; 15:7; Rom. 12:1, 2. everlasting life.
I. Do you know about the message the founder of the Salvation Army sent to their inter- national convention? General William Booth was unable to attend because of ill health, so he cabled a message to the convention containing one word: “OTHERS!” This was to be the focus of their ministry efforts.
II. So “One another” is one of the key phrases in the Christian’s vocabulary. “Love one another” is found at least a dozen times in the New Testament, along with “pray one for another” (James 5:16), “edify one another” (1 Thess. 5:11), prefer one another (Rom. 12:10), “use hospitality one to another” (1 Peter 4:9), and many other like admonitions. And in Gal. 6:2, Paul adds another phrase: “Bear ye one another’s burdens”. The Spirit-led Christian mind thinks of others and how he can minister to them.
III. Just as one another is a key phrase in the Christian vocabulary, so is the word fellowship (translated “communicate” in Gal. 6:6). From the very beginning of the church, sharing was one of the marks of Christians (Acts 2:41–47). The Greek word has now we use in our English vocabulary, is the word koinonia here. It means “to have in common,” and refers to our fellowship in Christ (Gal. 2:9), our common faith (Jude 3), and our sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Phil. 3:10). Often in the New Testament, koinonia refers to the sharing of material blessings with one another. It is this that Paul had in mind in here.
So for one another:
a. Paul starts with a precept (in Gal. 6:6), urging us to share with one another. The teacher of the Word shares spiritual treasures, and those who are taught ought to share with the teacher their material treasures. We need to understand however that how we handle material things is an indication of how we value and handle spiritual things. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21).
The precept in Gal. 6:6, urges us to share with one another. The teacher of the Word shares spiritual treasures, and those who are taught ought to share material treasures.
Because the apostle Paul did not want money to be a stumbling block to the unsaved, he earned his own living (see 1 Cor. 9), but he repeatedly taught that the spiritual leader in the church was to be sup- ported by the gifts of the people. Jesus said, “The laborer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7), and Paul echoed this.
b. But we must realize there is a spiritual principle that lies behind this precept. God does not command believers to give simply that pastors and teachers (and missionaries, Phil. 4:10–19) might have their material needs met, but that the givers might receive the greater blessing (Gal. 6:7–8). The principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the entire Bible. God has ordained that we reap what we sow. Were it not for this law, the whole principle of cause and effect would fail. The farmer who sows a crop expects to reap the same crop. Otherwise, there would be chaos all over.
God has also told us to be careful where we sow, and it is this principle that Paul is dealing with here. He looked on our material possessions as seed, and he sees two possible kinds of soil: the flesh and the Spirit. We can use our goods to promote the flesh, or to promote the Spirit. But once we have finished sowing, we cannot change the harvest.
Money sown to the flesh brings a harvest of corruption (see Gal. 5:19–21). That money is gone and can never be reclaimed. Money sown to the Spirit (such as sharing with those who teach the Word) produces life, and generated future seeds that can be planted for another harvest, and on and on into eternity. If believers would only look on their material wealth as seed, and plant it correctly, there would be no lack for the God’s work. Sadly, much seed is wasted on earthly things which never brings glory to God.
c. Beyond this, there is a much broader application of this principle to our lives; all we do in life is either an investment in the flesh or the Spirit. We shall reap whatever we have sown, and we shall reap in proportion to what we have sown. “He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). The believer who walks in the Spirit and “sows” in the Spirit is going to reap a spiritual harvest. If his sowing has been generous, the harvest will be bountiful, if not in this life, certainly in the life to come.
Paul’s enemies, the Judaizers, did not have this attitude toward giving and receiving. Paul sacrificed and labored that he might not be a burden to the churches, but the false teachers used the churches to promote their schemes and fill their fat wallets.
d. Having given us the precept (Gal. 6:6) and the principle behind the precept (Gal. 6:7–8), Paul now gave us a promise (Gal. 6:9): “In due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Behind this promise is a peril: growing weary in the work of the Lord, and then fainting, and stopping the ministry. Sometimes spiritual fainting is caused by a lack of devotion to the Lord. It is interesting to contrast two churches that are commended for “work, labor, and patience.” In Rev. 2:2), the church at Ephesus had left its first love and was backslidden (Rev. 2:4–5). Why? The answer is seen in the commendation to the Thessalonian church: “Work of faith, labor of love, patience of hope.” Not just work, labor, and patience, but the proper motivation: “faith, love, and hope.” How easy it is for us to work for the Lord, but permit His spiritual motivation to die.
Scripture says – in Proverbs - Guard your heart for out if flow the issues of life. Share and Shine for Jesus – this is a critical part of sharing for Jesus in word, in deed and in kind. Learn to reap and sow and be blessed by giving to the Lord of all that we have.
Amen
To reap and to sow is an agricultural principle. If you plant wheat, you hope and expect to reap wheat in return. What is true in the physical world is true for the spiritual world as well. We have sown evil in America and we are now reaping the whirlwind of the harvest. Rejecting the truth and premises of scripture about fearing and honoring God, we are now in the same place as the idolatrous Israelites who having rejected the kindness and mercy of God, were now being punished and disciplined by God as God sowed corruption, reprobate minds turned them over to their delusions. With this they no longer had the ability to distinguish the truth. The nation apart from God and His repentance continued to accelerate into degenerative behavior. Is this not what we see more clearly daily in our nation? Are we blinded today even in the church and do not recognize the truth of this teaching?
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Notes. 6:8 sows to his flesh. Here it means pandering to the flesh’s evil desires. corruption. From the Gr. word for degeneration, as in decaying food. Sin always corrupts and, when left unchecked, always makes a person progressively worse in character (cf. Rom. 6:23). sows to the Spirit. To walk by the Holy Spirit (see notes on; Eph. 5:18; cf. John 8:31; 15:7; Rom. 12:1, 2. everlasting life.
I. Do you know about the message the founder of the Salvation Army sent to their inter- national convention? General William Booth was unable to attend because of ill health, so he cabled a message to the convention containing one word: “OTHERS!” This was to be the focus of their ministry efforts.
II. So “One another” is one of the key phrases in the Christian’s vocabulary. “Love one another” is found at least a dozen times in the New Testament, along with “pray one for another” (James 5:16), “edify one another” (1 Thess. 5:11), prefer one another (Rom. 12:10), “use hospitality one to another” (1 Peter 4:9), and many other like admonitions. And in Gal. 6:2, Paul adds another phrase: “Bear ye one another’s burdens”. The Spirit-led Christian mind thinks of others and how he can minister to them.
III. Just as one another is a key phrase in the Christian vocabulary, so is the word fellowship (translated “communicate” in Gal. 6:6). From the very beginning of the church, sharing was one of the marks of Christians (Acts 2:41–47). The Greek word has now we use in our English vocabulary, is the word koinonia here. It means “to have in common,” and refers to our fellowship in Christ (Gal. 2:9), our common faith (Jude 3), and our sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Phil. 3:10). Often in the New Testament, koinonia refers to the sharing of material blessings with one another. It is this that Paul had in mind in here.
So for one another:
a. Paul starts with a precept (in Gal. 6:6), urging us to share with one another. The teacher of the Word shares spiritual treasures, and those who are taught ought to share with the teacher their material treasures. We need to understand however that how we handle material things is an indication of how we value and handle spiritual things. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21).
The precept in Gal. 6:6, urges us to share with one another. The teacher of the Word shares spiritual treasures, and those who are taught ought to share material treasures.
Because the apostle Paul did not want money to be a stumbling block to the unsaved, he earned his own living (see 1 Cor. 9), but he repeatedly taught that the spiritual leader in the church was to be sup- ported by the gifts of the people. Jesus said, “The laborer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7), and Paul echoed this.
b. But we must realize there is a spiritual principle that lies behind this precept. God does not command believers to give simply that pastors and teachers (and missionaries, Phil. 4:10–19) might have their material needs met, but that the givers might receive the greater blessing (Gal. 6:7–8). The principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the entire Bible. God has ordained that we reap what we sow. Were it not for this law, the whole principle of cause and effect would fail. The farmer who sows a crop expects to reap the same crop. Otherwise, there would be chaos all over.
God has also told us to be careful where we sow, and it is this principle that Paul is dealing with here. He looked on our material possessions as seed, and he sees two possible kinds of soil: the flesh and the Spirit. We can use our goods to promote the flesh, or to promote the Spirit. But once we have finished sowing, we cannot change the harvest.
Money sown to the flesh brings a harvest of corruption (see Gal. 5:19–21). That money is gone and can never be reclaimed. Money sown to the Spirit (such as sharing with those who teach the Word) produces life, and generated future seeds that can be planted for another harvest, and on and on into eternity. If believers would only look on their material wealth as seed, and plant it correctly, there would be no lack for the God’s work. Sadly, much seed is wasted on earthly things which never brings glory to God.
c. Beyond this, there is a much broader application of this principle to our lives; all we do in life is either an investment in the flesh or the Spirit. We shall reap whatever we have sown, and we shall reap in proportion to what we have sown. “He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). The believer who walks in the Spirit and “sows” in the Spirit is going to reap a spiritual harvest. If his sowing has been generous, the harvest will be bountiful, if not in this life, certainly in the life to come.
Paul’s enemies, the Judaizers, did not have this attitude toward giving and receiving. Paul sacrificed and labored that he might not be a burden to the churches, but the false teachers used the churches to promote their schemes and fill their fat wallets.
d. Having given us the precept (Gal. 6:6) and the principle behind the precept (Gal. 6:7–8), Paul now gave us a promise (Gal. 6:9): “In due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Behind this promise is a peril: growing weary in the work of the Lord, and then fainting, and stopping the ministry. Sometimes spiritual fainting is caused by a lack of devotion to the Lord. It is interesting to contrast two churches that are commended for “work, labor, and patience.” In Rev. 2:2), the church at Ephesus had left its first love and was backslidden (Rev. 2:4–5). Why? The answer is seen in the commendation to the Thessalonian church: “Work of faith, labor of love, patience of hope.” Not just work, labor, and patience, but the proper motivation: “faith, love, and hope.” How easy it is for us to work for the Lord, but permit His spiritual motivation to die.
Scripture says – in Proverbs - Guard your heart for out if flow the issues of life. Share and Shine for Jesus – this is a critical part of sharing for Jesus in word, in deed and in kind. Learn to reap and sow and be blessed by giving to the Lord of all that we have.
Amen
May 28 Sermon
Criticism is dangerous especially today when each man has his/her own standard and definition of what is right and just, as defined in their own minds and spirits. This today tells you just how wicked we have become in society and in treating one another. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah.17:9)
God knows the human heart, He created it and has seen it. Jesus experienced its hatred and evil first hand on the cross- so this is really the truth about the hearts of men.
So in my day, my mother corrected me when she saw wickedness coming from me and said look at your own flaws first….sort of sound like what we just read from Brother Paul, called the Apostle out of time.
So today, when there are no bounds to criticism whether directly or on line. We are without a standard of truth. There is actually in our culture a war raging concerning an agreed upon definition of what words mean. The media bluster and abusive folly of foul mouthed, illiterate and uneducated, evil people is spreading everywhere and is almost inescapable across the marketplace and in our culture.
This war on in the culture and it is all about the definition of terms and the words we use. The far left, progressives, regressives want to dumb down words like woman to fit their toxic narrative of gender identity and irrational equality. We call murder in the womb – choice. We indenture people into servitude and dependence whether it is health care or we have labeled welfare when it enslaves and impoverishes people. We call a mass invasion of our country by sick and impoverished people – open borders when we are also allowing thousands of military aged, single men entry, who will soon reap rebellion and destruction in our country inside our borders.
So by dumbing down words and obscuring definitions we can call evil good and good evil, sour sweet and sweet is sour and fool those who want to be deceived.
So criticism can be cause healing if applied in love with the intent of correction and truth or it can be detrimental if meant to harm and cause pain.
Our text today speaks concerning these issues and reflects the spiritual view of what and how God wants us to treat one another and walk in Jesus Christ. Remember this if our relationship with God is in harmony and fellowship. Where we are attending to His word and being led by the holy Spirit we will most likely have a good horizontal relationship with our brothers and sisters and those in the world. Let’s read from the word-
Galatians 5 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 6
Brethren, if a man is [a]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Beginning at Galatians 5, verse 24, should take us back to Chapter 2, verse 20 - 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. This is a pivotal verse for us all and it would be good if we spent some time memorizing it as has much truth packed within its meaning. At the moment of regeneration which we call conversion- upon accepting God’s invitation to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior all your sins has been hung upon the body and blood of Jesus. His sinless life and sacrifice have paid the infinite price needed to redeem you with God the Father. So by definition you have been crucified with Christ. Now, the life of Christ in the Holy Spirit lives within you. So the life you now live, you should have the desire and will to live by faith in the One, who died and gave Himself for you. Why did He do this for us is because of His and the Father’s great love for you. Isn’t that what the message of John 3:16 is all about?
Verse 25 state a condition which we must meet -25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Technically, if we live in the Spirit then we should also by definition we should be walking in the Spirit. But as with anything in the human condition it requires us to choose continually to walk in the Holy Spirit’s leading, listening for God’s direction and leading. Moses as He was directed by God in Numbers 20 - 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
12 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
13 This was the water of [b]Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them. Moses because of his temper did not walk according to the Word of God. And in many case our greatest failures come at the moment of prior spiritual victory. Seems that is often when we are weakest and not listening to what God has said. But as with Moses, what are we to do when we falter, which we all do, is to repent, then press on with our Lord.
So by choosing to walk in the Spirit we will not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another, as stated in verse 26. What we noted earlier is if our relationship to God is close, where we are seeking Him daily then we have the opportunity for civil and kind relationships with others. Do you remember what one of Jesus’ commands to His disciples john 13:34 -35 - 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
There needs to be unity in the body of Christ and we are commanded by Jesus and will be led by the Holy Spirit to develop the gift of love as part of His work.
Moving next to Chapter 6, we find this -we find instruction as to how to loving provide correction and reproof, which leads to restoration hopefully, if the individual (s) truly repents.
Here is what the text in Chapter 6 says, Brethren, if a man is [a]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
How are we to treat one another especially, when we fall into sin, which most of us do, once in a while? Certainly we are to love one another. But this will not happen if we vilify and titter crucify others in public media. If we are to show love and listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading then criticism, backbiting and talking out of school or gossip will not happen. We often misuse the concept of “speaking the truth in love.” In instances, using this phrase is just an excuse to tee off on another and describe all their faults in detail, with no means of reconciling just trash the person for no reason. God wants a different norm and so again if the Holy Spirit is in us, He will warn us if we listening and direct our speech and behavior to meet the needs for leading one to repentance and ultimately to being restored to fellowship in Christ. Again this refers back to what the Holy Spirit enables and these are fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and the like. All this advances in our character traits, come because God is growing us and conforming us into the image of His Son. These qualities or traits enable us to share and to bear one another’s burdens. Aren’t you glad He is not finished with you yet! AMEN
Now comes the crux of the matter and it revolves around the human heart. There are some preponderant themes you will hear here each Sunday and this topic of the toxicity of the human heart is a key one. The disease we all have is sin and it is one of the heart issues-sin! Galatians 6 verse 3 -3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Our role as believers means we all must start at the foot of the cross – for all have sinned. The wages of that sin is death but the gift of God is new life in Him for eternity which is immeasurable. Self-love, egotism, narcissism or whatever is beyond our ken or understanding will follow and produces corrupted behavior. Our starting point must always be the foot of the cross, and I repeat this for a point- for without Me you can do nothing (Jn. 15.5).
Now the Holy Spirit plays a key role in the completion of our text to God be the glory! Verse 3 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Who examines our heart but God using the Holy Spirit/ It is God then who through Jesus gives us the Spirit of Truth, who is our guide and teacher. Since God desire truth in the inner man, He provides a way to enhance, preserve and protect it in our hearts. But you must guard your heart for from it grow the issues of life.
So from our perspective as believers we absolutely must walk by faith and in the Spirit, understanding the freedoms we have in Jesus are not license. And to be guided by the genuine love of Jesus to not think of ourselves too highly or conceitedly.
Amen – Do you today right this moment know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if not call me or the Billy Graham Association to find help in receiving and understanding what Jesus has done for you.
Criticism is dangerous especially today when each man has his/her own standard and definition of what is right and just, as defined in their own minds and spirits. This today tells you just how wicked we have become in society and in treating one another. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah.17:9)
God knows the human heart, He created it and has seen it. Jesus experienced its hatred and evil first hand on the cross- so this is really the truth about the hearts of men.
So in my day, my mother corrected me when she saw wickedness coming from me and said look at your own flaws first….sort of sound like what we just read from Brother Paul, called the Apostle out of time.
So today, when there are no bounds to criticism whether directly or on line. We are without a standard of truth. There is actually in our culture a war raging concerning an agreed upon definition of what words mean. The media bluster and abusive folly of foul mouthed, illiterate and uneducated, evil people is spreading everywhere and is almost inescapable across the marketplace and in our culture.
This war on in the culture and it is all about the definition of terms and the words we use. The far left, progressives, regressives want to dumb down words like woman to fit their toxic narrative of gender identity and irrational equality. We call murder in the womb – choice. We indenture people into servitude and dependence whether it is health care or we have labeled welfare when it enslaves and impoverishes people. We call a mass invasion of our country by sick and impoverished people – open borders when we are also allowing thousands of military aged, single men entry, who will soon reap rebellion and destruction in our country inside our borders.
So by dumbing down words and obscuring definitions we can call evil good and good evil, sour sweet and sweet is sour and fool those who want to be deceived.
So criticism can be cause healing if applied in love with the intent of correction and truth or it can be detrimental if meant to harm and cause pain.
Our text today speaks concerning these issues and reflects the spiritual view of what and how God wants us to treat one another and walk in Jesus Christ. Remember this if our relationship with God is in harmony and fellowship. Where we are attending to His word and being led by the holy Spirit we will most likely have a good horizontal relationship with our brothers and sisters and those in the world. Let’s read from the word-
Galatians 5 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 6
Brethren, if a man is [a]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Beginning at Galatians 5, verse 24, should take us back to Chapter 2, verse 20 - 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. This is a pivotal verse for us all and it would be good if we spent some time memorizing it as has much truth packed within its meaning. At the moment of regeneration which we call conversion- upon accepting God’s invitation to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior all your sins has been hung upon the body and blood of Jesus. His sinless life and sacrifice have paid the infinite price needed to redeem you with God the Father. So by definition you have been crucified with Christ. Now, the life of Christ in the Holy Spirit lives within you. So the life you now live, you should have the desire and will to live by faith in the One, who died and gave Himself for you. Why did He do this for us is because of His and the Father’s great love for you. Isn’t that what the message of John 3:16 is all about?
Verse 25 state a condition which we must meet -25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Technically, if we live in the Spirit then we should also by definition we should be walking in the Spirit. But as with anything in the human condition it requires us to choose continually to walk in the Holy Spirit’s leading, listening for God’s direction and leading. Moses as He was directed by God in Numbers 20 - 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
12 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
13 This was the water of [b]Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them. Moses because of his temper did not walk according to the Word of God. And in many case our greatest failures come at the moment of prior spiritual victory. Seems that is often when we are weakest and not listening to what God has said. But as with Moses, what are we to do when we falter, which we all do, is to repent, then press on with our Lord.
So by choosing to walk in the Spirit we will not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another, as stated in verse 26. What we noted earlier is if our relationship to God is close, where we are seeking Him daily then we have the opportunity for civil and kind relationships with others. Do you remember what one of Jesus’ commands to His disciples john 13:34 -35 - 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
There needs to be unity in the body of Christ and we are commanded by Jesus and will be led by the Holy Spirit to develop the gift of love as part of His work.
Moving next to Chapter 6, we find this -we find instruction as to how to loving provide correction and reproof, which leads to restoration hopefully, if the individual (s) truly repents.
Here is what the text in Chapter 6 says, Brethren, if a man is [a]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
How are we to treat one another especially, when we fall into sin, which most of us do, once in a while? Certainly we are to love one another. But this will not happen if we vilify and titter crucify others in public media. If we are to show love and listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading then criticism, backbiting and talking out of school or gossip will not happen. We often misuse the concept of “speaking the truth in love.” In instances, using this phrase is just an excuse to tee off on another and describe all their faults in detail, with no means of reconciling just trash the person for no reason. God wants a different norm and so again if the Holy Spirit is in us, He will warn us if we listening and direct our speech and behavior to meet the needs for leading one to repentance and ultimately to being restored to fellowship in Christ. Again this refers back to what the Holy Spirit enables and these are fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and the like. All this advances in our character traits, come because God is growing us and conforming us into the image of His Son. These qualities or traits enable us to share and to bear one another’s burdens. Aren’t you glad He is not finished with you yet! AMEN
Now comes the crux of the matter and it revolves around the human heart. There are some preponderant themes you will hear here each Sunday and this topic of the toxicity of the human heart is a key one. The disease we all have is sin and it is one of the heart issues-sin! Galatians 6 verse 3 -3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Our role as believers means we all must start at the foot of the cross – for all have sinned. The wages of that sin is death but the gift of God is new life in Him for eternity which is immeasurable. Self-love, egotism, narcissism or whatever is beyond our ken or understanding will follow and produces corrupted behavior. Our starting point must always be the foot of the cross, and I repeat this for a point- for without Me you can do nothing (Jn. 15.5).
Now the Holy Spirit plays a key role in the completion of our text to God be the glory! Verse 3 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Who examines our heart but God using the Holy Spirit/ It is God then who through Jesus gives us the Spirit of Truth, who is our guide and teacher. Since God desire truth in the inner man, He provides a way to enhance, preserve and protect it in our hearts. But you must guard your heart for from it grow the issues of life.
So from our perspective as believers we absolutely must walk by faith and in the Spirit, understanding the freedoms we have in Jesus are not license. And to be guided by the genuine love of Jesus to not think of ourselves too highly or conceitedly.
Amen – Do you today right this moment know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if not call me or the Billy Graham Association to find help in receiving and understanding what Jesus has done for you.
May 21 Sermon
What is freedom? What do many people think freedom is? I believe many people believe freedom or liberty is the right to do whatever a person wants and however a person chooses to express that liberty or freedom. But that is not the true definition of freedom or liberty that idea is actually called anarchy. Anarchy is unbridled, unrestrained, unbounded, self-motivated and uncontrolled behavior which enables anyone to do anything they want to anybody, anytime and anywhere. Many confuse freedom for this type of behavior. Freedom or liberty is not anarchy. Liberty as understood and defined in the bible and the constitution is to have the freedom to choose and function within a system of rules which reflects the natural law given by God and among men. This is what we should mean when we are discussing liberty and freedom. The statement by Patrick Henry of “Give me liberty or give me death” reflects this idea that to not have liberty or freedom is to be an abject slave with no choices. This idea of freedom/liberty is included in the New Testament and in the Bible as a whole, as God has always given men the opportunity to choose to live according to His precepts or outside of the bounds of His love. Just like the Galatians, we are free to choose to operate or function in the freedom which was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ or choose to live in the bondage of idolatry as some did; or even to adopt Judaism or CRT, BLM precepts or modern management theories as part of their walking with Christ. But the freedom to choose to function in Christ this way does not mean that it is correct way to walk in the faith. For example, look at Adam and Eve or Judas the betrayer or King Saul, each had the freedom to choose how to live and honor or worship God but how did that work for them and for the people that followed them? Well you know that because of free choice by Adam and Eve, sin entered the world and the entire creation has been corrupted and subjected to sin. Because of Judas’ unbelief Jesus was betrayed. But that wasn’t the worst part, for because of his sin and lack of faith he lost all hope and hung himselfdooming him to hell for eternity. King Saul’s self-love and failure to honor God, doomed the nation of Israel, ultimately led to their inglorious defeat and caused him to sin another time against God by calling the witch to raise Samuel from the dead. He became accursed before God and led the nation astray. Jesus declare that God word is truth and when you know the truth and the truth lives in you, and in the truth, you will be set free (Jn. 8:32). God gave freedom to Israel from slavery through Moses but it was not unrestrained, it required them to obey God’s direction. Which they ultimately disobeyed and were punished. God’s absolute freedom comes in Christ Jesus to be free from the laws of sin and death and its consequences (Rev. 1:5-5) and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor.3:17). Liberty and freedom is found in living in obedience to the living God, that is what our text is trying to prove to us and the Galatians. Start with verse 1 of Chapter 5- For Freedom, Christ set us free. And we are to stand firm Now go to verse 13 of Chapter 5, 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Walking in the Spirit 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 2 and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. There are three distinct parts to this discussion of liberty or freedom. Part 1 includes verses 13- 15. This section talks about Christian liberty and living togetherRead again from 13 - 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Speaking to the believers at Galatia as having in Christ been set free from the law and therefore from sin and death. This was accomplished by Jesus as a perfect sacrifice for sin. And by faith in Jesus they have been set free to spiritual freedom or liberty. Then Paul calls upon them, since they have been freed, not to go back to sin in the flesh and bondage, as desired by, the Judaizers to revoke what Christ has done. But in love they are to serve one another. For under the law it is every man for himself, I must earn my salvation and perfection. But the law is not fulfilled by keeping the law perfectly but by embracing the love of God, and then embracing and loving one another in service. How much shall you love your neighbor – you shall love your neighbor as yourself. He warns us, even today if we add what is not scriptural or spiritual into our worship and if you continue pursuing the flesh as with the Judaizers, you will eventually consume and devour one another. Not a good outcome when we dilute or distort what God is teaching us. The next section or Part 2 includes verses 16 through 18. Paul, here provides the antidote or the remedy for walking in the flesh and the law. That is to walk in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. You must understand as a Christian that the power of Christ resides in you. Read Romans 8:19 with me please, 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. This verse says, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are not in the flesh. And if anyone does not have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ you don’t belong to Jesus. So to walk in bondage as in the flesh is not how we are to walk as believers. And verse 17 is the condition of those who walk in the flesh - For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. If we choose this path and it is a choice we are not allowing God to lead us, we are directing our steps and that is the broad path which leads to destruction. Adding other elements into what Christ and God the Father have given us as worship leads us to bondage and destruction. But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul has one more verse and that is verse18 - 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. So the 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 3 expectation and truth here is that if we are led by the Holy Spirit we will not fall sway to the influences of other doctrines or teachings such as CRT, DEI or other lies coming from anywhere in the culture, leadership, politics, inside the church or the media. Truth will find a way to reveal itself. Then there is Part III which includes verses 19 through 21. Paul here provides a compare and contrast using concrete exemplars of behavior which we know as sinful and unproductive to demonstrate clearly about walking in the flesh – Let’s read - 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. Now many of us would want to qualify or rationalize these, saying sometimes these behaviors are justified depending upon the circumstances. According to the great Judge in Heaven the Father they are not justified nor excusable. Several of these are sexual sins including, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lewdness. Then there are revelries which could also include drunken parties. But idolatry, envy, murder, heresies, and sorcery are against God’s commandments. Sorceries which include witchcraft, Blackmagic, and sorcery. These sins include drug pharmacopeia which is drug use. Many, who call themselves Christian today, freely use drugs. These sins are so prevalent in American culture today it is a miracle we are still functioning as a nation. I believe it is only by the grace of God that America still functions as a nation for we are certainly not under God. Notice what the remainder of the verse states – end of verse 22 - of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is quite a statement but before reacting let’s think about it. The key phrase is those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. If I am actually a bornagain believer. I may sin by choice but hopefully not perpetually or as is said here I do not practice such things. This means I may slip and demonstrate bad behavior occasionally but not continually. If I am walking in the Spirit the Holy Spirit is going to convict me of sin, John 16:8 tells us this truth. But I can quench the Spirit and not hear by choice. The Question boils down to this – do you want to walk in liberty or the freedom of the Spirit or do you want to walk in the bondage of sin and under the law. Freedom requires a choice. Why would you be like Lot’s wife and turn back to sin. Her is what Jesus says 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34- 36) Don’t be a slave to sin be free in Christ, turn back or come to Jesus today to be free and not a slave to sin.
What is freedom? What do many people think freedom is? I believe many people believe freedom or liberty is the right to do whatever a person wants and however a person chooses to express that liberty or freedom. But that is not the true definition of freedom or liberty that idea is actually called anarchy. Anarchy is unbridled, unrestrained, unbounded, self-motivated and uncontrolled behavior which enables anyone to do anything they want to anybody, anytime and anywhere. Many confuse freedom for this type of behavior. Freedom or liberty is not anarchy. Liberty as understood and defined in the bible and the constitution is to have the freedom to choose and function within a system of rules which reflects the natural law given by God and among men. This is what we should mean when we are discussing liberty and freedom. The statement by Patrick Henry of “Give me liberty or give me death” reflects this idea that to not have liberty or freedom is to be an abject slave with no choices. This idea of freedom/liberty is included in the New Testament and in the Bible as a whole, as God has always given men the opportunity to choose to live according to His precepts or outside of the bounds of His love. Just like the Galatians, we are free to choose to operate or function in the freedom which was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ or choose to live in the bondage of idolatry as some did; or even to adopt Judaism or CRT, BLM precepts or modern management theories as part of their walking with Christ. But the freedom to choose to function in Christ this way does not mean that it is correct way to walk in the faith. For example, look at Adam and Eve or Judas the betrayer or King Saul, each had the freedom to choose how to live and honor or worship God but how did that work for them and for the people that followed them? Well you know that because of free choice by Adam and Eve, sin entered the world and the entire creation has been corrupted and subjected to sin. Because of Judas’ unbelief Jesus was betrayed. But that wasn’t the worst part, for because of his sin and lack of faith he lost all hope and hung himselfdooming him to hell for eternity. King Saul’s self-love and failure to honor God, doomed the nation of Israel, ultimately led to their inglorious defeat and caused him to sin another time against God by calling the witch to raise Samuel from the dead. He became accursed before God and led the nation astray. Jesus declare that God word is truth and when you know the truth and the truth lives in you, and in the truth, you will be set free (Jn. 8:32). God gave freedom to Israel from slavery through Moses but it was not unrestrained, it required them to obey God’s direction. Which they ultimately disobeyed and were punished. God’s absolute freedom comes in Christ Jesus to be free from the laws of sin and death and its consequences (Rev. 1:5-5) and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor.3:17). Liberty and freedom is found in living in obedience to the living God, that is what our text is trying to prove to us and the Galatians. Start with verse 1 of Chapter 5- For Freedom, Christ set us free. And we are to stand firm Now go to verse 13 of Chapter 5, 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Walking in the Spirit 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 2 and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. There are three distinct parts to this discussion of liberty or freedom. Part 1 includes verses 13- 15. This section talks about Christian liberty and living togetherRead again from 13 - 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Speaking to the believers at Galatia as having in Christ been set free from the law and therefore from sin and death. This was accomplished by Jesus as a perfect sacrifice for sin. And by faith in Jesus they have been set free to spiritual freedom or liberty. Then Paul calls upon them, since they have been freed, not to go back to sin in the flesh and bondage, as desired by, the Judaizers to revoke what Christ has done. But in love they are to serve one another. For under the law it is every man for himself, I must earn my salvation and perfection. But the law is not fulfilled by keeping the law perfectly but by embracing the love of God, and then embracing and loving one another in service. How much shall you love your neighbor – you shall love your neighbor as yourself. He warns us, even today if we add what is not scriptural or spiritual into our worship and if you continue pursuing the flesh as with the Judaizers, you will eventually consume and devour one another. Not a good outcome when we dilute or distort what God is teaching us. The next section or Part 2 includes verses 16 through 18. Paul, here provides the antidote or the remedy for walking in the flesh and the law. That is to walk in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. You must understand as a Christian that the power of Christ resides in you. Read Romans 8:19 with me please, 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. This verse says, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are not in the flesh. And if anyone does not have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ you don’t belong to Jesus. So to walk in bondage as in the flesh is not how we are to walk as believers. And verse 17 is the condition of those who walk in the flesh - For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. If we choose this path and it is a choice we are not allowing God to lead us, we are directing our steps and that is the broad path which leads to destruction. Adding other elements into what Christ and God the Father have given us as worship leads us to bondage and destruction. But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul has one more verse and that is verse18 - 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. So the 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230520_Oakland Baptist Church - Easter +6 “The Spirit enables us in Christ in 2023?” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 3 expectation and truth here is that if we are led by the Holy Spirit we will not fall sway to the influences of other doctrines or teachings such as CRT, DEI or other lies coming from anywhere in the culture, leadership, politics, inside the church or the media. Truth will find a way to reveal itself. Then there is Part III which includes verses 19 through 21. Paul here provides a compare and contrast using concrete exemplars of behavior which we know as sinful and unproductive to demonstrate clearly about walking in the flesh – Let’s read - 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. Now many of us would want to qualify or rationalize these, saying sometimes these behaviors are justified depending upon the circumstances. According to the great Judge in Heaven the Father they are not justified nor excusable. Several of these are sexual sins including, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lewdness. Then there are revelries which could also include drunken parties. But idolatry, envy, murder, heresies, and sorcery are against God’s commandments. Sorceries which include witchcraft, Blackmagic, and sorcery. These sins include drug pharmacopeia which is drug use. Many, who call themselves Christian today, freely use drugs. These sins are so prevalent in American culture today it is a miracle we are still functioning as a nation. I believe it is only by the grace of God that America still functions as a nation for we are certainly not under God. Notice what the remainder of the verse states – end of verse 22 - of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is quite a statement but before reacting let’s think about it. The key phrase is those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. If I am actually a bornagain believer. I may sin by choice but hopefully not perpetually or as is said here I do not practice such things. This means I may slip and demonstrate bad behavior occasionally but not continually. If I am walking in the Spirit the Holy Spirit is going to convict me of sin, John 16:8 tells us this truth. But I can quench the Spirit and not hear by choice. The Question boils down to this – do you want to walk in liberty or the freedom of the Spirit or do you want to walk in the bondage of sin and under the law. Freedom requires a choice. Why would you be like Lot’s wife and turn back to sin. Her is what Jesus says 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34- 36) Don’t be a slave to sin be free in Christ, turn back or come to Jesus today to be free and not a slave to sin.
May 14 Sermon
What is freedom? What do many people think freedom is? I believe many people believe freedom or liberty is the right to do whatever a person wants and however a person chooses to express that liberty or freedom. But that is not the true definition of freedom or liberty that idea is actually called anarchy. Anarchy is unbridled, unrestrained, unbounded, self-motivated and uncontrolled behavior which enables anyone to do anything they want to anybody, anytime and anywhere. Many confuse freedom for this type of behavior.
Freedom or liberty is not anarchy. Liberty as understood and defined in the bible and the constitution is to have the freedom to choose and function within a system of rules which reflects the natural law given by God and among men. This is what we should mean when we are discussing liberty and freedom. The statement by Patrick Henry of “Give me liberty or give me death” reflects this idea that to not have liberty or freedom is to be an abject slave with no choices.
This idea of freedom/liberty is included in the New Testament and in the Bible as a whole, as God has always given men the opportunity to choose to live according to His precepts or outside of the bounds of His love. Just like the Galatians, we are free to choose to operate or function in the freedom which was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ or choose to live in the bondage of idolatry as some did; or even to adopt Judaism or CRT, BLM precepts or modern management theories as part of their walking with Christ. But the freedom to choose to function in Christ this way does not mean that it is correct way to walk in the faith.
For example, look at Adam and Eve or Judas the betrayer or King Saul, each had the freedom to choose how to live and honor or worship God but how did that work for them and for the people that followed them? Well you know that because of free choice by Adam and Eve, sin entered the world and the entire creation has been corrupted and subjected to sin. Because of Judas’ unbelief Jesus was betrayed. But that wasn’t the worst part, for because of his sin and lack of faith he lost all hope and hung himself- dooming him to hell for eternity. King Saul’s self-love and failure to honor God, doomed the nation of Israel, ultimately led to their inglorious defeat and caused him to sin another time against God by calling the witch to raise Samuel from the dead. He became accursed before God and led the nation astray.
Jesus declare that God word is truth and when you know the truth and the truth lives in you, and in the truth, you will be set free (Jn. 8:32). God gave freedom to Israel from slavery through Moses but it was not unrestrained, it required them to obey God’s direction. Which they ultimately disobeyed and were punished. God’s absolute freedom comes in Christ Jesus to be free from the laws of sin and death and its consequences (Rev. 1:5-5) and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor.3:17). Liberty and freedom is found in living in obedience to the living God, that is what our text is trying to prove to us and the Galatians.
Start with verse 1 of Chapter 5- For Freedom, Christ set us free. And we are to stand firm
Now go to verse 13 of Chapter 5,
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
There are three distinct parts to this discussion of liberty or freedom. Part 1 includes verses 13- 15. This section talks about Christian liberty and living together- Read again from 13 -13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Speaking to the believers at Galatia as having in Christ been set free from the law and therefore from sin and death. This was accomplished by Jesus as a perfect sacrifice for sin. And by faith in Jesus they have been set free to spiritual freedom or liberty. Then Paul calls upon them, since they have been freed, not to go back to sin in the flesh and bondage, as desired by, the Judaizers to revoke what Christ has done. But in love they are to serve one another. For under the law it is every man for himself, I must earn my salvation and perfection. But the law is not fulfilled by keeping the law perfectly but by embracing the love of God, and then embracing and loving one another in service. How much shall you love your neighbor – you shall love your neighbor as yourself. He warns us, even today if we add what is not scriptural or spiritual into our worship and if you continue pursuing the flesh as with the Judaizers, you will eventually consume and devour one another. Not a good outcome when we dilute or distort what God is teaching us.
The next section or Part 2 includes verses 16 through 18. Paul, here provides the antidote or the remedy for walking in the flesh and the law. That is to walk in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
You must understand as a Christian that the power of Christ resides in you. Read Romans 8:19 with me please, 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. This verse says, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are not in the flesh. And if anyone does not have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ you don’t belong to Jesus. So to walk in bondage as in the flesh is not how we are to walk as believers. And verse 17 is the condition of those who walk in the flesh - For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. If we choose this path and it is a choice we are not allowing God to lead us, we are directing our steps and that is the broad path which leads to destruction. Adding other elements into what Christ and God the Father have given us as worship leads us to bondage and destruction. But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul has one more verse and that is verse18 - 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. So the expectation and truth here is that if we are led by the Holy Spirit we will not fall sway to the influences of other doctrines or teachings such as CRT, DEI or other lies coming from anywhere in the culture, leadership, politics, inside the church or the media. Truth will find a way to reveal itself.
Then there is Part III which includes verses 19 through 21. Paul here provides a compare and contrast using concrete exemplars of behavior which we know as sinful and unproductive to demonstrate clearly about walking in the flesh – Let’s read -
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.
Now many of us would want to qualify or rationalize these, saying sometimes these behaviors are justified depending upon the circumstances. According to the great Judge in Heaven the Father they are not justified nor excusable. Several of these are sexual sins including, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lewdness. Then there are revelries which could also include drunken parties. But idolatry, envy, murder, heresies, and sorcery are against God’s commandments. Sorceries which include witchcraft, Blackmagic, and sorcery. These sins include drug pharmacopeia which is drug use. Many, who call themselves Christian today, freely use drugs.
These sins are so prevalent in American culture today it is a miracle we are still functioning as a nation. I believe it is only by the grace of God that America still functions as a nation for we are certainly not under God.
Notice what the remainder of the verse states – end of verse 22 - of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is quite a statement but before reacting let’s think about it. The key phrase is those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. If I am actually a born-again believer. I may sin by choice but hopefully not perpetually or as is said here I do not practice such things. This means I may slip and demonstrate bad behavior occasionally but not continually. If I am walking in the Spirit the Holy Spirit is going to convict me of sin, John 16:8 tells us this truth. But I can quench the Spirit and not hear by choice.
The Question boils down to this – do you want to walk in liberty or the freedom of the Spirit or do you want to walk in the bondage of sin and under the law. Freedom requires a choice. Why would you be like Lot’s wife and turn back to sin. Her is what Jesus says 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)
Don’t be a slave to sin be free in Christ, turn back or come to Jesus today to be free and not a slave to sin.
What is freedom? What do many people think freedom is? I believe many people believe freedom or liberty is the right to do whatever a person wants and however a person chooses to express that liberty or freedom. But that is not the true definition of freedom or liberty that idea is actually called anarchy. Anarchy is unbridled, unrestrained, unbounded, self-motivated and uncontrolled behavior which enables anyone to do anything they want to anybody, anytime and anywhere. Many confuse freedom for this type of behavior.
Freedom or liberty is not anarchy. Liberty as understood and defined in the bible and the constitution is to have the freedom to choose and function within a system of rules which reflects the natural law given by God and among men. This is what we should mean when we are discussing liberty and freedom. The statement by Patrick Henry of “Give me liberty or give me death” reflects this idea that to not have liberty or freedom is to be an abject slave with no choices.
This idea of freedom/liberty is included in the New Testament and in the Bible as a whole, as God has always given men the opportunity to choose to live according to His precepts or outside of the bounds of His love. Just like the Galatians, we are free to choose to operate or function in the freedom which was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ or choose to live in the bondage of idolatry as some did; or even to adopt Judaism or CRT, BLM precepts or modern management theories as part of their walking with Christ. But the freedom to choose to function in Christ this way does not mean that it is correct way to walk in the faith.
For example, look at Adam and Eve or Judas the betrayer or King Saul, each had the freedom to choose how to live and honor or worship God but how did that work for them and for the people that followed them? Well you know that because of free choice by Adam and Eve, sin entered the world and the entire creation has been corrupted and subjected to sin. Because of Judas’ unbelief Jesus was betrayed. But that wasn’t the worst part, for because of his sin and lack of faith he lost all hope and hung himself- dooming him to hell for eternity. King Saul’s self-love and failure to honor God, doomed the nation of Israel, ultimately led to their inglorious defeat and caused him to sin another time against God by calling the witch to raise Samuel from the dead. He became accursed before God and led the nation astray.
Jesus declare that God word is truth and when you know the truth and the truth lives in you, and in the truth, you will be set free (Jn. 8:32). God gave freedom to Israel from slavery through Moses but it was not unrestrained, it required them to obey God’s direction. Which they ultimately disobeyed and were punished. God’s absolute freedom comes in Christ Jesus to be free from the laws of sin and death and its consequences (Rev. 1:5-5) and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor.3:17). Liberty and freedom is found in living in obedience to the living God, that is what our text is trying to prove to us and the Galatians.
Start with verse 1 of Chapter 5- For Freedom, Christ set us free. And we are to stand firm
Now go to verse 13 of Chapter 5,
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
There are three distinct parts to this discussion of liberty or freedom. Part 1 includes verses 13- 15. This section talks about Christian liberty and living together- Read again from 13 -13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Speaking to the believers at Galatia as having in Christ been set free from the law and therefore from sin and death. This was accomplished by Jesus as a perfect sacrifice for sin. And by faith in Jesus they have been set free to spiritual freedom or liberty. Then Paul calls upon them, since they have been freed, not to go back to sin in the flesh and bondage, as desired by, the Judaizers to revoke what Christ has done. But in love they are to serve one another. For under the law it is every man for himself, I must earn my salvation and perfection. But the law is not fulfilled by keeping the law perfectly but by embracing the love of God, and then embracing and loving one another in service. How much shall you love your neighbor – you shall love your neighbor as yourself. He warns us, even today if we add what is not scriptural or spiritual into our worship and if you continue pursuing the flesh as with the Judaizers, you will eventually consume and devour one another. Not a good outcome when we dilute or distort what God is teaching us.
The next section or Part 2 includes verses 16 through 18. Paul, here provides the antidote or the remedy for walking in the flesh and the law. That is to walk in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
You must understand as a Christian that the power of Christ resides in you. Read Romans 8:19 with me please, 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. This verse says, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are not in the flesh. And if anyone does not have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ you don’t belong to Jesus. So to walk in bondage as in the flesh is not how we are to walk as believers. And verse 17 is the condition of those who walk in the flesh - For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. If we choose this path and it is a choice we are not allowing God to lead us, we are directing our steps and that is the broad path which leads to destruction. Adding other elements into what Christ and God the Father have given us as worship leads us to bondage and destruction. But under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul has one more verse and that is verse18 - 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. So the expectation and truth here is that if we are led by the Holy Spirit we will not fall sway to the influences of other doctrines or teachings such as CRT, DEI or other lies coming from anywhere in the culture, leadership, politics, inside the church or the media. Truth will find a way to reveal itself.
Then there is Part III which includes verses 19 through 21. Paul here provides a compare and contrast using concrete exemplars of behavior which we know as sinful and unproductive to demonstrate clearly about walking in the flesh – Let’s read -
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.
Now many of us would want to qualify or rationalize these, saying sometimes these behaviors are justified depending upon the circumstances. According to the great Judge in Heaven the Father they are not justified nor excusable. Several of these are sexual sins including, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lewdness. Then there are revelries which could also include drunken parties. But idolatry, envy, murder, heresies, and sorcery are against God’s commandments. Sorceries which include witchcraft, Blackmagic, and sorcery. These sins include drug pharmacopeia which is drug use. Many, who call themselves Christian today, freely use drugs.
These sins are so prevalent in American culture today it is a miracle we are still functioning as a nation. I believe it is only by the grace of God that America still functions as a nation for we are certainly not under God.
Notice what the remainder of the verse states – end of verse 22 - of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is quite a statement but before reacting let’s think about it. The key phrase is those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. If I am actually a born-again believer. I may sin by choice but hopefully not perpetually or as is said here I do not practice such things. This means I may slip and demonstrate bad behavior occasionally but not continually. If I am walking in the Spirit the Holy Spirit is going to convict me of sin, John 16:8 tells us this truth. But I can quench the Spirit and not hear by choice.
The Question boils down to this – do you want to walk in liberty or the freedom of the Spirit or do you want to walk in the bondage of sin and under the law. Freedom requires a choice. Why would you be like Lot’s wife and turn back to sin. Her is what Jesus says 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)
Don’t be a slave to sin be free in Christ, turn back or come to Jesus today to be free and not a slave to sin.
May 7 Sermon
Paul keeps asking those in the church at Colossae, why do you want to go back under the law? This is very similar to the question of why do believers want to continue to reject the freedoms found in Jesus to return to their cesspool of sin? Why is it so easy for supposed believers to reject the absolute provision of our God’ love, forgiveness and righteousness to immerse themselves back into filth and dirt. Is this true of believers or are these people fakes? From what we see in scripture it appears some believers can fall away and slip back into their sin. Perhaps we should we ask ourselves this question – were these supposed believers really converted sinners, born from above, by the Holy Spirit, into newness of life or did they just have a religious experience and totally miss regeneration and being adopted into new life? They were not genuine believers, the combination of weeds and tares.
I believe if one has been truly born from above it would not be hard to note the differences in a transformed mind and spirit according to Romans 12:1-2. A transformed life is hard to miss.
But here is Paul calling on Colossians to change their ways as having been deceived. How could they who had joyfully received the gospel of Good news in Jesus Christ be swayed back into the bondage of a religion which requires continual burnt offerings and other types of sin offerings, dictates religious holidays, fasting, feasts and temple worship?
How can we who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, quickly shove it all aside to go backward? I think the answer lies in our sin nature and we are never free of it until we are in heaven. So that is why today many who we have labeled as believers perhaps were never believers to begin with and what we are seeing concerning deception is actually the beginnings of the great falling away. COVID was an initiator and excuse for people to quit coming together to worship as some do. Then deception after deception; first about medications and inoculations which were actually harmful not beneficial. Lockdowns in schools, lockdowns in churches, misrepresentation, mischaracterizations, changes in the definitions of terms within the culture, all have contributed to delusion and deception. These are manifestations of evil which God is permitting to show itself, first in a culture which is no longer Christian, that is rejecting God and reaping the whirlwind because of it in its people. It is and has reached into the churches and so we have Pastors today being more concerning with being politically correct that instructing themselves and others biblical truth both inside and outside of the churches. Abandonment of all that God has provided for us because we kowtow to what men might say and have no fear of God. It is true the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom for Jesus said in Matt 10:28 - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
There is one key to saving grace in Christ Jesus and that is this – there are no works, no church or synagogue membership, or anything which you can earn or bring to heaven that will allow you to enter heaven because of personal merit. Here is the key - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
This is the message which Paul had delivered and now they were being drawn away by the Judaizers adding in all the requirements of worshiping Jews. So Paul ever the teacher and persuader takes them back to Genesis 21 to instruct them regarding the two covenant of Abraham.
Reading we begin in verse 19 of Chapter 4 of Galatians
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
Two Covenants
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are [g]the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh (Hagar’s son- Ishmael)then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit (Isaac), even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
May God grant us understanding and application of this truth as we learn to walk in it
Let’s understand something as we begin- Paul is questioning why these “little children” have lost their way, do I need to teach you again for I have doubts about you today. Obviously, they are not mature or have never been saved in the beginning and have become confused now that the competition has delivered a false message and they can’t discern the truth. Has the Holy Spirit stopped doing His job? I don’t think so, so this must be a people problem with a lack of faith or redemption and God never tolerates a lack of faith.
So from what we have read and studied so far People are saved because they have come to faith in Jesus Christ for there is no other way, not because of anything they individually or collectively can do. Paul contends that those who are enslaved to the law are represented by Hagar- the slave wife or bondwoman who is the mother of Ishmael. Those who have been freed from the bonds of the law are represented by Sarah, the freewoman and mother of the promised son – Isaac. Ishmael’s persecution of the promised son _ Isaac is representative of the what the Gentile believers were receiving from the Judaizes who were urging them to return to and keep the law in order to receive salvation. However, God chose Sarah to be mother to the child of promise, not the child of the slave for salvation. It was through Isaac that the promise came not through Ishmael, just as those who worship Christ in faith also become and receive all the benefits and blessings of the child of promise. Why then turn back.
Verses 21-26 discuss being under the law - 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are [g]the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. So according to what Paul is teaching - the law does not lead to freedom in salvation but leads to bondage. If you will read Genesis Chapter 21 you can read the details and gain a deeper perspective of these events.
The verse which is quoted and following speaks to the condition of Hagar as well as to those under the law- 27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Then she who has a husband.”
Hagar had no husband but was convinced to sleep with Abraham to accomplish in the flesh what God intended in the Spirit to accomplish. As usual the hand and mind of man never thinks or acts in the manner of God!
Now verses 28-31 relate to the promised son - 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh (Hagar’s son- Ishmael)then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit (Isaac), even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
We are children of the promise of God which began in Abraham’s day, actually it began in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve sinned and God made a promise about the Redeemer- He is the actual Child of Promise for it was through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the others fathers cited in Luke, but was accomplished ultimately by the Promise of God in the Holy Spirit. For the Father of Jesus was no man but God , who caused the womb of Mary, the ultimate promised messiah to create Jesus Christ. Ultimately through the careful providence, planning and promise of God all was accomplished to bring salvation as the free gift in Christ.
Remember there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby ye must be saved except the name of Jesus.
Stay true, don’t turn to other means methods or plans for the all lead to a hellish, broad path which leads to destruction. But focus on Christ the narrow way – He leadeth Me He leadeth Me, by His own hand He leadeth me. His faithful follower I would be for by His hand He leadeth Me.
And He is the only one who will lead me in the way everlasting AMEN
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today? If not come and receive Him for He is the child of promise, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. Receive Him today for now is the day of Salvation to as many as would receive Him.
Paul keeps asking those in the church at Colossae, why do you want to go back under the law? This is very similar to the question of why do believers want to continue to reject the freedoms found in Jesus to return to their cesspool of sin? Why is it so easy for supposed believers to reject the absolute provision of our God’ love, forgiveness and righteousness to immerse themselves back into filth and dirt. Is this true of believers or are these people fakes? From what we see in scripture it appears some believers can fall away and slip back into their sin. Perhaps we should we ask ourselves this question – were these supposed believers really converted sinners, born from above, by the Holy Spirit, into newness of life or did they just have a religious experience and totally miss regeneration and being adopted into new life? They were not genuine believers, the combination of weeds and tares.
I believe if one has been truly born from above it would not be hard to note the differences in a transformed mind and spirit according to Romans 12:1-2. A transformed life is hard to miss.
But here is Paul calling on Colossians to change their ways as having been deceived. How could they who had joyfully received the gospel of Good news in Jesus Christ be swayed back into the bondage of a religion which requires continual burnt offerings and other types of sin offerings, dictates religious holidays, fasting, feasts and temple worship?
How can we who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, quickly shove it all aside to go backward? I think the answer lies in our sin nature and we are never free of it until we are in heaven. So that is why today many who we have labeled as believers perhaps were never believers to begin with and what we are seeing concerning deception is actually the beginnings of the great falling away. COVID was an initiator and excuse for people to quit coming together to worship as some do. Then deception after deception; first about medications and inoculations which were actually harmful not beneficial. Lockdowns in schools, lockdowns in churches, misrepresentation, mischaracterizations, changes in the definitions of terms within the culture, all have contributed to delusion and deception. These are manifestations of evil which God is permitting to show itself, first in a culture which is no longer Christian, that is rejecting God and reaping the whirlwind because of it in its people. It is and has reached into the churches and so we have Pastors today being more concerning with being politically correct that instructing themselves and others biblical truth both inside and outside of the churches. Abandonment of all that God has provided for us because we kowtow to what men might say and have no fear of God. It is true the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom for Jesus said in Matt 10:28 - And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
There is one key to saving grace in Christ Jesus and that is this – there are no works, no church or synagogue membership, or anything which you can earn or bring to heaven that will allow you to enter heaven because of personal merit. Here is the key - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
This is the message which Paul had delivered and now they were being drawn away by the Judaizers adding in all the requirements of worshiping Jews. So Paul ever the teacher and persuader takes them back to Genesis 21 to instruct them regarding the two covenant of Abraham.
Reading we begin in verse 19 of Chapter 4 of Galatians
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.
Two Covenants
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are [g]the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh (Hagar’s son- Ishmael)then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit (Isaac), even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
May God grant us understanding and application of this truth as we learn to walk in it
Let’s understand something as we begin- Paul is questioning why these “little children” have lost their way, do I need to teach you again for I have doubts about you today. Obviously, they are not mature or have never been saved in the beginning and have become confused now that the competition has delivered a false message and they can’t discern the truth. Has the Holy Spirit stopped doing His job? I don’t think so, so this must be a people problem with a lack of faith or redemption and God never tolerates a lack of faith.
So from what we have read and studied so far People are saved because they have come to faith in Jesus Christ for there is no other way, not because of anything they individually or collectively can do. Paul contends that those who are enslaved to the law are represented by Hagar- the slave wife or bondwoman who is the mother of Ishmael. Those who have been freed from the bonds of the law are represented by Sarah, the freewoman and mother of the promised son – Isaac. Ishmael’s persecution of the promised son _ Isaac is representative of the what the Gentile believers were receiving from the Judaizes who were urging them to return to and keep the law in order to receive salvation. However, God chose Sarah to be mother to the child of promise, not the child of the slave for salvation. It was through Isaac that the promise came not through Ishmael, just as those who worship Christ in faith also become and receive all the benefits and blessings of the child of promise. Why then turn back.
Verses 21-26 discuss being under the law - 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are [g]the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. So according to what Paul is teaching - the law does not lead to freedom in salvation but leads to bondage. If you will read Genesis Chapter 21 you can read the details and gain a deeper perspective of these events.
The verse which is quoted and following speaks to the condition of Hagar as well as to those under the law- 27 For it is written:
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Then she who has a husband.”
Hagar had no husband but was convinced to sleep with Abraham to accomplish in the flesh what God intended in the Spirit to accomplish. As usual the hand and mind of man never thinks or acts in the manner of God!
Now verses 28-31 relate to the promised son - 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh (Hagar’s son- Ishmael)then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit (Isaac), even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
We are children of the promise of God which began in Abraham’s day, actually it began in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve sinned and God made a promise about the Redeemer- He is the actual Child of Promise for it was through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the others fathers cited in Luke, but was accomplished ultimately by the Promise of God in the Holy Spirit. For the Father of Jesus was no man but God , who caused the womb of Mary, the ultimate promised messiah to create Jesus Christ. Ultimately through the careful providence, planning and promise of God all was accomplished to bring salvation as the free gift in Christ.
Remember there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby ye must be saved except the name of Jesus.
Stay true, don’t turn to other means methods or plans for the all lead to a hellish, broad path which leads to destruction. But focus on Christ the narrow way – He leadeth Me He leadeth Me, by His own hand He leadeth me. His faithful follower I would be for by His hand He leadeth Me.
And He is the only one who will lead me in the way everlasting AMEN
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today? If not come and receive Him for He is the child of promise, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. Receive Him today for now is the day of Salvation to as many as would receive Him.
April 30 Sermon
In today’s world there are two types of threats one internal to the church itself – these are called heresies and half-truths - and another threat which is external or from outside of the church. Now heresies can also be imported from outside the church, as well like CRT. These threats are both Satan’s approaches for destruction of Christians individually, their church and ultimately the ministry of Christ. The Bible gives us two types of standing fast which are needed, but they are related, and function or operate from the same spiritual principles.
Threat Type I. is found in Galatians, Chapter 5:1-5 and is essentially standing fast in the church to our fundamental believes establishing us in our Christian Liberty. This is the principles of knowing what you believe, why you believe them and then walking by faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Let’s read from Galatians, Chapter 5, verses 1-5
Stand[a] fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is [b]a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Paul is preaching the word here about standing fast in your faith on the basis of what you have believed. In Christ, Paul was teaching there is liberty, freedom because by His life, death, burial and resurrection He has set you free from your sin and removed you from being a debtor under the law. Jesus has paid a price tag you couldn’t never pay and thereby removed the enmity between you and His Father in Heaven. You ask why is there enmity? Simply a holy God has approached a people and given them the path to life by obeying His precepts and commands. We have rejected Him by disobeying His instruction. The Father is holy and without sin, so unless someone redeems you and pays the price for your sin, you can never stand in God’s presence in heaven. God cannot tolerate sin. This is the yoke of bondage which all men have and the law convicts of this sin.
So the Judaizers are telling the Galatians follow the requirements of the law, get circumcised, attend all the feasts, make all the appropriate sacrifices and they you will be holy enough to get to heaven and be all the Christ wants you to be- after all Jesus was a Jew also- wrong!
Verse 3 and 4 shows us this is wrong - 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is [b]a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
You see salvation is by grace alone, in faith alone, in Christ alone.
Ephesians 2:8-10- 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
So circumcision is no avenue to being saved and according to what Paul is saying you have become separated from Christ – the word here is estranged by your personal and individual attempt to keep the law. Justification – the act of being forgiven for your sin cannot be earned by keeping the tenets of the law. Only God through the Holy Spirit can bring a person to justification by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 5 and 6 say, 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
God’s love and provision saved us. We often quote John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
Threat Type II or the second type of threat which Satan uses comes from intrusions outside the body of believers. This is usually when man adds something to the scriptures. Again this requires us to stand fast as the church by faith in Jesus Christ. To be able to stand requires you to know in whom you believe, exactly what you believe and having confidence to share or speak for Him to others usually in the presence of hateful speech, derision and possibly persecution. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:14-20 about this
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
So the result of all this preparation is Result of standing fast and our aim is that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Now notice what needs to be done –
- having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace- studying the word
- taking the shield of faith, by an act of will walking by faith and not by sight
- And take the helmet of salvation, know and be assured of God’s eternal salvation
-(take the) sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Study and obey the Bible
- 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit- always pray
- being watchful to this end- waiting and seeing how God responds
So if we are to stand fast, there are different threats but they are related. Both threats can be defeated by execution of the same practices. If we, the body of Christ, would dedicate ourselves to carefully following these traits and disciplines dictated here, yes disciplines we would have fewer problems and issues coming against the church. Practicing and actually standing fast against these threats requires faith and a deep abiding relationship with the Son of God who loves you and died for you. Only the Holy Spirit can enable any of us to do these activities in Ephesians 6, will you ask Him right now to be filled with His Spirit that you might not obey the things of the flesh but will walk in the glorious newness of life promise in Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
I ask you again, do you know Jesus Christ today as your Lord and Savior and have you come asked Him to save you from your sin? Are you really one of the whosoever wills who have called upon the Lord to be saved? No church attendance or good deeds or giving or any self-righteous act of your own can save you. Only by receiving Him and asking Him can you be saved. PRAY
In today’s world there are two types of threats one internal to the church itself – these are called heresies and half-truths - and another threat which is external or from outside of the church. Now heresies can also be imported from outside the church, as well like CRT. These threats are both Satan’s approaches for destruction of Christians individually, their church and ultimately the ministry of Christ. The Bible gives us two types of standing fast which are needed, but they are related, and function or operate from the same spiritual principles.
Threat Type I. is found in Galatians, Chapter 5:1-5 and is essentially standing fast in the church to our fundamental believes establishing us in our Christian Liberty. This is the principles of knowing what you believe, why you believe them and then walking by faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Let’s read from Galatians, Chapter 5, verses 1-5
Stand[a] fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is [b]a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Paul is preaching the word here about standing fast in your faith on the basis of what you have believed. In Christ, Paul was teaching there is liberty, freedom because by His life, death, burial and resurrection He has set you free from your sin and removed you from being a debtor under the law. Jesus has paid a price tag you couldn’t never pay and thereby removed the enmity between you and His Father in Heaven. You ask why is there enmity? Simply a holy God has approached a people and given them the path to life by obeying His precepts and commands. We have rejected Him by disobeying His instruction. The Father is holy and without sin, so unless someone redeems you and pays the price for your sin, you can never stand in God’s presence in heaven. God cannot tolerate sin. This is the yoke of bondage which all men have and the law convicts of this sin.
So the Judaizers are telling the Galatians follow the requirements of the law, get circumcised, attend all the feasts, make all the appropriate sacrifices and they you will be holy enough to get to heaven and be all the Christ wants you to be- after all Jesus was a Jew also- wrong!
Verse 3 and 4 shows us this is wrong - 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is [b]a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
You see salvation is by grace alone, in faith alone, in Christ alone.
Ephesians 2:8-10- 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
So circumcision is no avenue to being saved and according to what Paul is saying you have become separated from Christ – the word here is estranged by your personal and individual attempt to keep the law. Justification – the act of being forgiven for your sin cannot be earned by keeping the tenets of the law. Only God through the Holy Spirit can bring a person to justification by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 5 and 6 say, 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
God’s love and provision saved us. We often quote John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
Threat Type II or the second type of threat which Satan uses comes from intrusions outside the body of believers. This is usually when man adds something to the scriptures. Again this requires us to stand fast as the church by faith in Jesus Christ. To be able to stand requires you to know in whom you believe, exactly what you believe and having confidence to share or speak for Him to others usually in the presence of hateful speech, derision and possibly persecution. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:14-20 about this
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
So the result of all this preparation is Result of standing fast and our aim is that I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Now notice what needs to be done –
- gird your waist with truth
- having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace- studying the word
- taking the shield of faith, by an act of will walking by faith and not by sight
- And take the helmet of salvation, know and be assured of God’s eternal salvation
-(take the) sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Study and obey the Bible
- 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit- always pray
- being watchful to this end- waiting and seeing how God responds
So if we are to stand fast, there are different threats but they are related. Both threats can be defeated by execution of the same practices. If we, the body of Christ, would dedicate ourselves to carefully following these traits and disciplines dictated here, yes disciplines we would have fewer problems and issues coming against the church. Practicing and actually standing fast against these threats requires faith and a deep abiding relationship with the Son of God who loves you and died for you. Only the Holy Spirit can enable any of us to do these activities in Ephesians 6, will you ask Him right now to be filled with His Spirit that you might not obey the things of the flesh but will walk in the glorious newness of life promise in Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
I ask you again, do you know Jesus Christ today as your Lord and Savior and have you come asked Him to save you from your sin? Are you really one of the whosoever wills who have called upon the Lord to be saved? No church attendance or good deeds or giving or any self-righteous act of your own can save you. Only by receiving Him and asking Him can you be saved. PRAY
April 23 Sermon
When we look back at our lives can you think back and do you seem to remember someone who you thought had it all together and for some reason they made a mess of their lives and lost everything. I think of Judy Garland who when you think of one of the great stars of early Hollywood and “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and how she blew it all for alcohol/drugs. Or think of some of the great athletes who had such wonderful potential but blew it all. My favorite was Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers who because of gambling was banned from the sport of football. Pete Rose will probably never make the baseball hall of fame because of his gambling as well.
Today, we see many, who we thought were strong Christians, seemingly falling away from the faith, having been deceived or perhaps, were never really believers from the beginning – only God know their hearts. These believers seem to have never fully understood their birthright and are selling out on the wonderful heritage and salvation which has come from our Redeemer and Lord. Why is this? Is the allure of the World such that they are just distracted or is it they never really knew of the richness which was available because of their position in Christ?
We look at the world around us today and we see perpetual lying and deceit in the highest positions in government. We observe leaders who have rejected and denied their duties under the constitution, apparently with no consequences. Artificially our elected rulers have created inflation by massive spending, raised the prices on everything, adopted woke policies on energy and demanded we only use electric vehicles. Millions have been impacted by open borders and we have not yet reaped the whirlwind which is coming from that activity. Although now free education, medical care and all sorts of aid is available to the “homeless” invaders of America. Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid are now for everyone except those who worked and paid for it. There is no assistance or justice available for Americans first anywhere. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a ton more about political correctness, gender ideology and wokeness which to a rational person makes you scratch your head. How could you become so disoriented that you could not see the transformation away from truth? Well it is happening and perhaps it is the spirit of the age where God gives us over to deception.
Paul may have been asking himself a similar question when Judaizers were attacking the church at Galatia and the people were reversing course and moving from Christianity back to Judaism and the Law/sacrifices demanded in its practice? There is deep meaning here in Chapter 4 of Galatians for believers to know and understand the truth of the heritage Christ has given us in Him. Let’s now take a look at our text from Galatians Chapter 4: verses 1-11 on how we can become Sons and Heirs Through Jesus Christ, reading
4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Fears for the Church
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
Pray - now may God add HIs blessing to the reading of His Word and our understanding and application to our lives. Amen
Most of us want to grow as believers and Christians but sometimes we try to grow up and mature the wrong way. I am sure the motivation of these Galatian church was the same- wanting to grow quickly. But many times we are led astray because we choose to do it our way and, in our time, which disregards and displaces the leadership and plan of our God for our lives. We try to do it ourselves apart from God based upon our best efforts. Our disregard for the plan of God for our lives puts us in jeopardy and allows to Satan to come in and help us. Since many of us have not been slaves, yet we need to understand the differences between being adopted and being a servant in a household.
Paul here begins to explain what it means to become adopted as a child into the family of God and what privileges it bestows because of your new position in Christ. By knowing what it confers to the believer it then becomes apparent what we lose when we decide to move away from the truth we have in Jesus Christ.
When by faith you receive Him you are newborn babes 1 Peter 2:2, but positionally you are adult sons of the Son of God (John 1.12)
I. We were Children in bondage (vs. 1-3)
When God had the world providentially ready for the Savior to be born, He did so in the fulness of time
Contrast between begin a child of God and a Son of God include
What are the attributes of sons vs. servants:
a. The son has the same nature as the father, but the servant does not. When we become believers the Holy Spirit indwells us, so we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The law could never establish the divine nature within a person. So going back to the law is defying and denying the divine nature of God, giving the old nature opportunity to work
According to the Bible, we have a two-stage adoption as sons – the first upon believing and professing Jesus Christ and being born from above. This is the private transforming and indwelling of God as believers. The public form of this will be in the redemption of the new body – “for we shall be like Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:1-3)
IV. Paul laments their regression (vs. 8-11). According to Paul they abandoned liberty in Christ for renewed bondage under the law.
The Galatians were dropping out of the school of grace and reentering the kindergarten of the law. In effect they were ceding or giving up the power of the gospel for the weakness of the law and were seeking to cast away the wealth of the gospel for the poverty under the law. The law had never made anyone rich or powerful, on the contrary is was to prove men’s weakness and spiritual bankruptcy. This was why Paul was pinging the church at Galatia.
We are inviting spiritual and physical weakness back into our lives and our society by failing to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable for Christian values and moral principles across the nation. We may be abandoning the power of God by not standing and being watchmen on the wall.
Are you surrendering the power of God for the myths of the world; are you deceived or are you denying your heritage as a son of God?
Perhaps you need a savior today?
When we look back at our lives can you think back and do you seem to remember someone who you thought had it all together and for some reason they made a mess of their lives and lost everything. I think of Judy Garland who when you think of one of the great stars of early Hollywood and “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and how she blew it all for alcohol/drugs. Or think of some of the great athletes who had such wonderful potential but blew it all. My favorite was Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers who because of gambling was banned from the sport of football. Pete Rose will probably never make the baseball hall of fame because of his gambling as well.
Today, we see many, who we thought were strong Christians, seemingly falling away from the faith, having been deceived or perhaps, were never really believers from the beginning – only God know their hearts. These believers seem to have never fully understood their birthright and are selling out on the wonderful heritage and salvation which has come from our Redeemer and Lord. Why is this? Is the allure of the World such that they are just distracted or is it they never really knew of the richness which was available because of their position in Christ?
We look at the world around us today and we see perpetual lying and deceit in the highest positions in government. We observe leaders who have rejected and denied their duties under the constitution, apparently with no consequences. Artificially our elected rulers have created inflation by massive spending, raised the prices on everything, adopted woke policies on energy and demanded we only use electric vehicles. Millions have been impacted by open borders and we have not yet reaped the whirlwind which is coming from that activity. Although now free education, medical care and all sorts of aid is available to the “homeless” invaders of America. Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid are now for everyone except those who worked and paid for it. There is no assistance or justice available for Americans first anywhere. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a ton more about political correctness, gender ideology and wokeness which to a rational person makes you scratch your head. How could you become so disoriented that you could not see the transformation away from truth? Well it is happening and perhaps it is the spirit of the age where God gives us over to deception.
Paul may have been asking himself a similar question when Judaizers were attacking the church at Galatia and the people were reversing course and moving from Christianity back to Judaism and the Law/sacrifices demanded in its practice? There is deep meaning here in Chapter 4 of Galatians for believers to know and understand the truth of the heritage Christ has given us in Him. Let’s now take a look at our text from Galatians Chapter 4: verses 1-11 on how we can become Sons and Heirs Through Jesus Christ, reading
4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Fears for the Church
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
Pray - now may God add HIs blessing to the reading of His Word and our understanding and application to our lives. Amen
Most of us want to grow as believers and Christians but sometimes we try to grow up and mature the wrong way. I am sure the motivation of these Galatian church was the same- wanting to grow quickly. But many times we are led astray because we choose to do it our way and, in our time, which disregards and displaces the leadership and plan of our God for our lives. We try to do it ourselves apart from God based upon our best efforts. Our disregard for the plan of God for our lives puts us in jeopardy and allows to Satan to come in and help us. Since many of us have not been slaves, yet we need to understand the differences between being adopted and being a servant in a household.
Paul here begins to explain what it means to become adopted as a child into the family of God and what privileges it bestows because of your new position in Christ. By knowing what it confers to the believer it then becomes apparent what we lose when we decide to move away from the truth we have in Jesus Christ.
When by faith you receive Him you are newborn babes 1 Peter 2:2, but positionally you are adult sons of the Son of God (John 1.12)
I. We were Children in bondage (vs. 1-3)
- Spiritual condition was under the bondage of the law, a tutor, taskmaster, a guardian until maturity
- Judaizers wished to bring Galatians back into legalism; they were leading them not only into religious bondage, but also into moral and spiritual immaturity. The law was not God’s final revelation, that was and is Jesus. He is the “Alpha and Omega” and He encompasses all of God’s revelation to man.
When God had the world providentially ready for the Savior to be born, He did so in the fulness of time
- The Roman Empire greatly enabled the spreading of the gospel through one government structure with laws and Roman roads. Prepared the way for Jesus
- Paul points out the dual nature of Christ Jesus (vs.4) He is both God and man. Jesus came forth, but as a man He was, “made of a woman.” (Gen. 3.15)
- Paul tells us now why He came (vs.5)- “to redeem them that were under the law.” Definition of redeem- to set free by paying a price. Slave markets of Rome.
Contrast between begin a child of God and a Son of God include
- A Child - made by regeneration
- A Son – by adoption, enjoying the family, full liberty as an adult, an heir of the Father.
What are the attributes of sons vs. servants:
a. The son has the same nature as the father, but the servant does not. When we become believers the Holy Spirit indwells us, so we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The law could never establish the divine nature within a person. So going back to the law is defying and denying the divine nature of God, giving the old nature opportunity to work
- The son has a father while the servant has a master. No servant can ever say father to his master. As a son and in receiving the Holy Spirit within us, the Spirit tells us, we are a child of the Father (Rom. 8.15). The Holy Spirit enters our heart we cry, “Abba” Father or papa. No servant can do this.
- the son obeys out of love, while the servant obeys out of fear. The Spirit moves in the heart to quick and increase the love of the son for the Father in heaven. One of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5.22 is love and is the first fruit in our hearts. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5.5). The Judaizers told the Galatians they would become better believers by submitting to the law, but the law never produced obedience look at the Pharisees. Only God’s love can change a heart.
According to the Bible, we have a two-stage adoption as sons – the first upon believing and professing Jesus Christ and being born from above. This is the private transforming and indwelling of God as believers. The public form of this will be in the redemption of the new body – “for we shall be like Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:1-3)
IV. Paul laments their regression (vs. 8-11). According to Paul they abandoned liberty in Christ for renewed bondage under the law.
The Galatians were dropping out of the school of grace and reentering the kindergarten of the law. In effect they were ceding or giving up the power of the gospel for the weakness of the law and were seeking to cast away the wealth of the gospel for the poverty under the law. The law had never made anyone rich or powerful, on the contrary is was to prove men’s weakness and spiritual bankruptcy. This was why Paul was pinging the church at Galatia.
We are inviting spiritual and physical weakness back into our lives and our society by failing to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable for Christian values and moral principles across the nation. We may be abandoning the power of God by not standing and being watchmen on the wall.
Are you surrendering the power of God for the myths of the world; are you deceived or are you denying your heritage as a son of God?
Perhaps you need a savior today?
Apr 16 Sermon
Who is mentoring you and your heart in the year of our Lord -2023? Men and women today are distracted and deceived by the world and all it offers. I believe this can be and is also true of believers. This distracts and deceives even believers many times from being what God calls and desires them to be; and it causes them to fall from the grace and deny where God would leading them. This causes non-believers to become deceived and fixated on what the world offers, denying His truth. There is a name for this disease, it is called sin and comes from an evil, unbelieving heart- Heb 3.12- 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, ref. Psalm 95:7-11
2 Tm 3:15 gives more indication about deceptions and says this 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
So the spirit of deception is working mightily in our world and is having a greater impact, because the more we are deceived the more we sin. More and greater sin means more and greater deception, it is a downward and ever depressing cycle.
So the Prince of the power of the air is the author of deception and denial, and scripture says, he has been a liar since the beginning (of days). He is the one who is in the world advising and mentoring those who choose unbelief and rebellion from God. Now if you and I are honest we should remember this was you and I a few short years ago.
But “God’s counselor, the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth He managed to guide us into all truth and brought us by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, where we chose Him, because He first loved us and saved us.
So all have a choice as to who should be their counselor, mentor or advisor in their lives.
Everyone one has an advisor -
Gal 3:23- 4:1-7 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, [f]kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our [g]tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sons and Heirs
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized <spiritually not physically> into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female <note there is nothing and I repeat nothing here about race, gender or equity>; for you <united> are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Reading from Chapter 4 - Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Now may God of all creation and power, add His blessing to the reading of His Word, to our understanding and application in HIs truth Amen.
The first two points here go together
First. We had a tutor before we came to faith in Jesus Christ and it was the law of Moses, the Ten Commandments in its simplest form, but in which are embodied all the general principles of the Levitical teachings to the Jews
Second. But after faith has come, we are no longer under our tutor which is the law.
Did you get it? First we all had a tutor before we came to faith in Jesus and that is the Law of God, from Moses on down. Second after faith has come we are free from the law of sin and death- for the wages of sin, breaking the law, is death (Rom 6:23).
Our text says this - 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, [f]kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our [g]tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
These verses imply a great exchange has happened in the life of a sinner, who has now become a child of the king. Christ’s righteousness for our sin and His redeeming power, and the right to become a Son or Daughter of God, to as many who have received Him by faith. So the law of God while convicting us of sin was our tutor which was to bring us to salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – pure and simple. This change of state which has happened, this great exchange has produce a new person, who no longer requires a tutor. Now remember this tutor which Paul speaks of here is a slave in your family dedicated to getting you to school on time, responsible for your studies, grades and ultimately your success, who made you work and succeed. This was not someone who just helped you with your homework and oh by the way licked you fanny or provided discipline when you were disobedient and, and had your parent’s permission to do so as an obligation of their service.
After faith had come -25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
This change of state or great exchange produces in us righteousness, not our righteousness but the righteousness of Christ in the life of everyone who believes and note this is important – is born from above. The indwelling presence of Christ is the Holy Spirit of God and so now the requirement to be under the law is replaced by being under grace through faith in Jesus. As you have heard many time this is the great exchange that happens because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His shed blood is our payment for life.
Point number 3 since we have been changed there are some new conditions which have been made in our lives, which are important as to how we should live as sons of God. Read again beginning in verse 26, 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized <spiritually not physically> into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female <note there is nothing and I repeat nothing here about race, gender or equity>; for you <united> are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. God’s promise to Abraham would make him a blessing and a father to many nations because of his faith in trusting God. This is the act of redemption which when imputed to you because you have trusted the Lord Jesus to be your savior. Your act of faith has made you a recipient of the promise which was fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice and death at Calvary.
Note these new conditions in your life:
Point number 4, God knew our condition and He had a plan to rescue us from our sin and spiritual condition. Read again beginning in verse 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Items –
fullness of the time had come – when all God had planned and purposed had come to fruition. This was according to His ways which are not are ways, and which are higher than our ways. But again this happened in the fulness of His timing.
Next - God sent forth His Son- the pre-existent Son of God came to Earth {Phil.2:5-11}this is quite a statement.
Jesus was Born of a <virgin> woman, yet holy and without sin in all his life, so He is also the Son of Man. God in man together as one. This is radical
Jesus was Born into a sinful world yet totally without sin under the taskmaster of the law same as we are but quite different. No sin!
The purpose of Jesus’ sinless life was see verse 5, 5 to redeem those who were under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons. Jesus was sent to provide a means for us to receive sonship from God
The result of becoming a part of God’s family is verses 6 and 7 - 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
His life in us should radically change how we should live today. The question is does His new life really make us different? AMEN.
Who is mentoring you and your heart in the year of our Lord -2023? Men and women today are distracted and deceived by the world and all it offers. I believe this can be and is also true of believers. This distracts and deceives even believers many times from being what God calls and desires them to be; and it causes them to fall from the grace and deny where God would leading them. This causes non-believers to become deceived and fixated on what the world offers, denying His truth. There is a name for this disease, it is called sin and comes from an evil, unbelieving heart- Heb 3.12- 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, ref. Psalm 95:7-11
2 Tm 3:15 gives more indication about deceptions and says this 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
So the spirit of deception is working mightily in our world and is having a greater impact, because the more we are deceived the more we sin. More and greater sin means more and greater deception, it is a downward and ever depressing cycle.
So the Prince of the power of the air is the author of deception and denial, and scripture says, he has been a liar since the beginning (of days). He is the one who is in the world advising and mentoring those who choose unbelief and rebellion from God. Now if you and I are honest we should remember this was you and I a few short years ago.
But “God’s counselor, the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth He managed to guide us into all truth and brought us by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, where we chose Him, because He first loved us and saved us.
So all have a choice as to who should be their counselor, mentor or advisor in their lives.
Everyone one has an advisor -
Gal 3:23- 4:1-7 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, [f]kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our [g]tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sons and Heirs
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized <spiritually not physically> into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female <note there is nothing and I repeat nothing here about race, gender or equity>; for you <united> are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Reading from Chapter 4 - Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Now may God of all creation and power, add His blessing to the reading of His Word, to our understanding and application in HIs truth Amen.
The first two points here go together
First. We had a tutor before we came to faith in Jesus Christ and it was the law of Moses, the Ten Commandments in its simplest form, but in which are embodied all the general principles of the Levitical teachings to the Jews
Second. But after faith has come, we are no longer under our tutor which is the law.
Did you get it? First we all had a tutor before we came to faith in Jesus and that is the Law of God, from Moses on down. Second after faith has come we are free from the law of sin and death- for the wages of sin, breaking the law, is death (Rom 6:23).
Our text says this - 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, [f]kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our [g]tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
These verses imply a great exchange has happened in the life of a sinner, who has now become a child of the king. Christ’s righteousness for our sin and His redeeming power, and the right to become a Son or Daughter of God, to as many who have received Him by faith. So the law of God while convicting us of sin was our tutor which was to bring us to salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – pure and simple. This change of state which has happened, this great exchange has produce a new person, who no longer requires a tutor. Now remember this tutor which Paul speaks of here is a slave in your family dedicated to getting you to school on time, responsible for your studies, grades and ultimately your success, who made you work and succeed. This was not someone who just helped you with your homework and oh by the way licked you fanny or provided discipline when you were disobedient and, and had your parent’s permission to do so as an obligation of their service.
After faith had come -25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
This change of state or great exchange produces in us righteousness, not our righteousness but the righteousness of Christ in the life of everyone who believes and note this is important – is born from above. The indwelling presence of Christ is the Holy Spirit of God and so now the requirement to be under the law is replaced by being under grace through faith in Jesus. As you have heard many time this is the great exchange that happens because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His shed blood is our payment for life.
Point number 3 since we have been changed there are some new conditions which have been made in our lives, which are important as to how we should live as sons of God. Read again beginning in verse 26, 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized <spiritually not physically> into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female <note there is nothing and I repeat nothing here about race, gender or equity>; for you <united> are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. God’s promise to Abraham would make him a blessing and a father to many nations because of his faith in trusting God. This is the act of redemption which when imputed to you because you have trusted the Lord Jesus to be your savior. Your act of faith has made you a recipient of the promise which was fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice and death at Calvary.
Note these new conditions in your life:
- baptized <spiritually not physically> into Christ having put on Christ.
- neither Jew nor Greek, <God is no respecter of persons>
- neither slave nor free, you are Christ’s bondservants
- neither male nor female <note there is nothing and I repeat nothing here about race, gender or equity or multiple genders >;
- united> all in Christ Jesus.
- 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed or heir.
Point number 4, God knew our condition and He had a plan to rescue us from our sin and spiritual condition. Read again beginning in verse 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
Items –
fullness of the time had come – when all God had planned and purposed had come to fruition. This was according to His ways which are not are ways, and which are higher than our ways. But again this happened in the fulness of His timing.
Next - God sent forth His Son- the pre-existent Son of God came to Earth {Phil.2:5-11}this is quite a statement.
Jesus was Born of a <virgin> woman, yet holy and without sin in all his life, so He is also the Son of Man. God in man together as one. This is radical
Jesus was Born into a sinful world yet totally without sin under the taskmaster of the law same as we are but quite different. No sin!
The purpose of Jesus’ sinless life was see verse 5, 5 to redeem those who were under the law that we might receive the adoption as sons. Jesus was sent to provide a means for us to receive sonship from God
The result of becoming a part of God’s family is verses 6 and 7 - 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
His life in us should radically change how we should live today. The question is does His new life really make us different? AMEN.
Apr 9 Easter Sermon
“The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 1 Let’s pray - Father thank you for Jesus and thank you for the best of all days when we celebrate His resurrection from the dead. He is risen and He is no longer in the tomb and now we serve a risen savior and, in His name, we pray, may He live richly in us. Amen He is Risen – He is Risen indeed! The following words from the song tell us the story of Easter1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia! 2. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! 3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia! 4. Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! If you are born again by the baptism from above then this is the message of Easter morning. But let’s look at Jesus as He now lives in Heaven to meet Him as He is. If you would - please turn to Revelation Chapter 1 beginning in verse 10 - 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, [g]“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches [h]which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying [i] to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of [j]Hades and of Death. Here are 9 verses in the book of Revelation which proclaim the reality and destiny of the one called Jesus the Christ. He who was once nailed upon the cross and died but lives again. 9 verses which are symbolic of the healed, resurrected, glorified and ascended Jesus. They testify that He alone, was, is and remains the Holy Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world 9 verses which proclaim the glorious result of the agony of Gethsemane, and the perilous sacrifice of good Friday. They reflect upon the promise which He made saying, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so,[b] I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 2 prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14.1-3) 9 verses which are beyond, yet reflect the horror of false trials at the hands of sinful men, Pharisees and Sadducees. Past the spitting, beatings, and whippings by Roman soldiers; and past the fierce bite of the cat of nine tails as it strips the flesh from His bones and make bloody stripes by which we are healed 9 verses which tell the full story of the Son of Man who gave Himself a ransom for many on that cruel cross. Scripture says, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor.5.21) 9 verses which proclaim loudly the beneficial sacrifice of His perfect and sinless life. His shed blood which payed the penalty for my sin and for yours -for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, otherwise we would suffer eternal death and have no hope. 9 verses which define Him as God - g]“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” “ 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of [j]Hades and of Death.” 9 verses in which see Him who was once the humble and gentle carpenter; who gave up His throne in heaven and came to earth to satisfy the will of the Father; and who is the savior of the world because of His great love for us. 9 verses which proclaim the true majesty of He who was crucified but rose again from the dead and was resurrected from the rich man’s tomb on that third day which we celebrate today as Easter morn. 9 verses which open our eyes to Jesus in all his splendor and glory. Read with me again part of these 9 verses – {Jesus is standing and it says,}in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying [i] to me, “Do not be afraid; 9 verses which demonstrate the power of God in the resurrected and glorified person of Jesus in the book of Revelation. 9 verses that define to each of us that this indeed is the one to whom you and I will meet, when we are transitioned to heaven, not the Jesus who walked this earth. But His nature and character remain the same and has He said to the Apostle John - “Do not be afraid, He says the same to you today. In the book of Matthew Chapter 11, Jesus speaking and teaching the multitudes says this, 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am[a] gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. This Easter do you have Jesus’ rest in your soul? If you have never asked Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior you need to do so today, otherwise 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 3 you miss the real blessing of Easter. For the best blessing of Easter is that to believers, ones who have been born from above and asked Jesus into their hearts, He is living in their hearts today. Yes, the living Christ by the power of God’s Holy Spirit is living in each believers heart today. Don’t miss the true blessing of Easter ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today. Amen He is Risen, He is Risen indeed
“The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 1 Let’s pray - Father thank you for Jesus and thank you for the best of all days when we celebrate His resurrection from the dead. He is risen and He is no longer in the tomb and now we serve a risen savior and, in His name, we pray, may He live richly in us. Amen He is Risen – He is Risen indeed! The following words from the song tell us the story of Easter1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia! 2. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! 3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia! 4. Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! If you are born again by the baptism from above then this is the message of Easter morning. But let’s look at Jesus as He now lives in Heaven to meet Him as He is. If you would - please turn to Revelation Chapter 1 beginning in verse 10 - 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, [g]“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches [h]which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying [i] to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of [j]Hades and of Death. Here are 9 verses in the book of Revelation which proclaim the reality and destiny of the one called Jesus the Christ. He who was once nailed upon the cross and died but lives again. 9 verses which are symbolic of the healed, resurrected, glorified and ascended Jesus. They testify that He alone, was, is and remains the Holy Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world 9 verses which proclaim the glorious result of the agony of Gethsemane, and the perilous sacrifice of good Friday. They reflect upon the promise which He made saying, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so,[b] I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 2 prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14.1-3) 9 verses which are beyond, yet reflect the horror of false trials at the hands of sinful men, Pharisees and Sadducees. Past the spitting, beatings, and whippings by Roman soldiers; and past the fierce bite of the cat of nine tails as it strips the flesh from His bones and make bloody stripes by which we are healed 9 verses which tell the full story of the Son of Man who gave Himself a ransom for many on that cruel cross. Scripture says, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor.5.21) 9 verses which proclaim loudly the beneficial sacrifice of His perfect and sinless life. His shed blood which payed the penalty for my sin and for yours -for without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, otherwise we would suffer eternal death and have no hope. 9 verses which define Him as God - g]“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” “ 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of [j]Hades and of Death.” 9 verses in which see Him who was once the humble and gentle carpenter; who gave up His throne in heaven and came to earth to satisfy the will of the Father; and who is the savior of the world because of His great love for us. 9 verses which proclaim the true majesty of He who was crucified but rose again from the dead and was resurrected from the rich man’s tomb on that third day which we celebrate today as Easter morn. 9 verses which open our eyes to Jesus in all his splendor and glory. Read with me again part of these 9 verses – {Jesus is standing and it says,}in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying [i] to me, “Do not be afraid; 9 verses which demonstrate the power of God in the resurrected and glorified person of Jesus in the book of Revelation. 9 verses that define to each of us that this indeed is the one to whom you and I will meet, when we are transitioned to heaven, not the Jesus who walked this earth. But His nature and character remain the same and has He said to the Apostle John - “Do not be afraid, He says the same to you today. In the book of Matthew Chapter 11, Jesus speaking and teaching the multitudes says this, 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am[a] gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. This Easter do you have Jesus’ rest in your soul? If you have never asked Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior you need to do so today, otherwise 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 230409_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter “The Risen and Resurrected Christ in 2023??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 3 you miss the real blessing of Easter. For the best blessing of Easter is that to believers, ones who have been born from above and asked Jesus into their hearts, He is living in their hearts today. Yes, the living Christ by the power of God’s Holy Spirit is living in each believers heart today. Don’t miss the true blessing of Easter ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior today. Amen He is Risen, He is Risen indeed
April 2
Things are not always what they seem, just ask the disciples. It seemed like every time they thought they understood and knew what Jesus was about it turned out completely different. They were arguing about forgetting the bread when Jesus was talking about His being the Bread of Life. They were fussing about who would sit at the right and left hand when Jesus was weighed down with dread, knowing that soon all the sin of the world was to poured down on Him at the cross. They were accusing Jesus about not caring for them in the midst of the storm and they could not cast out a demon from a Young lad when He had granted them authority over all demons and sickness. In these latter two cases Jesus properly accused their lack of faith.
But this is true in viewing today’s circumstances for those without a biblical world view and faith in the living Lord Jesus. Appearances can be deceiving that is why believers are told to walk by faith and not by sight. God is the absolute ruler of the earth and we should quickly remind ourselves of this truth sometimes daily. Satan is still of power of the air and the great deceiver. He will make it seem that this is all there is and there is no more. Bow down and worship me he cries just like he did to Jesus in the wilderness temptation. Jesus never waves for He says, it is written. We are to live by the words from the Word of God for they are truth and they are life. Jesus declared on the night He was betrayed. Thy Word is truth. I need the truth and I need it daily. I can’t say I am always faithful to do so, but He feeds me in many cases when I don’t.
John 12:12-36. Oh Oh I hear it now He’s going to use 24 total verses. We will be here forever. No you won’t be here forever and I am not going to discourse on every verse.
So calm your motors maybe you will remember what I just said – things are not always as they appear now do they. Can I have an Amen.
Two things to keep in mind as were read here are; Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead and this news has spread like wildfire. So now Jesus is traveling to Bethany with Lazarus. And as a result of Jesus’ activities the Jew are plotting to kill Lazarus in addition to Jesus, who they already hate. This is the setting for the Triumphant Entry, Let’s read from John 12:12-27
The Triumphal Entry
12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey’s colt.” (Zech.9:9)
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and
17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. 18 For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
The Fruitful Grain of Wheat
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much [d]grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 2< predicting His death and the result >6 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. <Promise of His eternal faithfulness>
Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 Father, glorify Your name.” <Jesus avows His purpose>
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” <affirmation by Our Father>
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am[e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
This is an amazing passage of Scripture. Many might ask including you, how can you call this a triumphant entry? Jesus is about to die. Doesn’t that cancel triumphant? Let’s see, how many people can live perfect and sinless lives for 33 and survive among a very sinful and evil people, as we are all want to be? Not too many have been able to do so.
So we started this with the statement – things are not always as they seem. It appears as if Jesus is forlornly being driven to the cross by the events which seem to surround Him and the plotting of the Pharisees. You will remember elsewhere in the gospels it says the Pharisee’s wanted His death before the Passover and they wanted it done quietly. Well Jesus ensured as did His
Father that the Perfect Passover Lamb would be sacrificed on the correct day – which we call Good Friday. I believe this is called the day of Atonement in the Jewish calendar.
So a public spectacle as forecast in prophecy was the happening event.
The scene is set by the Son of God who is orchestrating all the events for His blood sacrifice as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
After this event in verses 23, Jesus now says The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Every other time when discussing the future events He says; My hour has not yet come.
Then He says, 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much [d]grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 2< Here He is predicting His specific death and the eventual resulting harvest >6 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. <Promise of His eternal faithfulness> So this raises a question, How can anyone serve a dead man ? And how can He make a promise? If you know Him you know He lives in Heaven today,
But He was troubled, then avows His continued purpose- You see things are not always how they seem. God is at work here and now just as He is this minute in our world events. Events may seem to be uncontrolled but they are not.
Next the Father affirms Jesus, Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” <Jesus affirmation by the God of Heaven >
Now Jesus comments on these events - 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am[e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
This is the revelation and completion of the symbol on a pole set up in the Wilderness for those who were bitten by the asp to find healing -Numbers 21:8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”
Jesus states He will be lifted up indicating the manner of His death but before verse 32 is verse 31 and guess who this message is being delivered – Satan. And His is cast out- no longer ruler of this world.
And by Hid death Jesus will unite all people unto Himself and if we believe this we are sons of light.
What do we learn with our 20/20 vision on the other side of the cross.
First, things are not always as they appear especially when the creator and His Son and the Holy Spirit are at work in the world. We mistook the events leading up to the crucifixion as being directed by Satan and destroying the Savior. But it was not so, Jesus was leading to the cross. It was necessary and His purpose to die.
Next, We thought Satan was achieving victory but he was actually being judged. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Finally, That the cross far from being the ending of life was the beginning, Hebrews 9:22 says,
… and without shedding of blood there is no remission <of sin>.
Then on Easter Sunday there was a resurrection to life
He is at work in your life today – are you seeking Him?
Things are not always what they seem, just ask the disciples. It seemed like every time they thought they understood and knew what Jesus was about it turned out completely different. They were arguing about forgetting the bread when Jesus was talking about His being the Bread of Life. They were fussing about who would sit at the right and left hand when Jesus was weighed down with dread, knowing that soon all the sin of the world was to poured down on Him at the cross. They were accusing Jesus about not caring for them in the midst of the storm and they could not cast out a demon from a Young lad when He had granted them authority over all demons and sickness. In these latter two cases Jesus properly accused their lack of faith.
But this is true in viewing today’s circumstances for those without a biblical world view and faith in the living Lord Jesus. Appearances can be deceiving that is why believers are told to walk by faith and not by sight. God is the absolute ruler of the earth and we should quickly remind ourselves of this truth sometimes daily. Satan is still of power of the air and the great deceiver. He will make it seem that this is all there is and there is no more. Bow down and worship me he cries just like he did to Jesus in the wilderness temptation. Jesus never waves for He says, it is written. We are to live by the words from the Word of God for they are truth and they are life. Jesus declared on the night He was betrayed. Thy Word is truth. I need the truth and I need it daily. I can’t say I am always faithful to do so, but He feeds me in many cases when I don’t.
John 12:12-36. Oh Oh I hear it now He’s going to use 24 total verses. We will be here forever. No you won’t be here forever and I am not going to discourse on every verse.
So calm your motors maybe you will remember what I just said – things are not always as they appear now do they. Can I have an Amen.
Two things to keep in mind as were read here are; Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead and this news has spread like wildfire. So now Jesus is traveling to Bethany with Lazarus. And as a result of Jesus’ activities the Jew are plotting to kill Lazarus in addition to Jesus, who they already hate. This is the setting for the Triumphant Entry, Let’s read from John 12:12-27
The Triumphal Entry
12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”
14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey’s colt.” (Zech.9:9)
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and
17 Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. 18 For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
The Fruitful Grain of Wheat
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much [d]grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 2< predicting His death and the result >6 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. <Promise of His eternal faithfulness>
Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 Father, glorify Your name.” <Jesus avows His purpose>
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” <affirmation by Our Father>
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am[e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
This is an amazing passage of Scripture. Many might ask including you, how can you call this a triumphant entry? Jesus is about to die. Doesn’t that cancel triumphant? Let’s see, how many people can live perfect and sinless lives for 33 and survive among a very sinful and evil people, as we are all want to be? Not too many have been able to do so.
So we started this with the statement – things are not always as they seem. It appears as if Jesus is forlornly being driven to the cross by the events which seem to surround Him and the plotting of the Pharisees. You will remember elsewhere in the gospels it says the Pharisee’s wanted His death before the Passover and they wanted it done quietly. Well Jesus ensured as did His
Father that the Perfect Passover Lamb would be sacrificed on the correct day – which we call Good Friday. I believe this is called the day of Atonement in the Jewish calendar.
So a public spectacle as forecast in prophecy was the happening event.
The scene is set by the Son of God who is orchestrating all the events for His blood sacrifice as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
After this event in verses 23, Jesus now says The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Every other time when discussing the future events He says; My hour has not yet come.
Then He says, 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much [d]grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 2< Here He is predicting His specific death and the eventual resulting harvest >6 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. <Promise of His eternal faithfulness> So this raises a question, How can anyone serve a dead man ? And how can He make a promise? If you know Him you know He lives in Heaven today,
But He was troubled, then avows His continued purpose- You see things are not always how they seem. God is at work here and now just as He is this minute in our world events. Events may seem to be uncontrolled but they are not.
Next the Father affirms Jesus, Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” <Jesus affirmation by the God of Heaven >
Now Jesus comments on these events - 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am[e]lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
This is the revelation and completion of the symbol on a pole set up in the Wilderness for those who were bitten by the asp to find healing -Numbers 21:8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”
Jesus states He will be lifted up indicating the manner of His death but before verse 32 is verse 31 and guess who this message is being delivered – Satan. And His is cast out- no longer ruler of this world.
And by Hid death Jesus will unite all people unto Himself and if we believe this we are sons of light.
What do we learn with our 20/20 vision on the other side of the cross.
First, things are not always as they appear especially when the creator and His Son and the Holy Spirit are at work in the world. We mistook the events leading up to the crucifixion as being directed by Satan and destroying the Savior. But it was not so, Jesus was leading to the cross. It was necessary and His purpose to die.
Next, We thought Satan was achieving victory but he was actually being judged. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Finally, That the cross far from being the ending of life was the beginning, Hebrews 9:22 says,
… and without shedding of blood there is no remission <of sin>.
Then on Easter Sunday there was a resurrection to life
He is at work in your life today – are you seeking Him?
March 26 Sermon
Easter is fast approaching and we are already 3 months into the new year. Have you spent any time assessing whether you and I are growing in faith in 2023? Understand this, you and I as believers, will one day stand before our Lord and Savior and be questioned on how we spent the time, the days and years which He gave us. To be prepared and not be shamed on that day we should reflect on how we are spending our time and resources. So a question relevant to this type of assessing would be “am I growing in my faith in Jesus Christ this year?”
This is a good and a valid question which we should not avoid but use to motivate us to prayer and repentance. You see, we as well as Jesus, are required to grow in wisdom and knowledge in the Lord. We should be honoring our son or daughter status; for we have as those adopted by grace into something which is so far beyond our understanding. We as humble servants would want to graciously please our Master and Lord to do His will. Have you ever considered your relationship with Jesus in this way? Maybe not, but you should. Living in America we have been spoiled by our freedoms and our open society, which is now radically changing to deconstruct into socialism or communism. These freedoms which we are relishing in are not given by big government, but are given an inalienable rights by God our Father. Those who wrote the constitution knew this, but because of social justice fallacious denial of truth our students our children have no appreciation for what God granted America.
You and I must stand today for the truth. Truth and faith were turned aside in Paul’s day because of the Judaizers in the Galatian church. Without a firm foundation in the truth there can be little to no growth in your faith. Thank God Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us when we are unable to help ourselves. He guides us into the truth and gives us faith if we but ask. Ask for faith when you have unbelief and Lord help my unbelief to become faith in you. So how can we grow in understanding from applying this text to my life? What is there to learn.
Read in the NT in Chapter Galatians 3:13-26 - 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Changeless Promise
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God [e]in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Purpose of the Law
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, [f]kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our [g]tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sons and Heirs
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
So let me give you the outline and we can get schooled on what the Lord wants us to learn. Remember it is the teaching of the Holy Spirit through His opening the Word of God to us that we receive His truth and His life. Let’s do it!
I. The Law cannot change the promise of God (3:15-18)
II. The Law is not greater than the promise (3:19-20)
a. The law was temporary (v. 19a)
b. The law required a mediator (v.19b-20)
III. The Law is not contrary to the promise of God (3:21-26)
a. The law was not given to provide life (v. 21b)
b. The law was given to reveal sin (vv.19a, 23)
c. The law was given to prepare the way for Christ (vv. 23-26)
IV. The law cannot do what the promise can do (3:27-29)
Pray with me - Father increase our faith as we see what you have done by given us the law of God in preparation for sending Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen
Let’s begin with Point I. The Law cannot change the promise of God (3:15-18)
Actually we need to start before this using verses 13 -14, 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The point of these verses will ring through the rest of our study. Jesus became a curse for us on the tree that we (Gentiles, you and I) might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith in Him. So The Law cannot change the promise of God (3:15-18) God promised that in Abraham all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12:1-3) The promise involves being justified in faith and having all the blessings of salvation.
Two parties came together to form an agreement does not mean in the future someone can come along (Judaizers) and redefine it. The only people who can change an original agreement are the original parties. Any other changes are by definition illegal. It was God who made the covenant promise as the greater (God) to the lesser (Abraham), not men.
God made the promise not just to Abraham but also to Christ. The bible concept of “seed” goes back to Genesis 3:15, after the fall of man. God state there will be a conflict between Satan’s seed and the seed of the woman (God’s children and ultimately Jesus). The bible demonstrates this conflict from the murder of Abel to the book of Acts until today’s martyrs. The true versus the counterfeit, the wheat and the tares of (Matt 13:24-30). This would include Satan’s attempt to destroy the baby Jesus after His birth. It was his attempt to prevent the seed from even being born into the earth.
Now the covenants of promise with
Abraham was made through Jesus through
Christ as His seed of promise. So the only two parties who could change the covenant would be Jesus and God, not the Judaizers who sought to redefine the promise. They wanted to add to God’s grace and take away His promises and make this fake truth the standard of worship. Time (430 Yrs.) no matter how many years does not allow modification or adjustment of a ratified covenant which God made not men.
From there in verse 19 and 20 Paul makes another radical claim - II. The Law is not greater than the promise of the covenant (3:19-20)
a. The law was temporary (v. 19a) 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. We find no ifs, or conditional clauses present in the covenant made with Abraham in Genesis, but the blessings of the law would come only if they were kept perfectly. Jesus did that as the promised seed and He fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law which you could not. So the law was temporary
b. The law required a mediator (v.19b-20)When God gave the law to men it required the mediation of Moses; *Acts 7.53) with the disposition of angels as the intermediary between God and Moses. But in Genesis God personally made His covenant directly with Abraham with no mediator. There was no mediator here between Abraham and God. His promise was direct and His covenant was permanent and therefore it is greater than the law. The Judaizers could not argue this point that the covenant promise is greater than the law which again is temporary.
Next major is Point III. The Law is not contrary to the promise of God (3:21-26). This whole idea about the law would have stirred up the Judaizers who would say, you are saying God doesn’t know what He is doing. But Paul was not saying the two ideas contradict he was saying the law and the promise complement each other. Let’s examine this in verse 21following-
a. First, the law was not given to provide life (v. 21b). The law was given to regulate the lives of the Jewish people, but it did not and could not provide spiritual life to the people. If life and righteousness could come through the law then Jesus Christ’s coming was unnecessary. Just think it was the nations worshiping of the law which led to their falling away
b. The law was given to reveal sin (vv.19a, 23) Read verses 19 a and 23 and you see this. Without the law we had no standard to regulate and compare our behavior. The law is “holy and just and good (Rom.7:12), but we are just the opposite. The lawful use of the law is to reveal our sin. We cannot obtain salvation by keeping the law – it is only by faith in Christ.
c. Here is the key point - the law was given to prepare the way for Christ (vv. 23-26). Here Paul uses the idea of a guardian. This is the ancient idea of a guardian who would discipline, guard, direct and manage their education/training- this is what Paul means by a schoolmaster. Jew therefore were not born through the law but were brought up by and in the law. The guardian was not the parent of the child he was his master and disciplinarian. So the law did not give life to the people it regulated the life of the people. Judaizers were teaching the law was necessary for life and righteousness.ered h
Second, the law as guardian was simply the preparation for the child’s future maturity, when he no longer needed a guardian. So the law was preparation for the nation of Israel until the coming of the promised seed, Jesus Christ.
The demands from the law reminded the people daily of their need for a savior. The types and symbols of the law were pictures and foreshadowing’s of the coming Messiah.
A good example of this is the rich young ruler we encounter in Matthew 19:16 and following- He kept the law all through his young life but something was missing. The emptiness of satisfying the law was not enough, his heart yearned for more satisfaction/salvation. He had a sense of guild and need, which most sinners have, but the commandments brou
ght him to Christ. For the commandment could not give him spiritual life and righteousness, which is what he really needed. Unfortunately, he was not honest before Jesus. If he had been, he would have been released from the taskmaster of the law and received eternal life and Christ’s righteousness by salvation through faith. Where was his faith in God?
Do you need salvation from the taskmaster of laws where none of us can keep each one perfectly? The Bible says the wages of living an imperfect life is death -eternal death, separation from God. Jesus says, 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt 11: 28-29)
Do you need rest then whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord and you will be saved!
Amen
Easter is fast approaching and we are already 3 months into the new year. Have you spent any time assessing whether you and I are growing in faith in 2023? Understand this, you and I as believers, will one day stand before our Lord and Savior and be questioned on how we spent the time, the days and years which He gave us. To be prepared and not be shamed on that day we should reflect on how we are spending our time and resources. So a question relevant to this type of assessing would be “am I growing in my faith in Jesus Christ this year?”
This is a good and a valid question which we should not avoid but use to motivate us to prayer and repentance. You see, we as well as Jesus, are required to grow in wisdom and knowledge in the Lord. We should be honoring our son or daughter status; for we have as those adopted by grace into something which is so far beyond our understanding. We as humble servants would want to graciously please our Master and Lord to do His will. Have you ever considered your relationship with Jesus in this way? Maybe not, but you should. Living in America we have been spoiled by our freedoms and our open society, which is now radically changing to deconstruct into socialism or communism. These freedoms which we are relishing in are not given by big government, but are given an inalienable rights by God our Father. Those who wrote the constitution knew this, but because of social justice fallacious denial of truth our students our children have no appreciation for what God granted America.
You and I must stand today for the truth. Truth and faith were turned aside in Paul’s day because of the Judaizers in the Galatian church. Without a firm foundation in the truth there can be little to no growth in your faith. Thank God Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us when we are unable to help ourselves. He guides us into the truth and gives us faith if we but ask. Ask for faith when you have unbelief and Lord help my unbelief to become faith in you. So how can we grow in understanding from applying this text to my life? What is there to learn.
Read in the NT in Chapter Galatians 3:13-26 - 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Changeless Promise
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God [e]in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Purpose of the Law
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, [f]kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our [g]tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sons and Heirs
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
So let me give you the outline and we can get schooled on what the Lord wants us to learn. Remember it is the teaching of the Holy Spirit through His opening the Word of God to us that we receive His truth and His life. Let’s do it!
I. The Law cannot change the promise of God (3:15-18)
II. The Law is not greater than the promise (3:19-20)
a. The law was temporary (v. 19a)
b. The law required a mediator (v.19b-20)
III. The Law is not contrary to the promise of God (3:21-26)
a. The law was not given to provide life (v. 21b)
b. The law was given to reveal sin (vv.19a, 23)
c. The law was given to prepare the way for Christ (vv. 23-26)
IV. The law cannot do what the promise can do (3:27-29)
Pray with me - Father increase our faith as we see what you have done by given us the law of God in preparation for sending Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen
Let’s begin with Point I. The Law cannot change the promise of God (3:15-18)
Actually we need to start before this using verses 13 -14, 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The point of these verses will ring through the rest of our study. Jesus became a curse for us on the tree that we (Gentiles, you and I) might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith in Him. So The Law cannot change the promise of God (3:15-18) God promised that in Abraham all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen 12:1-3) The promise involves being justified in faith and having all the blessings of salvation.
Two parties came together to form an agreement does not mean in the future someone can come along (Judaizers) and redefine it. The only people who can change an original agreement are the original parties. Any other changes are by definition illegal. It was God who made the covenant promise as the greater (God) to the lesser (Abraham), not men.
God made the promise not just to Abraham but also to Christ. The bible concept of “seed” goes back to Genesis 3:15, after the fall of man. God state there will be a conflict between Satan’s seed and the seed of the woman (God’s children and ultimately Jesus). The bible demonstrates this conflict from the murder of Abel to the book of Acts until today’s martyrs. The true versus the counterfeit, the wheat and the tares of (Matt 13:24-30). This would include Satan’s attempt to destroy the baby Jesus after His birth. It was his attempt to prevent the seed from even being born into the earth.
Now the covenants of promise with
Abraham was made through Jesus through
Christ as His seed of promise. So the only two parties who could change the covenant would be Jesus and God, not the Judaizers who sought to redefine the promise. They wanted to add to God’s grace and take away His promises and make this fake truth the standard of worship. Time (430 Yrs.) no matter how many years does not allow modification or adjustment of a ratified covenant which God made not men.
From there in verse 19 and 20 Paul makes another radical claim - II. The Law is not greater than the promise of the covenant (3:19-20)
a. The law was temporary (v. 19a) 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. We find no ifs, or conditional clauses present in the covenant made with Abraham in Genesis, but the blessings of the law would come only if they were kept perfectly. Jesus did that as the promised seed and He fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law which you could not. So the law was temporary
b. The law required a mediator (v.19b-20)When God gave the law to men it required the mediation of Moses; *Acts 7.53) with the disposition of angels as the intermediary between God and Moses. But in Genesis God personally made His covenant directly with Abraham with no mediator. There was no mediator here between Abraham and God. His promise was direct and His covenant was permanent and therefore it is greater than the law. The Judaizers could not argue this point that the covenant promise is greater than the law which again is temporary.
Next major is Point III. The Law is not contrary to the promise of God (3:21-26). This whole idea about the law would have stirred up the Judaizers who would say, you are saying God doesn’t know what He is doing. But Paul was not saying the two ideas contradict he was saying the law and the promise complement each other. Let’s examine this in verse 21following-
a. First, the law was not given to provide life (v. 21b). The law was given to regulate the lives of the Jewish people, but it did not and could not provide spiritual life to the people. If life and righteousness could come through the law then Jesus Christ’s coming was unnecessary. Just think it was the nations worshiping of the law which led to their falling away
b. The law was given to reveal sin (vv.19a, 23) Read verses 19 a and 23 and you see this. Without the law we had no standard to regulate and compare our behavior. The law is “holy and just and good (Rom.7:12), but we are just the opposite. The lawful use of the law is to reveal our sin. We cannot obtain salvation by keeping the law – it is only by faith in Christ.
c. Here is the key point - the law was given to prepare the way for Christ (vv. 23-26). Here Paul uses the idea of a guardian. This is the ancient idea of a guardian who would discipline, guard, direct and manage their education/training- this is what Paul means by a schoolmaster. Jew therefore were not born through the law but were brought up by and in the law. The guardian was not the parent of the child he was his master and disciplinarian. So the law did not give life to the people it regulated the life of the people. Judaizers were teaching the law was necessary for life and righteousness.ered h
Second, the law as guardian was simply the preparation for the child’s future maturity, when he no longer needed a guardian. So the law was preparation for the nation of Israel until the coming of the promised seed, Jesus Christ.
The demands from the law reminded the people daily of their need for a savior. The types and symbols of the law were pictures and foreshadowing’s of the coming Messiah.
A good example of this is the rich young ruler we encounter in Matthew 19:16 and following- He kept the law all through his young life but something was missing. The emptiness of satisfying the law was not enough, his heart yearned for more satisfaction/salvation. He had a sense of guild and need, which most sinners have, but the commandments brou
ght him to Christ. For the commandment could not give him spiritual life and righteousness, which is what he really needed. Unfortunately, he was not honest before Jesus. If he had been, he would have been released from the taskmaster of the law and received eternal life and Christ’s righteousness by salvation through faith. Where was his faith in God?
Do you need salvation from the taskmaster of laws where none of us can keep each one perfectly? The Bible says the wages of living an imperfect life is death -eternal death, separation from God. Jesus says, 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt 11: 28-29)
Do you need rest then whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord and you will be saved!
Amen
March 19 Sermon
In today’s culture or controlled misinformation or you may choose to think of it as information or disinformation warfare, it is easy to become confused and disoriented to the truth. It seems this is not the first time this has happened in history and as the Bible accurately predicts it will definitely happen in the future to an amount which we will find hard to understand. We as believers need to keep our eyes on Jesus so in our case the best way to do so is to be a person of the book. I continue to press you 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2nd Tim. 2:15) KJV
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to convey the truths found in His Word to your heart and mind. He also prepares your heart to walk in His truth even before He reveals it. You must endeavor to persist in walking in the truth otherwise it will not be revealed. This is not an easy path for any of us but it is the way God chooses to speak in that still small voice so we can walk in His ways.
So we will find the failure of the Galatian church in Chapter 3 which Paul is going to combat. This will be the first of several messages in the book of Galatians where we will find correction. You might ask why is Paul so extensive in his writing, was it really that bad? Well the answer is yes! The Judaizers were challenging everything that Paul had taught them. He was not there in Galatia to defend the word of truth. His teaching was biblical and the Judaizers was not. He was fighting to ensure the truth of God’s Word in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ was preserved. Paul just might think that was as important as life and death so this book emphasizes the rejection of a false doctrine and the preservation of truth. WE spoke last week about Paul being a freedom fighter we will find more of that here.
This is to give you and I a perspective of how important the word of God is to us a believers and how all the saints through the ages died to preserve it, protect it and defend it. May we be found faithful in living, defending and preserving the Word of God, as God’s love letter to us and His unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray before we begin – Father open our eyes and prepare our hearts Lord to encounter you and your truth, Your righteousness and Your holiness as we study Your love letter to us in the Bible
Lets’ read Galatian’s chapter 3, beginning with verse 1- 3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you [a]that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed [b]among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so [c]many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
The Law Brings a Curse
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is [d]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Point I. Statement of the problem in verses 1-4, 3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you [a]that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed [b]among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so [c]many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Paul lays out the problem pretty straight forward- obviously something had happened these believers. Magic was a big deal back then but obviously it was enhanced by Satan so Paul being “hip” to the times use the word bewitched to describe their departure quickly from the truth. This was despite the fact that the had witness testimony as to the truth of who Jesus was and how He gave His life a ransom for many. Now comes a clear question - Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Paul’s response was -3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? In other words your profession of faith was spiritual as a result of God’s Holy Spirit, now you are adding earthly requirements for fasting, celebrations and sacrifices in addition to what Christ has already done. Are you so foolish??? The he asked have you considered so many things in vain. Suffered here is an older word meaning have you considered. Have you really assessed this activity of the Judaizers who want to add all the temple worship and all the other Jewish traditions when this is not what Jesus set you free by grace to receive? Consider what Jesus has already done.
Point II. After Point 1, the statement of the problem, what follows is discussion -5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
So grace and the love of God is what He gives freely to those who trust Him; and we receive salvation and justification because God chose to deliver us. Read verses 5-7, 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. Parse the verses with me, God is the one who supplies His Holy Spirit to you, He works miracles and He does this not because of your works but by faith (verse 5). Then Paul provides the biblical historical reference for us to grow by -verse 6; 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” So if this truth as true for Abraham how is it true for us as believers? 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. It was by faith that Abraham (see Romans 4: 2, 3, 4,12,13) that he was considered righteous before God not by his works.
So to emphasize this point Pau adds verses 8 and 9,8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Note with care verse 8 - 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” This is so important that God beforehand knew that the Gentiles would be receiving the truth and turned to Him by God’s Son. It says in the OT My righteous servant will justify many (Isa 53:11) and in Him we are blessed by faith through grace and not by works. Verse 9 follows - 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. So the same conditions exist for today’s believers as it did for Abraham. If is by faith through grace. So we must be aware of heresies and untruths which come against us continually. And many are repeats of past lies which are repackaged under new glossy ideas – relevant ideas such as, ,all fall into these domains.
Point III. Is where Paul tells us The Law Brings a Curse which comes from God’s decrees in the Old Testament
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is [d]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
This verse is quoted from Deut. 27:26 to show that failure to perfectly keep the law brings divine judgment and condemnation. One violation of the law deserves the curse of God. Cf. Deut. 27, 28. all things. Not a very favorable outcome for those of us who have feet of clay is it? Paul doesn’t stop there he continues in verse eleven - 11 But that no one is [d]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” This verse again from the Old Testament proves that justification does not come from keeping the law; this quote from Hab. 2:4 shows that justification is by faith alone. And specific to our case our faith is in Christ alone in God alone. This is how we receive justification by faith. So the law is not by faith and they are mutually exclusive and not one in the same. The just will live by faith. Verse 12 provides this comparison for us -12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
The law is not for men of faith – pretty clear!
Point IV is a summation the truth of what Jesus Christ has done for all who believe? 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Jesus has set us free from the curse of having to keep all the law perfectly, which none of us besides Jesus was ever able to do. Jesus by hanging on the tree took the condemnation and punishment which we deserve and suffered, bled and died in our place so that we could receive by grace that which we cannot in any way earn or achieve by our own sinful merits. In Christ alone - in Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand.
Verse 14 says,14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
God knew beforehand that His blessing to the gentiles would come through faith is Jesus Christ our Lord by faith and not through temple worship and becoming surrogate Jews.
We need to keep our faith precious in the blood and activity of Jesus Christ and in nothing else, do not be deceived. Jesus is the only way to salvation, justification which leads to glorification and daily walking with Him. Stay strong in the Word of God. It says, in John 8. 32- And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Do you want to be free in Jesus today, then seek Him by coming to Him? He loves you and died for you. God says in the book of James 4:8, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Call upon Him while He can be found and today is the day of salvation (2nd Cor 6:2)
In today’s culture or controlled misinformation or you may choose to think of it as information or disinformation warfare, it is easy to become confused and disoriented to the truth. It seems this is not the first time this has happened in history and as the Bible accurately predicts it will definitely happen in the future to an amount which we will find hard to understand. We as believers need to keep our eyes on Jesus so in our case the best way to do so is to be a person of the book. I continue to press you 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2nd Tim. 2:15) KJV
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to convey the truths found in His Word to your heart and mind. He also prepares your heart to walk in His truth even before He reveals it. You must endeavor to persist in walking in the truth otherwise it will not be revealed. This is not an easy path for any of us but it is the way God chooses to speak in that still small voice so we can walk in His ways.
So we will find the failure of the Galatian church in Chapter 3 which Paul is going to combat. This will be the first of several messages in the book of Galatians where we will find correction. You might ask why is Paul so extensive in his writing, was it really that bad? Well the answer is yes! The Judaizers were challenging everything that Paul had taught them. He was not there in Galatia to defend the word of truth. His teaching was biblical and the Judaizers was not. He was fighting to ensure the truth of God’s Word in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ was preserved. Paul just might think that was as important as life and death so this book emphasizes the rejection of a false doctrine and the preservation of truth. WE spoke last week about Paul being a freedom fighter we will find more of that here.
This is to give you and I a perspective of how important the word of God is to us a believers and how all the saints through the ages died to preserve it, protect it and defend it. May we be found faithful in living, defending and preserving the Word of God, as God’s love letter to us and His unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray before we begin – Father open our eyes and prepare our hearts Lord to encounter you and your truth, Your righteousness and Your holiness as we study Your love letter to us in the Bible
Lets’ read Galatian’s chapter 3, beginning with verse 1- 3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you [a]that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed [b]among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so [c]many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
The Law Brings a Curse
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is [d]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Point I. Statement of the problem in verses 1-4, 3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you [a]that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed [b]among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so [c]many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Paul lays out the problem pretty straight forward- obviously something had happened these believers. Magic was a big deal back then but obviously it was enhanced by Satan so Paul being “hip” to the times use the word bewitched to describe their departure quickly from the truth. This was despite the fact that the had witness testimony as to the truth of who Jesus was and how He gave His life a ransom for many. Now comes a clear question - Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Paul’s response was -3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? In other words your profession of faith was spiritual as a result of God’s Holy Spirit, now you are adding earthly requirements for fasting, celebrations and sacrifices in addition to what Christ has already done. Are you so foolish??? The he asked have you considered so many things in vain. Suffered here is an older word meaning have you considered. Have you really assessed this activity of the Judaizers who want to add all the temple worship and all the other Jewish traditions when this is not what Jesus set you free by grace to receive? Consider what Jesus has already done.
Point II. After Point 1, the statement of the problem, what follows is discussion -5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
So grace and the love of God is what He gives freely to those who trust Him; and we receive salvation and justification because God chose to deliver us. Read verses 5-7, 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. Parse the verses with me, God is the one who supplies His Holy Spirit to you, He works miracles and He does this not because of your works but by faith (verse 5). Then Paul provides the biblical historical reference for us to grow by -verse 6; 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” So if this truth as true for Abraham how is it true for us as believers? 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. It was by faith that Abraham (see Romans 4: 2, 3, 4,12,13) that he was considered righteous before God not by his works.
So to emphasize this point Pau adds verses 8 and 9,8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Note with care verse 8 - 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” This is so important that God beforehand knew that the Gentiles would be receiving the truth and turned to Him by God’s Son. It says in the OT My righteous servant will justify many (Isa 53:11) and in Him we are blessed by faith through grace and not by works. Verse 9 follows - 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. So the same conditions exist for today’s believers as it did for Abraham. If is by faith through grace. So we must be aware of heresies and untruths which come against us continually. And many are repeats of past lies which are repackaged under new glossy ideas – relevant ideas such as, ,all fall into these domains.
Point III. Is where Paul tells us The Law Brings a Curse which comes from God’s decrees in the Old Testament
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is [d]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
This verse is quoted from Deut. 27:26 to show that failure to perfectly keep the law brings divine judgment and condemnation. One violation of the law deserves the curse of God. Cf. Deut. 27, 28. all things. Not a very favorable outcome for those of us who have feet of clay is it? Paul doesn’t stop there he continues in verse eleven - 11 But that no one is [d]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” This verse again from the Old Testament proves that justification does not come from keeping the law; this quote from Hab. 2:4 shows that justification is by faith alone. And specific to our case our faith is in Christ alone in God alone. This is how we receive justification by faith. So the law is not by faith and they are mutually exclusive and not one in the same. The just will live by faith. Verse 12 provides this comparison for us -12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
The law is not for men of faith – pretty clear!
Point IV is a summation the truth of what Jesus Christ has done for all who believe? 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Jesus has set us free from the curse of having to keep all the law perfectly, which none of us besides Jesus was ever able to do. Jesus by hanging on the tree took the condemnation and punishment which we deserve and suffered, bled and died in our place so that we could receive by grace that which we cannot in any way earn or achieve by our own sinful merits. In Christ alone - in Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand.
Verse 14 says,14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
God knew beforehand that His blessing to the gentiles would come through faith is Jesus Christ our Lord by faith and not through temple worship and becoming surrogate Jews.
We need to keep our faith precious in the blood and activity of Jesus Christ and in nothing else, do not be deceived. Jesus is the only way to salvation, justification which leads to glorification and daily walking with Him. Stay strong in the Word of God. It says, in John 8. 32- And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Do you want to be free in Jesus today, then seek Him by coming to Him? He loves you and died for you. God says in the book of James 4:8, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Call upon Him while He can be found and today is the day of salvation (2nd Cor 6:2)
March 12 Sermon
Rooted and Built up in Jesus for today. The church at Colossae was in disorder and disarray because they had lost their focus on Jesus Christ. It have been invaded simply by evil influencers who sought to sow “ a new philosophy” within their faith. This is always the same package which Satan uses to deceive and destroy the faith of believers. It is always marketed by the same concept of improving your faith. There is nothing new under the sun, simply repackaging the same old lies. Anything needed in addition to what God has already provided is an issue. In this Chapter Paul is saying return to your first love. Just as John does in Revelation Chapter 3 to the church at Laodicea. Only here we get great detail as to how we should return and be encouraged that God is at work in us, bringing us back to Himself. Let’s look at Colossian’s chapter 2 and read: 2 For I want you to know what a great conflict[a] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [b]both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [c]to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [d]in it with thanksgiving.
In verse 1 these statements are linked back to the first two verses of chapter 1. There Paul had been describing his strivings, by teaching and preaching, to present every believer mature in Christ. Here his strivings are different. In Chapter 2 they are spoken of as great conflict but spiritually as in prayer. And this great conflict is on behalf of those he had never met. From the first day he had heard of the Colossians, he had prayed for them, as well as, for those in the neighboring city of Laodicea, and for other Christians whom he ha5d not as yet met (see Rev. 3:14–19 for the state of the church).
Verse 1 should be a comfort to those who are never given to engage in public ministry. It teaches that we need not be limited by what we can do only in the presence of people. We can serve the Lord greatly by private prayer on our knees. And if we are blessed to serve publicly, our effectiveness depends largely on our private devotions before God.<this is a God thing>
In verse 2 we can know the content of Paul’s prayer. The first part of his prayer is that their hearts may be encouraged. The Colossians were in danger of the teachings of the Gnostics. Therefore, encouraged here means that the truth of God’s word might be confirmed or strengthened in them. And the second part of His prayer is that they might be knit together in love. If our fellowship is first with Christ, then in Christian fellowship with other believers, then their hearts would be warm in love with Christ, He would then reveal to them the deeper truths of the faith.
Paul is saying here, if Believers practiced this fellowship first in Christ, then they would have a consistent and spiritual fellowship with one another. Then they would have a solid testimony against the onslaught of evil, inside or outside the church. This is a principle in Scripture that the Lord reveals His secrets to those who walk closest to Him. Example - John was the apostle who leaned on Jesus’ chest, and it was no coincidence that he was also the one to whom the great revelation of the future Jesus Christ was given.
Next Paul prayed that they might enter into all the riches of the full assurance of understanding. The more they pursued a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, the more fully convicted they would be by the Holy Spirit of its truths. Then they would be more firmly grounded in their faith. Believers would now be in less danger of falling away then by false teachings of the day. This is also very true in our day. We are to walk in awareness of truth.
The expression full assurance is used three times in the NT. (1) Full assurance of faith—as we rest on God’s word, His testimony to us (Heb. 10:22). (2) Full assurance of understanding—we know and are assured (Col. 2:2). (3) Full assurance of hope—we press on with confidence as to the outcome (Heb. 6:11).
The climax of Paul’s prayer is in the words - to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.
What does Paul mean when he says that they may know the mystery of God … and of Christ? He is still referring to the truth of who is Jesus. He is the Christ, the Head of the Church, He is also the Son of God and head of all believers. But particularly he stresses the headship of Christ. All believers need to know and worship Jesus as Lord. By knowing the greatness of the Lord Jesus, we will not be drawn away by any philosophy, cult or any that threaten us.<the battle is the Lords>
Paul wants the saints to trust in Christ completely, to use the resources He provides, and to draw upon Him in prayer for all our needs – He is sufficient for every need.
“To them God willed to make known what are THE RICHES of the glory of THIS MYSTERY among the Gentiles: WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). We should be encouraged to know He is able to confront and defeat every form of opposition or counterfeit that comes against you as the church.
Verse 3 makes states In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Gnostics of the day, boasted of a spiritual understanding surpassing anything found within the pages of divine revelation. Their wisdom was in addition, an add on to what is found in Christ. Paul refutes this by stating all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ or Lord. Hence, there is no need to seek information or learning from the world or anywhere beyond what is written in the God’s Word. These treasures in Christ of which He speaks are hidden from us always by unbelief; each believer needs to know the Lord Christ intimately to receive them.
Christ is to the believer the Head, the center and chief resource of our faith. Christ by His very nature has infinite and unsearchable riches. He has the pre-eminent wealth of character, wisdom and knowledge, for He is God. Jesus has accomplished everything in creation and in redemption. His wisdom, intellect and understanding is far beyond any innumerable armies of professors, authors, mediums, critics, who arrayed themselves against Him, for He is all in all.
Note it states, all knowledge is found in Christ. He is the incarnation of the truth. He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Nothing that is true will ever conflict with His words or His works.
God’s Word says ,“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)
The difference between knowledge and wisdom is, Knowledge is the understanding of truth, whereas wisdom is application of knowledge. So if you want the application of Knowledge which is wisdom, you had best seek God in Christ and not run after the world’s learning. (CRT<BLM, etc.).
In verse 4, because all wisdom and knowledge is in Christ, Christians should not be deluded with the persuasive words of false teachers or cults. If a man does not have the truth, then he must seek to attract a following through the clever presentation of his message. That is what deceivers, anti-Christ’s and heretics do. They argue from probabilities and build a system of teaching on untruths. Conversely, if one is preaching the truth of God, then he does not need to depend on such things as eloquence or clever arguments or deceptions by persuasive word. The truth stands eloquently alone and, like a lion, it defends itself.
Then in verse 5 Paul clearly understands the problems and difficulties facing the Colossians. He pictures himself as a military officer looking over the assembled troops as they stand ready for inspection. The words order and steadfastness are military terms. The first describes the orderly behavior of military members, and steadfastness embodies the patience of them under fire or stress. Paul rejoices as he sees (in spirit though not in body) how the Colossians were standing true to and with the word of God.
In verse 6 he encourages them and us to go on in the same way in which they had originally begun, that is, by faith. It states As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. The emphasis here is on the word Lord. In other words, they had acknowledged that in Him there was complete sufficiency. Jesus was enough, not only for salvation, but for the satisfying their entire Christian life. Now Paul urges the saints to go on and to acknowledging the lordship of Christ. In trusting Christ they would not stray from Him by accepting the teachings of men, however convincing they may sound.
The word walk is one that is often used of the Christian life. It speaks of action in progress. You cannot walk and remain in the same place. So it is in the Christian life; we are either going forward or backward.
This is learning to walk by faith, in faith sustained only by the love and fellowship of Christ. Only He can enable you to do this, and He will. Only trust Him for He and He alone is able. He says now draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Live in Christ today don’t be deceived. AMEN
Rooted and Built up in Jesus for today. The church at Colossae was in disorder and disarray because they had lost their focus on Jesus Christ. It have been invaded simply by evil influencers who sought to sow “ a new philosophy” within their faith. This is always the same package which Satan uses to deceive and destroy the faith of believers. It is always marketed by the same concept of improving your faith. There is nothing new under the sun, simply repackaging the same old lies. Anything needed in addition to what God has already provided is an issue. In this Chapter Paul is saying return to your first love. Just as John does in Revelation Chapter 3 to the church at Laodicea. Only here we get great detail as to how we should return and be encouraged that God is at work in us, bringing us back to Himself. Let’s look at Colossian’s chapter 2 and read: 2 For I want you to know what a great conflict[a] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [b]both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [c]to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [d]in it with thanksgiving.
In verse 1 these statements are linked back to the first two verses of chapter 1. There Paul had been describing his strivings, by teaching and preaching, to present every believer mature in Christ. Here his strivings are different. In Chapter 2 they are spoken of as great conflict but spiritually as in prayer. And this great conflict is on behalf of those he had never met. From the first day he had heard of the Colossians, he had prayed for them, as well as, for those in the neighboring city of Laodicea, and for other Christians whom he ha5d not as yet met (see Rev. 3:14–19 for the state of the church).
Verse 1 should be a comfort to those who are never given to engage in public ministry. It teaches that we need not be limited by what we can do only in the presence of people. We can serve the Lord greatly by private prayer on our knees. And if we are blessed to serve publicly, our effectiveness depends largely on our private devotions before God.<this is a God thing>
In verse 2 we can know the content of Paul’s prayer. The first part of his prayer is that their hearts may be encouraged. The Colossians were in danger of the teachings of the Gnostics. Therefore, encouraged here means that the truth of God’s word might be confirmed or strengthened in them. And the second part of His prayer is that they might be knit together in love. If our fellowship is first with Christ, then in Christian fellowship with other believers, then their hearts would be warm in love with Christ, He would then reveal to them the deeper truths of the faith.
Paul is saying here, if Believers practiced this fellowship first in Christ, then they would have a consistent and spiritual fellowship with one another. Then they would have a solid testimony against the onslaught of evil, inside or outside the church. This is a principle in Scripture that the Lord reveals His secrets to those who walk closest to Him. Example - John was the apostle who leaned on Jesus’ chest, and it was no coincidence that he was also the one to whom the great revelation of the future Jesus Christ was given.
Next Paul prayed that they might enter into all the riches of the full assurance of understanding. The more they pursued a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, the more fully convicted they would be by the Holy Spirit of its truths. Then they would be more firmly grounded in their faith. Believers would now be in less danger of falling away then by false teachings of the day. This is also very true in our day. We are to walk in awareness of truth.
The expression full assurance is used three times in the NT. (1) Full assurance of faith—as we rest on God’s word, His testimony to us (Heb. 10:22). (2) Full assurance of understanding—we know and are assured (Col. 2:2). (3) Full assurance of hope—we press on with confidence as to the outcome (Heb. 6:11).
The climax of Paul’s prayer is in the words - to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.
What does Paul mean when he says that they may know the mystery of God … and of Christ? He is still referring to the truth of who is Jesus. He is the Christ, the Head of the Church, He is also the Son of God and head of all believers. But particularly he stresses the headship of Christ. All believers need to know and worship Jesus as Lord. By knowing the greatness of the Lord Jesus, we will not be drawn away by any philosophy, cult or any that threaten us.<the battle is the Lords>
Paul wants the saints to trust in Christ completely, to use the resources He provides, and to draw upon Him in prayer for all our needs – He is sufficient for every need.
“To them God willed to make known what are THE RICHES of the glory of THIS MYSTERY among the Gentiles: WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). We should be encouraged to know He is able to confront and defeat every form of opposition or counterfeit that comes against you as the church.
Verse 3 makes states In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Gnostics of the day, boasted of a spiritual understanding surpassing anything found within the pages of divine revelation. Their wisdom was in addition, an add on to what is found in Christ. Paul refutes this by stating all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ or Lord. Hence, there is no need to seek information or learning from the world or anywhere beyond what is written in the God’s Word. These treasures in Christ of which He speaks are hidden from us always by unbelief; each believer needs to know the Lord Christ intimately to receive them.
Christ is to the believer the Head, the center and chief resource of our faith. Christ by His very nature has infinite and unsearchable riches. He has the pre-eminent wealth of character, wisdom and knowledge, for He is God. Jesus has accomplished everything in creation and in redemption. His wisdom, intellect and understanding is far beyond any innumerable armies of professors, authors, mediums, critics, who arrayed themselves against Him, for He is all in all.
Note it states, all knowledge is found in Christ. He is the incarnation of the truth. He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Nothing that is true will ever conflict with His words or His works.
God’s Word says ,“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)
The difference between knowledge and wisdom is, Knowledge is the understanding of truth, whereas wisdom is application of knowledge. So if you want the application of Knowledge which is wisdom, you had best seek God in Christ and not run after the world’s learning. (CRT<BLM, etc.).
In verse 4, because all wisdom and knowledge is in Christ, Christians should not be deluded with the persuasive words of false teachers or cults. If a man does not have the truth, then he must seek to attract a following through the clever presentation of his message. That is what deceivers, anti-Christ’s and heretics do. They argue from probabilities and build a system of teaching on untruths. Conversely, if one is preaching the truth of God, then he does not need to depend on such things as eloquence or clever arguments or deceptions by persuasive word. The truth stands eloquently alone and, like a lion, it defends itself.
Then in verse 5 Paul clearly understands the problems and difficulties facing the Colossians. He pictures himself as a military officer looking over the assembled troops as they stand ready for inspection. The words order and steadfastness are military terms. The first describes the orderly behavior of military members, and steadfastness embodies the patience of them under fire or stress. Paul rejoices as he sees (in spirit though not in body) how the Colossians were standing true to and with the word of God.
In verse 6 he encourages them and us to go on in the same way in which they had originally begun, that is, by faith. It states As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. The emphasis here is on the word Lord. In other words, they had acknowledged that in Him there was complete sufficiency. Jesus was enough, not only for salvation, but for the satisfying their entire Christian life. Now Paul urges the saints to go on and to acknowledging the lordship of Christ. In trusting Christ they would not stray from Him by accepting the teachings of men, however convincing they may sound.
The word walk is one that is often used of the Christian life. It speaks of action in progress. You cannot walk and remain in the same place. So it is in the Christian life; we are either going forward or backward.
This is learning to walk by faith, in faith sustained only by the love and fellowship of Christ. Only He can enable you to do this, and He will. Only trust Him for He and He alone is able. He says now draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Live in Christ today don’t be deceived. AMEN
March 5 Sermon
Fellowship in the Christ.
There is a blessed peace or presence in those who walk according to the Word and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever traveled thousands of miles and entered a church or a fellowship of different believers? If you have, have you experienced something like coming home? This has happened to me/us more than three times as we moved around the nation from Virginia to Bermuda to California and back to a different part of Virginia, Fredericksburg.
Have you ever thought that God has given believers a common foundation to those who trust implicitly in the scripture and allow themselves to be guided by the presence of the Lord? The foundation which believers share is the inerrant, infallible and inspired word of God. And the truth of that word, Word is embodied only in the Lord Jesus. Now we have a testimony from Jesus about God’s Word, it comes from John Chapter 17. There Jesus makes this statement in verse 17, He prays to the Father, Sanctify them by Your truth. Thy word is truth. Think about what this verse says. Understand this is the portion of Christ’s prayer before enduring the cross, where Jesus is praying for His disciples. And I believe for those who would follow them. Jesus says, Sanctify them by Your truth – God’s truth would set us apart and make us special, different from all others, except those who belong to God. Now what sets them apart. Jesus said, Thy word is truth. So the truth of God which lives in us, sets us apart. Now Jesus has more to say about the truth in John 14:6, He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This verse reinforces the fact that there is only one way to truth and to real life and that is through Jesus Christ. Now others may disagree but this is not my opinion it is the Word of God.
God has gone to extreme measures to preserve the integrity, accuracy and holiness of His Word for you and I. It is critical for us to have a clear knowledge of what God has said, so we might know Him and that His Holy Spirit can use this word to instruct and guide us as we grow in Christ. Let’s look at Galatians Chapter 2 and see how God used His word in Paul to preserve, protect and defend the truth given to Gentile believers.
The truth needs ever to remain the same and it needs to be defended against any who would pervert and deny the truth even in today’s world. Turn to Galatians, Chapter 2 and let’s read what Paul experienced, it may provide us insight into Fellowship in the Word of God, its meaning and how it functions in the life of believers.
Let’s pray first – Father today the world is so confusing. Lead us in the way of understanding. Give us peace and the desire to be obedient to each of your command in Jesus name. AMEN
Galatians, Chapter 2, let’s read,
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up [a]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
First Point God’s word unifies- In verse 2 why did Paul speak privately to the spiritual leaders rather than to the entire assembly? Was he asking them to approve his gospel, in case it was incorrect? Certainly not! His gospel was given by inspiration and the teaching of Jesus directly. So this would be contrary to all Paul had been saying and doing.
He had no doubts that the doctrine he is preaching is the truth. So our explanation for Him meeting privately must be sought elsewhere. Usually as a common courtesy we speak to leaders first. We want leaders to be convinced as to the truth and genuineness of our teaching and that it conforms identically with what Jesus taught them. If they were questions or difficulties, Paul wanted to prove to them at the outset. Then he could go before the people of the churches with the full support of all others. Paul was aware there might be appeals will might sway the group. Therefore, Paul presented his gospel privately at first, in an atmosphere free from disputes to build accord. He was trying to promote unity in the Word and thus prevent the dividing the church into a Jewish wing and a Gentile one. Then the purpose of Paul’s trip to Jerusalem would have been defeated. This is what he means by lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
Second Point God’s Word is and builds consistency. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield.
Others had come into the church and challenged the purity and fulness of the original teaching from Paul. These Judaizers believed you had to add all the requirements of being a Jew in keeping the law to actually walk according to the words of Jesus. This would of course compel all males to be circumcised to be in accordance with the law. But Jesus abolished all the mandates of the original law and taught that the circumcision was not physical but spiritual and was a matter of the heart. So maintaining the purity and consistency of what Jesus taught was of a critical nature and Paul was going to defend it. When you see inerrancy or additions to the word of God, what is your response, do you challenge others remember according to the word anyone who adds or takes away from the Word of God will be judged.
You will also notice in verse 1 it says Paul brought Titus with him. Titus was a Greek, and infidel according to the Jews. He was not considered within the realm of the redeemed and was destined by Jewish leaders an outcast. Paul brings him as evidence of the redemptive nature of the Gospel given by Jesus Christ and the creation of the new believers fully vested by God. What a testimony the Holy Spirit has changed one outside the law into a brother redeemed by the blood of Christ and His life, death burial and resurrection.
Changed by the blood of the Lamb as you too can be changed through Christ.
Now you do realize that error and apostacy is continually being introduced into the beloved. This is a constant fight and this is one of Satan’s oldest tricks. He is also trying to get believers derailed from the truth. Just as He tempted Jesus,
Satan tempts us to find an easier less stressful way to attain cleansing and salvation. Paul’s goal was to never vary on the truth.
Notice verses 6 through 9. How God establishes the fellowship of Paul, Barnabas and Titus through the fellowship around the Word of God. Reading these verses - 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Paul notes that some seemed to think of their ministry more highly that His, God shows no favoritism all are equal in Christ. How do you treat others especially believers from other land different from you own? Paul also notes for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. All of us are equal in Christ as redeemed. We should all be humbled but remember Matt.11:11
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Point 3, God’s word builds fellowship using the Gospel, note this carefully, 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles). The Holy Spirit sanctifies and sets apart us each apart for ministry to others. And how is this done, it is by the gospel. Do not miss this point there is no difference in the gospel to Peter to the circumcised or to Paul for the uncircumcised. It is all the same Word of God and Gospel of Christ regardless. The ministry of the Word, the truth of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit are linked. It is the Spirits work to take the Word and implant it in our hearts from our minds, so we can walk in it and live it. The Gospel is Christ.
Our fellowship is therefore grounded in the Word of truth and the Holy Spirit uses the truth to create in us new hearts and lives, which desire to live uniquely for Christ. Is your heart agreeing with these truths or are you missing it today?
Final Point The Bible is the living, active Word of God. Do not think that it is to a man that you owe the gospel. No it is only to God. It was God who was at work. Not only did God conceive the gospel before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4); not only did God accomplish the gospel by sending his Son to die for our sins and raising him from the dead; but it was God who chose the apostles, set them apart, and did the preaching of the gospel through them. Verse 8 says that the reason the Jerusalem apostles could recognize Paul as an apostle was that "He who worked through Peter . . . worked also through Paul." When Paul was born, it was God at work (1:15). When Paul was called to be an apostle, it was God at work (1:16). When Paul preached, it was God at work (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10). And when Paul refused to yield to the false brothers, it was God at work, "that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you."
Now if God worked before the foundation of the world, in the death and resurrection of Jesus, at the Jerusalem Council, over the past 2,000 years, and in the message today, "that the truth of the gospel be preserved for you," then does God not love you and merit your trust, faith and obedience in this time and day?
If God has worked in this way to preserve the truth of the gospel for people who need it, is this not still an incomparable challenge to give your life for the spreading of the gospel?
And unless God has changed, can we say that if you undertake to share and shine with the good news of Christ for others, will not almighty God work in you and for you? And God will undergird you with a unified, divinely inspired holy witness to the greatest events in history. And this is His story that the Son of God died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day to live eternally and will save forever those who put their trust in Him. This is the gospel of truth. Amen
Only trust Him, only trust Him now. He will save you, He will save you now.
Fellowship in the Christ.
There is a blessed peace or presence in those who walk according to the Word and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever traveled thousands of miles and entered a church or a fellowship of different believers? If you have, have you experienced something like coming home? This has happened to me/us more than three times as we moved around the nation from Virginia to Bermuda to California and back to a different part of Virginia, Fredericksburg.
Have you ever thought that God has given believers a common foundation to those who trust implicitly in the scripture and allow themselves to be guided by the presence of the Lord? The foundation which believers share is the inerrant, infallible and inspired word of God. And the truth of that word, Word is embodied only in the Lord Jesus. Now we have a testimony from Jesus about God’s Word, it comes from John Chapter 17. There Jesus makes this statement in verse 17, He prays to the Father, Sanctify them by Your truth. Thy word is truth. Think about what this verse says. Understand this is the portion of Christ’s prayer before enduring the cross, where Jesus is praying for His disciples. And I believe for those who would follow them. Jesus says, Sanctify them by Your truth – God’s truth would set us apart and make us special, different from all others, except those who belong to God. Now what sets them apart. Jesus said, Thy word is truth. So the truth of God which lives in us, sets us apart. Now Jesus has more to say about the truth in John 14:6, He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This verse reinforces the fact that there is only one way to truth and to real life and that is through Jesus Christ. Now others may disagree but this is not my opinion it is the Word of God.
God has gone to extreme measures to preserve the integrity, accuracy and holiness of His Word for you and I. It is critical for us to have a clear knowledge of what God has said, so we might know Him and that His Holy Spirit can use this word to instruct and guide us as we grow in Christ. Let’s look at Galatians Chapter 2 and see how God used His word in Paul to preserve, protect and defend the truth given to Gentile believers.
The truth needs ever to remain the same and it needs to be defended against any who would pervert and deny the truth even in today’s world. Turn to Galatians, Chapter 2 and let’s read what Paul experienced, it may provide us insight into Fellowship in the Word of God, its meaning and how it functions in the life of believers.
Let’s pray first – Father today the world is so confusing. Lead us in the way of understanding. Give us peace and the desire to be obedient to each of your command in Jesus name. AMEN
Galatians, Chapter 2, let’s read,
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up [a]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
First Point God’s word unifies- In verse 2 why did Paul speak privately to the spiritual leaders rather than to the entire assembly? Was he asking them to approve his gospel, in case it was incorrect? Certainly not! His gospel was given by inspiration and the teaching of Jesus directly. So this would be contrary to all Paul had been saying and doing.
He had no doubts that the doctrine he is preaching is the truth. So our explanation for Him meeting privately must be sought elsewhere. Usually as a common courtesy we speak to leaders first. We want leaders to be convinced as to the truth and genuineness of our teaching and that it conforms identically with what Jesus taught them. If they were questions or difficulties, Paul wanted to prove to them at the outset. Then he could go before the people of the churches with the full support of all others. Paul was aware there might be appeals will might sway the group. Therefore, Paul presented his gospel privately at first, in an atmosphere free from disputes to build accord. He was trying to promote unity in the Word and thus prevent the dividing the church into a Jewish wing and a Gentile one. Then the purpose of Paul’s trip to Jerusalem would have been defeated. This is what he means by lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
Second Point God’s Word is and builds consistency. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield.
Others had come into the church and challenged the purity and fulness of the original teaching from Paul. These Judaizers believed you had to add all the requirements of being a Jew in keeping the law to actually walk according to the words of Jesus. This would of course compel all males to be circumcised to be in accordance with the law. But Jesus abolished all the mandates of the original law and taught that the circumcision was not physical but spiritual and was a matter of the heart. So maintaining the purity and consistency of what Jesus taught was of a critical nature and Paul was going to defend it. When you see inerrancy or additions to the word of God, what is your response, do you challenge others remember according to the word anyone who adds or takes away from the Word of God will be judged.
You will also notice in verse 1 it says Paul brought Titus with him. Titus was a Greek, and infidel according to the Jews. He was not considered within the realm of the redeemed and was destined by Jewish leaders an outcast. Paul brings him as evidence of the redemptive nature of the Gospel given by Jesus Christ and the creation of the new believers fully vested by God. What a testimony the Holy Spirit has changed one outside the law into a brother redeemed by the blood of Christ and His life, death burial and resurrection.
Changed by the blood of the Lamb as you too can be changed through Christ.
Now you do realize that error and apostacy is continually being introduced into the beloved. This is a constant fight and this is one of Satan’s oldest tricks. He is also trying to get believers derailed from the truth. Just as He tempted Jesus,
Satan tempts us to find an easier less stressful way to attain cleansing and salvation. Paul’s goal was to never vary on the truth.
Notice verses 6 through 9. How God establishes the fellowship of Paul, Barnabas and Titus through the fellowship around the Word of God. Reading these verses - 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Paul notes that some seemed to think of their ministry more highly that His, God shows no favoritism all are equal in Christ. How do you treat others especially believers from other land different from you own? Paul also notes for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. All of us are equal in Christ as redeemed. We should all be humbled but remember Matt.11:11
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Point 3, God’s word builds fellowship using the Gospel, note this carefully, 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles). The Holy Spirit sanctifies and sets apart us each apart for ministry to others. And how is this done, it is by the gospel. Do not miss this point there is no difference in the gospel to Peter to the circumcised or to Paul for the uncircumcised. It is all the same Word of God and Gospel of Christ regardless. The ministry of the Word, the truth of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit are linked. It is the Spirits work to take the Word and implant it in our hearts from our minds, so we can walk in it and live it. The Gospel is Christ.
Our fellowship is therefore grounded in the Word of truth and the Holy Spirit uses the truth to create in us new hearts and lives, which desire to live uniquely for Christ. Is your heart agreeing with these truths or are you missing it today?
Final Point The Bible is the living, active Word of God. Do not think that it is to a man that you owe the gospel. No it is only to God. It was God who was at work. Not only did God conceive the gospel before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4); not only did God accomplish the gospel by sending his Son to die for our sins and raising him from the dead; but it was God who chose the apostles, set them apart, and did the preaching of the gospel through them. Verse 8 says that the reason the Jerusalem apostles could recognize Paul as an apostle was that "He who worked through Peter . . . worked also through Paul." When Paul was born, it was God at work (1:15). When Paul was called to be an apostle, it was God at work (1:16). When Paul preached, it was God at work (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10). And when Paul refused to yield to the false brothers, it was God at work, "that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you."
Now if God worked before the foundation of the world, in the death and resurrection of Jesus, at the Jerusalem Council, over the past 2,000 years, and in the message today, "that the truth of the gospel be preserved for you," then does God not love you and merit your trust, faith and obedience in this time and day?
If God has worked in this way to preserve the truth of the gospel for people who need it, is this not still an incomparable challenge to give your life for the spreading of the gospel?
And unless God has changed, can we say that if you undertake to share and shine with the good news of Christ for others, will not almighty God work in you and for you? And God will undergird you with a unified, divinely inspired holy witness to the greatest events in history. And this is His story that the Son of God died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day to live eternally and will save forever those who put their trust in Him. This is the gospel of truth. Amen
Only trust Him, only trust Him now. He will save you, He will save you now.
Feb 27 Sermon
Fellowship in the Christ.
There is a blessed peace or presence in those who walk according to the Word and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever traveled thousands of miles and entered a church or a fellowship of different believers? If you have, have you experienced something like coming home? This has happened to me/us more than three times as we moved around the nation from Virginia to Bermuda to California and back to a different part of Virginia, Fredericksburg.
Have you ever thought that God has given believers a common foundation to those who trust implicitly in the scripture and allow themselves to be guided by the presence of the Lord? The foundation which believers share is the inerrant, infallible and inspired word of God. And the truth of that word, Word is embodied only in the Lord Jesus. Now we have a testimony from Jesus about God’s Word, it comes from John Chapter 17. There Jesus makes this statement in verse 17, He prays to the Father, Sanctify them by Your truth. Thy word is truth. Think about what this verse says. Understand this is the portion of Christ’s prayer before enduring the cross, where Jesus is praying for His disciples. And I believe for those who would follow them. Jesus says, Sanctify them by Your truth – God’s truth would set us apart and make us special, different from all others, except those who belong to God. Now what sets them apart. Jesus said, Thy word is truth. So the truth of God which lives in us, sets us apart. Now Jesus has more to say about the truth in John 14:6, He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This verse reinforces the fact that there is only one way to truth and to real life and that is through Jesus Christ. Now others may disagree but this is not my opinion it is the Word of God.
God has gone to extreme measures to preserve the integrity, accuracy and holiness of His Word for you and I. It is critical for us to have a clear knowledge of what God has said, so we might know Him and that His Holy Spirit can use this word to instruct and guide us as we grow in Christ. Let’s look at Galatians Chapter 2 and see how God used His word in Paul to preserve, protect and defend the truth given to Gentile believers.
The truth needs ever to remain the same and it needs to be defended against any who would pervert and deny the truth even in today’s world. Turn to Galatians, Chapter 2 and let’s read what Paul experienced, it may provide us insight into Fellowship in the Word of God, its meaning and how it functions in the life of believers.
Let’s pray first – Father today the world is so confusing. Lead us in the way of understanding. Give us peace and the desire to be obedient to each of your command in Jesus name. AMEN
Galatians, Chapter 2, let’s read,
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up [a]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
First Point God’s word unifies- In verse 2 why did Paul speak privately to the spiritual leaders rather than to the entire assembly? Was he asking them to approve his gospel, in case it was incorrect? Certainly not! His gospel was given by inspiration and the teaching of Jesus directly. So this would be contrary to all Paul had been saying and doing.
He had no doubts that the doctrine he is preaching is the truth. So our explanation for Him meeting privately must be sought elsewhere. Usually as a common courtesy we speak to leaders first. We want leaders to be convinced as to the truth and genuineness of our teaching and that it conforms identically with what Jesus taught them. If they were questions or difficulties, Paul wanted to prove to them at the outset. Then he could go before the people of the churches with the full support of all others. Paul was aware there might be appeals will might sway the group. Therefore, Paul presented his gospel privately at first, in an atmosphere free from disputes to build accord. He was trying to promote unity in the Word and thus prevent the dividing the church into a Jewish wing and a Gentile one. Then the purpose of Paul’s trip to Jerusalem would have been defeated. This is what he means by lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
Second Point God’s Word is and builds consistency. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield.
Others had come into the church and challenged the purity and fulness of the original teaching from Paul. These Judaizers believed you had to add all the requirements of being a Jew in keeping the law to actually walk according to the words of Jesus. This would of course compel all males to be circumcised to be in accordance with the law. But Jesus abolished all the mandates of the original law and taught that the circumcision was not physical but spiritual and was a matter of the heart. So maintaining the purity and consistency of what Jesus taught was of a critical nature and Paul was going to defend it. When you see inerrancy or additions to the word of God, what is your response, do you challenge others remember according to the word anyone who adds or takes away from the Word of God will be judged.
You will also notice in verse 1 it says Paul brought Titus with him. Titus was a Greek, and infidel according to the Jews. He was not considered within the realm of the redeemed and was destined by Jewish leaders an outcast. Paul brings him as evidence of the redemptive nature of the Gospel given by Jesus Christ and the creation of the new believers fully vested by God. What a testimony the Holy Spirit has changed one outside the law into a brother redeemed by the blood of Christ and His life, death burial and resurrection.
Changed by the blood of the Lamb as you too can be changed through Christ.
Now you do realize that error and apostacy is continually being introduced into the beloved. This is a constant fight and this is one of Satan’s oldest tricks. He is also trying to get believers derailed from the truth. Just as He tempted Jesus,
Satan tempts us to find an easier less stressful way to attain cleansing and salvation. Paul’s goal was to never vary on the truth.
Notice verses 6 through 9. How God establishes the fellowship of Paul, Barnabas and Titus through the fellowship around the Word of God. Reading these verses - 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Paul notes that some seemed to think of their ministry more highly that His, God shows no favoritism all are equal in Christ. How do you treat others especially believers from other land different from you own? Paul also notes for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. All of us are equal in Christ as redeemed. We should all be humbled but remember Matt.11:11
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Point 3, God’s word builds fellowship using the Gospel, note this carefully, 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles). The Holy Spirit sanctifies and sets apart us each apart for ministry to others. And how is this done, it is by the gospel. Do not miss this point there is no difference in the gospel to Peter to the circumcised or to Paul for the uncircumcised. It is all the same Word of God and Gospel of Christ regardless. The ministry of the Word, the truth of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit are linked. It is the Spirits work to take the Word and implant it in our hearts from our minds, so we can walk in it and live it. The Gospel is Christ.
Our fellowship is therefore grounded in the Word of truth and the Holy Spirit uses the truth to create in us new hearts and lives, which desire to live uniquely for Christ. Is your heart agreeing with these truths or are you missing it today?
Final Point The Bible is the living, active Word of God. Do not think that it is to a man that you owe the gospel. No it is only to God. It was God who was at work. Not only did God conceive the gospel before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4); not only did God accomplish the gospel by sending his Son to die for our sins and raising him from the dead; but it was God who chose the apostles, set them apart, and did the preaching of the gospel through them. Verse 8 says that the reason the Jerusalem apostles could recognize Paul as an apostle was that "He who worked through Peter . . . worked also through Paul." When Paul was born, it was God at work (1:15). When Paul was called to be an apostle, it was God at work (1:16). When Paul preached, it was God at work (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10). And when Paul refused to yield to the false brothers, it was God at work, "that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you."
Now if God worked before the foundation of the world, in the death and resurrection of Jesus, at the Jerusalem Council, over the past 2,000 years, and in the message today, "that the truth of the gospel be preserved for you," then does God not love you and merit your trust, faith and obedience in this time and day?
If God has worked in this way to preserve the truth of the gospel for people who need it, is this not still an incomparable challenge to give your life for the spreading of the gospel?
And unless God has changed, can we say that if you undertake to share and shine with the good news of Christ for others, will not almighty God work in you and for you? And God will undergird you with a unified, divinely inspired holy witness to the greatest events in history. And this is His story that the Son of God died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day to live eternally and will save forever those who put their trust in Him. This is the gospel of truth. Amen
Only trust Him, only trust Him now. He will save you, He will save you now.
Fellowship in the Christ.
There is a blessed peace or presence in those who walk according to the Word and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever traveled thousands of miles and entered a church or a fellowship of different believers? If you have, have you experienced something like coming home? This has happened to me/us more than three times as we moved around the nation from Virginia to Bermuda to California and back to a different part of Virginia, Fredericksburg.
Have you ever thought that God has given believers a common foundation to those who trust implicitly in the scripture and allow themselves to be guided by the presence of the Lord? The foundation which believers share is the inerrant, infallible and inspired word of God. And the truth of that word, Word is embodied only in the Lord Jesus. Now we have a testimony from Jesus about God’s Word, it comes from John Chapter 17. There Jesus makes this statement in verse 17, He prays to the Father, Sanctify them by Your truth. Thy word is truth. Think about what this verse says. Understand this is the portion of Christ’s prayer before enduring the cross, where Jesus is praying for His disciples. And I believe for those who would follow them. Jesus says, Sanctify them by Your truth – God’s truth would set us apart and make us special, different from all others, except those who belong to God. Now what sets them apart. Jesus said, Thy word is truth. So the truth of God which lives in us, sets us apart. Now Jesus has more to say about the truth in John 14:6, He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This verse reinforces the fact that there is only one way to truth and to real life and that is through Jesus Christ. Now others may disagree but this is not my opinion it is the Word of God.
God has gone to extreme measures to preserve the integrity, accuracy and holiness of His Word for you and I. It is critical for us to have a clear knowledge of what God has said, so we might know Him and that His Holy Spirit can use this word to instruct and guide us as we grow in Christ. Let’s look at Galatians Chapter 2 and see how God used His word in Paul to preserve, protect and defend the truth given to Gentile believers.
The truth needs ever to remain the same and it needs to be defended against any who would pervert and deny the truth even in today’s world. Turn to Galatians, Chapter 2 and let’s read what Paul experienced, it may provide us insight into Fellowship in the Word of God, its meaning and how it functions in the life of believers.
Let’s pray first – Father today the world is so confusing. Lead us in the way of understanding. Give us peace and the desire to be obedient to each of your command in Jesus name. AMEN
Galatians, Chapter 2, let’s read,
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up [a]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
First Point God’s word unifies- In verse 2 why did Paul speak privately to the spiritual leaders rather than to the entire assembly? Was he asking them to approve his gospel, in case it was incorrect? Certainly not! His gospel was given by inspiration and the teaching of Jesus directly. So this would be contrary to all Paul had been saying and doing.
He had no doubts that the doctrine he is preaching is the truth. So our explanation for Him meeting privately must be sought elsewhere. Usually as a common courtesy we speak to leaders first. We want leaders to be convinced as to the truth and genuineness of our teaching and that it conforms identically with what Jesus taught them. If they were questions or difficulties, Paul wanted to prove to them at the outset. Then he could go before the people of the churches with the full support of all others. Paul was aware there might be appeals will might sway the group. Therefore, Paul presented his gospel privately at first, in an atmosphere free from disputes to build accord. He was trying to promote unity in the Word and thus prevent the dividing the church into a Jewish wing and a Gentile one. Then the purpose of Paul’s trip to Jerusalem would have been defeated. This is what he means by lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
Second Point God’s Word is and builds consistency. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield.
Others had come into the church and challenged the purity and fulness of the original teaching from Paul. These Judaizers believed you had to add all the requirements of being a Jew in keeping the law to actually walk according to the words of Jesus. This would of course compel all males to be circumcised to be in accordance with the law. But Jesus abolished all the mandates of the original law and taught that the circumcision was not physical but spiritual and was a matter of the heart. So maintaining the purity and consistency of what Jesus taught was of a critical nature and Paul was going to defend it. When you see inerrancy or additions to the word of God, what is your response, do you challenge others remember according to the word anyone who adds or takes away from the Word of God will be judged.
You will also notice in verse 1 it says Paul brought Titus with him. Titus was a Greek, and infidel according to the Jews. He was not considered within the realm of the redeemed and was destined by Jewish leaders an outcast. Paul brings him as evidence of the redemptive nature of the Gospel given by Jesus Christ and the creation of the new believers fully vested by God. What a testimony the Holy Spirit has changed one outside the law into a brother redeemed by the blood of Christ and His life, death burial and resurrection.
Changed by the blood of the Lamb as you too can be changed through Christ.
Now you do realize that error and apostacy is continually being introduced into the beloved. This is a constant fight and this is one of Satan’s oldest tricks. He is also trying to get believers derailed from the truth. Just as He tempted Jesus,
Satan tempts us to find an easier less stressful way to attain cleansing and salvation. Paul’s goal was to never vary on the truth.
Notice verses 6 through 9. How God establishes the fellowship of Paul, Barnabas and Titus through the fellowship around the Word of God. Reading these verses - 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God [b]shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Paul notes that some seemed to think of their ministry more highly that His, God shows no favoritism all are equal in Christ. How do you treat others especially believers from other land different from you own? Paul also notes for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. All of us are equal in Christ as redeemed. We should all be humbled but remember Matt.11:11
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Point 3, God’s word builds fellowship using the Gospel, note this carefully, 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles). The Holy Spirit sanctifies and sets apart us each apart for ministry to others. And how is this done, it is by the gospel. Do not miss this point there is no difference in the gospel to Peter to the circumcised or to Paul for the uncircumcised. It is all the same Word of God and Gospel of Christ regardless. The ministry of the Word, the truth of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit are linked. It is the Spirits work to take the Word and implant it in our hearts from our minds, so we can walk in it and live it. The Gospel is Christ.
Our fellowship is therefore grounded in the Word of truth and the Holy Spirit uses the truth to create in us new hearts and lives, which desire to live uniquely for Christ. Is your heart agreeing with these truths or are you missing it today?
Final Point The Bible is the living, active Word of God. Do not think that it is to a man that you owe the gospel. No it is only to God. It was God who was at work. Not only did God conceive the gospel before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4); not only did God accomplish the gospel by sending his Son to die for our sins and raising him from the dead; but it was God who chose the apostles, set them apart, and did the preaching of the gospel through them. Verse 8 says that the reason the Jerusalem apostles could recognize Paul as an apostle was that "He who worked through Peter . . . worked also through Paul." When Paul was born, it was God at work (1:15). When Paul was called to be an apostle, it was God at work (1:16). When Paul preached, it was God at work (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10). And when Paul refused to yield to the false brothers, it was God at work, "that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you."
Now if God worked before the foundation of the world, in the death and resurrection of Jesus, at the Jerusalem Council, over the past 2,000 years, and in the message today, "that the truth of the gospel be preserved for you," then does God not love you and merit your trust, faith and obedience in this time and day?
If God has worked in this way to preserve the truth of the gospel for people who need it, is this not still an incomparable challenge to give your life for the spreading of the gospel?
And unless God has changed, can we say that if you undertake to share and shine with the good news of Christ for others, will not almighty God work in you and for you? And God will undergird you with a unified, divinely inspired holy witness to the greatest events in history. And this is His story that the Son of God died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day to live eternally and will save forever those who put their trust in Him. This is the gospel of truth. Amen
Only trust Him, only trust Him now. He will save you, He will save you now.
Feb 20 Sermon
The only truth today is in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His Word for you in 2023. There are other supposed truths being told, but for your life today and for eternity, as a believer in the Way of God, Jesus is the only truth that will ensure your life is in Him for eternity. There is no other way. (John 14:6)
Pilate had a problem with truth if you remember for John’s Gospel Chapter 18, 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
I have made much of this scripture over the years because this point is so important. Truth, real truth only comes from God. I say again real truth only comes from God. We can be staring the truth right in the eye as was Pilate with Jesus and totally miss the truth. Unless the Spirit of God so quickens the heart of a man, He will miss what God is doing even though it is front and center.
America and our leaders, pastors and the citizens of this great nation have rejected the real truth which comes only from God and have decided they know best how to define truth relatively and it is ruining our people our families and our nation. Truth is never relative or subjective it is always the truth under any and all circumstances. So today we will look at Paul and his relationship with the Galatian church and see how Judaizers tried to subvert the truth of God which Paul had preached previously: and they were disparaged His teaching for they questioned His authority. We see this happening daily in America today, real truth is being subverted, questioned and marginalized in the public square. Christians and Christian leaders are backing down from the debate because they are afraid of the heat of criticism, and the potential cost to them and their families in the questioning of their faith. This is what happened in Galatians to Paul. And maybe, just maybe there is a lesson for our backbones, our thin skin, and our lack of faith on how we each should be standing today.
Father I pray that Lord you might speak to our hearts today and reveal Your truth to us and build in us Your truth and encourage our faith walk in You today. AMEN
Galatian Chapter 1, verses 11-24 reading, 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see [c]Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.
Let’s look at verse 1 of this chapter and compare it with verse 11. Verse 1 reads, 1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In both cases Paul is citing his authority. In verse 1 he is proving his authority as an apostle which differs from all the other apostles and in verses 11 and 12 he is describing where and how he received the Gospel and the call which he now preaches. Note that in both cases his authority and his commissioning did not come from himself, from any earthly institution or from some manmade authority such as a seminary, but came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul and Apostle not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. God in Christ encountered Him on the road to Damascus for his commissioning and calling as an Apostle and his gospel was not learned or taught by some manmade institution but given by the revelation of none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
This is important for you and I for we need to understand that the source of our truth is from above. The Bible comes from above and was commission by God, just as you were commission by God is Christ Jesus. (John 15:16). Our lives are created by God, chosen by God, ordained by God, commissioned by God into ministry and directed by God. So how is it we try to alter our thinking that we could or can lead God in anything. Jesus reminding His disciples directly in John 15 – apart from Me you can do nothing.
Bottom line for us is God’s truth is essential for us to live in today’s culture. And our Truth (Christ Jesus) is not negotiable for the source of all truth and is especially not from our limited minds and imaginations, but comes from the very heart of God.
Second, as one who has been called by God why do you so easily discount your calling and commissioning. It comes from the very heart of God. Let no man disparage your lineage or your authority as with Paul it comes from heaven above. And third did not Jesus tell us not worry about what to say if we are brought before authorities. Jesus said He would give you the words to speak in that moment.
Your authority, your calling and your power come not of your own authority but from God. Let none demean your calling or your authority. Some will question your credentials as they did Paul’s, well the only credential your need is called of God.
II. A second impact of God’s truth is that it changes our lives. Read with me in verses 13 through part of 16, 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,
The result of truth entering the life of individual is a change in behavior. When a person encounters truth in whatever realm it is given it changes everything. Originally men thought the earth was flat, when they discovered it was round Kings sent explorers like Vasco de Gama, Columbus and others to discover new trade routes around the world. When the truth about the solar systems not revolving around earth but the solar system revolves around the sun, mathematics, physics and celestial mechanics changed radically, allowing many of the advances we now experience in our world including space and beyond. If those physical things were changed by revolutions in applying truth, imagine what radical changes occur is the life of men and women when God’s spiritual truth about His Son enters your life. Everything changes when that happens, for God’s truth alters our present life, making all things new and it remakes our final destination an eternal reality.
If you were to read part of Act Chapter 9 you would find Saul as he is known before conversion <Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord
to terrorize the Churches> conspiring to destroy the church. Remember Saul contributed to the stoning of Stephen and he believed he was doing the will of
God in persecuting Christians.
Look at what happened to Saul when he encountered the Living Lord, He became Paul the disciple of Jesus. His name changed. His allegiance changed, no longer a Jew exclusively and hater of Gentiles. His life’s work changed – no longer a Pharisee of Pharisees but a minister to the Gospel of Christ and to Gentiles. No longer zealous for Judaism but zealous for the power of the resurrected Son of God. He was drawn to new associations with the hated disciples who became fellow laborers with Paul.
So if the light of the Gospel from heaven has shown down on you, has your life reflected a transition of allegiance? A transition and zeal for the activities of God, A transition of fellowship for the people of God and a reorientation for His priorities? If not, perhaps your original meeting was simply an emotional experience and not really life changing. Do you think God is knocking on the door of your heart for more from you? Consider for a moment what a single word from God could do? Be obedient and respond.
III. Your salvation and your conversion comes from God and they come from above and not from men; and are bought with a price for salvation is spiritually delivered. Verse 16 again Paul says, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me;
Further on in the text there is refutation by Paul about what He speaks in verse 20 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
The truth and the call on His life which Paul preached and lived came only from God and was not given or discerned by Paul or provide by education from men. When you are born from above according to the truth of the Word of God, you are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at that very moment. So your body becomes the temple of God for He now lives in you. If you are walking “in Christ” and are seeking His will and His way, then men cannot refute your testimony and the message you bring of salvation. The Bible says, by grace have you been saved by faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto good works which God ordained beforehand that we should accomplish them (Eph 2:8-10). You have been saved by grace through your faith and that not of yourselves. But you are His workmanship. And note this created unto good works which God has planned beforehand.
So are you being obedient to the call to go and make disciples. Our church needs to have a vision for the lost and bringing others to Christ for the days are short and we have little time. Will you be obedient to His call to join the battle today? AMEN
First, the gospel Paul preached came from God, not from man. Second, the gospel he received and preached is the gospel of grace. And third, the gospel Paul preached changes Him and changes everyone it touches and revises our lives. Think of this:
God’s word and touch changed Paul. He went from being Saul the persecutor to Paul the apostle. From persecutor to preacher, that’s the turnaround the gospel effected in the life of Paul. Christians at the time said: “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Jesus’ gospel changes lives. In some ways, this last point may be hard for us to believe but we have seen it in many people. Sure, we can see Paul’s life. And if we look carefully we can see it in the believers. Each one has a life changing testimony. But what about in my and your life? When I look at my own life, I don’t see as much change as I think there should be. I am frustrated by my own lack weaknesses and lack of holiness. I see too much sin that I don’t seem to be able to shed. Our brother Paul saw that in his own life, even after he was converted and became a great apostle. He says as much in Romans 7: “I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.” Christians still are saddled with their old Adam, that old sinful nature that drags us down. We daily need to repent and return, to find that grace, that forgiveness in Christ, but learn to walk in grace.
Jesus gospel transforms us, changes us, so that now we do have new life in
Christ, and He has given us a heart to please God. He also teaches us to love and serve others in His name. That is the transforming power of the gospel and is God’s work in us. God gifts us and equips us as Christians to live life in new ways, in his ways.
We may not notice this in ourselves, because live with ourselves every day, and know our sinful ways. And we would surely never boast of our good works as any sort of cause for our salvation–all the glory goes to God. Even so, God does give us his Spirit, so that now we do begin to love and serve him. We are new people in Christ, believe it or–and live it. God says it, God does it, and therefore it is so.
Not many are called to be preachers, but God call each of us to live our lives to love and serve others, accordingly, perhaps as a husband, a wife, a father, a mother, a citizen, a worker in the general workforce, as a church member, and whatever you could think or name. In all areas of life, He has good works that God has equipped us to do, and He will enable us to do them. So believe God’s Word when he promises that he will help you to live as the new person you are in Christ. The gospel changes lives. It did for Paul. It will do so for you.
Today we have heard about the gospel Paul preached: That it came from God, not from man, and you can be sure of it. That it is the gospel of God’s great and abundant grace in Christ, forgiving your sins, giving you perfect righteousness and eternal life in Christ your Savior. And that it is this same gospel that will change your life, continually calling you from the old life of sin and selfishness to the new life of love and service that are the hallmarks of our life in Christ. This is the gospel Paul preached, and it’s the gospel that gives us life, and new life, today.
The only truth today is in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His Word for you in 2023. There are other supposed truths being told, but for your life today and for eternity, as a believer in the Way of God, Jesus is the only truth that will ensure your life is in Him for eternity. There is no other way. (John 14:6)
Pilate had a problem with truth if you remember for John’s Gospel Chapter 18, 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
I have made much of this scripture over the years because this point is so important. Truth, real truth only comes from God. I say again real truth only comes from God. We can be staring the truth right in the eye as was Pilate with Jesus and totally miss the truth. Unless the Spirit of God so quickens the heart of a man, He will miss what God is doing even though it is front and center.
America and our leaders, pastors and the citizens of this great nation have rejected the real truth which comes only from God and have decided they know best how to define truth relatively and it is ruining our people our families and our nation. Truth is never relative or subjective it is always the truth under any and all circumstances. So today we will look at Paul and his relationship with the Galatian church and see how Judaizers tried to subvert the truth of God which Paul had preached previously: and they were disparaged His teaching for they questioned His authority. We see this happening daily in America today, real truth is being subverted, questioned and marginalized in the public square. Christians and Christian leaders are backing down from the debate because they are afraid of the heat of criticism, and the potential cost to them and their families in the questioning of their faith. This is what happened in Galatians to Paul. And maybe, just maybe there is a lesson for our backbones, our thin skin, and our lack of faith on how we each should be standing today.
Father I pray that Lord you might speak to our hearts today and reveal Your truth to us and build in us Your truth and encourage our faith walk in You today. AMEN
Galatian Chapter 1, verses 11-24 reading, 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see [c]Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.
Let’s look at verse 1 of this chapter and compare it with verse 11. Verse 1 reads, 1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In both cases Paul is citing his authority. In verse 1 he is proving his authority as an apostle which differs from all the other apostles and in verses 11 and 12 he is describing where and how he received the Gospel and the call which he now preaches. Note that in both cases his authority and his commissioning did not come from himself, from any earthly institution or from some manmade authority such as a seminary, but came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul and Apostle not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. God in Christ encountered Him on the road to Damascus for his commissioning and calling as an Apostle and his gospel was not learned or taught by some manmade institution but given by the revelation of none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
This is important for you and I for we need to understand that the source of our truth is from above. The Bible comes from above and was commission by God, just as you were commission by God is Christ Jesus. (John 15:16). Our lives are created by God, chosen by God, ordained by God, commissioned by God into ministry and directed by God. So how is it we try to alter our thinking that we could or can lead God in anything. Jesus reminding His disciples directly in John 15 – apart from Me you can do nothing.
Bottom line for us is God’s truth is essential for us to live in today’s culture. And our Truth (Christ Jesus) is not negotiable for the source of all truth and is especially not from our limited minds and imaginations, but comes from the very heart of God.
Second, as one who has been called by God why do you so easily discount your calling and commissioning. It comes from the very heart of God. Let no man disparage your lineage or your authority as with Paul it comes from heaven above. And third did not Jesus tell us not worry about what to say if we are brought before authorities. Jesus said He would give you the words to speak in that moment.
Your authority, your calling and your power come not of your own authority but from God. Let none demean your calling or your authority. Some will question your credentials as they did Paul’s, well the only credential your need is called of God.
II. A second impact of God’s truth is that it changes our lives. Read with me in verses 13 through part of 16, 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,
The result of truth entering the life of individual is a change in behavior. When a person encounters truth in whatever realm it is given it changes everything. Originally men thought the earth was flat, when they discovered it was round Kings sent explorers like Vasco de Gama, Columbus and others to discover new trade routes around the world. When the truth about the solar systems not revolving around earth but the solar system revolves around the sun, mathematics, physics and celestial mechanics changed radically, allowing many of the advances we now experience in our world including space and beyond. If those physical things were changed by revolutions in applying truth, imagine what radical changes occur is the life of men and women when God’s spiritual truth about His Son enters your life. Everything changes when that happens, for God’s truth alters our present life, making all things new and it remakes our final destination an eternal reality.
If you were to read part of Act Chapter 9 you would find Saul as he is known before conversion <Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord
to terrorize the Churches> conspiring to destroy the church. Remember Saul contributed to the stoning of Stephen and he believed he was doing the will of
God in persecuting Christians.
Look at what happened to Saul when he encountered the Living Lord, He became Paul the disciple of Jesus. His name changed. His allegiance changed, no longer a Jew exclusively and hater of Gentiles. His life’s work changed – no longer a Pharisee of Pharisees but a minister to the Gospel of Christ and to Gentiles. No longer zealous for Judaism but zealous for the power of the resurrected Son of God. He was drawn to new associations with the hated disciples who became fellow laborers with Paul.
So if the light of the Gospel from heaven has shown down on you, has your life reflected a transition of allegiance? A transition and zeal for the activities of God, A transition of fellowship for the people of God and a reorientation for His priorities? If not, perhaps your original meeting was simply an emotional experience and not really life changing. Do you think God is knocking on the door of your heart for more from you? Consider for a moment what a single word from God could do? Be obedient and respond.
III. Your salvation and your conversion comes from God and they come from above and not from men; and are bought with a price for salvation is spiritually delivered. Verse 16 again Paul says, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me;
Further on in the text there is refutation by Paul about what He speaks in verse 20 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
The truth and the call on His life which Paul preached and lived came only from God and was not given or discerned by Paul or provide by education from men. When you are born from above according to the truth of the Word of God, you are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at that very moment. So your body becomes the temple of God for He now lives in you. If you are walking “in Christ” and are seeking His will and His way, then men cannot refute your testimony and the message you bring of salvation. The Bible says, by grace have you been saved by faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto good works which God ordained beforehand that we should accomplish them (Eph 2:8-10). You have been saved by grace through your faith and that not of yourselves. But you are His workmanship. And note this created unto good works which God has planned beforehand.
So are you being obedient to the call to go and make disciples. Our church needs to have a vision for the lost and bringing others to Christ for the days are short and we have little time. Will you be obedient to His call to join the battle today? AMEN
First, the gospel Paul preached came from God, not from man. Second, the gospel he received and preached is the gospel of grace. And third, the gospel Paul preached changes Him and changes everyone it touches and revises our lives. Think of this:
God’s word and touch changed Paul. He went from being Saul the persecutor to Paul the apostle. From persecutor to preacher, that’s the turnaround the gospel effected in the life of Paul. Christians at the time said: “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Jesus’ gospel changes lives. In some ways, this last point may be hard for us to believe but we have seen it in many people. Sure, we can see Paul’s life. And if we look carefully we can see it in the believers. Each one has a life changing testimony. But what about in my and your life? When I look at my own life, I don’t see as much change as I think there should be. I am frustrated by my own lack weaknesses and lack of holiness. I see too much sin that I don’t seem to be able to shed. Our brother Paul saw that in his own life, even after he was converted and became a great apostle. He says as much in Romans 7: “I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.” Christians still are saddled with their old Adam, that old sinful nature that drags us down. We daily need to repent and return, to find that grace, that forgiveness in Christ, but learn to walk in grace.
Jesus gospel transforms us, changes us, so that now we do have new life in
Christ, and He has given us a heart to please God. He also teaches us to love and serve others in His name. That is the transforming power of the gospel and is God’s work in us. God gifts us and equips us as Christians to live life in new ways, in his ways.
We may not notice this in ourselves, because live with ourselves every day, and know our sinful ways. And we would surely never boast of our good works as any sort of cause for our salvation–all the glory goes to God. Even so, God does give us his Spirit, so that now we do begin to love and serve him. We are new people in Christ, believe it or–and live it. God says it, God does it, and therefore it is so.
Not many are called to be preachers, but God call each of us to live our lives to love and serve others, accordingly, perhaps as a husband, a wife, a father, a mother, a citizen, a worker in the general workforce, as a church member, and whatever you could think or name. In all areas of life, He has good works that God has equipped us to do, and He will enable us to do them. So believe God’s Word when he promises that he will help you to live as the new person you are in Christ. The gospel changes lives. It did for Paul. It will do so for you.
Today we have heard about the gospel Paul preached: That it came from God, not from man, and you can be sure of it. That it is the gospel of God’s great and abundant grace in Christ, forgiving your sins, giving you perfect righteousness and eternal life in Christ your Savior. And that it is this same gospel that will change your life, continually calling you from the old life of sin and selfishness to the new life of love and service that are the hallmarks of our life in Christ. This is the gospel Paul preached, and it’s the gospel that gives us life, and new life, today.
Feb 12 Sermon
The only truth is in Jesus Christ and in His Word for you in 2023. There are other truths being told, but for your life today and for eternity, as a believer in the Way of God, Jesus is the only truth that will ensure your life is in Him for eternity. There is no other way. (John 14:6)
Pilate had a problem with truth if you remember for John’s Gospel Chapter 18, 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
I have made much of this scripture over the years because this point is so important. Truth, real truth only comes from God. I say again real truth only comes from God. We can be staring the truth right in the eye as was Pilate with Jesus and totally miss the truth. Unless the Spirit of God so quickens the heart of a man, He will miss what God is doing even though it is front and center.
America and our leaders, pastors and the citizens of this great nation have rejected the truth which comes from God and have decided they know best how to define truth and it is ruining our nation. Truth is not relative or subjective it is always the truth under any and all circumstances. So today we will look at Paul and his relationship with the Galatian church and see how Judaizers tried to subvert the truth of God which Paul had preached previously and disparaged His teaching for they questioned His authority. We see this happening daily in America today, real truth is being subverted, questioned and marginalized in the public square. Christians and Christian leaders are backing down from the debate because they are afraid of the heat of criticism, and the potential cost to them and their families in the questioning of their faith. This is what happened in Galatians to Paul. And maybe, just maybe there is a lesson for our backbones, our thin skin, and our lack of faith on how we should be standing today.
Father I pray that Lord you might speak to our heart today and reveal the truth to us and build in us Your truth and encourage our faith in You today. AMEN
Galatian Chapter 1, verses 11-24 reading, 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see [c]Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.
Let’s look at verse 1 of this chapter and compare it with verse 11. Verse 1 reads, 1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In both cases Paul is citing his authority. In verse 1 he is proving his authority as an apostle which differs from all the other apostles and in verses 11 and 12 he is describing where and how he obtained the Gospel which he now preaches. Note that in both cases his authority and his commissioning did not come from himself, from any earthly institution or from some manmade authority such as a seminary, but came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul and Apostle not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. God in Christ encountered Him on the road to Damascus for his commissioning as an Apostle and the gospel was not learned or taught to him by some manmade institution but given by the revelation of none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
This is important for you and I for we need to understand that the source of our truth is from above and was commission by God, just as you were commission by God is Christ Jesus. (John 15:16). Our lives are created by God, chosen by God, ordained by God, commissioned by God into ministry and directed by God, how do we reconcile thinking that we lead God in anything. Jesus reminding His disciples directly in John 15 – apart from Me you can do nothing.
Bottom line for us truth is essential for us to live in todays culture. Truth is not negotiable for the source of all truth is not our limited minds and imaginations but comes from the very heart of God.
Second as one who has been called by God why do you so easily discount your calling and commissioning. It comes from the very heart of God. Let no man disparage your lineage or your authority as with Paul it comes from heaven above. And third did not Jesus tell us not worry about what to say if we are brought before authorities. Jesus said He would give you the words to speak in that moment.
Your authority, your calling and your power come not of your own authority but from God. Let none demean your calling or your authority. Some will question your credentials as they did Paul’s, well the only credential your need is called of God.
II. A second impact of God’s truth is that it is evident in changed lives. Read with me in verses 13 through part of 16, 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,
The result of truth entering the life of individual is a change in behavior. When a person encounters truth in whatever realm it is given it changes everything. Originally men thought the earth flat, when they discovered it was round Kings sent explorers like Vasco de Gama, Columbus and others to discover new trade routes around the world. When the truth about the solar systems not revolving around earth but the solar system revolves around the sun, mathematics, physics and celestial mechanics changed radically allowing many of the advances we now experience in our world including space and beyond. If those physical things were change by revolutions in the truth, imagine what radical changes occur is the life of men and women when God’s spiritual truth about His Son enters a life. Everything changes when that happens, for God’s truth alters our present life, making all things new and it remakes our final destination eternally.
If you were to read part of Act Chapter 9 you would find Saul as he is known before conversion <Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord
to terrorize the Churches> conspiring to destroy the church. Remember Saul contributed to the stoning of Stephen and he believed he was doing the will of
God in persecuting Christians.
Look at what happened to Saul when he encountered the Living Lord, He became Paul the disciple of Jesus. His name changed. His allegiance changed, no longer a Jew exclusively and hater of Gentiles. His life’s work changed – no longer a Pharisee of Pharisees but a minister to the Gospel of Christ and to Gentiles. No longer zealous for Judaism but zealous for the power of the resurrected Son of God. He was drawn to new associations with the hated disciples who became fellow laborers with Paul.
If the light of the Gospel from heaven has shown down on you, has your life reflected a transition of allegiance? A transition of zeal for the activities of God, A transition of fellowship for the people of God and a reorientation for His priorities? If not, perhaps your original meeting was simply an emotional experience and was not really life changing. Do you think that maybe God is knocking on the door of your heart for more? Consider for a moment what a single word from God could do? Be obedient and respond.
III. Your salvation and your conversion comes from God and they come from above and not from men; and are bought with a price for salvation is spiritually delivered. Verse 16 again says, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me;
Further on in the text there is refutation by Paul about what He speaks in verse 20 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
The truth which Paul preached and lived as seen in this text came from God and was not given or discerned by him or educated by men. When you are born from above according to the truth of the Word of God you are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at that very moment. So your body is become the temple of God for He now lives in you. If you are walking “in Christ” and are seeking His will and His way, then men cannot refute your testimony and the message you bring of salvation. The Bible says, by grace have you been saved by faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto good works which God ordained beforehand that we should accomplish them (Eph 2:8-10). You have been saved by grace through your faith and that not of yourselves. But you are His workmanship. And note this created unto good works which God has planned beforehand.
So are you being obedient to the call to go and make disciples. Our church needs to have a vision for the lost and bringing others to Christ for the days are short and we have little time. Will you be obedient to His call to join the battle today? AMEN
The only truth is in Jesus Christ and in His Word for you in 2023. There are other truths being told, but for your life today and for eternity, as a believer in the Way of God, Jesus is the only truth that will ensure your life is in Him for eternity. There is no other way. (John 14:6)
Pilate had a problem with truth if you remember for John’s Gospel Chapter 18, 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
I have made much of this scripture over the years because this point is so important. Truth, real truth only comes from God. I say again real truth only comes from God. We can be staring the truth right in the eye as was Pilate with Jesus and totally miss the truth. Unless the Spirit of God so quickens the heart of a man, He will miss what God is doing even though it is front and center.
America and our leaders, pastors and the citizens of this great nation have rejected the truth which comes from God and have decided they know best how to define truth and it is ruining our nation. Truth is not relative or subjective it is always the truth under any and all circumstances. So today we will look at Paul and his relationship with the Galatian church and see how Judaizers tried to subvert the truth of God which Paul had preached previously and disparaged His teaching for they questioned His authority. We see this happening daily in America today, real truth is being subverted, questioned and marginalized in the public square. Christians and Christian leaders are backing down from the debate because they are afraid of the heat of criticism, and the potential cost to them and their families in the questioning of their faith. This is what happened in Galatians to Paul. And maybe, just maybe there is a lesson for our backbones, our thin skin, and our lack of faith on how we should be standing today.
Father I pray that Lord you might speak to our heart today and reveal the truth to us and build in us Your truth and encourage our faith in You today. AMEN
Galatian Chapter 1, verses 11-24 reading, 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see [c]Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.
Let’s look at verse 1 of this chapter and compare it with verse 11. Verse 1 reads, 1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In both cases Paul is citing his authority. In verse 1 he is proving his authority as an apostle which differs from all the other apostles and in verses 11 and 12 he is describing where and how he obtained the Gospel which he now preaches. Note that in both cases his authority and his commissioning did not come from himself, from any earthly institution or from some manmade authority such as a seminary, but came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul and Apostle not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead. God in Christ encountered Him on the road to Damascus for his commissioning as an Apostle and the gospel was not learned or taught to him by some manmade institution but given by the revelation of none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
This is important for you and I for we need to understand that the source of our truth is from above and was commission by God, just as you were commission by God is Christ Jesus. (John 15:16). Our lives are created by God, chosen by God, ordained by God, commissioned by God into ministry and directed by God, how do we reconcile thinking that we lead God in anything. Jesus reminding His disciples directly in John 15 – apart from Me you can do nothing.
Bottom line for us truth is essential for us to live in todays culture. Truth is not negotiable for the source of all truth is not our limited minds and imaginations but comes from the very heart of God.
Second as one who has been called by God why do you so easily discount your calling and commissioning. It comes from the very heart of God. Let no man disparage your lineage or your authority as with Paul it comes from heaven above. And third did not Jesus tell us not worry about what to say if we are brought before authorities. Jesus said He would give you the words to speak in that moment.
Your authority, your calling and your power come not of your own authority but from God. Let none demean your calling or your authority. Some will question your credentials as they did Paul’s, well the only credential your need is called of God.
II. A second impact of God’s truth is that it is evident in changed lives. Read with me in verses 13 through part of 16, 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,
The result of truth entering the life of individual is a change in behavior. When a person encounters truth in whatever realm it is given it changes everything. Originally men thought the earth flat, when they discovered it was round Kings sent explorers like Vasco de Gama, Columbus and others to discover new trade routes around the world. When the truth about the solar systems not revolving around earth but the solar system revolves around the sun, mathematics, physics and celestial mechanics changed radically allowing many of the advances we now experience in our world including space and beyond. If those physical things were change by revolutions in the truth, imagine what radical changes occur is the life of men and women when God’s spiritual truth about His Son enters a life. Everything changes when that happens, for God’s truth alters our present life, making all things new and it remakes our final destination eternally.
If you were to read part of Act Chapter 9 you would find Saul as he is known before conversion <Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord
to terrorize the Churches> conspiring to destroy the church. Remember Saul contributed to the stoning of Stephen and he believed he was doing the will of
God in persecuting Christians.
Look at what happened to Saul when he encountered the Living Lord, He became Paul the disciple of Jesus. His name changed. His allegiance changed, no longer a Jew exclusively and hater of Gentiles. His life’s work changed – no longer a Pharisee of Pharisees but a minister to the Gospel of Christ and to Gentiles. No longer zealous for Judaism but zealous for the power of the resurrected Son of God. He was drawn to new associations with the hated disciples who became fellow laborers with Paul.
If the light of the Gospel from heaven has shown down on you, has your life reflected a transition of allegiance? A transition of zeal for the activities of God, A transition of fellowship for the people of God and a reorientation for His priorities? If not, perhaps your original meeting was simply an emotional experience and was not really life changing. Do you think that maybe God is knocking on the door of your heart for more? Consider for a moment what a single word from God could do? Be obedient and respond.
III. Your salvation and your conversion comes from God and they come from above and not from men; and are bought with a price for salvation is spiritually delivered. Verse 16 again says, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me;
Further on in the text there is refutation by Paul about what He speaks in verse 20 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
The truth which Paul preached and lived as seen in this text came from God and was not given or discerned by him or educated by men. When you are born from above according to the truth of the Word of God you are indwelt with the Holy Spirit at that very moment. So your body is become the temple of God for He now lives in you. If you are walking “in Christ” and are seeking His will and His way, then men cannot refute your testimony and the message you bring of salvation. The Bible says, by grace have you been saved by faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto good works which God ordained beforehand that we should accomplish them (Eph 2:8-10). You have been saved by grace through your faith and that not of yourselves. But you are His workmanship. And note this created unto good works which God has planned beforehand.
So are you being obedient to the call to go and make disciples. Our church needs to have a vision for the lost and bringing others to Christ for the days are short and we have little time. Will you be obedient to His call to join the battle today? AMEN
Feb 5 Sermon
Do you have hope in your heart today? Is that why you came today to worship? Or do you really know why you came to join us in worship today? Maybe by the time we leave here today you will better understand the urgings of your heart which brought you here to meet, not with this pastor, or with these people you see among you; but to actually seek and hear from the God of Heaven, who made you and loves you and has sent His Son for you?
I ask you again do you have hope in your heart or what brought you to this place today? Some people believe hope is defined as some indistinct feeling or longing which claims some undefined future benefit because you believe in it. Now if that sounds like fuzzy thinking or logic, you are correct and you should not really depend upon it.
Now that is not the hope which a believer should have in their heart. We sing often –
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
What might these words mean and so where does this hope come from which Christians believe by faith?
Well according to God’s Word -
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom 10:17). His Word also says, God’s grace through Jesus Christ saves us - By Grace are you save through faith and that not of your own it is the gift of God not of works lets any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). So by the grace of God and in the works of Jesus, He saves you and makes you part of His family which we call Christians.
Now the outcome of that decision to trust Jesus Christ, to the ones who have actually been born from above, not just those who say they are believers. But to those who actually have become true followers, He provides this definition of the transformation in Galatians Chapter 2 , verse 20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. This is downright direct and personal to everyone who has been born from above, or as we say been born again. We become transformed by the renewing power of the love of God and He puts the knowledge of His hope within us. 1 John 5:13 says, 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [e]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
This is faith and this is the blessed hope which lives within us, given to us by God.
So the true believer’s hope, which lives within us, is not an indistinct, undefined and amorphous type of hope. It is a hope which trusts or has faith in the promises of the living God. Faith and hope in the one who sent His Son to save us and lives within us moment by moment and eternally through His Holy Spirit.
So what is it about this hope that we need to know about today? Well our hope is not amorphous, undefined and indistinct. Because of our hope in God which we have received our lives should be different and reflect the change God has made. His life in us should result in our behavior and attitudes being different
Let’s begin with a single verse of scripture to guide us which Paul wrote to the believers in Rome. Go to Romans 15:4 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [a]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
What is scripture? If you believe that it is the revealed, active, inspired word of God and that it is inerrant and infallible then you are on the right track. And if you believe that whatever things were written before were written for our learning, you are closer to the truth. But the purpose of the written word and the truths in the bible should lead us to “know” the Author and His Son that we might have hope in our God. Hope in Him not just for today, but for today, tomorrow and for eternity. The simple truth is God has a plan for your welfare in life and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. His way of doing that was to send His Son to make a payment which you and I as sinners could never pay and to put our trust in Him. He then produces hope in our lives. The Scriptures then give us a reference to lead and guide us onward.
His hope should produce fruit for our living.
Let’s examine this concept and see how God might instruct us concerning the hope which lives within us.
Lets’ begin our study in 1 Peter 3:14-16, 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But [a]sanctify [b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
So according to Peter and he would know about suffering, he says the following:
a. even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. Wow you mean even in the midst of suffering for Christ for His righteousness sake I am blessed? That is correct. What a concept you are blessed when God calls you to suffer for His sake
b. do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. Now this is a challenge for our hearts, but this is learning to walk in the will of God and having (Hope) (faith) (confidence) in the God who has called you. This is outrageous faith and walking in confidence in His truth.
c. sanctify the Lord in your heart – meaning keep the sanctuary of your heart must remain tender and confident in the Lord God Almighty. Remember out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
d. Always be prepared to give a defense for the reason for the hope that is within you, not boastfully but in humble meekness and adoration for the one who loves you. Because of the hope and the love of Christ which is being nurtured and set apart {sanctified} within your heart, your heart is able to testify to that provision which God has place there by faith in the Lord Jesus. Remember you have been bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body.
e. As result of the working of God in you through His Son and the hope He instills in your heart, you testimony, your life will provide the evidence needed to refute what evildoers say about you, your life and your faith in Christ. And if it were possible to cause them to be ashamed.
II. Now go to Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 22 -24: 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
This verse is important because of the hope which is come to us when we believe in Christ. What then should be the result of this hope? This verse implies because of our hope, which is enabled by faith, we can draw near to the very throne room of heaven. And because of our hope through faith in Christ, He cleanses our hearts, our lives and our consciences with the pure water of the Word. And again because of our hope we receive a full assurance of faith which the world does not know. And this faith is only given to true believers. Our cleansing comes by the washing of the water of the Word. The world dismisses it as fantasy and says it is not true.
So God enables us to trust in Christ and to be born from above, which enables the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirits working in our lives strengthens us to hold fast to the confession of our hope in Jesus without wavering. Then His stirring in us should motivate us to want to stimulate good works in other believers.
III. There is a third verse which we should study which describes how hope works in us and it is Titus 2:12-14, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
His Hope within us should change how we live in this present age and in ages to come. First, we should deny ungodliness and the lusts of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. And we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
Next, we should have a future perspective anticipating His future coming, {the rapture} and the glorious return to earth of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. His life, His sacrifice on the cross, leading to His payment of our eternal sin debt, redeems us from all lawless deeds, creating for Himself a people zealous and anxious for good works. Does His hope for you produce these outcomes or are you still unconvinced and unchanged and you really don’t have this type of hope within you?
Do you need to come to faith today in Jesus Christ, and are you truly saved? If not, then perhaps God is speaking to your heart with that little want to right now? Do not deny His calling, seek the Lord while He may be found, this could be your last opportunity. He will save you, He will save you. He will save you now. Only seek Him now. AMEN
Sanctity of Life Sunday, the Lord and giver of life
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Deuteronomy 30: 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Psalm 139:13
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
The Lord open and closes wombs – Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, Sarah, Ruth,
Do you have hope in your heart today? Is that why you came today to worship? Or do you really know why you came to join us in worship today? Maybe by the time we leave here today you will better understand the urgings of your heart which brought you here to meet, not with this pastor, or with these people you see among you; but to actually seek and hear from the God of Heaven, who made you and loves you and has sent His Son for you?
I ask you again do you have hope in your heart or what brought you to this place today? Some people believe hope is defined as some indistinct feeling or longing which claims some undefined future benefit because you believe in it. Now if that sounds like fuzzy thinking or logic, you are correct and you should not really depend upon it.
Now that is not the hope which a believer should have in their heart. We sing often –
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
What might these words mean and so where does this hope come from which Christians believe by faith?
Well according to God’s Word -
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom 10:17). His Word also says, God’s grace through Jesus Christ saves us - By Grace are you save through faith and that not of your own it is the gift of God not of works lets any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). So by the grace of God and in the works of Jesus, He saves you and makes you part of His family which we call Christians.
Now the outcome of that decision to trust Jesus Christ, to the ones who have actually been born from above, not just those who say they are believers. But to those who actually have become true followers, He provides this definition of the transformation in Galatians Chapter 2 , verse 20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. This is downright direct and personal to everyone who has been born from above, or as we say been born again. We become transformed by the renewing power of the love of God and He puts the knowledge of His hope within us. 1 John 5:13 says, 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [e]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
This is faith and this is the blessed hope which lives within us, given to us by God.
So the true believer’s hope, which lives within us, is not an indistinct, undefined and amorphous type of hope. It is a hope which trusts or has faith in the promises of the living God. Faith and hope in the one who sent His Son to save us and lives within us moment by moment and eternally through His Holy Spirit.
So what is it about this hope that we need to know about today? Well our hope is not amorphous, undefined and indistinct. Because of our hope in God which we have received our lives should be different and reflect the change God has made. His life in us should result in our behavior and attitudes being different
Let’s begin with a single verse of scripture to guide us which Paul wrote to the believers in Rome. Go to Romans 15:4 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [a]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
What is scripture? If you believe that it is the revealed, active, inspired word of God and that it is inerrant and infallible then you are on the right track. And if you believe that whatever things were written before were written for our learning, you are closer to the truth. But the purpose of the written word and the truths in the bible should lead us to “know” the Author and His Son that we might have hope in our God. Hope in Him not just for today, but for today, tomorrow and for eternity. The simple truth is God has a plan for your welfare in life and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. His way of doing that was to send His Son to make a payment which you and I as sinners could never pay and to put our trust in Him. He then produces hope in our lives. The Scriptures then give us a reference to lead and guide us onward.
His hope should produce fruit for our living.
Let’s examine this concept and see how God might instruct us concerning the hope which lives within us.
Lets’ begin our study in 1 Peter 3:14-16, 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But [a]sanctify [b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
So according to Peter and he would know about suffering, he says the following:
a. even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. Wow you mean even in the midst of suffering for Christ for His righteousness sake I am blessed? That is correct. What a concept you are blessed when God calls you to suffer for His sake
b. do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. Now this is a challenge for our hearts, but this is learning to walk in the will of God and having (Hope) (faith) (confidence) in the God who has called you. This is outrageous faith and walking in confidence in His truth.
c. sanctify the Lord in your heart – meaning keep the sanctuary of your heart must remain tender and confident in the Lord God Almighty. Remember out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
d. Always be prepared to give a defense for the reason for the hope that is within you, not boastfully but in humble meekness and adoration for the one who loves you. Because of the hope and the love of Christ which is being nurtured and set apart {sanctified} within your heart, your heart is able to testify to that provision which God has place there by faith in the Lord Jesus. Remember you have been bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body.
e. As result of the working of God in you through His Son and the hope He instills in your heart, you testimony, your life will provide the evidence needed to refute what evildoers say about you, your life and your faith in Christ. And if it were possible to cause them to be ashamed.
II. Now go to Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 22 -24: 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
This verse is important because of the hope which is come to us when we believe in Christ. What then should be the result of this hope? This verse implies because of our hope, which is enabled by faith, we can draw near to the very throne room of heaven. And because of our hope through faith in Christ, He cleanses our hearts, our lives and our consciences with the pure water of the Word. And again because of our hope we receive a full assurance of faith which the world does not know. And this faith is only given to true believers. Our cleansing comes by the washing of the water of the Word. The world dismisses it as fantasy and says it is not true.
So God enables us to trust in Christ and to be born from above, which enables the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirits working in our lives strengthens us to hold fast to the confession of our hope in Jesus without wavering. Then His stirring in us should motivate us to want to stimulate good works in other believers.
III. There is a third verse which we should study which describes how hope works in us and it is Titus 2:12-14, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
His Hope within us should change how we live in this present age and in ages to come. First, we should deny ungodliness and the lusts of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. And we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
Next, we should have a future perspective anticipating His future coming, {the rapture} and the glorious return to earth of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. His life, His sacrifice on the cross, leading to His payment of our eternal sin debt, redeems us from all lawless deeds, creating for Himself a people zealous and anxious for good works. Does His hope for you produce these outcomes or are you still unconvinced and unchanged and you really don’t have this type of hope within you?
Do you need to come to faith today in Jesus Christ, and are you truly saved? If not, then perhaps God is speaking to your heart with that little want to right now? Do not deny His calling, seek the Lord while He may be found, this could be your last opportunity. He will save you, He will save you. He will save you now. Only seek Him now. AMEN
Sanctity of Life Sunday, the Lord and giver of life
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Deuteronomy 30: 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Psalm 139:13
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
The Lord open and closes wombs – Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, Sarah, Ruth,
Jan 31 Sermon
One of the great struggles for many believers today involves self-esteem. Not the self-esteem or ego we see so prevalent today, but asking the question in our spirit of how well am I doing as a follower of Christ. But What I mean by this struggle we question what it means to be an effective and satisfactory believer as we walk day by day supposedly in faith? Maybe we are continually asking what do I need to be doing for and in the name of the Lord Jesus today? Perhaps as we compare ourselves with the godly men and women in the Bible, it always seems we are nowhere close to the examples of faith and dedication that they lived. Part of this may be because we do not really understand it is what God has done for us through the life, death , burial resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus. We may also be bombarded with what the world considers is essential for Christians to be doing, which causes confusion between that and the standard provided in the Bible. So today let’s see how Paul chose to encourage the Corinthian church in their walk of faith and perhaps that will give us insight for our own walk and provide a greater understanding of what God has done in us who now walk by faith and not by sight. (2nd Cor.5:7)
Let’s pray and ask God for the Holy Spirits leading and teaching as we seek to know the fulness of God’s salvation in our lives. God send your Holy Spirit to mine and direct our hearts Lord in your truth. Thank you for what you have done in Jesus for us. Amen
Read now from 2nd Cor. Chapter 5:13-21
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [d]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding and application -Amen
Let us begin with this understanding that those men and women God chooses to use in the Bible we read about were just plain, ordinary men and women until God came to them. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Moses, Matthew, Mary, Paul, Timothy and the lot became extraordinary when God came to them. He made them extraordinary and He stimulated their faith. This is the same way He works in our lives today. Oh yes, many were of good character, but some were not. We have murderers, liars, prostitutes and all were sinners by nature who God came to and changed for His purposes. So you see that individual encounters with God changes everything.
So as we look at this Word, let’s parse the scripture and see what happens when God comes.
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. The background preceding this verse is that the church at Corinth had some come apostate persons come in behind Paul since his last missionary journey and have been boasting about their credentials. They stated what Paul had been teaching was not true. Let us now being to refute this beginning in verse 13. Paul used this expression of almost insanity < beside ourselves > to describe himself as one dogmatically devoted to truth. In this way, he was answering his critics who claimed he was nothing more than an insane fanatic devoid of reason. <of sound mind>. The original word meant to be moderate, sober minded, and in control of one’s self. Paul‘s behavior modeled this among the Corinthians as he defended his integrity and communicated God’s truth.
So what motivated Paul to minister to these people? We get the answer when we look at verses 14 and 15. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
When Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and met the Living Christ, everything Paul had seen and believed to that point as a Jew and a Pharisee had been changed. The phrase the love of Christ is a reference to Christ’s love for Paul and all believers for all time which occurred at the cross. Christ’s loving, substitutionary death motivated Paul’s service to Jesus. Actually it compels him to serve. This refers to a pressure that creates and causes action in a person. Paul uses this phrase to emphasize the strength of his desire to offer his life to the Lord. One died for all. This phrase tells of Christ’s substitutionary death and here the preposition “for” indicates Jesus died “in instead of,” or “in place of” all sinners who would be saved. This truth is the heart of the gospel and is the doctrine of salvation. God’s wrath against sin required death of the sinner. Jesus took that wrath upon Himself at the cross and died in each sinner’s place. Thus He took away God’s wrath and satisfied God’s justice as the perfect sacrifice. <then all died.> Everyone who dies in Christ receives the benefits of His substitutionary death (see notes on Rom. 3:24–26; 6:8). Paul was overwhelmed with Christ’s love and was so amazed that Jesus would make him, the chief of all sinners, a part of the “all” who died in Him. So then in verse 15, Paul could no longer live for self as He was living, but had to live and serve the one who died for Him and rose again. The encounter on the road to Damascus proved to Paul the authenticity of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, otherwise how could it be, unless God ordained and sanctioned it.
Now to verse 16, 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. This radical transformation of heart and soul and mind and spirit, caused by the encounter with Christ, meant he could no longer look at things and people the way he had previously. He now had to look at others spiritually.
Verse 17 is the heart of this passage and we may have to park here to fully unfold this message of the assurance. Our assurance is in what Christ has done, and what He is continuing to do to fully mature you and I who believe and trust in Him. Now to verse 17, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
I know we apply this verse repeatedly but if you need assurance of what God is doing it pays for us to parse this verse in depth.
“ in Christ.” These two words are a deep and wonderful statement of the inexhaustible supply and significance of a believer’s redemption. This statement “in Christ” encompasses the following:
1) a believer’s absolute security in Christ, who bore in His body God’s judgment against sin; <John 14:6, Christ is the only way> John 6:37, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
2) a believer’s acceptance in Him with whom God alone is well pleased; <Resurrection and ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father- Hebrews 10:12, But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,>
3) a believer’s future assurance in Him who is the resurrection and the eternal life and the sole guarantor of the believer’s inheritance in heaven; John 14: I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am ye may be also.
4) the believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ, the everlasting Word (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4). new creation. This describes something that is created at a qualitatively new level of excellence. It refers to regeneration or the new birth, see (cf. John 3:5, born of water and the Spirit; Eph 2:4-10, 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We are created by God and have been born again of the Spirit, transformed into new people. These words of Paul demonstrate the Christian’s forgiveness of sins paid for in Christ’s substitutionary death (cf. Gal. 6:15; Eph. 4:24). Now listen to this expression old things have passed away. After a person is regenerate, that is made new. The old value systems, priorities, beliefs, loves, and plans should be gone because you now have a spiritual nature which has been reborn-
Good news of great joy, you have been redeemed and have been changed by God. (Immanuel is in us) Evil and sin may still be present, but the transformed believer sees things differently. And this world should no longer control them. all things become. . . new. Notice the grammar and wording here. It indicates that this newness is a continuing condition and a fact of their new creation. The believer’s new spiritual perception of everything is a constantly with him, and he/she now lives for eternity, not earthly things. James identifies this transformation as a faith that produces works, see Eph. 2:10; for we are His workmanship both in you and because of you; and (James 2:14–25;) James writes in verse 24, 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
The remainder of the passage is about the scope and depth of Christ’s reconciliation of men. And at Jesus’ ascension, He gave the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations to men and not to angels. And the delivery of the gospel to men is a further action of reconciliation and has become our ministry.
The biblical definition of reconciliation is, the overcoming of enmity <God’s hatred of sin>and alienation <separation caused by sin>, between God and man and is reflected in the restoration of peace between God and man. This only comes by salvation. So that is what we are to do. One final point – and the verse says it all 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Be assured Jesus is working in you. Amen
.
One of the great struggles for many believers today involves self-esteem. Not the self-esteem or ego we see so prevalent today, but asking the question in our spirit of how well am I doing as a follower of Christ. But What I mean by this struggle we question what it means to be an effective and satisfactory believer as we walk day by day supposedly in faith? Maybe we are continually asking what do I need to be doing for and in the name of the Lord Jesus today? Perhaps as we compare ourselves with the godly men and women in the Bible, it always seems we are nowhere close to the examples of faith and dedication that they lived. Part of this may be because we do not really understand it is what God has done for us through the life, death , burial resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus. We may also be bombarded with what the world considers is essential for Christians to be doing, which causes confusion between that and the standard provided in the Bible. So today let’s see how Paul chose to encourage the Corinthian church in their walk of faith and perhaps that will give us insight for our own walk and provide a greater understanding of what God has done in us who now walk by faith and not by sight. (2nd Cor.5:7)
Let’s pray and ask God for the Holy Spirits leading and teaching as we seek to know the fulness of God’s salvation in our lives. God send your Holy Spirit to mine and direct our hearts Lord in your truth. Thank you for what you have done in Jesus for us. Amen
Read now from 2nd Cor. Chapter 5:13-21
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [d]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding and application -Amen
Let us begin with this understanding that those men and women God chooses to use in the Bible we read about were just plain, ordinary men and women until God came to them. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Moses, Matthew, Mary, Paul, Timothy and the lot became extraordinary when God came to them. He made them extraordinary and He stimulated their faith. This is the same way He works in our lives today. Oh yes, many were of good character, but some were not. We have murderers, liars, prostitutes and all were sinners by nature who God came to and changed for His purposes. So you see that individual encounters with God changes everything.
So as we look at this Word, let’s parse the scripture and see what happens when God comes.
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. The background preceding this verse is that the church at Corinth had some come apostate persons come in behind Paul since his last missionary journey and have been boasting about their credentials. They stated what Paul had been teaching was not true. Let us now being to refute this beginning in verse 13. Paul used this expression of almost insanity < beside ourselves > to describe himself as one dogmatically devoted to truth. In this way, he was answering his critics who claimed he was nothing more than an insane fanatic devoid of reason. <of sound mind>. The original word meant to be moderate, sober minded, and in control of one’s self. Paul‘s behavior modeled this among the Corinthians as he defended his integrity and communicated God’s truth.
So what motivated Paul to minister to these people? We get the answer when we look at verses 14 and 15. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
When Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and met the Living Christ, everything Paul had seen and believed to that point as a Jew and a Pharisee had been changed. The phrase the love of Christ is a reference to Christ’s love for Paul and all believers for all time which occurred at the cross. Christ’s loving, substitutionary death motivated Paul’s service to Jesus. Actually it compels him to serve. This refers to a pressure that creates and causes action in a person. Paul uses this phrase to emphasize the strength of his desire to offer his life to the Lord. One died for all. This phrase tells of Christ’s substitutionary death and here the preposition “for” indicates Jesus died “in instead of,” or “in place of” all sinners who would be saved. This truth is the heart of the gospel and is the doctrine of salvation. God’s wrath against sin required death of the sinner. Jesus took that wrath upon Himself at the cross and died in each sinner’s place. Thus He took away God’s wrath and satisfied God’s justice as the perfect sacrifice. <then all died.> Everyone who dies in Christ receives the benefits of His substitutionary death (see notes on Rom. 3:24–26; 6:8). Paul was overwhelmed with Christ’s love and was so amazed that Jesus would make him, the chief of all sinners, a part of the “all” who died in Him. So then in verse 15, Paul could no longer live for self as He was living, but had to live and serve the one who died for Him and rose again. The encounter on the road to Damascus proved to Paul the authenticity of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, otherwise how could it be, unless God ordained and sanctioned it.
Now to verse 16, 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. This radical transformation of heart and soul and mind and spirit, caused by the encounter with Christ, meant he could no longer look at things and people the way he had previously. He now had to look at others spiritually.
Verse 17 is the heart of this passage and we may have to park here to fully unfold this message of the assurance. Our assurance is in what Christ has done, and what He is continuing to do to fully mature you and I who believe and trust in Him. Now to verse 17, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
I know we apply this verse repeatedly but if you need assurance of what God is doing it pays for us to parse this verse in depth.
“ in Christ.” These two words are a deep and wonderful statement of the inexhaustible supply and significance of a believer’s redemption. This statement “in Christ” encompasses the following:
1) a believer’s absolute security in Christ, who bore in His body God’s judgment against sin; <John 14:6, Christ is the only way> John 6:37, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
2) a believer’s acceptance in Him with whom God alone is well pleased; <Resurrection and ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father- Hebrews 10:12, But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,>
3) a believer’s future assurance in Him who is the resurrection and the eternal life and the sole guarantor of the believer’s inheritance in heaven; John 14: I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am ye may be also.
4) the believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ, the everlasting Word (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4). new creation. This describes something that is created at a qualitatively new level of excellence. It refers to regeneration or the new birth, see (cf. John 3:5, born of water and the Spirit; Eph 2:4-10, 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We are created by God and have been born again of the Spirit, transformed into new people. These words of Paul demonstrate the Christian’s forgiveness of sins paid for in Christ’s substitutionary death (cf. Gal. 6:15; Eph. 4:24). Now listen to this expression old things have passed away. After a person is regenerate, that is made new. The old value systems, priorities, beliefs, loves, and plans should be gone because you now have a spiritual nature which has been reborn-
Good news of great joy, you have been redeemed and have been changed by God. (Immanuel is in us) Evil and sin may still be present, but the transformed believer sees things differently. And this world should no longer control them. all things become. . . new. Notice the grammar and wording here. It indicates that this newness is a continuing condition and a fact of their new creation. The believer’s new spiritual perception of everything is a constantly with him, and he/she now lives for eternity, not earthly things. James identifies this transformation as a faith that produces works, see Eph. 2:10; for we are His workmanship both in you and because of you; and (James 2:14–25;) James writes in verse 24, 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
The remainder of the passage is about the scope and depth of Christ’s reconciliation of men. And at Jesus’ ascension, He gave the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations to men and not to angels. And the delivery of the gospel to men is a further action of reconciliation and has become our ministry.
The biblical definition of reconciliation is, the overcoming of enmity <God’s hatred of sin>and alienation <separation caused by sin>, between God and man and is reflected in the restoration of peace between God and man. This only comes by salvation. So that is what we are to do. One final point – and the verse says it all 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Be assured Jesus is working in you. Amen
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Jan 22 Sermon
Do you have hope in your heart today? Is that why you came today to worship? Or do you really know why you came to join us in worship today? Maybe by the time we leave here today you will better understand the urgings of your heart which brought you here to meet, not with this pastor, or with these people you see among you; but to actually seek and hear from the God of Heaven, who made you and loves you and has sent His Son for you?
I ask you again do you have hope in your heart or what brought you to this place today? Some people believe hope is defined as some indistinct feeling or longing which claims some undefined future benefit because you believe in it. Now if that sounds like fuzzy thinking or logic, you are correct and you should not really depend upon it.
Now that is not the hope which a believer should have in their heart. We sing often –
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
What might these words mean and so where does this hope come from which Christians believe by faith?
Well according to God’s Word -
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom 10:17). His Word also says, God’s grace through Jesus Christ saves us - By Grace are you save through faith and that not of your own it is the gift of God not of works lets any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). So by the grace of God and in the works of Jesus, He saves you and makes you part of His family which we call Christians.
Now the outcome of that decision to trust Jesus Christ, to the ones who have actually been born from above, not just those who say they are believers. But to those who actually have become true followers, He provides this definition of the transformation in Galatians Chapter 2 , verse 20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. This is downright direct and personal to everyone who has been born from above, or as we say been born again. We become transformed by the renewing power of the love of God and He puts the knowledge of His hope within us. 1 John 5:13 says, 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [e]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
This is faith and this is the blessed hope which lives within us, given to us by God.
So the true believer’s hope, which lives within us, is not an indistinct, undefined and amorphous type of hope. It is a hope which trusts or has faith in the promises of the living God. Faith and hope in the one who sent His Son to save us and lives within us moment by moment and eternally through His Holy Spirit.
So what is it about this hope that we need to know about today? Well our hope is not amorphous, undefined and indistinct. Because of our hope in God which we have received our lives should be different and reflect the change God has made. His life in us should result in our behavior and attitudes being different
Let’s begin with a single verse of scripture to guide us which Paul wrote to the believers in Rome. Go to Romans 15:4 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [a]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
What is scripture? If you believe that it is the revealed, active, inspired word of God and that it is inerrant and infallible then you are on the right track. And if you believe that whatever things were written before were written for our learning, you are closer to the truth. But the purpose of the written word and the truths in the bible should lead us to “know” the Author and His Son that we might have hope in our God. Hope in Him not just for today, but for today, tomorrow and for eternity. The simple truth is God has a plan for your welfare in life and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. His way of doing that was to send His Son to make a payment which you and I as sinners could never pay and to put our trust in Him. He then produces hope in our lives. The Scriptures then give us a reference to lead and guide us onward.
His hope should produce fruit for our living.
Let’s examine this concept and see how God might instruct us concerning the hope which lives within us.
Lets’ begin our study in 1 Peter 3:14-16, 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But [a]sanctify [b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
So according to Peter and he would know about suffering, he says the following:
a. even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. Wow you mean even in the midst of suffering for Christ for His righteousness sake I am blessed? That is correct. What a concept you are blessed when God calls you to suffer for His sake
b. do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. Now this is a challenge for our hearts, but this is learning to walk in the will of God and having (Hope) (faith) (confidence) in the God who has called you. This is outrageous faith and walking in confidence in His truth.
c. sanctify the Lord in your heart – meaning keep the sanctuary of your heart must remain tender and confident in the Lord God Almighty. Remember out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
d. Always be prepared to give a defense for the reason for the hope that is within you, not boastfully but in humble meekness and adoration for the one who loves you. Because of the hope and the love of Christ which is being nurtured and set apart {sanctified} within your heart, your heart is able to testify to that provision which God has place there by faith in the Lord Jesus. Remember you have been bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body.
e. As result of the working of God in you through His Son and the hope He instills in your heart, you testimony, your life will provide the evidence needed to refute what evildoers say about you, your life and your faith in Christ. And if it were possible to cause them to be ashamed.
II. Now go to Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 22 -24: 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
This verse is important because of the hope which is come to us when we believe in Christ. What then should be the result of this hope? This verse implies because of our hope, which is enabled by faith, we can draw near to the very throne room of heaven. And because of our hope through faith in Christ, He cleanses our hearts, our lives and our consciences with the pure water of the Word. And again because of our hope we receive a full assurance of faith which the world does not know. And this faith is only given to true believers. Our cleansing comes by the washing of the water of the Word. The world dismisses it as fantasy and says it is not true.
So God enables us to trust in Christ and to be born from above, which enables the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirits working in our lives strengthens us to hold fast to the confession of our hope in Jesus without wavering. Then His stirring in us should motivate us to want to stimulate good works in other believers.
III. There is a third verse which we should study which describes how hope works in us and it is Titus 2:12-14, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
His Hope within us should change how we live in this present age and in ages to come. First, we should deny ungodliness and the lusts of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. And we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
Next, we should have a future perspective anticipating His future coming, {the rapture} and the glorious return to earth of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. His life, His sacrifice on the cross, leading to His payment of our eternal sin debt, redeems us from all lawless deeds, creating for Himself a people zealous and anxious for good works. Does His hope for you produce these outcomes or are you still unconvinced and unchanged and you really don’t have this type of hope within you?
Do you need to come to faith today in Jesus Christ, and are you truly saved? If not, then perhaps God is speaking to your heart with that little want to right now? Do not deny His calling, seek the Lord while He may be found, this could be your last opportunity. He will save you, He will save you. He will save you now. Only seek Him now. AMEN
Sanctity of Life Sunday, the Lord and giver of life
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Deuteronomy 30: 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Psalm 139:13
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
The Lord open and closes wombs – Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, Sarah, Ruth,
Do you have hope in your heart today? Is that why you came today to worship? Or do you really know why you came to join us in worship today? Maybe by the time we leave here today you will better understand the urgings of your heart which brought you here to meet, not with this pastor, or with these people you see among you; but to actually seek and hear from the God of Heaven, who made you and loves you and has sent His Son for you?
I ask you again do you have hope in your heart or what brought you to this place today? Some people believe hope is defined as some indistinct feeling or longing which claims some undefined future benefit because you believe in it. Now if that sounds like fuzzy thinking or logic, you are correct and you should not really depend upon it.
Now that is not the hope which a believer should have in their heart. We sing often –
My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
What might these words mean and so where does this hope come from which Christians believe by faith?
Well according to God’s Word -
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom 10:17). His Word also says, God’s grace through Jesus Christ saves us - By Grace are you save through faith and that not of your own it is the gift of God not of works lets any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). So by the grace of God and in the works of Jesus, He saves you and makes you part of His family which we call Christians.
Now the outcome of that decision to trust Jesus Christ, to the ones who have actually been born from above, not just those who say they are believers. But to those who actually have become true followers, He provides this definition of the transformation in Galatians Chapter 2 , verse 20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. This is downright direct and personal to everyone who has been born from above, or as we say been born again. We become transformed by the renewing power of the love of God and He puts the knowledge of His hope within us. 1 John 5:13 says, 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [e]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
This is faith and this is the blessed hope which lives within us, given to us by God.
So the true believer’s hope, which lives within us, is not an indistinct, undefined and amorphous type of hope. It is a hope which trusts or has faith in the promises of the living God. Faith and hope in the one who sent His Son to save us and lives within us moment by moment and eternally through His Holy Spirit.
So what is it about this hope that we need to know about today? Well our hope is not amorphous, undefined and indistinct. Because of our hope in God which we have received our lives should be different and reflect the change God has made. His life in us should result in our behavior and attitudes being different
Let’s begin with a single verse of scripture to guide us which Paul wrote to the believers in Rome. Go to Romans 15:4 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [a]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
What is scripture? If you believe that it is the revealed, active, inspired word of God and that it is inerrant and infallible then you are on the right track. And if you believe that whatever things were written before were written for our learning, you are closer to the truth. But the purpose of the written word and the truths in the bible should lead us to “know” the Author and His Son that we might have hope in our God. Hope in Him not just for today, but for today, tomorrow and for eternity. The simple truth is God has a plan for your welfare in life and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope. His way of doing that was to send His Son to make a payment which you and I as sinners could never pay and to put our trust in Him. He then produces hope in our lives. The Scriptures then give us a reference to lead and guide us onward.
His hope should produce fruit for our living.
Let’s examine this concept and see how God might instruct us concerning the hope which lives within us.
Lets’ begin our study in 1 Peter 3:14-16, 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But [a]sanctify [b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
So according to Peter and he would know about suffering, he says the following:
a. even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. Wow you mean even in the midst of suffering for Christ for His righteousness sake I am blessed? That is correct. What a concept you are blessed when God calls you to suffer for His sake
b. do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. Now this is a challenge for our hearts, but this is learning to walk in the will of God and having (Hope) (faith) (confidence) in the God who has called you. This is outrageous faith and walking in confidence in His truth.
c. sanctify the Lord in your heart – meaning keep the sanctuary of your heart must remain tender and confident in the Lord God Almighty. Remember out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
d. Always be prepared to give a defense for the reason for the hope that is within you, not boastfully but in humble meekness and adoration for the one who loves you. Because of the hope and the love of Christ which is being nurtured and set apart {sanctified} within your heart, your heart is able to testify to that provision which God has place there by faith in the Lord Jesus. Remember you have been bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body.
e. As result of the working of God in you through His Son and the hope He instills in your heart, you testimony, your life will provide the evidence needed to refute what evildoers say about you, your life and your faith in Christ. And if it were possible to cause them to be ashamed.
II. Now go to Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 22 -24: 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
This verse is important because of the hope which is come to us when we believe in Christ. What then should be the result of this hope? This verse implies because of our hope, which is enabled by faith, we can draw near to the very throne room of heaven. And because of our hope through faith in Christ, He cleanses our hearts, our lives and our consciences with the pure water of the Word. And again because of our hope we receive a full assurance of faith which the world does not know. And this faith is only given to true believers. Our cleansing comes by the washing of the water of the Word. The world dismisses it as fantasy and says it is not true.
So God enables us to trust in Christ and to be born from above, which enables the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirits working in our lives strengthens us to hold fast to the confession of our hope in Jesus without wavering. Then His stirring in us should motivate us to want to stimulate good works in other believers.
III. There is a third verse which we should study which describes how hope works in us and it is Titus 2:12-14, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
His Hope within us should change how we live in this present age and in ages to come. First, we should deny ungodliness and the lusts of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. And we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.
Next, we should have a future perspective anticipating His future coming, {the rapture} and the glorious return to earth of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. His life, His sacrifice on the cross, leading to His payment of our eternal sin debt, redeems us from all lawless deeds, creating for Himself a people zealous and anxious for good works. Does His hope for you produce these outcomes or are you still unconvinced and unchanged and you really don’t have this type of hope within you?
Do you need to come to faith today in Jesus Christ, and are you truly saved? If not, then perhaps God is speaking to your heart with that little want to right now? Do not deny His calling, seek the Lord while He may be found, this could be your last opportunity. He will save you, He will save you. He will save you now. Only seek Him now. AMEN
Sanctity of Life Sunday, the Lord and giver of life
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Deuteronomy 30: 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Psalm 139:13
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
The Lord open and closes wombs – Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, Sarah, Ruth,
Jan 15 Sermon
Ezekiel 22:22-31, Isaiah 59:14-16, The Bible presents a sad tale about the condition of a certain land, its rulers, its spiritual leaders, its priests and the supposed people of God. All have been corrupted by what 1st John 2:16 says, For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
This is a terrible story of people of the flesh falling away from the One who loves them. Go with me to Ezekiel 22;23-31 where it says, 23 And the word of the Lord came to me,<Ezekiel> saying, 24 “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not [d]cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ 25 The conspiracy of her [e]prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured [f]people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 26 Her priests have [g]violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy [h]people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
We have just read a testimony about the prophets, the priests, the princes and the people where God our Father rejected them because of their sins of conspiring to rebel against Him. Further in Isaiah Chapter 59, God provides greater clarity for us so we might understand what is happening in their nation as well being able to apply this description to our own nation– Read with me please, beginning at the end of verse 12 - And as for our iniquities, we know them:
13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
15 So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Then the Lord saw it, and [c]it displeased Him, That there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
Lying and falsehoods are part and parcel of what we see in America in 2023 and what do these indicate? Truth has fallen in the street. Let’s now examine our own hearts and read again the Word of God from Isaiah, beginning in verse 13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. {Lies such as: there is no God, He will approve of our behavior, life style, abortions}{trying to justify lies as the truth contrary to the Word of God, demeaning His law and Himself as the Law giver}
Then we see in verse 14 the results of our actions:
14 Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter. {you want to talk about equity in America today, there can be no equity without God’s justice and righteousness present}
This applies to what we read in Ezekiel about corrupt princes or in today’s terms, our leaders. The corrupt pastors are the modern priests, and they are part of the corrupt forecasters of the future or prophets (refers to pastors who mishandle the foretelling of the Word.) These are people all committed to lying and denying the truth. Truth has departed from them and the nation. <any parallels here with today?>These same truths hold fast for us as well as for historic Israel. Because God is immutable, He never changes.
Now what results from this evil in the leadership of the nation politically, morally and spiritually? The result is the people become depraved and they fall away.
Going back to Ezekiel we find these series of verses which we read, beginning in Chapter 22 verse 26. - so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy [h]people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.
Notice the starting point of all this activity is in verse 26, so when I am profaned among them. When men have a low opinion of God and have no fear of Him, we fall away and depart leading to great sin. Read this again, so when I am profaned among them. When God is profaned among them. This profaning of God and His benefits began far earlier but in great earnest after WW II. With great victory comes great temptation and so it was, God gave us great victory and with it our leadership and our people became prideful, arrogant and forgot that the victory was the Lord’s not our great army, navy and air corps. We began to trust more in technology, technical means, education and the strength of our arms than in the God of heaven. With that loss of the fear of God came the beginning of a decline in the morals and ethics of the princes, the priests, and those who were looking in the future. Looking more at what people could do rather than cultivating a relationship with God. Oh yes, this was not a great slide all in one day, but you saw this great birth of sinfulness in the 60s & 70’s with the hippies and the love generation. Blatant drugs, sexuality, immorality and the destruction of moral leaders which included Martin Luther King. Abortion, the pill, free sex, and no condemnation all these themes bubbled to the surface and took root in our universities, colleges which produced the intellegencia which began indoctrinating the following generations in our public schools. This same groupings of educated elites also infiltrated our seminaries. So today we have the result - the God is dead movement, CRT, BLM, abortion on demand and the like – all the moral decay in society. And we have seminarians teaching and learning heresy.
This results in our people fulfilling what is says in verse 29 of Chapter 22 of Ezekiel- 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.
So do you wonder why we need Jesus in 2023? The Princes running wild, with no oversight, penalizing any opposition to the truth; accusing citizens who want to do the right thing for their children and their children’s children of being domestic terrorists. There is more that moral decay in America, there is rottenness of sin in our Princes. Our priests deny the truth of God’s word teaching heresies. {} So if the prophets, the priests, the princes and now the people are divergent from God do you see why Jesus if needed in 2025??
We need to relate to what God did in Israel to Eli the priest because of his moral failure in restraining his sons from profaning the temple worship and in failing to teach truth to the people about God. {You can find this story in 1st Samuel Chapter 3)Eli was the high priest and was the teacher of all the priests and High priest to the people, interceding between God and the people. Eli was not willing to punish and reprimand his sons for gaining sexual favors from the women who came to the temple and who also took the best of the offerings for themselves instead of giving first fruits to God. God told Eli 13 … that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not [b]restrain them. And He added there was no atonement for his sins. Wow no way out. So God destroyed his sons. Eli fell and broke his neck upon hearing of the defeat of the people and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant. Great judgement fell upon the nation, upon the leadership – the priests the princes, as well as the people because they had all departed from God’s commands. If this has happened to the nation of Israel do you think God’s not going to bring the same judgement upon these United States? Do you see why we might just need Jesus in 2023??
Here is the truth -Romans 3: 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
Verse 23 says, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
These verses are true and we definitely need a savior. Yes there is none righteous, no not one, no not one. And all have sinned. Notice God sent Jesus to be a propitiation, a payment for our sin. By Jesus blood God demonstrates His forbearance <restraint, patience> by forgiving and passing over our sins which we previously committed. He casts out our sin as far as the east is from the west. God is the just one and by His Son’s sacrifice and our faith in Jesus, He has provided justification and thereby salvation for our sins by Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. You and I don’t want to be where Eli was when God told him there was no sacrifice for his sin and God would destroy all of his house.
Jesus came saying, 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Enter by the door of Jesus today and be save. He tells all who would hear – Come.
AMEN
Ezekiel 22:22-31, Isaiah 59:14-16, The Bible presents a sad tale about the condition of a certain land, its rulers, its spiritual leaders, its priests and the supposed people of God. All have been corrupted by what 1st John 2:16 says, For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
This is a terrible story of people of the flesh falling away from the One who loves them. Go with me to Ezekiel 22;23-31 where it says, 23 And the word of the Lord came to me,<Ezekiel> saying, 24 “Son of man, say to her: ‘You are a land that is not [d]cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ 25 The conspiracy of her [e]prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured [f]people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 26 Her priests have [g]violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy [h]people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.
We have just read a testimony about the prophets, the priests, the princes and the people where God our Father rejected them because of their sins of conspiring to rebel against Him. Further in Isaiah Chapter 59, God provides greater clarity for us so we might understand what is happening in their nation as well being able to apply this description to our own nation– Read with me please, beginning at the end of verse 12 - And as for our iniquities, we know them:
13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
15 So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Then the Lord saw it, and [c]it displeased Him, That there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
Lying and falsehoods are part and parcel of what we see in America in 2023 and what do these indicate? Truth has fallen in the street. Let’s now examine our own hearts and read again the Word of God from Isaiah, beginning in verse 13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. {Lies such as: there is no God, He will approve of our behavior, life style, abortions}{trying to justify lies as the truth contrary to the Word of God, demeaning His law and Himself as the Law giver}
Then we see in verse 14 the results of our actions:
14 Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter. {you want to talk about equity in America today, there can be no equity without God’s justice and righteousness present}
This applies to what we read in Ezekiel about corrupt princes or in today’s terms, our leaders. The corrupt pastors are the modern priests, and they are part of the corrupt forecasters of the future or prophets (refers to pastors who mishandle the foretelling of the Word.) These are people all committed to lying and denying the truth. Truth has departed from them and the nation. <any parallels here with today?>These same truths hold fast for us as well as for historic Israel. Because God is immutable, He never changes.
Now what results from this evil in the leadership of the nation politically, morally and spiritually? The result is the people become depraved and they fall away.
Going back to Ezekiel we find these series of verses which we read, beginning in Chapter 22 verse 26. - so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy [h]people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.
Notice the starting point of all this activity is in verse 26, so when I am profaned among them. When men have a low opinion of God and have no fear of Him, we fall away and depart leading to great sin. Read this again, so when I am profaned among them. When God is profaned among them. This profaning of God and His benefits began far earlier but in great earnest after WW II. With great victory comes great temptation and so it was, God gave us great victory and with it our leadership and our people became prideful, arrogant and forgot that the victory was the Lord’s not our great army, navy and air corps. We began to trust more in technology, technical means, education and the strength of our arms than in the God of heaven. With that loss of the fear of God came the beginning of a decline in the morals and ethics of the princes, the priests, and those who were looking in the future. Looking more at what people could do rather than cultivating a relationship with God. Oh yes, this was not a great slide all in one day, but you saw this great birth of sinfulness in the 60s & 70’s with the hippies and the love generation. Blatant drugs, sexuality, immorality and the destruction of moral leaders which included Martin Luther King. Abortion, the pill, free sex, and no condemnation all these themes bubbled to the surface and took root in our universities, colleges which produced the intellegencia which began indoctrinating the following generations in our public schools. This same groupings of educated elites also infiltrated our seminaries. So today we have the result - the God is dead movement, CRT, BLM, abortion on demand and the like – all the moral decay in society. And we have seminarians teaching and learning heresy.
This results in our people fulfilling what is says in verse 29 of Chapter 22 of Ezekiel- 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger.
So do you wonder why we need Jesus in 2023? The Princes running wild, with no oversight, penalizing any opposition to the truth; accusing citizens who want to do the right thing for their children and their children’s children of being domestic terrorists. There is more that moral decay in America, there is rottenness of sin in our Princes. Our priests deny the truth of God’s word teaching heresies. {} So if the prophets, the priests, the princes and now the people are divergent from God do you see why Jesus if needed in 2025??
We need to relate to what God did in Israel to Eli the priest because of his moral failure in restraining his sons from profaning the temple worship and in failing to teach truth to the people about God. {You can find this story in 1st Samuel Chapter 3)Eli was the high priest and was the teacher of all the priests and High priest to the people, interceding between God and the people. Eli was not willing to punish and reprimand his sons for gaining sexual favors from the women who came to the temple and who also took the best of the offerings for themselves instead of giving first fruits to God. God told Eli 13 … that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not [b]restrain them. And He added there was no atonement for his sins. Wow no way out. So God destroyed his sons. Eli fell and broke his neck upon hearing of the defeat of the people and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant. Great judgement fell upon the nation, upon the leadership – the priests the princes, as well as the people because they had all departed from God’s commands. If this has happened to the nation of Israel do you think God’s not going to bring the same judgement upon these United States? Do you see why we might just need Jesus in 2023??
Here is the truth -Romans 3: 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
Verse 23 says, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
These verses are true and we definitely need a savior. Yes there is none righteous, no not one, no not one. And all have sinned. Notice God sent Jesus to be a propitiation, a payment for our sin. By Jesus blood God demonstrates His forbearance <restraint, patience> by forgiving and passing over our sins which we previously committed. He casts out our sin as far as the east is from the west. God is the just one and by His Son’s sacrifice and our faith in Jesus, He has provided justification and thereby salvation for our sins by Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. You and I don’t want to be where Eli was when God told him there was no sacrifice for his sin and God would destroy all of his house.
Jesus came saying, 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Enter by the door of Jesus today and be save. He tells all who would hear – Come.
AMEN
Jan 8 Sermon
Who will be first in your life in 2023? Yourself or will you allow Christ to be on the throne of your heart?
The believer who wrote the words of the text we will be reading today did not always live for Jesus Christ. He only began to do so when God in Jesus convicted him of His great sin; and when by grace he was brought to see the living eternal Savior who had made a lifesaving gift of paying for his sin and his guilt. From the moment of declaring himself a sinner, repenting and then receiving the new heavenly birth from above, this man began to live a new life beginning at that moment and for eternity in Jesus Christ. This person was the apostle Paul.
Jesus is to those who believe and have been born again from above, the pearl of great price. Because of Him and this new life He provides, they have become willing to give up all that have because Jesus is the way the truth and the life. He has or should have so completely won our hearts that now it should beat alone for Him; to His glory we would live, and in defense of His Gospel we would be willing to die to self and for others. He should have become for each believer the pattern of our new life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character.
Paul's words in Philippians 1:21 -mean more than most men think -For to me to live is Christ. They imply that the aim and end of his life is and was Christ. In modern words we might say, he ate and drank and slept Jesus which leads to eternal life. For Paul, Jesus was his very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life.
Can you say today, as you sit here in Oakland Baptist Church, as a professing Christian, that you are actively living up to this idea? Can you and I honestly say, for you and I to live is Christ and to die is gain ? Is this true in your home, in your weekly activities, in your political or sports discussions, in your business, your coffee breaks —are you doing it all for Him I owe? These activities are not meant to be done for yourself, for family or business advantage? You might be asking yourself, "Is that a bad mean reason?" For those who say and profess Christ it very much is.
If you and I professes to live for Christ alone; how can you and I live for another objective without committing spiritual adultery or making idols instead of worshiping Him?
Now this is the time to be honest with yourself and with God - there are many who carry out this principle to some degree; but who is it who dares to say that he has lived wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet this alone is the required measure of a believer or Christian. Jesus must be our source, our sustenance, our fashion, our end, all gathered up in one word—Christ as Lord despite the day and time in which we now live.
Now don’t get discouraged for God is at work in you and has given you and I a new year to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. If He wasn’t in love with you He would not have granted you another day. So then let us we fix our eyes upon Jesus and move ahead. Paul in Chapter 3 gives us some strategic words and hope to move into 2023, despite all the sin which surrounds us and so easily besets us. Read with me from
Paul in Philippians 3:12-14. The Word of God which says, 12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Wow, Paul says - but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. He adds further on - forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Now that doesn’t mean Paul didn’t learn from or ignore his mistakes, trials and errors, but he continued to press on or move onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward his calling of God in Christ Jesus.
How was or is this possible for Paul or for any of us as believers? First Paul was secure in the fact of His experience in meeting and accepting Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior. Do you have the same assurance that God has called you and ordained you and set you apart for His purposes? If you don’t have this assurance then you might want to pay attention closely to what is coming next. Just as Jesus told Nicodemus in order to even see or understand the things of God – which He called the Kingdom of Heaven you must be born again. Twice Jesus made these statements: In John 3:3
- Jesus answered and said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
- In John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
For Christ to have rule over your life you must have received Him the new birth by faith and asked Him into your life. If you have done so then you and I should pay attention to the firsts which are presented in the Word of God- His Bible. These firsts will guide you. and I into attaining a relationship with Jesus which would mirror Paul’s. But remember this – each of us is different. None of us are exactly the same or exactly a replica of Paul. Paul is an example. God promises to lead you individually to be His child. No two are identical, as each of us has received a special gift employ it as serving one another as the manifold grace of God. So the following are firsts which we should follow to walk closer with Christ and follow His example :
1. Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
If you read the preceding verses you find that Jesus was talking about the cares of this world- food, clothing, shelter and a variety of other things which we can pursue as idols. Our eyes may be fixed upon achieving various life style milestones. Our life style should reflect an absolute emphasis on seeking and keeping our eyes on the Lord. We should not be consumed with self-seeking and being self-oriented but God oriented and listening for His voice. This verse is a parallel to Deuteronomy 10:12. Check it out!
2. In Matthew Chapter 22 Jesus was asked what was the first commandment and here is His reply was - 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
These verses would consume an entire lesson if we were to break out the ideas baked in these verses one by one. This is the same commandment just updated from what God gave to the Jews in Deuteronomy 6: 4 &5 -4 “Hear, O Israel: [b]The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
The verses say exactly what they mean and you should understand them if the Spirit of God is in you for they are clear. Since God in Christ loved you and gave Himself for you – out of the love He has given you and since you have a changed heart you are to love Him back with your entire being. This is meant to be a consuming all-pervasive love and response to God for what He has done in Jesus. There is nothing that can compare to what God and Jesus have given to us. Jesus is worthy of all we can give back. IF that is not your mindset then you need to repent and return to your first love which is Christ.
This Love of Christ must dwell in us richly to accomplish the remaining firsts which follow:
3. Check out Matthew 5 verse 23-24 - 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
This verse talks about interpersonal relationships and your attitude toward God and others. If your relationship with God in Christ is not correct how will you be able to have Godly, Christlike relationships with other. If you are coming in Worship to seek God, how is your heart, mind and soul towards your brother/sister/others? If you are angry, hostile and distressed over them, how can you hear and seek God when you trying to worship Him? Effectively you will not be able to connect. God will not hear your is the bottom line. It says First be reconciled to your brother.
4. Matthew 7:5 goes even further in describing this problem. Here in another first Jesus says, Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
For us to have the perspective we need we must align ourselves with God’s perspective and see His heart about ourselves and others. Many times this requires personal honesty, leading to repentance and tears for we find we have fallen very short of the standards set by Jesus. And we realize how we have disappointed the Lord who loves us so.
5. There is another first in Matthew 20:27
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. Many of us may want to achieve great things or be recognized for our Lord. The 12 disciples wanted be important in the Kingdom of God so they were arguing who would be number 1 , 2 etc. Jesus point is God’s grading systems and rewards are the opposite of the worlds. If you want to be counted high in the Kingdom you must be the servant of all, not whom others serve. If you keep this first principle you will be considered by Jesus as first in the Kingdom.
While this next first may be the final first we look at in today’s lesson there are more, both in Old and New Testament. The following first is a big first in many churches and individuals today and requires our examination. What is your attitude toward others and their sin today, do you automatically condemn the actions and motives of others? Do you ever seek after the heart of God to understand that others behavior might be changed if they knew the person you know? 6. Here is another first in John 8:7 - So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
If someone is caught in an act sin do you automatically impugn and judge? We are to judge them by their fruit yes but how many times are we required to forgive others for their sins 7 or 70 times 7. If they continue in their sin expel and turn over to Satan, if they repent restore them to fellowship. We should not be ones who cast the first stone since we have been greatly forgiven. So then how should we treat others.
Keeping the first things first and relying on God’s Holy Spirit to teach, guide and direct us should be out path forward. May we look to these and other firsts to guide our path in 2023. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ and have you been born from above? If not, is God’s Holy Spirit asking you to come to Jesus? If so then do not delay for now is the day of repentance. Seek me or one of our members today to know more about following Jesus or seek out the Billy Graham Association today.
Who will be first in your life in 2023? Yourself or will you allow Christ to be on the throne of your heart?
The believer who wrote the words of the text we will be reading today did not always live for Jesus Christ. He only began to do so when God in Jesus convicted him of His great sin; and when by grace he was brought to see the living eternal Savior who had made a lifesaving gift of paying for his sin and his guilt. From the moment of declaring himself a sinner, repenting and then receiving the new heavenly birth from above, this man began to live a new life beginning at that moment and for eternity in Jesus Christ. This person was the apostle Paul.
Jesus is to those who believe and have been born again from above, the pearl of great price. Because of Him and this new life He provides, they have become willing to give up all that have because Jesus is the way the truth and the life. He has or should have so completely won our hearts that now it should beat alone for Him; to His glory we would live, and in defense of His Gospel we would be willing to die to self and for others. He should have become for each believer the pattern of our new life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character.
Paul's words in Philippians 1:21 -mean more than most men think -For to me to live is Christ. They imply that the aim and end of his life is and was Christ. In modern words we might say, he ate and drank and slept Jesus which leads to eternal life. For Paul, Jesus was his very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life.
Can you say today, as you sit here in Oakland Baptist Church, as a professing Christian, that you are actively living up to this idea? Can you and I honestly say, for you and I to live is Christ and to die is gain ? Is this true in your home, in your weekly activities, in your political or sports discussions, in your business, your coffee breaks —are you doing it all for Him I owe? These activities are not meant to be done for yourself, for family or business advantage? You might be asking yourself, "Is that a bad mean reason?" For those who say and profess Christ it very much is.
If you and I professes to live for Christ alone; how can you and I live for another objective without committing spiritual adultery or making idols instead of worshiping Him?
Now this is the time to be honest with yourself and with God - there are many who carry out this principle to some degree; but who is it who dares to say that he has lived wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet this alone is the required measure of a believer or Christian. Jesus must be our source, our sustenance, our fashion, our end, all gathered up in one word—Christ as Lord despite the day and time in which we now live.
Now don’t get discouraged for God is at work in you and has given you and I a new year to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. If He wasn’t in love with you He would not have granted you another day. So then let us we fix our eyes upon Jesus and move ahead. Paul in Chapter 3 gives us some strategic words and hope to move into 2023, despite all the sin which surrounds us and so easily besets us. Read with me from
Paul in Philippians 3:12-14. The Word of God which says, 12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Wow, Paul says - but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. He adds further on - forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Now that doesn’t mean Paul didn’t learn from or ignore his mistakes, trials and errors, but he continued to press on or move onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward his calling of God in Christ Jesus.
How was or is this possible for Paul or for any of us as believers? First Paul was secure in the fact of His experience in meeting and accepting Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior. Do you have the same assurance that God has called you and ordained you and set you apart for His purposes? If you don’t have this assurance then you might want to pay attention closely to what is coming next. Just as Jesus told Nicodemus in order to even see or understand the things of God – which He called the Kingdom of Heaven you must be born again. Twice Jesus made these statements: In John 3:3
- Jesus answered and said to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
- In John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
For Christ to have rule over your life you must have received Him the new birth by faith and asked Him into your life. If you have done so then you and I should pay attention to the firsts which are presented in the Word of God- His Bible. These firsts will guide you. and I into attaining a relationship with Jesus which would mirror Paul’s. But remember this – each of us is different. None of us are exactly the same or exactly a replica of Paul. Paul is an example. God promises to lead you individually to be His child. No two are identical, as each of us has received a special gift employ it as serving one another as the manifold grace of God. So the following are firsts which we should follow to walk closer with Christ and follow His example :
1. Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
If you read the preceding verses you find that Jesus was talking about the cares of this world- food, clothing, shelter and a variety of other things which we can pursue as idols. Our eyes may be fixed upon achieving various life style milestones. Our life style should reflect an absolute emphasis on seeking and keeping our eyes on the Lord. We should not be consumed with self-seeking and being self-oriented but God oriented and listening for His voice. This verse is a parallel to Deuteronomy 10:12. Check it out!
2. In Matthew Chapter 22 Jesus was asked what was the first commandment and here is His reply was - 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
These verses would consume an entire lesson if we were to break out the ideas baked in these verses one by one. This is the same commandment just updated from what God gave to the Jews in Deuteronomy 6: 4 &5 -4 “Hear, O Israel: [b]The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
The verses say exactly what they mean and you should understand them if the Spirit of God is in you for they are clear. Since God in Christ loved you and gave Himself for you – out of the love He has given you and since you have a changed heart you are to love Him back with your entire being. This is meant to be a consuming all-pervasive love and response to God for what He has done in Jesus. There is nothing that can compare to what God and Jesus have given to us. Jesus is worthy of all we can give back. IF that is not your mindset then you need to repent and return to your first love which is Christ.
This Love of Christ must dwell in us richly to accomplish the remaining firsts which follow:
3. Check out Matthew 5 verse 23-24 - 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
This verse talks about interpersonal relationships and your attitude toward God and others. If your relationship with God in Christ is not correct how will you be able to have Godly, Christlike relationships with other. If you are coming in Worship to seek God, how is your heart, mind and soul towards your brother/sister/others? If you are angry, hostile and distressed over them, how can you hear and seek God when you trying to worship Him? Effectively you will not be able to connect. God will not hear your is the bottom line. It says First be reconciled to your brother.
4. Matthew 7:5 goes even further in describing this problem. Here in another first Jesus says, Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
For us to have the perspective we need we must align ourselves with God’s perspective and see His heart about ourselves and others. Many times this requires personal honesty, leading to repentance and tears for we find we have fallen very short of the standards set by Jesus. And we realize how we have disappointed the Lord who loves us so.
5. There is another first in Matthew 20:27
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. Many of us may want to achieve great things or be recognized for our Lord. The 12 disciples wanted be important in the Kingdom of God so they were arguing who would be number 1 , 2 etc. Jesus point is God’s grading systems and rewards are the opposite of the worlds. If you want to be counted high in the Kingdom you must be the servant of all, not whom others serve. If you keep this first principle you will be considered by Jesus as first in the Kingdom.
While this next first may be the final first we look at in today’s lesson there are more, both in Old and New Testament. The following first is a big first in many churches and individuals today and requires our examination. What is your attitude toward others and their sin today, do you automatically condemn the actions and motives of others? Do you ever seek after the heart of God to understand that others behavior might be changed if they knew the person you know? 6. Here is another first in John 8:7 - So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
If someone is caught in an act sin do you automatically impugn and judge? We are to judge them by their fruit yes but how many times are we required to forgive others for their sins 7 or 70 times 7. If they continue in their sin expel and turn over to Satan, if they repent restore them to fellowship. We should not be ones who cast the first stone since we have been greatly forgiven. So then how should we treat others.
Keeping the first things first and relying on God’s Holy Spirit to teach, guide and direct us should be out path forward. May we look to these and other firsts to guide our path in 2023. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ and have you been born from above? If not, is God’s Holy Spirit asking you to come to Jesus? If so then do not delay for now is the day of repentance. Seek me or one of our members today to know more about following Jesus or seek out the Billy Graham Association today.
Jan 1 Sermon
“Are you ready for God to work in 2023 and whom have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” I hope you have had a good and blessed Christmas and our fellowship in Christ today marks another year in our walk with the Lord. Take a moment with me and let’s thank God for giving us another year.
Father – I thank you for granting us entry into another year in your fellowship. I praise you and thank you for giving us life. I praise and thank you for providing us salvation which is so rich and free, but cost You and Your Son the blood of His prefect sacrifice. Without His perfect life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension back into heaven, we would be without hope and lost forever. Help us this year to treasure your perfect gift more than ever, to love you more dearly and to share Christ more freely than ever before. Amen
2022 has been a challenging year for all of us individually and collectively at Oakland Baptist Church. Rampant inflation and the increasing cost of everything, the invasion across the border, the runaway and reckless spending of government with the continuing spread of lies are just part of the challenges which we faced this past year. Many have been stricken by the loss of loved ones, personal sickness or disease or both; perhaps loss of health, loss of wealth and just the ability to get things done that need to be done. We have heard and seen wars, rumors of wars, plagues and sickness spread across our countries and of course now is coming the next wave of COVID threatening’s being brought to you by foreign intervention in our lives.
It is harder to get everything including health care, medicines, food and basic necessities. Believers are considered enemies and are targeted by our own agencies which we pay for by our tax dollars. But believe it or not these are external threats which have challenged believers at all times in history, since the time of belief in Jesus Christ. Tribulations and persecutions have been part of Jews and Christians since sin entered this creation which God gave us.
So the challenge in 2023 as things tend to unravel and deteriorate further is how should we be prepared. As a good planner each of us should evaluate the threats and provide a strategy of how to respond and still manage to grow in our relationship with God, our savior and to allow the Holy Spirit greater access and influence.
Before we look at the threat arrayed against us, let’s look to determine what sources will we use for our strategic and tactical planning for 2023? If we are using anything other than the Bible and the doctrines, teachings and strategies provided there, we are wasting our time. As I continue to stress, our best and most strenuous and “perfect {should say flawed} thinking is never as good as the one who created us in the beginning. Remember 2 Tim 3:16-17 says, 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Using the word of God as our guide, we will now proceed with a threat assessment of what opposes us in 2023. Three thing oppose us in this coming year which are becoming more blatant and overt. They are: Satan, the world and the flesh.
First is the great deceiver, who is a liar from the beginning - Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 says, 8 … your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Since the garden of Eden and the temptation of Adam and Eve he has been at work tripping up the faithful to destroy them causing them to doubt their faith and deny their God.
II. Next enemy is the world, it says in 1 John 2 verses 15 &16: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. So when speaking of the world the idea is not just the physical world but the world system. Meaning how things work in the world to drive believers away from the truth of God’s creation. Satan while a defeated enemy, uses the world system to pull us away from our beliefs and truths of Him and our Father. What happens to us – the three temptations get in the way of His truths just like they did with Eve and are replicated in the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness after His baptism. They are again the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
III. Enemy number three is your flesh, no not your physical body although it will eventually betray all of us and die. The flesh is your old sin nature which you were born with on this earth. Remember all have sinned, and the wages of that sin is death from Romans Chapters 3 and 6. Romans 8 says this in verse 12-13 - 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh and verse . Go to verse, 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Satan and the demons use the weaknesses inherent in the flesh to tempt us. This is the great caution which you must apply to our lives individually - to not walk by feelings which are of the flesh and sight. Jesus warned believers about the flesh. He said
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26.41)
These are the threats, so what is the plan to be overcomers?- Overcomers are those who would overcome Satan, the world and the flesh.
God’s word has the answer but we must walk in the Word by obedience to have them fulfilled in us. Here are the three challenging thing which we need to do.
Step 1 for Satan, according to the Word of God- James 4:7 says, Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and He will flee from you. Closer fellowship with your Lord and your God in submission will allow you to resist evil. Submission is required As you become more committed to serving and living for God, Satan will flee from you. This is absolutely the first necessary step for it puts us in the right relationship with God for Him to work within us.
Step 2. To overcome the world and the world system used by Satan, look to
1 John 5:4 says, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Faith in Christ is the victory which overcomes the world and secondly to be
be {continually – I inject}transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12.2
Step 3 - the flesh overcomers Jesus tells us in John 3:6&7, 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
to overcome the flesh you must be born again. To be born again and from above and defeat your flesh you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Defeat of this unholy Trinity must be accomplished for you to be an overcomers in 2023.
“Are you ready for God to work in 2023 and whom have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” I hope you have had a good and blessed Christmas and our fellowship in Christ today marks another year in our walk with the Lord. Take a moment with me and let’s thank God for giving us another year.
Father – I thank you for granting us entry into another year in your fellowship. I praise you and thank you for giving us life. I praise and thank you for providing us salvation which is so rich and free, but cost You and Your Son the blood of His prefect sacrifice. Without His perfect life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension back into heaven, we would be without hope and lost forever. Help us this year to treasure your perfect gift more than ever, to love you more dearly and to share Christ more freely than ever before. Amen
2022 has been a challenging year for all of us individually and collectively at Oakland Baptist Church. Rampant inflation and the increasing cost of everything, the invasion across the border, the runaway and reckless spending of government with the continuing spread of lies are just part of the challenges which we faced this past year. Many have been stricken by the loss of loved ones, personal sickness or disease or both; perhaps loss of health, loss of wealth and just the ability to get things done that need to be done. We have heard and seen wars, rumors of wars, plagues and sickness spread across our countries and of course now is coming the next wave of COVID threatening’s being brought to you by foreign intervention in our lives.
It is harder to get everything including health care, medicines, food and basic necessities. Believers are considered enemies and are targeted by our own agencies which we pay for by our tax dollars. But believe it or not these are external threats which have challenged believers at all times in history, since the time of belief in Jesus Christ. Tribulations and persecutions have been part of Jews and Christians since sin entered this creation which God gave us.
So the challenge in 2023 as things tend to unravel and deteriorate further is how should we be prepared. As a good planner each of us should evaluate the threats and provide a strategy of how to respond and still manage to grow in our relationship with God, our savior and to allow the Holy Spirit greater access and influence.
Before we look at the threat arrayed against us, let’s look to determine what sources will we use for our strategic and tactical planning for 2023? If we are using anything other than the Bible and the doctrines, teachings and strategies provided there, we are wasting our time. As I continue to stress, our best and most strenuous and “perfect {should say flawed} thinking is never as good as the one who created us in the beginning. Remember 2 Tim 3:16-17 says, 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Using the word of God as our guide, we will now proceed with a threat assessment of what opposes us in 2023. Three thing oppose us in this coming year which are becoming more blatant and overt. They are: Satan, the world and the flesh.
First is the great deceiver, who is a liar from the beginning - Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 says, 8 … your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Since the garden of Eden and the temptation of Adam and Eve he has been at work tripping up the faithful to destroy them causing them to doubt their faith and deny their God.
II. Next enemy is the world, it says in 1 John 2 verses 15 &16: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. So when speaking of the world the idea is not just the physical world but the world system. Meaning how things work in the world to drive believers away from the truth of God’s creation. Satan while a defeated enemy, uses the world system to pull us away from our beliefs and truths of Him and our Father. What happens to us – the three temptations get in the way of His truths just like they did with Eve and are replicated in the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness after His baptism. They are again the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
III. Enemy number three is your flesh, no not your physical body although it will eventually betray all of us and die. The flesh is your old sin nature which you were born with on this earth. Remember all have sinned, and the wages of that sin is death from Romans Chapters 3 and 6. Romans 8 says this in verse 12-13 - 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh and verse . Go to verse, 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Satan and the demons use the weaknesses inherent in the flesh to tempt us. This is the great caution which you must apply to our lives individually - to not walk by feelings which are of the flesh and sight. Jesus warned believers about the flesh. He said
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26.41)
These are the threats, so what is the plan to be overcomers?- Overcomers are those who would overcome Satan, the world and the flesh.
God’s word has the answer but we must walk in the Word by obedience to have them fulfilled in us. Here are the three challenging thing which we need to do.
Step 1 for Satan, according to the Word of God- James 4:7 says, Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and He will flee from you. Closer fellowship with your Lord and your God in submission will allow you to resist evil. Submission is required As you become more committed to serving and living for God, Satan will flee from you. This is absolutely the first necessary step for it puts us in the right relationship with God for Him to work within us.
Step 2. To overcome the world and the world system used by Satan, look to
1 John 5:4 says, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Faith in Christ is the victory which overcomes the world and secondly to be
be {continually – I inject}transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12.2
Step 3 - the flesh overcomers Jesus tells us in John 3:6&7, 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
to overcome the flesh you must be born again. To be born again and from above and defeat your flesh you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Defeat of this unholy Trinity must be accomplished for you to be an overcomers in 2023.
Dec 24 Sermon
Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 221224_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter 33 “Christmas Eve 2022??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 1 Could you actually miss Christmas this year? Many in Bethlehem and in Israel missed Christmas the evening that Jesus was born. Well from the Bible’s telling just about everyone missed the event of all the ages except for a few shepherds, a carpenter named Joseph, his betrothed sweetheart – Mary, who was with child; Zechariah and his wife Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, and their infant baby- John the Baptist. And then of course there is baby Jesus who was just born that blessed morn. These folks didn’t miss Christmas for they were either there or were aware and waiting for the baby’s birth during some night while they were in Bethlehem. The angels in heaven didn’t miss that date either – the heavenly chorus sang to men and praised God with halleluiahs from who all blessing flow; and God the Father and the Holy Spirit didn’t miss Christmas for they had been planning and in the process of executing this event for many years. Actually it was millennia in happening, for it was in God’s plan since the time Adam and Eve sinned and He kicked them out of the Garden of Eden. The Biblical prophets didn’t miss Christmas although they didn’t have the exact day, century or year – oh they weren’t present but they were in heaven celebrating Immanuel – God with us. Isaiah and many of His fellow prophets had been predicting the baby Jesus arrival 700 years before, based upon inspiration from the Holy Spirit. They had been waiting since then in anticipation of this arrival and the blessings He would bring to all people. Isn’t this the message of the angels in Luke 2:9ff of - 9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they (shepherds) were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.” Now we know the Wise Men weren’t present in Bethlehem on Christmas day, there for the birth of Jesus. But they had not been deluded or unaware of His coming – they saw signs in the sky which pointed to His birth. They had to make a many month’slong trip to get there. They showed up maybe 2 years later but they still celebrated the birthdate of the King of the Jews. So they didn’t miss the Christmas for when they saw the start and its continued leading to the Christ child they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. They rejoiced in God’s fulfillment of His plan as predicted by those prophets 700 years earlier. This is why we call them Wise men Who else didn’t miss Christmas? Well I believe some of the shepherds were not planning to attend a birth but God chose to make the lowliest, most despised and societally uncouth aware of His most glorious gift _ His Son – the Son of Man. Step with into the eternal plan of God for a moment. In Philippians Chapter 2, God uses Paul to tell us about Jesus’ descent from Heaven to a manger stall. Begin with verse 7 and 8, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. So , exactly how far was that fall? All the way from heaven. -2 Cor. 5.21 tells us, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. So why would God honor shepherds with such honor to bless them with an Angelic choir and a visit to the manger to see baby Jesus – making sure they would not miss Christmas? I believe this is the message of Christmas. The gift of new life came in the form of a baby that first Christmas night. When God delivered on His promises to bring salvation to all men. The gift given as said in the angelic message was good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. In a lowly manager symbolizes the length God 221224_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter 33 “Christmas Eve 2022??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 221224_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter 33 “Christmas Eve 2022??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 2 would go to deliver salvation to all people from the highest to the lowest. Picture this- the plan of God is to allow His salvation for all and to begin by inviting the lowest of the low, those most rejected in all society to come to know God’s savior – Jesus the Christ, the anointed one. God is not willing that any should perish but that all could come to repentant, leading to redemption and salvation in His son. Was and is this not the ministry of Jesus to bring deliverance to all people beginning with the Jews – and they rejected Him. So who missed Christmas who shouldn’t have
Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 221224_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter 33 “Christmas Eve 2022??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 1 Could you actually miss Christmas this year? Many in Bethlehem and in Israel missed Christmas the evening that Jesus was born. Well from the Bible’s telling just about everyone missed the event of all the ages except for a few shepherds, a carpenter named Joseph, his betrothed sweetheart – Mary, who was with child; Zechariah and his wife Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, and their infant baby- John the Baptist. And then of course there is baby Jesus who was just born that blessed morn. These folks didn’t miss Christmas for they were either there or were aware and waiting for the baby’s birth during some night while they were in Bethlehem. The angels in heaven didn’t miss that date either – the heavenly chorus sang to men and praised God with halleluiahs from who all blessing flow; and God the Father and the Holy Spirit didn’t miss Christmas for they had been planning and in the process of executing this event for many years. Actually it was millennia in happening, for it was in God’s plan since the time Adam and Eve sinned and He kicked them out of the Garden of Eden. The Biblical prophets didn’t miss Christmas although they didn’t have the exact day, century or year – oh they weren’t present but they were in heaven celebrating Immanuel – God with us. Isaiah and many of His fellow prophets had been predicting the baby Jesus arrival 700 years before, based upon inspiration from the Holy Spirit. They had been waiting since then in anticipation of this arrival and the blessings He would bring to all people. Isn’t this the message of the angels in Luke 2:9ff of - 9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they (shepherds) were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.” Now we know the Wise Men weren’t present in Bethlehem on Christmas day, there for the birth of Jesus. But they had not been deluded or unaware of His coming – they saw signs in the sky which pointed to His birth. They had to make a many month’slong trip to get there. They showed up maybe 2 years later but they still celebrated the birthdate of the King of the Jews. So they didn’t miss the Christmas for when they saw the start and its continued leading to the Christ child they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. They rejoiced in God’s fulfillment of His plan as predicted by those prophets 700 years earlier. This is why we call them Wise men Who else didn’t miss Christmas? Well I believe some of the shepherds were not planning to attend a birth but God chose to make the lowliest, most despised and societally uncouth aware of His most glorious gift _ His Son – the Son of Man. Step with into the eternal plan of God for a moment. In Philippians Chapter 2, God uses Paul to tell us about Jesus’ descent from Heaven to a manger stall. Begin with verse 7 and 8, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. So , exactly how far was that fall? All the way from heaven. -2 Cor. 5.21 tells us, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. So why would God honor shepherds with such honor to bless them with an Angelic choir and a visit to the manger to see baby Jesus – making sure they would not miss Christmas? I believe this is the message of Christmas. The gift of new life came in the form of a baby that first Christmas night. When God delivered on His promises to bring salvation to all men. The gift given as said in the angelic message was good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. In a lowly manager symbolizes the length God 221224_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter 33 “Christmas Eve 2022??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 221224_Oakland Baptist Church + Easter 33 “Christmas Eve 2022??” Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?” 2 would go to deliver salvation to all people from the highest to the lowest. Picture this- the plan of God is to allow His salvation for all and to begin by inviting the lowest of the low, those most rejected in all society to come to know God’s savior – Jesus the Christ, the anointed one. God is not willing that any should perish but that all could come to repentant, leading to redemption and salvation in His son. Was and is this not the ministry of Jesus to bring deliverance to all people beginning with the Jews – and they rejected Him. So who missed Christmas who shouldn’t have
Dec 18 Sermon
Are you experiencing joy this Christmas? Church goers often read from Luke 2:9-11 as part of their Christmas celebrations. Here is what it says, 9 And [a]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Do you have joy today because of your friendship and relationship to the living Son of God? Or is your life drab, dull and depressing and you have no joy. Perhaps you need a checkup this holiday season- a joy check if you will?
There are total of 192 expressions with just the word joy in the Bible - 127 in the Old Testament and 65 times in the New Testament. Many more are there if you expand the search and include the word joyful. Do you suppose God is interested in you experiencing joy?
Now understand this, Joy is not the same as being happy or gleeful or however you define having fun. Joy is a deeper, richer in understanding of the fact God loves you, cares for you and desires to walk with you in all of life’s pleasures, difficulties and distresses. It is a measure of the fulness God. He imparts to human hearts the wonders of His love. It begins with the wonderous moment you believe on the name of the Lord Jesus and receive Him in your heart and will continue through this life and into eternity forever, which is redundant but necessary for you to understand His truth
Here are some verses about joy we hear commonly at Christmas and Easter. In, Matthew 2:10, When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. (This speaks to the Wise men as they departed from Herod to find the Christ child, who I might remind you is now probably a young child.)
Upon Jesus’ ascension into heaven we hear in Luke 24:52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The doubtful disciples worshiped Him now for they had visible evidence that Jesus had ascended into heaven.
Another reference about Joy comes in Galatians 5:22-23, where it says of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the believe He gives fruit into each life Read Galatians 5:22-23, 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [b]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Jesus also spoke to joy many several time but this verse relates to everyone who receives the free gift of salvation, Luke 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. This is Jesus finishing the understanding of the shepherd finding the lost sheep and could also refer to the following parable about the Prodigal Son.
So you see Bible is full of references to the Joy that a relationship with God, Christ and indwelling of the Holy Spirit achieves in the life of the believer. God also speaks in many references in the Old Testament about the loss and lack of Joy which comes by rebelling against God, denying His teaching, His commandments and going your own way. Sin compromises your joy and creates enmity {hate} against you from God. This is true in Old and New Testaments despite what some may teach about being under the new covenant. The Judgement of God falls on men and women because of rebellion and sin even in the new covenant relationship, otherwise God would be liar and unjust to those in the Old Testament.
I want to now look at Joy in some more depth parsing some additional texts so you might get a better appreciation for how joy is reflect in the life of the believer. Got to Psalm 16:11, It says there, You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
You will show me the path of life – what path? The path, the narrow path that leads to life everlasting in your Son. Do you know righteousness comes from God and is given to you when you believe? The righteousness of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and blood covers you, cleanses your sin and brings you into fellowship with God Almighty by His grace, your faith and His good works. This can only be done by God in Christ, you could never attain the works necessary to satisfy a holy God. Let’s pause here – do you really understand and accept this gift from God? It is critical to your life. Joy only comes because of what God does in your life. David tells us in Psalm 51 after he repented of His sin with Uriah’s death and His wife - Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Thy free Spirit Joy returned for David after he confessed, repented and returned to the Lord. Not before, during or while sinning with Bathsheba until Nathan came there was no joy. You will experience the same lack of Joy and diminished relationship with your Lord until you repent and return as well.
Here is second instance where God brings joy into the lives of those who persist and become dedicated, and separated followers of the Lord. The people in Nehemiah’s day had been apart from Jerusalem and true temple worship in slavery with Nebuchadnezzar for 70 years. God used King Cyrus to release them and sent them back to Jerusalem to reestablish the temple and rebuild the wall. In the seventh month after their return, the priest called a sacred assembly according to the Lords direction and the people read as one from the Book of the Law in the temple square. Nehemiah records in Chapter 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
When the people, in true worship, heard the Word of the Law from God and understood their sin versus the promises of God they wanted to weep. The word recorded in that chapter says, “all the people wept.” They wept because the Spirit of the Lord had overcome them and they recognized their sin and repented to tears. But again read verse 10- Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
The people were charged to do what? - rejoice with the joy of the Lord. For the joy of your Lord is your strength. Have you ever understood until this moment that God’s Word is your joy and your strength? Scripture teaches that, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Your strength in faith is directly influence by how much you saturate your soul, heart and mind in the Word of God.
There is a further promise for those who would come in repentance before the Lord, which is stated in Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. Why does repentance seem so odious to believers? I believe it comes because of the harness of our hearts and indifference to suffering and lies which we encounter daily in our world today. Is your heart hear and without joy today?
Third, Jesus spoke clearly to his disciples of one the further outcomes of having fellowship with Him. Read in John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 2 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Jesus here speaks to a specific commandment which, if followed, will sustain the gift of joy which Jesus gives you and His joy in you would be full if obeyed. Did you ever realize that faithful obedience to His Word and teachings produces joy, especially when we love one another even as Jesus loves you? Notice in particular He says that My joy, the joy of Jesus Christ Himself, might remain in you. And that joy remaining in you will produce a joy in you that is full and probably full beyond measure for that is how Jesus does things. Repeat the Joy of the Lord is my strength to underscore this!
Romans 14:17 - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
There are many more verses which I could blast you with, but I believe maybe you might be getting the point by now about Joy and its relationship to you, your heart and your fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
Let’s sum up todays message is one final verse and spend a moment applying it to our lives. Let’s use Isaiah 61:10 as a summary for today. Read with me please - Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Because of what God has done in us through Jesus Christ we have been clothed me with the garments of salvation- Jesus paid it all. He has given us all things according to righteousness. He has covered us with the Blood of the Lamb to be made presentable before our Holy God Almighty. He gave us all the implements included in the full armor of God in Ephesians 6. He Himself is the bridegroom and we believers are considered and designated as His bride. Can you believe it you are one of the Jewels in His crown? Now given these facts perhaps you can begin to believe as Isaiah did that you will greatly rejoice in the Lord. And that your soul shall be joyful in your God, for He has has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. ( 2 Peter 1:3)
AMEN
Do you need to repent today for your lack of Joy in the Lord for He is your strength? Do you now see your joy in the Lord is a reflection upon His life in you and your commitment and dedication to becoming a committed believer in Jesus? A commitment to Him is not a casual thing. Or perhaps you have never really received God’s anointing from above and your need to be save by the Blood of the Lamb. Will you respond today and give your life to the one who absolutely loves you and died for you? At the invitation come forward for repentance or salvation. Let God lead you this morning.
Additional selected verses on Joy :
Colossians 1:10-12, 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Hebrews 12:2-3, 2looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Esther 8:17 And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God.
Isaiah 29:19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.
Are you experiencing joy this Christmas? Church goers often read from Luke 2:9-11 as part of their Christmas celebrations. Here is what it says, 9 And [a]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Do you have joy today because of your friendship and relationship to the living Son of God? Or is your life drab, dull and depressing and you have no joy. Perhaps you need a checkup this holiday season- a joy check if you will?
There are total of 192 expressions with just the word joy in the Bible - 127 in the Old Testament and 65 times in the New Testament. Many more are there if you expand the search and include the word joyful. Do you suppose God is interested in you experiencing joy?
Now understand this, Joy is not the same as being happy or gleeful or however you define having fun. Joy is a deeper, richer in understanding of the fact God loves you, cares for you and desires to walk with you in all of life’s pleasures, difficulties and distresses. It is a measure of the fulness God. He imparts to human hearts the wonders of His love. It begins with the wonderous moment you believe on the name of the Lord Jesus and receive Him in your heart and will continue through this life and into eternity forever, which is redundant but necessary for you to understand His truth
Here are some verses about joy we hear commonly at Christmas and Easter. In, Matthew 2:10, When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. (This speaks to the Wise men as they departed from Herod to find the Christ child, who I might remind you is now probably a young child.)
Upon Jesus’ ascension into heaven we hear in Luke 24:52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The doubtful disciples worshiped Him now for they had visible evidence that Jesus had ascended into heaven.
Another reference about Joy comes in Galatians 5:22-23, where it says of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the believe He gives fruit into each life Read Galatians 5:22-23, 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [b]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Jesus also spoke to joy many several time but this verse relates to everyone who receives the free gift of salvation, Luke 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. This is Jesus finishing the understanding of the shepherd finding the lost sheep and could also refer to the following parable about the Prodigal Son.
So you see Bible is full of references to the Joy that a relationship with God, Christ and indwelling of the Holy Spirit achieves in the life of the believer. God also speaks in many references in the Old Testament about the loss and lack of Joy which comes by rebelling against God, denying His teaching, His commandments and going your own way. Sin compromises your joy and creates enmity {hate} against you from God. This is true in Old and New Testaments despite what some may teach about being under the new covenant. The Judgement of God falls on men and women because of rebellion and sin even in the new covenant relationship, otherwise God would be liar and unjust to those in the Old Testament.
I want to now look at Joy in some more depth parsing some additional texts so you might get a better appreciation for how joy is reflect in the life of the believer. Got to Psalm 16:11, It says there, You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
You will show me the path of life – what path? The path, the narrow path that leads to life everlasting in your Son. Do you know righteousness comes from God and is given to you when you believe? The righteousness of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and blood covers you, cleanses your sin and brings you into fellowship with God Almighty by His grace, your faith and His good works. This can only be done by God in Christ, you could never attain the works necessary to satisfy a holy God. Let’s pause here – do you really understand and accept this gift from God? It is critical to your life. Joy only comes because of what God does in your life. David tells us in Psalm 51 after he repented of His sin with Uriah’s death and His wife - Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Thy free Spirit Joy returned for David after he confessed, repented and returned to the Lord. Not before, during or while sinning with Bathsheba until Nathan came there was no joy. You will experience the same lack of Joy and diminished relationship with your Lord until you repent and return as well.
Here is second instance where God brings joy into the lives of those who persist and become dedicated, and separated followers of the Lord. The people in Nehemiah’s day had been apart from Jerusalem and true temple worship in slavery with Nebuchadnezzar for 70 years. God used King Cyrus to release them and sent them back to Jerusalem to reestablish the temple and rebuild the wall. In the seventh month after their return, the priest called a sacred assembly according to the Lords direction and the people read as one from the Book of the Law in the temple square. Nehemiah records in Chapter 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
When the people, in true worship, heard the Word of the Law from God and understood their sin versus the promises of God they wanted to weep. The word recorded in that chapter says, “all the people wept.” They wept because the Spirit of the Lord had overcome them and they recognized their sin and repented to tears. But again read verse 10- Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
The people were charged to do what? - rejoice with the joy of the Lord. For the joy of your Lord is your strength. Have you ever understood until this moment that God’s Word is your joy and your strength? Scripture teaches that, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Your strength in faith is directly influence by how much you saturate your soul, heart and mind in the Word of God.
There is a further promise for those who would come in repentance before the Lord, which is stated in Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. Why does repentance seem so odious to believers? I believe it comes because of the harness of our hearts and indifference to suffering and lies which we encounter daily in our world today. Is your heart hear and without joy today?
Third, Jesus spoke clearly to his disciples of one the further outcomes of having fellowship with Him. Read in John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 2 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Jesus here speaks to a specific commandment which, if followed, will sustain the gift of joy which Jesus gives you and His joy in you would be full if obeyed. Did you ever realize that faithful obedience to His Word and teachings produces joy, especially when we love one another even as Jesus loves you? Notice in particular He says that My joy, the joy of Jesus Christ Himself, might remain in you. And that joy remaining in you will produce a joy in you that is full and probably full beyond measure for that is how Jesus does things. Repeat the Joy of the Lord is my strength to underscore this!
Romans 14:17 - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
There are many more verses which I could blast you with, but I believe maybe you might be getting the point by now about Joy and its relationship to you, your heart and your fellowship with the Lord Jesus.
Let’s sum up todays message is one final verse and spend a moment applying it to our lives. Let’s use Isaiah 61:10 as a summary for today. Read with me please - Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Because of what God has done in us through Jesus Christ we have been clothed me with the garments of salvation- Jesus paid it all. He has given us all things according to righteousness. He has covered us with the Blood of the Lamb to be made presentable before our Holy God Almighty. He gave us all the implements included in the full armor of God in Ephesians 6. He Himself is the bridegroom and we believers are considered and designated as His bride. Can you believe it you are one of the Jewels in His crown? Now given these facts perhaps you can begin to believe as Isaiah did that you will greatly rejoice in the Lord. And that your soul shall be joyful in your God, for He has has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. ( 2 Peter 1:3)
AMEN
Do you need to repent today for your lack of Joy in the Lord for He is your strength? Do you now see your joy in the Lord is a reflection upon His life in you and your commitment and dedication to becoming a committed believer in Jesus? A commitment to Him is not a casual thing. Or perhaps you have never really received God’s anointing from above and your need to be save by the Blood of the Lamb. Will you respond today and give your life to the one who absolutely loves you and died for you? At the invitation come forward for repentance or salvation. Let God lead you this morning.
Additional selected verses on Joy :
Colossians 1:10-12, 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Hebrews 12:2-3, 2looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Esther 8:17 And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God.
Isaiah 29:19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.
Dec 11 Sermon
Christmas is coming and are your already overwhelmed? Perhaps not so much with Christmas but it adds to your stress and woes because you see food, gas and the cost of living increasing every time you go to the store. You see crime, evil and dishonesty being rewarded. And dishonesty, greed and self-interests seeming to triumph over goodness everywhere you turn. How do you responds to this mess? Do you spend time complaining about what’s happening? Do you believe you are being continually defeated or dismayed at the forces of evil and dishonesty that are arrayed against you? I am sure we all despair sometimes, and there is nothing inherently wrong with this? But if you are at it continually railing against circumstances and the forces arrayed against you then perhaps there is a bigger problem? Do you understand that God knows exactly where you are and what is happening in your life? Complaining and grumbling are not necessarily good responses
Complaining and grumbling and griping have gotten the people of God in some very bad juju over the centuries. I have pulled one of the many verses which resulted from me searching the word “complained,” Check out Numbers 14:2. It says, And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!
The peoples grumbling and complaining were voice to but were not really directed against Moses, Aaron or Joshua. These complaints were actually against God who was leading them.
What is the so what here? What does this mean to us, in our day and in our world? So how best then do we evaluate our Position? Our best position is to apply and measure ourselves against the word of God – the Bible and what God says about what is “truth.”.
Let’s look at the Old Testament book of Numbers 13:25-33. now beginning at verse 25, 25 And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.
26 Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Parana, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly [g]flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.”
30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the [h]giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like[i]grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
My, my, things were really bad according to ten spies. But two spies said no, we are able, with God’s promise, to do follow God’s command. Do you think the people believed that they were just going to walk into the promised land and be handed all these rewards as freebees? Apparently, they did, for they complained again and again against their circumstance which God had put them in the middle of on purpose. God was leading them to Himself and that is not always an easy task, especially for a people who had been slaves for 400+ years and were now free to choose who they would worship and honor.
Folks there is a big divide here which you and I need to understand. There are three specific places mentioned here from Exodus through Joshua. These places represent three states or conditions in their relationship to God and His promises. These three places are; Egypt, the Wilderness and the Promised Land. Each of us today is in one of these locations in our relationship with God. Egypt, Pharaoh and the many differing gods therein represent the domain of sin and evil and is the resident domain of the damned, both present and future.
Second is the Promised land which represents the domain of God in Christ for those living today and for eternity. Make no mistake the Promised Land is for those who have fully received and are living for and are “in Christ” in our world today. The is the land of those born again and from above; and are populated by those who were sinners, who have come as the whosoever will and called upon the name of the Lord, who have been saved by grace through faith. These are those who are walking by faith in Christ and not by sight
Now listen and understand about the middle ground between Egypt and the Promised Land. It is called Wilderness and it is middle ground. The wilderness is for those who have heard the promise from God for redemption, but have not fully trusted by faith in the truth of the promise; and are living frustrated and unstable in the world around them. These are the ones we just read about who consider themselves as “grasshoppers,” who are unwilling and unable to fully accept the promises and truths which God has given us and learned to trust and walk in them.
The question for the day is, where are you? Are you still in Egypt in the midst of your sin never having believed or trusted in that Jesus nonsense? Or are you having heard the truth and begun to believe but because of your lack of faith and unbelief are now in the wilderness of circumstances, like those in Moses’ day? Notice closely in our scripture for today verse 31 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. This is showing a direct lack of faith in the Words of God spoken to them by Moses.
Do you remember in the new testament where the man who desired his son to be healed from demon possession – 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”
41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O [f]faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and [g]bear with you? (Luke 9:40-41)
– because of the disciples lack of faith they were severely rebuked by Jesus.
The problem we have is there is no fear of God. Without the fear of God we lack the wisdom which comes by fearing God. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
The Israelites living in bondage had seen the acts of God but had never come to know and to fear, honor, love and trust Him so they were overwhelmed by the forces arrayed against them. This type of living caused God to proclaim 40 years banishment in the wilderness until all over 20 years old had perished except Caleb, Joshua and Moses. Those men were satisfied to call themselves Grasshoppers before those who opposed them for they did not believe or trust in the promises of God. Even thought they testified to the fact that the Land was full of milk and honey, they denied God was able to deliver them? Are you a grasshopper Christian living in the Wilderness of sin not relying on the promises of God?
Or have you fully trusted in the Lord God and Him only shall you serve, as Jesus spoke in Luke 4:8? These are the blessed who are living even now in the promised land.
You ask me how can you say that with all the problems I have right now?? I guess maybe you are a grasshopper Christian. Others such as Bill Bright might label you differently - a carnal Christian. You have heard the promises but are not fully committed yourself to trusting in God’s power or His word. Perhaps you are not really saved? Could this be true of you?
Is this the way you believe you stand before God today? A mere grasshopper unable to contend for the faith with the enemies who come against you? Do you know God is with you and has called us to stand and having done all to stand? {Eph 6:11-19) I believe many people today are overcome by all that is coming against believers, traditional Christian values and beliefs. We are not grasshoppers but overcomers and those who are empowered by God and who have His strength to stand in the evil day despite all
I ask you to meditate on this verse as you prepare your hearts for Christmas - The Essence of the Law is from Deuteronomy 10:12
12 “And now, Israel (Christians), what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
If you do so you will not become a grasshopper Christian, this is the promise of God.
Read these verses for a summary on the
“the fear of the Lord is” from Proverbs:
1. Proverbs 1:7
2. Proverbs 8:13
3. Proverbs 9:10
4. Proverbs 14:26
5. Proverbs 14:27
6. Proverbs 15:16
7. Proverbs 15:33
8. Proverbs 16:6
9. Proverbs 19:1
NKJV 1975 version Thomas Nelson publishers.
Christmas is coming and are your already overwhelmed? Perhaps not so much with Christmas but it adds to your stress and woes because you see food, gas and the cost of living increasing every time you go to the store. You see crime, evil and dishonesty being rewarded. And dishonesty, greed and self-interests seeming to triumph over goodness everywhere you turn. How do you responds to this mess? Do you spend time complaining about what’s happening? Do you believe you are being continually defeated or dismayed at the forces of evil and dishonesty that are arrayed against you? I am sure we all despair sometimes, and there is nothing inherently wrong with this? But if you are at it continually railing against circumstances and the forces arrayed against you then perhaps there is a bigger problem? Do you understand that God knows exactly where you are and what is happening in your life? Complaining and grumbling are not necessarily good responses
Complaining and grumbling and griping have gotten the people of God in some very bad juju over the centuries. I have pulled one of the many verses which resulted from me searching the word “complained,” Check out Numbers 14:2. It says, And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!
The peoples grumbling and complaining were voice to but were not really directed against Moses, Aaron or Joshua. These complaints were actually against God who was leading them.
What is the so what here? What does this mean to us, in our day and in our world? So how best then do we evaluate our Position? Our best position is to apply and measure ourselves against the word of God – the Bible and what God says about what is “truth.”.
Let’s look at the Old Testament book of Numbers 13:25-33. now beginning at verse 25, 25 And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.
26 Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Parana, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly [g]flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.”
30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the [h]giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like[i]grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
My, my, things were really bad according to ten spies. But two spies said no, we are able, with God’s promise, to do follow God’s command. Do you think the people believed that they were just going to walk into the promised land and be handed all these rewards as freebees? Apparently, they did, for they complained again and again against their circumstance which God had put them in the middle of on purpose. God was leading them to Himself and that is not always an easy task, especially for a people who had been slaves for 400+ years and were now free to choose who they would worship and honor.
Folks there is a big divide here which you and I need to understand. There are three specific places mentioned here from Exodus through Joshua. These places represent three states or conditions in their relationship to God and His promises. These three places are; Egypt, the Wilderness and the Promised Land. Each of us today is in one of these locations in our relationship with God. Egypt, Pharaoh and the many differing gods therein represent the domain of sin and evil and is the resident domain of the damned, both present and future.
Second is the Promised land which represents the domain of God in Christ for those living today and for eternity. Make no mistake the Promised Land is for those who have fully received and are living for and are “in Christ” in our world today. The is the land of those born again and from above; and are populated by those who were sinners, who have come as the whosoever will and called upon the name of the Lord, who have been saved by grace through faith. These are those who are walking by faith in Christ and not by sight
Now listen and understand about the middle ground between Egypt and the Promised Land. It is called Wilderness and it is middle ground. The wilderness is for those who have heard the promise from God for redemption, but have not fully trusted by faith in the truth of the promise; and are living frustrated and unstable in the world around them. These are the ones we just read about who consider themselves as “grasshoppers,” who are unwilling and unable to fully accept the promises and truths which God has given us and learned to trust and walk in them.
The question for the day is, where are you? Are you still in Egypt in the midst of your sin never having believed or trusted in that Jesus nonsense? Or are you having heard the truth and begun to believe but because of your lack of faith and unbelief are now in the wilderness of circumstances, like those in Moses’ day? Notice closely in our scripture for today verse 31 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. This is showing a direct lack of faith in the Words of God spoken to them by Moses.
Do you remember in the new testament where the man who desired his son to be healed from demon possession – 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”
41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O [f]faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and [g]bear with you? (Luke 9:40-41)
– because of the disciples lack of faith they were severely rebuked by Jesus.
The problem we have is there is no fear of God. Without the fear of God we lack the wisdom which comes by fearing God. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
The Israelites living in bondage had seen the acts of God but had never come to know and to fear, honor, love and trust Him so they were overwhelmed by the forces arrayed against them. This type of living caused God to proclaim 40 years banishment in the wilderness until all over 20 years old had perished except Caleb, Joshua and Moses. Those men were satisfied to call themselves Grasshoppers before those who opposed them for they did not believe or trust in the promises of God. Even thought they testified to the fact that the Land was full of milk and honey, they denied God was able to deliver them? Are you a grasshopper Christian living in the Wilderness of sin not relying on the promises of God?
Or have you fully trusted in the Lord God and Him only shall you serve, as Jesus spoke in Luke 4:8? These are the blessed who are living even now in the promised land.
You ask me how can you say that with all the problems I have right now?? I guess maybe you are a grasshopper Christian. Others such as Bill Bright might label you differently - a carnal Christian. You have heard the promises but are not fully committed yourself to trusting in God’s power or His word. Perhaps you are not really saved? Could this be true of you?
Is this the way you believe you stand before God today? A mere grasshopper unable to contend for the faith with the enemies who come against you? Do you know God is with you and has called us to stand and having done all to stand? {Eph 6:11-19) I believe many people today are overcome by all that is coming against believers, traditional Christian values and beliefs. We are not grasshoppers but overcomers and those who are empowered by God and who have His strength to stand in the evil day despite all
I ask you to meditate on this verse as you prepare your hearts for Christmas - The Essence of the Law is from Deuteronomy 10:12
12 “And now, Israel (Christians), what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
If you do so you will not become a grasshopper Christian, this is the promise of God.
Read these verses for a summary on the
“the fear of the Lord is” from Proverbs:
1. Proverbs 1:7
2. Proverbs 8:13
3. Proverbs 9:10
4. Proverbs 14:26
5. Proverbs 14:27
6. Proverbs 15:16
7. Proverbs 15:33
8. Proverbs 16:6
9. Proverbs 19:1
NKJV 1975 version Thomas Nelson publishers.
Dec 4 Sermon
In every case in scripture whether Old Testaments - say Moses, Abram to Abraham, Gideon, David or any of the prophets to the New Testament disciples, God always wants a deeper relationship with those He called. The path to a deep relationship for each could be painful, joyous, full of challenges and difficulties. Just look at the life of Paul, John or Peter every twist and turn of their lives God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit was moving them towards a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with Himself. Jesus told the disciples simply Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. Sounds quite simple but if we look at their lives, the growing in relationship to God was not easy and, in some cases, painful, personally stretching and difficult.
God in Christ has not changed He wants a close personal and individual relationship with you. This may not have been your experience growing up. You may not have had warm, close loving relationship with your parents, brothers, sisters and family. Your relationships could have been very formal, almost cold and professional to a large extent or even abusive, punishing and hateful full of drunken rage or misgiving. That is not the love of God. He corrects and emends our ways to be conformed to His precepts but to the one who comes to Him in faith, He will in no wise cast out. The love of God is evident in the fact that He sent His Son a ransom for many for sin. God’s greatest love was made real on the cross of Calvary where Jesus paid it all for you and I. As the song says, A message written in Red from His shed blood. We could spend the rest of the lesson on the love of God but we will not. The love of God is settled at the cross forever.
You on the other hand need to know that the work of the Holy Spirit is to conform your life to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29.) Which means God is at work in the life of everyone who is called by His name (Phil. 2.13). Now you may be oblivious or have ignored the calling of God for so long you do not realize He is drawing your unto Himself with chords of love. He wants close intimate fellowship with your heart and He wants you on mission for Him. Question does this discussion ring true in your heart right now, or is this confusing? Let’s gain insight into this problem by simply looking at the disciples of Jesus. God is wants us to understand His ways and draw us deeper in our relationship with Him. Look in the New Testament Gospel of Luke, chapter 5, beginning at the first verse. Let’s read:
5 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him {Jesus}to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon {Peter}, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
Now going to verse 12 we begin Case II – which is the immediate application for the instruction of the disciples in God’s ways of what He just taught the disciples-
Jesus Cleanses a Leper 12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and [b]implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.” {this action of going to the Priest fulfills the law of God found in Leviticus}
Pray with me – Lord help us to see what you want is us from this teaching in Luke 5. It is important Lord for us to see your loving approach to drawing us deeper in Your love. Amen
Go back now to verse 1-5 and let’s dig into the truths here for our understanding.
What we don’t discern here from this text is that Jesus had earlier met these men who He will eventually call to be disciples in Mark Chapter 1 and Matthew, Chapter 4 and Peter, Andrew, James and John went with Him to Capernaum and Galilee but they went back to their trade of being fishermen.
Here is the important point – Jesus in the life of an individual makes a big difference, and encounter with Jesus is life changing and will rearrange everything. But as in the future disciples case it took more than one encounter for them to awaken to His calling. Note this Jesus is preaching to the crowd but His concern is always for individuals. If you study God’s word you will always find this pattern is true.
Jesus is now about to invite them into deeper waters with Himself. This was after they had spent all night fishing and yet caught nothing. Read what the text says. Now this says something about the character of the men Jesus was calling perhaps as many as 7 of the 12 were fisherman. To be a professional fisherman these individuals would have had to have faith to plod the seas day after day. So they needed persistence, patience and had to be efficient and these were good qualities for the faith works God was calling them to accomplish. But they lacked a very essential quality – deep and abiding personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. So let’s see what Jesus does.
It says that Jesus was preaching to a crowd which was continually pressing around Him, so He commandeers a fishing boat to give Himself some space from them. Now notice how God orchestrated details. He put the frustrated fishermen in the exact presence of His Son, while they were finishing up cleaning up from a disappointing night. Now it says Jesus was using this fishing boat as a platform to preach the Word of God – and the people were obviously hungry for the Word. Jesus was teaching with authority and the people could not get enough. So who else was hearing and needed the Word of God but the fishermen – just a coincidence, right? Jesus was already calling others to respond to His Word, He was fishing for souls already.
Do you understand that Peter and the other future disciples were captives on the boat? Romans 10:17 tells us, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Jesus’ teaching and preaching was to the crowd but plainly also for the future disciples, for He was preparing them for a future encounter with Him.
This is actually God’s invitation for you and I and these men to go deeper with Him and to prepare us to join Him in His work.
Stay focused on verses 3-5: 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon {Peter}, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus first gets into Simon Peter’s boat and ask Him to put out a little from the land. A simple request but unexpected. So Jesus first asks us to trust a little to have faith in Him, just a little to trust in Him. This gives us a chance to take our first step of obedience in faith. Then the next and greater step is to cast out into deeper water. Notice is says after His teaching the multitudes He stopped speaking and He says to Peter and the crew a command – Launch out into the deep. Jesus has been teaching Simon Peter and the rest of the crew and they having heard His teaching are now put to the test. So here Jesus who they have been with before but left and went back to fishing are now challenged again by Jesus not in some unfamiliar setting but right there in their workplace on the Sea of Galilee.
But it was not just to “Launch out into the deep but to do something extraordinary and let down At this command Jesus is challenging them in everything they think they know and that is all about fishing and their life’s work. But He is also meeting them at the point of their need which was to provide for others and themselves.
Notice Simon Peter’s concern he answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. This was simply stating the facts which Jesus already knew. Notice the term Master this is recognition of a higher estate than he has understood to this point.
Remember, Simon is a fisherman- he knows that the fish are caught at night when they come to the surface. During the day the fish go deep to get to the cooler water. Jesus call to launch into the deep flies in the face of all they have learned and understood. After all Jesus is no fisherman, who is He to tell them what to do.
These men are about to experience the power of a word spoken by God, but not quite yet.
A further step of obedience is required by Simon and these men and here it is. Simon after hearing Jesus teaching to the multitudes has taken to heart the words He has said, and now here is what he says, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” Now look at the result of this next step of faith look to verse 8 - 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. Notice the learning by the future disciples they immediately called others to share in the bounty which the Lord had provided- So they signaled to their partners. Gods’ providence and care demands sharing, yes in the work as well. So they called others.
Now notice the immediate heart change in Simon when he fully recognized the activity and calling of God through Jesus working, verse 8 - 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;
Jesus then calmly admonishes them to take heart what I have done here I will do with you but “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.
When they returned it says, verse 11, 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
Now immediately Jesus reinforces this teaching of His ways by curing a leper. I would like to spend many minutes explaining the healing of the leper but we can’t. Here is the gist – leprosy is a disease and it represents sin in all its evil intent. Leprosy separates, it is pervasive, it festers, it must be isolated, it represents a fatal problem in an individual. Leprosy makes a person insensitive to the pain it is causing and harms both the individual and others. The fact that a Leper comes to Jesus and asked to be healed shows that God was working in the heart of this leper to recognize that He needed to come to Jesus for He was the only source of true healing. Just as He did with the Fisherman faith and actions had to be demonstrated by those coming to Jesus for healing and salvation. Jesus was concerned about the individual and touched the unclean to make Him whole.
This is what He does with us all.
Do you see that Jesus is wanting to draw you into deeper fellowship with Himself today? Has God spoken to your heart this morning if so are your prepared to respond to His command to push out just a little further? Will you be obedient today -after all Jesus is calling you today?
Amen
In every case in scripture whether Old Testaments - say Moses, Abram to Abraham, Gideon, David or any of the prophets to the New Testament disciples, God always wants a deeper relationship with those He called. The path to a deep relationship for each could be painful, joyous, full of challenges and difficulties. Just look at the life of Paul, John or Peter every twist and turn of their lives God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit was moving them towards a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with Himself. Jesus told the disciples simply Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. Sounds quite simple but if we look at their lives, the growing in relationship to God was not easy and, in some cases, painful, personally stretching and difficult.
God in Christ has not changed He wants a close personal and individual relationship with you. This may not have been your experience growing up. You may not have had warm, close loving relationship with your parents, brothers, sisters and family. Your relationships could have been very formal, almost cold and professional to a large extent or even abusive, punishing and hateful full of drunken rage or misgiving. That is not the love of God. He corrects and emends our ways to be conformed to His precepts but to the one who comes to Him in faith, He will in no wise cast out. The love of God is evident in the fact that He sent His Son a ransom for many for sin. God’s greatest love was made real on the cross of Calvary where Jesus paid it all for you and I. As the song says, A message written in Red from His shed blood. We could spend the rest of the lesson on the love of God but we will not. The love of God is settled at the cross forever.
You on the other hand need to know that the work of the Holy Spirit is to conform your life to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29.) Which means God is at work in the life of everyone who is called by His name (Phil. 2.13). Now you may be oblivious or have ignored the calling of God for so long you do not realize He is drawing your unto Himself with chords of love. He wants close intimate fellowship with your heart and He wants you on mission for Him. Question does this discussion ring true in your heart right now, or is this confusing? Let’s gain insight into this problem by simply looking at the disciples of Jesus. God is wants us to understand His ways and draw us deeper in our relationship with Him. Look in the New Testament Gospel of Luke, chapter 5, beginning at the first verse. Let’s read:
5 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him {Jesus}to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon {Peter}, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
Now going to verse 12 we begin Case II – which is the immediate application for the instruction of the disciples in God’s ways of what He just taught the disciples-
Jesus Cleanses a Leper 12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and [b]implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.” {this action of going to the Priest fulfills the law of God found in Leviticus}
Pray with me – Lord help us to see what you want is us from this teaching in Luke 5. It is important Lord for us to see your loving approach to drawing us deeper in Your love. Amen
Go back now to verse 1-5 and let’s dig into the truths here for our understanding.
What we don’t discern here from this text is that Jesus had earlier met these men who He will eventually call to be disciples in Mark Chapter 1 and Matthew, Chapter 4 and Peter, Andrew, James and John went with Him to Capernaum and Galilee but they went back to their trade of being fishermen.
Here is the important point – Jesus in the life of an individual makes a big difference, and encounter with Jesus is life changing and will rearrange everything. But as in the future disciples case it took more than one encounter for them to awaken to His calling. Note this Jesus is preaching to the crowd but His concern is always for individuals. If you study God’s word you will always find this pattern is true.
Jesus is now about to invite them into deeper waters with Himself. This was after they had spent all night fishing and yet caught nothing. Read what the text says. Now this says something about the character of the men Jesus was calling perhaps as many as 7 of the 12 were fisherman. To be a professional fisherman these individuals would have had to have faith to plod the seas day after day. So they needed persistence, patience and had to be efficient and these were good qualities for the faith works God was calling them to accomplish. But they lacked a very essential quality – deep and abiding personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. So let’s see what Jesus does.
It says that Jesus was preaching to a crowd which was continually pressing around Him, so He commandeers a fishing boat to give Himself some space from them. Now notice how God orchestrated details. He put the frustrated fishermen in the exact presence of His Son, while they were finishing up cleaning up from a disappointing night. Now it says Jesus was using this fishing boat as a platform to preach the Word of God – and the people were obviously hungry for the Word. Jesus was teaching with authority and the people could not get enough. So who else was hearing and needed the Word of God but the fishermen – just a coincidence, right? Jesus was already calling others to respond to His Word, He was fishing for souls already.
Do you understand that Peter and the other future disciples were captives on the boat? Romans 10:17 tells us, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Jesus’ teaching and preaching was to the crowd but plainly also for the future disciples, for He was preparing them for a future encounter with Him.
This is actually God’s invitation for you and I and these men to go deeper with Him and to prepare us to join Him in His work.
Stay focused on verses 3-5: 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon {Peter}, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus first gets into Simon Peter’s boat and ask Him to put out a little from the land. A simple request but unexpected. So Jesus first asks us to trust a little to have faith in Him, just a little to trust in Him. This gives us a chance to take our first step of obedience in faith. Then the next and greater step is to cast out into deeper water. Notice is says after His teaching the multitudes He stopped speaking and He says to Peter and the crew a command – Launch out into the deep. Jesus has been teaching Simon Peter and the rest of the crew and they having heard His teaching are now put to the test. So here Jesus who they have been with before but left and went back to fishing are now challenged again by Jesus not in some unfamiliar setting but right there in their workplace on the Sea of Galilee.
But it was not just to “Launch out into the deep but to do something extraordinary and let down At this command Jesus is challenging them in everything they think they know and that is all about fishing and their life’s work. But He is also meeting them at the point of their need which was to provide for others and themselves.
Notice Simon Peter’s concern he answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. This was simply stating the facts which Jesus already knew. Notice the term Master this is recognition of a higher estate than he has understood to this point.
Remember, Simon is a fisherman- he knows that the fish are caught at night when they come to the surface. During the day the fish go deep to get to the cooler water. Jesus call to launch into the deep flies in the face of all they have learned and understood. After all Jesus is no fisherman, who is He to tell them what to do.
These men are about to experience the power of a word spoken by God, but not quite yet.
A further step of obedience is required by Simon and these men and here it is. Simon after hearing Jesus teaching to the multitudes has taken to heart the words He has said, and now here is what he says, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” Now look at the result of this next step of faith look to verse 8 - 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. Notice the learning by the future disciples they immediately called others to share in the bounty which the Lord had provided- So they signaled to their partners. Gods’ providence and care demands sharing, yes in the work as well. So they called others.
Now notice the immediate heart change in Simon when he fully recognized the activity and calling of God through Jesus working, verse 8 - 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;
Jesus then calmly admonishes them to take heart what I have done here I will do with you but “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.
When they returned it says, verse 11, 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
Now immediately Jesus reinforces this teaching of His ways by curing a leper. I would like to spend many minutes explaining the healing of the leper but we can’t. Here is the gist – leprosy is a disease and it represents sin in all its evil intent. Leprosy separates, it is pervasive, it festers, it must be isolated, it represents a fatal problem in an individual. Leprosy makes a person insensitive to the pain it is causing and harms both the individual and others. The fact that a Leper comes to Jesus and asked to be healed shows that God was working in the heart of this leper to recognize that He needed to come to Jesus for He was the only source of true healing. Just as He did with the Fisherman faith and actions had to be demonstrated by those coming to Jesus for healing and salvation. Jesus was concerned about the individual and touched the unclean to make Him whole.
This is what He does with us all.
Do you see that Jesus is wanting to draw you into deeper fellowship with Himself today? Has God spoken to your heart this morning if so are your prepared to respond to His command to push out just a little further? Will you be obedient today -after all Jesus is calling you today?
Amen
Nov 20 Sermon
We always hearing Pastors, Preachers and Evangelists talking about “repentance.” What is the big deal about repentance? Why is everyone all flustered about repentance and why do they make such an issue about it? You might even be thinking that yourself right this moment – be truthful now, no denying it!
Why is the idea, the desire and the act of repentance so difficult for us to want to understand and to grasp?
Teacher, Teacher, I think I know the answer, as I raise my hand excitedly bouncing up and down in my seat!!!
I believe it all has to do with the nature of the human heart. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)
When the average person thinks "evil or wickedness," he or she generally thinks of a cruelly-featured, sneering, bestial man wickedly twirling his mustache as he draws perverse delight from inflicting misery on his fellow human beings.
People who fit the almost cartoonish definition we've grown accustomed to viewing as evil, certainly do exist -- and we hear about those dictators, serial killers, hit men, & psychopaths on the nightly news.
But, it's a mistake to believe that those are the only people who do evil or that only activities that rise to the level of murder, rape, or armed robbery are sins. The worst of the worst may deserve especially strong condemnation, but small cruelties committed by unthinking people -- who view themselves as good and just, despite their sometimes-malicious actions -- have done more than most people realize to spread evil, degrade civilization, and drag our culture into the sewers. Here are some exemplars of wickedness today for your consideration:
1) Anonymously emailing death threats to others.
2) Abortion on demand is evil, kills a person but that’s choice and that’s OK, right? Redefining words to make evil acceptable that is wickedness.
3) Suing someone who did nothing wrong in order to collect a big payday or make a profit.
4) Passing on information that you know is a lie about a political, business or personal associate or opponent.
5) Posting someone's phone number or address online in an effort to intimidate or in hopes that someone will try to hurt or harm them.
6) Passing rules or legislation to enrich your friends, family, or yourself.
7) A witty comedian telling a brilliant joke about how dumb people are who do the right thing.
8) Lying to a woman to get her to bed with you.
9.) Lying so you don’t have to work and collect welfare or benefits checks
10) Trying to convince people to do something that's immoral, unethical, or just plain wrong so that you'll feel better about doing it yourself.
11) Spreading disinformation about anything – called gossiping, or lying.
12) Pastors who water down and or don’t teach Biblical truths, his Lord requires, because they conflict with his political or personal views on correctness.
So there is all sorts of wickedness around us today and it all come from a dark heart. Jesus says, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. (Matt. 12.35). Lots of evil treasure in the world today don’t you think?
Repentance then is looking at our hearts from a heavenly or Godly perspective and understanding how dark they are and turning in the exact opposite direction. We turn away from because there is new light inside us. What has changed? God has opened us up to Himself and has put a new Spirit within us, initially just enough to cause us to understand the sin and draw us to Himself.
Some ideas from scripture for us to consider follow:
Matthew 3:2,8,11 John the Baptist
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”8 -Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance 11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 4:17 says, From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus spoke again of the importance of repentance in Matthew 9:14, 14 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
Repentance is absolutely essential for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, it comes by enlightened conviction created by God’s stirring our hearts because of our sinful condition.
Repentance is essential for continued growth as a believer and staying in fellowship with God. It is not enough to continually say I am sorry, we must repent and turn away or again and again saying, Yes Lord I must turn away. This truth is evident in 2 Cor 7. 9-10 says, 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. So it is not enough just to be sorry for sorrow leads to death. Repentance actually turning away leads to life.
So that’s an overview, we need to dig deeper for God is calling all believers today to repent, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Eph. 5:27} I ask you a question today as you consider the biblical calling of God’s Word, are you as His child without spot or wrinkle and can you say I am holy and without blemish? If you are unable to say this in the near presence of God, then each one of us needs repentance today!
Digging deeper into Matthew 3 we see John the Baptist baptizing believing Israelites in a baptism of repentance. Why is he doing this since they already believe in God? Let’s read Matt Chapter 3, beginning at verse 1, 3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
So let’s cherry pick from this text a few verses
1. Verses 2 and 3, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’
John the Baptist wax aware of his calling from God. Remember the angel told his daddy- Zacharias, the. priest, as he was doing his duty in the temple, your child shall be filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
So we see here John the Baptist doing what was prophesied by the Angel. John filled with the Holy Spirit knows what He is to do and that is prepare for the coming Messiah.
#2. Matthew 3. 5-6. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
John was preparing the way for the Jews who believed in God to confession and repentance.
John was on mission with God to “prepare ye the way of the Lord. These were the common people sensing the power of God in the person of John the Baptist and being baptized in the Jordan. Now ritual cleansing was part of the Jewish ritual but this is more I believe. Baptism is this sense was for the purging of sins in preparation to receive a future blessing in our case forgiveness. I believe this call was beyond what was normally considered ritual cleansing. Preparing and responding to baptisms from John was sensing the activity and call of God not just ritualistic and ceremonial cleansing.
#3. Note verses 11 and 12: 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
This confirms John’s call to baptize unto repentance on the basis of water, but the one who is coming has much more. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. This is the baptism we read about when Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. Nicodemus sensed he was lacking something necessary to have forgiveness and to be holy not just now but for eternity. Jesus answers the desire of his heart and says “you must be born again”
You see according to the word of God you and I cannot stand in God presence in our present condition as a sinner or as an unrepentant believer.
We are advised in Psalms 24:3-5 of this –
3Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation
Repentance is essential for salvation in order to believe initially.
Repentance and forgiveness is continual in the life of a born again believer.
Yes once saved always saved, but repentance is cause by the activity of the Holy Spirit described in John 16. Unrepentant believers will be judged for their hard hearts and unforgiven sins at the bema judgement of Jesus.
Here is the call today for this church in this hour not dependent upon anyone else but upon the call of God to create this church without spot or wrinkle unto Himself. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior and you have not asked Him into your heart today. Now I the time, today is the day of salvation. Reject His call at your eternal peril
For believers you may need renewed cleansing and repentance to turn from your wicked ways – Remember David and his call -Renew a right sprite within me. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy Holy Spirt from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit. AMEN
FATHER we beg you to meet with us now. May we respond to your call upon our lives to cleansed, holy and anointed vessels unto your honor today. Amen
We always hearing Pastors, Preachers and Evangelists talking about “repentance.” What is the big deal about repentance? Why is everyone all flustered about repentance and why do they make such an issue about it? You might even be thinking that yourself right this moment – be truthful now, no denying it!
Why is the idea, the desire and the act of repentance so difficult for us to want to understand and to grasp?
Teacher, Teacher, I think I know the answer, as I raise my hand excitedly bouncing up and down in my seat!!!
I believe it all has to do with the nature of the human heart. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)
When the average person thinks "evil or wickedness," he or she generally thinks of a cruelly-featured, sneering, bestial man wickedly twirling his mustache as he draws perverse delight from inflicting misery on his fellow human beings.
People who fit the almost cartoonish definition we've grown accustomed to viewing as evil, certainly do exist -- and we hear about those dictators, serial killers, hit men, & psychopaths on the nightly news.
But, it's a mistake to believe that those are the only people who do evil or that only activities that rise to the level of murder, rape, or armed robbery are sins. The worst of the worst may deserve especially strong condemnation, but small cruelties committed by unthinking people -- who view themselves as good and just, despite their sometimes-malicious actions -- have done more than most people realize to spread evil, degrade civilization, and drag our culture into the sewers. Here are some exemplars of wickedness today for your consideration:
1) Anonymously emailing death threats to others.
2) Abortion on demand is evil, kills a person but that’s choice and that’s OK, right? Redefining words to make evil acceptable that is wickedness.
3) Suing someone who did nothing wrong in order to collect a big payday or make a profit.
4) Passing on information that you know is a lie about a political, business or personal associate or opponent.
5) Posting someone's phone number or address online in an effort to intimidate or in hopes that someone will try to hurt or harm them.
6) Passing rules or legislation to enrich your friends, family, or yourself.
7) A witty comedian telling a brilliant joke about how dumb people are who do the right thing.
8) Lying to a woman to get her to bed with you.
9.) Lying so you don’t have to work and collect welfare or benefits checks
10) Trying to convince people to do something that's immoral, unethical, or just plain wrong so that you'll feel better about doing it yourself.
11) Spreading disinformation about anything – called gossiping, or lying.
12) Pastors who water down and or don’t teach Biblical truths, his Lord requires, because they conflict with his political or personal views on correctness.
So there is all sorts of wickedness around us today and it all come from a dark heart. Jesus says, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. (Matt. 12.35). Lots of evil treasure in the world today don’t you think?
Repentance then is looking at our hearts from a heavenly or Godly perspective and understanding how dark they are and turning in the exact opposite direction. We turn away from because there is new light inside us. What has changed? God has opened us up to Himself and has put a new Spirit within us, initially just enough to cause us to understand the sin and draw us to Himself.
Some ideas from scripture for us to consider follow:
Matthew 3:2,8,11 John the Baptist
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”8 -Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance 11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 4:17 says, From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus spoke again of the importance of repentance in Matthew 9:14, 14 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
Repentance is absolutely essential for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, it comes by enlightened conviction created by God’s stirring our hearts because of our sinful condition.
Repentance is essential for continued growth as a believer and staying in fellowship with God. It is not enough to continually say I am sorry, we must repent and turn away or again and again saying, Yes Lord I must turn away. This truth is evident in 2 Cor 7. 9-10 says, 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. So it is not enough just to be sorry for sorrow leads to death. Repentance actually turning away leads to life.
So that’s an overview, we need to dig deeper for God is calling all believers today to repent, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Eph. 5:27} I ask you a question today as you consider the biblical calling of God’s Word, are you as His child without spot or wrinkle and can you say I am holy and without blemish? If you are unable to say this in the near presence of God, then each one of us needs repentance today!
Digging deeper into Matthew 3 we see John the Baptist baptizing believing Israelites in a baptism of repentance. Why is he doing this since they already believe in God? Let’s read Matt Chapter 3, beginning at verse 1, 3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
So let’s cherry pick from this text a few verses
1. Verses 2 and 3, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’
John the Baptist wax aware of his calling from God. Remember the angel told his daddy- Zacharias, the. priest, as he was doing his duty in the temple, your child shall be filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
So we see here John the Baptist doing what was prophesied by the Angel. John filled with the Holy Spirit knows what He is to do and that is prepare for the coming Messiah.
#2. Matthew 3. 5-6. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
John was preparing the way for the Jews who believed in God to confession and repentance.
John was on mission with God to “prepare ye the way of the Lord. These were the common people sensing the power of God in the person of John the Baptist and being baptized in the Jordan. Now ritual cleansing was part of the Jewish ritual but this is more I believe. Baptism is this sense was for the purging of sins in preparation to receive a future blessing in our case forgiveness. I believe this call was beyond what was normally considered ritual cleansing. Preparing and responding to baptisms from John was sensing the activity and call of God not just ritualistic and ceremonial cleansing.
#3. Note verses 11 and 12: 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. 12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
This confirms John’s call to baptize unto repentance on the basis of water, but the one who is coming has much more. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [a]and fire. This is the baptism we read about when Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. Nicodemus sensed he was lacking something necessary to have forgiveness and to be holy not just now but for eternity. Jesus answers the desire of his heart and says “you must be born again”
You see according to the word of God you and I cannot stand in God presence in our present condition as a sinner or as an unrepentant believer.
We are advised in Psalms 24:3-5 of this –
3Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation
Repentance is essential for salvation in order to believe initially.
Repentance and forgiveness is continual in the life of a born again believer.
Yes once saved always saved, but repentance is cause by the activity of the Holy Spirit described in John 16. Unrepentant believers will be judged for their hard hearts and unforgiven sins at the bema judgement of Jesus.
Here is the call today for this church in this hour not dependent upon anyone else but upon the call of God to create this church without spot or wrinkle unto Himself. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior and you have not asked Him into your heart today. Now I the time, today is the day of salvation. Reject His call at your eternal peril
For believers you may need renewed cleansing and repentance to turn from your wicked ways – Remember David and his call -Renew a right sprite within me. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy Holy Spirt from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit. AMEN
FATHER we beg you to meet with us now. May we respond to your call upon our lives to cleansed, holy and anointed vessels unto your honor today. Amen
Nov 13 Sermon
We know the days we live in and how contemptuous and evil they are; challenging us to the very core, defying us to live according to the dictates of God in Christ Jesus our Lord who is in us. How can you and I endure is such evil and strife, with all the lies and deception occurring around us and among our families and friends both saved and unsaved? There must be an answer, but where and how should we look to know it?
Tucked away in amidst Paul’s instructing husband and wives how to get along in married life is this statement – we read from Eph 5:25, 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Amen
Pray – Father lead us into understanding and to applying the way you have provided for our salvation and our continued sanctification, in the name of Jesus our Lord. AMEN
Let’s repeat these words in the middle of this text, for they make a statement - just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Notice there two “He might” phrases, again 2 of them on verses 26 and in 27- , 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
The verses state that Jesus gave Himself that He might create a way for us to be sanctified and cleansed. I repeat - just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her . We need to look at this truth as the beginning. we find our salvation as a believer and our continued growth into being a sanctified saint all began with the shed Blood of the Lamb – that takes away the sin of the world. Verse 26 gives us more the 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word
The phrase -washing of water by the word is the key. Without Jesus’ sacrifice and blood, the Holy Spirit would not have come. We then could not have become the temple of Holy Spirit who is in us. Jesus made all of this possible through His blood. Jesus did it all – He paid it all. Yes, He paid it all for me. So Jesus’ sacrifice has given us access to the Holy Spirit, who is in us. Remember, the Holy Spirit, He is God, equivalent to Jesus and in every way, like Him. Jesus tells us in John 14:26 this,“
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Jesus death and sacrifice made it possible for us to become His church (meaning - a body or believers wh0o have been saved, sanctified and cleansed individually, And to have new life in Him that is without spot or wrinkle – to become holy and without blemish. The Helper will teach you all things. He who is the Spirit of Truth, will reveal all truth and truth has a wonderful characteristic, it sets you free from yourself and anything which would separate you from Jesus.
Are you without spot or blemish today? Is you conduct – you speaking, living and without blemish? No! Then perhaps we need to pay attention to the Word of God to allow Him to work is us and help us become His bride.
Look again and according to verse 27 =-, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
That He, who is the Christ might present the church without spot or wrinkle, holy to Himself and to His Father in heaven. First let’s remember what Jesus also said in the scriptures. Jesus said, “and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”(Matt 16:18) Jesus is today in the process of building His church. He is accomplishing this by building Himself in you and not in some building! Scripture also tells us elsewhere, For it is God who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good purpose. (Phil 2:13}.
That preparation of the heart and mind is essential for God to begin a complete work in our hearts. There is more required for us to become His church. In the Old Testament in 1st Chronicles 15:12 as David instructs the Levites to bring up the Arc of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He tells them to sanctify themselves in preparation for approaching the Arc of God.
To sanctify means “to separate, to set apart for sacred purposes” or “to purify.” in Numbers 8.
Part II. After Jesus sacrifice we don’t believe God requires such ceremonies today. But He does purify us when we read and study His Word – the Bible.
To allow the Bible to have its complete work in us and to fully allow the Bible to work in our lives we must have the Holy Spirit in us. As such, the completed work of Christ and His sending of the Holy Spirit to His disciples was required for you and I to become God’s finished work.
God uses the Bible to “wash us by His Word” for cleansing of heart and mind. As we read His word He uses it to purify and purge us in purification and holiness. This is the function of the Holy Spirit. He takes the Word of God brings it in through our eyes, to our minds, and allows it to work throughout our being to cause repentance from sin, recognition of His truth, to change our hearts and minds to become like Jesus.
We need to understand then what God has give us. He has given us Himself in the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is in you. He is God. Second the Word of God is just not another book of literature, poetry and moralistic writings. It is a true love letter from God on high. Preserved, prepared and delivered to you by the activity of God over 1500 years, multiple authors and 66 individual books which all related to the same author and the same story – God’s redemptive activity towards you.
His Word has special attributes unlike any other book ever written. It is infallible, inerrant and inspired Word direct from the heart of God. Infallible – means never failing, its blessings are renewed day by day. What He has said He will do and it will always happen.
Inerrant and this is where men have such difficulty in understanding God’s word. We want to find fault with His book, that is the nature of sinful man. If men say it is fallible meaning it has faults, we are calling God a liar. If you were God and you knew the totally fallen nature of Your creation and the opposition provided by Satan, why would you give the sons of Adam a book full of mistakes. If this truly is a love letter from God, why make mistakes? Infallibility is an attribute of God and if He is infallible then He could not write a fallible book- Answer is – He didn’t.
Lastly, we say it is Inspired. What does this mean. Inspired of what or whom. The 66 books were written by a variety of human authors, Moses, David, Solomon, John, Isaiah, Luke a gentile, Peter, and Saul, called Paul. David was an adulterer and murderer, and so was Paul. How then could this book be anything but just another book, when all these flawed people authored various chapters. This is where inspiration takes over – God uses flawed men, with their character and nature to be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. And use the inspiration of God’s Holy Ghost to influence the hearts and minds of these writers to produce the truth of what He wanted written to us.
Now perhaps you are beginning to grasp how God uses His word to [g]sanctify and cleanse us with the washing of water by the word, as stated in 26.
In our day I believe we are experiencing a great falling away of supposed believers from God’s church. I believe this is in line with scripture. I believe in this past week we were disappointed in seeing God not answering our prayers to rapidly remedy our circumstance in America? I believe this is on purpose so that God may continue to prepare a church that is without spot or wrinkle and which is preparation for His soon coming.
I believe the purification and cleansing of we the church, may actually involve sacrifices on the part of believers. Jesus warned us of the coming persecution of the churches. I believe that is forthcoming because many hearts of the church have turned away from Him. Look how the churches have been concerned about speaking out about abortion and have failed to be the “watchmen on the wall in Ezekiel 3.”
Our purification and sanctification is very important for our lives for it leads to other essentials in loving and honoring God . You see exposure and meditation on His Word is essential just to allow us to have basic worship – that is to know and understand the wonder and love of God and what He has done for us.
is o Revelation 3: 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.[l] Therefore be [m]zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
We know the days we live in and how contemptuous and evil they are; challenging us to the very core, defying us to live according to the dictates of God in Christ Jesus our Lord who is in us. How can you and I endure is such evil and strife, with all the lies and deception occurring around us and among our families and friends both saved and unsaved? There must be an answer, but where and how should we look to know it?
Tucked away in amidst Paul’s instructing husband and wives how to get along in married life is this statement – we read from Eph 5:25, 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Amen
Pray – Father lead us into understanding and to applying the way you have provided for our salvation and our continued sanctification, in the name of Jesus our Lord. AMEN
Let’s repeat these words in the middle of this text, for they make a statement - just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Notice there two “He might” phrases, again 2 of them on verses 26 and in 27- , 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
The verses state that Jesus gave Himself that He might create a way for us to be sanctified and cleansed. I repeat - just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her . We need to look at this truth as the beginning. we find our salvation as a believer and our continued growth into being a sanctified saint all began with the shed Blood of the Lamb – that takes away the sin of the world. Verse 26 gives us more the 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word
The phrase -washing of water by the word is the key. Without Jesus’ sacrifice and blood, the Holy Spirit would not have come. We then could not have become the temple of Holy Spirit who is in us. Jesus made all of this possible through His blood. Jesus did it all – He paid it all. Yes, He paid it all for me. So Jesus’ sacrifice has given us access to the Holy Spirit, who is in us. Remember, the Holy Spirit, He is God, equivalent to Jesus and in every way, like Him. Jesus tells us in John 14:26 this,“
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Jesus death and sacrifice made it possible for us to become His church (meaning - a body or believers wh0o have been saved, sanctified and cleansed individually, And to have new life in Him that is without spot or wrinkle – to become holy and without blemish. The Helper will teach you all things. He who is the Spirit of Truth, will reveal all truth and truth has a wonderful characteristic, it sets you free from yourself and anything which would separate you from Jesus.
Are you without spot or blemish today? Is you conduct – you speaking, living and without blemish? No! Then perhaps we need to pay attention to the Word of God to allow Him to work is us and help us become His bride.
Look again and according to verse 27 =-, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
That He, who is the Christ might present the church without spot or wrinkle, holy to Himself and to His Father in heaven. First let’s remember what Jesus also said in the scriptures. Jesus said, “and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”(Matt 16:18) Jesus is today in the process of building His church. He is accomplishing this by building Himself in you and not in some building! Scripture also tells us elsewhere, For it is God who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good purpose. (Phil 2:13}.
That preparation of the heart and mind is essential for God to begin a complete work in our hearts. There is more required for us to become His church. In the Old Testament in 1st Chronicles 15:12 as David instructs the Levites to bring up the Arc of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He tells them to sanctify themselves in preparation for approaching the Arc of God.
To sanctify means “to separate, to set apart for sacred purposes” or “to purify.” in Numbers 8.
Part II. After Jesus sacrifice we don’t believe God requires such ceremonies today. But He does purify us when we read and study His Word – the Bible.
To allow the Bible to have its complete work in us and to fully allow the Bible to work in our lives we must have the Holy Spirit in us. As such, the completed work of Christ and His sending of the Holy Spirit to His disciples was required for you and I to become God’s finished work.
God uses the Bible to “wash us by His Word” for cleansing of heart and mind. As we read His word He uses it to purify and purge us in purification and holiness. This is the function of the Holy Spirit. He takes the Word of God brings it in through our eyes, to our minds, and allows it to work throughout our being to cause repentance from sin, recognition of His truth, to change our hearts and minds to become like Jesus.
We need to understand then what God has give us. He has given us Himself in the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is in you. He is God. Second the Word of God is just not another book of literature, poetry and moralistic writings. It is a true love letter from God on high. Preserved, prepared and delivered to you by the activity of God over 1500 years, multiple authors and 66 individual books which all related to the same author and the same story – God’s redemptive activity towards you.
His Word has special attributes unlike any other book ever written. It is infallible, inerrant and inspired Word direct from the heart of God. Infallible – means never failing, its blessings are renewed day by day. What He has said He will do and it will always happen.
Inerrant and this is where men have such difficulty in understanding God’s word. We want to find fault with His book, that is the nature of sinful man. If men say it is fallible meaning it has faults, we are calling God a liar. If you were God and you knew the totally fallen nature of Your creation and the opposition provided by Satan, why would you give the sons of Adam a book full of mistakes. If this truly is a love letter from God, why make mistakes? Infallibility is an attribute of God and if He is infallible then He could not write a fallible book- Answer is – He didn’t.
Lastly, we say it is Inspired. What does this mean. Inspired of what or whom. The 66 books were written by a variety of human authors, Moses, David, Solomon, John, Isaiah, Luke a gentile, Peter, and Saul, called Paul. David was an adulterer and murderer, and so was Paul. How then could this book be anything but just another book, when all these flawed people authored various chapters. This is where inspiration takes over – God uses flawed men, with their character and nature to be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. And use the inspiration of God’s Holy Ghost to influence the hearts and minds of these writers to produce the truth of what He wanted written to us.
Now perhaps you are beginning to grasp how God uses His word to [g]sanctify and cleanse us with the washing of water by the word, as stated in 26.
In our day I believe we are experiencing a great falling away of supposed believers from God’s church. I believe this is in line with scripture. I believe in this past week we were disappointed in seeing God not answering our prayers to rapidly remedy our circumstance in America? I believe this is on purpose so that God may continue to prepare a church that is without spot or wrinkle and which is preparation for His soon coming.
I believe the purification and cleansing of we the church, may actually involve sacrifices on the part of believers. Jesus warned us of the coming persecution of the churches. I believe that is forthcoming because many hearts of the church have turned away from Him. Look how the churches have been concerned about speaking out about abortion and have failed to be the “watchmen on the wall in Ezekiel 3.”
Our purification and sanctification is very important for our lives for it leads to other essentials in loving and honoring God . You see exposure and meditation on His Word is essential just to allow us to have basic worship – that is to know and understand the wonder and love of God and what He has done for us.
is o Revelation 3: 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.[l] Therefore be [m]zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Nov 6 Sermon
The Question is - are you following Jesus at a distance? Let us pray!
So what does this mean, I am following Jesus at a distance? It means instead of a solid, intimate love relationship with the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings you have separated yourself from your Lord and Savior and are following Him by distancing yourself.
Now sometimes distancing yourself from someone allows you to gain perspective from that person, the issues that they are associated with; or in an intimate personal relationship, separation can allow you to evaluate feelings from fact. We used to use the expression – getting your head together, meaning I move from emotional thinking to a more logical perspective. People who become emotionally involved during periods of great stress, like a war or multiple deaths, plague or COVID isolation can make unwise choices which can impact them forever.
Our friend and fellow disciple Peter is about to engage a similar type of folly, which will have lifetime consequences. Read with me from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 14, begin at verse 53, 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies [k]did not agree.
On the night of Jesus betrayal all hell is breaking out, quite literally. The disciples get their first real taste of evil’s hatred for the Son of Man and by association also for them. While Jesus is despised and rejected of men and is aware of the evil being poured upon Himself, He has tried to warn His disciples, but they as usual payed little attention and had little understanding.
I am sure you are familiar with the Easter story but earlier in this same Chapter, even having told the disciples 3 times before, He was going to be turned over to evil men, suffer, die and be buried. Yet they did not listen, and did they understand? No and they didn’t ask for more detail. Here’s what Jesus told them previously in verses 27 – 29: -27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble [i]because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.’
28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to [j]stumble, yet I will not be.”
So here is Peter earlier in the evening swearing great allegiance to Jesus and will soon deny Him 3 times. Instead of listening to the council and warning of Jesus – Peter knew better.
Have you ever convinced yourself that you can do something without fail, and when the time comes to complete it, you failed miserably? I know I have and then I replay it all night long sleeplessly because I should have been able to complete this task.
Here is the problem with Peter and many of us, if we are truly honest before our Lord –54 But Peter followed Him at a distance,
Now you say, but Peter was right there in the presence of Jesus. Yes, He was and Jesus is trying to prepare Peter for the trials to come. But being physically present does not mean, He had his spiritual eyes and ears on. Jesus warned Him in the text we just read in verses 27-29. Jesus tells Peter before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.
And shortly Jesus is about to go and pray and He is going to invite three of His closest disciples to come pray with Him for His soul is in great distress. So what does Peter do, He falls asleep not once but three times. After the first sleep cycle, Jesus warns Peter , verse 37- 38, 37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus is indeed warning Peter for the great trial He is about to endure. So Peter is not walking closely to His Lord, he is going about it halfhearted. Oh yes Jesus is important after all. Peter would say, I was the first to confess that Jesus was the Messiah, surely things are ok. But again here is the problem - –54 … Peter was following Him at a distance,
We see this problem manifest itself in the nation of Israel and Judah in the Old Testament- But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, (Duet 30:17).
Peter was not guarding his heart and protecting his relationship with His Lord. He was too into self. Yes, He knew Jesus and He knew He was the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. But Peter was distracted, turned away perhaps considering the wrong things. Perhaps neglecting his bible study, or praying or he was concerned about all the political and social hubbub going on around Jerusalem and this Passover.
In our terms he had distanced himself emotionally and spiritually away from Jesus intimacy and while He was present with Jesus, he was not in synch or understanding with Him. This is what I mean by following Jesus at a distance. Peter was following Jesus at a distance this was going to result in tragic consequences for him.
Is this also true about us and our relationship with Jesus? We don’t see the need to be in church every Sunday worshiping with other believers. After all we have other priorities which are more important. Or perhaps God is
wanting to draw us into closer fellowship with Him through Bible study and prayer, but you ignore the weekly bible study time each week and you can’t be stressed out in having to attend the study before the worship service. You see the reason Jesus wants you in those services is so He can speak more clearly as you focus more intently on Him. And when you pray or others pray He invades your prayers to sensitize your heart to Him.
Or perhaps you are shorting God is your giving? He wants you to give yourself and of yourself and your heart is cold to His nudges because you are following Jesus at a distance.
Peter experiences supreme heartbreak because of following Jesus at a distance. Read with me from verse 72. Peter has denied Jesus three times the last to a group accusing him of being a Galilean because of how he spoke. Verse 72 says.l72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.
In another Gospel it says he went out and wept bitterly. Because he followed Jesus at a distance and didn’t have his mind girded on the Lord he failed and it impacted him. He wondered if Jesus would ever forgive him, which He did by the sea of Galilee. He asked Peter three times – do you love Me? - and then the command “Feed my sheep.”
In this day and hour we need to be serious minded and sober about our relationship with Jesus. We cannot afford to follow Jesus at a distance. If our faith and our relationship is going to be tested we best be studied and prayed up, fellowshipping with other believers and have incorporated Romans 12:1-2 in our living:
12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
If our life is God’s and we are His then our lives are to be a living sacrifice to Him which is a reasonable service and our fellowship with Him will lead to transformed minds and hearts. This is where we need to be. Amen
The Question is - are you following Jesus at a distance? Let us pray!
So what does this mean, I am following Jesus at a distance? It means instead of a solid, intimate love relationship with the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings you have separated yourself from your Lord and Savior and are following Him by distancing yourself.
Now sometimes distancing yourself from someone allows you to gain perspective from that person, the issues that they are associated with; or in an intimate personal relationship, separation can allow you to evaluate feelings from fact. We used to use the expression – getting your head together, meaning I move from emotional thinking to a more logical perspective. People who become emotionally involved during periods of great stress, like a war or multiple deaths, plague or COVID isolation can make unwise choices which can impact them forever.
Our friend and fellow disciple Peter is about to engage a similar type of folly, which will have lifetime consequences. Read with me from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 14, begin at verse 53, 53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies [k]did not agree.
On the night of Jesus betrayal all hell is breaking out, quite literally. The disciples get their first real taste of evil’s hatred for the Son of Man and by association also for them. While Jesus is despised and rejected of men and is aware of the evil being poured upon Himself, He has tried to warn His disciples, but they as usual payed little attention and had little understanding.
I am sure you are familiar with the Easter story but earlier in this same Chapter, even having told the disciples 3 times before, He was going to be turned over to evil men, suffer, die and be buried. Yet they did not listen, and did they understand? No and they didn’t ask for more detail. Here’s what Jesus told them previously in verses 27 – 29: -27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble [i]because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.’
28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to [j]stumble, yet I will not be.”
So here is Peter earlier in the evening swearing great allegiance to Jesus and will soon deny Him 3 times. Instead of listening to the council and warning of Jesus – Peter knew better.
Have you ever convinced yourself that you can do something without fail, and when the time comes to complete it, you failed miserably? I know I have and then I replay it all night long sleeplessly because I should have been able to complete this task.
Here is the problem with Peter and many of us, if we are truly honest before our Lord –54 But Peter followed Him at a distance,
Now you say, but Peter was right there in the presence of Jesus. Yes, He was and Jesus is trying to prepare Peter for the trials to come. But being physically present does not mean, He had his spiritual eyes and ears on. Jesus warned Him in the text we just read in verses 27-29. Jesus tells Peter before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.
And shortly Jesus is about to go and pray and He is going to invite three of His closest disciples to come pray with Him for His soul is in great distress. So what does Peter do, He falls asleep not once but three times. After the first sleep cycle, Jesus warns Peter , verse 37- 38, 37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus is indeed warning Peter for the great trial He is about to endure. So Peter is not walking closely to His Lord, he is going about it halfhearted. Oh yes Jesus is important after all. Peter would say, I was the first to confess that Jesus was the Messiah, surely things are ok. But again here is the problem - –54 … Peter was following Him at a distance,
We see this problem manifest itself in the nation of Israel and Judah in the Old Testament- But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, (Duet 30:17).
Peter was not guarding his heart and protecting his relationship with His Lord. He was too into self. Yes, He knew Jesus and He knew He was the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. But Peter was distracted, turned away perhaps considering the wrong things. Perhaps neglecting his bible study, or praying or he was concerned about all the political and social hubbub going on around Jerusalem and this Passover.
In our terms he had distanced himself emotionally and spiritually away from Jesus intimacy and while He was present with Jesus, he was not in synch or understanding with Him. This is what I mean by following Jesus at a distance. Peter was following Jesus at a distance this was going to result in tragic consequences for him.
Is this also true about us and our relationship with Jesus? We don’t see the need to be in church every Sunday worshiping with other believers. After all we have other priorities which are more important. Or perhaps God is
wanting to draw us into closer fellowship with Him through Bible study and prayer, but you ignore the weekly bible study time each week and you can’t be stressed out in having to attend the study before the worship service. You see the reason Jesus wants you in those services is so He can speak more clearly as you focus more intently on Him. And when you pray or others pray He invades your prayers to sensitize your heart to Him.
Or perhaps you are shorting God is your giving? He wants you to give yourself and of yourself and your heart is cold to His nudges because you are following Jesus at a distance.
Peter experiences supreme heartbreak because of following Jesus at a distance. Read with me from verse 72. Peter has denied Jesus three times the last to a group accusing him of being a Galilean because of how he spoke. Verse 72 says.l72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.
In another Gospel it says he went out and wept bitterly. Because he followed Jesus at a distance and didn’t have his mind girded on the Lord he failed and it impacted him. He wondered if Jesus would ever forgive him, which He did by the sea of Galilee. He asked Peter three times – do you love Me? - and then the command “Feed my sheep.”
In this day and hour we need to be serious minded and sober about our relationship with Jesus. We cannot afford to follow Jesus at a distance. If our faith and our relationship is going to be tested we best be studied and prayed up, fellowshipping with other believers and have incorporated Romans 12:1-2 in our living:
12 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
If our life is God’s and we are His then our lives are to be a living sacrifice to Him which is a reasonable service and our fellowship with Him will lead to transformed minds and hearts. This is where we need to be. Amen
Oct 30 Sermon
Noah Found Grace Genesis 6:5-9, 22)
5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping have made them.
One of our greatest problems when reading the bible is overcoming our own arrogance of superiority and believing we are the smartest beings who ever lived on the face of planet earth – ever! We also believe we would not have made the same mistakes as those who went before us; and last but not least we believe that many stories we read in the Old Testament are allegories which never really happened. After all could you really believe that Jonah got swallowed by a fish and lived for three days in the belly of a whale.? Or more unlikely “creation “– we modern thought leaders with all our current scientific knowledge, know the earth is not about six thousands of years old but millions and billions of years old; and a story about some God destroying the earth with a flood, with some flimsy boat and all the animals in it? Why that is pure fantasy?
If you are not self-centered; you are humble and have the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom in your heart and the Holy Spirit – the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth is guiding you since you met the Lord Jesus, you may have a different level of understanding about the great miracles God has wrought.
First let’s pray – God our Father who gives wisdom to anyone who would ask and who says draw near to me and I will draw near to you<” draw us near and give us wisdom to understand Your truths. AMEN
Begin with verse 5 which is probably becoming more of a reality in our day -5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. You see all the wickedness going on – calling good evil and evil good! All the evil of “choice”, perversion of gender and sexuality, lies about the border, inclusiveness, the definition of freedom, hate speech toward those who believe in the bible and many other things which are just plain wrong. Notice in verses 6 and 7 how God responds in His being and in iHHHis heHis heart about His creation. He was sorry and grieved He had made them. Woah bad stuff and then He says I will destroy man – very bad tidings about men. I wonder how God is looking down on us today? When will He say enough!!
Thank God for verse 8,
God’s description in Genesis 6:8 gives us insight into Noah’s character. The word “Found” is a simple, active perfect, verb-leading to action, and is not passive. So, Noah found favor—grace—in God’s eyes because Noah was actively looking toward God. Other examples of this word include; Adam found no helpmate from among the animals that was suitable for him (Genesis 2:20), and Noah’s dove did not find rest for the sole of her foot (Genesis 8:9). Laban did not find his household images that Rachel had stolen and hidden (Genesis 31:35), and Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses
(2 Chronicles 34:14-15). Noah’s seeking was active and didn’t just happen.
What can we learn from the life of this great man?
God’s specifically intended for us to know that Noah’s life was righteous—in spite of the horrid condition of the world of his day. He was looking for God’s direction and for His answers to his heart’s cry. Noah wasn’t merely hanging loose, just waiting for the inevitable destruction that he sensed was coming due to the increase of sin and rejection of God which surrounded him. Noah was sensing a response from God. Noah sensed and joined God in His coming activity, and Noah “found” favor or grace and God spoke to Him!
In late Centuries later, God used Ezekiel to warn of future judgment which would happen to the land of Israel because - wickedness. God also identified three peculiar men as examples—Noah, Daniel, and Job—as “righteous” men in history (Ezekiel 14:14, 20). In that comparison, Noah was much more than a mere chance recipient of God’s grace.
I. Job was “the greatest of all the men of the east” (Job 1:3). His livestock resources (mainly those for caravan duty) were enormous. That certainly meant that he was a successful trade broker and possibly a source for prized stock. He had multiple houses and land—so much so that “bands” from nearby nations were necessary to destroy his wealth.
God had labeled Job “my servant...there is none like him in the earth, a perfect [blameless] and an upright man, one that feared God, and eschewed [shuns] evil” (Job 1:8). Job was much more than a “nice guy.” He was probably the wealthiest man of his day, and yet he was of such godly character that God used him as His servant to chastise Satan.
II. Daniel was one of the king’s descendants and nobles from Judah taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:3). The account of Daniel and his three godly friends is well known to believers, but the young adult experiences of Daniel often obscure His long life as a leader of the (learned men- think tank) of the day. He was selected and commissioned as a “great man” by Nebuchadnezzar and “sat in the gate of the king” (Daniel 2:48-49). Daniel was a senior political advisor for six kings over 70 years. Great resume for a Hebrew Slave boy!
God called Daniel - “greatly beloved” (Daniel 10:11). Daniel was given deep spiritual insight, which he could have used to his personal gain. But he always made it clear that he was gifted by God’s grace—and he always gave God credit. God also used Daniel to record several of the most remarkable prophecies in all of Scripture. Daniel lived, spoke and was the man of God for his day.
If the comparisons of righteous men listed in Ezekiel 14 are genuine comparisons, Noah must have had strong significance to God in his day. He clearly had a deep relationship with God who had access to all resources and skills needed to accomplish the monumental task he gave Noah. Since God’s instructions to build the Ark were somewhat general, it is not beyond reason to assume that Noah had some natural technical abilities which God used. He also was given unusual wisdom. The pre-Flood civilization would certainly have had some more advanced skills and resources to assist in his shipbuilding. The cloud created by theory of evolution has mesmerized our world, relegating the “ancient” world into some prehistoric existence—living in caves, grass huts with animal skins for clothing. The Bible paints a far different picture! There were cities during Noah’s day, as well as developed technology that included metallurgy and the skills to build and sell musical instruments (Genesis 4:17-22). Somebody had to construct habitations for the expanding population, and dto coordinate the distribution and development of those manufacturing places that produced the products needed by society.
Noah’s world was very wicked, but it functioned with needs similar to our current world. When the Lord Jesus wanted to emphasize the suddenness of the destruction in the coming end-times judgment, He did it by drawing a comparison with the “day-to-day” life of the people around Noah. Luke 17:26-27 says,
And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Noah was used of God in his day. Whether he was a general contractor, an architect, or a business baron or just the servant of God is a guess. But the fact that he found grace as He responded and was used by God is what is important. Noah was fully dedicated and listening to and for God during his life.
The Bible says that Noah was one two men in all history, who “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). The other is Enoch, spoken of in Genesis 5:24. Noah was not some bumbling, drunken hypocrite as some try to tell today. God’s commentary of Noah being “just” and “perfect” (upright, without blemish) debunks this claim. God called Noah and entrusted him with a monumental task, unique in all of time.
IV. Noah was “just.” That simply means that he was known for treating all equitably. Even in the wicked world that disgusted the Father, Noah was “just” in his dealings. He charged reasonable prices for his work. He gave a good product (whatever it was) to those who employed his services. His honesty and fairness and fear of God, gave rise to his influence in the community. He was proven to be a man of integrity and of God Genesis 7:1).
V. Noah was “perfect.” That precious reputation, from God’s perspective, means that he was a man not under condemnation. His “just” dealings resulted in a “blameless” record. Whatever the wicked people of his day may have said behind his back, they knew that Noah was above reproach. His faith in God and His right relationship with God was the basis for this perfection. He was not without sin but was righteous before God. His obedience in doing what God requested caused, God to label him as “perfect.” Obedience to God is better than sacrifice
V. Peter in the NT described Noah as a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). Think of this description in the context of Genesis 6! The whole earth was “filled with violence” and “every heart” only thought after evil. The social climate must have fully sin filled. Yet Noah had the guts to stand up for God and His salvation. This righteous behavior was openly rejected, just like today.
He probably angered His extended family members, and some or most of his employees, because he was not equitable or inclusive. But by the time the judgment of God fell, only Noah, his wife, and three of their sons and their wives were willing to follow God into the Ark. Many would consider a ministry a failure today, and yet God insisted that Noah’s faith not only “saved” his family but the future world from extinction (Hebrews 11:7)!
We are not told in Scripture what Noah preached. Noah may well have preached about the coming judgment of the Flood/rain and their desperate need to return to God’s truth for salvation. Whatever he preached and however it was implemented, He obeyed God’s command, God labeled Noah a “preacher of righteousness” by the only Judge that ultimately counts.
God’s grace is always available. It is not hidden from anyone. But it must be “found” by God’s servants as we “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
There is a need for all men to find grace in the eyes of the Lord today! Yes, Absolutely we need God! It is not because we face another worldwide flood (Gen. 9:8-17), but because we face destruction for turning away from God! (2 Pet. 3:3-14). Peter reminds us that just as the world was once destroyed by water, so it shall be destroyed by fire after Jesus returns! Before this happens, we must receive Jesus and find grace in the eyes of the Lord! Otherwise, we will be like die outside the Ark of Jesus Christ
Concepts from HENRY M. MORRIS III, D.MIN. * |12/28/2012)
Noah Found Grace Genesis 6:5-9, 22)
5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping have made them.
- ” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
- 9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, [f]perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God
- 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
- 2nd Peter 2:3- 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [b]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness
One of our greatest problems when reading the bible is overcoming our own arrogance of superiority and believing we are the smartest beings who ever lived on the face of planet earth – ever! We also believe we would not have made the same mistakes as those who went before us; and last but not least we believe that many stories we read in the Old Testament are allegories which never really happened. After all could you really believe that Jonah got swallowed by a fish and lived for three days in the belly of a whale.? Or more unlikely “creation “– we modern thought leaders with all our current scientific knowledge, know the earth is not about six thousands of years old but millions and billions of years old; and a story about some God destroying the earth with a flood, with some flimsy boat and all the animals in it? Why that is pure fantasy?
If you are not self-centered; you are humble and have the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom in your heart and the Holy Spirit – the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth is guiding you since you met the Lord Jesus, you may have a different level of understanding about the great miracles God has wrought.
First let’s pray – God our Father who gives wisdom to anyone who would ask and who says draw near to me and I will draw near to you<” draw us near and give us wisdom to understand Your truths. AMEN
Begin with verse 5 which is probably becoming more of a reality in our day -5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. You see all the wickedness going on – calling good evil and evil good! All the evil of “choice”, perversion of gender and sexuality, lies about the border, inclusiveness, the definition of freedom, hate speech toward those who believe in the bible and many other things which are just plain wrong. Notice in verses 6 and 7 how God responds in His being and in iHHHis heHis heart about His creation. He was sorry and grieved He had made them. Woah bad stuff and then He says I will destroy man – very bad tidings about men. I wonder how God is looking down on us today? When will He say enough!!
Thank God for verse 8,
- ” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
God’s description in Genesis 6:8 gives us insight into Noah’s character. The word “Found” is a simple, active perfect, verb-leading to action, and is not passive. So, Noah found favor—grace—in God’s eyes because Noah was actively looking toward God. Other examples of this word include; Adam found no helpmate from among the animals that was suitable for him (Genesis 2:20), and Noah’s dove did not find rest for the sole of her foot (Genesis 8:9). Laban did not find his household images that Rachel had stolen and hidden (Genesis 31:35), and Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses
(2 Chronicles 34:14-15). Noah’s seeking was active and didn’t just happen.
What can we learn from the life of this great man?
God’s specifically intended for us to know that Noah’s life was righteous—in spite of the horrid condition of the world of his day. He was looking for God’s direction and for His answers to his heart’s cry. Noah wasn’t merely hanging loose, just waiting for the inevitable destruction that he sensed was coming due to the increase of sin and rejection of God which surrounded him. Noah was sensing a response from God. Noah sensed and joined God in His coming activity, and Noah “found” favor or grace and God spoke to Him!
In late Centuries later, God used Ezekiel to warn of future judgment which would happen to the land of Israel because - wickedness. God also identified three peculiar men as examples—Noah, Daniel, and Job—as “righteous” men in history (Ezekiel 14:14, 20). In that comparison, Noah was much more than a mere chance recipient of God’s grace.
I. Job was “the greatest of all the men of the east” (Job 1:3). His livestock resources (mainly those for caravan duty) were enormous. That certainly meant that he was a successful trade broker and possibly a source for prized stock. He had multiple houses and land—so much so that “bands” from nearby nations were necessary to destroy his wealth.
God had labeled Job “my servant...there is none like him in the earth, a perfect [blameless] and an upright man, one that feared God, and eschewed [shuns] evil” (Job 1:8). Job was much more than a “nice guy.” He was probably the wealthiest man of his day, and yet he was of such godly character that God used him as His servant to chastise Satan.
II. Daniel was one of the king’s descendants and nobles from Judah taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:3). The account of Daniel and his three godly friends is well known to believers, but the young adult experiences of Daniel often obscure His long life as a leader of the (learned men- think tank) of the day. He was selected and commissioned as a “great man” by Nebuchadnezzar and “sat in the gate of the king” (Daniel 2:48-49). Daniel was a senior political advisor for six kings over 70 years. Great resume for a Hebrew Slave boy!
God called Daniel - “greatly beloved” (Daniel 10:11). Daniel was given deep spiritual insight, which he could have used to his personal gain. But he always made it clear that he was gifted by God’s grace—and he always gave God credit. God also used Daniel to record several of the most remarkable prophecies in all of Scripture. Daniel lived, spoke and was the man of God for his day.
If the comparisons of righteous men listed in Ezekiel 14 are genuine comparisons, Noah must have had strong significance to God in his day. He clearly had a deep relationship with God who had access to all resources and skills needed to accomplish the monumental task he gave Noah. Since God’s instructions to build the Ark were somewhat general, it is not beyond reason to assume that Noah had some natural technical abilities which God used. He also was given unusual wisdom. The pre-Flood civilization would certainly have had some more advanced skills and resources to assist in his shipbuilding. The cloud created by theory of evolution has mesmerized our world, relegating the “ancient” world into some prehistoric existence—living in caves, grass huts with animal skins for clothing. The Bible paints a far different picture! There were cities during Noah’s day, as well as developed technology that included metallurgy and the skills to build and sell musical instruments (Genesis 4:17-22). Somebody had to construct habitations for the expanding population, and dto coordinate the distribution and development of those manufacturing places that produced the products needed by society.
Noah’s world was very wicked, but it functioned with needs similar to our current world. When the Lord Jesus wanted to emphasize the suddenness of the destruction in the coming end-times judgment, He did it by drawing a comparison with the “day-to-day” life of the people around Noah. Luke 17:26-27 says,
And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Noah was used of God in his day. Whether he was a general contractor, an architect, or a business baron or just the servant of God is a guess. But the fact that he found grace as He responded and was used by God is what is important. Noah was fully dedicated and listening to and for God during his life.
The Bible says that Noah was one two men in all history, who “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). The other is Enoch, spoken of in Genesis 5:24. Noah was not some bumbling, drunken hypocrite as some try to tell today. God’s commentary of Noah being “just” and “perfect” (upright, without blemish) debunks this claim. God called Noah and entrusted him with a monumental task, unique in all of time.
IV. Noah was “just.” That simply means that he was known for treating all equitably. Even in the wicked world that disgusted the Father, Noah was “just” in his dealings. He charged reasonable prices for his work. He gave a good product (whatever it was) to those who employed his services. His honesty and fairness and fear of God, gave rise to his influence in the community. He was proven to be a man of integrity and of God Genesis 7:1).
V. Noah was “perfect.” That precious reputation, from God’s perspective, means that he was a man not under condemnation. His “just” dealings resulted in a “blameless” record. Whatever the wicked people of his day may have said behind his back, they knew that Noah was above reproach. His faith in God and His right relationship with God was the basis for this perfection. He was not without sin but was righteous before God. His obedience in doing what God requested caused, God to label him as “perfect.” Obedience to God is better than sacrifice
V. Peter in the NT described Noah as a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). Think of this description in the context of Genesis 6! The whole earth was “filled with violence” and “every heart” only thought after evil. The social climate must have fully sin filled. Yet Noah had the guts to stand up for God and His salvation. This righteous behavior was openly rejected, just like today.
He probably angered His extended family members, and some or most of his employees, because he was not equitable or inclusive. But by the time the judgment of God fell, only Noah, his wife, and three of their sons and their wives were willing to follow God into the Ark. Many would consider a ministry a failure today, and yet God insisted that Noah’s faith not only “saved” his family but the future world from extinction (Hebrews 11:7)!
We are not told in Scripture what Noah preached. Noah may well have preached about the coming judgment of the Flood/rain and their desperate need to return to God’s truth for salvation. Whatever he preached and however it was implemented, He obeyed God’s command, God labeled Noah a “preacher of righteousness” by the only Judge that ultimately counts.
God’s grace is always available. It is not hidden from anyone. But it must be “found” by God’s servants as we “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
There is a need for all men to find grace in the eyes of the Lord today! Yes, Absolutely we need God! It is not because we face another worldwide flood (Gen. 9:8-17), but because we face destruction for turning away from God! (2 Pet. 3:3-14). Peter reminds us that just as the world was once destroyed by water, so it shall be destroyed by fire after Jesus returns! Before this happens, we must receive Jesus and find grace in the eyes of the Lord! Otherwise, we will be like die outside the Ark of Jesus Christ
Concepts from HENRY M. MORRIS III, D.MIN. * |12/28/2012)
Oct 23 Sermon
We often hear the song in Church about the lighthouse. In the ending of the first verse of this song it states this - If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more. And in the chorus, it emphasizes - If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?
Many of us can relate to the fact that when we came to faith in Jesus Christ, He changed everything. There used to be and I believe still is a radio program produced out of Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. It is called Unshackled. The stories told in that radio hour are designed to make you face the truth and think about your life and purpose. God has used Pacific Garden Mission as a lighthouse to call people to the light of His saving truth and change the destructive path they were on, to one of salvation by faith and then to victory in Jesus. In each case, God uses other people or radio programs, or churches or any spiritual activity to draw others unto Himself, that they may see the light of Christ. The light of Christ makes them a beacon, a shining reflection of the light within them to draw them unto Himself. Being someone who becomes a beacon of light to call others to Jesus, is something Jesus instituted early in His ministry for Jesus is the light.
In John 8:12, it says, Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Here Jesus announces He is the light of the world, but notice there is much more. Jesus says, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. Scripture says, If you walk in the light as He is in the light you will have fellowship with Him and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses you and I from all sin. Since Jesus is the light, He promises to build in your life a new life and light and we will walk in it together with Him. But there is more promised and this is why the Christian life is not boring; believers are also to become Salt and Light.
In Matt 5:14-15, Jesus states to His disciples, 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. This means if you have confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that Jesus is Lord, you have been saved from your sin, you are His disciple. The Holy Spirit has now taken up residence in your heart, and you are now qualified, enlisted and encouraged to become a lampstand on a hill and allow His light to shine in and through you, so others can come to faith in Christ by His grace.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he addresses this issue directly and provides some conditions which will enable us to fulfill our commission to walk in the light and be reflections of Jesus light and life each day.
Let’s pray first and ask God to impress upon our lives the truths contained in the verses which follow. Father, thank you God for Your sanctified and perfect word of Truth. Instruct us now and draw us to obedience in Christ. Without you Lord the Christian life is impossible. Lead us Lord in the way everlasting and open our heart’s eyes. Amen
Please turn in you Bibles to Phil.2:12-17 : 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e] 15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Paul knows His death is near and He is imparting valuable truths so that the Churches and especially the Philippian church members might learn to walk in them.
See verses 12- and 13. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; c.
There are some deep truths buried in this series of verses. Paul to his friends those he calls beloved, once you obeyed me while I was there with you, now I may no longer be there with you, you are to do this work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
You might concluded from just this verse that you are on your own. But that is not the case. True Paul is anticipating His departure from this earth and highlighting that while he was here he could help them walk according to the “way.” But soon he would no longer be with them. He wants them to know the fear and trembling is to fear and tremble before the Lord, so verse 13 actually provides this context, 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
God did not just save you and then dump you to be on your own - the purpose of the Holy Spirit within one, remember Jesus promised the Paraclete – the Helper, one just like Him, would come and dwell within you. He is at work in you both to will and to do for His, that is God’s good pleasure. God wants you to walk in His Spirit until you are conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). So what do we mean by conformed for I can never be perfect like Jesus. It means your life, if it becomes God centered and does not remain self-centered, can become a mirror image of the traits of love, truth and righteousness (His righteousness) and the remaining gifts of the Spirit which we found in Jesus. This is how you are guided by the Holy Spirit and become lights unto others. They actually see something right in you.
This attitude of Christ likeness then leads to understanding the remainder of the verses in this passage we have illustrated. Read now beginning in verse 14, 14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e] 15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life,
So if the life of Christ is living in you by the Holy Spirits activity you should be able to navigate the difficulties presented by this current age without too many gripes or groans.
That does not mean you accept the current moral decay or sexual perversion, the increasing lies about gender confusion, abortion as a means of cost control, c-r-t, or other things like race as a dividing factor. You may also not agree that this country is inherently bad, the constitution is racist, flawed and does not promote equality, and that the government grants you inalienable rights – which by the way actually come from God according to His Word the Bible. It does mean that you accept the fact that God is in control of your life and the world around you and that you walk by faith not by sight and you are redeeming the time for the days are short until the next coming of Christ. And that you will reap what you so, whether good or evil.
What the text says is by refraining from complaints and disputes, we may be blameless and innocent (sincere and guileless). To be blameless means that no charge can be sustained against you personally (see Dan. 6:4). A blameless person may sin, but he repents, confesses, and makes right with God or whomever, whenever possible. To be harmless here means to be sincere, without deceit, innocent of false teaching or perverting truth willfully.
If we live this way we as children of God should be without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. By living lives without blemish, we as God’s children will stand out clearly against the dark and evil background of this world.
This leads Paul to think of us as lights shining in the darkness, just as Jesus commanded. So the darker the night, the brighter the light should shine as we lift His light on high.
Christians are not to consider themselves as lights in and of themselves for we are light-bearers. We as believers cannot create light, but we can and should reflect the glory of the Lord so that others may see Jesus in us. This light should and will be shared wherever we are led to go in Christ. This may require us to speak out against the darkness around us sometimes in our homes, in our family members, in our workplace and in those in authority. This is because the light within us compels us to speak the truth into the darkness. This may mean we have to reject the lies about our failing economy and the negative impacts of green energy policies and inflation upon ourselves and others. That open borders, the continued persecution of Christians, and conservatives are a perversion of equal justice under the law. And we may also have to stand up and reject the lies of how “professional educators” are sexually grooming and not instructing our children reading, writing and arithmetic is evil. Mandatory shots for our children is participating in murdering our children. All these lies must be countered.
So how do we remain true in amidst this train wreck currently happening in our government. It begins with what Paul suggests in verse 16 - 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Holding fast the word of life means hanging on to the Bible which are the words of life given to us by God. This reminds me of the biblical example of “cleaving” used in the traditional wedding ceremony. The first definition to cleave is to cut in two. The second meaning is pertinent to our understanding - dabhaq; kollao, meaning "to adhere to," or "to join one's self to." Here we are told that a man should cleave unto his wife (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5). It is said that Ruth should cleave unto her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:14), and that certain men cleave unto Paul (Acts 17:34);
"Cleave" is also used in this sense to describe our adherence to biblical principles. Paul admonished the Romans to cleave to that which is good (Romans 12:9).
Holding fast to the word of God means we keep the word of God central to our living, our praying our walking with God. We must become people of the book using it as reference, study and correction for all we endeavor to do. We recognize and honor God’s Word as literal inerrant, infallible and inspired coming from God to you. When you open this book you come face to face with its author and He speaks to you by it. We read His word, We study His word and we live by His Word, because it is His love letter to us.
If we will but set His Word before us and honor Him by living our lives in it He will be honored and glorified but an even bigger promise is given in the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us into all truth. So God give us the Bible, Give us Himself so we can understand and apply it and the Holy Spirit enables us to read it and assist us in living it out day by day. This truth is built into verse 13 which we have already read -13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Wow could you ask for anything else God loves you so much He sent His Son, and the Son sent one just like Himself to live in you and guide you. And last but not least He gave you a love letter for helping your daily living in Him – His book the Bible. What a great and mighty God we serve. Amen
If you don’t have a personal relationship with the Lord God through His Son reach out today. Remember whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Romans 10:13. Seek Him and He will be found by you.
We often hear the song in Church about the lighthouse. In the ending of the first verse of this song it states this - If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more. And in the chorus, it emphasizes - If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?
Many of us can relate to the fact that when we came to faith in Jesus Christ, He changed everything. There used to be and I believe still is a radio program produced out of Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. It is called Unshackled. The stories told in that radio hour are designed to make you face the truth and think about your life and purpose. God has used Pacific Garden Mission as a lighthouse to call people to the light of His saving truth and change the destructive path they were on, to one of salvation by faith and then to victory in Jesus. In each case, God uses other people or radio programs, or churches or any spiritual activity to draw others unto Himself, that they may see the light of Christ. The light of Christ makes them a beacon, a shining reflection of the light within them to draw them unto Himself. Being someone who becomes a beacon of light to call others to Jesus, is something Jesus instituted early in His ministry for Jesus is the light.
In John 8:12, it says, Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Here Jesus announces He is the light of the world, but notice there is much more. Jesus says, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. Scripture says, If you walk in the light as He is in the light you will have fellowship with Him and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses you and I from all sin. Since Jesus is the light, He promises to build in your life a new life and light and we will walk in it together with Him. But there is more promised and this is why the Christian life is not boring; believers are also to become Salt and Light.
In Matt 5:14-15, Jesus states to His disciples, 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. This means if you have confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that Jesus is Lord, you have been saved from your sin, you are His disciple. The Holy Spirit has now taken up residence in your heart, and you are now qualified, enlisted and encouraged to become a lampstand on a hill and allow His light to shine in and through you, so others can come to faith in Christ by His grace.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he addresses this issue directly and provides some conditions which will enable us to fulfill our commission to walk in the light and be reflections of Jesus light and life each day.
Let’s pray first and ask God to impress upon our lives the truths contained in the verses which follow. Father, thank you God for Your sanctified and perfect word of Truth. Instruct us now and draw us to obedience in Christ. Without you Lord the Christian life is impossible. Lead us Lord in the way everlasting and open our heart’s eyes. Amen
Please turn in you Bibles to Phil.2:12-17 : 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e] 15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Paul knows His death is near and He is imparting valuable truths so that the Churches and especially the Philippian church members might learn to walk in them.
See verses 12- and 13. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; c.
There are some deep truths buried in this series of verses. Paul to his friends those he calls beloved, once you obeyed me while I was there with you, now I may no longer be there with you, you are to do this work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
You might concluded from just this verse that you are on your own. But that is not the case. True Paul is anticipating His departure from this earth and highlighting that while he was here he could help them walk according to the “way.” But soon he would no longer be with them. He wants them to know the fear and trembling is to fear and tremble before the Lord, so verse 13 actually provides this context, 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
God did not just save you and then dump you to be on your own - the purpose of the Holy Spirit within one, remember Jesus promised the Paraclete – the Helper, one just like Him, would come and dwell within you. He is at work in you both to will and to do for His, that is God’s good pleasure. God wants you to walk in His Spirit until you are conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). So what do we mean by conformed for I can never be perfect like Jesus. It means your life, if it becomes God centered and does not remain self-centered, can become a mirror image of the traits of love, truth and righteousness (His righteousness) and the remaining gifts of the Spirit which we found in Jesus. This is how you are guided by the Holy Spirit and become lights unto others. They actually see something right in you.
This attitude of Christ likeness then leads to understanding the remainder of the verses in this passage we have illustrated. Read now beginning in verse 14, 14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e] 15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life,
So if the life of Christ is living in you by the Holy Spirits activity you should be able to navigate the difficulties presented by this current age without too many gripes or groans.
That does not mean you accept the current moral decay or sexual perversion, the increasing lies about gender confusion, abortion as a means of cost control, c-r-t, or other things like race as a dividing factor. You may also not agree that this country is inherently bad, the constitution is racist, flawed and does not promote equality, and that the government grants you inalienable rights – which by the way actually come from God according to His Word the Bible. It does mean that you accept the fact that God is in control of your life and the world around you and that you walk by faith not by sight and you are redeeming the time for the days are short until the next coming of Christ. And that you will reap what you so, whether good or evil.
What the text says is by refraining from complaints and disputes, we may be blameless and innocent (sincere and guileless). To be blameless means that no charge can be sustained against you personally (see Dan. 6:4). A blameless person may sin, but he repents, confesses, and makes right with God or whomever, whenever possible. To be harmless here means to be sincere, without deceit, innocent of false teaching or perverting truth willfully.
If we live this way we as children of God should be without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. By living lives without blemish, we as God’s children will stand out clearly against the dark and evil background of this world.
This leads Paul to think of us as lights shining in the darkness, just as Jesus commanded. So the darker the night, the brighter the light should shine as we lift His light on high.
Christians are not to consider themselves as lights in and of themselves for we are light-bearers. We as believers cannot create light, but we can and should reflect the glory of the Lord so that others may see Jesus in us. This light should and will be shared wherever we are led to go in Christ. This may require us to speak out against the darkness around us sometimes in our homes, in our family members, in our workplace and in those in authority. This is because the light within us compels us to speak the truth into the darkness. This may mean we have to reject the lies about our failing economy and the negative impacts of green energy policies and inflation upon ourselves and others. That open borders, the continued persecution of Christians, and conservatives are a perversion of equal justice under the law. And we may also have to stand up and reject the lies of how “professional educators” are sexually grooming and not instructing our children reading, writing and arithmetic is evil. Mandatory shots for our children is participating in murdering our children. All these lies must be countered.
So how do we remain true in amidst this train wreck currently happening in our government. It begins with what Paul suggests in verse 16 - 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Holding fast the word of life means hanging on to the Bible which are the words of life given to us by God. This reminds me of the biblical example of “cleaving” used in the traditional wedding ceremony. The first definition to cleave is to cut in two. The second meaning is pertinent to our understanding - dabhaq; kollao, meaning "to adhere to," or "to join one's self to." Here we are told that a man should cleave unto his wife (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5). It is said that Ruth should cleave unto her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:14), and that certain men cleave unto Paul (Acts 17:34);
"Cleave" is also used in this sense to describe our adherence to biblical principles. Paul admonished the Romans to cleave to that which is good (Romans 12:9).
Holding fast to the word of God means we keep the word of God central to our living, our praying our walking with God. We must become people of the book using it as reference, study and correction for all we endeavor to do. We recognize and honor God’s Word as literal inerrant, infallible and inspired coming from God to you. When you open this book you come face to face with its author and He speaks to you by it. We read His word, We study His word and we live by His Word, because it is His love letter to us.
If we will but set His Word before us and honor Him by living our lives in it He will be honored and glorified but an even bigger promise is given in the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us into all truth. So God give us the Bible, Give us Himself so we can understand and apply it and the Holy Spirit enables us to read it and assist us in living it out day by day. This truth is built into verse 13 which we have already read -13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Wow could you ask for anything else God loves you so much He sent His Son, and the Son sent one just like Himself to live in you and guide you. And last but not least He gave you a love letter for helping your daily living in Him – His book the Bible. What a great and mighty God we serve. Amen
If you don’t have a personal relationship with the Lord God through His Son reach out today. Remember whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Romans 10:13. Seek Him and He will be found by you.
Oct 9 Sermon
Assurance of the Resurrection
5 For we know that if our earthly [a]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our [b]habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as [c]a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Why is the presence of God so terrorizing to men and women? Well if you think about it, confronting God is like contacting an alien species. We recognize fellow humans immediately for they are just like us – immersed in sin. When we encounter God He to us is totally alien. First and foremost He is God and inherently we recognize He is different. First, He is absolutely holy and without imperfection. We being sin creatures cannot endure the presence of one who is sinless and pure our spirits immediately cower from this holiness and purity. We are not like Him. Secondly, He is God He is self-existent, meaning He was not created but exists within Himself. He has the power of life within His control and we are created beings with only the life we have been given. I believe in my spirit that our hearts and spirits recognize this difference between ourselves and one who has the power of creation and it is frightening to be in the presence of absolute life-giving power. So when we encounter the living God we intrinsically recognize these factors. If we look in the bible and map the encounters of many people with Angels who continually stand in the glorious presence of God, we come to understand what happens. A man say John the revelator is on the isle of Patmos on the Lords day meditating on the scripture when he encounters an angel sent to reveal to him the events recorded in the book of Revelation. What happens? John immediately falls on his face and the angel chastises him because he (the angel) is a fellow messenger. But John sensing the otherness of the angel immediately falls on his face to worship him.
This is the fear and yes, the awesome terror of the Lord, which we must not shy away from as believers.
There is a second terror and that is the fear of eternal judgement which is far war and has everlasting punishment as its end game. If I were you I would never wait if God is calling you to faith in His Son. To die without the Savior’s blood covering your sin is to be lost eternally, which is forever. That is not a good thing.
The body which we will have from heaven is a new body, gives us a new life and allows us a new home in heaven. Yes, your revamped body will be like Jesus’ resurrection body. I believe everything that Jesus was able to do you will be able to do as well. Thing such as miraculously appear, have no barriers to entry and go almost by thought from place to place will be capabilities in your new body. You will not age, will not get sick, and you will be with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and in their presence. Paul tells us the corruption must put on incorruption in order to be able to see God (1 Cor. 15). This new body is the new tent Paul talks about here in these verses.
Verse 4 and 5 say, 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as [c]a guarantee.
The promise from God is a secure promise which Paul tells us is guaranteed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. This happens at the moment of the new birth from above, when we call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Now I want you to remember what it says in scripture in Romans 10. It says in verse 13, 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
There is literally no one beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness who truly repents and confesses that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised them from the dead.
But this new tent promise causes us to groan for today we recognize the promise of the future and I don’t know about you but I sure could use a new body. So both in body, soul and spirit we groan awaiting our future adoption, knowing by faith that it is coming. Now some in the Corinthian church may have doubted this was the truth so Paul is writing it get them straight on what God had revealed to him. I don’t know about you but I would sure like to be swallowed up in life. I believe we consider death an end even though we go to be with the Lord. According to Paul it sounds like the step across death is new life – life greater than anything we can think or imagine. {But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9)
Go now to verses 6 to 8 - 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
To counter the fake news the Corinthians were being bombarded with Paul puts it out there, that our confidence is not by what we see but by faith. So be confident to be here today for this God’s plan for you today. Don’t fret or worry.
Now go to verses 9 and 10. So if we are walking by faith and not by sight, putting our confidence in the truth of what God says then we should do what -
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
In legal terms this is what you will call a redirect. Redirect our purpose to concentrate our walk to be pleasing to the Lord not so much out of fear, but more out of love. Our love shows us to be wanting to please the Lord because we realize what an amazing thing He has done for us. Should we not praise God for what and all that He has done. Yes, we are to greatly respect and honor God for He is God and He is utterly different than we are.
Verse 11 should give us context for knowing the terror of the Lord, we should persuade men that they need to receive Jesus to have life in heaven and rejoice in His free gift. But also know this you are well known to God, and he knows the intents of your heart- will you honor and receive Him today? He is calling His sheep and they hear His voice – will you receive Him right now?
AMEN
Assurance of the Resurrection
5 For we know that if our earthly [a]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our [b]habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as [c]a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Why is the presence of God so terrorizing to men and women? Well if you think about it, confronting God is like contacting an alien species. We recognize fellow humans immediately for they are just like us – immersed in sin. When we encounter God He to us is totally alien. First and foremost He is God and inherently we recognize He is different. First, He is absolutely holy and without imperfection. We being sin creatures cannot endure the presence of one who is sinless and pure our spirits immediately cower from this holiness and purity. We are not like Him. Secondly, He is God He is self-existent, meaning He was not created but exists within Himself. He has the power of life within His control and we are created beings with only the life we have been given. I believe in my spirit that our hearts and spirits recognize this difference between ourselves and one who has the power of creation and it is frightening to be in the presence of absolute life-giving power. So when we encounter the living God we intrinsically recognize these factors. If we look in the bible and map the encounters of many people with Angels who continually stand in the glorious presence of God, we come to understand what happens. A man say John the revelator is on the isle of Patmos on the Lords day meditating on the scripture when he encounters an angel sent to reveal to him the events recorded in the book of Revelation. What happens? John immediately falls on his face and the angel chastises him because he (the angel) is a fellow messenger. But John sensing the otherness of the angel immediately falls on his face to worship him.
This is the fear and yes, the awesome terror of the Lord, which we must not shy away from as believers.
There is a second terror and that is the fear of eternal judgement which is far war and has everlasting punishment as its end game. If I were you I would never wait if God is calling you to faith in His Son. To die without the Savior’s blood covering your sin is to be lost eternally, which is forever. That is not a good thing.
The body which we will have from heaven is a new body, gives us a new life and allows us a new home in heaven. Yes, your revamped body will be like Jesus’ resurrection body. I believe everything that Jesus was able to do you will be able to do as well. Thing such as miraculously appear, have no barriers to entry and go almost by thought from place to place will be capabilities in your new body. You will not age, will not get sick, and you will be with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and in their presence. Paul tells us the corruption must put on incorruption in order to be able to see God (1 Cor. 15). This new body is the new tent Paul talks about here in these verses.
Verse 4 and 5 say, 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as [c]a guarantee.
The promise from God is a secure promise which Paul tells us is guaranteed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. This happens at the moment of the new birth from above, when we call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Now I want you to remember what it says in scripture in Romans 10. It says in verse 13, 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
There is literally no one beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness who truly repents and confesses that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised them from the dead.
But this new tent promise causes us to groan for today we recognize the promise of the future and I don’t know about you but I sure could use a new body. So both in body, soul and spirit we groan awaiting our future adoption, knowing by faith that it is coming. Now some in the Corinthian church may have doubted this was the truth so Paul is writing it get them straight on what God had revealed to him. I don’t know about you but I would sure like to be swallowed up in life. I believe we consider death an end even though we go to be with the Lord. According to Paul it sounds like the step across death is new life – life greater than anything we can think or imagine. {But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9)
Go now to verses 6 to 8 - 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
To counter the fake news the Corinthians were being bombarded with Paul puts it out there, that our confidence is not by what we see but by faith. So be confident to be here today for this God’s plan for you today. Don’t fret or worry.
Now go to verses 9 and 10. So if we are walking by faith and not by sight, putting our confidence in the truth of what God says then we should do what -
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
In legal terms this is what you will call a redirect. Redirect our purpose to concentrate our walk to be pleasing to the Lord not so much out of fear, but more out of love. Our love shows us to be wanting to please the Lord because we realize what an amazing thing He has done for us. Should we not praise God for what and all that He has done. Yes, we are to greatly respect and honor God for He is God and He is utterly different than we are.
Verse 11 should give us context for knowing the terror of the Lord, we should persuade men that they need to receive Jesus to have life in heaven and rejoice in His free gift. But also know this you are well known to God, and he knows the intents of your heart- will you honor and receive Him today? He is calling His sheep and they hear His voice – will you receive Him right now?
AMEN
Oct 2 Sermon
Do we as believers actually know, understand and fully grasp the idea that no matter what is occurring around us, that God is at work in the world around us? It is a simple statement – God is always at work in the world around you. But our finite minds only comprehend what we actually are seeing and experiencing. Yet the truth is this; if this is my Father’s world then to my listening ears all nature sings and round me rings the music, not of the spheres, but my Heavenly Father’s hands. Do you know that this is a true statement? But you and I complain, if that is true why can I not see Him at work around me; or at least if that’s true why am I not aware of it? Perhaps you and I need a tutorial in the truth of God’s word before we can begin to understand the activity of God.
God has revealed to us He has always been at work even before the beginning recorded in Genesis. God is beyond the concept of time and has created time and a place for us, but He envisioned the beginning of this place, this existence and each of us in eternity past and knows the ending in eternity future. {Psalms 139) This is the only way our minds can comprehend that God is self-existent. He exists because He is God. If you have faith in the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God, He created everything just as He said in Genesis, Chapters 1-3. It all happened as He spoke into creation that which He had planned. The very creation speaks to this truth, it is just the mind of man who does not wish to believe it is so. It demonstrates the rebellious and sin nature in which you and I are all born and is proof positive the only way we can find God is via the Savior Jesus Christ.
First point - Did you not know that God does not promote Himself but He reveals Himself to those who would seek Him? The apostle Paul tells us He is evident in the world of nature all around us. And God says, Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you. Here is a fact that perhaps you never knew. Let’s read Ecclesiastes 8:17 – it says, then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.
Note again exactly what the text says, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it.
Second point - Our God chooses to draw near and reveal Himself as He chooses. Many times in the past God used prophets, kings, priests, a donkey, a burning bush and many other ways to reveal Himself. But God is the one who comes to encounter us. Here is an example-
We have an interesting discussion in 1st Kings Chapter 18, where Elijah challenges the Priests’ of Baal. After all morning the priests have been calling on their god Baal and nothing is happening to consume the sacrifice of the bull on the alter. So Elijah starts challenging them about Baal. Elijah says, maybe he is away or indisposed or asleep, or too tired to respond. Now note how Isaiah describes God in this passage from Chapter 40:28-29
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
God does not grow weary, nor faint. His is unsearchable
God is not like anything we can understand. He is beyond us. God tells us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. {Isa. 55:8-9} So unless God reveals Himself to you, you cannot know Him.
Because man was is such a lost condition God had mercy and gave us grace and sent a Savior. So God’s greatest revelation of Himself which He gave freely to us was and is His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus verifies this by stating, He who has seen Me has seen the Father. Elsewhere He tells us, I and the Father are one. So Jesus reveals to us by living and serving among us about His saving grace, mercy and peace which the Father has shown us in the life of Jesus.
Third Point - now because He has come to us, revealed Himself to us and we by faith have been one of those whosoever wills, who have called upon the name of the Lord. Having done so, He has saved us from our sin and eternal wrath and has given us new life in Christ. It was His activity and His Holy Spirit which worked mightily in us. He has enabled this new life in Christ within us. So God’s completed work on the Cross with His Son, provided us new life in His life, death, burial and resurrection.
Thus, we have been blessed because of this revelation and hear what Jesus has prepared for you and I. Look in Matthew 13:10-13 and see.
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the [a]mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
This text reveals that God has granted to you and I, as believers, knowledge which the world will not receive - to know the [a]mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. So one of God’s continuing and ongoing works is to give us spiritual discernment. Discernment leads us to acknowledge and abide, living in this final revelation of Philippians 2:13 - 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. God is at work in you personally and in the world around to accomplish His good pleasure.
How else can the apostle Paul tells us – all things work together for good, if our Father is not at work in our world today and every day? I pray God has encouraged you with His truth today. AMEN
If you want to know more about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ please see me or one of our deacons after the service. You can also find more information by contacting the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association by e-mail or phone.
Do we as believers actually know, understand and fully grasp the idea that no matter what is occurring around us, that God is at work in the world around us? It is a simple statement – God is always at work in the world around you. But our finite minds only comprehend what we actually are seeing and experiencing. Yet the truth is this; if this is my Father’s world then to my listening ears all nature sings and round me rings the music, not of the spheres, but my Heavenly Father’s hands. Do you know that this is a true statement? But you and I complain, if that is true why can I not see Him at work around me; or at least if that’s true why am I not aware of it? Perhaps you and I need a tutorial in the truth of God’s word before we can begin to understand the activity of God.
God has revealed to us He has always been at work even before the beginning recorded in Genesis. God is beyond the concept of time and has created time and a place for us, but He envisioned the beginning of this place, this existence and each of us in eternity past and knows the ending in eternity future. {Psalms 139) This is the only way our minds can comprehend that God is self-existent. He exists because He is God. If you have faith in the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God, He created everything just as He said in Genesis, Chapters 1-3. It all happened as He spoke into creation that which He had planned. The very creation speaks to this truth, it is just the mind of man who does not wish to believe it is so. It demonstrates the rebellious and sin nature in which you and I are all born and is proof positive the only way we can find God is via the Savior Jesus Christ.
First point - Did you not know that God does not promote Himself but He reveals Himself to those who would seek Him? The apostle Paul tells us He is evident in the world of nature all around us. And God says, Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you. Here is a fact that perhaps you never knew. Let’s read Ecclesiastes 8:17 – it says, then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.
Note again exactly what the text says, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it.
Second point - Our God chooses to draw near and reveal Himself as He chooses. Many times in the past God used prophets, kings, priests, a donkey, a burning bush and many other ways to reveal Himself. But God is the one who comes to encounter us. Here is an example-
We have an interesting discussion in 1st Kings Chapter 18, where Elijah challenges the Priests’ of Baal. After all morning the priests have been calling on their god Baal and nothing is happening to consume the sacrifice of the bull on the alter. So Elijah starts challenging them about Baal. Elijah says, maybe he is away or indisposed or asleep, or too tired to respond. Now note how Isaiah describes God in this passage from Chapter 40:28-29
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
God does not grow weary, nor faint. His is unsearchable
God is not like anything we can understand. He is beyond us. God tells us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. {Isa. 55:8-9} So unless God reveals Himself to you, you cannot know Him.
Because man was is such a lost condition God had mercy and gave us grace and sent a Savior. So God’s greatest revelation of Himself which He gave freely to us was and is His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus verifies this by stating, He who has seen Me has seen the Father. Elsewhere He tells us, I and the Father are one. So Jesus reveals to us by living and serving among us about His saving grace, mercy and peace which the Father has shown us in the life of Jesus.
Third Point - now because He has come to us, revealed Himself to us and we by faith have been one of those whosoever wills, who have called upon the name of the Lord. Having done so, He has saved us from our sin and eternal wrath and has given us new life in Christ. It was His activity and His Holy Spirit which worked mightily in us. He has enabled this new life in Christ within us. So God’s completed work on the Cross with His Son, provided us new life in His life, death, burial and resurrection.
Thus, we have been blessed because of this revelation and hear what Jesus has prepared for you and I. Look in Matthew 13:10-13 and see.
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the [a]mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
This text reveals that God has granted to you and I, as believers, knowledge which the world will not receive - to know the [a]mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. So one of God’s continuing and ongoing works is to give us spiritual discernment. Discernment leads us to acknowledge and abide, living in this final revelation of Philippians 2:13 - 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. God is at work in you personally and in the world around to accomplish His good pleasure.
How else can the apostle Paul tells us – all things work together for good, if our Father is not at work in our world today and every day? I pray God has encouraged you with His truth today. AMEN
If you want to know more about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ please see me or one of our deacons after the service. You can also find more information by contacting the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association by e-mail or phone.
Sept 25 Sermon
1) introduction
a) Remember only God can prophesy.
b) Isaiah 46:9-10 says,
i) Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
c) The Bible is the one book that allows us to look into the future.
d) Scriptures tell of an individual, malevolent dictator who is yet to come.
e) This enemy has many aliases.
f) Though this enemy has many aliases, he has but one heart and one mind.
g) In today’s Scripture passage, he is called the beast.
h) Today’s message will focus on five specific things as we study about this beast.
2) First, the beasT engenders and creates social agitation (revelation 13:1)
a) Revelation 13:1 Then [a]I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having [b]seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name
i) The beast comes up out of the sea.
ii) This is society in agitation and in distress.
b) The Bible teaches that the wicked people of this world are like the troubled sea.
i) Isaiah 57:20-21
(1) But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
When it cannot rest,
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
(2) 21 “There is no peace,”
Says my God, “for the wicked.”
c) Revelation 17:15
i) There is a seething sea of distress and agitation that is going to deliver to this world a beast.
ii) Out of this seething sea that the beast is going to come.
iii) Perilous times will produce the beast.
iv) Historian Arnold Toynbee said that when the world has distress, economic problems and technology, that we are then ripe to produce a new Caesar (referring to the antichrist).
3) Second, the beast has satanic attributes (revelation 13:1-2)
a) Revelation 13:2 - 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
b) The devil is the father of the beast.
c) Revelation 12:3
i) The devil is described in this passage.
(1) The beast in Revelation 13 is described the same way.
d) The devil spawns this beast of a man.
i) 2 Thessalonians 2:9
e) Jesus, who is God in flesh, could say, “He that hath seen Me hath seen My Father.” (John 14:9)
i) The beast, who will be Satan in the flesh, will be able to say, “He that hath seen me hath seen my father.”
f) The beast will be a composite of all of the dictators and the great regimes of the past.
i) Revelation 13:2
(1) The lion represents the ungodly rulers of Babylon.
(2) The bear represents the ancient empire of Medio-Persia.
(3) The leopard represents the Greece under Alexander the Great.
ii) He will inherit all the beastly characteristics of these former kingdoms.
g) He will be a beastly creature, and the world will receive him
i) John 5:43 -43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
ii) People will reject the Lamb; and they will embrace the beast
4) Third, the beast has a disguised seductive appeal (revelation 13:3-4) 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
h) You might think that if he is a beast, everyone would be afraid of him.
i) When the Bible speaks of his beastly characteristics, it is referring to his nature, not his appearance
j) This man will be very appealing in the eyes of the world. He will be followed with admiration.
i) Don’t think of him as hideous.
(1) He will be handsome, charming, clever and very intelligent. He will be a global charmer.
ii) One of the reasons for his popularity will be his resuscitation.
(1) Somehow, he will be wounded and will appear to come back from the dead.
k) The whole world will marvel after this man who disguises himself as a man of peace.
5) Fourth, the beast is driven by sinister ambitions (revelation 13:4-10) 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to [c]continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every [d]tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the [e]patience and the faith of the saints.
l) Jesus came “to seek and to save that which is lost.” Luke 19:10
m) What are the ambitions of the beast?
i) To deify Satan.
(1) Revelation 13:4 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
(2) Satan has always had the burning ambition to be worshipped.
ii) To defy the Savior.
(1) Revelation 13:5-6 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to [c]continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
(2) Satan cannot touch the saints in Heaven, so he is reduced to name calling.
(3) He will belch forth blasphemies with burning eloquence to turn people away from God, and they will believe his lies.
iii) To destroy the saints.
(1) Revelation 13:7 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.
(2) The beast will want every true believer in Jesus Christ destroyed.
(3) The tribulation saints (who will be on Earth after the church is raptured out) will face the guillotine, firing squads, gas chambers, concentration camps, torture and terror
iv) To dominate society.
(1) Revelation 13:7- And authority was given him over every [d]tribe, tongue, and nation.
(2) He will unify the people of this world.
(3) It will be a regime {like the Nazi’s of WWII}of war and intimidation
v) To delude sinners.
(1) He wants to keep them condemned and doomed.
(2) Revelation 13:8-10
(3) He is the devil’s messiah.
6) Fifth, the beast has a supporting agent who is his mouthpiece (revelation 13:11-18)
n) The beast will have a sinister minister of propaganda who will present him {the 1st Beast} to the whole world.
i) Revelation 13:11 11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon
(1) “Two horns like a lamb” shows us that he imitates Jesus, but he speaks as a dragon.
ii) He will look like a lamb, but he will speak like a dragon.
o) This is THE unholy trinity.
i) The devil always mimics God. The holy Trinity consists of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The unholy trinity consists of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet.
p) The false prophet will be to the beast what the Holy Spirit is to Jesus Christ.
q) In order to cause the world to worship the beast, this minister of propaganda will have three major weapons in his arsenal.
i) The weapon of fire
(1) Revelation 13:13 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
ii) The image weapon, what is that?
(1) Revelation 13:14-15 14 And he deceives [f]those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
(2) This is an image that can speak.
iii) The mark weapon, what is that?
(1) Revelation 13:16-18 - 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has [g]the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
(2) If you are not sealed by the Spirit {Eph. 1:13-14), then you will be branded by the beast.
(3) Everybody will be forced to take a mark in order to do commerce {buy and sell to earn a living and have possessions – food, clothing.}
(4) This mark, 666, is the number of a man.
r) We may not be exactly certain exactly what the fire, the image and the mark will be, but we have clues.
i) We already have microchips available as reusable technology now.
s) The world is soon to become a vast concentration camp with most if not all of the inmates numbered. Check out Australia.
CONCLUSION and Summary
t) The apostle John saw a roiling sea.
u) Out of the turmoil, societies and society as a whole will unravel. {Green world economy}
v) There is going to rise another greater than Caesar, who will be the devil’s messiah.
i) Matthew 4:8-10- the great temptation - 10 Then Jesus said to him, [b]“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
ii) He will be appointed and anointed by Satan, who will give him great powers and authority.
iii) He will want to cause the world to worship the devil.
iv) He will want to deify himself.
v) He will have a sinister minister of propaganda. Who is this?
w) A word of caution - don’t think that this could only happen at some distant future.
x) Do you know Jesus personally? If not, you can pray to Him today and ask Him to come into your life. So call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Jesus as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23 - all have sinned and come short of the glory of God- repent!
ii) Romans 10:9-10 - confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
iii) Romans 10:13- Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved
iv) Acts 16:31 - Believe and be saved you and your whole household
This sermon was revamped and highly modified from a message by the same name by Adrian Rogers. He taught me in the study of this chapter. What a godly pastor e was.
1) introduction
a) Remember only God can prophesy.
b) Isaiah 46:9-10 says,
i) Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’
c) The Bible is the one book that allows us to look into the future.
d) Scriptures tell of an individual, malevolent dictator who is yet to come.
e) This enemy has many aliases.
f) Though this enemy has many aliases, he has but one heart and one mind.
g) In today’s Scripture passage, he is called the beast.
h) Today’s message will focus on five specific things as we study about this beast.
2) First, the beasT engenders and creates social agitation (revelation 13:1)
a) Revelation 13:1 Then [a]I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having [b]seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name
i) The beast comes up out of the sea.
ii) This is society in agitation and in distress.
b) The Bible teaches that the wicked people of this world are like the troubled sea.
i) Isaiah 57:20-21
(1) But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
When it cannot rest,
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
(2) 21 “There is no peace,”
Says my God, “for the wicked.”
c) Revelation 17:15
i) There is a seething sea of distress and agitation that is going to deliver to this world a beast.
ii) Out of this seething sea that the beast is going to come.
iii) Perilous times will produce the beast.
iv) Historian Arnold Toynbee said that when the world has distress, economic problems and technology, that we are then ripe to produce a new Caesar (referring to the antichrist).
3) Second, the beast has satanic attributes (revelation 13:1-2)
a) Revelation 13:2 - 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
b) The devil is the father of the beast.
c) Revelation 12:3
i) The devil is described in this passage.
(1) The beast in Revelation 13 is described the same way.
d) The devil spawns this beast of a man.
i) 2 Thessalonians 2:9
e) Jesus, who is God in flesh, could say, “He that hath seen Me hath seen My Father.” (John 14:9)
i) The beast, who will be Satan in the flesh, will be able to say, “He that hath seen me hath seen my father.”
f) The beast will be a composite of all of the dictators and the great regimes of the past.
i) Revelation 13:2
(1) The lion represents the ungodly rulers of Babylon.
(2) The bear represents the ancient empire of Medio-Persia.
(3) The leopard represents the Greece under Alexander the Great.
ii) He will inherit all the beastly characteristics of these former kingdoms.
g) He will be a beastly creature, and the world will receive him
i) John 5:43 -43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
ii) People will reject the Lamb; and they will embrace the beast
4) Third, the beast has a disguised seductive appeal (revelation 13:3-4) 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
h) You might think that if he is a beast, everyone would be afraid of him.
i) When the Bible speaks of his beastly characteristics, it is referring to his nature, not his appearance
j) This man will be very appealing in the eyes of the world. He will be followed with admiration.
i) Don’t think of him as hideous.
(1) He will be handsome, charming, clever and very intelligent. He will be a global charmer.
ii) One of the reasons for his popularity will be his resuscitation.
(1) Somehow, he will be wounded and will appear to come back from the dead.
k) The whole world will marvel after this man who disguises himself as a man of peace.
5) Fourth, the beast is driven by sinister ambitions (revelation 13:4-10) 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to [c]continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every [d]tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the [e]patience and the faith of the saints.
l) Jesus came “to seek and to save that which is lost.” Luke 19:10
m) What are the ambitions of the beast?
i) To deify Satan.
(1) Revelation 13:4 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
(2) Satan has always had the burning ambition to be worshipped.
ii) To defy the Savior.
(1) Revelation 13:5-6 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to [c]continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
(2) Satan cannot touch the saints in Heaven, so he is reduced to name calling.
(3) He will belch forth blasphemies with burning eloquence to turn people away from God, and they will believe his lies.
iii) To destroy the saints.
(1) Revelation 13:7 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.
(2) The beast will want every true believer in Jesus Christ destroyed.
(3) The tribulation saints (who will be on Earth after the church is raptured out) will face the guillotine, firing squads, gas chambers, concentration camps, torture and terror
iv) To dominate society.
(1) Revelation 13:7- And authority was given him over every [d]tribe, tongue, and nation.
(2) He will unify the people of this world.
(3) It will be a regime {like the Nazi’s of WWII}of war and intimidation
v) To delude sinners.
(1) He wants to keep them condemned and doomed.
(2) Revelation 13:8-10
(3) He is the devil’s messiah.
6) Fifth, the beast has a supporting agent who is his mouthpiece (revelation 13:11-18)
n) The beast will have a sinister minister of propaganda who will present him {the 1st Beast} to the whole world.
i) Revelation 13:11 11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon
(1) “Two horns like a lamb” shows us that he imitates Jesus, but he speaks as a dragon.
ii) He will look like a lamb, but he will speak like a dragon.
o) This is THE unholy trinity.
i) The devil always mimics God. The holy Trinity consists of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The unholy trinity consists of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet.
p) The false prophet will be to the beast what the Holy Spirit is to Jesus Christ.
q) In order to cause the world to worship the beast, this minister of propaganda will have three major weapons in his arsenal.
i) The weapon of fire
(1) Revelation 13:13 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
ii) The image weapon, what is that?
(1) Revelation 13:14-15 14 And he deceives [f]those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
(2) This is an image that can speak.
iii) The mark weapon, what is that?
(1) Revelation 13:16-18 - 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has [g]the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
(2) If you are not sealed by the Spirit {Eph. 1:13-14), then you will be branded by the beast.
(3) Everybody will be forced to take a mark in order to do commerce {buy and sell to earn a living and have possessions – food, clothing.}
(4) This mark, 666, is the number of a man.
r) We may not be exactly certain exactly what the fire, the image and the mark will be, but we have clues.
i) We already have microchips available as reusable technology now.
s) The world is soon to become a vast concentration camp with most if not all of the inmates numbered. Check out Australia.
CONCLUSION and Summary
t) The apostle John saw a roiling sea.
u) Out of the turmoil, societies and society as a whole will unravel. {Green world economy}
v) There is going to rise another greater than Caesar, who will be the devil’s messiah.
i) Matthew 4:8-10- the great temptation - 10 Then Jesus said to him, [b]“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
ii) He will be appointed and anointed by Satan, who will give him great powers and authority.
iii) He will want to cause the world to worship the devil.
iv) He will want to deify himself.
v) He will have a sinister minister of propaganda. Who is this?
w) A word of caution - don’t think that this could only happen at some distant future.
x) Do you know Jesus personally? If not, you can pray to Him today and ask Him to come into your life. So call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Jesus as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23 - all have sinned and come short of the glory of God- repent!
ii) Romans 10:9-10 - confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
iii) Romans 10:13- Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved
iv) Acts 16:31 - Believe and be saved you and your whole household
This sermon was revamped and highly modified from a message by the same name by Adrian Rogers. He taught me in the study of this chapter. What a godly pastor e was.
Sept 18 Sermon
Today is the day is the day which the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you, Lord for this day and your Word. Allow us today to be honest before Your truth and see how our walk with You is progressing. May Your Holy Spirit reveal all to each of us in Jesus name Amen.
Walking with Jesus is not easy as many of us have found over the years of being His child. There are multiple excuses for our failings but in most cases the answer is quite simple. We, yes, we who have been saved – washed in the blood of the Lamb, who have repented and asked God for forgiveness have walked or strayed apart from His truth and committed, yes wittingly and wantonly, committed sin. The attitude of our hearts have shifted from doing His will, His way to doing what we wanted in our way and in our time. It is hurtful to admit this to others but in most cases the truth is evident based upon our resulting behavior. This agrees with what Jesus says in Matthew – You shall know them by their fruits. Did you know our God who is very concerned about how His people who are called by His name behave? Yes, His name is righteous so He will not bless your life if you live counter to His will and His ways. He will expose and move your sinful behavior into the light so it may be seen by all. Ask Moses about going into the promised land. Ask David about the prophet Nathan’s declaration to the whole assembly – “Ecce homo.” You are the Man who sinned against God by killing Uriah the Hittite and taking Bathsheba as your wife. Or Sampson, or many others, including Peter and others in the New Testament. To get a biblical sense of this let’s look at an example this using King Asa in the OT book of 2nd Chronicles. Let me summarize what happens in Chapter 14, as we meet Asa becoming King. In verse 2 it says, Asa did what is right in the eyes of the Lord for He restored the rightful places of worship and honor to the Lord. 4 He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. 5 He also removed the [b]high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. 6 And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest. Because of the Lords favor Asa was able to build a several fortified cities in Judah. So they built and prospered because of God’s favor and God gave the King 580,000 mighty men in his army of that day.
Then, God challenges them in the rest of Chapter 14 with an army of 1 million, plus 300 chariots (tanks of the day) to see Asa’s response. So Asa cries out to God and God delivers Him from this huge Army and gives Him plunder, lands and great success. With this background let’s read closely what Chapter 15 verses 1 and following says,
15 Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. 2 And he went out [a]to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; 4 but when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. 5 And in those times, there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 So nation was [b]destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. 7 But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” Notice - God troubled them.
I. Asa walked with the Lord at the beginning but return to what the prophet said in verse 2 - The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. This is almost like the music they used to play during horror movies when you knew the person going into the room was going to encounter the monster and be chewed up, bitten, munched or somehow destroyed. These words were a foretelling of what was going to happen to Asa. As long as his heart was tender and sensitive to God and not self-centered then God was with Him. But when His heart departed then God departed – If you seek Him He will be found by you. This is what we need to be doing today as we follow God in this nightmare on Main Street in the USA. We need to be honoring and seeking God by how we live and what we say and do.
II. Highlighting, again, two portions of scripture which we read verse 2 - The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. And verse 7 - 7 But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” When Asa initially heard this word it says He took heart. In other words he became committed to do God’s will. Reading further into Chapter 15 you find he did good things. He had a desire to please God and to put things right which had been falling away in earlier days. He cleansed and purified the land removing idols and restored true worship in the land. Other tribes saw God was with him and joined in the work so Judah grew in strength and power. He declared a great revival in the third month of his 15th year with great sacrificing and it says in verse 12, 12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 and whoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. 14 Then they took an oath before the Lord with a loud voice, with shouting and trumpets and rams’ horns. 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.
As the King and the nation of Judah chose to seek the Lord and worship Him God blessed His people so there was no war or problems for the next 20 years. Guess what happened in that 20 years? The nation and the King fell away from God. You can read all about it in Chapter 16. What happens is this, Israel decides to attack Judah and instead of Asa calling upon God, He goes and makes an offering of gold and silver to the King of Syria to form an alliance to protect Judah. OOPS! Then God’s prophet comes to tell the King, you done wrong for you rejected God’s help. Instead of repenting the King throws God’s prophet in jail and punishes him. And this was in the 35th year of Asa’s reign as King. God then proceeded to send Him disease in his feet. For the next 4 years Asa refused to call on God for help but only sought the help of physicians to cure His disease. Do you believe there was a heart change in Asa over the 20 years of peace which God gave Him? Somehow during this time pride, self-interest or whatever shifted the King’s heart from God and He rejected God, so God brought disaster to His people. “ when your heart turns away.”(Deut 30:17).
III. Let’s apply this activity to our world today. I believe we know what has happened since 1963 with prayer, bible reading and study in our schools, courthouses, and the public square. What I believe we have missed is what was supposed to be happening in the homes of America. We were supposed to raising our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. But with the sexual revolution we became enamored with ourselves and our sex habits. Of course the natural outgrowth of sex are babies and of course they are a terrible inconvenience so we needed to do something about them – like choice which is murder. Less Fathers at home with free sex around the corner so fewer young men who have a Father’s discipline in the home. Meanwhile you have the regressives screwing with our education systems. They are teaching teachers and faculty that America is bad, evil, and corrupt which is exactly what is in their hearts. This is now in universities and all our schools and in the Teacher’s Unions in America.
So what are we to do. We must first work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; understanding it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. God says draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Didn’t we just read this about Asa. Didn’t the prophet tell Him -The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. So the moral of the story is in the midst of our biggest problem we are to live for God. Our job is to be the best example of Christs’ love on earth so that others will see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Doesn’t God’s Word tell us this? The why aren’t we listening as believers.
I hate to tell you this but guess what your political affiliation and endorsing a particular political party will not save this nation. Oh don’t get me wrong voting for Christian and God-fearing candidates is absolutely correct for getting us on the right track but that is one of many things we should do.
Let’s look back at the prosperous and blessed portion of Asa’s reign as king and see what He did and what God did
1. Asa had the people of Judah (people of God) focus on the things of God. Worship was to be about God and His rule and reign and nothing else no distractions with pagan gods or foreign sexual worship. We need to relearn to fear the Lord
2. He chose to cleanse and purify his people to honor their relationship with God. Personal holiness is essential and is a trademark of discipleship – where are you?
3. To know God, there was an emphasis on training, bible sturdy and learning about God both in schools and in the home. Our greatest impact is in our homes and this is foundational to any culture. This is why regressive teachers and schools want parents removed from teaching and raising your children. Studying and applying the Bible in our families, our extended families and in our public interfaces is important.
4. The people took their covenant relationship with God to heart and desired this to be their first priority in living. They swore an oath and made this a promise in living.
So the King and the people had good intentions and as long as the pressure of foreign invasions and persecution was on all went well. The people stood close to God and obeyed His direction, keeping their promises and paying attention to God. But after just 20 years of God’s provision and protection – the king and the nation departed from God and decided they knew a better way.
America since 1945 has enjoyed a period of prosperity, power and blessing that has never been seen in this world ever. America became a superpower. We had unrivaled success in medicine, physics, space, finance, agriculture and our children were the brightest and best educated in the world. But in 1963 we declared through the priesthood of the Supreme Court (yes, the wear priestly vestments), we don’t need you God because we can do all you do - better and without the stink of Christianity. The collective conscience of the church and the nation had turned away. We need to repent and return- 2 Chron. 7:14 is absolutely relevant. If My people who are called by name will humble themselves.
Humble themselves by recognizing their evil self-centered condition before God and pray. Seek God according to what we learned, not half-heartedly but with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. Then God will move. The evidence is overwhelming and God’s word is true He and His word never change for it is the Truth. The people of God need to ask God to do what He has done for 6000 years, guide and direct His people.
Can I have a witness to His truth and our obedience =AMEN
Today is the day is the day which the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you, Lord for this day and your Word. Allow us today to be honest before Your truth and see how our walk with You is progressing. May Your Holy Spirit reveal all to each of us in Jesus name Amen.
Walking with Jesus is not easy as many of us have found over the years of being His child. There are multiple excuses for our failings but in most cases the answer is quite simple. We, yes, we who have been saved – washed in the blood of the Lamb, who have repented and asked God for forgiveness have walked or strayed apart from His truth and committed, yes wittingly and wantonly, committed sin. The attitude of our hearts have shifted from doing His will, His way to doing what we wanted in our way and in our time. It is hurtful to admit this to others but in most cases the truth is evident based upon our resulting behavior. This agrees with what Jesus says in Matthew – You shall know them by their fruits. Did you know our God who is very concerned about how His people who are called by His name behave? Yes, His name is righteous so He will not bless your life if you live counter to His will and His ways. He will expose and move your sinful behavior into the light so it may be seen by all. Ask Moses about going into the promised land. Ask David about the prophet Nathan’s declaration to the whole assembly – “Ecce homo.” You are the Man who sinned against God by killing Uriah the Hittite and taking Bathsheba as your wife. Or Sampson, or many others, including Peter and others in the New Testament. To get a biblical sense of this let’s look at an example this using King Asa in the OT book of 2nd Chronicles. Let me summarize what happens in Chapter 14, as we meet Asa becoming King. In verse 2 it says, Asa did what is right in the eyes of the Lord for He restored the rightful places of worship and honor to the Lord. 4 He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. 5 He also removed the [b]high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. 6 And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest. Because of the Lords favor Asa was able to build a several fortified cities in Judah. So they built and prospered because of God’s favor and God gave the King 580,000 mighty men in his army of that day.
Then, God challenges them in the rest of Chapter 14 with an army of 1 million, plus 300 chariots (tanks of the day) to see Asa’s response. So Asa cries out to God and God delivers Him from this huge Army and gives Him plunder, lands and great success. With this background let’s read closely what Chapter 15 verses 1 and following says,
15 Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. 2 And he went out [a]to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law; 4 but when in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them. 5 And in those times, there was no peace to the one who went out, nor to the one who came in, but great turmoil was on all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 So nation was [b]destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. 7 But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” Notice - God troubled them.
I. Asa walked with the Lord at the beginning but return to what the prophet said in verse 2 - The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. This is almost like the music they used to play during horror movies when you knew the person going into the room was going to encounter the monster and be chewed up, bitten, munched or somehow destroyed. These words were a foretelling of what was going to happen to Asa. As long as his heart was tender and sensitive to God and not self-centered then God was with Him. But when His heart departed then God departed – If you seek Him He will be found by you. This is what we need to be doing today as we follow God in this nightmare on Main Street in the USA. We need to be honoring and seeking God by how we live and what we say and do.
II. Highlighting, again, two portions of scripture which we read verse 2 - The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. And verse 7 - 7 But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” When Asa initially heard this word it says He took heart. In other words he became committed to do God’s will. Reading further into Chapter 15 you find he did good things. He had a desire to please God and to put things right which had been falling away in earlier days. He cleansed and purified the land removing idols and restored true worship in the land. Other tribes saw God was with him and joined in the work so Judah grew in strength and power. He declared a great revival in the third month of his 15th year with great sacrificing and it says in verse 12, 12 Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 and whoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. 14 Then they took an oath before the Lord with a loud voice, with shouting and trumpets and rams’ horns. 15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.
As the King and the nation of Judah chose to seek the Lord and worship Him God blessed His people so there was no war or problems for the next 20 years. Guess what happened in that 20 years? The nation and the King fell away from God. You can read all about it in Chapter 16. What happens is this, Israel decides to attack Judah and instead of Asa calling upon God, He goes and makes an offering of gold and silver to the King of Syria to form an alliance to protect Judah. OOPS! Then God’s prophet comes to tell the King, you done wrong for you rejected God’s help. Instead of repenting the King throws God’s prophet in jail and punishes him. And this was in the 35th year of Asa’s reign as King. God then proceeded to send Him disease in his feet. For the next 4 years Asa refused to call on God for help but only sought the help of physicians to cure His disease. Do you believe there was a heart change in Asa over the 20 years of peace which God gave Him? Somehow during this time pride, self-interest or whatever shifted the King’s heart from God and He rejected God, so God brought disaster to His people. “ when your heart turns away.”(Deut 30:17).
III. Let’s apply this activity to our world today. I believe we know what has happened since 1963 with prayer, bible reading and study in our schools, courthouses, and the public square. What I believe we have missed is what was supposed to be happening in the homes of America. We were supposed to raising our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. But with the sexual revolution we became enamored with ourselves and our sex habits. Of course the natural outgrowth of sex are babies and of course they are a terrible inconvenience so we needed to do something about them – like choice which is murder. Less Fathers at home with free sex around the corner so fewer young men who have a Father’s discipline in the home. Meanwhile you have the regressives screwing with our education systems. They are teaching teachers and faculty that America is bad, evil, and corrupt which is exactly what is in their hearts. This is now in universities and all our schools and in the Teacher’s Unions in America.
So what are we to do. We must first work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; understanding it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. God says draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Didn’t we just read this about Asa. Didn’t the prophet tell Him -The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. So the moral of the story is in the midst of our biggest problem we are to live for God. Our job is to be the best example of Christs’ love on earth so that others will see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. Doesn’t God’s Word tell us this? The why aren’t we listening as believers.
I hate to tell you this but guess what your political affiliation and endorsing a particular political party will not save this nation. Oh don’t get me wrong voting for Christian and God-fearing candidates is absolutely correct for getting us on the right track but that is one of many things we should do.
Let’s look back at the prosperous and blessed portion of Asa’s reign as king and see what He did and what God did
1. Asa had the people of Judah (people of God) focus on the things of God. Worship was to be about God and His rule and reign and nothing else no distractions with pagan gods or foreign sexual worship. We need to relearn to fear the Lord
2. He chose to cleanse and purify his people to honor their relationship with God. Personal holiness is essential and is a trademark of discipleship – where are you?
3. To know God, there was an emphasis on training, bible sturdy and learning about God both in schools and in the home. Our greatest impact is in our homes and this is foundational to any culture. This is why regressive teachers and schools want parents removed from teaching and raising your children. Studying and applying the Bible in our families, our extended families and in our public interfaces is important.
4. The people took their covenant relationship with God to heart and desired this to be their first priority in living. They swore an oath and made this a promise in living.
So the King and the people had good intentions and as long as the pressure of foreign invasions and persecution was on all went well. The people stood close to God and obeyed His direction, keeping their promises and paying attention to God. But after just 20 years of God’s provision and protection – the king and the nation departed from God and decided they knew a better way.
America since 1945 has enjoyed a period of prosperity, power and blessing that has never been seen in this world ever. America became a superpower. We had unrivaled success in medicine, physics, space, finance, agriculture and our children were the brightest and best educated in the world. But in 1963 we declared through the priesthood of the Supreme Court (yes, the wear priestly vestments), we don’t need you God because we can do all you do - better and without the stink of Christianity. The collective conscience of the church and the nation had turned away. We need to repent and return- 2 Chron. 7:14 is absolutely relevant. If My people who are called by name will humble themselves.
Humble themselves by recognizing their evil self-centered condition before God and pray. Seek God according to what we learned, not half-heartedly but with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. Then God will move. The evidence is overwhelming and God’s word is true He and His word never change for it is the Truth. The people of God need to ask God to do what He has done for 6000 years, guide and direct His people.
Can I have a witness to His truth and our obedience =AMEN
Sept 11 Sermon
John 3 19-21, Jesus says, 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
9/11 was and is a defining moment in the life of this nation. It was and is a historic day with regards to America and our covenant with God. If you believe prophetic leader Jonathan Cahn, it represents in His book The Harbinger. The twin towers represent and are a parallel to the gates of Jerusalem. When the towers fell in Jerusalem it represents God’s cancellation of the covenant with Israel because of their departure and rejection of God. So God allows foreign nations to dominate His people as He no longer protects them and allows them to be disciplined. This is truly a very catastrophic day in the life of America and many are blind to what God is doing.
In spite of all the pain and suffering and clarion call sounded that day, it has faded into memory and is almost forgotten. How can we forget the sacrifice of untold thousands that day? How is it that only the survivors recall the horror and pain inflicted upon our people? To everyone else it is business as usual. Neither the President, Congress or our cherished leaders bother to do anything. Afghanistan proves we have not learned this lesson. The Taliban now have more fire power and greater reach than ever to inflict pain on us because in our desire to just get out we forgot the purpose for being there was to prevent 9/11 from happening again. Guess what? What is coming may be far worse than the twin towers. So sin continues to dominate in America because of our rejection of God in schools, in our corporate board rooms, in our legislature and in our media. Filth and lies dominate all we encounter. So how are we to live in this mess? What are we supposed to do?
Well let’s look at the testimony of the greatest witness we have recorded in God’s Word. Jesus calls this man greatest and least in the kingdom of heaven but that is a discussion for another day. The witness is John the Baptist and here in John Chapter 3 John is talking to his disciples about Jesus – let’s tune in and hear what He says. Verse 22 begins, 22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Pray with me please – God unleash your Holy Spirit within us so that we may know the truth. And in knowing the truth of Jesus you make cause us to allow you to work in our hearts and minds so your will may be done – AMEN So let’s begin by examining the situation and allow God to teach us about Heavenly Stewardship and what that means in our time and day.
Verses 25 and 26 state - 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
So the issue or dispute among John’s disciples and the Jews probably had to do with the purification rites of those performing the baptisms. But the underlying issue had to do with Jesus baptizing more people than John. Was there some angst between the disciples of Jesus and those of John? Could there be some, but who knows? John was baptizing first and now why was everyone flocking to Jesus? Competition in ministry -do you suppose it doesn’t happen even today? Do you have any idea why those fantastic super revivals of the historic past eventually failed? They failed for simple reasons. In every case, individual pride, arrogance and sin entered the camp and the Holy Spirit departed. Personal sin and lack of faith cancels the activity of God in the lives of individuals and especially in revival activities. It is the same thing and it is called - sin.
But John now begins instructing his disciples in the truth of the activity of God. He begins to instruct them in how God is working and continues to work even unto today.
Verses 27 – 29 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
If verse 27 is not a memory verse for you it should be for it is God’s truth 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. Your assignments and ministry is not something you do by your choosing. This is where many go wrong on assessing spiritual gifts. Your gifts for ministry and your assignments don’t originate in your heart, they come by special assignment from above - A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. God gives the assignments you don’t and He enables you to do them. John reinforces this by using a personal example in verse 28, 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. John is stating here that not only is he not the Christ but John has the honor of being the “friend” of the bridegroom. John rejoices greatly because of the ministry which has been given him from above. A ministry given to John of preparing the way and leading with a baptism to repentance; Jesus having a ministry of sanctification and salvation, much greater than his ministry. John is please to hear the voice of the bridegroom and see Him at work. John understands his role and responsibility to Jesus. His stewardship is to be obedient to the calling for which God called him specifically. He then releases His life to how God chooses to use his life. Verse 30 testifies to the accuracy of his discussion - . 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
If you and I are to be the witnesses God wants is this not true? Many times we have expressions which imply the same thing as what John says here. How about the phrase - I have to get out of the way and let God lead? Doesn’t that convey the same or a similar thought? Or perhaps the statement – I needed to learn how to do this God’s way? I believe they all mean the same thing. So a man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. Then what must you and I do for God to have free reign in our lives to use us as He will? I believe the song says I surrender all. All to thee my blessed savior I surrender all. Surrender is key but there is more. The more is instant obedience to His call. No dickering, no pleading, no I know better it requires a heart pledged for obedience. {This is where I fail most times}So surrender leads to immediate trust and obeying for us to be adequate spiritual stewards.
The statement - A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven, reflects the spiritual and absolute sovereignty of our God. Everything comes from His hand. You as a steward are to share what comes from His hand to your hand with others. This is the concept of Heavenly stewardship which we are to obey in our lives.
Verses 31-34 build from the key verse that A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. Read with me verses 31-34: . 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
John now witnesses to the greater ministry of Jesus versus his ministry of repentance. Verses -31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. Here is what John believes about Jesus and it is almost unbelievable in its clarity. Where did John the Baptist get this knowledge about Jesus? It had to be from the Holy Spirit speaking to His heart, how else could it be?
Jesus is of heaven, John is of the earth and speaks of the earth. Jesus is from heaven and is above all. Not only is He above all but He is a true witness for He speaks of what He has seen and heard in heaven.
Now John reflects on belief and specifically faith in Jesus Christ. He says, 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
He who received Jesus testimony has certified that it is God and only God, and He is the one true God and there is no other. Now notice the next sentence – For He whom God has sent, Jesus speaks the words of God. Now remember the key verse for John has already said – for a man can receive nothing unless it has been given to Him from heaven. So where is the source of Jesus skill, power and life – it is from heaven. The remainder of verse 34 agrees for it says, He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. So the source of both John’s, Jesus and if you think about your ministry is by and from the Holy Spirit of God. And God does not give just a little bit of Himself in the Holy Spirit for He gives the Spirit fully to all who God calls to speak the words of God. Amazing facets of God’s love for you and I is He gives us His Spirit in full.
Conclusion -35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Now why is Jesus ministry abounding if it comes from above? 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. It is not that the Father doesn’t love us and freely gives us all things, but the Father loves His Son and all things are in Him and through Him. John the Baptist sees and knows this in His spirit about Jesus ministry being above His. His was a ministry of repentance, Jesus ministry is greater.
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” How so, read verse 36. Jesus is the one who takes away the sin of the world. No one else can satisfy the wrath of God by providing forgiveness for sin. If you believe is Jesus, you will have everlasting life. If you don’t believe is Jesus you will not have eternal life in heaven for the wrath or anger of God for not receiving His Son rests upon you. You have no faith in Jesus. He who does not believe is Jesus is condemned already.
Read- John 3, 19-21, Jesus says, 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Let your light so shine before men that they may glorify you Father in heaven. This is spiritual stewardship and remember your ministry is given to you - A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven, reflects the spiritual and absolute sovereignty of our God. So seek God and His ministry for you and share with others.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness and all these things will be given unto you. Amen.
John 3 19-21, Jesus says, 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
9/11 was and is a defining moment in the life of this nation. It was and is a historic day with regards to America and our covenant with God. If you believe prophetic leader Jonathan Cahn, it represents in His book The Harbinger. The twin towers represent and are a parallel to the gates of Jerusalem. When the towers fell in Jerusalem it represents God’s cancellation of the covenant with Israel because of their departure and rejection of God. So God allows foreign nations to dominate His people as He no longer protects them and allows them to be disciplined. This is truly a very catastrophic day in the life of America and many are blind to what God is doing.
In spite of all the pain and suffering and clarion call sounded that day, it has faded into memory and is almost forgotten. How can we forget the sacrifice of untold thousands that day? How is it that only the survivors recall the horror and pain inflicted upon our people? To everyone else it is business as usual. Neither the President, Congress or our cherished leaders bother to do anything. Afghanistan proves we have not learned this lesson. The Taliban now have more fire power and greater reach than ever to inflict pain on us because in our desire to just get out we forgot the purpose for being there was to prevent 9/11 from happening again. Guess what? What is coming may be far worse than the twin towers. So sin continues to dominate in America because of our rejection of God in schools, in our corporate board rooms, in our legislature and in our media. Filth and lies dominate all we encounter. So how are we to live in this mess? What are we supposed to do?
Well let’s look at the testimony of the greatest witness we have recorded in God’s Word. Jesus calls this man greatest and least in the kingdom of heaven but that is a discussion for another day. The witness is John the Baptist and here in John Chapter 3 John is talking to his disciples about Jesus – let’s tune in and hear what He says. Verse 22 begins, 22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Pray with me please – God unleash your Holy Spirit within us so that we may know the truth. And in knowing the truth of Jesus you make cause us to allow you to work in our hearts and minds so your will may be done – AMEN So let’s begin by examining the situation and allow God to teach us about Heavenly Stewardship and what that means in our time and day.
Verses 25 and 26 state - 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
So the issue or dispute among John’s disciples and the Jews probably had to do with the purification rites of those performing the baptisms. But the underlying issue had to do with Jesus baptizing more people than John. Was there some angst between the disciples of Jesus and those of John? Could there be some, but who knows? John was baptizing first and now why was everyone flocking to Jesus? Competition in ministry -do you suppose it doesn’t happen even today? Do you have any idea why those fantastic super revivals of the historic past eventually failed? They failed for simple reasons. In every case, individual pride, arrogance and sin entered the camp and the Holy Spirit departed. Personal sin and lack of faith cancels the activity of God in the lives of individuals and especially in revival activities. It is the same thing and it is called - sin.
But John now begins instructing his disciples in the truth of the activity of God. He begins to instruct them in how God is working and continues to work even unto today.
Verses 27 – 29 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
If verse 27 is not a memory verse for you it should be for it is God’s truth 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. Your assignments and ministry is not something you do by your choosing. This is where many go wrong on assessing spiritual gifts. Your gifts for ministry and your assignments don’t originate in your heart, they come by special assignment from above - A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. God gives the assignments you don’t and He enables you to do them. John reinforces this by using a personal example in verse 28, 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. John is stating here that not only is he not the Christ but John has the honor of being the “friend” of the bridegroom. John rejoices greatly because of the ministry which has been given him from above. A ministry given to John of preparing the way and leading with a baptism to repentance; Jesus having a ministry of sanctification and salvation, much greater than his ministry. John is please to hear the voice of the bridegroom and see Him at work. John understands his role and responsibility to Jesus. His stewardship is to be obedient to the calling for which God called him specifically. He then releases His life to how God chooses to use his life. Verse 30 testifies to the accuracy of his discussion - . 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
If you and I are to be the witnesses God wants is this not true? Many times we have expressions which imply the same thing as what John says here. How about the phrase - I have to get out of the way and let God lead? Doesn’t that convey the same or a similar thought? Or perhaps the statement – I needed to learn how to do this God’s way? I believe they all mean the same thing. So a man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. Then what must you and I do for God to have free reign in our lives to use us as He will? I believe the song says I surrender all. All to thee my blessed savior I surrender all. Surrender is key but there is more. The more is instant obedience to His call. No dickering, no pleading, no I know better it requires a heart pledged for obedience. {This is where I fail most times}So surrender leads to immediate trust and obeying for us to be adequate spiritual stewards.
The statement - A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven, reflects the spiritual and absolute sovereignty of our God. Everything comes from His hand. You as a steward are to share what comes from His hand to your hand with others. This is the concept of Heavenly stewardship which we are to obey in our lives.
Verses 31-34 build from the key verse that A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. Read with me verses 31-34: . 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
John now witnesses to the greater ministry of Jesus versus his ministry of repentance. Verses -31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. Here is what John believes about Jesus and it is almost unbelievable in its clarity. Where did John the Baptist get this knowledge about Jesus? It had to be from the Holy Spirit speaking to His heart, how else could it be?
Jesus is of heaven, John is of the earth and speaks of the earth. Jesus is from heaven and is above all. Not only is He above all but He is a true witness for He speaks of what He has seen and heard in heaven.
Now John reflects on belief and specifically faith in Jesus Christ. He says, 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
He who received Jesus testimony has certified that it is God and only God, and He is the one true God and there is no other. Now notice the next sentence – For He whom God has sent, Jesus speaks the words of God. Now remember the key verse for John has already said – for a man can receive nothing unless it has been given to Him from heaven. So where is the source of Jesus skill, power and life – it is from heaven. The remainder of verse 34 agrees for it says, He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. So the source of both John’s, Jesus and if you think about your ministry is by and from the Holy Spirit of God. And God does not give just a little bit of Himself in the Holy Spirit for He gives the Spirit fully to all who God calls to speak the words of God. Amazing facets of God’s love for you and I is He gives us His Spirit in full.
Conclusion -35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Now why is Jesus ministry abounding if it comes from above? 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. It is not that the Father doesn’t love us and freely gives us all things, but the Father loves His Son and all things are in Him and through Him. John the Baptist sees and knows this in His spirit about Jesus ministry being above His. His was a ministry of repentance, Jesus ministry is greater.
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” How so, read verse 36. Jesus is the one who takes away the sin of the world. No one else can satisfy the wrath of God by providing forgiveness for sin. If you believe is Jesus, you will have everlasting life. If you don’t believe is Jesus you will not have eternal life in heaven for the wrath or anger of God for not receiving His Son rests upon you. You have no faith in Jesus. He who does not believe is Jesus is condemned already.
Read- John 3, 19-21, Jesus says, 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Let your light so shine before men that they may glorify you Father in heaven. This is spiritual stewardship and remember your ministry is given to you - A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven, reflects the spiritual and absolute sovereignty of our God. So seek God and His ministry for you and share with others.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness and all these things will be given unto you. Amen.
Sept 5 Sermon
I want you to know the love of God is unfathomable. I am not sure we will ever get our hearts, minds and souls around the full extent of God’s love. We are going to explore a new dimension for me concerning God’s love today. Something which has overwhelmed me in its breadth, scope and dimensionality. The more I grasp the Love of God, the more it seems to unfold. In our day and time in this ungodly world we dwell in, remember this is not our home, if you are a believer in Christ. This is where God has placed us for a time to testing, training and maturation for as it says elsewhere in our text – we are being conformed to the image of His Son – Jesus Christ. But in our day having a solid understanding of what God has granted us will give us a firm, unmovable foundation by which we can outreach to this lost and dying world.
Ok then, if we are honest, the sin that so easily surrounds us can overwhelm us, and cause us to focus on the threat of what evil could do; more than on what God has already done for us as believers in Jesus Christ. We can begin listening to the whispers of the great deceiver and liar from the beginning – Satan. Listening to his whispers creates fear, uncertainty and shuts our mouths for we become fearful about sharing Christ or biblical truths. We begin asking ourselves what could happen? Listening to his lies can also cause us to not shout – “not true” when others are saying Christians are bigoted, hateful and non-inclusive, when we tells others about their sin. Or when we have the audacity to tell others they won’t go to heaven because there is only one way to heaven and they can’t get there with their many ways to heaven lie. Or when they try to convince you about multiple sexes instead of male and female. How about global warming, creation, or choice, which is really choosing death? How about the wonders of giving others what you have earned or any philosophy which does not agree with the Word of God.{The Bible)?
So this may be new to you as well so listen up to this truth which we are going to examine in Romans, Chapter 8 beginning in verse 31, 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Before we begin to review this text for God’s word to us today, let’s pray- Oh Father thank you for your Word, for your Son and for your love. Illuminate our hearts with your truth so we may stand in it today and forevermore. Amen
I want to link verses 33, 35 and 39 for our consideration this morning. There is so much more here but we need to concentrate of the main thing which is love of God.
Let’s do the easier verses first verses 35 and 39. Both of these verses are similar but not quite the same. Verse 35 poses the questions of who shall separate us from the Love of God in Christ. Whereas verse 39 proposes a real and dynamic answer – nothing - nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So according to this text which is quite certain in its tone from our Brother Paul- there is nothing which is able to separate us from the Love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord – nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.
I want to repeat that there is nothing which can separate you from the love of God. Now your sin can remove you from the presence of God and from your hearing His voice so that you no longer hear. Then your heart turns away so that you go worship and serve other gods, but that does not mean you are lost forever. Remember in the Bible the parable of the shepherd and the lost sheep. How the shepherd left the 90 and 9 and went and found the lost sheep. Or the parable of the prodigal son and his brother and how he restored the lost son? He ran to him and put the shoes on his feet, the ring on his finger and the new clothes, with a homecoming feast.
Now let’s look at the root of how love happens verse 33 – it is God who justifies. What does this mean? It means God is the one who makes an eternal decision and justifies an individual by applying the blood of Christ upon their life. This is done only by God and by His righteous and sovereign will, but how exactly? Go to verses 28 and 30 – look at verse 28. There is says - 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
This verse tells us God is working everything out according to the council of His will, but specifically to the called. Who are the called? Those who are walking accord to His purpose. This is a very specific calling of those who are His. But there is much more – verse 30 says, 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
This verse is so theologically deep we can all get lost in it. Let’s just concentrate on three words called, justified and glorified. It is God who has to call us out of sin. There is no other way. The Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. For this to be true there is no way you a sinner born in sin can come away from sin without someone and only one someone Jesus Christ calling you out of your sin. This is done by the Holy Spirit illuminating your heart to the despicable nature of your personal sin and broken relationship to God. The calling then is only done by God and His perfect will.
If you then receive Christ and this is true only in the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the only true sacrifice for sin, God the Father forgives you. He justifies you in His Son by applying the shed blood of Calvary to your sin. This is justification by faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone. You are His child and He makes you His own.
Now read with me the entire verse as we get to the final part of understanding verse 30. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Ok if God looked down time and chose you and I by His sovereign will – those who He predetermined; then He called them, for you and I had to choose life in Christ. These who chose Christ He justified – meaning He forgave their sin and covered them with Christ’s blood….then it says these He also glorified.
Glorification is something which will happen to the beloved sometime in the future. But in God’s economy since He lives both in the past, present and future- glorification has already happened. Let’s make this simpler- God sees you not as you are but what you will be in eternity. He sees that in you before you were born; before you were saved and before you might die. He knows you as glorified, living with Him in eternity. What a thought- God knows you as you are but sees and knows you in Eternity future. Can you even put your head around this idea? One more thought, if God puts Himself in you by His Spirit He will never leave you or forsake you -Eternally? Why not? So we can sin all we want – As Paul says God forbid. If we realize the absolute depth of His love, why would we want to disobey? AMEN
I want you to know the love of God is unfathomable. I am not sure we will ever get our hearts, minds and souls around the full extent of God’s love. We are going to explore a new dimension for me concerning God’s love today. Something which has overwhelmed me in its breadth, scope and dimensionality. The more I grasp the Love of God, the more it seems to unfold. In our day and time in this ungodly world we dwell in, remember this is not our home, if you are a believer in Christ. This is where God has placed us for a time to testing, training and maturation for as it says elsewhere in our text – we are being conformed to the image of His Son – Jesus Christ. But in our day having a solid understanding of what God has granted us will give us a firm, unmovable foundation by which we can outreach to this lost and dying world.
Ok then, if we are honest, the sin that so easily surrounds us can overwhelm us, and cause us to focus on the threat of what evil could do; more than on what God has already done for us as believers in Jesus Christ. We can begin listening to the whispers of the great deceiver and liar from the beginning – Satan. Listening to his whispers creates fear, uncertainty and shuts our mouths for we become fearful about sharing Christ or biblical truths. We begin asking ourselves what could happen? Listening to his lies can also cause us to not shout – “not true” when others are saying Christians are bigoted, hateful and non-inclusive, when we tells others about their sin. Or when we have the audacity to tell others they won’t go to heaven because there is only one way to heaven and they can’t get there with their many ways to heaven lie. Or when they try to convince you about multiple sexes instead of male and female. How about global warming, creation, or choice, which is really choosing death? How about the wonders of giving others what you have earned or any philosophy which does not agree with the Word of God.{The Bible)?
So this may be new to you as well so listen up to this truth which we are going to examine in Romans, Chapter 8 beginning in verse 31, 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Before we begin to review this text for God’s word to us today, let’s pray- Oh Father thank you for your Word, for your Son and for your love. Illuminate our hearts with your truth so we may stand in it today and forevermore. Amen
I want to link verses 33, 35 and 39 for our consideration this morning. There is so much more here but we need to concentrate of the main thing which is love of God.
Let’s do the easier verses first verses 35 and 39. Both of these verses are similar but not quite the same. Verse 35 poses the questions of who shall separate us from the Love of God in Christ. Whereas verse 39 proposes a real and dynamic answer – nothing - nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So according to this text which is quite certain in its tone from our Brother Paul- there is nothing which is able to separate us from the Love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord – nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.
I want to repeat that there is nothing which can separate you from the love of God. Now your sin can remove you from the presence of God and from your hearing His voice so that you no longer hear. Then your heart turns away so that you go worship and serve other gods, but that does not mean you are lost forever. Remember in the Bible the parable of the shepherd and the lost sheep. How the shepherd left the 90 and 9 and went and found the lost sheep. Or the parable of the prodigal son and his brother and how he restored the lost son? He ran to him and put the shoes on his feet, the ring on his finger and the new clothes, with a homecoming feast.
Now let’s look at the root of how love happens verse 33 – it is God who justifies. What does this mean? It means God is the one who makes an eternal decision and justifies an individual by applying the blood of Christ upon their life. This is done only by God and by His righteous and sovereign will, but how exactly? Go to verses 28 and 30 – look at verse 28. There is says - 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
This verse tells us God is working everything out according to the council of His will, but specifically to the called. Who are the called? Those who are walking accord to His purpose. This is a very specific calling of those who are His. But there is much more – verse 30 says, 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
This verse is so theologically deep we can all get lost in it. Let’s just concentrate on three words called, justified and glorified. It is God who has to call us out of sin. There is no other way. The Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. For this to be true there is no way you a sinner born in sin can come away from sin without someone and only one someone Jesus Christ calling you out of your sin. This is done by the Holy Spirit illuminating your heart to the despicable nature of your personal sin and broken relationship to God. The calling then is only done by God and His perfect will.
If you then receive Christ and this is true only in the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the only true sacrifice for sin, God the Father forgives you. He justifies you in His Son by applying the shed blood of Calvary to your sin. This is justification by faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone. You are His child and He makes you His own.
Now read with me the entire verse as we get to the final part of understanding verse 30. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Ok if God looked down time and chose you and I by His sovereign will – those who He predetermined; then He called them, for you and I had to choose life in Christ. These who chose Christ He justified – meaning He forgave their sin and covered them with Christ’s blood….then it says these He also glorified.
Glorification is something which will happen to the beloved sometime in the future. But in God’s economy since He lives both in the past, present and future- glorification has already happened. Let’s make this simpler- God sees you not as you are but what you will be in eternity. He sees that in you before you were born; before you were saved and before you might die. He knows you as glorified, living with Him in eternity. What a thought- God knows you as you are but sees and knows you in Eternity future. Can you even put your head around this idea? One more thought, if God puts Himself in you by His Spirit He will never leave you or forsake you -Eternally? Why not? So we can sin all we want – As Paul says God forbid. If we realize the absolute depth of His love, why would we want to disobey? AMEN
August 28 Sermon
One of the most astounding and disheartening things that has happened in our great nation is that lies are made almost by everyone who is supposed to uphold the law and the constitution. This extends from the President to his Administrative support staff, to Senate and House leaders from both parties. There is actually no difference in many cases between RINO reprobate republicans and liberal democrats. This lying goes to all levels of state and local leaders and is highly focused in regressive progressives. Another disheartening and evil thing is the labeling of opposition party members and those who question election results, or question school board practices and current administration policies as the enemy, and as radical extremists because they don’t accept the ruling party’s line.
So lying, dishonesty and relabeling have become part and parcel of our current dilemma. Relabeling is part of the restructuring of our national heritage. It redefines essential truths. This behavior points to two things. First, there is no honor or personal integrity in our leaders, nor is there a fear of the living God. If people were, they would not be behaving the way they are doing. This is a moral problem because everyone is doing whatever they want both morally, socially and politically. The only demonstrated standard is whatever an individual wants to do. So the current AG has no desire to keep Him sworn oath to defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. So we release convicted felons (rapes, murders and for theft) next day after minimum time in jail right back into society. We don’t close the border and we don’t prosecute or check for radicals or prior convicted felons illegally crossing into America. We let the Mexican cartels dictate how much fentanyl, or heroin we allow into our states. After all 108,000 ODs is just population control for undesirables- right?
Passing multi-billion legislative bills which send money outside the country to fund foreign wars or line politicians pockets is not a problem for regressives. This produces inflation and soon you will be benefitted with higher taxes in addition to less money in your pocket. Now you may hate the last president, as Christian you may need to check your pedigree. Hating should not be in your vocabulary as a believer. He did great things for America and truth was a by-product. Anyhow lying is prevalent in all the messaging you are receiving on the various television channels across America today. This trifecta of politicians, managed media and internet activities encourages, abets and supports the false narrative. Joseph Goebbels statement holds true here – “if you tell a lie often enough people will begin to call it the truth.”
The opposite of lying is truth telling. Since God’s word is the truth, what does the word of God say about lying? Let’s check beginning in the book of Proverbs- Chapter 6
I. Lying: Proverbs 6:16-19 - 16 These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to [h]Him:
17 A[i] proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Go back further into the book of Proverbs, to Chapter 12, verse 22 - 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
It seems God has some hard thoughts about lying. Now you say How can God hate? – well trying to describe God strongly disliking something doesn’t have quite have the same emphasis as does – God hates lying. God mentions lying more times in the book of Proverbs. Do you supposed God might have something against those who lie and speak evil of others? Chapter 12, verse 22 is highly descriptive and right to the point-22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
Here God makes a clear distinction between those who speak lies and those who speak lies- Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.
This tell us how God relates to this sin- it is an abomination to Himself, His purposes and His ways. But those who deal truthfully are His delight. This is a wonderful response from God.
If you are still not sure how God relates to Sin and lying then check this out. Think about what you may have already heard but not thought through. How did God deal with Adam and Even when they had sinned and lied about their sin? He kicked them out of the garden, made childbirth a strain and gave them work to just eat through their sweat. How did God deal with the first King of Israel when he sinned and lied about His Sin? God allowed Saul to fall deeper into sin eventually seeking the dead which is forbidden by God. God allowed Saul to be killed and dismembered by the ??? How about even David, who lost His new baby and enmity and strife never passed from David’s family.
God hates sin and despises it. God will one day destroy Satan for he has been a liar and a destroyer from the beginning. His destination is certain in the lake of Fire. How do you believe God is going to treat all those who today are speaking lies knowingly into the country which under COVID cost a million plus lives? Or teach that God is evil and evil is good, therefore hate God. When Judgement comes it will come swiftly and it will come with weeping and gnashing of teeth. If you are wise you will never wish to be anywhere around this
II. The Truth - In the new testament we have some additional instruction under the tutelage of the Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit writing by John in 1st John Chapter 1. We will be instructed in both truth and in lying and the specific contrast which happens between the two extremes. 1st John 1:verses 6-10
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Here is the direct contrast between believers and non-believers. If you are of God’s kingdom and walk according to the darkness of this world then the truth is not in us. Duh! How can someone approve abortion and enable the increased opportunity for more abortions including 28 days after birth call themselves a Christian and take communion? It is not possible to be a believer and do this. Choice is not choice it is a redefinition of the word _ Murder. If you kill your baby that is your choice if the baby is living in your body. You agreed to allow the seeds to be planted but now you reject your choice. What choice does the child have? Basically the child has no choice but to die terribly- this is walking in darkness and not in the light and is an abject lie. We are not practicing the truth.
Ok stop. Let’s reset the stage. There are three levels of truth in our society today.
a. There is the definition for truth in the dictionary : the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality, the body of real things, events, and facts
b. There is the modern understanding of truth progressively- a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true, not necessarily proven. And sincerity in action, character, and utterance (i.e. popular belief)
c. Last spiritual truth – as in John:14:6 - Jesus said, I am the Way the Truth and Life, no man cometh to the Father but by Me. Our spiritual truth is a person and that person is God
John 8: 32 says, - 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
So when we are talking about truth we are not talking about truth as the world sees it but as God sees His truth and what we know and understand about the ways of God. His truth is not variable it is the same now and always. And knowing the truth is not limiting but sets us free. Free first from the laws of sin and death and free from the desire or need to lie. Jesus allows us to be free in the truth of His love and who He is.
So here we are surrounded by lying, mistruths, deceptions for all spheres of influence all of which are leading to death and future destruction both for this people, for freedom, for our democracy and for liberty. Without a moral compass as we are living today in society where we are actually doomed to failure. Failure not just from our self-imploding but from our individual and collective sin which modern men and women no longer believe is true. After all, if we just educate people and have more government control, everything will get better is the regressive supposition and ultimate solution. So shut up and go away you, you infidels and ignorant peasants. You know nothing!
Since there is no fear of God in the churches, or in the schools or in the legislatures - why can’t we practice homosexuality, abortion- call it baby murder, and whatever perversions we want in the church? Our sin before God and in denying Him will cause us to cease to be. In our pride and arrogance we believe we can ignore God. This is true even of churches, denominations and states who are turning and have turned away from God. Maybe you didn’t know but God’s word condemns us and we cannot escape the judgement of God.
If we look at the record of scripture and how God treated Israel when they departed from Him, why do American churches think they will be treated differently? Is God’s arm shortened that He cannot execute His will? I believe Isaiah 55 says that God’s word when it is sent forth will never fail but will accomplish that for which it was sent. Since God never changes why do we think that we can hide or run from God and do what we want with no consequences.
God is using the present difficulties in this country for people to actually decide what is actually important. Is God who He says He is and if He is does He really want us to be righteous, holy and honorable before men? So that other in this nation can see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven Isn’t this what He told us to do?
Step 1 Gain a moral compass – all must have Jesus as the center of their faith – John tells us Apart for Me {Jesus} you can do nothing. Ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior.
Step 2. Repentance is the next step - turn to Jesus and acknowledge your sin. He will save you – when now. Step 3 pray and obey – 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humble yourself before an almighty God and Pray, and
Step 3- seek His face with all your heart and soul and strength. Then you will be able to turn from you wicked ways and then He will begin to move.
Step 4. With your whole being commit to hearing the voice of God. We must all learn to hear His voice. My sheep hear my voice and I know them is Jesus statement.
May we truly commit to knowing Him and His will today. AMEN
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”
– Thomas Jefferson
One of the most astounding and disheartening things that has happened in our great nation is that lies are made almost by everyone who is supposed to uphold the law and the constitution. This extends from the President to his Administrative support staff, to Senate and House leaders from both parties. There is actually no difference in many cases between RINO reprobate republicans and liberal democrats. This lying goes to all levels of state and local leaders and is highly focused in regressive progressives. Another disheartening and evil thing is the labeling of opposition party members and those who question election results, or question school board practices and current administration policies as the enemy, and as radical extremists because they don’t accept the ruling party’s line.
So lying, dishonesty and relabeling have become part and parcel of our current dilemma. Relabeling is part of the restructuring of our national heritage. It redefines essential truths. This behavior points to two things. First, there is no honor or personal integrity in our leaders, nor is there a fear of the living God. If people were, they would not be behaving the way they are doing. This is a moral problem because everyone is doing whatever they want both morally, socially and politically. The only demonstrated standard is whatever an individual wants to do. So the current AG has no desire to keep Him sworn oath to defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. So we release convicted felons (rapes, murders and for theft) next day after minimum time in jail right back into society. We don’t close the border and we don’t prosecute or check for radicals or prior convicted felons illegally crossing into America. We let the Mexican cartels dictate how much fentanyl, or heroin we allow into our states. After all 108,000 ODs is just population control for undesirables- right?
Passing multi-billion legislative bills which send money outside the country to fund foreign wars or line politicians pockets is not a problem for regressives. This produces inflation and soon you will be benefitted with higher taxes in addition to less money in your pocket. Now you may hate the last president, as Christian you may need to check your pedigree. Hating should not be in your vocabulary as a believer. He did great things for America and truth was a by-product. Anyhow lying is prevalent in all the messaging you are receiving on the various television channels across America today. This trifecta of politicians, managed media and internet activities encourages, abets and supports the false narrative. Joseph Goebbels statement holds true here – “if you tell a lie often enough people will begin to call it the truth.”
The opposite of lying is truth telling. Since God’s word is the truth, what does the word of God say about lying? Let’s check beginning in the book of Proverbs- Chapter 6
I. Lying: Proverbs 6:16-19 - 16 These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to [h]Him:
17 A[i] proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Go back further into the book of Proverbs, to Chapter 12, verse 22 - 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
It seems God has some hard thoughts about lying. Now you say How can God hate? – well trying to describe God strongly disliking something doesn’t have quite have the same emphasis as does – God hates lying. God mentions lying more times in the book of Proverbs. Do you supposed God might have something against those who lie and speak evil of others? Chapter 12, verse 22 is highly descriptive and right to the point-22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
Here God makes a clear distinction between those who speak lies and those who speak lies- Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.
This tell us how God relates to this sin- it is an abomination to Himself, His purposes and His ways. But those who deal truthfully are His delight. This is a wonderful response from God.
If you are still not sure how God relates to Sin and lying then check this out. Think about what you may have already heard but not thought through. How did God deal with Adam and Even when they had sinned and lied about their sin? He kicked them out of the garden, made childbirth a strain and gave them work to just eat through their sweat. How did God deal with the first King of Israel when he sinned and lied about His Sin? God allowed Saul to fall deeper into sin eventually seeking the dead which is forbidden by God. God allowed Saul to be killed and dismembered by the ??? How about even David, who lost His new baby and enmity and strife never passed from David’s family.
God hates sin and despises it. God will one day destroy Satan for he has been a liar and a destroyer from the beginning. His destination is certain in the lake of Fire. How do you believe God is going to treat all those who today are speaking lies knowingly into the country which under COVID cost a million plus lives? Or teach that God is evil and evil is good, therefore hate God. When Judgement comes it will come swiftly and it will come with weeping and gnashing of teeth. If you are wise you will never wish to be anywhere around this
II. The Truth - In the new testament we have some additional instruction under the tutelage of the Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit writing by John in 1st John Chapter 1. We will be instructed in both truth and in lying and the specific contrast which happens between the two extremes. 1st John 1:verses 6-10
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Here is the direct contrast between believers and non-believers. If you are of God’s kingdom and walk according to the darkness of this world then the truth is not in us. Duh! How can someone approve abortion and enable the increased opportunity for more abortions including 28 days after birth call themselves a Christian and take communion? It is not possible to be a believer and do this. Choice is not choice it is a redefinition of the word _ Murder. If you kill your baby that is your choice if the baby is living in your body. You agreed to allow the seeds to be planted but now you reject your choice. What choice does the child have? Basically the child has no choice but to die terribly- this is walking in darkness and not in the light and is an abject lie. We are not practicing the truth.
Ok stop. Let’s reset the stage. There are three levels of truth in our society today.
a. There is the definition for truth in the dictionary : the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality, the body of real things, events, and facts
b. There is the modern understanding of truth progressively- a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true, not necessarily proven. And sincerity in action, character, and utterance (i.e. popular belief)
c. Last spiritual truth – as in John:14:6 - Jesus said, I am the Way the Truth and Life, no man cometh to the Father but by Me. Our spiritual truth is a person and that person is God
John 8: 32 says, - 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
So when we are talking about truth we are not talking about truth as the world sees it but as God sees His truth and what we know and understand about the ways of God. His truth is not variable it is the same now and always. And knowing the truth is not limiting but sets us free. Free first from the laws of sin and death and free from the desire or need to lie. Jesus allows us to be free in the truth of His love and who He is.
So here we are surrounded by lying, mistruths, deceptions for all spheres of influence all of which are leading to death and future destruction both for this people, for freedom, for our democracy and for liberty. Without a moral compass as we are living today in society where we are actually doomed to failure. Failure not just from our self-imploding but from our individual and collective sin which modern men and women no longer believe is true. After all, if we just educate people and have more government control, everything will get better is the regressive supposition and ultimate solution. So shut up and go away you, you infidels and ignorant peasants. You know nothing!
Since there is no fear of God in the churches, or in the schools or in the legislatures - why can’t we practice homosexuality, abortion- call it baby murder, and whatever perversions we want in the church? Our sin before God and in denying Him will cause us to cease to be. In our pride and arrogance we believe we can ignore God. This is true even of churches, denominations and states who are turning and have turned away from God. Maybe you didn’t know but God’s word condemns us and we cannot escape the judgement of God.
If we look at the record of scripture and how God treated Israel when they departed from Him, why do American churches think they will be treated differently? Is God’s arm shortened that He cannot execute His will? I believe Isaiah 55 says that God’s word when it is sent forth will never fail but will accomplish that for which it was sent. Since God never changes why do we think that we can hide or run from God and do what we want with no consequences.
God is using the present difficulties in this country for people to actually decide what is actually important. Is God who He says He is and if He is does He really want us to be righteous, holy and honorable before men? So that other in this nation can see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven Isn’t this what He told us to do?
Step 1 Gain a moral compass – all must have Jesus as the center of their faith – John tells us Apart for Me {Jesus} you can do nothing. Ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior.
Step 2. Repentance is the next step - turn to Jesus and acknowledge your sin. He will save you – when now. Step 3 pray and obey – 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humble yourself before an almighty God and Pray, and
Step 3- seek His face with all your heart and soul and strength. Then you will be able to turn from you wicked ways and then He will begin to move.
Step 4. With your whole being commit to hearing the voice of God. We must all learn to hear His voice. My sheep hear my voice and I know them is Jesus statement.
May we truly commit to knowing Him and His will today. AMEN
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”
– Thomas Jefferson
Aug 21 Sermon
The following commands are Jesus’commands to all believers -11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one [b]jot or one [c]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Shine and Share for Jesus is the commandments we have from Him as Lord and Savior, Master of all the earth. And while many don’t believe this today -He is coming again. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul tells us the word of God- Philippians 2:10 -that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
All people those who believe and those who are unbelievers will bow to Jesus and acknowledge that He is Lord. And believe me it is coming to a theater near you soon. Those who complain and say I never heard about Him will be very disappointed as they enter the lake of fire for eternal punishment.
So Believers according to this text are to shine for Jesus according to these verses. But these verses aren’t the only ones for there are a few other scripture which we should review. Check out Matt 13:40-43. It says, 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
In that day the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. So we are to begin shining forth now according to the Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 5 and then we will shine for eternity for God in Heaven. So shining for God is mandated by the Word of God
Now also according to the scriptures we are to reflect the Glory of God which shines upon us -In Isaiah 60 there is an amazing text –
1Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Originally, this blessing was promised to the Jews but upon your becoming a child of the King, you have been ingrafted into the Kingdom of Heaven and so this promise belongs to you as well. Note what the blessing says:
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, So other gentiles will come to the light of Christ which resides upon and in you by the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and He is the light of the World. So shine forth for Jesus as He lives in and through your life
There might be a question in your heart concerning exactly how does this happen -We have an answer provided to us in the text of 2 Corinthians Chapter 4, verse 6. It says there,
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In order to shine forth the light of Christ, you and I needed a heart change, and only God is capable of changing the Human heart. This happens when you ask Jesus Christ to become the Lord of your life. Only as a transformed sinner can you live a transformed life. We are powerless without the change wrought by God’s transforming power in the Holy Spirit. Knowing we are sinners God comes to us if we call out to Him when we finally realize how desperately we need a savior.
Now to share is the second part. What exactly are we to share? I believe that is evident. When we are saved we have new life within us. A new heart, a new destination for eternity, no enmity with God for we have received His Son who is His promised messiah. Why wouldn’t you want to share the love of God which has given you all this. We had a young waitress receive Jesus Christ yesterday morning and when we told Her that Jesus loved her and that we loved her she broke out in tears. You see the joy of the Lord is overwhelming if you simply consider it.
So now if you search on the word share in your bible you will be greatly disappointed, for it is never used in the context of a command to go and tell or to share your faith. Searching on Go and tell yields some results but noting commanding us to go and share our faith. Using the word “go’ not beneficial because it is a root for approximately 7800 words. But God does yield on highly productive verse issues as part of Jesus final commands to His disciples and those with them Matthew 28:18-20 says, 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen. According to Jesus final command to His children. He says, Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is very direct. So to share means to go to others and relate to them what joy, peace and love you have received from God on high. How else can we share the gospel other than telling others about what you already know.
There is a poignant example of the this in the book of Mark, Chapter 5. The demoniac who was so thoroughly possessed by demons wants to accompany Jesus when He is departing by boat. The demoniac wants to go and get in the boat. He is in love with the Son of God who set him free. Here is what Jesus said,
18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”20 And he departed and began to proclaim in [e]Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
Jesus said Go home and tell them what great things God has done for you and how He had compassion on you. What a testimony and what did the recovered demoniac do – He want to all ten cities on that side of the Jordan and told everyone what Jesus had done for Him.
Question – is the miracle of your salvation still fresh in your heart that you want others to know the Gift of God you have received? If so then share and share specifically what the Lord’s love
The following commands are Jesus’commands to all believers -11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one [b]jot or one [c]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Shine and Share for Jesus is the commandments we have from Him as Lord and Savior, Master of all the earth. And while many don’t believe this today -He is coming again. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul tells us the word of God- Philippians 2:10 -that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
All people those who believe and those who are unbelievers will bow to Jesus and acknowledge that He is Lord. And believe me it is coming to a theater near you soon. Those who complain and say I never heard about Him will be very disappointed as they enter the lake of fire for eternal punishment.
So Believers according to this text are to shine for Jesus according to these verses. But these verses aren’t the only ones for there are a few other scripture which we should review. Check out Matt 13:40-43. It says, 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
In that day the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. So we are to begin shining forth now according to the Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 5 and then we will shine for eternity for God in Heaven. So shining for God is mandated by the Word of God
Now also according to the scriptures we are to reflect the Glory of God which shines upon us -In Isaiah 60 there is an amazing text –
1Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Originally, this blessing was promised to the Jews but upon your becoming a child of the King, you have been ingrafted into the Kingdom of Heaven and so this promise belongs to you as well. Note what the blessing says:
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, So other gentiles will come to the light of Christ which resides upon and in you by the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and He is the light of the World. So shine forth for Jesus as He lives in and through your life
There might be a question in your heart concerning exactly how does this happen -We have an answer provided to us in the text of 2 Corinthians Chapter 4, verse 6. It says there,
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In order to shine forth the light of Christ, you and I needed a heart change, and only God is capable of changing the Human heart. This happens when you ask Jesus Christ to become the Lord of your life. Only as a transformed sinner can you live a transformed life. We are powerless without the change wrought by God’s transforming power in the Holy Spirit. Knowing we are sinners God comes to us if we call out to Him when we finally realize how desperately we need a savior.
Now to share is the second part. What exactly are we to share? I believe that is evident. When we are saved we have new life within us. A new heart, a new destination for eternity, no enmity with God for we have received His Son who is His promised messiah. Why wouldn’t you want to share the love of God which has given you all this. We had a young waitress receive Jesus Christ yesterday morning and when we told Her that Jesus loved her and that we loved her she broke out in tears. You see the joy of the Lord is overwhelming if you simply consider it.
So now if you search on the word share in your bible you will be greatly disappointed, for it is never used in the context of a command to go and tell or to share your faith. Searching on Go and tell yields some results but noting commanding us to go and share our faith. Using the word “go’ not beneficial because it is a root for approximately 7800 words. But God does yield on highly productive verse issues as part of Jesus final commands to His disciples and those with them Matthew 28:18-20 says, 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen. According to Jesus final command to His children. He says, Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is very direct. So to share means to go to others and relate to them what joy, peace and love you have received from God on high. How else can we share the gospel other than telling others about what you already know.
There is a poignant example of the this in the book of Mark, Chapter 5. The demoniac who was so thoroughly possessed by demons wants to accompany Jesus when He is departing by boat. The demoniac wants to go and get in the boat. He is in love with the Son of God who set him free. Here is what Jesus said,
18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”20 And he departed and began to proclaim in [e]Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
Jesus said Go home and tell them what great things God has done for you and how He had compassion on you. What a testimony and what did the recovered demoniac do – He want to all ten cities on that side of the Jordan and told everyone what Jesus had done for Him.
Question – is the miracle of your salvation still fresh in your heart that you want others to know the Gift of God you have received? If so then share and share specifically what the Lord’s love
Aug 14 Sermon
If there ever was a more appropriate description for what is happening in America today, I don’t know what if would be, other than the verses we are about to read from Isaiah, Chapter 5, beginning with verse 20
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
24 Therefore, as the [l]fire devours the stubble,
And the flame consumes the chaff,
So their root will be as rottenness,
And their blossom will ascend like dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them, And stricken them, And the hills trembled.
Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
BEHOLD the Word of the Lord - may your people gain wisdom and get understanding. And may the fear of the Lord be the beginning of a greater wisdom for us. AMEN.
Isaiah was a prophet who served Judah for over 60 years. As a prophet He was not well liked. Consider why - read the first 39 chapters of this book. They are a condemnation of the sin, backsliding and rebellion of the nation of Israel. There is no weakness or vacillation in the words of this prophet for when Isaiah speaks, He speaks as the oracle of God, which He is by divine appointment. In chapter 5 he is condemning the people of God for failing to walk as God had commanded them to walk. All the commandments for how to treat one another, how to love one another and how to care for one another were being not just ignored but the opposite was happening. So instead of people being told the truth everyone was lying to their brother, perhaps you can relate. Please note this is a message to the chose people of God, not those outside the holy nation but to those inside. Perchance should we be listening.
Another point of prophecy is to motivate the people to do something. What something might that be? Well for starters you might consider repentance would be the first step. Repentance to whom? To God and returning to His holy standards from your wicked ways. So repent and return are crucial to the life God wants from His people. What happens when His people humble themselves and return, then they are renewed in the power of God and rejoice that God still loves them despite their failures. This only happens when we have faith in God and His salvation in Jesus Christ.
I. Verse 20 - 20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Everything here is reversed. I say yes, you say no. {I think there is a Beatles song which you could quote.} So when God says it is good, you call - evil. God says male and female, you say multiple genders. God says One race the human race you say many races. You change the meaning of words to mean the opposite of what God’s original meaning is. You call what is evil gay, or choice versus murder, or open borders versus security, or impoverishing people as good inflation.
The teachers unions and the Universities say teaching your children CRT, sexual - gender equality and other non- academic subjects is the modern enlightened and progressive way; but, God says, Raise up a child in the way He should go when he is young and he will not depart from it.
There is no truth in the History books which have been rewritten to disparage American exceptionalism. What you are experiencing is a radical transformation of Judeo-Christian values for the regressive refuse and filth of modern utopian liberalism. It is also the Marxist-communist dialecticism transformed for American consumption. These leftist are deconstructing America, substituting Godly moral values and truth with lies.
There is nothing sweet and light about what is being forced down your throats. It is pure darkness, evil and bitter gall of hatred for American values and culture which are godly. It is in our schools, in our government and in our media and God’s word condemns it even if society say it is great stuff.
II. Verse 21 is bad news for our leadership in schools, universities, for woke cities and states in America and for the US government – 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!
These are amazing words. I’ll bet the Scribes and Pharisees in Jesus day thought when they had killed Him thought they had dodged a bullet. Remember Jesus said, Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees several times is His condemnation of their failing to teach the truth to the nation of Israel. With Jesus dead all that nonsense goes away right? Well in 70 ad if they had not yet died and already been judged by God, then when the Romans destroyed by siege Jerusalem – judgement arrived. It coming again near you!
Men and women from the lowest to the highest reaches of our leadership and government, our media moguls who direct the “news,” the woke corporations who fund this liberal insanity are doing exactly what we just read. Woke according to them means wise in their own eyes. “We are in the know and you are not.” They pollute our minds and mix their drinks foisting their intoxicating lies across America as truth. They have made a two-tiered justice system; amnesty and looking the other way for those in the political know and severe and brutal punishment for those who go against the “approved narrative.” Where is justice for Benghazi, for a destroyed server full of critical national security data, for falsified data, for a laptop which just keeps on giving us insight into a corrupt individual and his family? How can congressmen and senator continue to have no courage to tell the truth, but lie about legislation because they “know” what you need?
What is the net result of all this lying, not allowing the truth to be told, slanderous treatment of people and locking good people up for no reason? The answer according to our scripture is this 23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man! Removing justice for all.
Men and women in leadership are selling their own souls for a bribe. They are losing their own souls for money. Our People have sold out to the highest bidder and are not keeping the oath of office to protect and defend the constitution and the people of the United State, all for a bribe. The end result is they are taking away justice from the righteous men and women across America
So what does all this mean if we keep going this way and don’t repent?
III. Verse 24 24 Therefore, as the [l]fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff,
So their root will be as rottenness,
And their blossom will ascend like dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them, And stricken them, And the hills trembled.
Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.
According to this verse what is coming is not good. Why has all this happened is contained in these verses. And if you believe your reasoning is greater than God’s and you know better and this just can’t be true, I repeat here is the answer Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people;
The people of God are allowing this and are involved with these activities. Just look at all the crack ups in our “Christian denominations – Methodists, Presbyterians Lutherans -have all succumbed to liberal theology – sorry women pastors are not allowed - it is prohibited; allowing unrepentant homosexuals in our churches, seminaries and leadership positions. Not standing against the tide of wokism and popular approved lifestyles. Baptists and others engaged in approving race and race theory as part of reaching others, when by nature it does the very opposite. Many churches agree that a woman has the right to choose to have an abortion, after all it’s her body. Who speaks out and defends the child and these are churches and denominations killing the unborn – calling themselves enlightened.
Why has this happened in America? Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
This is a hard truth, we are no longer living in a Christian culture where men and women are honoring the Word of God and despised Him. Yes that is correct we have turned away from God and denied the truth of His teachings, Hos commands and His ways to do our “woke” thing. We no longer fear God or His judgements we are enlightened 21st century, educated adults and we reject God. When God’s people rejected Him and we began this back in the 1960s no need for prayer or bible study in the schools we began the total denial of God in our society. We despised the Holy One of Israel
As a result of this denial understand what God says -25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them, And stricken them, And the hills trembled.
Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
There is a direct correlation between what is happening and our obedience and honor to God. It is pretty straight forward according to God’s word. He hates disobedience and will not tolerate this behavior so He has a solution. He has turned His hand against us and stricken us. His hand is against all unrighteousness especially when the believers don’t live according to His word.
Jesus wraps this up in the New Testament in John 3:19-21 - 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Despite God’s provision and God’s love for us – men and women love the darkness. Darkness is another word for evil. Men loved darkness/evil more than the light which is God’s truth. Those who have sold themselves over to evil or darkness do not want to come to the light lest their deeds be exposed. Only God changes a heart, these will come to light and seek repentance, renewal and if they are believers to return to God. Oh may we the people of God heed His warnings, for the time is exceedingly short and there is only one way to return. We are to humble ourselves and pray, seek God and then turn from our wicked ways – this is true repentance. Then and only then will God hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal our land. Amen - may God do so in us beginning this day now and forever more.
There is hope, read - Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Turn to Him today. AMEN
If there ever was a more appropriate description for what is happening in America today, I don’t know what if would be, other than the verses we are about to read from Isaiah, Chapter 5, beginning with verse 20
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
24 Therefore, as the [l]fire devours the stubble,
And the flame consumes the chaff,
So their root will be as rottenness,
And their blossom will ascend like dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them, And stricken them, And the hills trembled.
Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
BEHOLD the Word of the Lord - may your people gain wisdom and get understanding. And may the fear of the Lord be the beginning of a greater wisdom for us. AMEN.
Isaiah was a prophet who served Judah for over 60 years. As a prophet He was not well liked. Consider why - read the first 39 chapters of this book. They are a condemnation of the sin, backsliding and rebellion of the nation of Israel. There is no weakness or vacillation in the words of this prophet for when Isaiah speaks, He speaks as the oracle of God, which He is by divine appointment. In chapter 5 he is condemning the people of God for failing to walk as God had commanded them to walk. All the commandments for how to treat one another, how to love one another and how to care for one another were being not just ignored but the opposite was happening. So instead of people being told the truth everyone was lying to their brother, perhaps you can relate. Please note this is a message to the chose people of God, not those outside the holy nation but to those inside. Perchance should we be listening.
Another point of prophecy is to motivate the people to do something. What something might that be? Well for starters you might consider repentance would be the first step. Repentance to whom? To God and returning to His holy standards from your wicked ways. So repent and return are crucial to the life God wants from His people. What happens when His people humble themselves and return, then they are renewed in the power of God and rejoice that God still loves them despite their failures. This only happens when we have faith in God and His salvation in Jesus Christ.
I. Verse 20 - 20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Everything here is reversed. I say yes, you say no. {I think there is a Beatles song which you could quote.} So when God says it is good, you call - evil. God says male and female, you say multiple genders. God says One race the human race you say many races. You change the meaning of words to mean the opposite of what God’s original meaning is. You call what is evil gay, or choice versus murder, or open borders versus security, or impoverishing people as good inflation.
The teachers unions and the Universities say teaching your children CRT, sexual - gender equality and other non- academic subjects is the modern enlightened and progressive way; but, God says, Raise up a child in the way He should go when he is young and he will not depart from it.
There is no truth in the History books which have been rewritten to disparage American exceptionalism. What you are experiencing is a radical transformation of Judeo-Christian values for the regressive refuse and filth of modern utopian liberalism. It is also the Marxist-communist dialecticism transformed for American consumption. These leftist are deconstructing America, substituting Godly moral values and truth with lies.
There is nothing sweet and light about what is being forced down your throats. It is pure darkness, evil and bitter gall of hatred for American values and culture which are godly. It is in our schools, in our government and in our media and God’s word condemns it even if society say it is great stuff.
II. Verse 21 is bad news for our leadership in schools, universities, for woke cities and states in America and for the US government – 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight! 22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!
These are amazing words. I’ll bet the Scribes and Pharisees in Jesus day thought when they had killed Him thought they had dodged a bullet. Remember Jesus said, Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees several times is His condemnation of their failing to teach the truth to the nation of Israel. With Jesus dead all that nonsense goes away right? Well in 70 ad if they had not yet died and already been judged by God, then when the Romans destroyed by siege Jerusalem – judgement arrived. It coming again near you!
Men and women from the lowest to the highest reaches of our leadership and government, our media moguls who direct the “news,” the woke corporations who fund this liberal insanity are doing exactly what we just read. Woke according to them means wise in their own eyes. “We are in the know and you are not.” They pollute our minds and mix their drinks foisting their intoxicating lies across America as truth. They have made a two-tiered justice system; amnesty and looking the other way for those in the political know and severe and brutal punishment for those who go against the “approved narrative.” Where is justice for Benghazi, for a destroyed server full of critical national security data, for falsified data, for a laptop which just keeps on giving us insight into a corrupt individual and his family? How can congressmen and senator continue to have no courage to tell the truth, but lie about legislation because they “know” what you need?
What is the net result of all this lying, not allowing the truth to be told, slanderous treatment of people and locking good people up for no reason? The answer according to our scripture is this 23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man! Removing justice for all.
Men and women in leadership are selling their own souls for a bribe. They are losing their own souls for money. Our People have sold out to the highest bidder and are not keeping the oath of office to protect and defend the constitution and the people of the United State, all for a bribe. The end result is they are taking away justice from the righteous men and women across America
So what does all this mean if we keep going this way and don’t repent?
III. Verse 24 24 Therefore, as the [l]fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff,
So their root will be as rottenness,
And their blossom will ascend like dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them, And stricken them, And the hills trembled.
Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.
According to this verse what is coming is not good. Why has all this happened is contained in these verses. And if you believe your reasoning is greater than God’s and you know better and this just can’t be true, I repeat here is the answer Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people;
The people of God are allowing this and are involved with these activities. Just look at all the crack ups in our “Christian denominations – Methodists, Presbyterians Lutherans -have all succumbed to liberal theology – sorry women pastors are not allowed - it is prohibited; allowing unrepentant homosexuals in our churches, seminaries and leadership positions. Not standing against the tide of wokism and popular approved lifestyles. Baptists and others engaged in approving race and race theory as part of reaching others, when by nature it does the very opposite. Many churches agree that a woman has the right to choose to have an abortion, after all it’s her body. Who speaks out and defends the child and these are churches and denominations killing the unborn – calling themselves enlightened.
Why has this happened in America? Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
This is a hard truth, we are no longer living in a Christian culture where men and women are honoring the Word of God and despised Him. Yes that is correct we have turned away from God and denied the truth of His teachings, Hos commands and His ways to do our “woke” thing. We no longer fear God or His judgements we are enlightened 21st century, educated adults and we reject God. When God’s people rejected Him and we began this back in the 1960s no need for prayer or bible study in the schools we began the total denial of God in our society. We despised the Holy One of Israel
As a result of this denial understand what God says -25 Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them, And stricken them, And the hills trembled.
Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
There is a direct correlation between what is happening and our obedience and honor to God. It is pretty straight forward according to God’s word. He hates disobedience and will not tolerate this behavior so He has a solution. He has turned His hand against us and stricken us. His hand is against all unrighteousness especially when the believers don’t live according to His word.
Jesus wraps this up in the New Testament in John 3:19-21 - 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Despite God’s provision and God’s love for us – men and women love the darkness. Darkness is another word for evil. Men loved darkness/evil more than the light which is God’s truth. Those who have sold themselves over to evil or darkness do not want to come to the light lest their deeds be exposed. Only God changes a heart, these will come to light and seek repentance, renewal and if they are believers to return to God. Oh may we the people of God heed His warnings, for the time is exceedingly short and there is only one way to return. We are to humble ourselves and pray, seek God and then turn from our wicked ways – this is true repentance. Then and only then will God hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal our land. Amen - may God do so in us beginning this day now and forever more.
There is hope, read - Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Turn to Him today. AMEN
Aug 7 Sermon
John 1:1-4, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John1:14-17, 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Grace and Truth came to us through Jesus Christ. Let’s define grace and truth for our understanding and use – Many say grace is the unmerited favor granted to us by God, some use the acrostic - God’s riches at Christ’s expense to define the concept of grace. Grace is unique here for Jesus death burial and resurrection – basically His sacrifice is applied to you in you and over you, when you receive Him as Savior. It is the unmerited favor granted to us by God through His Son’s sacrifice. Wow what a concept.
The concept of defining the idea of Truth on the other hand has been debated for centuries. Jesus even had a discussion with His Roman captor – Pontius Pilate over what is truth. But for us there is only one definition for the word and the idea of truth and that is Jesus Christ. In John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me. Truth is not a concept, Truth is a person – the Lord Jesus- who actually is the Truth. Extending the idea just a bit further we come to realize that God is Truth and in Him is no shadow of turning or darkness. So verse 17 is a very profound verse for it states this truth that - .17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
When Jesus arrived on planet earth grace and truth came together in one package – verse 14 provides a clear summary, 14 And the Word {Logos or God} was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. This is the same Logos and the Word who was God as referenced in the first few verses which we just read.
When Jesus came, John and the disciples, and many in the nation of Israel, as well as, the Gentiles beheld the glory of God, full of grace and truth in the Son. Amazing stuff isn’t it. So John the Revelator is a firsthand witness to the grace and truth embodied in Jesus Christ
So what does grace and truth do for the ones who have trusted in Christ Jesus? From the Word of God we learned we have inside of us. This disease is call sin. We come into this world pre-dispositioned to rebel and disobey, against God’s loving instructions and commands. He only wants what is best for us but we are rebellious by birth through sin and believe we know best. Because Jesus is grace we don’t receive Justice which would lead to our punishment and eventual death for this is God’s law. We receive more than mercy or forgiveness, for we receive God’s wonderous gift of grace – unmerited favor. Undeserved forgiveness from God because we come to His Son and His Son by grace which is beyond mercy and grants us entry into His fellowship and His Kingdom.{ He forgives all your sin and gives you a new life in Christ, a new nature and a new heart. He transforms this weak and evil creature into His child. He does so until we return to Him.}
Hold on now - we are not done in parsing this scripture which we have been working through. Look at the beginning of verse 17. There is even more than plain forgiveness. There is new life in Christ. It says for the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Why mention the word law here versus grace and truth coming by Jesus Christ? To gain this understanding and perspective we need to go back into the word of God. Let’s begin by looking at Romans Chapter 6 verses 1-5
6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Paul is challenging us and the Roman believers to understand that granting of grace to us does not mean we now have license to freely sin. On the contrary, if we have died to sin and were baptized into the death of Christ; and then raised in glorious newness of life by the Father, why would we want to walk in that manner. 1 John 3:1 tells us, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. As a child of the King with a new heart and a new life why should I choose to sin freely and not strive to do good?
Salvation once it occurs puts us on the narrow path which leads to life. But we can stray either to excessive side seeking rule-based living like the Pharisees did and who missed knowing Jesus because He didn’t keep their rules. They lived for keeping a set of rules to earn salvations benefits. Or we have the freedom to do whatever I want which is license. We assume, when we do this, that the Father is the great sugar daddy in the sky, who will ultimately forgive anything I do – which is blasphemy and denies the nature of God.
We are to choose denial and obedience for it is better than sacrifice. We are deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him, wherever He leads.
There is a great deal more but one final point as we try to grasp the wonder of the grace God has extended to us instead of judgement, destruction or eternal death.
Ephesians 2:8 to 10 keeps this theme of grace - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Now for a moment maybe you thought you had something to do with your salvation and you coming to Christ so He could extend grace. Yes there is no denying you have done those actions but look to end of verse 10 - which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Think about this verse. If God knew beforehand that there were His workmanship by His acts of grace and we were to walk in them; then He knew beforehand we come to Jesus Christ prior to any decision we made as to how salvation happened and grace was applied to your life. Wow you have just encountered the omnipotence and omniscience {all knowing}power of God. Who also preserves and protects men t and orchestrates the events of Men for God’s best interest’s. Yet He still chose you know how flawed each of us were.
Do you marvel at this thing called grace? Do you have any idea of what it really means about God’s relationship with you? He has been reaching out to you since before you were born and has a place for you in Heaven, before you even had the opportunity to say yes to grace. We serve and awesome God, don’t we?
Today how are you walking? Are you walking in God’s grace or are you exercising license or living an extremist rule-oriented Christianity? Yes, the law was important to bring you to a knowledge of sin so you know you needed a savior. Salvation and walking in grace means living differently according to the grace of God which is His gift of life to you. Spend it wisely according to the wisdom of God.
Amen
John 1:1-4, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John1:14-17, 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Grace and Truth came to us through Jesus Christ. Let’s define grace and truth for our understanding and use – Many say grace is the unmerited favor granted to us by God, some use the acrostic - God’s riches at Christ’s expense to define the concept of grace. Grace is unique here for Jesus death burial and resurrection – basically His sacrifice is applied to you in you and over you, when you receive Him as Savior. It is the unmerited favor granted to us by God through His Son’s sacrifice. Wow what a concept.
The concept of defining the idea of Truth on the other hand has been debated for centuries. Jesus even had a discussion with His Roman captor – Pontius Pilate over what is truth. But for us there is only one definition for the word and the idea of truth and that is Jesus Christ. In John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me. Truth is not a concept, Truth is a person – the Lord Jesus- who actually is the Truth. Extending the idea just a bit further we come to realize that God is Truth and in Him is no shadow of turning or darkness. So verse 17 is a very profound verse for it states this truth that - .17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
When Jesus arrived on planet earth grace and truth came together in one package – verse 14 provides a clear summary, 14 And the Word {Logos or God} was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. This is the same Logos and the Word who was God as referenced in the first few verses which we just read.
When Jesus came, John and the disciples, and many in the nation of Israel, as well as, the Gentiles beheld the glory of God, full of grace and truth in the Son. Amazing stuff isn’t it. So John the Revelator is a firsthand witness to the grace and truth embodied in Jesus Christ
So what does grace and truth do for the ones who have trusted in Christ Jesus? From the Word of God we learned we have inside of us. This disease is call sin. We come into this world pre-dispositioned to rebel and disobey, against God’s loving instructions and commands. He only wants what is best for us but we are rebellious by birth through sin and believe we know best. Because Jesus is grace we don’t receive Justice which would lead to our punishment and eventual death for this is God’s law. We receive more than mercy or forgiveness, for we receive God’s wonderous gift of grace – unmerited favor. Undeserved forgiveness from God because we come to His Son and His Son by grace which is beyond mercy and grants us entry into His fellowship and His Kingdom.{ He forgives all your sin and gives you a new life in Christ, a new nature and a new heart. He transforms this weak and evil creature into His child. He does so until we return to Him.}
Hold on now - we are not done in parsing this scripture which we have been working through. Look at the beginning of verse 17. There is even more than plain forgiveness. There is new life in Christ. It says for the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Why mention the word law here versus grace and truth coming by Jesus Christ? To gain this understanding and perspective we need to go back into the word of God. Let’s begin by looking at Romans Chapter 6 verses 1-5
6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Paul is challenging us and the Roman believers to understand that granting of grace to us does not mean we now have license to freely sin. On the contrary, if we have died to sin and were baptized into the death of Christ; and then raised in glorious newness of life by the Father, why would we want to walk in that manner. 1 John 3:1 tells us, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. As a child of the King with a new heart and a new life why should I choose to sin freely and not strive to do good?
Salvation once it occurs puts us on the narrow path which leads to life. But we can stray either to excessive side seeking rule-based living like the Pharisees did and who missed knowing Jesus because He didn’t keep their rules. They lived for keeping a set of rules to earn salvations benefits. Or we have the freedom to do whatever I want which is license. We assume, when we do this, that the Father is the great sugar daddy in the sky, who will ultimately forgive anything I do – which is blasphemy and denies the nature of God.
We are to choose denial and obedience for it is better than sacrifice. We are deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him, wherever He leads.
There is a great deal more but one final point as we try to grasp the wonder of the grace God has extended to us instead of judgement, destruction or eternal death.
Ephesians 2:8 to 10 keeps this theme of grace - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Now for a moment maybe you thought you had something to do with your salvation and you coming to Christ so He could extend grace. Yes there is no denying you have done those actions but look to end of verse 10 - which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Think about this verse. If God knew beforehand that there were His workmanship by His acts of grace and we were to walk in them; then He knew beforehand we come to Jesus Christ prior to any decision we made as to how salvation happened and grace was applied to your life. Wow you have just encountered the omnipotence and omniscience {all knowing}power of God. Who also preserves and protects men t and orchestrates the events of Men for God’s best interest’s. Yet He still chose you know how flawed each of us were.
Do you marvel at this thing called grace? Do you have any idea of what it really means about God’s relationship with you? He has been reaching out to you since before you were born and has a place for you in Heaven, before you even had the opportunity to say yes to grace. We serve and awesome God, don’t we?
Today how are you walking? Are you walking in God’s grace or are you exercising license or living an extremist rule-oriented Christianity? Yes, the law was important to bring you to a knowledge of sin so you know you needed a savior. Salvation and walking in grace means living differently according to the grace of God which is His gift of life to you. Spend it wisely according to the wisdom of God.
Amen
July 31 Sermon
We hear the words spoken very often these days about finding peace and safety, but as hard as we look there seems to be less peace anywhere. And safety, there appears to be no safe place. Everything has turned around. People keep looking in all the wrong places and there is a distinct absence of peace or safety anywhere.
Now I will make a statement with which you might take offense and here it is. There is no place you can go to find absolute peace or absolute safety in this world. Nowhere is there a place, time or circumstance which guarantees absolute peace and perfect safety. Life is not made that way. I always thought of the old swimming hole as a safe place, but many have died there from drowning and hitting things under the water. We make cars to be safe but people are killed daily on the highways.
And peace, well how do you find peace? Some people look for peace in a bottle and some with drugs. We have all kinds of medications for people seeking peace but not finding it easily. Plus we have all sorts of shootings, wars and killings all over the place so there is no guarantee of peace or safety anywhere or at any time. Peace must be found in the heart of man and it is hard to settle, according to the bible the heart is deceitfully evil and wicked above all things. So if there is no peace in the human heart how can we expect to find peace between men and women on earth? It can possibly be found but it is rare and it never be permanent, only temporary.
The Bible and its Author – the Lord God, teaches us a different story. It says we can have peace and safety from the coming storms but it is not as the world gives us peace and safety. Let’s take a few moments and examine what The Bible says in the words of scripture and then apply it to our lives.
Turn to 1st Thessalonians, Chapter 5 and read with me. Remember this is the Apostle Paul writing a letter to the church at Thessalonica, who were having some troubles as they navigated persecution and tough times- Reading now beginning at verse 1-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Phew, sounds like a big task to live the way the Lord wants us to live doesn’t it? And truthfully it is difficult to live this way by ourselves, to live the way the Lord wants us to live with each other in these days when there is very little peace and safety.
Let’s begin at the beginning walking through the verses so we know what is happening-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
Part I. Here Paul is telling the church to be prepared for the return of the Lord. As sure as Jesus came the first time He is coming again. If we have learned anything about God it is that He is the faithful covenant Keeper. He makes and keeps covenants with His people even when they are faithless and break the covenant. How will His coming be – imminently as a thief in the night, when you are least expecting it. All sorts of folks will be talking about find peace and safety but there will be no peace and safety – Gee sounds like us today! Notice God’s word says destruction will come suddenly- and they will not escape. Now this important so don’t miss it- who is the they who won’t escape? The answer is those who have not asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their lives.
We can see this by looking at the next verses 4-6
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
What God is telling us is as a believer in Christ and having learned about the future coming of Jesus; when there is no peace and safety, but when many are claiming peace and safety, He will come when least expected. You know that could be this very day for there is nothing prophetically which requires fulfilling for Him to come back right now in the twinkling of an eye or as a thief in the night!
So Paul is saying don’t be unprepared. As a child of Christ who is a child of the light don’t be overcome or confused by the darkness in our day for you belong to Christ. So how are we to be prepared? Go to verses 7-8 . 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. Paul tells us to be awake, be sober, not sleeping, putting on faith and love as a breastplate. There is only one way to do that and that is to be reading the Bible – God’s word and allowing the teacher – the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth for He promises to do so. He is also the paraclete, the One who walks beside you to find and know the love of God. His love far exceeds the love of man and can heal all wounds of the heart and soul. This is something only God can do and no man, drug therapy or prescription can produce.
So what type of behavior comes with those who don’t care about tomorrow? Those who are lazy and those who just want to party all night. They are the ones who don’t care and the ones who spend all their time doing just what they want.
There was mention about something like these types of people when God had Noah build the Arc. It says they were eating, drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the rains came, ignoring the witness of Noah and they perished in the flood.
Now in verse 8 there is this statement about the hope of salvation as a helmet. Hope is a precious thing for often when there is nothing else left standing in a person’s life – there may still be hope which comes only from God. This is the hope of faith in Jesus Christ and His imminent returning. Salvation in a person’s life creates and bears fruit in the heart and mind of a saved person- new life, new heart new spirit.
Part II. Now go to verses 9 to 11 - 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
This statement we just read is the gospel – the good news that God in Christ brings to all men who will receive the truth. To those who will call upon the savior for they recognize they are sinners and that they need a savior. It is these who are the “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Every believer who has reached for God by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has come the same way, none of us has been excluded. God is not willing for any to perish but some will because they will reject His call of love, so they will experience the wrath of God in torment for eternity in Hell. Yes that is a real place despite what the world tells you.
The ultimate promise of salvation is they who believe will spend eternity in heaven with God. What a promise don’t miss it.
So we are to comfort ourselves and edify – meaning educate ourselves so that we are not unaware of His promises. We will find Peace and safety only in the eternal promises of God, not in the fulfilment promised in this world or in things. A relationship with Christ is the only true peace and contentment. Jesus says, 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. {Jn. 14.27)
The remainder of our text has various to dos and don’ts – a whole listing as a matter of fact.
Part III , Verses 12 -15 deal with the church and how we are to get along - read - 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
We are to honor one another – esteem others more highly than yourselves, be ye kind one to another. Providing words of warning and admonition to those who are stumbling and falling away from God. Pursue the goodness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verses 16- to 20 are personal for each of us - 16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
These verses to be fulfilled in your life and mine require us to surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit for we will never attain them without His working the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. They are unattainable rejoice evermore, in everything give thanks, don’t quench the Spirit- every time you get angry apart from righteous anger your quench God’s activity in you. He doesn’t depart He goes quiet. God has to help us do these things and without or apart from Him according to Jesus -you can do nothing.(Jn.15.5)
But the promise of these words is powerful. If you allow God to invest in your life and surrender look what He can enable you to be like in the future – totally different
I would challenge each of you to reflect on how this cultural craziness in America appears to be changing for the worse more and more quickly? But you can be different in Christ this very day. You can ask Him into your life- will you?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
We hear the words spoken very often these days about finding peace and safety, but as hard as we look there seems to be less peace anywhere. And safety, there appears to be no safe place. Everything has turned around. People keep looking in all the wrong places and there is a distinct absence of peace or safety anywhere.
Now I will make a statement with which you might take offense and here it is. There is no place you can go to find absolute peace or absolute safety in this world. Nowhere is there a place, time or circumstance which guarantees absolute peace and perfect safety. Life is not made that way. I always thought of the old swimming hole as a safe place, but many have died there from drowning and hitting things under the water. We make cars to be safe but people are killed daily on the highways.
And peace, well how do you find peace? Some people look for peace in a bottle and some with drugs. We have all kinds of medications for people seeking peace but not finding it easily. Plus we have all sorts of shootings, wars and killings all over the place so there is no guarantee of peace or safety anywhere or at any time. Peace must be found in the heart of man and it is hard to settle, according to the bible the heart is deceitfully evil and wicked above all things. So if there is no peace in the human heart how can we expect to find peace between men and women on earth? It can possibly be found but it is rare and it never be permanent, only temporary.
The Bible and its Author – the Lord God, teaches us a different story. It says we can have peace and safety from the coming storms but it is not as the world gives us peace and safety. Let’s take a few moments and examine what The Bible says in the words of scripture and then apply it to our lives.
Turn to 1st Thessalonians, Chapter 5 and read with me. Remember this is the Apostle Paul writing a letter to the church at Thessalonica, who were having some troubles as they navigated persecution and tough times- Reading now beginning at verse 1-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Phew, sounds like a big task to live the way the Lord wants us to live doesn’t it? And truthfully it is difficult to live this way by ourselves, to live the way the Lord wants us to live with each other in these days when there is very little peace and safety.
Let’s begin at the beginning walking through the verses so we know what is happening-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
Part I. Here Paul is telling the church to be prepared for the return of the Lord. As sure as Jesus came the first time He is coming again. If we have learned anything about God it is that He is the faithful covenant Keeper. He makes and keeps covenants with His people even when they are faithless and break the covenant. How will His coming be – imminently as a thief in the night, when you are least expecting it. All sorts of folks will be talking about find peace and safety but there will be no peace and safety – Gee sounds like us today! Notice God’s word says destruction will come suddenly- and they will not escape. Now this important so don’t miss it- who is the they who won’t escape? The answer is those who have not asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their lives.
We can see this by looking at the next verses 4-6
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
What God is telling us is as a believer in Christ and having learned about the future coming of Jesus; when there is no peace and safety, but when many are claiming peace and safety, He will come when least expected. You know that could be this very day for there is nothing prophetically which requires fulfilling for Him to come back right now in the twinkling of an eye or as a thief in the night!
So Paul is saying don’t be unprepared. As a child of Christ who is a child of the light don’t be overcome or confused by the darkness in our day for you belong to Christ. So how are we to be prepared? Go to verses 7-8 . 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. Paul tells us to be awake, be sober, not sleeping, putting on faith and love as a breastplate. There is only one way to do that and that is to be reading the Bible – God’s word and allowing the teacher – the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth for He promises to do so. He is also the paraclete, the One who walks beside you to find and know the love of God. His love far exceeds the love of man and can heal all wounds of the heart and soul. This is something only God can do and no man, drug therapy or prescription can produce.
So what type of behavior comes with those who don’t care about tomorrow? Those who are lazy and those who just want to party all night. They are the ones who don’t care and the ones who spend all their time doing just what they want.
There was mention about something like these types of people when God had Noah build the Arc. It says they were eating, drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the rains came, ignoring the witness of Noah and they perished in the flood.
Now in verse 8 there is this statement about the hope of salvation as a helmet. Hope is a precious thing for often when there is nothing else left standing in a person’s life – there may still be hope which comes only from God. This is the hope of faith in Jesus Christ and His imminent returning. Salvation in a person’s life creates and bears fruit in the heart and mind of a saved person- new life, new heart new spirit.
Part II. Now go to verses 9 to 11 - 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
This statement we just read is the gospel – the good news that God in Christ brings to all men who will receive the truth. To those who will call upon the savior for they recognize they are sinners and that they need a savior. It is these who are the “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Every believer who has reached for God by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has come the same way, none of us has been excluded. God is not willing for any to perish but some will because they will reject His call of love, so they will experience the wrath of God in torment for eternity in Hell. Yes that is a real place despite what the world tells you.
The ultimate promise of salvation is they who believe will spend eternity in heaven with God. What a promise don’t miss it.
So we are to comfort ourselves and edify – meaning educate ourselves so that we are not unaware of His promises. We will find Peace and safety only in the eternal promises of God, not in the fulfilment promised in this world or in things. A relationship with Christ is the only true peace and contentment. Jesus says, 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. {Jn. 14.27)
The remainder of our text has various to dos and don’ts – a whole listing as a matter of fact.
Part III , Verses 12 -15 deal with the church and how we are to get along - read - 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
We are to honor one another – esteem others more highly than yourselves, be ye kind one to another. Providing words of warning and admonition to those who are stumbling and falling away from God. Pursue the goodness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verses 16- to 20 are personal for each of us - 16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
These verses to be fulfilled in your life and mine require us to surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit for we will never attain them without His working the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. They are unattainable rejoice evermore, in everything give thanks, don’t quench the Spirit- every time you get angry apart from righteous anger your quench God’s activity in you. He doesn’t depart He goes quiet. God has to help us do these things and without or apart from Him according to Jesus -you can do nothing.(Jn.15.5)
But the promise of these words is powerful. If you allow God to invest in your life and surrender look what He can enable you to be like in the future – totally different
I would challenge each of you to reflect on how this cultural craziness in America appears to be changing for the worse more and more quickly? But you can be different in Christ this very day. You can ask Him into your life- will you?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
July 10 Sermon
Isaiah 5:20
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
There are only two types of people in this world living among us today in this increasingly evil and deluded society called America. There are the saved of God and there are the unsaved. The destination for each has been determined by the Living God who rules all dominions from heaven according to His Judgement and His authority as creator, redeemer and sovereign God Almighty.
This is true no matter how man or Satan tries to manipulate or spin the truth. God has set this as immutable {unchangeable}no matter what tune is being sung in this world.
These are hard facts and words and our eternal destiny is set by your decision to receive Jesus Christ or to reject Him. For in Christ and having received Him, your destination has been changed to heaven. Unrepentant and unregenerate people who reject Jesus Christ are Hell bent for eternal damnation. These are simple facts not by my thinking but according to the Word of God.
Now there exists a subset of people who are in the class of the unsaved who are living among the saved and living as if they are saved. They are in scriptural terms the tares living among the wheat. Or it could be said the fruitless living among the fruitful. One another expression used in scripture is the goats living among the sheep.
Anyhow there are those who worship with us in our houses of worship who are not saved, but are imitating the saved and deluding themselves that they are going to heaven because they participate in church activities and give to the Lord regularly.
So what separates the believer and the unbeliever? This is the key question? I believe scripture can help answer this issue. So let us got to the gospel of Matthew. Chapter 7 and verses 13-27. Let us read the words of Jesus, 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {two paths}
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits {prophets}
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You _ Judgement of God
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” {Only two types}
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and our understanding of how it applies to our lives today. May the Holy Spirit move is us as the words of Christ touch our hearts- AMEN
There is some terrible truths in this word given to us today. First there is no middle ground either you are on the narrow path or you are on the wide path leading to destruction. Verses 13-14 - 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {There are only two paths and there are only two gates. The narrow gate door is Jesus Christ. He tells us this in John Chapter 10- 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Jesus is the door and He is the gate keeper. He tells Nicodemus who comes to Him by night that He must be reborn from above otherwise He cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.
In contrast there are many gates or paths leading to destruction and death eternally, but the missing item is this a relationship with Jesus Christ apart from Him there is no future hope.
Verses 15-20 discuss - who are you listening to true prophets or liars and deceiver? – read 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
So we are not talking here today about those who are foretelling the future but those who are mis-teaching or leading false teachings out of the word of God and deceiving many. Now if you have the Holy Spirit living in you because you have confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believed that He is the Son of God and called upon Him to be saved. Then God’s Holy Spirit now resides in you. You should not be deceived by any of this type of activity- as it says in verses 16 and 20 you will “know” them by their fruits. The Spirt of Truth – the Holy Spirit will lead you in the way everlasting.
Now there are those not walking In the Spirit who may also be deceived so beware, be on guard for your heart.
But if Christ is not in your heart then there is the absolute possibility that you may be deceived and the bad fruit vendors may lead you falsely to destruction. We have absolute proof of this today as we look at various ministries on TV. We have evangelists and ministries that cater to multiple sexes outside of what is prescribed in God’s word. Or we are seeing ministers/churches starting to discriminate on the basis of race and race equality teachings; applying Critical Race Theory as a teaching of God, which is a lie leading to destruction. We also have prosperity gospel teachers who are saying the reason you are not wealthy and prospering is you just don’t have enough faith to believe. And we have whole denominations who do not believe that Jesus is God; and who have added additional requirements for getting to heaven by substituting good works rather than by grace are you saved through faith.
Now comes the real kicker, read verses 21 – 25:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
We will need to spend some time on these verses the truth of God. Many of us read it but we do not dig into its truths for it seems so obvious and we just continue on to the next paragraph and give it little consideration, This is true especially if you don’t have the fear of the Lord in your heart. This is a discriminating passage of who will actually enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse should cause you to be very concerned.
Remember the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Where do you want to be at the time of your judgement? Remember this key verse from Paul the Apostle. He said, “ to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Everyone who dies or is raptured faces the Lord immediately and to stand before His holiness we have no excuse, for we will know in that moment our sinfulness and His absolute holiness. Our sins will be as scarlet – red letters before God. We are either forgiven by Jesus as His child or we will be condemned without forgiveness- for not having received Jesus. Jesus says, 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Now this is the question before you it is not so much about whether you know God but does God know you?
Eternal Life is not based upon whether you know Christ, but upon whether He knows and recognizes you. If He has a relationship with you , then He would have taken up residence in your life and you would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Your life and times would then reflect His life and Holiness within you. When He speaks you would know and respond immediately to His will. Obedience not activity is the sign of this relationship. Is your name in the lamb’s book of life?
So where are you today? Are you into activities or are you into the relationship with Christ? What is the outcome of not having this relationship? – verse 23- 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
Maybe you have done all sorts of things for the Lord- wonders unimaginable, prophesied in His name, cast out demons, but Jesus doesn’t know you by name? What a terrible fate.
1. So we have those who have a personal relationship with Jesus and are the saved and this is confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.These are the ones who build their houses, and their lives on the rock according to verse 24
2. Next We have the lost who have chosen not to accept God and His free gift of salvation and who build their lives on the sand verse 26 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
The end of that person is death and eternal destruction.
In this grouping of folks going toward the wide gate and destruction is the group of deceived persons who believe they are going to heaven because of many different internal head strong personal justifications. But none of them stand before the Word of God. There is only one way to heaven but it is the good news which God wants all to find- Act 4:12 - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
So perhaps God has spoken to you today and convicted you heart. Is it still desperately wicked and God knows it? If you stood right this moment in the presence of Jesus where would you be?
God sent His Son so you would not miss heaven- think about these things.
This is the time of last chances and we only have a few days, Hours maybe, until He calls us home. This is the message simply, Jesus saves and what He saves, He saves to the uttermost and creates new life within us. Is He living in you this day? Don’t miss heaven because of a stubborn heart and deluded mind. Only trust Him now, He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now. AMEN
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information.
Isaiah 5:20
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
There are only two types of people in this world living among us today in this increasingly evil and deluded society called America. There are the saved of God and there are the unsaved. The destination for each has been determined by the Living God who rules all dominions from heaven according to His Judgement and His authority as creator, redeemer and sovereign God Almighty.
This is true no matter how man or Satan tries to manipulate or spin the truth. God has set this as immutable {unchangeable}no matter what tune is being sung in this world.
These are hard facts and words and our eternal destiny is set by your decision to receive Jesus Christ or to reject Him. For in Christ and having received Him, your destination has been changed to heaven. Unrepentant and unregenerate people who reject Jesus Christ are Hell bent for eternal damnation. These are simple facts not by my thinking but according to the Word of God.
Now there exists a subset of people who are in the class of the unsaved who are living among the saved and living as if they are saved. They are in scriptural terms the tares living among the wheat. Or it could be said the fruitless living among the fruitful. One another expression used in scripture is the goats living among the sheep.
Anyhow there are those who worship with us in our houses of worship who are not saved, but are imitating the saved and deluding themselves that they are going to heaven because they participate in church activities and give to the Lord regularly.
So what separates the believer and the unbeliever? This is the key question? I believe scripture can help answer this issue. So let us got to the gospel of Matthew. Chapter 7 and verses 13-27. Let us read the words of Jesus, 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {two paths}
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits {prophets}
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You _ Judgement of God
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” {Only two types}
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and our understanding of how it applies to our lives today. May the Holy Spirit move is us as the words of Christ touch our hearts- AMEN
There is some terrible truths in this word given to us today. First there is no middle ground either you are on the narrow path or you are on the wide path leading to destruction. Verses 13-14 - 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {There are only two paths and there are only two gates. The narrow gate door is Jesus Christ. He tells us this in John Chapter 10- 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Jesus is the door and He is the gate keeper. He tells Nicodemus who comes to Him by night that He must be reborn from above otherwise He cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.
In contrast there are many gates or paths leading to destruction and death eternally, but the missing item is this a relationship with Jesus Christ apart from Him there is no future hope.
Verses 15-20 discuss - who are you listening to true prophets or liars and deceiver? – read 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
So we are not talking here today about those who are foretelling the future but those who are mis-teaching or leading false teachings out of the word of God and deceiving many. Now if you have the Holy Spirit living in you because you have confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believed that He is the Son of God and called upon Him to be saved. Then God’s Holy Spirit now resides in you. You should not be deceived by any of this type of activity- as it says in verses 16 and 20 you will “know” them by their fruits. The Spirt of Truth – the Holy Spirit will lead you in the way everlasting.
Now there are those not walking In the Spirit who may also be deceived so beware, be on guard for your heart.
But if Christ is not in your heart then there is the absolute possibility that you may be deceived and the bad fruit vendors may lead you falsely to destruction. We have absolute proof of this today as we look at various ministries on TV. We have evangelists and ministries that cater to multiple sexes outside of what is prescribed in God’s word. Or we are seeing ministers/churches starting to discriminate on the basis of race and race equality teachings; applying Critical Race Theory as a teaching of God, which is a lie leading to destruction. We also have prosperity gospel teachers who are saying the reason you are not wealthy and prospering is you just don’t have enough faith to believe. And we have whole denominations who do not believe that Jesus is God; and who have added additional requirements for getting to heaven by substituting good works rather than by grace are you saved through faith.
Now comes the real kicker, read verses 21 – 25:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
We will need to spend some time on these verses the truth of God. Many of us read it but we do not dig into its truths for it seems so obvious and we just continue on to the next paragraph and give it little consideration, This is true especially if you don’t have the fear of the Lord in your heart. This is a discriminating passage of who will actually enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse should cause you to be very concerned.
Remember the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Where do you want to be at the time of your judgement? Remember this key verse from Paul the Apostle. He said, “ to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Everyone who dies or is raptured faces the Lord immediately and to stand before His holiness we have no excuse, for we will know in that moment our sinfulness and His absolute holiness. Our sins will be as scarlet – red letters before God. We are either forgiven by Jesus as His child or we will be condemned without forgiveness- for not having received Jesus. Jesus says, 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Now this is the question before you it is not so much about whether you know God but does God know you?
Eternal Life is not based upon whether you know Christ, but upon whether He knows and recognizes you. If He has a relationship with you , then He would have taken up residence in your life and you would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Your life and times would then reflect His life and Holiness within you. When He speaks you would know and respond immediately to His will. Obedience not activity is the sign of this relationship. Is your name in the lamb’s book of life?
So where are you today? Are you into activities or are you into the relationship with Christ? What is the outcome of not having this relationship? – verse 23- 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
Maybe you have done all sorts of things for the Lord- wonders unimaginable, prophesied in His name, cast out demons, but Jesus doesn’t know you by name? What a terrible fate.
1. So we have those who have a personal relationship with Jesus and are the saved and this is confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.These are the ones who build their houses, and their lives on the rock according to verse 24
2. Next We have the lost who have chosen not to accept God and His free gift of salvation and who build their lives on the sand verse 26 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
The end of that person is death and eternal destruction.
In this grouping of folks going toward the wide gate and destruction is the group of deceived persons who believe they are going to heaven because of many different internal head strong personal justifications. But none of them stand before the Word of God. There is only one way to heaven but it is the good news which God wants all to find- Act 4:12 - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
So perhaps God has spoken to you today and convicted you heart. Is it still desperately wicked and God knows it? If you stood right this moment in the presence of Jesus where would you be?
God sent His Son so you would not miss heaven- think about these things.
This is the time of last chances and we only have a few days, Hours maybe, until He calls us home. This is the message simply, Jesus saves and what He saves, He saves to the uttermost and creates new life within us. Is He living in you this day? Don’t miss heaven because of a stubborn heart and deluded mind. Only trust Him now, He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now. AMEN
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information.
July 3 Sermon
We hear the words spoken very often these days about finding peace and safety, but as hard as we look there seems to be less peace anywhere. And safety, there appears to be no safe place. Everything has turned around. People keep looking in all the wrong places and there is a distinct absence of peace or safety anywhere.
Now I will make a statement with which you might take offense and here it is. There is no place you can go to find absolute peace or absolute safety in this world. Nowhere is there a place, time or circumstance which guarantees absolute peace and perfect safety. Life is not made that way. I always thought of the old swimming hole as a safe place, but many have died there from drowning and hitting things under the water. We make cars to be safe but people are killed daily on the highways.
And peace, well how do you find peace? Some people look for peace in a bottle and some with drugs. We have all kinds of medications for people seeking peace but not finding it easily. Plus we have all sorts of shootings, wars and killings all over the place so there is no guarantee of peace or safety anywhere or at any time. Peace must be found in the heart of man and it is hard to settle, according to the bible the heart is deceitfully evil and wicked above all things. So if there is no peace in the human heart how can we expect to find peace between men and women on earth? It can possibly be found but it is rare and it never be permanent, only temporary.
The Bible and its Author – the Lord God, teaches us a different story. It says we can have peace and safety from the coming storms but it is not as the world gives us peace and safety. Let’s take a few moments and examine what The Bible says in the words of scripture and then apply it to our lives.
Turn to 1st Thessalonians, Chapter 5 and read with me. Remember this is the Apostle Paul writing a letter to the church at Thessalonica, who were having some troubles as they navigated persecution and tough times- Reading now beginning at verse 1-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Phew, sounds like a big task to live the way the Lord wants us to live doesn’t it? And truthfully it is difficult to live this way by ourselves, to live the way the Lord wants us to live with each other in these days when there is very little peace and safety.
Let’s begin at the beginning walking through the verses so we know what is happening-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
Part I. Here Paul is telling the church to be prepared for the return of the Lord. As sure as Jesus came the first time He is coming again. If we have learned anything about God it is that He is the faithful covenant Keeper. He makes and keeps covenants with His people even when they are faithless and break the covenant. How will His coming be – imminently as a thief in the night, when you are least expecting it. All sorts of folks will be talking about find peace and safety but there will be no peace and safety – Gee sounds like us today! Notice God’s word says destruction will come suddenly- and they will not escape. Now this important so don’t miss it- who is the they who won’t escape? The answer is those who have not asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their lives.
We can see this by looking at the next verses 4-6
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
What God is telling us is as a believer in Christ and having learned about the future coming of Jesus; when there is no peace and safety, but when many are claiming peace and safety, He will come when least expected. You know that could be this very day for there is nothing prophetically which requires fulfilling for Him to come back right now in the twinkling of an eye or as a thief in the night!
So Paul is saying don’t be unprepared. As a child of Christ who is a child of the light don’t be overcome or confused by the darkness in our day for you belong to Christ. So how are we to be prepared? Go to verses 7-8 . 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. Paul tells us to be awake, be sober, not sleeping, putting on faith and love as a breastplate. There is only one way to do that and that is to be reading the Bible – God’s word and allowing the teacher – the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth for He promises to do so. He is also the paraclete, the One who walks beside you to find and know the love of God. His love far exceeds the love of man and can heal all wounds of the heart and soul. This is something only God can do and no man, drug therapy or prescription can produce.
So what type of behavior comes with those who don’t care about tomorrow? Those who are lazy and those who just want to party all night. They are the ones who don’t care and the ones who spend all their time doing just what they want.
There was mention about something like these types of people when God had Noah build the Arc. It says they were eating, drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the rains came, ignoring the witness of Noah and they perished in the flood.
Now in verse 8 there is this statement about the hope of salvation as a helmet. Hope is a precious thing for often when there is nothing else left standing in a person’s life – there may still be hope which comes only from God. This is the hope of faith in Jesus Christ and His imminent returning. Salvation in a person’s life creates and bears fruit in the heart and mind of a saved person- new life, new heart new spirit.
Part II. Now go to verses 9 to 11 - 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
This statement we just read is the gospel – the good news that God in Christ brings to all men who will receive the truth. To those who will call upon the savior for they recognize they are sinners and that they need a savior. It is these who are the “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Every believer who has reached for God by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has come the same way, none of us has been excluded. God is not willing for any to perish but some will because they will reject His call of love, so they will experience the wrath of God in torment for eternity in Hell. Yes that is a real place despite what the world tells you.
The ultimate promise of salvation is they who believe will spend eternity in heaven with God. What a promise don’t miss it.
So we are to comfort ourselves and edify – meaning educate ourselves so that we are not unaware of His promises. We will find Peace and safety only in the eternal promises of God, not in the fulfilment promised in this world or in things. A relationship with Christ is the only true peace and contentment. Jesus says, 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. {Jn. 14.27)
The remainder of our text has various to dos and don’ts – a whole listing as a matter of fact.
Part III , Verses 12 -15 deal with the church and how we are to get along - read - 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
We are to honor one another – esteem others more highly than yourselves, be ye kind one to another. Providing words of warning and admonition to those who are stumbling and falling away from God. Pursue the goodness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verses 16- to 20 are personal for each of us - 16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
These verses to be fulfilled in your life and mine require us to surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit for we will never attain them without His working the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. They are unattainable rejoice evermore, in everything give thanks, don’t quench the Spirit- every time you get angry apart from righteous anger your quench God’s activity in you. He doesn’t depart He goes quiet. God has to help us do these things and without or apart from Him according to Jesus -you can do nothing.(Jn.15.5)
But the promise of these words is powerful. If you allow God to invest in your life and surrender look what He can enable you to be like in the future – totally different
I would challenge each of you to reflect on how this cultural craziness in America appears to be changing for the worse more and more quickly? But you can be different in Christ this very day. You can ask Him into your life- will you?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
We hear the words spoken very often these days about finding peace and safety, but as hard as we look there seems to be less peace anywhere. And safety, there appears to be no safe place. Everything has turned around. People keep looking in all the wrong places and there is a distinct absence of peace or safety anywhere.
Now I will make a statement with which you might take offense and here it is. There is no place you can go to find absolute peace or absolute safety in this world. Nowhere is there a place, time or circumstance which guarantees absolute peace and perfect safety. Life is not made that way. I always thought of the old swimming hole as a safe place, but many have died there from drowning and hitting things under the water. We make cars to be safe but people are killed daily on the highways.
And peace, well how do you find peace? Some people look for peace in a bottle and some with drugs. We have all kinds of medications for people seeking peace but not finding it easily. Plus we have all sorts of shootings, wars and killings all over the place so there is no guarantee of peace or safety anywhere or at any time. Peace must be found in the heart of man and it is hard to settle, according to the bible the heart is deceitfully evil and wicked above all things. So if there is no peace in the human heart how can we expect to find peace between men and women on earth? It can possibly be found but it is rare and it never be permanent, only temporary.
The Bible and its Author – the Lord God, teaches us a different story. It says we can have peace and safety from the coming storms but it is not as the world gives us peace and safety. Let’s take a few moments and examine what The Bible says in the words of scripture and then apply it to our lives.
Turn to 1st Thessalonians, Chapter 5 and read with me. Remember this is the Apostle Paul writing a letter to the church at Thessalonica, who were having some troubles as they navigated persecution and tough times- Reading now beginning at verse 1-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Phew, sounds like a big task to live the way the Lord wants us to live doesn’t it? And truthfully it is difficult to live this way by ourselves, to live the way the Lord wants us to live with each other in these days when there is very little peace and safety.
Let’s begin at the beginning walking through the verses so we know what is happening-
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
Part I. Here Paul is telling the church to be prepared for the return of the Lord. As sure as Jesus came the first time He is coming again. If we have learned anything about God it is that He is the faithful covenant Keeper. He makes and keeps covenants with His people even when they are faithless and break the covenant. How will His coming be – imminently as a thief in the night, when you are least expecting it. All sorts of folks will be talking about find peace and safety but there will be no peace and safety – Gee sounds like us today! Notice God’s word says destruction will come suddenly- and they will not escape. Now this important so don’t miss it- who is the they who won’t escape? The answer is those who have not asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their lives.
We can see this by looking at the next verses 4-6
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day{Believers}. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober.
What God is telling us is as a believer in Christ and having learned about the future coming of Jesus; when there is no peace and safety, but when many are claiming peace and safety, He will come when least expected. You know that could be this very day for there is nothing prophetically which requires fulfilling for Him to come back right now in the twinkling of an eye or as a thief in the night!
So Paul is saying don’t be unprepared. As a child of Christ who is a child of the light don’t be overcome or confused by the darkness in our day for you belong to Christ. So how are we to be prepared? Go to verses 7-8 . 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. Paul tells us to be awake, be sober, not sleeping, putting on faith and love as a breastplate. There is only one way to do that and that is to be reading the Bible – God’s word and allowing the teacher – the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth for He promises to do so. He is also the paraclete, the One who walks beside you to find and know the love of God. His love far exceeds the love of man and can heal all wounds of the heart and soul. This is something only God can do and no man, drug therapy or prescription can produce.
So what type of behavior comes with those who don’t care about tomorrow? Those who are lazy and those who just want to party all night. They are the ones who don’t care and the ones who spend all their time doing just what they want.
There was mention about something like these types of people when God had Noah build the Arc. It says they were eating, drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until the rains came, ignoring the witness of Noah and they perished in the flood.
Now in verse 8 there is this statement about the hope of salvation as a helmet. Hope is a precious thing for often when there is nothing else left standing in a person’s life – there may still be hope which comes only from God. This is the hope of faith in Jesus Christ and His imminent returning. Salvation in a person’s life creates and bears fruit in the heart and mind of a saved person- new life, new heart new spirit.
Part II. Now go to verses 9 to 11 - 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
This statement we just read is the gospel – the good news that God in Christ brings to all men who will receive the truth. To those who will call upon the savior for they recognize they are sinners and that they need a savior. It is these who are the “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Every believer who has reached for God by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has come the same way, none of us has been excluded. God is not willing for any to perish but some will because they will reject His call of love, so they will experience the wrath of God in torment for eternity in Hell. Yes that is a real place despite what the world tells you.
The ultimate promise of salvation is they who believe will spend eternity in heaven with God. What a promise don’t miss it.
So we are to comfort ourselves and edify – meaning educate ourselves so that we are not unaware of His promises. We will find Peace and safety only in the eternal promises of God, not in the fulfilment promised in this world or in things. A relationship with Christ is the only true peace and contentment. Jesus says, 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. {Jn. 14.27)
The remainder of our text has various to dos and don’ts – a whole listing as a matter of fact.
Part III , Verses 12 -15 deal with the church and how we are to get along - read - 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
We are to honor one another – esteem others more highly than yourselves, be ye kind one to another. Providing words of warning and admonition to those who are stumbling and falling away from God. Pursue the goodness of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Verses 16- to 20 are personal for each of us - 16 Rejoice evermore, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
These verses to be fulfilled in your life and mine require us to surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit for we will never attain them without His working the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. They are unattainable rejoice evermore, in everything give thanks, don’t quench the Spirit- every time you get angry apart from righteous anger your quench God’s activity in you. He doesn’t depart He goes quiet. God has to help us do these things and without or apart from Him according to Jesus -you can do nothing.(Jn.15.5)
But the promise of these words is powerful. If you allow God to invest in your life and surrender look what He can enable you to be like in the future – totally different
I would challenge each of you to reflect on how this cultural craziness in America appears to be changing for the worse more and more quickly? But you can be different in Christ this very day. You can ask Him into your life- will you?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
June 26 Sermon
We live in a world that seems today to be void or without hope. The suicide rate is amazing for kids 24 and under, more people are on drugs and alcohol than ever before. Thousands are dying because of the increases in fentanyl availability and it being mixed with other drugs by unscrupulous drug cartels- overdoses are very common. The economy is bottoming out with everything including gas becoming 20 -30% more expensive and no signs of decreasing. The constant monologue from our leadership is “things have never been so good.” We see decadence in our leadership – everyone doing what is right in their own eyes and there seems to be no one who is looking out for and serving the underdogs- the people. It is a brutal and tough world out there with parents being made public enemies because they are challenging the liberal left on what is being taught in the schools. What is being taught in the schools you cannot imagine. We who are older are wondering why are our kids being dumbed down? Aren’t you teaching, reading, writing and arithmetic? The answer is no – we are teaching social engineering, hate for a racist America for they have rewritten US history and are pressing on genders and sex training. Why are we taking kindergarteners to Transvestites sex shops for “education?” No wonder there is so little hope in the culture and in the world.
But God has given you new hope and new life and He tells us in 1st Peter 3 15: 15 But [a]sanctify [b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Do you hear this – to give a defense of the gospel to everyone who asks you for a reason for that hope that is in you. The hope that is in you is the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation.
Question is are you prepared in the midst of this extreme lack hope to give a defense or have you become disheartened? Well if you are discouraged and disheartened, guess what, you do not need to be so. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
So what should you be doing? Maybe you should be looking for God’s hope in His word. So I invite you to look into 1st Thessalonian’s Chapter 3, beginning part way through Verse 10, through verse 18.
Before we begin let’s pray – Almighty God we need your hope in our hearts today, we pray you help make our hearts attentive to You and your words now. In Jesus name we pray -Amen.
Reading - But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. {only the elect may hear}And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Now if you need hope, there is absolute hope in the Word of God. Yes, the author God has spoken through men inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring the truth of His Word to you right now. There is also the fact of assuredness in the Word of God. If you are not sure you should read and meditate on Isaiah 55: 10 and 11. Where it says God’s word always accomplishes that for which it was sent. So if He said it, He will do it.
Let’s walk through our text.
But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
What kind of increase are you talking about dear Lord? An increase in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord which comes from His Word. And in prayer where He might have the option of speaking to you as you listen for His voice, so you might know Him better. This knowledge will cause you walk in the paths of the Lord and that you might walk properly towards those who are outside of the faith. And as you walk outside the in the world of no hope, you might have all the tools inclusive of wisdom, knowledge and the presence of the Holy Spirit to confront those without hope. Whoa what a promise- you labor in the Lord to know and understand Him and He armors and enables you to speak in the marketplace, what a good deal that is. He is your life and He will enable you to walk in the evil day is the promise from scripture.
What’s next should really stir up your hope in the Living Savior and Lord. From our text verse 13, 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
Now remember what Jesus said in John Chapter 14: 14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Verse 3 is related to the promise in out Thessalonians text- Since Jesus is going to prepare a place for you and I, He will come again to snatch you away so that where He is we may be also. Now that is a great and wonderful, hopeful promise of great benefit to you and I. We should want all to know about this promise from Jesus. He is coming imminently to get us in the air to be with Him forever. What a good deal that is- no more of this sinful, hopeless mess where hate, mistrust and death abounds. But to be in heaven with no sin to be with Him in His glory forever; no death, no disease, no aging, but to live in paradise with Him who loves us. That is hope. Now the Thessalonians were all worried about those who had died. For they believed Jesus was coming tomorrow and that is how they were living day by day, expecting Jesus imminent return. Paul was reassuring them the dead, those who sleep, will be in heaven first.
He reinforces this point with the next few verses. Let’s read
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. {only the elect may hear}And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
First Paul emphasizes this is the word of the Lord not his imaginations – very important. Next, If you are actually born again from above and are alive when Jesus comes you will not go first but will go next to live with Jesus, after those who sleep- those who have already died.
For the Lord Himself in the air, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God is the one who is calling.
Here is more good news – the church is never mentioned in the book of Revelation after this point. According to these verses we have just read verses 16 and 17 the church, that is you is mentioned as being in heaven during the tribulation. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. {only the elect may hear}And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. I emphasize the very last part again for we shall always be with the Lord wherever He is always.
So the church is delivered from the hour of testing spoken of in Revelation 3:10.
And lastly the church is saved from God’s wrath. To wrap this up let’s look at another 2 verses, these are in Chapter 5.- 1st Thess. 5 9-10. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
This puts a bow on the church not entering the tribulation. Christ’s return for you as a believer should be “imminent,” meaning it can happen at any second. You should be spreading the gospel, the good news daily as you live free for God’s wrath which has been covered by the blood of His Son. This is another reason to celebrate the Lord’s supper, yes?
This is our great Hope- Jesus Christ, even so Lord come quickly. AMEN
We live in a world that seems today to be void or without hope. The suicide rate is amazing for kids 24 and under, more people are on drugs and alcohol than ever before. Thousands are dying because of the increases in fentanyl availability and it being mixed with other drugs by unscrupulous drug cartels- overdoses are very common. The economy is bottoming out with everything including gas becoming 20 -30% more expensive and no signs of decreasing. The constant monologue from our leadership is “things have never been so good.” We see decadence in our leadership – everyone doing what is right in their own eyes and there seems to be no one who is looking out for and serving the underdogs- the people. It is a brutal and tough world out there with parents being made public enemies because they are challenging the liberal left on what is being taught in the schools. What is being taught in the schools you cannot imagine. We who are older are wondering why are our kids being dumbed down? Aren’t you teaching, reading, writing and arithmetic? The answer is no – we are teaching social engineering, hate for a racist America for they have rewritten US history and are pressing on genders and sex training. Why are we taking kindergarteners to Transvestites sex shops for “education?” No wonder there is so little hope in the culture and in the world.
But God has given you new hope and new life and He tells us in 1st Peter 3 15: 15 But [a]sanctify [b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Do you hear this – to give a defense of the gospel to everyone who asks you for a reason for that hope that is in you. The hope that is in you is the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation.
Question is are you prepared in the midst of this extreme lack hope to give a defense or have you become disheartened? Well if you are discouraged and disheartened, guess what, you do not need to be so. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
So what should you be doing? Maybe you should be looking for God’s hope in His word. So I invite you to look into 1st Thessalonian’s Chapter 3, beginning part way through Verse 10, through verse 18.
Before we begin let’s pray – Almighty God we need your hope in our hearts today, we pray you help make our hearts attentive to You and your words now. In Jesus name we pray -Amen.
Reading - But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. {only the elect may hear}And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Now if you need hope, there is absolute hope in the Word of God. Yes, the author God has spoken through men inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring the truth of His Word to you right now. There is also the fact of assuredness in the Word of God. If you are not sure you should read and meditate on Isaiah 55: 10 and 11. Where it says God’s word always accomplishes that for which it was sent. So if He said it, He will do it.
Let’s walk through our text.
But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
What kind of increase are you talking about dear Lord? An increase in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord which comes from His Word. And in prayer where He might have the option of speaking to you as you listen for His voice, so you might know Him better. This knowledge will cause you walk in the paths of the Lord and that you might walk properly towards those who are outside of the faith. And as you walk outside the in the world of no hope, you might have all the tools inclusive of wisdom, knowledge and the presence of the Holy Spirit to confront those without hope. Whoa what a promise- you labor in the Lord to know and understand Him and He armors and enables you to speak in the marketplace, what a good deal that is. He is your life and He will enable you to walk in the evil day is the promise from scripture.
What’s next should really stir up your hope in the Living Savior and Lord. From our text verse 13, 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
Now remember what Jesus said in John Chapter 14: 14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Verse 3 is related to the promise in out Thessalonians text- Since Jesus is going to prepare a place for you and I, He will come again to snatch you away so that where He is we may be also. Now that is a great and wonderful, hopeful promise of great benefit to you and I. We should want all to know about this promise from Jesus. He is coming imminently to get us in the air to be with Him forever. What a good deal that is- no more of this sinful, hopeless mess where hate, mistrust and death abounds. But to be in heaven with no sin to be with Him in His glory forever; no death, no disease, no aging, but to live in paradise with Him who loves us. That is hope. Now the Thessalonians were all worried about those who had died. For they believed Jesus was coming tomorrow and that is how they were living day by day, expecting Jesus imminent return. Paul was reassuring them the dead, those who sleep, will be in heaven first.
He reinforces this point with the next few verses. Let’s read
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. {only the elect may hear}And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
First Paul emphasizes this is the word of the Lord not his imaginations – very important. Next, If you are actually born again from above and are alive when Jesus comes you will not go first but will go next to live with Jesus, after those who sleep- those who have already died.
For the Lord Himself in the air, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God is the one who is calling.
Here is more good news – the church is never mentioned in the book of Revelation after this point. According to these verses we have just read verses 16 and 17 the church, that is you is mentioned as being in heaven during the tribulation. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. {only the elect may hear}And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. I emphasize the very last part again for we shall always be with the Lord wherever He is always.
So the church is delivered from the hour of testing spoken of in Revelation 3:10.
And lastly the church is saved from God’s wrath. To wrap this up let’s look at another 2 verses, these are in Chapter 5.- 1st Thess. 5 9-10. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
This puts a bow on the church not entering the tribulation. Christ’s return for you as a believer should be “imminent,” meaning it can happen at any second. You should be spreading the gospel, the good news daily as you live free for God’s wrath which has been covered by the blood of His Son. This is another reason to celebrate the Lord’s supper, yes?
This is our great Hope- Jesus Christ, even so Lord come quickly. AMEN
June 19 Sermon
In our world in America we suffer from multiple types of corruption. Corruptions which come both internally in the destruction of morals and to the very fiber of our nation. This corruption is also slaying our individual liberties and rights under the constitution. Corruption also is inflicted upon us externally as the pressures of this world and all evil which comes against truth and righteousness. This is the spiritual warfare we are engaged in today.
Make no mistake this deconstruction of America is all about removing the goodness, mercy and truth upon which God helped found this nation. This is resoundly a spiritual battle for the heart and mind of this nation. This outright rebellion and hate manifested by the most recent Supreme Court sets of decisions is symptomatic of the entire agenda against righteousness and truth.
You are seeing in the rebellion of government the result of internal corruption and degradation of the basic principles of rule by law. The progressive left no longer wants rule by law but rule by mob and violence. We are facing a huge moral dilemma when the leaders of the Executive branch and the Legislative branch threaten to rebel against what is written in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights The Justices ruled to go back to what is stated in the Constitution. The threat we are facing today is equal to or greater I believe than what Jehoshaphat faced thousands of years ago. Regardless we need to remember the Battle is the LORD’S” – we need to learn to put our trust in God’s Hands.
Text: 2 Chronicles 20- Let’s read-
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the [d]brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.
20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
Introduction: Jehoshaphat was the King. As King and leader everything would fall on his shoulders for the nation and for his people of Judah. When a “great multitude came against Judah to do battle, Jehoshaphat determined to seek God for help. In today’s message we will learn how to put things in God’s hands.
Key Verse:
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.
1. First we need to recognize we have a problem or difficulty.
2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,[b] from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi)
Today we are asking our God to expose the sin in our lives and in our nation. If God does so the only response is to repent. Most of the time we refuse to believe that we have any problem, or we do not understand the true nature of our problem which is not political, social or medical but spiritual.
This is the great problem with personal sin we do not wish in many cases to discover or uncover it, Now for the most part the people who come to Church are the people who admit that they have a problem and that they need God’s help, or they would not have come to seeking God’s in His house in the first place. But that is not always true. Sometimes it takes wild horses to force us to recognize we have a problem or that our nation has a problem. But as we look at America and our lives we have a major truth problem.
Second. Recognize and understand that your problem is bigger than you are. {Boy do we know that today}we should be alarmed.
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord
Although Jehoshaphat had a standing army and a lot of unique resources, he knew that his army was no match for the oncoming enemy and the army was not the answer. When the enemy comes against you {Satan}, you need to understand you are weak in the flesh but mighty in the Lord. Check out the New Testament -
2 Corinthians 10:4
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
So like Jehoshaphat we need to admit the frailty of our flesh and our personal resources. We are not sufficient for meeting and overcoming the problems we face, only God is sufficient. This includes all our problems we deal with whether physical, emotional, social, political and spiritual issues. We are not sufficient for resolving these issues. Today the scope of the problems internally and externally can only be solved by our God. He is able and He alone.
Third, Know that God is bigger than your problem. {He is able} Read with me
6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?
Do you not know that Our God is the King of Kings? We need to recognize and proclaim the sovereignty of God over any problem or difficulty which arises including the ones in this Nation and among us as a people. He is sovereign and He alone is God
But we may find ourselves struggling at this point. Sometimes this is where pride and self-reliance get in the way of knowing that God is the only one who can meet our needs. Sometimes we are stubborn at the point of surrender and refuse to yield. This can be true for believers today! Pray for repentance and surrender to the Holy Spirits leading for Christians in America right now
Fourth. Determine to appeal to God for His assistance with your problem on the basis of His love and righteousness for His people.
7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? He loves us and sent His Son to die for us.
What is our perspective, are we yielding to the will of God or are we declaring independence from God? If God is not on our side… that is the real problem! If you want God to be in your battles, be humble and seek Him with prayer and fasting. Seek Him where He may be found. God gives grace to the humble.
Jehoshaphat got humble. All Judah prayed and they fasted. A person is not humble until they are willing to be humble and to obey God’s directives.
Fifth. Ask God’s to help solve this problem which was in the life of the people and the nation.
This is the type of problem which we have before us in this hour. We have corruption internal and external to our nation and there is no fear of God. This includes us people. God has answered some of our prayer but we have a national righteousness and corruption problem based upon our sin.
God has made promises to help us and never The results if you have put your problem in God’s hands?
1. You will not be afraid.
2. You can face your enemy.
tomorrow go out against them
A person who continues in sin, is a person who wants to hide in the darkness. Once you have put your problem is God’s hands, you can walk in the light! You have not fear of the darkness.
3. You will experience the presence of the Lord, for the LORD will be with you.
Jesus is the Captain of the Lord of Hosts. He has never lost a battle.
4. You will want to worship and be together with believers
the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
5. You will have a song in your heart.
22And when they began to sing and to praise,
When the enemy heard the music and praise of the children of Judah, they realized that they were no longer doing battle with Israel.
Prayer
Lord, Thank you for fighting my battles. I rejoice in the knowledge that eternity will reveal in us your eternal and ultimate victory over sin.
In our world in America we suffer from multiple types of corruption. Corruptions which come both internally in the destruction of morals and to the very fiber of our nation. This corruption is also slaying our individual liberties and rights under the constitution. Corruption also is inflicted upon us externally as the pressures of this world and all evil which comes against truth and righteousness. This is the spiritual warfare we are engaged in today.
Make no mistake this deconstruction of America is all about removing the goodness, mercy and truth upon which God helped found this nation. This is resoundly a spiritual battle for the heart and mind of this nation. This outright rebellion and hate manifested by the most recent Supreme Court sets of decisions is symptomatic of the entire agenda against righteousness and truth.
You are seeing in the rebellion of government the result of internal corruption and degradation of the basic principles of rule by law. The progressive left no longer wants rule by law but rule by mob and violence. We are facing a huge moral dilemma when the leaders of the Executive branch and the Legislative branch threaten to rebel against what is written in the US Constitution and Bill of Rights The Justices ruled to go back to what is stated in the Constitution. The threat we are facing today is equal to or greater I believe than what Jehoshaphat faced thousands of years ago. Regardless we need to remember the Battle is the LORD’S” – we need to learn to put our trust in God’s Hands.
Text: 2 Chronicles 20- Let’s read-
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the [d]brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.
20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
Introduction: Jehoshaphat was the King. As King and leader everything would fall on his shoulders for the nation and for his people of Judah. When a “great multitude came against Judah to do battle, Jehoshaphat determined to seek God for help. In today’s message we will learn how to put things in God’s hands.
Key Verse:
17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.
1. First we need to recognize we have a problem or difficulty.
2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom,[b] from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi)
Today we are asking our God to expose the sin in our lives and in our nation. If God does so the only response is to repent. Most of the time we refuse to believe that we have any problem, or we do not understand the true nature of our problem which is not political, social or medical but spiritual.
This is the great problem with personal sin we do not wish in many cases to discover or uncover it, Now for the most part the people who come to Church are the people who admit that they have a problem and that they need God’s help, or they would not have come to seeking God’s in His house in the first place. But that is not always true. Sometimes it takes wild horses to force us to recognize we have a problem or that our nation has a problem. But as we look at America and our lives we have a major truth problem.
Second. Recognize and understand that your problem is bigger than you are. {Boy do we know that today}we should be alarmed.
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord
Although Jehoshaphat had a standing army and a lot of unique resources, he knew that his army was no match for the oncoming enemy and the army was not the answer. When the enemy comes against you {Satan}, you need to understand you are weak in the flesh but mighty in the Lord. Check out the New Testament -
2 Corinthians 10:4
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
So like Jehoshaphat we need to admit the frailty of our flesh and our personal resources. We are not sufficient for meeting and overcoming the problems we face, only God is sufficient. This includes all our problems we deal with whether physical, emotional, social, political and spiritual issues. We are not sufficient for resolving these issues. Today the scope of the problems internally and externally can only be solved by our God. He is able and He alone.
Third, Know that God is bigger than your problem. {He is able} Read with me
6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?
Do you not know that Our God is the King of Kings? We need to recognize and proclaim the sovereignty of God over any problem or difficulty which arises including the ones in this Nation and among us as a people. He is sovereign and He alone is God
But we may find ourselves struggling at this point. Sometimes this is where pride and self-reliance get in the way of knowing that God is the only one who can meet our needs. Sometimes we are stubborn at the point of surrender and refuse to yield. This can be true for believers today! Pray for repentance and surrender to the Holy Spirits leading for Christians in America right now
Fourth. Determine to appeal to God for His assistance with your problem on the basis of His love and righteousness for His people.
7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? He loves us and sent His Son to die for us.
What is our perspective, are we yielding to the will of God or are we declaring independence from God? If God is not on our side… that is the real problem! If you want God to be in your battles, be humble and seek Him with prayer and fasting. Seek Him where He may be found. God gives grace to the humble.
Jehoshaphat got humble. All Judah prayed and they fasted. A person is not humble until they are willing to be humble and to obey God’s directives.
Fifth. Ask God’s to help solve this problem which was in the life of the people and the nation.
This is the type of problem which we have before us in this hour. We have corruption internal and external to our nation and there is no fear of God. This includes us people. God has answered some of our prayer but we have a national righteousness and corruption problem based upon our sin.
God has made promises to help us and never The results if you have put your problem in God’s hands?
1. You will not be afraid.
2. You can face your enemy.
tomorrow go out against them
A person who continues in sin, is a person who wants to hide in the darkness. Once you have put your problem is God’s hands, you can walk in the light! You have not fear of the darkness.
3. You will experience the presence of the Lord, for the LORD will be with you.
Jesus is the Captain of the Lord of Hosts. He has never lost a battle.
4. You will want to worship and be together with believers
the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
5. You will have a song in your heart.
22And when they began to sing and to praise,
When the enemy heard the music and praise of the children of Judah, they realized that they were no longer doing battle with Israel.
Prayer
Lord, Thank you for fighting my battles. I rejoice in the knowledge that eternity will reveal in us your eternal and ultimate victory over sin.
Sermon June 12
Isaiah 5:20
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
There are only two types of people in this world living among us today in this increasingly evil and deluded society called America. There are the saved of God and there are the unsaved. The destination for each has been determined by the Living God who rules all dominions from heaven according to His Judgement and His authority as creator, redeemer and sovereign God Almighty.
This is true no matter how man or Satan tries to manipulate or spin the truth. God has set this as immutable {unchangeable}no matter what tune is being sung in this world.
These are hard facts and words and our eternal destiny is set by your decision to receive Jesus Christ or to reject Him. For in Christ and having received Him, your destination has been changed to heaven. Unrepentant and unregenerate people who reject Jesus Christ are Hell bent for eternal damnation. These are simple facts not by my thinking but according to the Word of God.
Now there exists a subset of people who are in the class of the unsaved who are living among the saved and living as if they are saved. They are in scriptural terms the tares living among the wheat. Or it could be said the fruitless living among the fruitful. One another expression used in scripture is the goats living among the sheep.
Anyhow there are those who worship with us in our houses of worship who are not saved, but are imitating the saved and deluding themselves that they are going to heaven because they participate in church activities and give to the Lord regularly.
So what separates the believer and the unbeliever? This is the key question? I believe scripture can help answer this issue. So let us got to the gospel of Matthew. Chapter 7 and verses 13-27. Let us read the words of Jesus, 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {two paths}
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits {prophets}
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You _ Judgement of God
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” {Only two types}
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and our understanding of how it applies to our lives today. May the Holy Spirit move is us as the words of Christ touch our hearts- AMEN
There is some terrible truths in this word given to us today. First there is no middle ground either you are on the narrow path or you are on the wide path leading to destruction. Verses 13-14 - 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {There are only two paths and there are only two gates. The narrow gate door is Jesus Christ. He tells us this in John Chapter 10- 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Jesus is the door and He is the gate keeper. He tells Nicodemus who comes to Him by night that He must be reborn from above otherwise He cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.
In contrast there are many gates or paths leading to destruction and death eternally, but the missing item is this a relationship with Jesus Christ apart from Him there is no future hope.
Verses 15-20 discuss - who are you listening to true prophets or liars and deceiver? – read 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
So we are not talking here today about those who are foretelling the future but those who are mis-teaching or leading false teachings out of the word of God and deceiving many. Now if you have the Holy Spirit living in you because you have confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believed that He is the Son of God and called upon Him to be saved. Then God’s Holy Spirit now resides in you. You should not be deceived by any of this type of activity- as it says in verses 16 and 20 you will “know” them by their fruits. The Spirt of Truth – the Holy Spirit will lead you in the way everlasting.
Now there are those not walking In the Spirit who may also be deceived so beware, be on guard for your heart.
But if Christ is not in your heart then there is the absolute possibility that you may be deceived and the bad fruit vendors may lead you falsely to destruction. We have absolute proof of this today as we look at various ministries on TV. We have evangelists and ministries that cater to multiple sexes outside of what is prescribed in God’s word. Or we are seeing ministers/churches starting to discriminate on the basis of race and race equality teachings; applying Critical Race Theory as a teaching of God, which is a lie leading to destruction. We also have prosperity gospel teachers who are saying the reason you are not wealthy and prospering is you just don’t have enough faith to believe. And we have whole denominations who do not believe that Jesus is God; and who have added additional requirements for getting to heaven by substituting good works rather than by grace are you saved through faith.
Now comes the real kicker, read verses 21 – 25:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
We will need to spend some time on these verses the truth of God. Many of us read it but we do not dig into its truths for it seems so obvious and we just continue on to the next paragraph and give it little consideration, This is true especially if you don’t have the fear of the Lord in your heart. This is a discriminating passage of who will actually enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse should cause you to be very concerned.
Remember the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Where do you want to be at the time of your judgement? Remember this key verse from Paul the Apostle. He said, “ to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Everyone who dies or is raptured faces the Lord immediately and to stand before His holiness we have no excuse, for we will know in that moment our sinfulness and His absolute holiness. Our sins will be as scarlet – red letters before God. We are either forgiven by Jesus as His child or we will be condemned without forgiveness- for not having received Jesus. Jesus says, 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Now this is the question before you it is not so much about whether you know God but does God know you?
Eternal Life is not based upon whether you know Christ, but upon whether He knows and recognizes you. If He has a relationship with you , then He would have taken up residence in your life and you would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Your life and times would then reflect His life and Holiness within you. When He speaks you would know and respond immediately to His will. Obedience not activity is the sign of this relationship. Is your name in the lamb’s book of life?
So where are you today? Are you into activities or are you into the relationship with Christ? What is the outcome of not having this relationship? – verse 23- 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
Maybe you have done all sorts of things for the Lord- wonders unimaginable, prophesied in His name, cast out demons, but Jesus doesn’t know you by name? What a terrible fate.
1. So we have those who have a personal relationship with Jesus and are the saved and this is confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.These are the ones who build their houses, and their lives on the rock according to verse 24
2. Next We have the lost who have chosen not to accept God and His free gift of salvation and who build their lives on the sand verse 26 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
The end of that person is death and eternal destruction.
In this grouping of folks going toward the wide gate and destruction is the group of deceived persons who believe they are going to heaven because of many different internal head strong personal justifications. But none of them stand before the Word of God. There is only one way to heaven but it is the good news which God wants all to find- Act 4:12 - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
So perhaps God has spoken to you today and convicted you heart. Is it still desperately wicked and God knows it? If you stood right this moment in the presence of Jesus where would you be?
God sent His Son so you would not miss heaven- think about these things.
This is the time of last chances and we only have a few days, Hours maybe, until He calls us home. This is the message simply, Jesus saves and what He saves, He saves to the uttermost and creates new life within us. Is He living in you this day? Don’t miss heaven because of a stubborn heart and deluded mind. Only trust Him now, He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now. AMEN
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information.
Isaiah 5:20
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
There are only two types of people in this world living among us today in this increasingly evil and deluded society called America. There are the saved of God and there are the unsaved. The destination for each has been determined by the Living God who rules all dominions from heaven according to His Judgement and His authority as creator, redeemer and sovereign God Almighty.
This is true no matter how man or Satan tries to manipulate or spin the truth. God has set this as immutable {unchangeable}no matter what tune is being sung in this world.
These are hard facts and words and our eternal destiny is set by your decision to receive Jesus Christ or to reject Him. For in Christ and having received Him, your destination has been changed to heaven. Unrepentant and unregenerate people who reject Jesus Christ are Hell bent for eternal damnation. These are simple facts not by my thinking but according to the Word of God.
Now there exists a subset of people who are in the class of the unsaved who are living among the saved and living as if they are saved. They are in scriptural terms the tares living among the wheat. Or it could be said the fruitless living among the fruitful. One another expression used in scripture is the goats living among the sheep.
Anyhow there are those who worship with us in our houses of worship who are not saved, but are imitating the saved and deluding themselves that they are going to heaven because they participate in church activities and give to the Lord regularly.
So what separates the believer and the unbeliever? This is the key question? I believe scripture can help answer this issue. So let us got to the gospel of Matthew. Chapter 7 and verses 13-27. Let us read the words of Jesus, 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {two paths}
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits {prophets}
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You _ Judgement of God
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” {Only two types}
May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and our understanding of how it applies to our lives today. May the Holy Spirit move is us as the words of Christ touch our hearts- AMEN
There is some terrible truths in this word given to us today. First there is no middle ground either you are on the narrow path or you are on the wide path leading to destruction. Verses 13-14 - 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. {There are only two paths and there are only two gates. The narrow gate door is Jesus Christ. He tells us this in John Chapter 10- 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Jesus is the door and He is the gate keeper. He tells Nicodemus who comes to Him by night that He must be reborn from above otherwise He cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.
In contrast there are many gates or paths leading to destruction and death eternally, but the missing item is this a relationship with Jesus Christ apart from Him there is no future hope.
Verses 15-20 discuss - who are you listening to true prophets or liars and deceiver? – read 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
So we are not talking here today about those who are foretelling the future but those who are mis-teaching or leading false teachings out of the word of God and deceiving many. Now if you have the Holy Spirit living in you because you have confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believed that He is the Son of God and called upon Him to be saved. Then God’s Holy Spirit now resides in you. You should not be deceived by any of this type of activity- as it says in verses 16 and 20 you will “know” them by their fruits. The Spirt of Truth – the Holy Spirit will lead you in the way everlasting.
Now there are those not walking In the Spirit who may also be deceived so beware, be on guard for your heart.
But if Christ is not in your heart then there is the absolute possibility that you may be deceived and the bad fruit vendors may lead you falsely to destruction. We have absolute proof of this today as we look at various ministries on TV. We have evangelists and ministries that cater to multiple sexes outside of what is prescribed in God’s word. Or we are seeing ministers/churches starting to discriminate on the basis of race and race equality teachings; applying Critical Race Theory as a teaching of God, which is a lie leading to destruction. We also have prosperity gospel teachers who are saying the reason you are not wealthy and prospering is you just don’t have enough faith to believe. And we have whole denominations who do not believe that Jesus is God; and who have added additional requirements for getting to heaven by substituting good works rather than by grace are you saved through faith.
Now comes the real kicker, read verses 21 – 25:
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’{the big truth of God}
We will need to spend some time on these verses the truth of God. Many of us read it but we do not dig into its truths for it seems so obvious and we just continue on to the next paragraph and give it little consideration, This is true especially if you don’t have the fear of the Lord in your heart. This is a discriminating passage of who will actually enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse should cause you to be very concerned.
Remember the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Where do you want to be at the time of your judgement? Remember this key verse from Paul the Apostle. He said, “ to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Everyone who dies or is raptured faces the Lord immediately and to stand before His holiness we have no excuse, for we will know in that moment our sinfulness and His absolute holiness. Our sins will be as scarlet – red letters before God. We are either forgiven by Jesus as His child or we will be condemned without forgiveness- for not having received Jesus. Jesus says, 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Now this is the question before you it is not so much about whether you know God but does God know you?
Eternal Life is not based upon whether you know Christ, but upon whether He knows and recognizes you. If He has a relationship with you , then He would have taken up residence in your life and you would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Your life and times would then reflect His life and Holiness within you. When He speaks you would know and respond immediately to His will. Obedience not activity is the sign of this relationship. Is your name in the lamb’s book of life?
So where are you today? Are you into activities or are you into the relationship with Christ? What is the outcome of not having this relationship? – verse 23- 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
Maybe you have done all sorts of things for the Lord- wonders unimaginable, prophesied in His name, cast out demons, but Jesus doesn’t know you by name? What a terrible fate.
1. So we have those who have a personal relationship with Jesus and are the saved and this is confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.These are the ones who build their houses, and their lives on the rock according to verse 24
2. Next We have the lost who have chosen not to accept God and His free gift of salvation and who build their lives on the sand verse 26 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
The end of that person is death and eternal destruction.
In this grouping of folks going toward the wide gate and destruction is the group of deceived persons who believe they are going to heaven because of many different internal head strong personal justifications. But none of them stand before the Word of God. There is only one way to heaven but it is the good news which God wants all to find- Act 4:12 - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
So perhaps God has spoken to you today and convicted you heart. Is it still desperately wicked and God knows it? If you stood right this moment in the presence of Jesus where would you be?
God sent His Son so you would not miss heaven- think about these things.
This is the time of last chances and we only have a few days, Hours maybe, until He calls us home. This is the message simply, Jesus saves and what He saves, He saves to the uttermost and creates new life within us. Is He living in you this day? Don’t miss heaven because of a stubborn heart and deluded mind. Only trust Him now, He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now. AMEN
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information.
Sermon June 3
Pray that God will bless the meditation of my heart and reveal to us the truth of His word today. Amen
What is the difference between Memorial Day Weekend in 2022 and Memorial Day weekend 1947 the year I was to be born? The first difference is I was neatly tucked in my mother’s womb. I was safe, protected and growing waiting to be born that cold November eve. There was no abortion. My mother valued my life as her own, I was precious. If I had been alive and aware in 1947 on Memorial Day Weekend to honor the war dead, I could have reflected on several momentous happening which had just occurred. They were: the end of the Great Depression and the ending of the Second World War – one in Europe with Hitler and one with Japan in the Pacific. The land was at peace, prosperous and the people were happy to be home, quiet and rejoicing in how God had finally answered untold numbers of prayers for their peace, safety and the final destruction of the criminals who had brought all these disasters to America and the world.
And one other thing - people loved America. It was the home of the brave, land of the free. We had food, no rationing and joy in living. People went to parades, waved and honored the flag and sang the Star-Spangled Banner, standing with hands on their hearts. They remembered and honored the fallen with love and respect. People also got out of bed on Sunday morning and went to Sunday School and Church to honor God; some even came back for Sunday evening services or vespers/evening prayers. And lastly people were overjoyed to be able to work.
Notice some radical differences between then and now. People are not happy. There is no peace and there is no hope, or little faith or trust in God in this land. People today hate America, American exceptionalism and American ideals and the Constitution. They refuse to honor God, the flag, patriotism or stand for the national anthem. They want to abolish the freedom of worship and assembly, rid you of your right to bear arms and to have a voice in the public square. People don’t bother going to church or worship and don’t bring their children, or raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. And folks want everything for free – the word – work is foreign to the vocabulary.
As you may have already discerned the major difference– is there is no awareness of God, no fear of God or desire to honor God saturating our families or our culture in 2022 in America today. We are descending to a godless nation and becoming more ungodly daily. Unless God turns our heart back to Himself we are in serious trouble.
We are reminded in 2nd Peter Chapter 3 of what the world says about God, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” This is the general attitude of people today toward God.
We are a nation which since WWII has increasingly turned away from God, but it began significantly when we removed the Bible from being taught in schools in 1963. Then a great downslide began. The Bible and prayer were removed from the public square for we might offend someone who is not of the Christian faith. Next, we took the 10 commandments down from the courthouse and we no longer swear on the Bible to tell the truth, we avow or affirm. Judges now don’t apply the Bible or biblical principles to the interpretation of the law. Most families no longer pray, or have devotions or use the Bible to teach and understand right and wrong. Now liberals among you will rejoice in this established freedom from the restrictive words which limited the free range of human behavior. And they were correct. We by exercising our free choice have removed all restraint and enabled deception in our people and in our land. {This is why we have mass shootings now}And have by definition outright rejected God to our profound and ultimate destruction. Every nation which has rejected God has come to utter destruction, none have survived. Now we don’t want to hear it but it is true. Many will say to me you are just an uneducated Baptist pastor who needs to have a broader world view. They will castigate and will rail against me personally on Tic Toc, Facebook and have mega Tweets against me, I will most likely be de-platformed on the internet, because of my narrow views – so what! I believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word.
Every nation which began with a covenant with God and who later abandoned it has been punished by God unless they radically repented and returned to God – “Return to me and I will return to you.” Zechariah 1:3 says the Lord.
Let’s remind ourselves of a couple of facts – the Lord does not change, and a word spoken by the Lord will accomplish that for which it was sent.(Isaiah 55) Its efficacy never ceases. So what God said in the Old Testament doesn’t change in the New Testament {not one jot or one tittle}. So when God issued Deuteronomy 28 and discussed the blessings of obedience in the first 14 verses and the curses of disobedience through verse 59, His word hasn’t changed. Allow me to introduce your heart to verses 14 – 15 of Deut 28 - 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them. God’s word is straight forward most can understand we are not to chase after other Gods, but obey His word. Then comes verse 15 - 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. The following 54 verses in that Chapter of Deuteronomy detail the type and level of destruction in every area of life which happens from our turning away from the living God.
We need a tutorial to see what God does - go to 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 34 and walk through several verses:
34 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. This is Josiah’s epitaph.
3 For in the eighth year {16 yrs. old)of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the [a]high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images- Judah had separated itself from God and sinned grievously. He went through all Israel and cleansed the land.
Jump to verse 8 In the eighteenth year (26 yrs. old) of his reign, when he had purged the land and the [c]temple, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God. The people no longer worshiped God the way they should and other idols has been set up in the temple. Years of disuse, disrepair and neglect had turned the temple to a mess.
So while cleaning out the mess in the temple and going to pay the repairmen they found the original book of the law – the Old Testament books of Moses. Money was given to the high priest Hilkiah and to the repairmen to pay for repairs and replacement of materials. Then they uncovered the Book and gave it to the scribe -Shaphan to deliver to King Josiah.
Go to verse 18 - 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 19 Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.
The King realized that he and his people were under judgement. What do you think he read? I believe it was from Deut 28.
Next Josiah sends some to inquire of the Lord-22 So Hilkiah and those the king had appointed went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of [f]Tokhath, the son of [g]Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke to her to that effect.
23 Then she answered them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, 24 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah, 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ” ’
Tell the man who sent you to Me – I will not restrain in bringing calamity on Judah and its people. I am bringing all the judgements I presented to the people prior to the second time they entered the promise land because of their disobedience and faithlessness before Me. You can read those words I believe which are from Deuteronomy 28 for this was in the law of Moses – first five books in the Bible. Then, God tells us why 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands.
They have rejected Me, the God who has loved them and brought them to Himself, and because of their rebellion they have sinned and turned and worshiped another God. The people of Judah have sinned by what they have done with their hands, their bodies and their minds. Their hearts because of their rejection of God has made them exceedingly sinful and performing terrible abominations with their bodies. Here is what God says, Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ”
’Without God to restrain our hearts, minds and souls we become increasingly evil and devilish. We contrive to move from simply sinning into the most grievous of sins. What sins you say – adultery, fornication, sexual sins with animals, perverted sexual activities such as homosexuality. Another sin occurred from rejecting God is people no longer have a moral compass, so all types of blood sins - murder, sacrifices and abortion happen because we no longer value human life. We are seeing this in the murders in all these cities, in these random shootings and in the slaughter of young children. When God is not present in the lives of people there is only chaos. We didn’t have these things happening when I grew up because people has removed the restraining presence of God in their homes, in the schools and in their culture.
But God wasn’t done because the ruler had drawn near to Him This is the only fix for America today.
Verse 36 26 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— 27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God has a special place for those who reject this lifestyle and turn to Him -27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God wants those who hearts are completely His.
If we desire repentance in America and to request a change of direction each must recognize God is sovereign and He will move as He desires. Pray and repent today!
Do you know the voice of Jesus leading you to peace and safety this morning? Is He helping you to watch and pray, or are you listening to Him?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
Pray that God will bless the meditation of my heart and reveal to us the truth of His word today. Amen
What is the difference between Memorial Day Weekend in 2022 and Memorial Day weekend 1947 the year I was to be born? The first difference is I was neatly tucked in my mother’s womb. I was safe, protected and growing waiting to be born that cold November eve. There was no abortion. My mother valued my life as her own, I was precious. If I had been alive and aware in 1947 on Memorial Day Weekend to honor the war dead, I could have reflected on several momentous happening which had just occurred. They were: the end of the Great Depression and the ending of the Second World War – one in Europe with Hitler and one with Japan in the Pacific. The land was at peace, prosperous and the people were happy to be home, quiet and rejoicing in how God had finally answered untold numbers of prayers for their peace, safety and the final destruction of the criminals who had brought all these disasters to America and the world.
And one other thing - people loved America. It was the home of the brave, land of the free. We had food, no rationing and joy in living. People went to parades, waved and honored the flag and sang the Star-Spangled Banner, standing with hands on their hearts. They remembered and honored the fallen with love and respect. People also got out of bed on Sunday morning and went to Sunday School and Church to honor God; some even came back for Sunday evening services or vespers/evening prayers. And lastly people were overjoyed to be able to work.
Notice some radical differences between then and now. People are not happy. There is no peace and there is no hope, or little faith or trust in God in this land. People today hate America, American exceptionalism and American ideals and the Constitution. They refuse to honor God, the flag, patriotism or stand for the national anthem. They want to abolish the freedom of worship and assembly, rid you of your right to bear arms and to have a voice in the public square. People don’t bother going to church or worship and don’t bring their children, or raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. And folks want everything for free – the word – work is foreign to the vocabulary.
As you may have already discerned the major difference– is there is no awareness of God, no fear of God or desire to honor God saturating our families or our culture in 2022 in America today. We are descending to a godless nation and becoming more ungodly daily. Unless God turns our heart back to Himself we are in serious trouble.
We are reminded in 2nd Peter Chapter 3 of what the world says about God, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” This is the general attitude of people today toward God.
We are a nation which since WWII has increasingly turned away from God, but it began significantly when we removed the Bible from being taught in schools in 1963. Then a great downslide began. The Bible and prayer were removed from the public square for we might offend someone who is not of the Christian faith. Next, we took the 10 commandments down from the courthouse and we no longer swear on the Bible to tell the truth, we avow or affirm. Judges now don’t apply the Bible or biblical principles to the interpretation of the law. Most families no longer pray, or have devotions or use the Bible to teach and understand right and wrong. Now liberals among you will rejoice in this established freedom from the restrictive words which limited the free range of human behavior. And they were correct. We by exercising our free choice have removed all restraint and enabled deception in our people and in our land. {This is why we have mass shootings now}And have by definition outright rejected God to our profound and ultimate destruction. Every nation which has rejected God has come to utter destruction, none have survived. Now we don’t want to hear it but it is true. Many will say to me you are just an uneducated Baptist pastor who needs to have a broader world view. They will castigate and will rail against me personally on Tic Toc, Facebook and have mega Tweets against me, I will most likely be de-platformed on the internet, because of my narrow views – so what! I believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word.
Every nation which began with a covenant with God and who later abandoned it has been punished by God unless they radically repented and returned to God – “Return to me and I will return to you.” Zechariah 1:3 says the Lord.
Let’s remind ourselves of a couple of facts – the Lord does not change, and a word spoken by the Lord will accomplish that for which it was sent.(Isaiah 55) Its efficacy never ceases. So what God said in the Old Testament doesn’t change in the New Testament {not one jot or one tittle}. So when God issued Deuteronomy 28 and discussed the blessings of obedience in the first 14 verses and the curses of disobedience through verse 59, His word hasn’t changed. Allow me to introduce your heart to verses 14 – 15 of Deut 28 - 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them. God’s word is straight forward most can understand we are not to chase after other Gods, but obey His word. Then comes verse 15 - 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. The following 54 verses in that Chapter of Deuteronomy detail the type and level of destruction in every area of life which happens from our turning away from the living God.
We need a tutorial to see what God does - go to 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 34 and walk through several verses:
34 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. This is Josiah’s epitaph.
3 For in the eighth year {16 yrs. old)of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the [a]high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images- Judah had separated itself from God and sinned grievously. He went through all Israel and cleansed the land.
Jump to verse 8 In the eighteenth year (26 yrs. old) of his reign, when he had purged the land and the [c]temple, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God. The people no longer worshiped God the way they should and other idols has been set up in the temple. Years of disuse, disrepair and neglect had turned the temple to a mess.
So while cleaning out the mess in the temple and going to pay the repairmen they found the original book of the law – the Old Testament books of Moses. Money was given to the high priest Hilkiah and to the repairmen to pay for repairs and replacement of materials. Then they uncovered the Book and gave it to the scribe -Shaphan to deliver to King Josiah.
Go to verse 18 - 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 19 Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.
The King realized that he and his people were under judgement. What do you think he read? I believe it was from Deut 28.
Next Josiah sends some to inquire of the Lord-22 So Hilkiah and those the king had appointed went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of [f]Tokhath, the son of [g]Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke to her to that effect.
23 Then she answered them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, 24 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah, 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ” ’
Tell the man who sent you to Me – I will not restrain in bringing calamity on Judah and its people. I am bringing all the judgements I presented to the people prior to the second time they entered the promise land because of their disobedience and faithlessness before Me. You can read those words I believe which are from Deuteronomy 28 for this was in the law of Moses – first five books in the Bible. Then, God tells us why 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands.
They have rejected Me, the God who has loved them and brought them to Himself, and because of their rebellion they have sinned and turned and worshiped another God. The people of Judah have sinned by what they have done with their hands, their bodies and their minds. Their hearts because of their rejection of God has made them exceedingly sinful and performing terrible abominations with their bodies. Here is what God says, Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ”
’Without God to restrain our hearts, minds and souls we become increasingly evil and devilish. We contrive to move from simply sinning into the most grievous of sins. What sins you say – adultery, fornication, sexual sins with animals, perverted sexual activities such as homosexuality. Another sin occurred from rejecting God is people no longer have a moral compass, so all types of blood sins - murder, sacrifices and abortion happen because we no longer value human life. We are seeing this in the murders in all these cities, in these random shootings and in the slaughter of young children. When God is not present in the lives of people there is only chaos. We didn’t have these things happening when I grew up because people has removed the restraining presence of God in their homes, in the schools and in their culture.
But God wasn’t done because the ruler had drawn near to Him This is the only fix for America today.
Verse 36 26 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— 27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God has a special place for those who reject this lifestyle and turn to Him -27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God wants those who hearts are completely His.
- We need to repent individually and ask God for forgiveness corporately.
- To repent means to humble yourself before God as His word penetrates your heart and mind, pleading for His forgiveness.
If we desire repentance in America and to request a change of direction each must recognize God is sovereign and He will move as He desires. Pray and repent today!
Do you know the voice of Jesus leading you to peace and safety this morning? Is He helping you to watch and pray, or are you listening to Him?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
Sermon May 29
Pray that God will bless the meditation of my heart and reveal to us the truth of His word today. Amen
What is the difference between Memorial Day Weekend in 2022 and Memorial Day weekend 1947 the year I was to be born? The first difference is I was neatly tucked in my mother’s womb. I was safe, protected and growing waiting to be born that cold November eve. There was no abortion. My mother valued my life as her own, I was precious. If I had been alive and aware in 1947 on Memorial Day Weekend to honor the war dead, I could have reflected on several momentous happening which had just occurred. They were: the end of the Great Depression and the ending of the Second World War – one in Europe with Hitler and one with Japan in the Pacific. The land was at peace, prosperous and the people were happy to be home, quiet and rejoicing in how God had finally answered untold numbers of prayers for their peace, safety and the final destruction of the criminals who had brought all these disasters to America and the world.
And one other thing - people loved America. It was the home of the brave, land of the free. We had food, no rationing and joy in living. People went to parades, waved and honored the flag and sang the Star-Spangled Banner, standing with hands on their hearts. They remembered and honored the fallen with love and respect. People also got out of bed on Sunday morning and went to Sunday School and Church to honor God; some even came back for Sunday evening services or vespers/evening prayers. And lastly people were overjoyed to be able to work.
Notice some radical differences between then and now. People are not happy. There is no peace and there is no hope, or little faith or trust in God in this land. People today hate America, American exceptionalism and American ideals and the Constitution. They refuse to honor God, the flag, patriotism or stand for the national anthem. They want to abolish the freedom of worship and assembly, rid you of your right to bear arms and to have a voice in the public square. People don’t bother going to church or worship and don’t bring their children, or raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. And folks want everything for free – the word – work is foreign to the vocabulary.
As you may have already discerned the major difference– is there is no awareness of God, no fear of God or desire to honor God saturating our families or our culture in 2022 in America today. We are descending to a godless nation and becoming more ungodly daily. Unless God turns our heart back to Himself we are in serious trouble.
We are reminded in 2nd Peter Chapter 3 of what the world says about God, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” This is the general attitude of people today toward God.
We are a nation which since WWII has increasingly turned away from God, but it began significantly when we removed the Bible from being taught in schools in 1963. Then a great downslide began. The Bible and prayer were removed from the public square for we might offend someone who is not of the Christian faith. Next, we took the 10 commandments down from the courthouse and we no longer swear on the Bible to tell the truth, we avow or affirm. Judges now don’t apply the Bible or biblical principles to the interpretation of the law. Most families no longer pray, or have devotions or use the Bible to teach and understand right and wrong. Now liberals among you will rejoice in this established freedom from the restrictive words which limited the free range of human behavior. And they were correct. We by exercising our free choice have removed all restraint and enabled deception in our people and in our land. {This is why we have mass shootings now}And have by definition outright rejected God to our profound and ultimate destruction. Every nation which has rejected God has come to utter destruction, none have survived. Now we don’t want to hear it but it is true. Many will say to me you are just an uneducated Baptist pastor who needs to have a broader world view. They will castigate and will rail against me personally on Tic Toc, Facebook and have mega Tweets against me, I will most likely be de-platformed on the internet, because of my narrow views – so what! I believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word.
Every nation which began with a covenant with God and who later abandoned it has been punished by God unless they radically repented and returned to God – “Return to me and I will return to you.” Zechariah 1:3 says the Lord.
Let’s remind ourselves of a couple of facts – the Lord does not change, and a word spoken by the Lord will accomplish that for which it was sent.(Isaiah 55) Its efficacy never ceases. So what God said in the Old Testament doesn’t change in the New Testament {not one jot or one tittle}. So when God issued Deuteronomy 28 and discussed the blessings of obedience in the first 14 verses and the curses of disobedience through verse 59, His word hasn’t changed. Allow me to introduce your heart to verses 14 – 15 of Deut 28 - 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them. God’s word is straight forward most can understand we are not to chase after other Gods, but obey His word. Then comes verse 15 - 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. The following 54 verses in that Chapter of Deuteronomy detail the type and level of destruction in every area of life which happens from our turning away from the living God.
We need a tutorial to see what God does - go to 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 34 and walk through several verses:
34 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. This is Josiah’s epitaph.
3 For in the eighth year {16 yrs. old)of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the [a]high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images- Judah had separated itself from God and sinned grievously. He went through all Israel and cleansed the land.
Jump to verse 8 In the eighteenth year (26 yrs. old) of his reign, when he had purged the land and the [c]temple, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God. The people no longer worshiped God the way they should and other idols has been set up in the temple. Years of disuse, disrepair and neglect had turned the temple to a mess.
So while cleaning out the mess in the temple and going to pay the repairmen they found the original book of the law – the Old Testament books of Moses. Money was given to the high priest Hilkiah and to the repairmen to pay for repairs and replacement of materials. Then they uncovered the Book and gave it to the scribe -Shaphan to deliver to King Josiah.
Go to verse 18 - 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 19 Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.
The King realized that he and his people were under judgement. What do you think he read? I believe it was from Deut 28.
Next Josiah sends some to inquire of the Lord-22 So Hilkiah and those the king had appointed went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of [f]Tokhath, the son of [g]Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke to her to that effect.
23 Then she answered them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, 24 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah, 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ” ’
Tell the man who sent you to Me – I will not restrain in bringing calamity on Judah and its people. I am bringing all the judgements I presented to the people prior to the second time they entered the promise land because of their disobedience and faithlessness before Me. You can read those words I believe which are from Deuteronomy 28 for this was in the law of Moses – first five books in the Bible. Then, God tells us why 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands.
They have rejected Me, the God who has loved them and brought them to Himself, and because of their rebellion they have sinned and turned and worshiped another God. The people of Judah have sinned by what they have done with their hands, their bodies and their minds. Their hearts because of their rejection of God has made them exceedingly sinful and performing terrible abominations with their bodies. Here is what God says, Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ”
’Without God to restrain our hearts, minds and souls we become increasingly evil and devilish. We contrive to move from simply sinning into the most grievous of sins. What sins you say – adultery, fornication, sexual sins with animals, perverted sexual activities such as homosexuality. Another sin occurred from rejecting God is people no longer have a moral compass, so all types of blood sins - murder, sacrifices and abortion happen because we no longer value human life. We are seeing this in the murders in all these cities, in these random shootings and in the slaughter of young children. When God is not present in the lives of people there is only chaos. We didn’t have these things happening when I grew up because people has removed the restraining presence of God in their homes, in the schools and in their culture.
But God wasn’t done because the ruler had drawn near to Him This is the only fix for America today.
Verse 36 26 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— 27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God has a special place for those who reject this lifestyle and turn to Him -27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God wants those who hearts are completely His.
If we desire repentance in America and to request a change of direction each must recognize God is sovereign and He will move as He desires. Pray and repent today!
Do you know the voice of Jesus leading you to peace and safety this morning? Is He helping you to watch and pray, or are you listening to Him?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
Pray that God will bless the meditation of my heart and reveal to us the truth of His word today. Amen
What is the difference between Memorial Day Weekend in 2022 and Memorial Day weekend 1947 the year I was to be born? The first difference is I was neatly tucked in my mother’s womb. I was safe, protected and growing waiting to be born that cold November eve. There was no abortion. My mother valued my life as her own, I was precious. If I had been alive and aware in 1947 on Memorial Day Weekend to honor the war dead, I could have reflected on several momentous happening which had just occurred. They were: the end of the Great Depression and the ending of the Second World War – one in Europe with Hitler and one with Japan in the Pacific. The land was at peace, prosperous and the people were happy to be home, quiet and rejoicing in how God had finally answered untold numbers of prayers for their peace, safety and the final destruction of the criminals who had brought all these disasters to America and the world.
And one other thing - people loved America. It was the home of the brave, land of the free. We had food, no rationing and joy in living. People went to parades, waved and honored the flag and sang the Star-Spangled Banner, standing with hands on their hearts. They remembered and honored the fallen with love and respect. People also got out of bed on Sunday morning and went to Sunday School and Church to honor God; some even came back for Sunday evening services or vespers/evening prayers. And lastly people were overjoyed to be able to work.
Notice some radical differences between then and now. People are not happy. There is no peace and there is no hope, or little faith or trust in God in this land. People today hate America, American exceptionalism and American ideals and the Constitution. They refuse to honor God, the flag, patriotism or stand for the national anthem. They want to abolish the freedom of worship and assembly, rid you of your right to bear arms and to have a voice in the public square. People don’t bother going to church or worship and don’t bring their children, or raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. And folks want everything for free – the word – work is foreign to the vocabulary.
As you may have already discerned the major difference– is there is no awareness of God, no fear of God or desire to honor God saturating our families or our culture in 2022 in America today. We are descending to a godless nation and becoming more ungodly daily. Unless God turns our heart back to Himself we are in serious trouble.
We are reminded in 2nd Peter Chapter 3 of what the world says about God, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” This is the general attitude of people today toward God.
We are a nation which since WWII has increasingly turned away from God, but it began significantly when we removed the Bible from being taught in schools in 1963. Then a great downslide began. The Bible and prayer were removed from the public square for we might offend someone who is not of the Christian faith. Next, we took the 10 commandments down from the courthouse and we no longer swear on the Bible to tell the truth, we avow or affirm. Judges now don’t apply the Bible or biblical principles to the interpretation of the law. Most families no longer pray, or have devotions or use the Bible to teach and understand right and wrong. Now liberals among you will rejoice in this established freedom from the restrictive words which limited the free range of human behavior. And they were correct. We by exercising our free choice have removed all restraint and enabled deception in our people and in our land. {This is why we have mass shootings now}And have by definition outright rejected God to our profound and ultimate destruction. Every nation which has rejected God has come to utter destruction, none have survived. Now we don’t want to hear it but it is true. Many will say to me you are just an uneducated Baptist pastor who needs to have a broader world view. They will castigate and will rail against me personally on Tic Toc, Facebook and have mega Tweets against me, I will most likely be de-platformed on the internet, because of my narrow views – so what! I believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word.
Every nation which began with a covenant with God and who later abandoned it has been punished by God unless they radically repented and returned to God – “Return to me and I will return to you.” Zechariah 1:3 says the Lord.
Let’s remind ourselves of a couple of facts – the Lord does not change, and a word spoken by the Lord will accomplish that for which it was sent.(Isaiah 55) Its efficacy never ceases. So what God said in the Old Testament doesn’t change in the New Testament {not one jot or one tittle}. So when God issued Deuteronomy 28 and discussed the blessings of obedience in the first 14 verses and the curses of disobedience through verse 59, His word hasn’t changed. Allow me to introduce your heart to verses 14 – 15 of Deut 28 - 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them. God’s word is straight forward most can understand we are not to chase after other Gods, but obey His word. Then comes verse 15 - 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. The following 54 verses in that Chapter of Deuteronomy detail the type and level of destruction in every area of life which happens from our turning away from the living God.
We need a tutorial to see what God does - go to 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 34 and walk through several verses:
34 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. This is Josiah’s epitaph.
3 For in the eighth year {16 yrs. old)of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the [a]high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images- Judah had separated itself from God and sinned grievously. He went through all Israel and cleansed the land.
Jump to verse 8 In the eighteenth year (26 yrs. old) of his reign, when he had purged the land and the [c]temple, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God. The people no longer worshiped God the way they should and other idols has been set up in the temple. Years of disuse, disrepair and neglect had turned the temple to a mess.
So while cleaning out the mess in the temple and going to pay the repairmen they found the original book of the law – the Old Testament books of Moses. Money was given to the high priest Hilkiah and to the repairmen to pay for repairs and replacement of materials. Then they uncovered the Book and gave it to the scribe -Shaphan to deliver to King Josiah.
Go to verse 18 - 18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 19 Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.
The King realized that he and his people were under judgement. What do you think he read? I believe it was from Deut 28.
Next Josiah sends some to inquire of the Lord-22 So Hilkiah and those the king had appointed went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of [f]Tokhath, the son of [g]Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke to her to that effect.
23 Then she answered them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, 24 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah, 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ” ’
Tell the man who sent you to Me – I will not restrain in bringing calamity on Judah and its people. I am bringing all the judgements I presented to the people prior to the second time they entered the promise land because of their disobedience and faithlessness before Me. You can read those words I believe which are from Deuteronomy 28 for this was in the law of Moses – first five books in the Bible. Then, God tells us why 25 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands.
They have rejected Me, the God who has loved them and brought them to Himself, and because of their rebellion they have sinned and turned and worshiped another God. The people of Judah have sinned by what they have done with their hands, their bodies and their minds. Their hearts because of their rejection of God has made them exceedingly sinful and performing terrible abominations with their bodies. Here is what God says, Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’ ”
’Without God to restrain our hearts, minds and souls we become increasingly evil and devilish. We contrive to move from simply sinning into the most grievous of sins. What sins you say – adultery, fornication, sexual sins with animals, perverted sexual activities such as homosexuality. Another sin occurred from rejecting God is people no longer have a moral compass, so all types of blood sins - murder, sacrifices and abortion happen because we no longer value human life. We are seeing this in the murders in all these cities, in these random shootings and in the slaughter of young children. When God is not present in the lives of people there is only chaos. We didn’t have these things happening when I grew up because people has removed the restraining presence of God in their homes, in the schools and in their culture.
But God wasn’t done because the ruler had drawn near to Him This is the only fix for America today.
Verse 36 26 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— 27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God has a special place for those who reject this lifestyle and turn to Him -27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
God wants those who hearts are completely His.
- We need to repent individually and ask God for forgiveness corporately.
- To repent means to humble yourself before God as His word penetrates your heart and mind, pleading for His forgiveness.
If we desire repentance in America and to request a change of direction each must recognize God is sovereign and He will move as He desires. Pray and repent today!
Do you know the voice of Jesus leading you to peace and safety this morning? Is He helping you to watch and pray, or are you listening to Him?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
Sermon May 22
OK, so the Lord saves us and gives us new life when we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God has raised him from the dead. We are done then right and we just wait around for His coming correct? Well I believe if you just waiting around you are not complying with scripture. How are you growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord? How are you growing in wisdom and understanding? Are you complying with the great commission is some way?
I mean are you actually telling others about Jesus and what He has done in and for you? Oh, do you mean I am supposed to allow God to use my life and reach others for Him.
You might be saying, Hey none of this was in my original contract with Christ, where did all this extra stuff come from?
Well if you have actually received salvation from Jesus then you would have experienced His personal redeeming love for you. His dying on the cross would not just be an Easter event, but would be personal in, to and for you. You might even have been able to grasp some finite measure of the height, breadth and depth of the love of Jesus for you as very personal!
Maybe you haven’t come to that so your heart is still searching for Christ even today. But there is eternal hope in the Word of God for you today.
But, if you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior you have been commissioned to be on mission with Him today; and with what is going on in this world – we need to go back to the question of what manner of persons ought we to be? And in light of His personal love for me how should I be orienting my life to grow in peace and faith in the midst of this mess here in America today? How should we react?
First as background- Do you think God did not know this day was coming? Do you think it caught Him by surprise? Do you think He was unable to do anything to resolve it and the power of God could not stop it?
Let me assure you, in this world of today, these events and actions are not unexpected, unplanned and without the power of God being evident in what is happening? It may seem so but that is not true. Let us pause here for God is at work and His word proves this.
After Jesus departure and the disciples were leading in spreading the Word, new churches came into being and some of them immediately started to depart from God. Now this is the way of the devil for he continues to ask men and women in their own strength and wisdom – “Hath God said?” Because you best thinking wisdom and understanding is nothing compared to your creator. Your informed choices only cause big problems. Now these informed but uninspired decisions cause divisions when the people interpreting what God or Jesus or someone has taught us from the Word of God by our own understanding without the Holy Spirit leading. So because of these errors division - strife occurred in the 1st century churches. Paul and Peter had to write letters to guide churches back on the correct path for God – remember narrow is the gate that leads to salvation.
So we have references in scripture to a people who were under persecution and hate and suffering from the decisions of men. Peter in his second letter here addresses them in their need.
Now let’s pray – Father, I ask you in the name of Jesus to guide our hearts and minds into the truth of your word. But don’t just grant us deeper understanding but help us God, yes help us walk and be obedient in its completion in us and to others. In Jesus name. Amen
Read with me this text 2nd Peter, Chapter 3 beginning in verse1
3 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of [a]us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The Day of the Lord
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 2 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Be Steadfast
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with/STOP
NOW don’t panic we are not going to parse ever verse here, but there is a flow of discussion which I want you to see and understand and to know that God has been dealing with the problems we are experiencing here in America for millennia. Yes. Thousands of years are what God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit knows about.
Verses 1-4 set the stage– Peter wants to stir up our pure minds about claims against our faith. So we would remember what the prophets have said many times before.
Then Peter launches into the same drivel you hear today from scoffers, the highly educated and talking heads of today. Don’t we hear this all the time?
“Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” Hey nothing’s changed man! Where is your God today, they ask? In the midst of this moral dilemma of increasing deception, distrust, lies and general acceleration of sin towards our very children you ask and they ask you where is God? As a matter of fact since they believe there is no God there is therefore no retribution or punishment we can do whatever we want. Satan is convincing them that their depravity and sickness is good.
Act 1. Enter verses 5- 7. 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
Because of a creator God who separated the waters from the earth, used the waters to purge a sinful earth. In Genesis 6 we find these verses -5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So God destroyed the earth but a remnant. But God is not finished with this world and because you don’t see Him at work you contrive in your hearts to again repeat this gross sinning and God has reserved the earth for a final fire and judgement.
You should know why God tarries – God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. So God is at work even in this mess and His timing is infinite.
Act 2- God is coming soon, despite what you think. How is as a thief in the night. Quickly, quietly and efficiently He is coming soon for believers. And when He comes at last He will fulfill His promise of burning the trash of what has been built and will address the future new earth. In this coming Peter asks - what manner of persons ought you to be ? But he doesn’t stop there. Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. Well you can’t hasten the coming kingdom asleep in your recliner, can you? We should be at work because according to this message and the events happening around us the days are short.
Act 3. So how do we hasten the day-
1. We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. You and I are supposed to be forward looking according to the promises of God in His word. There will be His righteousness and purity. Ever heard the phrases standing on the promises. And
2. Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. Diligent on the spot ready to be found by Him in peace, without spot or blemish. There is only 1 way to achieve this. It is learning to walk in the Spirit with Jesus Christ, Her us the one who forgives, He is the one who grants peace and not as the world gives peace 1st John 1:7 says this - 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
So learn to walk in the Spirit which is the same as being “in Christ.”
Persevering and being longsuffering is a trait which according to our text is something to be desired and emulated as it was of Jesus. Most don’t want to suffer. They pray for a free pass to omit the suffering and persecution. According to this who is our guide and example – Jesus?
Now to the Finale.
Being In Christ or walking in the Spirit has one final and absolute benefit – this keeps your heart in line with the heart of God and allows you to hear Him speak. It prevents you from falling into what it says in verse 16 - which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
Some of the Scripture is difficult to discern on your own and without the Holy Spirit you will be included in the untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
This is why there is no fear of God. This is why people demand that there is nothing in the bible preventing homosexuality, or abortion, or cheating, or lying or any kind of marriage between a man and his computer or a dog or a horse of 5 men and 6 /Women. Again, Satan’s pitch - “Hath God said?” If you do not know your scripture deception is coming soon to your doorstep and may already be there.
But Peter was not quite done – One more revelation to be made in the Finale.
You and I are cautioned to not stop but to finish strong – read from verse 17 -beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away. Beware it is easy to fail and then fall away. If it can happen multiple times to the Jews in the OT and to the people of God in the New Testament, why do you think God cautions us about if your heart turns away.
Adam and Eve were clearly unprepared to meet Satan in the garden that day. They had not boned up or talked about God’s commands for their obedience and so failed to folly. It happens in this world every day. Well intentioned people fail in complying with God’s directives and it is called sin. It is a virulent and deadly disease which effects the hearts of man.
So what can we do for today? Be diligent, forward looking for His future coming, learning to live in Christ by studying His promises. Aware of our great potential to slip and not to finish well. These are the days where the sons of Issachar are seeking the righteousness of Christ and His truth. Are you a son/daughter of Issachar?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
OK, so the Lord saves us and gives us new life when we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God has raised him from the dead. We are done then right and we just wait around for His coming correct? Well I believe if you just waiting around you are not complying with scripture. How are you growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord? How are you growing in wisdom and understanding? Are you complying with the great commission is some way?
I mean are you actually telling others about Jesus and what He has done in and for you? Oh, do you mean I am supposed to allow God to use my life and reach others for Him.
You might be saying, Hey none of this was in my original contract with Christ, where did all this extra stuff come from?
Well if you have actually received salvation from Jesus then you would have experienced His personal redeeming love for you. His dying on the cross would not just be an Easter event, but would be personal in, to and for you. You might even have been able to grasp some finite measure of the height, breadth and depth of the love of Jesus for you as very personal!
Maybe you haven’t come to that so your heart is still searching for Christ even today. But there is eternal hope in the Word of God for you today.
But, if you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior you have been commissioned to be on mission with Him today; and with what is going on in this world – we need to go back to the question of what manner of persons ought we to be? And in light of His personal love for me how should I be orienting my life to grow in peace and faith in the midst of this mess here in America today? How should we react?
First as background- Do you think God did not know this day was coming? Do you think it caught Him by surprise? Do you think He was unable to do anything to resolve it and the power of God could not stop it?
Let me assure you, in this world of today, these events and actions are not unexpected, unplanned and without the power of God being evident in what is happening? It may seem so but that is not true. Let us pause here for God is at work and His word proves this.
After Jesus departure and the disciples were leading in spreading the Word, new churches came into being and some of them immediately started to depart from God. Now this is the way of the devil for he continues to ask men and women in their own strength and wisdom – “Hath God said?” Because you best thinking wisdom and understanding is nothing compared to your creator. Your informed choices only cause big problems. Now these informed but uninspired decisions cause divisions when the people interpreting what God or Jesus or someone has taught us from the Word of God by our own understanding without the Holy Spirit leading. So because of these errors division - strife occurred in the 1st century churches. Paul and Peter had to write letters to guide churches back on the correct path for God – remember narrow is the gate that leads to salvation.
So we have references in scripture to a people who were under persecution and hate and suffering from the decisions of men. Peter in his second letter here addresses them in their need.
Now let’s pray – Father, I ask you in the name of Jesus to guide our hearts and minds into the truth of your word. But don’t just grant us deeper understanding but help us God, yes help us walk and be obedient in its completion in us and to others. In Jesus name. Amen
Read with me this text 2nd Peter, Chapter 3 beginning in verse1
3 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of [a]us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The Day of the Lord
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 2 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Be Steadfast
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with/STOP
NOW don’t panic we are not going to parse ever verse here, but there is a flow of discussion which I want you to see and understand and to know that God has been dealing with the problems we are experiencing here in America for millennia. Yes. Thousands of years are what God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit knows about.
Verses 1-4 set the stage– Peter wants to stir up our pure minds about claims against our faith. So we would remember what the prophets have said many times before.
Then Peter launches into the same drivel you hear today from scoffers, the highly educated and talking heads of today. Don’t we hear this all the time?
“Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” Hey nothing’s changed man! Where is your God today, they ask? In the midst of this moral dilemma of increasing deception, distrust, lies and general acceleration of sin towards our very children you ask and they ask you where is God? As a matter of fact since they believe there is no God there is therefore no retribution or punishment we can do whatever we want. Satan is convincing them that their depravity and sickness is good.
Act 1. Enter verses 5- 7. 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and [b]perdition of ungodly men.
Because of a creator God who separated the waters from the earth, used the waters to purge a sinful earth. In Genesis 6 we find these verses -5 Then [c]the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent[d] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [e]continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So God destroyed the earth but a remnant. But God is not finished with this world and because you don’t see Him at work you contrive in your hearts to again repeat this gross sinning and God has reserved the earth for a final fire and judgement.
You should know why God tarries – God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. So God is at work even in this mess and His timing is infinite.
Act 2- God is coming soon, despite what you think. How is as a thief in the night. Quickly, quietly and efficiently He is coming soon for believers. And when He comes at last He will fulfill His promise of burning the trash of what has been built and will address the future new earth. In this coming Peter asks - what manner of persons ought you to be ? But he doesn’t stop there. Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. Well you can’t hasten the coming kingdom asleep in your recliner, can you? We should be at work because according to this message and the events happening around us the days are short.
Act 3. So how do we hasten the day-
1. We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. You and I are supposed to be forward looking according to the promises of God in His word. There will be His righteousness and purity. Ever heard the phrases standing on the promises. And
2. Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. Diligent on the spot ready to be found by Him in peace, without spot or blemish. There is only 1 way to achieve this. It is learning to walk in the Spirit with Jesus Christ, Her us the one who forgives, He is the one who grants peace and not as the world gives peace 1st John 1:7 says this - 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
So learn to walk in the Spirit which is the same as being “in Christ.”
Persevering and being longsuffering is a trait which according to our text is something to be desired and emulated as it was of Jesus. Most don’t want to suffer. They pray for a free pass to omit the suffering and persecution. According to this who is our guide and example – Jesus?
Now to the Finale.
Being In Christ or walking in the Spirit has one final and absolute benefit – this keeps your heart in line with the heart of God and allows you to hear Him speak. It prevents you from falling into what it says in verse 16 - which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
Some of the Scripture is difficult to discern on your own and without the Holy Spirit you will be included in the untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
This is why there is no fear of God. This is why people demand that there is nothing in the bible preventing homosexuality, or abortion, or cheating, or lying or any kind of marriage between a man and his computer or a dog or a horse of 5 men and 6 /Women. Again, Satan’s pitch - “Hath God said?” If you do not know your scripture deception is coming soon to your doorstep and may already be there.
But Peter was not quite done – One more revelation to be made in the Finale.
You and I are cautioned to not stop but to finish strong – read from verse 17 -beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away. Beware it is easy to fail and then fall away. If it can happen multiple times to the Jews in the OT and to the people of God in the New Testament, why do you think God cautions us about if your heart turns away.
Adam and Eve were clearly unprepared to meet Satan in the garden that day. They had not boned up or talked about God’s commands for their obedience and so failed to folly. It happens in this world every day. Well intentioned people fail in complying with God’s directives and it is called sin. It is a virulent and deadly disease which effects the hearts of man.
So what can we do for today? Be diligent, forward looking for His future coming, learning to live in Christ by studying His promises. Aware of our great potential to slip and not to finish well. These are the days where the sons of Issachar are seeking the righteousness of Christ and His truth. Are you a son/daughter of Issachar?
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
Sermon May 15
The Prayer in the Garden
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, [h]if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour [i]is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
But they all betrayed Him, but John and Peter trailed behind.
Go now to verse 69:
69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”
70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”
73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
74 Then he began to [o]curse and [p]swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.
Have you ever wept bitterly concerning your spiritual condition, after you failed the Lord? Some can clearly related to Peter and his promise to be faithful, yet in the hour of their testing they have failed miserably. Is this you today? I believe all of us as we will one day stand before Jesus and look into the eyes of His love and confess we too have been down the path. Today might you ask yourself “What is my spiritual condition? Might you ask yourself are you watching and praying, lest you enter into temptation, as these days unfold.
I sometimes find myself adrift, so unaware and not really tuned into God’s agenda. Notice Jesus’ message to Peter who is half asleep - 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Peter who has just promised undying faithfulness falls short and ends up denying Jesus because of his fear of men and what they could do to him, versus the love of the one who was soon to die for him. This is a tough place for our hearts to be in today’s world.
The press of today’s world where the prince of the power of the air controls TV, political parties, the internet and directs the immoral and deceptive lives of many men’s is not a place to be of no opinion.
Check out 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 - 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
Note this verse- not only does lawless one {soon to be revealed} come in accordance with the power of Satan to deceive those who perish. Now this is bad enough that people are being deceived with lies and dishonest and turning from the truth of God’s salvation.
A second momentous event is happening here and it is very important. Besides Satan’s tools are bringing strong delusion but now God does something significant. Verse 11 - 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie…
Do you wonder at why there seems to be an acceleration in the coming and continual revelation of new forms of evil? Think about it, how many shot in Chicago last week in 4 days – I believe the number was 74 people including 2 6 yr. old’s and a 9-yr. old. What can people be thinking? Some Teen kills 10 people in a market shoot up and films himself doing it. The Opioid crisis - Mexican drug cartels have taken a blow since public health lockdowns in China have halted the supply of chemicals used to make synthetic opioids. In some cases, the shortage has led to inflated drug prices. The drug crisis has killed over 107K young Americans, so far and is continuing. The hypocrisy over the leaked decision on abortion and the lies made by our government. The issues regarding baby formula, inflation, the open border and so on are just samples of how the Constitution and the rule of law are basically being unenforced by our “elected” politicians and their appointed bureaucrats.
This deception is rampant. If we are believers we need to seriously consider the consequences of verse 11 – God will send them strong delusion. This is happening already in our society. Do you think this is something that is only happening in these last days? Go back to the Old Testament and look at the warnings of the prophets- Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah. They tell the people don’t listen to the King and his advisors, judgement is coming – repent and return that your sins may be washed away. But they don’t. turn away.
Deception has been happening and is happening and we as believers need to be aware of what is happening or as it says {Matt. 24:24} - For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. That is you and I - the elect of God.
What is says is that God permits deception as His people depart in their hearts initially and gradually begin turning away. Then, they no longer hear, and they go and serve other Gods and actually worship other things - money, sex, power, drugs, and many other religions. The even deny the true God and want to cast Him out. So the deceiver sows deception and then God allows it to flow abundantly. Do you suppose Jesus knew this when He issues His warning to Peter and the other disciples?
Let’s get the context of when this warning by Jesus is given. These words are spoken in the greatest hour of temptation that Jesus is enduring. He has had the upper room meeting instituting the Lord’s Supper in replacement for the Passover. The betrayal of Judas has begun as Satan fills him as he is going out and will soon return to kiss His Lord in a final betrayal act. Satan is tempting Jesus to quit now and not go through all this suffering and Jesus is praying – Not my will be done but Thine.
In this very time Jesus comes lovingly to those three special disciples who He has asked to keep watch with Him to speak a warning vs. 37- 41 - and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus knew what was soon to happen to Peter and He was giving him fair warning to watch and pray. Watch and pray – who was Peter to watch and pray? Jesus that’s who. Jesus by His actions was showing the way to remain steadfast in His devotion and loyalty to God and to Himself. Basically to Peter – pay attention! If you want to remain steadfast in your testimony and devotion to your God, you must watch Me and seek Me in prayer and focus your attention on My will. If you get diverted or you drift away, you will fail despite the fact you have a willing spirit, because your flesh – those human desires, make you weak.
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
This prescription applies to you and I as well. We can all fail because we are not watching, nor praying and temptation came and we gave in for we were not strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. {Eph 6:10}
This is what we see historically when we read Kings, Chronicles, Judges, Ruth and Deuteronomy and hear God using the prophets to admonish the Jews. The people failed for they lost their focus on God. They were deceived and left God for the immediate pleasures of this earth and to sin against God. But their sin and deception eventually goes further to even deny the existence of God and His rightful place in their lives and the life of the nation. We see this continually in the Old Testament and this is what we see in America today. And in addition to hating and denying God these rebels today want to destroy anyone who wants to shine a light on their sin. Jesus continually reminded His disciples if they hated Me they will hate you.
So we have described the problem, the question is – is there a solution?
Yes there is - 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Watch and pray or you fall into temptation, for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. These two phrases are key.
Watch and Pray- Jesus told the disciples to follow Me and He would make them fishers of Men. And it says that the disciples dropped what they were doing and followed Him. As you read in the book of Matthew everything Jesus did after calling the disciples to Himself was to have them watch and observer all He was doing. That is why it is important for you to spend time cultivating a deep personal relationship with Jesus. He says {Matt. 11:28-29} 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. It is critically important to find rest for your souls in Jesus.
He is the only one who can help you find the rest you need. Not as the world gives, but only as He is able to give will you then find rest. To enter this practice of watching and praying you must learn to use the Word of God.
The Holy Spirit will guide you in the application and awareness of specific verses, phrases and text which you will need for your life event. Since God is omniscient He will help you have a heart prepared for the week to come. He knows the tests, trials and problems which you will face and He will be able to strengthen your heart and mind in Himself to resist or flee the coming temptation.
Next briefly scan Ephesians 6 – the full armor of God. vs. 12-13: 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God
So this is a spiritual fight- you need the armor of God. So here it is - having girded your waist with truth,{Jesus and the Word of God are truth} having put on the breastplate of righteousness, {Christ is your only righteousness}15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace {studying the word of God}; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith {hearing God’s word}with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, {Christ’s gift from His life and death}and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
Do you see the parallels here -41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation?
Lastly with all perseverance, we can easily miss this. Without due diligence it is difficult to keep up to what God wants if you don’t hear His voice. Jesus said My sheep hear My voice and I know them. Do you know the voice of Jesus leading you to peace and safety this morning? Is He helping you to watch and pray, or are you listening to Him.
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
The Prayer in the Garden
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, [h]if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour [i]is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
But they all betrayed Him, but John and Peter trailed behind.
Go now to verse 69:
69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”
70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”
73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
74 Then he began to [o]curse and [p]swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.
Have you ever wept bitterly concerning your spiritual condition, after you failed the Lord? Some can clearly related to Peter and his promise to be faithful, yet in the hour of their testing they have failed miserably. Is this you today? I believe all of us as we will one day stand before Jesus and look into the eyes of His love and confess we too have been down the path. Today might you ask yourself “What is my spiritual condition? Might you ask yourself are you watching and praying, lest you enter into temptation, as these days unfold.
I sometimes find myself adrift, so unaware and not really tuned into God’s agenda. Notice Jesus’ message to Peter who is half asleep - 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Peter who has just promised undying faithfulness falls short and ends up denying Jesus because of his fear of men and what they could do to him, versus the love of the one who was soon to die for him. This is a tough place for our hearts to be in today’s world.
The press of today’s world where the prince of the power of the air controls TV, political parties, the internet and directs the immoral and deceptive lives of many men’s is not a place to be of no opinion.
Check out 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 - 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
Note this verse- not only does lawless one {soon to be revealed} come in accordance with the power of Satan to deceive those who perish. Now this is bad enough that people are being deceived with lies and dishonest and turning from the truth of God’s salvation.
A second momentous event is happening here and it is very important. Besides Satan’s tools are bringing strong delusion but now God does something significant. Verse 11 - 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie…
Do you wonder at why there seems to be an acceleration in the coming and continual revelation of new forms of evil? Think about it, how many shot in Chicago last week in 4 days – I believe the number was 74 people including 2 6 yr. old’s and a 9-yr. old. What can people be thinking? Some Teen kills 10 people in a market shoot up and films himself doing it. The Opioid crisis - Mexican drug cartels have taken a blow since public health lockdowns in China have halted the supply of chemicals used to make synthetic opioids. In some cases, the shortage has led to inflated drug prices. The drug crisis has killed over 107K young Americans, so far and is continuing. The hypocrisy over the leaked decision on abortion and the lies made by our government. The issues regarding baby formula, inflation, the open border and so on are just samples of how the Constitution and the rule of law are basically being unenforced by our “elected” politicians and their appointed bureaucrats.
This deception is rampant. If we are believers we need to seriously consider the consequences of verse 11 – God will send them strong delusion. This is happening already in our society. Do you think this is something that is only happening in these last days? Go back to the Old Testament and look at the warnings of the prophets- Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah. They tell the people don’t listen to the King and his advisors, judgement is coming – repent and return that your sins may be washed away. But they don’t. turn away.
Deception has been happening and is happening and we as believers need to be aware of what is happening or as it says {Matt. 24:24} - For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. That is you and I - the elect of God.
What is says is that God permits deception as His people depart in their hearts initially and gradually begin turning away. Then, they no longer hear, and they go and serve other Gods and actually worship other things - money, sex, power, drugs, and many other religions. The even deny the true God and want to cast Him out. So the deceiver sows deception and then God allows it to flow abundantly. Do you suppose Jesus knew this when He issues His warning to Peter and the other disciples?
Let’s get the context of when this warning by Jesus is given. These words are spoken in the greatest hour of temptation that Jesus is enduring. He has had the upper room meeting instituting the Lord’s Supper in replacement for the Passover. The betrayal of Judas has begun as Satan fills him as he is going out and will soon return to kiss His Lord in a final betrayal act. Satan is tempting Jesus to quit now and not go through all this suffering and Jesus is praying – Not my will be done but Thine.
In this very time Jesus comes lovingly to those three special disciples who He has asked to keep watch with Him to speak a warning vs. 37- 41 - and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus knew what was soon to happen to Peter and He was giving him fair warning to watch and pray. Watch and pray – who was Peter to watch and pray? Jesus that’s who. Jesus by His actions was showing the way to remain steadfast in His devotion and loyalty to God and to Himself. Basically to Peter – pay attention! If you want to remain steadfast in your testimony and devotion to your God, you must watch Me and seek Me in prayer and focus your attention on My will. If you get diverted or you drift away, you will fail despite the fact you have a willing spirit, because your flesh – those human desires, make you weak.
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
This prescription applies to you and I as well. We can all fail because we are not watching, nor praying and temptation came and we gave in for we were not strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. {Eph 6:10}
This is what we see historically when we read Kings, Chronicles, Judges, Ruth and Deuteronomy and hear God using the prophets to admonish the Jews. The people failed for they lost their focus on God. They were deceived and left God for the immediate pleasures of this earth and to sin against God. But their sin and deception eventually goes further to even deny the existence of God and His rightful place in their lives and the life of the nation. We see this continually in the Old Testament and this is what we see in America today. And in addition to hating and denying God these rebels today want to destroy anyone who wants to shine a light on their sin. Jesus continually reminded His disciples if they hated Me they will hate you.
So we have described the problem, the question is – is there a solution?
Yes there is - 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Watch and pray or you fall into temptation, for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. These two phrases are key.
Watch and Pray- Jesus told the disciples to follow Me and He would make them fishers of Men. And it says that the disciples dropped what they were doing and followed Him. As you read in the book of Matthew everything Jesus did after calling the disciples to Himself was to have them watch and observer all He was doing. That is why it is important for you to spend time cultivating a deep personal relationship with Jesus. He says {Matt. 11:28-29} 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. It is critically important to find rest for your souls in Jesus.
He is the only one who can help you find the rest you need. Not as the world gives, but only as He is able to give will you then find rest. To enter this practice of watching and praying you must learn to use the Word of God.
The Holy Spirit will guide you in the application and awareness of specific verses, phrases and text which you will need for your life event. Since God is omniscient He will help you have a heart prepared for the week to come. He knows the tests, trials and problems which you will face and He will be able to strengthen your heart and mind in Himself to resist or flee the coming temptation.
Next briefly scan Ephesians 6 – the full armor of God. vs. 12-13: 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God
So this is a spiritual fight- you need the armor of God. So here it is - having girded your waist with truth,{Jesus and the Word of God are truth} having put on the breastplate of righteousness, {Christ is your only righteousness}15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace {studying the word of God}; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith {hearing God’s word}with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, {Christ’s gift from His life and death}and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance
Do you see the parallels here -41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation?
Lastly with all perseverance, we can easily miss this. Without due diligence it is difficult to keep up to what God wants if you don’t hear His voice. Jesus said My sheep hear My voice and I know them. Do you know the voice of Jesus leading you to peace and safety this morning? Is He helping you to watch and pray, or are you listening to Him.
Ask Him today and He will show you the Way!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more.
AMEN
Sermon May 8
One of the great struggles of the Christian life is remaining constant in our love and relationship with our God. Sometimes we wrestle with the reality of- is there actually a God is heaven who loves and cares for me? In the midst of trials and circumstances when we don’t see a light or find the end of the tunnel of misery, or our prayers are not answered; we might mistakenly be led to think or question does He really love Me, and then by definition does He exist? Or maybe I just lived in fantasy land and wanted God to love me so I made Him up? Many might call this blasphemous for raising this issue, for after all how can you be a believer and not believe in God? I will ask you in return – How can someone who says they are a believer behave in ways as if there is no God? This behavior and activity resulting in unbelief and fear comes from the evil one and results from our delusion and deception. And maybe even depression
This conundrum which must be faced, and thought through to find clarity and understanding.
Let’s go back to basics- As a believer in Jesus Christ - God Is and He, the God who is has revealed Himself in different ways. The way to find God is to use His Word to seek Him and know Him. Many so-called believers drift away because of a failure to know God ‘s truth in His Word; His truth not our feelings and by faith we strive {struggle} to know- the God who Is and that He is a God who can be found.
Sometimes unbelief and doubt are permitted in our lives to test us and to grow our faith. If you doubt this then you haven’t been reading your bibles. Job was tested and did a great job of staying loyal but even this great man of God had struggles with doubt and personal testing. Let’s proceed by allowing the word of God to reveal to us this fact and truth: There is a God of Men and that He loves us and that this God Is and chooses to reveal Himself to men. He reveals Himself so they might have a close personal relationship to know Him, love Him and worship Him. After all, “{So}God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [h]moves on the earth.” Note this is the actual, factual record about creation, so why would God choose not to want to have fellowship with us?
There is one primary reason for God’s reticence and that is sin. You must remember that above all God is Holy, Righteous and Just, you cannot approach God as is He was someone just like you. He is God and our sin has separated us from Him. God has provided a way to forgive our sin and remove this separation. Let’s wait a moment before addressing this solution for His solution is part of who God Is, so standby.
Going to the end of God’s Book – the Bible, the book of Revelation and note what the verse says. This will is our key verse. John, the apostle who Jesus loved, is the receiver of this testimony from Heaven. Actually this book comes from the Glorified Jesus Himself as the living, breathing Son of God in all His glory. He allowed these words to be spoken to John in the book of Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Now if you are here today and you need some encouragement from the God who is, here is some real truth. Break this verse down into its various phrases– the tabernacle of God, is with men. He will dwell with them, they shall be His people, God Himself will be with them and the God who is will be their God. Look at these 4 special features as we discuss this verse-
Feature #I. The tabernacle of God is with men – The Tabernacle - this is God’s home a replica of which was tramped about by the Israelites as they traipsed in the wilderness and into the promised land until the temple was built. Then parts of the elements of the earthly tabernacle transferred into the earthly temples. And if you remember these were replica of the heavenly temple. They were copies and not the originals. This Revelation series tabernacle of God will be the original not a copy. Sanctified and purified men will exist and be present within and by the tabernacle of God. These humans being will have been translated physically and spiritually into the Kingdom or our Lord and God. He is the God who is and only He will be able to do this for only God can sanctify and cleanse us to stand in His presence and not be destroyed. We will exist with the God who is.
Feature #II. He will dwell with them. For God to dwell with man sin will have been eradicated; for sin is what destroyed people and caused our separation from God. Return with me to Genesis – which means birth or creation. God created man and woman to be in the garden with Him and to walk in the cool of the garden to have fellowship with El Shaddai – God Almighty our creator. All was in perfection, beauty and peace and harmony. There was the joy of spending time together in perfection, but this did not last. Man had a flaw not to trust in the One who was their creator. A tempter came into the garden and caused them to doubt the truth of what God had commanded. God had said, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Satan questioned this “Hath God said you will surely die?” He created doubt as to the truth of what God had said about the tree and its fruit. So on the basis of their best judgement they ate and their disobedience created a legacy of sin, which Paul tells us – the wages of that sin for all men is death. Because of sin God had to remove Adam and Eve from His presence. Every time sin occurs, it is sin which separates us from God and creates enmity with God because He cannot tolerate sin.
In Revelation we are told that in this new heaven and new earth where God is living and keeping His tabernacle with men there is no sin which separates. All has been redeemed. Can you imagine living a holy pure and sinless life in the presence of God? There is no death, no disease, no aging and all is well with my soul, what a wonderful place which the God who is has prepared for us. So we will dwell with Him.
Feature # III. and they shall be His people. What an amazing statement. If you look through His story of the Bible. Yes, it is His story – Jesus is laced all through each book of the Bible. You see Jesus is God. He is a part of the Godhead who is. We have three in one – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit these three are together one and they are God. So if we begin in Genesis and we walk through all 39 books of the Old Testament we see the God who is calling a people to be His own. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Joseph up unto Moses, Joshua then in the promised land. Leading then to the Judges, then to Eli and Samuel as Priests, then the Kings – Saul, David and Solomon. Then comes the divided Kingdoms - Judah which seem to split between those Kings that sought-after God and those who did not. And Israel which continually worshiped the Baals. All the way through the prophets – Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jerimiah and all the minor prophets like Joel, Micah and to Malachi, the peoples sin continually ruins their relationship to God and He is a jealous God. He calls and provides spiritual leaders who draw them to God; the people rebel and He punishes them. 163 times in the OT. Then the God who is uses the phrase, ”then you will know I am the Lord.” 67 times in Ezekiel alone he pronounces these words to the people and the leaders. His people don’t seem to be making it happen and don’t respond.
But the God who is was aware and continued His love toward us so while we were yet sinners, Christ was born, suffered and died for us (Rom. 5.8)
And the God who is had a plan – John 3:16 6 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 1:12 says this - 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The end result is the God who is enabled a people who were not a people, both Jew and Gentile, to become part of God’s family. How did this happened? When they received Christ the Holy Spirit now took up residence in their hearts and now lives there forever.
Feature # IV. But the God who is was not yet done in establishing and completing His plan - the remainder of our verse in Revelation 21: 3 says this - God Himself will be with them and be their God.
How can this be? Even the people of God, the Jews continually sin and have hard hearts. The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel recorded a similar promise from God. This while the nation of Israel was again loving sin more that loving God and marching off into rebellion and judgement. Jeremiah records this promise from God, 38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39 then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.
This promise was fulfilled in the people of God what Jesus died on the cross and the Holy Spirit came. He is working and is alive gloriously in the lives of God’s children after being saved from death to life. The Holy Spirt has been shed abroad in our hearts to give us a new heart and to live no longer to self but to live as servants to God.
Unfortunately the desired completed perfection is not yet perfectly accomplished in our lives as believers still because of sin today. How do we sin – we lack faith and demonstrate unbelief in what God is able to do.
We still have doubting hearts? Isn’t that what we are really talking about today? There is a final step in achieving this end result promised in Revelations 21:3, the reuniting of body and soul in heaven. There is a time coming soon when the God who is will make incorruptible that which is currently corruptible. He will join the souls of those men and women who are in heaven and those who are alive on the earth in a moment in the twinkling of an eye to have been fully translated into the kingdom of our God. When that happens our hearts and bodies will be made radically new so that we can exist in the presence of God. Remember He told the prophet that He would need to hide his body in the cleft of the rock and could only see His back – to see God in our present form is to die.
You will not find the God who is in the newspaper or on the nightly news channels, nor in press releases from your representatives state or local. They are full of deception and delusion Nor will you find Him in novels or periodicals or rock music, cars and drugs, sex or power.
So where can we find the God who is ? If you are a believer - know He lives in you. Know He wants to speak with you. His sheep hear His voice and He knows them. The God who is, is in all of creation- moon and stars . He is speaking in your day for day. He is in everything He created. He is in His Word, He is in prayer. He is in fellowship with believers. He is in Mother Day. if you will simply seek to find and know Him with all your heart.
Addendum
Very much like our nation is doing today. America is winging its way into deep and dark deception. This verse from Thessalonians tells the truth of today. 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
Deception leads to delusion and we are in that spiral in America today. We have a crisis of truth. The truth is everything that is happening in America is by choice, by plan and by actions of the leaders being counseled by those who are evil. The peril in America is not from foreign entities, or from a failing economy, or because of inflation, it is because we have chosen to worship other gods. We are not more inclusive or understanding of the truth, we are more deceptive, discriminatory and judgmental than ever because we have lost our standard – the Bible and there is no fear, honor or reverence for our God, so our unrighteous deception is causing God to send strong delusion. Our nation is deluded and far from God and sin is rampant.
But God is able in all things He is the God who is forever and ever – Amen!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Seek Him.
One of the great struggles of the Christian life is remaining constant in our love and relationship with our God. Sometimes we wrestle with the reality of- is there actually a God is heaven who loves and cares for me? In the midst of trials and circumstances when we don’t see a light or find the end of the tunnel of misery, or our prayers are not answered; we might mistakenly be led to think or question does He really love Me, and then by definition does He exist? Or maybe I just lived in fantasy land and wanted God to love me so I made Him up? Many might call this blasphemous for raising this issue, for after all how can you be a believer and not believe in God? I will ask you in return – How can someone who says they are a believer behave in ways as if there is no God? This behavior and activity resulting in unbelief and fear comes from the evil one and results from our delusion and deception. And maybe even depression
This conundrum which must be faced, and thought through to find clarity and understanding.
Let’s go back to basics- As a believer in Jesus Christ - God Is and He, the God who is has revealed Himself in different ways. The way to find God is to use His Word to seek Him and know Him. Many so-called believers drift away because of a failure to know God ‘s truth in His Word; His truth not our feelings and by faith we strive {struggle} to know- the God who Is and that He is a God who can be found.
Sometimes unbelief and doubt are permitted in our lives to test us and to grow our faith. If you doubt this then you haven’t been reading your bibles. Job was tested and did a great job of staying loyal but even this great man of God had struggles with doubt and personal testing. Let’s proceed by allowing the word of God to reveal to us this fact and truth: There is a God of Men and that He loves us and that this God Is and chooses to reveal Himself to men. He reveals Himself so they might have a close personal relationship to know Him, love Him and worship Him. After all, “{So}God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [h]moves on the earth.” Note this is the actual, factual record about creation, so why would God choose not to want to have fellowship with us?
There is one primary reason for God’s reticence and that is sin. You must remember that above all God is Holy, Righteous and Just, you cannot approach God as is He was someone just like you. He is God and our sin has separated us from Him. God has provided a way to forgive our sin and remove this separation. Let’s wait a moment before addressing this solution for His solution is part of who God Is, so standby.
Going to the end of God’s Book – the Bible, the book of Revelation and note what the verse says. This will is our key verse. John, the apostle who Jesus loved, is the receiver of this testimony from Heaven. Actually this book comes from the Glorified Jesus Himself as the living, breathing Son of God in all His glory. He allowed these words to be spoken to John in the book of Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
Now if you are here today and you need some encouragement from the God who is, here is some real truth. Break this verse down into its various phrases– the tabernacle of God, is with men. He will dwell with them, they shall be His people, God Himself will be with them and the God who is will be their God. Look at these 4 special features as we discuss this verse-
Feature #I. The tabernacle of God is with men – The Tabernacle - this is God’s home a replica of which was tramped about by the Israelites as they traipsed in the wilderness and into the promised land until the temple was built. Then parts of the elements of the earthly tabernacle transferred into the earthly temples. And if you remember these were replica of the heavenly temple. They were copies and not the originals. This Revelation series tabernacle of God will be the original not a copy. Sanctified and purified men will exist and be present within and by the tabernacle of God. These humans being will have been translated physically and spiritually into the Kingdom or our Lord and God. He is the God who is and only He will be able to do this for only God can sanctify and cleanse us to stand in His presence and not be destroyed. We will exist with the God who is.
Feature #II. He will dwell with them. For God to dwell with man sin will have been eradicated; for sin is what destroyed people and caused our separation from God. Return with me to Genesis – which means birth or creation. God created man and woman to be in the garden with Him and to walk in the cool of the garden to have fellowship with El Shaddai – God Almighty our creator. All was in perfection, beauty and peace and harmony. There was the joy of spending time together in perfection, but this did not last. Man had a flaw not to trust in the One who was their creator. A tempter came into the garden and caused them to doubt the truth of what God had commanded. God had said, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Satan questioned this “Hath God said you will surely die?” He created doubt as to the truth of what God had said about the tree and its fruit. So on the basis of their best judgement they ate and their disobedience created a legacy of sin, which Paul tells us – the wages of that sin for all men is death. Because of sin God had to remove Adam and Eve from His presence. Every time sin occurs, it is sin which separates us from God and creates enmity with God because He cannot tolerate sin.
In Revelation we are told that in this new heaven and new earth where God is living and keeping His tabernacle with men there is no sin which separates. All has been redeemed. Can you imagine living a holy pure and sinless life in the presence of God? There is no death, no disease, no aging and all is well with my soul, what a wonderful place which the God who is has prepared for us. So we will dwell with Him.
Feature # III. and they shall be His people. What an amazing statement. If you look through His story of the Bible. Yes, it is His story – Jesus is laced all through each book of the Bible. You see Jesus is God. He is a part of the Godhead who is. We have three in one – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit these three are together one and they are God. So if we begin in Genesis and we walk through all 39 books of the Old Testament we see the God who is calling a people to be His own. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Joseph up unto Moses, Joshua then in the promised land. Leading then to the Judges, then to Eli and Samuel as Priests, then the Kings – Saul, David and Solomon. Then comes the divided Kingdoms - Judah which seem to split between those Kings that sought-after God and those who did not. And Israel which continually worshiped the Baals. All the way through the prophets – Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jerimiah and all the minor prophets like Joel, Micah and to Malachi, the peoples sin continually ruins their relationship to God and He is a jealous God. He calls and provides spiritual leaders who draw them to God; the people rebel and He punishes them. 163 times in the OT. Then the God who is uses the phrase, ”then you will know I am the Lord.” 67 times in Ezekiel alone he pronounces these words to the people and the leaders. His people don’t seem to be making it happen and don’t respond.
But the God who is was aware and continued His love toward us so while we were yet sinners, Christ was born, suffered and died for us (Rom. 5.8)
And the God who is had a plan – John 3:16 6 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 1:12 says this - 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The end result is the God who is enabled a people who were not a people, both Jew and Gentile, to become part of God’s family. How did this happened? When they received Christ the Holy Spirit now took up residence in their hearts and now lives there forever.
Feature # IV. But the God who is was not yet done in establishing and completing His plan - the remainder of our verse in Revelation 21: 3 says this - God Himself will be with them and be their God.
How can this be? Even the people of God, the Jews continually sin and have hard hearts. The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel recorded a similar promise from God. This while the nation of Israel was again loving sin more that loving God and marching off into rebellion and judgement. Jeremiah records this promise from God, 38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39 then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.
This promise was fulfilled in the people of God what Jesus died on the cross and the Holy Spirit came. He is working and is alive gloriously in the lives of God’s children after being saved from death to life. The Holy Spirt has been shed abroad in our hearts to give us a new heart and to live no longer to self but to live as servants to God.
Unfortunately the desired completed perfection is not yet perfectly accomplished in our lives as believers still because of sin today. How do we sin – we lack faith and demonstrate unbelief in what God is able to do.
We still have doubting hearts? Isn’t that what we are really talking about today? There is a final step in achieving this end result promised in Revelations 21:3, the reuniting of body and soul in heaven. There is a time coming soon when the God who is will make incorruptible that which is currently corruptible. He will join the souls of those men and women who are in heaven and those who are alive on the earth in a moment in the twinkling of an eye to have been fully translated into the kingdom of our God. When that happens our hearts and bodies will be made radically new so that we can exist in the presence of God. Remember He told the prophet that He would need to hide his body in the cleft of the rock and could only see His back – to see God in our present form is to die.
You will not find the God who is in the newspaper or on the nightly news channels, nor in press releases from your representatives state or local. They are full of deception and delusion Nor will you find Him in novels or periodicals or rock music, cars and drugs, sex or power.
So where can we find the God who is ? If you are a believer - know He lives in you. Know He wants to speak with you. His sheep hear His voice and He knows them. The God who is, is in all of creation- moon and stars . He is speaking in your day for day. He is in everything He created. He is in His Word, He is in prayer. He is in fellowship with believers. He is in Mother Day. if you will simply seek to find and know Him with all your heart.
Addendum
Very much like our nation is doing today. America is winging its way into deep and dark deception. This verse from Thessalonians tells the truth of today. 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
Deception leads to delusion and we are in that spiral in America today. We have a crisis of truth. The truth is everything that is happening in America is by choice, by plan and by actions of the leaders being counseled by those who are evil. The peril in America is not from foreign entities, or from a failing economy, or because of inflation, it is because we have chosen to worship other gods. We are not more inclusive or understanding of the truth, we are more deceptive, discriminatory and judgmental than ever because we have lost our standard – the Bible and there is no fear, honor or reverence for our God, so our unrighteous deception is causing God to send strong delusion. Our nation is deluded and far from God and sin is rampant.
But God is able in all things He is the God who is forever and ever – Amen!
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Seek Him.
Sermon May 1
God has heavenly medicine for healing the hearts of men, especially in these days of trails and tribulation brought on by the increasing deception and lying which occurs like a pestilence upon our people and our nation. We need to be praying, God have mercy on our souls, for every nation is suffering because of disobedience and the disowning of God as part of our heritage. The sacrilege and profaning of Godly values and God Himself reaches new heights of sin almost daily and it is proclaimed from the highest house tops. There is no shame or fear of God!- Oh God have mercy upon us. And we think this is bad, compared to what it says in the Book of Revelation this is merely the beginning of trials. How horrendous it will be to exist or try to exist for our children and our children’s children in the days to come.
But like it says God has medicine for His people in these days. But you must first choose to seek it and secondly after you seek it, you must take it. That means swallowing it down all the way until it becomes internalized within that individual. There is no other way to survive and have the Word of God give life to an individual. This is the way of God provided by salvation in Jesus Christ, for He is the Way and He is the only Way to receive mercy and grace in the time of need. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul. That balm is the Son of God, Jesus Christ who shed His blood on Calvary for the likes of you and me. God has established this earth and this people as His. He created this place. He created man and women, one race with various hues, languages, customs, foods and other distinguishing traits. He created the family, the earth and commanded Men to be good stewards not fools for some crazy environmental construct which does not promote science but skepticism and mistruth, and is a means to punish and separate what God has made.
Do you remember the warning in the Bible which says in these latter days Men will demean and misconstrue that which is good?
As usual God has a cure and we can sample it to see if it is good by simply looking at the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 12, beginning at the first verse.
Let’s begin our lesson with a word of prayer – God let me say thank you for today. For the breath to breath, for the heart to beat, to sit in the sun and to know you love. Thank you for this marvelous and wondrous book – the Bible for it is life. Enrich our hearts and minds today O Lord our strength and our redeemer. AMEN
Read with me now from Hebrews 12
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Discipline of God
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the [c]chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Renew Your Spiritual Vitality
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
So as we begin looking at verse 1 – who is the author? No one knows for sure is it Paul or someone of the other Apostles, or is it someone unknown. Many scholars have tried to unwind this and we will not involve ourselves there. Whoever the writer _ he was filled with the Holy Spirit and was anointed of God to write this text. And we remember all of God’s word is Spirit led and Spirit bred for your edification and understanding. It is rich and powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit and is a diviner of the thoughts and intents of the heart .(Heb 4:12)
This text was written for encouragement of those who were suffering persecution, especially the Hebrew population who have converted to faith in Christ – read
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Point I. From the text folks were having trouble staying with their faith in Christ – could be today as many depart the truth. What causes stumbling? It is the sin which so easily surrounds, besets us or ensnares us. So in order to maintain our faith we cannot surrender but we must lay aside whatever causes us to fail and not endure. How hard is it to persevere? Only you know the answer to that, for it differs for every one of us. What trips you up may be a hiccup for me or vice versa. But what does every marathon runner do? They focus on the prize at the finish line. So first as a believer we have to realize this life is a race but it is not a simple sprint to the finish line wit is a long duration trial. We have to look toward the finish line. Answer me, Who has already gotten to the finish line? – why the author and finisher of our faith – Jesus. He is our example, He is our strong tower and He is the one who will walk, jog, and draw us to the finish line and be with us. How can He do so? Well, He has already endured the cross for you sin and my sin. We never have to pay the penalty for that sin, It has been paid in full. And to do so He has despised the shame. So there is no penalty or shame which could be put upon you our yours that the Lord Jesus has not already suffered so you do not need to fret for this. Jesus has paid it all. So don’t fear, Jesus completed the work of redemption. This is not your home and these are not your own, you have been bought with the price of Jesus blood and it is forever sealed in heaven for Jesus sacrifice was accepted and He is seated at the right hand of the Father is heaven. His word was finished. The writer also adds verse 3 for our consideration and benefit -3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. We become weary when we think we alone in our suffering and having these issues. If you keep your eyes upon Jesus – for consider Him who endured such hostility against Himself from sinners. He was on mission from God and so are you.
Point II. The writer reminds us that God allows suffering and difficulties within His sons and daughters. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the [c]chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
From the book of Proverbs Chapter 3 we receive the reminder that God is working out all things according to the purpose of His will {Eph.1.11); To will and to work for His good pleasure.{Phil.2:13) Conforming us to the image of His Son (Rom. 8). So why despise and hate the chastening {Instruction} which is being given or try to avoid it as most modern Christians do. We always believe we are doing something wrong, like not having enough faith, when we don’t receive what we want. Is God not sovereign and does He not rule in heaven and in earth. So as Paul says this light affliction will appear as nothing in eternity, so keep on keeping on.
Now there is a warning here as well - 7 If[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
So what should you be telling those that follow false teachers who teach a gospel of doing adequate works or not having enough faith who say all should work out for you with little or no trials -Verse 8 says - if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Translation – you are not a child of the King, you are unsaved and without redemption, you are at enmity with God the Father and are condemned to Hell. Best pay attention and check to see if your heart is right before God right now!
Point III. As a boost or a foot stomp to point 11, God reminds us of some practical factors – read from verse 8- 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Two items to relate to here – First. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? Don’t you guys remember how your parents disciplined and corrected you? Didn’t they do what they thought was best for you, despite the fact you didn’t like what you called punishment and they called a deep expression of their love for you. God’s love and greatest expression of His love can be in correction, chastening or instruction for your benefit.
We should probably examine some of our assumptions about being in the crucible of God’s love. Some might even relate to this as being the winepress of Gods chastisement. Each of us can think of those whose walk with God has been much more demanding than ours. So we have to choose how to relate to this suffering. Will we lose our faith and step away from God because of our difficulties or will we continue to understand that our paths are each different and unique and are part of God’s personal plan for us?
Notice the benefit if we accept and surrender to the will and purpose of God, walking by Faith in the midst of the trial- Verse 11. no [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
God promises something which you cannot gain on your own except by standing fast in the crucible of God’s plan - the peaceable fruit of righteousness who have been trained by it. God’s word says Heb 5 :8 - 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. If we are to keep our eyes upon Jesus then we need to pay attention to what Jesus went through before casting off our faith – if we really love Him. Do you love Him enough to suffer for Him today?
Last point – don’t be a stumbling block preventing others from coming to Christ, vs. 12 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
If you fail and are not strengthened then you can prevent the lame from being healed. You need to make straight paths for others to receive the gospel yes sometimes by your grace, peace and righteousness in the midst of the suffering you are enduring – what do we sing + Let others see Jesus in you. I pray that you might do that today and let your light shine for Christ in this dark day. Standing fast as it says in Ephesians 6 – Having put on the full armor of God and having done all to stand fast in the evil day. Amen
Has Jesus Christ risen in your hearts today or in a prior day if so confess Him before men and before the angels is heaven today.
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen.
God has heavenly medicine for healing the hearts of men, especially in these days of trails and tribulation brought on by the increasing deception and lying which occurs like a pestilence upon our people and our nation. We need to be praying, God have mercy on our souls, for every nation is suffering because of disobedience and the disowning of God as part of our heritage. The sacrilege and profaning of Godly values and God Himself reaches new heights of sin almost daily and it is proclaimed from the highest house tops. There is no shame or fear of God!- Oh God have mercy upon us. And we think this is bad, compared to what it says in the Book of Revelation this is merely the beginning of trials. How horrendous it will be to exist or try to exist for our children and our children’s children in the days to come.
But like it says God has medicine for His people in these days. But you must first choose to seek it and secondly after you seek it, you must take it. That means swallowing it down all the way until it becomes internalized within that individual. There is no other way to survive and have the Word of God give life to an individual. This is the way of God provided by salvation in Jesus Christ, for He is the Way and He is the only Way to receive mercy and grace in the time of need. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul. That balm is the Son of God, Jesus Christ who shed His blood on Calvary for the likes of you and me. God has established this earth and this people as His. He created this place. He created man and women, one race with various hues, languages, customs, foods and other distinguishing traits. He created the family, the earth and commanded Men to be good stewards not fools for some crazy environmental construct which does not promote science but skepticism and mistruth, and is a means to punish and separate what God has made.
Do you remember the warning in the Bible which says in these latter days Men will demean and misconstrue that which is good?
As usual God has a cure and we can sample it to see if it is good by simply looking at the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 12, beginning at the first verse.
Let’s begin our lesson with a word of prayer – God let me say thank you for today. For the breath to breath, for the heart to beat, to sit in the sun and to know you love. Thank you for this marvelous and wondrous book – the Bible for it is life. Enrich our hearts and minds today O Lord our strength and our redeemer. AMEN
Read with me now from Hebrews 12
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Discipline of God
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the [c]chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Renew Your Spiritual Vitality
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
So as we begin looking at verse 1 – who is the author? No one knows for sure is it Paul or someone of the other Apostles, or is it someone unknown. Many scholars have tried to unwind this and we will not involve ourselves there. Whoever the writer _ he was filled with the Holy Spirit and was anointed of God to write this text. And we remember all of God’s word is Spirit led and Spirit bred for your edification and understanding. It is rich and powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit and is a diviner of the thoughts and intents of the heart .(Heb 4:12)
This text was written for encouragement of those who were suffering persecution, especially the Hebrew population who have converted to faith in Christ – read
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Point I. From the text folks were having trouble staying with their faith in Christ – could be today as many depart the truth. What causes stumbling? It is the sin which so easily surrounds, besets us or ensnares us. So in order to maintain our faith we cannot surrender but we must lay aside whatever causes us to fail and not endure. How hard is it to persevere? Only you know the answer to that, for it differs for every one of us. What trips you up may be a hiccup for me or vice versa. But what does every marathon runner do? They focus on the prize at the finish line. So first as a believer we have to realize this life is a race but it is not a simple sprint to the finish line wit is a long duration trial. We have to look toward the finish line. Answer me, Who has already gotten to the finish line? – why the author and finisher of our faith – Jesus. He is our example, He is our strong tower and He is the one who will walk, jog, and draw us to the finish line and be with us. How can He do so? Well, He has already endured the cross for you sin and my sin. We never have to pay the penalty for that sin, It has been paid in full. And to do so He has despised the shame. So there is no penalty or shame which could be put upon you our yours that the Lord Jesus has not already suffered so you do not need to fret for this. Jesus has paid it all. So don’t fear, Jesus completed the work of redemption. This is not your home and these are not your own, you have been bought with the price of Jesus blood and it is forever sealed in heaven for Jesus sacrifice was accepted and He is seated at the right hand of the Father is heaven. His word was finished. The writer also adds verse 3 for our consideration and benefit -3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. We become weary when we think we alone in our suffering and having these issues. If you keep your eyes upon Jesus – for consider Him who endured such hostility against Himself from sinners. He was on mission from God and so are you.
Point II. The writer reminds us that God allows suffering and difficulties within His sons and daughters. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the [c]chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
From the book of Proverbs Chapter 3 we receive the reminder that God is working out all things according to the purpose of His will {Eph.1.11); To will and to work for His good pleasure.{Phil.2:13) Conforming us to the image of His Son (Rom. 8). So why despise and hate the chastening {Instruction} which is being given or try to avoid it as most modern Christians do. We always believe we are doing something wrong, like not having enough faith, when we don’t receive what we want. Is God not sovereign and does He not rule in heaven and in earth. So as Paul says this light affliction will appear as nothing in eternity, so keep on keeping on.
Now there is a warning here as well - 7 If[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
So what should you be telling those that follow false teachers who teach a gospel of doing adequate works or not having enough faith who say all should work out for you with little or no trials -Verse 8 says - if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Translation – you are not a child of the King, you are unsaved and without redemption, you are at enmity with God the Father and are condemned to Hell. Best pay attention and check to see if your heart is right before God right now!
Point III. As a boost or a foot stomp to point 11, God reminds us of some practical factors – read from verse 8- 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Two items to relate to here – First. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? Don’t you guys remember how your parents disciplined and corrected you? Didn’t they do what they thought was best for you, despite the fact you didn’t like what you called punishment and they called a deep expression of their love for you. God’s love and greatest expression of His love can be in correction, chastening or instruction for your benefit.
We should probably examine some of our assumptions about being in the crucible of God’s love. Some might even relate to this as being the winepress of Gods chastisement. Each of us can think of those whose walk with God has been much more demanding than ours. So we have to choose how to relate to this suffering. Will we lose our faith and step away from God because of our difficulties or will we continue to understand that our paths are each different and unique and are part of God’s personal plan for us?
Notice the benefit if we accept and surrender to the will and purpose of God, walking by Faith in the midst of the trial- Verse 11. no [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
God promises something which you cannot gain on your own except by standing fast in the crucible of God’s plan - the peaceable fruit of righteousness who have been trained by it. God’s word says Heb 5 :8 - 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. If we are to keep our eyes upon Jesus then we need to pay attention to what Jesus went through before casting off our faith – if we really love Him. Do you love Him enough to suffer for Him today?
Last point – don’t be a stumbling block preventing others from coming to Christ, vs. 12 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
If you fail and are not strengthened then you can prevent the lame from being healed. You need to make straight paths for others to receive the gospel yes sometimes by your grace, peace and righteousness in the midst of the suffering you are enduring – what do we sing + Let others see Jesus in you. I pray that you might do that today and let your light shine for Christ in this dark day. Standing fast as it says in Ephesians 6 – Having put on the full armor of God and having done all to stand fast in the evil day. Amen
Has Jesus Christ risen in your hearts today or in a prior day if so confess Him before men and before the angels is heaven today.
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen.
Sermon April 24
Resurrecting a person is/was like nothing anyone had ever seen or experienced before. No person on earth could have ever pictured or grasped the idea that a man who we know as God – Jesus, could or would raise someone from the dead. God was soon to raise Jesus as well but Sunday was a not yet come, but it was a coming.
So here we have an unknown and unchartered territory of experience and faith. God knew what He was about to do and God was looking to build faith into His children. This is always the path of increasing faith. God speaks and challenges us and then presents an opportunity where you have no clue about what God is about to do, but He wants you to be spiritually sensitive and alert to His moving and then join Him by faith.
Now some of us would like to believe that God never tests us beyond what we are able. While this is true because ultimately, He is able and He always provides the way. But it is also true He challenges your faith by presenting impossible circumstances where you must walk by faith without knowing how God has already moved. Note this statement how God has already- God has the answer already prepared for what He is going to do; but He wants to show you His ways as your faith is challenged in walking with Him.
Think of Jesus challenging the disciples to feed the 5000 with what a few loaves and some fishes. How He calmed His disciples and the raging sea with the words – “Be still.” How He actually touched a leper and spoke the words – “I will” and the man was made clean. Or consider Moses on the far side of the mountain tending his sheep. When God revealed Himself and spoke to Moses He said I am sending you to Pharaoh, God already knew what He planned to do with Moses. But Moses instead of listening to this revelation and trusting began explaining to God why this idea wouldn’t work.
Do you understand if God is leading and we are following by faith, He can do anything? You see God always challenges us at the point of our unbelief to trust Him one step further. For if He reveals Himself, He is asking you to join Him. And God already knows what He is planning on doing, but you don’t. You may actually become frightened because of the scope of what He is calling you to do.
So if God speaks to you and reveals Himself, His purposes or His ways you can expect He will drive this truth home by what He does sometime soon. And we need to know and understand that God has already provisioned all your need to accomplished that which He has is calling you to do. Our Mission in joining Him is to learn to believe and yield by responding in faith.
We see these truths played out just prior to the Crucifixion of Jesus when He raises Lazarus from the dead. In John 11, verse 25, Jesus made this statement -25 Jesus said to her {Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close companions of Jesus upon this earth and He often stayed in their home. 7 “Yes, Lord,” Martha replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Jesus was about to reveal to her the truth of these words. Jesus went away and specifically waited for the death of Lazarus. Jesus was about to reveal something to Martha and His disciples that they might have never known That He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus as the Son of God knew Lazarus would die. Jesus also knew He would raise Him up from the dead. Jesus was about to boldly teach Mary His ways.
Now in verse 40 Jesus has returned and Lazarus is dead- Mary’s comment was, “if you had been here {sooner}he would not have died.
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Remember Jesus had previously challenged Mary and Martha that He was the resurrection and the life.
But Martha was not focused on a spiritual truth she was all worried about the decaying and stinking smell of Her dead brother.
Do you suppose Jesus who had made the statement about being the resurrection and the life might be making an opportunity to prove and demonstrated who His is? So He called Lazarus forth from the grave to give His new life, but Lazarus would eventually die. But this event would take Mary and Martha beyond what they knew about God, teaching them to walk “In Him” and not according to what they knew or thought about what God in Jesus could do
Meditate on this verse 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Even today and right now God is calling and wanting us to see His glorious power of what He has done in the shedding of blood, death and burial of Jesus. Did you know that in the events of the crucifixion that the glory of God was revealed and the resurrection power was released and active by Jesus obedience? It was and it is so easy to miss it. Do you know where we see it?
We see God’s glory released in lives radically changed for Jesus.
Let’s skip toward the end of the crucifixion and read here to see the glory of God as it is revealed John Chapter 19, verses 28
28 After this, Jesus, [e]knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
From Mark 15:39 - 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
And finally there was the thief of the cross Luke 23: 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said [k]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Do you see the glory of God being revealed in individual lives as Jesus is being sacrificed and crucified? God’s saving grace and power is being released into the lives of those who had previously been thieves, hardened professional soldiers, Businessmen and parts of the Levitical priesthood.
What a range of people God in Jesus Christ have touched into declaring for Jesus in the very hours, according to Satan, where Jesus was being defeated. Look at these men closer.
#1 A Pharisee – Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night. We find his story in John, Chapter 3. Nicodemus came to supposedly to determine who Jesus was. But the questions and answers we have recorded were different. Jesus saw the what was in the priest’s heart so there was actually a discussion of what was needed to see and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What was necessary in God’s kingdom to just see and then actually to enter was to be born from above. Meaning since each of us were sinners we had to have God change our hearts. This was only possible if Jesus by the Holy Spirit quickened or awakened and individual so the he or she could first “see” the kingdom and then to “enter” His kingdom. We find here that wonderful verse – John 3/16- for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. First – the God, Second that God so loved you that He would send His only Son. If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, by faith, you can enter the kingdom of Heaven. On the day of Jesus death – this hidden disciple cast off his fear of men and by burying Jesus and bringing Him down from the cross openly professed to his family and fellow religious leaders that he loved Jesus. By this selfless act He is no longer a closet believer but has confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.
#2 – a respected and wealthy businessman associated with the religious leaders and prominent in the community – Joseph of Arimathea. Another closet believer who on the day of Jesus death by his actions in boldly going to Pilate to request the body of Jesus. By this action Joseph was declaring his open respect and honor for the Son of God who was soon to become His risen, living Lord. Not only did He request the body of Jesus, Joseph was going to bury Him in his newly purchased tomb. We always hear that Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb of a rich man. Joseph on the day of Jesus death by these actions was declaring to the Romans to the Jewish Leadership, to his family and to the Jewish nation that he loved this man. But today was Friday – as Satan rejoiced and the evil leaders of the Jews swaggered at their immediate success, and the disciples and the Mary’s wept and hid, Sunday was a coming and soon He would be back – resurrected and healed on Sunday. The power of the love of God had blossomed in the life of Joseph of Arimathea.
#3. The thief on the cross. Here we see a convicted felon who openly confessed and rebuked his fellow thief not to mock Jesus. He confessed to Jesus that they were receiving their just reward for their sins but that this man had done nothing to deserve this sentence. I believe God’s grace was given to this man by the Holy Spirit to know that Jesus had something in His demeanor that was wonderful, holy and represented a goodness that he, the thief, could never attain. He saw Jesus as what he a sinner could never be righteous and holy. He asked Jesus to remember him, a lowly thief, when He entered His kingdom. We remember Jesus loving and forgiving response – today thou shalt be with Me in paradise. What a promise in the midst of a horrible death. When the thief closed His eyes in death, the thief would be with Jesus in His kingdom. Forgiven and sanctified while on the cross – Hope for all for the last minute of death.
#4 – The Centurion. Totally unexpected that a battle-hardened, Marine type soldier would see Jesus as He was scourged, beaten, spat upon and mistreated by all would state of Jesus at the end, Truly this man was the Son of God. This centurion may have been the one to oversee all of Jesus punishments as He came before Pilate. He was in charge of the detachment responsible for crucifixions. His men had probably conducted hundreds of crucifixions and they were emotionally and physically hardened to these events. To some extent these soldiers may have even gotten their revenge on the Jews by perversely enjoying these events. But the Centurion’s heart had been transformed by the compassionate actions under pressure of Jesus. I am sure He could not believe that Jesus prayed for those who punished Him from the cross – Father forgive them for they know not what they do. He saw the compassion of the man for His mother as He gave Mary to John as His mother. I believe this man saw the Love of God in action and it changed Him forever.
This is the demonstrated power of the resurrection even before it happened. This was a sorrowful Friday, but Sunday was a coming; and the Lord of Lords and King of Kings was about to rise in the heavens and Oh what a glorious day. He was risen in the hearts of these men even before He rose again from the dead and His is Lord forever and ever. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen.
Resurrecting a person is/was like nothing anyone had ever seen or experienced before. No person on earth could have ever pictured or grasped the idea that a man who we know as God – Jesus, could or would raise someone from the dead. God was soon to raise Jesus as well but Sunday was a not yet come, but it was a coming.
So here we have an unknown and unchartered territory of experience and faith. God knew what He was about to do and God was looking to build faith into His children. This is always the path of increasing faith. God speaks and challenges us and then presents an opportunity where you have no clue about what God is about to do, but He wants you to be spiritually sensitive and alert to His moving and then join Him by faith.
Now some of us would like to believe that God never tests us beyond what we are able. While this is true because ultimately, He is able and He always provides the way. But it is also true He challenges your faith by presenting impossible circumstances where you must walk by faith without knowing how God has already moved. Note this statement how God has already- God has the answer already prepared for what He is going to do; but He wants to show you His ways as your faith is challenged in walking with Him.
Think of Jesus challenging the disciples to feed the 5000 with what a few loaves and some fishes. How He calmed His disciples and the raging sea with the words – “Be still.” How He actually touched a leper and spoke the words – “I will” and the man was made clean. Or consider Moses on the far side of the mountain tending his sheep. When God revealed Himself and spoke to Moses He said I am sending you to Pharaoh, God already knew what He planned to do with Moses. But Moses instead of listening to this revelation and trusting began explaining to God why this idea wouldn’t work.
Do you understand if God is leading and we are following by faith, He can do anything? You see God always challenges us at the point of our unbelief to trust Him one step further. For if He reveals Himself, He is asking you to join Him. And God already knows what He is planning on doing, but you don’t. You may actually become frightened because of the scope of what He is calling you to do.
So if God speaks to you and reveals Himself, His purposes or His ways you can expect He will drive this truth home by what He does sometime soon. And we need to know and understand that God has already provisioned all your need to accomplished that which He has is calling you to do. Our Mission in joining Him is to learn to believe and yield by responding in faith.
We see these truths played out just prior to the Crucifixion of Jesus when He raises Lazarus from the dead. In John 11, verse 25, Jesus made this statement -25 Jesus said to her {Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close companions of Jesus upon this earth and He often stayed in their home. 7 “Yes, Lord,” Martha replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Jesus was about to reveal to her the truth of these words. Jesus went away and specifically waited for the death of Lazarus. Jesus was about to reveal something to Martha and His disciples that they might have never known That He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus as the Son of God knew Lazarus would die. Jesus also knew He would raise Him up from the dead. Jesus was about to boldly teach Mary His ways.
Now in verse 40 Jesus has returned and Lazarus is dead- Mary’s comment was, “if you had been here {sooner}he would not have died.
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Remember Jesus had previously challenged Mary and Martha that He was the resurrection and the life.
But Martha was not focused on a spiritual truth she was all worried about the decaying and stinking smell of Her dead brother.
Do you suppose Jesus who had made the statement about being the resurrection and the life might be making an opportunity to prove and demonstrated who His is? So He called Lazarus forth from the grave to give His new life, but Lazarus would eventually die. But this event would take Mary and Martha beyond what they knew about God, teaching them to walk “In Him” and not according to what they knew or thought about what God in Jesus could do
Meditate on this verse 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Even today and right now God is calling and wanting us to see His glorious power of what He has done in the shedding of blood, death and burial of Jesus. Did you know that in the events of the crucifixion that the glory of God was revealed and the resurrection power was released and active by Jesus obedience? It was and it is so easy to miss it. Do you know where we see it?
We see God’s glory released in lives radically changed for Jesus.
Let’s skip toward the end of the crucifixion and read here to see the glory of God as it is revealed John Chapter 19, verses 28
28 After this, Jesus, [e]knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
From Mark 15:39 - 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
And finally there was the thief of the cross Luke 23: 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said [k]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Do you see the glory of God being revealed in individual lives as Jesus is being sacrificed and crucified? God’s saving grace and power is being released into the lives of those who had previously been thieves, hardened professional soldiers, Businessmen and parts of the Levitical priesthood.
What a range of people God in Jesus Christ have touched into declaring for Jesus in the very hours, according to Satan, where Jesus was being defeated. Look at these men closer.
#1 A Pharisee – Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night. We find his story in John, Chapter 3. Nicodemus came to supposedly to determine who Jesus was. But the questions and answers we have recorded were different. Jesus saw the what was in the priest’s heart so there was actually a discussion of what was needed to see and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What was necessary in God’s kingdom to just see and then actually to enter was to be born from above. Meaning since each of us were sinners we had to have God change our hearts. This was only possible if Jesus by the Holy Spirit quickened or awakened and individual so the he or she could first “see” the kingdom and then to “enter” His kingdom. We find here that wonderful verse – John 3/16- for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. First – the God, Second that God so loved you that He would send His only Son. If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, by faith, you can enter the kingdom of Heaven. On the day of Jesus death – this hidden disciple cast off his fear of men and by burying Jesus and bringing Him down from the cross openly professed to his family and fellow religious leaders that he loved Jesus. By this selfless act He is no longer a closet believer but has confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.
#2 – a respected and wealthy businessman associated with the religious leaders and prominent in the community – Joseph of Arimathea. Another closet believer who on the day of Jesus death by his actions in boldly going to Pilate to request the body of Jesus. By this action Joseph was declaring his open respect and honor for the Son of God who was soon to become His risen, living Lord. Not only did He request the body of Jesus, Joseph was going to bury Him in his newly purchased tomb. We always hear that Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb of a rich man. Joseph on the day of Jesus death by these actions was declaring to the Romans to the Jewish Leadership, to his family and to the Jewish nation that he loved this man. But today was Friday – as Satan rejoiced and the evil leaders of the Jews swaggered at their immediate success, and the disciples and the Mary’s wept and hid, Sunday was a coming and soon He would be back – resurrected and healed on Sunday. The power of the love of God had blossomed in the life of Joseph of Arimathea.
#3. The thief on the cross. Here we see a convicted felon who openly confessed and rebuked his fellow thief not to mock Jesus. He confessed to Jesus that they were receiving their just reward for their sins but that this man had done nothing to deserve this sentence. I believe God’s grace was given to this man by the Holy Spirit to know that Jesus had something in His demeanor that was wonderful, holy and represented a goodness that he, the thief, could never attain. He saw Jesus as what he a sinner could never be righteous and holy. He asked Jesus to remember him, a lowly thief, when He entered His kingdom. We remember Jesus loving and forgiving response – today thou shalt be with Me in paradise. What a promise in the midst of a horrible death. When the thief closed His eyes in death, the thief would be with Jesus in His kingdom. Forgiven and sanctified while on the cross – Hope for all for the last minute of death.
#4 – The Centurion. Totally unexpected that a battle-hardened, Marine type soldier would see Jesus as He was scourged, beaten, spat upon and mistreated by all would state of Jesus at the end, Truly this man was the Son of God. This centurion may have been the one to oversee all of Jesus punishments as He came before Pilate. He was in charge of the detachment responsible for crucifixions. His men had probably conducted hundreds of crucifixions and they were emotionally and physically hardened to these events. To some extent these soldiers may have even gotten their revenge on the Jews by perversely enjoying these events. But the Centurion’s heart had been transformed by the compassionate actions under pressure of Jesus. I am sure He could not believe that Jesus prayed for those who punished Him from the cross – Father forgive them for they know not what they do. He saw the compassion of the man for His mother as He gave Mary to John as His mother. I believe this man saw the Love of God in action and it changed Him forever.
This is the demonstrated power of the resurrection even before it happened. This was a sorrowful Friday, but Sunday was a coming; and the Lord of Lords and King of Kings was about to rise in the heavens and Oh what a glorious day. He was risen in the hearts of these men even before He rose again from the dead and His is Lord forever and ever. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen.
Sermon April 17
Resurrecting a person is/was like nothing anyone had ever seen or experienced before. No person on earth could have ever pictured or grasped the idea that a man who we know as God – Jesus, could or would raise someone from the dead. God was soon to raise Jesus as well but Sunday was a not yet come, but it was a coming.
So here we have an unknown and unchartered territory of experience and faith. God knew what He was about to do and God was looking to build faith into His children. This is always the path of increasing faith. God speaks and challenges us and then presents an opportunity where you have no clue about what God is about to do, but He wants you to be spiritually sensitive and alert to His moving and then join Him by faith.
Now some of us would like to believe that God never tests us beyond what we are able. While this is true because ultimately, He is able and He always provides the way. But it is also true He challenges your faith by presenting impossible circumstances where you must walk by faith without knowing how God has already moved. Note this statement how God has already- God has the answer already prepared for what He is going to do; but He wants to show you His ways as your faith is challenged in walking with Him.
Think of Jesus challenging the disciples to feed the 5000 with what a few loaves and some fishes. How He calmed His disciples and the raging sea with the words – “Be still.” How He actually touched a leper and spoke the words – “I will” and the man was made clean. Or consider Moses on the far side of the mountain tending his sheep. When God revealed Himself and spoke to Moses He said I am sending you to Pharaoh, God already knew what He planned to do with Moses. But Moses instead of listening to this revelation and trusting began explaining to God why this idea wouldn’t work.
Do you understand if God is leading and we are following by faith, He can do anything? You see God always challenges us at the point of our unbelief to trust Him one step further. For if He reveals Himself, He is asking you to join Him. And God already knows what He is planning on doing, but you don’t. You may actually become frightened because of the scope of what He is calling you to do.
So if God speaks to you and reveals Himself, His purposes or His ways you can expect He will drive this truth home by what He does sometime soon. And we need to know and understand that God has already provisioned all your need to accomplished that which He has is calling you to do. Our Mission in joining Him is to learn to believe and yield by responding in faith.
We see these truths played out just prior to the Crucifixion of Jesus when He raises Lazarus from the dead. In John 11, verse 25, Jesus made this statement -25 Jesus said to her {Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close companions of Jesus upon this earth and He often stayed in their home. 7 “Yes, Lord,” Martha replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Jesus was about to reveal to her the truth of these words. Jesus went away and specifically waited for the death of Lazarus. Jesus was about to reveal something to Martha and His disciples that they might have never known That He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus as the Son of God knew Lazarus would die. Jesus also knew He would raise Him up from the dead. Jesus was about to boldly teach Mary His ways.
Now in verse 40 Jesus has returned and Lazarus is dead- Mary’s comment was, “if you had been here {sooner}he would not have died.
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Remember Jesus had previously challenged Mary and Martha that He was the resurrection and the life.
But Martha was not focused on a spiritual truth she was all worried about the decaying and stinking smell of Her dead brother.
Do you suppose Jesus who had made the statement about being the resurrection and the life might be making an opportunity to prove and demonstrated who His is? So He called Lazarus forth from the grave to give His new life, but Lazarus would eventually die. But this event would take Mary and Martha beyond what they knew about God, teaching them to walk “In Him” and not according to what they knew or thought about what God in Jesus could do
Meditate on this verse 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Even today and right now God is calling and wanting us to see His glorious power of what He has done in the shedding of blood, death and burial of Jesus. Did you know that in the events of the crucifixion that the glory of God was revealed and the resurrection power was released and active by Jesus obedience? It was and it is so easy to miss it. Do you know where we see it?
We see God’s glory released in lives radically changed for Jesus.
Let’s skip toward the end of the crucifixion and read here to see the glory of God as it is revealed John Chapter 19, verses 28
28 After this, Jesus, [e]knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
From Mark 15:39 - 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
And finally there was the thief of the cross Luke 23: 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said [k]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Do you see the glory of God being revealed in individual lives as Jesus is being sacrificed and crucified? God’s saving grace and power is being released into the lives of those who had previously been thieves, hardened professional soldiers, Businessmen and parts of the Levitical priesthood.
What a range of people God in Jesus Christ have touched into declaring for Jesus in the very hours, according to Satan, where Jesus was being defeated. Look at these men closer.
#1 A Pharisee – Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night. We find his story in John, Chapter 3.
Resurrecting a person is/was like nothing anyone had ever seen or experienced before. No person on earth could have ever pictured or grasped the idea that a man who we know as God – Jesus, could or would raise someone from the dead. God was soon to raise Jesus as well but Sunday was a not yet come, but it was a coming.
So here we have an unknown and unchartered territory of experience and faith. God knew what He was about to do and God was looking to build faith into His children. This is always the path of increasing faith. God speaks and challenges us and then presents an opportunity where you have no clue about what God is about to do, but He wants you to be spiritually sensitive and alert to His moving and then join Him by faith.
Now some of us would like to believe that God never tests us beyond what we are able. While this is true because ultimately, He is able and He always provides the way. But it is also true He challenges your faith by presenting impossible circumstances where you must walk by faith without knowing how God has already moved. Note this statement how God has already- God has the answer already prepared for what He is going to do; but He wants to show you His ways as your faith is challenged in walking with Him.
Think of Jesus challenging the disciples to feed the 5000 with what a few loaves and some fishes. How He calmed His disciples and the raging sea with the words – “Be still.” How He actually touched a leper and spoke the words – “I will” and the man was made clean. Or consider Moses on the far side of the mountain tending his sheep. When God revealed Himself and spoke to Moses He said I am sending you to Pharaoh, God already knew what He planned to do with Moses. But Moses instead of listening to this revelation and trusting began explaining to God why this idea wouldn’t work.
Do you understand if God is leading and we are following by faith, He can do anything? You see God always challenges us at the point of our unbelief to trust Him one step further. For if He reveals Himself, He is asking you to join Him. And God already knows what He is planning on doing, but you don’t. You may actually become frightened because of the scope of what He is calling you to do.
So if God speaks to you and reveals Himself, His purposes or His ways you can expect He will drive this truth home by what He does sometime soon. And we need to know and understand that God has already provisioned all your need to accomplished that which He has is calling you to do. Our Mission in joining Him is to learn to believe and yield by responding in faith.
We see these truths played out just prior to the Crucifixion of Jesus when He raises Lazarus from the dead. In John 11, verse 25, Jesus made this statement -25 Jesus said to her {Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close companions of Jesus upon this earth and He often stayed in their home. 7 “Yes, Lord,” Martha replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Jesus was about to reveal to her the truth of these words. Jesus went away and specifically waited for the death of Lazarus. Jesus was about to reveal something to Martha and His disciples that they might have never known That He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus as the Son of God knew Lazarus would die. Jesus also knew He would raise Him up from the dead. Jesus was about to boldly teach Mary His ways.
Now in verse 40 Jesus has returned and Lazarus is dead- Mary’s comment was, “if you had been here {sooner}he would not have died.
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Remember Jesus had previously challenged Mary and Martha that He was the resurrection and the life.
But Martha was not focused on a spiritual truth she was all worried about the decaying and stinking smell of Her dead brother.
Do you suppose Jesus who had made the statement about being the resurrection and the life might be making an opportunity to prove and demonstrated who His is? So He called Lazarus forth from the grave to give His new life, but Lazarus would eventually die. But this event would take Mary and Martha beyond what they knew about God, teaching them to walk “In Him” and not according to what they knew or thought about what God in Jesus could do
Meditate on this verse 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Even today and right now God is calling and wanting us to see His glorious power of what He has done in the shedding of blood, death and burial of Jesus. Did you know that in the events of the crucifixion that the glory of God was revealed and the resurrection power was released and active by Jesus obedience? It was and it is so easy to miss it. Do you know where we see it?
We see God’s glory released in lives radically changed for Jesus.
Let’s skip toward the end of the crucifixion and read here to see the glory of God as it is revealed John Chapter 19, verses 28
28 After this, Jesus, [e]knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
From Mark 15:39 - 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
And finally there was the thief of the cross Luke 23: 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said [k]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Do you see the glory of God being revealed in individual lives as Jesus is being sacrificed and crucified? God’s saving grace and power is being released into the lives of those who had previously been thieves, hardened professional soldiers, Businessmen and parts of the Levitical priesthood.
What a range of people God in Jesus Christ have touched into declaring for Jesus in the very hours, according to Satan, where Jesus was being defeated. Look at these men closer.
#1 A Pharisee – Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night. We find his story in John, Chapter 3.
Sermon April 10
Do you remember dental hygiene training as you grew up? We were all taught about dental caries or tooth decay and what we needed to do to prevent our teeth from falling out of our heads. And they showed us pictures of people who for whatever reason had terrible teeth and how you could get really sick from these diseases. How disgusting we thought. I will never get that way. But we all now have seen people whose teeth have fallen out of their heads. So it is true all the effects that can happened to a person because of bad teeth.
But there is a far more serious disease which has infected us as a people and it is called - truth decay. Now we all smile because of this kind of funny title, but this disease has far more serious impacts. For tooth decay can only kill the human body, while truth decay can doom the soul for an eternity in hell. This is a far greater disorder that the simple problem of tooth decay.
How has this happened? Quite simply according to the bible- John 3:19 -And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Men and women prefer sin rather than living in the truth. This has proven out since the garden of Eden. God gave us a perfect environment and yet what are we doing? According to His word – All have sinned. The wages of that sin is death and this creates enmity with God. We remain happy in our sin until God begins to illuminate our spirits, so that we can finally recognize our need and call upon His for salvation; for we need a savior. And there is only one name given among men whereby we must be saved and that is the name of Jesus. {Acts 4}
Now we can see truth decay all around us everywhere. From the time you get up in the morning and begin to read, listen or interact internally or with the culture around us, there is constant lying, denying and deception going on in everything. This extends from kindergarten to the highest courts in the land, on all media types – printed, radio, TV, internet and social interactions of all sorts. Truth in speaking and behaving and in personal relationships also seems to be more than lacking – I believe to a large extent society has become amoral. That is there are no morals. The prime driver is what’s in it for me. Self is dominant.
Isn’t it strange somehow the Bible parallels real life? Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem will lead to His death, but this portion of scripture highlights the increasing separation between light and dark for as He descends into Jerusalem. The darkness is clearly illuminated. Let’s read from Luke 19 to find the story of Jesus entry from light into darkness – verse 28 begins,
28 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to [g]Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”
32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. 33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
34 And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” 35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. 36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.
37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:
“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who [h]bought and sold in it, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house [i]is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”
Prayer - May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding.
To understand truth decay we must fully comprehend two basic items in Jesus Christ our Lord. First, He is the light of the world John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
And Jesus said in John 14:6 – I am the way the truth and life, no man(one) cometh to the Father but by Me.
So Jesus is both the light, the life and the truth for all men. As the Son of God, who now sits at the right hand of the Father, we can verify these as true and absolute. Why? Because they are the truth. Others may say in our day these are not their truth or their reality; but it is like the weather, our birth date, electricity, gravity and our death day, these are real but you have no control over them, whether you believe them or not they are real.
Christ then is the embodiment of truth and He represents both life and light to all men, whether you believe this reality or not.
Truth decay begins when we are born into sin and we exist in a fallen world. Everything the deceiver does is intended to cast doubt upon the truth and distort it. And Satan has been a liar from the beginning.
Notice the progression in our text
Jesus on the mount of Olives sends two into the city to secure a place for the Passover celebration vs. 28-35. So they brought the virgin colt of an ass to Jesus and He rode this animal into Jerusalem. By these actions He is declaring Himself, the fulfillment of a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which declare Him as the coming King.
Jesus then proceeds into Jerusalem and is declared by the people as the coming Messiah in verse 38 - saying:
“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
As Jesus goes from the Mount of Olives into the city we begin to see the variance between the light of life which shine into the darkness and the ever-present darkness both in men and in the world.
I. The people react emotionally for they see this one coming and they react to what they remember from Old Testament scripture about the coming King. This group of thousands maybe more would be many of the same who would be stirred up just a few days later crying – Crucify Him, Crucify Him, Give us Barabbas. This shows us the depth of darkness and unreliability of men within themselves when sin rules their lives and they themselves are immersed in darkness.
II. The religious leaders didn’t represent God’s truth. They were living a lie and were in eternal darkness apart from God. Think about this. This is why evil is attaching our children in the schools today? For if the leadership is corrupted; and they are teaching the younger ones, basically indoctrinating them in lies, but are representing it as truth. where is this or any nation headed? As in Jesus day if the religious leaders are unable to recognize the truth of who Jesus is, then darkness which is evil is spreading. They are creating truth decay, instead of the truth they teach a lie.
They asked Jesus to command His disciples and of course the people to stop what they were doing – in verses 39-40 -39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
The Pharisees here were trying to keep people from recognizing the truth of who Jesus is. For in the emotion of the moment and in the vague recognition of a future King coming on the colt of an ass, there is the potential some may actually believe that Jesus as Yeshua, the coming messiah. By casting doubt upon the proceedings and calling out the Pharisees are attempting to cast doubt on the legitimacy of His entry and cause fear and misunderstanding – They are creating darkness in the minds of men. Does this sound familiar when truth is presented- this is how you create truth decay
Now in the middle of all this we see Jesus reflect over Jerusalem vs 41 and following - 41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem – Jesus the one who represents the Truth and Light of God unto men, begins to weep as He descends into the darkness of men. “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
What a despairing cry for His people. Jerusalem, which represents the heart of the city of God, on earth for God’s people, is so immersed in darkness. So dark in sin and unbelief that God’s people did not recognize the hour of their visitation from God in this day. Nor did they understand the message which the Truth and Light giver had which would make for peace for themselves and for all future generations. The pervasive evil of darkness has so obscured Jesus and His message they missed it.
Here is an analogy – Every Airport runway in America has what we call approach minimums. Meaning when the weather is bad you can only safely go so low to land without incident. If you choose to go below these established minimums you risk killing yourself and all your passengers. Jesus life and truth represents the runway of salvation. There are minimums for finding this runway. These include – recognizing you are a sinner, that you desperately need a savior; and you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart unto salvation; then your call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. But if you try to land on the runway of Truth and Life without the minimums you may miss the runway entirely and be destroyed. In our story Jesus weeps because the runway is so obscured by the fog of sin, misinformation and untruths being taught His people they missed Him in the hour of their visitation. This had and continues to have eternal and the most serious of consequences as they missed the Son of God who would take away their sin now and for eternity.
The enemy is creating truth decay since the beginning of life. Did He not say in the very beginning to Eve-“hath God said?” And has he not continued to cast doubt in the hearts of men through the centuries to destroy what God has made? Is the deceiver, not Lucifer, the one who said in Isaiah 14:14 – ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.?’
Now take what you have heard and hopefully learned and apply it to what is happening around you in the world, in the media, in the US Congress, at the border, in the industry, in the confusion in the economy, in the schools and the wars raging across the world and what do you find? Darkness created by sin, fueled by lies, deceptions and untruths and a denial of the very basic premise that there is one God. He is ruler in the heavens and His Son is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Apart from Him you may live life for a while but you eventually will die and live eternally in darkness, torment and terror in Hell. In Him, as Lord and Savior, you have all Truth, Righteousness and the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside of you.
How does this help you? Walk into a totally dark room and tell me what you can see or perceive? Almost nothing is happening - no sounds, no sensing, no nothing, just darkness greets you. You may even bump into something. Now switch on the light and now all is seen in truth.
With the light of God actually living within you, you see and you cannot remain the same. If you do you are totally quenching the Holy Spirit or you have never actually received Him. There are no exceptions. Light and truth within you will give you what it says is verse 42- the things that make for your peace! This is peace with God and the peace of God which passes all understanding present. His Spirit and presence will permeate all parts of your life. Your very life will want to proclaim Him by what you say, how you speak, how you share what you have with others. In all areas of your life you will wish to proclaim the joy of your salvation. Is this true of you or has darkness crept in unawares? Jesus last act in our text is to cleanse the temple and destroy truth decay. He wants to do the same in all our lives today. Will you invite Him in for revival right now to cleanse His temple within you? Will you surrender all today? Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or help. He loves you. Amen.
Do you remember dental hygiene training as you grew up? We were all taught about dental caries or tooth decay and what we needed to do to prevent our teeth from falling out of our heads. And they showed us pictures of people who for whatever reason had terrible teeth and how you could get really sick from these diseases. How disgusting we thought. I will never get that way. But we all now have seen people whose teeth have fallen out of their heads. So it is true all the effects that can happened to a person because of bad teeth.
But there is a far more serious disease which has infected us as a people and it is called - truth decay. Now we all smile because of this kind of funny title, but this disease has far more serious impacts. For tooth decay can only kill the human body, while truth decay can doom the soul for an eternity in hell. This is a far greater disorder that the simple problem of tooth decay.
How has this happened? Quite simply according to the bible- John 3:19 -And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Men and women prefer sin rather than living in the truth. This has proven out since the garden of Eden. God gave us a perfect environment and yet what are we doing? According to His word – All have sinned. The wages of that sin is death and this creates enmity with God. We remain happy in our sin until God begins to illuminate our spirits, so that we can finally recognize our need and call upon His for salvation; for we need a savior. And there is only one name given among men whereby we must be saved and that is the name of Jesus. {Acts 4}
Now we can see truth decay all around us everywhere. From the time you get up in the morning and begin to read, listen or interact internally or with the culture around us, there is constant lying, denying and deception going on in everything. This extends from kindergarten to the highest courts in the land, on all media types – printed, radio, TV, internet and social interactions of all sorts. Truth in speaking and behaving and in personal relationships also seems to be more than lacking – I believe to a large extent society has become amoral. That is there are no morals. The prime driver is what’s in it for me. Self is dominant.
Isn’t it strange somehow the Bible parallels real life? Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem will lead to His death, but this portion of scripture highlights the increasing separation between light and dark for as He descends into Jerusalem. The darkness is clearly illuminated. Let’s read from Luke 19 to find the story of Jesus entry from light into darkness – verse 28 begins,
28 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to [g]Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”
32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. 33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
34 And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” 35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. 36 And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.
37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:
“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who [h]bought and sold in it, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house [i]is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”
Prayer - May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding.
To understand truth decay we must fully comprehend two basic items in Jesus Christ our Lord. First, He is the light of the world John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
And Jesus said in John 14:6 – I am the way the truth and life, no man(one) cometh to the Father but by Me.
So Jesus is both the light, the life and the truth for all men. As the Son of God, who now sits at the right hand of the Father, we can verify these as true and absolute. Why? Because they are the truth. Others may say in our day these are not their truth or their reality; but it is like the weather, our birth date, electricity, gravity and our death day, these are real but you have no control over them, whether you believe them or not they are real.
Christ then is the embodiment of truth and He represents both life and light to all men, whether you believe this reality or not.
Truth decay begins when we are born into sin and we exist in a fallen world. Everything the deceiver does is intended to cast doubt upon the truth and distort it. And Satan has been a liar from the beginning.
Notice the progression in our text
Jesus on the mount of Olives sends two into the city to secure a place for the Passover celebration vs. 28-35. So they brought the virgin colt of an ass to Jesus and He rode this animal into Jerusalem. By these actions He is declaring Himself, the fulfillment of a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, which declare Him as the coming King.
Jesus then proceeds into Jerusalem and is declared by the people as the coming Messiah in verse 38 - saying:
“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
As Jesus goes from the Mount of Olives into the city we begin to see the variance between the light of life which shine into the darkness and the ever-present darkness both in men and in the world.
I. The people react emotionally for they see this one coming and they react to what they remember from Old Testament scripture about the coming King. This group of thousands maybe more would be many of the same who would be stirred up just a few days later crying – Crucify Him, Crucify Him, Give us Barabbas. This shows us the depth of darkness and unreliability of men within themselves when sin rules their lives and they themselves are immersed in darkness.
II. The religious leaders didn’t represent God’s truth. They were living a lie and were in eternal darkness apart from God. Think about this. This is why evil is attaching our children in the schools today? For if the leadership is corrupted; and they are teaching the younger ones, basically indoctrinating them in lies, but are representing it as truth. where is this or any nation headed? As in Jesus day if the religious leaders are unable to recognize the truth of who Jesus is, then darkness which is evil is spreading. They are creating truth decay, instead of the truth they teach a lie.
They asked Jesus to command His disciples and of course the people to stop what they were doing – in verses 39-40 -39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
The Pharisees here were trying to keep people from recognizing the truth of who Jesus is. For in the emotion of the moment and in the vague recognition of a future King coming on the colt of an ass, there is the potential some may actually believe that Jesus as Yeshua, the coming messiah. By casting doubt upon the proceedings and calling out the Pharisees are attempting to cast doubt on the legitimacy of His entry and cause fear and misunderstanding – They are creating darkness in the minds of men. Does this sound familiar when truth is presented- this is how you create truth decay
Now in the middle of all this we see Jesus reflect over Jerusalem vs 41 and following - 41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem – Jesus the one who represents the Truth and Light of God unto men, begins to weep as He descends into the darkness of men. “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
What a despairing cry for His people. Jerusalem, which represents the heart of the city of God, on earth for God’s people, is so immersed in darkness. So dark in sin and unbelief that God’s people did not recognize the hour of their visitation from God in this day. Nor did they understand the message which the Truth and Light giver had which would make for peace for themselves and for all future generations. The pervasive evil of darkness has so obscured Jesus and His message they missed it.
Here is an analogy – Every Airport runway in America has what we call approach minimums. Meaning when the weather is bad you can only safely go so low to land without incident. If you choose to go below these established minimums you risk killing yourself and all your passengers. Jesus life and truth represents the runway of salvation. There are minimums for finding this runway. These include – recognizing you are a sinner, that you desperately need a savior; and you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart unto salvation; then your call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. But if you try to land on the runway of Truth and Life without the minimums you may miss the runway entirely and be destroyed. In our story Jesus weeps because the runway is so obscured by the fog of sin, misinformation and untruths being taught His people they missed Him in the hour of their visitation. This had and continues to have eternal and the most serious of consequences as they missed the Son of God who would take away their sin now and for eternity.
The enemy is creating truth decay since the beginning of life. Did He not say in the very beginning to Eve-“hath God said?” And has he not continued to cast doubt in the hearts of men through the centuries to destroy what God has made? Is the deceiver, not Lucifer, the one who said in Isaiah 14:14 – ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.?’
Now take what you have heard and hopefully learned and apply it to what is happening around you in the world, in the media, in the US Congress, at the border, in the industry, in the confusion in the economy, in the schools and the wars raging across the world and what do you find? Darkness created by sin, fueled by lies, deceptions and untruths and a denial of the very basic premise that there is one God. He is ruler in the heavens and His Son is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Apart from Him you may live life for a while but you eventually will die and live eternally in darkness, torment and terror in Hell. In Him, as Lord and Savior, you have all Truth, Righteousness and the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside of you.
How does this help you? Walk into a totally dark room and tell me what you can see or perceive? Almost nothing is happening - no sounds, no sensing, no nothing, just darkness greets you. You may even bump into something. Now switch on the light and now all is seen in truth.
With the light of God actually living within you, you see and you cannot remain the same. If you do you are totally quenching the Holy Spirit or you have never actually received Him. There are no exceptions. Light and truth within you will give you what it says is verse 42- the things that make for your peace! This is peace with God and the peace of God which passes all understanding present. His Spirit and presence will permeate all parts of your life. Your very life will want to proclaim Him by what you say, how you speak, how you share what you have with others. In all areas of your life you will wish to proclaim the joy of your salvation. Is this true of you or has darkness crept in unawares? Jesus last act in our text is to cleanse the temple and destroy truth decay. He wants to do the same in all our lives today. Will you invite Him in for revival right now to cleanse His temple within you? Will you surrender all today? Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or help. He loves you. Amen.
Sermon April 3
Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?
Lesson - What should we be doing? Why do I ask this question? We you know the day and the hour we live in America today. And we are aware of rampant inflation everything cost more and our money is worth less. It may soon be worthless if the administration continues its reckless idiocy. War is on the horizon and we are discussing an NBC event as if it some casual isolated happening that will not have world-wide impact on health and humanity. We are destroying our food supply because of our cutting the supply of oil – farmers cannot afford to run their equipment and the supply of fertilizer both foreign and domestic either comes from outside the US or it costs so much to produce and comes from oil derivatives. The administration is destroying the economy for the sake of and in the name of their elitist green new deal philosophy and accelerating the destruction of an otherwise once thriving economy.
Hate is everywhere. So can you define what is a woman? Or when does life begin? Or a million other questions that any farm born person can answer without question. In the womb and a woman has a womb. Soon and very soon they are coming to take away our freedom to worship. These progressives, no they are regressives, for they are actively destroying the constitution and will be putting this nation in peril and weakening us by having open borders and no military defensive or offensive capabilities. The elite wants to destruct and rule you. So I ask again what should you be doing?
Should we hate, destroy, run rampant go for it or should we look for the answers in our Bible, then allow God to direct our path? I thinks we know the answer.
The apostle Peter writing in 1st Peter is addressing the churches who are in the midst of suffering persecution. Persecution is coming from both from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish religious leaders. They are being persecuted as enemies of the state- isn’t that amazing. And you know what happens to their homes, their children and their possessions – the enrich the state and individual leaders. This has happen to the Canadian Truckers already and here to others as well – the cake baker in Oregon. So what does Peter say to them as inspired by the Holy Spirit in the Word -
1st Peter Chapter 2: 1-
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Living Before the World
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
What follows are two more sections about
1. Submitting to the government v.13-17
2. Submitting to unkind Masters v.18-20
And verses 21 through 25 are the story of the Suffering Servant of God and the way He suffered is the way we are to suffer. His example is never to revile but, in all ways, trusting God that He will bring vindication, judgement and justice in the end.
The sub-title for our lesson is What should we be doing in these final days or not so final days until the Lord comes? What is a body to do for our Lord in times like these?
Pray with me - Lord we pray you open our hearts and our thoughts, as we come before you to hear Your voice, lead us in the paths of righteousness everlasting - Amen
So Peter gets right on it he tells us what we should be doing in these days of trials and persecution –
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
A two-step process – Step 1 - Laying aside and Step 2 desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. In Step 1, there goes all lying, cheating, evil speaking and envious criticism. So we are to watch our tongues as James tells us, for the tongue causes fires to rage.
Step 2 and we need to honestly assess where we stand on this- as Newborn babes we are to desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. Do you still have a burning desire for the Word of God to fill you or are you like me, sometimes complacent. If we are, we need to repent for the second part of this verse should cause us to pause – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Have you asked Jesus Christ in your heart? If you have, then you know the grace and love of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for you on the cross. If you want a personal relationship, and to be strong as a Christian and to have faith that in God, then you need the Word of God in You. Jesus in His high priestly prayer in John 17, said as He prayed, “Thy word is truth.” He also said I am the way the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me. So when we ask Jesus into our hearts by faith, we receive new life. We keep this new life fresh and by receiving the bread of life which is found in immersing ourselves in the Word of God. John 6:63 provides the capstone -
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. So if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious and want to be continually filled you will continue to have a desire for the Word, not the milk so much but the Meat of the Word and will continue to study and glean all you can. I am sure you all check out guides and books that explain things in greater detail like cook books, how to use you phone- YouTube training videos, and the like. So why are you avoiding the Word of God- it is your life.
Step 3- Orient yourselves to become His chosen Stones and His chosen People vs 4-5 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. You are coming to Jesus who is a living stone rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious. The implication here is this also applies to you for also are rejected by men and chosen by God and are precious to Him. After all He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for your sin and mine, so you are infinitely precious in His sight. As living stones birthed by God, you are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood- praying and leading others. Why so you can offer up spiritual sacrifices - your serviced and your life which are to be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Also note from whom your leadership comes - 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. Your leader is the cornerstone – Jesus is the cornerstone. He is also the rock of Ages cleft for you and I our savior Immanuel .
Point 4 – note your special assignment and call to ministry as your response to what should we be doing – notice – verses 9-10: 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
A chosen generation – of the Lord
A royal priesthood – ordained by Jesus Christ
A holy nation – you are God’s children in His Son. A very peculiar and special people who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Why has God done this?- That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; to witness to the nature of an awesome God and His saving grace. Foot stomp this - our job is to call attention to God. To call to and to tell others of His glory, His majesty, His saving grace and the wonderous beauty of His Son.
Last point – You are to live Him before the World. You are to be salt and light. A candlestick on a hill radiates light and you and I are it. Read verses 11-12:
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
So don’t live as the world lives, live differently as led by the Holy Spirit of God. For if He is not leading you will not be able to follow in your own weaknesses.
Don’t lust after what the eyes sees, or what the mind thinks or the flesh desires. As a pilgrim on a dedicated journey toward the city of God and your heavenly rest don’t conflict or stress your souls by lust. Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Make your conduct honorable, above board. Leave no room in your behavior which might cause others to question or to wonder about your character, your integrity and your reputation. Are you a man or woman {there are only two sexes according to the Word of God, 1 race, and 1 marriage, 1 creation not an evolution}who can stand before God and men with a clean conscience? Maybe not perfect, but you are forgiven, and are covered by His righteousness in the blood of the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. If the answer is yes, then you are following the Lord. But maybe your aren’t there yet. If that is the case then don’t quit don’t give up, you are here and God is not done with you yet and He is calling to you to obey. Will you respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and come to the Lord Jesus today?
So then the end of being a believer is not to vegetate and sit in church and worship here but to follow what Peter has said in verse 12 – that others by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Your works are to be lived before others. That means we will be criticized and ostracized, cast out even. But in the midst of the hostilities do not forget who you are. You are children of the King and your life and light in the midst of the darkness may bring others to the source of all light – Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Where are you letting your light shine before men today?
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or help. He loves you. Amen
Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?
Lesson - What should we be doing? Why do I ask this question? We you know the day and the hour we live in America today. And we are aware of rampant inflation everything cost more and our money is worth less. It may soon be worthless if the administration continues its reckless idiocy. War is on the horizon and we are discussing an NBC event as if it some casual isolated happening that will not have world-wide impact on health and humanity. We are destroying our food supply because of our cutting the supply of oil – farmers cannot afford to run their equipment and the supply of fertilizer both foreign and domestic either comes from outside the US or it costs so much to produce and comes from oil derivatives. The administration is destroying the economy for the sake of and in the name of their elitist green new deal philosophy and accelerating the destruction of an otherwise once thriving economy.
Hate is everywhere. So can you define what is a woman? Or when does life begin? Or a million other questions that any farm born person can answer without question. In the womb and a woman has a womb. Soon and very soon they are coming to take away our freedom to worship. These progressives, no they are regressives, for they are actively destroying the constitution and will be putting this nation in peril and weakening us by having open borders and no military defensive or offensive capabilities. The elite wants to destruct and rule you. So I ask again what should you be doing?
Should we hate, destroy, run rampant go for it or should we look for the answers in our Bible, then allow God to direct our path? I thinks we know the answer.
The apostle Peter writing in 1st Peter is addressing the churches who are in the midst of suffering persecution. Persecution is coming from both from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish religious leaders. They are being persecuted as enemies of the state- isn’t that amazing. And you know what happens to their homes, their children and their possessions – the enrich the state and individual leaders. This has happen to the Canadian Truckers already and here to others as well – the cake baker in Oregon. So what does Peter say to them as inspired by the Holy Spirit in the Word -
1st Peter Chapter 2: 1-
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Living Before the World
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
What follows are two more sections about
1. Submitting to the government v.13-17
2. Submitting to unkind Masters v.18-20
And verses 21 through 25 are the story of the Suffering Servant of God and the way He suffered is the way we are to suffer. His example is never to revile but, in all ways, trusting God that He will bring vindication, judgement and justice in the end.
The sub-title for our lesson is What should we be doing in these final days or not so final days until the Lord comes? What is a body to do for our Lord in times like these?
Pray with me - Lord we pray you open our hearts and our thoughts, as we come before you to hear Your voice, lead us in the paths of righteousness everlasting - Amen
So Peter gets right on it he tells us what we should be doing in these days of trials and persecution –
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
A two-step process – Step 1 - Laying aside and Step 2 desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. In Step 1, there goes all lying, cheating, evil speaking and envious criticism. So we are to watch our tongues as James tells us, for the tongue causes fires to rage.
Step 2 and we need to honestly assess where we stand on this- as Newborn babes we are to desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. Do you still have a burning desire for the Word of God to fill you or are you like me, sometimes complacent. If we are, we need to repent for the second part of this verse should cause us to pause – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Have you asked Jesus Christ in your heart? If you have, then you know the grace and love of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for you on the cross. If you want a personal relationship, and to be strong as a Christian and to have faith that in God, then you need the Word of God in You. Jesus in His high priestly prayer in John 17, said as He prayed, “Thy word is truth.” He also said I am the way the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me. So when we ask Jesus into our hearts by faith, we receive new life. We keep this new life fresh and by receiving the bread of life which is found in immersing ourselves in the Word of God. John 6:63 provides the capstone -
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. So if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious and want to be continually filled you will continue to have a desire for the Word, not the milk so much but the Meat of the Word and will continue to study and glean all you can. I am sure you all check out guides and books that explain things in greater detail like cook books, how to use you phone- YouTube training videos, and the like. So why are you avoiding the Word of God- it is your life.
Step 3- Orient yourselves to become His chosen Stones and His chosen People vs 4-5 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. You are coming to Jesus who is a living stone rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious. The implication here is this also applies to you for also are rejected by men and chosen by God and are precious to Him. After all He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for your sin and mine, so you are infinitely precious in His sight. As living stones birthed by God, you are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood- praying and leading others. Why so you can offer up spiritual sacrifices - your serviced and your life which are to be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Also note from whom your leadership comes - 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. Your leader is the cornerstone – Jesus is the cornerstone. He is also the rock of Ages cleft for you and I our savior Immanuel .
Point 4 – note your special assignment and call to ministry as your response to what should we be doing – notice – verses 9-10: 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
A chosen generation – of the Lord
A royal priesthood – ordained by Jesus Christ
A holy nation – you are God’s children in His Son. A very peculiar and special people who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Why has God done this?- That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; to witness to the nature of an awesome God and His saving grace. Foot stomp this - our job is to call attention to God. To call to and to tell others of His glory, His majesty, His saving grace and the wonderous beauty of His Son.
Last point – You are to live Him before the World. You are to be salt and light. A candlestick on a hill radiates light and you and I are it. Read verses 11-12:
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
So don’t live as the world lives, live differently as led by the Holy Spirit of God. For if He is not leading you will not be able to follow in your own weaknesses.
Don’t lust after what the eyes sees, or what the mind thinks or the flesh desires. As a pilgrim on a dedicated journey toward the city of God and your heavenly rest don’t conflict or stress your souls by lust. Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Make your conduct honorable, above board. Leave no room in your behavior which might cause others to question or to wonder about your character, your integrity and your reputation. Are you a man or woman {there are only two sexes according to the Word of God, 1 race, and 1 marriage, 1 creation not an evolution}who can stand before God and men with a clean conscience? Maybe not perfect, but you are forgiven, and are covered by His righteousness in the blood of the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. If the answer is yes, then you are following the Lord. But maybe your aren’t there yet. If that is the case then don’t quit don’t give up, you are here and God is not done with you yet and He is calling to you to obey. Will you respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and come to the Lord Jesus today?
So then the end of being a believer is not to vegetate and sit in church and worship here but to follow what Peter has said in verse 12 – that others by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Your works are to be lived before others. That means we will be criticized and ostracized, cast out even. But in the midst of the hostilities do not forget who you are. You are children of the King and your life and light in the midst of the darkness may bring others to the source of all light – Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Where are you letting your light shine before men today?
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or help. He loves you. Amen
Sermon March 27
Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?
Lesson - What should we be doing? Why do I ask this question? We you know the day and the hour we live in America today. And we are aware of rampant inflation everything cost more and our money is worth less. It may soon be worthless if the administration continues its reckless idiocy. War is on the horizon and we are discussing an NBC event as if it some casual isolated happening that will not have world-wide impact on health and humanity. We are destroying our food supply because of our cutting the supply of oil – farmers cannot afford to run their equipment and the supply of fertilizer both foreign and domestic either comes from outside the US or it costs so much to produce and comes from oil derivatives. The administration is destroying the economy for the sake of and in the name of their elitist green new deal philosophy and accelerating the destruction of an otherwise once thriving economy.
Hate is everywhere. So can you define what is a woman? Or when does life begin? Or a million other questions that any farm born person can answer without question. In the womb and a woman has a womb. Soon and very soon they are coming to take away our freedom to worship. These progressives, no they are regressives, for they are actively destroying the constitution and will be putting this nation in peril and weakening us by having open borders and no military defensive or offensive capabilities. The elite wants to destruct and rule you. So I ask again what should you be doing?
Should we hate, destroy, run rampant go for it or should we look for the answers in our Bible, then allow God to direct our path? I thinks we know the answer.
The apostle Peter writing in 1st Peter is addressing the churches who are in the midst of suffering persecution. Persecution is coming from both from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish religious leaders. They are being persecuted as enemies of the state- isn’t that amazing. And you know what happens to their homes, their children and their possessions – the enrich the state and individual leaders. This has happen to the Canadian Truckers already and here to others as well – the cake baker in Oregon. So what does Peter say to them as inspired by the Holy Spirit in the Word -
1st Peter Chapter 2: 1-
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Living Before the World
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
What follows are two more sections about
1. Submitting to the government v.13-17
2. Submitting to unkind Masters v.18-20
And verses 21 through 25 are the story of the Suffering Servant of God and the way He suffered is the way we are to suffer. His example is never to revile but, in all ways, trusting God that He will bring vindication, judgement and justice in the end.
The sub-title for our lesson is What should we be doing in these final days or not so final days until the Lord comes? What is a body to do for our Lord in times like these?
Pray with me - Lord we pray you open our hearts and our thoughts, as we come before you to hear Your voice, lead us in the paths of righteousness everlasting - Amen
So Peter gets right on it he tells us what we should be doing in these days of trials and persecution –
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
A two-step process – Step 1 - Laying aside and Step 2 desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. In Step 1, there goes all lying, cheating, evil speaking and envious criticism. So we are to watch our tongues as James tells us, for the tongue causes fires to rage.
Step 2 and we need to honestly assess where we stand on this- as Newborn babes we are to desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. Do you still have a burning desire for the Word of God to fill you or are you like me, sometimes complacent. If we are, we need to repent for the second part of this verse should cause us to pause – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Have you asked Jesus Christ in your heart? If you have, then you know the grace and love of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for you on the cross. If you want a personal relationship, and to be strong as a Christian and to have faith that in God, then you need the Word of God in You. Jesus in His high priestly prayer in John 17, said as He prayed, “Thy word is truth.” He also said I am the way the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me. So when we ask Jesus into our hearts by faith, we receive new life. We keep this new life fresh and by receiving the bread of life which is found in immersing ourselves in the Word of God. John 6:63 provides the capstone -
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. So if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious and want to be continually filled you will continue to have a desire for the Word, not the milk so much but the Meat of the Word and will continue to study and glean all you can. I am sure you all check out guides and books that explain things in greater detail like cook books, how to use you phone- YouTube training videos, and the like. So why are you avoiding the Word of God- it is your life.
Step 3- Orient yourselves to become His chosen Stones and His chosen People vs 4-5 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. You are coming to Jesus who is a living stone rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious. The implication here is this also applies to you for also are rejected by men and chosen by God and are precious to Him. After all He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for your sin and mine, so you are infinitely precious in His sight. As living stones birthed by God, you are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood- praying and leading others. Why so you can offer up spiritual sacrifices - your serviced and your life which are to be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Also note from whom your leadership comes - 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. Your leader is the cornerstone – Jesus is the cornerstone. He is also the rock of Ages cleft for you and I our savior Immanuel .
Point 4 – note your special assignment and call to ministry as your response to what should we be doing – notice – verses 9-10: 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
A chosen generation – of the Lord
A royal priesthood – ordained by Jesus Christ
A holy nation – you are God’s children in His Son. A very peculiar and special people who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Why has God done this?- That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; to witness to the nature of an awesome God and His saving grace. Foot stomp this - our job is to call attention to God. To call to and to tell others of His glory, His majesty, His saving grace and the wonderous beauty of His Son.
Last point – You are to live Him before the World. You are to be salt and light. A candlestick on a hill radiates light and you and I are it. Read verses 11-12:
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
So don’t live as the world lives, live differently as led by the Holy Spirit of God. For if He is not leading you will not be able to follow in your own weaknesses.
Don’t lust after what the eyes sees, or what the mind thinks or the flesh desires. As a pilgrim on a dedicated journey toward the city of God and your heavenly rest don’t conflict or stress your souls by lust. Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Make your conduct honorable, above board. Leave no room in your behavior which might cause others to question or to wonder about your character, your integrity and your reputation. Are you a man or woman {there are only two sexes according to the Word of God, 1 race, and 1 marriage, 1 creation not an evolution}who can stand before God and men with a clean conscience? Maybe not perfect, but you are forgiven, and are covered by His righteousness in the blood of the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. If the answer is yes, then you are following the Lord. But maybe your aren’t there yet. If that is the case then don’t quit don’t give up, you are here and God is not done with you yet and He is calling to you to obey. Will you respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and come to the Lord Jesus today?
So then the end of being a believer is not to vegetate and sit in church and worship here but to follow what Peter has said in verse 12 – that others by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Your works are to be lived before others. That means we will be criticized and ostracized, cast out even. But in the midst of the hostilities do not forget who you are. You are children of the King and your life and light in the midst of the darkness may bring others to the source of all light – Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Where are you letting your light shine before men today?
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or help. He loves you. Amen
Who have you invited to church today who needs to know Jesus Christ?
Lesson - What should we be doing? Why do I ask this question? We you know the day and the hour we live in America today. And we are aware of rampant inflation everything cost more and our money is worth less. It may soon be worthless if the administration continues its reckless idiocy. War is on the horizon and we are discussing an NBC event as if it some casual isolated happening that will not have world-wide impact on health and humanity. We are destroying our food supply because of our cutting the supply of oil – farmers cannot afford to run their equipment and the supply of fertilizer both foreign and domestic either comes from outside the US or it costs so much to produce and comes from oil derivatives. The administration is destroying the economy for the sake of and in the name of their elitist green new deal philosophy and accelerating the destruction of an otherwise once thriving economy.
Hate is everywhere. So can you define what is a woman? Or when does life begin? Or a million other questions that any farm born person can answer without question. In the womb and a woman has a womb. Soon and very soon they are coming to take away our freedom to worship. These progressives, no they are regressives, for they are actively destroying the constitution and will be putting this nation in peril and weakening us by having open borders and no military defensive or offensive capabilities. The elite wants to destruct and rule you. So I ask again what should you be doing?
Should we hate, destroy, run rampant go for it or should we look for the answers in our Bible, then allow God to direct our path? I thinks we know the answer.
The apostle Peter writing in 1st Peter is addressing the churches who are in the midst of suffering persecution. Persecution is coming from both from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish religious leaders. They are being persecuted as enemies of the state- isn’t that amazing. And you know what happens to their homes, their children and their possessions – the enrich the state and individual leaders. This has happen to the Canadian Truckers already and here to others as well – the cake baker in Oregon. So what does Peter say to them as inspired by the Holy Spirit in the Word -
1st Peter Chapter 2: 1-
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Living Before the World
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
What follows are two more sections about
1. Submitting to the government v.13-17
2. Submitting to unkind Masters v.18-20
And verses 21 through 25 are the story of the Suffering Servant of God and the way He suffered is the way we are to suffer. His example is never to revile but, in all ways, trusting God that He will bring vindication, judgement and justice in the end.
The sub-title for our lesson is What should we be doing in these final days or not so final days until the Lord comes? What is a body to do for our Lord in times like these?
Pray with me - Lord we pray you open our hearts and our thoughts, as we come before you to hear Your voice, lead us in the paths of righteousness everlasting - Amen
So Peter gets right on it he tells us what we should be doing in these days of trials and persecution –
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
A two-step process – Step 1 - Laying aside and Step 2 desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. In Step 1, there goes all lying, cheating, evil speaking and envious criticism. So we are to watch our tongues as James tells us, for the tongue causes fires to rage.
Step 2 and we need to honestly assess where we stand on this- as Newborn babes we are to desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. Do you still have a burning desire for the Word of God to fill you or are you like me, sometimes complacent. If we are, we need to repent for the second part of this verse should cause us to pause – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Have you asked Jesus Christ in your heart? If you have, then you know the grace and love of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for you on the cross. If you want a personal relationship, and to be strong as a Christian and to have faith that in God, then you need the Word of God in You. Jesus in His high priestly prayer in John 17, said as He prayed, “Thy word is truth.” He also said I am the way the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me. So when we ask Jesus into our hearts by faith, we receive new life. We keep this new life fresh and by receiving the bread of life which is found in immersing ourselves in the Word of God. John 6:63 provides the capstone -
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. So if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious and want to be continually filled you will continue to have a desire for the Word, not the milk so much but the Meat of the Word and will continue to study and glean all you can. I am sure you all check out guides and books that explain things in greater detail like cook books, how to use you phone- YouTube training videos, and the like. So why are you avoiding the Word of God- it is your life.
Step 3- Orient yourselves to become His chosen Stones and His chosen People vs 4-5 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. You are coming to Jesus who is a living stone rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious. The implication here is this also applies to you for also are rejected by men and chosen by God and are precious to Him. After all He sent Jesus to pay the penalty for your sin and mine, so you are infinitely precious in His sight. As living stones birthed by God, you are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood- praying and leading others. Why so you can offer up spiritual sacrifices - your serviced and your life which are to be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Also note from whom your leadership comes - 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. Your leader is the cornerstone – Jesus is the cornerstone. He is also the rock of Ages cleft for you and I our savior Immanuel .
Point 4 – note your special assignment and call to ministry as your response to what should we be doing – notice – verses 9-10: 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
A chosen generation – of the Lord
A royal priesthood – ordained by Jesus Christ
A holy nation – you are God’s children in His Son. A very peculiar and special people who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Why has God done this?- That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; to witness to the nature of an awesome God and His saving grace. Foot stomp this - our job is to call attention to God. To call to and to tell others of His glory, His majesty, His saving grace and the wonderous beauty of His Son.
Last point – You are to live Him before the World. You are to be salt and light. A candlestick on a hill radiates light and you and I are it. Read verses 11-12:
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
So don’t live as the world lives, live differently as led by the Holy Spirit of God. For if He is not leading you will not be able to follow in your own weaknesses.
Don’t lust after what the eyes sees, or what the mind thinks or the flesh desires. As a pilgrim on a dedicated journey toward the city of God and your heavenly rest don’t conflict or stress your souls by lust. Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Make your conduct honorable, above board. Leave no room in your behavior which might cause others to question or to wonder about your character, your integrity and your reputation. Are you a man or woman {there are only two sexes according to the Word of God, 1 race, and 1 marriage, 1 creation not an evolution}who can stand before God and men with a clean conscience? Maybe not perfect, but you are forgiven, and are covered by His righteousness in the blood of the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. If the answer is yes, then you are following the Lord. But maybe your aren’t there yet. If that is the case then don’t quit don’t give up, you are here and God is not done with you yet and He is calling to you to obey. Will you respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and come to the Lord Jesus today?
So then the end of being a believer is not to vegetate and sit in church and worship here but to follow what Peter has said in verse 12 – that others by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Your works are to be lived before others. That means we will be criticized and ostracized, cast out even. But in the midst of the hostilities do not forget who you are. You are children of the King and your life and light in the midst of the darkness may bring others to the source of all light – Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Where are you letting your light shine before men today?
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or help. He loves you. Amen
Sermon March 20
Today’s lesson is a practical lesson on contending earnestly for the faith. What does this mean? Many of us spout these words but few have a clear understanding of what they mean. First is the word contend; secondly, what does earnestly mean for us, and last but not least, when we say contend earnestly for the faith; what do the words “for the faith” imply, either implicitly or explicitly?
Let’s begin our study with a word of prayer- Father we humbly ask that you would speak to us today about standing for Your word, for Your Son and for Your truth. May our hearts and minds be stayed upon you’re your Word, Oh Lord, for Your Word is truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus – Amen
Now to ground ourselves on what we will be learning about today turn to the Book of Jude. It is a small book, right before the last book of the Bible- Revelation.
Reading, now from Jude- 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord [b]God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
You can spend some time reading after church from verse 4 to verse 14. For we are jumping there to discuss how you and I are to contend for our faith. Jude vs. 14, since the is only 1 chapter in Jude, verse 14 -
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
Apostates Predicted
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are [i]sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Maintain Your Life with God
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Now may God add His blessing to the reading and the application of His word to our lives. Amen
Three objectives before we parse the verses themselves –
1. What is contending for the faith?
2. What does earnestly mean?
3. What does for the faith mean?
1. What is contending for the faith?
Jesus said there would be opposition ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:20) In many of the new testament letters Paul is bolstering the church because of the opposition to Jesus which has been initiated and created by persecution of the body of believers - (1 Thess. 2:14-16). Contending means to actively stand up for what you believe despite the fact that there are those who will not like what you say, or the way you live. Most especially the hateful opposition will despise you because of the name of Jesus Christ which you stand by. Again read John 15.20. Contending is standing strong against those who deny its truth and call you all sorts of vile names, cut off your opportunity to work, and many other evil things. Why do they do this? Simple they hate you because they love darkness rather than the light. (Jn. 3.19)
2. What does earnestly mean?
It means with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, not casually or partially or as you have time. If you ever bought a house in my day you had to put down earnest money, in most case 10% or more. If you decided to opt out for no good reason you would lose this money. That was what earnest meant. You would do all you needed to do to go through with the home purchase because you didn’t want to lose those thousands of dollar. So I was earnest about going through with the deal and would not just casually say, Ah, I’m tired today and don’t feel like completing the deal I‘m going fishing instead. To be earnest means to put all I have into doing what I promised to do. Contend for the faith.
3. What does for the faith mean? How did you come to faith in Jesus Christ? Well someone had to tell you about what Jesus has done for you to save you from your sins. You had to be convicted by the Word of God that you were a sinner and the wages of that sin was death. And your Father in heaven was angry with you because of your sin, but He sent Jesus to you to save you from your sin. Jesus’ death on the cross, His burial and resurrection from the dead, 3 days later, paid your sin debt and by faith you had to believe this was true. God the Father , sent the Holy Spirit and He quickened your heart to believe and confess that Jesus was Lord. Specifically, Romans 10:9-10, 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So by faith you received salvation and in the twinkling of an eye, you became a new creation and passed from death to life. This is the gospel of faith for which you must contend not just one part the whole pie. And with this comes some additional items such as the infallible, inerrant and perfect Word of God, the Bible. Creation occurred as it is taught in scripture. There is one race, two sexes male and female and we are indelibly stamped from creation and you can’t change it. Marriage is a gift of God and children are a fruit of the womb and not just “a choice.” He created them and put them in the mother’s womb by rape, incest or indiscriminate sex with another of the opposite sex.
Now you may have a better understanding of what we mean by earnestly contending for the faith. But there is one more piece – it means all of it. Now we cannot let slip one element of our faith for that is how the enemy slips in unnoticed and takes away our faith. We must stay true to the whole set of truths in God’s word. It is all true. Duet 30 .17 - But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,
One of my prior pastors always talked about the slippery slope and its true, just look how America has fallen away from God. It all starts if your heart turns away so you do not hear. That is the first subtle step down the slippery slope and then after a while all hell breaks loose. This is America today. God is no longer preserving and protecting> He is allowing the spirit of deception and the spirit of antichrist to reign because we have sent God packing. We no longer need or want Him according to public sentiment and so He has allowed sin to be blossoming in this country. The fruits of sinful behaviors of the flesh are clearly catalogued in God’s Word in Galatians, Chapter 5 we read the following-v 19-21:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Notice the last verse which should concern us all, that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. So people who practice such things cannot and do not contend for the faith for their hearts are divided and against God’s will. Examine yourselves to ensure you are not conflicted.
Now to our text for earnestly contending for the faith in our day may be very uncomfortable and distressing to you and to those around you. Jesus said you will have tribulation and distresses, so expect them. Contending for the faith means to stand in the public square if necessary and defend the very truth of God’s Word, despite what others may do or say to you. In our world of instant twitter storms, repression of the truth by the media and outright lying of our leadership you can expect massive feedback and repression regarding speaking the truth. There are those in jail right now who are political prisoners for speaking the truth. You can look at how the Canadian PM has destroyed and stolen from the Truckers in Canada. Those men and women now have no sources of income, nor can they drive their vehicles. Their trucks have been smashed, destroyed and impounded. It is still freezing cold up there. This has already occurred to some here in the US even before the Canadian events of the past few weeks.
I. First, We have been told what to expect, see vs.14-15
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men{what men?- ungodly men see vs 4} also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands {more than 10 K, it is plural}of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
God was and is already planning judgement against the ungodly since Adam’s seventh son. Judgement against ungodly deed, ungodly ways and what the ungodly have spoken about Himself, His people and His Son
II. God provides a listing of their characteristics: 16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are [i]sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the {Holy}Spirit.
These are those who go against the Word of God and you as you proclaim God’s Truth. Remember God has a plan for your life. You are not your own, you have been bought with a price and you are to glorify God in your body. You and I are also commended to Go and tell all. And God has uniquely equipped you with Himself in the Holy Spirit as you go. But you will notice that this also causes division in our churches and you are seeing this now with CRT and the rise of progressivism/ regressives in our churches. Many are falling away within denominations. Just what do you think sensual persons are? They live by how they feel and that determines what is right, but with you that is not so! Nor are there multiple ways to heaven – according to this book there is only one way to heaven Acts 4:12 - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” That is the name of Jesus. He is the only one who has paid God’s price for redemption for your sin by His blood. This of all points must be broadcast and contended for in the culture. And there is only one standard for our behavior and that is the Word of God. There can be no other standard.
Point III. God provides a means of how we are to behave in this day - 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
First you are beloved- a child of God. What an honor what a treasure do you have any idea of how blessed we are? Building yourselves up – striving to study and show yourselves approved of God. A workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth- the Bible. Asking God and seeking God to help you to pray in the Spirit for yourselves and others at all times, without ceasing. {1 Thess. 4:16}. Looking for the Lord Jesus’ mercy on us daily for ourselves and others. Mercy instead of Judgement for ourselves and for others is necessary daily.
Now remember your calling from Paul in
2 Tim 2:3-4 3 You therefore must endure[a] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Today’s lesson is a practical lesson on contending earnestly for the faith. What does this mean? Many of us spout these words but few have a clear understanding of what they mean. First is the word contend; secondly, what does earnestly mean for us, and last but not least, when we say contend earnestly for the faith; what do the words “for the faith” imply, either implicitly or explicitly?
Let’s begin our study with a word of prayer- Father we humbly ask that you would speak to us today about standing for Your word, for Your Son and for Your truth. May our hearts and minds be stayed upon you’re your Word, Oh Lord, for Your Word is truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus – Amen
Now to ground ourselves on what we will be learning about today turn to the Book of Jude. It is a small book, right before the last book of the Bible- Revelation.
Reading, now from Jude- 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord [b]God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
You can spend some time reading after church from verse 4 to verse 14. For we are jumping there to discuss how you and I are to contend for our faith. Jude vs. 14, since the is only 1 chapter in Jude, verse 14 -
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
Apostates Predicted
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are [i]sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Maintain Your Life with God
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Now may God add His blessing to the reading and the application of His word to our lives. Amen
Three objectives before we parse the verses themselves –
1. What is contending for the faith?
2. What does earnestly mean?
3. What does for the faith mean?
1. What is contending for the faith?
Jesus said there would be opposition ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:20) In many of the new testament letters Paul is bolstering the church because of the opposition to Jesus which has been initiated and created by persecution of the body of believers - (1 Thess. 2:14-16). Contending means to actively stand up for what you believe despite the fact that there are those who will not like what you say, or the way you live. Most especially the hateful opposition will despise you because of the name of Jesus Christ which you stand by. Again read John 15.20. Contending is standing strong against those who deny its truth and call you all sorts of vile names, cut off your opportunity to work, and many other evil things. Why do they do this? Simple they hate you because they love darkness rather than the light. (Jn. 3.19)
2. What does earnestly mean?
It means with all your heart and soul and mind and strength, not casually or partially or as you have time. If you ever bought a house in my day you had to put down earnest money, in most case 10% or more. If you decided to opt out for no good reason you would lose this money. That was what earnest meant. You would do all you needed to do to go through with the home purchase because you didn’t want to lose those thousands of dollar. So I was earnest about going through with the deal and would not just casually say, Ah, I’m tired today and don’t feel like completing the deal I‘m going fishing instead. To be earnest means to put all I have into doing what I promised to do. Contend for the faith.
3. What does for the faith mean? How did you come to faith in Jesus Christ? Well someone had to tell you about what Jesus has done for you to save you from your sins. You had to be convicted by the Word of God that you were a sinner and the wages of that sin was death. And your Father in heaven was angry with you because of your sin, but He sent Jesus to you to save you from your sin. Jesus’ death on the cross, His burial and resurrection from the dead, 3 days later, paid your sin debt and by faith you had to believe this was true. God the Father , sent the Holy Spirit and He quickened your heart to believe and confess that Jesus was Lord. Specifically, Romans 10:9-10, 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So by faith you received salvation and in the twinkling of an eye, you became a new creation and passed from death to life. This is the gospel of faith for which you must contend not just one part the whole pie. And with this comes some additional items such as the infallible, inerrant and perfect Word of God, the Bible. Creation occurred as it is taught in scripture. There is one race, two sexes male and female and we are indelibly stamped from creation and you can’t change it. Marriage is a gift of God and children are a fruit of the womb and not just “a choice.” He created them and put them in the mother’s womb by rape, incest or indiscriminate sex with another of the opposite sex.
Now you may have a better understanding of what we mean by earnestly contending for the faith. But there is one more piece – it means all of it. Now we cannot let slip one element of our faith for that is how the enemy slips in unnoticed and takes away our faith. We must stay true to the whole set of truths in God’s word. It is all true. Duet 30 .17 - But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,
One of my prior pastors always talked about the slippery slope and its true, just look how America has fallen away from God. It all starts if your heart turns away so you do not hear. That is the first subtle step down the slippery slope and then after a while all hell breaks loose. This is America today. God is no longer preserving and protecting> He is allowing the spirit of deception and the spirit of antichrist to reign because we have sent God packing. We no longer need or want Him according to public sentiment and so He has allowed sin to be blossoming in this country. The fruits of sinful behaviors of the flesh are clearly catalogued in God’s Word in Galatians, Chapter 5 we read the following-v 19-21:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [d]adultery, [e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Notice the last verse which should concern us all, that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. So people who practice such things cannot and do not contend for the faith for their hearts are divided and against God’s will. Examine yourselves to ensure you are not conflicted.
Now to our text for earnestly contending for the faith in our day may be very uncomfortable and distressing to you and to those around you. Jesus said you will have tribulation and distresses, so expect them. Contending for the faith means to stand in the public square if necessary and defend the very truth of God’s Word, despite what others may do or say to you. In our world of instant twitter storms, repression of the truth by the media and outright lying of our leadership you can expect massive feedback and repression regarding speaking the truth. There are those in jail right now who are political prisoners for speaking the truth. You can look at how the Canadian PM has destroyed and stolen from the Truckers in Canada. Those men and women now have no sources of income, nor can they drive their vehicles. Their trucks have been smashed, destroyed and impounded. It is still freezing cold up there. This has already occurred to some here in the US even before the Canadian events of the past few weeks.
I. First, We have been told what to expect, see vs.14-15
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men{what men?- ungodly men see vs 4} also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands {more than 10 K, it is plural}of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
God was and is already planning judgement against the ungodly since Adam’s seventh son. Judgement against ungodly deed, ungodly ways and what the ungodly have spoken about Himself, His people and His Son
II. God provides a listing of their characteristics: 16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are [i]sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the {Holy}Spirit.
These are those who go against the Word of God and you as you proclaim God’s Truth. Remember God has a plan for your life. You are not your own, you have been bought with a price and you are to glorify God in your body. You and I are also commended to Go and tell all. And God has uniquely equipped you with Himself in the Holy Spirit as you go. But you will notice that this also causes division in our churches and you are seeing this now with CRT and the rise of progressivism/ regressives in our churches. Many are falling away within denominations. Just what do you think sensual persons are? They live by how they feel and that determines what is right, but with you that is not so! Nor are there multiple ways to heaven – according to this book there is only one way to heaven Acts 4:12 - 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” That is the name of Jesus. He is the only one who has paid God’s price for redemption for your sin by His blood. This of all points must be broadcast and contended for in the culture. And there is only one standard for our behavior and that is the Word of God. There can be no other standard.
Point III. God provides a means of how we are to behave in this day - 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
First you are beloved- a child of God. What an honor what a treasure do you have any idea of how blessed we are? Building yourselves up – striving to study and show yourselves approved of God. A workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth- the Bible. Asking God and seeking God to help you to pray in the Spirit for yourselves and others at all times, without ceasing. {1 Thess. 4:16}. Looking for the Lord Jesus’ mercy on us daily for ourselves and others. Mercy instead of Judgement for ourselves and for others is necessary daily.
Now remember your calling from Paul in
2 Tim 2:3-4 3 You therefore must endure[a] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Sermon March 13
In the disaster happening in Kiev, in the de-construction of America, is the devaluation of teaching and in the elimination of truth, righteousness and justice in America, many wonder where is the God of Jacob and the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
You will also notice how quiet it is across the East and Far East, while all this focus is on Ukraine. Yes all is quite on the eastern front which is a prelude to coming attractions across this earth. But you should be aware the scope of what you are seeing is horrendous and evil, but there is even greater evil in the offing, as events precede to the great tribulation.
We always hear the question in the midst of this, why would a good God allow all this pain and suffering which is happening here and across the world? While you today may not be involved with Ukraine perhaps you have a situation, a sickness, a difficulty, a loved one facing death, or some traumatic unrelenting and unsolvable difficulty. You are asking where is God?
There is a real problem which is created by this question which perhaps you have not considered? That problem is uncertainty in many cases leads to fear and worry about our lives, our family and our well-being. Fear can cause us to retreat from God and lose hope. Did you ever despair over something which has happened in your life, and ask God why did you allow this to happen? Well I know I have? So what is the remedy, what is the solution? Psalm 46 might be a good place to being our journey back to faith in God.
What is the background of this Psalm? The dreaded Assyrian army was marching south to Judah. They marched on Jerusalem and drew up in battle array. Behind them were the defeated and burning cities in Syria. Hezekiah had originally thought to buy off Sennacherib by sending a bribe, but the Assyrian King realized he could not have a vulnerable rear and press on to conquer, so he came against Judah. So he send an emissary Rabshakeh with a demand to open the gates and surrender, submitting to his army. Buoyed by the message of Isaiah the profit, Hezekiah refused to comply with this demand. Rabshakeh mocked and taunted the Jews in Jerusalem while surrounding Jerusalem. But he chose to mock the God of the Jews and demeaned their faith in God Almighty and His ability to protect them. That night God sent one Angel to deal with the besieging army. One night 185,000 members of the Assyrian army perished and Jerusalem and the people of God were saved.
Now a word of caution and warning – God does not always choose to perform such astounding feats for His people. God is Almighty, His wonders to perform, but He is sovereign and performs according to the council of His will and not according to our demands/desires.
But what this Psalm does do is assures us that God does and can handle, in His will and in His timing, events which may seem like total disasters to us. He makes all things new and used these types of circumstances to build your faith and trust in Him. Let’s study this Psalm.
Psalm - 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a[a] very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the [c]tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be [d]moved;
God shall help her, just [e]at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
This psalm divides into three parts marked specifically by the word- Selah
A. Verses 1 through 3 refer to God being our refuge and strength. A friend of mine’s dad lived through the constant bombing in England during the second world war. At the beginning they hid in the kitchen. But as the war progressed and the bombing became worse and then daily, they could no longer be safe, as houses around them were destroyed. So his father built a strong shelter behind the house, covered with steel and iron, dug into the earth- this was their refuge and strength. Literally the words here mean- Elohim (God) is a place in which to go quietly for our protection. The great God, our creator, is where we can go quietly for our protection when disaster is on the way. And He invites you personally to come be in fellowship with Him, regardless of the outcome. He know what is best for your life and He is directing that plan. Do you believe this?
B. How powerful He is – a very present in time of trouble. The word for trouble literally means “in tight places.” Who has never been in tight places? Ever prayed for God’s deliverance when you put yourself in that place, and the prayer was just basically “help?” You didn’t have a clue how of if God would rescue you and yet He did almost without understanding how it was accomplished? God is able to rescue you from any circumstance, if He choose to do so. Remember Joseph – God rescues him but never in a way He expected I am sure. I bet Joseph would have liked to go home, but it seemed for a while as if he might never see home again. After Potiphar’s wife lied and Pharaoh’s butler forgot his interpretation of his dream and promise to ask for release. It was not to be so for God’s plan and purpose for Joseph was to be 2nd to the Pharaoh in Egypt and serve God’s purposes. He groomed Him for this purpose. So God is all powerful and is a present help in our times of trouble.
C. How permanent He is (46:2-3). 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;
The word for earth here can be translated as “land” and the word for removed, can be translated as “changed” or “changed hands.” So the verse could be read as, “ Therefore we will not fear thought the land change hands.” In other words our refuge in God is so secure we have nothing to fear even though invasion might come. This had come to Judah, and even though the city of Jerusalem was threatened, Hezekiah’s refuge was as permanent as before.
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
This is a view of the land being in total upheaval from natural or even unnatural events today such as an atomic bomb or some national disaster of huge proportions. This would be the reaction to tectonic plates colliding with the splash of angry, turbulent, tsunami waves hitting the coasts and destroying all things. This is vivid symbolic way of saying despite invasions and upheavals of all kinds, never fear! Our refuge in God is safe no matter what might fall. Our strength is in the Lord who made heaven and earth, for our God is creator and ruler of all. We are saved and safe in Him and His love. Selah
Section II. Is about the River -verse 4, a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The word here means a constantly flowing river, not just a creek. Hezekiah in our story had made provision for a siege by hiding the source of life-giving water. He diverted the stream from the Kidron valley, 1777 feet, hewn out of solid rock and covered the spring so no enemy would not know it was there. So throughout a siege there would be “ a river, the streams of which made glad the city of God.” The enemy knew nothing about this unfailing source of supply which was available to the city of God. This same supply is available to you from the Holy Spirit. He is the one who supplies direct assistance to the believer. See John 14:26-27, 26 But the [a]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Today you have the same provision from the Son of God to refresh you and support you in times of trouble and God in Christ will never leave you or forsake you. You are His forever if you have asked in your heart to receive Him. There was something else besides the marvelous river (vs.4), there was also the mysterious resident! God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God shall help the city and His residents. Who is this mysterious someone – we know Him- He was in the temple at 12 yrs. of age. He was in the upper room after the resurrection and He is in the middle of the 7 lampstands of the churches in the book of Revelation. It is Jesus our Lord. He was always in their midst. He said where two or three are gathered in My name there am I in the midst of them. And the mysterious resident is Immanuel – God with us! The marvelous river within is the fountain of living water. God reminded the nation in Jeremiah 2:13 of a very sad circumstance - “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” God is the fountain of living waters. Jesus said He was the living water to the Samaritan woman in John’s Gospel. Jesus promised that out of us would flow rivers of living water (Jn7:37-38). We also have within us the mysterious resident – Immanuel God with us – Jesus Christ our Lord. So to believers these evidences should be present and real, evidence of His deliverance and sustainment. Selah – what do you think of that.! Amen
Now we still have Section III – the Ruler.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
So to do Him- the Ruler- justice is going to take as much time and effort. So I need to break this lesson into two sessions. Verses 8 -11 will be for next week. Your homework is to meditate of these verses and look at the character and nature of God.
But before we end in Summary:
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
In the disaster happening in Kiev, in the de-construction of America, is the devaluation of teaching and in the elimination of truth, righteousness and justice in America, many wonder where is the God of Jacob and the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
You will also notice how quiet it is across the East and Far East, while all this focus is on Ukraine. Yes all is quite on the eastern front which is a prelude to coming attractions across this earth. But you should be aware the scope of what you are seeing is horrendous and evil, but there is even greater evil in the offing, as events precede to the great tribulation.
We always hear the question in the midst of this, why would a good God allow all this pain and suffering which is happening here and across the world? While you today may not be involved with Ukraine perhaps you have a situation, a sickness, a difficulty, a loved one facing death, or some traumatic unrelenting and unsolvable difficulty. You are asking where is God?
There is a real problem which is created by this question which perhaps you have not considered? That problem is uncertainty in many cases leads to fear and worry about our lives, our family and our well-being. Fear can cause us to retreat from God and lose hope. Did you ever despair over something which has happened in your life, and ask God why did you allow this to happen? Well I know I have? So what is the remedy, what is the solution? Psalm 46 might be a good place to being our journey back to faith in God.
What is the background of this Psalm? The dreaded Assyrian army was marching south to Judah. They marched on Jerusalem and drew up in battle array. Behind them were the defeated and burning cities in Syria. Hezekiah had originally thought to buy off Sennacherib by sending a bribe, but the Assyrian King realized he could not have a vulnerable rear and press on to conquer, so he came against Judah. So he send an emissary Rabshakeh with a demand to open the gates and surrender, submitting to his army. Buoyed by the message of Isaiah the profit, Hezekiah refused to comply with this demand. Rabshakeh mocked and taunted the Jews in Jerusalem while surrounding Jerusalem. But he chose to mock the God of the Jews and demeaned their faith in God Almighty and His ability to protect them. That night God sent one Angel to deal with the besieging army. One night 185,000 members of the Assyrian army perished and Jerusalem and the people of God were saved.
Now a word of caution and warning – God does not always choose to perform such astounding feats for His people. God is Almighty, His wonders to perform, but He is sovereign and performs according to the council of His will and not according to our demands/desires.
But what this Psalm does do is assures us that God does and can handle, in His will and in His timing, events which may seem like total disasters to us. He makes all things new and used these types of circumstances to build your faith and trust in Him. Let’s study this Psalm.
Psalm - 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a[a] very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the [c]tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be [d]moved;
God shall help her, just [e]at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
This psalm divides into three parts marked specifically by the word- Selah
A. Verses 1 through 3 refer to God being our refuge and strength. A friend of mine’s dad lived through the constant bombing in England during the second world war. At the beginning they hid in the kitchen. But as the war progressed and the bombing became worse and then daily, they could no longer be safe, as houses around them were destroyed. So his father built a strong shelter behind the house, covered with steel and iron, dug into the earth- this was their refuge and strength. Literally the words here mean- Elohim (God) is a place in which to go quietly for our protection. The great God, our creator, is where we can go quietly for our protection when disaster is on the way. And He invites you personally to come be in fellowship with Him, regardless of the outcome. He know what is best for your life and He is directing that plan. Do you believe this?
B. How powerful He is – a very present in time of trouble. The word for trouble literally means “in tight places.” Who has never been in tight places? Ever prayed for God’s deliverance when you put yourself in that place, and the prayer was just basically “help?” You didn’t have a clue how of if God would rescue you and yet He did almost without understanding how it was accomplished? God is able to rescue you from any circumstance, if He choose to do so. Remember Joseph – God rescues him but never in a way He expected I am sure. I bet Joseph would have liked to go home, but it seemed for a while as if he might never see home again. After Potiphar’s wife lied and Pharaoh’s butler forgot his interpretation of his dream and promise to ask for release. It was not to be so for God’s plan and purpose for Joseph was to be 2nd to the Pharaoh in Egypt and serve God’s purposes. He groomed Him for this purpose. So God is all powerful and is a present help in our times of trouble.
C. How permanent He is (46:2-3). 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;
The word for earth here can be translated as “land” and the word for removed, can be translated as “changed” or “changed hands.” So the verse could be read as, “ Therefore we will not fear thought the land change hands.” In other words our refuge in God is so secure we have nothing to fear even though invasion might come. This had come to Judah, and even though the city of Jerusalem was threatened, Hezekiah’s refuge was as permanent as before.
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
This is a view of the land being in total upheaval from natural or even unnatural events today such as an atomic bomb or some national disaster of huge proportions. This would be the reaction to tectonic plates colliding with the splash of angry, turbulent, tsunami waves hitting the coasts and destroying all things. This is vivid symbolic way of saying despite invasions and upheavals of all kinds, never fear! Our refuge in God is safe no matter what might fall. Our strength is in the Lord who made heaven and earth, for our God is creator and ruler of all. We are saved and safe in Him and His love. Selah
Section II. Is about the River -verse 4, a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The word here means a constantly flowing river, not just a creek. Hezekiah in our story had made provision for a siege by hiding the source of life-giving water. He diverted the stream from the Kidron valley, 1777 feet, hewn out of solid rock and covered the spring so no enemy would not know it was there. So throughout a siege there would be “ a river, the streams of which made glad the city of God.” The enemy knew nothing about this unfailing source of supply which was available to the city of God. This same supply is available to you from the Holy Spirit. He is the one who supplies direct assistance to the believer. See John 14:26-27, 26 But the [a]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Today you have the same provision from the Son of God to refresh you and support you in times of trouble and God in Christ will never leave you or forsake you. You are His forever if you have asked in your heart to receive Him. There was something else besides the marvelous river (vs.4), there was also the mysterious resident! God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God shall help the city and His residents. Who is this mysterious someone – we know Him- He was in the temple at 12 yrs. of age. He was in the upper room after the resurrection and He is in the middle of the 7 lampstands of the churches in the book of Revelation. It is Jesus our Lord. He was always in their midst. He said where two or three are gathered in My name there am I in the midst of them. And the mysterious resident is Immanuel – God with us! The marvelous river within is the fountain of living water. God reminded the nation in Jeremiah 2:13 of a very sad circumstance - “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” God is the fountain of living waters. Jesus said He was the living water to the Samaritan woman in John’s Gospel. Jesus promised that out of us would flow rivers of living water (Jn7:37-38). We also have within us the mysterious resident – Immanuel God with us – Jesus Christ our Lord. So to believers these evidences should be present and real, evidence of His deliverance and sustainment. Selah – what do you think of that.! Amen
Now we still have Section III – the Ruler.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
So to do Him- the Ruler- justice is going to take as much time and effort. So I need to break this lesson into two sessions. Verses 8 -11 will be for next week. Your homework is to meditate of these verses and look at the character and nature of God.
But before we end in Summary:
- God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble - Therefore we will not fear
- In you flow rivers of living water, if you are His child. He is the living water
- We also have within us the mysterious resident – Immanuel God with us – Jesus Christ our Lord.
- He is our refuge and our strength. He is God and He is over all circumstances, problems and sicknesses. Do you trust Him?
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
Sermon March 5
Some practical applications of Jesus’s word right from the Scripture to apply to our lives today. To show how God’s word meets our lives today we will look how this word applies to us in our day and time
We will study from Matthew chapter 5 vs 11-25, with an abbreviated look at verses 24-25.
Point I. How do you regard trials and tribulations, difficulties if you will on your road to cross that river? Most of us dread the aspect of suffering and for many years churches taught if you were suffering as a believer you were doing something wrong. Our brother tele-evangelists of the prosperity gospel also regard suffering as not having sufficient or tenacious enough faith. If we study our bibles that was not true compared to what was happening in Jesus day. But, first let’s look and see what Jesus says about suffering in Matthew 5:11-12, a subtitle for this section might be - Blessed are you when you suffer for the Lord
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You should rejoice if you are chosen to suffer for Christ, You have been considered worthy of His trials. This may be a hard thing for many believers today who do not want to ‘suffer or be persecuted’ but according to Jesus, if they “did it to Him they will do it to you” for a “servant is not above His Master.” (Matt 10:24). You will note in the book of Acts is several instances the disciples when punished and admonished not to teach in the name of Jesus – came back from the incident and prayed for greater boldness. Let us seek to have greater boldness today for the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness today. Jesus and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to give you the words to speak, so speak them.
Point II. Believers Are Salt and Light {meaning we are to speak and live our lives to cleanse and purify and to dispel the darkness.}Here in verses 13 to 16 Jesus provides the exemplar of the life and times of the believer. We are not to hide but to proclaim and project the new life in you to others. Hear what the Holy Spirit would instruct you – Matt 13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Salt is meant to cleanse and purify, that is the role of the Holy Spirit in you and hence it should be an outcome of the love of Christ within you. Live your life in the marketplace with Jesus as your guide. Remember you are not to lose your “saltiness.” If you do of what use are you to the kingdom of Heaven?
You are also the light of the world. Jesus declared to you that, “He was the way the Truth and the Life, and no man cometh to Father but by Him.” If you are then “in Him,” is His light not it you who are reflections of His light? How then will anyone find the light if you hide His light under a basket. According to Him you are to set your light of lampstand to your house and then unto the world. Have you been and are you being obedient to this command? If not, then who are you?
III. Christ fulfills the Law so you may be saved and blessed. Read with me please verses 17 to 20.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one [b]jot or one [c]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus states it very directly and succinctly that the reason He came was to fulfill the law and the promise of God to sent a savior. Yes, the Father sent a sacrifice, a perfect sacrifice for sin and the sins of mankind. This was necessary to pay the sin debt which no human was able to pay for we are all born under the sin of Adam and Even.
All the law and the institutions of the Abramic and Mosaic covenants for the law and the sacrificial systems were pointed to the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins. And as the prophetic part of this the Father promised a savior. But because of the perversion of the teachers and the falling away of the priesthood, the people were taught to expect a deliverer who would restore the nation of Israel to the glories and might of King David.
But one mightier and stronger was present, the Son of God, whose name was Jesus. Jesus asked the Pharisees a question in Matthew 22:42-43, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,..?”
Jesus while being a real human being just like you and I was different. Totally human, yet without sin. This is because His seed in Mary’s womb came from the Holy Spirit’s quickening and not from man. David calls Him Lord in the Spirits presence because He is greater than all and He is David’s Lord and King. He is God. But the God who loves you, only wants what is best from you. Are you living for Him day by day? Does He give your life purpose and meaning because of His sacrifice and death on the cross for your sin? He arose and sent the Holy Spirit to help you to live for Him.
Are you?
Last point – Evil and Murder Begins in the Heart v 21-25. Your homework for the week is to read this remaining text and to see it is the attitude of your heart which counts. I simply want to offer to you that according to Jesus and the Bible all sin begins in the heart and mind. Jesus pointed out here you heart attitude counts before God and impacts what you do with and before men. If you have sin between you and the Father and the Holy Spirit is in you here is what you need to do before attending church, giving gifts in Jesus name or before attempting to honor God in your life. Read and obey verses 23 and 24. These are a prescription for Christian fellowship
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift
Summary:
• Blessed are you when you suffer for the Lord
• Believers Are Salt and Light
• Christ fulfills the Law so you may be saved and blessed
• What is the condition of your heart- If your heart is good your deeds will be good, for a tree is known by its fruit.
Being a child of Jesus Christ is enabling and grants us clarity in understanding the events and truths of the our times despite the world and Satan who works against us. God has provided The way. Let us walk aware of how Jesus walked and wants you to walk today. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
Some practical applications of Jesus’s word right from the Scripture to apply to our lives today. To show how God’s word meets our lives today we will look how this word applies to us in our day and time
We will study from Matthew chapter 5 vs 11-25, with an abbreviated look at verses 24-25.
Point I. How do you regard trials and tribulations, difficulties if you will on your road to cross that river? Most of us dread the aspect of suffering and for many years churches taught if you were suffering as a believer you were doing something wrong. Our brother tele-evangelists of the prosperity gospel also regard suffering as not having sufficient or tenacious enough faith. If we study our bibles that was not true compared to what was happening in Jesus day. But, first let’s look and see what Jesus says about suffering in Matthew 5:11-12, a subtitle for this section might be - Blessed are you when you suffer for the Lord
11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You should rejoice if you are chosen to suffer for Christ, You have been considered worthy of His trials. This may be a hard thing for many believers today who do not want to ‘suffer or be persecuted’ but according to Jesus, if they “did it to Him they will do it to you” for a “servant is not above His Master.” (Matt 10:24). You will note in the book of Acts is several instances the disciples when punished and admonished not to teach in the name of Jesus – came back from the incident and prayed for greater boldness. Let us seek to have greater boldness today for the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness today. Jesus and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to give you the words to speak, so speak them.
Point II. Believers Are Salt and Light {meaning we are to speak and live our lives to cleanse and purify and to dispel the darkness.}Here in verses 13 to 16 Jesus provides the exemplar of the life and times of the believer. We are not to hide but to proclaim and project the new life in you to others. Hear what the Holy Spirit would instruct you – Matt 13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Salt is meant to cleanse and purify, that is the role of the Holy Spirit in you and hence it should be an outcome of the love of Christ within you. Live your life in the marketplace with Jesus as your guide. Remember you are not to lose your “saltiness.” If you do of what use are you to the kingdom of Heaven?
You are also the light of the world. Jesus declared to you that, “He was the way the Truth and the Life, and no man cometh to Father but by Him.” If you are then “in Him,” is His light not it you who are reflections of His light? How then will anyone find the light if you hide His light under a basket. According to Him you are to set your light of lampstand to your house and then unto the world. Have you been and are you being obedient to this command? If not, then who are you?
III. Christ fulfills the Law so you may be saved and blessed. Read with me please verses 17 to 20.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one [b]jot or one [c]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus states it very directly and succinctly that the reason He came was to fulfill the law and the promise of God to sent a savior. Yes, the Father sent a sacrifice, a perfect sacrifice for sin and the sins of mankind. This was necessary to pay the sin debt which no human was able to pay for we are all born under the sin of Adam and Even.
All the law and the institutions of the Abramic and Mosaic covenants for the law and the sacrificial systems were pointed to the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins. And as the prophetic part of this the Father promised a savior. But because of the perversion of the teachers and the falling away of the priesthood, the people were taught to expect a deliverer who would restore the nation of Israel to the glories and might of King David.
But one mightier and stronger was present, the Son of God, whose name was Jesus. Jesus asked the Pharisees a question in Matthew 22:42-43, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,..?”
Jesus while being a real human being just like you and I was different. Totally human, yet without sin. This is because His seed in Mary’s womb came from the Holy Spirit’s quickening and not from man. David calls Him Lord in the Spirits presence because He is greater than all and He is David’s Lord and King. He is God. But the God who loves you, only wants what is best from you. Are you living for Him day by day? Does He give your life purpose and meaning because of His sacrifice and death on the cross for your sin? He arose and sent the Holy Spirit to help you to live for Him.
Are you?
Last point – Evil and Murder Begins in the Heart v 21-25. Your homework for the week is to read this remaining text and to see it is the attitude of your heart which counts. I simply want to offer to you that according to Jesus and the Bible all sin begins in the heart and mind. Jesus pointed out here you heart attitude counts before God and impacts what you do with and before men. If you have sin between you and the Father and the Holy Spirit is in you here is what you need to do before attending church, giving gifts in Jesus name or before attempting to honor God in your life. Read and obey verses 23 and 24. These are a prescription for Christian fellowship
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift
Summary:
• Blessed are you when you suffer for the Lord
• Believers Are Salt and Light
• Christ fulfills the Law so you may be saved and blessed
• What is the condition of your heart- If your heart is good your deeds will be good, for a tree is known by its fruit.
Being a child of Jesus Christ is enabling and grants us clarity in understanding the events and truths of the our times despite the world and Satan who works against us. God has provided The way. Let us walk aware of how Jesus walked and wants you to walk today. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
Sermon Feb 27
In the early part of John’s Gospel, in Chapter 3, verse 19, Jesus makes this statement while address Nicodemus - 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Darkness versus the Light seems to be a main theme of the Bible as we progress from Genesis to Revelation. In Genesis God spoke and there was light out of the darkness and all through Exodus, Job, Isaiah and other books, the contrast between those who walk in the light and those who live in the darkness is quite evident and pronounced. As we tell people there is no middle ground or point of compromise between the light and the darkness of sin. Sin only does what darkness does it occupies the places where the light was before. When the light recedes or is extinguished then darkness triumphs over the light.
Here is story concern light and dark and one avenue which presents itself when we look to how we contend as a believer with the darkness of sin and foulness.
A young girl once consulted with her minister. "I cannot stick it out any longer. I am the only Christian in the place where I work. I get nothing but taunts and sneers. It is more than I can stand. I am going to quit."
"Will you tell me," asked the minister, "where lights are placed?"
"What has that to do with it?" the young Christian asked him rather bluntly.
"Never mind," the minister replied. "Answer my question: Where are lights placed?"
"I suppose in dark places," she replied.
"Yes, and that is why you have been put in that factory where there is such spiritual darkness and where there is no other Christian to shine for the Lord."
The young Christian realized for the first time the opportunity that was hers. She felt she could not fail God by allowing her light to go out. She went back to the factory with renewed faith and determination understanding this is where God had placed her. She was to let her light shine in that dark place. Before long, she was the catalyst of leading nine other girls to the Light of Jesus Christ.
Jesus provides even greater clarity of light and dark in Matthew’s gospel, Chapter 6, verses 22& 23 :22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is [a]good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is [b]bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
There is no partial Christianity and response to the gospel. If you have received Jesus Christ and are walking in fellowship with the one who sticks closer than a brother your whole body not just your eye will be full of light. Why because your eye is the lamp of your body. Whatever is in your whole body is reflected and comes out of your eye. So there are no partial light bringers either your body is full of light or it isn’t. Remember the “light shineth in the darkness and the darkness could not understand it.
In the same manner if you heart and mind are full of darkness, your evil and wicked intents will be manifested and reflected in who you are and your eye will contain and reflect the evil within you. Remember only God can change a heart and if you are a sinner today you must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved; and He will surely give you rest when you trust His name and confess Him as Lord and Savior to the Father above.
What then is the importance of this knowledge of light and dark to you as a believer today? Jesus said, {Luke 8:10} ““To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables. As events proceed in the coming days 2nd Timothy gives a dire description of the shallowness, evil and hatefulness of the people of our day- men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.
This is a pretty ravenous bunch, full of darkness and we are to avoid them. So we need to be able to clearly distinguish between light and dark, for the darkness is only getting stronger. What deeds in America today might we use our awareness to give us a perspective of currently happening here and around the world.
You might say we have been surrounded by thickening darkness in America. Oppressive spiritual, physical and emotional darkness has been coming from the father of lies and the deceiver from the beginning. This darkness was facilitated by an uneven change of political power by a selected few over the will of the people, with the courts upholding this evil. Then mix in COVID with its fear of death which is a combination of physical and spiritual pain, separation and darkness. Then, more mis-information about everything about the pandemic from masks to medicines and the restriction of treatments which could have saved many lives – more darkness. Hospitals which have been incentivized to promote death by congressional mandates {CARES Act} for payment for every person admitted for COVID, placed on a respirators and given a specific set of drugs. Then give a 20% bonus if deceased. Makes money for all and eliminates unnecessary people who are of minimal social value. And more keeps following – military blunders and disasters in foreign affairs. Cutting off oil, enabling inflation and generally destroying the economy and then blaming it on COVID and the prior president. What a wonderful dark world we have to enjoy. Is there hope and light anywhere you ask your heart when you are hearing about all this darkness, death, destruction? And appears it is being done in a coordinated manor which touches all of our society and yet many still disagree. So what is a person to do?
We are to have faith and trust in the Lord. If we are learning anything about God He is faithful, what He says He will do He does. Over and over again in the Scripture’s God speaks to Men and encourages them to have faith. This was a constant challenge to the early disciples to continue to look to the Lord and have faith despite what they saw around them. This lesson might apply to us today. As we are continuing to learn to have faith and trust in the Lord for He is with us? Do we understand that we are Children of His Light and His light is the light of men and therefore our light to protect and defend us?
Being a child of the light then gives us perception and understanding, without deception into the events of our day. The light of Christ enables the determination of evil, false hoods and rumors – isn’t the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth. He enables us by faith to abide in His truth and to not just understand but to know. To know means to actually experience by events the truth in our spirits what God is telling us is true, not just my guess of what is the truth.
Having us be children of the light also provides security. Yes security of the believe as once saved always saved. And no you just can’t trip and lose your salvation. The Word says- that you may know you have eternal life (1Jn. 5:13}. Security also for those who worry about death and eternity. Today’s events and the increasing darkness and evil can cause even believers who are not well grounded to panic and run for the hills. But brother you don’t need to run to the Hills- for your redemption drawth nigh and you are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise unto the day of redemption . So worry not about your life or what you shall do but put your trust and confidence in the word of God and learn to live by it and in it for it is your guide and your truth to the future.
Am I saying ignore what is happening in the world? The short answer is no, be aware but don’t panic for Christ is with your to guide and
There is another major point from scripture which we need to discuss and this is from 1 John 1: 5. 5This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Great news from God’s heart to your heart- God never lies, never cheats, never shades the truth and never does evil, or goes back on His Word. What He promises He keeps, He is the original promise <covenant> keeper for all men. There is no darkness or evil in Him and He gives you the promise of live eternal where He will be. He is all truth in all things and He is God Almighty. Amen
As a believer in Christ, 1 Jn. 2:11 should speak directly to us - But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. The Spirit of Truth enables you to know the truth which sets you free from the law of sin and death. This spiritual light which is in you enables you to understand that you can’t hate your brother and walk as Jesus walked and be a believer. You are only fooling yourselves if you try to do so. Unfortunately many have deceived themselves and the truth was not in them, so they don’t know where they are going which is to hell and death.
So being a child of the Light of Jesus Christ is enabling and grants us clarity in perceiving the events and truths of the end times despite the hate thrown against us. God has provided the way. Let us walk as Jesus walked today. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
In the early part of John’s Gospel, in Chapter 3, verse 19, Jesus makes this statement while address Nicodemus - 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Darkness versus the Light seems to be a main theme of the Bible as we progress from Genesis to Revelation. In Genesis God spoke and there was light out of the darkness and all through Exodus, Job, Isaiah and other books, the contrast between those who walk in the light and those who live in the darkness is quite evident and pronounced. As we tell people there is no middle ground or point of compromise between the light and the darkness of sin. Sin only does what darkness does it occupies the places where the light was before. When the light recedes or is extinguished then darkness triumphs over the light.
Here is story concern light and dark and one avenue which presents itself when we look to how we contend as a believer with the darkness of sin and foulness.
A young girl once consulted with her minister. "I cannot stick it out any longer. I am the only Christian in the place where I work. I get nothing but taunts and sneers. It is more than I can stand. I am going to quit."
"Will you tell me," asked the minister, "where lights are placed?"
"What has that to do with it?" the young Christian asked him rather bluntly.
"Never mind," the minister replied. "Answer my question: Where are lights placed?"
"I suppose in dark places," she replied.
"Yes, and that is why you have been put in that factory where there is such spiritual darkness and where there is no other Christian to shine for the Lord."
The young Christian realized for the first time the opportunity that was hers. She felt she could not fail God by allowing her light to go out. She went back to the factory with renewed faith and determination understanding this is where God had placed her. She was to let her light shine in that dark place. Before long, she was the catalyst of leading nine other girls to the Light of Jesus Christ.
Jesus provides even greater clarity of light and dark in Matthew’s gospel, Chapter 6, verses 22& 23 :22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is [a]good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is [b]bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
There is no partial Christianity and response to the gospel. If you have received Jesus Christ and are walking in fellowship with the one who sticks closer than a brother your whole body not just your eye will be full of light. Why because your eye is the lamp of your body. Whatever is in your whole body is reflected and comes out of your eye. So there are no partial light bringers either your body is full of light or it isn’t. Remember the “light shineth in the darkness and the darkness could not understand it.
In the same manner if you heart and mind are full of darkness, your evil and wicked intents will be manifested and reflected in who you are and your eye will contain and reflect the evil within you. Remember only God can change a heart and if you are a sinner today you must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved; and He will surely give you rest when you trust His name and confess Him as Lord and Savior to the Father above.
What then is the importance of this knowledge of light and dark to you as a believer today? Jesus said, {Luke 8:10} ““To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables. As events proceed in the coming days 2nd Timothy gives a dire description of the shallowness, evil and hatefulness of the people of our day- men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.
This is a pretty ravenous bunch, full of darkness and we are to avoid them. So we need to be able to clearly distinguish between light and dark, for the darkness is only getting stronger. What deeds in America today might we use our awareness to give us a perspective of currently happening here and around the world.
You might say we have been surrounded by thickening darkness in America. Oppressive spiritual, physical and emotional darkness has been coming from the father of lies and the deceiver from the beginning. This darkness was facilitated by an uneven change of political power by a selected few over the will of the people, with the courts upholding this evil. Then mix in COVID with its fear of death which is a combination of physical and spiritual pain, separation and darkness. Then, more mis-information about everything about the pandemic from masks to medicines and the restriction of treatments which could have saved many lives – more darkness. Hospitals which have been incentivized to promote death by congressional mandates {CARES Act} for payment for every person admitted for COVID, placed on a respirators and given a specific set of drugs. Then give a 20% bonus if deceased. Makes money for all and eliminates unnecessary people who are of minimal social value. And more keeps following – military blunders and disasters in foreign affairs. Cutting off oil, enabling inflation and generally destroying the economy and then blaming it on COVID and the prior president. What a wonderful dark world we have to enjoy. Is there hope and light anywhere you ask your heart when you are hearing about all this darkness, death, destruction? And appears it is being done in a coordinated manor which touches all of our society and yet many still disagree. So what is a person to do?
We are to have faith and trust in the Lord. If we are learning anything about God He is faithful, what He says He will do He does. Over and over again in the Scripture’s God speaks to Men and encourages them to have faith. This was a constant challenge to the early disciples to continue to look to the Lord and have faith despite what they saw around them. This lesson might apply to us today. As we are continuing to learn to have faith and trust in the Lord for He is with us? Do we understand that we are Children of His Light and His light is the light of men and therefore our light to protect and defend us?
Being a child of the light then gives us perception and understanding, without deception into the events of our day. The light of Christ enables the determination of evil, false hoods and rumors – isn’t the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth. He enables us by faith to abide in His truth and to not just understand but to know. To know means to actually experience by events the truth in our spirits what God is telling us is true, not just my guess of what is the truth.
Having us be children of the light also provides security. Yes security of the believe as once saved always saved. And no you just can’t trip and lose your salvation. The Word says- that you may know you have eternal life (1Jn. 5:13}. Security also for those who worry about death and eternity. Today’s events and the increasing darkness and evil can cause even believers who are not well grounded to panic and run for the hills. But brother you don’t need to run to the Hills- for your redemption drawth nigh and you are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise unto the day of redemption . So worry not about your life or what you shall do but put your trust and confidence in the word of God and learn to live by it and in it for it is your guide and your truth to the future.
Am I saying ignore what is happening in the world? The short answer is no, be aware but don’t panic for Christ is with your to guide and
There is another major point from scripture which we need to discuss and this is from 1 John 1: 5. 5This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Great news from God’s heart to your heart- God never lies, never cheats, never shades the truth and never does evil, or goes back on His Word. What He promises He keeps, He is the original promise <covenant> keeper for all men. There is no darkness or evil in Him and He gives you the promise of live eternal where He will be. He is all truth in all things and He is God Almighty. Amen
As a believer in Christ, 1 Jn. 2:11 should speak directly to us - But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. The Spirit of Truth enables you to know the truth which sets you free from the law of sin and death. This spiritual light which is in you enables you to understand that you can’t hate your brother and walk as Jesus walked and be a believer. You are only fooling yourselves if you try to do so. Unfortunately many have deceived themselves and the truth was not in them, so they don’t know where they are going which is to hell and death.
So being a child of the Light of Jesus Christ is enabling and grants us clarity in perceiving the events and truths of the end times despite the hate thrown against us. God has provided the way. Let us walk as Jesus walked today. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
Sermon Feb 20
Difficult is the Way from Matthew, Chapter 7, 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Pray- May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding and application. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen
Difficult is the Way which leads to life and eternity with Jesus Christ. What does this and what should this mean to us who belong to Jesus Christ? To you and I, who have received by grace the free offering of life and are part of the “whosoever will may come” fellowship in Him.
Jesus explains here that some who claim to follow Him are not, in fact, true disciples. Shocking isn’t it! True Christian discipleship- are those willing to live for Christ and are “in Him” as Paul uses the term throughout his letters. True Christian discipleship is genuine when it arise from a heart and mind transformed by God’s grace (Rom 12:1-2). Jesus wants us to recognizes this inner transformation will inevitably bear fruit and that fruit will be real (vs.17-20). True Christian disciples have been transformed and their lifestyle proves it by their actions and their lives. Does this mean they are perfect and without fault? The answer inevitably is no, they remain flawed and will have to battle and turn from sin until the day they die. This is what we mean by – difficult is the way. It does mean however that the pattern of their life now suggests they are on a different path (the narrow gate). It would no longer be accurate in the True Christian disciples’ life to describe them as “workers of lawlessness (v.23). They are those who have entered into an authentic personal relationship with Jesus and are now seeking to know what and how to walk with Him. They are those who want to be on mission with God and obedient to His leading.
So, difficult is the way which leads to life
Things to watch out for as you walk this way:
I. Broad is the way that leads to destruction, the right way is much narrower. To understand this path and walk in this way you need to know some truths as you encounter the word of God
II. Next - Beware of who is delivering the messages to your heart and mind. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Now many of us think I can recognize these guys after all they all wear black hats and they are always doing bad things. This is a recognized falsehood and over simplification by the enemy {Satan} who creates another Judas who willingly sneaks into the camp of believers undetected. This is one who looks, smells and tastes a lot like you.
Secondly if your heart is not right, you may become duped if you aren’t allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you In John 14:26 – Jesus tells us here: “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
Look first at Jesus promises - “The Helper, whom I shall send to you from the Father. He is the Holy Spirit of promise, who is one just like Jesus. He is the Spirit of truth.
Then in John 16:13, Jesus gives us more information about Him and His work in us-
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Not only will the Holy Spirit lead us in truth, but all of God’s truth, and the truth of what others say and do. But this person is, God in you, has a direct connection to Jesus and the heavenly Father. For whatever He hears in the throne room of heaven He will speak direct to you. This is always true for it is the word of God. Why doesn’t this work all the time? This is because the receiver is sometimes overcome by the static of the world, or fixed on its own self-centered frequency or the signal is too weak because of failing to tune to the transmitter. Ever had a hard time hearing what God is saying then you know what I mean. According to this verse given us by Jesus the problem is not God and not that He is not trying to message us but we are out of touch. Maybe we have sinned, been disobedient or are holding grudges against others and our connection is disabled until we repent and return to God? Check out your connections folks God is speaking. Question is are you hearing Him?
We aren’t finished with this section, because not only does God provide the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct, but Jesus give us some common-sense approaches to those who would sow discord among believers as emissaries of Satan. In verses 15-17, He says “You will know them by their fruits. And in verses 18-21 by What kind of tree and fruit is produced in their life? (thistle, good or soured). Go back now for when we began our lesson today we talked about True Christian discipleship. This type of discipleship is marked by and is genuine when it arises from a heart and mind radically transformed by God’s grace (Rom 12:1-2). On the other hand as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14. we find the description of one who is not transformed but is still living in sin, unregenerate from God called the natural man
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
So a natural man or woman who is outside the family of God ( a Judas type) cannot discern or know the truth of the Word or Spirit of God for their spirit is of this world and not of God. So their fruit would be worldly and have thistles. To know this look at the lies and lives we have seen this past week in the news and about Canada and the US. Their fruit is blatantly evil. And look how critical race theory is being taught in our seminaries and being discussed as a tool for leadership within Baptist churches. This is sin and there is no excuse other than the Spirit of anti-Christ living in our denomination. Every time we try to import something manmade of the world into the church we find it is not of God. Beware the prince and power of the Air and his messages to you the church – guard your heart.
And also test other believers who tell a good story, but their life’s work may not result in heaven, but hell fires.
III. Another aide to helping you walk the difficult way is to Build your life of the truth of God’s Word and a follow on to this is be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.
Building your life of the truth of God’s Word means you need to have a solid foundation on what you believe about the bible. Evaluate these questions – Who is the author? What do believe about the author? Is God all mighty and all powerful, all knowing and able to do all things. Is He all present and if so does He do all things for your good?
Does God’s book contain lies, untruths and if so why would He do that if He is perfect, holy, righteous and without sin? Why would He create you and lead you into sin, Why would He send a savior if you didn’t need one?
What does the Bible say about this book? 2 Tim 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Peter 1 also says, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [c]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Word of God pieces even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit and the joints and marrow and is a divider of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb. 4:12).
If you have confidence in the Bible and its author then you have your life as you heed the word of God and actually disciple yourself to obey it.
This is why our original text tells us that - difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Proverbs 3:13-14 says this - 13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
So there is indeed wisdom in His book and more importantly you will hear God speak through His word and knock on the door of your heart.
IV. Lastly one final way to make walking the Way less arduous, is to make your heart ready and available for the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. You may remember the parable told by Jesus of the different soils. How one dried up quickly and couldn’t sustain life. How one never had a chance for the seed was snatched away before it could blossom. Or the soil which was chocked out by weeds or the cares of the world; or the one which bloomed quickly for a while failed because of shallow soil and the died out.
Know this your spiritual heart is a tender vessel. For you to have become a believer, God had to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart and mind and draw you unto Himself. Since your conversion by faith, if you continually fill your heart and mind with today’s media filth, language, morals and corrupt videos of sleazy women and evil, foulmouthed disrespectful men; and continually intake what the world is offering in supposed truth of supposed value, you will be led astray because of your heart hardening and falling away. God knows the soil of your heart needs continual irrigation by the His Word, listening to and seeking God in prayer, without ceasing. You will need fellowship with other believers and you will need to continually seek after God. If you do so He will assist you in establishing and building your life on the Rock of Ages.
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
Build your life on the Rock of Ages for this is a difficult path. And remember from last week when you lack faith that is the time to run to Him and ask His help to increase your faith and forgive your unbelief. He is able and He can do all things. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
Difficult is the Way from Matthew, Chapter 7, 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [c]Because narrow is the gate and[d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Build on the Rock
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Pray- May God add His blessing to the reading of His Word and to our understanding and application. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen
Difficult is the Way which leads to life and eternity with Jesus Christ. What does this and what should this mean to us who belong to Jesus Christ? To you and I, who have received by grace the free offering of life and are part of the “whosoever will may come” fellowship in Him.
Jesus explains here that some who claim to follow Him are not, in fact, true disciples. Shocking isn’t it! True Christian discipleship- are those willing to live for Christ and are “in Him” as Paul uses the term throughout his letters. True Christian discipleship is genuine when it arise from a heart and mind transformed by God’s grace (Rom 12:1-2). Jesus wants us to recognizes this inner transformation will inevitably bear fruit and that fruit will be real (vs.17-20). True Christian disciples have been transformed and their lifestyle proves it by their actions and their lives. Does this mean they are perfect and without fault? The answer inevitably is no, they remain flawed and will have to battle and turn from sin until the day they die. This is what we mean by – difficult is the way. It does mean however that the pattern of their life now suggests they are on a different path (the narrow gate). It would no longer be accurate in the True Christian disciples’ life to describe them as “workers of lawlessness (v.23). They are those who have entered into an authentic personal relationship with Jesus and are now seeking to know what and how to walk with Him. They are those who want to be on mission with God and obedient to His leading.
So, difficult is the way which leads to life
Things to watch out for as you walk this way:
I. Broad is the way that leads to destruction, the right way is much narrower. To understand this path and walk in this way you need to know some truths as you encounter the word of God
- God is always at work in the world around you and has been working since eternity past
- God has been pursuing you to in a continuing love relationship which is real and personal
- God invites you to unto Himself to become involved with His work
- God speaks to you through His Word, prayer, circumstances and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways.
- This invitation by God always leads you to a crisis of belief which requires faith and action
- Joining His activity allows you to experience and know God as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.
II. Next - Beware of who is delivering the messages to your heart and mind. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Now many of us think I can recognize these guys after all they all wear black hats and they are always doing bad things. This is a recognized falsehood and over simplification by the enemy {Satan} who creates another Judas who willingly sneaks into the camp of believers undetected. This is one who looks, smells and tastes a lot like you.
Secondly if your heart is not right, you may become duped if you aren’t allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you In John 14:26 – Jesus tells us here: “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
Look first at Jesus promises - “The Helper, whom I shall send to you from the Father. He is the Holy Spirit of promise, who is one just like Jesus. He is the Spirit of truth.
Then in John 16:13, Jesus gives us more information about Him and His work in us-
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Not only will the Holy Spirit lead us in truth, but all of God’s truth, and the truth of what others say and do. But this person is, God in you, has a direct connection to Jesus and the heavenly Father. For whatever He hears in the throne room of heaven He will speak direct to you. This is always true for it is the word of God. Why doesn’t this work all the time? This is because the receiver is sometimes overcome by the static of the world, or fixed on its own self-centered frequency or the signal is too weak because of failing to tune to the transmitter. Ever had a hard time hearing what God is saying then you know what I mean. According to this verse given us by Jesus the problem is not God and not that He is not trying to message us but we are out of touch. Maybe we have sinned, been disobedient or are holding grudges against others and our connection is disabled until we repent and return to God? Check out your connections folks God is speaking. Question is are you hearing Him?
We aren’t finished with this section, because not only does God provide the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct, but Jesus give us some common-sense approaches to those who would sow discord among believers as emissaries of Satan. In verses 15-17, He says “You will know them by their fruits. And in verses 18-21 by What kind of tree and fruit is produced in their life? (thistle, good or soured). Go back now for when we began our lesson today we talked about True Christian discipleship. This type of discipleship is marked by and is genuine when it arises from a heart and mind radically transformed by God’s grace (Rom 12:1-2). On the other hand as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14. we find the description of one who is not transformed but is still living in sin, unregenerate from God called the natural man
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
So a natural man or woman who is outside the family of God ( a Judas type) cannot discern or know the truth of the Word or Spirit of God for their spirit is of this world and not of God. So their fruit would be worldly and have thistles. To know this look at the lies and lives we have seen this past week in the news and about Canada and the US. Their fruit is blatantly evil. And look how critical race theory is being taught in our seminaries and being discussed as a tool for leadership within Baptist churches. This is sin and there is no excuse other than the Spirit of anti-Christ living in our denomination. Every time we try to import something manmade of the world into the church we find it is not of God. Beware the prince and power of the Air and his messages to you the church – guard your heart.
And also test other believers who tell a good story, but their life’s work may not result in heaven, but hell fires.
III. Another aide to helping you walk the difficult way is to Build your life of the truth of God’s Word and a follow on to this is be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.
Building your life of the truth of God’s Word means you need to have a solid foundation on what you believe about the bible. Evaluate these questions – Who is the author? What do believe about the author? Is God all mighty and all powerful, all knowing and able to do all things. Is He all present and if so does He do all things for your good?
Does God’s book contain lies, untruths and if so why would He do that if He is perfect, holy, righteous and without sin? Why would He create you and lead you into sin, Why would He send a savior if you didn’t need one?
What does the Bible say about this book? 2 Tim 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Peter 1 also says, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [c]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Word of God pieces even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit and the joints and marrow and is a divider of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb. 4:12).
If you have confidence in the Bible and its author then you have your life as you heed the word of God and actually disciple yourself to obey it.
This is why our original text tells us that - difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Proverbs 3:13-14 says this - 13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
So there is indeed wisdom in His book and more importantly you will hear God speak through His word and knock on the door of your heart.
IV. Lastly one final way to make walking the Way less arduous, is to make your heart ready and available for the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. You may remember the parable told by Jesus of the different soils. How one dried up quickly and couldn’t sustain life. How one never had a chance for the seed was snatched away before it could blossom. Or the soil which was chocked out by weeds or the cares of the world; or the one which bloomed quickly for a while failed because of shallow soil and the died out.
Know this your spiritual heart is a tender vessel. For you to have become a believer, God had to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart and mind and draw you unto Himself. Since your conversion by faith, if you continually fill your heart and mind with today’s media filth, language, morals and corrupt videos of sleazy women and evil, foulmouthed disrespectful men; and continually intake what the world is offering in supposed truth of supposed value, you will be led astray because of your heart hardening and falling away. God knows the soil of your heart needs continual irrigation by the His Word, listening to and seeking God in prayer, without ceasing. You will need fellowship with other believers and you will need to continually seek after God. If you do so He will assist you in establishing and building your life on the Rock of Ages.
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
Build your life on the Rock of Ages for this is a difficult path. And remember from last week when you lack faith that is the time to run to Him and ask His help to increase your faith and forgive your unbelief. He is able and He can do all things. Amen
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not or you are not sure, He tells us that whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13, or seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask for more information or hep. He loves you. Amen
Sermon Feb 13
Matthew 6:25-34 Seek Ye First
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to his [k]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
When I was a kid growing up, a common expression in my generation was, “What’s your worry?” Meaning of course to the one being questioned, what are you so concerned and worried about? This was generally discerned from looking at a person’s posture, facial expressions and overall demeanor.
This is not to say however, we don’t have a bunch of things to worry about. Our government is putting the final touches on a vaccine passport which will soon be required for all we do, eat, drink, travel and recreate/work. It will be mandatory for all things. We also have unrestrained entry across our borders with no idea how many, what diseases and what hates they bring. You know if you can’t change the elections or voting laws and you let 10+Million illegal aliens into the country and allow voting without ID, you will be able to win a majority as long as you give free everything and don’t require anything. They’ll vote for you, no problem. Now you see why there is no push to control the southern border. But, the Northern border will soon be restricted to American truckers from assisting the Canadian Freedom convoy. Your wonderful HHS secretary has volunteered to assist as needed in halting the “rioters and insurrectionists against the Canadian government.” So you can bet the American truckers planning on coming from California will be assailed on every front by the Homeland secretary and his minions. Another wonder is more than double 7.5% inflation is what you are facing, with a 100% increase in cost of building materials, a 40% increase in durable goods, a 30% increase in price of a gallon of gasoline, and with approximately $256 dollar increase in living expenses each month. And there are less and less people working every month for those un-vax-ed criminals and no loads are being fired despite the Courts halting the mandates. Private companies are being required to conform or lose federal dollars. And you know dollars count more than people, especially in health care or medicines. You still don’t get proper care in large Hospitals for Covid as the financial incentives to have you die far outweigh the incentives {costs} of keeping you alive.
Needless to say there are lots of things about to keep you awake and worried at night if you let them.
Jesus says believers should have and demonstrate faith to live a different way. Let’s re-read our text and frame our discussion and understanding on God’s provision and not our own. You see you and I can become so transfixed on our own solutions to our problems that we exclude the providence and hand of God as the means for our deliverance. In many cases our Father is the only one with adequate resources and the opportunity to insert Himself into solving our most difficult and stressing problems. Back now to Matthew 6:25
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to his [k]stature?
You know Jesus would have been a kicker debater. Look at this logic applied to problems similar to today in what Jews and Gentiles were facing in Jesus day. For there was no fast food and no grocery stores of the magnitude and variety of what we have at our finger tips today. So what are the key elements here
1. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
2. neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them
3. Are you not of more value than they?
So Jesus confronts the concept of personal fears with both statements and questions. Isn’t life more than food and clothing? and the birds don’t reap nor sow, but your Father in heaven feeds them. And then asks this incredible question- Are you not of more value than they? Of course you are to God, you are much more valuable. He valued your eternal soul and life that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sinfulness before Him. If that doesn’t convince you of the love of God what will? Jesus at the beginning of this discourse makes this statement – verse 25 - Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Let’s change is slightly Verily, Verily or Truly, Truly Jesus says do not worry about your life, eating, drinking and wearing clothes. So if Jesus says it do you have enough faith to believe in His ability to provide? Does this mean you do nothing? No it means you do all you can in faith believing He will provide. Should you now confess you don’t quite have enough faith to believe what He says?
Next He makes this statement – verse 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to his [k]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?
So Jesus challenges His hearers to what can worrying do for you? So again in verse 31 He says do not worry. Beginning and ending have the idea of worry provides nothing, so do not worry, for it adds zero, nil, nothing for your life. In fact worry can so drive you from worship that instead of praying and seeking God you are losing you grip on faith and not seeking Him.
But Jesus wants to put some measure upon the idea of having faith in God so what does He do? Well He paints a might word picture which I think most of us can grasp quite clearly. In the first verses He uses the birds who neither reap nor sow but He feeds them. Here He is talking specifically about worrying about what we are wearing and uses the idea of a flower. The lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these.
So lilies don’t toil or spin to make their adornments. Their beauty, scent and form come from their Maker in Heaven not by anything which they have done themselves. The idea being is God provides and we don’t have to worry or stress or lose sleep over our needs. God knows our needs and we can become transfixed over solving and struggling to make enough to satisfy our needs that we omit God from our equation and ignore His provision. Ever done this? I know I have.
Here is the backhand comeback which is our challenge from Jesus even for today-
30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you
Good question don’t you think- will He not much more clothe you, do you believe this? And then comes the O you of little faith?
The challenge comes again directly to the disciples and to us today will He not much more clothe you O you of little faith?
Jesus is challenging us at the point of our faith. Are we really living a life of faith or a life of living by sight? Remember – Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. {Heb.11.1}
I believe I need to live more by faith than I am living today. I believe the evidence of our times is going to require us to confess areas of unbelief and to ask God to forgive our unbelief and to move us to our next step of faith or belief. This is how God grew the disciples and We have the Holy Spirit to help us for He is the Teacher and He will teach us the truth, God’s truth.
But that was only the second round, we are not quite to the major bullet or take away but it is coming in this round of scripture. Begin now at Verse -31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Here is a major point often unnoticed -31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. Jesus begins the summation again telling us not to worry about all we have discussed already and then drops in this little jewel – for these things are what the Gentiles seek. The original point of emphasis here is to embarrass the Jews about worrying but it is not that solely. Why? Jesus came first to redeem Israel His chosen people but they are rejecting Him. Jesus ministry will also include reconciliation for the Gentiles. So while Jews were specifically trained in their scriptures to avoid lusting after these things, the Gentiles by nature were not, but both nations worry and both nations despite religious training and education did not follow the law and prophets.
So I want to interject a thematic point here which many of us never consider. Jesus ultimately becomes savior for both Jew and Gentile by His shed blood at Calvary. Further Jesus and the disciples both minister to the Greeks and the Gentiles, men and women. There are folks today who criticize Christians for not being racially equal or sensitive or inclusive and multi-cultural, loving and caring about others. Jesus by His very life, death and sacrifice are testimony that this is not true. Believers Jew, Gentile, Greek, men and scandalously women of all colors, nationalities, ages and ethnic groups were and continue to be included in the circle of Christianity in love of Christ. Be bold about arguing this point.
Now finishing up the text and the key verses for meditation today - 32For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
There is a certainty and assuredness in these words of Jesus who is speaking directly to us today concerning His truth. He says your heavenly Father knows you need all repeat all these things. If Jesus says is do you suppose it might possibly be true?
Then Jesus tells us where to set our objective and goal. He says But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and seek the kingdom of God and to be like Him in His righteousness. Then and only then all these things shall be added unto you and I. Here we are questioned and challenged again is do we have the faith to believe or are we unbelieving of this text - “19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus {Phil.4.19}?
But there is more for us – if you have faith to believe up to this point then don’t worry about tomorrow. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Tomorrow will take care of itself if we are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. So the key command and emphasis by Jesus is encapsulated in this idea of focusing on the Kingdom of God/Heaven to the exclusion of worry. If God is all powerful and all-knowing and all present everywhere, He knows the future and what is best for you. Be like Peter continually seeking to be with Jesus and He will draw near to you and keep and preserve you. Remember to seek Ye first the Kingdom of God. It is in His word- by faith, Trust Him, only Trust Him, now.
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not, He tells us, whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13 and seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask to know Jesus today. He love you. Amen
Matthew 6:25-34 Seek Ye First
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to his [k]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
When I was a kid growing up, a common expression in my generation was, “What’s your worry?” Meaning of course to the one being questioned, what are you so concerned and worried about? This was generally discerned from looking at a person’s posture, facial expressions and overall demeanor.
This is not to say however, we don’t have a bunch of things to worry about. Our government is putting the final touches on a vaccine passport which will soon be required for all we do, eat, drink, travel and recreate/work. It will be mandatory for all things. We also have unrestrained entry across our borders with no idea how many, what diseases and what hates they bring. You know if you can’t change the elections or voting laws and you let 10+Million illegal aliens into the country and allow voting without ID, you will be able to win a majority as long as you give free everything and don’t require anything. They’ll vote for you, no problem. Now you see why there is no push to control the southern border. But, the Northern border will soon be restricted to American truckers from assisting the Canadian Freedom convoy. Your wonderful HHS secretary has volunteered to assist as needed in halting the “rioters and insurrectionists against the Canadian government.” So you can bet the American truckers planning on coming from California will be assailed on every front by the Homeland secretary and his minions. Another wonder is more than double 7.5% inflation is what you are facing, with a 100% increase in cost of building materials, a 40% increase in durable goods, a 30% increase in price of a gallon of gasoline, and with approximately $256 dollar increase in living expenses each month. And there are less and less people working every month for those un-vax-ed criminals and no loads are being fired despite the Courts halting the mandates. Private companies are being required to conform or lose federal dollars. And you know dollars count more than people, especially in health care or medicines. You still don’t get proper care in large Hospitals for Covid as the financial incentives to have you die far outweigh the incentives {costs} of keeping you alive.
Needless to say there are lots of things about to keep you awake and worried at night if you let them.
Jesus says believers should have and demonstrate faith to live a different way. Let’s re-read our text and frame our discussion and understanding on God’s provision and not our own. You see you and I can become so transfixed on our own solutions to our problems that we exclude the providence and hand of God as the means for our deliverance. In many cases our Father is the only one with adequate resources and the opportunity to insert Himself into solving our most difficult and stressing problems. Back now to Matthew 6:25
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to his [k]stature?
You know Jesus would have been a kicker debater. Look at this logic applied to problems similar to today in what Jews and Gentiles were facing in Jesus day. For there was no fast food and no grocery stores of the magnitude and variety of what we have at our finger tips today. So what are the key elements here
1. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
2. neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them
3. Are you not of more value than they?
So Jesus confronts the concept of personal fears with both statements and questions. Isn’t life more than food and clothing? and the birds don’t reap nor sow, but your Father in heaven feeds them. And then asks this incredible question- Are you not of more value than they? Of course you are to God, you are much more valuable. He valued your eternal soul and life that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sinfulness before Him. If that doesn’t convince you of the love of God what will? Jesus at the beginning of this discourse makes this statement – verse 25 - Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Let’s change is slightly Verily, Verily or Truly, Truly Jesus says do not worry about your life, eating, drinking and wearing clothes. So if Jesus says it do you have enough faith to believe in His ability to provide? Does this mean you do nothing? No it means you do all you can in faith believing He will provide. Should you now confess you don’t quite have enough faith to believe what He says?
Next He makes this statement – verse 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to his [k]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?
So Jesus challenges His hearers to what can worrying do for you? So again in verse 31 He says do not worry. Beginning and ending have the idea of worry provides nothing, so do not worry, for it adds zero, nil, nothing for your life. In fact worry can so drive you from worship that instead of praying and seeking God you are losing you grip on faith and not seeking Him.
But Jesus wants to put some measure upon the idea of having faith in God so what does He do? Well He paints a might word picture which I think most of us can grasp quite clearly. In the first verses He uses the birds who neither reap nor sow but He feeds them. Here He is talking specifically about worrying about what we are wearing and uses the idea of a flower. The lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these.
So lilies don’t toil or spin to make their adornments. Their beauty, scent and form come from their Maker in Heaven not by anything which they have done themselves. The idea being is God provides and we don’t have to worry or stress or lose sleep over our needs. God knows our needs and we can become transfixed over solving and struggling to make enough to satisfy our needs that we omit God from our equation and ignore His provision. Ever done this? I know I have.
Here is the backhand comeback which is our challenge from Jesus even for today-
30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you
Good question don’t you think- will He not much more clothe you, do you believe this? And then comes the O you of little faith?
The challenge comes again directly to the disciples and to us today will He not much more clothe you O you of little faith?
Jesus is challenging us at the point of our faith. Are we really living a life of faith or a life of living by sight? Remember – Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. {Heb.11.1}
I believe I need to live more by faith than I am living today. I believe the evidence of our times is going to require us to confess areas of unbelief and to ask God to forgive our unbelief and to move us to our next step of faith or belief. This is how God grew the disciples and We have the Holy Spirit to help us for He is the Teacher and He will teach us the truth, God’s truth.
But that was only the second round, we are not quite to the major bullet or take away but it is coming in this round of scripture. Begin now at Verse -31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Here is a major point often unnoticed -31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. Jesus begins the summation again telling us not to worry about all we have discussed already and then drops in this little jewel – for these things are what the Gentiles seek. The original point of emphasis here is to embarrass the Jews about worrying but it is not that solely. Why? Jesus came first to redeem Israel His chosen people but they are rejecting Him. Jesus ministry will also include reconciliation for the Gentiles. So while Jews were specifically trained in their scriptures to avoid lusting after these things, the Gentiles by nature were not, but both nations worry and both nations despite religious training and education did not follow the law and prophets.
So I want to interject a thematic point here which many of us never consider. Jesus ultimately becomes savior for both Jew and Gentile by His shed blood at Calvary. Further Jesus and the disciples both minister to the Greeks and the Gentiles, men and women. There are folks today who criticize Christians for not being racially equal or sensitive or inclusive and multi-cultural, loving and caring about others. Jesus by His very life, death and sacrifice are testimony that this is not true. Believers Jew, Gentile, Greek, men and scandalously women of all colors, nationalities, ages and ethnic groups were and continue to be included in the circle of Christianity in love of Christ. Be bold about arguing this point.
Now finishing up the text and the key verses for meditation today - 32For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
There is a certainty and assuredness in these words of Jesus who is speaking directly to us today concerning His truth. He says your heavenly Father knows you need all repeat all these things. If Jesus says is do you suppose it might possibly be true?
Then Jesus tells us where to set our objective and goal. He says But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and seek the kingdom of God and to be like Him in His righteousness. Then and only then all these things shall be added unto you and I. Here we are questioned and challenged again is do we have the faith to believe or are we unbelieving of this text - “19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus {Phil.4.19}?
But there is more for us – if you have faith to believe up to this point then don’t worry about tomorrow. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Tomorrow will take care of itself if we are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. So the key command and emphasis by Jesus is encapsulated in this idea of focusing on the Kingdom of God/Heaven to the exclusion of worry. If God is all powerful and all-knowing and all present everywhere, He knows the future and what is best for you. Be like Peter continually seeking to be with Jesus and He will draw near to you and keep and preserve you. Remember to seek Ye first the Kingdom of God. It is in His word- by faith, Trust Him, only Trust Him, now.
Do you know Jesus Christ? If not, He tells us, whosoever will may come? Read Romans 10:9-13 and seek myself or any believer in Christ, or call the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and ask to know Jesus today. He love you. Amen
Sermon Feb 6
Parables about value- Matthew 13:44-58
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
51 [d]Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, [e]Lord.”
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every [f]scribe instructed [g]concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, [h]Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” 57 So they were offended at Him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
We see Jesus teaching here about value. What do you suppose Jesus was trying to instruct the disciples about? What is important or what is of value. Perhaps before we begin digging into what Jesus was teaching, let’s talk about value and define it.
What exactly in this world today do you value? What exactly might you consider valuable or of worth and important for some reason or another? What might that thing or those things be?
Perhaps there is more than one degree of worth or value? There is self-worth, price or cost value worth {net worth perhaps,} or worldly worth as a more general category. And finally what God might consider of high value or worth. As we being parsing this it becomes evident that there are three primary categories of worth/value.
Under self-worth – is defined as what we think about ourselves. This worth come from how others relate to us about ourselves and our family, how they raised us, and what we received from them. All these contribute to our self-worth, but self-worth can also lead us to self-loathing so we need to understand there are two end points on this continuum.
Cost value or net worth relates to things, possessions and what do we own or control, which we consider of value. Much of this comes from the world’s values system, which we copy for ourselves. Gold, silver, prestige, power over others, jewelry, cars, clothes and the like. Net worth is the sum total of all these possessions which we accumulate and the sum of all of them together? Control and being the BMOC are included in this realm for net worth is also what we may think we are worth.
Now what does God value? – clean hands, a pure heart, humility, fear of the Lord, faith in God, in His Word and what His Son has done. To love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. There may be other attributes such as you can think or remember. Here’s another one – obedience is better than sacrifice. Honor and the list goes on. The point is this – of what value do you treasure, honor obey and love Jesus? I ask this question because Jesus is challenging the thinking of His disciples. They are so earthly minded and not heavenly oriented. Could this be you and I today. Go quickly through the verses. There is a progression of the value proposition presented by Jesus.
44. kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy. Heavenly treasure brings great joy to all who would seek it and grasp it. Is this your focus?
45 $ 46 found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The value of the pearl of great price is found in God’s kingdom, not man’s. The pearl is treasuring what God has planned and called us to do for us, beyond what our struggles can bring!
47 - 52. Those that seek the pearl of great price or the treasure hidden in a field will garner a prize of untold value. It is given to those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven and not sell their souls for what is tied to the earth. Those that pursue those things which perish and have value on earth have received their reward and it is temporary. Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and shall mount up with wings like eagles, nor faint nor weaken. God lifts them up on high for eternity.
49-50 Refer to Judgement which is coming soon. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” The end of the age is the end of the age of Men and the great Judge with His angels is coming to judge the quick and the dead. The wicked are those which value things of earth and self over and beyond their respect and honor for God. In the Old Testament sense this is disobedience to the command – Thou shalt have no other God’s before Me. Jesus who looks at the heart will come and judge each according to their thoughts and intents of their heart and who have no other Gods before them.
So Jesus was deeply challenging His disciples in the application of this idea to themselves. then as ever good teacher says, do you get this idea? Jesus in the midst of this, knows full well what Satan is doing. The Lord is aware that the Pharisees and His own neighbors together will ask Jesus about this exact point and He is challenging His disciples to believe and have faith because of who He. Jesus is God.
So now they have moved . In vs. 53 it says, He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary?
Those who do not seek and search for lasting value in the Kingdom of heaven are concerned about this lowly carpenter’s son. See what they say! Look at what they value and certainly it is not the Son of God. They value the worldly systems with its perks, lies, half-truths and lack of knowledge. How could this common carpenter be anything but a peon carpenter, and what could He impart of any real or lasting value, especially as the world determines value. Beside we know His heritage and His brothers and sisters. So to sum it up as Jesus is of no consequence or value to them. They said, 57 {So} they were offended at Him.
That is not all. The disciples who swore they too heard and knew the lesson He was teaching. But when the practical exam and application came, they flunked out of school. Jesus had to bring them back to the lesson He was teaching about. Did they value Jesus or the world? Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” What is the result of failing to understand, honor and respect the name, mission and purpose of the Lord Jesus? Verse 58 tells us -58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Unbelief, disrespect and dishonoring the Lord Jesus leads to death. Jesus chose not to do many mighty works of healing, delivery and salvation because of their unbelief. So dishonor equals unbelief and is treated as disrespect. Yet, Jesus has given you redemption, renewal and eternal life through His blood.
Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Now look at today’s world with its lies about abortion, the border, events in America and the capital, the oil crisis, the cost of gas and heating oil. What is happening to the Constitution of the US of A? Why would you trust in a world that is passing away and not in the eternal Son of God? So I ask you the same question again do you see there is great value in Jesus Christ? Or are you of a second opinion? Perhaps you need to review the question and definition of True value that is eternal and permanent and is only in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ to the believer, is our all in all. He is sufficient for all things and He is the Lord and giver of Life to all who believe. Amen
Will you surrender to Him today?
Parables about value- Matthew 13:44-58
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
51 [d]Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, [e]Lord.”
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every [f]scribe instructed [g]concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, [h]Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” 57 So they were offended at Him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
We see Jesus teaching here about value. What do you suppose Jesus was trying to instruct the disciples about? What is important or what is of value. Perhaps before we begin digging into what Jesus was teaching, let’s talk about value and define it.
What exactly in this world today do you value? What exactly might you consider valuable or of worth and important for some reason or another? What might that thing or those things be?
Perhaps there is more than one degree of worth or value? There is self-worth, price or cost value worth {net worth perhaps,} or worldly worth as a more general category. And finally what God might consider of high value or worth. As we being parsing this it becomes evident that there are three primary categories of worth/value.
Under self-worth – is defined as what we think about ourselves. This worth come from how others relate to us about ourselves and our family, how they raised us, and what we received from them. All these contribute to our self-worth, but self-worth can also lead us to self-loathing so we need to understand there are two end points on this continuum.
Cost value or net worth relates to things, possessions and what do we own or control, which we consider of value. Much of this comes from the world’s values system, which we copy for ourselves. Gold, silver, prestige, power over others, jewelry, cars, clothes and the like. Net worth is the sum total of all these possessions which we accumulate and the sum of all of them together? Control and being the BMOC are included in this realm for net worth is also what we may think we are worth.
Now what does God value? – clean hands, a pure heart, humility, fear of the Lord, faith in God, in His Word and what His Son has done. To love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. There may be other attributes such as you can think or remember. Here’s another one – obedience is better than sacrifice. Honor and the list goes on. The point is this – of what value do you treasure, honor obey and love Jesus? I ask this question because Jesus is challenging the thinking of His disciples. They are so earthly minded and not heavenly oriented. Could this be you and I today. Go quickly through the verses. There is a progression of the value proposition presented by Jesus.
44. kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy. Heavenly treasure brings great joy to all who would seek it and grasp it. Is this your focus?
45 $ 46 found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The value of the pearl of great price is found in God’s kingdom, not man’s. The pearl is treasuring what God has planned and called us to do for us, beyond what our struggles can bring!
47 - 52. Those that seek the pearl of great price or the treasure hidden in a field will garner a prize of untold value. It is given to those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven and not sell their souls for what is tied to the earth. Those that pursue those things which perish and have value on earth have received their reward and it is temporary. Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and shall mount up with wings like eagles, nor faint nor weaken. God lifts them up on high for eternity.
49-50 Refer to Judgement which is coming soon. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” The end of the age is the end of the age of Men and the great Judge with His angels is coming to judge the quick and the dead. The wicked are those which value things of earth and self over and beyond their respect and honor for God. In the Old Testament sense this is disobedience to the command – Thou shalt have no other God’s before Me. Jesus who looks at the heart will come and judge each according to their thoughts and intents of their heart and who have no other Gods before them.
So Jesus was deeply challenging His disciples in the application of this idea to themselves. then as ever good teacher says, do you get this idea? Jesus in the midst of this, knows full well what Satan is doing. The Lord is aware that the Pharisees and His own neighbors together will ask Jesus about this exact point and He is challenging His disciples to believe and have faith because of who He. Jesus is God.
So now they have moved . In vs. 53 it says, He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary?
Those who do not seek and search for lasting value in the Kingdom of heaven are concerned about this lowly carpenter’s son. See what they say! Look at what they value and certainly it is not the Son of God. They value the worldly systems with its perks, lies, half-truths and lack of knowledge. How could this common carpenter be anything but a peon carpenter, and what could He impart of any real or lasting value, especially as the world determines value. Beside we know His heritage and His brothers and sisters. So to sum it up as Jesus is of no consequence or value to them. They said, 57 {So} they were offended at Him.
That is not all. The disciples who swore they too heard and knew the lesson He was teaching. But when the practical exam and application came, they flunked out of school. Jesus had to bring them back to the lesson He was teaching about. Did they value Jesus or the world? Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” What is the result of failing to understand, honor and respect the name, mission and purpose of the Lord Jesus? Verse 58 tells us -58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Unbelief, disrespect and dishonoring the Lord Jesus leads to death. Jesus chose not to do many mighty works of healing, delivery and salvation because of their unbelief. So dishonor equals unbelief and is treated as disrespect. Yet, Jesus has given you redemption, renewal and eternal life through His blood.
Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Now look at today’s world with its lies about abortion, the border, events in America and the capital, the oil crisis, the cost of gas and heating oil. What is happening to the Constitution of the US of A? Why would you trust in a world that is passing away and not in the eternal Son of God? So I ask you the same question again do you see there is great value in Jesus Christ? Or are you of a second opinion? Perhaps you need to review the question and definition of True value that is eternal and permanent and is only in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ to the believer, is our all in all. He is sufficient for all things and He is the Lord and giver of Life to all who believe. Amen
Will you surrender to Him today?
Sermon January 26
Jesus originally invited the Andrew, Peter, James and John to “Follow Him and I will make you fishers of men.” So sometime after they had been walking with Jesus and:
Now we just rumbled quickly over some very serious points or flaws inclusive of, flaws in the religious leaders and flaws in the world. There are two specific instigators of these worldly problems, yourself and Satan. You personally because of original sin, you are by nature sinful and apart from God. You inherited this nature from Adam and Eve. Look at your news, however you consume it, the hateful and murderous responses of people are the same today as they were in Noah’s day where every man did what was right in their own eyes.
The second problems is that the prince of the power of the air owns the air waves and he knows your weaknesses and he tempts you and I on the basis of our weaknesses. However, when you choose to sin, that’s right – when you choose to sin as a believer you have to jump over 1 Cor 10:13. For as a believer, sinning is no longer your nature and you no longer have to comply. Jesus has canceled the power of sin and set you free.
But Jesus has some additional work for those who would follow Him. Now I want you to remember before we look at what Jesus commands believers to do and be, that He has supplied Himself; one just like Him to assist you in meeting this work. Read with me now from Matthew Chapter 16 verses 24-28 - 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Pray - May God give us understanding to apply Your word daily in each of our lives, and what we have heard right now. Amen
A quick review then, for us, our task is to follow Jesus and in following Jesus we have certain directions which need to be followed from our text to have a close fellowship with Him.
I. see verse 24 - If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.
First Jesus notes to His disciples and us that while following Him is part of the critical path, self-denial and taking up one’s cross are necessary in order to adequately follow Jesus. Why? Because Jesus said so. Let’s examine this to unpack the truth and make us aware of what He means for us to know and obey. The disciples because of their knowledge of Rome and Roman rule were probably quite aware of the idea and use of crucifixion. Roman use of crucifixion for punishment was a common thing in Jerusalem at this time. It was a terribly punishing and excruciating method of tortuous death. Your use the weakness of the body of the individual against the prisoner, thirst, exposure and fatigue to strangulate the person himself. Using the analogy of taking up one’s cross and following Him meant an explicit decision, which was life changing and potentially a death sentence. Did you realize the level of commitment that Jesus was asking from you when you first became a believer? I am not sure I did, honestly. Following Jesus which is the idea contained in the phrase – If anyone desires to come after Me. let Him deny Himself asserts a radical denial of self which can only come from a heart change because our nature is radically self-centered. Heart changes only occur and last because the Holy Spirit has implanted the knowledge of the love of God in a person and they become no longer self-centered but God centered. They have been changed by the might hand of God in an instant, in the blink of an eye. God cleansed your heart and made you acceptable to Himself. A willingness exists now in your reconditioned heart to be God centered and not man centered. What a wonderful thing God has done. Now it is no longer what I want but what does God want with my life, which counts? As the disciples understood and those Muslims who convert to Christianity understand - death can happen at any time.
Self-denial and heart conversion are essential for committing yourself to following Jesus. This is your burden, your cross if you will - your absolute and total commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Your life you should now understand and recognize is not your life, but His life to use as you surrender and serve Him.
II. Verses 25-26 now - 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Here is the dilemma each believer faces. This is a real conundrum for America today. Read the verses again and consider, as it say in vs 25-25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. The disciples were very aware as they confronted the religious leaders that a commitment to Jesus might mean death. Jesus here gives them a caution – if you pledge your commitment to Himself you may try to minimize the pain, discomfort and distress of your physical life by not being what He wants you to be. Remember Jesus knows your heart and soul and mind and strength. If you minimize your Christianity to get along, to be accommodating or inclusive or whatever the current term for compromising your faith, you risk losing your eternal life in Christ. Exhibiting this type of behavior actually means you weren’t really saved and a real believer to begin with. But say you are dancing between two opinions, having a divided heart and mind- you could lose your eternal way to heaven. Jesus then asks the next question -26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? In coming to Jesus you almost had everything you needed for all sufficiency in Christ Jesus, But you choose the easy way of denying Christ to others or to yourself and you lost your way. So you were almost saved and going to Heaven but not totally committed to Him so you lose your way and die eternally. Question is again were you really saved to begin with? Where are you today?
The struggle for wealth and riches can also be a stumbling block. {Matt. 6:33}To have vast quantities of worldly riches but having sold your soul for them is death. This is the great contrast between having spiritual wisdom and discernment and living for the “profit” of worldly riches by personal effort. To strive for good things in this world is not a sin but when they become your “idol” it is for your profit and gain and not your relationship with God. Then perhaps you have gained worldly riches but have indeed have lost your own soul.
Continuing with the remainder of the verse this point is emphasized - Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Can you pay the entry fee to get into heaven with your earnings or what you have achieved? Surely you know the answer to this, nothing you have or have achieved or earned is sufficient to pay your entry price into heaven. You have nothing to give in exchange for your soul. The only payment sufficient in itself is grace. God’s grace which comes by faith in Jesus Christ. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph.2: 8-9). Jesus reminds us very simply in John 14:6 He is the way and no man commeth unto the Father but by Me- paraphrased from NKJV.
Again this is a work of grace and continuous struggle for the soul and purpose of you and I as believers. Are we surrendering to the voice of God by the Holy Spirit to be obedient to the last thing that Jesus has commanded us? Scripture says “we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Not blind fear and irrational trembling but righteous fear of the Lord and trembling to be obedient in all we are called to do.
III. Verse 27 – for the 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
So what should the perspective of the servant of the Living Christ be? I believe it is to keep our eyes on Jesus and to learn to walk in His ways and not our own, doing what Jesus has commanded. We need to be mindful as Paul continually tells us of the terror of the Lord, but forgetting what is behind and keeping our eyes on the upward calling of Jesus Christ. Paul’s focus was always on the end game but being obedient now to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
In this reference Jesus gives His reference to His association with men. He is the son of Man who is coming soon. The fact He names Himself the Son of Man is good news for He is relating to you and I since He came as God in the flesh to become the perfect sacrifice for sin. He is the God man and without Him there is no sacrifice for sin equivalent to pay your sin debt. At the same time this verse reminds us He will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
He is also The righteous Judge for all peoples because of His sacrifice for sin. The specific judgement referenced here is most likely the white throne judgement where those who are unbelieving will be judged. Remember all authority in heaven and earth has been given unto Jesus because of His sinless sacrifice. So He has the authority given by God to judge all of humanity because of their depravity and sin.
If you remember the parable of the sheep and the goats you will remember that the sheep on the right hand are preserved unto eternity. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matt. 25. 34) And those goats on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
But remember for the believer judgement is already present is your life after having believed in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is living in you now and He is responsible for convicting you of sin, righteousness and convicting you of what is to come (Jn. 16:7ff). But remember Believers will also be judged on the basis of how they have lived their lives for Christ. Were we obedient to the call of Christ? What have we done for advancing God’s kingdom here on earth? Have we lived honorably for Jesus and our Father? Have we been obedient to all we knew to do in the Bible? All questions to be addressed face to face with Jesus at the Bema Judgement of believers, where all our lives will be evaluated and reviewed. One thing we should not do is judge someone’s salvation? This is the work of God not men, this is what we are not to judge.
Is there fear in this judgement at the mercy seat of the Lamb? I believe the answer is no. No fear will be present for according to God’s Word, perfect love casts out all fear. And you and I will be perfected in love at that time, so the judgement will be a profound lesson and a blessing for each of us.
IV. Verse 28- 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Jesus next made this startling statement that there were some standing there with Him who would not taste death before they saw Him coming in His kingdom. The problem, of course, is that those disciples have all died, yet Christ has not come in power and glory to set up His kingdom. The problem is solved if we disregard the chapter break and consider the first eight verses of the next chapter as an explanation of His enigmatic statement. These verses describe the incident on the Mount of Transfiguration. There Peter, James, and John saw Christ transfigured. They were actually privileged to have a preview of Christ in the glory of His kingdom. This was a blessing to these three privileged disciples to see the Transfiguration of Jesus as they were soon to be sorely tested by the crucifixion.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you have also been transfigured and are now being conformed to the image of your Lord. That is a fact but Jesus wants all disciples now and forever more to count the cost of being a follower of Jesus Christ. It is not to be saved then to sit in the pew and wait for heaven. It is learning to walk humbly daily and learning to rely on Jesus and denying self. But you have a holy Helper straight from the throne room of heaven. He will help you walk as you should if you will to set your heart towards Him daily. Amen
Jesus originally invited the Andrew, Peter, James and John to “Follow Him and I will make you fishers of men.” So sometime after they had been walking with Jesus and:
- had experienced the hate of the Pharisees and Sadducees,
- spent time seeing the difference between how the world looked on people and how Jesus served and treated people with sicknesses, infirmities and horrible disfigurements and diseases,
- and how Jesus honored, respected and loved His Father in heaven.
Now we just rumbled quickly over some very serious points or flaws inclusive of, flaws in the religious leaders and flaws in the world. There are two specific instigators of these worldly problems, yourself and Satan. You personally because of original sin, you are by nature sinful and apart from God. You inherited this nature from Adam and Eve. Look at your news, however you consume it, the hateful and murderous responses of people are the same today as they were in Noah’s day where every man did what was right in their own eyes.
The second problems is that the prince of the power of the air owns the air waves and he knows your weaknesses and he tempts you and I on the basis of our weaknesses. However, when you choose to sin, that’s right – when you choose to sin as a believer you have to jump over 1 Cor 10:13. For as a believer, sinning is no longer your nature and you no longer have to comply. Jesus has canceled the power of sin and set you free.
But Jesus has some additional work for those who would follow Him. Now I want you to remember before we look at what Jesus commands believers to do and be, that He has supplied Himself; one just like Him to assist you in meeting this work. Read with me now from Matthew Chapter 16 verses 24-28 - 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Pray - May God give us understanding to apply Your word daily in each of our lives, and what we have heard right now. Amen
A quick review then, for us, our task is to follow Jesus and in following Jesus we have certain directions which need to be followed from our text to have a close fellowship with Him.
I. see verse 24 - If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.
First Jesus notes to His disciples and us that while following Him is part of the critical path, self-denial and taking up one’s cross are necessary in order to adequately follow Jesus. Why? Because Jesus said so. Let’s examine this to unpack the truth and make us aware of what He means for us to know and obey. The disciples because of their knowledge of Rome and Roman rule were probably quite aware of the idea and use of crucifixion. Roman use of crucifixion for punishment was a common thing in Jerusalem at this time. It was a terribly punishing and excruciating method of tortuous death. Your use the weakness of the body of the individual against the prisoner, thirst, exposure and fatigue to strangulate the person himself. Using the analogy of taking up one’s cross and following Him meant an explicit decision, which was life changing and potentially a death sentence. Did you realize the level of commitment that Jesus was asking from you when you first became a believer? I am not sure I did, honestly. Following Jesus which is the idea contained in the phrase – If anyone desires to come after Me. let Him deny Himself asserts a radical denial of self which can only come from a heart change because our nature is radically self-centered. Heart changes only occur and last because the Holy Spirit has implanted the knowledge of the love of God in a person and they become no longer self-centered but God centered. They have been changed by the might hand of God in an instant, in the blink of an eye. God cleansed your heart and made you acceptable to Himself. A willingness exists now in your reconditioned heart to be God centered and not man centered. What a wonderful thing God has done. Now it is no longer what I want but what does God want with my life, which counts? As the disciples understood and those Muslims who convert to Christianity understand - death can happen at any time.
Self-denial and heart conversion are essential for committing yourself to following Jesus. This is your burden, your cross if you will - your absolute and total commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Your life you should now understand and recognize is not your life, but His life to use as you surrender and serve Him.
II. Verses 25-26 now - 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Here is the dilemma each believer faces. This is a real conundrum for America today. Read the verses again and consider, as it say in vs 25-25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. The disciples were very aware as they confronted the religious leaders that a commitment to Jesus might mean death. Jesus here gives them a caution – if you pledge your commitment to Himself you may try to minimize the pain, discomfort and distress of your physical life by not being what He wants you to be. Remember Jesus knows your heart and soul and mind and strength. If you minimize your Christianity to get along, to be accommodating or inclusive or whatever the current term for compromising your faith, you risk losing your eternal life in Christ. Exhibiting this type of behavior actually means you weren’t really saved and a real believer to begin with. But say you are dancing between two opinions, having a divided heart and mind- you could lose your eternal way to heaven. Jesus then asks the next question -26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? In coming to Jesus you almost had everything you needed for all sufficiency in Christ Jesus, But you choose the easy way of denying Christ to others or to yourself and you lost your way. So you were almost saved and going to Heaven but not totally committed to Him so you lose your way and die eternally. Question is again were you really saved to begin with? Where are you today?
The struggle for wealth and riches can also be a stumbling block. {Matt. 6:33}To have vast quantities of worldly riches but having sold your soul for them is death. This is the great contrast between having spiritual wisdom and discernment and living for the “profit” of worldly riches by personal effort. To strive for good things in this world is not a sin but when they become your “idol” it is for your profit and gain and not your relationship with God. Then perhaps you have gained worldly riches but have indeed have lost your own soul.
Continuing with the remainder of the verse this point is emphasized - Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Can you pay the entry fee to get into heaven with your earnings or what you have achieved? Surely you know the answer to this, nothing you have or have achieved or earned is sufficient to pay your entry price into heaven. You have nothing to give in exchange for your soul. The only payment sufficient in itself is grace. God’s grace which comes by faith in Jesus Christ. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph.2: 8-9). Jesus reminds us very simply in John 14:6 He is the way and no man commeth unto the Father but by Me- paraphrased from NKJV.
Again this is a work of grace and continuous struggle for the soul and purpose of you and I as believers. Are we surrendering to the voice of God by the Holy Spirit to be obedient to the last thing that Jesus has commanded us? Scripture says “we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Not blind fear and irrational trembling but righteous fear of the Lord and trembling to be obedient in all we are called to do.
III. Verse 27 – for the 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
So what should the perspective of the servant of the Living Christ be? I believe it is to keep our eyes on Jesus and to learn to walk in His ways and not our own, doing what Jesus has commanded. We need to be mindful as Paul continually tells us of the terror of the Lord, but forgetting what is behind and keeping our eyes on the upward calling of Jesus Christ. Paul’s focus was always on the end game but being obedient now to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
In this reference Jesus gives His reference to His association with men. He is the son of Man who is coming soon. The fact He names Himself the Son of Man is good news for He is relating to you and I since He came as God in the flesh to become the perfect sacrifice for sin. He is the God man and without Him there is no sacrifice for sin equivalent to pay your sin debt. At the same time this verse reminds us He will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
He is also The righteous Judge for all peoples because of His sacrifice for sin. The specific judgement referenced here is most likely the white throne judgement where those who are unbelieving will be judged. Remember all authority in heaven and earth has been given unto Jesus because of His sinless sacrifice. So He has the authority given by God to judge all of humanity because of their depravity and sin.
If you remember the parable of the sheep and the goats you will remember that the sheep on the right hand are preserved unto eternity. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matt. 25. 34) And those goats on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
But remember for the believer judgement is already present is your life after having believed in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is living in you now and He is responsible for convicting you of sin, righteousness and convicting you of what is to come (Jn. 16:7ff). But remember Believers will also be judged on the basis of how they have lived their lives for Christ. Were we obedient to the call of Christ? What have we done for advancing God’s kingdom here on earth? Have we lived honorably for Jesus and our Father? Have we been obedient to all we knew to do in the Bible? All questions to be addressed face to face with Jesus at the Bema Judgement of believers, where all our lives will be evaluated and reviewed. One thing we should not do is judge someone’s salvation? This is the work of God not men, this is what we are not to judge.
Is there fear in this judgement at the mercy seat of the Lamb? I believe the answer is no. No fear will be present for according to God’s Word, perfect love casts out all fear. And you and I will be perfected in love at that time, so the judgement will be a profound lesson and a blessing for each of us.
IV. Verse 28- 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Jesus next made this startling statement that there were some standing there with Him who would not taste death before they saw Him coming in His kingdom. The problem, of course, is that those disciples have all died, yet Christ has not come in power and glory to set up His kingdom. The problem is solved if we disregard the chapter break and consider the first eight verses of the next chapter as an explanation of His enigmatic statement. These verses describe the incident on the Mount of Transfiguration. There Peter, James, and John saw Christ transfigured. They were actually privileged to have a preview of Christ in the glory of His kingdom. This was a blessing to these three privileged disciples to see the Transfiguration of Jesus as they were soon to be sorely tested by the crucifixion.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you have also been transfigured and are now being conformed to the image of your Lord. That is a fact but Jesus wants all disciples now and forever more to count the cost of being a follower of Jesus Christ. It is not to be saved then to sit in the pew and wait for heaven. It is learning to walk humbly daily and learning to rely on Jesus and denying self. But you have a holy Helper straight from the throne room of heaven. He will help you walk as you should if you will to set your heart towards Him daily. Amen
Sermon Jan 23
Jim's most recent Sermon
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless {forgiven}; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. The Word of God written for you.
Today as we walk with the Lord, perhaps we should turn our hearts to this matter of faith. We studied on Friday the Father who brought his demon possessed child to the disciples and they could not cast it out. (Matt.17). Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith and challenges the father who asked Jesus, “if you can cast it out.” The father then repents for he had enough faith to bring the child to Jesus but lacked faith for healing by Jesus. He makes an important statement to Jesus – “forgive my unbelief.” We should consider this a learning opportunity for ourselves as we sometimes face this same decision point where God is challenging our faith. Our daily walk to “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” is a constant struggle just as it was with the disciples. For three- and one-half years they walked with the master yet when it came to the understanding that Jesus came to die, they did not understand or learn from event to event Jesus was challenging their understanding of Himself, who God was and is and each step required additional faith. Sometimes they failed like with healing this demon possessed child. They failed at the crucifixion and the resurrection, at the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000, and in many other cases.
As a matter of fact one of the disciples Paul, or Saul of Tarsus was persecuting believers, delivering them to prison, torture and death. How is it that God can use such abject failures and establish the kingdom of heaven here on the earth with success? Paul even states in one of his letters or epistles in the NT that he was/is the least of all the disciples but still Jesus Christ called him by name- “Saul, Saul, why persecuteth thou Me?” (Acts)
Again, how is it that God is able to transform abject failures into Kingdom material? This is done by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 1:13-14 says, 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[a] is the [b]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. When God began illuminating your hearts giving you enough faith to receive His as Lord and convicting you of your sin, He sealed you with the Holy Spirit of promise to eternity. He in your heart’s temple is where God dwells. By this He made you a new creature.
That is why the question in our text is relevant – verse 11- what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? Your walk as a believer in Christ with Him leading and the Holy Spirit teaching is a challenge each day to your level of faith. Jesus leading and you following is always going to result in new challenges to your faith. Each next step is going to require more faith than the one before. So today are you trusting God more by faith or are you limiting your faith?
According to our teachings which we continue to learn, we are to walk by faith and not by sight?
So what can limit our faith? Our past, Our personal choices, sin, fear, disobedience, misunderstanding, each of these can limit our faith in our Lord. Anything which limits our faith makes us feckless Christians; meaning weak and useless to the purposes of God.
Our past can limit our faith – God has recreated us in Christ as new creatures 2 Cor. 5:17, old things have passed away behold all things have become new. Some believers are so oriented on the past that they are consumed by passed failures and never achieve the freedom in Christ that God wants us to achieve. Think of Peter in his denying Christ three times. When he heard the crow of the rooster it all came back to him what Jesus said. “Before the cock crows twice you will deny Me three times.” Even though Peter repented, he could have been limited for the rest of his ministry by this failure. But Jesus love restored him by challenging his motives. Did Peter go on to fail again of course he did by treating the Gentiles differently when the Jews were present. But Peter was forgiven and moved on.
Paul gives us the clear mindset of what we need to not be limited by past failures. Listen to what he says in Philippians 3-12 Not that I have already attained,[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Forgetting the things of the past, eye toward what is ahead. Understanding that we have been forgiven in Christ, which we must confess and repent continuously. If we say we have no the sin the truth is not in us. {1 Jn.}
Our personal choices can limit our faith. If we continually choose to sin or to have doubts, then we need to address our faith. Have we really met the living Christ and have we truly believed that His salvation has set us free from the law of sin and death? Then if this is true, why are we continuing to choose to sin and be disobedient to God? God has promised every believer spiritual gifts to those who believe – temperance is one of the gifts. Jesus says if any of you lacks wisdom, ask of Him who give all things liberally and He will help you make wise choices, if you are of faith. Remember - Without faith it is impossible to please Him. He who comes to God must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11.6)
Here is a biggie- fear can limit our faith. There are many types of fear. Fear of failure as you work for God, fear of being spurned for being a Christian, fear of impacting your economics and finances because you are a Christian, fear of what others might say, fear of being rejected at work, fear of death for being a Christian. There are lots of fears available to weaken your testimony and weaken your relationship with Christ. Start to overcome your fear by studying the Word of God, realize that God’s perfect loves casts out all fear. Remember what Jesus told you, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” Neither height nor depth nor any created thing shall be able to separate you from the love of God.
If we are honest all these fears about witnessing, our testimony and sharing the love of Christ are troublesome for we are really pondering our death in many cases. That is why in today’s culture speaking truth about life styles, race, gender, equity {reparations}, the family, challenging CRT in our schools, being labeled as domestic terrorists and the like is potentially very dangerous, even life threatening. Jesus made this not optional for the believer. He said, Luke 9: 23-25, 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Jesus wants us to realize our real life is not here and now. Our life is in Christ. He knows our life’s plan and He wants us to join Him in the work. What work? Redeeming a lost world for the Kingdom of Heaven is the work and we are on mission with Him. He will always go with us and before us in whatever He calls us to do.
We have already alluded to willful disobedience, in addressing our lack of faith. We posed the question - did we actually believe and receive genuine salvation in the first place or did we have true faith initially? We as humans have created a category of disobedience which we define as periodic slipping out of character to God’s desired plan for our lives. Unfortunately God does not have this category in His rulebook. All sin is willful sin, regardless of how you may choose to define it, according to God. To sin as a believer is to willfully disobey the Word of God and choose to sin, despite what you know about God. There is no excuses other than a fallen nature which has been redeemed by the blood of Christ. According again to God’s Word Luke 9:23 “let Him deny Himself and take up His cross and follow Me.”
Misunderstanding is a big word, what are we actually talking about? Misunderstanding and misinterpreting the Word of God is what we need to discuss. Foolishly taking a verse or a series of verses out of context can lead to denying the truth in God’s word and cause you to believe something which is not the truth. To do this you actually have to deny the functioning of the Holy Spirit. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13). Many of the sects which operate today tell you there is some essential truth which you are missing from the Word of God, and you need to go here or there, or do this or that to be saved. It is a lie and is not blessed but cursed of God. Those that walk in these ways are doomed and those that formed this ungodly lie or in for severe punishment.
Let’s sum it up. Jesus, as He walked through the chapters of Matthew, was dramatically teaching His disciples that each encounter with Him and what He was asking them to do was going to require more faith. Just like the journey you are on right now if you are a believer. Each step of obedience is going to require more faith and God is waiting on your next step of faith.
Faith is confidence in God’s will, purpose and plan for your life. Will you perfectly execute all God has planned for you in Jesus Christ? I would pray that would be so but most likely you will fail along the way. Question is what will you allow this failure to do? Will you allow failure to define your future with Jesus regardless of what happen? Perhaps it will be a moral or sexual failure? Or perhaps you cheated, lied or told untruths about another? Do you realize that your sin is keeping you from your relationship with God? Sin separates us from God, keeps Him from hearing our prayers and creates enmity between us and God.
Jesus cries out to you if you don’t know Him and says Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. He cries out to the believer and says Repent therefore and return that your sins may be washed away in order that times of refreshing can come from being in the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3.19)
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen.{Heb 11.1} It is that mustard seed element with which you together with a Holy God can move the mountains in men and women’s hearts. Faith must be worked at by trusting in God’s word- remember faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Faith is what enabled you to be saved. {By grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast}. Faith is trusting in God’s truth leading you to repentance, confession and being reestablished in your faith. True faith will lead you to learn the love of God will enable you to face any uncertainty even your death for the rewards at the end far exceed anything which we should desire to keep us here. God’s retirement plan and benefits are out of this world. Having faith in God should lead us to trust Him wherever He may take us.
Wherever He leads I’ll go. I’ll follow My Christ where’er He goes, Wherever He leads I’ll go.
The worst part about allowing your faith to be limited is you miss the full rich plan established by the Father for your life and you do not grow to be all He knows you can be. That is the despair of limiting faith to stand in the Father’s / Jesus presence and know you did not do all you could have done for Him. So we have a message to tell - Keep our eyes on the end goal- Jesus is coming again: and to know the love of Christ and share it will others so they too can know Him and be with Him in eternity. This is what our original scripture was telling us. Amen
Jim's most recent Sermon
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [d]burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless {forgiven}; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. The Word of God written for you.
Today as we walk with the Lord, perhaps we should turn our hearts to this matter of faith. We studied on Friday the Father who brought his demon possessed child to the disciples and they could not cast it out. (Matt.17). Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith and challenges the father who asked Jesus, “if you can cast it out.” The father then repents for he had enough faith to bring the child to Jesus but lacked faith for healing by Jesus. He makes an important statement to Jesus – “forgive my unbelief.” We should consider this a learning opportunity for ourselves as we sometimes face this same decision point where God is challenging our faith. Our daily walk to “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” is a constant struggle just as it was with the disciples. For three- and one-half years they walked with the master yet when it came to the understanding that Jesus came to die, they did not understand or learn from event to event Jesus was challenging their understanding of Himself, who God was and is and each step required additional faith. Sometimes they failed like with healing this demon possessed child. They failed at the crucifixion and the resurrection, at the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000, and in many other cases.
As a matter of fact one of the disciples Paul, or Saul of Tarsus was persecuting believers, delivering them to prison, torture and death. How is it that God can use such abject failures and establish the kingdom of heaven here on the earth with success? Paul even states in one of his letters or epistles in the NT that he was/is the least of all the disciples but still Jesus Christ called him by name- “Saul, Saul, why persecuteth thou Me?” (Acts)
Again, how is it that God is able to transform abject failures into Kingdom material? This is done by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 1:13-14 says, 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[a] is the [b]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. When God began illuminating your hearts giving you enough faith to receive His as Lord and convicting you of your sin, He sealed you with the Holy Spirit of promise to eternity. He in your heart’s temple is where God dwells. By this He made you a new creature.
That is why the question in our text is relevant – verse 11- what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? Your walk as a believer in Christ with Him leading and the Holy Spirit teaching is a challenge each day to your level of faith. Jesus leading and you following is always going to result in new challenges to your faith. Each next step is going to require more faith than the one before. So today are you trusting God more by faith or are you limiting your faith?
According to our teachings which we continue to learn, we are to walk by faith and not by sight?
So what can limit our faith? Our past, Our personal choices, sin, fear, disobedience, misunderstanding, each of these can limit our faith in our Lord. Anything which limits our faith makes us feckless Christians; meaning weak and useless to the purposes of God.
Our past can limit our faith – God has recreated us in Christ as new creatures 2 Cor. 5:17, old things have passed away behold all things have become new. Some believers are so oriented on the past that they are consumed by passed failures and never achieve the freedom in Christ that God wants us to achieve. Think of Peter in his denying Christ three times. When he heard the crow of the rooster it all came back to him what Jesus said. “Before the cock crows twice you will deny Me three times.” Even though Peter repented, he could have been limited for the rest of his ministry by this failure. But Jesus love restored him by challenging his motives. Did Peter go on to fail again of course he did by treating the Gentiles differently when the Jews were present. But Peter was forgiven and moved on.
Paul gives us the clear mindset of what we need to not be limited by past failures. Listen to what he says in Philippians 3-12 Not that I have already attained,[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Forgetting the things of the past, eye toward what is ahead. Understanding that we have been forgiven in Christ, which we must confess and repent continuously. If we say we have no the sin the truth is not in us. {1 Jn.}
Our personal choices can limit our faith. If we continually choose to sin or to have doubts, then we need to address our faith. Have we really met the living Christ and have we truly believed that His salvation has set us free from the law of sin and death? Then if this is true, why are we continuing to choose to sin and be disobedient to God? God has promised every believer spiritual gifts to those who believe – temperance is one of the gifts. Jesus says if any of you lacks wisdom, ask of Him who give all things liberally and He will help you make wise choices, if you are of faith. Remember - Without faith it is impossible to please Him. He who comes to God must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11.6)
Here is a biggie- fear can limit our faith. There are many types of fear. Fear of failure as you work for God, fear of being spurned for being a Christian, fear of impacting your economics and finances because you are a Christian, fear of what others might say, fear of being rejected at work, fear of death for being a Christian. There are lots of fears available to weaken your testimony and weaken your relationship with Christ. Start to overcome your fear by studying the Word of God, realize that God’s perfect loves casts out all fear. Remember what Jesus told you, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” Neither height nor depth nor any created thing shall be able to separate you from the love of God.
If we are honest all these fears about witnessing, our testimony and sharing the love of Christ are troublesome for we are really pondering our death in many cases. That is why in today’s culture speaking truth about life styles, race, gender, equity {reparations}, the family, challenging CRT in our schools, being labeled as domestic terrorists and the like is potentially very dangerous, even life threatening. Jesus made this not optional for the believer. He said, Luke 9: 23-25, 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Jesus wants us to realize our real life is not here and now. Our life is in Christ. He knows our life’s plan and He wants us to join Him in the work. What work? Redeeming a lost world for the Kingdom of Heaven is the work and we are on mission with Him. He will always go with us and before us in whatever He calls us to do.
We have already alluded to willful disobedience, in addressing our lack of faith. We posed the question - did we actually believe and receive genuine salvation in the first place or did we have true faith initially? We as humans have created a category of disobedience which we define as periodic slipping out of character to God’s desired plan for our lives. Unfortunately God does not have this category in His rulebook. All sin is willful sin, regardless of how you may choose to define it, according to God. To sin as a believer is to willfully disobey the Word of God and choose to sin, despite what you know about God. There is no excuses other than a fallen nature which has been redeemed by the blood of Christ. According again to God’s Word Luke 9:23 “let Him deny Himself and take up His cross and follow Me.”
Misunderstanding is a big word, what are we actually talking about? Misunderstanding and misinterpreting the Word of God is what we need to discuss. Foolishly taking a verse or a series of verses out of context can lead to denying the truth in God’s word and cause you to believe something which is not the truth. To do this you actually have to deny the functioning of the Holy Spirit. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13). Many of the sects which operate today tell you there is some essential truth which you are missing from the Word of God, and you need to go here or there, or do this or that to be saved. It is a lie and is not blessed but cursed of God. Those that walk in these ways are doomed and those that formed this ungodly lie or in for severe punishment.
Let’s sum it up. Jesus, as He walked through the chapters of Matthew, was dramatically teaching His disciples that each encounter with Him and what He was asking them to do was going to require more faith. Just like the journey you are on right now if you are a believer. Each step of obedience is going to require more faith and God is waiting on your next step of faith.
Faith is confidence in God’s will, purpose and plan for your life. Will you perfectly execute all God has planned for you in Jesus Christ? I would pray that would be so but most likely you will fail along the way. Question is what will you allow this failure to do? Will you allow failure to define your future with Jesus regardless of what happen? Perhaps it will be a moral or sexual failure? Or perhaps you cheated, lied or told untruths about another? Do you realize that your sin is keeping you from your relationship with God? Sin separates us from God, keeps Him from hearing our prayers and creates enmity between us and God.
Jesus cries out to you if you don’t know Him and says Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. He cries out to the believer and says Repent therefore and return that your sins may be washed away in order that times of refreshing can come from being in the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3.19)
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen.{Heb 11.1} It is that mustard seed element with which you together with a Holy God can move the mountains in men and women’s hearts. Faith must be worked at by trusting in God’s word- remember faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Faith is what enabled you to be saved. {By grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works, lest any man should boast}. Faith is trusting in God’s truth leading you to repentance, confession and being reestablished in your faith. True faith will lead you to learn the love of God will enable you to face any uncertainty even your death for the rewards at the end far exceed anything which we should desire to keep us here. God’s retirement plan and benefits are out of this world. Having faith in God should lead us to trust Him wherever He may take us.
Wherever He leads I’ll go. I’ll follow My Christ where’er He goes, Wherever He leads I’ll go.
The worst part about allowing your faith to be limited is you miss the full rich plan established by the Father for your life and you do not grow to be all He knows you can be. That is the despair of limiting faith to stand in the Father’s / Jesus presence and know you did not do all you could have done for Him. So we have a message to tell - Keep our eyes on the end goal- Jesus is coming again: and to know the love of Christ and share it will others so they too can know Him and be with Him in eternity. This is what our original scripture was telling us. Amen
Sermon Jan 16
A righteous life produces a blessed man or woman. Reference Psalm 1- Blessed is the man or woman who walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in it he doth meditate day and night. And he shall be like tree planted by the river of waters.
We are called to live a righteous life so that we can be blessed of God as men and women of God. Psalm 112 sandwiched in between Psalm 111 which talks to what the Lord has done and His works, and Psalm 113- Israel’s great Psalm of Praise, the great Hallel. Now we should not ignore the placement of Psalms together, for God never does anything except by design. These three Psalms are a package. Psalm 111 the works and miracles of what has accomplished. Psalm 112 how these works should impact the men and women of God; and Psalm 113- why we must, should and want to praise Him for His love and goodness. He is our Father, our El Shaddai and our Savior.
Now may God bless us as we approach His word. May the Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts and give us not just understanding but wisdom for application and to be useful to the Lord. Amen
Psalm 112 - Praise[a] the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness [b]endures forever.
4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established;
He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His [c]horn will be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked will see it and be grieved;
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish
Now, may God add His blessing to the reading of His Word. AMEN
As we begin we need to understand that these verses are written from a strictly Hebrew perspective and do not reflect modern ways concerning women and other more recent mores. This is sometimes a point of contention in interpretation. Israel was a male dominated society and as such the words and mores reflect this idea. We will bump into a few of these concerns as we parse these verses. You will note I will abbreviate much discussion which could go much deeper, but based upon our needs for today and the rifts in society and in the world, we need to focus on verses 5 through 8. But you will notice that the remainder of the verses support the behavior and wisdom demonstrated by how the Blessed Man or Woman lives privately and publicly.
The foundation for you to be a Blessed Man or Woman is found in verses 1 and 2- Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.
The Blessed person here has two secrets- He loves the Lord and He loves His Word. What is established and repeater here is the foundation of a righteous life begins with these two sources. First, a clear, honest, deferential and reverential awe in honoring God Almighty, His Son and in roles of the Holy Spirit. God is God and we are not. Without a clear understanding of this relationship and who God is we fail. The second secret of the Blessed person is a love for the Word of God. Without the Love of the Word you will have a hard time maintaining the love towards the Lord. Only by the washing of the water of the Word, and the constant standing before the Word of God will you have the ability to maintain a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit within you. Ref. Psalm 51- David’s repentance. Again, this is foundational without these two loves operating the Holy Spirit will not be able to use you and establish a truly righteous life.
Move now to verses 2 through 4
2His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness [b]endures forever.
4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Each of the blessings promised here come from the Old Testament covenant of blessings which were established in the Abramic covenant and matured through Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Again if you study Deuteronomy 28 you find that the guarantees for wealth, riches and the like are promised by faithfulness to God and His Word. Jesus on the contrary never made promises concerning earthly riches but focused on heavenly rewards and the benefits of being blessed {Matt. 5 speaks to Blessed are.}
One of the outcomes of righteous living is it blesses not only you but your offspring. This is called spiritual influence. You have the opportunity to influence not only your children, other people and other generations. Might does not always mean powerful but influential to others. This is not often something we consider but it is powerful for you and for others. We often call this righteous influence -fellowship.
In verses 3 -5, and 9, what should our relationship to material wealth be? Under the old covenant, material wealth was one of the evidences of the Lord’s blessing on His people as they moved into the Promised Land. This explains why the apostles were shocked when Jesus said that it was difficult for rich people to enter God’s kingdom. If rich people could not be saved, then who could?
To Job’s three friends, the fact that Job had lost everything was proof that God was punishing him for his sins. It was faulty logic, but they held it tenaciously. The persons depicted in this psalm are righteous before the Lord and did not acquire their wealth in some unlawful manner. The righteous person was generous in his use of the wealth the Lord gave him, sharing it with the poor and lending it freely without interest (Deut. 23:19-20). He was certainly not miserly or covetous, and he was obedient to the Lord’s admonition to care for the poor and needy. When he quoted verse 9 in 2 Corinthians 9:9, the apostle Paul used him as an example for believers today to follow.
Whereas, the word “horn” in verse 9 is an image of power and dignity (Luke 1:69). Because of the Blessed person’s generosity, the Lord allowed him to be lifted up in the eyes of his peers. As you see the Blessed persons faith in the Lord and love for those in need, you cannot help but think of the promise in Matthew 6:33.
Now go to verses 5 to 8 .5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely, he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
We have already spoken to verse 5 but remember the traits and characteristics of the Blessed Man begin in verse 1 and flow through to the children {sons} so they have the opportunity to become mighty and moral persons; and to the family so their substance is enriched because of their fear of the Lord and his love of His word. In summary there is the promise of a house full of riches and a heart full of righteousness.
Now is these remaining verses we shall study the security of the Blessed Man or Woman
Surely, he will never be shaken- The promise of everlasting security- such a person is immovable This world and its rocks and foundations will surely pass away as mentioned in the book of Revelation. This is the type of security perspective needed today for in this environment of falsehoods, lies and deception exhibited at all levels of government, we the people of God need to be steadfast in the promises of God, not being daily twisted by the winds of outrageous fortune.
Not only is there everlasting security in the perspective of the Blessed Men and Women but there is – Note is verses 7 and 8 there are two things recorded about the upright man or woman. Bad news does not shake Him or Her for his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. We are all overtaken sometimes by bad news – a death, bank fails, lightning strikes, hurricane, tornado, some disaster. God does not exempt us from difficulties or disaster. What He does allow is to rest our hearts on Him. Bad news need not shake us God remains on His throne.
Good news does not shun Him. There may be bad news but persons of faith know that good news is ultimately on the way. Believers all the only ones with the right and promise to be optimistic about the final future. All others are false promises very much like fake news, they are not based upon the truth of God’s word or His sworn promises.
I want to press again on these three verses look what they say
he will never be shaken; Confidence in the Lord His God and Savior – strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
will be in everlasting remembrance. This is a two-way idea; (a.) for God will never leave you or forsake you. He has written your name in the Lamb’s book of Life and He has sealed you by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. (b.) While you may waver in your remembrance of His goodness, mercy and love for a bit, but you will return because God continues to draw you via the Holy Spirit to Himself.
not afraid of evil tidings; (surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will come to dwell is the house {temple} of the Almighty forever. This is the blessing from God for your life. Evil tidings for a moment but in perspective as Paul says are but a momentary light affliction (2 Cor 4:17)
Their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their heart is established; He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies
Our heart to remain steadfast must go back to the foundation of our faith. Trust in the Lord, fear Him and live in and according to the Word of God. These Psalms are incredible as we study and learn from them we learn first principles over and over. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom so verse 1 is foundational for everything that follows in the Psalm. Each trait or benefit which comes because of our practice of living these words flows from verse 1.
To prove this look at the remaining verses –
9 He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His [c]horn will be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked will see it and be grieved;
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish
All these traits are the outgrowth of a righteous life. Your righteous life leads to benefits not just to you, to your family, but to your nation and to others outside.
Dispersed abroad what is dispersed abroad? Money maybe, the Word of God maybe, the truth of who God is maybe, the love of God maybe? Out of the blessing of a good heart flow Good fruit.
Given to the poor -sounds like duty, no more than that. This is giving with exceptional good measure out of the love of God and the knowledge of what He has given to us.
God exalts and honors us forever not because we deserve it but because He loves us and cares for us. Eph 1:3 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
One more final blessing is promised to the Blessed men and women is their enemies will have the opportunity to witness your blessedness and will gnash their teeth because of what God has done for you. Isn’t that something beware those in power today for your reward is coming and you will not rejoice in that day as you think in your hearts Oh men and women who rejoice in your evil and wickedness. We pray God grants you the mercy to repent and receive Jesus Christ before that day, in a place called Hell which you reject.
AMEN
A righteous life produces a blessed man or woman. Reference Psalm 1- Blessed is the man or woman who walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in it he doth meditate day and night. And he shall be like tree planted by the river of waters.
We are called to live a righteous life so that we can be blessed of God as men and women of God. Psalm 112 sandwiched in between Psalm 111 which talks to what the Lord has done and His works, and Psalm 113- Israel’s great Psalm of Praise, the great Hallel. Now we should not ignore the placement of Psalms together, for God never does anything except by design. These three Psalms are a package. Psalm 111 the works and miracles of what has accomplished. Psalm 112 how these works should impact the men and women of God; and Psalm 113- why we must, should and want to praise Him for His love and goodness. He is our Father, our El Shaddai and our Savior.
Now may God bless us as we approach His word. May the Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts and give us not just understanding but wisdom for application and to be useful to the Lord. Amen
Psalm 112 - Praise[a] the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness [b]endures forever.
4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established;
He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His [c]horn will be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked will see it and be grieved;
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish
Now, may God add His blessing to the reading of His Word. AMEN
As we begin we need to understand that these verses are written from a strictly Hebrew perspective and do not reflect modern ways concerning women and other more recent mores. This is sometimes a point of contention in interpretation. Israel was a male dominated society and as such the words and mores reflect this idea. We will bump into a few of these concerns as we parse these verses. You will note I will abbreviate much discussion which could go much deeper, but based upon our needs for today and the rifts in society and in the world, we need to focus on verses 5 through 8. But you will notice that the remainder of the verses support the behavior and wisdom demonstrated by how the Blessed Man or Woman lives privately and publicly.
The foundation for you to be a Blessed Man or Woman is found in verses 1 and 2- Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.
The Blessed person here has two secrets- He loves the Lord and He loves His Word. What is established and repeater here is the foundation of a righteous life begins with these two sources. First, a clear, honest, deferential and reverential awe in honoring God Almighty, His Son and in roles of the Holy Spirit. God is God and we are not. Without a clear understanding of this relationship and who God is we fail. The second secret of the Blessed person is a love for the Word of God. Without the Love of the Word you will have a hard time maintaining the love towards the Lord. Only by the washing of the water of the Word, and the constant standing before the Word of God will you have the ability to maintain a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit within you. Ref. Psalm 51- David’s repentance. Again, this is foundational without these two loves operating the Holy Spirit will not be able to use you and establish a truly righteous life.
Move now to verses 2 through 4
2His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness [b]endures forever.
4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Each of the blessings promised here come from the Old Testament covenant of blessings which were established in the Abramic covenant and matured through Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Again if you study Deuteronomy 28 you find that the guarantees for wealth, riches and the like are promised by faithfulness to God and His Word. Jesus on the contrary never made promises concerning earthly riches but focused on heavenly rewards and the benefits of being blessed {Matt. 5 speaks to Blessed are.}
One of the outcomes of righteous living is it blesses not only you but your offspring. This is called spiritual influence. You have the opportunity to influence not only your children, other people and other generations. Might does not always mean powerful but influential to others. This is not often something we consider but it is powerful for you and for others. We often call this righteous influence -fellowship.
In verses 3 -5, and 9, what should our relationship to material wealth be? Under the old covenant, material wealth was one of the evidences of the Lord’s blessing on His people as they moved into the Promised Land. This explains why the apostles were shocked when Jesus said that it was difficult for rich people to enter God’s kingdom. If rich people could not be saved, then who could?
To Job’s three friends, the fact that Job had lost everything was proof that God was punishing him for his sins. It was faulty logic, but they held it tenaciously. The persons depicted in this psalm are righteous before the Lord and did not acquire their wealth in some unlawful manner. The righteous person was generous in his use of the wealth the Lord gave him, sharing it with the poor and lending it freely without interest (Deut. 23:19-20). He was certainly not miserly or covetous, and he was obedient to the Lord’s admonition to care for the poor and needy. When he quoted verse 9 in 2 Corinthians 9:9, the apostle Paul used him as an example for believers today to follow.
Whereas, the word “horn” in verse 9 is an image of power and dignity (Luke 1:69). Because of the Blessed person’s generosity, the Lord allowed him to be lifted up in the eyes of his peers. As you see the Blessed persons faith in the Lord and love for those in need, you cannot help but think of the promise in Matthew 6:33.
Now go to verses 5 to 8 .5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely, he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
We have already spoken to verse 5 but remember the traits and characteristics of the Blessed Man begin in verse 1 and flow through to the children {sons} so they have the opportunity to become mighty and moral persons; and to the family so their substance is enriched because of their fear of the Lord and his love of His word. In summary there is the promise of a house full of riches and a heart full of righteousness.
Now is these remaining verses we shall study the security of the Blessed Man or Woman
Surely, he will never be shaken- The promise of everlasting security- such a person is immovable This world and its rocks and foundations will surely pass away as mentioned in the book of Revelation. This is the type of security perspective needed today for in this environment of falsehoods, lies and deception exhibited at all levels of government, we the people of God need to be steadfast in the promises of God, not being daily twisted by the winds of outrageous fortune.
Not only is there everlasting security in the perspective of the Blessed Men and Women but there is – Note is verses 7 and 8 there are two things recorded about the upright man or woman. Bad news does not shake Him or Her for his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. We are all overtaken sometimes by bad news – a death, bank fails, lightning strikes, hurricane, tornado, some disaster. God does not exempt us from difficulties or disaster. What He does allow is to rest our hearts on Him. Bad news need not shake us God remains on His throne.
Good news does not shun Him. There may be bad news but persons of faith know that good news is ultimately on the way. Believers all the only ones with the right and promise to be optimistic about the final future. All others are false promises very much like fake news, they are not based upon the truth of God’s word or His sworn promises.
I want to press again on these three verses look what they say
he will never be shaken; Confidence in the Lord His God and Savior – strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
will be in everlasting remembrance. This is a two-way idea; (a.) for God will never leave you or forsake you. He has written your name in the Lamb’s book of Life and He has sealed you by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. (b.) While you may waver in your remembrance of His goodness, mercy and love for a bit, but you will return because God continues to draw you via the Holy Spirit to Himself.
not afraid of evil tidings; (surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will come to dwell is the house {temple} of the Almighty forever. This is the blessing from God for your life. Evil tidings for a moment but in perspective as Paul says are but a momentary light affliction (2 Cor 4:17)
Their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their heart is established; He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies
Our heart to remain steadfast must go back to the foundation of our faith. Trust in the Lord, fear Him and live in and according to the Word of God. These Psalms are incredible as we study and learn from them we learn first principles over and over. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom so verse 1 is foundational for everything that follows in the Psalm. Each trait or benefit which comes because of our practice of living these words flows from verse 1.
To prove this look at the remaining verses –
9 He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His [c]horn will be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked will see it and be grieved;
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish
All these traits are the outgrowth of a righteous life. Your righteous life leads to benefits not just to you, to your family, but to your nation and to others outside.
Dispersed abroad what is dispersed abroad? Money maybe, the Word of God maybe, the truth of who God is maybe, the love of God maybe? Out of the blessing of a good heart flow Good fruit.
Given to the poor -sounds like duty, no more than that. This is giving with exceptional good measure out of the love of God and the knowledge of what He has given to us.
God exalts and honors us forever not because we deserve it but because He loves us and cares for us. Eph 1:3 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
One more final blessing is promised to the Blessed men and women is their enemies will have the opportunity to witness your blessedness and will gnash their teeth because of what God has done for you. Isn’t that something beware those in power today for your reward is coming and you will not rejoice in that day as you think in your hearts Oh men and women who rejoice in your evil and wickedness. We pray God grants you the mercy to repent and receive Jesus Christ before that day, in a place called Hell which you reject.
AMEN
Sermon Jan 9
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that should walk in them.
May God add His blessing to the reading of His word and our understanding and application. Amen
Happy New Year to you and yours and let’s allow the Word of God to lead, guide and direct us in righteousness and accountability in 2022.
Let’s not stray from the path defined in His Word for us and not ignore, but put in perspective the worldliness, sinfulness, depravity and hate being generated within the American culture. It is real and there is real fear mongering going about this new COVID.
Do you know there is a loving God out there who has heard the prayers and suffering of His people and has responded by sending a mild variant which may be His blessing in inoculating us against this man-made strain of CCP virus called COVID-19. Our GOD has done what pharmaceutical companies and our government have not done and provided a real time serum for protecting people from this strain. How about an AMEN for this mild variant- Omicron for God has provided a real vaccine to generate antibodies and protect us.
Now let’s thank and praise God for His Word. Consider this phrase from our text - and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works.
Have you ever considered the great work of God which He had to do to bring you to salvation? The phrase “and that not of yourselves” should give us great pause for we set great store by what we are trying to achieve in our lives. Did you catch that? By what we are trying to achieve, yes what we are trying to achieve. We by nature are self-absorbed. Just look at a baby. The only thing a baby knows is its own needs and doesn’t give a rip about mom or dad. They cry continually and demand - Fix me food, clean and dry me, let me sleep – these are the focus of small babies. But even when we get older we are major self-indulgent and possessive. You might remember the rule of toys. What’s mine is mine and you can’t have it. And by the way what is yours is mine, because I am bigger, stronger, faster or smarter. This condition is built in to our human sinful nature, which was inherited from our long lost great many times over grandparents- Adam and Eve.
Selfishness comes from and is generated by sinfulness. For God to make us aware of Himself, He has to overcome our sinful nature- read Romans Chapters 3- 6 to get a full picture but I will give you this -Romans 3:23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and the wages of our sin is death- Rom. 6:23. All of us have needed to come to the recognition of our sinful condition in order to receive God’s grace, and have a mustard seed of faith outside of ourselves to know God as loving, forgiving and drawing all men unto Himself by chords of love.
So God Himself, through sending His Son, has given you the opportunity to recognize you needed a savior. And that Savior was the one and only person who could pay the penalty for your sin. The sinless Son of God payed it all.
According to God’s word, your sin debt before you received Jesus Christ was unpayable. There is nothing you could have offered a Holy God to pay for your sin. Your condition was so critical you could never have recognized this need for yourself. You and I were so totally immersed in sin and unaware of our offensiveness to the Living God. So if Jesus had not come and had not made the promise of the Holy Spirit coming of “one just like Him” and the indwelling of the disciples by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, you would never have had the opportunity to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus was Lord.
There is one more very important biblical concept which we must not forget as we look at how God moved to give us salvation – the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Jesus had to be perfectly sinless from beginning to end. So beginning with conception through His crucifixion He had to be absolutely perfect. No lies, no deceit, no fibs, no nothing start to finish. So the Father then honoring His promises from years ago in the Prophets delivers the promise by Himself, Jesus on earth. Jesus is God, manifesting God the Father on earth in His body. Totally Son of Man and Son of God indwelt together.
Are you getting the picture of the salvation miracle which God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit collaboratively executed? This holy plan of God which when Jesus satisfied, enabled the sinless Son of God, to pay the price for your sin and bring you back into fellowship with the Father. You were made originally to be in fellowship with God and your purpose was and is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. But until the blinders of sin were removed and the Holy Spirit quickened your heart you had no way of finding Him.
Remember nowhere in the bible does sinful man come to know and love God. God always has to come to you. So reflecting on these verses we come to clearly realize there is no path to God but by Jesus; and you and I had little or nothing to do with our salvation. The quickening or illumination of our mind and spirit was only enabled by the saving power of God’s Holy Spirit in your life, sent by your Father in Heaven. Glory and praise be to God who gives us this victory in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s review our verse now with this context and understand that we cannot save ourselves. Here are the verses -8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that should walk in them.
Let’s focus on key words-
1. By grace are you saved- who’s grace? God’s grace – meaning the unmerited favor of God. Instead of Justice and destruction which we deserved, He gave you His favor. So He chose to offer you His favor to save you.
2. Through Faith- this is tricky, for without God giving you faith by grace you would not have recognized His favor. God the Father through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, enabled you to have enough faith to receive the Son of God and trust in Him. You finally recognized your sinful condition and asked Him to save you from Hell and not to be separated for the loving kindness of God for eternity.
3. and that not of yourself- we have covered this one extensively – you could never pay the price of a perfect sacrifice by your blood. Only the blood of Jesus redeems you. No individual works would ever be sufficient to pay your personal sin debt.
4. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for {unto}good works, This is a wonderful reality, when you understand the timeless perspective of the Father outside of this world. Your life is His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which flow out of your new holy relationship with God via salvation. Your being saving has radically changed the direction of your life and is part of the plan of God not just for you but for the whole world. Good works now come because of your new nature in Him and these come because you now have a new nature which is God oriented and not self-centered. You are the redeemed of God- Let the redeemed say so! AMEN
5. which God prepared beforehand that should walk in them. Again, the perspective of God who is all seeing, all knowing, all powerful, who is outside of time and is God almighty and Sovereign in all. He knew you before time began and you are His child, created for His good pleasure. The good works and goodness which is now yours in Christ is demonstrated as we walk in fellowship with Him. And He knows the good works which you shall do as you walk in Him.
So understand and rejoice, for you are more than blessed in our Father for He has given you new life. He is holy and He is pure, He is perfect and His love never fails. He is the initiator, He is the one who completes and He has chosen you and loves you forever. So you should – “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks for the this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Jesus loves you.
Amen.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that should walk in them.
May God add His blessing to the reading of His word and our understanding and application. Amen
Happy New Year to you and yours and let’s allow the Word of God to lead, guide and direct us in righteousness and accountability in 2022.
Let’s not stray from the path defined in His Word for us and not ignore, but put in perspective the worldliness, sinfulness, depravity and hate being generated within the American culture. It is real and there is real fear mongering going about this new COVID.
Do you know there is a loving God out there who has heard the prayers and suffering of His people and has responded by sending a mild variant which may be His blessing in inoculating us against this man-made strain of CCP virus called COVID-19. Our GOD has done what pharmaceutical companies and our government have not done and provided a real time serum for protecting people from this strain. How about an AMEN for this mild variant- Omicron for God has provided a real vaccine to generate antibodies and protect us.
Now let’s thank and praise God for His Word. Consider this phrase from our text - and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works.
Have you ever considered the great work of God which He had to do to bring you to salvation? The phrase “and that not of yourselves” should give us great pause for we set great store by what we are trying to achieve in our lives. Did you catch that? By what we are trying to achieve, yes what we are trying to achieve. We by nature are self-absorbed. Just look at a baby. The only thing a baby knows is its own needs and doesn’t give a rip about mom or dad. They cry continually and demand - Fix me food, clean and dry me, let me sleep – these are the focus of small babies. But even when we get older we are major self-indulgent and possessive. You might remember the rule of toys. What’s mine is mine and you can’t have it. And by the way what is yours is mine, because I am bigger, stronger, faster or smarter. This condition is built in to our human sinful nature, which was inherited from our long lost great many times over grandparents- Adam and Eve.
Selfishness comes from and is generated by sinfulness. For God to make us aware of Himself, He has to overcome our sinful nature- read Romans Chapters 3- 6 to get a full picture but I will give you this -Romans 3:23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and the wages of our sin is death- Rom. 6:23. All of us have needed to come to the recognition of our sinful condition in order to receive God’s grace, and have a mustard seed of faith outside of ourselves to know God as loving, forgiving and drawing all men unto Himself by chords of love.
So God Himself, through sending His Son, has given you the opportunity to recognize you needed a savior. And that Savior was the one and only person who could pay the penalty for your sin. The sinless Son of God payed it all.
According to God’s word, your sin debt before you received Jesus Christ was unpayable. There is nothing you could have offered a Holy God to pay for your sin. Your condition was so critical you could never have recognized this need for yourself. You and I were so totally immersed in sin and unaware of our offensiveness to the Living God. So if Jesus had not come and had not made the promise of the Holy Spirit coming of “one just like Him” and the indwelling of the disciples by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, you would never have had the opportunity to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus was Lord.
There is one more very important biblical concept which we must not forget as we look at how God moved to give us salvation – the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Jesus had to be perfectly sinless from beginning to end. So beginning with conception through His crucifixion He had to be absolutely perfect. No lies, no deceit, no fibs, no nothing start to finish. So the Father then honoring His promises from years ago in the Prophets delivers the promise by Himself, Jesus on earth. Jesus is God, manifesting God the Father on earth in His body. Totally Son of Man and Son of God indwelt together.
Are you getting the picture of the salvation miracle which God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit collaboratively executed? This holy plan of God which when Jesus satisfied, enabled the sinless Son of God, to pay the price for your sin and bring you back into fellowship with the Father. You were made originally to be in fellowship with God and your purpose was and is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. But until the blinders of sin were removed and the Holy Spirit quickened your heart you had no way of finding Him.
Remember nowhere in the bible does sinful man come to know and love God. God always has to come to you. So reflecting on these verses we come to clearly realize there is no path to God but by Jesus; and you and I had little or nothing to do with our salvation. The quickening or illumination of our mind and spirit was only enabled by the saving power of God’s Holy Spirit in your life, sent by your Father in Heaven. Glory and praise be to God who gives us this victory in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s review our verse now with this context and understand that we cannot save ourselves. Here are the verses -8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that should walk in them.
Let’s focus on key words-
1. By grace are you saved- who’s grace? God’s grace – meaning the unmerited favor of God. Instead of Justice and destruction which we deserved, He gave you His favor. So He chose to offer you His favor to save you.
2. Through Faith- this is tricky, for without God giving you faith by grace you would not have recognized His favor. God the Father through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, enabled you to have enough faith to receive the Son of God and trust in Him. You finally recognized your sinful condition and asked Him to save you from Hell and not to be separated for the loving kindness of God for eternity.
3. and that not of yourself- we have covered this one extensively – you could never pay the price of a perfect sacrifice by your blood. Only the blood of Jesus redeems you. No individual works would ever be sufficient to pay your personal sin debt.
4. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for {unto}good works, This is a wonderful reality, when you understand the timeless perspective of the Father outside of this world. Your life is His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which flow out of your new holy relationship with God via salvation. Your being saving has radically changed the direction of your life and is part of the plan of God not just for you but for the whole world. Good works now come because of your new nature in Him and these come because you now have a new nature which is God oriented and not self-centered. You are the redeemed of God- Let the redeemed say so! AMEN
5. which God prepared beforehand that should walk in them. Again, the perspective of God who is all seeing, all knowing, all powerful, who is outside of time and is God almighty and Sovereign in all. He knew you before time began and you are His child, created for His good pleasure. The good works and goodness which is now yours in Christ is demonstrated as we walk in fellowship with Him. And He knows the good works which you shall do as you walk in Him.
So understand and rejoice, for you are more than blessed in our Father for He has given you new life. He is holy and He is pure, He is perfect and His love never fails. He is the initiator, He is the one who completes and He has chosen you and loves you forever. So you should – “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks for the this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Jesus loves you.
Amen.
Sermon Jan 2
Life Principles Psalm 33:10-12_ A promise from 10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
So how do believers prosper not just survive in 2022. Simple answer by looking to the Word of God and trusting in its author – the Lord our God.
So what is happening in the culture? There is increasing media hatred {information bureau} and lying to prevent the truth from being heard and understood. There is the increasing pursuit of believers, and those who would even have the audacity to question the state in any way shape or form. There is the politization of the various government agencies (Gestapo, Brown shirts, SS) to pursue churches, individuals, mothers/dads anyone who question school boards being deemed as domestic terrorists. There is more and more lying by officials and more false statements and there are now two separate justice systems – One for political prisoners and one for those who are approved of the state.
Well, it wasn’t much different for the disciples in Jesus day, everything was run by either the corrupt Sanhedrin {Pharisees and Sadducees}or the Romans; who paid the Jewish leaders and tax collectors. So how did the disciples react in those days under the pressure of all that dishonesty and hate? Well they prayed for more power and the ability to witness and praised God for the opportunity to suffer for Him. And the earth was shaken and boldness followed. So the book of Acts and the letters of Paul, Peter, John, James, others were meant to bolster the churches to continue the pursuit of holiness, and righteousness, spreading the gospel/good news of Jesus. There was no backing down, there was no surrender nor was their reticence for the power of God was manifest upon all who believed.
Last week and prior we have been looking at the promises of God. Well we started today with a promise of God and that is how we should go into the new year, building on the promises of God. I don’t like or believe in New Year’s resolutions, nine time out of ten they fail to be achieved either from giving in or in simply omitting them from memory.
What I do believe in is in asking our Father – how do you wish us as a church to focus on 2022 and allow You, Oh Lord to direct our steps. I pray you also have been seeking God for your path and hopefully our path in this coming year. I believe I have a word from our Lord concerning our journey to achieve great success, as did David the King. Why, because the Lord was with Him. I King 18:14. And we need to ensure that we ask and seek the Lord to go with us and guide our steps.
I hope you have a vision for the future which is asking God to more fully use us in the coming years. We need to understand He wants His kingdom to advance and that means reaching others for the gospel of our Lord. So we need to do more.
OK so the question is what then is the game plan for success as God moves us forward to achieve His will and not our own plans?
There are two major points from two different scriptures which we need to attend and they come direct from the lips of Jesus. First principles apply so read with me from the gospel of Luke, chapter 4 verses Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit [a]into the wilderness, 2 being [b]tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days, He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.
3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, [c]but by every word of God.’ ”
5 [d]Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, [e]“Get behind Me, Satan! [f]For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’11 and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not [g]tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Our lesson today will deal only with Jesus response to temptations 1 and 2 and will not directly address temptation number 3. Incidentally, it is not the temptations of Satan which should interest us, but Jesus’ response. As His response will enable us to find direction for 2022 as His people and as a church. Two responses;
1. It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, [c]but by every word of God.’ ”
2. e]“Get behind Me, Satan! [f]For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Direction from God direct to the heart of men. Not just for today but forever. Clearer words have never been spoken and consider the source. Given the source is God how could there be cleared words for your heart and mine. So understand that first principles by which to live by here are first principles for Jesus while on earth, and for you and I.
Number 1 is Chapter 4:verse 4 . It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, [c]but by every word of God.’ ”
And Jesus answered him, saying It is written. Now we could spend all day on the theological implications of this verse alone. We need the Clift notes version to take home the meat. First by this statement Jesus affirms the value of the Old Testament in the life of the believers for that is what was written then. In this chapter three times Jesus met Satan’s temptations with Scripture from Deuteronomy.
Jesus know that only God’s Word can provide the strength needed to overcome Satan’s wiles, His darts and arrows.
Note Jesus did not challenge Satan’s assertion that He could turn the stone to bread if He wished. His reply pointed to the higher value of living by the Word of God than Satan’s appeal to the flesh and self-will. Jesus pointed out that something more important than the physical would guide Him, and should guide believers as well.
Principle #1 for 2022- Jesus tells us God’s word is truth - Sanctify them {Believers} through thy truth: thy word is truth.
{Jn. 17.17} and by gaining the truth, we find Jesus is not only the way to salvation , and not only the truth of God’s love but He is the Life of light and men. And in Him we have eternal and everlasting life. First principles apply all this in 2022 despite how you feel. God’s word and His Son must be studied and applied.
Principle Number 2. e]“Get behind Me, Satan! [f]For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”Luke 4:8 Jesus’ answer, is from Deuteronomy 6:13, and points to a higher value of the spiritual versus the physical. This is the message His response emphasizes - There is no power, no glory, no prestige, and no dominion in this world that is worth more than being the servant of the living God. You have been called from above to serve Him and love Him {John 15:16} As such you should together understand there is no greater value in this world or a more glorious pursuit than worshiping the Lord your God. We as Christians must work, yes work to be diligent to put the Lord first in all things and allow nothing to stand in the way of loving Him and serving Him with all that they have and are. How did Jesus summarize it? “ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. {Mark 11:30}
First principles for 2022 require putting Him first, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself laboring in. Consider the disciples in the Great Commission- how where they to proceed? They needed to trust by faith that the God who saved them, was the God who loved them, and was the God who keeps His promises and walks with each of us and He will enable it to happen.
We have one more First principles for 2022 from the book of John, Chapter 4. You might remember this is the woman at the well. She has come to faith in Jesus and is departed now to tell her fellow Samaritans all that has transpired between Her and the Messiah; who she now recognizes, but the disciples doing earthly things are missing the mark so Jesus must re-orient them. This discussion follows_ 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Has any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus said unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. 35 Say you not, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reaps receiveth wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.37 And herein is that saying true, One sows, and another reaps.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labor: other men labored, and you are entered into their labors.
The Key First Principle for 2022 which follows from this text is in verse 34. 34 Jesus said unto them, My meat{food} is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. Jesus states His meat His food is to do the will of Him who sent Me. Jesus most likely echoed Deut. 8:3 where Moses states, “man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD” (cf. Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4). So when Jesus had a divine encounter where He talked with the Samaritan woman. In this activity, Jesus was performing the will of the Father by leading this woman to salvation and knowledge of the Messiah Himself. In this activity and obedience He received greater sustenance and satisfaction than any mere physical food could offer Him.
Here is another First Principle for 2022 -Obedience to and dependence upon God’s will summed up Jesus’ entire life. His food is to do the will of Him who sent Me As believers it should also to do God’s will. But don’t miss the remainder of the verse for the “Fields are white unto harvest” and God wants you to be part of His harvest team, no excuses folks. According to verse 36 there are spiritual blessing called wages which are given to both the sowers and the reapers in the harvest. You also gather fruit unto eternal life- what a blessing. Don’t you want to apply first principles in 2022 to reap the benefits of being obedient to God? Surely, He only wants what is best for you. {attribute of God’s love}
Summary. Jesus was performing his Father’s will in His exchange with the Samaritan woman, and that was greater sustenance and more satisfying than any food the disciples could offer him. He came to do the Father’s will which He always did it (8:29). His works were the works of God, and when He said, it is finished, He had successfully completed God’s mission .
“Keep your eyes on Jesus and His First Principles to find your way in 2022.” Amen.
Life Principles Psalm 33:10-12_ A promise from 10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
So how do believers prosper not just survive in 2022. Simple answer by looking to the Word of God and trusting in its author – the Lord our God.
So what is happening in the culture? There is increasing media hatred {information bureau} and lying to prevent the truth from being heard and understood. There is the increasing pursuit of believers, and those who would even have the audacity to question the state in any way shape or form. There is the politization of the various government agencies (Gestapo, Brown shirts, SS) to pursue churches, individuals, mothers/dads anyone who question school boards being deemed as domestic terrorists. There is more and more lying by officials and more false statements and there are now two separate justice systems – One for political prisoners and one for those who are approved of the state.
Well, it wasn’t much different for the disciples in Jesus day, everything was run by either the corrupt Sanhedrin {Pharisees and Sadducees}or the Romans; who paid the Jewish leaders and tax collectors. So how did the disciples react in those days under the pressure of all that dishonesty and hate? Well they prayed for more power and the ability to witness and praised God for the opportunity to suffer for Him. And the earth was shaken and boldness followed. So the book of Acts and the letters of Paul, Peter, John, James, others were meant to bolster the churches to continue the pursuit of holiness, and righteousness, spreading the gospel/good news of Jesus. There was no backing down, there was no surrender nor was their reticence for the power of God was manifest upon all who believed.
Last week and prior we have been looking at the promises of God. Well we started today with a promise of God and that is how we should go into the new year, building on the promises of God. I don’t like or believe in New Year’s resolutions, nine time out of ten they fail to be achieved either from giving in or in simply omitting them from memory.
What I do believe in is in asking our Father – how do you wish us as a church to focus on 2022 and allow You, Oh Lord to direct our steps. I pray you also have been seeking God for your path and hopefully our path in this coming year. I believe I have a word from our Lord concerning our journey to achieve great success, as did David the King. Why, because the Lord was with Him. I King 18:14. And we need to ensure that we ask and seek the Lord to go with us and guide our steps.
I hope you have a vision for the future which is asking God to more fully use us in the coming years. We need to understand He wants His kingdom to advance and that means reaching others for the gospel of our Lord. So we need to do more.
OK so the question is what then is the game plan for success as God moves us forward to achieve His will and not our own plans?
There are two major points from two different scriptures which we need to attend and they come direct from the lips of Jesus. First principles apply so read with me from the gospel of Luke, chapter 4 verses Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit [a]into the wilderness, 2 being [b]tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days, He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.
3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, [c]but by every word of God.’ ”
5 [d]Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, [e]“Get behind Me, Satan! [f]For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’11 and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not [g]tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Our lesson today will deal only with Jesus response to temptations 1 and 2 and will not directly address temptation number 3. Incidentally, it is not the temptations of Satan which should interest us, but Jesus’ response. As His response will enable us to find direction for 2022 as His people and as a church. Two responses;
1. It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, [c]but by every word of God.’ ”
2. e]“Get behind Me, Satan! [f]For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Direction from God direct to the heart of men. Not just for today but forever. Clearer words have never been spoken and consider the source. Given the source is God how could there be cleared words for your heart and mine. So understand that first principles by which to live by here are first principles for Jesus while on earth, and for you and I.
Number 1 is Chapter 4:verse 4 . It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, [c]but by every word of God.’ ”
And Jesus answered him, saying It is written. Now we could spend all day on the theological implications of this verse alone. We need the Clift notes version to take home the meat. First by this statement Jesus affirms the value of the Old Testament in the life of the believers for that is what was written then. In this chapter three times Jesus met Satan’s temptations with Scripture from Deuteronomy.
Jesus know that only God’s Word can provide the strength needed to overcome Satan’s wiles, His darts and arrows.
Note Jesus did not challenge Satan’s assertion that He could turn the stone to bread if He wished. His reply pointed to the higher value of living by the Word of God than Satan’s appeal to the flesh and self-will. Jesus pointed out that something more important than the physical would guide Him, and should guide believers as well.
Principle #1 for 2022- Jesus tells us God’s word is truth - Sanctify them {Believers} through thy truth: thy word is truth.
{Jn. 17.17} and by gaining the truth, we find Jesus is not only the way to salvation , and not only the truth of God’s love but He is the Life of light and men. And in Him we have eternal and everlasting life. First principles apply all this in 2022 despite how you feel. God’s word and His Son must be studied and applied.
Principle Number 2. e]“Get behind Me, Satan! [f]For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”Luke 4:8 Jesus’ answer, is from Deuteronomy 6:13, and points to a higher value of the spiritual versus the physical. This is the message His response emphasizes - There is no power, no glory, no prestige, and no dominion in this world that is worth more than being the servant of the living God. You have been called from above to serve Him and love Him {John 15:16} As such you should together understand there is no greater value in this world or a more glorious pursuit than worshiping the Lord your God. We as Christians must work, yes work to be diligent to put the Lord first in all things and allow nothing to stand in the way of loving Him and serving Him with all that they have and are. How did Jesus summarize it? “ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. {Mark 11:30}
First principles for 2022 require putting Him first, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself laboring in. Consider the disciples in the Great Commission- how where they to proceed? They needed to trust by faith that the God who saved them, was the God who loved them, and was the God who keeps His promises and walks with each of us and He will enable it to happen.
We have one more First principles for 2022 from the book of John, Chapter 4. You might remember this is the woman at the well. She has come to faith in Jesus and is departed now to tell her fellow Samaritans all that has transpired between Her and the Messiah; who she now recognizes, but the disciples doing earthly things are missing the mark so Jesus must re-orient them. This discussion follows_ 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Has any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus said unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. 35 Say you not, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that reaps receiveth wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.37 And herein is that saying true, One sows, and another reaps.
38 I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labor: other men labored, and you are entered into their labors.
The Key First Principle for 2022 which follows from this text is in verse 34. 34 Jesus said unto them, My meat{food} is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. Jesus states His meat His food is to do the will of Him who sent Me. Jesus most likely echoed Deut. 8:3 where Moses states, “man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD” (cf. Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4). So when Jesus had a divine encounter where He talked with the Samaritan woman. In this activity, Jesus was performing the will of the Father by leading this woman to salvation and knowledge of the Messiah Himself. In this activity and obedience He received greater sustenance and satisfaction than any mere physical food could offer Him.
Here is another First Principle for 2022 -Obedience to and dependence upon God’s will summed up Jesus’ entire life. His food is to do the will of Him who sent Me As believers it should also to do God’s will. But don’t miss the remainder of the verse for the “Fields are white unto harvest” and God wants you to be part of His harvest team, no excuses folks. According to verse 36 there are spiritual blessing called wages which are given to both the sowers and the reapers in the harvest. You also gather fruit unto eternal life- what a blessing. Don’t you want to apply first principles in 2022 to reap the benefits of being obedient to God? Surely, He only wants what is best for you. {attribute of God’s love}
Summary. Jesus was performing his Father’s will in His exchange with the Samaritan woman, and that was greater sustenance and more satisfying than any food the disciples could offer him. He came to do the Father’s will which He always did it (8:29). His works were the works of God, and when He said, it is finished, He had successfully completed God’s mission .
“Keep your eyes on Jesus and His First Principles to find your way in 2022.” Amen.
Sermon Dec 26
Life Principles Isiah 55:11- So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
So when God speaks it is a promise of what He intends to do. Christmas was and is the delivery by God, of a promise made by Him to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, in the midst of their sin and disobedience as His chosen people.
After how many centuries did the promise linger before God sent His savior? We actually have no real way of knowing. We do know what was in the mind of God, as we look in His Book and see the unfolding of the plan of God. When that happens we come to a resolute conclusion. God despite and is some cases in spite of the circumstances was working all things out to the council of His will and driving toward a plan of salvation for all peoples.
The baby Jesus was and is the final and complete revelation of the will of God. He was and is God in the flesh, the one who came to take away the sin of the world. He came to reconcile man to God by removing the enmity of willful sin between them and the Father.
This is the true promise of Christmas in the form of a sinless baby born in a manger of a virgin. He is the perfect fulfillment of the plan of God for His life satisfies all the prophecies made in God’s word.
The first coming of the son of God as a baby does not cancel but emphasizes the second coming of the Son of Man. For when He comes then, He does not come as a babe in the manger. He comes then as the Royal King, Lord of Lords in full splendor and majesty, to redeem His people and creation from all the ravages of sin and Satan. Satan whose whole purpose is the destruction- See what it says in John 10: 10 The thief {Satan}does not come except {but} to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Jesus is countering the desire of Satan who simply desires to destroy anything which God cherishes and to erase and destroy it. Jesus contrasted his purpose in coming with the thief (Satan). Jesus had spoken of thieves and robbers (plural, v. 8), but now he referred to the thief (singular, v. 10). The contrast between Jesus and His purposes and Satan and his purposes could not be greater. The thief seeks to destroy people’s lives (8:44), while Jesus has come so that his followers might have life abundantly. This is what Jesus coming the first time was to establish, the Kingdom of Heaven which is present every time He is present and eventually come to all who believe in the Son of God.
The first coming of the Son had to happened to enable the second coming of Jesus in power. So what might some of the promises of God be which have impacted me directly. Here are a select few to begin your contemplation:
Noah – to be fruitful and multiply. Rainbow sign of God’s promise
Abraham - “Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
Moses – the promise of God’s presence as they went out of Egypt -Ex. 33:12
A second part was the promise of a Land flowing with Milk and Honey – the promised land
Joshua - So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. Jos.21:43 – a promise fulfilled.
Solomon -
{1 Kings 8:20) So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
I believe you can now get the idea when God speaks He fulfills His promises from our Key verse in Isaiah 55. Remember the Lord is not slack concerning His promises but faithful.
Luke 29:14 says,- Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Thanks for the promises of God.
This is a great promise of God, the promise of His coming, the advent of the Holy Spirit which Jesus spoke about to the disciples in the upper room before His crucifixion. So without the coming in response to His miraculous promise of His birth, then, there is no future promise of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in believers. Now there are prophetic indications of this coming of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament but here we clearly know how God promised to make it available to His people.
Do you see now how the promises of God build all the way from creation and Adam and Eve to the people of God and the nation of God, even unto today. We also see this ill refutable truth that when God makes a promise or indicates a punishment for disobedience, He is consistent through all the ages in exercising correction. I continue to mention Deut 28: verse 1 says, “ if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” This pronouncement is straight forward and there should be no misunderstanding as we read and comprehend. Now read verse 15 - if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: and then He names all sorts of curses. So God is consistent and never changes. This trait of God is called immutability. God never changes He is eternally consistent. When it comes to consistency immutability is the ideal, God never breaks His promises. So the promises of God are important markers for us to understand as we walk with Him.
Here is a promise for today – John 1:12 - 12 But {to}as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. So if you have believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and the Son of God you can and are saved.
Now being saved is an important distinction for the final promise of His coming. For in the second coming if you do not belong to the Son of God you will not be in heaven with Him but in a place called Hell. This is the eternal promise of God concerning sheep and goats, wheat and chaff. And there are several parables which apply here. If you are a child of the King you are recognized as a sheep and as wheat, you will be eternally blessed of God. If you are chaff or goats you will be eternally damned because you have rejected the invitation of God for salvation in the name of Jesus.
There is a future promise of God for which we should prepare ourselves according to the testimony of scripture {We are told
1 Peter 10-11 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [b]burned up. }
And according Jesus, He tells us in Matthew
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of [f]heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
He also says later in that same chapter v.44 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
So there is the promise of His unexpected and untimed return upon the face of His earth. This promise was made by God Himself in Christ. He is coming again to rule and to reign on Earth as the King of all Kings. There will be no other. It is said, He will rule with a rod of iron. His word will be law and He will begin to set things right.
Now this Christmas what gift might you offer this onetime babe in a manger who is not exalted in the heavens with the name above all names. That at the name of Jesus every knee would bow in heaven and on the earth and under the earth. The King of heaven and earth. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? How s
Life Principles Isiah 55:11- So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
So when God speaks it is a promise of what He intends to do. Christmas was and is the delivery by God, of a promise made by Him to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, in the midst of their sin and disobedience as His chosen people.
After how many centuries did the promise linger before God sent His savior? We actually have no real way of knowing. We do know what was in the mind of God, as we look in His Book and see the unfolding of the plan of God. When that happens we come to a resolute conclusion. God despite and is some cases in spite of the circumstances was working all things out to the council of His will and driving toward a plan of salvation for all peoples.
The baby Jesus was and is the final and complete revelation of the will of God. He was and is God in the flesh, the one who came to take away the sin of the world. He came to reconcile man to God by removing the enmity of willful sin between them and the Father.
This is the true promise of Christmas in the form of a sinless baby born in a manger of a virgin. He is the perfect fulfillment of the plan of God for His life satisfies all the prophecies made in God’s word.
The first coming of the son of God as a baby does not cancel but emphasizes the second coming of the Son of Man. For when He comes then, He does not come as a babe in the manger. He comes then as the Royal King, Lord of Lords in full splendor and majesty, to redeem His people and creation from all the ravages of sin and Satan. Satan whose whole purpose is the destruction- See what it says in John 10: 10 The thief {Satan}does not come except {but} to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Jesus is countering the desire of Satan who simply desires to destroy anything which God cherishes and to erase and destroy it. Jesus contrasted his purpose in coming with the thief (Satan). Jesus had spoken of thieves and robbers (plural, v. 8), but now he referred to the thief (singular, v. 10). The contrast between Jesus and His purposes and Satan and his purposes could not be greater. The thief seeks to destroy people’s lives (8:44), while Jesus has come so that his followers might have life abundantly. This is what Jesus coming the first time was to establish, the Kingdom of Heaven which is present every time He is present and eventually come to all who believe in the Son of God.
The first coming of the Son had to happened to enable the second coming of Jesus in power. So what might some of the promises of God be which have impacted me directly. Here are a select few to begin your contemplation:
Noah – to be fruitful and multiply. Rainbow sign of God’s promise
Abraham - “Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
Moses – the promise of God’s presence as they went out of Egypt -Ex. 33:12
A second part was the promise of a Land flowing with Milk and Honey – the promised land
Joshua - So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. Jos.21:43 – a promise fulfilled.
Solomon -
{1 Kings 8:20) So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
I believe you can now get the idea when God speaks He fulfills His promises from our Key verse in Isaiah 55. Remember the Lord is not slack concerning His promises but faithful.
Luke 29:14 says,- Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Thanks for the promises of God.
This is a great promise of God, the promise of His coming, the advent of the Holy Spirit which Jesus spoke about to the disciples in the upper room before His crucifixion. So without the coming in response to His miraculous promise of His birth, then, there is no future promise of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in believers. Now there are prophetic indications of this coming of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament but here we clearly know how God promised to make it available to His people.
Do you see now how the promises of God build all the way from creation and Adam and Eve to the people of God and the nation of God, even unto today. We also see this ill refutable truth that when God makes a promise or indicates a punishment for disobedience, He is consistent through all the ages in exercising correction. I continue to mention Deut 28: verse 1 says, “ if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” This pronouncement is straight forward and there should be no misunderstanding as we read and comprehend. Now read verse 15 - if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: and then He names all sorts of curses. So God is consistent and never changes. This trait of God is called immutability. God never changes He is eternally consistent. When it comes to consistency immutability is the ideal, God never breaks His promises. So the promises of God are important markers for us to understand as we walk with Him.
Here is a promise for today – John 1:12 - 12 But {to}as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. So if you have believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and the Son of God you can and are saved.
Now being saved is an important distinction for the final promise of His coming. For in the second coming if you do not belong to the Son of God you will not be in heaven with Him but in a place called Hell. This is the eternal promise of God concerning sheep and goats, wheat and chaff. And there are several parables which apply here. If you are a child of the King you are recognized as a sheep and as wheat, you will be eternally blessed of God. If you are chaff or goats you will be eternally damned because you have rejected the invitation of God for salvation in the name of Jesus.
There is a future promise of God for which we should prepare ourselves according to the testimony of scripture {We are told
1 Peter 10-11 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [b]burned up. }
And according Jesus, He tells us in Matthew
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of [f]heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
He also says later in that same chapter v.44 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
So there is the promise of His unexpected and untimed return upon the face of His earth. This promise was made by God Himself in Christ. He is coming again to rule and to reign on Earth as the King of all Kings. There will be no other. It is said, He will rule with a rod of iron. His word will be law and He will begin to set things right.
Now this Christmas what gift might you offer this onetime babe in a manger who is not exalted in the heavens with the name above all names. That at the name of Jesus every knee would bow in heaven and on the earth and under the earth. The King of heaven and earth. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? How s
Christmas Eve Sermon
Do you know what the world does not have this blessed Christmas Eve? Well I’ll tell you. Believers have the blessed hope of Jesus Christ, Immanuel – that is God with us. He came once on the first Christmas morn and He is physically coming again soon, to redeem His creation and redeem His people to spend eternity with Him. How long is eternity – well I believe it is forever.
As believers we have hope. Our Hope is not an empty hope, as is the world’s pitch toward some undefined hope. Our hope is real hope, hope in a person who is eternal; who is both King of Kings and Lord of Lords; whose first coming was foretold by the prophets of old. But He chose to come to earth to give His life a ransom for many.
Every year at this time we celebrate and recreate and reread about His first coming as a baby. We have already read it tonight but let’s review it again. Please turn with me to Luke’s gospel.
Luke, chapter 2:8-16 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. {same as usual}9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly {sore}afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill[e] toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Did you know that God is always concerned for the people? Our natural response when confronted with the supernatural is to cower in fear. What does the angel say - Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people? Each Christmas encounter in the bible the Angel says don’t be afraid.
The Christmas story in these few verses establishes some specific points which should be unwrapped for they are presents to you from your heavenly Father for this Christmas.
First Point - the birth of Jesus is prophetic, in that the birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of multiple old testament scriptures . Micha 5, Isaiah 7,8. 9,11 and others {50,53}, Jeremiah and others.
So Jesus birth is God’s response to the sinful condition of men and He{Jesus} is the satisfaction of the promises God foretold in His books of the law, the psalms and the prophets of their foretelling. Hence Jesus birth is a response to prophecy.
Second Point - Jesus birth is a proclamation of the good tidings of God’s truth. The angelic announcement or proclamation in v.9 says, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
Great joy and good news for all people for God is addressing the needs of His people. He is sending a holy child to meet the needs of sinful mankind. The proclamation is to all men who should know it and be aware of the good news of the gospel of Jesus, the Christ. Christmas is a time of Proclaiming the good news is what we must continue to do.
Third point - The greeting by the angel is personal for all men, but specifically to men of good will. Scripture tells us in 2nd Peter 3:9 the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all
should come to repentance. God wants all men to know about repentance and hence the salvation provided in Jesus Christ.
In John 15:16 Jesus emphasizes the point of personal to men of good will. He says, 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and ordained you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, and whatsoever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Salvation is open for all people but some do not choose to receive the free gift of salvation. So to some God has come and chosen them. He has appointed the chosen to go and bear fruit. Understand and know this, the Fruit of salvation is to accomplish works in the Spirit of God. But each has received a special invitation, which is unique and personal to each one who is called. This coming and choosing is personal and reflects the absolute sovereignty of God.
Fourth point - the virgin birth reflects the plan of God. The celebration of the birthday of Christ is but the latest revelation and unfolding of the eternal plan of God to redeem a lost people unto Himself. Look at the text in verse 11 . The angel announces the event using these words; Savior, Christ and Lord born in the city of David - Bethlehem. These specific words reflect and provide much information on God’s viewpoint and mindset as to why He needed to send Jesus. raised in the scriptures. For example the word – “Savior” is only used here and in one other place in the Gospels. Here and in John 6:44- savior meaning the – one who saves. Then we have reference to the word –“Christ” meaning the equivalent of the Greek word Messiah – the “anointed” one, the one who provides salvation. Only by Jesus does this happen
And last the specific term Lord - meaning God Himself is present. To reemphasize this point both Matthew 1:23 and Isaiah 8:8, use the word Immanuel. The name Immanuel means God with us. So God Himself is present in this child and now He in human flesh. He will live with us- Amen. But there is more for God’s plan also involves you. In Jeremiah 29:1, we find God saying, “I have a plan for you. A plan for welfare not calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Christmas is a reminder of the very unique and personal plan God wants to work out in your life. Will you open that present today and start a daily walk with Jesus?
So there is great Hope for believers all year long but the Hope is Christ is greatly reflected at this time in the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.
The Gospel of John in Chapter 1, beginning in verse 14 summarizes what God did that Christmas in Jesus for all of us.
Scripture says, 14 And the Word {Jesus is that Word, the logos or prime reason He is God}became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. {A sinless, holy and perfect person, unlike us, not born with a sin nature.}
Continuing in verse 15 John {the Baptist}bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me [f]is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”
16 [g]And of His fullness {all the fulness of God}we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. {Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the gifts of grace, mercy and truth come from Him.
Summary Christ’s 5 p’s of Christmas
Jesus birth provisioned a new future of us all. So please listen don’t tune me out for God is not finished. Note the tense of the verb, is not finished. He continues even to today for He is not dead but alive- resurrected. So God’s Son’s life, death, burial and ascension provisioned a new future for all who receive Him. By faith each one who receives His offer of “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord” shall be saved.
The last or fifth P is peace on earth good will toward men delivered in salvation by the Holy Spirit penetrating the hearts of men. Peace in your hearts today. Amen
Merry Hope filled and Joyous Christmas to you.
Do you know what the world does not have this blessed Christmas Eve? Well I’ll tell you. Believers have the blessed hope of Jesus Christ, Immanuel – that is God with us. He came once on the first Christmas morn and He is physically coming again soon, to redeem His creation and redeem His people to spend eternity with Him. How long is eternity – well I believe it is forever.
As believers we have hope. Our Hope is not an empty hope, as is the world’s pitch toward some undefined hope. Our hope is real hope, hope in a person who is eternal; who is both King of Kings and Lord of Lords; whose first coming was foretold by the prophets of old. But He chose to come to earth to give His life a ransom for many.
Every year at this time we celebrate and recreate and reread about His first coming as a baby. We have already read it tonight but let’s review it again. Please turn with me to Luke’s gospel.
Luke, chapter 2:8-16 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. {same as usual}9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly {sore}afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill[e] toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Did you know that God is always concerned for the people? Our natural response when confronted with the supernatural is to cower in fear. What does the angel say - Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people? Each Christmas encounter in the bible the Angel says don’t be afraid.
The Christmas story in these few verses establishes some specific points which should be unwrapped for they are presents to you from your heavenly Father for this Christmas.
First Point - the birth of Jesus is prophetic, in that the birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of multiple old testament scriptures . Micha 5, Isaiah 7,8. 9,11 and others {50,53}, Jeremiah and others.
So Jesus birth is God’s response to the sinful condition of men and He{Jesus} is the satisfaction of the promises God foretold in His books of the law, the psalms and the prophets of their foretelling. Hence Jesus birth is a response to prophecy.
Second Point - Jesus birth is a proclamation of the good tidings of God’s truth. The angelic announcement or proclamation in v.9 says, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
Great joy and good news for all people for God is addressing the needs of His people. He is sending a holy child to meet the needs of sinful mankind. The proclamation is to all men who should know it and be aware of the good news of the gospel of Jesus, the Christ. Christmas is a time of Proclaiming the good news is what we must continue to do.
Third point - The greeting by the angel is personal for all men, but specifically to men of good will. Scripture tells us in 2nd Peter 3:9 the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all
should come to repentance. God wants all men to know about repentance and hence the salvation provided in Jesus Christ.
In John 15:16 Jesus emphasizes the point of personal to men of good will. He says, 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and ordained you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, and whatsoever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Salvation is open for all people but some do not choose to receive the free gift of salvation. So to some God has come and chosen them. He has appointed the chosen to go and bear fruit. Understand and know this, the Fruit of salvation is to accomplish works in the Spirit of God. But each has received a special invitation, which is unique and personal to each one who is called. This coming and choosing is personal and reflects the absolute sovereignty of God.
Fourth point - the virgin birth reflects the plan of God. The celebration of the birthday of Christ is but the latest revelation and unfolding of the eternal plan of God to redeem a lost people unto Himself. Look at the text in verse 11 . The angel announces the event using these words; Savior, Christ and Lord born in the city of David - Bethlehem. These specific words reflect and provide much information on God’s viewpoint and mindset as to why He needed to send Jesus. raised in the scriptures. For example the word – “Savior” is only used here and in one other place in the Gospels. Here and in John 6:44- savior meaning the – one who saves. Then we have reference to the word –“Christ” meaning the equivalent of the Greek word Messiah – the “anointed” one, the one who provides salvation. Only by Jesus does this happen
And last the specific term Lord - meaning God Himself is present. To reemphasize this point both Matthew 1:23 and Isaiah 8:8, use the word Immanuel. The name Immanuel means God with us. So God Himself is present in this child and now He in human flesh. He will live with us- Amen. But there is more for God’s plan also involves you. In Jeremiah 29:1, we find God saying, “I have a plan for you. A plan for welfare not calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Christmas is a reminder of the very unique and personal plan God wants to work out in your life. Will you open that present today and start a daily walk with Jesus?
So there is great Hope for believers all year long but the Hope is Christ is greatly reflected at this time in the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.
The Gospel of John in Chapter 1, beginning in verse 14 summarizes what God did that Christmas in Jesus for all of us.
Scripture says, 14 And the Word {Jesus is that Word, the logos or prime reason He is God}became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. {A sinless, holy and perfect person, unlike us, not born with a sin nature.}
Continuing in verse 15 John {the Baptist}bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me [f]is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”
16 [g]And of His fullness {all the fulness of God}we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. {Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the gifts of grace, mercy and truth come from Him.
Summary Christ’s 5 p’s of Christmas
Jesus birth provisioned a new future of us all. So please listen don’t tune me out for God is not finished. Note the tense of the verb, is not finished. He continues even to today for He is not dead but alive- resurrected. So God’s Son’s life, death, burial and ascension provisioned a new future for all who receive Him. By faith each one who receives His offer of “whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord” shall be saved.
The last or fifth P is peace on earth good will toward men delivered in salvation by the Holy Spirit penetrating the hearts of men. Peace in your hearts today. Amen
Merry Hope filled and Joyous Christmas to you.
Sermon Dec. 19
Let’s pray – please God come and speak to us today so we might truly have a Merry Christ mas this year. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
For unto us a child is born
Unto us a Son is given
And His Name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace
And with Him nothing is Impossible
He is able to do all things. He was at creation and He will be at the end of all days. He is King of Kings and Lords of Lords and He shall reign forever and ever!
Amen.
Merry Christmas the Lord has come!
Luke Chapter 1 vs. 29-38: 29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
We read these verse as if this is some tale from a summary account. For example, instead of a newspaper, radio or TV station reporting on all the horrible and detailed events that have occurred as the tornado progressed through a town. We get the top line Tornado ravages downtown and fills in the name of the city. The article or broadcast then proceeds to discuss the swath and area of destruction. It then say how many people were killed without the individual stories which present the immediate horror of being thrown, trampled, ravaged by flying debris or whatever. The TV also provides no discussion on the family or the impact for wife, children, or husband and other family members. This account of scripture misses the resultant emotion, critical decisions and issues which are confronting Mary, her parents and Joseph and his parents. It might be worth spending some time over this Holiday studying this passage in its entirety.
I want to stress and highlight two major issues. The first and foremost is God and the incredible statement made by the angel in verse 37 -37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
And when we have studied this verse to move to Mary’s statement of faith in verse 38 “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
These are two incredibly rich and powerful statement which highlight who God is first and then show what should our response in faith now.
Let’s examine the statement in verse 37 of Luke Chapter 1-37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
For with God nothing will be impossible is the statement by the Angel to Mary. Now we believe the angel speaking is Gabriel. Do you think that this angel might have some knowledge of the awesome might of El Shaddai? He has been around God and His messenger and servant since the beginning of time. What experience might Gabriel reflect on to make the statement 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Do you supposed that Gabriel might have seen some awesome and might acts of God which give this angel perspective of this being true for God the Father? Beside God being the truth and speaking the truth always as part of His character and never lying do you supposed He might be able to testify to the absolute purity of the nature of God.
Gabriel speaking to us might begin with Psalm 40 verse 5 as a reminder –
5Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
where I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
So be reminded we are going to hit the highlights of why Gabriel might say, 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Let’s begin with creation. You do understand they are created beings? According to God responding to Job in Chapter 38 vs 4 &7. God asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation … and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4,7). So Gabriel was there at the beginning and He saw the whole event – The big bang of creation through all six days of different creative events inclusive of and ending in man and women’s creation. Do you supposed Gabriel might understand the creative power and nature of God?
Then we have the flood and the saving act of Noah and his family and many animals on an ark. The Father regretted the day He made man and wished to begin anew because the heart of man was evil. This first began when God kicked Adam and Eve. The disease of sin was now spreading though out the entire created universe. In a few short years sin was so prevalent and unrestrained that God chose to end the world. The act of destruction was worldwide but the preserving hand of God continued.
Then how about God’s choosing a people for Himself. Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob and leading to Joseph. You talk about a family which had its trials, warts and sins visible to generations this has been done with the Jews. Why would choose the Israelites as His chosen people? We can all read through Genesis and see all the problems they had. According to God’s word Deuteronomy 7:7 says, "It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers,” I believe Gabriel might have firsthand knowledge of God’s continuing love for a people who many times rebelled against God, but God redeemed Him.
The end of Genesis is of course the nation of Israel in Egypt for 400 years under Pharaoh and crying out under cruel persecution for their new ruler was one who no longer knew God. Then God raises up a leader in Moses, although reluctant, God directs Moses’ path to intersect with Pharaoh. God uses men to provide deliverance. I believe Gabriel might have had direct support to the Father is the plagues and deliverances God provided, especially at the Red Sea.
So we have many events cascading thorough the ages with the Israelites. The fearful encounter in Exodus Chapter 19 of the nation of Israel with God at Mount Sinai. God writing on tablets of stone the10 Commandments, not wishes but commandments. Gabriel as God’s messenger was most likely aware of God provided correction and instruction in the law, the laying down of the tabernacle and the sacrifices which represented a holy offering to God.
Then where else might Gabriel have seen the power, majesty and love of God demonstrated? Perhaps in the giving of three Kings to a nation whose heart was departing from God – No heart for God – King Saul, then whole heart - King David, then a King with half a heart for God -Solomon.
Then the nation split because of rebellion and sin and their hearts turned away and they departed, no longer worshiping God but serving and worshiping idols of wood and of men. So God’s love sent prophets to warn them but these were rejected and in many cased killed because of the hatred and lust of men. Gabriel would have been made aware as would all heaven of the vileness and nature of sinful men and how hateful they had become. But Gabriel would have continually seen the heart of God extended to the repentant remnants of His people who because of distress and sin turned from their wickedness and God forgave them and restored His relationship with men and would send a savior to these same creatures.
But perhaps as we have read at the beginning His greatest redemptive and loving act was to send Christ Jesus into the world to save mankind from eternal damnation and separation from Himself. For you remember the chief end of man according to the Shorter Catechism is- Man’s chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him forever. God created man to give glory to Himself and to serve Him. Because of sin we because of Adam’s sin and the covenant with God we have received condemnation -The covenant being made with Adam [a], not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression [b].
This sinful estate in which we fell man is original sin and is a disease which all humans suffer. All mankind by their fall lost fellowship and communion with God , are under His wrath and His curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. Because of this God had to send a savior. Gabriel would have been a participant in some means since creation waiting for the unfolding of God’s will in sending His greatest gift to redeem us.
So God knowing all this had to provide a sinless solution to the problem of sin and the evil inherent in man. So God’s greatest work and might act was to send a baby His Son from the throne room of heaven to provided forgiveness of sin by the shedding of His blood on a cross to set people free. God the Father not only sent His Son to Mary but used His best messenger angel to provide greetings and blessings to Mary.
So you suppose an angel who sang and watched at creation and knew that the Father said it was good! Who had made man and women and formed them out of the dust of the earth. Who had seen man sin and watched God work through many ages past to bring redemption to men would not say know God, 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Do you believe this is so or do you still doubt that God has all things under His control? Well what was Mary’s response to this invitation to take part in God’s work? Read with me again our text- begin with verse29 - 29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Now this was entirely new to Mary and she is still a very young woman. This was a new thought to be pregnant by the hand and person of God through the Holy Spirit. I am sure a lot of thoughts quickly processed through her head:
Where does God have you today? Are you in some need of good news? Maybe you were a believer but have grown weary in walking with the Lord. He can and will restore you if you repent and turn back to Him.
Maybe you thought yourself to be a believer but you really needed a new Christmas message, not some holiday cheer but some real hope for you tomorrow and in your future. You can trust Him He is forever and ever.
Or perhaps you never really knew Him, but today your heart and your understanding have been enlightened and quickened and you realize you need a savior! Who is Christ the Lord. Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You need right now to do the same, call upon Him, Jesus the Christ and He will save you now!
Amen
Let’s pray – please God come and speak to us today so we might truly have a Merry Christ mas this year. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
For unto us a child is born
Unto us a Son is given
And His Name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace
And with Him nothing is Impossible
He is able to do all things. He was at creation and He will be at the end of all days. He is King of Kings and Lords of Lords and He shall reign forever and ever!
Amen.
Merry Christmas the Lord has come!
Luke Chapter 1 vs. 29-38: 29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
We read these verse as if this is some tale from a summary account. For example, instead of a newspaper, radio or TV station reporting on all the horrible and detailed events that have occurred as the tornado progressed through a town. We get the top line Tornado ravages downtown and fills in the name of the city. The article or broadcast then proceeds to discuss the swath and area of destruction. It then say how many people were killed without the individual stories which present the immediate horror of being thrown, trampled, ravaged by flying debris or whatever. The TV also provides no discussion on the family or the impact for wife, children, or husband and other family members. This account of scripture misses the resultant emotion, critical decisions and issues which are confronting Mary, her parents and Joseph and his parents. It might be worth spending some time over this Holiday studying this passage in its entirety.
I want to stress and highlight two major issues. The first and foremost is God and the incredible statement made by the angel in verse 37 -37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
And when we have studied this verse to move to Mary’s statement of faith in verse 38 “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
These are two incredibly rich and powerful statement which highlight who God is first and then show what should our response in faith now.
Let’s examine the statement in verse 37 of Luke Chapter 1-37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
For with God nothing will be impossible is the statement by the Angel to Mary. Now we believe the angel speaking is Gabriel. Do you think that this angel might have some knowledge of the awesome might of El Shaddai? He has been around God and His messenger and servant since the beginning of time. What experience might Gabriel reflect on to make the statement 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Do you supposed that Gabriel might have seen some awesome and might acts of God which give this angel perspective of this being true for God the Father? Beside God being the truth and speaking the truth always as part of His character and never lying do you supposed He might be able to testify to the absolute purity of the nature of God.
Gabriel speaking to us might begin with Psalm 40 verse 5 as a reminder –
5Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
where I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
So be reminded we are going to hit the highlights of why Gabriel might say, 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Let’s begin with creation. You do understand they are created beings? According to God responding to Job in Chapter 38 vs 4 &7. God asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation … and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4,7). So Gabriel was there at the beginning and He saw the whole event – The big bang of creation through all six days of different creative events inclusive of and ending in man and women’s creation. Do you supposed Gabriel might understand the creative power and nature of God?
Then we have the flood and the saving act of Noah and his family and many animals on an ark. The Father regretted the day He made man and wished to begin anew because the heart of man was evil. This first began when God kicked Adam and Eve. The disease of sin was now spreading though out the entire created universe. In a few short years sin was so prevalent and unrestrained that God chose to end the world. The act of destruction was worldwide but the preserving hand of God continued.
Then how about God’s choosing a people for Himself. Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob and leading to Joseph. You talk about a family which had its trials, warts and sins visible to generations this has been done with the Jews. Why would choose the Israelites as His chosen people? We can all read through Genesis and see all the problems they had. According to God’s word Deuteronomy 7:7 says, "It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers,” I believe Gabriel might have firsthand knowledge of God’s continuing love for a people who many times rebelled against God, but God redeemed Him.
The end of Genesis is of course the nation of Israel in Egypt for 400 years under Pharaoh and crying out under cruel persecution for their new ruler was one who no longer knew God. Then God raises up a leader in Moses, although reluctant, God directs Moses’ path to intersect with Pharaoh. God uses men to provide deliverance. I believe Gabriel might have had direct support to the Father is the plagues and deliverances God provided, especially at the Red Sea.
So we have many events cascading thorough the ages with the Israelites. The fearful encounter in Exodus Chapter 19 of the nation of Israel with God at Mount Sinai. God writing on tablets of stone the10 Commandments, not wishes but commandments. Gabriel as God’s messenger was most likely aware of God provided correction and instruction in the law, the laying down of the tabernacle and the sacrifices which represented a holy offering to God.
Then where else might Gabriel have seen the power, majesty and love of God demonstrated? Perhaps in the giving of three Kings to a nation whose heart was departing from God – No heart for God – King Saul, then whole heart - King David, then a King with half a heart for God -Solomon.
Then the nation split because of rebellion and sin and their hearts turned away and they departed, no longer worshiping God but serving and worshiping idols of wood and of men. So God’s love sent prophets to warn them but these were rejected and in many cased killed because of the hatred and lust of men. Gabriel would have been made aware as would all heaven of the vileness and nature of sinful men and how hateful they had become. But Gabriel would have continually seen the heart of God extended to the repentant remnants of His people who because of distress and sin turned from their wickedness and God forgave them and restored His relationship with men and would send a savior to these same creatures.
But perhaps as we have read at the beginning His greatest redemptive and loving act was to send Christ Jesus into the world to save mankind from eternal damnation and separation from Himself. For you remember the chief end of man according to the Shorter Catechism is- Man’s chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him forever. God created man to give glory to Himself and to serve Him. Because of sin we because of Adam’s sin and the covenant with God we have received condemnation -The covenant being made with Adam [a], not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression [b].
This sinful estate in which we fell man is original sin and is a disease which all humans suffer. All mankind by their fall lost fellowship and communion with God , are under His wrath and His curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. Because of this God had to send a savior. Gabriel would have been a participant in some means since creation waiting for the unfolding of God’s will in sending His greatest gift to redeem us.
So God knowing all this had to provide a sinless solution to the problem of sin and the evil inherent in man. So God’s greatest work and might act was to send a baby His Son from the throne room of heaven to provided forgiveness of sin by the shedding of His blood on a cross to set people free. God the Father not only sent His Son to Mary but used His best messenger angel to provide greetings and blessings to Mary.
So you suppose an angel who sang and watched at creation and knew that the Father said it was good! Who had made man and women and formed them out of the dust of the earth. Who had seen man sin and watched God work through many ages past to bring redemption to men would not say know God, 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Do you believe this is so or do you still doubt that God has all things under His control? Well what was Mary’s response to this invitation to take part in God’s work? Read with me again our text- begin with verse29 - 29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Now this was entirely new to Mary and she is still a very young woman. This was a new thought to be pregnant by the hand and person of God through the Holy Spirit. I am sure a lot of thoughts quickly processed through her head:
- My parents will have a hard time with this, as will Joseph and his family?
- She also would be despised, scorned and rejected of men and the religious Jews because of her decision.
- What does the law of God say in His word? There was no mention of this topic in anything she had read or studied?
- If this is from God – can I trust Him? I believe this was the final and most important question which she had to answer in her heart. Could she trust God with her life and this child? This is a big responsibility to carry the Son of God. This was Messiah the promised one and she was to be the Mother of the Lord
Where does God have you today? Are you in some need of good news? Maybe you were a believer but have grown weary in walking with the Lord. He can and will restore you if you repent and turn back to Him.
Maybe you thought yourself to be a believer but you really needed a new Christmas message, not some holiday cheer but some real hope for you tomorrow and in your future. You can trust Him He is forever and ever.
Or perhaps you never really knew Him, but today your heart and your understanding have been enlightened and quickened and you realize you need a savior! Who is Christ the Lord. Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You need right now to do the same, call upon Him, Jesus the Christ and He will save you now!
Amen
Sermon Dec. 12
Joy to the world the Lord is come is a great beginning, for it states the fact of the coming of the long promised one, the messiah, the savior of Israel. Of course this is disputed by many of today’s Jews and even those who call themselves Christians. Many falsely believe He was a spirit body, never actually alive, just a ghost if you will. Others believe He was just a good person, an example of the best of humankind, who was mentally deranged, who claimed that He had done great things but was unbalanced. Others do not even trust but deny the historical record and believe this man is just a figment, a story meant to deceive and draw people into some religious cultic activity for which is empty of truth.
That is why the second part of the verse of Joy to World is important to understand what Christmas actually means. Here are the words
Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing.
So it is not enough just to recognize His arrival upon the earth which of course is significant. For God sent Him (Jesus) here on mission to save a lost and dying world. But of greater significance and importance is to recognize that He is King. King of Kings and Lord of Lords as we hear from Handle’s Messiah. In order for you and I to actually receive Him as King we must prepare Him room in our hearts. When that happens Heaven and Nature sings. In Park Victoria Baptist Church whenever someone came to salvation we used to sing – Ring the Bells of Heaven remembering what Jesus said about one sinner repenting that all heaven rejoiced. That is why it is important to know the savior at Christmas. He is the greatest gift ever given to men and we should rejoice at the wonder of His love.
So preparation of the heart is mission essential for recognizing who Jesus is and to have faith in His coming. Jesus understood the necessity of faith and continually rebuked His supposed disciples for their lack of faith, Matthew’s gospel in Chapter 17 beginning in verse 16 relates -16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
This was not the last time Jesus rebuked them for little faith even at upper room after His resurrection He said in Mark 16:14, Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)
This is why Christmas should be important to us Christmas should be an encouragement of the faithfulness of our God and His promises to us throughout the ages. Often, we sing-
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him,
Still The dear Christ enters in.
As Jesus entered into the earth from heaven He continually comes to human hearts in the same manner. So being refreshed at Christmas time is important to be strengthened in the promises of God and His faithfulness.
To do so, I would like to take you on a quick survey of a few verses in the Old Testament which give us a great description of who Jesus would be and how he would interact and lead His people. This is the encouragement we should be seeking from God about who Jesus is and what kind of people He would want us to be, who are supposed to reflect the wonder and holiness of our God.
Three different chapters is Isaiah, Chapters 9, 11 and 60 with just a few but significant verses from each.
Chapter 9 has three particular verses which we shall review and try to understand- verse 2 is where we begin-\
2The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
This means that the Lord God of Heaven promised to Israel and through Israel to all believers a Redeemer who is the messiah. Here Isaiah continued the theme of light and darkness by announcing that the darkness and despair “will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first” (9:1). The Redeemer who will come and will bring light to this dreary and sin filled world as the dawning of a new day (v. 2; Luke 1:78, 79; John 8:12). Now we can be sure and know that this prophecy refers to Jesus because of the way it is quoted and referred to in Matthew 4:13–15.{look it up later} Darkness of course refers to the darkness of sin and the problem with the evil in the heart of men. The reason God flooded the earth was because all the thoughts of men were perpetually evil. We see this ever so clearly today by looking into our culture – music, entertainment, sexual perversion and trafficking, drug culture, race baiting Our legislature, our government at all levels reflects the abandonment of God and the embracing of our own sinful values which are dark and evil Check out Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Back to Isaiah, Chapter 9, verses 6-7
6For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The Gift-Child in this passage is the same divine Child as Immanuel. Meaning that this God is with us – Immanuel. This child is given to men from God {as a reminder we find this in the book of John - for God so loved the world He gave, He gave} Here again, using the prophetic perfect, Isaiah sees Him in his time on earth, as though He were already born and present in the earth distributing His rule. This ruler is:
Wonderful, Counsellor (pele’ yō‘ēts) is actually one term in Hebrew. A wonder is indicative of a miracle. Counsellor is often used in parallel with king (cf. Mic. 4:9). Thus miraculous counsel is given by this God-like King. The mighty God (El Gibōr) is the strongest of these titles. In Isaiah, El is always used of God and never refers to man. Gibōr means “Hero.” Together they describe One who is indeed God Himself.
Everlasting Father(abī‘ad) literally means Father of Eternity. He alone is the source of eternal life.
Prince of Peace (Sar-Shalōm) indicates that the mighty God will be a benevolent ruler bringing eternal peace on earth through the establishment of His kingdom. Thus the obscure figure of Immanuel is now brought to clear light: He is Himself God incarnate!
Christ’s rule shall have no end it is eternal, judgement and justice will reign eternally for His beginning until the end. This is an interesting last part for the zeal of the Lord will accomplish it. We know from Isaiah 55 something about the zeal of the Lord, when God speaks a word it is so, there is no stopping it. So the zeal of the Lord is the purpose of the Lord and it is unstoppable just as He has spoken it. Amen
What else can we know about this ruler to come? go to Isaiah, Chapter 11:1-5 1There shall come forth a [a]Rod from the [b]stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall [c]grow out of his roots
Remember that Jesse is the father of David, and a branch shall come from His roots. This indicates there are some problems in the children of David after Solomon and the divided Kingdom. But a righteous Branch shall grow from the lineage of David.
2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
So the Spirit of the LORD will rest upon the savior. As the Spirit of the Lord came upon David when he was anointed king, so He will rest upon David’s descendant, Christ, who will eventually rule the world.
The Spirit of the Lord gives the king his skills to rule, a truth clearly seen in Christ’s ministry (Luke 4:14).
Also note the Holy Spirit is mentioned by Isaiah more than by any other prophet. Meaning Isaiah is aware of the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit upon the life of the believer as He enabled him to accomplish God’s work. These attributes caused by the Spirit’s anointing here demonstrated the enabling of the seven distinct ministries of the Holy Spirit which are—exalting the Lord’s rule, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear (or reverence).
3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
This foretells the statement of Jesus about His not being here on His own account but He must be about His Father’s business. Notice His judgement is not based upon externals of what He sees and hears but out of the heart. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Jesus ministry the first time was to save men from their sin and wickedness. So the first time on this earth He came as the suffering servant. His battle was a spiritual battle with the forces of evil in the heavenly places. He came to set you free from the law of sin and death. The second or next time He comes He will set the entire creation free from the rule of sin and death and eradicate sin from the earth and His people.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
Jesus life was and He remainss righteous and faithful. He accomplished all God had purposed for Him to accomplish. At the end of His suffering on the cross Jesus declare, “It is finished.” Tetelestai in the Greek means paid in full, so Jesus paid it all and gave you and I new life in the progress.
So what is the benefit of what we have just studied:
#1. God is faithful – what He promised to do 6 to 7 hundred years before the birth of Christ, He made predictions of what Jesus would be like and who He would be.
#2. The actual coming of His promise was a real person – His Son who would be the fulfillment of all God had promised for our redemption and delivery
#3. We should have joy in the midst of this evil for the baby in Bethlehem is the promise of God’s ultimate favor and deliverance beginning the day you believe
#4. You must have faith in God and in His Son to receive the promises of God
#5. Power of the Holy Spirit comes to all who believe and He enables you to receive all God had provided for you.
Amen.
Joy to the world the Lord is come is a great beginning, for it states the fact of the coming of the long promised one, the messiah, the savior of Israel. Of course this is disputed by many of today’s Jews and even those who call themselves Christians. Many falsely believe He was a spirit body, never actually alive, just a ghost if you will. Others believe He was just a good person, an example of the best of humankind, who was mentally deranged, who claimed that He had done great things but was unbalanced. Others do not even trust but deny the historical record and believe this man is just a figment, a story meant to deceive and draw people into some religious cultic activity for which is empty of truth.
That is why the second part of the verse of Joy to World is important to understand what Christmas actually means. Here are the words
Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing.
So it is not enough just to recognize His arrival upon the earth which of course is significant. For God sent Him (Jesus) here on mission to save a lost and dying world. But of greater significance and importance is to recognize that He is King. King of Kings and Lord of Lords as we hear from Handle’s Messiah. In order for you and I to actually receive Him as King we must prepare Him room in our hearts. When that happens Heaven and Nature sings. In Park Victoria Baptist Church whenever someone came to salvation we used to sing – Ring the Bells of Heaven remembering what Jesus said about one sinner repenting that all heaven rejoiced. That is why it is important to know the savior at Christmas. He is the greatest gift ever given to men and we should rejoice at the wonder of His love.
So preparation of the heart is mission essential for recognizing who Jesus is and to have faith in His coming. Jesus understood the necessity of faith and continually rebuked His supposed disciples for their lack of faith, Matthew’s gospel in Chapter 17 beginning in verse 16 relates -16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
This was not the last time Jesus rebuked them for little faith even at upper room after His resurrection He said in Mark 16:14, Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)
This is why Christmas should be important to us Christmas should be an encouragement of the faithfulness of our God and His promises to us throughout the ages. Often, we sing-
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him,
Still The dear Christ enters in.
As Jesus entered into the earth from heaven He continually comes to human hearts in the same manner. So being refreshed at Christmas time is important to be strengthened in the promises of God and His faithfulness.
To do so, I would like to take you on a quick survey of a few verses in the Old Testament which give us a great description of who Jesus would be and how he would interact and lead His people. This is the encouragement we should be seeking from God about who Jesus is and what kind of people He would want us to be, who are supposed to reflect the wonder and holiness of our God.
Three different chapters is Isaiah, Chapters 9, 11 and 60 with just a few but significant verses from each.
Chapter 9 has three particular verses which we shall review and try to understand- verse 2 is where we begin-\
2The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
This means that the Lord God of Heaven promised to Israel and through Israel to all believers a Redeemer who is the messiah. Here Isaiah continued the theme of light and darkness by announcing that the darkness and despair “will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first” (9:1). The Redeemer who will come and will bring light to this dreary and sin filled world as the dawning of a new day (v. 2; Luke 1:78, 79; John 8:12). Now we can be sure and know that this prophecy refers to Jesus because of the way it is quoted and referred to in Matthew 4:13–15.{look it up later} Darkness of course refers to the darkness of sin and the problem with the evil in the heart of men. The reason God flooded the earth was because all the thoughts of men were perpetually evil. We see this ever so clearly today by looking into our culture – music, entertainment, sexual perversion and trafficking, drug culture, race baiting Our legislature, our government at all levels reflects the abandonment of God and the embracing of our own sinful values which are dark and evil Check out Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Back to Isaiah, Chapter 9, verses 6-7
6For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The Gift-Child in this passage is the same divine Child as Immanuel. Meaning that this God is with us – Immanuel. This child is given to men from God {as a reminder we find this in the book of John - for God so loved the world He gave, He gave} Here again, using the prophetic perfect, Isaiah sees Him in his time on earth, as though He were already born and present in the earth distributing His rule. This ruler is:
Wonderful, Counsellor (pele’ yō‘ēts) is actually one term in Hebrew. A wonder is indicative of a miracle. Counsellor is often used in parallel with king (cf. Mic. 4:9). Thus miraculous counsel is given by this God-like King. The mighty God (El Gibōr) is the strongest of these titles. In Isaiah, El is always used of God and never refers to man. Gibōr means “Hero.” Together they describe One who is indeed God Himself.
Everlasting Father(abī‘ad) literally means Father of Eternity. He alone is the source of eternal life.
Prince of Peace (Sar-Shalōm) indicates that the mighty God will be a benevolent ruler bringing eternal peace on earth through the establishment of His kingdom. Thus the obscure figure of Immanuel is now brought to clear light: He is Himself God incarnate!
Christ’s rule shall have no end it is eternal, judgement and justice will reign eternally for His beginning until the end. This is an interesting last part for the zeal of the Lord will accomplish it. We know from Isaiah 55 something about the zeal of the Lord, when God speaks a word it is so, there is no stopping it. So the zeal of the Lord is the purpose of the Lord and it is unstoppable just as He has spoken it. Amen
What else can we know about this ruler to come? go to Isaiah, Chapter 11:1-5 1There shall come forth a [a]Rod from the [b]stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall [c]grow out of his roots
Remember that Jesse is the father of David, and a branch shall come from His roots. This indicates there are some problems in the children of David after Solomon and the divided Kingdom. But a righteous Branch shall grow from the lineage of David.
2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
So the Spirit of the LORD will rest upon the savior. As the Spirit of the Lord came upon David when he was anointed king, so He will rest upon David’s descendant, Christ, who will eventually rule the world.
The Spirit of the Lord gives the king his skills to rule, a truth clearly seen in Christ’s ministry (Luke 4:14).
Also note the Holy Spirit is mentioned by Isaiah more than by any other prophet. Meaning Isaiah is aware of the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit upon the life of the believer as He enabled him to accomplish God’s work. These attributes caused by the Spirit’s anointing here demonstrated the enabling of the seven distinct ministries of the Holy Spirit which are—exalting the Lord’s rule, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear (or reverence).
3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
This foretells the statement of Jesus about His not being here on His own account but He must be about His Father’s business. Notice His judgement is not based upon externals of what He sees and hears but out of the heart. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Jesus ministry the first time was to save men from their sin and wickedness. So the first time on this earth He came as the suffering servant. His battle was a spiritual battle with the forces of evil in the heavenly places. He came to set you free from the law of sin and death. The second or next time He comes He will set the entire creation free from the rule of sin and death and eradicate sin from the earth and His people.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
Jesus life was and He remainss righteous and faithful. He accomplished all God had purposed for Him to accomplish. At the end of His suffering on the cross Jesus declare, “It is finished.” Tetelestai in the Greek means paid in full, so Jesus paid it all and gave you and I new life in the progress.
So what is the benefit of what we have just studied:
#1. God is faithful – what He promised to do 6 to 7 hundred years before the birth of Christ, He made predictions of what Jesus would be like and who He would be.
#2. The actual coming of His promise was a real person – His Son who would be the fulfillment of all God had promised for our redemption and delivery
#3. We should have joy in the midst of this evil for the baby in Bethlehem is the promise of God’s ultimate favor and deliverance beginning the day you believe
#4. You must have faith in God and in His Son to receive the promises of God
#5. Power of the Holy Spirit comes to all who believe and He enables you to receive all God had provided for you.
Amen.
Sermon Dec. 5
Christmas in 2021 is a struggle if your focus is on the world and the problems that you and I are each dealing with daily. Perhaps you are experiencing sickness, health issues, financial or family problems, as well as, enduring the hate and many falsehoods which are abounding across this nation on TV and the internet. Evil is rampant and far exceeds anything we have ever experienced in the past. For those who are 55 and older this is not the country we grew up in. None of this filth, sickness and evil at this level was overtly present when we were young. I am sure it existed but not openly and in your face like to day. Everyone touts their sin on the web and in public. There is no shame in people today. But that is the past and we must deal with today. So what can we do to understand how to walk with our Lord today.
Let’s review the birth of Jesus and look at that dark night when God changed everything with a baby. Read with me from Luke, Chapter 1, verses 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.”
This shows us the God had a plan was already at work in the midst of the problems brought on by the invasion of Rome, the rebellious hearts of the Jews and their elevation of the traditions of men over the Words of God in the commandments. Darkness and evil were acceleration in this nativity night for the birth of Jesus.
Following in Chapter 2, verse 9, we read: 9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
God in the midst of darkness, sin, despair and destruction of His people was bringing the Kingdom of God and Heaven to be at hand. Is this not the message of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself – Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
So darkness can only do what darkness does and that is to obscure the truth. And Jesus is the truth, the only real truth. And that is what sin which is the darkness, has been doing for thousands of years. Hiding and denying the truth of who Jesus is. It is the sickness which infects every created being on this planet, except one, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.
So let’s review what happened that night in Bethlehem-
1. The shepherds steeped in the darkness of night and fully immersed in the plague of sin, are interrupted by a great light.
2. They are greeted with a totally unexpected messenger of light – in this case an angel.
3. They encountered the glory of God and were afraid. But the message was fear not, rejoice, “I bring you good tidings of great joy for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord.
4. So out of darkness, into great light and the glory of God. Sin no longer surrounds them.
5. To you said the messenger is born this day, a baby, who is the promised Savior from the teaching in the prophets and the law.
6. He will save you from your sin.
In case you missed it, this is the message of salvation which comes to all people.
This message came in the midst of the great evil for the Jewish people. Their nation had been invaded and the Romans were occupying them causing them great sorrow. The sins of the Hebrews had repeatedly forced God to execute judgement upon the nation because of their failure to honor God. El Shaddai allowed the invasion of the Romans to cause His people to repent, but sadly they had not. So God sent a baby, His Son and from our experience in raising children a baby changes everything.
So for those alive in Jerusalem at that time when the light came, on that blessed night everything changed. For God had sent the promised messiah of Israel. But He would not be recognized as the Savior by all, because Jesus was not the expected conqueror which the people wanted. The people were totally disoriented to God because the Pharisees and Sadducees were not teaching the word of God but the traditions of Men. You see Jesus came the first to time as the suffering servant who was to die for the sin of the people and bring the opportunity of salvation to all peoples.
So, God’s plan from eternity past was not defeated, but everything occurred and was in place just as He had orchestrated it. The new testament used the term “in the fulness of time.”
Let’s review how God comes into the human heart today
1. Those who are steeped in the darkness of night and fully immersed in the plague of sin, are interrupted by a great light.
2. They are greeted with a totally unexpected messenger of light – usually the Holy Spirit.
3. He causes them to encounter the glory of God and see their sin. The message form the Holy Spirit is fear not, rejoice, “for He brings to you good tidings of great joy. And in the Bethlehem of your heart He introduces you to the savior who is Christ the Lord.
4. So then comes the opportunity to come out of darkness, into great light so sin no longer surrounds them.
5. At that moment is born in the heart that day, a baby, who is the promised Savior, who is Christ the Lord – to whomever will call upon the name of the Lord to be saved.
6. For He will save you from your sin.
God’s redemption never changes. In Galatians 4 it says this beginning verse 4, 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
So if you know Jesus Christ are you living as a Son and an heir. Do you accept by faith all the promises of God and know that this is not your home? So why are you fretting about this life and what you shall eat, and what you shall wear, and how will you survive? Where is your faith? In your money and in your abilities? In your 401K and investments, in your (whatever)--------you fill in the blank, Trust in the Lord fear Him. He is your giver and sustainer of Life. All things come from Him.
We must repent of our ways and learn to walk in the fear of the Lord for this is the very beginning of wisdom.
Jesus told us in Marks Gospel Chapter 12:33 - And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself,
is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Loving God is how this all begins and is sustained. Why do you think God gave us Christmas, to remember to love? Love God first and then learn to love others as ourselves.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus.
Amen
Christmas in 2021 is a struggle if your focus is on the world and the problems that you and I are each dealing with daily. Perhaps you are experiencing sickness, health issues, financial or family problems, as well as, enduring the hate and many falsehoods which are abounding across this nation on TV and the internet. Evil is rampant and far exceeds anything we have ever experienced in the past. For those who are 55 and older this is not the country we grew up in. None of this filth, sickness and evil at this level was overtly present when we were young. I am sure it existed but not openly and in your face like to day. Everyone touts their sin on the web and in public. There is no shame in people today. But that is the past and we must deal with today. So what can we do to understand how to walk with our Lord today.
Let’s review the birth of Jesus and look at that dark night when God changed everything with a baby. Read with me from Luke, Chapter 1, verses 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.”
This shows us the God had a plan was already at work in the midst of the problems brought on by the invasion of Rome, the rebellious hearts of the Jews and their elevation of the traditions of men over the Words of God in the commandments. Darkness and evil were acceleration in this nativity night for the birth of Jesus.
Following in Chapter 2, verse 9, we read: 9 And [c]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
God in the midst of darkness, sin, despair and destruction of His people was bringing the Kingdom of God and Heaven to be at hand. Is this not the message of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself – Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
So darkness can only do what darkness does and that is to obscure the truth. And Jesus is the truth, the only real truth. And that is what sin which is the darkness, has been doing for thousands of years. Hiding and denying the truth of who Jesus is. It is the sickness which infects every created being on this planet, except one, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.
So let’s review what happened that night in Bethlehem-
1. The shepherds steeped in the darkness of night and fully immersed in the plague of sin, are interrupted by a great light.
2. They are greeted with a totally unexpected messenger of light – in this case an angel.
3. They encountered the glory of God and were afraid. But the message was fear not, rejoice, “I bring you good tidings of great joy for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord.
4. So out of darkness, into great light and the glory of God. Sin no longer surrounds them.
5. To you said the messenger is born this day, a baby, who is the promised Savior from the teaching in the prophets and the law.
6. He will save you from your sin.
In case you missed it, this is the message of salvation which comes to all people.
This message came in the midst of the great evil for the Jewish people. Their nation had been invaded and the Romans were occupying them causing them great sorrow. The sins of the Hebrews had repeatedly forced God to execute judgement upon the nation because of their failure to honor God. El Shaddai allowed the invasion of the Romans to cause His people to repent, but sadly they had not. So God sent a baby, His Son and from our experience in raising children a baby changes everything.
So for those alive in Jerusalem at that time when the light came, on that blessed night everything changed. For God had sent the promised messiah of Israel. But He would not be recognized as the Savior by all, because Jesus was not the expected conqueror which the people wanted. The people were totally disoriented to God because the Pharisees and Sadducees were not teaching the word of God but the traditions of Men. You see Jesus came the first to time as the suffering servant who was to die for the sin of the people and bring the opportunity of salvation to all peoples.
So, God’s plan from eternity past was not defeated, but everything occurred and was in place just as He had orchestrated it. The new testament used the term “in the fulness of time.”
Let’s review how God comes into the human heart today
1. Those who are steeped in the darkness of night and fully immersed in the plague of sin, are interrupted by a great light.
2. They are greeted with a totally unexpected messenger of light – usually the Holy Spirit.
3. He causes them to encounter the glory of God and see their sin. The message form the Holy Spirit is fear not, rejoice, “for He brings to you good tidings of great joy. And in the Bethlehem of your heart He introduces you to the savior who is Christ the Lord.
4. So then comes the opportunity to come out of darkness, into great light so sin no longer surrounds them.
5. At that moment is born in the heart that day, a baby, who is the promised Savior, who is Christ the Lord – to whomever will call upon the name of the Lord to be saved.
6. For He will save you from your sin.
God’s redemption never changes. In Galatians 4 it says this beginning verse 4, 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, [b]“Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir [c]of God [d]through Christ.
So if you know Jesus Christ are you living as a Son and an heir. Do you accept by faith all the promises of God and know that this is not your home? So why are you fretting about this life and what you shall eat, and what you shall wear, and how will you survive? Where is your faith? In your money and in your abilities? In your 401K and investments, in your (whatever)--------you fill in the blank, Trust in the Lord fear Him. He is your giver and sustainer of Life. All things come from Him.
We must repent of our ways and learn to walk in the fear of the Lord for this is the very beginning of wisdom.
Jesus told us in Marks Gospel Chapter 12:33 - And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself,
is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Loving God is how this all begins and is sustained. Why do you think God gave us Christmas, to remember to love? Love God first and then learn to love others as ourselves.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus.
Amen
Sermon Nov. 28
The battle you are in is an eternal battle that began before the race of men were created. Satan previously known as Lucifer, Son of the Morning was an angel created by God. He was given a high station before God, but he chose to sin and took one third of the angels with him, when he fell. Because Satan said the 5 I wills, beginning with I will ascend and I will be as God. So the wrestling between light and dark, good and evil began an eternity ago. But we need to hold onto the God we serve. His name is Jehovah. We not only serve but we need to follow Him- to keep our eyes on Him. We often sing - Lead on, O King eternal
1 Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; henceforth in fields of conquest
your tents will be our home.
Through days of preparation your grace has made us strong; and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.
2 Lead on, O King eternal, till sin's fierce war shall cease, and holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace. For not with swords' loud clashing or roll of stirring drums,
with deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly kingdom comes.
3 Lead on, O King eternal; we follow, not with fears, for gladness breaks like morning
where'er your face appears.
Your cross is lifted o'er us, we journey in its light; the crown awaits the conquest;
lead on, O God of might.
Author: Ernest W. Shurtleff
These days we are living in are setting the stage for the completion of this eternal battle, which we know is going to happen soon according to prophecy and the promises contained in the Word of God.
You know, Dalton and Debbie had it right, 3 or 4 years ago when they took the verse from Isaiah 5:20-21 and made those bumper stickers. Let’s review those verses from the prophet of God:
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
We are now living in the days where evil is good, darkness is light and bitter is sweet right now. This recent trial of this teenage boy reflects the ills in our society and has just made clear in my brain and spirit what is wrong with America. And the basic idea is delusion- So where does delusion come from exactly. Read 2 Thessalonians 2: verses 10 -12 -
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Note these verses – did not receive and did not believe. Very important you must have faith to enter the kingdom of heaven.
So what is pushing us today to fall into this world of destruction and hate. What we have is a very limited minority of highly financed, rich, educated, motivated, destructionist who hate God, who hate honest Americans; who hate the American dream and who radically want to destroy the Constitution and rewrite it in their image so they can have dominating power over whomever they wish. This hate began in their hearts because they did not and have not received the love of the truth that they might be saved. Sin has hardened their hearts. Verse 7 from the same passage in 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 2 says: 7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
I believe that God is gradually pulling away His restraining hand and deception and lawlessness are increasing. This doesn’t mean the predicted last events have happened or are yet happening but preparations for those events is found in what we are seeing now. We see this battle happen every day but have seen it escalated and expounded greatly in the evil, irrational and undemocratic speech and discussions presented in our national media, in our congress and it is impacting our lives.
These regressive progressives dismiss the fact that God created America, or that there is a God who loves and cares about the affairs of men. Their hearts and consciences are so seared that they cannot believe the truth. And according to 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 2: verses 11 & 12: God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This is so evident in the hate mongering, lies and filth being spewed out of the mouths of these regressives in the media on national new sources MSDNC, and the like. Why is this happening and what is the motivation? I believe they have been truly deceived believing that America is evil at its very core because they have believed a lie and rejected God. These are great lies but because their hearts are seared by sin and delusion, God has sent deception. Folks we are seeing the absolute depravity of men and their outright rejection of the truth. The brain washing in our schools but teachers unions and woke teachers is just another lie.
As Deb and Dalton directed our minds to the verses in Isaiah 5 thatGood is evil and evil is good, darkness is light and light is darkness, sweet is bitter and bitter is sweet for they are wise in their own eyes. We are in the midst of a major trial.
Who made the quote these are the times that try men’s souls? The answer is Thomas Paine from his pamphlet - The Crisis - “These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”
These words from Thomas Paine are profound and true. All you need to do is to look at the price Jesus paid for your freedom. He came from heaven to die on the cross to set you and I free from the law and its penalty – death. This was very costly payment but it enables you to enter heavn.
I believe that day of final judgement is approaching and may be fast occurring. The policy and dictatorial mandates keep coming fast and heavy-handed from our Reich leader despite being stayed in the courts and being patently unconstitutional? Have you read your constitution recently and are you read up on the Bill of Rights? Do you know what it means to be free? Do you have a clue what is being taken from you?
The Constitution is not just a manmade document. If you read the founders notes, the war notes of General George Washington and others? You find they all understood that this nation came about because God led them to victory while the word of God was being taught and instructed to the people and they were attempting to live by it. Those founders actually believed they were in a covenant relationship with God just as the Jews were in the Old Testament and as modified by Jesus Christ.
So how are you and I responding to this continued destructive and divisive turmoil? Are your growing move bitter and perverse disappointed daily? Are you bitter because of leadership which cares little for American citizens and is more concern with ensuring those crossing the border are given every freeby possible and placed in Republican states to dilute the vote? Or since there is no care whether it costs you more to feed, clothe, protect and shelter your family. Does it matter to you that you must be vaccinated to work, eat or have political standing in American when undocumented invaders don’t have to have papers or vaccinations and can take any job they want?
Wow! What do you think the Jews felt when the Roman’s conquered Israel and did the same thing to them? And the Romans ran the country supposedly we still run America but I am not sure. So then how do I as a Christian operate in this world? So how should we respond and gee its Christmas time already?
Well it came upon a midnight clear that glorious song of old. Of angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold. Peace on the earth, good will to men From heaven's all-gracious King. Do you think this song might give us a clue as to how to respond in our day?
So what did God do in the middle of sinful men? He sends a baby to proclaim peace, grace and mercy despite their sinful natures. And what did He send? He sent Himself in the person of His Son. God has never wanted the message of peace and deliverance by the blood of Jesus Christ to ever cease since the beginning. So this message must continue today.
Then what are we battling? Paul give us a good answer – our flesh. The flesh is that part of our new nature which is still anchored in the world. It is part of our nature but it is defeated. Paul spoke about the flesh in Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
So Step one to follow our God into spiritual warfare of today requires us to walk not according to the flesh but according to His Spirit. So set your mind on things above.
The Apostle John confirms this in 1 John 2:16 where we read - For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Further in 1 John 4:3 we read -
and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
So the enemy is Antichrist – those that go against God.
Step 2 then -How then do we behave – we need to follow Jesus example and walk in the Spirt or we will be unable to follow Read with me from Luke 6:27-37
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [h]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
So we are to love, bless others, forgive, pray for others, have mercy, endure and trust God. There is some very significant meat in verses 35 and 36- 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [h]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
The person who is at this stage is being and is learning to walk according to the Spirit and not according to our fleshly desires. Your perspective has been altered by God and now your eyes are upon Him, looking for His great reward from on high. That is where the blessing is and will remain until we learn the truth of 2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The battle you are in is an eternal battle that began before the race of men were created. Satan previously known as Lucifer, Son of the Morning was an angel created by God. He was given a high station before God, but he chose to sin and took one third of the angels with him, when he fell. Because Satan said the 5 I wills, beginning with I will ascend and I will be as God. So the wrestling between light and dark, good and evil began an eternity ago. But we need to hold onto the God we serve. His name is Jehovah. We not only serve but we need to follow Him- to keep our eyes on Him. We often sing - Lead on, O King eternal
1 Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come; henceforth in fields of conquest
your tents will be our home.
Through days of preparation your grace has made us strong; and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.
2 Lead on, O King eternal, till sin's fierce war shall cease, and holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace. For not with swords' loud clashing or roll of stirring drums,
with deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly kingdom comes.
3 Lead on, O King eternal; we follow, not with fears, for gladness breaks like morning
where'er your face appears.
Your cross is lifted o'er us, we journey in its light; the crown awaits the conquest;
lead on, O God of might.
Author: Ernest W. Shurtleff
These days we are living in are setting the stage for the completion of this eternal battle, which we know is going to happen soon according to prophecy and the promises contained in the Word of God.
You know, Dalton and Debbie had it right, 3 or 4 years ago when they took the verse from Isaiah 5:20-21 and made those bumper stickers. Let’s review those verses from the prophet of God:
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!
We are now living in the days where evil is good, darkness is light and bitter is sweet right now. This recent trial of this teenage boy reflects the ills in our society and has just made clear in my brain and spirit what is wrong with America. And the basic idea is delusion- So where does delusion come from exactly. Read 2 Thessalonians 2: verses 10 -12 -
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Note these verses – did not receive and did not believe. Very important you must have faith to enter the kingdom of heaven.
So what is pushing us today to fall into this world of destruction and hate. What we have is a very limited minority of highly financed, rich, educated, motivated, destructionist who hate God, who hate honest Americans; who hate the American dream and who radically want to destroy the Constitution and rewrite it in their image so they can have dominating power over whomever they wish. This hate began in their hearts because they did not and have not received the love of the truth that they might be saved. Sin has hardened their hearts. Verse 7 from the same passage in 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 2 says: 7 For the [d]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [e]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
I believe that God is gradually pulling away His restraining hand and deception and lawlessness are increasing. This doesn’t mean the predicted last events have happened or are yet happening but preparations for those events is found in what we are seeing now. We see this battle happen every day but have seen it escalated and expounded greatly in the evil, irrational and undemocratic speech and discussions presented in our national media, in our congress and it is impacting our lives.
These regressive progressives dismiss the fact that God created America, or that there is a God who loves and cares about the affairs of men. Their hearts and consciences are so seared that they cannot believe the truth. And according to 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 2: verses 11 & 12: God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This is so evident in the hate mongering, lies and filth being spewed out of the mouths of these regressives in the media on national new sources MSDNC, and the like. Why is this happening and what is the motivation? I believe they have been truly deceived believing that America is evil at its very core because they have believed a lie and rejected God. These are great lies but because their hearts are seared by sin and delusion, God has sent deception. Folks we are seeing the absolute depravity of men and their outright rejection of the truth. The brain washing in our schools but teachers unions and woke teachers is just another lie.
As Deb and Dalton directed our minds to the verses in Isaiah 5 thatGood is evil and evil is good, darkness is light and light is darkness, sweet is bitter and bitter is sweet for they are wise in their own eyes. We are in the midst of a major trial.
Who made the quote these are the times that try men’s souls? The answer is Thomas Paine from his pamphlet - The Crisis - “These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”
These words from Thomas Paine are profound and true. All you need to do is to look at the price Jesus paid for your freedom. He came from heaven to die on the cross to set you and I free from the law and its penalty – death. This was very costly payment but it enables you to enter heavn.
I believe that day of final judgement is approaching and may be fast occurring. The policy and dictatorial mandates keep coming fast and heavy-handed from our Reich leader despite being stayed in the courts and being patently unconstitutional? Have you read your constitution recently and are you read up on the Bill of Rights? Do you know what it means to be free? Do you have a clue what is being taken from you?
The Constitution is not just a manmade document. If you read the founders notes, the war notes of General George Washington and others? You find they all understood that this nation came about because God led them to victory while the word of God was being taught and instructed to the people and they were attempting to live by it. Those founders actually believed they were in a covenant relationship with God just as the Jews were in the Old Testament and as modified by Jesus Christ.
So how are you and I responding to this continued destructive and divisive turmoil? Are your growing move bitter and perverse disappointed daily? Are you bitter because of leadership which cares little for American citizens and is more concern with ensuring those crossing the border are given every freeby possible and placed in Republican states to dilute the vote? Or since there is no care whether it costs you more to feed, clothe, protect and shelter your family. Does it matter to you that you must be vaccinated to work, eat or have political standing in American when undocumented invaders don’t have to have papers or vaccinations and can take any job they want?
Wow! What do you think the Jews felt when the Roman’s conquered Israel and did the same thing to them? And the Romans ran the country supposedly we still run America but I am not sure. So then how do I as a Christian operate in this world? So how should we respond and gee its Christmas time already?
Well it came upon a midnight clear that glorious song of old. Of angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold. Peace on the earth, good will to men From heaven's all-gracious King. Do you think this song might give us a clue as to how to respond in our day?
So what did God do in the middle of sinful men? He sends a baby to proclaim peace, grace and mercy despite their sinful natures. And what did He send? He sent Himself in the person of His Son. God has never wanted the message of peace and deliverance by the blood of Jesus Christ to ever cease since the beginning. So this message must continue today.
Then what are we battling? Paul give us a good answer – our flesh. The flesh is that part of our new nature which is still anchored in the world. It is part of our nature but it is defeated. Paul spoke about the flesh in Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
So Step one to follow our God into spiritual warfare of today requires us to walk not according to the flesh but according to His Spirit. So set your mind on things above.
The Apostle John confirms this in 1 John 2:16 where we read - For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
Further in 1 John 4:3 we read -
and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
So the enemy is Antichrist – those that go against God.
Step 2 then -How then do we behave – we need to follow Jesus example and walk in the Spirt or we will be unable to follow Read with me from Luke 6:27-37
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [h]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
So we are to love, bless others, forgive, pray for others, have mercy, endure and trust God. There is some very significant meat in verses 35 and 36- 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [h]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
The person who is at this stage is being and is learning to walk according to the Spirit and not according to our fleshly desires. Your perspective has been altered by God and now your eyes are upon Him, looking for His great reward from on high. That is where the blessing is and will remain until we learn the truth of 2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Sermon Nov. 14
From Exodus Chapter 20 verse 8 to 11- 8 “Remember the Sabbath day (Saturday), to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
The basis for these verses in Exodus is from Genesis Chapter 2 and verse 1- 2 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
Here we understand God commanded that each seventh day (which in the Jewish calendar Saturday} belonged to Him and would not be a workday but a day set apart (i.e., holy) for rest and for time devoted to the worship of Yahweh.
The term “Sabbath” is derived from “to rest or cease from work.”
The reason or precedent for such a special observance is the creation week; a span of time equal to what man copied in practice or 7 days.
Each Sabbath day was to be a reminder to the worshiper that God whom he worshiped had indeed made everything in both realms of existence in 6 twenty-four-hour days.
The Sabbath was to stand as a counter to any ideas about evolution which are clearly prevalent in false religions to deny the existence of the one and only God – Jehovah Jireh.
Moses also, in reviewing the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments linked this observance of the Sabbath to Israel’s exodus from Egypt and specified that this was a reason for Israel to keep the Sabbath as a remember of their deliverance from Pharaoh and Egypt which represents the sin. (Deut. 5:12–15).
I have something interesting which you and I may not have recognized, but this commandment for the Sabbath is not repeated in the NT, whereas the other 9 commandments are.
In fact in the New Testament this command is nullified ( Col. 2:16, 17).
In Colossians Chapter 2 we are given a detailed description of why we don’t worship on the sabbath day. Let’s read the text but not spend a lot of time on discussing it.
Colossians 2: 11-17 11 In Him{Jesus Christ} you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Thus, because of Jesus we no longer are under this covenant but under the covenant of the blood of Jesus.
The Sabbath (Saturday) belonged especially to Israel under the Mosaic covenant. So the Sabbath did not and should not apply to a Christ follower or believer in the church age. For that saved person is living in a new life which is in Christ. (Galatians 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. You should meditate on this verse for there is much to be gained by understanding the depth of the love God has for sinners who come to Him by faith in His Son.
But that is not the purpose of what I have just outlined in the reading done previously.
The word which we need to attend to is the charge given to all peoples about remembering the Sabbath day and keep it holy. While the Sabbath (Saturday) day is not observed by Christians, the purpose of having a day of rest has not been cancelled, but has been continued for New Testament believers.
If you search under the phrase – On the first day of the week, some interesting facts show up which are relevant. Check out Mark 16 - 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going [a]before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
This is similar to what is accounted in Luke 24. So Jesus arose on the first day of the week – Sunday am, at first light. Now in Acts Chapter 20 it appears that the first day of the week, Sunday had become special to believers. Read with me verse 7- 7 Now on the first day of the week, {Sunday}when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. We also read in 1st Corinthians Chapter 16, verse 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
So it had become practice that offerings and collections for ministry were done during these Sunday meetings even here in the city of Corinth.
In practice then, believers had made a redefinition of the day for remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Sunday was that day as the first day of the week.
OK Pastor we just spent the last 15 minutes being concerned about the Sabbath day moving from Saturday for the Jews to Sunday for Christians, got it. Why is this so important?
Remember the command and discussion from our first verses in Exodus 20 verse 8 to 10: 8 “Remember the Sabbath day (Saturday), to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work….
And verse the last part of verse 11 Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
There are special blessings which are given to those who choose to keep this observance which we shall discuss shortly. But perhaps we can learn more about what happens when we choose not to obey and honor God on this day.
But before we begin how to you choose to honor God on His day, the day of rest? Answer this in your heart as you follow this lesson.
From our study of the Old Testament, when Israel or Judah as a society chose to honor God what happened. All the blessing which God promised for safety, health, heart, home and full food and fruit baskets happened. Babies, young animals, fruitful labor and the like we all rewarded because the people honored God, took seriously the traditions of the Sabbath rest and held the fear of God in their hearts.
We under a King who was good for one portion of his reign like Hezekiah or Asa, but rejected God at the end. These keeping of the Sabbath and the obedience to the Word of God were rejected the people languished under oppressors, suffered famine, pestilence or disease, poverty and destruction of the homeland and possessions.
You see there is a direct correlation between the people of God keeping the dedicated day of worship in honoring the Lord and them being an influence of salt and light, and acting as leaven in a heathen and disreputable society. The people of God may strongly desire repentance, revival and renewal but they must seek God and function as His leaven is the universal church first, their local communities wherever that is; then in the state and then in the nation.
The truth is in our day the people of God are not honoring God on His day. How much of Sunday are you willing to give God? According to Barnah only 30% of professed evangelicals spend maybe 1to 3 hrs. per Sunday being involved in worship and Bible study. How much time do you spend in actual study and worship? For the most part many others only spend 1 hr. on Sunday with worship or less. The rest of Sunday is given by most to sports, leisure, pleasure of some sort and being busy about their own business or concerns. Now this is not meant as a guilt trip but an honest evaluation of where do you spend your time?
If the people of God are serious about seeing change in our world then we need to seek God while He may be found. He has told us to Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, are we?
What does remembering the sabbath day mean,
There are four specific things we should be remembering on this day of worship –
I. First is the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and how He has granted to us individually the opportunity and blessing to experience it.
II. Second, Sunday or the Seventh day is a weekly reminder that all true blessing come from His grace, not our labor. He has given us all things beginning with life, heart beats, breath and the ability to understand.
III. The third item is we revere Him and honor Him and keep the day holy as we seek the fullness of his presence by giving our special attention to Him and His Word on that day.
IV. The fourth item is highlighted by the remembrance of God rescuing His people from Egypt and Pharaoh – is Redemption. If we practice the love story of Jesus, which is about redemption - we will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and God and Christ will be magnified in our lives. As Christ is lifted up and He is honored in our lives He will be able to use us more and more as He redeems not only lives but uses us to impact the lives of others around us. Again this is the parable of the good seed and leaven as He moves around us. Our honoring God for His redemptive practice will not just change us but will serve to change the world around us.
Are you willing to allow God to use you for His purposes today, then begin by practicing holiness seriously on the Lord’s day? You want to see Him do great things then worship Him in holiness. Set your heart to begin doing this today. Amen
From Exodus Chapter 20 verse 8 to 11- 8 “Remember the Sabbath day (Saturday), to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
The basis for these verses in Exodus is from Genesis Chapter 2 and verse 1- 2 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
Here we understand God commanded that each seventh day (which in the Jewish calendar Saturday} belonged to Him and would not be a workday but a day set apart (i.e., holy) for rest and for time devoted to the worship of Yahweh.
The term “Sabbath” is derived from “to rest or cease from work.”
The reason or precedent for such a special observance is the creation week; a span of time equal to what man copied in practice or 7 days.
Each Sabbath day was to be a reminder to the worshiper that God whom he worshiped had indeed made everything in both realms of existence in 6 twenty-four-hour days.
The Sabbath was to stand as a counter to any ideas about evolution which are clearly prevalent in false religions to deny the existence of the one and only God – Jehovah Jireh.
Moses also, in reviewing the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments linked this observance of the Sabbath to Israel’s exodus from Egypt and specified that this was a reason for Israel to keep the Sabbath as a remember of their deliverance from Pharaoh and Egypt which represents the sin. (Deut. 5:12–15).
I have something interesting which you and I may not have recognized, but this commandment for the Sabbath is not repeated in the NT, whereas the other 9 commandments are.
In fact in the New Testament this command is nullified ( Col. 2:16, 17).
In Colossians Chapter 2 we are given a detailed description of why we don’t worship on the sabbath day. Let’s read the text but not spend a lot of time on discussing it.
Colossians 2: 11-17 11 In Him{Jesus Christ} you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Thus, because of Jesus we no longer are under this covenant but under the covenant of the blood of Jesus.
The Sabbath (Saturday) belonged especially to Israel under the Mosaic covenant. So the Sabbath did not and should not apply to a Christ follower or believer in the church age. For that saved person is living in a new life which is in Christ. (Galatians 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. You should meditate on this verse for there is much to be gained by understanding the depth of the love God has for sinners who come to Him by faith in His Son.
But that is not the purpose of what I have just outlined in the reading done previously.
The word which we need to attend to is the charge given to all peoples about remembering the Sabbath day and keep it holy. While the Sabbath (Saturday) day is not observed by Christians, the purpose of having a day of rest has not been cancelled, but has been continued for New Testament believers.
If you search under the phrase – On the first day of the week, some interesting facts show up which are relevant. Check out Mark 16 - 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going [a]before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
This is similar to what is accounted in Luke 24. So Jesus arose on the first day of the week – Sunday am, at first light. Now in Acts Chapter 20 it appears that the first day of the week, Sunday had become special to believers. Read with me verse 7- 7 Now on the first day of the week, {Sunday}when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. We also read in 1st Corinthians Chapter 16, verse 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
So it had become practice that offerings and collections for ministry were done during these Sunday meetings even here in the city of Corinth.
In practice then, believers had made a redefinition of the day for remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Sunday was that day as the first day of the week.
OK Pastor we just spent the last 15 minutes being concerned about the Sabbath day moving from Saturday for the Jews to Sunday for Christians, got it. Why is this so important?
Remember the command and discussion from our first verses in Exodus 20 verse 8 to 10: 8 “Remember the Sabbath day (Saturday), to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work….
And verse the last part of verse 11 Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
There are special blessings which are given to those who choose to keep this observance which we shall discuss shortly. But perhaps we can learn more about what happens when we choose not to obey and honor God on this day.
But before we begin how to you choose to honor God on His day, the day of rest? Answer this in your heart as you follow this lesson.
From our study of the Old Testament, when Israel or Judah as a society chose to honor God what happened. All the blessing which God promised for safety, health, heart, home and full food and fruit baskets happened. Babies, young animals, fruitful labor and the like we all rewarded because the people honored God, took seriously the traditions of the Sabbath rest and held the fear of God in their hearts.
We under a King who was good for one portion of his reign like Hezekiah or Asa, but rejected God at the end. These keeping of the Sabbath and the obedience to the Word of God were rejected the people languished under oppressors, suffered famine, pestilence or disease, poverty and destruction of the homeland and possessions.
You see there is a direct correlation between the people of God keeping the dedicated day of worship in honoring the Lord and them being an influence of salt and light, and acting as leaven in a heathen and disreputable society. The people of God may strongly desire repentance, revival and renewal but they must seek God and function as His leaven is the universal church first, their local communities wherever that is; then in the state and then in the nation.
The truth is in our day the people of God are not honoring God on His day. How much of Sunday are you willing to give God? According to Barnah only 30% of professed evangelicals spend maybe 1to 3 hrs. per Sunday being involved in worship and Bible study. How much time do you spend in actual study and worship? For the most part many others only spend 1 hr. on Sunday with worship or less. The rest of Sunday is given by most to sports, leisure, pleasure of some sort and being busy about their own business or concerns. Now this is not meant as a guilt trip but an honest evaluation of where do you spend your time?
If the people of God are serious about seeing change in our world then we need to seek God while He may be found. He has told us to Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy, are we?
What does remembering the sabbath day mean,
There are four specific things we should be remembering on this day of worship –
I. First is the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and how He has granted to us individually the opportunity and blessing to experience it.
II. Second, Sunday or the Seventh day is a weekly reminder that all true blessing come from His grace, not our labor. He has given us all things beginning with life, heart beats, breath and the ability to understand.
III. The third item is we revere Him and honor Him and keep the day holy as we seek the fullness of his presence by giving our special attention to Him and His Word on that day.
IV. The fourth item is highlighted by the remembrance of God rescuing His people from Egypt and Pharaoh – is Redemption. If we practice the love story of Jesus, which is about redemption - we will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and God and Christ will be magnified in our lives. As Christ is lifted up and He is honored in our lives He will be able to use us more and more as He redeems not only lives but uses us to impact the lives of others around us. Again this is the parable of the good seed and leaven as He moves around us. Our honoring God for His redemptive practice will not just change us but will serve to change the world around us.
Are you willing to allow God to use you for His purposes today, then begin by practicing holiness seriously on the Lord’s day? You want to see Him do great things then worship Him in holiness. Set your heart to begin doing this today. Amen
Sermon Nov 7
“Operating in Deep Waters”
5 1So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Jesus commanded and was with them)
6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
May God bless the reading of His word and to our understanding and obedience; and may we let down our nets in deep waters and reap the harvest. Amen
The world has always been filled with evil, it is just now we are much more aware of and sensitive to it and its effects because we are caught in the middle. Oh, in the past it was easier to ignore the difficulties we saw in the world around us. We were removed, insulated if you will from the effects. After all we lived in America and that stuff we saw on our TVs and in the News was over there and not here.
This is no longer true for the evil over there, is now happening in spades here in the good ole US of A. The media is a propaganda machine filled with untruths and outright lies, parroting what it is told to speak from those who are its owners and masters. The same is true of the disinformation warfare campaigns being managed by the various internet moguls who don’t want you to know the truth.
You and I are being treated as if we are stupid, unlearned and without the ability to sort out facts from fiction. Perhaps there is a plan in all this? I believe there is and that is to take away your freedoms. The freedom of speech, to worship, to bear arms, to gather, etc. We must not let this happen. We need to get out of our comfort zones and go where God would lead us. Sometimes that involves going into deeper waters than where we generally care to venture.
We have an example here of those God is calling to walk with Him. I believe from the other Gospel accounts that Jesus had previously encountered this group of Fishermen – Peter, Andrew, James and John, and had asked them to walk with Him. (Matt. Ch. 4:18-22)
Now things in Israel were tough in those days – Rome dominated the Jewish homeland and there had been rebellions by the people, harshly put down by Roman legions. Freedoms previously enjoyed were now restricted including worship, and trade; taxes were imposed, fees and the like. Goods and services were more expensive, for the people could not conduct commerce unless they had permits from the Romans. Sounds very much like today’s economy. Also the Roman gods and worship while not overtly practiced were obviously being brought in by the Roman culture which they carried with them. This to the Jew was outright paganism and evil according to God’s teachings. The nation had allowed itself previously to be tempted and allured by pagan sexual practices and other demonic worship. God had punished the Israelites for this departure from His truths multiple times. So the people were very sensitive to this vulnerability, as were the religious leaders.
Then along comes this Nazarene carpenter who was claiming to be the Son of God. He was upsetting everything. He had been performing miracles in the countryside, teaching with power in the synagogues and walking among the people declaring “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” These same fishermen here in Luke, had encountered Him before, but now Jesus is coming to where they work – the fishing piers. Here they are after a night of unsuccessful fishing with nothing to show and they are mending their nets and preparing for the next nights work. Let’s join them as Jesus reveals Himself to them personally and uniquely –
Luke Chapter 5 verse 1- 1So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, {sea of Galilee for us today) 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
Notice a couple of things – Jesus had people pressing all around Him to hear the word of God, as He stood by the Sea of Galilee. There was a famine in the land for the Word of God, so when people heard the truth they pressed in on Him to hear more of the truth. They could not get enough and this is true today. With all the lies going on around us people are seeking the truth. Now they may be going around trying incorrectly to get there but they are still seeking His truth. They don’t know or recognize that truth is in the person of Jesus Christ.
Next the Fisherman were gone from the two boats and were cleaning and washing their nets getting prepared for tomorrows catch. They did not know that today they would encounter God in a miraculous way- He would speak to them in their work place about their work.
Go to verse 3, 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
This sounds straightforward, since they were washing their nets Jesus stepped into the boat to get some distance from the crowd so He could teach in the rabbinical fashion – seated. And the fisherman were washing their nets. Now His teaching must have lasted for some time and the fisherman had continued working around Him and been listening to what He was saying. He spoke to them directly to move out a bit and sat down to teach. So in verse 4 it says:
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Jesus commanded and was with them)
Now, this is impressive for Simon soon to be Peter n=must have been listening to the words Jesus was teaching and their hearts had been converted by the Holy Spirit for he gives the synopsis of we’ve been at it all night with no luck but at Your Word we will go. This is going into the deep, into the unknown, into faith and not sight. Jesus is asking us all to do this today- nevertheless at Your Word. Can you say you are willing to surrender and allow God to have His way and take you into the deep today? I cannot be sure you would say yes today right now. But remember that Jesus was in the boat with the disciples then. Do you suppose He is in the boat with you today? He says to you – I am with you always. He says, I will never leave you or forsake you. Do you believe the promises of God?
Notice what happens when you exercise faith in God. It says in the passage in verse 6 When they had done this -
6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
Simon Peter began at this point to recognize that Jesus knew him, at leisure and at work, regardless of his condition and was concerned about him, his family and his future. Peter recognized there was something critically different about this Jesus and he cried out
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
You see one encounter with Jesus can radically change a life and He was calling to them as He is calling to you and I today. Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus needs men and women who will cast off into the deep and walk/fish by faith with Him today. Will you come now to Jesus who can fish for the souls of men. Amen
“Operating in Deep Waters”
5 1So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Jesus commanded and was with them)
6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
May God bless the reading of His word and to our understanding and obedience; and may we let down our nets in deep waters and reap the harvest. Amen
The world has always been filled with evil, it is just now we are much more aware of and sensitive to it and its effects because we are caught in the middle. Oh, in the past it was easier to ignore the difficulties we saw in the world around us. We were removed, insulated if you will from the effects. After all we lived in America and that stuff we saw on our TVs and in the News was over there and not here.
This is no longer true for the evil over there, is now happening in spades here in the good ole US of A. The media is a propaganda machine filled with untruths and outright lies, parroting what it is told to speak from those who are its owners and masters. The same is true of the disinformation warfare campaigns being managed by the various internet moguls who don’t want you to know the truth.
You and I are being treated as if we are stupid, unlearned and without the ability to sort out facts from fiction. Perhaps there is a plan in all this? I believe there is and that is to take away your freedoms. The freedom of speech, to worship, to bear arms, to gather, etc. We must not let this happen. We need to get out of our comfort zones and go where God would lead us. Sometimes that involves going into deeper waters than where we generally care to venture.
We have an example here of those God is calling to walk with Him. I believe from the other Gospel accounts that Jesus had previously encountered this group of Fishermen – Peter, Andrew, James and John, and had asked them to walk with Him. (Matt. Ch. 4:18-22)
Now things in Israel were tough in those days – Rome dominated the Jewish homeland and there had been rebellions by the people, harshly put down by Roman legions. Freedoms previously enjoyed were now restricted including worship, and trade; taxes were imposed, fees and the like. Goods and services were more expensive, for the people could not conduct commerce unless they had permits from the Romans. Sounds very much like today’s economy. Also the Roman gods and worship while not overtly practiced were obviously being brought in by the Roman culture which they carried with them. This to the Jew was outright paganism and evil according to God’s teachings. The nation had allowed itself previously to be tempted and allured by pagan sexual practices and other demonic worship. God had punished the Israelites for this departure from His truths multiple times. So the people were very sensitive to this vulnerability, as were the religious leaders.
Then along comes this Nazarene carpenter who was claiming to be the Son of God. He was upsetting everything. He had been performing miracles in the countryside, teaching with power in the synagogues and walking among the people declaring “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” These same fishermen here in Luke, had encountered Him before, but now Jesus is coming to where they work – the fishing piers. Here they are after a night of unsuccessful fishing with nothing to show and they are mending their nets and preparing for the next nights work. Let’s join them as Jesus reveals Himself to them personally and uniquely –
Luke Chapter 5 verse 1- 1So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, {sea of Galilee for us today) 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
Notice a couple of things – Jesus had people pressing all around Him to hear the word of God, as He stood by the Sea of Galilee. There was a famine in the land for the Word of God, so when people heard the truth they pressed in on Him to hear more of the truth. They could not get enough and this is true today. With all the lies going on around us people are seeking the truth. Now they may be going around trying incorrectly to get there but they are still seeking His truth. They don’t know or recognize that truth is in the person of Jesus Christ.
Next the Fisherman were gone from the two boats and were cleaning and washing their nets getting prepared for tomorrows catch. They did not know that today they would encounter God in a miraculous way- He would speak to them in their work place about their work.
Go to verse 3, 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
This sounds straightforward, since they were washing their nets Jesus stepped into the boat to get some distance from the crowd so He could teach in the rabbinical fashion – seated. And the fisherman were washing their nets. Now His teaching must have lasted for some time and the fisherman had continued working around Him and been listening to what He was saying. He spoke to them directly to move out a bit and sat down to teach. So in verse 4 it says:
4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Jesus commanded and was with them)
Now, this is impressive for Simon soon to be Peter n=must have been listening to the words Jesus was teaching and their hearts had been converted by the Holy Spirit for he gives the synopsis of we’ve been at it all night with no luck but at Your Word we will go. This is going into the deep, into the unknown, into faith and not sight. Jesus is asking us all to do this today- nevertheless at Your Word. Can you say you are willing to surrender and allow God to have His way and take you into the deep today? I cannot be sure you would say yes today right now. But remember that Jesus was in the boat with the disciples then. Do you suppose He is in the boat with you today? He says to you – I am with you always. He says, I will never leave you or forsake you. Do you believe the promises of God?
Notice what happens when you exercise faith in God. It says in the passage in verse 6 When they had done this -
6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
Simon Peter began at this point to recognize that Jesus knew him, at leisure and at work, regardless of his condition and was concerned about him, his family and his future. Peter recognized there was something critically different about this Jesus and he cried out
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they [a]forsook all and followed Him.
You see one encounter with Jesus can radically change a life and He was calling to them as He is calling to you and I today. Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus needs men and women who will cast off into the deep and walk/fish by faith with Him today. Will you come now to Jesus who can fish for the souls of men. Amen
Sermon Oct 31
The functioning of believers in HARD Times has been the root issue I have wanted to address in the last two session. COVID has been a major interrupter in the last year and now is the last two weeks. But COVID is not the real problem, COVID it is an excuse for hot blooded zealots to begin exercising control over those too lazy to exercise a republic.
Our world has been turned upside down with this evil and senseless approach to everything. Our freedom to meet and worship has been forcefully interrupted; mandates which are unconstitutional and being implemented as if they were law, causing: separation, disunity and division on the basis of race, gender, sexual preference and the like. Disruption of our normal way of life has been happening in our free market economy; deconstruction and dis-ing the idea of an “American” model as a melting pot for unity and freedom. Control language and eliminate low food prices, jack up fuel, and to disrupt the flow of goods and service across the country. These are some of the mess and elements which have been used to artificially create hard times and to stoke the fires of hate with this country.
So we have a choice as how to react to these current plagues of destruction initiated by our leadership. By the way have you begun reading Deuteronomy Chapter 28, beginning with verse 14? If not, you ought to, for you might find some striking correlations to what is happening here, and with the promises God made tin Deuteronomy, if we would reject Him and His covenant protections. There is much there for you to meditate and consider.
So for our study the Lord has led me to begin in 1Timothy Chapter 4, verse 1:
The Part I of this chapter is about the nature of living in “Hard Times” today for believers-
1Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Part II. What is needed to be a good Servant of Jesus Christ:
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end [c]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Part III. How to Nurture and take heed to Your Ministry. See (I Peter 4:10)
First, let no one despise your …whatever.. fitness to be doing God’s work
Be an Example –
12 Let no one [d]despise your {youth,}
but be an example to the believers
in word, (study)
in conduct, (Live your faith)
in love, (Love as Jesus loves you)
[e]in spirit, (Be filled evermore)
in faith, (without faith)
in purity. (be holy)
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [f]doctrine.
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Now I know we have looked at some of these ideas and word previously. I can only go where my Heavenly Father leads me in applying His word to our lives. But hold fast, this is not a copy and paste from our last time here. As a matter of fact this is all brand new based on the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit recently.
Let’s pray- Lord Jesus and God our prayer is that you lead us and guide us in the way everlasting. Enable us to apply and walk in these truths so we can become more like Jesus each day. AMEN.
Let’s examine verses 1- I 1Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
This is important and bears repeating – The speaker is the Holy Spirit. He expressly says that in latter times {that would be in our time}some will depart from the faith, {some, depart means going against God or apostacy}giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, {They would listen to and obey the evil spirits of Satan and sit under his evil teaching. Some of this is occurring in our schools, all grade levels, and in our businesses and in our governing halls/courtrooms- doctrines of demons.
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron {Why, because of their willingness to sit under the teachings of these perverts. Those who are jaded will speak, teach and live untruths to the maximum- mostly because they have no conscience. Have you not seen this in the courts, congress and from the very top of the universe today?
Because of their perversity, they will give directions 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Remember this letter is written and sent to the , most likely under the idea they were being inclusive churches. No marriage sex and certain foods makes you sinful and you can become like God if you are led to sin. This is what they were doing because of depravity and perversity, and hate for the Word of God which says the Father said, it was good. Read verse 4
.
Verse 4 and 5 is the answer for you and I. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
God grants His goodness, mercy and grace to those who seek Him and desire to become like Him.
Now Part II begins in verse 6. Remember this part is about becoming a complete servant for the Lord Jesus Christ . This text gives guidance as to what you need to do to help yourself remain faithful and constant to God-
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
Study to show yourselves approved – workmen who need not be ashamed and teach the word to others. How? By living it out to you family, friends and in your business. Teaching your family and others as God instructs. Also,
staying in and close to the Word of God is what Christians need to be doing=The text says nourished by the Word and studying and applying good doctrine to our living day by day.
We should also 7 … reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. {exercise, spiritual exercise??What}
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance
10 For to this end [c]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
In other words do what is commanded. Could it be simpler? But, obedience is required and not optional.
There is more to be done, this is not the end.
There remains a third part {Part III}. How does God nurture and advance His ministry in you? See (I Peter 4:10)
First, let no one despise your fitness to be doing God’s work. He has called and ordained you if you are truly Holy Spirit led
John 15:16: 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Your mandate is from God and not from men, which is the most important anointing and calling we can experience. He has invited you to become involved in His work. This is not your ministry but His. Your job is not draw attention to yourself but to reflect the glory, power and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we realize we have a heavenly calling and mandate, which is not your own, it makes a big difference in perspective and should impact our behavior. You did not do this by your own hand. God has built and guided you step by step.
Understanding now it was God who called you and God the Holy Spirit is in you is the same model that Jesus demonstrated to His disciple. He said, I have not come to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me. So with the Holy Spirit’s filling and your body being His temple what kind of Example should you be?
12 Let no one [d]despise your {youth,}
but be an example to the believers
in word, (study and teach the word in season and out of season) 2 Tim 4:2, 2 Tim 2:15
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [f]doctrine. {study and live it}
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. {1 Pet 4:10}
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (Rom 12:2)
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
You cannot save yourself, only God can. This means as far as you can you need to strive to comply with this direction. Be diligent to show yourself approved- unashamed because God has chosen to invest Himself in you and you have responded in faith and love to God’s prompting. Will you be perfect – no, Will you fall or fail- that possibility always exists. But the real question is will you finish well, having given this life of Christ an done as much as you know to do to this point?
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
The functioning of believers in HARD Times has been the root issue I have wanted to address in the last two session. COVID has been a major interrupter in the last year and now is the last two weeks. But COVID is not the real problem, COVID it is an excuse for hot blooded zealots to begin exercising control over those too lazy to exercise a republic.
Our world has been turned upside down with this evil and senseless approach to everything. Our freedom to meet and worship has been forcefully interrupted; mandates which are unconstitutional and being implemented as if they were law, causing: separation, disunity and division on the basis of race, gender, sexual preference and the like. Disruption of our normal way of life has been happening in our free market economy; deconstruction and dis-ing the idea of an “American” model as a melting pot for unity and freedom. Control language and eliminate low food prices, jack up fuel, and to disrupt the flow of goods and service across the country. These are some of the mess and elements which have been used to artificially create hard times and to stoke the fires of hate with this country.
So we have a choice as how to react to these current plagues of destruction initiated by our leadership. By the way have you begun reading Deuteronomy Chapter 28, beginning with verse 14? If not, you ought to, for you might find some striking correlations to what is happening here, and with the promises God made tin Deuteronomy, if we would reject Him and His covenant protections. There is much there for you to meditate and consider.
So for our study the Lord has led me to begin in 1Timothy Chapter 4, verse 1:
The Part I of this chapter is about the nature of living in “Hard Times” today for believers-
1Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Part II. What is needed to be a good Servant of Jesus Christ:
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end [c]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Part III. How to Nurture and take heed to Your Ministry. See (I Peter 4:10)
First, let no one despise your …whatever.. fitness to be doing God’s work
Be an Example –
12 Let no one [d]despise your {youth,}
but be an example to the believers
in word, (study)
in conduct, (Live your faith)
in love, (Love as Jesus loves you)
[e]in spirit, (Be filled evermore)
in faith, (without faith)
in purity. (be holy)
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [f]doctrine.
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Now I know we have looked at some of these ideas and word previously. I can only go where my Heavenly Father leads me in applying His word to our lives. But hold fast, this is not a copy and paste from our last time here. As a matter of fact this is all brand new based on the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit recently.
Let’s pray- Lord Jesus and God our prayer is that you lead us and guide us in the way everlasting. Enable us to apply and walk in these truths so we can become more like Jesus each day. AMEN.
Let’s examine verses 1- I 1Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
This is important and bears repeating – The speaker is the Holy Spirit. He expressly says that in latter times {that would be in our time}some will depart from the faith, {some, depart means going against God or apostacy}giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, {They would listen to and obey the evil spirits of Satan and sit under his evil teaching. Some of this is occurring in our schools, all grade levels, and in our businesses and in our governing halls/courtrooms- doctrines of demons.
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron {Why, because of their willingness to sit under the teachings of these perverts. Those who are jaded will speak, teach and live untruths to the maximum- mostly because they have no conscience. Have you not seen this in the courts, congress and from the very top of the universe today?
Because of their perversity, they will give directions 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Remember this letter is written and sent to the , most likely under the idea they were being inclusive churches. No marriage sex and certain foods makes you sinful and you can become like God if you are led to sin. This is what they were doing because of depravity and perversity, and hate for the Word of God which says the Father said, it was good. Read verse 4
.
Verse 4 and 5 is the answer for you and I. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
God grants His goodness, mercy and grace to those who seek Him and desire to become like Him.
Now Part II begins in verse 6. Remember this part is about becoming a complete servant for the Lord Jesus Christ . This text gives guidance as to what you need to do to help yourself remain faithful and constant to God-
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
Study to show yourselves approved – workmen who need not be ashamed and teach the word to others. How? By living it out to you family, friends and in your business. Teaching your family and others as God instructs. Also,
staying in and close to the Word of God is what Christians need to be doing=The text says nourished by the Word and studying and applying good doctrine to our living day by day.
We should also 7 … reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. {exercise, spiritual exercise??What}
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance
10 For to this end [c]we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
In other words do what is commanded. Could it be simpler? But, obedience is required and not optional.
There is more to be done, this is not the end.
There remains a third part {Part III}. How does God nurture and advance His ministry in you? See (I Peter 4:10)
First, let no one despise your fitness to be doing God’s work. He has called and ordained you if you are truly Holy Spirit led
John 15:16: 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Your mandate is from God and not from men, which is the most important anointing and calling we can experience. He has invited you to become involved in His work. This is not your ministry but His. Your job is not draw attention to yourself but to reflect the glory, power and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we realize we have a heavenly calling and mandate, which is not your own, it makes a big difference in perspective and should impact our behavior. You did not do this by your own hand. God has built and guided you step by step.
Understanding now it was God who called you and God the Holy Spirit is in you is the same model that Jesus demonstrated to His disciple. He said, I have not come to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me. So with the Holy Spirit’s filling and your body being His temple what kind of Example should you be?
12 Let no one [d]despise your {youth,}
but be an example to the believers
in word, (study and teach the word in season and out of season) 2 Tim 4:2, 2 Tim 2:15
- in conduct, (Live your faith)
- in love, (Love as Jesus loves you – Jn.13:34)
- [e]in spirit, (Be filled evermore) in faith, (without faith it is impossible to please Him {Heb 11.6}
- in purity. (as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 1 Pet 1:15)
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [f]doctrine. {study and live it}
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. {1 Pet 4:10}
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (Rom 12:2)
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
You cannot save yourself, only God can. This means as far as you can you need to strive to comply with this direction. Be diligent to show yourself approved- unashamed because God has chosen to invest Himself in you and you have responded in faith and love to God’s prompting. Will you be perfect – no, Will you fall or fail- that possibility always exists. But the real question is will you finish well, having given this life of Christ an done as much as you know to do to this point?
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Sermon Oct 24
“When hard times come, be a student, not a victim.”
–A victim says, “Why did this happen to me?”
–A student says, “What can I learn from this?”
–A victim complains he is being treated unfairly.
–A student thanks God he is not being treated as he deserves.
–A victim tries to get even with those who have hurt him.
–A student seeks to serve others in the midst of his difficulty.
–A victim believes the game of life is stacked against him.
–A student believes God is at work even in the worst situations.
Many of us can think of a hundred other comparisons, but the point is clear. We rarely control what happens to us, but we can always choose how we will respond.
Sometimes we will make the wrong choice and pay a heavy price for our mistake. Often, we won’t learn the right lesson until we can look back and see how God was at work in our trials.
We can’t control what happens to us, but
we can always control how we respond.
Something like that happened to a woman named Naomi. You can find her story in the Old Testament book of Ruth. It is a love story that starts with misery and ends with joy. Ruth is an account of anxiety, fear, love, and commitment that inflames the imagination and soothes the soul. It begins with despair and ends with delight.
Along the way we discover “the God who works behind the scenes,” which means the real star of the book is the Lord who works in, though, and sometimes in spite of our decisions.
Go to the book of Ruth, Chapter 1, verse1:
During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to stay in the territory of Moab for a while. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the fields of Moab and settled there. 3 Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 Her sons took Moabite women as their wives: one was named Orpah and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two children and without her husband (Ruth 1:1-5).
In this story we can learn three distinct lessons that will help us navigate hard times
#1: Hard Times can hit at any time
The book of Ruth opens with a note that anchors this story to a particular time and place: “During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land” (v. 1). This means the story took place after Joshua’s death and before Saul became king. When we read the book of Judges, we may be tempted to think it was a godless time, but that would not be correct. We should think of it as a time when every man did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). As long as the judges ruled, the people served the Lord. But when a judge died, the Jews turned to idolatry. It was a recurring cycle of obedience, disobedience, judgment, suffering, desperation, and returning to the Lord. {sound familiar}
God can ring your phone any time of the day or night to give you the bad news.
In Deuteronomy 28:24 Moses warned the people that if they refused to obey the Lord, God would curse the land: “The Lord will turn the rain of your land into falling dust; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed.” That means the famine in the Promised Land didn’t just happen. It was not a natural disaster. God intended the famine to send a message to His people.
When people ask me, “Do you think God can speak to us today?” I tell them, “You don’t have to worry about that. God has your number on speed dial. He can ring your phone any time of the day or night. And when he calls, you won’t be able to put him on call waiting.” God knows how to get through to any of us at any time.
#2: Hard Times causes us to make Hard Choices
If you are Elimelech, what do you do when a famine impacts your family? The land around Bethlehem was some of the most fertile ground in the Promised Land. A man who worked hard could harvest enough yearly to care for his family. So what do you do when a famine hits? Elimelech took his family and moved to Moab because it was a land of good soil and adequate rainfall. If the famine had not hit that region, perhaps he would stay for a few months or a year or two.
Elimelech was an “Ephrathite. Ephrathah was the old name for Bethlehem. It might imply that he came from a distinguished background, from a family with a long history in the region. It would be like saying, “Here is a man from Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.” That wouldn’t guarantee he had money, but it does suggest something about his background.
“Elimelech lost his life while seeking a livelihood, and found a grave where he had sought a home.”
It appears from the Scriptures that things worked out for a while. Evidently they settled in the “fields of Moab” and found lots to eat. The famine of Bethlehem was now a distant memory. But soon Elimelech dies. We aren’t told why or how, only that he died in Moab, leaving Naomi without a husband and the two boys without a father. Eventually the boys married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. Then suddenly the sons died and were buried in Moab. Just as suddenly ten years had passed. (Has time leaped over your plans today. God has a plan, are you walking in it?)
I read recently about a woman who, knowing she was about to die, wrote her own obituary, which summed up her 69 years this way: “I was born, I blinked, and it was over.” We could all say the same thing for the days are long, but the years are short.
Verse 1 notes that Elimelech intended to emigrate to Moab for “a while,” meaning he never intended to leave forever. This was a temporary move made into foreign territory, chosen under great duress. This was a man’s choice but God was very clear - the Israelites were to have nothing to do with Moabites:
(In Deuteronomy 23:3, 6).No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the Lord’s assembly; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, may ever enter the Lord’s assembly . . . Never pursue their welfare or prosperity as long as you live.
Elimelech probably didn’t mean to leave the Lord by moving to Moab, but it was a reckless and unwise move at best. An ancient foe of Israel, Moab originated from Lot’s incestuous relationship with his daughters (Genesis 19:30-38). Elimelech was leaving the land of blessing to live among pagans on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. He and his family would be exposed to the Moabite religion with its degrading idol worship and its gross sexual perversion. I think Elimelech misunderstood the risks but considered this move a temporary expedient for the sake of his family. His perspective was one sided. His choices were one sided for self not shared with God. Have you been there recently?
Freedom to disobey God always comes with consequences. God gives us that freedom.
Here is the problem in three sentences:
The problem in Israel was not the lack of bread. The problem was the lack of obedience to Jehovah God and His commandments.
This was not the first famine in the land flowing with milk and honey, and it would not be the last. This also was a personal famine on the Word of God
Regardless your good intentions or motives won’t cancel the impact of your bad decisions.
Think about rules for a moment. Did you promise to obey the rules when you got your driver’s license? Yes you did, for the moment. What matters is not whether you like the rules or agree with them; the only question is, will you obey them? You are free to have your own opinion such as when you speed, but you are free to disobey but there are consequences.
Motives matter, but in real life obedience is better than sacrifice.
God who is rich in grace, and has demonstrated great depths of mercy will forgive, but we should never presume upon Him as this is sin.
So you can’t run from your problems because your problems will follow you wherever you go. A change of scenery doesn’t produce a changed heart. Whatever you were before is what you will be and take with you wherever you go next. We all feel the urge to change things when we encounter problems. We want a new spouse or new children or a new job or a new career. We may dream of moving to a new house or into a new neighborhood. If our church doesn’t go the way we like, we want a new pastor. We think if only we could make a fresh start, things would be better. And sometimes that’s true.
But change can be an excuse not to face the problems of life head on. Running away from our trouble rarely makes things better.
Elimelech thought he would go to Moab, stay there for a while, then return home. But there are three graves in Moab. That’s where he’s buried along with his two sons. His wrong decision meant his family never made it back home. Again in the words of Samuel Cox, “Elimelech lost his life while seeking a livelihood, and found a grave where he had sought a home.”
# 3: Hard Times prepare us for God’s works of grace
Oswald Chambers wrote about the “dance of circumstance,” meaning the hand of God working through seemingly random events. Who raised up the judges? God did and does today. Who sent the famine? God did and does today. Who gave safe passage to Moab? God did and does today. Who decreed the three men of the family should die there? God did and does today. As far as we know, God never spoke directly to Elimelech, yet His Unseen Hand moves behind every event.
Whatever else you may say about your life, don’t ever forget that God oversees the tiniest details. Nothing escapes His notice, and even the most unlikely events are part of His plan for you. Everything happening today to you and those around you is by design.
When their family left Bethlehem, there were four of them, three men and one woman: Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon and Chilion. But now Naomi has buried her three men in the mountains of Moab. When she discusses her situation with Orpah and Ruth, Naomi declares that God has turned his hand against her (Ruth 1:13). Naomi has become bitter.
Message here for us all is that God knows what he is doing even when we don’t have a clue.
So how then is Naomi prepared for a great work of grace? As our text ends, Naomi is still in Moab, far from her home both in distance geographically and separation spiritually. She is coping with the loss of her husband and her sons. She is where she shouldn’t be (in a pagan land), separated from God and from God’s people, facing the consequences of her husband’s unwise and sinful decision. She is an older widow, in the company of two younger widows. This is not a place for her and her daughters-in-laws to be in any sense.
Write this story line in big letters - HOPELESSNESS. Naomi is stuck in Moab, a widow with no hope of ever having another child, with two younger widows by her side, and these two younger women are not Jews but Moabitesses. As far as Naomi reckons, not only does she have no future, but neither do they if they stay with her.
Part of our challenge in reading the book of Ruth is that we end of the story ends. We face the same issue when we read about Joseph in the book of Genesis. How much did Joseph know about the end of the story when his brothers cast him into the pit in Genesis 37? The answer is nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Ask the same question when he is carted off by the Midianites and then sold as a slave to Potiphar. How much did he know about his future when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape? Or when Potiphar had him thrown into jail? Or when the cupbearer promised to remember him but forgot about him while he stayed in the prison? The answer is the same.
We like to repeat, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20), as if it explains all of Joseph’s endurance during hard times. But Joseph had no advance knowledge that he (a Hebrew slave!) would eventually be #2 main man and ruler in Egypt.
When I’m asked, “Does God have a blueprint for my life?” I like to reply, “Yes, but there’s only one copy, and it’s locked up in heaven, and there is no way to get a copy.” We aren’t given advance notice of what tomorrow will bring. That’s true for all of us–rich and poor, young and old, new Christian or mature believer. We all must live life, one day at a time.
NAOMI is a bruised believer, brokenhearted at what she has lost.
Naomi still believes in God, even in a foreign land, cut off from her own people. If she is bitter at the Lord, she has not turned from him. She is a bruised believer, brokenhearted at what was lost. If you and I callously say, “She got what was coming to her,” we only reveal how little we understand God’s heart. He is rich in grace, and his pockets are deep and full of mercy.
God has not given up on Naomi, no matter what she may think about Him. God is molding here character in. the fire for He has big plans that are about to unfold.
Little does she know that one day she will hold a baby in her lap who will be the grandfather of King David. Still less could she imagine that her daughter-in-law Ruth (a Moabite maiden!) will be named in the Lineage of Jesus the Messiah.
Her sadness will be turned to joy, and she will discover that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. But all that is yet to come.
Let’s leave this story right here, and content ourselves with the idea we serve a God who can take the worst and turn it into the best because that’s God and that is who He is. He brings Life from death, light from darkness, healing from brokenness.
God is Jehovah Rapha
Grant God the time to work.
He knows what he is doing even when we haven’t a clue.
Source of initial materials is Keep Believing Ministries.
“When hard times come, be a student, not a victim.”
–A victim says, “Why did this happen to me?”
–A student says, “What can I learn from this?”
–A victim complains he is being treated unfairly.
–A student thanks God he is not being treated as he deserves.
–A victim tries to get even with those who have hurt him.
–A student seeks to serve others in the midst of his difficulty.
–A victim believes the game of life is stacked against him.
–A student believes God is at work even in the worst situations.
Many of us can think of a hundred other comparisons, but the point is clear. We rarely control what happens to us, but we can always choose how we will respond.
Sometimes we will make the wrong choice and pay a heavy price for our mistake. Often, we won’t learn the right lesson until we can look back and see how God was at work in our trials.
We can’t control what happens to us, but
we can always control how we respond.
Something like that happened to a woman named Naomi. You can find her story in the Old Testament book of Ruth. It is a love story that starts with misery and ends with joy. Ruth is an account of anxiety, fear, love, and commitment that inflames the imagination and soothes the soul. It begins with despair and ends with delight.
Along the way we discover “the God who works behind the scenes,” which means the real star of the book is the Lord who works in, though, and sometimes in spite of our decisions.
Go to the book of Ruth, Chapter 1, verse1:
During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to stay in the territory of Moab for a while. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the fields of Moab and settled there. 3 Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 Her sons took Moabite women as their wives: one was named Orpah and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two children and without her husband (Ruth 1:1-5).
In this story we can learn three distinct lessons that will help us navigate hard times
#1: Hard Times can hit at any time
The book of Ruth opens with a note that anchors this story to a particular time and place: “During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land” (v. 1). This means the story took place after Joshua’s death and before Saul became king. When we read the book of Judges, we may be tempted to think it was a godless time, but that would not be correct. We should think of it as a time when every man did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25). As long as the judges ruled, the people served the Lord. But when a judge died, the Jews turned to idolatry. It was a recurring cycle of obedience, disobedience, judgment, suffering, desperation, and returning to the Lord. {sound familiar}
God can ring your phone any time of the day or night to give you the bad news.
In Deuteronomy 28:24 Moses warned the people that if they refused to obey the Lord, God would curse the land: “The Lord will turn the rain of your land into falling dust; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed.” That means the famine in the Promised Land didn’t just happen. It was not a natural disaster. God intended the famine to send a message to His people.
When people ask me, “Do you think God can speak to us today?” I tell them, “You don’t have to worry about that. God has your number on speed dial. He can ring your phone any time of the day or night. And when he calls, you won’t be able to put him on call waiting.” God knows how to get through to any of us at any time.
#2: Hard Times causes us to make Hard Choices
If you are Elimelech, what do you do when a famine impacts your family? The land around Bethlehem was some of the most fertile ground in the Promised Land. A man who worked hard could harvest enough yearly to care for his family. So what do you do when a famine hits? Elimelech took his family and moved to Moab because it was a land of good soil and adequate rainfall. If the famine had not hit that region, perhaps he would stay for a few months or a year or two.
Elimelech was an “Ephrathite. Ephrathah was the old name for Bethlehem. It might imply that he came from a distinguished background, from a family with a long history in the region. It would be like saying, “Here is a man from Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.” That wouldn’t guarantee he had money, but it does suggest something about his background.
“Elimelech lost his life while seeking a livelihood, and found a grave where he had sought a home.”
It appears from the Scriptures that things worked out for a while. Evidently they settled in the “fields of Moab” and found lots to eat. The famine of Bethlehem was now a distant memory. But soon Elimelech dies. We aren’t told why or how, only that he died in Moab, leaving Naomi without a husband and the two boys without a father. Eventually the boys married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. Then suddenly the sons died and were buried in Moab. Just as suddenly ten years had passed. (Has time leaped over your plans today. God has a plan, are you walking in it?)
I read recently about a woman who, knowing she was about to die, wrote her own obituary, which summed up her 69 years this way: “I was born, I blinked, and it was over.” We could all say the same thing for the days are long, but the years are short.
Verse 1 notes that Elimelech intended to emigrate to Moab for “a while,” meaning he never intended to leave forever. This was a temporary move made into foreign territory, chosen under great duress. This was a man’s choice but God was very clear - the Israelites were to have nothing to do with Moabites:
(In Deuteronomy 23:3, 6).No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the Lord’s assembly; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, may ever enter the Lord’s assembly . . . Never pursue their welfare or prosperity as long as you live.
Elimelech probably didn’t mean to leave the Lord by moving to Moab, but it was a reckless and unwise move at best. An ancient foe of Israel, Moab originated from Lot’s incestuous relationship with his daughters (Genesis 19:30-38). Elimelech was leaving the land of blessing to live among pagans on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. He and his family would be exposed to the Moabite religion with its degrading idol worship and its gross sexual perversion. I think Elimelech misunderstood the risks but considered this move a temporary expedient for the sake of his family. His perspective was one sided. His choices were one sided for self not shared with God. Have you been there recently?
Freedom to disobey God always comes with consequences. God gives us that freedom.
Here is the problem in three sentences:
The problem in Israel was not the lack of bread. The problem was the lack of obedience to Jehovah God and His commandments.
This was not the first famine in the land flowing with milk and honey, and it would not be the last. This also was a personal famine on the Word of God
Regardless your good intentions or motives won’t cancel the impact of your bad decisions.
Think about rules for a moment. Did you promise to obey the rules when you got your driver’s license? Yes you did, for the moment. What matters is not whether you like the rules or agree with them; the only question is, will you obey them? You are free to have your own opinion such as when you speed, but you are free to disobey but there are consequences.
Motives matter, but in real life obedience is better than sacrifice.
God who is rich in grace, and has demonstrated great depths of mercy will forgive, but we should never presume upon Him as this is sin.
So you can’t run from your problems because your problems will follow you wherever you go. A change of scenery doesn’t produce a changed heart. Whatever you were before is what you will be and take with you wherever you go next. We all feel the urge to change things when we encounter problems. We want a new spouse or new children or a new job or a new career. We may dream of moving to a new house or into a new neighborhood. If our church doesn’t go the way we like, we want a new pastor. We think if only we could make a fresh start, things would be better. And sometimes that’s true.
But change can be an excuse not to face the problems of life head on. Running away from our trouble rarely makes things better.
Elimelech thought he would go to Moab, stay there for a while, then return home. But there are three graves in Moab. That’s where he’s buried along with his two sons. His wrong decision meant his family never made it back home. Again in the words of Samuel Cox, “Elimelech lost his life while seeking a livelihood, and found a grave where he had sought a home.”
# 3: Hard Times prepare us for God’s works of grace
Oswald Chambers wrote about the “dance of circumstance,” meaning the hand of God working through seemingly random events. Who raised up the judges? God did and does today. Who sent the famine? God did and does today. Who gave safe passage to Moab? God did and does today. Who decreed the three men of the family should die there? God did and does today. As far as we know, God never spoke directly to Elimelech, yet His Unseen Hand moves behind every event.
Whatever else you may say about your life, don’t ever forget that God oversees the tiniest details. Nothing escapes His notice, and even the most unlikely events are part of His plan for you. Everything happening today to you and those around you is by design.
When their family left Bethlehem, there were four of them, three men and one woman: Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon and Chilion. But now Naomi has buried her three men in the mountains of Moab. When she discusses her situation with Orpah and Ruth, Naomi declares that God has turned his hand against her (Ruth 1:13). Naomi has become bitter.
Message here for us all is that God knows what he is doing even when we don’t have a clue.
So how then is Naomi prepared for a great work of grace? As our text ends, Naomi is still in Moab, far from her home both in distance geographically and separation spiritually. She is coping with the loss of her husband and her sons. She is where she shouldn’t be (in a pagan land), separated from God and from God’s people, facing the consequences of her husband’s unwise and sinful decision. She is an older widow, in the company of two younger widows. This is not a place for her and her daughters-in-laws to be in any sense.
Write this story line in big letters - HOPELESSNESS. Naomi is stuck in Moab, a widow with no hope of ever having another child, with two younger widows by her side, and these two younger women are not Jews but Moabitesses. As far as Naomi reckons, not only does she have no future, but neither do they if they stay with her.
Part of our challenge in reading the book of Ruth is that we end of the story ends. We face the same issue when we read about Joseph in the book of Genesis. How much did Joseph know about the end of the story when his brothers cast him into the pit in Genesis 37? The answer is nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Ask the same question when he is carted off by the Midianites and then sold as a slave to Potiphar. How much did he know about his future when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape? Or when Potiphar had him thrown into jail? Or when the cupbearer promised to remember him but forgot about him while he stayed in the prison? The answer is the same.
We like to repeat, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20), as if it explains all of Joseph’s endurance during hard times. But Joseph had no advance knowledge that he (a Hebrew slave!) would eventually be #2 main man and ruler in Egypt.
When I’m asked, “Does God have a blueprint for my life?” I like to reply, “Yes, but there’s only one copy, and it’s locked up in heaven, and there is no way to get a copy.” We aren’t given advance notice of what tomorrow will bring. That’s true for all of us–rich and poor, young and old, new Christian or mature believer. We all must live life, one day at a time.
NAOMI is a bruised believer, brokenhearted at what she has lost.
Naomi still believes in God, even in a foreign land, cut off from her own people. If she is bitter at the Lord, she has not turned from him. She is a bruised believer, brokenhearted at what was lost. If you and I callously say, “She got what was coming to her,” we only reveal how little we understand God’s heart. He is rich in grace, and his pockets are deep and full of mercy.
God has not given up on Naomi, no matter what she may think about Him. God is molding here character in. the fire for He has big plans that are about to unfold.
Little does she know that one day she will hold a baby in her lap who will be the grandfather of King David. Still less could she imagine that her daughter-in-law Ruth (a Moabite maiden!) will be named in the Lineage of Jesus the Messiah.
Her sadness will be turned to joy, and she will discover that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. But all that is yet to come.
Let’s leave this story right here, and content ourselves with the idea we serve a God who can take the worst and turn it into the best because that’s God and that is who He is. He brings Life from death, light from darkness, healing from brokenness.
God is Jehovah Rapha
Grant God the time to work.
He knows what he is doing even when we haven’t a clue.
Source of initial materials is Keep Believing Ministries.
Oct 17
I needed a message of hope today after yesterday. We prayed all week long in the midst of the revival for healing for Debbie Lilly. Well God did answer our prayer, not as we had hoped, but as His will was done with ultimate healing to be at home with the Lord. So as I cried in my heart and spirit for comfort, I believe God had a message for me which just maybe is a message for you today. I don’t know where you are coming from today but in this world and in this time, we need hope from the God of all hope. Not from me for I am unable to do what God does and that is He heals and comforts the human heart where no other salve of balm can reach except the balm of Gilead, that heals the sin sick soul. We need a fresh word from our Lord this day. Now this will not be a long message for we have the Lord’s Supper today. He promises to meet with us there to remember the end of all things is in His capable hands, thank God and not mans.
So for some words of comfort lets go to the book of Romans, Chapter 8. We will read the first 6 verses and then move to the end of the chapter, verses 35 to verse 39. Let’s pray and then read.
Father open our hearts to you truth. Your word is truth and press it upon our hearts and spirits so that we may worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Amen
Now to Romans 8 verse 1 -There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Vs. 1 no condemnation now for those who have been saved in Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and tomorrow. In chapter 7, Paul discusses the stresses of the human condition and the worries of the human heart. If you are truly in Christ you are saved. If not then you have no hope.
Vs. 2 speaks for itself - law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do Jesus Himself did for me, freeing me from death. I had no way to pay the debt of sin so He paid it all, for me and He gives me grace, salvation and ultimately glorification
Vs. 3 the law was unable to save me, because I was unable to keep the law perfectly. If I transgress any of the law I am guilty of it all. It is only because a sinless sacrifice saves me that I am reconciled with God by His Son.
Vs. 4 Jesus did this He fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. His resurrection provides the power of transformation to new life.
Vs. 5 the transformation, actually rebirth has recreated what God wanted for us at the beginning the ability to walk and function as spiritual beings. This was lost in the Garden.
Vs. 6 in this verse we see life versus death. To be carnally minded is ultimately death. to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This is the gift of God for us life and peace, not just for a day but for eternity. This is brought about because of God’s great love for us and for no other reason.
Now we will see the great promises of God in the following verses as we see the grace of God, that while we are in the midst of sin, we have a God who pursues and digs us out of the miry clay and sets us free from the law of sin and death.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? We are God’s children regardless of our condition. In any condition once we are His we cannot be separated from the love of Christ
36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
As servants we need to be willing to do or be whatever God chooses. This is a hard thing. I am His servant. There can be no other way. But there is a wonder and joy to being God’s servant. The current and future benefits are His amazing love now, a transformed life and to be in His presence forever.
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here is the master blaster for you there in Christ’s land - No created thing inclusive of the US Government, China, pestilence, famine, old age, disease, death or any created shall ever be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus your Lord. Talk about the security of the believer for now and forever more
Notice the word separate at the beginning and the end. But it states who shall separate and who shall be able to separate us from what – the love of God. I needed a love letter from God today. A personally addressed, no delays in delivery or interruptions because I just wasn’t sensing it and He came to me with these words. God is amazing.
To complete the idea map this to verse 1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is new life in Christ but we must choose to walk in the Spirit and work to do the same through passionate obedience
I needed a message of hope today after yesterday. We prayed all week long in the midst of the revival for healing for Debbie Lilly. Well God did answer our prayer, not as we had hoped, but as His will was done with ultimate healing to be at home with the Lord. So as I cried in my heart and spirit for comfort, I believe God had a message for me which just maybe is a message for you today. I don’t know where you are coming from today but in this world and in this time, we need hope from the God of all hope. Not from me for I am unable to do what God does and that is He heals and comforts the human heart where no other salve of balm can reach except the balm of Gilead, that heals the sin sick soul. We need a fresh word from our Lord this day. Now this will not be a long message for we have the Lord’s Supper today. He promises to meet with us there to remember the end of all things is in His capable hands, thank God and not mans.
So for some words of comfort lets go to the book of Romans, Chapter 8. We will read the first 6 verses and then move to the end of the chapter, verses 35 to verse 39. Let’s pray and then read.
Father open our hearts to you truth. Your word is truth and press it upon our hearts and spirits so that we may worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Amen
Now to Romans 8 verse 1 -There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Vs. 1 no condemnation now for those who have been saved in Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and tomorrow. In chapter 7, Paul discusses the stresses of the human condition and the worries of the human heart. If you are truly in Christ you are saved. If not then you have no hope.
Vs. 2 speaks for itself - law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do Jesus Himself did for me, freeing me from death. I had no way to pay the debt of sin so He paid it all, for me and He gives me grace, salvation and ultimately glorification
Vs. 3 the law was unable to save me, because I was unable to keep the law perfectly. If I transgress any of the law I am guilty of it all. It is only because a sinless sacrifice saves me that I am reconciled with God by His Son.
Vs. 4 Jesus did this He fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. His resurrection provides the power of transformation to new life.
Vs. 5 the transformation, actually rebirth has recreated what God wanted for us at the beginning the ability to walk and function as spiritual beings. This was lost in the Garden.
Vs. 6 in this verse we see life versus death. To be carnally minded is ultimately death. to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This is the gift of God for us life and peace, not just for a day but for eternity. This is brought about because of God’s great love for us and for no other reason.
Now we will see the great promises of God in the following verses as we see the grace of God, that while we are in the midst of sin, we have a God who pursues and digs us out of the miry clay and sets us free from the law of sin and death.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? We are God’s children regardless of our condition. In any condition once we are His we cannot be separated from the love of Christ
36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
As servants we need to be willing to do or be whatever God chooses. This is a hard thing. I am His servant. There can be no other way. But there is a wonder and joy to being God’s servant. The current and future benefits are His amazing love now, a transformed life and to be in His presence forever.
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here is the master blaster for you there in Christ’s land - No created thing inclusive of the US Government, China, pestilence, famine, old age, disease, death or any created shall ever be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus your Lord. Talk about the security of the believer for now and forever more
Notice the word separate at the beginning and the end. But it states who shall separate and who shall be able to separate us from what – the love of God. I needed a love letter from God today. A personally addressed, no delays in delivery or interruptions because I just wasn’t sensing it and He came to me with these words. God is amazing.
To complete the idea map this to verse 1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is new life in Christ but we must choose to walk in the Spirit and work to do the same through passionate obedience
Oct 10
I needed a message of hope today after yesterday. We prayed all week long in the midst of the revival for healing for Debbie Lilly. Well God did answer our prayer, not as we had hoped, but as His will was done with ultimate healing to be at home with the Lord. So as I cried in my heart and spirit for comfort, I believe God had a message for me which just maybe is a message for you today. I don’t know where you are coming from today but in this world and in this time, we need hope from the God of all hope. Not from me for I am unable to do what God does and that is He heals and comforts the human heart where no other salve of balm can reach except the balm of Gilead, that heals the sin sick soul. We need a fresh word from our Lord this day. Now this will not be a long message for we have the Lord’s Supper today. He promises to meet with us there to remember the end of all things is in His capable hands, thank God and not mans.
So for some words of comfort lets go to the book of Romans, Chapter 8. We will read the first 6 verses and then move to the end of the chapter, verses 35 to verse 39. Let’s pray and then read.
Father open our hearts to you truth. Your word is truth and press it upon our hearts and spirits so that we may worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Amen
Now to Romans 8 verse 1 -There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Vs. 1 no condemnation now for those who have been saved in Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and tomorrow. In chapter 7, Paul discusses the stresses of the human condition and the worries of the human heart. If you are truly in Christ you are saved. If not then you have no hope.
Vs. 2 speaks for itself - law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do Jesus Himself did for me, freeing me from death. I had no way to pay the debt of sin so He paid it all, for me and He gives me grace, salvation and ultimately glorification
Vs. 3 the law was unable to save me, because I was unable to keep the law perfectly. If I transgress any of the law I am guilty of it all. It is only because a sinless sacrifice saves me that I am reconciled with God by His Son.
Vs. 4 Jesus did this He fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. His resurrection provides the power of transformation to new life.
Vs. 5 the transformation, actually rebirth has recreated what God wanted for us at the beginning the ability to walk and function as spiritual beings. This was lost in the Garden.
Vs. 6 in this verse we see life versus death. To be carnally minded is ultimately death. to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This is the gift of God for us life and peace, not just for a day but for eternity. This is brought about because of God’s great love for us and for no other reason.
Now we will see the great promises of God in the following verses as we see the grace of God, that while we are in the midst of sin, we have a God who pursues and digs us out of the miry clay and sets us free from the law of sin and death.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? We are God’s children regardless of our condition. In any condition once we are His we cannot be separated from the love of Christ
36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
As servants we need to be willing to do or be whatever God chooses. This is a hard thing. I am His servant. There can be no other way. But there is a wonder and joy to being God’s servant. The current and future benefits are His amazing love now, a transformed life and to be in His presence forever.
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here is the master blaster for you there in Christ’s land - No created thing inclusive of the US Government, China, pestilence, famine, old age, disease, death or any created shall ever be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus your Lord. Talk about the security of the believer for now and forever more
Notice the word separate at the beginning and the end. But it states who shall separate and who shall be able to separate us from what – the love of God. I needed a love letter from God today. A personally addressed, no delays in delivery or interruptions because I just wasn’t sensing it and He came to me with these words. God is amazing.
To complete the idea map this to verse 1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is new life in Christ but we must choose to walk in the Spirit and work to do the same through passionate obedience.
I needed a message of hope today after yesterday. We prayed all week long in the midst of the revival for healing for Debbie Lilly. Well God did answer our prayer, not as we had hoped, but as His will was done with ultimate healing to be at home with the Lord. So as I cried in my heart and spirit for comfort, I believe God had a message for me which just maybe is a message for you today. I don’t know where you are coming from today but in this world and in this time, we need hope from the God of all hope. Not from me for I am unable to do what God does and that is He heals and comforts the human heart where no other salve of balm can reach except the balm of Gilead, that heals the sin sick soul. We need a fresh word from our Lord this day. Now this will not be a long message for we have the Lord’s Supper today. He promises to meet with us there to remember the end of all things is in His capable hands, thank God and not mans.
So for some words of comfort lets go to the book of Romans, Chapter 8. We will read the first 6 verses and then move to the end of the chapter, verses 35 to verse 39. Let’s pray and then read.
Father open our hearts to you truth. Your word is truth and press it upon our hearts and spirits so that we may worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Amen
Now to Romans 8 verse 1 -There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Vs. 1 no condemnation now for those who have been saved in Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and tomorrow. In chapter 7, Paul discusses the stresses of the human condition and the worries of the human heart. If you are truly in Christ you are saved. If not then you have no hope.
Vs. 2 speaks for itself - law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. What the law could not do Jesus Himself did for me, freeing me from death. I had no way to pay the debt of sin so He paid it all, for me and He gives me grace, salvation and ultimately glorification
Vs. 3 the law was unable to save me, because I was unable to keep the law perfectly. If I transgress any of the law I am guilty of it all. It is only because a sinless sacrifice saves me that I am reconciled with God by His Son.
Vs. 4 Jesus did this He fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. His resurrection provides the power of transformation to new life.
Vs. 5 the transformation, actually rebirth has recreated what God wanted for us at the beginning the ability to walk and function as spiritual beings. This was lost in the Garden.
Vs. 6 in this verse we see life versus death. To be carnally minded is ultimately death. to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This is the gift of God for us life and peace, not just for a day but for eternity. This is brought about because of God’s great love for us and for no other reason.
Now we will see the great promises of God in the following verses as we see the grace of God, that while we are in the midst of sin, we have a God who pursues and digs us out of the miry clay and sets us free from the law of sin and death.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? We are God’s children regardless of our condition. In any condition once we are His we cannot be separated from the love of Christ
36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
As servants we need to be willing to do or be whatever God chooses. This is a hard thing. I am His servant. There can be no other way. But there is a wonder and joy to being God’s servant. The current and future benefits are His amazing love now, a transformed life and to be in His presence forever.
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here is the master blaster for you there in Christ’s land - No created thing inclusive of the US Government, China, pestilence, famine, old age, disease, death or any created shall ever be able to separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus your Lord. Talk about the security of the believer for now and forever more
Notice the word separate at the beginning and the end. But it states who shall separate and who shall be able to separate us from what – the love of God. I needed a love letter from God today. A personally addressed, no delays in delivery or interruptions because I just wasn’t sensing it and He came to me with these words. God is amazing.
To complete the idea map this to verse 1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is new life in Christ but we must choose to walk in the Spirit and work to do the same through passionate obedience.
Sept 19
Is it possible for believers to lose their way in this world today? Whatever you want- sex, drugs, money, power, control over others, ability to lie and deceive freely without having a conscience. There is so much evil loose in the world today the people I grew up with and my mother and day, if I could adequately describe the world we live in today could not comprehend the rupture and spewing of evil and the way people are behaving today. I find it is easy to be discourage when you see evil thriving and multiplying the way it does today.
There is no such this as being a person of your word. A person of integrity who makes a promise and does what he or she promised.
Christians in the military are not being allowed to opt out of Covid shot, they including the marines are putting them is stockades. Look for all opportunities to opt out of these shots or the booster soon to disappear.
Lies appear at the very highest places in our country and the media endorses and covers all the lying
Legislation is being passed which will soon ruin voting and voting integrity, if not judges are overturning all the righteous laws. Our economy is being busted by bad policies. We are angering all our foreign partners so if we get in trouble no one will bother rescuing us. Our Constitution is being shredded by those in power who hate democracy and want to control you. And it is coming faster and faster
So what’s a body to do?
First don’t quit seek to find God and know that He has not quit working. Orient yourself to the word of God and look for those in the Word of God who have experience similar times. There is nothing new under the sun and our God reigns and rules> The heart of the King, including Biden is in the hand of the Lord. Hide God’s word daily in your head and heart- Apart from Jesus you can do how much?- Nothing is the right answer
So I am going to exert Pastors privilege and pre-empt Pastor Ron’s text for Chapter 9 of Daniel. For Daniel was a man just like us who chose to honor God and walk with Him. And because Daniel set his heart to honor God, God honored and used him mightily.
Please turn with me to Daniel Chapter 9 and verse 1: 9 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (Jer. 25:11-12)
3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. (personal preparations to petition God)
4 And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5 we (notice this pronoun, as a priest Daniel, is standing before God petitioning for the people. Just as believers in the NT have the same privilege and opportunity)have sinned and committed iniquity, we have (sin #1) done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. 6 Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets,(sin#2) who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, (compare and contrast God vs man) as it is this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the (sin #3) unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.
8 “O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. (interceding for God’s mercy and forgiveness) 10 We have (sin#4) not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 11 Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law (this is a national sin, and where we are today in America), and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. 12 And He has confirmed His words, (Deut.28) which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.
13 “As it is written in the Law of Moses (Deut 28:15ff), all this disaster (curses) has come upon us; yet we (as a nation) have not made our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth. (calling for national repentance)14 Therefore the Lord has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
Truth in a nutshell is this - Departing from God and His word leads to unbelief (no faith) and then ultimately to disobedience and serving sin – (Deut 30:17) - But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them. Relate unbelief to disobedience and no longer trusting and serving God will ultimately lead to death.
We are not quite done with the story of Daniel from scripture. Remember our theme is - Daniel is beloved by the Lord God Almighty. Some may say how can you say God loved Daniel so much when He marooned Him in an enemy camp, destroyed his home, killed his family members, threw him in a lion’s den, was hated by all of those in Shushan because He worshiped God as a Jew. Kept him there till he was very old and gave Daniel all these difficult tasks? What is the rest of the story {Moral of the story is God’s love is not dependent upon the difficulty of our circumstances. God made Daniel a witness and a testimony to Kings of His supreme power, His wonder working authority, His mercy and His goodness. Daniel was an instrument used by God to lead rulers to His holiness and righteousness; and as a guide and wise leader to His people the Jews.
Now the rest of the story, which will bring us to the key verse- Begin now at verse 18.
18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. (pleading for the mercy of the Lord) 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, 21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, [c]being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.(3pm) 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the [d]command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:
We will stop here. Let’s look at the Angel’s greeting. What a greeting. First point - I started when you began praying, God sent me, His messenger. He didn’t wait. He knew what was on your heart before one word was upon your tongue according to Isaiah 65:24 It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Daniel is called greatly beloved in the Old Testament. Mary is called highly favored one and Jesus is called My beloved Son. You are also loved by God. Remember one of our often-repeated verses is John 3:16 -For God so loved the world.
God sent His Son for you and He paid the penalty for your sin. He gave Himself for you and died for you.
Do not lose your orientation despite the press of current events. God loves you and Jesus said, I will never leave you nor forsake you! (Heb. 13:5)
What else can we learn from Daniel?
Maybe you are nowhere like Daniel but you wannabe. Take 1 step toward the master and He will come to you and aid you. He gave Himself for you and lives in you to aid you.
You must trust and you must obey to grow as a believer, will you?
Is it possible for believers to lose their way in this world today? Whatever you want- sex, drugs, money, power, control over others, ability to lie and deceive freely without having a conscience. There is so much evil loose in the world today the people I grew up with and my mother and day, if I could adequately describe the world we live in today could not comprehend the rupture and spewing of evil and the way people are behaving today. I find it is easy to be discourage when you see evil thriving and multiplying the way it does today.
There is no such this as being a person of your word. A person of integrity who makes a promise and does what he or she promised.
Christians in the military are not being allowed to opt out of Covid shot, they including the marines are putting them is stockades. Look for all opportunities to opt out of these shots or the booster soon to disappear.
Lies appear at the very highest places in our country and the media endorses and covers all the lying
Legislation is being passed which will soon ruin voting and voting integrity, if not judges are overturning all the righteous laws. Our economy is being busted by bad policies. We are angering all our foreign partners so if we get in trouble no one will bother rescuing us. Our Constitution is being shredded by those in power who hate democracy and want to control you. And it is coming faster and faster
So what’s a body to do?
First don’t quit seek to find God and know that He has not quit working. Orient yourself to the word of God and look for those in the Word of God who have experience similar times. There is nothing new under the sun and our God reigns and rules> The heart of the King, including Biden is in the hand of the Lord. Hide God’s word daily in your head and heart- Apart from Jesus you can do how much?- Nothing is the right answer
So I am going to exert Pastors privilege and pre-empt Pastor Ron’s text for Chapter 9 of Daniel. For Daniel was a man just like us who chose to honor God and walk with Him. And because Daniel set his heart to honor God, God honored and used him mightily.
Please turn with me to Daniel Chapter 9 and verse 1: 9 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (Jer. 25:11-12)
3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. (personal preparations to petition God)
4 And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5 we (notice this pronoun, as a priest Daniel, is standing before God petitioning for the people. Just as believers in the NT have the same privilege and opportunity)have sinned and committed iniquity, we have (sin #1) done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. 6 Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets,(sin#2) who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, (compare and contrast God vs man) as it is this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the (sin #3) unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.
8 “O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. (interceding for God’s mercy and forgiveness) 10 We have (sin#4) not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 11 Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law (this is a national sin, and where we are today in America), and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. 12 And He has confirmed His words, (Deut.28) which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.
13 “As it is written in the Law of Moses (Deut 28:15ff), all this disaster (curses) has come upon us; yet we (as a nation) have not made our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth. (calling for national repentance)14 Therefore the Lord has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
Truth in a nutshell is this - Departing from God and His word leads to unbelief (no faith) and then ultimately to disobedience and serving sin – (Deut 30:17) - But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them. Relate unbelief to disobedience and no longer trusting and serving God will ultimately lead to death.
We are not quite done with the story of Daniel from scripture. Remember our theme is - Daniel is beloved by the Lord God Almighty. Some may say how can you say God loved Daniel so much when He marooned Him in an enemy camp, destroyed his home, killed his family members, threw him in a lion’s den, was hated by all of those in Shushan because He worshiped God as a Jew. Kept him there till he was very old and gave Daniel all these difficult tasks? What is the rest of the story {Moral of the story is God’s love is not dependent upon the difficulty of our circumstances. God made Daniel a witness and a testimony to Kings of His supreme power, His wonder working authority, His mercy and His goodness. Daniel was an instrument used by God to lead rulers to His holiness and righteousness; and as a guide and wise leader to His people the Jews.
Now the rest of the story, which will bring us to the key verse- Begin now at verse 18.
18 O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. (pleading for the mercy of the Lord) 19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, 21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, [c]being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.(3pm) 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 At the beginning of your supplications the [d]command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:
We will stop here. Let’s look at the Angel’s greeting. What a greeting. First point - I started when you began praying, God sent me, His messenger. He didn’t wait. He knew what was on your heart before one word was upon your tongue according to Isaiah 65:24 It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Daniel is called greatly beloved in the Old Testament. Mary is called highly favored one and Jesus is called My beloved Son. You are also loved by God. Remember one of our often-repeated verses is John 3:16 -For God so loved the world.
God sent His Son for you and He paid the penalty for your sin. He gave Himself for you and died for you.
Do not lose your orientation despite the press of current events. God loves you and Jesus said, I will never leave you nor forsake you! (Heb. 13:5)
What else can we learn from Daniel?
- He was a man of Integrity
- He was disciplined as a believer
- He studied the Word of God
- He believed and trusted in the promises of God
- He believed in constant prayer
- He was obedient
Maybe you are nowhere like Daniel but you wannabe. Take 1 step toward the master and He will come to you and aid you. He gave Himself for you and lives in you to aid you.
You must trust and you must obey to grow as a believer, will you?
September 12
Ideas have consequences and many have found the consequences costlier in the decisions they made during the last election. Ideas can cause fear and almost choke those who might respond but because of the fear of ostracism and alienation which come with speaking your mind today many have lost the courage of their convictions. Many people today have found out that freedom is costly. Many today have forgotten those brave patriots of many years ago who paid a very dear price for advocating for freedom from the tyrannical rule of the King of England. We are relearning that nothing worth anything is ever free, but dear to those who would fight to preserve it.
This fear combined with deception, and more lies being presented daily for consumption to the general public is creating more fear and uncertainty. Whether it is our cowardly withdrawal, or COVID vaccinations which are now according to the CDC are only shots. Or the election results which are proving more and more that hoaxes were played on the gullible masses, or the destructive economic agenda, the border crisis, schools and language or whatever America is now being deconstructed. The damage is heartrending and accelerating.
Christians have become fearful and are being marginalized and this should not be happening. Yes, I said it should not be happening. Jesus is not just an idea He is God and He is a real person. You and I need to start living the book of Acts. What do you mean living the book of Acts? Well to begin with living in the midst of persecution did not slow them down it sped them up. Yes early Christians called the “way” were the original counterculture being a minority was not an issue they had Jesus. So because we are no longer the dominant emphasis in the good ole USA does not mean we should pack up, put our tail between our legs and go home. You know what the early Christians did when persecuted, in Acts, they prayed for more boldness. They prayed to be counted worthy to suffer as Christ did, enduring persecution, suffering and death. We have a lot to relearn.
A few years back I remember a story from Korean Christians. The Churches in Korea could see with spiritual eyes the weakness in the American churches. We have had it so soft for so many years that the American believers had no drive, no fire, no motivation for salvation for believers, no persistence or perseverance in prayer. Korean churches were so worried they began to do two things. First, they began to prepare to send Missionaries to America for revival, repentance and renewal. Second, they began to pray for America that we would begin to suffer persecution. This was to bring America back to its original heritage and dependence upon God not wealth. They reasoned what was good in America was that pulpits rang with the truth of God’s Word and the people learned and pursued God’s word and practiced the fear of the Lord. There is no fear of the LORD in America today, nor are the churches evangelizing and pealing the bell for righteousness across this land. Why are we not pealing the bell – fear?
So where are you today fearful or embolden? I desire that you be emboldened on the basis of the power in the Word of God.
Turn in your bibles to Colossians Chapter 2 and verse 2
2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [b]both of the Father and of Christ,
{understanding the fulness of salvation marks mature believers who enjoy the assurance of salvation, shared love of Christ in them}the mystery is God incarnate now in them forever.}
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
{false teachers then and now threaten they have hidden wisdom, not true in Christ is all truth, wisdom and life}
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
{Paul wanted none to be deceived}
5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [c]to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
{though absent and a prisoner Paul delighted in their almost military good order and disciple as Christ followers.}
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [d]in it with thanksgiving.
{Spiritual maturity develops from the discipline of daily living and dependence on Christ. Daily we are to follow the Holy Spirit’s teaching and guidance as He applies Jesus truths from the Bible in our circumstances.}
8 Beware lest anyone [e]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
{Here is a clear statement of our daily problem in this world today. What is being taught is meant to rob you of the potential for fulness in Christ and deliver you to the kingdom of Satan not just now but for eternity. This is what you find on MSDNC and the various three letter networks who impose their empty philosophy, lies and deceit in our world today. This is a worldview of death for those who believe and worship at its altar. This type of worldly thinking is from below and initiated by the Prince of the Power of darkness.}
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [f]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all [g]principality and power.
{This is the counter punch to the dependence upon worldly thinking. God knows the truth, Jesus is the Truth and God’s word presents the Truth. The Holy Spirit enables the truth to penetrate our hearts and leads us to the spiritual truth, which requires us to be reborn. And after being reborn, we must continually renew our minds to be transformed in the image of Christ. From Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit the leadership and power of God is displaying in us and we become complete in Him.}
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body [h]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
{Circumcision is the symbol of man’s need to be cleansed in his heart and mind and the outward sign of having faith in God. At the point of salvation, circumcision is the process of transformation from sins of the flesh to faith in God.}
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
{You who were so hopelessly bound by the flesh, the devil and sin have no spiritual life and therefore no ability to recognize your condition or help yourselves have been made alive in Him. Only Jesus Christ has the ability to set the captives free- there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby one can be saved and raised to new life}
14 having wiped out the [i]handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
{all people born under sin owe God an unpayable debt for violating His law and are therefore under the sentence of death eternally. Paul compares God’s forgiveness of believers’ sins to wiping the ink off a piece of parchment. Jesus’ sacrificial death payed it all, all to Him I owe. A crimson payment written in red for all who believe, trust and confess Jesus as Lord.}
15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a [j]festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the [k]substance is of Christ.
{False teachers, liars and false prophets are about to bring many false regulations for diets, health and for other things. Christians are not obligated to believe but test the spirits for evil and falsehoods. Those who walk in mature faith will be able to discern deception and refute the powers of darkness who come against them. Are you walking in the power and authority God has promised you or are you a spiritual baby still unable to discern?
You may know some of the truth but your ignorance of God’s word may not just imperil you but those you love the most. Beware and be obedient today. Amen
Let’s Pray God’s deliverance and mercy upon us today and for our nation. Amen
Ideas have consequences and many have found the consequences costlier in the decisions they made during the last election. Ideas can cause fear and almost choke those who might respond but because of the fear of ostracism and alienation which come with speaking your mind today many have lost the courage of their convictions. Many people today have found out that freedom is costly. Many today have forgotten those brave patriots of many years ago who paid a very dear price for advocating for freedom from the tyrannical rule of the King of England. We are relearning that nothing worth anything is ever free, but dear to those who would fight to preserve it.
This fear combined with deception, and more lies being presented daily for consumption to the general public is creating more fear and uncertainty. Whether it is our cowardly withdrawal, or COVID vaccinations which are now according to the CDC are only shots. Or the election results which are proving more and more that hoaxes were played on the gullible masses, or the destructive economic agenda, the border crisis, schools and language or whatever America is now being deconstructed. The damage is heartrending and accelerating.
Christians have become fearful and are being marginalized and this should not be happening. Yes, I said it should not be happening. Jesus is not just an idea He is God and He is a real person. You and I need to start living the book of Acts. What do you mean living the book of Acts? Well to begin with living in the midst of persecution did not slow them down it sped them up. Yes early Christians called the “way” were the original counterculture being a minority was not an issue they had Jesus. So because we are no longer the dominant emphasis in the good ole USA does not mean we should pack up, put our tail between our legs and go home. You know what the early Christians did when persecuted, in Acts, they prayed for more boldness. They prayed to be counted worthy to suffer as Christ did, enduring persecution, suffering and death. We have a lot to relearn.
A few years back I remember a story from Korean Christians. The Churches in Korea could see with spiritual eyes the weakness in the American churches. We have had it so soft for so many years that the American believers had no drive, no fire, no motivation for salvation for believers, no persistence or perseverance in prayer. Korean churches were so worried they began to do two things. First, they began to prepare to send Missionaries to America for revival, repentance and renewal. Second, they began to pray for America that we would begin to suffer persecution. This was to bring America back to its original heritage and dependence upon God not wealth. They reasoned what was good in America was that pulpits rang with the truth of God’s Word and the people learned and pursued God’s word and practiced the fear of the Lord. There is no fear of the LORD in America today, nor are the churches evangelizing and pealing the bell for righteousness across this land. Why are we not pealing the bell – fear?
So where are you today fearful or embolden? I desire that you be emboldened on the basis of the power in the Word of God.
Turn in your bibles to Colossians Chapter 2 and verse 2
2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [b]both of the Father and of Christ,
{understanding the fulness of salvation marks mature believers who enjoy the assurance of salvation, shared love of Christ in them}the mystery is God incarnate now in them forever.}
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
{false teachers then and now threaten they have hidden wisdom, not true in Christ is all truth, wisdom and life}
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
{Paul wanted none to be deceived}
5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [c]to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
{though absent and a prisoner Paul delighted in their almost military good order and disciple as Christ followers.}
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [d]in it with thanksgiving.
{Spiritual maturity develops from the discipline of daily living and dependence on Christ. Daily we are to follow the Holy Spirit’s teaching and guidance as He applies Jesus truths from the Bible in our circumstances.}
8 Beware lest anyone [e]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
{Here is a clear statement of our daily problem in this world today. What is being taught is meant to rob you of the potential for fulness in Christ and deliver you to the kingdom of Satan not just now but for eternity. This is what you find on MSDNC and the various three letter networks who impose their empty philosophy, lies and deceit in our world today. This is a worldview of death for those who believe and worship at its altar. This type of worldly thinking is from below and initiated by the Prince of the Power of darkness.}
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [f]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all [g]principality and power.
{This is the counter punch to the dependence upon worldly thinking. God knows the truth, Jesus is the Truth and God’s word presents the Truth. The Holy Spirit enables the truth to penetrate our hearts and leads us to the spiritual truth, which requires us to be reborn. And after being reborn, we must continually renew our minds to be transformed in the image of Christ. From Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit the leadership and power of God is displaying in us and we become complete in Him.}
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body [h]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
{Circumcision is the symbol of man’s need to be cleansed in his heart and mind and the outward sign of having faith in God. At the point of salvation, circumcision is the process of transformation from sins of the flesh to faith in God.}
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
{You who were so hopelessly bound by the flesh, the devil and sin have no spiritual life and therefore no ability to recognize your condition or help yourselves have been made alive in Him. Only Jesus Christ has the ability to set the captives free- there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby one can be saved and raised to new life}
14 having wiped out the [i]handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
{all people born under sin owe God an unpayable debt for violating His law and are therefore under the sentence of death eternally. Paul compares God’s forgiveness of believers’ sins to wiping the ink off a piece of parchment. Jesus’ sacrificial death payed it all, all to Him I owe. A crimson payment written in red for all who believe, trust and confess Jesus as Lord.}
15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a [j]festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the [k]substance is of Christ.
{False teachers, liars and false prophets are about to bring many false regulations for diets, health and for other things. Christians are not obligated to believe but test the spirits for evil and falsehoods. Those who walk in mature faith will be able to discern deception and refute the powers of darkness who come against them. Are you walking in the power and authority God has promised you or are you a spiritual baby still unable to discern?
You may know some of the truth but your ignorance of God’s word may not just imperil you but those you love the most. Beware and be obedient today. Amen
Let’s Pray God’s deliverance and mercy upon us today and for our nation. Amen
Sept 5
Today’s theme from verse 17. Galatians Chapter 4, states that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking
The gentiles and many of the Jews In Paul’s day and rejected Christ in the futility of their thinking and hardened their hearts. This is the same in modern day America, in Sept 202; and applies to many regardless of party affiliation in our nation’s capital city. They believe they are above the law and should rule you, you inbetweeners. You unwashed peasants, how dare you believe you are free.
Read with me and think about the words we are reviewing – verse 19 and following:
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
{the gentiles) Look at what is going on in every avenue here. The economy, paying people to not work, free health care, free education and none of it is free. We are killing our grandchildren and ourselves in debt and meanwhile ruining the economy. Open borders, bringing in hundreds of thousands of unvetted aliens placing them in red or republican states and allowing them to have all the privileges of American citizens and you pay the bill. Who will all vote for the other party and permanently ensuring the continuous flow of more benefits and more money. This combined with cheating at the ballot box will ensure one party dominance perpetually.
Paul states the obvious for those who are in Christ in verse 20 and following:
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Now there is whole lot packed in these verses which we are only going to sample today. By the way I need this reminder as much as you do today. So pray Father gives us the heart and the backbone to stand in our weakness. For when we are weak we are strong.
This is what is needed in the churches of America today and we are not talking about buildings but people who sit in the pews, me included. The churches are in desperate need of Ephesians 5:26 26 that He might [a]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
We need to be restored to the purity of holiness and sanctification of our Lord, so that we might walk in His ways.
To do so verses 25 and following have strong recommendations to which we must discipline ourselves:
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. {Quit lying and being deceived by lying}
26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, (don’t remain angry}
27 and do not give the devil a foothold. {keep an open heart with God, confess you sins}
28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, {want to make a regressive red hopping mad insist on working!} doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.{thinking of others as more valuable than yourselves?
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
(this one bit me very recently. Since people are so angry today, it is so easy for hostile people to challenge even being reasonable. It is amazing} Remember you are not invulnerable either.
Verse 30 here is a very important reason to pursue God and for staying right with Him. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. He is your helper, the Spirit of Truth, the Teacher, the paraclete who is one like Christ who walks with you and beside you. He is the promise one just like Jesus who seals you unto the promised day of redemption. You and I need Him desperately to fill us, strengthen us, speak in us and through us to others.
These last two verses 31 and 32 don’t have an answer of how to successfully navigate them until you get to Chapter 5.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Successfully achieving this command requires the help of God Almighty that is why we need to go to Chapter 5 verses 1 and 2.
1Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Knowing the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord gives us the courage to be self-sacrificing and servants for Him.
You will fail if you struggle in the human sense trying your best to achieve these changes only relying on Christ and the infilling of the Holy Spirit will enable us to walk this path with our Savior. Oh how we need thee ever hour we need then. Precious lord my Savior come now and help me and each of these in Jesus name. Amen
Now you see why we need continual renewal in the body and blood of our Lord.
Today’s theme from verse 17. Galatians Chapter 4, states that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking
The gentiles and many of the Jews In Paul’s day and rejected Christ in the futility of their thinking and hardened their hearts. This is the same in modern day America, in Sept 202; and applies to many regardless of party affiliation in our nation’s capital city. They believe they are above the law and should rule you, you inbetweeners. You unwashed peasants, how dare you believe you are free.
Read with me and think about the words we are reviewing – verse 19 and following:
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
{the gentiles) Look at what is going on in every avenue here. The economy, paying people to not work, free health care, free education and none of it is free. We are killing our grandchildren and ourselves in debt and meanwhile ruining the economy. Open borders, bringing in hundreds of thousands of unvetted aliens placing them in red or republican states and allowing them to have all the privileges of American citizens and you pay the bill. Who will all vote for the other party and permanently ensuring the continuous flow of more benefits and more money. This combined with cheating at the ballot box will ensure one party dominance perpetually.
Paul states the obvious for those who are in Christ in verse 20 and following:
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Now there is whole lot packed in these verses which we are only going to sample today. By the way I need this reminder as much as you do today. So pray Father gives us the heart and the backbone to stand in our weakness. For when we are weak we are strong.
- The truth that is in Jesus. John 14:6, Thy word is truth. John 17:17
- Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by deceitful desire
- be made new in the attitude of your minds (Romans 12:2- Be transformed)
- Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 3)
This is what is needed in the churches of America today and we are not talking about buildings but people who sit in the pews, me included. The churches are in desperate need of Ephesians 5:26 26 that He might [a]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
We need to be restored to the purity of holiness and sanctification of our Lord, so that we might walk in His ways.
To do so verses 25 and following have strong recommendations to which we must discipline ourselves:
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. {Quit lying and being deceived by lying}
26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, (don’t remain angry}
27 and do not give the devil a foothold. {keep an open heart with God, confess you sins}
28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, {want to make a regressive red hopping mad insist on working!} doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.{thinking of others as more valuable than yourselves?
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
(this one bit me very recently. Since people are so angry today, it is so easy for hostile people to challenge even being reasonable. It is amazing} Remember you are not invulnerable either.
Verse 30 here is a very important reason to pursue God and for staying right with Him. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. He is your helper, the Spirit of Truth, the Teacher, the paraclete who is one like Christ who walks with you and beside you. He is the promise one just like Jesus who seals you unto the promised day of redemption. You and I need Him desperately to fill us, strengthen us, speak in us and through us to others.
These last two verses 31 and 32 don’t have an answer of how to successfully navigate them until you get to Chapter 5.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Successfully achieving this command requires the help of God Almighty that is why we need to go to Chapter 5 verses 1 and 2.
1Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Knowing the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord gives us the courage to be self-sacrificing and servants for Him.
You will fail if you struggle in the human sense trying your best to achieve these changes only relying on Christ and the infilling of the Holy Spirit will enable us to walk this path with our Savior. Oh how we need thee ever hour we need then. Precious lord my Savior come now and help me and each of these in Jesus name. Amen
Now you see why we need continual renewal in the body and blood of our Lord.
August 29
Premise - Our God, through Jesus Christ said, He would never leave us or forsake us.
Christians in today’s world need to understand and experience the supernatural presence of God, His justice, His mercy and His love. Many people including believers, over react when they hear the word supernatural. It evokes the spooky, crawly terror filled response of the dark, destructive unknown. This is because we have been programmed and fed to respond in such a manner by the media, Hollywood and our own superstitious fear of the unknown.
The word and idea of something being Super-natural is the combination of two ideas. The word super which means to be above, over or outside of something. And the second word is nature or natural, which is the realm of this worlds flora and fauna and expresses something which is seen or understood about the earth.
But God in His very being and existence is the true expression of what it means to be supernatural. His very nature is outside the realm of our experience and His nature. He chooses to interact with His children outside of what you would expect or understand. Do you suppose the encounter of Moses at the burning bush was natural or the calling of Mary by the presence of an Angel was natural? How about when He called you? How about the whale and Jonah? That was definitely something outside what you would expect.
So God has encountered us, called upon us, fellowshipped and provided His Spirit in us and promised to be with us always. All of this has been accomplished by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit supernaturally.
The realm of the supernatural is the realm of the impossible and that is where God operates. For with God all things are possible!
If we study scripture what can we learn about the physical presence and the supernatural presence of God?
God was physically present with Adam and Eve in the Garden- He walked with Adam in the garden in the cool of the evening.
God was physically present with Abraham and Sarah when He made the promise of the future heir coming from His body in the next year.
He was supernaturally present with Joseph throughout the many trials and tribulations of His life from the coat of many colors to the sale into slavery, the falsehood stated by Potiphar’s wife until He became the second most powerful in Egypt and was reconciled to His brothers.
He was present physically with Moses in the Burning Bush and spiritually present throughout the plagues in Egypt to the crossing at the Red Sea; including struggling against unbelief in the desert, and the resultant punishment of 40 years in the wilderness before leading to the promised land.
God was physically present with Joshua as he did his recon of Jerico and met the Commander of the Lord’s armies.
And on it goes through David, the prophets such as Isaac, Jeremiah, Daniel to Malachi. He was both present spiritually and physically to others.
In the New Testament then we come face to face with the person and physical presence of God in the incarnation – God in man in Jesus. We see Jesus interacting with temple leaders, the Jews, Gentiles and the dregs of society. Then in the
Gospel of John in chapter 16, Jesus embarks on preparing the disciples for the loss of His physical presence. Jesus who met with and led them day-by-day but now is preparing for His departure to return to His Father in Heaven.
Here in John chapter 16:7 the disciples are bemoaning His going away and He says, He is going to send “one just like Me.” He, the paraclete, the one just like Jesus, “will assist you in every way just like Me.” So Jesus then and after the crucifixion, His burial, and His resurrection will walk with us supernaturally by the presence of His Holy Spirit. He the Spirit of Truth will lead and guide you just like Jesus did. He will comfort, guide, lead, assist us in praying when we are not able. He will convict the believer of sin, righteousness and reveal things to come.
The book of Acts which is called the Acts of the Apostles is in actuality the acts of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts is the activity of the Apostles in obedience to the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit in executing the will and command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the experience of the believers in completing the great commission. Jesus’ command is to go into the world and witness to others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For you and I today then the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit is present in us just as He was throughout the entire workings of Paul, Barnabas, Thomas, John and Peter as they spread the gospel throughout the known world. Which is the story of the book of Act and the various letters to the churches in the new testament.
These books reflect and witness to the working of the Holy Spirit and God supernaturally throughout time and eternity. He is working in your life today if you will simply ask
Premise - Our God, through Jesus Christ said, He would never leave us or forsake us.
Christians in today’s world need to understand and experience the supernatural presence of God, His justice, His mercy and His love. Many people including believers, over react when they hear the word supernatural. It evokes the spooky, crawly terror filled response of the dark, destructive unknown. This is because we have been programmed and fed to respond in such a manner by the media, Hollywood and our own superstitious fear of the unknown.
The word and idea of something being Super-natural is the combination of two ideas. The word super which means to be above, over or outside of something. And the second word is nature or natural, which is the realm of this worlds flora and fauna and expresses something which is seen or understood about the earth.
But God in His very being and existence is the true expression of what it means to be supernatural. His very nature is outside the realm of our experience and His nature. He chooses to interact with His children outside of what you would expect or understand. Do you suppose the encounter of Moses at the burning bush was natural or the calling of Mary by the presence of an Angel was natural? How about when He called you? How about the whale and Jonah? That was definitely something outside what you would expect.
So God has encountered us, called upon us, fellowshipped and provided His Spirit in us and promised to be with us always. All of this has been accomplished by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit supernaturally.
The realm of the supernatural is the realm of the impossible and that is where God operates. For with God all things are possible!
If we study scripture what can we learn about the physical presence and the supernatural presence of God?
God was physically present with Adam and Eve in the Garden- He walked with Adam in the garden in the cool of the evening.
God was physically present with Abraham and Sarah when He made the promise of the future heir coming from His body in the next year.
He was supernaturally present with Joseph throughout the many trials and tribulations of His life from the coat of many colors to the sale into slavery, the falsehood stated by Potiphar’s wife until He became the second most powerful in Egypt and was reconciled to His brothers.
He was present physically with Moses in the Burning Bush and spiritually present throughout the plagues in Egypt to the crossing at the Red Sea; including struggling against unbelief in the desert, and the resultant punishment of 40 years in the wilderness before leading to the promised land.
God was physically present with Joshua as he did his recon of Jerico and met the Commander of the Lord’s armies.
And on it goes through David, the prophets such as Isaac, Jeremiah, Daniel to Malachi. He was both present spiritually and physically to others.
In the New Testament then we come face to face with the person and physical presence of God in the incarnation – God in man in Jesus. We see Jesus interacting with temple leaders, the Jews, Gentiles and the dregs of society. Then in the
Gospel of John in chapter 16, Jesus embarks on preparing the disciples for the loss of His physical presence. Jesus who met with and led them day-by-day but now is preparing for His departure to return to His Father in Heaven.
Here in John chapter 16:7 the disciples are bemoaning His going away and He says, He is going to send “one just like Me.” He, the paraclete, the one just like Jesus, “will assist you in every way just like Me.” So Jesus then and after the crucifixion, His burial, and His resurrection will walk with us supernaturally by the presence of His Holy Spirit. He the Spirit of Truth will lead and guide you just like Jesus did. He will comfort, guide, lead, assist us in praying when we are not able. He will convict the believer of sin, righteousness and reveal things to come.
The book of Acts which is called the Acts of the Apostles is in actuality the acts of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts is the activity of the Apostles in obedience to the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit in executing the will and command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the experience of the believers in completing the great commission. Jesus’ command is to go into the world and witness to others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For you and I today then the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit is present in us just as He was throughout the entire workings of Paul, Barnabas, Thomas, John and Peter as they spread the gospel throughout the known world. Which is the story of the book of Act and the various letters to the churches in the new testament.
These books reflect and witness to the working of the Holy Spirit and God supernaturally throughout time and eternity. He is working in your life today if you will simply ask
Aug 22
Lamentations 3:20 My soul still remembers And [h]sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
Introduction: This is a great passage, because it deals with one of life’s most pressing questions. As a Christian, how do you deal with sorrow? How do you cope with suffering and loss? How do you handle the emotions that accompany the difficulties you are experiencing? How should our response as Christians be different from the response of those who do not believe in or want to know the Lord?
I believe they should be and I believe that these passage in Lamentations teaches us valuable truths about dealing with loss and sorrow and experiencing the faithfulness and mercy of God. (Read Lamentations 3:19-27 and let’s pray.)
The book of Lamentations contains a series of laments concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. The author, most likely Jeremiah, speaks for the nation of Israel. Throughout the book the prophet details the many losses that the Israelites suffered in the destruction of the city. He writes of the unspeakable horrors of starvation and cruelty to the people suffered in the siege leading up to the capture of the city.
Once the Babylonians took the city, they ruthlessly killed many of the people. They took the strongest and best of the survivors and marched them off as slaves into exile. They ransacked the temple; they broke down the city walls; they left the streets and houses in ruins. Everything was stripped away, and the Israelites suffered immense loss. What was even worse, the Israelites had brought all this on themselves. Sounds like what we have done in Afghanistan and what the communist progressives are trying like crazy to implement in America. This is how critical race theory will eventually play out in America if we allow it to happen. You and I must speak out against this darkness. Let’s not miss our moment!
So the Israelites and we in America have rebelled against God and defied his commands. We and they are responsible for the losses they suffered because of our sin and rebellion. America is no different and that is why God is humbling us, until we return to Him. Think on the Philistines.
The book of Lamentations was written in the aftermath of this sin and resulting incredible sorrow and loss.
So what are we to do when we are faced with sinful sorrow, regret and loss in our lives? How do you keep from sinking down under its depressing weight?
How do you keep the sorrow and troubles of the past from poisoning the present and obscuring the future? How do you find any hope to carry on? I believe we will only find that true remedy in the Word of God, the Bible. Let’s check Lamentations now.
Begin with verses 19 to 21. In these verses we find Jeremiah remembering all the sorrows that Israel had recently experienced. And the more he dwells on these sorrows, the more sorrowful he becomes. That leads us to the first truth - Dwelling on your sorrow will only increase your sorrow, frustration and discouragement.
How does it increase your sorrow? First of all, dwelling on your sorrow poisons your life with a root of bitterness. Look at verse 19: “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.” The writer remembers. He is dealing with memories. And he uses four words to describe those memories: affliction, wandering, bitterness and gall. You keep recycling your memories, guilt and shame and it causes bitterness, gall,etc.
Dwelling on your sorrow will also lead you to depression and despair. Check verse 20. As he dwells on all these bitter memories, the author writes: “I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.” This phrase “I well remember them” is unique in the Hebrew. It’s actually the word “remember” used twice – “I remember remember them.” Some of us are so good at remembering the negatives in our lives, we don’t just remember them; we relive them! This comes to dominate our thoughts. And when you twice remember your troubles, when you dwell on the sorrows in your life, that will become depressed.
We see this at the end of verse 20: “My soul is downcast within me.”
Because of bitterness and depression and all this, dwelling on your sorrows You cannot experience hope.
You can’t look up by looking down.
You can’t find hope by dwelling on your troubles. Hope is the exact opposite of despair. So to find hope there must be a turning point. This occurs in and that’s verse 21. The author writes: “Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.”
So what does the author call to mind?
A. God is faithful in his great love for you. (22-24)
1) God’s compassions never fail.
God is faithful in his great love for you. Look at verse 22. “It is because of the Lord’s great love that we are not consumed.” The word “love” here is a word which is used for God’s covenant love and loyalty to his people. It could even be translated “God’s faithful love.”
You pick that up in some translations which speak here of God’s “mercies.” It’s the same word used in the plural in Psalm 89:1 – “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.” It’s as if the word “love” in the singular is not enough to describe God’s great love for us. God’s love is so great it has to be in the plural. All of God, 3 in 1 loves you greatly.
That word consumed means “to be absolutely finished, to be at the end.” Ever been there? Ever felt like you were at the end of your rope? The end of the road? The end of everything, like you’ve got nothing left to give? That’s what the word “consumed” means. But verse 22 says that because of God’s great love you are not consumed, you are not finished, you are not at the end.
v.22 “for his compassions never fail.” The word “compassion” is a beautiful word in the Hebrew. In Hebrew it is literally the word “womb.” And so verse 22 speaks of God’s love towards us in terms of the tender, compassionate love that a mother has for her child that she carries in the womb. This is part of the breathtaking beauty of our God: his power, his might, his strength, his stern and absolute justice, and yet at the same time his tender and compassionate love for his children. Notice that this word is also used in the plural – “his compassions” – to emphasize further God’s wonderful, tender compassion and mercies.
“His compassions never fail.”
The phrase “never fail” is very powerful and has a similar meaning to the here. It signifies “to be finished, to be completed, and at an end.” So when you combine all the contexts and meanings of verse 22 united as one, it teaches us a precious truth. You may feel like you are at your end, but God is not finished. You shouldn’t say, “I’m done, I quit!” because God is never finished, and God will never quit until you are complete in His Son. He never fails, He will prevail, because His compassions never fail. Because of Him therefore you have hope. Praise the Lord!
2) God’s compassions are new every morning. (23)
God’s compassions never fail and are renewed daily. Verse 23 says, “They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness!” God’s compassions and mercies are fresh and new every morning. God never serves leftovers. His compassion never grows tired or stale. He provides fresh, new, tender love and compassion each day. God’s love is sure as the sunrise and is a sign of His faithfulness and grace.
The seasons of the year testify to God’s “great and continued faithfulness, mercy and love.” It’s like that hymn we often sing: “summer and winter, springtime and harvest,” all testify to God’s faithfulness. The renewal of the promise of each new day is a reminder of God’s faithful love: God’s compassions never fail; they are new every morning. Remember the promise of the rainbow, which has been stolen by evil men and women. God’s rainbow is the promise of continuance until He comes in final judgement. He will never again destroy the earth by a flood.
3) Do as you are told in v.24, make God your portion.
Because of God’s faithful love, the writer says here: “I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’” What is your portion? It is whatever you are waiting for. So, let me ask, what are you waiting for today? Are you waiting for a windfall? An inheritance? A change in circumstances? Whatever is causing your sorrow to go away? Or are you waiting upon the Lord? Your portion as a believer in Christ in His person. That should be your soul’s desire and your portion. Jesus Christ and the Father never fail. Their promises are new every morning. He is the Covenant keeper and He is faith
B. God is faithful in his goodness to you. (25-27)
Verses 25-27 in the original Hebrew all begin with the same word – the word “good.” And so there are three ways God is faithful in his goodness to you.
1) Learn to trust God’s character. (25)
First of all, learn to trust God’s character. v. 25: “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” God is good through and through. Thomas Brooks, a Puritan author put it this way: “God, in that He is good, can give nothing, nor do nothing, but that which is good.” Learn to trust God’s character, even when things don’t seem to be going according to your plans.
Why? Because God is good! All the time! It can be no other way. Learn to trust God’s character. “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
2) Learn to trust God’s timing. (26)
Secondly, learn to trust God’s timing. We see this in verse 26: “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” The word “salvation” here is a word that can mean “salvation or deliverance.” It often refers to salvation from sin, but it can also mean deliverance from anything – from sickness, from your enemies, or from whatever may be causing you sorrow or grief.
We need to learn to trust God’s timing. God’s timing is always good. God is never early, never late, always on time. But I’ve got to tell you, I sometimes find myself asking him, “Lord, couldn’t you be early just once in a while?” Learn to trust God’s timing instead of yours. “
3) Learn to trust God’s discipline. (27)
Learn to trust God’s character, His timing, and finally, learn to trust His discipline. Look at verse 27: “It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.” To bear the yoke is to learn to submit to God even in the hard times. God uses the difficult times in your life for good to build character and to impart discipline in you.
Don’t think of discipline as punishment for sin. Discipline is God’s training. The book of Hebrews says that chastisement or discipline is one of God’s proofs you are his child.
Do you see the word “man” in verse 27? It’s not the usual word for man in Hebrew. This specific word means “a strong or a mighty man or woman, a warrior.” How do you become a strong warrior for the Lord? You have to bear the yoke and take up your cross and follow Him.
Don’t fight God during the hard times.
Learn to trust God’s character. Learn to trust God’s timing. Learn to trust God’s discipline.
What do these verses teach us this day? Dwelling on your difficulties only increases your sorrow. But focusing on God brings hope.
Allow me to encourage you this morning: choose to remember God’s faithfulness.
– God is faithful in his great love for you: his compassions never fail; they are new every morning.
– God is faithful in his goodness to you: learn to trust his character, his timing and his discipline in your life.
Lamentations 3:20 My soul still remembers And [h]sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.
Introduction: This is a great passage, because it deals with one of life’s most pressing questions. As a Christian, how do you deal with sorrow? How do you cope with suffering and loss? How do you handle the emotions that accompany the difficulties you are experiencing? How should our response as Christians be different from the response of those who do not believe in or want to know the Lord?
I believe they should be and I believe that these passage in Lamentations teaches us valuable truths about dealing with loss and sorrow and experiencing the faithfulness and mercy of God. (Read Lamentations 3:19-27 and let’s pray.)
The book of Lamentations contains a series of laments concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. The author, most likely Jeremiah, speaks for the nation of Israel. Throughout the book the prophet details the many losses that the Israelites suffered in the destruction of the city. He writes of the unspeakable horrors of starvation and cruelty to the people suffered in the siege leading up to the capture of the city.
Once the Babylonians took the city, they ruthlessly killed many of the people. They took the strongest and best of the survivors and marched them off as slaves into exile. They ransacked the temple; they broke down the city walls; they left the streets and houses in ruins. Everything was stripped away, and the Israelites suffered immense loss. What was even worse, the Israelites had brought all this on themselves. Sounds like what we have done in Afghanistan and what the communist progressives are trying like crazy to implement in America. This is how critical race theory will eventually play out in America if we allow it to happen. You and I must speak out against this darkness. Let’s not miss our moment!
So the Israelites and we in America have rebelled against God and defied his commands. We and they are responsible for the losses they suffered because of our sin and rebellion. America is no different and that is why God is humbling us, until we return to Him. Think on the Philistines.
The book of Lamentations was written in the aftermath of this sin and resulting incredible sorrow and loss.
So what are we to do when we are faced with sinful sorrow, regret and loss in our lives? How do you keep from sinking down under its depressing weight?
How do you keep the sorrow and troubles of the past from poisoning the present and obscuring the future? How do you find any hope to carry on? I believe we will only find that true remedy in the Word of God, the Bible. Let’s check Lamentations now.
Begin with verses 19 to 21. In these verses we find Jeremiah remembering all the sorrows that Israel had recently experienced. And the more he dwells on these sorrows, the more sorrowful he becomes. That leads us to the first truth - Dwelling on your sorrow will only increase your sorrow, frustration and discouragement.
How does it increase your sorrow? First of all, dwelling on your sorrow poisons your life with a root of bitterness. Look at verse 19: “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.” The writer remembers. He is dealing with memories. And he uses four words to describe those memories: affliction, wandering, bitterness and gall. You keep recycling your memories, guilt and shame and it causes bitterness, gall,etc.
Dwelling on your sorrow will also lead you to depression and despair. Check verse 20. As he dwells on all these bitter memories, the author writes: “I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.” This phrase “I well remember them” is unique in the Hebrew. It’s actually the word “remember” used twice – “I remember remember them.” Some of us are so good at remembering the negatives in our lives, we don’t just remember them; we relive them! This comes to dominate our thoughts. And when you twice remember your troubles, when you dwell on the sorrows in your life, that will become depressed.
We see this at the end of verse 20: “My soul is downcast within me.”
Because of bitterness and depression and all this, dwelling on your sorrows You cannot experience hope.
You can’t look up by looking down.
You can’t find hope by dwelling on your troubles. Hope is the exact opposite of despair. So to find hope there must be a turning point. This occurs in and that’s verse 21. The author writes: “Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.”
So what does the author call to mind?
A. God is faithful in his great love for you. (22-24)
1) God’s compassions never fail.
God is faithful in his great love for you. Look at verse 22. “It is because of the Lord’s great love that we are not consumed.” The word “love” here is a word which is used for God’s covenant love and loyalty to his people. It could even be translated “God’s faithful love.”
You pick that up in some translations which speak here of God’s “mercies.” It’s the same word used in the plural in Psalm 89:1 – “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.” It’s as if the word “love” in the singular is not enough to describe God’s great love for us. God’s love is so great it has to be in the plural. All of God, 3 in 1 loves you greatly.
That word consumed means “to be absolutely finished, to be at the end.” Ever been there? Ever felt like you were at the end of your rope? The end of the road? The end of everything, like you’ve got nothing left to give? That’s what the word “consumed” means. But verse 22 says that because of God’s great love you are not consumed, you are not finished, you are not at the end.
v.22 “for his compassions never fail.” The word “compassion” is a beautiful word in the Hebrew. In Hebrew it is literally the word “womb.” And so verse 22 speaks of God’s love towards us in terms of the tender, compassionate love that a mother has for her child that she carries in the womb. This is part of the breathtaking beauty of our God: his power, his might, his strength, his stern and absolute justice, and yet at the same time his tender and compassionate love for his children. Notice that this word is also used in the plural – “his compassions” – to emphasize further God’s wonderful, tender compassion and mercies.
“His compassions never fail.”
The phrase “never fail” is very powerful and has a similar meaning to the here. It signifies “to be finished, to be completed, and at an end.” So when you combine all the contexts and meanings of verse 22 united as one, it teaches us a precious truth. You may feel like you are at your end, but God is not finished. You shouldn’t say, “I’m done, I quit!” because God is never finished, and God will never quit until you are complete in His Son. He never fails, He will prevail, because His compassions never fail. Because of Him therefore you have hope. Praise the Lord!
2) God’s compassions are new every morning. (23)
God’s compassions never fail and are renewed daily. Verse 23 says, “They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness!” God’s compassions and mercies are fresh and new every morning. God never serves leftovers. His compassion never grows tired or stale. He provides fresh, new, tender love and compassion each day. God’s love is sure as the sunrise and is a sign of His faithfulness and grace.
The seasons of the year testify to God’s “great and continued faithfulness, mercy and love.” It’s like that hymn we often sing: “summer and winter, springtime and harvest,” all testify to God’s faithfulness. The renewal of the promise of each new day is a reminder of God’s faithful love: God’s compassions never fail; they are new every morning. Remember the promise of the rainbow, which has been stolen by evil men and women. God’s rainbow is the promise of continuance until He comes in final judgement. He will never again destroy the earth by a flood.
3) Do as you are told in v.24, make God your portion.
Because of God’s faithful love, the writer says here: “I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’” What is your portion? It is whatever you are waiting for. So, let me ask, what are you waiting for today? Are you waiting for a windfall? An inheritance? A change in circumstances? Whatever is causing your sorrow to go away? Or are you waiting upon the Lord? Your portion as a believer in Christ in His person. That should be your soul’s desire and your portion. Jesus Christ and the Father never fail. Their promises are new every morning. He is the Covenant keeper and He is faith
B. God is faithful in his goodness to you. (25-27)
Verses 25-27 in the original Hebrew all begin with the same word – the word “good.” And so there are three ways God is faithful in his goodness to you.
1) Learn to trust God’s character. (25)
First of all, learn to trust God’s character. v. 25: “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” God is good through and through. Thomas Brooks, a Puritan author put it this way: “God, in that He is good, can give nothing, nor do nothing, but that which is good.” Learn to trust God’s character, even when things don’t seem to be going according to your plans.
Why? Because God is good! All the time! It can be no other way. Learn to trust God’s character. “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
2) Learn to trust God’s timing. (26)
Secondly, learn to trust God’s timing. We see this in verse 26: “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” The word “salvation” here is a word that can mean “salvation or deliverance.” It often refers to salvation from sin, but it can also mean deliverance from anything – from sickness, from your enemies, or from whatever may be causing you sorrow or grief.
We need to learn to trust God’s timing. God’s timing is always good. God is never early, never late, always on time. But I’ve got to tell you, I sometimes find myself asking him, “Lord, couldn’t you be early just once in a while?” Learn to trust God’s timing instead of yours. “
3) Learn to trust God’s discipline. (27)
Learn to trust God’s character, His timing, and finally, learn to trust His discipline. Look at verse 27: “It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.” To bear the yoke is to learn to submit to God even in the hard times. God uses the difficult times in your life for good to build character and to impart discipline in you.
Don’t think of discipline as punishment for sin. Discipline is God’s training. The book of Hebrews says that chastisement or discipline is one of God’s proofs you are his child.
Do you see the word “man” in verse 27? It’s not the usual word for man in Hebrew. This specific word means “a strong or a mighty man or woman, a warrior.” How do you become a strong warrior for the Lord? You have to bear the yoke and take up your cross and follow Him.
Don’t fight God during the hard times.
Learn to trust God’s character. Learn to trust God’s timing. Learn to trust God’s discipline.
What do these verses teach us this day? Dwelling on your difficulties only increases your sorrow. But focusing on God brings hope.
Allow me to encourage you this morning: choose to remember God’s faithfulness.
– God is faithful in his great love for you: his compassions never fail; they are new every morning.
– God is faithful in his goodness to you: learn to trust his character, his timing and his discipline in your life.
Aug 1
Adonai is one of the names of God. In most English translations of the Bible it is translated as "Lord" with lower case letters, whereas the name. Adonai is a form of the word adon, which comes from a root word meaning "to rule." So adon means "lord or master." Adon was used for governing authorities such as kings (Daniel 1:10). It was used for military commanders (2 Kings 5:1), teachers or mentors (2 Kings 6:5), and even oldest brothers (Genesis 32:4). And, it was also used for employers and owners of servants and slaves (Genesis 24:65).
Adonai is a form of adon that is both plural and possessive. Since Adonai uses singular pronouns when it refers to God, we know that God is one master, not many. So rather than showing plurality of the Godhead, this plural ending is a Hebrew device used to emphasize intensity. In other words, using the plural ending conveys that God is a "very great lord master."
The possessive ending personalizes our relationship. So God is not merely "our very great lord master"—He is "MY very great lord master." It is a relationship that is personal, ongoing, and two-sided. He is my master and I am His servant. Masters had a responsibility to protect, provide for, and promote their servants to earned positions of authority. Jewish servants were considered members of their masters' households. According to Paul we are all slaves. The unsaved are slaves to sin and the redeemed are slaves to righteousness in Christ. {Romans 6-15-20}.
So since we are those who are slaves to our Master Adonai who is God and who is Christ. Maybe we should understand how to behave, honor, glorify and have faith in our Master as we begin even now living in His household of the Family of God. We should be growing in righteousness, holiness, wisdom and truth as we walk in the Spirit. So perhaps we need to bone up on why it is essential to study the Word of God and know what He says.
So the focus of our lesson today is on the Bible. But to begin with the Bible is a human word. It tends to ignore the significance of what the book represents. I believe we should more correctly refer to this book as the Word of God, depending of course on the translation. Some versions are paraphrases and are not literal translations of God’s words so we need to be careful.
Then what do we mean by the word, word in your bible’s concordance here are some of the references you will find – 937 returns but let’s concentrate on a few. If you look up Psalm 119 11Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Refers to this book and our response to what we hear. Then in John1:1 we see a reference to the Eternal Word-
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Further in John 1, we have a reference to the Word becoming flesh – 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
So the Word also references itself as Jesus ,who is God and as presented to us by the Father as “This is My beloved Son.” With the admonition to “Hear Him.”
So perhaps we should pay attention. Since Jesus is the express image of the Father and He is Word made flesh and this is His book, do you think there might be a message to which we should be attuned?
So what is the Bible or as we should choose to revere it as the Word of God.
So we say This Word is the inspired, inerrant, infallible and holy word of God. How can we say that?
2 Tim 3:16-17 - 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Now I give you the entire relevant scripture as we will refer to it later but for the moment look at just this first phrase - 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
Now turn to 2nd Peter 1:20-21 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private [j]interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [k]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
You want to know what inspired by God means well here it is in 2nd Peter verse 1. God used men to write this book but make no mistake, God’s hand led each of the writers to produce this book.
God over a period of 1600 yrs. He used 40 kings, prophets, leaders, and followers of Jesus in the writing. 37 books are in the Old Testament and 29 are in the New Testament. The Word of God was written mainly in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The Word of God has been translated today into 2, 883 languages. We have manuscripts available to check the accuracy of the written text from as early as 250 AD for the NT and as far in the past on Stone for portions of the OT from 1500 BC. Jesus is mentioned in every book, indirectly in Ester as God’s name is not mentioned but God’s sovereign hand preserves the Jews.
Last point for today is the Word is living. This is from Hebrews, Chapter 4, verses 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Do you understand this truth?
Not much more to add except that anyone who says the Word of God, is not relevant for today, does not have the Holy Spirit in their life. For if they did they would understand the living word speaks because God uses it to speak to us .
So I challenge you today are you listening and in turn praying back to the Father using to the Word of God? Remember to get a word you should immerse yourself, search and seek in His Word, before He will give you a word. There is no pat formula for seeking God.
What kind of a student of the Word are you? May God increase our desire to study and show ourselves approved as we use His word for knowing doctrine, for reproof or correction when we are in error; or for our continued growth and instruction in righteousness. May we Lord be your men and women who are complete in Your book, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Amen
Adonai is one of the names of God. In most English translations of the Bible it is translated as "Lord" with lower case letters, whereas the name. Adonai is a form of the word adon, which comes from a root word meaning "to rule." So adon means "lord or master." Adon was used for governing authorities such as kings (Daniel 1:10). It was used for military commanders (2 Kings 5:1), teachers or mentors (2 Kings 6:5), and even oldest brothers (Genesis 32:4). And, it was also used for employers and owners of servants and slaves (Genesis 24:65).
Adonai is a form of adon that is both plural and possessive. Since Adonai uses singular pronouns when it refers to God, we know that God is one master, not many. So rather than showing plurality of the Godhead, this plural ending is a Hebrew device used to emphasize intensity. In other words, using the plural ending conveys that God is a "very great lord master."
The possessive ending personalizes our relationship. So God is not merely "our very great lord master"—He is "MY very great lord master." It is a relationship that is personal, ongoing, and two-sided. He is my master and I am His servant. Masters had a responsibility to protect, provide for, and promote their servants to earned positions of authority. Jewish servants were considered members of their masters' households. According to Paul we are all slaves. The unsaved are slaves to sin and the redeemed are slaves to righteousness in Christ. {Romans 6-15-20}.
So since we are those who are slaves to our Master Adonai who is God and who is Christ. Maybe we should understand how to behave, honor, glorify and have faith in our Master as we begin even now living in His household of the Family of God. We should be growing in righteousness, holiness, wisdom and truth as we walk in the Spirit. So perhaps we need to bone up on why it is essential to study the Word of God and know what He says.
So the focus of our lesson today is on the Bible. But to begin with the Bible is a human word. It tends to ignore the significance of what the book represents. I believe we should more correctly refer to this book as the Word of God, depending of course on the translation. Some versions are paraphrases and are not literal translations of God’s words so we need to be careful.
Then what do we mean by the word, word in your bible’s concordance here are some of the references you will find – 937 returns but let’s concentrate on a few. If you look up Psalm 119 11Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Refers to this book and our response to what we hear. Then in John1:1 we see a reference to the Eternal Word-
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Further in John 1, we have a reference to the Word becoming flesh – 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
So the Word also references itself as Jesus ,who is God and as presented to us by the Father as “This is My beloved Son.” With the admonition to “Hear Him.”
So perhaps we should pay attention. Since Jesus is the express image of the Father and He is Word made flesh and this is His book, do you think there might be a message to which we should be attuned?
So what is the Bible or as we should choose to revere it as the Word of God.
So we say This Word is the inspired, inerrant, infallible and holy word of God. How can we say that?
2 Tim 3:16-17 - 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Now I give you the entire relevant scripture as we will refer to it later but for the moment look at just this first phrase - 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
Now turn to 2nd Peter 1:20-21 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private [j]interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [k]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
You want to know what inspired by God means well here it is in 2nd Peter verse 1. God used men to write this book but make no mistake, God’s hand led each of the writers to produce this book.
God over a period of 1600 yrs. He used 40 kings, prophets, leaders, and followers of Jesus in the writing. 37 books are in the Old Testament and 29 are in the New Testament. The Word of God was written mainly in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The Word of God has been translated today into 2, 883 languages. We have manuscripts available to check the accuracy of the written text from as early as 250 AD for the NT and as far in the past on Stone for portions of the OT from 1500 BC. Jesus is mentioned in every book, indirectly in Ester as God’s name is not mentioned but God’s sovereign hand preserves the Jews.
Last point for today is the Word is living. This is from Hebrews, Chapter 4, verses 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Do you understand this truth?
Not much more to add except that anyone who says the Word of God, is not relevant for today, does not have the Holy Spirit in their life. For if they did they would understand the living word speaks because God uses it to speak to us .
So I challenge you today are you listening and in turn praying back to the Father using to the Word of God? Remember to get a word you should immerse yourself, search and seek in His Word, before He will give you a word. There is no pat formula for seeking God.
What kind of a student of the Word are you? May God increase our desire to study and show ourselves approved as we use His word for knowing doctrine, for reproof or correction when we are in error; or for our continued growth and instruction in righteousness. May we Lord be your men and women who are complete in Your book, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Amen
July 25
Verse 1:
What this dying world could use is a willing Man of God
Who dares to go against the grain and works without applause;
A man who'll raise the shield of Faith, protecting what is pure;
Whose love is tough and gentle; a man whose word is sure.
Verse 2:
God doesn't need an Orator who knows just what to say;
He doesn't need authorities to reason Him away;
He doesn't need an army to guarantee a win;
He just needs a Few Good Men.
Chorus:
Men full of Compassion, who Laugh and Love and Cry-
Men who'll face Eternity and aren't afraid to die-
Men who'll fight for Freedom and Honor once again-
He just needs a Few Good Men.
Verse 3:
He calls the broken derelict whose life has been renewed;
He calls the one who has the strength to stand up for the Truth.
Enlistment lines are open and He wants you to come in-
He just needs a Few Good Men.
-Chorus 3 times
Love this song but Jesus doesn’t need a few good men who strive to be their best for Him. What He actually needs are men and women who are sold out to Jesus and walking in the Spirit as Paul tells us in Philippians and Colossians. These men and women are HOLY Spirit filled and sold out for Jesus. Here is how the walk and breath in Jesus- John 15:1-5: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
NOTICE the conditions for fellowship with the savior. First, our position in Christ in the Kingdom - we are branches off the vine. Second, we must live or abide in Christ Jesus. There is whole lot packed in this bullet. Third, we realize and understand our absolute dependence upon Jesus and the Holy Spirits leading
Failure to meet these means we are cast out and withered- no more spiritual fruit and they are burned end of story.
Fourth, the Word of God will reside in you and you will have a burning desire for more.
Fifth, Asking or praying to the Lord will be direct, empowered and blessed of God. In fulfilling each of these activities you will glorify God and because of your obedience you will bear fruit – a great harvest because of God’s blessings.
So who is ready to sign up? Oops wait a minute what was that in the tag line in the chorus of the song-
. Men full of Compassion, who Laugh and Love and Cry-
Men who'll face Eternity and aren't afraid to die-
Men who'll fight for Freedom and Honor once again-
He just needs a Few Good Men. Yep there it is aren’t afraid to die.
This is a tough one - Men who'll face Eternity and aren't afraid to die-.
Two types of death will occur to these good men and women who God calls to stand up for Jesus. The First death will be death to self. When the Lord reveals Himself to someone, and they call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. He or she will have to die to self. Jesus say, If any man would come after Me let him deny himself and take up His cross and follow Me. Luke 9:23 Becoming God centered and no longer being self-centered is one of the first results of true conversion.
The Second death is to learn to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7), trusting in the Saviors leading. If God in Christ, via the Holy Spirit is living in you, as God chose to do with Jesus, He may ask you to give your life for Him, Are you prepared to actually pay the price and give all your physical life to Christ, by dying? As you consider this question you should ponder and remember that Jesus is your Life, for in Him, He is your life for eternity. If you have but one death to give, giving it for Jesus should be considered an honor.
If we go back to our text and look at the verses we just read, these verses gave us five conditions for fellowship. Let’s read and review our text John 15:5ff, 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Then we stated the conditions for fellowship: First, our position in Christ is we are branches off the vine. Second, we must abide completely in Christ Jesus. Third, we realize and understand our absolute dependence upon Jesus and the Holy Spirits leading
Not meeting these causes us to be cast out and withered- no more spiritual fruit and we are burned up
Fourth, the Word of God resides in you and you have a burning desire for more.
Fifth, Asking or praying to the Lord will be direct, empowered and blessed of God.
If we fulfill these activities we will glorify God and because of our obedience we will bear fruit. But step back and consider this if we fulfill these steps what will be the attitude of our heart? Will we not be willing to give all for Christ.
Walk with me now as we dig deeper starting with point #1. Jesus says He is the vine we are the branches. Jesus then is the source of our living and our life. He gives life to all who are His and to all things in our lives. You and I, if we are His children are branches in His life. But according to Jesus when He spoke to Nicodemus we have to have be born and have life in two dimensions. Jesus said, Ye must be born of water and the Spirit, Ye must be born again. {John 3}There is life in the human body which comes from natural child birth. This would be birth by water and the second life, would be spiritual birth and life in the Spirit. If we are alive in Christ we have had both water birth and birth in the Holy Spirit and become a child of the King. Can I have an Amen?
Point #2- He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. As we said before we must abide completely in Christ Jesus. If we were to parse Proverbs 3:5 and 6 or Psalm 37: 4 and 5, we might be surprised at the demand to believe and trust only in Him.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit[a] your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
If we realize that apart from Jesus we can do nothing, then delighting in the Lord and committing our way unto Him is very similar to realizing that apart from Him nothing is possible. I am continually reminded of the verse which is in Jeremiah 29:13, which might be a great definition for abiding in Christ. - 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. When I search for Jesus with all my heart then I will be abiding in Christ.
Point #3.not only do I need to abide but there is a critical dependency in my life on the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is to lead me into the truth, guide my heart and mind, convict me of personal sin and call me to repentance; open my heart and understanding to apply the Word of God; direct my steps in the ways of righteousness; help me to pray and provide comfort and peace as we obey and follow Jesus. He has a big job, but so do we. We are to continually turn to Him and realize this is the One Jesus sent to the disciples and we are the continuing embodiment of the living book of Acts. For while the book chronicles the steps of the Apostles we are the following chapters as disciples of Christ in each following generation to the Acts of the Holy Spirit in us.
Points #4 and #5 - Four, the Word of God resides in you and you have a burning desire for more. And now Five, Asking or praying to the Lord will be direct, empowered and blessed of God.
So we have already given away the source of the power to enable these two when walking in the Spirit. We described the attributes of what the Holy Spirit desires to accomplish in your life and these are accomplished when you yield to the Holy Spirits leading.
One final item is that coming against you is the spirit of deceit and deception from the prince and power of the air. While defeated He still is attempting to take as many souls to hell as he can. Read 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2. Verse 3 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Delusion and deception are coming soon to a place near you from the prince of all lies and deception. So you will be tempted to be deceived and deluded but who is able to keep you from falling the Lord Jesus Christ.
Walk according to the word and in the Spirit and you will not be deluded or deceived because Christ promises to keep us apart.
God is called today for a few good men and women to sign up in the Army of God, which includes all services and members who will trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding. Amen
Verse 1:
What this dying world could use is a willing Man of God
Who dares to go against the grain and works without applause;
A man who'll raise the shield of Faith, protecting what is pure;
Whose love is tough and gentle; a man whose word is sure.
Verse 2:
God doesn't need an Orator who knows just what to say;
He doesn't need authorities to reason Him away;
He doesn't need an army to guarantee a win;
He just needs a Few Good Men.
Chorus:
Men full of Compassion, who Laugh and Love and Cry-
Men who'll face Eternity and aren't afraid to die-
Men who'll fight for Freedom and Honor once again-
He just needs a Few Good Men.
Verse 3:
He calls the broken derelict whose life has been renewed;
He calls the one who has the strength to stand up for the Truth.
Enlistment lines are open and He wants you to come in-
He just needs a Few Good Men.
-Chorus 3 times
Love this song but Jesus doesn’t need a few good men who strive to be their best for Him. What He actually needs are men and women who are sold out to Jesus and walking in the Spirit as Paul tells us in Philippians and Colossians. These men and women are HOLY Spirit filled and sold out for Jesus. Here is how the walk and breath in Jesus- John 15:1-5: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
NOTICE the conditions for fellowship with the savior. First, our position in Christ in the Kingdom - we are branches off the vine. Second, we must live or abide in Christ Jesus. There is whole lot packed in this bullet. Third, we realize and understand our absolute dependence upon Jesus and the Holy Spirits leading
Failure to meet these means we are cast out and withered- no more spiritual fruit and they are burned end of story.
Fourth, the Word of God will reside in you and you will have a burning desire for more.
Fifth, Asking or praying to the Lord will be direct, empowered and blessed of God. In fulfilling each of these activities you will glorify God and because of your obedience you will bear fruit – a great harvest because of God’s blessings.
So who is ready to sign up? Oops wait a minute what was that in the tag line in the chorus of the song-
. Men full of Compassion, who Laugh and Love and Cry-
Men who'll face Eternity and aren't afraid to die-
Men who'll fight for Freedom and Honor once again-
He just needs a Few Good Men. Yep there it is aren’t afraid to die.
This is a tough one - Men who'll face Eternity and aren't afraid to die-.
Two types of death will occur to these good men and women who God calls to stand up for Jesus. The First death will be death to self. When the Lord reveals Himself to someone, and they call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. He or she will have to die to self. Jesus say, If any man would come after Me let him deny himself and take up His cross and follow Me. Luke 9:23 Becoming God centered and no longer being self-centered is one of the first results of true conversion.
The Second death is to learn to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7), trusting in the Saviors leading. If God in Christ, via the Holy Spirit is living in you, as God chose to do with Jesus, He may ask you to give your life for Him, Are you prepared to actually pay the price and give all your physical life to Christ, by dying? As you consider this question you should ponder and remember that Jesus is your Life, for in Him, He is your life for eternity. If you have but one death to give, giving it for Jesus should be considered an honor.
If we go back to our text and look at the verses we just read, these verses gave us five conditions for fellowship. Let’s read and review our text John 15:5ff, 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Then we stated the conditions for fellowship: First, our position in Christ is we are branches off the vine. Second, we must abide completely in Christ Jesus. Third, we realize and understand our absolute dependence upon Jesus and the Holy Spirits leading
Not meeting these causes us to be cast out and withered- no more spiritual fruit and we are burned up
Fourth, the Word of God resides in you and you have a burning desire for more.
Fifth, Asking or praying to the Lord will be direct, empowered and blessed of God.
If we fulfill these activities we will glorify God and because of our obedience we will bear fruit. But step back and consider this if we fulfill these steps what will be the attitude of our heart? Will we not be willing to give all for Christ.
Walk with me now as we dig deeper starting with point #1. Jesus says He is the vine we are the branches. Jesus then is the source of our living and our life. He gives life to all who are His and to all things in our lives. You and I, if we are His children are branches in His life. But according to Jesus when He spoke to Nicodemus we have to have be born and have life in two dimensions. Jesus said, Ye must be born of water and the Spirit, Ye must be born again. {John 3}There is life in the human body which comes from natural child birth. This would be birth by water and the second life, would be spiritual birth and life in the Spirit. If we are alive in Christ we have had both water birth and birth in the Holy Spirit and become a child of the King. Can I have an Amen?
Point #2- He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. As we said before we must abide completely in Christ Jesus. If we were to parse Proverbs 3:5 and 6 or Psalm 37: 4 and 5, we might be surprised at the demand to believe and trust only in Him.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit[a] your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
If we realize that apart from Jesus we can do nothing, then delighting in the Lord and committing our way unto Him is very similar to realizing that apart from Him nothing is possible. I am continually reminded of the verse which is in Jeremiah 29:13, which might be a great definition for abiding in Christ. - 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. When I search for Jesus with all my heart then I will be abiding in Christ.
Point #3.not only do I need to abide but there is a critical dependency in my life on the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is to lead me into the truth, guide my heart and mind, convict me of personal sin and call me to repentance; open my heart and understanding to apply the Word of God; direct my steps in the ways of righteousness; help me to pray and provide comfort and peace as we obey and follow Jesus. He has a big job, but so do we. We are to continually turn to Him and realize this is the One Jesus sent to the disciples and we are the continuing embodiment of the living book of Acts. For while the book chronicles the steps of the Apostles we are the following chapters as disciples of Christ in each following generation to the Acts of the Holy Spirit in us.
Points #4 and #5 - Four, the Word of God resides in you and you have a burning desire for more. And now Five, Asking or praying to the Lord will be direct, empowered and blessed of God.
So we have already given away the source of the power to enable these two when walking in the Spirit. We described the attributes of what the Holy Spirit desires to accomplish in your life and these are accomplished when you yield to the Holy Spirits leading.
One final item is that coming against you is the spirit of deceit and deception from the prince and power of the air. While defeated He still is attempting to take as many souls to hell as he can. Read 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2. Verse 3 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Delusion and deception are coming soon to a place near you from the prince of all lies and deception. So you will be tempted to be deceived and deluded but who is able to keep you from falling the Lord Jesus Christ.
Walk according to the word and in the Spirit and you will not be deluded or deceived because Christ promises to keep us apart.
God is called today for a few good men and women to sign up in the Army of God, which includes all services and members who will trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding. Amen
July 18
In the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.”
Luke 24: 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city[m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: {belief}
John 20 :31 - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (eternal life}
Acts 10:42- 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission[a] of sins.” {forgiveness}
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. {Peter and the Gentiles}{Presence of God}
Revelation, Chapter 19: 12-14 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
I have provided a copy to every one of the scriptures which I will be using today as we have a lesson about the name of Jesus. but before we get into all of that I want to talk about something which most of us are familiar. It is called a power of attorney. When someone might grant you a power of attorney it is a document which grants you permission to operate in the name of the person, granting you a power to operate in their name. When I was flying over many contested areas not under U.S. control as a member of the United States Navy, I drew up an unlimited power of attorney for Cindy. Note I said an unlimited power of attorney. You see there are two types – a limited power of attorney, say to buy or sell a house or to do some specific granted thing and no other. Or an unlimited power of attorney to function in one’s name to operate in every way for the one designated in the power of attorney. Cindy was granted authority to do anything for our family as needed while I was away and in harm’s way. So Cindy could have done anything, sold the cars, sold the house, take out loans or whatever she wanted to do.
A power of attorney then designates an individual by name to function or operate for the grantor to do something either specifically as in a limited power of attorney or to have complete authority to function and operate as needed in that person’s name.
Point #1 - God’s power of Attorney has been granted to believers is an unlimited power of attorney and it is granted in the name of Jesus– Jesus name is the name above all names and in the name of Jesus all things are possible to him or her who believes.
Do you believe this? Are you living in this promise of God? If so all things are available to you in the name of Jesus our Lord. Now don’t panic there are several scriptures and depending on the Holy Spirit’s leading and teaching we will go as He leads.
Acts 4:12 gives us some specifics about this power vested in us- Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (except the name of Jesus}. The world hates this exclusivity of no other way to heaven except the name of Jesus. Salvation only comes by Him.
Jesus related some specifics about operating in His name as He spoke to His disciples in Luke Chapter 24. it is the next text on your page. : 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city[m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Verse 49 speaks of the Promise of My Father. That Promise is what Jesus spoke about in John 16. That He, God in Jesus Christ, would send another just like Himself. The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Teacher who would lead us into all truth. So the Holy Spirit is the One who God gives and He the Holy Spirit grants us a new heart and anew spirit within us, to operate as His disciples and servants in executing God’s Power of Attorney in Jesus name. Without the Holy Spirit of promise there would be sinful men and women executing God’s power without restraint. Sinful men and women cannot even see the kingdom of heaven let alone complete His instructions. We proved this in the garden of Eden for we are all sinners saved by grace in Christ Jesus.
So Point #2 is very specific as stated in verse 47 - and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Now in whose name? In the name of Jesus. And what should be done and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all nations beginning in Jerusalem.
This is what believers are commissioned to do and to do so how? It says in His name, Who’s name? The name of Jesus and in His name only, according to our first scripture.
Repentance and remission or forgiveness of sins only comes from the Lord Jesus Christ for He is God and He is the expressed representation of the Father. He who has seen Jesus has seen the Father, for He and the Father are one. Do you remember hearing this text before?
I hope you are gleaning that the name of Jesus is essential for your living as a faithful believer. He alone is your salvation. He has given all the task of preaching repentance and remission of sins In His name.
Point #3 Belief in Jesus grants us to become the children of God and He is the one who grants us eternal life. Check out John, Chapter 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: {belief in Jesus makes us a part of the family of God, no longer outcasts from the family}
Belief in Jesus grants us eternal life in Christ - John 20 :31 - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.(eternal life}
Let it be known that Jesu is the one, the one and only, from who you derive your authority and commission as a believer. He is the source of your power and He gives you new life as well as eternal life.
Point #4. We are to testify to people of His authority to Judge and only from Him can believers receive forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:42- 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission[a] of sins.” {forgiveness}
Going to the next verse in this same passage tells us something else 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. {Peter and the Gentiles}{Presence of God}.
When God empowers our witness and our preaching or proclaiming of the Word of God the Holy Spirit comes to convey us all into the presence of God. Inspired, Spirit led preaching and teaching leads us into the presence of God. This is what this nation needs today is the inspired, infallible, inerrant and precious word of God to stimulate the hearts of believers to stand fast and having done all to keep standing in the day of adversity. Not quitting but standing on the promises of God not by how we see, perceive or fell- meaning we walk by faith.
Point # 5 to the believer Jesus is the source of all power. While this is not the absolute last point, it remains very important. Jesus spoke to His disciples in the upper room stating “apart from Him you and I can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5) but in Matthew’s gospel we find the definitive word which describes the source of our power. Turn to Matt. 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
Verse 18 is one we often skip right over but it is more essential than we realize. Not only is the Jesus’ last word to His friends the disciples but it is the charge for our service to Him. Read closely in verse 18 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. And the next word in verse 19 is Go.
Jesus has just made an incredible statement – His Father has granted Jesus supreme authority over all things in heaven and earth. All things include everything .pertaining to life, death and eternity are under His sway. He was making this statement as an introduction to what He was commanding them to do next. Go. Go how? Not as many go today in weakness and fear but in the power and admonition of Jesus Christ by the authority and power in His Name.
Many of us as believers do not understand or function in this authority. Oh we believe in Jesus but He might not answer my prayer. Why might He not answer my prayer because I have not asked in faith believing? Or was I asking in selfish sin or upon my lusts. How can we believe that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved and not believe God will answer Jeremiah 33:3 – Call upon Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and [b]mighty things, which you do not know.’
We often place conditions on the word of God to give us wiggle room in case they don’t work. They don’t work means the problem is not with God but most likely with us and our lack of faith or understanding or application of His truth.
But Jesus tells us to Go and do what 19 and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you
There is no hesitancy or dilemma here, it is simple and straight forward commanding. You need to learn, as do I, to operate in the authority and power of God. Perhaps now you are just realizing this charge in Matt 28 is actually God’s granting us an unlimited Power of Attorney in the name of Jesus. Jesus has given you all power and authority function as a child of the King in fulfilling the great commission.
Question is are you operating in the power and authority of Your Lord? Do you realize your commissioning is from God and applies to us all? You are simply to share the love Jesus has for you with others so they can live with Christ in eternity. That is why we call this the Good News – that is what the gospel is – it is good news for sinners to be saved by His grace. You have an unlimited power of attorney to operate in God’s kingdom to achieve this goal. Use it for His benefit and His purposes.
Are you in the family of God, a sinner who has been saved by grace or are you unsure if you were to die tomorrow where you might live for eternity – heaven or hell? Turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. He will answer you if you ask sincerely in your heart. May Jesus turn us over and make us whole to do His will now and forever more. Amen
In the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved.”
Luke 24: 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city[m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: {belief}
John 20 :31 - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (eternal life}
Acts 10:42- 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission[a] of sins.” {forgiveness}
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. {Peter and the Gentiles}{Presence of God}
Revelation, Chapter 19: 12-14 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
I have provided a copy to every one of the scriptures which I will be using today as we have a lesson about the name of Jesus. but before we get into all of that I want to talk about something which most of us are familiar. It is called a power of attorney. When someone might grant you a power of attorney it is a document which grants you permission to operate in the name of the person, granting you a power to operate in their name. When I was flying over many contested areas not under U.S. control as a member of the United States Navy, I drew up an unlimited power of attorney for Cindy. Note I said an unlimited power of attorney. You see there are two types – a limited power of attorney, say to buy or sell a house or to do some specific granted thing and no other. Or an unlimited power of attorney to function in one’s name to operate in every way for the one designated in the power of attorney. Cindy was granted authority to do anything for our family as needed while I was away and in harm’s way. So Cindy could have done anything, sold the cars, sold the house, take out loans or whatever she wanted to do.
A power of attorney then designates an individual by name to function or operate for the grantor to do something either specifically as in a limited power of attorney or to have complete authority to function and operate as needed in that person’s name.
Point #1 - God’s power of Attorney has been granted to believers is an unlimited power of attorney and it is granted in the name of Jesus– Jesus name is the name above all names and in the name of Jesus all things are possible to him or her who believes.
Do you believe this? Are you living in this promise of God? If so all things are available to you in the name of Jesus our Lord. Now don’t panic there are several scriptures and depending on the Holy Spirit’s leading and teaching we will go as He leads.
Acts 4:12 gives us some specifics about this power vested in us- Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (except the name of Jesus}. The world hates this exclusivity of no other way to heaven except the name of Jesus. Salvation only comes by Him.
Jesus related some specifics about operating in His name as He spoke to His disciples in Luke Chapter 24. it is the next text on your page. : 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city[m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Verse 49 speaks of the Promise of My Father. That Promise is what Jesus spoke about in John 16. That He, God in Jesus Christ, would send another just like Himself. The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Teacher who would lead us into all truth. So the Holy Spirit is the One who God gives and He the Holy Spirit grants us a new heart and anew spirit within us, to operate as His disciples and servants in executing God’s Power of Attorney in Jesus name. Without the Holy Spirit of promise there would be sinful men and women executing God’s power without restraint. Sinful men and women cannot even see the kingdom of heaven let alone complete His instructions. We proved this in the garden of Eden for we are all sinners saved by grace in Christ Jesus.
So Point #2 is very specific as stated in verse 47 - and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Now in whose name? In the name of Jesus. And what should be done and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all nations beginning in Jerusalem.
This is what believers are commissioned to do and to do so how? It says in His name, Who’s name? The name of Jesus and in His name only, according to our first scripture.
Repentance and remission or forgiveness of sins only comes from the Lord Jesus Christ for He is God and He is the expressed representation of the Father. He who has seen Jesus has seen the Father, for He and the Father are one. Do you remember hearing this text before?
I hope you are gleaning that the name of Jesus is essential for your living as a faithful believer. He alone is your salvation. He has given all the task of preaching repentance and remission of sins In His name.
Point #3 Belief in Jesus grants us to become the children of God and He is the one who grants us eternal life. Check out John, Chapter 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: {belief in Jesus makes us a part of the family of God, no longer outcasts from the family}
Belief in Jesus grants us eternal life in Christ - John 20 :31 - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.(eternal life}
Let it be known that Jesu is the one, the one and only, from who you derive your authority and commission as a believer. He is the source of your power and He gives you new life as well as eternal life.
Point #4. We are to testify to people of His authority to Judge and only from Him can believers receive forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:42- 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission[a] of sins.” {forgiveness}
Going to the next verse in this same passage tells us something else 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. {Peter and the Gentiles}{Presence of God}.
When God empowers our witness and our preaching or proclaiming of the Word of God the Holy Spirit comes to convey us all into the presence of God. Inspired, Spirit led preaching and teaching leads us into the presence of God. This is what this nation needs today is the inspired, infallible, inerrant and precious word of God to stimulate the hearts of believers to stand fast and having done all to keep standing in the day of adversity. Not quitting but standing on the promises of God not by how we see, perceive or fell- meaning we walk by faith.
Point # 5 to the believer Jesus is the source of all power. While this is not the absolute last point, it remains very important. Jesus spoke to His disciples in the upper room stating “apart from Him you and I can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5) but in Matthew’s gospel we find the definitive word which describes the source of our power. Turn to Matt. 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
Verse 18 is one we often skip right over but it is more essential than we realize. Not only is the Jesus’ last word to His friends the disciples but it is the charge for our service to Him. Read closely in verse 18 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. And the next word in verse 19 is Go.
Jesus has just made an incredible statement – His Father has granted Jesus supreme authority over all things in heaven and earth. All things include everything .pertaining to life, death and eternity are under His sway. He was making this statement as an introduction to what He was commanding them to do next. Go. Go how? Not as many go today in weakness and fear but in the power and admonition of Jesus Christ by the authority and power in His Name.
Many of us as believers do not understand or function in this authority. Oh we believe in Jesus but He might not answer my prayer. Why might He not answer my prayer because I have not asked in faith believing? Or was I asking in selfish sin or upon my lusts. How can we believe that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved and not believe God will answer Jeremiah 33:3 – Call upon Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and [b]mighty things, which you do not know.’
We often place conditions on the word of God to give us wiggle room in case they don’t work. They don’t work means the problem is not with God but most likely with us and our lack of faith or understanding or application of His truth.
But Jesus tells us to Go and do what 19 and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you
There is no hesitancy or dilemma here, it is simple and straight forward commanding. You need to learn, as do I, to operate in the authority and power of God. Perhaps now you are just realizing this charge in Matt 28 is actually God’s granting us an unlimited Power of Attorney in the name of Jesus. Jesus has given you all power and authority function as a child of the King in fulfilling the great commission.
Question is are you operating in the power and authority of Your Lord? Do you realize your commissioning is from God and applies to us all? You are simply to share the love Jesus has for you with others so they can live with Christ in eternity. That is why we call this the Good News – that is what the gospel is – it is good news for sinners to be saved by His grace. You have an unlimited power of attorney to operate in God’s kingdom to achieve this goal. Use it for His benefit and His purposes.
Are you in the family of God, a sinner who has been saved by grace or are you unsure if you were to die tomorrow where you might live for eternity – heaven or hell? Turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. He will answer you if you ask sincerely in your heart. May Jesus turn us over and make us whole to do His will now and forever more. Amen
Sermon July 11
Believers need to continually refresh and review the wonderful benefits God gives to His children. We need to dwell on the richness of His giving and benefitting us as we walk the narrow road- working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12).
The last days are in progress. How close we are to the Lord coming to take us away in the air, only our Heavenly Father knows. Jesus told us that fact. For us, we walk in the world, but not of the world and it is good to have some signposts along the way which reflect on the goodness of God to encourage our hearts about how our Father loves us and is working all things out according to the council of His will. (Eph.1:11).
Now a word from the word and may God give us ears to hear, minds to understand and the will to obey. In Jesus name Amen
Turn to 2 Timothy 4: 1-5 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Verses 1 and 2 tell you. You have a job! And we are seeing in our own denomination, the people of God, the happenings in verse 3 for some are departing from the faith and want fables. That is what delusion is folks.
The mainstream media and those who rob us of the truth – call them Truth Robber Barons, just like the robber barons of ages past, railroads, unions, shipping and oil companies were all robber barons. Big money breeds in every generation the desire for control and dominance and many are swayed by it. (Lose your own soul) Remember “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. (Matt 7:13)
This is also known as the way of the world but that is not our path today for we seek to look at some things that only God can do. Then specifically later our focus will be on only what God does for His children. We call this group believers, but truly we should call ourselves the Redeemed for
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
(Ps. 107:2)
So beginning in the book of Genesis here are thing only God can do.
1. God is the only one who can create out of nothing, something. We call this ex nihilo. Gen 1, verse 1 in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2. God is the only one who can create and sustain life. In Genesis 2. God creates and He gives life. Everything that moves and has being and function trees, plants, insects, fishes, birds, all animals and man were given life by one being and only one being that is God
3. God provides the standard for truth and justice as demonstrated in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam that they may freely eat of all things in the garden except the tree of good and evil. Sinning against God has been man’s tendency since the beginning. That is why God judged man and tried to give us the 10 commandments and gave us a conscience, But we continue to fail due to our sinful nature. But the standard for measuring good and evil comes from God and it will stand until He returns.
3. Is there anything too hard for God. The short answer is no there is nothing too hard for God. Go to Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:27(promise of Redemption of Israel/Nebuchadnezzar}. There are multiple instances in scripture Old and New Testament where God changes everything by His activity and His Word.
4. God alone can provide deliverance from sins. In the Old Testament under the covenant of Blood He providing forgiveness for the nation and individual forgiveness under the use of personal sacrifices of animals. The is salvation in no other than in the name of Jesus for scripture says there is no other name under heaven whereby a man can be saved except the name of Jesus.
5. God’s love is greater than our strongest idea or concept of love. Who among us has the willingness to save a Hitler, or a Stalin or a mass murderer, a homosexual, Al caida or a terrorist, or a sexual predator or an abusive alcoholic parent, a drug dealer or a prostitute or you name the horror or sinful characteristic. In the middle of your sin, before you even knew you needed the love of God, He was reaching out to you. That is God’s love for us greater than all your sin is the love of our God for you.
Now specific to believer
6 Only God alone can save people, make them His own special people and preserve them for eternity. How often do we quickly recite John 3:16 and miss the wonder of this verse – 6 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
These verses tells us that God’s grace and lover and our faith not of ourselves provided the pathway for deliverance for all who would believe in the name of Jesus. May we continue to walk in Your ways.
7. Only God can turn your heart back to Himself. When your heart turns away and your no longer hear and you go serve and worship other Gods. In OT and NT the Israelite or the believer’s hearts turned from God to go and worship the world. Today we call this backsliding or sin if we were honest and forthright. God has a word of us it is called repentance, see Luke 15: 10, Jesus is speaking and says, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Jesus came also preaching repentance for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
8. Only God can give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you. Oh you can put new spirits – alcohol or drugs or whatever you want within your body, but only God can make you a new creation.
9. Only God can call you to service for Himself- Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.
10. Only God can bring you to Himself after the death of your body- to absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (Paul)
11. Only the Lord can put Himself within you and give you a brand-new body to live with Him for eternity.
12. Only God could prepare a place for you in eternity which will be your heavenly home
Now I could go on infinitely talking about the many benefits of becoming and being a child of God.
I didn’t want to create an exhaustive list, because I have not added to my list of promises in years and I have pages of promises from the Scriptures and I am nowhere close to writing them all down.
What I wanted was to give you hope by looking at God’s truth. He is infinite meaning without end. The goodness of God, The love of God, the promises of God, each of these and the many other attributes of God are infinite and we are just scratching the surface. But be encouraged for His love never ends. We sing Deep and Wide
Deep and wide
Deep and wide
There's a fountain flowing deep and wide
Deep and wide
Deep and wide
There's a fountain flowing deep and wide
The fountain is Immanuel’s blood which is flowing for you and I and in it the sinner is made clean and renewed in the image of God. So be encouraged. Be strengthened in God’s love and walk in the newness and freshness that only comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
He is calling you today will you answer HIs call by faith for repentance, renewal and faith. Amen
Believers need to continually refresh and review the wonderful benefits God gives to His children. We need to dwell on the richness of His giving and benefitting us as we walk the narrow road- working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12).
The last days are in progress. How close we are to the Lord coming to take us away in the air, only our Heavenly Father knows. Jesus told us that fact. For us, we walk in the world, but not of the world and it is good to have some signposts along the way which reflect on the goodness of God to encourage our hearts about how our Father loves us and is working all things out according to the council of His will. (Eph.1:11).
Now a word from the word and may God give us ears to hear, minds to understand and the will to obey. In Jesus name Amen
Turn to 2 Timothy 4: 1-5 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Verses 1 and 2 tell you. You have a job! And we are seeing in our own denomination, the people of God, the happenings in verse 3 for some are departing from the faith and want fables. That is what delusion is folks.
The mainstream media and those who rob us of the truth – call them Truth Robber Barons, just like the robber barons of ages past, railroads, unions, shipping and oil companies were all robber barons. Big money breeds in every generation the desire for control and dominance and many are swayed by it. (Lose your own soul) Remember “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. (Matt 7:13)
This is also known as the way of the world but that is not our path today for we seek to look at some things that only God can do. Then specifically later our focus will be on only what God does for His children. We call this group believers, but truly we should call ourselves the Redeemed for
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
(Ps. 107:2)
So beginning in the book of Genesis here are thing only God can do.
1. God is the only one who can create out of nothing, something. We call this ex nihilo. Gen 1, verse 1 in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2. God is the only one who can create and sustain life. In Genesis 2. God creates and He gives life. Everything that moves and has being and function trees, plants, insects, fishes, birds, all animals and man were given life by one being and only one being that is God
3. God provides the standard for truth and justice as demonstrated in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam that they may freely eat of all things in the garden except the tree of good and evil. Sinning against God has been man’s tendency since the beginning. That is why God judged man and tried to give us the 10 commandments and gave us a conscience, But we continue to fail due to our sinful nature. But the standard for measuring good and evil comes from God and it will stand until He returns.
3. Is there anything too hard for God. The short answer is no there is nothing too hard for God. Go to Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:27(promise of Redemption of Israel/Nebuchadnezzar}. There are multiple instances in scripture Old and New Testament where God changes everything by His activity and His Word.
4. God alone can provide deliverance from sins. In the Old Testament under the covenant of Blood He providing forgiveness for the nation and individual forgiveness under the use of personal sacrifices of animals. The is salvation in no other than in the name of Jesus for scripture says there is no other name under heaven whereby a man can be saved except the name of Jesus.
5. God’s love is greater than our strongest idea or concept of love. Who among us has the willingness to save a Hitler, or a Stalin or a mass murderer, a homosexual, Al caida or a terrorist, or a sexual predator or an abusive alcoholic parent, a drug dealer or a prostitute or you name the horror or sinful characteristic. In the middle of your sin, before you even knew you needed the love of God, He was reaching out to you. That is God’s love for us greater than all your sin is the love of our God for you.
Now specific to believer
6 Only God alone can save people, make them His own special people and preserve them for eternity. How often do we quickly recite John 3:16 and miss the wonder of this verse – 6 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
These verses tells us that God’s grace and lover and our faith not of ourselves provided the pathway for deliverance for all who would believe in the name of Jesus. May we continue to walk in Your ways.
7. Only God can turn your heart back to Himself. When your heart turns away and your no longer hear and you go serve and worship other Gods. In OT and NT the Israelite or the believer’s hearts turned from God to go and worship the world. Today we call this backsliding or sin if we were honest and forthright. God has a word of us it is called repentance, see Luke 15: 10, Jesus is speaking and says, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Jesus came also preaching repentance for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
8. Only God can give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you. Oh you can put new spirits – alcohol or drugs or whatever you want within your body, but only God can make you a new creation.
9. Only God can call you to service for Himself- Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.
10. Only God can bring you to Himself after the death of your body- to absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (Paul)
11. Only the Lord can put Himself within you and give you a brand-new body to live with Him for eternity.
12. Only God could prepare a place for you in eternity which will be your heavenly home
Now I could go on infinitely talking about the many benefits of becoming and being a child of God.
I didn’t want to create an exhaustive list, because I have not added to my list of promises in years and I have pages of promises from the Scriptures and I am nowhere close to writing them all down.
What I wanted was to give you hope by looking at God’s truth. He is infinite meaning without end. The goodness of God, The love of God, the promises of God, each of these and the many other attributes of God are infinite and we are just scratching the surface. But be encouraged for His love never ends. We sing Deep and Wide
Deep and wide
Deep and wide
There's a fountain flowing deep and wide
Deep and wide
Deep and wide
There's a fountain flowing deep and wide
The fountain is Immanuel’s blood which is flowing for you and I and in it the sinner is made clean and renewed in the image of God. So be encouraged. Be strengthened in God’s love and walk in the newness and freshness that only comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
He is calling you today will you answer HIs call by faith for repentance, renewal and faith. Amen
Sermon July 4
Did you know you were created in the image of God? This feature is called the IMAGO DEI. Read with me in Genesis Chapter 1 verses 26 - 28. Please read 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over [g]all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [h]moves on the earth.
So here is the dilemma we face. Every person on the earth has been created in the image of God both male and female. That means that every person whether good or evil has been created by God and stamped with their image. Remember the three in one that is why it is they created us. So whether it is a physical or spiritual likeness we cannot say exactly but we have all been marked by God. Now this means every person ever created has intrinsic worth. In themselves they have worth or value because of the stamp of God.
Each person also has value whether male or female that is how we are created and when we go to the basic building blocks of Gender the DNA and Chromosomes prove it. No matter how you might rearrange the externals of a person you always remain true to your biological self. Adding confusion to gender identity is just a way of trying to divide us from ourselves and create hate.
Next the IMAGO DEI in us gives us dominion over all living things and this planet. Do you see why there is a big push for the green new deal – it will destroy our civilization and allow us to be conquered by others who have the will to take. Trust me that day of destruction and turmoil is coming.
Now given these ideas which are contained in the first Chapter of Genesis, how are we to treat one another? How are we to behave towards God’s creation? How is life to be lived?
Before we answer these questions perhaps we should review some history. Who was the first murderer? Cain. Who was the first martyr and victim? Abel. So even in the beginning and finally culminating in Noah, it says in Genesis 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
So sin wreaks havoc in lives of men and from then to today nothing has changed. Even those you might detest and disrespect to the maximum are to be treated as if they belong to God for they were expressly created by Him, in their image and according to His plan and purpose. We have a dilemma as believers which we must face, how are we to live and function with those who choose to ignore and show disrespect and detest the God of heaven? According to Jesus, But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ...(Matt 5:43--48
Here it is a real moral dilemma. It is so easy to hate and to show disrespect but Jesus says no you are to bless, do good and pray for them. That’s right love them to heaven if you are able. How is this even possible for believers? In yourself nothing is possible but according to Jesus all things are possible with God. So God has made it possible for you to by giving you a new heart and a new spirit within you. A heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone, and a new spirit the Holy Spirit, who the world cant receive but you can as a born again believer. So He gives you who have the IMAGO DEI salvation, which is to change your status with God and to give you a future and a hope through Jesus Christ. In the book of Hebrews it says,
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
What is the purpose of your salvation? Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17:3, what exactly is the goal of salvation And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. So the goal of salvation is to know God. The chief end of Man is to glorify God and live in His presence forever (Shorter Catechism.)
As we study our Bibles we know there are at least two major goals in salvation or as some call it redemption. At first glance they may seem unrelated.
One is found in the Book of Romans:
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28,29)
God’s goal for us is that we might be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ so that Christ is the firstborn among many brothers. He in us and we in Him united in mind purpose and function.
A second major goal of salvation is found in the third chapter of the Book of Philippians:
“To attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Or as we might think about it eternal life. However, as I consider the first goal, that of being conformed to the likeness of Christ, I wonder if both of goals might be the same.
To be conformed to the likeness of God’s Son is to attain to the resurrection. By this I mean, we continue pressing forward in Christ until every element of our personality is a part of our New Life in Christ. Every part of us is made new in Christ.
Notice how both of these goals are contained in the Galatians 2:20:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)
The second goal is that Christ lives in me and now I live by faith in Him.
Salvation changes us into the image of Christ, and attaining to the living in Him, at least it should. We often use this verse saying, “I have been crucified with Christ and it is I no longer I who live.”
Here, Paul has been crucified and He no longer lives.
What does it mean to live? To live is to think, to speak, and to act. When Paul no longer is living it means Paul no longer thinks; Paul no longer speaks; and Paul no longer acts for Himself but is now spiritually minded. He says, “Christ lives in me.” What does that mean? Christ live is now present within me and His thinking is in me. Christ is speaking in and to me. Christ is acting in me.
Wouldn’t this mean that Paul was being conformed to the likeness of Christ? Wouldn’t it mean also that Paul was living his life filled with the resurrection power?
Notice that living in the image of Christ and experiencing the new life is not focused on going to Heaven to live. Rather going to heaven is an outcome of living the life of Christ which is being directed by the Holy Spirit operating in your heart.
Living in the resurrection Life of the Lord Jesus Christ has to do with our relationship to God and Christ, and has little to do with our current physical location.
Our new life is radically important both to us and to those around us, listen to this-
“The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” This is a radical transformation- My thinking, my speaking, and my acting are now led by faith in the Son of God. This means that as I go about my daily business, my internal and external actions are performed as I look to Jesus. I do everything in His Presence, having faith that He has taken charge of me and is directing me to eternal righteousness, love, joy, and peace.
If Christ offered Himself on the cross for us, He certainly can be trusted to guide our thinking, speaking, and acting so that we continually are reaping the rewards of the fruit of the Spirt such as righteousness, love, joy, and peace.
Then being conformed to the likeness of Christ and being filled with the Spirit are God’s goals for us; but our personal desires for righteousness, love, joy, and peace are our individual goals which are produced as the Holy Spirit manifests Himself within us. So desiring to be conformed to the image of His Son and yielding to the working of the Holy Spirit within us are how God continues His work within us.
Now let us now consider the messaging of today’s Gospel. Many teach in today’s Gospel, that Jesus has done it all and all we are to do is to identify ourselves with Him, is good news for the natural man. This is not good news from God’s perspective, in that God wants sons in the image of His Son that God’s will may be accomplished throughout all creation. It also conflicts with the idea that God saves, and whom God saves, and whom God saves, God justifies, and who God justifies, He also sanctifies. And who God sanctifies He also glorifies. In other words God is at work both to will and to work for His good pleasure. And make no mistake it is God who comes and does the work.
We can see at once that the idea we are to do nothing but become pew sitters because Jesus has done it all for us is a lie, we are going to be dismayed when we die. Instead of being welcomed by Jesus we will be rebuked sternly because we did not use the talents He gave us to build His kingdom
.
Let’s think about what we need to do.
Learning to live as believers who have been changed by the power of God, who are being conformed to the image of God daily, means we are learning to practice the Presence of Christ daily. We continually, throughout the day and night, are looking to the Lord for His advice. We walk in an attitude of prayer, speaking to Him all the time, giving thanks, asking for wisdom, strength, healing whatever we need. We pray as it says without ceasing.
In addition we must spend some time in prayer each day if at all possible. We must set aside time so we can hear what God saying to us. Also, there must be a time each day to read the words of life, if a Bible is available.
If we are too busy then there is no time for prayer of Bible reading, then we need to ask Jesus to assist us in having the time. To try to go through life without daily prayer and Bible reading will hinder our growth and our delay our progress in being conformed to the image of Christ.
Some today say, if Christ is in us we do not need to pray and read our Bible each day, especially if we do not feel like it. This personal lack of discipline is common among Americans, including Christians, and is preventing us from coming to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
God does not coddle or enjoy lazy people.
Jesus said, “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?”
Who was it who said if we do what He has commanded, we are building our house on the solid rock and the storms of life or temptation will not be able to wash it away?
Nor, must we allow ourselves to be swayed by the world. We must rely on Jesus and the activity of the Holy Spirit to remove from us dependence and over-involvement in worldly pursuits. This is difficult in America because we are so materialistic and the Spirit of Antichrist is ever present. Satan is always enticing us with the interesting and lustful aspects of our culture.
The development and fixation of us on electronic devices is increasing at a breathtaking rate. The result of such devices is to bring people together. The end result will be a world which is self-focused, hedonistic and will enable the creation of a one-world government ruled by people who deny willfully and do not want to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Self-centered people full of sin who have no knowledge of sin have a desire to come together and to throw off any attempt to govern or lead them. The coming one-world government will be listening to the demands of people and Satan. The leaders will understand and will reject any attempts to instill Christian or even wholesome values in people will be rejected. Future governments of this world will not rule in the fear and admonition of the Lord, but according to the will of man. {Deception and confusion will be everywhere}
Believers are going to have to recognize that whoever is a friend of the world makes himself or herself an enemy of God. Begin conformed to the image of His Son will allows us to discern and function as believers while rejecting the world and its systems.
Secondly, we are to follow the Spirit of God closely at all times. One of the Holy Spirit’s main responsibilities is to convict us of sin and allow us to have a heart for God. Sin identified and pointed out, must be confessed specifically Only absolute and cleansing repentance will enable us to walk in integrity each day. Christ will help us with these resolutions, forgiving us and strengthening us until we are totally free from these dark areas of sin.
As we confess and renounce our sins, turning away from them with determination, we are fed spiritually As His will increases in us we are able to live more completely in the Life of Christ.
The third step we must take if we are to be conformed to the image of Christ and attain to this new Life is to serve patiently where we have been placed.
God has commissioned us to serve where we have been planted by His will. Christ send sends the Holy Spirit to enable us to serve and learn where He has caused us to grow.
Christ commands we walk by faith and not by sight and to remember we build our treasure in heaven where moss and rust do not corrupt and where thieves cannot break in and steal. This we must do by faith. God promises that we will be enjoy wonders in heaven. I believe they will be greater than anything you may have sacrificed here on this earth. We need our eyes on Jesus.
We should remember our self-will is a horrible monster that dwells in the deepest caves of our heart. It is not that God wants to remove our will, He wants to conform it to His will. God says that if we will choose to delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart.
Seek Him with all your heart and He will give you the desires of your heart. Amen
Did you know you were created in the image of God? This feature is called the IMAGO DEI. Read with me in Genesis Chapter 1 verses 26 - 28. Please read 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over [g]all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that [h]moves on the earth.
So here is the dilemma we face. Every person on the earth has been created in the image of God both male and female. That means that every person whether good or evil has been created by God and stamped with their image. Remember the three in one that is why it is they created us. So whether it is a physical or spiritual likeness we cannot say exactly but we have all been marked by God. Now this means every person ever created has intrinsic worth. In themselves they have worth or value because of the stamp of God.
Each person also has value whether male or female that is how we are created and when we go to the basic building blocks of Gender the DNA and Chromosomes prove it. No matter how you might rearrange the externals of a person you always remain true to your biological self. Adding confusion to gender identity is just a way of trying to divide us from ourselves and create hate.
Next the IMAGO DEI in us gives us dominion over all living things and this planet. Do you see why there is a big push for the green new deal – it will destroy our civilization and allow us to be conquered by others who have the will to take. Trust me that day of destruction and turmoil is coming.
Now given these ideas which are contained in the first Chapter of Genesis, how are we to treat one another? How are we to behave towards God’s creation? How is life to be lived?
Before we answer these questions perhaps we should review some history. Who was the first murderer? Cain. Who was the first martyr and victim? Abel. So even in the beginning and finally culminating in Noah, it says in Genesis 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
So sin wreaks havoc in lives of men and from then to today nothing has changed. Even those you might detest and disrespect to the maximum are to be treated as if they belong to God for they were expressly created by Him, in their image and according to His plan and purpose. We have a dilemma as believers which we must face, how are we to live and function with those who choose to ignore and show disrespect and detest the God of heaven? According to Jesus, But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ...(Matt 5:43--48
Here it is a real moral dilemma. It is so easy to hate and to show disrespect but Jesus says no you are to bless, do good and pray for them. That’s right love them to heaven if you are able. How is this even possible for believers? In yourself nothing is possible but according to Jesus all things are possible with God. So God has made it possible for you to by giving you a new heart and a new spirit within you. A heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone, and a new spirit the Holy Spirit, who the world cant receive but you can as a born again believer. So He gives you who have the IMAGO DEI salvation, which is to change your status with God and to give you a future and a hope through Jesus Christ. In the book of Hebrews it says,
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
What is the purpose of your salvation? Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17:3, what exactly is the goal of salvation And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. So the goal of salvation is to know God. The chief end of Man is to glorify God and live in His presence forever (Shorter Catechism.)
As we study our Bibles we know there are at least two major goals in salvation or as some call it redemption. At first glance they may seem unrelated.
One is found in the Book of Romans:
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28,29)
God’s goal for us is that we might be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ so that Christ is the firstborn among many brothers. He in us and we in Him united in mind purpose and function.
A second major goal of salvation is found in the third chapter of the Book of Philippians:
“To attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Or as we might think about it eternal life. However, as I consider the first goal, that of being conformed to the likeness of Christ, I wonder if both of goals might be the same.
To be conformed to the likeness of God’s Son is to attain to the resurrection. By this I mean, we continue pressing forward in Christ until every element of our personality is a part of our New Life in Christ. Every part of us is made new in Christ.
Notice how both of these goals are contained in the Galatians 2:20:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)
The second goal is that Christ lives in me and now I live by faith in Him.
Salvation changes us into the image of Christ, and attaining to the living in Him, at least it should. We often use this verse saying, “I have been crucified with Christ and it is I no longer I who live.”
Here, Paul has been crucified and He no longer lives.
What does it mean to live? To live is to think, to speak, and to act. When Paul no longer is living it means Paul no longer thinks; Paul no longer speaks; and Paul no longer acts for Himself but is now spiritually minded. He says, “Christ lives in me.” What does that mean? Christ live is now present within me and His thinking is in me. Christ is speaking in and to me. Christ is acting in me.
Wouldn’t this mean that Paul was being conformed to the likeness of Christ? Wouldn’t it mean also that Paul was living his life filled with the resurrection power?
Notice that living in the image of Christ and experiencing the new life is not focused on going to Heaven to live. Rather going to heaven is an outcome of living the life of Christ which is being directed by the Holy Spirit operating in your heart.
Living in the resurrection Life of the Lord Jesus Christ has to do with our relationship to God and Christ, and has little to do with our current physical location.
Our new life is radically important both to us and to those around us, listen to this-
“The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” This is a radical transformation- My thinking, my speaking, and my acting are now led by faith in the Son of God. This means that as I go about my daily business, my internal and external actions are performed as I look to Jesus. I do everything in His Presence, having faith that He has taken charge of me and is directing me to eternal righteousness, love, joy, and peace.
If Christ offered Himself on the cross for us, He certainly can be trusted to guide our thinking, speaking, and acting so that we continually are reaping the rewards of the fruit of the Spirt such as righteousness, love, joy, and peace.
Then being conformed to the likeness of Christ and being filled with the Spirit are God’s goals for us; but our personal desires for righteousness, love, joy, and peace are our individual goals which are produced as the Holy Spirit manifests Himself within us. So desiring to be conformed to the image of His Son and yielding to the working of the Holy Spirit within us are how God continues His work within us.
Now let us now consider the messaging of today’s Gospel. Many teach in today’s Gospel, that Jesus has done it all and all we are to do is to identify ourselves with Him, is good news for the natural man. This is not good news from God’s perspective, in that God wants sons in the image of His Son that God’s will may be accomplished throughout all creation. It also conflicts with the idea that God saves, and whom God saves, and whom God saves, God justifies, and who God justifies, He also sanctifies. And who God sanctifies He also glorifies. In other words God is at work both to will and to work for His good pleasure. And make no mistake it is God who comes and does the work.
We can see at once that the idea we are to do nothing but become pew sitters because Jesus has done it all for us is a lie, we are going to be dismayed when we die. Instead of being welcomed by Jesus we will be rebuked sternly because we did not use the talents He gave us to build His kingdom
.
Let’s think about what we need to do.
Learning to live as believers who have been changed by the power of God, who are being conformed to the image of God daily, means we are learning to practice the Presence of Christ daily. We continually, throughout the day and night, are looking to the Lord for His advice. We walk in an attitude of prayer, speaking to Him all the time, giving thanks, asking for wisdom, strength, healing whatever we need. We pray as it says without ceasing.
In addition we must spend some time in prayer each day if at all possible. We must set aside time so we can hear what God saying to us. Also, there must be a time each day to read the words of life, if a Bible is available.
If we are too busy then there is no time for prayer of Bible reading, then we need to ask Jesus to assist us in having the time. To try to go through life without daily prayer and Bible reading will hinder our growth and our delay our progress in being conformed to the image of Christ.
Some today say, if Christ is in us we do not need to pray and read our Bible each day, especially if we do not feel like it. This personal lack of discipline is common among Americans, including Christians, and is preventing us from coming to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
God does not coddle or enjoy lazy people.
Jesus said, “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?”
Who was it who said if we do what He has commanded, we are building our house on the solid rock and the storms of life or temptation will not be able to wash it away?
Nor, must we allow ourselves to be swayed by the world. We must rely on Jesus and the activity of the Holy Spirit to remove from us dependence and over-involvement in worldly pursuits. This is difficult in America because we are so materialistic and the Spirit of Antichrist is ever present. Satan is always enticing us with the interesting and lustful aspects of our culture.
The development and fixation of us on electronic devices is increasing at a breathtaking rate. The result of such devices is to bring people together. The end result will be a world which is self-focused, hedonistic and will enable the creation of a one-world government ruled by people who deny willfully and do not want to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Self-centered people full of sin who have no knowledge of sin have a desire to come together and to throw off any attempt to govern or lead them. The coming one-world government will be listening to the demands of people and Satan. The leaders will understand and will reject any attempts to instill Christian or even wholesome values in people will be rejected. Future governments of this world will not rule in the fear and admonition of the Lord, but according to the will of man. {Deception and confusion will be everywhere}
Believers are going to have to recognize that whoever is a friend of the world makes himself or herself an enemy of God. Begin conformed to the image of His Son will allows us to discern and function as believers while rejecting the world and its systems.
Secondly, we are to follow the Spirit of God closely at all times. One of the Holy Spirit’s main responsibilities is to convict us of sin and allow us to have a heart for God. Sin identified and pointed out, must be confessed specifically Only absolute and cleansing repentance will enable us to walk in integrity each day. Christ will help us with these resolutions, forgiving us and strengthening us until we are totally free from these dark areas of sin.
As we confess and renounce our sins, turning away from them with determination, we are fed spiritually As His will increases in us we are able to live more completely in the Life of Christ.
The third step we must take if we are to be conformed to the image of Christ and attain to this new Life is to serve patiently where we have been placed.
God has commissioned us to serve where we have been planted by His will. Christ send sends the Holy Spirit to enable us to serve and learn where He has caused us to grow.
Christ commands we walk by faith and not by sight and to remember we build our treasure in heaven where moss and rust do not corrupt and where thieves cannot break in and steal. This we must do by faith. God promises that we will be enjoy wonders in heaven. I believe they will be greater than anything you may have sacrificed here on this earth. We need our eyes on Jesus.
We should remember our self-will is a horrible monster that dwells in the deepest caves of our heart. It is not that God wants to remove our will, He wants to conform it to His will. God says that if we will choose to delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart.
Seek Him with all your heart and He will give you the desires of your heart. Amen
Sermon June 27
In the quest for personal sanctity and to live more righteously we need help. How does this happen. Well our journey as Christians or believers begins by coming to a knowledge of personal sin and because of the activity of the Holy Spirit we come to understand how grievous this is to God. Because of the convicting presence of God and just an iota of faith, we cry out and God hears our desire for repentance. By grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 3:8-9, but don’t stop there for verse 10 adds, for we are His workmanship created unto good works which God has ordained before that we should accomplish them. So after God saves us the journey begins to become God’s workmanship unto the works which He has planned for your life. Pretty amazing stuff and this agrees with Jeremiah 29:11 about God having a plan for your life.
So to get from your sinful self to where God wants you to be can’t happen without the intervention of God. This same thing was true for the disciples. Without the coming of Pentecost and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the disciples would never have achieved all that God was calling them to do. So in our age of hate and political correctness, lies and the deconstruction of America by the regressives and the reintroduction of race theory to prove how corrupt we are, we need help to navigate the hurdles. He is here and He is God and He is the Holy Spirit. Let’s begin. Our beginning and base verse for this lesson is John 14:16-18, but it will lead us to other scriptures which we will be using. Just a heads up this is an outline approach and is not an exhaustive study. We can do that later if so desired. We begin on the night when Jesus was going to betrayed. In John Chapter 14 Jesus is pouring out His heart to His disciples trying to prepare them for things to come. But Jesus knew they could not live this life on their own they would need help and reassurance along the way. Let’s turn to the text in John, chapter 14:16 and read:
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will {a promise}give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever—{a promise}
(This is different than the Old Testament- the Holy Spirit came upon/overshadowed in the New Testament a distinction -abides in you forever.) 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Stop at Spirit of Truth who is God- who John 16:7- 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. The Holy Spirit is your helper More in verse 13 of Chapter 16:13 -13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Help pt.#1 The Holy Spirit will guide you into all Truth-God’s Word, the person of Christ. He who knows the truth is set free and whom Jesus frees is free indeed
Help pt. #2 The truth revealed by the Holy Spirit leads us into the righteousness of Christ – by taking heed according to His word.
Back to John 14:17-18 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Notice the emphasis of Jesus -He, the Holy Spirit lives, abides, takes up permanent residence within you and will remain in you. Paul reinforces this point in Romans 8:16 -16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
We need to understand that the permanent residence of the Spirit of God within us is the testimony to the continued fulfillment of the promises of God made in Jeremiah and Ezekiel 36. We in fact become the children of God. This is confirmed in the Romans 8:15 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father.” God makes Himself known to those who are His and He confirms it with His Spirit inside you.
Help pt.#3 – He adopted you as a child of God, a child of the King.
Help pt.#4 – grants you access to the Kingdom of Heaven . As a child of the King you have been granted access to the Kingdom of Heaven (Christ) and to the very throne room of Heaven – the abode of the Father (Heb 4:16). Think about this for a moment
Help pt.#5 – granted helps in our weaknesses. Go to Romans 8:26- 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
When we are weak He is strong, He helps us to pray. Helps when we are not able - 1Cor. 10:13 when we are tempted He provides a means of escape: illuminates our hearts and convicts us of our sins. Holy Spirit creates a desire in us to live righteously.
Help pt.#6 – the Holy Spirit creates hope and joy in your hearts. Romans 15:13 - 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Paul prayed for the believers in Rome and elsewhere that the Holy Spirits presence in you and with you would fill you and give you hope instead of despair, joy and peace instead of fear. To be filled with the Spirit means to be indwelt with hope, joy and peace and the veritable presence of God.
We are not done yet, but we are inbound to final destination – continue with me for
Help pt.#7 the presence of the Holy Spirit would cause you to abound in Hope. Now back to the second part of Romans 15:13 that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. So God gives Himself to aid you in overcoming disappointments by hope, because the love of God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
God in Christ, has basically give us a new nature, but are we really enjoying this fellowship today, as believers? Do you show joy and optimism in each day God has given you? To make this point we are all to live day by day “in Christ.” Are we? John the disciple who Jesus loved and by another name John the Revelator wrote a letter to the churches it’s called 1st John. If you would turn to that book Chapter 4, verse 13 there John reminds us something important. Read with me- verse 13 - 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
The veritable presence of the Holy Spirit in us is confirmation by God that we belong to the kingdom of Heaven. Is not in what we say that is important about going to heaven. It is the verified presence of the Holy Spirit personally in us that confirms we belong to God’s family
So God provides all sorts of Helps to the Children of the living God to help us walk in these days. Now one more Help for you to consider back to our core verse where we began in John 14. Check out verse 18 - 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
This is the Son of God making a big promise to you and I. He said He would not leave you as orphans but He would come to you. This corresponds to multiple verses in the Old Testament but check Joshua 1:9 – where God tells Joshua “I will never leave you or forsake you.
The personal care and provision of God is made available to every believer. This is a promise of God. He goes with you wherever you go.
Now may the God of peace Himself, sanctify you and give you peace, now and forever more Amen.
God we pray your blessings upon us Lord cause us to attend to Your Word and Your Truth for they are one. Cause us to desire what You desire for our lives and to live it truly. Amen
Invitation to all who need to come to come to the altar and pray.
In the quest for personal sanctity and to live more righteously we need help. How does this happen. Well our journey as Christians or believers begins by coming to a knowledge of personal sin and because of the activity of the Holy Spirit we come to understand how grievous this is to God. Because of the convicting presence of God and just an iota of faith, we cry out and God hears our desire for repentance. By grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 3:8-9, but don’t stop there for verse 10 adds, for we are His workmanship created unto good works which God has ordained before that we should accomplish them. So after God saves us the journey begins to become God’s workmanship unto the works which He has planned for your life. Pretty amazing stuff and this agrees with Jeremiah 29:11 about God having a plan for your life.
So to get from your sinful self to where God wants you to be can’t happen without the intervention of God. This same thing was true for the disciples. Without the coming of Pentecost and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the disciples would never have achieved all that God was calling them to do. So in our age of hate and political correctness, lies and the deconstruction of America by the regressives and the reintroduction of race theory to prove how corrupt we are, we need help to navigate the hurdles. He is here and He is God and He is the Holy Spirit. Let’s begin. Our beginning and base verse for this lesson is John 14:16-18, but it will lead us to other scriptures which we will be using. Just a heads up this is an outline approach and is not an exhaustive study. We can do that later if so desired. We begin on the night when Jesus was going to betrayed. In John Chapter 14 Jesus is pouring out His heart to His disciples trying to prepare them for things to come. But Jesus knew they could not live this life on their own they would need help and reassurance along the way. Let’s turn to the text in John, chapter 14:16 and read:
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will {a promise}give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever—{a promise}
(This is different than the Old Testament- the Holy Spirit came upon/overshadowed in the New Testament a distinction -abides in you forever.) 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Stop at Spirit of Truth who is God- who John 16:7- 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. The Holy Spirit is your helper More in verse 13 of Chapter 16:13 -13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Help pt.#1 The Holy Spirit will guide you into all Truth-God’s Word, the person of Christ. He who knows the truth is set free and whom Jesus frees is free indeed
Help pt. #2 The truth revealed by the Holy Spirit leads us into the righteousness of Christ – by taking heed according to His word.
Back to John 14:17-18 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Notice the emphasis of Jesus -He, the Holy Spirit lives, abides, takes up permanent residence within you and will remain in you. Paul reinforces this point in Romans 8:16 -16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
We need to understand that the permanent residence of the Spirit of God within us is the testimony to the continued fulfillment of the promises of God made in Jeremiah and Ezekiel 36. We in fact become the children of God. This is confirmed in the Romans 8:15 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father.” God makes Himself known to those who are His and He confirms it with His Spirit inside you.
Help pt.#3 – He adopted you as a child of God, a child of the King.
Help pt.#4 – grants you access to the Kingdom of Heaven . As a child of the King you have been granted access to the Kingdom of Heaven (Christ) and to the very throne room of Heaven – the abode of the Father (Heb 4:16). Think about this for a moment
Help pt.#5 – granted helps in our weaknesses. Go to Romans 8:26- 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
When we are weak He is strong, He helps us to pray. Helps when we are not able - 1Cor. 10:13 when we are tempted He provides a means of escape: illuminates our hearts and convicts us of our sins. Holy Spirit creates a desire in us to live righteously.
Help pt.#6 – the Holy Spirit creates hope and joy in your hearts. Romans 15:13 - 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Paul prayed for the believers in Rome and elsewhere that the Holy Spirits presence in you and with you would fill you and give you hope instead of despair, joy and peace instead of fear. To be filled with the Spirit means to be indwelt with hope, joy and peace and the veritable presence of God.
We are not done yet, but we are inbound to final destination – continue with me for
Help pt.#7 the presence of the Holy Spirit would cause you to abound in Hope. Now back to the second part of Romans 15:13 that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. So God gives Himself to aid you in overcoming disappointments by hope, because the love of God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
God in Christ, has basically give us a new nature, but are we really enjoying this fellowship today, as believers? Do you show joy and optimism in each day God has given you? To make this point we are all to live day by day “in Christ.” Are we? John the disciple who Jesus loved and by another name John the Revelator wrote a letter to the churches it’s called 1st John. If you would turn to that book Chapter 4, verse 13 there John reminds us something important. Read with me- verse 13 - 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
The veritable presence of the Holy Spirit in us is confirmation by God that we belong to the kingdom of Heaven. Is not in what we say that is important about going to heaven. It is the verified presence of the Holy Spirit personally in us that confirms we belong to God’s family
So God provides all sorts of Helps to the Children of the living God to help us walk in these days. Now one more Help for you to consider back to our core verse where we began in John 14. Check out verse 18 - 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
This is the Son of God making a big promise to you and I. He said He would not leave you as orphans but He would come to you. This corresponds to multiple verses in the Old Testament but check Joshua 1:9 – where God tells Joshua “I will never leave you or forsake you.
The personal care and provision of God is made available to every believer. This is a promise of God. He goes with you wherever you go.
Now may the God of peace Himself, sanctify you and give you peace, now and forever more Amen.
God we pray your blessings upon us Lord cause us to attend to Your Word and Your Truth for they are one. Cause us to desire what You desire for our lives and to live it truly. Amen
Invitation to all who need to come to come to the altar and pray.
Sermon June 20
What does it mean to be New in Christ?
I am sure if you asked the average Christian this might result is a puzzled answer or response. I don’t think we have instructed our “spiritual children” well enough for them to be able to determine what does it mean to be new in Christ. Just for grins and to refresh my memory, I took a look at my bible’s index and looked up the word “new” and here are the headings I found: new message, new person, new covenant, new Jerusalem, new life, new nature and new testament to name a few of headers and sub-headers listed.
I am not sure why the Lord is leading in this direction but He is and I believe it is because we are ignorant of what God has done for us and He wants us to realize the heritage He has provided for us so that we can do all things in Christ. Until we the church being to practice by living the truth of God’s Word and His provision, when that happens you will see the church of Jesus Christ assume its rightful place in this culture and God will fill His people with His presence and His Spirit so the world will know that God is alive and present in this sinful world. Further they will recognize the Love of God in obedience and prayer. Gifts will be exhibited and healings and salivation will flow from the throne of God to others via His people.
While our scripture comes from Chapter 6 of Romans we actually need to begin in Chapter 5 where Paul contrasts the death that was wrought by Adam and the life that is granted in Jesus Christ.
Allow me to give you as summary of the two because this is what is new to believers in Jesus Christ which isn’t available anywhere else- Jesus tells Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came by night. ”you must be born again of water and the Spirit, you must be born again.” This was not just true of believers in the - first century but all through time. Whosoever wills may come to Christ only by the new birth and the new baptism in Christ. So you and I must be born again. This means we have been made new in Christ. To be born again means to have this new life, a new heart, a new spirt within you. God’s Holy Spirit is now in you and you have moved from death to life. This transformation occurs because you have reached out to God and believe that He is the only one who can save you from eternal death and the Father gave us Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin.
So in Romans Chapter 5 from verse 9 to 20 that as Adam’s children we have the following: Ruin verse 9, Sin verses 1, 15, and 21. Death is shown in verses 12, 16 and 21; separation from God in verses 5 and 18; disobedience in verses 12 and 19; judgement in verse 18 and the law in verse 20. All in all, what we have as heirs in our body and the spirit from our great ancestor Adam is nothing good, basically sin and death.
But Paul in Roman’s 5 also contrasted our inheritance from Jesus Christ to what we have from Adam. This is the result of having a “new birth relationship as God’s children” with Jesus Christ. We have Rescue from death verse 8, Righteousness in Christ verse 18, Eternal life in heaven verses 17 and 21; a restored relationship with God in verses 11 and 19; a desire for obedience in verse 19; Reconciliation from sin and death in verses 10 and 11; and God’s grace instead of Justice in verse 20. All the things that God has given to us in our new life relationship with Jesus Christ.
Chapter 6 them delves deeply into deliverance from sin’s grasp. Perhaps this is you or I today. Maybe, God wants us to life a more fruitful and rich life in His presence beginning today.
Father I pray you will open the windows of heaven today and touch my heart and the hearts of those around me to meet their person mental and physical needs right now. We need your fresh touch to purge and bring us to repentance and renewal right now. Wash us by the washing by the water of the word. Your word is truth. Amen And your word is life help us to walk in the light. Amen
So what is new in Christ Roman’s Chapter 6:1-14? I will prove to you in these verses you have been given:
6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been [b]freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, [c]reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as [d]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, {free}for you are not under law but under grace.
Verse
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
First you have new life in Christ
II. Not only do I have new life within me and options available to choose life as a believer I also have been given a New nature. Begin examining this New nature truth by looking at verses 5 and 11.
New life and new nature should mean I have New Freedoms in Christ.
It is so important to understand all the choices are yours including obedience. You are free to choose but remember God has made ever provision in the heavenlies for your salvation and deliverance, but understood I hope you now have clarity. You have God’s help in every spiritual endeavor to follow Him. Christ’s blood has broken the power of sin to be blinded and not understand.
God loves and cares for you and wants you to be free and yet without sin. Will you respond to him right now? Only Trust Him now, He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now! Come every soul by sin oppressed there is mercy with the Lord. He will save you He will save you save you now.
What does it mean to be New in Christ?
I am sure if you asked the average Christian this might result is a puzzled answer or response. I don’t think we have instructed our “spiritual children” well enough for them to be able to determine what does it mean to be new in Christ. Just for grins and to refresh my memory, I took a look at my bible’s index and looked up the word “new” and here are the headings I found: new message, new person, new covenant, new Jerusalem, new life, new nature and new testament to name a few of headers and sub-headers listed.
I am not sure why the Lord is leading in this direction but He is and I believe it is because we are ignorant of what God has done for us and He wants us to realize the heritage He has provided for us so that we can do all things in Christ. Until we the church being to practice by living the truth of God’s Word and His provision, when that happens you will see the church of Jesus Christ assume its rightful place in this culture and God will fill His people with His presence and His Spirit so the world will know that God is alive and present in this sinful world. Further they will recognize the Love of God in obedience and prayer. Gifts will be exhibited and healings and salivation will flow from the throne of God to others via His people.
While our scripture comes from Chapter 6 of Romans we actually need to begin in Chapter 5 where Paul contrasts the death that was wrought by Adam and the life that is granted in Jesus Christ.
Allow me to give you as summary of the two because this is what is new to believers in Jesus Christ which isn’t available anywhere else- Jesus tells Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came by night. ”you must be born again of water and the Spirit, you must be born again.” This was not just true of believers in the - first century but all through time. Whosoever wills may come to Christ only by the new birth and the new baptism in Christ. So you and I must be born again. This means we have been made new in Christ. To be born again means to have this new life, a new heart, a new spirt within you. God’s Holy Spirit is now in you and you have moved from death to life. This transformation occurs because you have reached out to God and believe that He is the only one who can save you from eternal death and the Father gave us Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin.
So in Romans Chapter 5 from verse 9 to 20 that as Adam’s children we have the following: Ruin verse 9, Sin verses 1, 15, and 21. Death is shown in verses 12, 16 and 21; separation from God in verses 5 and 18; disobedience in verses 12 and 19; judgement in verse 18 and the law in verse 20. All in all, what we have as heirs in our body and the spirit from our great ancestor Adam is nothing good, basically sin and death.
But Paul in Roman’s 5 also contrasted our inheritance from Jesus Christ to what we have from Adam. This is the result of having a “new birth relationship as God’s children” with Jesus Christ. We have Rescue from death verse 8, Righteousness in Christ verse 18, Eternal life in heaven verses 17 and 21; a restored relationship with God in verses 11 and 19; a desire for obedience in verse 19; Reconciliation from sin and death in verses 10 and 11; and God’s grace instead of Justice in verse 20. All the things that God has given to us in our new life relationship with Jesus Christ.
Chapter 6 them delves deeply into deliverance from sin’s grasp. Perhaps this is you or I today. Maybe, God wants us to life a more fruitful and rich life in His presence beginning today.
Father I pray you will open the windows of heaven today and touch my heart and the hearts of those around me to meet their person mental and physical needs right now. We need your fresh touch to purge and bring us to repentance and renewal right now. Wash us by the washing by the water of the word. Your word is truth. Amen And your word is life help us to walk in the light. Amen
So what is new in Christ Roman’s Chapter 6:1-14? I will prove to you in these verses you have been given:
- New life verses 2-6;
- a New nature in verses 5 and 11,
- and New freedoms in verses 12 -16.
6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been [b]freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, [c]reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as [d]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, {free}for you are not under law but under grace.
Verse
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
First you have new life in Christ
- Verses 2 and 3 sins power is broken -let’s read - ? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
- Your sin loving nature is buried in Christ see verse 4 - 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. We should walk as Christ walked among others.
- With new life in Christ you are no longer under sin’s control - 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. We have a choice of remaining or departing from our sin. This new life give us freedom to live in the shadow of the Almighty God.
- From God’s activity not ours we should understand the power of cancelled sin there is no power if we are surrendered to Jesus.
II. Not only do I have new life within me and options available to choose life as a believer I also have been given a New nature. Begin examining this New nature truth by looking at verses 5 and 11.
- Go to verse 5 first_ 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. This verse describes the practical nature of the new birth, for we share in the new life with Jesus Christ. This is a shared brotherhood in the Lord Jesus . The result of our new life and new nature should cause us to be unresponsive to the old powers of temptation that so easily surrounds us.
- Verse 11 now- . 11 Likewise you also, [c]reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Given this truth we should consider ourselves dead to sin’s persuasive sway and replace it with being alive to God
New life and new nature should mean I have New Freedoms in Christ.
- Verse 12 says, Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey the lusts thereof. (my memory verses from years gone by.) You do not have to let sin control your actions or choices. Therefore, means because of your new nature and your new life, you do not have to be captured by the sin of your old life. According to scripture you have been set free from the law of sin and death (6:18, 22).
- Verse 13 following 12 reinforces this idea for it says, 13 And do not present your members as [d]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Give yourself completely over to God, don’t let your body be used for evil for God hates evil, when you are His child.
- Now comes the kicker but you have to walk into its truth by faith verse 14 - 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, {free}for you are not under law but under grace. God has already mandated that sin should have no dominion or rule over you – you have been set free, you are free indeed. John 8:36 says,
- The last freedom is in another verse, verse 16 which we have not read, but will read it now – verse 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
It is so important to understand all the choices are yours including obedience. You are free to choose but remember God has made ever provision in the heavenlies for your salvation and deliverance, but understood I hope you now have clarity. You have God’s help in every spiritual endeavor to follow Him. Christ’s blood has broken the power of sin to be blinded and not understand.
God loves and cares for you and wants you to be free and yet without sin. Will you respond to him right now? Only Trust Him now, He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now! Come every soul by sin oppressed there is mercy with the Lord. He will save you He will save you save you now.
Sermon June 6
A new charter is given by Jesus to the disciples 2000+ years ago. But it should not be a new charter to our eyes and ears for it has been repeated generation by generation to bring salvation to the earth. It began there in Jerusalem before Pentecost and was actually a fulfillment of prophecy seen in Acts Chapter 3, when God has given His men and women a new heart and a new spirit as promised in Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s books.
But for some reason we have seemed to have forgotten the truths that Jesus was imparting as His first set of disciples which we call the Apostles. These men were commissioned and setting out to allow God to use them to move in the hearts of the people He was calling to Himself. We need some refreshing as we reorient ourselves to God and His divine plan and power to move in us to accomplish His will for redemption, renewal and revival across America and in the pulpits of God’s power. When the church gets the message and starts responding in faith to the message of His truth then God will flex His might power by using us.
Allow us to be reset O God as you renew our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ our Lord. And Father visit us today we pray and lead us in the way everlasting to your glory and power Amen
Go to Matthew chapter 10:16-31to begin our reorientation:
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[f] as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
{Now Jesus teaches us about the Fear of God}:
27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Amen – may God add His blessing to the reading of His Word.
There is a key verse in this text and I would like to begin there – verse 28 _28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell.
If there is anything which should cause a believer to tremble, it is the wrath of God, against the children of disobedience. The world should not cause us to fear, for Jesus has overcome the world. We should not fear men, or their words, or twitter feeds, or Facebook censoring, or loss of job or loss of prestige or whatever in our lives gives us meaning apart from God. We should fear God.
Then I get this rebuttal from others, well you don’t know my problems; 3 kids all in diapers, a sick mom, or wife or kid or a disease or a or a or a….. No I have none of these. But here is where we have to ask ourselves where is our faith in God? What are we relying upon? Ourselves, our parents, our 401K/investment is that what we are trusting in these last days?
As I tell others today all our money is so much paper whether it is stuffed in your mattress or it is in the bank. It is nothing but paper and the only reason it is currently valuable is that everyone mutually agrees to accept it in exchange for goods and services. When and once that changes your current green and white papers will be worthless. This day will approach us in the near future, when exactly I have no clue. What will you do then, Trust God or trust yourself? Jesus in these words gave us our priority, to fear and trust God, beginning and unto the end.
I. Where Jesus is sending His people – verses 16 – 19, 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[f] as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
God is sending us out into the world. No hiding in our churches. Opting out is not going to be an option for the believer in Christ. You will be harassed and challenged as it says in this text to stand firm and be obedient unto the end. The end is not what you think but whatever God chooses for you. Remember He is sovereign and a sovereign Lord has life and death privileges over those who have sworn fealty to the master.
Rev 21:8 reminds us that the cowardly – those who choose not to respond to Christ’s call of obedience because of fear may share in the second death in the eternal lake of fire. That is not something I wish to experience, so I think you should be prepared to make up your mind right now that you really should fear God who has the ability to cast your soul into hell.
II. All worldly elements are coming after believers – government is mobilizing – all directorates and all other IC agencies are gearing up. Radicalization of the military is in progress and in a few years those wonderful heroes of yore will be tearing up the First and Second Amendments to the Bill of Right to get you and I. After all you are the genesis of all problems in America today. Your white privilege, whiteness and racist philosophy enabled the creation of this slave focused, prejudiced and unwoke nation, how blind can you be. You need to undo all this hateful nation has made. The exalted unleader and past president says so. As a conservative you are hated because you are the bedrock of this country. You should be hiding, personally repentant and humbled as you must now must pay reparations for your behavior. This is the woke party line today. As we used to say in the past – can you dig it baby?
Anyhow Jesus has the answer before we can ask the question of how can I speak truth into this culture of hate and repression. For according to this tune I am done before I begin.
Jesus says, in verse 19 - 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
God is planning to use you right where you are. Does this scare you? This challenges our faith to the core if we are honest. Whether it is state, federal, local or the mobs who hate and yearn for violence – God says I am in you and will give you the words.
III. God’s growth principle. There is a principle here working in you and I which we need to remember. 3 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil.2:13). When you became a whosover will, who calls upon the name of Lord and are saved. He began His work in you to become like His Son, each of us is being patterned after Jesus. This growth principle never ends until you are made perfect. So then God is always at work in you and around you. He knows where you are and if knows where you are and you willingly respond, do you think you know the outcome? Paul and Silas in jail singing? Did they think revival would begin in a jail cell? Peter locked in the stocks beaten and arrested – did you ever think that God would make it seem like a dream as an angel went with him and unlocked chains, doors and walking past guards to freedom. The outcome is in the hands of the Lord
IV. Next you will suffer persecution - 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. None of us will like these days but what are we to do, quit, hide no! We are directed to go fleeing and spreading the word of God! Look who else is coming after us – family so don’t be surprised when it happens, for it is already happening today.
V. Why is this happening to Christ’s disciples? - 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
Because you are in Christ the world will hate you because they hated men. But don’t fear for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Maybe not right now but soon God will judge all the living and the dead.
Now get a grip of this and hold on to this truth – verse 27 says, 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. God says He will speak to you and use you. You don’t even have to go to seminary God will use you as a chose vessel to speak anywhere He wishes and He will guide you in all things – all things that is His promise. Do you count Him as faithful? What then is the truth? - 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. God values your life exceedingly, would He waste it if you simply give it to Him completely? After all He sent His very best to you will you not give your all for Jesus if He asks?
Only trust Him now He will save you He will save you He will save you now.
Come for salvation or come for repentance to walk fully in His word today right now
Only trust Him now. He will save you now!
A new charter is given by Jesus to the disciples 2000+ years ago. But it should not be a new charter to our eyes and ears for it has been repeated generation by generation to bring salvation to the earth. It began there in Jerusalem before Pentecost and was actually a fulfillment of prophecy seen in Acts Chapter 3, when God has given His men and women a new heart and a new spirit as promised in Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s books.
But for some reason we have seemed to have forgotten the truths that Jesus was imparting as His first set of disciples which we call the Apostles. These men were commissioned and setting out to allow God to use them to move in the hearts of the people He was calling to Himself. We need some refreshing as we reorient ourselves to God and His divine plan and power to move in us to accomplish His will for redemption, renewal and revival across America and in the pulpits of God’s power. When the church gets the message and starts responding in faith to the message of His truth then God will flex His might power by using us.
Allow us to be reset O God as you renew our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ our Lord. And Father visit us today we pray and lead us in the way everlasting to your glory and power Amen
Go to Matthew chapter 10:16-31to begin our reorientation:
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[f] as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
{Now Jesus teaches us about the Fear of God}:
27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Amen – may God add His blessing to the reading of His Word.
There is a key verse in this text and I would like to begin there – verse 28 _28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in [h]hell.
If there is anything which should cause a believer to tremble, it is the wrath of God, against the children of disobedience. The world should not cause us to fear, for Jesus has overcome the world. We should not fear men, or their words, or twitter feeds, or Facebook censoring, or loss of job or loss of prestige or whatever in our lives gives us meaning apart from God. We should fear God.
Then I get this rebuttal from others, well you don’t know my problems; 3 kids all in diapers, a sick mom, or wife or kid or a disease or a or a or a….. No I have none of these. But here is where we have to ask ourselves where is our faith in God? What are we relying upon? Ourselves, our parents, our 401K/investment is that what we are trusting in these last days?
As I tell others today all our money is so much paper whether it is stuffed in your mattress or it is in the bank. It is nothing but paper and the only reason it is currently valuable is that everyone mutually agrees to accept it in exchange for goods and services. When and once that changes your current green and white papers will be worthless. This day will approach us in the near future, when exactly I have no clue. What will you do then, Trust God or trust yourself? Jesus in these words gave us our priority, to fear and trust God, beginning and unto the end.
I. Where Jesus is sending His people – verses 16 – 19, 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[f] as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
God is sending us out into the world. No hiding in our churches. Opting out is not going to be an option for the believer in Christ. You will be harassed and challenged as it says in this text to stand firm and be obedient unto the end. The end is not what you think but whatever God chooses for you. Remember He is sovereign and a sovereign Lord has life and death privileges over those who have sworn fealty to the master.
Rev 21:8 reminds us that the cowardly – those who choose not to respond to Christ’s call of obedience because of fear may share in the second death in the eternal lake of fire. That is not something I wish to experience, so I think you should be prepared to make up your mind right now that you really should fear God who has the ability to cast your soul into hell.
II. All worldly elements are coming after believers – government is mobilizing – all directorates and all other IC agencies are gearing up. Radicalization of the military is in progress and in a few years those wonderful heroes of yore will be tearing up the First and Second Amendments to the Bill of Right to get you and I. After all you are the genesis of all problems in America today. Your white privilege, whiteness and racist philosophy enabled the creation of this slave focused, prejudiced and unwoke nation, how blind can you be. You need to undo all this hateful nation has made. The exalted unleader and past president says so. As a conservative you are hated because you are the bedrock of this country. You should be hiding, personally repentant and humbled as you must now must pay reparations for your behavior. This is the woke party line today. As we used to say in the past – can you dig it baby?
Anyhow Jesus has the answer before we can ask the question of how can I speak truth into this culture of hate and repression. For according to this tune I am done before I begin.
Jesus says, in verse 19 - 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
God is planning to use you right where you are. Does this scare you? This challenges our faith to the core if we are honest. Whether it is state, federal, local or the mobs who hate and yearn for violence – God says I am in you and will give you the words.
III. God’s growth principle. There is a principle here working in you and I which we need to remember. 3 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil.2:13). When you became a whosover will, who calls upon the name of Lord and are saved. He began His work in you to become like His Son, each of us is being patterned after Jesus. This growth principle never ends until you are made perfect. So then God is always at work in you and around you. He knows where you are and if knows where you are and you willingly respond, do you think you know the outcome? Paul and Silas in jail singing? Did they think revival would begin in a jail cell? Peter locked in the stocks beaten and arrested – did you ever think that God would make it seem like a dream as an angel went with him and unlocked chains, doors and walking past guards to freedom. The outcome is in the hands of the Lord
IV. Next you will suffer persecution - 21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. None of us will like these days but what are we to do, quit, hide no! We are directed to go fleeing and spreading the word of God! Look who else is coming after us – family so don’t be surprised when it happens, for it is already happening today.
V. Why is this happening to Christ’s disciples? - 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
Because you are in Christ the world will hate you because they hated men. But don’t fear for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Maybe not right now but soon God will judge all the living and the dead.
Now get a grip of this and hold on to this truth – verse 27 says, 27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. God says He will speak to you and use you. You don’t even have to go to seminary God will use you as a chose vessel to speak anywhere He wishes and He will guide you in all things – all things that is His promise. Do you count Him as faithful? What then is the truth? - 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a [i]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. God values your life exceedingly, would He waste it if you simply give it to Him completely? After all He sent His very best to you will you not give your all for Jesus if He asks?
Only trust Him now He will save you He will save you He will save you now.
Come for salvation or come for repentance to walk fully in His word today right now
Only trust Him now. He will save you now!
Sermon May 23
Do we really understand and recognize our role as believers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Your role follows in accordance with the focus scripture we continue to study, which is – Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt. 4:19). Now I tend to add the admonition of the word to Come to follow Me, but to be accurate the direction and actual wording is to Follow Me meaning Christ.
So what am I poking at here? Well there is a tendency in our society and in our churches to import the philosophies of the world into our Christian culture. We suffer from and because of this. We see this may times in the elevation of the self above the teachings of God. Now exactly what are we talking about.
Well let’s see: when abortion becomes a woman’s choice, which is really murder: when multiple types of sexual sin get marketed as gay rights, there is nothing gay about sin; when lying and cheating at the polls and suppressing the rights of Christ followers is labeled the equality act or a For America plan in whatever version we are trying to make America a socialist nation. Critical race theory is another manifestation of destroying what God has created. Not just some lives but all lives are valued before God.
So if we look more precisely at the items we just listed in each we find a rejection and a perversion of what God has created. All life begins at conception and it is not man’s right to call it choice and destroy it. That is same as in the Old Testament of offering your children to the fire of Moloch.
Sexual perversion is a sin against what God created as male and female. It is called an abomination before God and brings the fruity of destruction within the person.
When God created this nation through the founding fathers there was a description from the Bible of unalienable rights. These rights are given by God and no man has the right to take them away – generally they are referred to in the preamble as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Detailed descriptions of these rights are in the Bill of Rights. These rights come from God when was the last time you looked at them. Do you even know what is being stripped from you by these upcoming bills and legislation? Change voting, change how bills are to be approved. Force Christians to stop hate speech which is quoting the Bible and forcing Christians to accept what the world wants in our churches. Just check out Canada if you want to see where America will be in 5 – 10 years or sooner. They are arresting pastors Study folks to show thyselves approved.
Then we have Critical Race Theory which denies the creation of God as one, race with multiple colors and hues, each person with intrinsic value, none better than the other, all to be treated with dignity and respect. But no we choose to sow division in our grade schools, high schools and universities, businesses and industry and it is in the congress with all the Democrats speaking this hate speech. This also violates God’s creation for this nation did not begin as racist and the 1619 Revisionist History being taught in our schools is division and a lie. When are you going to get angry and do something about the hate being manufactured by liberal revisionists in our schools?
So what is a servant to do according to the word of God? Just sit back and let God handle it? Do nothing just wait? Or should we be seeking the path of just what would God have you do to counter the culture in this day and age?
Luke 17:3 - 10
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins [c]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns [d]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded [e]him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
As we read this we are amazed. In this passage Jesus makes it clear there are two roles interplaying here. The role of the master as He is leading and the role of servant who is following.
The master, on the other hand, gives directions. The master does not tell the servant to develop a vision that will guide the master. Remember Moses and Joshua. God’s instruction to Moses was that He was sending Moses to set His people free. Moses was to simply complete what God was leading Him to do. Genesis Chapter 3:16-17 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; 17 and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”
God said in Joshua Chapter 1 vs. 2 -5 : 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage,
These are two strong examples of servant leaders listening to and for the call of God on their lives and living it out daily.
you search for Me with all your heart. This must become our way of life as a servant believer to God and become our daily striving.
God is the Master, We are His servants. We as sinners although saved by grace, have as sinners a distinct and propitious tendency to try to and reverse this! Because of self and sin we can pursue the wrong course where we want to be in charge and His becomes our servant. You understand Jesus and God the Father will never condone or support this behavior. The remains a condition of the heart problems and may well result in God removing the one who so grievously sins against God. We see many Kings of Israel and some in Judah who demonstrated this inversion and personal sin again against God. Ahab and Jezebel are two prime exemplars of wickedness and rebellion against God.
When the Master speaks He is God. God’s revelation of Himself, His purposes, and His ways depends directly upon our personal obedience. He often will not reveal today His intentions for the next five years, but He will tell us what our next step should be. We have already looked at John 14:21, obedience to all God has spoken to us no matter how minor in our consideration it may think it to be. Moses disobeyed God in one minor thing and cost him from entering the promised land. This is the tough part of obeying – Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
As servants we respond to God’s {0ur Masters) revelation, He will accomplish what He desires, and He will be the One who receives the glory. The servant receives no benefit, or particular benefit in begin a servant. His job is to reflect the glory and honor to His master
Our fulfillment then as a servant comes from serving our master.
The world will encourage you to strive for positions of authority and power. God wants you to take the role of a servant. This was Jesus’ role as He came from heaven to obey. Paul in Philippians Chapter 2 reminds of how far Jesus came from the gory of heaven to become obedient as a man and suffer death on the cross. Jesus on the night He was betrayed washed the disciple’s feet. He said, as I have done so should you. As God’s servant you and I should have no other agenda than to be obedient to whatever He tells us.
So in the end, God does not need you to dream great dreams for your life, your family, your business, or your church. He simply asks for obedience. He has plans that would dwarf yours in comparison (Eph. 3:20 says, 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
God’s desire is for you to know Jesus Christ so intimately that you know Him and obey Him completely. Do you even know this Jesus who died on the cross for your sin? He stands arisen and at the right hand of the Father with His arms stretched out like He did on the cross saying to whosoever will – Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Jesus says Come and is willing to give you the power of the Resurrection to help you live in Him today.
Amen
Do we really understand and recognize our role as believers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Your role follows in accordance with the focus scripture we continue to study, which is – Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt. 4:19). Now I tend to add the admonition of the word to Come to follow Me, but to be accurate the direction and actual wording is to Follow Me meaning Christ.
So what am I poking at here? Well there is a tendency in our society and in our churches to import the philosophies of the world into our Christian culture. We suffer from and because of this. We see this may times in the elevation of the self above the teachings of God. Now exactly what are we talking about.
Well let’s see: when abortion becomes a woman’s choice, which is really murder: when multiple types of sexual sin get marketed as gay rights, there is nothing gay about sin; when lying and cheating at the polls and suppressing the rights of Christ followers is labeled the equality act or a For America plan in whatever version we are trying to make America a socialist nation. Critical race theory is another manifestation of destroying what God has created. Not just some lives but all lives are valued before God.
So if we look more precisely at the items we just listed in each we find a rejection and a perversion of what God has created. All life begins at conception and it is not man’s right to call it choice and destroy it. That is same as in the Old Testament of offering your children to the fire of Moloch.
Sexual perversion is a sin against what God created as male and female. It is called an abomination before God and brings the fruity of destruction within the person.
When God created this nation through the founding fathers there was a description from the Bible of unalienable rights. These rights are given by God and no man has the right to take them away – generally they are referred to in the preamble as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Detailed descriptions of these rights are in the Bill of Rights. These rights come from God when was the last time you looked at them. Do you even know what is being stripped from you by these upcoming bills and legislation? Change voting, change how bills are to be approved. Force Christians to stop hate speech which is quoting the Bible and forcing Christians to accept what the world wants in our churches. Just check out Canada if you want to see where America will be in 5 – 10 years or sooner. They are arresting pastors Study folks to show thyselves approved.
Then we have Critical Race Theory which denies the creation of God as one, race with multiple colors and hues, each person with intrinsic value, none better than the other, all to be treated with dignity and respect. But no we choose to sow division in our grade schools, high schools and universities, businesses and industry and it is in the congress with all the Democrats speaking this hate speech. This also violates God’s creation for this nation did not begin as racist and the 1619 Revisionist History being taught in our schools is division and a lie. When are you going to get angry and do something about the hate being manufactured by liberal revisionists in our schools?
So what is a servant to do according to the word of God? Just sit back and let God handle it? Do nothing just wait? Or should we be seeking the path of just what would God have you do to counter the culture in this day and age?
Luke 17:3 - 10
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins [c]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns [d]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded [e]him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
As we read this we are amazed. In this passage Jesus makes it clear there are two roles interplaying here. The role of the master as He is leading and the role of servant who is following.
- The servant carries out the master’s will.
- The servant doesn’t tell the master what to do.
- The servant has no intrinsic rights to claim for himself
- The servant is totally and completely dependent upon the master for everything including his life
- There are no limits on the obedience of the servant for loving, for forgiving, for doing and for following. God can choose to treat you like Paul or preserve you like He did John. His choice not yours.
- The servant does not choose which tasks to perform for the master, nor does the servant suggest days or times when it would be convenient to serve the master.
- Obedience is required and not optional to complete the will of the Master
The master, on the other hand, gives directions. The master does not tell the servant to develop a vision that will guide the master. Remember Moses and Joshua. God’s instruction to Moses was that He was sending Moses to set His people free. Moses was to simply complete what God was leading Him to do. Genesis Chapter 3:16-17 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; 17 and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”
God said in Joshua Chapter 1 vs. 2 -5 : 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage,
These are two strong examples of servant leaders listening to and for the call of God on their lives and living it out daily.
- So the servant’s role is to hear and obey and stay on course without veering away.
you search for Me with all your heart. This must become our way of life as a servant believer to God and become our daily striving.
- The servant’s role is to understand the vision and seek where the Master is at work and join Him
God is the Master, We are His servants. We as sinners although saved by grace, have as sinners a distinct and propitious tendency to try to and reverse this! Because of self and sin we can pursue the wrong course where we want to be in charge and His becomes our servant. You understand Jesus and God the Father will never condone or support this behavior. The remains a condition of the heart problems and may well result in God removing the one who so grievously sins against God. We see many Kings of Israel and some in Judah who demonstrated this inversion and personal sin again against God. Ahab and Jezebel are two prime exemplars of wickedness and rebellion against God.
When the Master speaks He is God. God’s revelation of Himself, His purposes, and His ways depends directly upon our personal obedience. He often will not reveal today His intentions for the next five years, but He will tell us what our next step should be. We have already looked at John 14:21, obedience to all God has spoken to us no matter how minor in our consideration it may think it to be. Moses disobeyed God in one minor thing and cost him from entering the promised land. This is the tough part of obeying – Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
As servants we respond to God’s {0ur Masters) revelation, He will accomplish what He desires, and He will be the One who receives the glory. The servant receives no benefit, or particular benefit in begin a servant. His job is to reflect the glory and honor to His master
Our fulfillment then as a servant comes from serving our master.
The world will encourage you to strive for positions of authority and power. God wants you to take the role of a servant. This was Jesus’ role as He came from heaven to obey. Paul in Philippians Chapter 2 reminds of how far Jesus came from the gory of heaven to become obedient as a man and suffer death on the cross. Jesus on the night He was betrayed washed the disciple’s feet. He said, as I have done so should you. As God’s servant you and I should have no other agenda than to be obedient to whatever He tells us.
So in the end, God does not need you to dream great dreams for your life, your family, your business, or your church. He simply asks for obedience. He has plans that would dwarf yours in comparison (Eph. 3:20 says, 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
God’s desire is for you to know Jesus Christ so intimately that you know Him and obey Him completely. Do you even know this Jesus who died on the cross for your sin? He stands arisen and at the right hand of the Father with His arms stretched out like He did on the cross saying to whosoever will – Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Jesus says Come and is willing to give you the power of the Resurrection to help you live in Him today.
Amen
Sermon May 16
Do we really understand and recognize our role as believers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Your role follows in accordance with the focus scripture we continue to study, which is – Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt. 4:19). Now I tend to add the admonition of the word to Come to follow Me, but to be accurate the direction and actual wording is to Follow Me meaning Christ.
So what am I poking at here? Well there is a tendency in our society and in our churches to import the philosophies of the world into our Christian culture. We suffer from and because of this. We see this may times in the elevation of the self above the teachings of God. Now exactly what are we talking about.
Well let’s see: when abortion becomes a woman’s choice, which is really murder: when multiple types of sexual sin get marketed as gay rights, there is nothing gay about sin; when lying and cheating at the polls and suppressing the rights of Christ followers is labeled the equality act or a For America plan in whatever version we are trying to make America a socialist nation. Critical race theory is another manifestation of destroying what God has created. Not just some lives but all lives are valued before God.
So if we look more precisely at the items we just listed in each we find a rejection and a perversion of what God has created. All life begins at conception and it is not man’s right to call it choice and destroy it. That is same as in the Old Testament of offering your children to the fire of Moloch.
Sexual perversion is a sin against what God created as male and female. It is called an abomination before God and brings the fruity of destruction within the person.
When God created this nation through the founding fathers there was a description from the Bible of unalienable rights. These rights are given by God and no man has the right to take them away – generally they are referred to in the preamble as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Detailed descriptions of these rights are in the Bill of Rights. These rights come from God when was the last time you looked at them. Do you even know what is being stripped from you by these upcoming bills and legislation? Change voting, change how bills are to be approved. Force Christians to stop hate speech which is quoting the Bible and forcing Christians to accept what the world wants in our churches. Just check out Canada if you want to see where America will be in 5 – 10 years or sooner. They are arresting pastors Study folks to show thyselves approved.
Then we have Critical Race Theory which denies the creation of God as one, race with multiple colors and hues, each person with intrinsic value, none better than the other, all to be treated with dignity and respect. But no we choose to sow division in our grade schools, high schools and universities, businesses and industry and it is in the congress with all the Democrats speaking this hate speech. This also violates God’s creation for this nation did not begin as racist and the 1619 Revisionist History being taught in our schools is division and a lie. When are you going to get angry and do something about the hate being manufactured by liberal revisionists in our schools?
So what is a servant to do according to the word of God? Just sit back and let God handle it? Do nothing just wait? Or should we be seeking the path of just what would God have you do to counter the culture in this day and age?
Luke 17:3 - 10
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins [c]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns [d]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded [e]him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
As we read this we are amazed. In this passage Jesus makes it clear there are two roles interplaying here. The role of the master as He is leading and the role of servant who is following.
The master, on the other hand, gives directions. The master does not tell the servant to develop a vision that will guide the master. Remember Moses and Joshua. God’s instruction to Moses was that He was sending Moses to set His people free. Moses was to simply complete what God was leading Him to do. Genesis Chapter 3:16-17 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; 17 and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”
God said in Joshua Chapter 1 vs. 2 -5 : 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage,
These are two strong examples of servant leaders listening to and for the call of God on their lives and living it out daily.
you search for Me with all your heart. This must become our way of life as a servant believer to God and become our daily striving.
God is the Master, We are His servants. We as sinners although saved by grace, have as sinners a distinct and propitious tendency to try to and reverse this! Because of self and sin we can pursue the wrong course where we want to be in charge and His becomes our servant. You understand Jesus and God the Father will never condone or support this behavior. The remains a condition of the heart problems and may well result in God removing the one who so grievously sins against God. We see many Kings of Israel and some in Judah who demonstrated this inversion and personal sin again against God. Ahab and Jezebel are two prime exemplars of wickedness and rebellion against God.
When the Master speaks He is God. God’s revelation of Himself, His purposes, and His ways depends directly upon our personal obedience. He often will not reveal today His intentions for the next five years, but He will tell us what our next step should be. We have already looked at John 14:21, obedience to all God has spoken to us no matter how minor in our consideration it may think it to be. Moses disobeyed God in one minor thing and cost him from entering the promised land. This is the tough part of obeying – Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
As servants we respond to God’s {0ur Masters) revelation, He will accomplish what He desires, and He will be the One who receives the glory. The servant receives no benefit, or particular benefit in begin a servant. His job is to reflect the glory and honor to His master
Our fulfillment then as a servant comes from serving our master.
The world will encourage you to strive for positions of authority and power. God wants you to take the role of a servant. This was Jesus’ role as He came from heaven to obey. Paul in Philippians Chapter 2 reminds of how far Jesus came from the gory of heaven to become obedient as a man and suffer death on the cross. Jesus on the night He was betrayed washed the disciple’s feet. He said, as I have done so should you. As God’s servant you and I should have no other agenda than to be obedient to whatever He tells us.
So in the end, God does not need you to dream great dreams for your life, your family, your business, or your church. He simply asks for obedience. He has plans that would dwarf yours in comparison (Eph. 3:20 says, 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
God’s desire is for you to know Jesus Christ so intimately that you know Him and obey Him completely. Do you even know this Jesus who died on the cross for your sin? He stands arisen and at the right hand of the Father with His arms stretched out like He did on the cross saying to whosoever will – Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Jesus says Come and is willing to give you the power of the Resurrection to help you live in Him today.
Amen
Do we really understand and recognize our role as believers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Your role follows in accordance with the focus scripture we continue to study, which is – Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men. (Matt. 4:19). Now I tend to add the admonition of the word to Come to follow Me, but to be accurate the direction and actual wording is to Follow Me meaning Christ.
So what am I poking at here? Well there is a tendency in our society and in our churches to import the philosophies of the world into our Christian culture. We suffer from and because of this. We see this may times in the elevation of the self above the teachings of God. Now exactly what are we talking about.
Well let’s see: when abortion becomes a woman’s choice, which is really murder: when multiple types of sexual sin get marketed as gay rights, there is nothing gay about sin; when lying and cheating at the polls and suppressing the rights of Christ followers is labeled the equality act or a For America plan in whatever version we are trying to make America a socialist nation. Critical race theory is another manifestation of destroying what God has created. Not just some lives but all lives are valued before God.
So if we look more precisely at the items we just listed in each we find a rejection and a perversion of what God has created. All life begins at conception and it is not man’s right to call it choice and destroy it. That is same as in the Old Testament of offering your children to the fire of Moloch.
Sexual perversion is a sin against what God created as male and female. It is called an abomination before God and brings the fruity of destruction within the person.
When God created this nation through the founding fathers there was a description from the Bible of unalienable rights. These rights are given by God and no man has the right to take them away – generally they are referred to in the preamble as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Detailed descriptions of these rights are in the Bill of Rights. These rights come from God when was the last time you looked at them. Do you even know what is being stripped from you by these upcoming bills and legislation? Change voting, change how bills are to be approved. Force Christians to stop hate speech which is quoting the Bible and forcing Christians to accept what the world wants in our churches. Just check out Canada if you want to see where America will be in 5 – 10 years or sooner. They are arresting pastors Study folks to show thyselves approved.
Then we have Critical Race Theory which denies the creation of God as one, race with multiple colors and hues, each person with intrinsic value, none better than the other, all to be treated with dignity and respect. But no we choose to sow division in our grade schools, high schools and universities, businesses and industry and it is in the congress with all the Democrats speaking this hate speech. This also violates God’s creation for this nation did not begin as racist and the 1619 Revisionist History being taught in our schools is division and a lie. When are you going to get angry and do something about the hate being manufactured by liberal revisionists in our schools?
So what is a servant to do according to the word of God? Just sit back and let God handle it? Do nothing just wait? Or should we be seeking the path of just what would God have you do to counter the culture in this day and age?
Luke 17:3 - 10
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins [c]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns [d]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded [e]him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
As we read this we are amazed. In this passage Jesus makes it clear there are two roles interplaying here. The role of the master as He is leading and the role of servant who is following.
- The servant carries out the master’s will.
- The servant doesn’t tell the master what to do.
- The servant has no intrinsic rights to claim for himself
- The servant is totally and completely dependent upon the master for everything including his life
- There are no limits on the obedience of the servant for loving, for forgiving, for doing and for following. God can choose to treat you like Paul or preserve you like He did John. His choice not yours.
- The servant does not choose which tasks to perform for the master, nor does the servant suggest days or times when it would be convenient to serve the master.
- Obedience is required and not optional to complete the will of the Master
The master, on the other hand, gives directions. The master does not tell the servant to develop a vision that will guide the master. Remember Moses and Joshua. God’s instruction to Moses was that He was sending Moses to set His people free. Moses was to simply complete what God was leading Him to do. Genesis Chapter 3:16-17 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; 17 and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”
God said in Joshua Chapter 1 vs. 2 -5 : 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage,
These are two strong examples of servant leaders listening to and for the call of God on their lives and living it out daily.
- So the servant’s role is to hear and obey and stay on course without veering away.
you search for Me with all your heart. This must become our way of life as a servant believer to God and become our daily striving.
- The servant’s role is to understand the vision and seek where the Master is at work and join Him
God is the Master, We are His servants. We as sinners although saved by grace, have as sinners a distinct and propitious tendency to try to and reverse this! Because of self and sin we can pursue the wrong course where we want to be in charge and His becomes our servant. You understand Jesus and God the Father will never condone or support this behavior. The remains a condition of the heart problems and may well result in God removing the one who so grievously sins against God. We see many Kings of Israel and some in Judah who demonstrated this inversion and personal sin again against God. Ahab and Jezebel are two prime exemplars of wickedness and rebellion against God.
When the Master speaks He is God. God’s revelation of Himself, His purposes, and His ways depends directly upon our personal obedience. He often will not reveal today His intentions for the next five years, but He will tell us what our next step should be. We have already looked at John 14:21, obedience to all God has spoken to us no matter how minor in our consideration it may think it to be. Moses disobeyed God in one minor thing and cost him from entering the promised land. This is the tough part of obeying – Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.
As servants we respond to God’s {0ur Masters) revelation, He will accomplish what He desires, and He will be the One who receives the glory. The servant receives no benefit, or particular benefit in begin a servant. His job is to reflect the glory and honor to His master
Our fulfillment then as a servant comes from serving our master.
The world will encourage you to strive for positions of authority and power. God wants you to take the role of a servant. This was Jesus’ role as He came from heaven to obey. Paul in Philippians Chapter 2 reminds of how far Jesus came from the gory of heaven to become obedient as a man and suffer death on the cross. Jesus on the night He was betrayed washed the disciple’s feet. He said, as I have done so should you. As God’s servant you and I should have no other agenda than to be obedient to whatever He tells us.
So in the end, God does not need you to dream great dreams for your life, your family, your business, or your church. He simply asks for obedience. He has plans that would dwarf yours in comparison (Eph. 3:20 says, 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
God’s desire is for you to know Jesus Christ so intimately that you know Him and obey Him completely. Do you even know this Jesus who died on the cross for your sin? He stands arisen and at the right hand of the Father with His arms stretched out like He did on the cross saying to whosoever will – Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Jesus says Come and is willing to give you the power of the Resurrection to help you live in Him today.
Amen
Sermon May 9
Happy Mother’s Day
A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.
As he got out of the car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing. He asked her what was wrong and she replied, “I wanted to buy a rose for my mother. But I only have seventy-five cents and a rose costs two dollars.”
He bought the little girl a rose and then ordered his own mother’s flowers.
As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home.
She said, “Yes, please. You can take me to my mother.”
She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.
The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother’s house.
But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:
The word love appears 504 times in the bible and is in most of the books of scripture, not all but most. Love is mentioned 267 times in the Old Testament and 237 times in the New Testament.
The word love inspires several topics of interest other than the word love by itself. This includes love is patient, etc.: love one another, love your neighbor, love the Lord your God, love the Lord, love your enemies, love is kind, love God and love the Lord your God.
The command to love begins first and foremost with loving God. Out of the love of God and confidence in Him and His love we draw strength to first forgive and love ourselves. The ability to accept yourself and your own irregularities begin with focusing on God. Out of the abundance of love which we find in God then, allows us to love others and one another. But the relationship of love in God and in Jesus Christ His Son does not end there. For from our relationship of love in the Father, and in the Son and in the Holy Ghost we are commanded to love other in the Church, even as Christ loves us. There should never be a spirit of unforgiveness in us or in giving love to one another.
Remember how much we are to love the Lord your God, with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. In Mark 12 Jesus states this principle – read.. 28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, [i]perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the [j]first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Notice this request what is the greatest commands of all. How is it possible to love when we live in the world which we do today? With all the ungodly, unholy and unrighteous living, sinning and with unrestraint and the hate which is poured out against believers and lovers of Christ, how is it possible to love and love others. First if we look at this scripture love is not optional, it is commanded. But it begins again with what we said before in our love relationship with Christ. When we consider the Love of God in Christ Jesus and what He did to enable us to have forgiveness and if we are honest in our own hearts – How much has He forgiven you?
So Let’s get personal and remember when we were saved by the love of God. Do you remember that day and if you do ask your heart and soul this question?
If He has forgiven you in your depths of sin, and we love Him; how can we not forgive others because we keep our eyes on the love of God. Go back and read verse 30. Do you love your neighbor as yourself? You must answer this question by checking your heart and seeing if God’s Holy Spirit is confirming in your spirit that you are obedient to the command.
The Word of God has more to say on love especially in the gospel of Luke Chapter 10, beginning in verse 21
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All[g] things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
Perhaps you do not realize how special you are to God? We think of ourselves as one solitary life, how am I of significance to God? How many solitary lives has God and the Lord Christ touched? Who knows, but when God touches your life it is no longer ordinary but super ordinary. I would even say it is supernatural – meaning above the design of nature – God is you! Incredible. and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” But He has touched your life. So are you going to remain ordinary or will you allow God to make you into His creation, useful to Him in every good work. Keep reading just wanted to remind mothers and all others here today How much God loves you for He has granted for you to know the hidden things of God. What a privilege to know the love of God. Verse 23 now..
23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” Then He relates the Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 And behold, a certain [h]lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
{remember this verse is from the OT]
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” {This question is relevant to us today}
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among [i]thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, [j]when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
So for you and I if we extend this verse what does it tell us? “Go and do likewise.”
So in this parable we see a collection of attitudes: To the lawyer, who asks the question the wounded man is just a matter for theoretical discussion. To the thieves, the man who they wounded, was just a mark, not a person, someone who they could exploit and use. To the religious men, the Priest/Pharisee and the Levite {worker in the temple}, the wounded man was a problem to be avoided. To the innkeeper, the wounded man was money for profit, dead or alive. To the Samaritan, the wounded man was a human being worth being cared for and loved, despite his dreadful condition {sounds like Jesus doesn’t it when He saves us – Romans 5:8. And the last perspective is from Jesus who was telling the parable to them. To Jesus despite each of their individual short comings and sin, all of them were worth dying for on a cruel cross. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.
Jesus applied this story to confront our hearts about our attitudes towards the needs of others and not ourselves., You see this story causes our hearts and minds to react and makes clear the attitude of our heart. All those around Jesus were challenged by this story. How could God use a dreaded and filthy Samaritan? The most despised of all people by the Jews. He was righteous before the supposed holy and saintly people church people of the day. If we are honest we can look at this story and find ourselves in many of the different characters and their responses based upon our attitudes at a particular time. Jesus parable is saying we are to be different that where our attitudes lead us. We are not to be bound by traditions, emotions and attitudes but by the will of God.
From this parable we learn three principles about loving our neighbor.
1. Lack of love is often easy to justify, but it is no excuse. You say to me, if you only knew what this person did or said or lied or whatever hate filled actions another took against you or is taking currently against you. If you only knew the trouble I seen. According to Jesus you are to Love your enemies and those who despitefully use you. So there is no excuse because you are to keep your eyes on Jesus and remember to love your neighbor as yourself.
2. Our neighbor is anyone of any race (remember we are of one race according to the Bible, the human race) so whatever color, creed or social, economic background. These are our neighbors who have physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Most of the time we try to meet the physical needs not sensing that there are deeper spiritual needs which need to be met. Remember – II Cor. 10: 3-6 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Sometimes our biggest enemy is getting by self. That is why placing the love of God first orients us to the right relationship as primary and cental to all we do.
3. Love means acting to meet another’s needs despite the personal cost. And in many cases there is no real reason to refuse to help. Not all needs are financial, some just required time and a listening ear. Learning to be compassionate is a lesson where many of us need to improve. Being different as a Samaritan, a hated class of people to some, He showed compassion on one who was in need. He could have treated the Jew in the street as an enemy, but He didn’t. In the man’s need he sowed grace, love and mercy.
That is why the end of I Corinthians 13 ends with the statement the greatest of these is love. Jesus stated the same thing when He died for us on the tree. Romans 5:7-9 says, 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Jesus died for you. Will you live and love others for Him and be His hands and feet today serving others? He calls you to service today. Will you obey?
Amen.
Happy Mother’s Day
A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.
As he got out of the car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing. He asked her what was wrong and she replied, “I wanted to buy a rose for my mother. But I only have seventy-five cents and a rose costs two dollars.”
He bought the little girl a rose and then ordered his own mother’s flowers.
As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home.
She said, “Yes, please. You can take me to my mother.”
She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.
The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother’s house.
But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:
The word love appears 504 times in the bible and is in most of the books of scripture, not all but most. Love is mentioned 267 times in the Old Testament and 237 times in the New Testament.
The word love inspires several topics of interest other than the word love by itself. This includes love is patient, etc.: love one another, love your neighbor, love the Lord your God, love the Lord, love your enemies, love is kind, love God and love the Lord your God.
The command to love begins first and foremost with loving God. Out of the love of God and confidence in Him and His love we draw strength to first forgive and love ourselves. The ability to accept yourself and your own irregularities begin with focusing on God. Out of the abundance of love which we find in God then, allows us to love others and one another. But the relationship of love in God and in Jesus Christ His Son does not end there. For from our relationship of love in the Father, and in the Son and in the Holy Ghost we are commanded to love other in the Church, even as Christ loves us. There should never be a spirit of unforgiveness in us or in giving love to one another.
Remember how much we are to love the Lord your God, with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. In Mark 12 Jesus states this principle – read.. 28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, [i]perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the [j]first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Notice this request what is the greatest commands of all. How is it possible to love when we live in the world which we do today? With all the ungodly, unholy and unrighteous living, sinning and with unrestraint and the hate which is poured out against believers and lovers of Christ, how is it possible to love and love others. First if we look at this scripture love is not optional, it is commanded. But it begins again with what we said before in our love relationship with Christ. When we consider the Love of God in Christ Jesus and what He did to enable us to have forgiveness and if we are honest in our own hearts – How much has He forgiven you?
So Let’s get personal and remember when we were saved by the love of God. Do you remember that day and if you do ask your heart and soul this question?
If He has forgiven you in your depths of sin, and we love Him; how can we not forgive others because we keep our eyes on the love of God. Go back and read verse 30. Do you love your neighbor as yourself? You must answer this question by checking your heart and seeing if God’s Holy Spirit is confirming in your spirit that you are obedient to the command.
The Word of God has more to say on love especially in the gospel of Luke Chapter 10, beginning in verse 21
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All[g] things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
Perhaps you do not realize how special you are to God? We think of ourselves as one solitary life, how am I of significance to God? How many solitary lives has God and the Lord Christ touched? Who knows, but when God touches your life it is no longer ordinary but super ordinary. I would even say it is supernatural – meaning above the design of nature – God is you! Incredible. and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” But He has touched your life. So are you going to remain ordinary or will you allow God to make you into His creation, useful to Him in every good work. Keep reading just wanted to remind mothers and all others here today How much God loves you for He has granted for you to know the hidden things of God. What a privilege to know the love of God. Verse 23 now..
23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” Then He relates the Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 And behold, a certain [h]lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
{remember this verse is from the OT]
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” {This question is relevant to us today}
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among [i]thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, [j]when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
So for you and I if we extend this verse what does it tell us? “Go and do likewise.”
So in this parable we see a collection of attitudes: To the lawyer, who asks the question the wounded man is just a matter for theoretical discussion. To the thieves, the man who they wounded, was just a mark, not a person, someone who they could exploit and use. To the religious men, the Priest/Pharisee and the Levite {worker in the temple}, the wounded man was a problem to be avoided. To the innkeeper, the wounded man was money for profit, dead or alive. To the Samaritan, the wounded man was a human being worth being cared for and loved, despite his dreadful condition {sounds like Jesus doesn’t it when He saves us – Romans 5:8. And the last perspective is from Jesus who was telling the parable to them. To Jesus despite each of their individual short comings and sin, all of them were worth dying for on a cruel cross. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.
Jesus applied this story to confront our hearts about our attitudes towards the needs of others and not ourselves., You see this story causes our hearts and minds to react and makes clear the attitude of our heart. All those around Jesus were challenged by this story. How could God use a dreaded and filthy Samaritan? The most despised of all people by the Jews. He was righteous before the supposed holy and saintly people church people of the day. If we are honest we can look at this story and find ourselves in many of the different characters and their responses based upon our attitudes at a particular time. Jesus parable is saying we are to be different that where our attitudes lead us. We are not to be bound by traditions, emotions and attitudes but by the will of God.
From this parable we learn three principles about loving our neighbor.
1. Lack of love is often easy to justify, but it is no excuse. You say to me, if you only knew what this person did or said or lied or whatever hate filled actions another took against you or is taking currently against you. If you only knew the trouble I seen. According to Jesus you are to Love your enemies and those who despitefully use you. So there is no excuse because you are to keep your eyes on Jesus and remember to love your neighbor as yourself.
2. Our neighbor is anyone of any race (remember we are of one race according to the Bible, the human race) so whatever color, creed or social, economic background. These are our neighbors who have physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Most of the time we try to meet the physical needs not sensing that there are deeper spiritual needs which need to be met. Remember – II Cor. 10: 3-6 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Sometimes our biggest enemy is getting by self. That is why placing the love of God first orients us to the right relationship as primary and cental to all we do.
3. Love means acting to meet another’s needs despite the personal cost. And in many cases there is no real reason to refuse to help. Not all needs are financial, some just required time and a listening ear. Learning to be compassionate is a lesson where many of us need to improve. Being different as a Samaritan, a hated class of people to some, He showed compassion on one who was in need. He could have treated the Jew in the street as an enemy, but He didn’t. In the man’s need he sowed grace, love and mercy.
That is why the end of I Corinthians 13 ends with the statement the greatest of these is love. Jesus stated the same thing when He died for us on the tree. Romans 5:7-9 says, 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Jesus died for you. Will you live and love others for Him and be His hands and feet today serving others? He calls you to service today. Will you obey?
Amen.
Sermon May 2
II Timothy 4: 1-5: 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
Last week we began by studying most of 2 Timothy Chapter 3 – ending as it were with the 5 verses in Chapter 4. I am not sure we are finished with what we began last week and need to cap it off again here in Chapter 4, using the first 5 verses.
To accomplish this, we will need to remember and refresh ourselves on the 4 basic principles we discovered about the times we live in and what God Almighty allows in our lives. Without a firm appreciation of these 3 principles we will have difficulty in maintaining our faith in God, as the last days approach.
So quit hemming and hawing and tells us what are these three-core faith building principles.
1. First, whatever God wants in our lives is best.
2. Second whatever God purposes for your life, He has the power and authority to accomplish it.
3. Third the Holy Spirit is in you and will be with you, as you by faith complete His assignment
From the study of God’s word as you walk with Him, He will give and fill you with faith, hope and love in the journey, as your feet step into the water. This similar to the Priests In Joshua’s day, stepping into the Jordan during flood stage and God stopping the waters and setting them on dry ground after 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness.
In God’s word there are clear parallels with what is occurring today and what happened in Israel when the Jew’s rejected God and departed from His teachings. { if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, Deut 30:17}
- Today’s Christians for the most part want relief from all these pestering pagans who deny God and are trying to bring darkness of sin across everywhere.
We see them in the media controlling thoughts and spewing lies. We see them in State and National Leadership calling Good evil and Evil good just like it says in Isaiah 5:20. We see unrestrained sin and abortion on demand increasing and the forces of preserving what is good totally ineffective. It appears that God’s restraining holy Spirit is no longer restraining and that God has given us over to our sin. We see the deterioration of responsibility, accountability and of just plain common sense, with the accelerated increase of wickedness across the good ole USA. We see no justice in the courtroom to the Supreme Court. We see elimination or for the most part complete ignorance or just plain denial of what is in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Who can help us?
Brethren, we should not be shocked as we observe After all God is simply reflecting our wishes since we no longer want Him in our homes, or in our daily lives, or in our courtroom. We have told God that schools need to be free of His restricting influences. Better education will make better citizens, produce more responsible parents and release us from our desires to kill one another. After all in the World’s eyes men are basically good.
Perhaps if our source of information were no longer the world and what we think is best and we turn to the Bible and rely on God’s Son we might have a completely different perspective. Let’s reread our text from II Timothy 4: 1-5: 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Verse 1 is just a simple fact we are told we have a charge from God
Verse 2-2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Your task is this!
Verse 3 & 4 - 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. The environment
Verse 5 - But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry
If there is one thing the Bible makes clear about the last days it is this: a lot will be happening! There will be intense opposition to God’s people and purposes. Believers will be forced to endure afflictions. Multifarious heresies and false doctrines will abound. We are being inundated with temptation and ungodly values. Rumors and fables will pervade people’s discussions. So much for the truth it will be debated, on what is truth. Sounds like Pontius Pilate discussing the truth with Jesus, is the Truth.
In such a time, we must be watchful. And, there will be many things to be watching. We will certainly need to be alert to the many dangers close at hand. We’ll also need to be aware of those who would delight to trip us up or rob us of our hope and joy. We will also need to be careful about the insidious lies and deceptions that could so easily lead us astray, and can entraps us easily as we grow careless.
But more importantly we need to be watching for God’s activity. Even as Satan and his evil forces are insidiously working, God and His kingdom will be much on the move. It will be and is a glorious time to be an evangelist! For, even as time draws to a close, we will have the enormous privilege of collaborating with God in snatching people from the brink of destruction and Hell, as we allow God to use us to lead them to Christ.
In such now in such a time as this, it is crucial that we fulfill the ministry to which God has called us. Others will suffer incredibly more if and when we fail to fulfill our divine calling. We live in crucial days.
The Questions is - Are you fully living out the life God called you to? We need to carry with us the 3 core principles we have studied to allow God to use us in these days.
Walk in and with God.
II Timothy 4: 1-5: 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
Last week we began by studying most of 2 Timothy Chapter 3 – ending as it were with the 5 verses in Chapter 4. I am not sure we are finished with what we began last week and need to cap it off again here in Chapter 4, using the first 5 verses.
To accomplish this, we will need to remember and refresh ourselves on the 4 basic principles we discovered about the times we live in and what God Almighty allows in our lives. Without a firm appreciation of these 3 principles we will have difficulty in maintaining our faith in God, as the last days approach.
So quit hemming and hawing and tells us what are these three-core faith building principles.
1. First, whatever God wants in our lives is best.
2. Second whatever God purposes for your life, He has the power and authority to accomplish it.
3. Third the Holy Spirit is in you and will be with you, as you by faith complete His assignment
From the study of God’s word as you walk with Him, He will give and fill you with faith, hope and love in the journey, as your feet step into the water. This similar to the Priests In Joshua’s day, stepping into the Jordan during flood stage and God stopping the waters and setting them on dry ground after 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness.
In God’s word there are clear parallels with what is occurring today and what happened in Israel when the Jew’s rejected God and departed from His teachings. { if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, Deut 30:17}
- Today’s Christians for the most part want relief from all these pestering pagans who deny God and are trying to bring darkness of sin across everywhere.
We see them in the media controlling thoughts and spewing lies. We see them in State and National Leadership calling Good evil and Evil good just like it says in Isaiah 5:20. We see unrestrained sin and abortion on demand increasing and the forces of preserving what is good totally ineffective. It appears that God’s restraining holy Spirit is no longer restraining and that God has given us over to our sin. We see the deterioration of responsibility, accountability and of just plain common sense, with the accelerated increase of wickedness across the good ole USA. We see no justice in the courtroom to the Supreme Court. We see elimination or for the most part complete ignorance or just plain denial of what is in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Who can help us?
Brethren, we should not be shocked as we observe After all God is simply reflecting our wishes since we no longer want Him in our homes, or in our daily lives, or in our courtroom. We have told God that schools need to be free of His restricting influences. Better education will make better citizens, produce more responsible parents and release us from our desires to kill one another. After all in the World’s eyes men are basically good.
Perhaps if our source of information were no longer the world and what we think is best and we turn to the Bible and rely on God’s Son we might have a completely different perspective. Let’s reread our text from II Timothy 4: 1-5: 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Verse 1 is just a simple fact we are told we have a charge from God
Verse 2-2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Your task is this!
Verse 3 & 4 - 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. The environment
Verse 5 - But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry
If there is one thing the Bible makes clear about the last days it is this: a lot will be happening! There will be intense opposition to God’s people and purposes. Believers will be forced to endure afflictions. Multifarious heresies and false doctrines will abound. We are being inundated with temptation and ungodly values. Rumors and fables will pervade people’s discussions. So much for the truth it will be debated, on what is truth. Sounds like Pontius Pilate discussing the truth with Jesus, is the Truth.
In such a time, we must be watchful. And, there will be many things to be watching. We will certainly need to be alert to the many dangers close at hand. We’ll also need to be aware of those who would delight to trip us up or rob us of our hope and joy. We will also need to be careful about the insidious lies and deceptions that could so easily lead us astray, and can entraps us easily as we grow careless.
But more importantly we need to be watching for God’s activity. Even as Satan and his evil forces are insidiously working, God and His kingdom will be much on the move. It will be and is a glorious time to be an evangelist! For, even as time draws to a close, we will have the enormous privilege of collaborating with God in snatching people from the brink of destruction and Hell, as we allow God to use us to lead them to Christ.
In such now in such a time as this, it is crucial that we fulfill the ministry to which God has called us. Others will suffer incredibly more if and when we fail to fulfill our divine calling. We live in crucial days.
The Questions is - Are you fully living out the life God called you to? We need to carry with us the 3 core principles we have studied to allow God to use us in these days.
Walk in and with God.
Sermon April 25
I want you to understand that for you to stand by yourself as a Christian believer in these coming last days may be difficult, if not impossible. I will tell you now, you just might find it impossible in your own strength. Echoing in the back of your minds if you are a believer should be Jesus’ words in John 15:5 -apart from Me ye can do nothing. As our Bible tells us the disciples found out many times as they worked in their own strength they could do nothing apart from Him. Remember their inability to cast out the demons in the young boy after the mount of transfiguration. Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith.
If Jesus‘ original call to His disciples and this includes you by the way, was to come follow Me, are you following Jesus? You are a believer, if you have asked Christ in your heart, you are His disciple. This will be confirmed in your heart, mind and spirit by the Holy Spirit’s imparting peace to you. Not the peace the world gives but the Peace which passeth all understand and it comes for Jesus our Lord. If this is true in you, then you need to do just what He said to His disciples, “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”
How critical then to your faith is your following and relationship with your Lord Jesus? I am finding and as all Christians have found through the ages, the quality of my relationship with Jesus is indicative of how well I am keeping my eyes on and being obedient to Jesus. Are your eyes on Jesus or have they drifted to just the problems you are dealing with?
Following Jesus should be our prime purpose as we walk day by day. Learning to surrender our decisions and purposes to His will is a decision we need to make not just daily but moment by moment. We need to focus on the fact that everything Jesus purposes for us has three considerations.
First whatever He wants for our lives is best. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand this in the midst of a trial, a test or a difficulty. After all He is God and He sees our lives from end to end. We see as it says in ! Corinthians 13, through a glass darkly. His vision is beyond 20/20, it is perfect and He is all knowing.
Second whatever God purposes for our lives He has the power and authority to accomplish it. Whatever God directs into our lives and asks of us He has already seen the end result and He will enable you to do it. What God purposes He will achieve. Just ask Jonah as He was pursued by God and He enabled Him to do it. Or Moses who told God He must have the wrong guy, for who was He to move Pharaoh to release the Children of God – the Jews. In each of the cases and in your life, God goes with you to enable you to complete His works.
Third His presence is in you and will be with you to complete His assignment and to give you faith, hope and love. Paul said the love of God compels us. He also said, These three remain faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. One of the greatest statements for us as believers is one we tend to gloss over. It is in Matt. 28. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen. It is the same promise that He made to Joshua and others that His presence would go with us and He would never depart from us. Yes, we may sin and depart by quenching or defying the Holy Spirit, that is the only way we become separated from God.
So in today’s dissembling, disastrous and denying the truth counter culture you need by faith to understand how you have been equipped to survive and even prosper. No, not financially, socially or necessarily physically, but spiritually and to engage the enemy of our souls in spiritual warfare. First you are a child of the King. He is undefeated and remains so. Man’s attempts to defy and deny God cause Him to laugh in the heavens read Psalm 2. Because people deny the truth of there is a God does not invalidate the fact that God reigns in heaven and earth. Point # two, How do I know this? the Bible tells me so and I know this is the truth for Holy Spirit confirms the truth and only the truth in my heart.
The religion being preached in America today is nothing more than radical, socialistic communism and it is taking wealth from you to redistribute to others who deserve if more. The rabid intolerance of those who claim to be tolerant are the proof of their evil and harmful intent. If you must control thought, and repress those who have differing opinions then something is wrong. What is being taught in your schools and to your children is critical race theory. It is mean to create separation by race and cause hate and discontent across our nation. There is nothing unifying. If you look closely at this material and go back to what was being taught by the communist‘s it is derived from Hegel and Mark’s theory of the dialectic, which advocates class warfare. Simply by substituting race instead of class warfare that is what is being taught. It is evil, seditionist and does not reflect the truth. America was not racist in its creation – it reflects the idea that all men are created equal. It has taken 100 plus years to realize this truth but are you racist just because of the color of your skin? Go back to the basics. God created one race it is called man. God created man and woman. God created sex and called all these good. God created marriage and the family. Without God all these foundational elements are what you must choose to promote and live by as a child of the King
But we need Help. God knows us and our individual weaknesses. So let’s mine and consider what He has to tell us for encouragement in Second Timothy using parts of Chapter 3 and the first few verses of Chapter 4.
Pray with me as we study His Word to us the Bible. Father help us to discern the truth. Open our eyes to the presence of the Holy Spirit as He leads, teaches and directs our hearts and our minds to obedience. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
Let’s walk through this text and discuss it as we go.
Start with Chapter 3, verse 1: But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: {why will they be perilous? Because man as they have done so many times in the past, tries to cast off the restraints of God. So what is the outcome. Look at the results of no restraint see these in verse 2}2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. {have you seen these behaviors this week. Look at the George Floyd trial, look at this police officer who saved the life of another black woman being castigated and dissed by our media; our supposed hero athletes and others in the media especially the New York Slimes, or the Washington Compost. Hear how the President of the United States is supporting BLM and the rioters and fostering hate across our nation. It is despicable. Look at the behavior of our children. Where is the church is this conversation – we are missing in action. Where are Catholics, Baptists speaking into the culture? They have a form of godliness but are denying that the only answer is Christ.}
{So what are we told ?} And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
{Here is the characteristic of carnal Christians. Carnal Christians are those with one foot in heaven and one foot in the world -7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Key here is knowledge of the truth. What should be the outcome of learning? The outcome of learning should be in applying it. So going out and using it somehow is why we get knowledge and training. What is the mindset of those who are continual students, always going to school but never going into business, industry or having a profession. Their goal is to remain as a perpetual student. After all why work when I can just keep doing school work to get another degree?}
Go now to verse 11 in Chapter 3 11what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. {read this verse carefully, here is some critical truth - And out of them all the Lord delivered me. What a statement from Paul, maybe you can list all the difficulties God allowed in his path, yet Paul understood – God was at work in each of them. It also says, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. This is truth as well for Jesus said the same thing in both Matthew and Mark’s gospels and the Apostles elsewhere in Acts, Romans, Corinthians and Galatians. But guess what if you don’t want the suffering and persecution, all you have to do is not desire to live a Godly life. I shudder to think what that may mean for you the day you step into eternity. I prefer the fact if I desire to live Godly life God will walk with Me and strengthen Me as I keep following Jesus. For me I pray this would be the desire of my heart. Please Lord make it so, not self.}
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 … you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
{Now here is where we separate the first team from the substitutes. Combat and Spiritual warfare are tough there is no easy way folks. As you seeing and hearing in the news every day this truth - But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. What should be your response to this deception and lying? You and I must be striving to be more dedicated and serious about our faith and our relationship with God. There must be a growing certainty in your trust and understanding of the Scriptures for only in them and with the leading, guiding and nurturing of the Holy Spirit will you have the degree of assurance and willingness to submit and practice what you have been taught}. Do you remember the three rules we discussed at the beginning?
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. {What a powerful verse for your heart and mind. Only God could put 66 books together with multiple authors and have mysteries which relate to other books and continuity of thought and purpose far beyond any human mind. God inspired, God breathed – a love letter for learning how to live and walk as a man or woman of God.}The scriptures always point to the author. In His word He speaks to us. Teaches us and assures us of His love and goodness. Seek Him there.
Now moving to the final steps in Chapter 4 - The teaching which Paul was giving to Timothy in this last letter, which he wrote. We believe h write this before he was executed, and includes something which must be done with fail, so Timothy is charged with doing it as you and I are. Chapter 4, verse 1
4 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Folks this is today for us in America verse 3 and 4 . 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables
If you don’t believe me watch the Syndicated Channels and what do you see?
But for you and I, 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
We have a duty to fulfill what we saw earlier in Matthew 28, 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen
Now in the quietness of this moment with ever head bowed and every eye closed will you allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of where you are with the Lord? Are you where He wants you to be or are you still of two opinions of who God is and what He wants for you? His command is to trust and obey will you do this in this quiet moment before His word.
Invitation and Hymn.
I want you to understand that for you to stand by yourself as a Christian believer in these coming last days may be difficult, if not impossible. I will tell you now, you just might find it impossible in your own strength. Echoing in the back of your minds if you are a believer should be Jesus’ words in John 15:5 -apart from Me ye can do nothing. As our Bible tells us the disciples found out many times as they worked in their own strength they could do nothing apart from Him. Remember their inability to cast out the demons in the young boy after the mount of transfiguration. Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith.
If Jesus‘ original call to His disciples and this includes you by the way, was to come follow Me, are you following Jesus? You are a believer, if you have asked Christ in your heart, you are His disciple. This will be confirmed in your heart, mind and spirit by the Holy Spirit’s imparting peace to you. Not the peace the world gives but the Peace which passeth all understand and it comes for Jesus our Lord. If this is true in you, then you need to do just what He said to His disciples, “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”
How critical then to your faith is your following and relationship with your Lord Jesus? I am finding and as all Christians have found through the ages, the quality of my relationship with Jesus is indicative of how well I am keeping my eyes on and being obedient to Jesus. Are your eyes on Jesus or have they drifted to just the problems you are dealing with?
Following Jesus should be our prime purpose as we walk day by day. Learning to surrender our decisions and purposes to His will is a decision we need to make not just daily but moment by moment. We need to focus on the fact that everything Jesus purposes for us has three considerations.
First whatever He wants for our lives is best. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand this in the midst of a trial, a test or a difficulty. After all He is God and He sees our lives from end to end. We see as it says in ! Corinthians 13, through a glass darkly. His vision is beyond 20/20, it is perfect and He is all knowing.
Second whatever God purposes for our lives He has the power and authority to accomplish it. Whatever God directs into our lives and asks of us He has already seen the end result and He will enable you to do it. What God purposes He will achieve. Just ask Jonah as He was pursued by God and He enabled Him to do it. Or Moses who told God He must have the wrong guy, for who was He to move Pharaoh to release the Children of God – the Jews. In each of the cases and in your life, God goes with you to enable you to complete His works.
Third His presence is in you and will be with you to complete His assignment and to give you faith, hope and love. Paul said the love of God compels us. He also said, These three remain faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. One of the greatest statements for us as believers is one we tend to gloss over. It is in Matt. 28. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen. It is the same promise that He made to Joshua and others that His presence would go with us and He would never depart from us. Yes, we may sin and depart by quenching or defying the Holy Spirit, that is the only way we become separated from God.
So in today’s dissembling, disastrous and denying the truth counter culture you need by faith to understand how you have been equipped to survive and even prosper. No, not financially, socially or necessarily physically, but spiritually and to engage the enemy of our souls in spiritual warfare. First you are a child of the King. He is undefeated and remains so. Man’s attempts to defy and deny God cause Him to laugh in the heavens read Psalm 2. Because people deny the truth of there is a God does not invalidate the fact that God reigns in heaven and earth. Point # two, How do I know this? the Bible tells me so and I know this is the truth for Holy Spirit confirms the truth and only the truth in my heart.
The religion being preached in America today is nothing more than radical, socialistic communism and it is taking wealth from you to redistribute to others who deserve if more. The rabid intolerance of those who claim to be tolerant are the proof of their evil and harmful intent. If you must control thought, and repress those who have differing opinions then something is wrong. What is being taught in your schools and to your children is critical race theory. It is mean to create separation by race and cause hate and discontent across our nation. There is nothing unifying. If you look closely at this material and go back to what was being taught by the communist‘s it is derived from Hegel and Mark’s theory of the dialectic, which advocates class warfare. Simply by substituting race instead of class warfare that is what is being taught. It is evil, seditionist and does not reflect the truth. America was not racist in its creation – it reflects the idea that all men are created equal. It has taken 100 plus years to realize this truth but are you racist just because of the color of your skin? Go back to the basics. God created one race it is called man. God created man and woman. God created sex and called all these good. God created marriage and the family. Without God all these foundational elements are what you must choose to promote and live by as a child of the King
But we need Help. God knows us and our individual weaknesses. So let’s mine and consider what He has to tell us for encouragement in Second Timothy using parts of Chapter 3 and the first few verses of Chapter 4.
Pray with me as we study His Word to us the Bible. Father help us to discern the truth. Open our eyes to the presence of the Holy Spirit as He leads, teaches and directs our hearts and our minds to obedience. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.
Let’s walk through this text and discuss it as we go.
Start with Chapter 3, verse 1: But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: {why will they be perilous? Because man as they have done so many times in the past, tries to cast off the restraints of God. So what is the outcome. Look at the results of no restraint see these in verse 2}2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. {have you seen these behaviors this week. Look at the George Floyd trial, look at this police officer who saved the life of another black woman being castigated and dissed by our media; our supposed hero athletes and others in the media especially the New York Slimes, or the Washington Compost. Hear how the President of the United States is supporting BLM and the rioters and fostering hate across our nation. It is despicable. Look at the behavior of our children. Where is the church is this conversation – we are missing in action. Where are Catholics, Baptists speaking into the culture? They have a form of godliness but are denying that the only answer is Christ.}
{So what are we told ?} And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
{Here is the characteristic of carnal Christians. Carnal Christians are those with one foot in heaven and one foot in the world -7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Key here is knowledge of the truth. What should be the outcome of learning? The outcome of learning should be in applying it. So going out and using it somehow is why we get knowledge and training. What is the mindset of those who are continual students, always going to school but never going into business, industry or having a profession. Their goal is to remain as a perpetual student. After all why work when I can just keep doing school work to get another degree?}
Go now to verse 11 in Chapter 3 11what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. {read this verse carefully, here is some critical truth - And out of them all the Lord delivered me. What a statement from Paul, maybe you can list all the difficulties God allowed in his path, yet Paul understood – God was at work in each of them. It also says, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. This is truth as well for Jesus said the same thing in both Matthew and Mark’s gospels and the Apostles elsewhere in Acts, Romans, Corinthians and Galatians. But guess what if you don’t want the suffering and persecution, all you have to do is not desire to live a Godly life. I shudder to think what that may mean for you the day you step into eternity. I prefer the fact if I desire to live Godly life God will walk with Me and strengthen Me as I keep following Jesus. For me I pray this would be the desire of my heart. Please Lord make it so, not self.}
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 … you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
{Now here is where we separate the first team from the substitutes. Combat and Spiritual warfare are tough there is no easy way folks. As you seeing and hearing in the news every day this truth - But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. What should be your response to this deception and lying? You and I must be striving to be more dedicated and serious about our faith and our relationship with God. There must be a growing certainty in your trust and understanding of the Scriptures for only in them and with the leading, guiding and nurturing of the Holy Spirit will you have the degree of assurance and willingness to submit and practice what you have been taught}. Do you remember the three rules we discussed at the beginning?
- whatever He wants for our lives is best.
- whatever God purposes for our lives
- He has the power and authority to accomplish His work in you. For His presence is in you and will be with you to complete His assignment and to give you faith, hope and love
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. {What a powerful verse for your heart and mind. Only God could put 66 books together with multiple authors and have mysteries which relate to other books and continuity of thought and purpose far beyond any human mind. God inspired, God breathed – a love letter for learning how to live and walk as a man or woman of God.}The scriptures always point to the author. In His word He speaks to us. Teaches us and assures us of His love and goodness. Seek Him there.
Now moving to the final steps in Chapter 4 - The teaching which Paul was giving to Timothy in this last letter, which he wrote. We believe h write this before he was executed, and includes something which must be done with fail, so Timothy is charged with doing it as you and I are. Chapter 4, verse 1
4 1I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Folks this is today for us in America verse 3 and 4 . 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables
If you don’t believe me watch the Syndicated Channels and what do you see?
But for you and I, 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
We have a duty to fulfill what we saw earlier in Matthew 28, 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen
Now in the quietness of this moment with ever head bowed and every eye closed will you allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of where you are with the Lord? Are you where He wants you to be or are you still of two opinions of who God is and what He wants for you? His command is to trust and obey will you do this in this quiet moment before His word.
Invitation and Hymn.
Sermon April 18
But since when has the Party in power cared what you or other voters want? Our government is supposed to take its power from the consent of the governed, but the party in power doesn’t give a rip about you or the Constitution. This is an outright power grab. We know voters want IDs to be able to vote. They don’t want thousands of people pouring over the southern border or rampant disease. They don’t want police departments defunded –- or disbanded –- with violence escalating and cities burning. Court-packing is another terrible idea. So in order to get it past the voters who really don’t want it, Democrats are trying to reframe the discussion and confuse them as to exactly what “court-packing” is. To fool them this is where we are living now.
Perhaps this turmoil has got you down or you are having trouble in your Spirit, then perhaps you are not living a victorious Christian life. So let’s examine principles for living a truly victorious life as a believer, not disregarding what is happening around us but being able to navigate in it daily.
There are 4 principles for attaining victory in the Christian life- these include· a provision (salvation),· a purpose (Canaan),· a problem (flesh),· and a principle (the victory is God-given)Let’s begin at the beginning – Our text is taken from the 17th chapter of the Book of Exodus, and I’d like you to turn there. And, while you’re turning, I want to tell you something about a church member that I had difficulty with. As a matter of fact, I’ve had difficulty with this church member for a number of years. Really, he’s given me a lot of trouble, and he has disappointed me many, many times. And, I have had to expend a lot of energy with this particular church member who really—frankly, we are a loving congregation—but this member has given me much, much sorrow and heartache. Maybe I ought to tell you his name. I think I will: Jim Ayers. You’re looking at the guy who has given me a lot of trouble. You know, my biggest enemy is my own self. Yes you might remember I have used this example before. But, I use this for a reason as you will see.
Have you found this true? We have an enemy inside the fort called self. Sometimes the Bible calls this the old man. Sometimes the Bible calls this the flesh, but we’re all in a battle. You see, we have three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Now, we’re going to be talking about that center enemy, the flesh; and, when I’m talking about the flesh, I’m not talking about your Physical body. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. It is crafted of God, and it is to be wholly dedicated to Him. But, when I’m talking about the flesh, I’m talking about the lower nature that we inherited from our parents, who got it from Adam. It is a disposition against the things of God. The Bible tells us, in Galatians chapter 5 and verse 17, that “the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these two are contrary one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17).
So what does that have to do with Exodus chapter 17? Today’s less is a lesson about living the life of conquest or victory. Remember that, at one time, the Jewish people were in Egypt were slaves. Now, Egypt represents the world, Just like them, we’ve been called out of the world, but God called them out of Egypt. Pharaoh as the king of Egypt represents the devil. Then, they were headed toward Canaan, a land of oil, and wine, and corn, and figs, and pomegranates, and milk, and honey, and rivers, and trees, and valleys, and hills, brass, and iron. They were called into Canaan. What does Canaan represent? Not Heaven someday.--Canaan represents victory. Canaan represents the Spirit-filled life as you live it day by day. This is what is available to each of us as believers. 1 Corinthians 10, verse says, “all of these things happened unto them for examples” to us. So the word of God is our teacher to lead us into the paths of righteousness.
So, as Christians, we have come out of Egypt. We’re coming through a wilderness, but we’re headed toward Canaan; and, we ought to already be there, so Canaan represents the Spirit-filled life. Egypt—the world; Pharaoh—the devil; Canaan—the victorious life. But, we’re going to meet somebody now, in just a moment, who represents the flesh—that member I’ve been having such difficulty with.
Go to the text and read from Exodus 17, verse 8, verse 8: “Then came Amalek…”—Amalek represents the flesh—“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” “But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands”—that is, “held up his hands”—“the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek…”—that’s just a fancy way of saying, “He whooped him”—“Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exodus 17:8–13).
Now, you might, right now, say, “Well, I’ve come out of Egypt, but I surely haven’t gone into Canaan. I have been struggling in this desert.” Well, let me tell you how you can change your life now—sincerely—from the monotonous to the momentous, from failure to victory. And, before you get to Heaven, you can bring experience victory on Earth.
Step I of Victory - Receive a Gracious Provision: Salvation. You need to receive a gracious provision—receive a gracious provision— and that provision is salvation. Now, go back, if you will, to the first verse of this chapter: “And all the congregation of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched”—that is, they set up their tents—“in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses,”—they scolded him—“and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do you tempt the LORD? And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” (Exodus 17:1–3). Friend, I’ve been there, to this place. You talk about a barren, desolate place; it is indeed a barren, and a desolate, and a dry place
Get this picture They’re out there in the barren land; they’re dying of thirst. And then, Moses says, “God, what shall I do?” God says, “You take the elders of Israel, and you take a rock; you take a rod, and you go to this rock, and you—with that rod—you smite that rock; and, when you do, water will come from the rock.”
This is a glorious illustration of our salvation. Go to 1 Corinthians 10: 4 says, “And [they] did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” The rock pictures the Lord Jesus Christ—the Rock of ages, smitten for us. Isaiah 53: 4 says, “We did esteem him stricken, smitten of God.” Jesus, the Rock of ages, was smitten for us; and, because Jesus was smitten for us, out of His riven side, came forth water. And, that water represents the Holy Spirit, which is the water of life. And, you and I have… because the rock was smitten, so long ago, when Jesus hung in agony and blood upon that cross, and He died. Our Rock died for us. Out of His side has come that refreshment, that Holy Spirit that is to me, and you, right now. Thank God for His blessed, precious Holy Spirit. Amen. If you have received Him then you have received His Gracious provision, which is salvation. Perhaps not then you will never be able to live the Victorious Christian life? Without Him I can do nothing>
Step II of achieving Victory is You must realize a grand purpose, because being saved is wonderful, but God has more—much more—for you. You see, God’s plan for His people was not merely that they come out of Egypt and go into the wilderness of Sinai; God’s plan for His people was that they go into the land of Canaan. I’m not talking about pie in the sky; I’m talking about victory, right now. God brought them out, that He might bring them in.
If you go back earlier in Chapter 17 to the first few verses and read, there God says, “Look, I brought you out, that I might bring you in.” Now, God says, “When you get into the land,”—notice, the land flowing with milk and honey—“then I want you to celebrate; then I want you to keep the feast of the Passover. I want you to keep the feast of unleavened bread. I want you to celebrate; and, when you celebrate the feast, your son’s going to come to you, and your son’s going to say, ‘Dad, what does all this mean?’ And, you can tell your children, ‘we are celebrating what God did for us when God brought us out of Egypt and God brought us into this land.’”
I want to ask you a question: Why is it that the devil is getting the kids of the best families in our churches today? I’m talking about people who are faithful. There are people—and some of them sitting here, this morning, Baptists who have come out of Egypt, but they’ve never gone into Canaan. You know what they had in Canaan in the wilderness to eat? In the wilderness they ate Manna. Do you know how long they ate it? Forty years. Now, manna was not meant to satisfy them; it was only meant to sustain them until they got into the land that flowed with milk, and honey. But for 40 long years they ate manna as they struggled every day and night in the Wilderness. But the promise is that they would eat richly in their future home.
But, because of personal unbelief, they’re continued going around, and around, and around in the desert, not believing God. They’ve come out of Egypt, but they’ve never gone into Canaan, but they’re stayed in the wilderness. This is true in our churches which are the lives of believers today. Step 2 of achieving victory means stepping by faith in the purposes of God for your life. Are you now walking in His faith, trusting in His purposes for your life?
Step III of achieving Victory is to Respect a Grievous Problem: the Flesh. Go back to our text, now, in Exodus 17—and, look, if you will, in verse 8: “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel” (Exodus 17:8). What is Amalek? Who is Amalek? Amalek was a king, but he was the grandson of Esau. And, who was Esau? Well, Esau, you remember, was the man who sold his birthright for a mess of soup. The Bible calls Esau, in Hebrews chapter 12, “a profane person…who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:16). Further the Bible also teaches, in Malachi verses 1 through 4, that God has a perpetual warfare declared upon Esau.
So when God says I hate Esau, in our case Esau is represented by Amalek. What then does Amalek represent? Amalek represents what all of us have in us, and it is the flesh. Say that word flesh—flesh. Say, “my flesh”—that’s your enemy.
Remember there was a church member I have a lot of difficulty with? Friend, there’s an Amalek in you; he’s the grandson of Esau, and you have this. If you look in your Bible @ Romans chapter 8:6-7”: “To be carnally minded”—that word :earthly minded”—“is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” And then, Galatians 5, verse 17: “The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). There is that principle that will come against you—the flesh. You say to yourself, I’m over here in Egypt and I’m going to give my heart to Jesus Christ and be saved. So I trust and believe on Christ,” and you give your heart to Him; and, as soon as you drink of that water, as soon as that Rock is smitten for you, as soon as that water comes to refresh you, then the Bible says, “Then came Amalek” (Exodus 17:8). Immediately, when you come out of Egypt, the flesh comes and says, “You are going no further. You are not going to get into Canaan”: “Then came Amalek and you have not gone into the promised land.
Step IV of achieving Victory is to Remember a Glorious Principle: the Victory is God-Given.
Now, how are we going to have victory—not over the world, not over the devil, but over the flesh? We all have that enemy with us, day by day. So let’s fast-forward here. Here’s the next thing I want you to notice; and, very quickly, if you would, you must remember a glorious—a glorious—principle. What is the principle?
Look again, beginning in verse 9 of this chapter: “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:9–12).
What is the principle IV again? Here’s the glorious principle: our victory is God-given. How am I going to overcome the old Jim, that church member that I have the most difficulty with? By rededicating my life, by struggling? No! There is a perpetual warfare. That flesh is in me, in you; and, when you get saved, the flesh is not eradicated. But, thank God, you can have victory, and that victory is God-given.
God said, “Moses, you take that rod.” Now remember, it is the rod of God; it represents the power of God. It is the rod that opened up the Red Sea. It is the rod that smote the rock and sent forth water—and the rod that led them out of bondage. The rod that led them out of barrenness now is the rod that is going to lead them into battle. He says, “Take that rod; go up to the mountaintop; hold that rod up; and, when you hold that rod up, Amalek will be defeated.” Listen. The victory—the victory over Amalek, over your flesh—is a God-given victory. The Bible says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of your flesh” (Galatians 5:16). If I’ve learned one thing as a Christian, it is this: holiness is not the way to Christ; Christ is the way to holiness. Now, I’m not playing with words. He says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
So victory over your flesh is a God-given victory—that’s the only way that you’re going to come out of Egypt, through the wilderness, into Canaan, because there’s an Amalek within you that stands against you to keep you from living in victory.
But, thank God—hallelujah! Praise God there is a victory—when you take the rod of God, which is the Word of God, the power of God, the Spirit of God, and you hold that high. Now, that’s the reason we need to pray one for another and help one another. For the battle is won in prayer and not done in the flesh.
Let’s bow our heads now in prayer. Father God, seal the message to our hearts. Lord, there’s so much here. Lord, help us to understand it, and help us, moment by moment, and day by day, to walk in the Spirit, and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. So if you’re tired of Egypt and you say, “I want to come out of Egypt; I’m tired—sick and tired—of Pharaoh {the devil}telling me how high to jump; I’m tired of being beat up by the devil; I want liberty; I want victory,” if you’re thirsty and you need a drink from that Rock, His name is Jesus, and I want to offer you a drink from the Rock today. Would you continue praying with me a quiet prayer for forgiveness, repentance and salvation—in Jesus Name? Amen.
Reference Adrian Rogers
But since when has the Party in power cared what you or other voters want? Our government is supposed to take its power from the consent of the governed, but the party in power doesn’t give a rip about you or the Constitution. This is an outright power grab. We know voters want IDs to be able to vote. They don’t want thousands of people pouring over the southern border or rampant disease. They don’t want police departments defunded –- or disbanded –- with violence escalating and cities burning. Court-packing is another terrible idea. So in order to get it past the voters who really don’t want it, Democrats are trying to reframe the discussion and confuse them as to exactly what “court-packing” is. To fool them this is where we are living now.
Perhaps this turmoil has got you down or you are having trouble in your Spirit, then perhaps you are not living a victorious Christian life. So let’s examine principles for living a truly victorious life as a believer, not disregarding what is happening around us but being able to navigate in it daily.
There are 4 principles for attaining victory in the Christian life- these include· a provision (salvation),· a purpose (Canaan),· a problem (flesh),· and a principle (the victory is God-given)Let’s begin at the beginning – Our text is taken from the 17th chapter of the Book of Exodus, and I’d like you to turn there. And, while you’re turning, I want to tell you something about a church member that I had difficulty with. As a matter of fact, I’ve had difficulty with this church member for a number of years. Really, he’s given me a lot of trouble, and he has disappointed me many, many times. And, I have had to expend a lot of energy with this particular church member who really—frankly, we are a loving congregation—but this member has given me much, much sorrow and heartache. Maybe I ought to tell you his name. I think I will: Jim Ayers. You’re looking at the guy who has given me a lot of trouble. You know, my biggest enemy is my own self. Yes you might remember I have used this example before. But, I use this for a reason as you will see.
Have you found this true? We have an enemy inside the fort called self. Sometimes the Bible calls this the old man. Sometimes the Bible calls this the flesh, but we’re all in a battle. You see, we have three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Now, we’re going to be talking about that center enemy, the flesh; and, when I’m talking about the flesh, I’m not talking about your Physical body. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. It is crafted of God, and it is to be wholly dedicated to Him. But, when I’m talking about the flesh, I’m talking about the lower nature that we inherited from our parents, who got it from Adam. It is a disposition against the things of God. The Bible tells us, in Galatians chapter 5 and verse 17, that “the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these two are contrary one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17).
So what does that have to do with Exodus chapter 17? Today’s less is a lesson about living the life of conquest or victory. Remember that, at one time, the Jewish people were in Egypt were slaves. Now, Egypt represents the world, Just like them, we’ve been called out of the world, but God called them out of Egypt. Pharaoh as the king of Egypt represents the devil. Then, they were headed toward Canaan, a land of oil, and wine, and corn, and figs, and pomegranates, and milk, and honey, and rivers, and trees, and valleys, and hills, brass, and iron. They were called into Canaan. What does Canaan represent? Not Heaven someday.--Canaan represents victory. Canaan represents the Spirit-filled life as you live it day by day. This is what is available to each of us as believers. 1 Corinthians 10, verse says, “all of these things happened unto them for examples” to us. So the word of God is our teacher to lead us into the paths of righteousness.
So, as Christians, we have come out of Egypt. We’re coming through a wilderness, but we’re headed toward Canaan; and, we ought to already be there, so Canaan represents the Spirit-filled life. Egypt—the world; Pharaoh—the devil; Canaan—the victorious life. But, we’re going to meet somebody now, in just a moment, who represents the flesh—that member I’ve been having such difficulty with.
Go to the text and read from Exodus 17, verse 8, verse 8: “Then came Amalek…”—Amalek represents the flesh—“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” “But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands”—that is, “held up his hands”—“the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek…”—that’s just a fancy way of saying, “He whooped him”—“Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exodus 17:8–13).
Now, you might, right now, say, “Well, I’ve come out of Egypt, but I surely haven’t gone into Canaan. I have been struggling in this desert.” Well, let me tell you how you can change your life now—sincerely—from the monotonous to the momentous, from failure to victory. And, before you get to Heaven, you can bring experience victory on Earth.
Step I of Victory - Receive a Gracious Provision: Salvation. You need to receive a gracious provision—receive a gracious provision— and that provision is salvation. Now, go back, if you will, to the first verse of this chapter: “And all the congregation of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched”—that is, they set up their tents—“in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses,”—they scolded him—“and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do you tempt the LORD? And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” (Exodus 17:1–3). Friend, I’ve been there, to this place. You talk about a barren, desolate place; it is indeed a barren, and a desolate, and a dry place
Get this picture They’re out there in the barren land; they’re dying of thirst. And then, Moses says, “God, what shall I do?” God says, “You take the elders of Israel, and you take a rock; you take a rod, and you go to this rock, and you—with that rod—you smite that rock; and, when you do, water will come from the rock.”
This is a glorious illustration of our salvation. Go to 1 Corinthians 10: 4 says, “And [they] did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” The rock pictures the Lord Jesus Christ—the Rock of ages, smitten for us. Isaiah 53: 4 says, “We did esteem him stricken, smitten of God.” Jesus, the Rock of ages, was smitten for us; and, because Jesus was smitten for us, out of His riven side, came forth water. And, that water represents the Holy Spirit, which is the water of life. And, you and I have… because the rock was smitten, so long ago, when Jesus hung in agony and blood upon that cross, and He died. Our Rock died for us. Out of His side has come that refreshment, that Holy Spirit that is to me, and you, right now. Thank God for His blessed, precious Holy Spirit. Amen. If you have received Him then you have received His Gracious provision, which is salvation. Perhaps not then you will never be able to live the Victorious Christian life? Without Him I can do nothing>
Step II of achieving Victory is You must realize a grand purpose, because being saved is wonderful, but God has more—much more—for you. You see, God’s plan for His people was not merely that they come out of Egypt and go into the wilderness of Sinai; God’s plan for His people was that they go into the land of Canaan. I’m not talking about pie in the sky; I’m talking about victory, right now. God brought them out, that He might bring them in.
If you go back earlier in Chapter 17 to the first few verses and read, there God says, “Look, I brought you out, that I might bring you in.” Now, God says, “When you get into the land,”—notice, the land flowing with milk and honey—“then I want you to celebrate; then I want you to keep the feast of the Passover. I want you to keep the feast of unleavened bread. I want you to celebrate; and, when you celebrate the feast, your son’s going to come to you, and your son’s going to say, ‘Dad, what does all this mean?’ And, you can tell your children, ‘we are celebrating what God did for us when God brought us out of Egypt and God brought us into this land.’”
I want to ask you a question: Why is it that the devil is getting the kids of the best families in our churches today? I’m talking about people who are faithful. There are people—and some of them sitting here, this morning, Baptists who have come out of Egypt, but they’ve never gone into Canaan. You know what they had in Canaan in the wilderness to eat? In the wilderness they ate Manna. Do you know how long they ate it? Forty years. Now, manna was not meant to satisfy them; it was only meant to sustain them until they got into the land that flowed with milk, and honey. But for 40 long years they ate manna as they struggled every day and night in the Wilderness. But the promise is that they would eat richly in their future home.
But, because of personal unbelief, they’re continued going around, and around, and around in the desert, not believing God. They’ve come out of Egypt, but they’ve never gone into Canaan, but they’re stayed in the wilderness. This is true in our churches which are the lives of believers today. Step 2 of achieving victory means stepping by faith in the purposes of God for your life. Are you now walking in His faith, trusting in His purposes for your life?
Step III of achieving Victory is to Respect a Grievous Problem: the Flesh. Go back to our text, now, in Exodus 17—and, look, if you will, in verse 8: “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel” (Exodus 17:8). What is Amalek? Who is Amalek? Amalek was a king, but he was the grandson of Esau. And, who was Esau? Well, Esau, you remember, was the man who sold his birthright for a mess of soup. The Bible calls Esau, in Hebrews chapter 12, “a profane person…who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:16). Further the Bible also teaches, in Malachi verses 1 through 4, that God has a perpetual warfare declared upon Esau.
So when God says I hate Esau, in our case Esau is represented by Amalek. What then does Amalek represent? Amalek represents what all of us have in us, and it is the flesh. Say that word flesh—flesh. Say, “my flesh”—that’s your enemy.
Remember there was a church member I have a lot of difficulty with? Friend, there’s an Amalek in you; he’s the grandson of Esau, and you have this. If you look in your Bible @ Romans chapter 8:6-7”: “To be carnally minded”—that word :earthly minded”—“is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” And then, Galatians 5, verse 17: “The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). There is that principle that will come against you—the flesh. You say to yourself, I’m over here in Egypt and I’m going to give my heart to Jesus Christ and be saved. So I trust and believe on Christ,” and you give your heart to Him; and, as soon as you drink of that water, as soon as that Rock is smitten for you, as soon as that water comes to refresh you, then the Bible says, “Then came Amalek” (Exodus 17:8). Immediately, when you come out of Egypt, the flesh comes and says, “You are going no further. You are not going to get into Canaan”: “Then came Amalek and you have not gone into the promised land.
Step IV of achieving Victory is to Remember a Glorious Principle: the Victory is God-Given.
Now, how are we going to have victory—not over the world, not over the devil, but over the flesh? We all have that enemy with us, day by day. So let’s fast-forward here. Here’s the next thing I want you to notice; and, very quickly, if you would, you must remember a glorious—a glorious—principle. What is the principle?
Look again, beginning in verse 9 of this chapter: “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:9–12).
What is the principle IV again? Here’s the glorious principle: our victory is God-given. How am I going to overcome the old Jim, that church member that I have the most difficulty with? By rededicating my life, by struggling? No! There is a perpetual warfare. That flesh is in me, in you; and, when you get saved, the flesh is not eradicated. But, thank God, you can have victory, and that victory is God-given.
God said, “Moses, you take that rod.” Now remember, it is the rod of God; it represents the power of God. It is the rod that opened up the Red Sea. It is the rod that smote the rock and sent forth water—and the rod that led them out of bondage. The rod that led them out of barrenness now is the rod that is going to lead them into battle. He says, “Take that rod; go up to the mountaintop; hold that rod up; and, when you hold that rod up, Amalek will be defeated.” Listen. The victory—the victory over Amalek, over your flesh—is a God-given victory. The Bible says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of your flesh” (Galatians 5:16). If I’ve learned one thing as a Christian, it is this: holiness is not the way to Christ; Christ is the way to holiness. Now, I’m not playing with words. He says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
So victory over your flesh is a God-given victory—that’s the only way that you’re going to come out of Egypt, through the wilderness, into Canaan, because there’s an Amalek within you that stands against you to keep you from living in victory.
But, thank God—hallelujah! Praise God there is a victory—when you take the rod of God, which is the Word of God, the power of God, the Spirit of God, and you hold that high. Now, that’s the reason we need to pray one for another and help one another. For the battle is won in prayer and not done in the flesh.
Let’s bow our heads now in prayer. Father God, seal the message to our hearts. Lord, there’s so much here. Lord, help us to understand it, and help us, moment by moment, and day by day, to walk in the Spirit, and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. So if you’re tired of Egypt and you say, “I want to come out of Egypt; I’m tired—sick and tired—of Pharaoh {the devil}telling me how high to jump; I’m tired of being beat up by the devil; I want liberty; I want victory,” if you’re thirsty and you need a drink from that Rock, His name is Jesus, and I want to offer you a drink from the Rock today. Would you continue praying with me a quiet prayer for forgiveness, repentance and salvation—in Jesus Name? Amen.
Reference Adrian Rogers
Sermon April 11
Encountering the resurrected Christ can result in many changes and the opening of new possibilities in one’s life. Let’s repeat that - true encounters with the risen Christ even today, may result in changes and the discovery of new possibilities in one’s life. Allow us to use the example of the disciples and their cowering between fear and faith in the upper room, you might then be able to grasp and see this directly.
As the Holy Spirit instructs and reminds us as we study this lesson let’s center on and use as key verses - Psalm 37: 4-5, Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit[a] your way unto the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Carry this with us now.
Meeting Jesus can initiate changes in our hearts, or in our minds and perhaps in our understanding of exactly what our risen Lord has in mind for us whose hearts are His or who are being led by the Holy Spirit. We will look today at what occurred in the Upper Room after the Resurrection of Jesus and in the days leading up to His Ascension on high. Are you prepared to encounter the Resurrected Christ in His Word this morning? I pray your heart is prepared and is made up of good soil. So that when the word of truth is planted there by today by the Holy Spirit you will desire to bring forth fruit some 30, 60 and a hundred-fold, in accordance with Jesus’ parable.
Now we like the disciples can choose to cower in fear, questioning our faith in these days where everything appears to be changing against Christians. Yes, the appearance of directed hate in America is shocking. Never before in the land of the free have we seen the advancement of evil, which is clearly intent on suppressing our inalienable rights and in the denial of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We have had warnings since the beginning of our American Republic that to keep the Republic we must be a Christian nation where citizens care about one another. President Regan stated we are always just one generation away from losing our heritage. Brethren we are there. The schools have been coopted by regressive liberals and we are now teaching our children to hate America and Judeo-Christian values. This has bled over to Universities and schools of advanced education, polluting our state and local governments and is now reflected in the composition of the Federal Legislature.
This began before 1963, but accelerated after this date, when we abandoned the teaching and use of the Bible in our schools, eliminated prayer from the public square and forbid the display of the Ten Commandment, no longer trusting in “In God we Trust.” We have become a nation of individuals separated by race, color, creed and financial abilities. E plurubis Unum – means out of many one. This is God’s principal for taking many nations in America and creating a melting pot of peoples and making them one. Understand, America was never perfect. But it is a place where we make tragic mistakes like slavery, but we work unitedly to improve going ever forward.
This is how the bible teaches us to think- we are all one in Christ, new creations, old things have passed away, looking and pressing forward to the upper calling in Christ our Lord. Can I have a witness?
The Bible says God created one race – the human race, many colors, many ethnicities and many differences in appearance externally, but all internally built and operate the same. All sinners needing a savior. What we are seeing evident today in our physical world is the emergence of what has for years been hidden in the darkness. God created man and woman for marriage and happiness, perversion has put sin between men and women and now we have all sorts of sick behaviors, none of which are new but all were present is Sodom and Gomorrah. God destroyed this nation because of their perversions and willingness to sacrifice their children to Moloch, which we are willing to do today. Abortion!
Why are we surprised in America today? We thought we had a guaranteed survivability plan – the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But guess what, the Bible is replete with nations collapsing inward because of sin and filth, having pledged for God. Christ warned us and as we have just reviewed our history from Jefferson to Regan up to today - we have been warned. Jesus specifically said that we would experience tribulation and to beware of sin it is ever crouching at the door.
That is our background and where we live today. Are you going to live like the disciples in the upper room quavering between two opinions? One of fear of what tomorrow will bring, or One of faith trusting in God and giving tomorrow to Him? Go back now to the upper room in our chosen text and let’s see if Jesus cannot strengthen the weak in heart, in faith and change frighten men into warriors and paladins for Himself.
Please stand and read with me from Luke 24 beginning in verse 36:
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
40 [j]When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish [k]and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city [m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple [n]praising and blessing God. [o]Amen.
Father, visit our hearts now O Lord and cause us to experience you and the Holy Spirit moving in us your disciples just as you did then. Dispelling fear and doubt and graciously giving grace and mercy to us, the slow in heart and doubting – in Jesus name, for your glory and honor. Amen
Verse 36 Jesus came to the disciples after meeting and breaking bread with the two who were on the road to Emmaus. Those two from Emmaus had just returned, when Jesus showed up. Encountering Jesus we find the opportunity to experience peace. Jesus brings peace to the soul which trusts in Him. His first words upon appearing in their presence is “Peace to you.” But they were terribly frightened and terrified and supposing they had seen a spirit. Verse 38 Jesus asks a good question- “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.
Here I am check me out and oh by the way got anything to eat. If I am dead I can’t eat. He wasn’t dead but He was transformed and had a resurrected body, capable of moving through time and space at will. So Jesus graciously showed restraint and mercy in teaching His disciples.
Verse 41 provides the truth of what Jesus knewq about His disciples. The verse reports - 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, The disciples were still of two between fear and faith for they had no joy but fear still and yet they were beginning to know it was Jesus for they marveled. This is demonstrating our Lord’s restraint and grace in giving us transforming understanding in the midst of this trial
Now Jesus brings to them the lesson of why this was absolutely necessary for us all. He reminds them of this in verse 44 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me
Hey guys remember what I told you before this past Friday? Everything which happened was foretold as written in the Law, Prophets and Psalms. I came to fulfill it and none of it will pass away. I am the Lamb which takes away the sin of the world. Jesus knew that all men were sinners; that there were none righteous, no not one, who sought after God. And because of their sin deserved death and hell eternally for this was the wages of sin.
In Verses 46-48 Jesus provides a history lesson and refresher on what the will and purpose of God was towards men in the midst of sin and evil. Beginning in Verse 46 -46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.
Let’s begin with It is written- Jesus has absolute trust in the authority and authorship of the Bible. We see Jesus quoting the truth of His Word in many places but He begins on the absolute authority of Scripture and so should you. In parsing this verse we discover verbs which are the type which have an on-going or infinity type of use. It is much easier in the Greek to look for verbs which are infinitives or never--ending verbs. So I have found them for you, they are:
to suffer, to rise and to be{which is understood as} preached.
To suffer -Three time in Luke’s gospel alone Jesus warned His disciples that the Son of Man or God had to suffer and to be given over to sinful men and to be killed or slain. This was necessary for Jesus represents the sinless Passover lamb, who was absolute perfection, and who was slain once and for all for sin, for Jew and Gentile. This is in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 specifically as foretelling the Messiah’s path to salvation for all. The suffering of Jesus as an infinitive verb means His suffering was sufficient and to continue for all time, sufficient to pay for past present and future sins.
To rise – now this seems to bring all to a surprise, His resurrection was predicted and prophesied previously. In Psalm 16:9-11 and Isaiah 53,10-11each of these verses foretells of His resurrection and His restoration. John 11:25.
To be preached in His name to all nations is given here and in the great commission in Matthew 28 and in Acts Chapter 1.
But something was different here than before when Jesus spoke to the disciples- please note with care and importance -verse 45. He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. We need Jesus to do the same thing with us. Earlier in this same Chapter we have the meeting of Jesus with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus did the same with them. He opened the scriptures to them. What was their comment? – “didn’t our hearts burn within us when He spoke to them of how the savior had to come and be given as an offering of sin.” In our day we need this same unction of the Spirit upon us.
So how does this happen? I’m glad you asked go to verses 48 and 49 -48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city [m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
This coming or the advent of equipping and giving understanding promised in the Holy Spirit came as Jesus was calling them to be His servants. Servants who would be obedient to the call as His witnesses to others. If they would do so then 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you.
The Holy Spirit started giving the disciples insight immediately after Jesus granted them access to this anointing. Access means understanding the truth and at the same time allowing the Holy Spirit access to their heart, mind and your spirit. For us to walk amidst the hate and discontent of today we need to be yielded and filled with Spirit to carry out the intent of reaching around the world to all nations for the hope that lives within you.
This is how the disciples moved from fear to faith. No it wasn’t immediate but it began and bore fruit 50 days after the ascension at Pentecost. We need to repent and seek this same indwelling today. We need to move from fear to faith to confront the world’s direction to tell them of the Love of God and His Son, who gave His life as a ransom for many.
Are you prepared to give Him your life today? If so, then commit your way unto God, trust only in Him and He will bring it to pass. Remember Jesus promises us peace and power as we walk with Him.
Encountering the resurrected Christ can result in many changes and the opening of new possibilities in one’s life. Let’s repeat that - true encounters with the risen Christ even today, may result in changes and the discovery of new possibilities in one’s life. Allow us to use the example of the disciples and their cowering between fear and faith in the upper room, you might then be able to grasp and see this directly.
As the Holy Spirit instructs and reminds us as we study this lesson let’s center on and use as key verses - Psalm 37: 4-5, Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit[a] your way unto the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Carry this with us now.
Meeting Jesus can initiate changes in our hearts, or in our minds and perhaps in our understanding of exactly what our risen Lord has in mind for us whose hearts are His or who are being led by the Holy Spirit. We will look today at what occurred in the Upper Room after the Resurrection of Jesus and in the days leading up to His Ascension on high. Are you prepared to encounter the Resurrected Christ in His Word this morning? I pray your heart is prepared and is made up of good soil. So that when the word of truth is planted there by today by the Holy Spirit you will desire to bring forth fruit some 30, 60 and a hundred-fold, in accordance with Jesus’ parable.
Now we like the disciples can choose to cower in fear, questioning our faith in these days where everything appears to be changing against Christians. Yes, the appearance of directed hate in America is shocking. Never before in the land of the free have we seen the advancement of evil, which is clearly intent on suppressing our inalienable rights and in the denial of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We have had warnings since the beginning of our American Republic that to keep the Republic we must be a Christian nation where citizens care about one another. President Regan stated we are always just one generation away from losing our heritage. Brethren we are there. The schools have been coopted by regressive liberals and we are now teaching our children to hate America and Judeo-Christian values. This has bled over to Universities and schools of advanced education, polluting our state and local governments and is now reflected in the composition of the Federal Legislature.
This began before 1963, but accelerated after this date, when we abandoned the teaching and use of the Bible in our schools, eliminated prayer from the public square and forbid the display of the Ten Commandment, no longer trusting in “In God we Trust.” We have become a nation of individuals separated by race, color, creed and financial abilities. E plurubis Unum – means out of many one. This is God’s principal for taking many nations in America and creating a melting pot of peoples and making them one. Understand, America was never perfect. But it is a place where we make tragic mistakes like slavery, but we work unitedly to improve going ever forward.
This is how the bible teaches us to think- we are all one in Christ, new creations, old things have passed away, looking and pressing forward to the upper calling in Christ our Lord. Can I have a witness?
The Bible says God created one race – the human race, many colors, many ethnicities and many differences in appearance externally, but all internally built and operate the same. All sinners needing a savior. What we are seeing evident today in our physical world is the emergence of what has for years been hidden in the darkness. God created man and woman for marriage and happiness, perversion has put sin between men and women and now we have all sorts of sick behaviors, none of which are new but all were present is Sodom and Gomorrah. God destroyed this nation because of their perversions and willingness to sacrifice their children to Moloch, which we are willing to do today. Abortion!
Why are we surprised in America today? We thought we had a guaranteed survivability plan – the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But guess what, the Bible is replete with nations collapsing inward because of sin and filth, having pledged for God. Christ warned us and as we have just reviewed our history from Jefferson to Regan up to today - we have been warned. Jesus specifically said that we would experience tribulation and to beware of sin it is ever crouching at the door.
That is our background and where we live today. Are you going to live like the disciples in the upper room quavering between two opinions? One of fear of what tomorrow will bring, or One of faith trusting in God and giving tomorrow to Him? Go back now to the upper room in our chosen text and let’s see if Jesus cannot strengthen the weak in heart, in faith and change frighten men into warriors and paladins for Himself.
Please stand and read with me from Luke 24 beginning in verse 36:
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
40 [j]When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish [k]and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city [m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple [n]praising and blessing God. [o]Amen.
Father, visit our hearts now O Lord and cause us to experience you and the Holy Spirit moving in us your disciples just as you did then. Dispelling fear and doubt and graciously giving grace and mercy to us, the slow in heart and doubting – in Jesus name, for your glory and honor. Amen
Verse 36 Jesus came to the disciples after meeting and breaking bread with the two who were on the road to Emmaus. Those two from Emmaus had just returned, when Jesus showed up. Encountering Jesus we find the opportunity to experience peace. Jesus brings peace to the soul which trusts in Him. His first words upon appearing in their presence is “Peace to you.” But they were terribly frightened and terrified and supposing they had seen a spirit. Verse 38 Jesus asks a good question- “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.
Here I am check me out and oh by the way got anything to eat. If I am dead I can’t eat. He wasn’t dead but He was transformed and had a resurrected body, capable of moving through time and space at will. So Jesus graciously showed restraint and mercy in teaching His disciples.
Verse 41 provides the truth of what Jesus knewq about His disciples. The verse reports - 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, The disciples were still of two between fear and faith for they had no joy but fear still and yet they were beginning to know it was Jesus for they marveled. This is demonstrating our Lord’s restraint and grace in giving us transforming understanding in the midst of this trial
Now Jesus brings to them the lesson of why this was absolutely necessary for us all. He reminds them of this in verse 44 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me
Hey guys remember what I told you before this past Friday? Everything which happened was foretold as written in the Law, Prophets and Psalms. I came to fulfill it and none of it will pass away. I am the Lamb which takes away the sin of the world. Jesus knew that all men were sinners; that there were none righteous, no not one, who sought after God. And because of their sin deserved death and hell eternally for this was the wages of sin.
In Verses 46-48 Jesus provides a history lesson and refresher on what the will and purpose of God was towards men in the midst of sin and evil. Beginning in Verse 46 -46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, [l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.
Let’s begin with It is written- Jesus has absolute trust in the authority and authorship of the Bible. We see Jesus quoting the truth of His Word in many places but He begins on the absolute authority of Scripture and so should you. In parsing this verse we discover verbs which are the type which have an on-going or infinity type of use. It is much easier in the Greek to look for verbs which are infinitives or never--ending verbs. So I have found them for you, they are:
to suffer, to rise and to be{which is understood as} preached.
To suffer -Three time in Luke’s gospel alone Jesus warned His disciples that the Son of Man or God had to suffer and to be given over to sinful men and to be killed or slain. This was necessary for Jesus represents the sinless Passover lamb, who was absolute perfection, and who was slain once and for all for sin, for Jew and Gentile. This is in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 specifically as foretelling the Messiah’s path to salvation for all. The suffering of Jesus as an infinitive verb means His suffering was sufficient and to continue for all time, sufficient to pay for past present and future sins.
To rise – now this seems to bring all to a surprise, His resurrection was predicted and prophesied previously. In Psalm 16:9-11 and Isaiah 53,10-11each of these verses foretells of His resurrection and His restoration. John 11:25.
To be preached in His name to all nations is given here and in the great commission in Matthew 28 and in Acts Chapter 1.
But something was different here than before when Jesus spoke to the disciples- please note with care and importance -verse 45. He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. We need Jesus to do the same thing with us. Earlier in this same Chapter we have the meeting of Jesus with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus did the same with them. He opened the scriptures to them. What was their comment? – “didn’t our hearts burn within us when He spoke to them of how the savior had to come and be given as an offering of sin.” In our day we need this same unction of the Spirit upon us.
So how does this happen? I’m glad you asked go to verses 48 and 49 -48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city [m]of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
This coming or the advent of equipping and giving understanding promised in the Holy Spirit came as Jesus was calling them to be His servants. Servants who would be obedient to the call as His witnesses to others. If they would do so then 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you.
The Holy Spirit started giving the disciples insight immediately after Jesus granted them access to this anointing. Access means understanding the truth and at the same time allowing the Holy Spirit access to their heart, mind and your spirit. For us to walk amidst the hate and discontent of today we need to be yielded and filled with Spirit to carry out the intent of reaching around the world to all nations for the hope that lives within you.
This is how the disciples moved from fear to faith. No it wasn’t immediate but it began and bore fruit 50 days after the ascension at Pentecost. We need to repent and seek this same indwelling today. We need to move from fear to faith to confront the world’s direction to tell them of the Love of God and His Son, who gave His life as a ransom for many.
Are you prepared to give Him your life today? If so, then commit your way unto God, trust only in Him and He will bring it to pass. Remember Jesus promises us peace and power as we walk with Him.
Sermon April 4
Good Morning Happy Resurrection Day. The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Come on again with vigor - The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed.
I ask this morning – How important is the Resurrection to your life as a believer? How important is the Resurrection for Christian’s in comparison to all other world religions?
If you are not aware then you should be for Christianity and I use the term Christianity intentionally is unique in comparison to all other religions for we serve a Risen Savior who is Christ the Lord. No other religion in the world or cult can make this same justifiable claim of having a living breathing Savior. That is why all world religions hate Christianity for it is exclusive in this fact. All other religious leaders Buddha, Mohammed, Brahma and all others are dead and buried. Let’s go to the Scripture in Mark Chapter 16. Now I know some do not like this text because part of it from verse 9 on, isn’t in some of the earlier texts and it is disputed for originality. But its information is confirmed by other Gospels and testimony from others. I say press on. I believe it is useful in defending our points on the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s read beginning in verse 5:
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going [a]before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
8 So they went out [b]quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
9 [c]Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. {Road to Emmaus Luke 24:13ff}
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. {1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Paul’s witness}
May God add His blessing to the application and our understanding and may His Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go. And Father thank you for Jesus and His indescribable gift. Amen
I pulled out my Systematic Theology book to see what it had to say about the resurrection and of course it was extensive. Some of Norm Geissler’s points are summarized in our following discussion.
Many today question the Death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus, knowing if they can introduce doubt into the truth of this event they can destroy confidence in the Christian faith. So why should you believe the story about Jesus’ passion week? Was there a real Jesus or is He fiction? What proofs are there concerning His death and resurrection? Did He really die and are there other “proofs if you will that Jesus was who He says He is – the Son of God? Lots of questions.
First - So why should you believe the story about Jesus’ passion week? And was there a real Jesus or is He fiction? These two questions are basically asking the same question was there a real historical Jesus Christ 2000+ years ago. The overwhelming answer is Jesus There was multiple proof beyond the New Testament in multiple historical texts of that era documenting the life and death of Jesus Christ. There are multiple scholarly works which can be accessed today if you are interested.
Second – was Jesus really crucified and is it documented that He actually died? Yes, the Roman historians documented the crucifixion of Jesus is there annals. Now did He die? According to the witnesses on the scene John and women, the centurion who led the crucifixion detail, the soldier who pierced His side and Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who buried Him. He was dead. Remember Pilate was surprised He was dead already and asked the Centurion if this was true before he released the body of Jesus to be buried. Two specific proofs stand out which confirm Jesus death. First the blood loss associated with the flogging and 6 hrs. on a cross during noon time would have killed many healthy people. The piercing of His side would have penetrated the lining around the heart, his lung and His abdomen so if he was not dead He would have died in the tomb. Anatomically he was dead because the water which came from this piercing was a separation of His blood as a result of the cross. There was no swooning or alive in the tomb burial as some say. The AMA did a study a number of years back documenting the pathology of dying on a cross and the evidences present in the New Testament and they confirm His actual death
Third - What proofs are there concerning His resurrection? We just read a few of these proofs which document the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are actually 12 specific instances documented from 1 person- Mary, to all the disciples in several instance and to 500 in another. I still believe the greatest proof is what happens in the life of individuals even today when Jesus gives them new life in Himself. Just ask brother Paul in his letters, he gives great credence to Jesus’ resurrection and His life changing power.
To finalize our discussion, I believe the strongest proof of the resurrection of Jesus is this – the Men who saw Jesus then and through history were willing to die to preserve this truth. Many of the original disciples and people who saw Jesus died for this very belief. Even today in China, Iran where Christianity is flourishing people are willing to die for this truth. Men will not willingly die for a lie, but will die for the truth. I heard a replay the other day from Chuck Colson and this was his convincing argument. If 12 of the most powerful men in America serving in the White House could not sit on a lie for 4 weeks without Gordon Liddy spilling the beans, how could the disciples maintain a lie? The result of their telling the truth was their death. BUT THEY HAD SEEN JESUS ALIVE. This was the convicting argument then and now. They had seen Jesus. He is Risen, He is Risen indeed in our hearts Amen
Now we will remember our living risen savior who sits on the right hand of the Father by celebrating the Lord’s supper. Halleluiah.
Good Morning Happy Resurrection Day. The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Come on again with vigor - The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed.
I ask this morning – How important is the Resurrection to your life as a believer? How important is the Resurrection for Christian’s in comparison to all other world religions?
If you are not aware then you should be for Christianity and I use the term Christianity intentionally is unique in comparison to all other religions for we serve a Risen Savior who is Christ the Lord. No other religion in the world or cult can make this same justifiable claim of having a living breathing Savior. That is why all world religions hate Christianity for it is exclusive in this fact. All other religious leaders Buddha, Mohammed, Brahma and all others are dead and buried. Let’s go to the Scripture in Mark Chapter 16. Now I know some do not like this text because part of it from verse 9 on, isn’t in some of the earlier texts and it is disputed for originality. But its information is confirmed by other Gospels and testimony from others. I say press on. I believe it is useful in defending our points on the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s read beginning in verse 5:
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going [a]before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
8 So they went out [b]quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
9 [c]Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. {Road to Emmaus Luke 24:13ff}
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. {1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Paul’s witness}
May God add His blessing to the application and our understanding and may His Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go. And Father thank you for Jesus and His indescribable gift. Amen
I pulled out my Systematic Theology book to see what it had to say about the resurrection and of course it was extensive. Some of Norm Geissler’s points are summarized in our following discussion.
Many today question the Death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus, knowing if they can introduce doubt into the truth of this event they can destroy confidence in the Christian faith. So why should you believe the story about Jesus’ passion week? Was there a real Jesus or is He fiction? What proofs are there concerning His death and resurrection? Did He really die and are there other “proofs if you will that Jesus was who He says He is – the Son of God? Lots of questions.
First - So why should you believe the story about Jesus’ passion week? And was there a real Jesus or is He fiction? These two questions are basically asking the same question was there a real historical Jesus Christ 2000+ years ago. The overwhelming answer is Jesus There was multiple proof beyond the New Testament in multiple historical texts of that era documenting the life and death of Jesus Christ. There are multiple scholarly works which can be accessed today if you are interested.
Second – was Jesus really crucified and is it documented that He actually died? Yes, the Roman historians documented the crucifixion of Jesus is there annals. Now did He die? According to the witnesses on the scene John and women, the centurion who led the crucifixion detail, the soldier who pierced His side and Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who buried Him. He was dead. Remember Pilate was surprised He was dead already and asked the Centurion if this was true before he released the body of Jesus to be buried. Two specific proofs stand out which confirm Jesus death. First the blood loss associated with the flogging and 6 hrs. on a cross during noon time would have killed many healthy people. The piercing of His side would have penetrated the lining around the heart, his lung and His abdomen so if he was not dead He would have died in the tomb. Anatomically he was dead because the water which came from this piercing was a separation of His blood as a result of the cross. There was no swooning or alive in the tomb burial as some say. The AMA did a study a number of years back documenting the pathology of dying on a cross and the evidences present in the New Testament and they confirm His actual death
Third - What proofs are there concerning His resurrection? We just read a few of these proofs which document the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are actually 12 specific instances documented from 1 person- Mary, to all the disciples in several instance and to 500 in another. I still believe the greatest proof is what happens in the life of individuals even today when Jesus gives them new life in Himself. Just ask brother Paul in his letters, he gives great credence to Jesus’ resurrection and His life changing power.
To finalize our discussion, I believe the strongest proof of the resurrection of Jesus is this – the Men who saw Jesus then and through history were willing to die to preserve this truth. Many of the original disciples and people who saw Jesus died for this very belief. Even today in China, Iran where Christianity is flourishing people are willing to die for this truth. Men will not willingly die for a lie, but will die for the truth. I heard a replay the other day from Chuck Colson and this was his convincing argument. If 12 of the most powerful men in America serving in the White House could not sit on a lie for 4 weeks without Gordon Liddy spilling the beans, how could the disciples maintain a lie? The result of their telling the truth was their death. BUT THEY HAD SEEN JESUS ALIVE. This was the convicting argument then and now. They had seen Jesus. He is Risen, He is Risen indeed in our hearts Amen
Now we will remember our living risen savior who sits on the right hand of the Father by celebrating the Lord’s supper. Halleluiah.
March 28 Sermon
I will ask you today to use your imagination. Pretend for the next few minutes you are a Jew in Jerusalem and you have heard these amazing stories about this man called Jesus. Some even dare call Him a prophet. It is whispered that some of the men who follow Him call Him the Son of God. But regardless the rumors are amazing and here He is boldly coming into town on a white donkey like the prophecies out of the TORAH. More amazingly He goes to the temple, kicks out the money changers and the says the strangest things. My House shall be called a House of Pray – again right out the Torah. Then He confronts the Pharisees after He has been healing all sorts of sickness right there in the Temple. Oh you hadn’t heard the rumors, where here is a first-hand account from one of his followers. A guy who used to collect our taxes but now follows Jesus, remember his name was Matthew. How could this man use a tax collector anyhow let’s read? In your Bible turn to Matthew 21, verse1
21 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to [a]Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 [b]All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, [c]and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”
10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” 12 Then Jesus went into the temple [d]of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were [e]indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”
What do you think about that? Well let’s talk about this thing we call the Triumphant entry. Jerusalem is in Passover preparation. High holy days for the Priests and Pharisees and here comes this ne’r do well called Jesus, who can’t be anything after all He is from Nazareth. And you know that no good thing such as a prophet ever came out of Nazareth.
OK time to get out of character and address realities. Layered on top of all these activities but which is not overtly stated in the activity of Satan in attempting to kill the heir, the Son of God. Who has Satan recruited: First political leadership in terms of Rome – Pilate - and His appointed Jewish governor – Herod. Also recruited is the Jewish religious leadership is deluded is so far separated from the Word of God they wouldn’t know it if the fell over the Truth. Lastly recruited are the Jewish people who have been lied to over the ages, Because they have not actively sought the truth as a people they have been spoon fed lies by the leadership and the media mob, and the local politicians. Does this sound familiar? There are direct parallels to our day and we need to recognize them. However, you should not be so readily swayed for you are at least exposed to the truth. Whether you believe it and are trying to live it and spread it is a different story. Do you who not will be permitted into heaven – cowards! Read Rev 21:9- the cowardly will not reap heavenly rewards. This causes me to tremble. Perhaps you should also.
Exactly, then what was Jesus response to the opposition, hatred and unbelief He experienced? He showered them to the end with healing, forgiveness and Love. One of Jesus’ great statements from the cross is-Father forgive them for they know not what they do. It that is not the love of God? It is nothing like man’s love or brotherly love. Love is the important ingredient that Jesus had which He was demonstrating to His followers, especially His disciples. They were going to be expected to: love others even as I have loved you. If you consider the last week of Jesus life it was a complete expression of the love of God. This expression included the cleansing of the temple, as Jesus wanted it to be – a House of Prayer. A place where God can draw men to seek and know Him and discover His truths through His Spirit who was soon to be poured.
Alright you say so Love was a big deal so what. Well our understanding of love which each of us carries is different than everyone else’s. So unless we apply the same ruler or definition or explanation of what love is then most likely we will not agree. I happen to know where the greatest expression and explanation of love is written so we can examine it. Yes, you can also say the greatest demonstration of love was the Son of God who is also Son of Man on the cross.
So where do we find this definition – 1 Corinthians 13. In 13 verses God provides a clear explanation of what love is and how love is expressed and what behavior occur because of love. Let’s read it allow God to guide our approach to understand what is love. 1 Corinthians 13, let us read the entire chapter, please.
13 1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Parsing the text beginning with verses 1-3, what do we learn. Well if 2 Tim 3:16 is true, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; then it says a lot. But if you treat it as just something well-rehearsed dogma, then you will miss God speaking though His book. In summary if you have oratorical skills, understand all science and all mysteries and sacrificially give everything you have to the poor, you are nothing without love. Why? Because the greatest gift that God has given you is His love in His Son. On the cross Jesus spread His arms wide to give you His love. From His love emanates forgiveness, grace, mercy, justice and this gift of love in you will be in you an everlasting and perpetual asset forever. Read verse 13- 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Read verses 4 - 7 Today, we in America confuse love with lust. Unlike lust God’s love is directed outwardly towards others, not inwardly to ourselves. His type of love is contrary to our human nature. It is only possible to practice His agape love if God helps us abide in His truths by the power of the Holy Spirit. Agape love is God’s love to man, the greater to the lesser and displaying love in the midst of sin. His love enables us, when we walk in it, to give love freely expecting nothing in return. That is God’s special brand of love. You can only give this type of love when it overflows from the love of God indwelling in you. So the more we grow and walk In Christ are we able to share it consistently with others. This is the absolute definition of what will be required of us in these final days on earth. With sin abounding, grace must abound all the more.
Verses 5 through 9 describes the character and nature of God’s love which is almost impossible for you and I to achieve without an anointing from above, in the grace of the Holy Spirit. His imparting of Spiritual gifts on earth is to be used to build up and serve the body of Christ here on earth. One of these gifts if you remember is love. In eternity future, when we are perfected in heaven we will no longer need spiritual gifts and so they will be done away. But love will remain and it is the greatest gift.
Go now to verses 11 and 12 – Paul gives us a glimpse into the future of what it will be like to be complete and perfected. Notice we will have new bodies for we will see God and He will see us. In our sinful state on earth if you read the encounters with God, we could not see His face and live. Our bodies will have to be redeemed totally to be able to stand in His presence without sin. In that day you will have complete understanding to the limits of your capacity to know, love and do. It will never be equivalent to God’s capacity of love and understand us. Then you will see face to face. To know and to be known will work in us wonderfully.
Now in summary and applying our learning to verse 13, morally and socially and in all other ways, our practice and understanding of love has become confused, mixed up and we have little capacity for sharing with others.
While love is potentially one of our greatest qualities, it is highly suspect in our humanness, when tainted with sin. Our tendency is to be concerned with just ourselves. Remember love is part of the inherent character of God Himself. We want to look at love, as just as our part. What we need to remember is our definition of love must contain the idea in parallel with God’s nature that love is the willingness to give unselfish service to others. Unselfish service gives evidence of God in us. Unselfish service demonstrates that love means we care about others
According to this last verse there then are only three productive traits which will endure in men - faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these three remaining is love. For love is part of the nature of God Himself. Faith then is the foundation upon which God builds our trust leading to obedience in His truths. Hope is the eternal focus and attitude of heart, mind and spirit leading us to God. Where Love is the actionable outcome. Jesus healings, life and enduring the cross have demonstrate all three as He gave all to us. But all stem from the Love of God which is the root.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. Amen
I will ask you today to use your imagination. Pretend for the next few minutes you are a Jew in Jerusalem and you have heard these amazing stories about this man called Jesus. Some even dare call Him a prophet. It is whispered that some of the men who follow Him call Him the Son of God. But regardless the rumors are amazing and here He is boldly coming into town on a white donkey like the prophecies out of the TORAH. More amazingly He goes to the temple, kicks out the money changers and the says the strangest things. My House shall be called a House of Pray – again right out the Torah. Then He confronts the Pharisees after He has been healing all sorts of sickness right there in the Temple. Oh you hadn’t heard the rumors, where here is a first-hand account from one of his followers. A guy who used to collect our taxes but now follows Jesus, remember his name was Matthew. How could this man use a tax collector anyhow let’s read? In your Bible turn to Matthew 21, verse1
21 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to [a]Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 [b]All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, [c]and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”
10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” 12 Then Jesus went into the temple [d]of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were [e]indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”
What do you think about that? Well let’s talk about this thing we call the Triumphant entry. Jerusalem is in Passover preparation. High holy days for the Priests and Pharisees and here comes this ne’r do well called Jesus, who can’t be anything after all He is from Nazareth. And you know that no good thing such as a prophet ever came out of Nazareth.
OK time to get out of character and address realities. Layered on top of all these activities but which is not overtly stated in the activity of Satan in attempting to kill the heir, the Son of God. Who has Satan recruited: First political leadership in terms of Rome – Pilate - and His appointed Jewish governor – Herod. Also recruited is the Jewish religious leadership is deluded is so far separated from the Word of God they wouldn’t know it if the fell over the Truth. Lastly recruited are the Jewish people who have been lied to over the ages, Because they have not actively sought the truth as a people they have been spoon fed lies by the leadership and the media mob, and the local politicians. Does this sound familiar? There are direct parallels to our day and we need to recognize them. However, you should not be so readily swayed for you are at least exposed to the truth. Whether you believe it and are trying to live it and spread it is a different story. Do you who not will be permitted into heaven – cowards! Read Rev 21:9- the cowardly will not reap heavenly rewards. This causes me to tremble. Perhaps you should also.
Exactly, then what was Jesus response to the opposition, hatred and unbelief He experienced? He showered them to the end with healing, forgiveness and Love. One of Jesus’ great statements from the cross is-Father forgive them for they know not what they do. It that is not the love of God? It is nothing like man’s love or brotherly love. Love is the important ingredient that Jesus had which He was demonstrating to His followers, especially His disciples. They were going to be expected to: love others even as I have loved you. If you consider the last week of Jesus life it was a complete expression of the love of God. This expression included the cleansing of the temple, as Jesus wanted it to be – a House of Prayer. A place where God can draw men to seek and know Him and discover His truths through His Spirit who was soon to be poured.
Alright you say so Love was a big deal so what. Well our understanding of love which each of us carries is different than everyone else’s. So unless we apply the same ruler or definition or explanation of what love is then most likely we will not agree. I happen to know where the greatest expression and explanation of love is written so we can examine it. Yes, you can also say the greatest demonstration of love was the Son of God who is also Son of Man on the cross.
So where do we find this definition – 1 Corinthians 13. In 13 verses God provides a clear explanation of what love is and how love is expressed and what behavior occur because of love. Let’s read it allow God to guide our approach to understand what is love. 1 Corinthians 13, let us read the entire chapter, please.
13 1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Parsing the text beginning with verses 1-3, what do we learn. Well if 2 Tim 3:16 is true, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; then it says a lot. But if you treat it as just something well-rehearsed dogma, then you will miss God speaking though His book. In summary if you have oratorical skills, understand all science and all mysteries and sacrificially give everything you have to the poor, you are nothing without love. Why? Because the greatest gift that God has given you is His love in His Son. On the cross Jesus spread His arms wide to give you His love. From His love emanates forgiveness, grace, mercy, justice and this gift of love in you will be in you an everlasting and perpetual asset forever. Read verse 13- 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Read verses 4 - 7 Today, we in America confuse love with lust. Unlike lust God’s love is directed outwardly towards others, not inwardly to ourselves. His type of love is contrary to our human nature. It is only possible to practice His agape love if God helps us abide in His truths by the power of the Holy Spirit. Agape love is God’s love to man, the greater to the lesser and displaying love in the midst of sin. His love enables us, when we walk in it, to give love freely expecting nothing in return. That is God’s special brand of love. You can only give this type of love when it overflows from the love of God indwelling in you. So the more we grow and walk In Christ are we able to share it consistently with others. This is the absolute definition of what will be required of us in these final days on earth. With sin abounding, grace must abound all the more.
Verses 5 through 9 describes the character and nature of God’s love which is almost impossible for you and I to achieve without an anointing from above, in the grace of the Holy Spirit. His imparting of Spiritual gifts on earth is to be used to build up and serve the body of Christ here on earth. One of these gifts if you remember is love. In eternity future, when we are perfected in heaven we will no longer need spiritual gifts and so they will be done away. But love will remain and it is the greatest gift.
Go now to verses 11 and 12 – Paul gives us a glimpse into the future of what it will be like to be complete and perfected. Notice we will have new bodies for we will see God and He will see us. In our sinful state on earth if you read the encounters with God, we could not see His face and live. Our bodies will have to be redeemed totally to be able to stand in His presence without sin. In that day you will have complete understanding to the limits of your capacity to know, love and do. It will never be equivalent to God’s capacity of love and understand us. Then you will see face to face. To know and to be known will work in us wonderfully.
Now in summary and applying our learning to verse 13, morally and socially and in all other ways, our practice and understanding of love has become confused, mixed up and we have little capacity for sharing with others.
While love is potentially one of our greatest qualities, it is highly suspect in our humanness, when tainted with sin. Our tendency is to be concerned with just ourselves. Remember love is part of the inherent character of God Himself. We want to look at love, as just as our part. What we need to remember is our definition of love must contain the idea in parallel with God’s nature that love is the willingness to give unselfish service to others. Unselfish service gives evidence of God in us. Unselfish service demonstrates that love means we care about others
According to this last verse there then are only three productive traits which will endure in men - faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these three remaining is love. For love is part of the nature of God Himself. Faith then is the foundation upon which God builds our trust leading to obedience in His truths. Hope is the eternal focus and attitude of heart, mind and spirit leading us to God. Where Love is the actionable outcome. Jesus healings, life and enduring the cross have demonstrate all three as He gave all to us. But all stem from the Love of God which is the root.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. Amen
March 21 Sermon
There are a myriad of major distractions happening around us these days. Just to list a few – the total lies being spewed by our state-controlled media about the pandemic; social etiquette concerning distancing and mask wearing; how wonderful all this new legislation is and how it is going to benefit you and America from the horrors of the prior administration. How the Pandemic relief bill for 2 Trillion dollars will save us and provide much needed relief across America- Only 9% of which is actual relief payments of $1400; And in the next breath we are told we need to raise taxes to pay for improvements needed in the infrastructure (bridges, roads and buildings.). But in reality, the monies will be given to pay for the green new deal. Meanwhile, we will pay even higher fuel costs; Congress also intends to rescind the tax cuts by Trump and gas is already costing you more for we will …..etc. etc., etc. and it never ends.
We can become so consumed and so focused on the injustices, inequalities and just plain ignorance and stupidity, but I say that with such evil being perpetuated against us that we can easily lose focus on the important things. What important things? – like Jesus and His crucifixion and resurrection. We can become so intent that all we see is the party in power doing things to consolidate and gain more power. Which is what they are doing. And they are doing this so that there will be no more freedom of thought, speech, worship of pursuit of happiness- creating a socialist utopia. If we are so consumed in these events we fail to realize what Jesus came to do and did. We will miss the love of God shone out across all people for forgiveness, redemption and the opportunity for heaven eternally and not share it with others
Yes let’s be concerned about what is happening here and now, but let us not forget that Christ lived in one of the most hostile environments ever. The Roman occupation of a religious nation. A religious nation that had turned their back on their God and worshiped the works of men instead of the Word of God. This was a world full of hate, sin, whose breadth was ruled by Satan.
Jesus willingly departed heaven to deliver you from sin. He gave up heaven - His holy, pure, undefiled, majestic location and all His power and authority to be born a human. All of God and all of man in one body. He came to live in a sin infested, filthy, hate filled world, so you could receive Him and become His child.
You do realize He lived with the Jews in Israel, walked among the demon possessed, the diseased of body and mind. He dealt with the religious rulers who had disregarded the teachings of His heavenly Father. Mixed with local politicians, discussed the issues of the day and all the hate between Jews, Romans, Samaritans, Greeks and all other racial and ethnic problems. He discussed the news of His day – remember the tower that fell and killed a number of Jews? So His life and existence here on earth parallels our own. Correct, they didn’t have the internet, or spacecraft, or trains, buses and cars, but many issues of health, hygiene, relationships, kindness, courtesy and love were the same in there as now.
So as we exist in our culture let’s look at the words of Jesus as He approached the cross and see if there is wisdom for us living in our today. Perhaps there is a lesson or two for us as we consider His words. Go to Matthew Chapter 23: 1-13
23 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] [b]
In these days of difficulties we need to concentrate on our faith in God, one His goodness and mercy and on our testimony of how we are living in this age. So you see what Jesus was saying to those He was teaching? He was using the religious rulers as a teaching tool. He was telling those who would be His disciples and follower here is how not to behave and here is what you should be doing to advance the Kingdom of Heaven in these difficult and tortuous days leading up to His taking the church away. Let’s review Jesus’s words and intent as we are able.
Begin with verses 2 and 3 together -2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
Looking at the Pharisee they sit in the lawgiver’s seat. The seat originally given to Moses to apply the law to the people. Jesus says to you as believers must keep the law and the prophet and do what is written in the law. But don’t follow their example for they have sold out to their own line of thinking about the Word of God and do not obey the spiritual intent of God’s law. If they did they would recognize me for I came from the Father and they call Me hateful names and do not know I come from the Father. For they don’t practice what the actually preach. They are hypocrites and they are not of Me or My Father, but of the devil their father. So do not do what they do or live the way they live for they are phony.
There is a second point here which is not stated. The Pharisees had a low opinion of God and because of their low opinion of God they had no fear of sinning against Him. This is always what happens when there is no fear of God. Sin is found acceptable to men because men do not honor the rightful position of God. Where if there were a high opinion of God there would be a fear of God and sin would not be found acceptable but would be hated as an offense to God. In this day of Jesus and in our day, there is no fear of God in many pastors, churches, courthouses, statehouses and in the Congress. The US Congress does not honor “in God we trust” or in the power of God to reign judgement on a people who continue to kill hundreds of children daily. God is not mocked we will reap what we have sown.
Verse 5 and 6 fulfills the remainder of the picture- 5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
Is your worship and your living out of your faith in God done for people to see or is it done because you truly believe in God and want to honor and obey His commandments and love for you? The Pharisees practiced a visual and auditory lifestyle, which proclaimed their supposed holiness and sanctity towards God but there was sin in the camp. Jesus’s words proclaim it was all done for show – for people to see. Their desire was not to honor God but to have people honor and praise them. The Pharisee’s were stuck on self. Self-centeredness and pride are terrible destructive forces which God tells us to beware of. God hates the pride of men because it causes them to sin. James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Now to Verse 7 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
Here is the issue. They wanted, not what did God demand and they became obedient. No it was what they wanted. They wanted to be greeted outside the temple in the city square or marketplaces and be called “Teacher – Rabbi.” This was to exalt themselves in the eyes of men. What did we just say about the fear of the Lord. A high view of God leads to fear of His justice and to honor Him. He puts us in jobs not we ourselves.
Verse 8 -10 8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Now we get to some specifics for those us are the children of faith in the Lord Jesus. You are not to be called Rabbi for you are all brothers. Don’t call anyone the honorific – father, for you have only one Father in Heaven – the Lord God Almighty. You don’t have an exalted position as an instructor for your instructor is Jesus Christ and He will send one just like Him to be your Teacher/Instructor and He is the Holy Spirit. Here is the key for us all. You are where you are because this is where God placed you. You didn’t pull yourself up by your bootstraps to obtains some exalted position in life. Did you expend effort yes but it is God who granted you favor? Read the words and weep -those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Finally, there are seven woes to the Pharisees but I want believers to concentrate on verse 13 alone 13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
The life you live as a believer can do one of two things. Your life can be used of God to draw others to Christ or your life can cause others to die in their sins. That is what verse 13 is leading us to. Your living as a hypocrite Christian can lead others to reject God, reject Christ, cause confusion in those who are seeking such that they turn away and no longer seek after God. Perhaps you have known some who supposedly were believers but, in the end, discouraged others in their faith and gave Christians a bad name. Don’t let that be you.
So yes times are tough but Jesus says, Follow Me and I will make you fishers of Men. And in Matt 11 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Did you know - In the midst of the storm Jesus is in your boat. He says Come, He says Follow Me. He called the disciples to come walk with Him and see. He asks you the same today will you be obedient to keep your eyes on Him and Him alone – in the eye of the storm?
Amen – Blessings answer the call.
There are a myriad of major distractions happening around us these days. Just to list a few – the total lies being spewed by our state-controlled media about the pandemic; social etiquette concerning distancing and mask wearing; how wonderful all this new legislation is and how it is going to benefit you and America from the horrors of the prior administration. How the Pandemic relief bill for 2 Trillion dollars will save us and provide much needed relief across America- Only 9% of which is actual relief payments of $1400; And in the next breath we are told we need to raise taxes to pay for improvements needed in the infrastructure (bridges, roads and buildings.). But in reality, the monies will be given to pay for the green new deal. Meanwhile, we will pay even higher fuel costs; Congress also intends to rescind the tax cuts by Trump and gas is already costing you more for we will …..etc. etc., etc. and it never ends.
We can become so consumed and so focused on the injustices, inequalities and just plain ignorance and stupidity, but I say that with such evil being perpetuated against us that we can easily lose focus on the important things. What important things? – like Jesus and His crucifixion and resurrection. We can become so intent that all we see is the party in power doing things to consolidate and gain more power. Which is what they are doing. And they are doing this so that there will be no more freedom of thought, speech, worship of pursuit of happiness- creating a socialist utopia. If we are so consumed in these events we fail to realize what Jesus came to do and did. We will miss the love of God shone out across all people for forgiveness, redemption and the opportunity for heaven eternally and not share it with others
Yes let’s be concerned about what is happening here and now, but let us not forget that Christ lived in one of the most hostile environments ever. The Roman occupation of a religious nation. A religious nation that had turned their back on their God and worshiped the works of men instead of the Word of God. This was a world full of hate, sin, whose breadth was ruled by Satan.
Jesus willingly departed heaven to deliver you from sin. He gave up heaven - His holy, pure, undefiled, majestic location and all His power and authority to be born a human. All of God and all of man in one body. He came to live in a sin infested, filthy, hate filled world, so you could receive Him and become His child.
You do realize He lived with the Jews in Israel, walked among the demon possessed, the diseased of body and mind. He dealt with the religious rulers who had disregarded the teachings of His heavenly Father. Mixed with local politicians, discussed the issues of the day and all the hate between Jews, Romans, Samaritans, Greeks and all other racial and ethnic problems. He discussed the news of His day – remember the tower that fell and killed a number of Jews? So His life and existence here on earth parallels our own. Correct, they didn’t have the internet, or spacecraft, or trains, buses and cars, but many issues of health, hygiene, relationships, kindness, courtesy and love were the same in there as now.
So as we exist in our culture let’s look at the words of Jesus as He approached the cross and see if there is wisdom for us living in our today. Perhaps there is a lesson or two for us as we consider His words. Go to Matthew Chapter 23: 1-13
23 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] [b]
In these days of difficulties we need to concentrate on our faith in God, one His goodness and mercy and on our testimony of how we are living in this age. So you see what Jesus was saying to those He was teaching? He was using the religious rulers as a teaching tool. He was telling those who would be His disciples and follower here is how not to behave and here is what you should be doing to advance the Kingdom of Heaven in these difficult and tortuous days leading up to His taking the church away. Let’s review Jesus’s words and intent as we are able.
Begin with verses 2 and 3 together -2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
Looking at the Pharisee they sit in the lawgiver’s seat. The seat originally given to Moses to apply the law to the people. Jesus says to you as believers must keep the law and the prophet and do what is written in the law. But don’t follow their example for they have sold out to their own line of thinking about the Word of God and do not obey the spiritual intent of God’s law. If they did they would recognize me for I came from the Father and they call Me hateful names and do not know I come from the Father. For they don’t practice what the actually preach. They are hypocrites and they are not of Me or My Father, but of the devil their father. So do not do what they do or live the way they live for they are phony.
There is a second point here which is not stated. The Pharisees had a low opinion of God and because of their low opinion of God they had no fear of sinning against Him. This is always what happens when there is no fear of God. Sin is found acceptable to men because men do not honor the rightful position of God. Where if there were a high opinion of God there would be a fear of God and sin would not be found acceptable but would be hated as an offense to God. In this day of Jesus and in our day, there is no fear of God in many pastors, churches, courthouses, statehouses and in the Congress. The US Congress does not honor “in God we trust” or in the power of God to reign judgement on a people who continue to kill hundreds of children daily. God is not mocked we will reap what we have sown.
Verse 5 and 6 fulfills the remainder of the picture- 5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
Is your worship and your living out of your faith in God done for people to see or is it done because you truly believe in God and want to honor and obey His commandments and love for you? The Pharisees practiced a visual and auditory lifestyle, which proclaimed their supposed holiness and sanctity towards God but there was sin in the camp. Jesus’s words proclaim it was all done for show – for people to see. Their desire was not to honor God but to have people honor and praise them. The Pharisee’s were stuck on self. Self-centeredness and pride are terrible destructive forces which God tells us to beware of. God hates the pride of men because it causes them to sin. James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Now to Verse 7 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
Here is the issue. They wanted, not what did God demand and they became obedient. No it was what they wanted. They wanted to be greeted outside the temple in the city square or marketplaces and be called “Teacher – Rabbi.” This was to exalt themselves in the eyes of men. What did we just say about the fear of the Lord. A high view of God leads to fear of His justice and to honor Him. He puts us in jobs not we ourselves.
Verse 8 -10 8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Now we get to some specifics for those us are the children of faith in the Lord Jesus. You are not to be called Rabbi for you are all brothers. Don’t call anyone the honorific – father, for you have only one Father in Heaven – the Lord God Almighty. You don’t have an exalted position as an instructor for your instructor is Jesus Christ and He will send one just like Him to be your Teacher/Instructor and He is the Holy Spirit. Here is the key for us all. You are where you are because this is where God placed you. You didn’t pull yourself up by your bootstraps to obtains some exalted position in life. Did you expend effort yes but it is God who granted you favor? Read the words and weep -those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Finally, there are seven woes to the Pharisees but I want believers to concentrate on verse 13 alone 13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
The life you live as a believer can do one of two things. Your life can be used of God to draw others to Christ or your life can cause others to die in their sins. That is what verse 13 is leading us to. Your living as a hypocrite Christian can lead others to reject God, reject Christ, cause confusion in those who are seeking such that they turn away and no longer seek after God. Perhaps you have known some who supposedly were believers but, in the end, discouraged others in their faith and gave Christians a bad name. Don’t let that be you.
So yes times are tough but Jesus says, Follow Me and I will make you fishers of Men. And in Matt 11 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Did you know - In the midst of the storm Jesus is in your boat. He says Come, He says Follow Me. He called the disciples to come walk with Him and see. He asks you the same today will you be obedient to keep your eyes on Him and Him alone – in the eye of the storm?
Amen – Blessings answer the call.
March 7
In the midst of chaos, immorality, mental sickness, perverseness and just plain destructive evil hatred for Jews and Christians, how can we survive? There is only one way and that is to have the mind of Christ. You really should take to heart Romans 8:29 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Oh you read it but do you believe it?
Well, the disciples and the early Christians had to survive and thrive in the midst of the Roman Empire and God enabled them to make it. Paul’s letters are vivid proof of their surviving and sustaining the new life given to them from above
Today as we face the changing landscape of sin and depravity on an epic scale here in America with increasing hatred being demonstrated by the left, we should not be surprised or intimidated by what we are experiencing day by day. Our Lord has established Himself for this very day and hour and so we should not be discouraged but encouraged. He is with us. Remember the words from Jesus about the coming tribulation in Matt 24: 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the [c]elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.24 For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
How does this happen. Simply put, God allows the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit to be withdrawn so that man is turned over to his own inherent sinfulness. We are seeing fruits of this daily. God proves again to men that “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. And no there is not one righteous in and of himself and there is no one in all of time who seeks Him. All the philosophies of this world try to prove that man is basically good. Well, seek the truth and the truth is there is nothing good in men.
Alright so what should we do in our day. Same thing they did back in Paul’s day, this is nothing new. If they persecuted Jesus, then the early church does it surprise us they would not persecute us? Didn’t Jesus say that to His disciples. You should look it up (John 15:20)
A good book to study is the book of Philippians for it relates to us today for encouragement and direction of how to live in these last days of America, unless Jesus enables revival, repentance and renewal across the states and cities. Oh that America the beautiful would be renewed in the hearts of men and women today. Oops sorry, those terms have been nixed by the regressives.
Go with me to the first Chapter of Philippians. We will seek today in this lesson to first clarify the Circumstances which are occurring in Philippi. Then discover the Charge which Paul gives to the Philippian church and finally the Conditions Paul defines for completing the Charge.
So three objectives for today
Here it is straight forward- stand fast in the with one mind striving for faith in the gospel, not terrified…and it has been given to you to suffer for His sake. Having the same conflict that Paul is experiencing.
Point # II. Now we need to Understand the Charge to the church at Philippi and to us. See Philippians Chapter 4, verse 1: 1Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
This is a charge to stand fast and is repeated in Corinthians, Galatians , again in Philippians and Thessalonians. In Ephesians Chapter 6 the charge is having done all is to stand in the evil day. This is relevant for our day. So God being very practical provides a clear way of defining exactly what it means to stand fast.
So to Point # III. Learn the Conditions for completing of the charge is provided in Chapter 4 beginning in verse 5 and following:
First is to be gentle in these last days see verse 5 Let your [b]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Psalm 18.35 – You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great
Second Be anxious of nothing - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Third 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
(He-God) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (how to remain faithful is to depend on Christ- Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men – (Matt 4:19)
Next you are to meditate, that is to center your mind on
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Then put them into practice what you have heard – see verse 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice.
And God will be with you - And the God of peace will be with you. Amen
In the midst of chaos, immorality, mental sickness, perverseness and just plain destructive evil hatred for Jews and Christians, how can we survive? There is only one way and that is to have the mind of Christ. You really should take to heart Romans 8:29 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Oh you read it but do you believe it?
Well, the disciples and the early Christians had to survive and thrive in the midst of the Roman Empire and God enabled them to make it. Paul’s letters are vivid proof of their surviving and sustaining the new life given to them from above
Today as we face the changing landscape of sin and depravity on an epic scale here in America with increasing hatred being demonstrated by the left, we should not be surprised or intimidated by what we are experiencing day by day. Our Lord has established Himself for this very day and hour and so we should not be discouraged but encouraged. He is with us. Remember the words from Jesus about the coming tribulation in Matt 24: 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the [c]elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.24 For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.
How does this happen. Simply put, God allows the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit to be withdrawn so that man is turned over to his own inherent sinfulness. We are seeing fruits of this daily. God proves again to men that “all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. And no there is not one righteous in and of himself and there is no one in all of time who seeks Him. All the philosophies of this world try to prove that man is basically good. Well, seek the truth and the truth is there is nothing good in men.
Alright so what should we do in our day. Same thing they did back in Paul’s day, this is nothing new. If they persecuted Jesus, then the early church does it surprise us they would not persecute us? Didn’t Jesus say that to His disciples. You should look it up (John 15:20)
A good book to study is the book of Philippians for it relates to us today for encouragement and direction of how to live in these last days of America, unless Jesus enables revival, repentance and renewal across the states and cities. Oh that America the beautiful would be renewed in the hearts of men and women today. Oops sorry, those terms have been nixed by the regressives.
Go with me to the first Chapter of Philippians. We will seek today in this lesson to first clarify the Circumstances which are occurring in Philippi. Then discover the Charge which Paul gives to the Philippian church and finally the Conditions Paul defines for completing the Charge.
So three objectives for today
- Discover the Circumstances occurring in the church.
- Understand the Charge to the church and then to
- Learn the Conditions for Completion of the charge
Here it is straight forward- stand fast in the with one mind striving for faith in the gospel, not terrified…and it has been given to you to suffer for His sake. Having the same conflict that Paul is experiencing.
Point # II. Now we need to Understand the Charge to the church at Philippi and to us. See Philippians Chapter 4, verse 1: 1Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
This is a charge to stand fast and is repeated in Corinthians, Galatians , again in Philippians and Thessalonians. In Ephesians Chapter 6 the charge is having done all is to stand in the evil day. This is relevant for our day. So God being very practical provides a clear way of defining exactly what it means to stand fast.
So to Point # III. Learn the Conditions for completing of the charge is provided in Chapter 4 beginning in verse 5 and following:
First is to be gentle in these last days see verse 5 Let your [b]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Psalm 18.35 – You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great
Second Be anxious of nothing - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Third 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
(He-God) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (how to remain faithful is to depend on Christ- Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men – (Matt 4:19)
Next you are to meditate, that is to center your mind on
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Then put them into practice what you have heard – see verse 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice.
And God will be with you - And the God of peace will be with you. Amen
Feb28
We are as in the days of Noah. Every evil abounds across our land and the wickedness of man has and shows no restraint.
Even in our hearts we sometimes see and sense this wickedness drawing us but are repelled because of the power of God working in us by His Holy Spirit.
The word of God says that in the last days even some of the elect may be tempted and fall away, so we need to be prepared. Now with the coming Equality Act and the coming restructuring of our nation by all this evil legislation, persecution will inevitably be legislated and directed against us. Those regressives who supposedly are looking out for our welfare are in fact consolidating power and authority around themselves. They are attempting to justify themselves and make others believe they are creatures of light when in fact incredible darkness, perversity and evil surrounds them.
This is what happens when a covenant people and a covenant nation depart from the living God. If you have not been studying Deuteronomy Chapters 29-31 then you are missing what God was telling Israel they would do after they had promised to obey God, as His covenant people, moving into the promised land. But God knows the heart of men. He has seen us at our worst. That is why I say, we are as in the days of Noah.
But, remember what God said about Noah in Genesis Chapter 6, verse 9, This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
So today in March 2021 we should practice and know,
I. Who are we?
What do we believe? And then, how are we to behave and function in this Day? Now we have already discussed and have seen a behavior model for our times and that was Noah. Repeating what God’s word says about him, This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
We know from Genesis, Noah was not perfect for he had some personal flaws, just like us. But, God used him to save and perpetuate mankind. So not only are we related to Adam, but Noah as well as, progenitors. Meaning those who preceded us in our DNA and physical make up. That is why I want to reinforce and state and will continue to state, that there is one race and that is humankind. There are many colors, flavors and shapes but on the inside, there is no difference. And there are only male and female as God created them. Our confusion in this day, is part of the delusion of sin from our evil deceiver, who will use anything, including the modern term of critical race theory to separate us. You do understand this is just repackaging of old lies under a new banner. These racial ideas was used in the 1930’s about the Jews by Hitler and then by Stalin and now in 2020 by the Chinese in the persecution of Magyar Christians. It is coming to America via the lies of regressives, who title themselves as progressives. Yes, it is here now and coming to a place near you.
I. So this is part of Who we are, but not all. We need to understand that America has a Godly and Biblical heritage and would not have existed except for the hand of God. I repeat and want you to remember, the Continental Congress after inauguration of George Washington went to Saint Paul’s chapel and established a Biblical covenant with God which parallels the covenant relationship the Jews had with God in Israel. Why did the congress come and meet here at this Chapel and establish this covenant with God? Quite simply if you read George Washington’s writings and many of those who experienced the revolutionary war -there was no way this ragtag Army of less than 6% of those living in America could have or should have been able to defeat the British under General Cornwallis.
George Washington and many of those in the continental congress believed that God was the one who enabled this victory and protected the Continental Army and gave them the victory. Washington and those who were the founders, despite what our modern regressive interpretation, believed it was their calling and destiny to establish America as a place for freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom of thought. Those simple words of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were from God’s word and permeated all conversation and prayers made by the Congress. You need to engrave this same purpose in your heart and mind today.
Here is a foundational principal for you today- God providentially provides crucial men and women at critical times and uses them to make a difference. This is as true in our day as in Noah’s or Daniel’s or David’s or Paul’s time. William Emerson a 32-year-old Pastor in Concord, New Hampshire reflects what Pastor’s preached from the pulpits is his day. This came from critical study and prayer over a particular scripture- 2nd Chronicles 13: 1-12- God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm…
Preaching from this text, Pastor Emerson preached an established theme, which we should pray about and take for our own today. Preachers in that day held a high view of God’s providential interaction with the colonists and believed that God placed them in America for a divine purpose. Correct, today you are here for a divine purpose and calling. It is not random or far from you, but very near and comes from the word and mouth of God (Deut 29: 11-14, Duet 30). Preaching in 1775 they feared an attack on the general populace by General Gage. A militia was formed and as the Pastor prayed, God spoke to his heart and he related his interpretation of the text in 2nd Chronicles to read “and behold, God Himself is with us for our captain.” The pastor’s word would have a profound impact on the people and He was aware of a choice of either war or pacifism. He believed in the divine mandate of God and a clear calling of the providence of God upon himself and his people to obey God and not men.
This pastor also understood this also, and so should we, the strength of the army or resistance lay not in their weapons or numbers but in the moral and spiritual resolve of the people. He believed from the text that “the Lord will cover your head in the day of battle and carry you from victory to victory.” Is this who we are or are we depending upon numbers and strength of arms? Do you actually believe you have and we have a mandate from God for the reestablishment of a divine covenant over America today? Perhaps Christians need to go to St. Paul’s to repent and pray and replant the Sycamore tree after seeking God’s face and then standing up to our divine calling?
This is who we should be in the Lord, standing on the word of God for it is Holy ground.
II. Point # two is What do we believe?
Do we believe in God’s word and His provision? Or are we just spectators on the side lines of life, watching it all go by? I believe that we need to enlist the next generations to stand in this day for the truth of God and for America. You see the convictions of your heart begin with your relationship to God and are demonstrated by your behavior. Now don’t just believe me but let’s look at our text in Acts, chapter 5 beginning with verse 17. If you look at the earlier parts of this chapter in Acts, you see God executing judgement against those who would choose to lie and deceive the Holy Spirit. Then we see beginning in verse 12 the power of God in signs and wonders demonstrated in the early church.
Now go to verse 17 with this understanding, the Jewish religious establishment were understandably jealous and hostile to the preaching of the salvation by grace in Jesus Christ and wanted it to stop. Verse 17 - 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with [a]indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” (bold and empowered in the midst of hostility and reproof.} 21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the [b]council together, with all the [c]elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing [d]outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when [e]the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, [f]saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence {notice this please}, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
This should be our belief as well! Obeying God rather than men and that we are His witnesses in this day before men of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit who God has given us.
Point # III. Last point but this is very important – not only is this who we are in Christ, but we have a divine mandate here in America to claim this nation and this people for the Lord in this day and to obey these principles.
We should obey God rather than men and to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit as the disciples did. Just as God enabled Noah in do so his day.
Secondly, we are to witness to our divine heritage first in Christ and to His claim on this nation in this day. We need to stand forth without retreating in the heat of the prejudice of the left and their evil. We need to understand just as the colonist did, we don’t win these battles because of superior numbers or superior weapons, but just as Israel and Joshua learned. We win by the hand of the Lord. Look around you today! Believers have nothing else to lean upon but God. There is no president, there is no political party and there is no genie in the bottle to make our wishes come true. Only God is able to win this battle. As He told many in Israel, Kings and the people – the battle is the Lord’s. We are to be armed with His word in His power.
God has his people right where He wants us. We need to understand in the very depths of our being that God is, God is right. God is the justifier and redeemer of many and He will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. But those who in our day traipse in lies and deceit, and sell out will be punished and I don’t want to be the one to receive this. So as a watchman I am warning us this is how we need to walk and live in the Spirit. The time is short and we need to go into the fields for the are white unto harvest.
Will you freely receive and understand the calling of God upon your life today? It belongs to God and He has a divine mandate for you today. Receive it with gladness and thanksgiving and allow God to use you to pass it to others. AMEN
We are as in the days of Noah. Every evil abounds across our land and the wickedness of man has and shows no restraint.
Even in our hearts we sometimes see and sense this wickedness drawing us but are repelled because of the power of God working in us by His Holy Spirit.
The word of God says that in the last days even some of the elect may be tempted and fall away, so we need to be prepared. Now with the coming Equality Act and the coming restructuring of our nation by all this evil legislation, persecution will inevitably be legislated and directed against us. Those regressives who supposedly are looking out for our welfare are in fact consolidating power and authority around themselves. They are attempting to justify themselves and make others believe they are creatures of light when in fact incredible darkness, perversity and evil surrounds them.
This is what happens when a covenant people and a covenant nation depart from the living God. If you have not been studying Deuteronomy Chapters 29-31 then you are missing what God was telling Israel they would do after they had promised to obey God, as His covenant people, moving into the promised land. But God knows the heart of men. He has seen us at our worst. That is why I say, we are as in the days of Noah.
But, remember what God said about Noah in Genesis Chapter 6, verse 9, This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
So today in March 2021 we should practice and know,
I. Who are we?
What do we believe? And then, how are we to behave and function in this Day? Now we have already discussed and have seen a behavior model for our times and that was Noah. Repeating what God’s word says about him, This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
We know from Genesis, Noah was not perfect for he had some personal flaws, just like us. But, God used him to save and perpetuate mankind. So not only are we related to Adam, but Noah as well as, progenitors. Meaning those who preceded us in our DNA and physical make up. That is why I want to reinforce and state and will continue to state, that there is one race and that is humankind. There are many colors, flavors and shapes but on the inside, there is no difference. And there are only male and female as God created them. Our confusion in this day, is part of the delusion of sin from our evil deceiver, who will use anything, including the modern term of critical race theory to separate us. You do understand this is just repackaging of old lies under a new banner. These racial ideas was used in the 1930’s about the Jews by Hitler and then by Stalin and now in 2020 by the Chinese in the persecution of Magyar Christians. It is coming to America via the lies of regressives, who title themselves as progressives. Yes, it is here now and coming to a place near you.
I. So this is part of Who we are, but not all. We need to understand that America has a Godly and Biblical heritage and would not have existed except for the hand of God. I repeat and want you to remember, the Continental Congress after inauguration of George Washington went to Saint Paul’s chapel and established a Biblical covenant with God which parallels the covenant relationship the Jews had with God in Israel. Why did the congress come and meet here at this Chapel and establish this covenant with God? Quite simply if you read George Washington’s writings and many of those who experienced the revolutionary war -there was no way this ragtag Army of less than 6% of those living in America could have or should have been able to defeat the British under General Cornwallis.
George Washington and many of those in the continental congress believed that God was the one who enabled this victory and protected the Continental Army and gave them the victory. Washington and those who were the founders, despite what our modern regressive interpretation, believed it was their calling and destiny to establish America as a place for freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom of thought. Those simple words of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were from God’s word and permeated all conversation and prayers made by the Congress. You need to engrave this same purpose in your heart and mind today.
Here is a foundational principal for you today- God providentially provides crucial men and women at critical times and uses them to make a difference. This is as true in our day as in Noah’s or Daniel’s or David’s or Paul’s time. William Emerson a 32-year-old Pastor in Concord, New Hampshire reflects what Pastor’s preached from the pulpits is his day. This came from critical study and prayer over a particular scripture- 2nd Chronicles 13: 1-12- God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm…
Preaching from this text, Pastor Emerson preached an established theme, which we should pray about and take for our own today. Preachers in that day held a high view of God’s providential interaction with the colonists and believed that God placed them in America for a divine purpose. Correct, today you are here for a divine purpose and calling. It is not random or far from you, but very near and comes from the word and mouth of God (Deut 29: 11-14, Duet 30). Preaching in 1775 they feared an attack on the general populace by General Gage. A militia was formed and as the Pastor prayed, God spoke to his heart and he related his interpretation of the text in 2nd Chronicles to read “and behold, God Himself is with us for our captain.” The pastor’s word would have a profound impact on the people and He was aware of a choice of either war or pacifism. He believed in the divine mandate of God and a clear calling of the providence of God upon himself and his people to obey God and not men.
This pastor also understood this also, and so should we, the strength of the army or resistance lay not in their weapons or numbers but in the moral and spiritual resolve of the people. He believed from the text that “the Lord will cover your head in the day of battle and carry you from victory to victory.” Is this who we are or are we depending upon numbers and strength of arms? Do you actually believe you have and we have a mandate from God for the reestablishment of a divine covenant over America today? Perhaps Christians need to go to St. Paul’s to repent and pray and replant the Sycamore tree after seeking God’s face and then standing up to our divine calling?
This is who we should be in the Lord, standing on the word of God for it is Holy ground.
II. Point # two is What do we believe?
Do we believe in God’s word and His provision? Or are we just spectators on the side lines of life, watching it all go by? I believe that we need to enlist the next generations to stand in this day for the truth of God and for America. You see the convictions of your heart begin with your relationship to God and are demonstrated by your behavior. Now don’t just believe me but let’s look at our text in Acts, chapter 5 beginning with verse 17. If you look at the earlier parts of this chapter in Acts, you see God executing judgement against those who would choose to lie and deceive the Holy Spirit. Then we see beginning in verse 12 the power of God in signs and wonders demonstrated in the early church.
Now go to verse 17 with this understanding, the Jewish religious establishment were understandably jealous and hostile to the preaching of the salvation by grace in Jesus Christ and wanted it to stop. Verse 17 - 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with [a]indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” (bold and empowered in the midst of hostility and reproof.} 21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the [b]council together, with all the [c]elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing [d]outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when [e]the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, [f]saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence {notice this please}, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
This should be our belief as well! Obeying God rather than men and that we are His witnesses in this day before men of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit who God has given us.
Point # III. Last point but this is very important – not only is this who we are in Christ, but we have a divine mandate here in America to claim this nation and this people for the Lord in this day and to obey these principles.
We should obey God rather than men and to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit as the disciples did. Just as God enabled Noah in do so his day.
Secondly, we are to witness to our divine heritage first in Christ and to His claim on this nation in this day. We need to stand forth without retreating in the heat of the prejudice of the left and their evil. We need to understand just as the colonist did, we don’t win these battles because of superior numbers or superior weapons, but just as Israel and Joshua learned. We win by the hand of the Lord. Look around you today! Believers have nothing else to lean upon but God. There is no president, there is no political party and there is no genie in the bottle to make our wishes come true. Only God is able to win this battle. As He told many in Israel, Kings and the people – the battle is the Lord’s. We are to be armed with His word in His power.
God has his people right where He wants us. We need to understand in the very depths of our being that God is, God is right. God is the justifier and redeemer of many and He will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. But those who in our day traipse in lies and deceit, and sell out will be punished and I don’t want to be the one to receive this. So as a watchman I am warning us this is how we need to walk and live in the Spirit. The time is short and we need to go into the fields for the are white unto harvest.
Will you freely receive and understand the calling of God upon your life today? It belongs to God and He has a divine mandate for you today. Receive it with gladness and thanksgiving and allow God to use you to pass it to others. AMEN
Feb 14
In these end times do we really understand the awesome power of God? The God of all creation, the God of all power. El Shaddai is Elohim. He who is self-sufficient and has life within Himself, He is God. We need to believe in the resurrection power of an infinite being who is able to do all things, beyond anything we can think or imagine. Not only do we need to understand His power and His incredible authority, but we need to understand He gives us life. As a believer I should no longer be carnal, or a natural man, meaning of the earth, and viewing things as one who has no hope. But God has given me new life in Jesus Christ. He has given me a new spiritual nature. I should be sensing and knowing the God who has given me His new life, because of my new nature. So then I should not be discouraged by the appearance of the events of the day, for God is working within me and working in the world. Yes this is my Father’s world even thought is doesn’t look like it.
Oh yes, the events are discouraging but all the more according to Jesus’ messages to me. I need to turn my eyes upon Jesus. I should be renewing my mind and heart in Christ Jesus as I sense the day approaching.
Then the crisis events in our world today are not to be ignored, but understood from a different and biblical perspective and that the fields or nations of the earth are white unto harvest for souls. God has told us to send workers into the fields to harvest and bring souls into His kingdom which is the fruit which remains. So as a spiritual man or woman my heart should be on the things above, but aware of the world in which I live and seeking to bring others into His life and His kingdom.
The question which confronts us today is, am I really understanding these concepts? And if I understand them, do I really believe and walk in the truth that He who hath begun a good work in me will continue to work in me until the day of Christ Jesus? For it is God who works in you.
And, am I studying, praying and seeking to allow Him to make me into a soul winner; courageous but not without fear and trembling, but trusting by faith in each of His provisions? Let’s discover if these suppositions are true in the word of God. Many of you might say in your heart I hear what you are saying, but I don’t sense God at work in me today, if I am being honest. Then, just maybe this lesson will challenge you to know and understand more completely how God is at work in your life And how He is preparing you to operate as His paladin in His world today.
Please go to the second letter from Paul to the church at Corinth, Chapter three verses three through six.
2 Cor. 3:3-6 Paul continues speaking in this passage about those who have come to God but faith are letters of God, or as he says epistles for God in Christ. Please begin reading now in verse 3.
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the [a]Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Some very interesting concepts are contained in these three verses related to the calling, election and functioning of God’s people. If you would choose to have a separate study time, you might read and grasp the very explicit truths contained in Romans 8:1-9, which will parallel our discussions today.
As we begin, I have a key verse also written by Paul to the church at Philippi which you may want as a reference. Phil. 2:13- For it is God who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
Understand that God is working in us, and He is guiding us by His will to achieve His pleasure meaning for His purposes. This is key to understanding our situation today and will be explained more completely by going to our verses in 2nd Corinthians 3. Now verse by verse beginning with verse 3. 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
You are and epistle of Christ. When Christ came to you and you received Him, your life became His. Your life now is a reflection and as Paul said, an epistle or a letter representing Christ in you. Amen. God is now in your life. Your actions and your behaviors should reflect God’s activity by the Holy Spirit moving and indwelling in your life.
Written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God. God, the Holy Spirit, is now resident in the temple of your body ( 1 Cor. 6:19-20). He cleansed the temple of your heart and made you new. He gave you new life when the Holy Spirit took up residence, taking your sin and giving you the righteousness of Christ. You say you repeat this a lot pastor and you are correct. This is called the great exchange and is so important to understand His life in you newly planted. This exchange means all things have become new in you, and you no longer have to live and think the way you always have to this point.
Let’s keep going – written not with ink. You may not feel any different but the reality is God is now at home in you. His power, the power of the resurrection and creation, has created in you a new life to live. Your destination is no longer hell but is heaven and you need to learn to live a new way. Amen in Christ is how we are to live.
not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
This is the promise coming from the Old Testament in Ezekiel 36:26 where God will give us each a new heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone. God gave Moses the law on tablets of stone, but the heart of the people was far from God. They had not faith in God, and they would have preferred to have stayed in Egypt. They were not prepared to worship God. This is true of us before we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is to be more than just a Savior, as one who rescues you. He is now the One who should command your life. That is the new heart God gives us at the very moment of salvation. Does this describe your heart today, right now?
Verse 4 and 5 go together for they complement and allow us to understand the mind of Christ. Read 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. {confidence/faith in God in what He is doing} 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
First who is We? These are believers who have truly believed by faith that Jesus is risen from the dead and confessed with their mouths the Lord Jesus. This should also include you and I, who have been saved by Christ from eternal death.
we have such trust through Christ toward God. {confidence/faith in God in what He is doing} 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
So to allay all fears -our confidence, our trust and our faith through Christ is not of our own ability or our own sufficiency to meet every need but trusting in Jesus Christ for all things. Remember Jesus taught His disciples in John 15:5 – apart from Me, Ye (you) can do nothing. If we are to function as true disciples then we have no options but to trust in Jesus to meet all our needs. Paul tells us this truth in Phil 4:13 – I can do all things in Christ which strengthens me.
Verse 5 confirms this in no uncertain terms - 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves. Our spiritual life and ability now is not to function as natural men and live life by or in ourselves. Our life and our daily living must come from seeking Jesus. We have been given spiritual life so we are insufficient in ourselves to live apart. Our spiritual life is the beginning of us seeing and living toward the Kingdom of God. This ability only comes from new life in Jesus.
Our conversion and our planting and our new life come directly from the intervention of God. We only received what He offered by faith. We did not save ourselves and therefore, we can live the new life in Christ ourselves. We must live our lives in fellowship with God. Or new life is a working of God’s Holy Spirit. This new life in Christ gives us the ability to humbly confess that credit for this work and living the new life is totally dependent upon God and His working it out individually in each of us. God is at work right now to conform you to the image of His Son. Trust and obey for there is no other way.
No human being is competent or capable of carrying out God’s will apart from His guidance. All accomplishments in this life are learning to lean and obey the will of God as He moves and directs. Is this truth present in your life today? This is why when we worship we need to give Him all praise and glory for He has done great things and we must walk with Him, humbly and dependent.
Read verse 6 to confirm this truth - 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant. To live “in Christ” as Paul tells us is to recognize that He made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant. We have no individual skills or capabilities to assist God. Only He can make us sufficient as ministers. Not only did He call us, He ordained us and He enable us to tell the good news and minister according to the gifts He has given us.
Are you continually doubting that God is working in and through your life? Then maybe you have not understood your new life comes from God. He has a plan for your life. And He is working it out for His good pleasure, as He conforms you to the image of His Son. Now if you needed some Good News in the middle of sickness, national dishonor and perversity, lying, misinformation and misfortune. This is it. God loves you and has provided all things sufficient for your continued growth and maturation as a Christian.
So in the midst of despair and heartache and in every event, God is working out His will. Those young Hebrew boys who were being sent to Babylon probably had great despair and heartache as they walked away from Israel in a slave caravan. Wondering where was God is the midst of their lives. But lo, God was using adversity to forge warriors who would stand for God in the midst of all hell breaking loose around them. But in those 4 boys, 3 of which stood in a fiery furnace and declared - if they died they would not bow their knee to Nebuchadnezzar. And there was Daniel who would stand in the midst of Kings for God almighty.
Do you have a clue for how God could use you to change the course of a nation? Are you seeking to know His plan for your life? God wants to walk with you as He works out all things according to His will in your life. May it begin today as you yield to God.
God says, Fear not for I will never leave you for forsake you. Be strong and of good courage. Do not be discouraged or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go! Learn to walk by faith not doubting His activity. He is at work in you.
Pray for America and seek Jesus, ask how He can use you in the future. If you don’t know Jesus Christ come to Him today (See John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10 in your Bible). Be encouraged, for our vision should not be limited by the events of today but should seek to learn and know the spiritual truths that can only come from God by
knowing Him personally and individually. Amen
Additional meditation is available in Romans 8: 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, (sanctified is included) these He also glorified.
In these end times do we really understand the awesome power of God? The God of all creation, the God of all power. El Shaddai is Elohim. He who is self-sufficient and has life within Himself, He is God. We need to believe in the resurrection power of an infinite being who is able to do all things, beyond anything we can think or imagine. Not only do we need to understand His power and His incredible authority, but we need to understand He gives us life. As a believer I should no longer be carnal, or a natural man, meaning of the earth, and viewing things as one who has no hope. But God has given me new life in Jesus Christ. He has given me a new spiritual nature. I should be sensing and knowing the God who has given me His new life, because of my new nature. So then I should not be discouraged by the appearance of the events of the day, for God is working within me and working in the world. Yes this is my Father’s world even thought is doesn’t look like it.
Oh yes, the events are discouraging but all the more according to Jesus’ messages to me. I need to turn my eyes upon Jesus. I should be renewing my mind and heart in Christ Jesus as I sense the day approaching.
Then the crisis events in our world today are not to be ignored, but understood from a different and biblical perspective and that the fields or nations of the earth are white unto harvest for souls. God has told us to send workers into the fields to harvest and bring souls into His kingdom which is the fruit which remains. So as a spiritual man or woman my heart should be on the things above, but aware of the world in which I live and seeking to bring others into His life and His kingdom.
The question which confronts us today is, am I really understanding these concepts? And if I understand them, do I really believe and walk in the truth that He who hath begun a good work in me will continue to work in me until the day of Christ Jesus? For it is God who works in you.
And, am I studying, praying and seeking to allow Him to make me into a soul winner; courageous but not without fear and trembling, but trusting by faith in each of His provisions? Let’s discover if these suppositions are true in the word of God. Many of you might say in your heart I hear what you are saying, but I don’t sense God at work in me today, if I am being honest. Then, just maybe this lesson will challenge you to know and understand more completely how God is at work in your life And how He is preparing you to operate as His paladin in His world today.
Please go to the second letter from Paul to the church at Corinth, Chapter three verses three through six.
2 Cor. 3:3-6 Paul continues speaking in this passage about those who have come to God but faith are letters of God, or as he says epistles for God in Christ. Please begin reading now in verse 3.
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the [a]Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Some very interesting concepts are contained in these three verses related to the calling, election and functioning of God’s people. If you would choose to have a separate study time, you might read and grasp the very explicit truths contained in Romans 8:1-9, which will parallel our discussions today.
As we begin, I have a key verse also written by Paul to the church at Philippi which you may want as a reference. Phil. 2:13- For it is God who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
Understand that God is working in us, and He is guiding us by His will to achieve His pleasure meaning for His purposes. This is key to understanding our situation today and will be explained more completely by going to our verses in 2nd Corinthians 3. Now verse by verse beginning with verse 3. 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
You are and epistle of Christ. When Christ came to you and you received Him, your life became His. Your life now is a reflection and as Paul said, an epistle or a letter representing Christ in you. Amen. God is now in your life. Your actions and your behaviors should reflect God’s activity by the Holy Spirit moving and indwelling in your life.
Written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God. God, the Holy Spirit, is now resident in the temple of your body ( 1 Cor. 6:19-20). He cleansed the temple of your heart and made you new. He gave you new life when the Holy Spirit took up residence, taking your sin and giving you the righteousness of Christ. You say you repeat this a lot pastor and you are correct. This is called the great exchange and is so important to understand His life in you newly planted. This exchange means all things have become new in you, and you no longer have to live and think the way you always have to this point.
Let’s keep going – written not with ink. You may not feel any different but the reality is God is now at home in you. His power, the power of the resurrection and creation, has created in you a new life to live. Your destination is no longer hell but is heaven and you need to learn to live a new way. Amen in Christ is how we are to live.
not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
This is the promise coming from the Old Testament in Ezekiel 36:26 where God will give us each a new heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone. God gave Moses the law on tablets of stone, but the heart of the people was far from God. They had not faith in God, and they would have preferred to have stayed in Egypt. They were not prepared to worship God. This is true of us before we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is to be more than just a Savior, as one who rescues you. He is now the One who should command your life. That is the new heart God gives us at the very moment of salvation. Does this describe your heart today, right now?
Verse 4 and 5 go together for they complement and allow us to understand the mind of Christ. Read 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. {confidence/faith in God in what He is doing} 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
First who is We? These are believers who have truly believed by faith that Jesus is risen from the dead and confessed with their mouths the Lord Jesus. This should also include you and I, who have been saved by Christ from eternal death.
we have such trust through Christ toward God. {confidence/faith in God in what He is doing} 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
So to allay all fears -our confidence, our trust and our faith through Christ is not of our own ability or our own sufficiency to meet every need but trusting in Jesus Christ for all things. Remember Jesus taught His disciples in John 15:5 – apart from Me, Ye (you) can do nothing. If we are to function as true disciples then we have no options but to trust in Jesus to meet all our needs. Paul tells us this truth in Phil 4:13 – I can do all things in Christ which strengthens me.
Verse 5 confirms this in no uncertain terms - 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves. Our spiritual life and ability now is not to function as natural men and live life by or in ourselves. Our life and our daily living must come from seeking Jesus. We have been given spiritual life so we are insufficient in ourselves to live apart. Our spiritual life is the beginning of us seeing and living toward the Kingdom of God. This ability only comes from new life in Jesus.
Our conversion and our planting and our new life come directly from the intervention of God. We only received what He offered by faith. We did not save ourselves and therefore, we can live the new life in Christ ourselves. We must live our lives in fellowship with God. Or new life is a working of God’s Holy Spirit. This new life in Christ gives us the ability to humbly confess that credit for this work and living the new life is totally dependent upon God and His working it out individually in each of us. God is at work right now to conform you to the image of His Son. Trust and obey for there is no other way.
No human being is competent or capable of carrying out God’s will apart from His guidance. All accomplishments in this life are learning to lean and obey the will of God as He moves and directs. Is this truth present in your life today? This is why when we worship we need to give Him all praise and glory for He has done great things and we must walk with Him, humbly and dependent.
Read verse 6 to confirm this truth - 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant. To live “in Christ” as Paul tells us is to recognize that He made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant. We have no individual skills or capabilities to assist God. Only He can make us sufficient as ministers. Not only did He call us, He ordained us and He enable us to tell the good news and minister according to the gifts He has given us.
Are you continually doubting that God is working in and through your life? Then maybe you have not understood your new life comes from God. He has a plan for your life. And He is working it out for His good pleasure, as He conforms you to the image of His Son. Now if you needed some Good News in the middle of sickness, national dishonor and perversity, lying, misinformation and misfortune. This is it. God loves you and has provided all things sufficient for your continued growth and maturation as a Christian.
So in the midst of despair and heartache and in every event, God is working out His will. Those young Hebrew boys who were being sent to Babylon probably had great despair and heartache as they walked away from Israel in a slave caravan. Wondering where was God is the midst of their lives. But lo, God was using adversity to forge warriors who would stand for God in the midst of all hell breaking loose around them. But in those 4 boys, 3 of which stood in a fiery furnace and declared - if they died they would not bow their knee to Nebuchadnezzar. And there was Daniel who would stand in the midst of Kings for God almighty.
Do you have a clue for how God could use you to change the course of a nation? Are you seeking to know His plan for your life? God wants to walk with you as He works out all things according to His will in your life. May it begin today as you yield to God.
God says, Fear not for I will never leave you for forsake you. Be strong and of good courage. Do not be discouraged or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go! Learn to walk by faith not doubting His activity. He is at work in you.
Pray for America and seek Jesus, ask how He can use you in the future. If you don’t know Jesus Christ come to Him today (See John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10 in your Bible). Be encouraged, for our vision should not be limited by the events of today but should seek to learn and know the spiritual truths that can only come from God by
knowing Him personally and individually. Amen
Additional meditation is available in Romans 8: 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, (sanctified is included) these He also glorified.
Feb 7
Character Matters to God
Do you believe character matters to God? Look at the OT, it took God years to mold the character of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph to lead the people of God. Moses required major retrofitting and Joshua was in training with Moses almost his whole life. Noah was the only one righteous in the whole generation that God was able to save and continue the existence of the human race.
The character of Eli the Priest, because of his failure to discipline his two sons, and that of King Saul to be obedient to the commands of God, disqualified them from being acceptable before God and He punished them and their descendants. The same could be said of Sampson but in his death, God granted him a measure of redemption.
Now this is not to say that the other characters in the bible are perfect, the answer is no they were not. God presents to us the fact that all are flawed. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The is none righteous no not one! Only by grace are you and I saved in Christ by faith alone.
Therefore we can conclude, the character of a nation’s leaders, both religious and political/social, is generally a reflection of the character of the people and the nation from which they are drawn. We see this when we research and study in First and Second Kings, Chronicles and in the New Testament with the Pharisees and Sadducees. When the depravity and sinfulness of the leaders is clearly evident, it is reflected clearly in the people and within the people it becomes the characteristic of that nation. Why do you suppose that Jonah hated Nineveh? Because the sadistic and barbarous character and hatefulness of the nation was reflected in how they destroyed and punished nations they conquered. And their demonstrated character was how they lived generally. Jonah wanted them punished.
Take this understanding and apply it to what you are seeing reflected in the leadership of America today. Our behavior reflects the character of we the people and is fueled by our leaders in general. This is what happens to any nation which departs from God. Again God’s Bible doesn’t mince words, nor fail to show all the warts and pimples of the people it reports on. And the central focus of this book is supposedly on the godliest nation the Jews, and subsequently Christians, not the most depraved which are many.
Well guess what, what was true in the old testament in the book of Deuteronomy is true today. When the heart of a nation or it’s people or the nation as a whole turn away, and they no longer hear, and they go and serve other gods, and then they worship them. This is what you are seeing displayed across the world is the depraved sinfulness of and unrepentant and God denying nation, call it America post-election 2020.
Americans rejected God after WWII and God sent Korea. We stepped further away in the early 1950s and we had Viet Nam. We killed a president in 1960’s. Beginning in 1963 the Priests in the high court (the black robes of the Supreme court} of our country, told us that self was more important that God. Then education was now free to assume the role of interpreting moral leadership in our schools. God’s absolute truth was no longer functioning as the moral authority for our nation. Then it was deemed that truth was no longer required in the courtroom nor that pesky standard of those outdated moral epitaphs the Ten commandments. After all man is basically good and just needed better circumstances, better living conditions and better health to be all He or she could be.
Self if trained under the right conditions was going to be self-regulated. Well I think we know how well that experiment has worked out without God.
IN THAT same period we became covenant breakers and finally with the accelerating moral depravity God said enough and terminated His covenant on 9/11- Read the Harbinger book to know this is true. The straw which is breaking our back is our unparalleled access and acceptance of abortion. This was the final straw in Israel and also in America. The supreme stamp of total moral depravity is the willingness to accept the death of the helpless on the altar of self. We conveniently label this choice which is an abomination to God. Self-worship is putting ourselves before God. Remember the first commandment # 1 !
Our rejection of God’s standard for marriage and our convenient disregard for this sacrament comes because we do not honor His righteous standard. The same is true for schools and so on and on.
Then, God gave us, as He did with Israel, 19 years to repent and return. But our nation further sinned and raced, not walked, but raced, apart from God. What was true with Israel has now became true in America and the reaping was shown when God chose to allow the total corruption, hate and deceitfulness demonstrated during and after the election of 2020. Oh, by the way COVID is pestilence and it came upon us as part of His judgement for our sin. China may be the vector to enable it to happen, but make no mistake about the hand of God allowing this to take place.
Now under our new leader we have been dictated to in 47 perverse, illegal and unconstitutional executive orders. He is bypassing the constitution, established legal code and acting as a dictator. In this elected President and his handlers we are seeing the total depravity and unraveling of the blessings given to us by God. Inalienable rights given and mandated by God no longer exist in this nation and the fascists are coming after believers. Controlling the media and limiting our ability to communicate freely of what is truth. There will no longer be freedom because of the technocracy.
So we have seen now and are experiencing the corruption and control of what used to be the 4th estate.{the press/News} Control is being instituted and codified by the bureaucracy of unelected officials who are government workers. We call them the swamp. The multiple failures of democracy in the nation of France over the past hundred years is directly attributed to the bureaucracy which was called then and should be continued -the Fifth Estate- the swamp. Unelected, unaccountable, public officials who are intent on punishing the enemies of the state which they define is you - Christian. Basically they have the power to say who is right and who is wrong. Not your not elected officials but the bureaucracy establishes life and death.
So what does God say about all of this mess? In Isaiah 59 He says quite a lot. You are welcome to read the entire chapter but I will comment and use selected verses. Let’s begin with verses 1-4
59 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice;
no one pleads a case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
Verses1 & 2 – God is still able to save and cleanse His people, His power never changes. And despite what all are saying, He is able to hear the cries of His people (Ex. 3). But because of your sin, you individually and you as a nation, have separated yourselves from God. He will not hear and He will do no mighty works because of unbelief. His face is hidden.
Verse 3- you have killed the innocent, your own blood and remain unrepentant – the guilt is still upon your hands. You lie, you blaspheme against God and the knowledge of the true God is denied. Oh by the way you worship other Gods in disobedience to His direct command and you kill (murder innocents). And on top of this you lie about it and you mouths speak obscenities toward God and His holy people.
Verse 4 – There is no righteous judgement available within the land (think courts). Does this strike a note within America’s court systems. The rule of law is non-existent, judges do what is right in their own eyes. Integrity of character is missing in all elements of justice – in the prosecution, in the defense, in the execution of justice decisions within the confines of the law. Everything is perverted and despicable. All our arguments are empty of truth. They are all prejudiced to evil not righteousness. The net result is evil unleashed across the land. How about abortion as just one example.
Don’t you see, Isaiah was written 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, but God knows the hearts of men. Nothing has changed, for without Christ there is no heart change in man. We will continue an ever-expanding sinfulness and depravity.
We have brought the curses of God upon America which are contained in Deuteronomy 28 beginning after verse 14. We are reaping these today.
Not stopping there go to verses 11-16 and read: 11We all growl like bears;
we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses are many in your sight,
and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13 rebellion and treachery against the Lord,
turning our backs on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,
uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice is driven back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.
Verse 11- we all complain about the sinfulness which surround us bears or coo like doves. There is no human deliverance from sinfulness or depravity in the hearts of men. We want justice but without God for we no longer hear, we have turned away and are sinful.
Verse 12 could easily be said as it is in the New Testament in Romans, Chapter 3 which I will just highlight here. Look up verses 10-19 and read it all if the Holy Spirit leads you. But the abbreviated versions says this-
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
no one understands;
no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
all have ether become worthless;
no one who does good,
not even one.”[b]
13 “throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”[c]
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[d]
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[e]
15 “are swift to shed blood;
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[f]
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g]
This is where we are in America just think about what you have been watching over the last few months and weeks. We are a sinful people. The church as the priesthood of the believer needs to repent for the sin of all America. Priests need to intercede. Does your heart sense God’s grief over our nation? If it doesn’t then you have missed the heart of God. He is counting on your character to cause you to repent individually and then corporately for this nation. America must repent and so must the churches repent to see the heart of God. Why, because as stated in verse 14, there is no justice and righteousness is far off. Without God none of these exist.
As in verse 15 - Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. Isn’t this the cancel culture? You speak out for God and boom you are wacked. You are not entitled or qualified to be part of the market square. Your religion and your opinion is irrelevant.
So God did something because of His hate for sin and evil – See last part of verse 15 and 16:
The Lord looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
The only cure for sinful men is the righteousness of Christ II Corinthians 5: 21 says, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Justice, grace, mercy, peace and righteousness all come from God. Apart from God there is only sin. The churches in America must become the ‘priesthood of the believer” and repent and intercede with God.
Will you commit to praying, fasting and interceding with God today? We need God and His righteous right hand in our land. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Amen.
Please pray and fast today to have truth and righteousness restored. Which only God can do.
Character Matters to God
Do you believe character matters to God? Look at the OT, it took God years to mold the character of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph to lead the people of God. Moses required major retrofitting and Joshua was in training with Moses almost his whole life. Noah was the only one righteous in the whole generation that God was able to save and continue the existence of the human race.
The character of Eli the Priest, because of his failure to discipline his two sons, and that of King Saul to be obedient to the commands of God, disqualified them from being acceptable before God and He punished them and their descendants. The same could be said of Sampson but in his death, God granted him a measure of redemption.
Now this is not to say that the other characters in the bible are perfect, the answer is no they were not. God presents to us the fact that all are flawed. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The is none righteous no not one! Only by grace are you and I saved in Christ by faith alone.
Therefore we can conclude, the character of a nation’s leaders, both religious and political/social, is generally a reflection of the character of the people and the nation from which they are drawn. We see this when we research and study in First and Second Kings, Chronicles and in the New Testament with the Pharisees and Sadducees. When the depravity and sinfulness of the leaders is clearly evident, it is reflected clearly in the people and within the people it becomes the characteristic of that nation. Why do you suppose that Jonah hated Nineveh? Because the sadistic and barbarous character and hatefulness of the nation was reflected in how they destroyed and punished nations they conquered. And their demonstrated character was how they lived generally. Jonah wanted them punished.
Take this understanding and apply it to what you are seeing reflected in the leadership of America today. Our behavior reflects the character of we the people and is fueled by our leaders in general. This is what happens to any nation which departs from God. Again God’s Bible doesn’t mince words, nor fail to show all the warts and pimples of the people it reports on. And the central focus of this book is supposedly on the godliest nation the Jews, and subsequently Christians, not the most depraved which are many.
Well guess what, what was true in the old testament in the book of Deuteronomy is true today. When the heart of a nation or it’s people or the nation as a whole turn away, and they no longer hear, and they go and serve other gods, and then they worship them. This is what you are seeing displayed across the world is the depraved sinfulness of and unrepentant and God denying nation, call it America post-election 2020.
Americans rejected God after WWII and God sent Korea. We stepped further away in the early 1950s and we had Viet Nam. We killed a president in 1960’s. Beginning in 1963 the Priests in the high court (the black robes of the Supreme court} of our country, told us that self was more important that God. Then education was now free to assume the role of interpreting moral leadership in our schools. God’s absolute truth was no longer functioning as the moral authority for our nation. Then it was deemed that truth was no longer required in the courtroom nor that pesky standard of those outdated moral epitaphs the Ten commandments. After all man is basically good and just needed better circumstances, better living conditions and better health to be all He or she could be.
Self if trained under the right conditions was going to be self-regulated. Well I think we know how well that experiment has worked out without God.
IN THAT same period we became covenant breakers and finally with the accelerating moral depravity God said enough and terminated His covenant on 9/11- Read the Harbinger book to know this is true. The straw which is breaking our back is our unparalleled access and acceptance of abortion. This was the final straw in Israel and also in America. The supreme stamp of total moral depravity is the willingness to accept the death of the helpless on the altar of self. We conveniently label this choice which is an abomination to God. Self-worship is putting ourselves before God. Remember the first commandment # 1 !
Our rejection of God’s standard for marriage and our convenient disregard for this sacrament comes because we do not honor His righteous standard. The same is true for schools and so on and on.
Then, God gave us, as He did with Israel, 19 years to repent and return. But our nation further sinned and raced, not walked, but raced, apart from God. What was true with Israel has now became true in America and the reaping was shown when God chose to allow the total corruption, hate and deceitfulness demonstrated during and after the election of 2020. Oh, by the way COVID is pestilence and it came upon us as part of His judgement for our sin. China may be the vector to enable it to happen, but make no mistake about the hand of God allowing this to take place.
Now under our new leader we have been dictated to in 47 perverse, illegal and unconstitutional executive orders. He is bypassing the constitution, established legal code and acting as a dictator. In this elected President and his handlers we are seeing the total depravity and unraveling of the blessings given to us by God. Inalienable rights given and mandated by God no longer exist in this nation and the fascists are coming after believers. Controlling the media and limiting our ability to communicate freely of what is truth. There will no longer be freedom because of the technocracy.
So we have seen now and are experiencing the corruption and control of what used to be the 4th estate.{the press/News} Control is being instituted and codified by the bureaucracy of unelected officials who are government workers. We call them the swamp. The multiple failures of democracy in the nation of France over the past hundred years is directly attributed to the bureaucracy which was called then and should be continued -the Fifth Estate- the swamp. Unelected, unaccountable, public officials who are intent on punishing the enemies of the state which they define is you - Christian. Basically they have the power to say who is right and who is wrong. Not your not elected officials but the bureaucracy establishes life and death.
So what does God say about all of this mess? In Isaiah 59 He says quite a lot. You are welcome to read the entire chapter but I will comment and use selected verses. Let’s begin with verses 1-4
59 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice;
no one pleads a case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
Verses1 & 2 – God is still able to save and cleanse His people, His power never changes. And despite what all are saying, He is able to hear the cries of His people (Ex. 3). But because of your sin, you individually and you as a nation, have separated yourselves from God. He will not hear and He will do no mighty works because of unbelief. His face is hidden.
Verse 3- you have killed the innocent, your own blood and remain unrepentant – the guilt is still upon your hands. You lie, you blaspheme against God and the knowledge of the true God is denied. Oh by the way you worship other Gods in disobedience to His direct command and you kill (murder innocents). And on top of this you lie about it and you mouths speak obscenities toward God and His holy people.
Verse 4 – There is no righteous judgement available within the land (think courts). Does this strike a note within America’s court systems. The rule of law is non-existent, judges do what is right in their own eyes. Integrity of character is missing in all elements of justice – in the prosecution, in the defense, in the execution of justice decisions within the confines of the law. Everything is perverted and despicable. All our arguments are empty of truth. They are all prejudiced to evil not righteousness. The net result is evil unleashed across the land. How about abortion as just one example.
Don’t you see, Isaiah was written 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, but God knows the hearts of men. Nothing has changed, for without Christ there is no heart change in man. We will continue an ever-expanding sinfulness and depravity.
We have brought the curses of God upon America which are contained in Deuteronomy 28 beginning after verse 14. We are reaping these today.
Not stopping there go to verses 11-16 and read: 11We all growl like bears;
we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.
12 For our offenses are many in your sight,
and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13 rebellion and treachery against the Lord,
turning our backs on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,
uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14 So justice is driven back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.
15 Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.
Verse 11- we all complain about the sinfulness which surround us bears or coo like doves. There is no human deliverance from sinfulness or depravity in the hearts of men. We want justice but without God for we no longer hear, we have turned away and are sinful.
Verse 12 could easily be said as it is in the New Testament in Romans, Chapter 3 which I will just highlight here. Look up verses 10-19 and read it all if the Holy Spirit leads you. But the abbreviated versions says this-
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
no one understands;
no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
all have ether become worthless;
no one who does good,
not even one.”[b]
13 “throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”[c]
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”[d]
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”[e]
15 “are swift to shed blood;
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”[f]
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”[g]
This is where we are in America just think about what you have been watching over the last few months and weeks. We are a sinful people. The church as the priesthood of the believer needs to repent for the sin of all America. Priests need to intercede. Does your heart sense God’s grief over our nation? If it doesn’t then you have missed the heart of God. He is counting on your character to cause you to repent individually and then corporately for this nation. America must repent and so must the churches repent to see the heart of God. Why, because as stated in verse 14, there is no justice and righteousness is far off. Without God none of these exist.
As in verse 15 - Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. Isn’t this the cancel culture? You speak out for God and boom you are wacked. You are not entitled or qualified to be part of the market square. Your religion and your opinion is irrelevant.
So God did something because of His hate for sin and evil – See last part of verse 15 and 16:
The Lord looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
The only cure for sinful men is the righteousness of Christ II Corinthians 5: 21 says, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Justice, grace, mercy, peace and righteousness all come from God. Apart from God there is only sin. The churches in America must become the ‘priesthood of the believer” and repent and intercede with God.
Will you commit to praying, fasting and interceding with God today? We need God and His righteous right hand in our land. Apart from Him we can do nothing. Amen.
Please pray and fast today to have truth and righteousness restored. Which only God can do.
January 31
Today as we should always do is to open with the Word of God. Opening with God’s Word allows us to gain God’s perspective before we begin to assess our own personal and world events. We need to repeatedly do this to gain God’s perspective, as we approach the times we live in today.
So as we begin let us start with a root or base verse, upon which to focus and build our lesson, as we begin today. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Now did you catch the main idea? We are not to be fearful or panicking about our lives or our circumstances but to trust in, and to have hope in Christ. The reason is God has given us the Holy Spirit and His great and wonderful promises. His Word and His character and His power stand behind every promise made in our Bibles. Question is do you know what they are? If you are not standing on promises, yes that is right standing on the promises of God, then you are missing your birthright as a believer and you will not truly experience all he love and power available in God to you and in having a sound mind. Read on for more.
Turn with me to Second Peter Chapter 1, verse 1 let’s read, Simon Peter, a bondservant and aapostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have 1obtained blike 2precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 cGrace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue, 4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Pray with me! May this word of God dwell richly in you and we grow thereby. Amen
Historically, we need to remember and understand the perspective of the Holy Spirit of God as He expressed these truths through Peter. Peter like Paul at this time of his writing was shortly to become a martyr for his faith in Jesus. His execution was imminent and Peter was facing death. If you remember He was to be crucified and not right side up like Jesus but upside down.
In the history books, the period from 64-67 AD was a time when Nero caused massive persecution of Christians. night lights, gospel exploding. Faith of some lapsed in front of some believers. Romans hated the exclusivity of the worship of Jesus. They did not hate other religions, as long as there were many Gods. This of Christ alone was a hated concept especially since the Roman Caesars declared themselves as Gods on earth.
So what can we learn from our text. Well to begin with we need to go to verse 13 for some added perspective
Peter’s Approaching Death
13 Yes, I think it is right, pas long as I am in this 6tent,qto stir you up by reminding you, 14 rknowing that shortly I must 7put off my tent, just as sour Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my 8decease.
Paul is writing to remind the believers who will remain after his death to understand, he has hope and that others should have hope and confidence even in the midst of the trials which they were facing. So the message for today is there is hope. Hope in the one and only, who has defeated death, and now sits at the right hand of the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s now jump into His letter -
Paul identifies himself as the writer and is a letter to those in what we call today – Turkey. As an apostle Peter went in the authority of God to deliver a message to those in Jerusalem ( his home), Judea (his neighbors and relations), Samaria (those on the other side of the tracks, them heathens over there) and to the utter most parts of the earth (any outside of Israel and the accepted community of believers). I have to tell you this is our mission field as well. Now many believers fled the disaster and hate which was being spawned by Rome, but because the known world was ruled by Rome for the most part it was difficult if not impossible to escape.
Have obtained a like and precious faith by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter is reinforcing the fact that he has the same faith that you do if you have trusted in the Son of God as your Lord and Savior. You have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to believe in and on the name of Jesus Christ. The righteousness of Jesus is now yours. This reflects Peter’s confession to Jesus the “thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” in John 6:69. And Peter is reminding you and I that we have a “like” or similar faith. The source is the same.
Peter requests and bequeaths the blessings of grace and peace which only can come from a relationship with the Father and His Son. Where we start getting into the meat is in verse 3 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue
His divine power- what power? God’s great creation and redemptions power displayed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is God’s power which enable creation, Creation of the world and recreation of you and as a new person in Christ our Lord. Remember old things has passed away. Behold all things have become new. Romans 1:16 says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God’s divine power is working in you today. Do you recognize His activity?
Now to the second part of the sentence, His divine power, has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. All things that pertain to life and godliness- what might that be? Do you think there is a reason God in Christ gave you a bible? Do you actually read it and study its words? Over and over again He tells you He loves you and He wants you to have life. He tells us in the Old Testament – therefore choose life- how my studying and meditating on the Word of God. In the NT – Jesus tells us, The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63). So to have everything that relates to life and Godliness where might they be – in the Bible. Second part of this is not only does God give you His Word and His words are life and lead to godliness but He gives you Himself. The Holy Spirit of God takes the word of God as you study and moves it from your mind to your heart and then will enable you to walk in it and be obedient to it. So the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth guides you into all truth. And Jesus word is truth for He is the Truth. Amen
Verse 4 and if we get no further than verse 4 you got the meat and you need to chew and digest it.
4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
So class I ask you a question where do you find the great and precious promises of God? That’s right in the Bible, but you must read it and study it. If you don’t read the warranty or the rule book or the parts manual you don’t know how things work. If you really want to do more than survive this life and prosper as a child of the King you must know what is says. Capiche? 2 Cor 3:18 says, 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [b]by the Spirit of the Lord.
Because of God’s presence in us we are gpartakers of the divine nature, and because of His activity in our lives have escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. You see God in us and God giving us a new nature and the refining presence of the Holy Spirt working in us is transforming us. But constant exposure to the Word of God, prayer and fellowship are needed to enable us to fully realize what He wants us to become. That is why Peter expresses the idea in verse 5 of having diligence you may add to your faith. Read with me in verse 5 -5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Notice Peter is not afraid of death for back in verse 4 he has escaped the corruption in the world. And still God in Christ is building him up in the faith.
Take away – regardless of your circumstances today God is at work, but you must yield to His presence in obedience and work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Today as we should always do is to open with the Word of God. Opening with God’s Word allows us to gain God’s perspective before we begin to assess our own personal and world events. We need to repeatedly do this to gain God’s perspective, as we approach the times we live in today.
So as we begin let us start with a root or base verse, upon which to focus and build our lesson, as we begin today. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Now did you catch the main idea? We are not to be fearful or panicking about our lives or our circumstances but to trust in, and to have hope in Christ. The reason is God has given us the Holy Spirit and His great and wonderful promises. His Word and His character and His power stand behind every promise made in our Bibles. Question is do you know what they are? If you are not standing on promises, yes that is right standing on the promises of God, then you are missing your birthright as a believer and you will not truly experience all he love and power available in God to you and in having a sound mind. Read on for more.
Turn with me to Second Peter Chapter 1, verse 1 let’s read, Simon Peter, a bondservant and aapostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have 1obtained blike 2precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 cGrace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue, 4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Pray with me! May this word of God dwell richly in you and we grow thereby. Amen
Historically, we need to remember and understand the perspective of the Holy Spirit of God as He expressed these truths through Peter. Peter like Paul at this time of his writing was shortly to become a martyr for his faith in Jesus. His execution was imminent and Peter was facing death. If you remember He was to be crucified and not right side up like Jesus but upside down.
In the history books, the period from 64-67 AD was a time when Nero caused massive persecution of Christians. night lights, gospel exploding. Faith of some lapsed in front of some believers. Romans hated the exclusivity of the worship of Jesus. They did not hate other religions, as long as there were many Gods. This of Christ alone was a hated concept especially since the Roman Caesars declared themselves as Gods on earth.
So what can we learn from our text. Well to begin with we need to go to verse 13 for some added perspective
Peter’s Approaching Death
13 Yes, I think it is right, pas long as I am in this 6tent,qto stir you up by reminding you, 14 rknowing that shortly I must 7put off my tent, just as sour Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my 8decease.
Paul is writing to remind the believers who will remain after his death to understand, he has hope and that others should have hope and confidence even in the midst of the trials which they were facing. So the message for today is there is hope. Hope in the one and only, who has defeated death, and now sits at the right hand of the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s now jump into His letter -
Paul identifies himself as the writer and is a letter to those in what we call today – Turkey. As an apostle Peter went in the authority of God to deliver a message to those in Jerusalem ( his home), Judea (his neighbors and relations), Samaria (those on the other side of the tracks, them heathens over there) and to the utter most parts of the earth (any outside of Israel and the accepted community of believers). I have to tell you this is our mission field as well. Now many believers fled the disaster and hate which was being spawned by Rome, but because the known world was ruled by Rome for the most part it was difficult if not impossible to escape.
Have obtained a like and precious faith by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter is reinforcing the fact that he has the same faith that you do if you have trusted in the Son of God as your Lord and Savior. You have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to believe in and on the name of Jesus Christ. The righteousness of Jesus is now yours. This reflects Peter’s confession to Jesus the “thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” in John 6:69. And Peter is reminding you and I that we have a “like” or similar faith. The source is the same.
Peter requests and bequeaths the blessings of grace and peace which only can come from a relationship with the Father and His Son. Where we start getting into the meat is in verse 3 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue
His divine power- what power? God’s great creation and redemptions power displayed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is God’s power which enable creation, Creation of the world and recreation of you and as a new person in Christ our Lord. Remember old things has passed away. Behold all things have become new. Romans 1:16 says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God’s divine power is working in you today. Do you recognize His activity?
Now to the second part of the sentence, His divine power, has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. All things that pertain to life and godliness- what might that be? Do you think there is a reason God in Christ gave you a bible? Do you actually read it and study its words? Over and over again He tells you He loves you and He wants you to have life. He tells us in the Old Testament – therefore choose life- how my studying and meditating on the Word of God. In the NT – Jesus tells us, The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63). So to have everything that relates to life and Godliness where might they be – in the Bible. Second part of this is not only does God give you His Word and His words are life and lead to godliness but He gives you Himself. The Holy Spirit of God takes the word of God as you study and moves it from your mind to your heart and then will enable you to walk in it and be obedient to it. So the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth guides you into all truth. And Jesus word is truth for He is the Truth. Amen
Verse 4 and if we get no further than verse 4 you got the meat and you need to chew and digest it.
4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
So class I ask you a question where do you find the great and precious promises of God? That’s right in the Bible, but you must read it and study it. If you don’t read the warranty or the rule book or the parts manual you don’t know how things work. If you really want to do more than survive this life and prosper as a child of the King you must know what is says. Capiche? 2 Cor 3:18 says, 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [b]by the Spirit of the Lord.
Because of God’s presence in us we are gpartakers of the divine nature, and because of His activity in our lives have escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. You see God in us and God giving us a new nature and the refining presence of the Holy Spirt working in us is transforming us. But constant exposure to the Word of God, prayer and fellowship are needed to enable us to fully realize what He wants us to become. That is why Peter expresses the idea in verse 5 of having diligence you may add to your faith. Read with me in verse 5 -5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Notice Peter is not afraid of death for back in verse 4 he has escaped the corruption in the world. And still God in Christ is building him up in the faith.
Take away – regardless of your circumstances today God is at work, but you must yield to His presence in obedience and work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
January 24
Today as we should always do is to open with the Word of God. Opening with God’s Word allows us to gain God’s perspective before we begin to assess our own personal and world events. We need to repeatedly do this to gain God’s perspective, as we approach the times we live in today.
So as we begin let us start with a root or base verse, upon which to focus and build our lesson, as we begin today. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Now did you catch the main idea? We are not to be fearful or panicking about our lives or our circumstances but to trust in, and to have hope in Christ. The reason is God has given us the Holy Spirit and His great and wonderful promises. His Word and His character and His power stand behind every promise made in our Bibles. Question is do you know what they are? If you are not standing on promises, yes that is right standing on the promises of God, then you are missing your birthright as a believer and you will not truly experience all he love and power available in God to you and in having a sound mind. Read on for more.
Turn with me to Second Peter Chapter 1, verse 1 let’s read, Simon Peter, a bondservant and aapostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have 1obtained blike 2precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 cGrace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue, 4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Pray with me! May this word of God dwell richly in you and we grow thereby. Amen
Historically, we need to remember and understand the perspective of the Holy Spirit of God as He expressed these truths through Peter. Peter like Paul at this time of his writing was shortly to become a martyr for his faith in Jesus. His execution was imminent and Peter was facing death. If you remember He was to be crucified and not right side up like Jesus but upside down.
In the history books, the period from 64-67 AD was a time when Nero caused massive persecution of Christians. night lights, gospel exploding. Faith of some lapsed in front of some believers. Romans hated the exclusivity of the worship of Jesus. They did not hate other religions, as long as there were many Gods. This of Christ alone was a hated concept especially since the Roman Caesars declared themselves as Gods on earth.
So what can we learn from our text. Well to begin with we need to go to verse 13 for some added perspective
Peter’s Approaching Death
13 Yes, I think it is right, pas long as I am in this 6tent,qto stir you up by reminding you, 14 rknowing that shortly I must 7put off my tent, just as sour Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my 8decease.
Paul is writing to remind the believers who will remain after his death to understand, he has hope and that others should have hope and confidence even in the midst of the trials which they were facing. So the message for today is there is hope. Hope in the one and only, who has defeated death, and now sits at the right hand of the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s now jump into His letter -
Paul identifies himself as the writer and is a letter to those in what we call today – Turkey. As an apostle Peter went in the authority of God to deliver a message to those in Jerusalem ( his home), Judea (his neighbors and relations), Samaria (those on the other side of the tracks, them heathens over there) and to the utter most parts of the earth (any outside of Israel and the accepted community of believers). I have to tell you this is our mission field as well. Now many believers fled the disaster and hate which was being spawned by Rome, but because the known world was ruled by Rome for the most part it was difficult if not impossible to escape.
Have obtained a like and precious faith by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter is reinforcing the fact that he has the same faith that you do if you have trusted in the Son of God as your Lord and Savior. You have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to believe in and on the name of Jesus Christ. The righteousness of Jesus is now yours. This reflects Peter’s confession to Jesus the “thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” in John 6:69. And Peter is reminding you and I that we have a “like” or similar faith. The source is the same.
Peter requests and bequeaths the blessings of grace and peace which only can come from a relationship with the Father and His Son. Where we start getting into the meat is in verse 3 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue
His divine power- what power? God’s great creation and redemptions power displayed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is God’s power which enable creation, Creation of the world and recreation of you and as a new person in Christ our Lord. Remember old things has passed away. Behold all things have become new. Romans 1:16 says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God’s divine power is working in you today. Do you recognize His activity?
Now to the second part of the sentence, His divine power, has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. All things that pertain to life and godliness- what might that be? Do you think there is a reason God in Christ gave you a bible? Do you actually read it and study its words? Over and over again He tells you He loves you and He wants you to have life. He tells us in the Old Testament – therefore choose life- how my studying and meditating on the Word of God. In the NT – Jesus tells us, The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63). So to have everything that relates to life and Godliness where might they be – in the Bible. Second part of this is not only does God give you His Word and His words are life and lead to godliness but He gives you Himself. The Holy Spirit of God takes the word of God as you study and moves it from your mind to your heart and then will enable you to walk in it and be obedient to it. So the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth guides you into all truth. And Jesus word is truth for He is the Truth. Amen
Verse 4 and if we get no further than verse 4 you got the meat and you need to chew and digest it.
4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
So class I ask you a question where do you find the great and precious promises of God? That’s right in the Bible, but you must read it and study it. If you don’t read the warranty or the rule book or the parts manual you don’t know how things work. If you really want to do more than survive this life and prosper as a child of the King you must know what is says. Capiche? 2 Cor 3:18 says, 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [b]by the Spirit of the Lord.
Because of God’s presence in us we are gpartakers of the divine nature, and because of His activity in our lives have escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. You see God in us and God giving us a new nature and the refining presence of the Holy Spirt working in us is transforming us. But constant exposure to the Word of God, prayer and fellowship are needed to enable us to fully realize what He wants us to become. That is why Peter expresses the idea in verse 5 of having diligence you may add to your faith. Read with me in verse 5 -5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Notice Peter is not afraid of death for back in verse 4 he has escaped the corruption in the world. And still God in Christ is building him up in the faith.
Take away – regardless of your circumstances today God is at work, but you must yield to His presence in obedience and work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Today as we should always do is to open with the Word of God. Opening with God’s Word allows us to gain God’s perspective before we begin to assess our own personal and world events. We need to repeatedly do this to gain God’s perspective, as we approach the times we live in today.
So as we begin let us start with a root or base verse, upon which to focus and build our lesson, as we begin today. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Now did you catch the main idea? We are not to be fearful or panicking about our lives or our circumstances but to trust in, and to have hope in Christ. The reason is God has given us the Holy Spirit and His great and wonderful promises. His Word and His character and His power stand behind every promise made in our Bibles. Question is do you know what they are? If you are not standing on promises, yes that is right standing on the promises of God, then you are missing your birthright as a believer and you will not truly experience all he love and power available in God to you and in having a sound mind. Read on for more.
Turn with me to Second Peter Chapter 1, verse 1 let’s read, Simon Peter, a bondservant and aapostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have 1obtained blike 2precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 cGrace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue, 4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Pray with me! May this word of God dwell richly in you and we grow thereby. Amen
Historically, we need to remember and understand the perspective of the Holy Spirit of God as He expressed these truths through Peter. Peter like Paul at this time of his writing was shortly to become a martyr for his faith in Jesus. His execution was imminent and Peter was facing death. If you remember He was to be crucified and not right side up like Jesus but upside down.
In the history books, the period from 64-67 AD was a time when Nero caused massive persecution of Christians. night lights, gospel exploding. Faith of some lapsed in front of some believers. Romans hated the exclusivity of the worship of Jesus. They did not hate other religions, as long as there were many Gods. This of Christ alone was a hated concept especially since the Roman Caesars declared themselves as Gods on earth.
So what can we learn from our text. Well to begin with we need to go to verse 13 for some added perspective
Peter’s Approaching Death
13 Yes, I think it is right, pas long as I am in this 6tent,qto stir you up by reminding you, 14 rknowing that shortly I must 7put off my tent, just as sour Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my 8decease.
Paul is writing to remind the believers who will remain after his death to understand, he has hope and that others should have hope and confidence even in the midst of the trials which they were facing. So the message for today is there is hope. Hope in the one and only, who has defeated death, and now sits at the right hand of the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s now jump into His letter -
Paul identifies himself as the writer and is a letter to those in what we call today – Turkey. As an apostle Peter went in the authority of God to deliver a message to those in Jerusalem ( his home), Judea (his neighbors and relations), Samaria (those on the other side of the tracks, them heathens over there) and to the utter most parts of the earth (any outside of Israel and the accepted community of believers). I have to tell you this is our mission field as well. Now many believers fled the disaster and hate which was being spawned by Rome, but because the known world was ruled by Rome for the most part it was difficult if not impossible to escape.
Have obtained a like and precious faith by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter is reinforcing the fact that he has the same faith that you do if you have trusted in the Son of God as your Lord and Savior. You have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to believe in and on the name of Jesus Christ. The righteousness of Jesus is now yours. This reflects Peter’s confession to Jesus the “thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” in John 6:69. And Peter is reminding you and I that we have a “like” or similar faith. The source is the same.
Peter requests and bequeaths the blessings of grace and peace which only can come from a relationship with the Father and His Son. Where we start getting into the meat is in verse 3 3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue
His divine power- what power? God’s great creation and redemptions power displayed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is God’s power which enable creation, Creation of the world and recreation of you and as a new person in Christ our Lord. Remember old things has passed away. Behold all things have become new. Romans 1:16 says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. God’s divine power is working in you today. Do you recognize His activity?
Now to the second part of the sentence, His divine power, has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. All things that pertain to life and godliness- what might that be? Do you think there is a reason God in Christ gave you a bible? Do you actually read it and study its words? Over and over again He tells you He loves you and He wants you to have life. He tells us in the Old Testament – therefore choose life- how my studying and meditating on the Word of God. In the NT – Jesus tells us, The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63). So to have everything that relates to life and Godliness where might they be – in the Bible. Second part of this is not only does God give you His Word and His words are life and lead to godliness but He gives you Himself. The Holy Spirit of God takes the word of God as you study and moves it from your mind to your heart and then will enable you to walk in it and be obedient to it. So the Teacher, the Spirit of Truth guides you into all truth. And Jesus word is truth for He is the Truth. Amen
Verse 4 and if we get no further than verse 4 you got the meat and you need to chew and digest it.
4 fby which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be gpartakers of the divine nature, having escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. {You must work to attain the following:}
So class I ask you a question where do you find the great and precious promises of God? That’s right in the Bible, but you must read it and study it. If you don’t read the warranty or the rule book or the parts manual you don’t know how things work. If you really want to do more than survive this life and prosper as a child of the King you must know what is says. Capiche? 2 Cor 3:18 says, 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [b]by the Spirit of the Lord.
Because of God’s presence in us we are gpartakers of the divine nature, and because of His activity in our lives have escaped the 3corruption that is in the world through lust. You see God in us and God giving us a new nature and the refining presence of the Holy Spirt working in us is transforming us. But constant exposure to the Word of God, prayer and fellowship are needed to enable us to fully realize what He wants us to become. That is why Peter expresses the idea in verse 5 of having diligence you may add to your faith. Read with me in verse 5 -5 But also for this very reason, hgiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue iknowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control 4perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and jto brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither 5barren knor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is lshort sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Notice Peter is not afraid of death for back in verse 4 he has escaped the corruption in the world. And still God in Christ is building him up in the faith.
Take away – regardless of your circumstances today God is at work, but you must yield to His presence in obedience and work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Jan 17
Does America know now that she is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked?
The answer is no! America is in accelerating rebellion to our God. Do American Christians yet realize that God is serious and He has said “Enough” to the rebellion of people here? 9/11 should have been an adequate wake-up call but it was not enough. So now 19 years later, God has continued His judgement and we shall not be released until we repent. Our land was in covenant by the founding fathers to God, just as was Israel. Our History parallels Israel and so what God said to Israel about remaining faithful remains true to us today. The Glory of God has departed from our Land, just as He did in Israel. The covenant has been broken. We are a wicked nation – wickedness abounds! Ok Jim you say this but prove it to me. Just how is America wicked.
I. There is an absence of truth in America– the word of God is being restricted in the schools, in the courts, in the Congress and in the hearts of men and women. Truth is not being spoken in any of these domains men and women do what is right in their own eyes.
II. The schools in America do not teach truth and indoctrinate our children in sedition and rebellion. Parents rights are being trampled by the schools and teachers’ unions who supposedly know how to instruct our children better than you do
III. The Justice department no longer dispenses Justice but denies the truth of the constitution and does not bring democratic party operatives to justice but protects them from the laws of the country. The deep state is ruling supreme and is allowing the unelected elites to direct our country.
IV. American courts from the Supreme Court and all other courts to the local level no longer use the rule of law and the constitution as the basis for dispensing real justice. The is no justice for they fear the political elites and are paid lackeys of their masters. We have seen this when depositions, physical evidence and explicit videos are ignored and no court is willing to uphold the constitution for it might “disenfranchise some group of voters.”
V. There is no federal or state legislative body that has the courage to protect the rights stated and proclaimed in current state and federal constitutions. There are no rights guaranteed anymore except what the privileged few will be granted to themselves but not to you peons and deplorables.
VI. There are only fragmented church in America standing united against this tyranny and willing to take on the state in being salt and light, willing to stand as the vision set forth by our founders as “A City on the Hill.” Christians are not united in repentance or standing in the gap to defeat this wickedness in the heavenlies which is now firmly established at all levels in our country. We have abandoned the calling and commissioning of our Lord and our God.
The final blow against America is our willingness to allow our children to be sacrificed on the altar of “choice.” God is judging America now just as He did in the Old Testament because we are passing our children over the fire and murdering them. I just don’t think we understand the heart of God concerning the Children He gives us. Modern women grow up now with this attitude that they can freely have sex and use abortion as birth control. This comes from liberated women, the media and our supposed cultural norms. Do you realize this view casts God out the window? There is no place for the understanding that all new life comes from Him and is given even in sinful sexual relations, and in rape or incest which is less that 1% of all abortions in America today. God hated Israel for child sacrifice. Choice is child sacrifice and there is no way of sugar coating it.
Walk with me now as we look at the term wickedness as we move over the course of History and what God has shown us about wickedness
I will summarize a litany of inputs on Wickedness as we walk through Bible History - in Genesis 6:5, it says, The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. After this God destroyed all flesh with a Flood, save a remnant in Noah, for he was righteous of all those who remained.
Further in Gen 18:25 before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asked God about the destruction of the Wicked;
Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do, right?”
Because of our wickedness in Lev 16:21 God provided a blood sacrifice for paying for the wickedness of the nation. It says there, (the priest) He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. This was the sin offering for the nation.
But what we learned in Genesis returns in full measure in 1 Kings 21:25, where it says, But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.
Proverbs 13:6 reminds us that Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overtakes him who is not, And elsewhere Proverbs {14:34}it says
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people
Wickedness is also presented in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul in Eph 6:13 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
So we should not be surprised by current events which display wickedness and exalt killing by choice in America. Abortion is big money and big business. We all pay for abortion by the US Government budgeting money for Planned Parenthood.
What you are seeing and have seeing in this Presidency, in the media and in this election the uncovering of hostility in rejecting all things of God and acceptance across the board of wickedness, evil and perversity.
We are in judgement before God and America does not know it. The church need to stand and recognize the truth of Scripture On the basis of God’s Word in the book of Revelation our churches are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. There is lip service paid to the knowledge of God and the requirements of His Word for righteousness and holiness. We are told to set ourselves apart, but many believers have become welded to this culture and ownership of things. The first commandment God gave Moses is “to have no other Gods before Him and to only worship Him.” We have not been obedient to His call. Because we have not availed ourselves to Him and chosen life as it says in Deuteronomy 29, we have fallen away. Now all the curses of Deuteronomy 28:15 and beyond. Don’t believe me go there tonight and read through the curses God promises upon those who forsake Him. Cursed are your cities. Cursed is your nation. Your enemies no longer flee you and you are defeated. Cursed is you garden. Cursed are you in health - pestilence and disease shall strike you and on and on. Foreigners will assault you and oppress you and, in some instances, tear your nation apart, just like they did with the nation of Israel. There are some 40+ verses concerning what God brings to those who depart.
So this could be a very depressing message for some to realize the hand of God is strongly against America. I t has been for me for I have been in mourning all week as my heart is heavy with God’s hatred of sin. And finally recognizing that abortion of our children was and remains the final straw in God’s withholding Judgement on this country. How could He not judge us? Oh yes, He is merciful but this is willful disobedience and disregard. This is heart far from God. Let Me show you.
Deuteronomy 30 - 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
How did we in America go wrong? And is there anything which can be done? I will give you the quick answer it is yes but let’s answer the first question then how is God calling us. I this verse is the clear and concise answer - 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish;
We as Christians have turned away, we have now chosen not to hear; we no longer draw near to God, we serve the God of self, prosperity and things; and we serve the prince of the power of the air. If we continue God will cause us to perish.
1. Repent, humble and pray - II Chronicles 7:15
2. Fulfill Ezekiel 33 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3 when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will [a]save his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’7 “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.
So Repent and become a dedicated watchman – pray and proclaim God’s truth to and where God will lead you.
Does America know now that she is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked?
The answer is no! America is in accelerating rebellion to our God. Do American Christians yet realize that God is serious and He has said “Enough” to the rebellion of people here? 9/11 should have been an adequate wake-up call but it was not enough. So now 19 years later, God has continued His judgement and we shall not be released until we repent. Our land was in covenant by the founding fathers to God, just as was Israel. Our History parallels Israel and so what God said to Israel about remaining faithful remains true to us today. The Glory of God has departed from our Land, just as He did in Israel. The covenant has been broken. We are a wicked nation – wickedness abounds! Ok Jim you say this but prove it to me. Just how is America wicked.
I. There is an absence of truth in America– the word of God is being restricted in the schools, in the courts, in the Congress and in the hearts of men and women. Truth is not being spoken in any of these domains men and women do what is right in their own eyes.
II. The schools in America do not teach truth and indoctrinate our children in sedition and rebellion. Parents rights are being trampled by the schools and teachers’ unions who supposedly know how to instruct our children better than you do
III. The Justice department no longer dispenses Justice but denies the truth of the constitution and does not bring democratic party operatives to justice but protects them from the laws of the country. The deep state is ruling supreme and is allowing the unelected elites to direct our country.
IV. American courts from the Supreme Court and all other courts to the local level no longer use the rule of law and the constitution as the basis for dispensing real justice. The is no justice for they fear the political elites and are paid lackeys of their masters. We have seen this when depositions, physical evidence and explicit videos are ignored and no court is willing to uphold the constitution for it might “disenfranchise some group of voters.”
V. There is no federal or state legislative body that has the courage to protect the rights stated and proclaimed in current state and federal constitutions. There are no rights guaranteed anymore except what the privileged few will be granted to themselves but not to you peons and deplorables.
VI. There are only fragmented church in America standing united against this tyranny and willing to take on the state in being salt and light, willing to stand as the vision set forth by our founders as “A City on the Hill.” Christians are not united in repentance or standing in the gap to defeat this wickedness in the heavenlies which is now firmly established at all levels in our country. We have abandoned the calling and commissioning of our Lord and our God.
The final blow against America is our willingness to allow our children to be sacrificed on the altar of “choice.” God is judging America now just as He did in the Old Testament because we are passing our children over the fire and murdering them. I just don’t think we understand the heart of God concerning the Children He gives us. Modern women grow up now with this attitude that they can freely have sex and use abortion as birth control. This comes from liberated women, the media and our supposed cultural norms. Do you realize this view casts God out the window? There is no place for the understanding that all new life comes from Him and is given even in sinful sexual relations, and in rape or incest which is less that 1% of all abortions in America today. God hated Israel for child sacrifice. Choice is child sacrifice and there is no way of sugar coating it.
Walk with me now as we look at the term wickedness as we move over the course of History and what God has shown us about wickedness
I will summarize a litany of inputs on Wickedness as we walk through Bible History - in Genesis 6:5, it says, The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. After this God destroyed all flesh with a Flood, save a remnant in Noah, for he was righteous of all those who remained.
Further in Gen 18:25 before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asked God about the destruction of the Wicked;
Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do, right?”
Because of our wickedness in Lev 16:21 God provided a blood sacrifice for paying for the wickedness of the nation. It says there, (the priest) He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. This was the sin offering for the nation.
But what we learned in Genesis returns in full measure in 1 Kings 21:25, where it says, But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.
Proverbs 13:6 reminds us that Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overtakes him who is not, And elsewhere Proverbs {14:34}it says
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people
Wickedness is also presented in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul in Eph 6:13 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [a]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
So we should not be surprised by current events which display wickedness and exalt killing by choice in America. Abortion is big money and big business. We all pay for abortion by the US Government budgeting money for Planned Parenthood.
What you are seeing and have seeing in this Presidency, in the media and in this election the uncovering of hostility in rejecting all things of God and acceptance across the board of wickedness, evil and perversity.
We are in judgement before God and America does not know it. The church need to stand and recognize the truth of Scripture On the basis of God’s Word in the book of Revelation our churches are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. There is lip service paid to the knowledge of God and the requirements of His Word for righteousness and holiness. We are told to set ourselves apart, but many believers have become welded to this culture and ownership of things. The first commandment God gave Moses is “to have no other Gods before Him and to only worship Him.” We have not been obedient to His call. Because we have not availed ourselves to Him and chosen life as it says in Deuteronomy 29, we have fallen away. Now all the curses of Deuteronomy 28:15 and beyond. Don’t believe me go there tonight and read through the curses God promises upon those who forsake Him. Cursed are your cities. Cursed is your nation. Your enemies no longer flee you and you are defeated. Cursed is you garden. Cursed are you in health - pestilence and disease shall strike you and on and on. Foreigners will assault you and oppress you and, in some instances, tear your nation apart, just like they did with the nation of Israel. There are some 40+ verses concerning what God brings to those who depart.
So this could be a very depressing message for some to realize the hand of God is strongly against America. I t has been for me for I have been in mourning all week as my heart is heavy with God’s hatred of sin. And finally recognizing that abortion of our children was and remains the final straw in God’s withholding Judgement on this country. How could He not judge us? Oh yes, He is merciful but this is willful disobedience and disregard. This is heart far from God. Let Me show you.
Deuteronomy 30 - 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
How did we in America go wrong? And is there anything which can be done? I will give you the quick answer it is yes but let’s answer the first question then how is God calling us. I this verse is the clear and concise answer - 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish;
We as Christians have turned away, we have now chosen not to hear; we no longer draw near to God, we serve the God of self, prosperity and things; and we serve the prince of the power of the air. If we continue God will cause us to perish.
1. Repent, humble and pray - II Chronicles 7:15
2. Fulfill Ezekiel 33 Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3 when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will [a]save his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’7 “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.
So Repent and become a dedicated watchman – pray and proclaim God’s truth to and where God will lead you.
Jan 2
Christ the Lord was born 2000 plus years ago and even before that in the Old Testament as far back as Cain and Abel, there has been this idea that abiding in the laws and structure of God is restrictive and punitive.
Think on this for a moment – what was the downfall of Adam and Eve, besides Adam not exercising leadership when that is what God created? Well, Satan’s temptation was related to “hath God said?” Satan’s idea was to put into the heads of the first man and woman that the God who lovingly created them and who set them in the Garden was withholding something from them that would make them ”as gods.” The idea again being that God was restricting them somehow and that there was something being kept back from them.
Cain’s hatred of Abel and his offering was caused supposedly because because God favored Abel, not that Cain had a problem. Cain could not fathom that God’s reference and warning to him about sin crouching at his door was a warning of the consequences of his hatred toward Abel and the hardness of his heart. The Farther wanted to keep Cain from making bad choices but Cain could not understand because of his sinful and rebellious heart. He had a heart condition.
Because of our sin and the hardness of men’s hearts, this would include the religious leaders of yesterday and today, many view the commandments of God as restrictive and punitive and potentially unfillable by human standards. Our statements and rationalizations are that temptation is just too great and God doesn’t understand our “human condition.” To put this in simpler terms we object because we think if we have to give up everything God’s laws and commandments demands, we will have no pleasure, fun and will miss all this world has to offer. Sounds a lot like Adam and Eve to me – we might miss something. Notice this, Satan has not changed his tune in the thousands of years he has been tempting men and women on planet earth. Oh, the packaging is different and the words today are “woke”, so that we think this is something new and different, but it remains the same temptation and questioning about the nature and character of our creator God. Do we believe that God looks out for our good and only wants what is best for us?
Looking at contemporary culture and our current world we have obviously bought into this lie completely. We can’t teach the bible in public schools, it might offend someone. The same with prayer, especially prayer in the name of Jesus. We can’t have people swearing on the bible in court – separation of church and state. Of course there are many others, but now, because there is no current standard of moral behavior except what you or I think, then I do what I think is right and as I want in our society. We did not believe that what God had in mind for us was what was best. Looking back on it now, maybe we chose the wrong path, for we see we are reaping what we have sown. We care nothing about babies in the womb. Animals have more protections than some humans do. Murder is up between 400 and higher percent in some cities, as is theft, rape, child abuse and pornography/sex trafficking. Yes people we have rejected the best God has for us and we have reaped the whirlwind.
I believe it is time we all had a lesson in reviewing the truth of God’s word and begin reapplying it our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren. We all need to pray that God will bring revival in us as a people who hunger for the word of God. Not to just hear the word of God, but to know it and live it. We need to understand that our job is to make disciples of all nations that includes our children/grandchildren. If you don’t have a burden for the Word of God and for God to bring teachers and teaching to OBC then you are missing what God is saying to the churches.
Here is what needs to be taught – one basic principle: Being in Christ includes and gives us freedom and deliverance from the strife and evil in this world. This requires obedience o God’s Word and dependence on the Holy Spirit. God’s promise beginning with Adam and Eve and continuing through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit today is that He loves you, only want what is best for you, has a plan for you and will enable you to live this out beginning today and every day thereafter. This is what I am trying to summarize by using the title of this message as “Included in Christ.” There are many scriptures which we could reference to stress these points and reinforce these attributes of God. However I have been led to Hebrews Chapter 1, verses 1 through 13 for today.
Our Lesson begins- Chapter 1, verse 1 God, who [a]at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the [b]worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had [c]by Himself [d]purged [e]our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
The Son Exalted Above Angels
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: {To none of the Angels created beings}
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
And again:
“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
7 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But to the Son He says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A [f]scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
10 And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, {Jesus did this}
And the heavens are the work of Your hands. {Yes Jesus did this}
11 They will perish, but You remain; {everlasting God}
And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, {finished work}
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
So let us parse these scriptures and see what God has revealed to us in each portion. Now before we begin I want you to know that all these verses in this opening chapter have a legacy in some cases word for word from the Old Testament. So this is not some babbling from the author but truth, remember this and you will be amazed.
Verse 1 says, God spoke through history and used different means and methods including a donkey, angels, dreams various signs and events to speak and encounter menfd.
Verse 2 - in these last days I have revealed myself by and through My Son by what He is and what He has accomplished or done. Jesus is the Son and so He inherits all things. And because His inheritance is eternal as Son of God and His inheritance is universal as it includes all things, persons. His Son has dominion over all things and He made the worlds and worlds can also mean ages in Greek. Thus all space, time and creation are His as is History, since it is His story we are talking about; and He is the mediator of the new covenant under the Father
Verse 3 – Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory and His radiance comes from God’s essential glory. This is not a reflected brightness but an inherited brightness since He is one with the Father in essence. Jesus’ brightness comes from His purity and His divinity. He is an exact representation of the Father who together with the Father is worshiped and glorified- the expressed image means the exact character or representation of His being. Jesus is one with the Father and is by definition God. Jesus said in John 14, He who has seen Me has seen the Father. Jesus by His word is the sustainer and maintainer of the Universe. So in addition to creating the Universe He directs and maintains all aspects of this world. The laws of nature are His laws which He put into effect. Now here is an interesting word purged, which means cleansed or purified. Do you realize the glory of redemptions is greater than the glory of creation? Jesus came not just to receive our sin but to purge it from God’s sight behind His back. And with that contrary to the Human earthly high Priest Jesus sat down for His work was now completed. Can you not grasp here that Jesus loves you and paid a high price for your cleansing to make you acceptable to God? Being included in Christ means being protected from the onslaught of all sin and evil by His love and compassion. This is just the opposite of what the world tries to tell you about being a Christian.
Verse 4 - the Son is better that the Angels, meaning higher than for they were created beings He is not. He existed before time began. Because of He is seated at the right hand of the Father and He accomplished redemptions He is esteemed above all Angels.
Verse 5 - today I have begotten you refers to the day Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father after His becoming our Messiah. I will be to Him a Father quotes the passage in 2 Sam 7:14 when He completed His mission on earth
Verse 6 – when He again brings is a reference to His second coming. Firstborn means He is first of those who are to come as a result of His work. He ranks above all others because of His service and sacrifice
Verse 7 - He is worshiped as God and is superior, the Angels are ministered Spirits and are servants
Verse 8 – Jesus is recognized for who He is. He is God
Verse 9 – Companions are close associates or partners. We {Christians}are included here with Christ as partners in His work. Praise God for His sovereignty and graciousness grant us favor before Him.
Verses 10 – 12 This text comes from Psalm 102, verses 12 -16, Jesus is the Lord who has come once and He will appear again in the future. Jesus is the only one who was God incarnate in Man. He is the second person of the Trinity, He is the one and only one to become a man. The universe will change but the Son of Man will remain forever unchanged.
Verse 13 - Christ remains at the right hand of God until His enemies are defeated. He is the Word incarnate even now.
Because of Jesus Christ you will inherit salvation and God will keep you in His presence until you have fulfilled your mission or until He calls us all home. All of what we have read is rendered unto those who have believed and have been persuaded that Jesus is Lord and He is God. God’s rules and orders are meant for your protection and not your harm. Only Satan could pervert and deceive men to reverse the truth of God and make it a lie. Satan was and remains a deceiver and will reap eternal punishment for his actions. We need to teach our children and our disciples the truth.
Father. we pray give us more to serve and to help in Jesus name .We ask humbly to use Oakland Baptist Church to glorify You and
Christ the Lord was born 2000 plus years ago and even before that in the Old Testament as far back as Cain and Abel, there has been this idea that abiding in the laws and structure of God is restrictive and punitive.
Think on this for a moment – what was the downfall of Adam and Eve, besides Adam not exercising leadership when that is what God created? Well, Satan’s temptation was related to “hath God said?” Satan’s idea was to put into the heads of the first man and woman that the God who lovingly created them and who set them in the Garden was withholding something from them that would make them ”as gods.” The idea again being that God was restricting them somehow and that there was something being kept back from them.
Cain’s hatred of Abel and his offering was caused supposedly because because God favored Abel, not that Cain had a problem. Cain could not fathom that God’s reference and warning to him about sin crouching at his door was a warning of the consequences of his hatred toward Abel and the hardness of his heart. The Farther wanted to keep Cain from making bad choices but Cain could not understand because of his sinful and rebellious heart. He had a heart condition.
Because of our sin and the hardness of men’s hearts, this would include the religious leaders of yesterday and today, many view the commandments of God as restrictive and punitive and potentially unfillable by human standards. Our statements and rationalizations are that temptation is just too great and God doesn’t understand our “human condition.” To put this in simpler terms we object because we think if we have to give up everything God’s laws and commandments demands, we will have no pleasure, fun and will miss all this world has to offer. Sounds a lot like Adam and Eve to me – we might miss something. Notice this, Satan has not changed his tune in the thousands of years he has been tempting men and women on planet earth. Oh, the packaging is different and the words today are “woke”, so that we think this is something new and different, but it remains the same temptation and questioning about the nature and character of our creator God. Do we believe that God looks out for our good and only wants what is best for us?
Looking at contemporary culture and our current world we have obviously bought into this lie completely. We can’t teach the bible in public schools, it might offend someone. The same with prayer, especially prayer in the name of Jesus. We can’t have people swearing on the bible in court – separation of church and state. Of course there are many others, but now, because there is no current standard of moral behavior except what you or I think, then I do what I think is right and as I want in our society. We did not believe that what God had in mind for us was what was best. Looking back on it now, maybe we chose the wrong path, for we see we are reaping what we have sown. We care nothing about babies in the womb. Animals have more protections than some humans do. Murder is up between 400 and higher percent in some cities, as is theft, rape, child abuse and pornography/sex trafficking. Yes people we have rejected the best God has for us and we have reaped the whirlwind.
I believe it is time we all had a lesson in reviewing the truth of God’s word and begin reapplying it our lives and the lives of our children and grandchildren. We all need to pray that God will bring revival in us as a people who hunger for the word of God. Not to just hear the word of God, but to know it and live it. We need to understand that our job is to make disciples of all nations that includes our children/grandchildren. If you don’t have a burden for the Word of God and for God to bring teachers and teaching to OBC then you are missing what God is saying to the churches.
Here is what needs to be taught – one basic principle: Being in Christ includes and gives us freedom and deliverance from the strife and evil in this world. This requires obedience o God’s Word and dependence on the Holy Spirit. God’s promise beginning with Adam and Eve and continuing through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit today is that He loves you, only want what is best for you, has a plan for you and will enable you to live this out beginning today and every day thereafter. This is what I am trying to summarize by using the title of this message as “Included in Christ.” There are many scriptures which we could reference to stress these points and reinforce these attributes of God. However I have been led to Hebrews Chapter 1, verses 1 through 13 for today.
Our Lesson begins- Chapter 1, verse 1 God, who [a]at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the [b]worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had [c]by Himself [d]purged [e]our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
The Son Exalted Above Angels
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: {To none of the Angels created beings}
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
And again:
“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
7 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But to the Son He says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A [f]scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
10 And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, {Jesus did this}
And the heavens are the work of Your hands. {Yes Jesus did this}
11 They will perish, but You remain; {everlasting God}
And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.”
13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, {finished work}
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
So let us parse these scriptures and see what God has revealed to us in each portion. Now before we begin I want you to know that all these verses in this opening chapter have a legacy in some cases word for word from the Old Testament. So this is not some babbling from the author but truth, remember this and you will be amazed.
Verse 1 says, God spoke through history and used different means and methods including a donkey, angels, dreams various signs and events to speak and encounter menfd.
Verse 2 - in these last days I have revealed myself by and through My Son by what He is and what He has accomplished or done. Jesus is the Son and so He inherits all things. And because His inheritance is eternal as Son of God and His inheritance is universal as it includes all things, persons. His Son has dominion over all things and He made the worlds and worlds can also mean ages in Greek. Thus all space, time and creation are His as is History, since it is His story we are talking about; and He is the mediator of the new covenant under the Father
Verse 3 – Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory and His radiance comes from God’s essential glory. This is not a reflected brightness but an inherited brightness since He is one with the Father in essence. Jesus’ brightness comes from His purity and His divinity. He is an exact representation of the Father who together with the Father is worshiped and glorified- the expressed image means the exact character or representation of His being. Jesus is one with the Father and is by definition God. Jesus said in John 14, He who has seen Me has seen the Father. Jesus by His word is the sustainer and maintainer of the Universe. So in addition to creating the Universe He directs and maintains all aspects of this world. The laws of nature are His laws which He put into effect. Now here is an interesting word purged, which means cleansed or purified. Do you realize the glory of redemptions is greater than the glory of creation? Jesus came not just to receive our sin but to purge it from God’s sight behind His back. And with that contrary to the Human earthly high Priest Jesus sat down for His work was now completed. Can you not grasp here that Jesus loves you and paid a high price for your cleansing to make you acceptable to God? Being included in Christ means being protected from the onslaught of all sin and evil by His love and compassion. This is just the opposite of what the world tries to tell you about being a Christian.
Verse 4 - the Son is better that the Angels, meaning higher than for they were created beings He is not. He existed before time began. Because of He is seated at the right hand of the Father and He accomplished redemptions He is esteemed above all Angels.
Verse 5 - today I have begotten you refers to the day Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father after His becoming our Messiah. I will be to Him a Father quotes the passage in 2 Sam 7:14 when He completed His mission on earth
Verse 6 – when He again brings is a reference to His second coming. Firstborn means He is first of those who are to come as a result of His work. He ranks above all others because of His service and sacrifice
Verse 7 - He is worshiped as God and is superior, the Angels are ministered Spirits and are servants
Verse 8 – Jesus is recognized for who He is. He is God
Verse 9 – Companions are close associates or partners. We {Christians}are included here with Christ as partners in His work. Praise God for His sovereignty and graciousness grant us favor before Him.
Verses 10 – 12 This text comes from Psalm 102, verses 12 -16, Jesus is the Lord who has come once and He will appear again in the future. Jesus is the only one who was God incarnate in Man. He is the second person of the Trinity, He is the one and only one to become a man. The universe will change but the Son of Man will remain forever unchanged.
Verse 13 - Christ remains at the right hand of God until His enemies are defeated. He is the Word incarnate even now.
Because of Jesus Christ you will inherit salvation and God will keep you in His presence until you have fulfilled your mission or until He calls us all home. All of what we have read is rendered unto those who have believed and have been persuaded that Jesus is Lord and He is God. God’s rules and orders are meant for your protection and not your harm. Only Satan could pervert and deceive men to reverse the truth of God and make it a lie. Satan was and remains a deceiver and will reap eternal punishment for his actions. We need to teach our children and our disciples the truth.
Father. we pray give us more to serve and to help in Jesus name .We ask humbly to use Oakland Baptist Church to glorify You and
Dec 20
Well Christmas is just around the corner and I wonder are you prepared for the presence of the Lord? Mary in her address to the Angel about becoming the birth Mother of the Son of God utters this disclaimer “How can this be…for I know not a man?”
Read with me beginning in Luke Chapter 1 and verse 28 - 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; [e]blessed are you among women!”
29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
It appears from our reading that even though Mary asks the question – How can this be? That she was prepared for being in the Presence of the Lord.
Let’s pause for a moment and consider Mary’s question. It was quite radically the best question asked by any human about this event until Paul and the other disciples and writers penned the New Testament. Mary’s question rolls down the ages for since the book of Malachi it had been 400 years since God spoke to Israel. They had been in a famine for the active word of God alive in Israel, for 400 long years. Mary’s question reflects on the entire events- from the Prophetic utterances about the savior, the messiah some 700-800 years previously, to this birth. Then as events will unfold over the next 30 some years to the ministry, to the trial, to the punishments by the Jews and the Romans of Jesus, to His death on the cross, to the tomb and then to the Resurrection – How could this be? But the questions keeps being pondered into the book of Act of the Holy Spirit down the centuries to today. How can this be? There is one and only one answer and it Is the activity and power of the word of God. Isaiah 55 10-11 tells us, 10“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
You see the answer to Mary’s question is that God spoke and sent His Son who is His living and physical Word. According to what we just read the in verse 11 - 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me [c]void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
When God speaks it is so, and when He speaks His word shall complete what God pleased to send to us and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it. Now if you remember Jesus said to those around Him. ”I have not come to do my own will but the will of Him who sent Me.” So God completes what He begins by sending Jesus and He is not done yet. Not until the last day of this current earth and it is consumed in fire.
To give you a point of reference consider the creation in Genesis 1, God spoke and it was good and even today with the sin and evil around us God’s word still prevails. The sun rises and set, the tides go in and out. The old earth continues as He created it, as do the rains, the seasons – spring, summer, fall and winter; in spite of ever-increasing sin and rebellion of His greatest creation – you and I.
But exactly what did God send? Well our prophet Isaiah did a good job of describing what God was going to do and the scope of it was high improbable and met provides us with the answers as to ”How can this be!” Go with me there and we will read.
Isaiah 42 beginning at verse 1
“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My [a]Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And [b]smoking flax He will not [c]quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
5 Thus says God the Lord,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the Lord, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Beginning in verse 1-“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My [a]Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles
v.1 Behold – awaken and be aware My servant, My elect in who My Spirit dwells shall come to you. This is the servant of God Jesus Christ only He can bring about what is forecast in the following verses. The Spirit of God was resident upon and in Jesus which occurred at His baptism and He is the light unto the gentiles bringing redemption in His wings. He is the one who brings righteousness and redemption to the gentiles and to those of Israel who would believe on Him.
v.2 Cry out means to cry out in distress or cause His voice to be heard in the street is in suggestive to His rejection by the rulers and the people of the nation of Israel. He will not respond by weeping and wailing in the streets. He knows before He came of the hardness of men’s hearts yet He still came knowing without Him there could be no salvation or satisfaction to the sin between God and Man
V.3 A bruised reed refers to the poor and needy. The phrase not break is a negative statement meaning He will mend and restore those who have been bruised or hurt. A smoking flax refers to those who have almost lost their faith or their faith has faltered in the Lord. His righteous servant will come in power and authority to restore and to remedy the discouraged and disheartened.
v.4 He will not fail nor be discouraged. He will establish the new Covenant and will be greater than their father Abraham or Moses and the Law. He will bring grace and mercy.
v.5 Here the Lord God introduces Himself in majesty and in glory for all be has done. God is our source of all physical and spiritual life. Our very existence and opportunity for eternal life comes from He. The Servant is the one who frees His people from death and spiritual darkness – Jesus is not only Immanuel God with us, But He is the Light of the World.
v.6 The key words called, hold, keep and give besides relating back to verse 1.contrasts the one who brings righteousness., deliverance from Cyrus the King who gave them political and social deliverance. The Servant, who institutes the New Covenant, is the one who by this covenant conveys peace, creates an everlasting covenant and establishes a new covenant in His holy purified blood. For He is the sinless, perfect sacrifice. Here the phrase ‘the people” refers to the Gentiles. The light which illuminates the Gentiles is the Light of the World – Jesus Christ.
v. 7 As Light of the World, Jesus ,the Servant referenced here gives spiritual sight to the blind making it clear, He can give light to whosoever will that may come to call upon His name.
v. 8 Here God reveals Himself by sharing His name, which is clearly demonstrating His grace. His glory is in reference to His presence among His people.
In v.9 God is revealing new prophesies about His salvation by His Servant. Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
So what was Jesus Gifts to us at His birth? He reminds us we have been called and set apart to be God’s servants through His life. We also know being a servant means you are obedient to what the Master commands, where the Master commands and when the Master commands it. In the middle of America’s increasing hate and persecution of believers, in the middle of a nation which has lost its moral compass and is collapsing is deviant sin all around us, in the middle of the plague of the China Virus or Covid, we are to walk in love and respect and shed these abroad just as our savior did. We are to stand up for what is right and true- we are the city on a hill - Christians. We need not worry about what men may think or our Fathers, Mothers, children, best friends or whomever. We are to honor Christ with our lives. Prayer - O God give us the strength of moral courage to do what is on Your heart and not our own as we see the days getting darker and sicker. Help us to remember 2 Tim 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. And God you promise to uphold us so that nothing can bring us down, increase our faith. This we plead in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Well Christmas is just around the corner and I wonder are you prepared for the presence of the Lord? Mary in her address to the Angel about becoming the birth Mother of the Son of God utters this disclaimer “How can this be…for I know not a man?”
Read with me beginning in Luke Chapter 1 and verse 28 - 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; [e]blessed are you among women!”
29 But [f]when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I [g]do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
It appears from our reading that even though Mary asks the question – How can this be? That she was prepared for being in the Presence of the Lord.
Let’s pause for a moment and consider Mary’s question. It was quite radically the best question asked by any human about this event until Paul and the other disciples and writers penned the New Testament. Mary’s question rolls down the ages for since the book of Malachi it had been 400 years since God spoke to Israel. They had been in a famine for the active word of God alive in Israel, for 400 long years. Mary’s question reflects on the entire events- from the Prophetic utterances about the savior, the messiah some 700-800 years previously, to this birth. Then as events will unfold over the next 30 some years to the ministry, to the trial, to the punishments by the Jews and the Romans of Jesus, to His death on the cross, to the tomb and then to the Resurrection – How could this be? But the questions keeps being pondered into the book of Act of the Holy Spirit down the centuries to today. How can this be? There is one and only one answer and it Is the activity and power of the word of God. Isaiah 55 10-11 tells us, 10“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me [c]void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
You see the answer to Mary’s question is that God spoke and sent His Son who is His living and physical Word. According to what we just read the in verse 11 - 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me [c]void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
When God speaks it is so, and when He speaks His word shall complete what God pleased to send to us and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it. Now if you remember Jesus said to those around Him. ”I have not come to do my own will but the will of Him who sent Me.” So God completes what He begins by sending Jesus and He is not done yet. Not until the last day of this current earth and it is consumed in fire.
To give you a point of reference consider the creation in Genesis 1, God spoke and it was good and even today with the sin and evil around us God’s word still prevails. The sun rises and set, the tides go in and out. The old earth continues as He created it, as do the rains, the seasons – spring, summer, fall and winter; in spite of ever-increasing sin and rebellion of His greatest creation – you and I.
But exactly what did God send? Well our prophet Isaiah did a good job of describing what God was going to do and the scope of it was high improbable and met provides us with the answers as to ”How can this be!” Go with me there and we will read.
Isaiah 42 beginning at verse 1
“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My [a]Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And [b]smoking flax He will not [c]quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”
5 Thus says God the Lord,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the Lord, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Beginning in verse 1-“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My [a]Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles
v.1 Behold – awaken and be aware My servant, My elect in who My Spirit dwells shall come to you. This is the servant of God Jesus Christ only He can bring about what is forecast in the following verses. The Spirit of God was resident upon and in Jesus which occurred at His baptism and He is the light unto the gentiles bringing redemption in His wings. He is the one who brings righteousness and redemption to the gentiles and to those of Israel who would believe on Him.
v.2 Cry out means to cry out in distress or cause His voice to be heard in the street is in suggestive to His rejection by the rulers and the people of the nation of Israel. He will not respond by weeping and wailing in the streets. He knows before He came of the hardness of men’s hearts yet He still came knowing without Him there could be no salvation or satisfaction to the sin between God and Man
V.3 A bruised reed refers to the poor and needy. The phrase not break is a negative statement meaning He will mend and restore those who have been bruised or hurt. A smoking flax refers to those who have almost lost their faith or their faith has faltered in the Lord. His righteous servant will come in power and authority to restore and to remedy the discouraged and disheartened.
v.4 He will not fail nor be discouraged. He will establish the new Covenant and will be greater than their father Abraham or Moses and the Law. He will bring grace and mercy.
v.5 Here the Lord God introduces Himself in majesty and in glory for all be has done. God is our source of all physical and spiritual life. Our very existence and opportunity for eternal life comes from He. The Servant is the one who frees His people from death and spiritual darkness – Jesus is not only Immanuel God with us, But He is the Light of the World.
v.6 The key words called, hold, keep and give besides relating back to verse 1.contrasts the one who brings righteousness., deliverance from Cyrus the King who gave them political and social deliverance. The Servant, who institutes the New Covenant, is the one who by this covenant conveys peace, creates an everlasting covenant and establishes a new covenant in His holy purified blood. For He is the sinless, perfect sacrifice. Here the phrase ‘the people” refers to the Gentiles. The light which illuminates the Gentiles is the Light of the World – Jesus Christ.
v. 7 As Light of the World, Jesus ,the Servant referenced here gives spiritual sight to the blind making it clear, He can give light to whosoever will that may come to call upon His name.
v. 8 Here God reveals Himself by sharing His name, which is clearly demonstrating His grace. His glory is in reference to His presence among His people.
In v.9 God is revealing new prophesies about His salvation by His Servant. Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
So what was Jesus Gifts to us at His birth? He reminds us we have been called and set apart to be God’s servants through His life. We also know being a servant means you are obedient to what the Master commands, where the Master commands and when the Master commands it. In the middle of America’s increasing hate and persecution of believers, in the middle of a nation which has lost its moral compass and is collapsing is deviant sin all around us, in the middle of the plague of the China Virus or Covid, we are to walk in love and respect and shed these abroad just as our savior did. We are to stand up for what is right and true- we are the city on a hill - Christians. We need not worry about what men may think or our Fathers, Mothers, children, best friends or whomever. We are to honor Christ with our lives. Prayer - O God give us the strength of moral courage to do what is on Your heart and not our own as we see the days getting darker and sicker. Help us to remember 2 Tim 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. And God you promise to uphold us so that nothing can bring us down, increase our faith. This we plead in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Dec 13
You know what I need a little Christmas cheer. Yes, I need some cheering up. This week, and this season over the past few years, has been unpleasant and difficult to say the least. After a series of difficult events that keep on coming, I was the beginning of get discouraged. So there is nothing like getting out of oneself and turning to the true word of God and seeking a little Christmas cheer. Instead of dwelling on our immediate and share family issues we need to look to what God has given us at Christmas. So, let’s share a little Christmas cheer and put some light on the darkness which wants us to curse the light and look into the loves pure light. Let’s share a lesson about -There is the Light of Life in Christmas.
No matter where you turn in God's Word, you’ll find that Christmas is about light, for Jesus is the Light of the world! We love to sing "Silent Night, Holy Night," but this great carol is not about night or darkness. It's about the light. "Son of God, / love's pure light / Radiant beams from Thy holy face, / with the dawn of redeeming grace."
Also when we sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," we say, “Hail the Son of righteousness! / Light and life to all He brings, / risen with healing in His wings."
We sing at Christmas because we have something to sing about! Light has come into the world, and we need never walk in darkness again. In John 1:1-5, one of the richest passages of Scripture, explains why.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. 4In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness overcame it not.” (John 1:1-5)
What we learn from this text is Light Is A Wonderful Picture Of The Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s examine in greater detail some elements of Jesus as the light
I. First Jesus Is the Pure Light
Jesus life causes sin to be exposed, but He was never contaminated by sin. He could touch sinners, but sin never touched Jesus. He was undefiled and that means He was pure. When the Bible designates Jesus as the "light of the world," it's a signal which emphasizes Him as the sinless, stainless pure Son of God.
The Bible says He was "in the world" (John 1:10), but He was not of this world. Jesus did not have His origin here. Think about this: His birth in Bethlehem was not the beginning of His life! For in eternity past, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit always existed and were living. There was never a time when “God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity…” did not exist. Jesus together with the Father and the Holy Spirit have no beginning and there is no end. They are self-existent, meaning having life in themselves. We, you and I, are created beings
Therefore, because Jesus was not of this world, He is the pure, incorruptible Light. Jesus was the only Person who could look others in the face and say, "Which of you convicts Me of sin?" (John 8:46). The baby born in Bethlehem was the "true Light" (John 1:9), the pure light of heaven.
II. Next, Jesus Is the Constant Light
In our natural world, the speed of light is a constant. Albert Einstein said the reason he was able to construct his famous Theory of Relativity was because there is one thing in the world that is constant — the speed of light. Everything else is relative.
Jesus Is Our Constant in the Spiritual Realm
The sun will not shine for eternity. Its energy is slowly being used up. Even the sun will one day cease to shine, but the light of Jesus will illumine heaven throughout eternity! He is self existant and has life within Himself. He gives life and we get our life from Him.
III. Jesus Is the Source of all Light
What will be our light source in the Holy city in heaven in our future eternal home? Here is what the word of God says,
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did illumine it, and the Lamb [the Lord Jesus Christ] is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23)
In our future heavenly home we will have no need for light switches, fuses, batteries, or utility companies, for He Himself will be our source of light. We will bask in the direct rays of His glorious light forever.
IV. Jesus Is the Vital Light
“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
In Jesus the Light and life are inextricably interwoven. From Science we know you cannot have life without light. When God brought life out of chaos in Creation, He said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and the seas began to swarm with life. The seeds of earth began to bud and blossom. The activity of Light enables photosynthesis — which causes plants to produce food. The very abundance of life itself is built on the basis of sunlight. Without the presence of light, our world would become cold, dark and dead. If our world was slightly in miles in orbit either closer to or farther away around the sun we would either be incinerated or frozen solid. Only by God’s hand was the orbit of earth made exactly and precisely correct.
When Jesus the Son of God was born in Bethlehem, He came from heaven to give men and women life. When the Holy Spirit shined the light of the Gospel into our hearts, a divine photosynthesis took place, producing spiritual life where before there was only death.
The word of God says, “The entrance of Your words gives light.” (Psalm 119:130) Jesus is that very Light which shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Do you know that everywhere Jesus went during His earthly ministry, He brought land by definition it gave life? Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
V. Conclusion. So today if you need some Christmas cheer, allow Jesus to bring His Light — and Life — Into your personal Christmas.
We need to praise God for His perfect, changeless, constant light in the Lord Jesus Christ! No matter how cold and dark your world may seem, it can be brought back to life when the glorious light of the Son of God shines into your heart. There is no life without light.
The life and the light departed from Adam's race when he sinned in the Garden of Eden. But Jesus is the Light of the world. When we make Jesus Christ both Lord and Savior, the One who entered time and space as that little Babe in Bethlehem comes in, turns the light on, and life begins for us. He gives eternal life and eternal light to all who come to Him. In your need and in your want, Jesus invites you to come to Him – Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. That is exactly what the call was from the Angels- “Peace on earth, Good will to men.” Amen
Topic and subject materials modified from the preaching ministry of Adrian Rogers.
You know what I need a little Christmas cheer. Yes, I need some cheering up. This week, and this season over the past few years, has been unpleasant and difficult to say the least. After a series of difficult events that keep on coming, I was the beginning of get discouraged. So there is nothing like getting out of oneself and turning to the true word of God and seeking a little Christmas cheer. Instead of dwelling on our immediate and share family issues we need to look to what God has given us at Christmas. So, let’s share a little Christmas cheer and put some light on the darkness which wants us to curse the light and look into the loves pure light. Let’s share a lesson about -There is the Light of Life in Christmas.
No matter where you turn in God's Word, you’ll find that Christmas is about light, for Jesus is the Light of the world! We love to sing "Silent Night, Holy Night," but this great carol is not about night or darkness. It's about the light. "Son of God, / love's pure light / Radiant beams from Thy holy face, / with the dawn of redeeming grace."
Also when we sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," we say, “Hail the Son of righteousness! / Light and life to all He brings, / risen with healing in His wings."
We sing at Christmas because we have something to sing about! Light has come into the world, and we need never walk in darkness again. In John 1:1-5, one of the richest passages of Scripture, explains why.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. 4In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness overcame it not.” (John 1:1-5)
What we learn from this text is Light Is A Wonderful Picture Of The Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s examine in greater detail some elements of Jesus as the light
I. First Jesus Is the Pure Light
Jesus life causes sin to be exposed, but He was never contaminated by sin. He could touch sinners, but sin never touched Jesus. He was undefiled and that means He was pure. When the Bible designates Jesus as the "light of the world," it's a signal which emphasizes Him as the sinless, stainless pure Son of God.
The Bible says He was "in the world" (John 1:10), but He was not of this world. Jesus did not have His origin here. Think about this: His birth in Bethlehem was not the beginning of His life! For in eternity past, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit always existed and were living. There was never a time when “God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity…” did not exist. Jesus together with the Father and the Holy Spirit have no beginning and there is no end. They are self-existent, meaning having life in themselves. We, you and I, are created beings
Therefore, because Jesus was not of this world, He is the pure, incorruptible Light. Jesus was the only Person who could look others in the face and say, "Which of you convicts Me of sin?" (John 8:46). The baby born in Bethlehem was the "true Light" (John 1:9), the pure light of heaven.
II. Next, Jesus Is the Constant Light
In our natural world, the speed of light is a constant. Albert Einstein said the reason he was able to construct his famous Theory of Relativity was because there is one thing in the world that is constant — the speed of light. Everything else is relative.
Jesus Is Our Constant in the Spiritual Realm
The sun will not shine for eternity. Its energy is slowly being used up. Even the sun will one day cease to shine, but the light of Jesus will illumine heaven throughout eternity! He is self existant and has life within Himself. He gives life and we get our life from Him.
III. Jesus Is the Source of all Light
What will be our light source in the Holy city in heaven in our future eternal home? Here is what the word of God says,
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did illumine it, and the Lamb [the Lord Jesus Christ] is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23)
In our future heavenly home we will have no need for light switches, fuses, batteries, or utility companies, for He Himself will be our source of light. We will bask in the direct rays of His glorious light forever.
IV. Jesus Is the Vital Light
“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
In Jesus the Light and life are inextricably interwoven. From Science we know you cannot have life without light. When God brought life out of chaos in Creation, He said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and the seas began to swarm with life. The seeds of earth began to bud and blossom. The activity of Light enables photosynthesis — which causes plants to produce food. The very abundance of life itself is built on the basis of sunlight. Without the presence of light, our world would become cold, dark and dead. If our world was slightly in miles in orbit either closer to or farther away around the sun we would either be incinerated or frozen solid. Only by God’s hand was the orbit of earth made exactly and precisely correct.
When Jesus the Son of God was born in Bethlehem, He came from heaven to give men and women life. When the Holy Spirit shined the light of the Gospel into our hearts, a divine photosynthesis took place, producing spiritual life where before there was only death.
The word of God says, “The entrance of Your words gives light.” (Psalm 119:130) Jesus is that very Light which shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Do you know that everywhere Jesus went during His earthly ministry, He brought land by definition it gave life? Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
V. Conclusion. So today if you need some Christmas cheer, allow Jesus to bring His Light — and Life — Into your personal Christmas.
We need to praise God for His perfect, changeless, constant light in the Lord Jesus Christ! No matter how cold and dark your world may seem, it can be brought back to life when the glorious light of the Son of God shines into your heart. There is no life without light.
The life and the light departed from Adam's race when he sinned in the Garden of Eden. But Jesus is the Light of the world. When we make Jesus Christ both Lord and Savior, the One who entered time and space as that little Babe in Bethlehem comes in, turns the light on, and life begins for us. He gives eternal life and eternal light to all who come to Him. In your need and in your want, Jesus invites you to come to Him – Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. That is exactly what the call was from the Angels- “Peace on earth, Good will to men.” Amen
Topic and subject materials modified from the preaching ministry of Adrian Rogers.
Welcome to COVID Christmas 2020 in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ – We are here in the midst of the Pandemic to lift up and to celebrate the name, person and ministry of our Savior. For He is our Christ and our Sin-Bearing Messiah. Amen
Let’s set the stage-In the midst of all the current fear, hatred, lying, dishonesty and spiritual darkness being sown by the forces of evil on earth and in the heavenly places, comes the Light of Heaven descending to the earth. The signature of His coming seen in Matthew and Luke is the light shining into the darkness. John’s Gospel records in Chapter 1 saying, “the light shines in the darkness and darkness comprehended it not.” That light is the Light of the World and His name is Jesus. The signature needed in America today is truth, not just any truth, but the truth of what is currently being hidden in the darkness. Now the light that illuminates the hearts of men and changes their spiritual destiny and produces new life is in Jesus Christ, as He is the Light shining in the darkness. Look, our basic and continuing problem is sin; it has corrupted the hearts of men. Assuming that even if the election is overturned, will that correct the problem of the sinful human heart? The clear answer is no.
Well if you thought it was bad before the election if the election is overturned there will be no end of the hate and discontent in America. Another term with Trump as President will cause the media and the far-left fascists to go apoplectic. More hate will be generated. Why, simply because hearts will not have changed. But there is one who can change everything and God has proven through time that He is able. Today in our lesson we need to concentrate on who Jesus is and what He did. We will do that by comparing what is said in Isaiah 53 verses 1 through 5, with what we He has accomplished. For Jesus is the only one who has ever changed the human heart and cleansed it and made it whole. As we turn our hearts to this lesson let us quietly be praying our God would meet the needs and hopes of everyone here and in Christian America today. Go with me now please to Isaiah 53 and let’s read. Our theme today is Christ is the gift at Christmas. Let us discover what He has given us.
Isaiah 53 -Jesus is our Sin-Bearing Messiah
1Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no [a]form or [b]comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no [c]beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and [d]rejected by men,
A Man of [e]sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our [g]griefs
And carried our [h]sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded[k] for our transgressions,
He was [l]bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes[m] we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord [n]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Our Key verse and focus for this lesson is and will be on the first part of verse 2 - 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
We actually will begin with explaining this key verse and then move through the remainder of the verses looking at the gifts which Christ has given at Christmas. I hope you will see what wonderful and precious gifts our savior has provided. The Old Testament Book of Isaiah is the promise of His coming. The New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the testament or the testimonies, affidavits, or witnesses, if you will, of His coming to earth.
The need of that day 2000+ years ago was for someone who is coud grow something out of dry, hardened and infertile ground.
This same need is present today such as in the disaster of this election and the deceit and deception surrounding it.
As the verse states, Jesus coming in that day was like a tender plant in the midst of parched hardened dry concrete. This type of ground offers no hope for nourishment and little or no hope for development and growth or for just survival. The soil is too hard and too dry to enable even the plants to penetrate the clay and crust. Yet in this prophecy Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would and could break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry, hopeless, lifeless environment to bring life, where the was none available.
How did this happen you might ask? When the birth of Jesus occurred it had been 400 years since there had been a spoken revelation God’s word to the people. They had been living in a famine of the word of God. God’s people were actually so hardened to the word of God they were unable to recognize Him when He stood in their midst. There had been no written record of God having spoken or said anything directly to His people, since Malachi. The leaders in the synagogues had had studied and memorized the Scriptures, but the words of these ancient texts were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth, that when God’s Son came and stood in there, they killed Him. The priests had become hostile to God and this was transmitted to the people despite. The Leader and Teachers of the Law had departed and their hearts had turned away. Despite all this Jesus’ arrival, life, death, burial and resurrection brought new life and new liberty given by God as a free gift to the earth. God still saw the in time and eternity that man was worth redeeming and that He has a plan and purpose for our lives, if we would accept His gift.
Jesus is the only One sent by God the Father, to deliver men and women, boys and girls out the dry, hardened, sinful ground of earth; and to set them free from sin in the spiritual realm and the heavenly places. This washing and conversion is called regeneration and only the pure, holy blood of Jesus Christ enables us to be cleansed and made whole. Jesus coming at Christmas is delivering on God’s promise in Isaiah for the salvation of Men. The only person able to renew sinful hearts is the Light of the World, the Christ child born in a humble manager for deliverance of sinful people and children out of darkness into His incredible light. This is the promise of Christmas and the babe in the manger. This light is our greatest need today, and for this we should pray earnestly and witness this in the middle of all this deception and lying. Our need is not better voting machines or a more fool proof process. Our greatest need in change heart out of dry ground and only Jesus can do this. He represents the power to cancel sin and forgive.
Let’s look now at this description made 8 centuries before the arrival of Jesus and marvel at the witness of God, who accomplishes His purposes and His will through time. We think we have it tough today, guess what? We were made for such a time as this- See the book of Esther. Now to the verses-
53:verse 1 Who has believed our report? The question implied that, in spite of these and other prophecies, only a few would recognize the Servant when He appeared. This anticipation found literal fulfillment at Christ’s first coming. Israel did not welcome Him at His first advent (John 1:9–11; 12:38). Paul applied the same prophecy to the world at large (Rom. 10:16). the arm of the LORD. At His first coming, the nation of Israel did not recognize the mighty, incarnate power and hand of God in the person of Jesus, their Deliverer.
53:2 before Him. Though unrecognized by the world (v. 1), Messiah Jesus was observed and groomed carefully by God, who ordered there and now every minute circumstance of His life. dry ground . . . no beauty that we should desire Him. Here we understand that the Servant will arise in lowly conditions and wear none of the usual emblems of royalty, making His true identity visible only to the discerning eye of faith.
53:3 despised . . . rejected . . . despised. Here Isaiah foresees the complete hatred and rejection by mankind toward the Messiah/God’s Servant, who suffered not only external abuse, but also internal pain and grief over the huge lack of response from those He came to save. This was a true burden who has a heart filled with the love of God (e.g., Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34). we hid . . . we did not esteem. Here in this part and by using the first person, the prophet spoke for his unbelieving nation’s aversion to receive and have faith in a crucified Messiah. This shows the depth of depravity, hardness of their heart and tot their lack of respect for the incarnate Son of God.
So Jesus gifted us in sin bearing despite our sinful selves. Despite who we are Jesus was looking to who we could be cleansed by His blood
53:4 borne . . . carried. Cf. vv. 11, 12. Even though the verbs are past tense, they predict happenings future to Isaiah’s time, i.e., “prophetic perfects” in Heb. here and elsewhere in this Servant-song. Isaiah was saying that the Messiah would bear the consequences of the sins of men, namely the griefs and sorrows of life, though incredibly the Jews who watched Him die thought He was being punished by God for His own sins. Matthew found an analogical fulfillment of these words in Jesus’ healing ministry (see notes on Matt. 8:16, 17), because sickness results from sin for which the Servant paid with His life (vv. 7, 8; cf. 1 Pet. 2:24). In eternity, all sickness will be removed, so ultimately it from the atonement.
53:5 wounded for our transgressions . . . bruised for our iniquities. This verse is filled with the language of substitution. Jesus is our substitute. The Servant suffered not for His own sin, since He was sinless (cf. Heb. 4:15; 7:26), but as the substitute for sinners. The emphasis is on Jesus being the substitute and the recipient of God’s wrath for sinners (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:3, 4; Heb. 10:9, 10). chastisement for our peace. He suffered the chastisement {the punishment} of God in order to purchase our peace with God. by His stripes we are healed. The stripe (the Heb. noun is singular) that caused His death has brought salvation to those for whose sins He died. Peter confirms this in 1 Pet. 2:24. This is the ultimate healing of God given to us from the gift of His Life
This is why Jesus is Immanuel God with us and in us forever and ever Amen. Have you opened the best gift you could ever be given? He gives you life, therefore choose life today!!!
Let’s set the stage-In the midst of all the current fear, hatred, lying, dishonesty and spiritual darkness being sown by the forces of evil on earth and in the heavenly places, comes the Light of Heaven descending to the earth. The signature of His coming seen in Matthew and Luke is the light shining into the darkness. John’s Gospel records in Chapter 1 saying, “the light shines in the darkness and darkness comprehended it not.” That light is the Light of the World and His name is Jesus. The signature needed in America today is truth, not just any truth, but the truth of what is currently being hidden in the darkness. Now the light that illuminates the hearts of men and changes their spiritual destiny and produces new life is in Jesus Christ, as He is the Light shining in the darkness. Look, our basic and continuing problem is sin; it has corrupted the hearts of men. Assuming that even if the election is overturned, will that correct the problem of the sinful human heart? The clear answer is no.
Well if you thought it was bad before the election if the election is overturned there will be no end of the hate and discontent in America. Another term with Trump as President will cause the media and the far-left fascists to go apoplectic. More hate will be generated. Why, simply because hearts will not have changed. But there is one who can change everything and God has proven through time that He is able. Today in our lesson we need to concentrate on who Jesus is and what He did. We will do that by comparing what is said in Isaiah 53 verses 1 through 5, with what we He has accomplished. For Jesus is the only one who has ever changed the human heart and cleansed it and made it whole. As we turn our hearts to this lesson let us quietly be praying our God would meet the needs and hopes of everyone here and in Christian America today. Go with me now please to Isaiah 53 and let’s read. Our theme today is Christ is the gift at Christmas. Let us discover what He has given us.
Isaiah 53 -Jesus is our Sin-Bearing Messiah
1Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no [a]form or [b]comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no [c]beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and [d]rejected by men,
A Man of [e]sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our [g]griefs
And carried our [h]sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded[k] for our transgressions,
He was [l]bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes[m] we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord [n]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Our Key verse and focus for this lesson is and will be on the first part of verse 2 - 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
We actually will begin with explaining this key verse and then move through the remainder of the verses looking at the gifts which Christ has given at Christmas. I hope you will see what wonderful and precious gifts our savior has provided. The Old Testament Book of Isaiah is the promise of His coming. The New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the testament or the testimonies, affidavits, or witnesses, if you will, of His coming to earth.
The need of that day 2000+ years ago was for someone who is coud grow something out of dry, hardened and infertile ground.
This same need is present today such as in the disaster of this election and the deceit and deception surrounding it.
As the verse states, Jesus coming in that day was like a tender plant in the midst of parched hardened dry concrete. This type of ground offers no hope for nourishment and little or no hope for development and growth or for just survival. The soil is too hard and too dry to enable even the plants to penetrate the clay and crust. Yet in this prophecy Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would and could break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry, hopeless, lifeless environment to bring life, where the was none available.
How did this happen you might ask? When the birth of Jesus occurred it had been 400 years since there had been a spoken revelation God’s word to the people. They had been living in a famine of the word of God. God’s people were actually so hardened to the word of God they were unable to recognize Him when He stood in their midst. There had been no written record of God having spoken or said anything directly to His people, since Malachi. The leaders in the synagogues had had studied and memorized the Scriptures, but the words of these ancient texts were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth, that when God’s Son came and stood in there, they killed Him. The priests had become hostile to God and this was transmitted to the people despite. The Leader and Teachers of the Law had departed and their hearts had turned away. Despite all this Jesus’ arrival, life, death, burial and resurrection brought new life and new liberty given by God as a free gift to the earth. God still saw the in time and eternity that man was worth redeeming and that He has a plan and purpose for our lives, if we would accept His gift.
Jesus is the only One sent by God the Father, to deliver men and women, boys and girls out the dry, hardened, sinful ground of earth; and to set them free from sin in the spiritual realm and the heavenly places. This washing and conversion is called regeneration and only the pure, holy blood of Jesus Christ enables us to be cleansed and made whole. Jesus coming at Christmas is delivering on God’s promise in Isaiah for the salvation of Men. The only person able to renew sinful hearts is the Light of the World, the Christ child born in a humble manager for deliverance of sinful people and children out of darkness into His incredible light. This is the promise of Christmas and the babe in the manger. This light is our greatest need today, and for this we should pray earnestly and witness this in the middle of all this deception and lying. Our need is not better voting machines or a more fool proof process. Our greatest need in change heart out of dry ground and only Jesus can do this. He represents the power to cancel sin and forgive.
Let’s look now at this description made 8 centuries before the arrival of Jesus and marvel at the witness of God, who accomplishes His purposes and His will through time. We think we have it tough today, guess what? We were made for such a time as this- See the book of Esther. Now to the verses-
53:verse 1 Who has believed our report? The question implied that, in spite of these and other prophecies, only a few would recognize the Servant when He appeared. This anticipation found literal fulfillment at Christ’s first coming. Israel did not welcome Him at His first advent (John 1:9–11; 12:38). Paul applied the same prophecy to the world at large (Rom. 10:16). the arm of the LORD. At His first coming, the nation of Israel did not recognize the mighty, incarnate power and hand of God in the person of Jesus, their Deliverer.
53:2 before Him. Though unrecognized by the world (v. 1), Messiah Jesus was observed and groomed carefully by God, who ordered there and now every minute circumstance of His life. dry ground . . . no beauty that we should desire Him. Here we understand that the Servant will arise in lowly conditions and wear none of the usual emblems of royalty, making His true identity visible only to the discerning eye of faith.
53:3 despised . . . rejected . . . despised. Here Isaiah foresees the complete hatred and rejection by mankind toward the Messiah/God’s Servant, who suffered not only external abuse, but also internal pain and grief over the huge lack of response from those He came to save. This was a true burden who has a heart filled with the love of God (e.g., Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34). we hid . . . we did not esteem. Here in this part and by using the first person, the prophet spoke for his unbelieving nation’s aversion to receive and have faith in a crucified Messiah. This shows the depth of depravity, hardness of their heart and tot their lack of respect for the incarnate Son of God.
So Jesus gifted us in sin bearing despite our sinful selves. Despite who we are Jesus was looking to who we could be cleansed by His blood
53:4 borne . . . carried. Cf. vv. 11, 12. Even though the verbs are past tense, they predict happenings future to Isaiah’s time, i.e., “prophetic perfects” in Heb. here and elsewhere in this Servant-song. Isaiah was saying that the Messiah would bear the consequences of the sins of men, namely the griefs and sorrows of life, though incredibly the Jews who watched Him die thought He was being punished by God for His own sins. Matthew found an analogical fulfillment of these words in Jesus’ healing ministry (see notes on Matt. 8:16, 17), because sickness results from sin for which the Servant paid with His life (vv. 7, 8; cf. 1 Pet. 2:24). In eternity, all sickness will be removed, so ultimately it from the atonement.
53:5 wounded for our transgressions . . . bruised for our iniquities. This verse is filled with the language of substitution. Jesus is our substitute. The Servant suffered not for His own sin, since He was sinless (cf. Heb. 4:15; 7:26), but as the substitute for sinners. The emphasis is on Jesus being the substitute and the recipient of God’s wrath for sinners (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:3, 4; Heb. 10:9, 10). chastisement for our peace. He suffered the chastisement {the punishment} of God in order to purchase our peace with God. by His stripes we are healed. The stripe (the Heb. noun is singular) that caused His death has brought salvation to those for whose sins He died. Peter confirms this in 1 Pet. 2:24. This is the ultimate healing of God given to us from the gift of His Life
This is why Jesus is Immanuel God with us and in us forever and ever Amen. Have you opened the best gift you could ever be given? He gives you life, therefore choose life today!!!
Dec 6
Welcome to COVID Christmas 2020 in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ – We are here in the midst of the Pandemic to lift up and to celebrate the name, person and ministry of our Savior. For He is our Christ and our Sin-Bearing Messiah. Amen
Let’s set the stage-In the midst of all the current fear, hatred, lying, dishonesty and spiritual darkness being sown by the forces of evil on earth and in the heavenly places, comes the Light of Heaven descending to the earth. The signature of His coming seen in Matthew and Luke is the light shining into the darkness. John’s Gospel records in Chapter 1 saying, “the light shines in the darkness and darkness comprehended it not.” That light is the Light of the World and His name is Jesus. The signature needed in America today is truth, not just any truth, but the truth of what is currently being hidden in the darkness. Now the light that illuminates the hearts of men and changes their spiritual destiny and produces new life is in Jesus Christ, as He is the Light shining in the darkness. Look, our basic and continuing problem is sin; it has corrupted the hearts of men. Assuming that even if the election is overturned, will that correct the problem of the sinful human heart? The clear answer is no.
Well if you thought it was bad before the election if the election is overturned there will be no end of the hate and discontent in America. Another term with Trump as President will cause the media and the far-left fascists to go apoplectic. More hate will be generated. Why, simply because hearts will not have changed. But there is one who can change everything and God has proven through time that He is able. Today in our lesson we need to concentrate on who Jesus is and what He did. We will do that by comparing what is said in Isaiah 53 verses 1 through 5, with what we He has accomplished. For Jesus is the only one who has ever changed the human heart and cleansed it and made it whole. As we turn our hearts to this lesson let us quietly be praying our God would meet the needs and hopes of everyone here and in Christian America today. Go with me now please to Isaiah 53 and let’s read. Our theme today is Christ is the gift at Christmas. Let us discover what He has given us.
Isaiah 53 -Jesus is our Sin-Bearing Messiah
1Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no [a]form or [b]comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no [c]beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and [d]rejected by men,
A Man of [e]sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our [g]griefs
And carried our [h]sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded[k] for our transgressions,
He was [l]bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes[m] we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord [n]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Our Key verse and focus for this lesson is and will be on the first part of verse 2 - 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
We actually will begin with explaining this key verse and then move through the remainder of the verses looking at the gifts which Christ has given at Christmas. I hope you will see what wonderful and precious gifts our savior has provided. The Old Testament Book of Isaiah is the promise of His coming. The New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the testament or the testimonies, affidavits, or witnesses, if you will, of His coming to earth.
The need of that day 2000+ years ago was for someone who is coud grow something out of dry, hardened and infertile ground.
This same need is present today such as in the disaster of this election and the deceit and deception surrounding it.
As the verse states, Jesus coming in that day was like a tender plant in the midst of parched hardened dry concrete. This type of ground offers no hope for nourishment and little or no hope for development and growth or for just survival. The soil is too hard and too dry to enable even the plants to penetrate the clay and crust. Yet in this prophecy Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would and could break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry, hopeless, lifeless environment to bring life, where the was none available.
How did this happen you might ask? When the birth of Jesus occurred it had been 400 years since there had been a spoken revelation God’s word to the people. They had been living in a famine of the word of God. God’s people were actually so hardened to the word of God they were unable to recognize Him when He stood in their midst. There had been no written record of God having spoken or said anything directly to His people, since Malachi. The leaders in the synagogues had had studied and memorized the Scriptures, but the words of these ancient texts were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth, that when God’s Son came and stood in there, they killed Him. The priests had become hostile to God and this was transmitted to the people despite. The Leader and Teachers of the Law had departed and their hearts had turned away. Despite all this Jesus’ arrival, life, death, burial and resurrection brought new life and new liberty given by God as a free gift to the earth. God still saw the in time and eternity that man was worth redeeming and that He has a plan and purpose for our lives, if we would accept His gift.
Jesus is the only One sent by God the Father, to deliver men and women, boys and girls out the dry, hardened, sinful ground of earth; and to set them free from sin in the spiritual realm and the heavenly places. This washing and conversion is called regeneration and only the pure, holy blood of Jesus Christ enables us to be cleansed and made whole. Jesus coming at Christmas is delivering on God’s promise in Isaiah for the salvation of Men. The only person able to renew sinful hearts is the Light of the World, the Christ child born in a humble manager for deliverance of sinful people and children out of darkness into His incredible light. This is the promise of Christmas and the babe in the manger. This light is our greatest need today, and for this we should pray earnestly and witness this in the middle of all this deception and lying. Our need is not better voting machines or a more fool proof process. Our greatest need in change heart out of dry ground and only Jesus can do this. He represents the power to cancel sin and forgive.
Let’s look now at this description made 8 centuries before the arrival of Jesus and marvel at the witness of God, who accomplishes His purposes and His will through time. We think we have it tough today, guess what? We were made for such a time as this- See the book of Esther. Now to the verses-
53:verse 1 Who has believed our report? The question implied that, in spite of these and other prophecies, only a few would recognize the Servant when He appeared. This anticipation found literal fulfillment at Christ’s first coming. Israel did not welcome Him at His first advent (John 1:9–11; 12:38). Paul applied the same prophecy to the world at large (Rom. 10:16). the arm of the LORD. At His first coming, the nation of Israel did not recognize the mighty, incarnate power and hand of God in the person of Jesus, their Deliverer.
53:2 before Him. Though unrecognized by the world (v. 1), Messiah Jesus was observed and groomed carefully by God, who ordered there and now every minute circumstance of His life. dry ground . . . no beauty that we should desire Him. Here we understand that the Servant will arise in lowly conditions and wear none of the usual emblems of royalty, making His true identity visible only to the discerning eye of faith.
53:3 despised . . . rejected . . . despised. Here Isaiah foresees the complete hatred and rejection by mankind toward the Messiah/God’s Servant, who suffered not only external abuse, but also internal pain and grief over the huge lack of response from those He came to save. This was a true burden who has a heart filled with the love of God (e.g., Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34). we hid . . . we did not esteem. Here in this part and by using the first person, the prophet spoke for his unbelieving nation’s aversion to receive and have faith in a crucified Messiah. This shows the depth of depravity, hardness of their heart and tot their lack of respect for the incarnate Son of God.
So Jesus gifted us in sin bearing despite our sinful selves. Despite who we are Jesus was looking to who we could be cleansed by His blood
53:4 borne . . . carried. Cf. vv. 11, 12. Even though the verbs are past tense, they predict happenings future to Isaiah’s time, i.e., “prophetic perfects” in Heb. here and elsewhere in this Servant-song. Isaiah was saying that the Messiah would bear the consequences of the sins of men, namely the griefs and sorrows of life, though incredibly the Jews who watched Him die thought He was being punished by God for His own sins. Matthew found an analogical fulfillment of these words in Jesus’ healing ministry (see notes on Matt. 8:16, 17), because sickness results from sin for which the Servant paid with His life (vv. 7, 8; cf. 1 Pet. 2:24). In eternity, all sickness will be removed, so ultimately it from the atonement.
53:5 wounded for our transgressions . . . bruised for our iniquities. This verse is filled with the language of substitution. Jesus is our substitute. The Servant suffered not for His own sin, since He was sinless (cf. Heb. 4:15; 7:26), but as the substitute for sinners. The emphasis is on Jesus being the substitute and the recipient of God’s wrath for sinners (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:3, 4; Heb. 10:9, 10). chastisement for our peace. He suffered the chastisement {the punishment} of God in order to purchase our peace with God. by His stripes we are healed. The stripe (the Heb. noun is singular) that caused His death has brought salvation to those for whose sins He died. Peter confirms this in 1 Pet. 2:24. This is the ultimate healing of God given to us from the gift of His Life
This is why Jesus is Immanuel God with us and in us forever and ever Amen. Have you opened the best gift you could ever be given? He gives you life, therefore choose life today!!!
Welcome to COVID Christmas 2020 in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ – We are here in the midst of the Pandemic to lift up and to celebrate the name, person and ministry of our Savior. For He is our Christ and our Sin-Bearing Messiah. Amen
Let’s set the stage-In the midst of all the current fear, hatred, lying, dishonesty and spiritual darkness being sown by the forces of evil on earth and in the heavenly places, comes the Light of Heaven descending to the earth. The signature of His coming seen in Matthew and Luke is the light shining into the darkness. John’s Gospel records in Chapter 1 saying, “the light shines in the darkness and darkness comprehended it not.” That light is the Light of the World and His name is Jesus. The signature needed in America today is truth, not just any truth, but the truth of what is currently being hidden in the darkness. Now the light that illuminates the hearts of men and changes their spiritual destiny and produces new life is in Jesus Christ, as He is the Light shining in the darkness. Look, our basic and continuing problem is sin; it has corrupted the hearts of men. Assuming that even if the election is overturned, will that correct the problem of the sinful human heart? The clear answer is no.
Well if you thought it was bad before the election if the election is overturned there will be no end of the hate and discontent in America. Another term with Trump as President will cause the media and the far-left fascists to go apoplectic. More hate will be generated. Why, simply because hearts will not have changed. But there is one who can change everything and God has proven through time that He is able. Today in our lesson we need to concentrate on who Jesus is and what He did. We will do that by comparing what is said in Isaiah 53 verses 1 through 5, with what we He has accomplished. For Jesus is the only one who has ever changed the human heart and cleansed it and made it whole. As we turn our hearts to this lesson let us quietly be praying our God would meet the needs and hopes of everyone here and in Christian America today. Go with me now please to Isaiah 53 and let’s read. Our theme today is Christ is the gift at Christmas. Let us discover what He has given us.
Isaiah 53 -Jesus is our Sin-Bearing Messiah
1Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no [a]form or [b]comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no [c]beauty that we should desire Him.
3 He is despised and [d]rejected by men,
A Man of [e]sorrows and acquainted with [f]grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our [g]griefs
And carried our [h]sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
[j]Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded[k] for our transgressions,
He was [l]bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes[m] we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord [n]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Our Key verse and focus for this lesson is and will be on the first part of verse 2 - 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
We actually will begin with explaining this key verse and then move through the remainder of the verses looking at the gifts which Christ has given at Christmas. I hope you will see what wonderful and precious gifts our savior has provided. The Old Testament Book of Isaiah is the promise of His coming. The New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the testament or the testimonies, affidavits, or witnesses, if you will, of His coming to earth.
The need of that day 2000+ years ago was for someone who is coud grow something out of dry, hardened and infertile ground.
This same need is present today such as in the disaster of this election and the deceit and deception surrounding it.
As the verse states, Jesus coming in that day was like a tender plant in the midst of parched hardened dry concrete. This type of ground offers no hope for nourishment and little or no hope for development and growth or for just survival. The soil is too hard and too dry to enable even the plants to penetrate the clay and crust. Yet in this prophecy Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would and could break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry, hopeless, lifeless environment to bring life, where the was none available.
How did this happen you might ask? When the birth of Jesus occurred it had been 400 years since there had been a spoken revelation God’s word to the people. They had been living in a famine of the word of God. God’s people were actually so hardened to the word of God they were unable to recognize Him when He stood in their midst. There had been no written record of God having spoken or said anything directly to His people, since Malachi. The leaders in the synagogues had had studied and memorized the Scriptures, but the words of these ancient texts were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth, that when God’s Son came and stood in there, they killed Him. The priests had become hostile to God and this was transmitted to the people despite. The Leader and Teachers of the Law had departed and their hearts had turned away. Despite all this Jesus’ arrival, life, death, burial and resurrection brought new life and new liberty given by God as a free gift to the earth. God still saw the in time and eternity that man was worth redeeming and that He has a plan and purpose for our lives, if we would accept His gift.
Jesus is the only One sent by God the Father, to deliver men and women, boys and girls out the dry, hardened, sinful ground of earth; and to set them free from sin in the spiritual realm and the heavenly places. This washing and conversion is called regeneration and only the pure, holy blood of Jesus Christ enables us to be cleansed and made whole. Jesus coming at Christmas is delivering on God’s promise in Isaiah for the salvation of Men. The only person able to renew sinful hearts is the Light of the World, the Christ child born in a humble manager for deliverance of sinful people and children out of darkness into His incredible light. This is the promise of Christmas and the babe in the manger. This light is our greatest need today, and for this we should pray earnestly and witness this in the middle of all this deception and lying. Our need is not better voting machines or a more fool proof process. Our greatest need in change heart out of dry ground and only Jesus can do this. He represents the power to cancel sin and forgive.
Let’s look now at this description made 8 centuries before the arrival of Jesus and marvel at the witness of God, who accomplishes His purposes and His will through time. We think we have it tough today, guess what? We were made for such a time as this- See the book of Esther. Now to the verses-
53:verse 1 Who has believed our report? The question implied that, in spite of these and other prophecies, only a few would recognize the Servant when He appeared. This anticipation found literal fulfillment at Christ’s first coming. Israel did not welcome Him at His first advent (John 1:9–11; 12:38). Paul applied the same prophecy to the world at large (Rom. 10:16). the arm of the LORD. At His first coming, the nation of Israel did not recognize the mighty, incarnate power and hand of God in the person of Jesus, their Deliverer.
53:2 before Him. Though unrecognized by the world (v. 1), Messiah Jesus was observed and groomed carefully by God, who ordered there and now every minute circumstance of His life. dry ground . . . no beauty that we should desire Him. Here we understand that the Servant will arise in lowly conditions and wear none of the usual emblems of royalty, making His true identity visible only to the discerning eye of faith.
53:3 despised . . . rejected . . . despised. Here Isaiah foresees the complete hatred and rejection by mankind toward the Messiah/God’s Servant, who suffered not only external abuse, but also internal pain and grief over the huge lack of response from those He came to save. This was a true burden who has a heart filled with the love of God (e.g., Matt. 23:37; Luke 13:34). we hid . . . we did not esteem. Here in this part and by using the first person, the prophet spoke for his unbelieving nation’s aversion to receive and have faith in a crucified Messiah. This shows the depth of depravity, hardness of their heart and tot their lack of respect for the incarnate Son of God.
So Jesus gifted us in sin bearing despite our sinful selves. Despite who we are Jesus was looking to who we could be cleansed by His blood
53:4 borne . . . carried. Cf. vv. 11, 12. Even though the verbs are past tense, they predict happenings future to Isaiah’s time, i.e., “prophetic perfects” in Heb. here and elsewhere in this Servant-song. Isaiah was saying that the Messiah would bear the consequences of the sins of men, namely the griefs and sorrows of life, though incredibly the Jews who watched Him die thought He was being punished by God for His own sins. Matthew found an analogical fulfillment of these words in Jesus’ healing ministry (see notes on Matt. 8:16, 17), because sickness results from sin for which the Servant paid with His life (vv. 7, 8; cf. 1 Pet. 2:24). In eternity, all sickness will be removed, so ultimately it from the atonement.
53:5 wounded for our transgressions . . . bruised for our iniquities. This verse is filled with the language of substitution. Jesus is our substitute. The Servant suffered not for His own sin, since He was sinless (cf. Heb. 4:15; 7:26), but as the substitute for sinners. The emphasis is on Jesus being the substitute and the recipient of God’s wrath for sinners (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:3, 4; Heb. 10:9, 10). chastisement for our peace. He suffered the chastisement {the punishment} of God in order to purchase our peace with God. by His stripes we are healed. The stripe (the Heb. noun is singular) that caused His death has brought salvation to those for whose sins He died. Peter confirms this in 1 Pet. 2:24. This is the ultimate healing of God given to us from the gift of His Life
This is why Jesus is Immanuel God with us and in us forever and ever Amen. Have you opened the best gift you could ever be given? He gives you life, therefore choose life today!!!
Nov 29
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’. Acts 1:10-11
Christ’s return and our ultimate heavenly destiny will be unbelievably magnificent. It is easy to focus on the cessation of our earthly suffering and hardship; and fascinating to imagine what it will be like to be gathered with all the saints of history before the awesome throne of God as we worship Him for eternity. Knowing that Christ will one day judge the living and the dead ought to give us hope and scare us as well. But we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves!
God did not create us for time but for eternity. We will only spend a very small fraction of our life on earth. For most of our existence we’ll live in heaven. That’s why for the short time we have on earth, we must do that which we can only do there: witness for Christ and expand God’s kingdom. In heaven, there will be no unbelievers. In paradise, God’s kingdom will be absolute. Our primary calling then will be to worship with the other saints.
In this life, there are unique opportunities. So don’t waste your time gazing into heaven. Serve the Lord faithfully on earth now. What you do here now has a dramatic impact throughout eternity. Be thankful this is your moment. make the most of your opportunity. Let’s not miss our moment!
In this year of treachery and hate filled media, political fake news and biased discussions how are you thankful? Despite all the rancor, craziness in the elections and the nastiness are you thankful? I pray you are but if not, then let’s see what Jesus can shed light on what we should be thanking God for as we live.
Prayer - God help us now to fix our eyes on Jesus and help us to be truly thankful this day and this year for Your live in us and what You have given us. Give us ears to hear and a mind to obey. Amen
Turn to the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 5 read:
Luke 5 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present [c]to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”
Before this particular event Luke’s gospel reveals several miraculous encounters, which Jesus had leading up to the event which we just read.
After fishing all night Jesus preached for some time in Peter’s boat and when He was finished He told Peter to “cast out into the deep.” Peter’s initial response was no but he relented and said at your word I will cast out into the deep. Such an amazing catch the fisherman left their boats to follow Jesus.
Next a leper comes to Jesus and says, If you will you can make me whole. Jesus encountering his faith says, I will and touches Him. An unheard-of event in that day in Jewish culture and even today.
Now we come to our story.
Jesus has been demonstrating His unique abilities in signs and wonders and now He will demonstrate these gifts before the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.
Now let’s walk through the verses but let’s begin with vs.15 - However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
So the more Jesus ministry was revealed publicly, the more He needed to spend quite time with His Father in Heaven. He needed prayer to stay on task with His mission to save a lost and dying people who lacked the knowledge of God. Now to verse 17
17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present [c]to heal them.
Who now in the audience, as He was teaching, were Pharisees and Teachers of the law from all over Israel. And is says that the power of the Lord was present (in Jesus) to heal them. Gives you pause to understand that Jesus had the power to heal the Pharisees and teachers of the law as well as “the physically sick.’ I am thankful today that Jesus has the power to heal all types of people, with multiple needs both spiritual and physical as He has already demonstrated.
If you are saved and a child of the King today then you should be thankful for the salvation which has come and for what was promised in the future without end.
Move to verse 18 - 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus
Sometimes there are those among us who are in need, and are lost, but looking for some sort of help in finding something or someone, but who really need Jesus. In fact they also may be absolutely paralyzed by sin, by fear, by shame or something and it keeps them from seeking Jesus. But, I am thankful for those who are empowered by the Holy Spirit to go find the lost sheep and bring them to Jesus; like Andrew and these four men.
This man was physically paralyzed and could not search after a healer. These four men were certain they knew the only one able to help was this man called Jesus. They were determined to bring Him to the one they had heard about who has the power to heal. Despite the obstacles to be overcome- aren’t you thankful that Jesus enabled these men to be persistent. They were overcomers in getting to Jesus, by digging through the roof of a house reputed to be Peter’s?
Next verse - 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Jesus didn’t respond to the sick man directly, even though there was a need, but He responded to and rewarded their faith. Aren’t you thankful that God rewards our small mustard seed of faith. Can I have a witness! He understood they had to persevere and still keep the faith despite being unable to access Jesus.
Now Jesus forgave the man’s sins. Here is the miracle that we should be thankful for that Jesus has the power of cancelling sin. Let’s read on- 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” {That’s right Jesus is God}
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Here is the key the Pharisee’s and Teachers of the law being wise unto the world and not unto God automatically rejected Jesus as God. But Jesus who knew and created man knew we desperately needed a savior to be forgiven and end the enmity between God and men.
Isn’t it interesting that God did so love the world that He sent His Son to die on a cross, gave us these words for Christmas from the Angels on high- Luke Chapter 2: 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill[e] toward men!” God sees us in sin yet knowing what we will do He still sends His Son while saying And on earth peace, goodwill[e] toward men!”. He is offering man salvation in His Son despite the hate and sin we exhibit. How is God able, who is both Holy and pure, and who hates sins, be willing to offer His Son to pay our sin debt? Because He knows there is none other who could possibly pay the full penalty for sin demanded by God. Aren’t you thankful that God offers an exclusive one-way, opportunity for salvation, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby you must be saved except the name of Jesus His Son. Amen
These are some of things I am Thankful for as we consider the miraculous gift God has given us with the birth of His Son in Bethlehem of Judea. King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He shall reign forever and ever. Amen. Are you part of the family of God, do you know Jesus as savior and Lord? Or have you been waiting for some special event?? Well today is the day of salvation, Now is the acceptable time of the Lord. No need to wait or wonder. Call upon HIs name today and be saved.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’. Acts 1:10-11
Christ’s return and our ultimate heavenly destiny will be unbelievably magnificent. It is easy to focus on the cessation of our earthly suffering and hardship; and fascinating to imagine what it will be like to be gathered with all the saints of history before the awesome throne of God as we worship Him for eternity. Knowing that Christ will one day judge the living and the dead ought to give us hope and scare us as well. But we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves!
God did not create us for time but for eternity. We will only spend a very small fraction of our life on earth. For most of our existence we’ll live in heaven. That’s why for the short time we have on earth, we must do that which we can only do there: witness for Christ and expand God’s kingdom. In heaven, there will be no unbelievers. In paradise, God’s kingdom will be absolute. Our primary calling then will be to worship with the other saints.
In this life, there are unique opportunities. So don’t waste your time gazing into heaven. Serve the Lord faithfully on earth now. What you do here now has a dramatic impact throughout eternity. Be thankful this is your moment. make the most of your opportunity. Let’s not miss our moment!
In this year of treachery and hate filled media, political fake news and biased discussions how are you thankful? Despite all the rancor, craziness in the elections and the nastiness are you thankful? I pray you are but if not, then let’s see what Jesus can shed light on what we should be thanking God for as we live.
Prayer - God help us now to fix our eyes on Jesus and help us to be truly thankful this day and this year for Your live in us and what You have given us. Give us ears to hear and a mind to obey. Amen
Turn to the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 5 read:
Luke 5 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present [c]to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”
Before this particular event Luke’s gospel reveals several miraculous encounters, which Jesus had leading up to the event which we just read.
After fishing all night Jesus preached for some time in Peter’s boat and when He was finished He told Peter to “cast out into the deep.” Peter’s initial response was no but he relented and said at your word I will cast out into the deep. Such an amazing catch the fisherman left their boats to follow Jesus.
Next a leper comes to Jesus and says, If you will you can make me whole. Jesus encountering his faith says, I will and touches Him. An unheard-of event in that day in Jewish culture and even today.
Now we come to our story.
Jesus has been demonstrating His unique abilities in signs and wonders and now He will demonstrate these gifts before the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.
Now let’s walk through the verses but let’s begin with vs.15 - However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
So the more Jesus ministry was revealed publicly, the more He needed to spend quite time with His Father in Heaven. He needed prayer to stay on task with His mission to save a lost and dying people who lacked the knowledge of God. Now to verse 17
17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present [c]to heal them.
Who now in the audience, as He was teaching, were Pharisees and Teachers of the law from all over Israel. And is says that the power of the Lord was present (in Jesus) to heal them. Gives you pause to understand that Jesus had the power to heal the Pharisees and teachers of the law as well as “the physically sick.’ I am thankful today that Jesus has the power to heal all types of people, with multiple needs both spiritual and physical as He has already demonstrated.
If you are saved and a child of the King today then you should be thankful for the salvation which has come and for what was promised in the future without end.
Move to verse 18 - 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus
Sometimes there are those among us who are in need, and are lost, but looking for some sort of help in finding something or someone, but who really need Jesus. In fact they also may be absolutely paralyzed by sin, by fear, by shame or something and it keeps them from seeking Jesus. But, I am thankful for those who are empowered by the Holy Spirit to go find the lost sheep and bring them to Jesus; like Andrew and these four men.
This man was physically paralyzed and could not search after a healer. These four men were certain they knew the only one able to help was this man called Jesus. They were determined to bring Him to the one they had heard about who has the power to heal. Despite the obstacles to be overcome- aren’t you thankful that Jesus enabled these men to be persistent. They were overcomers in getting to Jesus, by digging through the roof of a house reputed to be Peter’s?
Next verse - 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Jesus didn’t respond to the sick man directly, even though there was a need, but He responded to and rewarded their faith. Aren’t you thankful that God rewards our small mustard seed of faith. Can I have a witness! He understood they had to persevere and still keep the faith despite being unable to access Jesus.
Now Jesus forgave the man’s sins. Here is the miracle that we should be thankful for that Jesus has the power of cancelling sin. Let’s read on- 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” {That’s right Jesus is God}
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Here is the key the Pharisee’s and Teachers of the law being wise unto the world and not unto God automatically rejected Jesus as God. But Jesus who knew and created man knew we desperately needed a savior to be forgiven and end the enmity between God and men.
Isn’t it interesting that God did so love the world that He sent His Son to die on a cross, gave us these words for Christmas from the Angels on high- Luke Chapter 2: 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill[e] toward men!” God sees us in sin yet knowing what we will do He still sends His Son while saying And on earth peace, goodwill[e] toward men!”. He is offering man salvation in His Son despite the hate and sin we exhibit. How is God able, who is both Holy and pure, and who hates sins, be willing to offer His Son to pay our sin debt? Because He knows there is none other who could possibly pay the full penalty for sin demanded by God. Aren’t you thankful that God offers an exclusive one-way, opportunity for salvation, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby you must be saved except the name of Jesus His Son. Amen
These are some of things I am Thankful for as we consider the miraculous gift God has given us with the birth of His Son in Bethlehem of Judea. King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He shall reign forever and ever. Amen. Are you part of the family of God, do you know Jesus as savior and Lord? Or have you been waiting for some special event?? Well today is the day of salvation, Now is the acceptable time of the Lord. No need to wait or wonder. Call upon HIs name today and be saved.
Nov 22
All you who regularly attend or read this lesson will recognize there is a major repeating them in all these discussions, study and teaching. It revolves around the simple verse from Prov. 3:5-6-the quick words of scripture -Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.
In these current days of trial and tribulation we need the perspective of our Lord and our God to navigate the wiles of the devil and the people who are so easily deceived. These types of people dismiss God as a fictional and irrelevant impossibility, yet want to save the environment and go back 1500 years into the dark ages. Our culture is so fractured, dishonest and immoral that if we discovered a truly righteous person we would be affronted and try to wreck their persona, for we could not stand to be in their presence. Now you know why the mobs wanted to kill Peter, Jesus and the other disciples. Darkness hates the light for it illuminates the darkness.
But none of this catches God or the Lord Jesus by surprise for they have seen all this before and they knew this would happen before our history began. Yet miracle of miracles they decided to go forward with this great experiment called Earth and create these beings called men, who inhabited it. The grace, power, mercy and forbearance of God despite His hate for sin is a gift of love beyond all measure. How can we comprehend a love so amazing, so pure and so unselfish? I have a hard time even thinking about the decision to allow men to live, knowing the hate, irrationality and sinfulness of men down through history.
Now with all that divides us as a nation and the increasing hatred for Christians there is nothing but more and more discord being sown bushel by bushel. All we hear is controlled by the media and does not reflect reality but more than 50% of the population believes the published lies. This experiment in a republic as American’s is dying because of the dishonest teaching in our schools, the advent of moral relativism where there is not standard and the Bible is rejected as a hoax. After all the philosophy of this world is that man is basically good. Well history reputes this but unfortunately, we have forgotten this. Correction in the cancel culture we are erasing our history, as good Marxists are inclined to do.
So as believers how are we to navigate this time. We have already established one rule – Trust in the Lord with all your heart. But Jesus also told His disciples to love your enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use you. He also said, we are to heap coals upon our enemies by – if they ask you to go one mile, go two. And if they, ask for your coat, give them your cloak also.
How do we do that well to do so requires work on our parts to be good students of the word of God and to allow the Holy Spirit to access our hearts – a simple scripture we should know put this in focus.
2 Tim 2:15 (KJV) says-15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hint the key is to be a workman that studies and allows the Teacher – the Holy Spirit – to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go.
Well, I heard a discussion this week concerning the scripture text which we are about to study. It was so convicting to me that I believed this is the message the Lord would give to encourage us in this our hour of need. But it builds on the idea of faith and trust. Who or in what do you actually believe?
Go with me to Psalm 37, verses 1– 13
We begin here in the first 11 verses. These first verses focus on the perspective of how those who have faith are supposed to live. As believers we would call those who live by faith – the righteous. Why? Because in scripture it is says the just shall live or another way the just shall walk by faith.
Let’s read - 1Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. {careful taking this verse out of context, doesn’t stand alone}
5 Commit[a] your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, {one of today’s key verses relates + Prov. 3}
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, {Do I trust Him to do so?}
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret--it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be [b]cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
Ok make a quick table and call it -
Table 1. The righteous man or woman
1. No fretting, nor be envious
2. Trust and feed on God’s faithfulness
3. Be delighted in the Lord
4. Be committed to the Lord- He brings things to pass
5. Rest in Lord, waiting patiently, also includes the perspective of verses 9 and 10
6. Cease being angry, don’t seek payback or wrath. Includes verse 11 “the meek shall inherit the earth.
Now go to the remaining two verses. Here David begins to describe the wicked. Who are the wicked? The ones who refuse to honor and recognize God and choose to live for themselves. The wicked are those who propose evil in their hearts against the knowledge of God and against their fellow human beings. We will only study two verses here but the remaining verses in Psalm 37 show the interplay for the wicked and how God will treat them and how He will care for the righteous. So if you are discouraged today, know that what you may judge as unfairness to those “who get away with” evil. That is not so. Their judgement day is soon to come. That is why God is not willing that any should perish, except those who choose to do so of their own free will. Yes, the wicked choose to live that way for they reject the knowledge of God.
12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming
OK for those of us who are given the strength to live and endure, there is living to do if we wish to endure to the end and remain faithful. Begin with by remembering 2 Tim 2:15- Study to show thyself approved to God. To God and not to men that is the work. He knows if you are doing your homework to become a faithful workman who can rightly divine the word of Truth. Also we are to choose to do some new things as part of our personal discipline for 2020 remaining and the year to come. Like -
All you who regularly attend or read this lesson will recognize there is a major repeating them in all these discussions, study and teaching. It revolves around the simple verse from Prov. 3:5-6-the quick words of scripture -Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.
In these current days of trial and tribulation we need the perspective of our Lord and our God to navigate the wiles of the devil and the people who are so easily deceived. These types of people dismiss God as a fictional and irrelevant impossibility, yet want to save the environment and go back 1500 years into the dark ages. Our culture is so fractured, dishonest and immoral that if we discovered a truly righteous person we would be affronted and try to wreck their persona, for we could not stand to be in their presence. Now you know why the mobs wanted to kill Peter, Jesus and the other disciples. Darkness hates the light for it illuminates the darkness.
But none of this catches God or the Lord Jesus by surprise for they have seen all this before and they knew this would happen before our history began. Yet miracle of miracles they decided to go forward with this great experiment called Earth and create these beings called men, who inhabited it. The grace, power, mercy and forbearance of God despite His hate for sin is a gift of love beyond all measure. How can we comprehend a love so amazing, so pure and so unselfish? I have a hard time even thinking about the decision to allow men to live, knowing the hate, irrationality and sinfulness of men down through history.
Now with all that divides us as a nation and the increasing hatred for Christians there is nothing but more and more discord being sown bushel by bushel. All we hear is controlled by the media and does not reflect reality but more than 50% of the population believes the published lies. This experiment in a republic as American’s is dying because of the dishonest teaching in our schools, the advent of moral relativism where there is not standard and the Bible is rejected as a hoax. After all the philosophy of this world is that man is basically good. Well history reputes this but unfortunately, we have forgotten this. Correction in the cancel culture we are erasing our history, as good Marxists are inclined to do.
So as believers how are we to navigate this time. We have already established one rule – Trust in the Lord with all your heart. But Jesus also told His disciples to love your enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use you. He also said, we are to heap coals upon our enemies by – if they ask you to go one mile, go two. And if they, ask for your coat, give them your cloak also.
How do we do that well to do so requires work on our parts to be good students of the word of God and to allow the Holy Spirit to access our hearts – a simple scripture we should know put this in focus.
2 Tim 2:15 (KJV) says-15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hint the key is to be a workman that studies and allows the Teacher – the Holy Spirit – to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go.
Well, I heard a discussion this week concerning the scripture text which we are about to study. It was so convicting to me that I believed this is the message the Lord would give to encourage us in this our hour of need. But it builds on the idea of faith and trust. Who or in what do you actually believe?
Go with me to Psalm 37, verses 1– 13
We begin here in the first 11 verses. These first verses focus on the perspective of how those who have faith are supposed to live. As believers we would call those who live by faith – the righteous. Why? Because in scripture it is says the just shall live or another way the just shall walk by faith.
Let’s read - 1Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. {careful taking this verse out of context, doesn’t stand alone}
5 Commit[a] your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, {one of today’s key verses relates + Prov. 3}
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, {Do I trust Him to do so?}
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret--it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be [b]cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming.
Ok make a quick table and call it -
Table 1. The righteous man or woman
1. No fretting, nor be envious
2. Trust and feed on God’s faithfulness
3. Be delighted in the Lord
4. Be committed to the Lord- He brings things to pass
5. Rest in Lord, waiting patiently, also includes the perspective of verses 9 and 10
6. Cease being angry, don’t seek payback or wrath. Includes verse 11 “the meek shall inherit the earth.
Now go to the remaining two verses. Here David begins to describe the wicked. Who are the wicked? The ones who refuse to honor and recognize God and choose to live for themselves. The wicked are those who propose evil in their hearts against the knowledge of God and against their fellow human beings. We will only study two verses here but the remaining verses in Psalm 37 show the interplay for the wicked and how God will treat them and how He will care for the righteous. So if you are discouraged today, know that what you may judge as unfairness to those “who get away with” evil. That is not so. Their judgement day is soon to come. That is why God is not willing that any should perish, except those who choose to do so of their own free will. Yes, the wicked choose to live that way for they reject the knowledge of God.
12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees that his day is coming
OK for those of us who are given the strength to live and endure, there is living to do if we wish to endure to the end and remain faithful. Begin with by remembering 2 Tim 2:15- Study to show thyself approved to God. To God and not to men that is the work. He knows if you are doing your homework to become a faithful workman who can rightly divine the word of Truth. Also we are to choose to do some new things as part of our personal discipline for 2020 remaining and the year to come. Like -
- Not fretting, nor being envious- Quit worrying about others, be concerned with how you are growing in the Lord. Don’t fret or concern yourselves with what God has given others. Be thankful for what He is doing in your life.
- Trust and feed on God’s faithfulness. This is so important. We must learn to lean on, trust in and be reliant on God and His faithfulness. As He told Israel, choose life and as Jesus told us His Word is our life. Our life is learning to trust Christ with our very lives.
- Be delighted in the Lord- How do you delight yourself in the Lord? This can’t and won’t happen unless you do step 2 first – you must trust and feed on God’s faithfulness before this can be a reality in your life
- Be committed to the Lord- He brings events to pass as He says He would. Being committed is an active use of your will to achieve an outcome. It is like choosing to do what is right over what is embarrassing or hurtful to yourself and which you might want to hid desperately from the eyes of another
- Rest in Lord, waiting patiently, also includes believing that our Father who loves and cares for you will handle those who seek evil and create hate about you. Your job is to stay on task seeking Him with what.
- Cease being angry, don’t seek payback or exhibit wrath for actions taken against you because of your faith. Remember we are to rejoice when we are persecuted for HIs name and sake. He told us that truth. Included here in verse 11 is the idea that “the meek shall inherit the earth.” This means we are to strength under control that is what meekness is. God is the final arbitrator and He say His word will not come back to Him void but will accomplish that for which it was sent. You can trust Him today. Will you or are you trusting Him by faith today. If not, you can and should. God’s word says, “By grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For you are his workmanship, created unto to good works which God has ordained beforehand, that you should accomplish them. Gal. 2:8-10
- If this is true then trust Him. He convicts, He saves and He delivers unto the end of time. Amen
Nov 15
We have time today only for a short message which you will need to carry in your hearts as this business in our nation proceeds. I don’t know about you but somedays my heart hurts for this nation and the sin which is so obvious in our land.
I sense in my spirit there is no shame nor is there any fear of God based upon their behavior in front of anyone and everyone. And therein we see what happens when God allows men to go unrestrained into sin and depravity. there is no limit to the depths to the evil which they will allow and enable, as well as boast of it to others. It’s in your face folks.
We need to face it moral turpitude or wickedness has ensnared our people and our nation. What we would never have dared do in the darkness of night is seen boldly declared in the light of day. Lies are spoken with no blanching almost if people actually believed the lie was truth. Amazing.
In this setting recently you may have been watching Christian television stations or listening on the radio to Christian stations which have Biblical values and heard them quoting the following text:
Proverbs 14:33-34
33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people.
The contrast shown in this proverb presents wisdom as residing in the heart of a man who has clearly understand of life and sin and His nature. This is contrasted with the heart filled with a lack of understanding, which leads to demonstrating their foolishness. You may have seen a few of these about recently on TV as supposed candidates for office and those more recently defending failed practices for election integrity for their vote counting practices.
But the outcome of fools impact the next verse, verse 34-34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people
The outcome or result of unwise application of knowledge is sin. Sin, which is a reproach to any nation and especially our nation which hides nothing to the world. Our sin and our reproach is visible to the entire world. The Bible says the sin which is done in darkness will be made visible to the entire world and it has been these last few days. If you are so naïve to believe that the events which you see on you TV screen concerning voter fraud and lying is fiction then you have been made delusional together with all those who now call Good evil and evil good. We have displayed how corrupt we are what used to be done in secret is now shouted gleefully from the rooftops as in your face baby.
With deception so prevalent that God’s truth is obscured and with our sin so evident, is it no wonder there is no restraint even toward our President and our Congress? Senators and Congressmen are demonstrating moral degeneration and outright evil. Christians need to repent and pray for our individual and collective sinfulness and cause us to seek repentance.
Next point, go with me to 1 Samuel 12:15-16, ESV -
14 If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
Look with me a couple of items
1. First there is instruction to us individually as His people - If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice -underline the word you. If you and I will choose to fear and serve the Lord; and if you obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord. A clear choice to fear and serve Him which leads to obeying.
In the book of 1st Samuel Chapter 15:22 Samuel is delivering the rejection of God to King Saul because of his direct disobedience to the commands of God and here is the last part of what Samuel says, Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
Obedience is what God wants from us and this is what is demanded of servants of a Righteous Nation. America has been far from obedient to God and we are reaping the fruits of our disobedience in what is happening in our cities, our states and now in our National election.
That’s just the first part, the second part or instruction is to the people and to the king/ruler over us. This could be the president, a tsar, a dictator or whomever. Here is what it says, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.
Together is we both, you and I and the King follow the Lord your God, it will be well for us. See, here is a direct relationship between the obedience of the people and the obedience of the king or ruler. If the people are walking close to God and our ruler or king or whomever is drawing close to God, then all will be well for both of us you and your king.
Part three is the kicker, so recommend you pay attention - 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
So if you and I, individually and collectively as God’s people defy, disobey and disregard His voice, His commandments, His statutes and direction given by God we are in serious jeopardy. For our sin and our disobedience has consequences far over and beyond ourselves. Your sin can cripple no only your life, but your family’s life, the life of your church and what it says here the King or the ruler over you. Now you see you sin impacts not just you but all things in your life, the nation and your rulers.
We are all interrelated in the Kingdom of God, now and forevermore. Sin does nothing to exalt a nation it only drags it down and shows the reproach upon our country due to evil.
II Chronicles 20:1-
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name,
Here I am deviating from the text to give us the context of you now being the temple and sanctuary the holy place of God. This is stated precisely in 1 Cor. 6: 19-20-19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [g]and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Now back to II Chronicles 20: 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir--whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
This is trusting in the Lord and waiting upon Him. We must do this today as the sin of America is so egregious and believers each have wounded spirits and hurting hearts because of this oppression which is being unleashed on all of us this week. This is evil which we sense is demonically inspired spiritual warfare and we must guard our hearts.
(Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.)
Again, back to II Chronicles 20 - 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them.
So the battle is not your or ours but of the Lord. What does this mean? – if you believe that God is on His throne and that He answers the prayers of His people and that we are praying this prayer back to God and asking for His intervention, then our work is to pray and remain constant in faith the God will and is already responding to the needs of His people. Do you believe the battle is not yours, but God’s?
The Spirt of the Lord now instructs the people in II Chronicles 20 to 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’
God spoke to His people again that you don’t need to fight but as with Moses he says Behold the salvation of the Lord. Our hearts and our eyes must be towards Him by faith.
But the testimony of God was not completed as we see further into Chapter 2. In verse 20 - 20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
So this battle which we fight in the Spirit is God’s and He prepares us, He leads us and He fights for us and with us today. Do you trust the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent master of the Universe and your soul? He only wants what is best for you now and forever more. He is our God and He will work all things out according to the council of His will. Amen
Have faith in God
Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.
Our faith is being tested in the crucible of hate and despair brought about by this stolen election of deception and identity politics. The battle is God’s but He asks us to walk in faith and pray. Will you make this a matter of prayer every day this week?
Amen
We have time today only for a short message which you will need to carry in your hearts as this business in our nation proceeds. I don’t know about you but somedays my heart hurts for this nation and the sin which is so obvious in our land.
I sense in my spirit there is no shame nor is there any fear of God based upon their behavior in front of anyone and everyone. And therein we see what happens when God allows men to go unrestrained into sin and depravity. there is no limit to the depths to the evil which they will allow and enable, as well as boast of it to others. It’s in your face folks.
We need to face it moral turpitude or wickedness has ensnared our people and our nation. What we would never have dared do in the darkness of night is seen boldly declared in the light of day. Lies are spoken with no blanching almost if people actually believed the lie was truth. Amazing.
In this setting recently you may have been watching Christian television stations or listening on the radio to Christian stations which have Biblical values and heard them quoting the following text:
Proverbs 14:33-34
33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people.
The contrast shown in this proverb presents wisdom as residing in the heart of a man who has clearly understand of life and sin and His nature. This is contrasted with the heart filled with a lack of understanding, which leads to demonstrating their foolishness. You may have seen a few of these about recently on TV as supposed candidates for office and those more recently defending failed practices for election integrity for their vote counting practices.
But the outcome of fools impact the next verse, verse 34-34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people
The outcome or result of unwise application of knowledge is sin. Sin, which is a reproach to any nation and especially our nation which hides nothing to the world. Our sin and our reproach is visible to the entire world. The Bible says the sin which is done in darkness will be made visible to the entire world and it has been these last few days. If you are so naïve to believe that the events which you see on you TV screen concerning voter fraud and lying is fiction then you have been made delusional together with all those who now call Good evil and evil good. We have displayed how corrupt we are what used to be done in secret is now shouted gleefully from the rooftops as in your face baby.
With deception so prevalent that God’s truth is obscured and with our sin so evident, is it no wonder there is no restraint even toward our President and our Congress? Senators and Congressmen are demonstrating moral degeneration and outright evil. Christians need to repent and pray for our individual and collective sinfulness and cause us to seek repentance.
Next point, go with me to 1 Samuel 12:15-16, ESV -
14 If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
Look with me a couple of items
1. First there is instruction to us individually as His people - If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice -underline the word you. If you and I will choose to fear and serve the Lord; and if you obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord. A clear choice to fear and serve Him which leads to obeying.
In the book of 1st Samuel Chapter 15:22 Samuel is delivering the rejection of God to King Saul because of his direct disobedience to the commands of God and here is the last part of what Samuel says, Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
Obedience is what God wants from us and this is what is demanded of servants of a Righteous Nation. America has been far from obedient to God and we are reaping the fruits of our disobedience in what is happening in our cities, our states and now in our National election.
That’s just the first part, the second part or instruction is to the people and to the king/ruler over us. This could be the president, a tsar, a dictator or whomever. Here is what it says, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.
Together is we both, you and I and the King follow the Lord your God, it will be well for us. See, here is a direct relationship between the obedience of the people and the obedience of the king or ruler. If the people are walking close to God and our ruler or king or whomever is drawing close to God, then all will be well for both of us you and your king.
Part three is the kicker, so recommend you pay attention - 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
So if you and I, individually and collectively as God’s people defy, disobey and disregard His voice, His commandments, His statutes and direction given by God we are in serious jeopardy. For our sin and our disobedience has consequences far over and beyond ourselves. Your sin can cripple no only your life, but your family’s life, the life of your church and what it says here the King or the ruler over you. Now you see you sin impacts not just you but all things in your life, the nation and your rulers.
We are all interrelated in the Kingdom of God, now and forevermore. Sin does nothing to exalt a nation it only drags it down and shows the reproach upon our country due to evil.
II Chronicles 20:1-
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name,
Here I am deviating from the text to give us the context of you now being the temple and sanctuary the holy place of God. This is stated precisely in 1 Cor. 6: 19-20-19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [g]and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Now back to II Chronicles 20: 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir--whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
This is trusting in the Lord and waiting upon Him. We must do this today as the sin of America is so egregious and believers each have wounded spirits and hurting hearts because of this oppression which is being unleashed on all of us this week. This is evil which we sense is demonically inspired spiritual warfare and we must guard our hearts.
(Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.)
Again, back to II Chronicles 20 - 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them.
So the battle is not your or ours but of the Lord. What does this mean? – if you believe that God is on His throne and that He answers the prayers of His people and that we are praying this prayer back to God and asking for His intervention, then our work is to pray and remain constant in faith the God will and is already responding to the needs of His people. Do you believe the battle is not yours, but God’s?
The Spirt of the Lord now instructs the people in II Chronicles 20 to 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’
God spoke to His people again that you don’t need to fight but as with Moses he says Behold the salvation of the Lord. Our hearts and our eyes must be towards Him by faith.
But the testimony of God was not completed as we see further into Chapter 2. In verse 20 - 20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
So this battle which we fight in the Spirit is God’s and He prepares us, He leads us and He fights for us and with us today. Do you trust the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent master of the Universe and your soul? He only wants what is best for you now and forever more. He is our God and He will work all things out according to the council of His will. Amen
Have faith in God
Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.
Our faith is being tested in the crucible of hate and despair brought about by this stolen election of deception and identity politics. The battle is God’s but He asks us to walk in faith and pray. Will you make this a matter of prayer every day this week?
Amen
Sermon Nov 8
We have time today only for a short message which you will need to carry in your hearts as this business in our nation proceeds. I don’t know about you but somedays my heart hurts for this nation and the sin which is so obvious in our land.
I sense in my spirit there is no shame nor is there any fear of God based upon their behavior in front of anyone and everyone. And therein we see what happens when God allows men to go unrestrained into sin and depravity. there is no limit to the depths to the evil which they will allow and enable, as well as boast of it to others. It’s in your face folks.
We need to face it moral turpitude or wickedness has ensnared our people and our nation. What we would never have dared do in the darkness of night is seen boldly declared in the light of day. Lies are spoken with no blanching almost if people actually believed the lie was truth. Amazing.
In this setting recently you may have been watching Christian television stations or listening on the radio to Christian stations which have Biblical values and heard them quoting the following text:
Proverbs 14:33-34
33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people.
The contrast shown in this proverb presents wisdom as residing in the heart of a man who has clearly understand of life and sin and His nature. This is contrasted with the heart filled with a lack of understanding, which leads to demonstrating their foolishness. You may have seen a few of these about recently on TV as supposed candidates for office and those more recently defending failed practices for election integrity for their vote counting practices.
But the outcome of fools impact the next verse, verse 34-34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people
The outcome or result of unwise application of knowledge is sin. Sin, which is a reproach to any nation and especially our nation which hides nothing to the world. Our sin and our reproach is visible to the entire world. The Bible says the sin which is done in darkness will be made visible to the entire world and it has been these last few days. If you are so naïve to believe that the events which you see on you TV screen concerning voter fraud and lying is fiction then you have been made delusional together with all those who now call Good evil and evil good. We have displayed how corrupt we are what used to be done in secret is now shouted gleefully from the rooftops as in your face baby.
With deception so prevalent that God’s truth is obscured and with our sin so evident, is it no wonder there is no restraint even toward our President and our Congress? Senators and Congressmen are demonstrating moral degeneration and outright evil. Christians need to repent and pray for our individual and collective sinfulness and cause us to seek repentance.
Next point, go with me to 1 Samuel 12:15-16, ESV -
14 If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
Look with me a couple of items
1. First there is instruction to us individually as His people - If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice -underline the word you. If you and I will choose to fear and serve the Lord; and if you obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord. A clear choice to fear and serve Him which leads to obeying.
In the book of 1st Samuel Chapter 15:22 Samuel is delivering the rejection of God to King Saul because of his direct disobedience to the commands of God and here is the last part of what Samuel says, Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
Obedience is what God wants from us and this is what is demanded of servants of a Righteous Nation. America has been far from obedient to God and we are reaping the fruits of our disobedience in what is happening in our cities, our states and now in our National election.
That’s just the first part, the second part or instruction is to the people and to the king/ruler over us. This could be the president, a tsar, a dictator or whomever. Here is what it says, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.
Together is we both, you and I and the King follow the Lord your God, it will be well for us. See, here is a direct relationship between the obedience of the people and the obedience of the king or ruler. If the people are walking close to God and our ruler or king or whomever is drawing close to God, then all will be well for both of us you and your king.
Part three is the kicker, so recommend you pay attention - 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
So if you and I, individually and collectively as God’s people defy, disobey and disregard His voice, His commandments, His statutes and direction given by God we are in serious jeopardy. For our sin and our disobedience has consequences far over and beyond ourselves. Your sin can cripple no only your life, but your family’s life, the life of your church and what it says here the King or the ruler over you. Now you see you sin impacts not just you but all things in your life, the nation and your rulers.
We are all interrelated in the Kingdom of God, now and forevermore. Sin does nothing to exalt a nation it only drags it down and shows the reproach upon our country due to evil.
II Chronicles 20:1-
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name,
Here I am deviating from the text to give us the context of you now being the temple and sanctuary the holy place of God. This is stated precisely in 1 Cor. 6: 19-20-19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [g]and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Now back to II Chronicles 20: 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir--whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
This is trusting in the Lord and waiting upon Him. We must do this today as the sin of America is so egregious and believers each have wounded spirits and hurting hearts because of this oppression which is being unleashed on all of us this week. This is evil which we sense is demonically inspired spiritual warfare and we must guard our hearts.
(Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.)
Again, back to II Chronicles 20 - 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them.
So the battle is not your or ours but of the Lord. What does this mean? – if you believe that God is on His throne and that He answers the prayers of His people and that we are praying this prayer back to God and asking for His intervention, then our work is to pray and remain constant in faith the God will and is already responding to the needs of His people. Do you believe the battle is not yours, but God’s?
The Spirt of the Lord now instructs the people in II Chronicles 20 to 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’
God spoke to His people again that you don’t need to fight but as with Moses he says Behold the salvation of the Lord. Our hearts and our eyes must be towards Him by faith.
But the testimony of God was not completed as we see further into Chapter 2. In verse 20 - 20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
So this battle which we fight in the Spirit is God’s and He prepares us, He leads us and He fights for us and with us today. Do you trust the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent master of the Universe and your soul? He only wants what is best for you now and forever more. He is our God and He will work all things out according to the council of His will. Amen
Have faith in God
Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.
Our faith is being tested in the crucible of hate and despair brought about by this stolen election of deception and identity politics. The battle is God’s but He asks us to walk in faith and pray. Will you make this a matter of prayer every day this week?
Amen
We have time today only for a short message which you will need to carry in your hearts as this business in our nation proceeds. I don’t know about you but somedays my heart hurts for this nation and the sin which is so obvious in our land.
I sense in my spirit there is no shame nor is there any fear of God based upon their behavior in front of anyone and everyone. And therein we see what happens when God allows men to go unrestrained into sin and depravity. there is no limit to the depths to the evil which they will allow and enable, as well as boast of it to others. It’s in your face folks.
We need to face it moral turpitude or wickedness has ensnared our people and our nation. What we would never have dared do in the darkness of night is seen boldly declared in the light of day. Lies are spoken with no blanching almost if people actually believed the lie was truth. Amazing.
In this setting recently you may have been watching Christian television stations or listening on the radio to Christian stations which have Biblical values and heard them quoting the following text:
Proverbs 14:33-34
33Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people.
The contrast shown in this proverb presents wisdom as residing in the heart of a man who has clearly understand of life and sin and His nature. This is contrasted with the heart filled with a lack of understanding, which leads to demonstrating their foolishness. You may have seen a few of these about recently on TV as supposed candidates for office and those more recently defending failed practices for election integrity for their vote counting practices.
But the outcome of fools impact the next verse, verse 34-34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [a]reproach to any people
The outcome or result of unwise application of knowledge is sin. Sin, which is a reproach to any nation and especially our nation which hides nothing to the world. Our sin and our reproach is visible to the entire world. The Bible says the sin which is done in darkness will be made visible to the entire world and it has been these last few days. If you are so naïve to believe that the events which you see on you TV screen concerning voter fraud and lying is fiction then you have been made delusional together with all those who now call Good evil and evil good. We have displayed how corrupt we are what used to be done in secret is now shouted gleefully from the rooftops as in your face baby.
With deception so prevalent that God’s truth is obscured and with our sin so evident, is it no wonder there is no restraint even toward our President and our Congress? Senators and Congressmen are demonstrating moral degeneration and outright evil. Christians need to repent and pray for our individual and collective sinfulness and cause us to seek repentance.
Next point, go with me to 1 Samuel 12:15-16, ESV -
14 If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
Look with me a couple of items
1. First there is instruction to us individually as His people - If you will fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice -underline the word you. If you and I will choose to fear and serve the Lord; and if you obey His voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord. A clear choice to fear and serve Him which leads to obeying.
In the book of 1st Samuel Chapter 15:22 Samuel is delivering the rejection of God to King Saul because of his direct disobedience to the commands of God and here is the last part of what Samuel says, Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
Obedience is what God wants from us and this is what is demanded of servants of a Righteous Nation. America has been far from obedient to God and we are reaping the fruits of our disobedience in what is happening in our cities, our states and now in our National election.
That’s just the first part, the second part or instruction is to the people and to the king/ruler over us. This could be the president, a tsar, a dictator or whomever. Here is what it says, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.
Together is we both, you and I and the King follow the Lord your God, it will be well for us. See, here is a direct relationship between the obedience of the people and the obedience of the king or ruler. If the people are walking close to God and our ruler or king or whomever is drawing close to God, then all will be well for both of us you and your king.
Part three is the kicker, so recommend you pay attention - 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king.
So if you and I, individually and collectively as God’s people defy, disobey and disregard His voice, His commandments, His statutes and direction given by God we are in serious jeopardy. For our sin and our disobedience has consequences far over and beyond ourselves. Your sin can cripple no only your life, but your family’s life, the life of your church and what it says here the King or the ruler over you. Now you see you sin impacts not just you but all things in your life, the nation and your rulers.
We are all interrelated in the Kingdom of God, now and forevermore. Sin does nothing to exalt a nation it only drags it down and shows the reproach upon our country due to evil.
II Chronicles 20:1-
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites,[a] came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.
5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name,
Here I am deviating from the text to give us the context of you now being the temple and sanctuary the holy place of God. This is stated precisely in 1 Cor. 6: 19-20-19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [g]and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Now back to II Chronicles 20: 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir--whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
This is trusting in the Lord and waiting upon Him. We must do this today as the sin of America is so egregious and believers each have wounded spirits and hurting hearts because of this oppression which is being unleashed on all of us this week. This is evil which we sense is demonically inspired spiritual warfare and we must guard our hearts.
(Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.)
Again, back to II Chronicles 20 - 13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them.
So the battle is not your or ours but of the Lord. What does this mean? – if you believe that God is on His throne and that He answers the prayers of His people and that we are praying this prayer back to God and asking for His intervention, then our work is to pray and remain constant in faith the God will and is already responding to the needs of His people. Do you believe the battle is not yours, but God’s?
The Spirt of the Lord now instructs the people in II Chronicles 20 to 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’
God spoke to His people again that you don’t need to fight but as with Moses he says Behold the salvation of the Lord. Our hearts and our eyes must be towards Him by faith.
But the testimony of God was not completed as we see further into Chapter 2. In verse 20 - 20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:
“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”
22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
So this battle which we fight in the Spirit is God’s and He prepares us, He leads us and He fights for us and with us today. Do you trust the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent master of the Universe and your soul? He only wants what is best for you now and forever more. He is our God and He will work all things out according to the council of His will. Amen
Have faith in God
Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.
Our faith is being tested in the crucible of hate and despair brought about by this stolen election of deception and identity politics. The battle is God’s but He asks us to walk in faith and pray. Will you make this a matter of prayer every day this week?
Amen
Sermon Nov 1
Three Scriptures to tune our focus
Joshua 24:15-15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
1Kings 18: 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.
John 6: 40And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Follow the words closely - Choose this day whom you will serve; How long will you waver between two opinions? And finally the words of Jesus- everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life. And if we understand to believe in Jesus means to choose Him to have life.
Choice is what is before us simply on the one hand to choose life we have to choose God. The other choice is to reject God. Pretty simple choice if we look at it correctly.
· Historically, when we look back at the nation of Israel after they left Egypt and crossed over the Red Sea, until they went into and conquered the land and went through 3 Kings and then had divided Kingdoms when did they get in trouble? When they did not choose the Lord God of their Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Let’s now apply this truth to us today. The idea for these United States which we will call America, began as a desire from people of many heritages who desired freedom to worship God. They came to this land from many countries, many cultures and many languages. Without the divine intervention of God bringing the brilliance and devotion of the founding fathers to these shores; having a leader who was prayed was protected by and honored God and also led the armies divinely into battles, there would be no America. Further the writers of the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Articles of Confederation were except for 6 individuals, men of God. And upon approval of these document by the Continental Congress in New York, they adjourned to a Chapel nearby and prayed to God to establish a covenant for America, similar to the covenant of Israel.
America was to be a light on the hill for God. A beacon into the world of darkness to show forth God’s love and salvation.
Move to today the same Choice is before us. On Tuesday of this week men and women will go into a voting booth and will be voting for more than Joe Biden or Donald Trump. What they will be most likely voting for is either a party, a personality or a platform of rules.
Buried deeply beneath all the hoopla, chaos in the cities, harassment by Antifa and Black Lives Matter, Advertisements, propaganda lies on the internet, TV and talking heads is the choice between righteousness and unrighteousness. But it is far greater than that and we have been anesthetized. Yes, it is a choice between good and evil, the gravity is far greater yet. It is the choice between choosing God or choosing Satan. And going back to Jeremiah 29- we, the people of God must choose life or we die.
Looking at Israel gives us the story of departing or falling away from God and the results are always disastrous for the people and the leaders. We are so blind, we have 2 days to pursue God to intervene dramatically because we failed to recognize the hour of our testing. Have we been crying out to God O God our Father hear us in our hour of need?
Father we humbly ask you for help when we have none for this is your land, and we are your people O God. Rescue us for we desire the promise of your Son
to have everlasting life but to preserve for our children and grandchildren this covenant. Father restore us back to you as only you can do Amen
Romans 1:16-25 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
First, after the introduction in Chapter 1, we encounter from Paul, as led by the Holy Spirit, a statement about salvation, remembering that salvation results from faith. Eph 2:8-9
For by {God’s}grace {to send}are you saved through faith {He gave you faith}, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto good works, which God has ordained beforehand, that we should walk in them. {totally amazing we are God’s work}. This is the believer now contrast this with unbelief, and especially to the one who says I never had the chance to know God. Statement is not true according to this.
Then back to Romans 1, 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Look at the results of dark hearts of those who reject God- verse 22
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Death is the result of rejecting salvation and God. Not just physical death which will happen to most of us but for these who have rejected righteous salvation in the blood of Christ, will experience the second death spoken of in the book of Revelation. That death is eternal death and torment in hell for all time with no possibility of release.
This vote which we are taking on Tuesday is literally for the soul of a nation. If we reject God then judgement will follow and it may occur swiftly. If we choose God by voting for the truth and righteousness it may be a difficult path as God purged the nation in the wilderness because of Israel’s unbelief in God. If God chooses to save us then trust Him this will not be an easy time. He will first begin pruning and purging in the House of God. But if He does choose to rescue America, praise His Holy name for He has blessed us.
May Hebrews 12:6 be the people’s choice on Tuesday 3 November 2020-For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
May we be blessed in being chastened Amen Let it be so dear Jesus!!
Now may Jesus Christ be praised as we are fortified for the journey by sharing in the LORD’s table today 1 Corinthians 11:23
Three Scriptures to tune our focus
Joshua 24:15-15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
1Kings 18: 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.
John 6: 40And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Follow the words closely - Choose this day whom you will serve; How long will you waver between two opinions? And finally the words of Jesus- everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life. And if we understand to believe in Jesus means to choose Him to have life.
Choice is what is before us simply on the one hand to choose life we have to choose God. The other choice is to reject God. Pretty simple choice if we look at it correctly.
· Historically, when we look back at the nation of Israel after they left Egypt and crossed over the Red Sea, until they went into and conquered the land and went through 3 Kings and then had divided Kingdoms when did they get in trouble? When they did not choose the Lord God of their Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Let’s now apply this truth to us today. The idea for these United States which we will call America, began as a desire from people of many heritages who desired freedom to worship God. They came to this land from many countries, many cultures and many languages. Without the divine intervention of God bringing the brilliance and devotion of the founding fathers to these shores; having a leader who was prayed was protected by and honored God and also led the armies divinely into battles, there would be no America. Further the writers of the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Articles of Confederation were except for 6 individuals, men of God. And upon approval of these document by the Continental Congress in New York, they adjourned to a Chapel nearby and prayed to God to establish a covenant for America, similar to the covenant of Israel.
America was to be a light on the hill for God. A beacon into the world of darkness to show forth God’s love and salvation.
Move to today the same Choice is before us. On Tuesday of this week men and women will go into a voting booth and will be voting for more than Joe Biden or Donald Trump. What they will be most likely voting for is either a party, a personality or a platform of rules.
Buried deeply beneath all the hoopla, chaos in the cities, harassment by Antifa and Black Lives Matter, Advertisements, propaganda lies on the internet, TV and talking heads is the choice between righteousness and unrighteousness. But it is far greater than that and we have been anesthetized. Yes, it is a choice between good and evil, the gravity is far greater yet. It is the choice between choosing God or choosing Satan. And going back to Jeremiah 29- we, the people of God must choose life or we die.
Looking at Israel gives us the story of departing or falling away from God and the results are always disastrous for the people and the leaders. We are so blind, we have 2 days to pursue God to intervene dramatically because we failed to recognize the hour of our testing. Have we been crying out to God O God our Father hear us in our hour of need?
Father we humbly ask you for help when we have none for this is your land, and we are your people O God. Rescue us for we desire the promise of your Son
to have everlasting life but to preserve for our children and grandchildren this covenant. Father restore us back to you as only you can do Amen
Romans 1:16-25 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [c]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
First, after the introduction in Chapter 1, we encounter from Paul, as led by the Holy Spirit, a statement about salvation, remembering that salvation results from faith. Eph 2:8-9
For by {God’s}grace {to send}are you saved through faith {He gave you faith}, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto good works, which God has ordained beforehand, that we should walk in them. {totally amazing we are God’s work}. This is the believer now contrast this with unbelief, and especially to the one who says I never had the chance to know God. Statement is not true according to this.
Then back to Romans 1, 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Look at the results of dark hearts of those who reject God- verse 22
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like [h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Death is the result of rejecting salvation and God. Not just physical death which will happen to most of us but for these who have rejected righteous salvation in the blood of Christ, will experience the second death spoken of in the book of Revelation. That death is eternal death and torment in hell for all time with no possibility of release.
This vote which we are taking on Tuesday is literally for the soul of a nation. If we reject God then judgement will follow and it may occur swiftly. If we choose God by voting for the truth and righteousness it may be a difficult path as God purged the nation in the wilderness because of Israel’s unbelief in God. If God chooses to save us then trust Him this will not be an easy time. He will first begin pruning and purging in the House of God. But if He does choose to rescue America, praise His Holy name for He has blessed us.
May Hebrews 12:6 be the people’s choice on Tuesday 3 November 2020-For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
May we be blessed in being chastened Amen Let it be so dear Jesus!!
Now may Jesus Christ be praised as we are fortified for the journey by sharing in the LORD’s table today 1 Corinthians 11:23
Sermon October 25
How would Jesus cause us to choose to respond in today’s marketplace given the outright malice shown against Him: given the chaos and sickness of sin in our days in 2020? A quick refresher from last week to bring a few things to our remembrance from last week.
Part 1. First things first who exactly is this Jesus who we hold so precious? I don’t believe Jesus we live is the same Jesus the world believes He is. In my opinion and based upon the word of God, I don’t believe He would be the milksop, milk toast, plain vanilla version of Jesus that today’s liberals espouse. He is not the all forgiving, easy believism, no problem with your sin person who would allow you to sin anyway you wanted, and then, just let you waltz into heaven because you are just so amazing. Besides and after all you are giving Him a whole hour on Sunday and He should be grateful for the pleasure of being in your company for this one whole hour. No that is not the Jesus I read about in the Bible.
Looking into the New Testament we gain a different view and understanding of who Jesus was and is. Now for those who don’t believe there actually was a Jesus, there is more than enough historical evidence on the historicity of Jesus. He was and now is a real person make no mistake. Also, He is not one who overlooked sin or unbelief and said it was OK.
I believe it would be the Jesus, who said 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set[j] a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ (Matt 10)
I believe it would be the Jesus who stood boldly as the Prince of Truth before Pilate proclaiming - My Kingdom is not of this world, and in Him the truth was present and active in front of Pilate.
I believe it would be the Jesus who would shortly and after the resurrection remind the disciples that “All power and authority in heaven and earth has been given unto Me,” then tell them to, “ Go, and Make disciples of all nations. ” (Matt. 28:19-20).
I believe it would be the Jesus who knew at the beginning of His ministry what awaited at the end, and yet who told His disciples to love one another and to love your enemies as yourself. Jesus was a tough but loving person who set His face like flint despising the shame set before Him and endured the cross so that you and I would not have to die eternal death. What a savior. Amen?
Part II. In this section of the lesson last week we wondered what did it take in our nation and churches to get in this terrible situation in the first place where good is called evil and evil is good (Isaiah 5)? We discovered that our problems in this world all originated in the book and story contained in Genesis. Correct, everything sin related in today’s world originates there. But people in the world do not believe it. Today’s liberals and self-describing intellectuals consider this stuff in Genesis as mythological storytelling. Meaning that according to their learning and understanding it could never have happened this way. In scripture it says the creature in his arrogance cannot and does not choose to recognize the Creator. See Romans 1:25, where it says {men}who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
All men’s problems on earth began with a lie, which they bought into. It started with the slithery words of Satan asking Eve, hath God said? This question created doubt and uncertainty in the minds of Adam and Eve.
All sin originated for Adam sin as described in Romans and this includes death. So the first sin was a lack of faith in God it is called unbelief. In Genesis God established standards
In America we kill our unborn in the name of a Woman’s right to choose. And in God’s eyes that is correct it is a woman’s choice to choose sin and ultimately death.
Root cause of many problems in our lives is we don’t know God really, and because we don’t know Him intimately. We don’t fear God because we don’t really believe and commit to the truths written for us in His Word the Bible; and we don’t teach them to our children.
Wonder why we are having so many problems with our children? We ask others to teach them and there are many who have no truth in them. We lack discernment because we are not really students of the Word We should wail and lament as it says in James, Chapter 4:7-9. Because we must repent and submit to God. We have failed, but take hope, for God says in these same verses Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you. You see every time man fails, God provides opportunities for repentance and renewal for you.
So we are where we are today because we have chosen to remove God from our homes and teach our children as we are commanded.
Because we have taken God out of the schoolhouse, the courthouse, the public square and out of our bedrooms. That is why we are where we are today.
Now to Part III. Believers should know and believe that Jesus is coming soon, and this is in accordance whit His Word and His word is Truth.
Perhaps we should pay attention to Matthew Chapter 10, where Jesus gives clear instructions to His disciples knowing what would happen once He sent them to reach others apart from Himself.
Please read with me- beginning in Verse 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep {He knows us}in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[f] as doves.{He gives wisdom} 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, {God is with you in your obedience} as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. {The Holy Spirit in you}
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. {remember why people hate you} But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
In these verses there are wise principles to follow which you and I should embrace and we will review them shortly but let’s go back to the very beginning. Why did Jesus come to earth? To save men and reconcile them to the Father through His blood? He was bring them to a new covenant in His Blood. The blood of the sinless Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
The new covenant speaks to a new relationship in Jesus Christ which replaces the one established by the blood of sacrifice in the Old Testament. But each feast and each festival and the sacrifices, all pointed to the one who was to come in the name of the Lord – Jesus. One of the beautiful Christmas carols we sing is, O Come O Come Emmanuel. The word Emmanuel means God with us.
God is with us in Christ, Jesus wants us to be with Him and in Him. We need to hide this truth deeply in our hearts.
Here is what we need to remember - Emmanuel God is with us, so
1. Do not be afraid
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
2. You are worth more
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[b] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
3. Walk in Love -’Matt. 5 44 [o]But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
4. Be Wise as serpents and harmless as doves
5. Trust only in God’s Wisdom - Don’t trust the wisdom of Men not led by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
6. Speak as you are led. Allow the Holy Spirit after prayer and Bible study
7. Endure as a good soldier and servant,
trusting in your Commanding Officer -Jeshua Ha Mashiach. And to be strong in the Lord and in his power of His might, putting on the full Armor of God, as we read in Ephesians 6:10 -17
Summary, In these days and times it is important again to realize who is God.
He is the one who chose to put you here for this time and this place from eternity past. He knows your future. What and where He has you is what is best for your life – Ask yourself, do you believe this? Do you believe that God only wants what is best for our lives?
If you believe this is true then Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Where will He direct your path, in the way everlasting, and for His name sake.
You need to make a conscious decision to Trust by faith in His life in you today whether you are a believer or one seeking to receive Him in your life today. It is the best decision you could ever make, In Jesus Name, Amen
How would Jesus cause us to choose to respond in today’s marketplace given the outright malice shown against Him: given the chaos and sickness of sin in our days in 2020? A quick refresher from last week to bring a few things to our remembrance from last week.
Part 1. First things first who exactly is this Jesus who we hold so precious? I don’t believe Jesus we live is the same Jesus the world believes He is. In my opinion and based upon the word of God, I don’t believe He would be the milksop, milk toast, plain vanilla version of Jesus that today’s liberals espouse. He is not the all forgiving, easy believism, no problem with your sin person who would allow you to sin anyway you wanted, and then, just let you waltz into heaven because you are just so amazing. Besides and after all you are giving Him a whole hour on Sunday and He should be grateful for the pleasure of being in your company for this one whole hour. No that is not the Jesus I read about in the Bible.
Looking into the New Testament we gain a different view and understanding of who Jesus was and is. Now for those who don’t believe there actually was a Jesus, there is more than enough historical evidence on the historicity of Jesus. He was and now is a real person make no mistake. Also, He is not one who overlooked sin or unbelief and said it was OK.
I believe it would be the Jesus, who said 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set[j] a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ (Matt 10)
I believe it would be the Jesus who stood boldly as the Prince of Truth before Pilate proclaiming - My Kingdom is not of this world, and in Him the truth was present and active in front of Pilate.
I believe it would be the Jesus who would shortly and after the resurrection remind the disciples that “All power and authority in heaven and earth has been given unto Me,” then tell them to, “ Go, and Make disciples of all nations. ” (Matt. 28:19-20).
I believe it would be the Jesus who knew at the beginning of His ministry what awaited at the end, and yet who told His disciples to love one another and to love your enemies as yourself. Jesus was a tough but loving person who set His face like flint despising the shame set before Him and endured the cross so that you and I would not have to die eternal death. What a savior. Amen?
Part II. In this section of the lesson last week we wondered what did it take in our nation and churches to get in this terrible situation in the first place where good is called evil and evil is good (Isaiah 5)? We discovered that our problems in this world all originated in the book and story contained in Genesis. Correct, everything sin related in today’s world originates there. But people in the world do not believe it. Today’s liberals and self-describing intellectuals consider this stuff in Genesis as mythological storytelling. Meaning that according to their learning and understanding it could never have happened this way. In scripture it says the creature in his arrogance cannot and does not choose to recognize the Creator. See Romans 1:25, where it says {men}who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
All men’s problems on earth began with a lie, which they bought into. It started with the slithery words of Satan asking Eve, hath God said? This question created doubt and uncertainty in the minds of Adam and Eve.
- If you read the account you realize Adam was right there with Eve and did not defend her. Satan’s question raised doubt in the minds of Adam and Eve thinking God was withholding something which they deserved{pride.}They believed the lie and ate the apple in disobedience to the command of God and sin became the eternal blight and birth destiny of all those born of man and women.
All sin originated for Adam sin as described in Romans and this includes death. So the first sin was a lack of faith in God it is called unbelief. In Genesis God established standards
- In the beginning God created
- He created only one human race – Blacks and Whites are the same inside, our DNA and gene samples come from a single gene source. (Answer A&E)
- There are only Male and Female
- Created and mandated the family as husbands and wives to cleave to each other and become one flesh. We are to be fruitful and multiply
- Who created people and who created them after themselves and made them male and female? - Genesis
- No gender confusion in the book
- Sex was to be in marriage not in homosexuality.
- When did He know you, {before the worlds began} where did He know you ?{mother’s womb, secret places }Psalm 139?
- There is no escape from God.
- Abortion is an abomination to God. He is the life giver.
In America we kill our unborn in the name of a Woman’s right to choose. And in God’s eyes that is correct it is a woman’s choice to choose sin and ultimately death.
Root cause of many problems in our lives is we don’t know God really, and because we don’t know Him intimately. We don’t fear God because we don’t really believe and commit to the truths written for us in His Word the Bible; and we don’t teach them to our children.
Wonder why we are having so many problems with our children? We ask others to teach them and there are many who have no truth in them. We lack discernment because we are not really students of the Word We should wail and lament as it says in James, Chapter 4:7-9. Because we must repent and submit to God. We have failed, but take hope, for God says in these same verses Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you. You see every time man fails, God provides opportunities for repentance and renewal for you.
So we are where we are today because we have chosen to remove God from our homes and teach our children as we are commanded.
Because we have taken God out of the schoolhouse, the courthouse, the public square and out of our bedrooms. That is why we are where we are today.
Now to Part III. Believers should know and believe that Jesus is coming soon, and this is in accordance whit His Word and His word is Truth.
Perhaps we should pay attention to Matthew Chapter 10, where Jesus gives clear instructions to His disciples knowing what would happen once He sent them to reach others apart from Himself.
Please read with me- beginning in Verse 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep {He knows us}in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless[f] as doves.{He gives wisdom} 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, {God is with you in your obedience} as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. {The Holy Spirit in you}
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. {remember why people hate you} But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house [g]Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
In these verses there are wise principles to follow which you and I should embrace and we will review them shortly but let’s go back to the very beginning. Why did Jesus come to earth? To save men and reconcile them to the Father through His blood? He was bring them to a new covenant in His Blood. The blood of the sinless Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
The new covenant speaks to a new relationship in Jesus Christ which replaces the one established by the blood of sacrifice in the Old Testament. But each feast and each festival and the sacrifices, all pointed to the one who was to come in the name of the Lord – Jesus. One of the beautiful Christmas carols we sing is, O Come O Come Emmanuel. The word Emmanuel means God with us.
God is with us in Christ, Jesus wants us to be with Him and in Him. We need to hide this truth deeply in our hearts.
Here is what we need to remember - Emmanuel God is with us, so
1. Do not be afraid
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
2. You are worth more
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[b] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
3. Walk in Love -’Matt. 5 44 [o]But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
4. Be Wise as serpents and harmless as doves
5. Trust only in God’s Wisdom - Don’t trust the wisdom of Men not led by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
6. Speak as you are led. Allow the Holy Spirit after prayer and Bible study
7. Endure as a good soldier and servant,
trusting in your Commanding Officer -Jeshua Ha Mashiach. And to be strong in the Lord and in his power of His might, putting on the full Armor of God, as we read in Ephesians 6:10 -17
Summary, In these days and times it is important again to realize who is God.
He is the one who chose to put you here for this time and this place from eternity past. He knows your future. What and where He has you is what is best for your life – Ask yourself, do you believe this? Do you believe that God only wants what is best for our lives?
If you believe this is true then Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Where will He direct your path, in the way everlasting, and for His name sake.
You need to make a conscious decision to Trust by faith in His life in you today whether you are a believer or one seeking to receive Him in your life today. It is the best decision you could ever make, In Jesus Name, Amen
Sermon October 18
What is needed in this hour wisdom is needed in this hour to be able to exercise discernment of good and evil
Thank God He promise to give us another Helper, to be with us forever (Jn. 14:16) and He is the Spirit of Truth who will lead us in the everlasting truth which is the wisdom of God. To be led you must demonstrate obedience or the Spirit cannot lead for you will deny the Holy Spirit and He will be quenched and unavailable. So you say to me why do we need the Holy Spirit. I give you the following for a national publication and daily newsletter (Huckaby)-The title is "NORMALIZED" - The Liberal, communist, democratic party, left has in these latter days “normalized” marijuana; supported and approved the burning of the American flag; endorsed and sponsored rioting, looting, racism (yes, anti- white racism is OK); kneeling during the National Anthem; attacking the police; got their cronies and pals to authorize censorship of the Internet; has enabled politicizing movies, sports and TV (all in the direction of liberalism/socialism and especially communism); approved segregation again; and the banning of free speech on campus; dictated and approved abortion up to and beyond birth; and entitled kiddie porn on Netflixs. So how could they possibly sink any lower? How about by trying to “normalize” Satan himself, witchcraft and Satanism as forms of legitimate worship? Yes, it is happening here in the good ole USA.So based upon these indicators it is my estimation that we have a major problem and we need wisdom which leads us to discernment.Discernment is being able to distinguish right from what is nearly right - SpurgeonIn this areaHebrews 5:9-149 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” {God of Peace and righteousness}11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [b]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {the Spirit of God is the discerner} He will lead you into all truth. He has brought you here for just this time. Let”s no miss our moment for which He has called us.Points verse by verse- follow me please!In Verses 9 and 10 the writer wanted to tell these Hebrew peoples about the King called Melchizedek. This King who is a forerunner of Christ is both the king of righteousness and the king of Salem or peace. Both of these characteristics and specifically unique and are demonstrated in the life, death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But because of the problems with the people he must stop and point our problems which need correctionVerse 11 – we have much to say but you have become dull of hearing. There is a whole lot of meaning built into these words – dull of hearing. Specifically, how did they become dull of hearing? From what the writer says here and later the previously knew what was right and true. We have been using a verse from the OT which provides a clear answer - Deut 30:17 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, Dull of hearing means just that, they no longer hear with the same intensity which they did previously, their hearts have turned away and they are being drawn continually into further sin. Jesus provided a similar commentary for those in the New Testament in Matt 13:13 - Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.Verse 12 – you should be teachers by now based upon the time and teaching you have received, but you have fallen so far away that you are spiritual babies. The had devolved in learning instead of maturing and now needed to be refed the bottle of milk instead of the meat of the word of God. Spiritual food comes from the word of God and is necessary for growth.Verse 13 reinforces this stating your babies and not mature. You say you want the truth but bottom line – you can’t handle the truth! 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 2 Tim 2:15 _ 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Verse 14 _ 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The application of discernment and wisdom by a believer comes from those who practice what they preach. An athlete understands that to have continued exceptional use of their muscles requires practice and continued repetition. No pain no gain or ability to maintain. So for you and I there is no other way but to study, and pray and meditate on the Word of God. We should be able to minister to others using the ingrafted word of God which is able to save to the uttermost.It is time for the Paladins of the Lord to stand having girded themselves with all that is in Jesus Christ. And having done all to be able to stand in the evil day, fully armed and prepared for the battle who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Discernment the ability to tell the difference between the truth and what almost is the truth. Amen In the name of Yeshua Hamashiach.
Yeshua Hamashiach means "Jesus the Messiah." The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which is the shortened form of the name Yehoshua. From this Hebrew word we also get the name Joshua (Joshua 5:15) or Hoshea (Numbers 13:8; Deuteronomy 33:44). The name means "salvation"
Another newsflash. This game is called you choose or you lose – NBA or USA, NFL or USA, MLB or USA? I choose the USA, how about you? Will you join or allow others to join in the cult of the selfish individual. Being frightfully unaware of the danger behind their cultish adoration of China as their puppet master and the death that will result from their worship at the feet of money. I choose the land of the free and the brave. There is always a price for freedom are we willing to pay the cost of obedience?
What is needed in this hour wisdom is needed in this hour to be able to exercise discernment of good and evil
Thank God He promise to give us another Helper, to be with us forever (Jn. 14:16) and He is the Spirit of Truth who will lead us in the everlasting truth which is the wisdom of God. To be led you must demonstrate obedience or the Spirit cannot lead for you will deny the Holy Spirit and He will be quenched and unavailable. So you say to me why do we need the Holy Spirit. I give you the following for a national publication and daily newsletter (Huckaby)-The title is "NORMALIZED" - The Liberal, communist, democratic party, left has in these latter days “normalized” marijuana; supported and approved the burning of the American flag; endorsed and sponsored rioting, looting, racism (yes, anti- white racism is OK); kneeling during the National Anthem; attacking the police; got their cronies and pals to authorize censorship of the Internet; has enabled politicizing movies, sports and TV (all in the direction of liberalism/socialism and especially communism); approved segregation again; and the banning of free speech on campus; dictated and approved abortion up to and beyond birth; and entitled kiddie porn on Netflixs. So how could they possibly sink any lower? How about by trying to “normalize” Satan himself, witchcraft and Satanism as forms of legitimate worship? Yes, it is happening here in the good ole USA.So based upon these indicators it is my estimation that we have a major problem and we need wisdom which leads us to discernment.Discernment is being able to distinguish right from what is nearly right - SpurgeonIn this areaHebrews 5:9-149 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” {God of Peace and righteousness}11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [b]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {the Spirit of God is the discerner} He will lead you into all truth. He has brought you here for just this time. Let”s no miss our moment for which He has called us.Points verse by verse- follow me please!In Verses 9 and 10 the writer wanted to tell these Hebrew peoples about the King called Melchizedek. This King who is a forerunner of Christ is both the king of righteousness and the king of Salem or peace. Both of these characteristics and specifically unique and are demonstrated in the life, death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But because of the problems with the people he must stop and point our problems which need correctionVerse 11 – we have much to say but you have become dull of hearing. There is a whole lot of meaning built into these words – dull of hearing. Specifically, how did they become dull of hearing? From what the writer says here and later the previously knew what was right and true. We have been using a verse from the OT which provides a clear answer - Deut 30:17 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, Dull of hearing means just that, they no longer hear with the same intensity which they did previously, their hearts have turned away and they are being drawn continually into further sin. Jesus provided a similar commentary for those in the New Testament in Matt 13:13 - Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.Verse 12 – you should be teachers by now based upon the time and teaching you have received, but you have fallen so far away that you are spiritual babies. The had devolved in learning instead of maturing and now needed to be refed the bottle of milk instead of the meat of the word of God. Spiritual food comes from the word of God and is necessary for growth.Verse 13 reinforces this stating your babies and not mature. You say you want the truth but bottom line – you can’t handle the truth! 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 2 Tim 2:15 _ 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Verse 14 _ 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The application of discernment and wisdom by a believer comes from those who practice what they preach. An athlete understands that to have continued exceptional use of their muscles requires practice and continued repetition. No pain no gain or ability to maintain. So for you and I there is no other way but to study, and pray and meditate on the Word of God. We should be able to minister to others using the ingrafted word of God which is able to save to the uttermost.It is time for the Paladins of the Lord to stand having girded themselves with all that is in Jesus Christ. And having done all to be able to stand in the evil day, fully armed and prepared for the battle who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Discernment the ability to tell the difference between the truth and what almost is the truth. Amen In the name of Yeshua Hamashiach.
Yeshua Hamashiach means "Jesus the Messiah." The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which is the shortened form of the name Yehoshua. From this Hebrew word we also get the name Joshua (Joshua 5:15) or Hoshea (Numbers 13:8; Deuteronomy 33:44). The name means "salvation"
Another newsflash. This game is called you choose or you lose – NBA or USA, NFL or USA, MLB or USA? I choose the USA, how about you? Will you join or allow others to join in the cult of the selfish individual. Being frightfully unaware of the danger behind their cultish adoration of China as their puppet master and the death that will result from their worship at the feet of money. I choose the land of the free and the brave. There is always a price for freedom are we willing to pay the cost of obedience?
Sermon October 11
You might recognize this scene from your own life: You’ve been to God’s house and you’ve received the proclamation of the Word of God and stood in the presence and power of the Spirit of God. You departed on a “spiritual high,” sensing and feeling good in your soul and spirit because you have experienced the goodness of your Lord. You may have even said what a mighty God we serve. And you sensed that He is real and present today and, in your life, and you were joyous and encouraged!
Then, you returned to your life outside the glory house, and it seemed as if the bottom is pulled out from under you – an event or an attack that you didn’t see coming. It could have been an unforeseen event, or even an individual, but something happens that abruptly makes you feel as if the enemy has rushed in like a flood. And before you know it, all the glory, the presence of God, and the blessing are but a distant memory because you responded to some this event in an ungodly way because you were caught off guard and were unprepared. All those heartfelt promises you made to God about trusting Him, and telling the Lord that you would never do or respond this or that way again – they all seem to have gone down the drain in one fell swoop, leaving you feeling spiritually spent, disheartened, hopeless, frustrated and terribly ashamed of your failure.
This happened to me this week. I wonder now this has never ever happened to you, has it? Or perhaps the recent tidal wave of events of lying and mistruth in the news and on TV and the negative actions of the enemy either at the state, local or national level have gotten under your skin. And now you’re coping an attitude that it seems that God is absent and just is not where He should be? Believe me this happens to many believers.
Let’s get some biblical perspective on this for a moment to allow God’s word to direct us.
Many times after an extreme spiritual and emotional victory, or close encounter and while being in the presence and activity and physical moving of God, these things happen. We find this in described scripture in the Book of 1st Kings Chapters 16-18 where God called Elijah, the prophet. In chapter 18, after 3 and one-half years of drought, Elijah challenges King Ahab and the prophets of Asherah and Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. We read in verse 20 - 20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. We just like the nation of Israel must choose even in the middle of famine and drought what we believe about God. He challenges us in our faith in Him. Do you believe that God always does what is best in your life?
Then, after experiencing the infinite power, presence and person of God, where He consumed the sacrifice of Elijah and the He used the people to slew the prophets, and following this it began to rain. He was thrown into the grips of a depression that only God was capable of enabling his recovery. Elijah’s experience teaches us several simple, but valuable lessons we all need to remember as we walk with the Lord in these troubling times. In 1 Kings 18:46, we read that the hand of the Lord was upon Elijah.
“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”
Elijah had been granted supernatural wisdom and strength to defeat the prophets of Baal as well as being given added strength to run ahead of Ahab, who was in a chariot – a distance of nearly twenty miles.
When Ahab arrives at his residence, he informs Jezebel of what had taken place on Mount Carmel. This is where things begin to go wrong for Elijah:
“So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them’” (1 Kings 19:2).
Here Scripture says, “So Jezebel,” it might as well say, “So Satan.” The first and simplest lesson we learn here is that Satan uses people to threaten frighten and attack us. This is not to say that those he uses are possessed, but it does mean that they are useful compliant and easily managed in his hands. And in the sovereign will of God He allow it, just like with Job. Satan will use people to instigate, frustrate, foment and propagate lies against you and dirty the truth in some manner. He is able to employ family, friends, and foes alike. Jezebel wanted revenge for the deaths of the 450 prophets of Baal by taking Elijah’s life. (Sounds a lot like what we see in the news day-by- day doesn’t it?)
Note this truth also Elisha could accomplish how much apart from God? – according to Jesus, apart from Me ye can do nothing (Jn. 15:5)
Enemy Intimidation
Another lesson we should learn is Satan seeks to intimidate you. Satan will attempt to overemphasize his power by lying to you. While destroying us is what he would like to do, it is not what he is able to do! Satan is aware of the hedge of protection which God has placed around his you and I. He can bark, but he cannot bite; he can roar, but we should not run. He is a defeated enemy
“‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land’” (Job 1:9-10). God has a sphere of protection within and about you. If you are The presence of the God in the Holy Spirit lives within you and He protects you.
The Relentless Enemy
Elijah may have thought that because of God’s power displayed on Mount Carmel, the problem of Ahab and Jezebel would be solved. There is another lesson here that we need to remember: Satan is relentless. Jezebel was angry and began her program of intimidation, and this threat promised threw Elijah into a tailspin — he ran for his life. So what did he do? (1 Kings 19:3-4).
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors’”.
This is the prophet of God, who is now being challenged in his faith. God is about to help u Elijah recover as He will aid you in your distress.
So what are we told to do ?– We are told to stand our ground
Have you ever been bullied, intimidated or harassed, like Antifa is doing to people today? How about breaking into your home in the middle of the night in a small town in the middle of nowhere? Have you been made to fear for your life or just wanted to flee to avoid a fight or pain? In the face of intimidation we need to learn now not to ever run from the battle or the enemy. James says: submit to God, resist the devil and He will flee from you. (James 4:7-9). God is our rock and our strength, our redeemer and our Lord. We need to remember He always precedes unto into every battle and engagement and He is our Savior. There is nothing too hard for Him
Paul in the first letter to the church at Corinth says this, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
In the throes of the battleground which is the Christian life, we are called, as soldiers, to stand and having done all preparations to stand. {Eph 6:14ff) Though there will definitely be times when may waver, and our arms become heavy, we must never forget the command to stand firm. We must be able to put on the full armor of God to stand in His love and grace.
Next, we need to continually go to the Rock of Ages
So what has happened to our prophet, he like we have feet of clay? Isn’t it amazing that our Father shows us that Elijah is no different than we are? Elijah has fallen into a depression; he has become a victim, who is almost hopeless. The Queen is after me and what am I to do, he thinks? He then requests the worst for himself: death. Notice his words, he said, “I have had enough.” Elijah seems to be overwhelmed. What ought you to do when you are overwhelmed, and you feel as though you can’t take any more? Scripture says,
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).
We learn we are to go to the Rock. Looking at our circumstances through the eyes of depression distorts reality, and drives victory away. The psalmist tells us what we should do:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills from whence commeth my help? My help commeth from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
You and I Cannot Do God’s beckoning alone.“Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you’” (1 Kings 19:5-7).
When we find ourselves at our lowest point, God sends help, here it was the Angel of the Lord. In our case He might send the Holy Spirit. Or He may send an angel in the form of a word from God, or a song, or even a gesture. God will minister and can use an angel who will touch us, and encourage us to continue. The Angel of Lord implies this is an appearance of the pre- incarnate Christ. Here He comforts Elijah with words imploring him to rise and be nurtured, because the journey is too great for him. We were not meant to live this life in this self-imposed vacuum. We must never attempt to live this life in Christ in our own strength. We must always look to the Lord in our times of trouble, knowing that His strength will lift us up.
#4 There is absolute strength in the Food of the Lord
“So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8). Horeb was 200 miles away, where Moses met God on the mountain. That’s over unforgiving terrain and limited to no water in the hot, dry, desert.
Elijah was able to complete this journey because he obeyed the words of the Angel, “Arise and eat.” He was then sustained and able to continue because of the strength which he received from that food. You and I will also receive strength for our journey as we gain the power and are nurtured by the food of the Word of God:
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(Hebrews 5:13-14).
Do you remember these verses from last week? God’s Word, the Word of righteousness, is our strong food. Are you partaking of it to gain strength and spiritual nourishment for your journey with the Lord? Today, rise up and partake of His Word, and go on in the power it gives.
Elijah would go on and face more challenges along the way, as we all will. But with the Lord at his side, and a desire to fulfill God’s will in His heart, he would complete his work, and be taken into glory. Stand up child of God! Move forward in the power and name of the Lord! When you put on the whole armor of God you having done all can stand. Then you can be walk as Paul commended Eph 6:10 Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Amen,
May God bless His word to us, in us and use us for His glory forever Amen.
You might recognize this scene from your own life: You’ve been to God’s house and you’ve received the proclamation of the Word of God and stood in the presence and power of the Spirit of God. You departed on a “spiritual high,” sensing and feeling good in your soul and spirit because you have experienced the goodness of your Lord. You may have even said what a mighty God we serve. And you sensed that He is real and present today and, in your life, and you were joyous and encouraged!
Then, you returned to your life outside the glory house, and it seemed as if the bottom is pulled out from under you – an event or an attack that you didn’t see coming. It could have been an unforeseen event, or even an individual, but something happens that abruptly makes you feel as if the enemy has rushed in like a flood. And before you know it, all the glory, the presence of God, and the blessing are but a distant memory because you responded to some this event in an ungodly way because you were caught off guard and were unprepared. All those heartfelt promises you made to God about trusting Him, and telling the Lord that you would never do or respond this or that way again – they all seem to have gone down the drain in one fell swoop, leaving you feeling spiritually spent, disheartened, hopeless, frustrated and terribly ashamed of your failure.
This happened to me this week. I wonder now this has never ever happened to you, has it? Or perhaps the recent tidal wave of events of lying and mistruth in the news and on TV and the negative actions of the enemy either at the state, local or national level have gotten under your skin. And now you’re coping an attitude that it seems that God is absent and just is not where He should be? Believe me this happens to many believers.
Let’s get some biblical perspective on this for a moment to allow God’s word to direct us.
Many times after an extreme spiritual and emotional victory, or close encounter and while being in the presence and activity and physical moving of God, these things happen. We find this in described scripture in the Book of 1st Kings Chapters 16-18 where God called Elijah, the prophet. In chapter 18, after 3 and one-half years of drought, Elijah challenges King Ahab and the prophets of Asherah and Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. We read in verse 20 - 20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. We just like the nation of Israel must choose even in the middle of famine and drought what we believe about God. He challenges us in our faith in Him. Do you believe that God always does what is best in your life?
Then, after experiencing the infinite power, presence and person of God, where He consumed the sacrifice of Elijah and the He used the people to slew the prophets, and following this it began to rain. He was thrown into the grips of a depression that only God was capable of enabling his recovery. Elijah’s experience teaches us several simple, but valuable lessons we all need to remember as we walk with the Lord in these troubling times. In 1 Kings 18:46, we read that the hand of the Lord was upon Elijah.
“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”
Elijah had been granted supernatural wisdom and strength to defeat the prophets of Baal as well as being given added strength to run ahead of Ahab, who was in a chariot – a distance of nearly twenty miles.
When Ahab arrives at his residence, he informs Jezebel of what had taken place on Mount Carmel. This is where things begin to go wrong for Elijah:
“So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them’” (1 Kings 19:2).
Here Scripture says, “So Jezebel,” it might as well say, “So Satan.” The first and simplest lesson we learn here is that Satan uses people to threaten frighten and attack us. This is not to say that those he uses are possessed, but it does mean that they are useful compliant and easily managed in his hands. And in the sovereign will of God He allow it, just like with Job. Satan will use people to instigate, frustrate, foment and propagate lies against you and dirty the truth in some manner. He is able to employ family, friends, and foes alike. Jezebel wanted revenge for the deaths of the 450 prophets of Baal by taking Elijah’s life. (Sounds a lot like what we see in the news day-by- day doesn’t it?)
Note this truth also Elisha could accomplish how much apart from God? – according to Jesus, apart from Me ye can do nothing (Jn. 15:5)
Enemy Intimidation
Another lesson we should learn is Satan seeks to intimidate you. Satan will attempt to overemphasize his power by lying to you. While destroying us is what he would like to do, it is not what he is able to do! Satan is aware of the hedge of protection which God has placed around his you and I. He can bark, but he cannot bite; he can roar, but we should not run. He is a defeated enemy
“‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land’” (Job 1:9-10). God has a sphere of protection within and about you. If you are The presence of the God in the Holy Spirit lives within you and He protects you.
The Relentless Enemy
Elijah may have thought that because of God’s power displayed on Mount Carmel, the problem of Ahab and Jezebel would be solved. There is another lesson here that we need to remember: Satan is relentless. Jezebel was angry and began her program of intimidation, and this threat promised threw Elijah into a tailspin — he ran for his life. So what did he do? (1 Kings 19:3-4).
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors’”.
This is the prophet of God, who is now being challenged in his faith. God is about to help u Elijah recover as He will aid you in your distress.
So what are we told to do ?– We are told to stand our ground
Have you ever been bullied, intimidated or harassed, like Antifa is doing to people today? How about breaking into your home in the middle of the night in a small town in the middle of nowhere? Have you been made to fear for your life or just wanted to flee to avoid a fight or pain? In the face of intimidation we need to learn now not to ever run from the battle or the enemy. James says: submit to God, resist the devil and He will flee from you. (James 4:7-9). God is our rock and our strength, our redeemer and our Lord. We need to remember He always precedes unto into every battle and engagement and He is our Savior. There is nothing too hard for Him
Paul in the first letter to the church at Corinth says this, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
In the throes of the battleground which is the Christian life, we are called, as soldiers, to stand and having done all preparations to stand. {Eph 6:14ff) Though there will definitely be times when may waver, and our arms become heavy, we must never forget the command to stand firm. We must be able to put on the full armor of God to stand in His love and grace.
Next, we need to continually go to the Rock of Ages
So what has happened to our prophet, he like we have feet of clay? Isn’t it amazing that our Father shows us that Elijah is no different than we are? Elijah has fallen into a depression; he has become a victim, who is almost hopeless. The Queen is after me and what am I to do, he thinks? He then requests the worst for himself: death. Notice his words, he said, “I have had enough.” Elijah seems to be overwhelmed. What ought you to do when you are overwhelmed, and you feel as though you can’t take any more? Scripture says,
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).
We learn we are to go to the Rock. Looking at our circumstances through the eyes of depression distorts reality, and drives victory away. The psalmist tells us what we should do:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills from whence commeth my help? My help commeth from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
You and I Cannot Do God’s beckoning alone.“Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you’” (1 Kings 19:5-7).
When we find ourselves at our lowest point, God sends help, here it was the Angel of the Lord. In our case He might send the Holy Spirit. Or He may send an angel in the form of a word from God, or a song, or even a gesture. God will minister and can use an angel who will touch us, and encourage us to continue. The Angel of Lord implies this is an appearance of the pre- incarnate Christ. Here He comforts Elijah with words imploring him to rise and be nurtured, because the journey is too great for him. We were not meant to live this life in this self-imposed vacuum. We must never attempt to live this life in Christ in our own strength. We must always look to the Lord in our times of trouble, knowing that His strength will lift us up.
#4 There is absolute strength in the Food of the Lord
“So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8). Horeb was 200 miles away, where Moses met God on the mountain. That’s over unforgiving terrain and limited to no water in the hot, dry, desert.
Elijah was able to complete this journey because he obeyed the words of the Angel, “Arise and eat.” He was then sustained and able to continue because of the strength which he received from that food. You and I will also receive strength for our journey as we gain the power and are nurtured by the food of the Word of God:
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(Hebrews 5:13-14).
Do you remember these verses from last week? God’s Word, the Word of righteousness, is our strong food. Are you partaking of it to gain strength and spiritual nourishment for your journey with the Lord? Today, rise up and partake of His Word, and go on in the power it gives.
Elijah would go on and face more challenges along the way, as we all will. But with the Lord at his side, and a desire to fulfill God’s will in His heart, he would complete his work, and be taken into glory. Stand up child of God! Move forward in the power and name of the Lord! When you put on the whole armor of God you having done all can stand. Then you can be walk as Paul commended Eph 6:10 Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Amen,
May God bless His word to us, in us and use us for His glory forever Amen.
Sermon October 4
What is needed in this hour wisdom is needed in this hour to be able to exercise discernment of good and evil
Thank God He promise to give us another Helper, to be with us forever (Jn. 14:16) and He is the Spirit of Truth who will lead us in the everlasting truth which is the wisdom of God. To be led you must demonstrate obedience or the Spirit cannot lead for you will deny the Holy Spirit and He will be quenched and unavailable. So you say to me why do we need the Holy Spirit. I give you the following for a national publication and daily newsletter (Huckaby)-The title is "NORMALIZED" - The Liberal, communist, democratic party, left has in these latter days “normalized” marijuana; supported and approved the burning of the American flag; endorsed and sponsored rioting, looting, racism (yes, anti- white racism is OK); kneeling during the National Anthem; attacking the police; got their cronies and pals to authorize censorship of the Internet; has enabled politicizing movies, sports and TV (all in the direction of liberalism/socialism and especially communism); approved segregation again; and the banning of free speech on campus; dictated and approved abortion up to and beyond birth; and entitled kiddie porn on Netflixs. So how could they possibly sink any lower? How about by trying to “normalize” Satan himself, witchcraft and Satanism as forms of legitimate worship? Yes, it is happening here in the good ole USA.So based upon these indicators it is my estimation that we have a major problem and we need wisdom which leads us to discernment.Discernment is being able to distinguish right from what is nearly right - SpurgeonIn this areaHebrews 5:9-149 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” {God of Peace and righteousness}11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [b]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {the Spirit of God is the discerner} He will lead you into all truth. He has brought you here for just this time. Let”s no miss our moment for which He has called us.Points verse by verse- follow me please!In Verses 9 and 10 the writer wanted to tell these Hebrew peoples about the King called Melchizedek. This King who is a forerunner of Christ is both the king of righteousness and the king of Salem or peace. Both of these characteristics and specifically unique and are demonstrated in the life, death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But because of the problems with the people he must stop and point our problems which need correctionVerse 11 – we have much to say but you have become dull of hearing. There is a whole lot of meaning built into these words – dull of hearing. Specifically, how did they become dull of hearing? From what the writer says here and later the previously knew what was right and true. We have been using a verse from the OT which provides a clear answer - Deut 30:17 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, Dull of hearing means just that, they no longer hear with the same intensity which they did previously, their hearts have turned away and they are being drawn continually into further sin. Jesus provided a similar commentary for those in the New Testament in Matt 13:13 - Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.Verse 12 – you should be teachers by now based upon the time and teaching you have received, but you have fallen so far away that you are spiritual babies. The had devolved in learning instead of maturing and now needed to be refed the bottle of milk instead of the meat of the word of God. Spiritual food comes from the word of God and is necessary for growth.Verse 13 reinforces this stating your babies and not mature. You say you want the truth but bottom line – you can’t handle the truth! 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 2 Tim 2:15 _ 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Verse 14 _ 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The application of discernment and wisdom by a believer comes from those who practice what they preach. An athlete understands that to have continued exceptional use of their muscles requires practice and continued repetition. No pain no gain or ability to maintain. So for you and I there is no other way but to study, and pray and meditate on the Word of God. We should be able to minister to others using the ingrafted word of God which is able to save to the uttermost.It is time for the Paladins of the Lord to stand having girded themselves with all that is in Jesus Christ. And having done all to be able to stand in the evil day, fully armed and prepared for the battle who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Discernment the ability to tell the difference between the truth and what almost is the truth. Amen In the name of Yeshua Hamashiach.
Yeshua Hamashiach means "Jesus the Messiah." The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which is the shortened form of the name Yehoshua. From this Hebrew word we also get the name Joshua (Joshua 5:15) or Hoshea (Numbers 13:8; Deuteronomy 33:44). The name means "salvation"
Another newsflash. This game is called you choose or you lose – NBA or USA, NFL or USA, MLB or USA? I choose the USA, how about you? Will you join or allow others to join in the cult of the selfish individual. Being frightfully unaware of the danger behind their cultish adoration of China as their puppet master and the death that will result from their worship at the feet of money. I choose the land of the free and the brave. There is always a price for freedom are we willing to pay the cost of obedience?
What is needed in this hour wisdom is needed in this hour to be able to exercise discernment of good and evil
Thank God He promise to give us another Helper, to be with us forever (Jn. 14:16) and He is the Spirit of Truth who will lead us in the everlasting truth which is the wisdom of God. To be led you must demonstrate obedience or the Spirit cannot lead for you will deny the Holy Spirit and He will be quenched and unavailable. So you say to me why do we need the Holy Spirit. I give you the following for a national publication and daily newsletter (Huckaby)-The title is "NORMALIZED" - The Liberal, communist, democratic party, left has in these latter days “normalized” marijuana; supported and approved the burning of the American flag; endorsed and sponsored rioting, looting, racism (yes, anti- white racism is OK); kneeling during the National Anthem; attacking the police; got their cronies and pals to authorize censorship of the Internet; has enabled politicizing movies, sports and TV (all in the direction of liberalism/socialism and especially communism); approved segregation again; and the banning of free speech on campus; dictated and approved abortion up to and beyond birth; and entitled kiddie porn on Netflixs. So how could they possibly sink any lower? How about by trying to “normalize” Satan himself, witchcraft and Satanism as forms of legitimate worship? Yes, it is happening here in the good ole USA.So based upon these indicators it is my estimation that we have a major problem and we need wisdom which leads us to discernment.Discernment is being able to distinguish right from what is nearly right - SpurgeonIn this areaHebrews 5:9-149 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” {God of Peace and righteousness}11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [b]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {the Spirit of God is the discerner} He will lead you into all truth. He has brought you here for just this time. Let”s no miss our moment for which He has called us.Points verse by verse- follow me please!In Verses 9 and 10 the writer wanted to tell these Hebrew peoples about the King called Melchizedek. This King who is a forerunner of Christ is both the king of righteousness and the king of Salem or peace. Both of these characteristics and specifically unique and are demonstrated in the life, death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But because of the problems with the people he must stop and point our problems which need correctionVerse 11 – we have much to say but you have become dull of hearing. There is a whole lot of meaning built into these words – dull of hearing. Specifically, how did they become dull of hearing? From what the writer says here and later the previously knew what was right and true. We have been using a verse from the OT which provides a clear answer - Deut 30:17 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, Dull of hearing means just that, they no longer hear with the same intensity which they did previously, their hearts have turned away and they are being drawn continually into further sin. Jesus provided a similar commentary for those in the New Testament in Matt 13:13 - Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.Verse 12 – you should be teachers by now based upon the time and teaching you have received, but you have fallen so far away that you are spiritual babies. The had devolved in learning instead of maturing and now needed to be refed the bottle of milk instead of the meat of the word of God. Spiritual food comes from the word of God and is necessary for growth.Verse 13 reinforces this stating your babies and not mature. You say you want the truth but bottom line – you can’t handle the truth! 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 2 Tim 2:15 _ 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Verse 14 _ 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [c]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The application of discernment and wisdom by a believer comes from those who practice what they preach. An athlete understands that to have continued exceptional use of their muscles requires practice and continued repetition. No pain no gain or ability to maintain. So for you and I there is no other way but to study, and pray and meditate on the Word of God. We should be able to minister to others using the ingrafted word of God which is able to save to the uttermost.It is time for the Paladins of the Lord to stand having girded themselves with all that is in Jesus Christ. And having done all to be able to stand in the evil day, fully armed and prepared for the battle who by reason of [d]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Discernment the ability to tell the difference between the truth and what almost is the truth. Amen In the name of Yeshua Hamashiach.
Yeshua Hamashiach means "Jesus the Messiah." The name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which is the shortened form of the name Yehoshua. From this Hebrew word we also get the name Joshua (Joshua 5:15) or Hoshea (Numbers 13:8; Deuteronomy 33:44). The name means "salvation"
Another newsflash. This game is called you choose or you lose – NBA or USA, NFL or USA, MLB or USA? I choose the USA, how about you? Will you join or allow others to join in the cult of the selfish individual. Being frightfully unaware of the danger behind their cultish adoration of China as their puppet master and the death that will result from their worship at the feet of money. I choose the land of the free and the brave. There is always a price for freedom are we willing to pay the cost of obedience?
Sermon September 27
God keeps shaking the Church and there is an interesting statement in 1st Chronicles 12- verse 32 - 32 of the sons of Issachar who understood the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; This is an amazing verse which God flows us - Of all the tribes of Israel, special mentions is made of the tribe of Issachar who understood the times, to know what Israel ought to do…and all their brethren were at their command. In the prophetic book of Hosea Chapter 4, verse 6 God’s word says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”From these scriptures we can draw two conclusion - First that Gods people perish for a lack of knowledge not because they don’t have an opportunity to know truth but because they reject the truth. But God wants and values a people who are like the sons of Issachar who understand the times and apply the truth of God’s word to know the truth and to use it. And the scripture says to when given this trust and blessing all our brethren should listen and apply their commands. I believe God want us as sons of Issachar today.So if you catch the meaning, God’s people have departed from God, and have rejected Him and from knowing the truth. Similar to Israel, America, our nation is just not spiraling away from God it is accelerating rapidly. And just when you think there couldn’t be more confusion in a messy market place God terminates the life of Ruth Vader Ginsburg and takes her away. And you think that God didn’t know this was to happen. Folks there is no uncertainty here or in heaven except in our minds - God is in control of the events on this earth. So where should the church be - they should be the sons of Issachar who understood the times, to know what Israel ought to do. Notice in Hosea 4. the people perish for a lack of knowledge but it isn’t because there is no knowledge but they have rejected knowledge and because of this they are destroyed. So you should be informed for you, if you are a believer, you should have knowledge and wisdom. Are you truly yielded to the Holy Spirit? He is the Teacher and will give you all truth. And when He speaks, He speaks right from the throne room of Heaven. (Romans 8:27)Prophetically, in History our times today parallels what happened in the days of Elisha. It is called spiritual rebellion; the Nation had turned away. The Israelites called good evil and evil good and sacrificed their children to Moloch. Because of this rebellion God sent hard times and prophets to proclaim His truth to the people. God also sent sickness, plagues, conquest by foreign nations - Assyria, Greece, Rome and others just like He promised in the 28th chapter of the Deuteronomy that He would follow through on either blessings or cursing’s based upon their heartfelt devotion to God.So God proceeds to warn the people and to draw them back to Himself, even in their most difficult and terrible sins. He sends prophets with testimonies, instructions and assistance Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah includes Hosea, and deliverers the nation to plagues, sickness but maybe today God will serve to wake up to God’s activity. These are the days of Elisha. We are in the days or repent or perish because we have turned away.Wake up you are living in America, you are living in the days of Elisha today for it is God calling to His people to Return. Return to Me- Zechariah 1:3 says. Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. In Historically, There have been two nations specifically founded by God. In the Old Testament He called Israel to be His people and In the New Testament God has established a covenant people in America. If you have read the Harbinger you know the story of the covenant established her by the founding fathers. The hand of God was deeply upon the revolution and the establishment of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. That is the truth of our History no matter what lies are told today. Both Nations have a founding covenant, but America’s founding is derived from the founding of Israel. Now who establishes Covenants? God does we don’t. As God used men and the Holy covenant of Abraham He built the nation of Israel. The Abramic covenant has been extended to America by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The foundation of the principles of separation of powers into three branches of government is from the Bible and was put there by leaders who were biblical scholars and chosen by God. Do you suppose the picture of George Washington in Valley Forge was put there by accident? America was to be a city set on a Hill, it was to be a people distinctly used by God. And it has been - we became a world power not because of greatness and goodness but because it was God’s design to counter evil. We have lost our way. One of the reasons for the separation of powers in the constitution was because the founders understood the sin in man’s heart.America was used of God in the new world and it has been, until the early 1950’s. If we are to be the Sons of Issachar we need to know that God works to draw a people back to Himself. As since we have spiraled away from God and departed, God have begun using measures of Judgement and discipline to draw us back to Himself. One of the prophetic steps of God is to remove His protective hand from His people and since the 1960’s we have more rapidly departed. God struck the land at the gates of His people in past times and 9/11/ 2001, was God striking the gates of America. When God brought a nation against Israel, they struck the gates of Jerusalem. New York is where the covenant was sealed and established. God removed His hand from the gates of New York and you must realize at the gate of the covenant cities there were two towers set up. 9/11 struck the twin towers and there was an immediate quick turning back to God. Churches were full and the people cried out to God, but there was no long-term repentance by the people. We quickly turned back to our continuing sins.Since then there has been a period of 19 years since the Twin Towers which is prophetically proclaimed using a time table established in the Old Testament. In that 19 years our sinfulness has accelerated because the people of God have not repented and turned back to God. Brethren if we continue to miss the harbingers which God has been sending then perhaps we have finally found one we can recognize. It is COVID -19. God sent another harbinger the plague- a shaking of His people and according to how God functions there is a 7-year cycle which God uses to punish our nation. The financial disaster initiated by the COVID -19 disaster is part of God calling us back to redemption, are you listening?So to be sons of Issachar we need to depend on God’s word to lead us go to II Chronicles 7:14, but begin first with verse 13 - 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Repent or perish is the call from God and He gives us the method and the practice needed to discover Himself and return to Him. We must return - 9/11/2001 was the call to return when God struck the land. Yes there was movement and people went to church and prayed but there has been no genuine repentance and returning to God by His people. Remember this is the principle God uses His church to build a nation. Where are the churches of God? I see Southern Baptists being more concerned with homosexual rights, the social gospel and Black Lives matter that the things of God. We are departed and our hearts are far from God. Quickly after a few weeks we returned to what we had been doing before. You say what are we supposed to do? God told us what to do 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. To turn back to God, is to repent and to devote yourself to His call, to give Him all your heart and soul and mind and strength. This begins with humbling yourselves before God and praying in repentance. Where is our heart today? Are we really the people of God? Are we seeking Him is penitent, persistent and petitioning prayer? Prayer Father is where your power is. Remember those in the upper room were all in one accord and they received power in prayer.Ezekiel 33:11 says - 11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’Joel 2:1 says - Blow the [a]trumpet in Zion,
And sound an alarm in My holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble;
For the day of the Lord is coming,
For it is at hand:
Joel 1:14-15 says Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;
Gather the elders
And all the inhabitants of the land
Into the house of the Lord your God,
And cry out to the Lord.
15 Alas for the day!
For the day of the Lord is at hand;
It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.
Brethren this is Old Testament and I don’t believe it relates to the final coming and ultimate destruction of all kingdoms and powers. These calamities came to the Kingdoms of Israel northern and southern because of the stubbornness of their hearts and desire to worship other Gods. This may be what is happening in America today. That is why I believe we need to do what is says in Joel. To repent and call for a solemn assembly to pray and fast and seek God for His provisions. What we are seeing are signs of Judgement upon the land and upon the people. Go back to II Chronicles 7:13 and reread this verse. Do you realize this is happening today in our world -13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,There has been unprecedented drought in the world today. Yes, we have seen torrential rains and destruction by powerful storms across our nation. There are locusts in increasing numbers across our world- News flash - 450 billion locusts have been killed this year, but devastating swarms still ravage Africa, India and the Middle East.Another news flash - The Central American Locust: another plague threatening Mexico. Drought in Colorado, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Africa, and all over the world.Do you suppose God is calling His people by shaking the foundations? Yes that is God. While President Trump is not a deep man of God, God is using Him to forestall final judgement and deliverance. Sons and children of Issachar must see and know what God is doing. But first we have to recognize the Hand of God. This shaking created by God has manifested in COVID 19. The root word for Covid has the meaning for the word crown. The shaking and intervention of God has been His hand to call for His people to repent and arise.Some of God’s people are responding to the call for a Solemn Assembly, some are responding to the call for the Prayer Walk sponsored by Franklin Graham - God is stirring the heart of His people.Remember this point when the people of God depart and their heart turns away and they no longer hear, they begin to worship and then finally serve other Gods. God beings to chastise, then discipline and then finally judge His people. These interventions into the life of the nation, these shakings including the 2016 election reflects God’s activity and follows His ways. But these don’t cease until the people repent or perish. The first step in repentance is to cry out to God for His help and His mercy. We need to remember who we serve. He has defeated all the enemies of Israel past and present. Every nation that has attacked Israel no long exist. He has used America as an ally of Israel. He has defeated all enemies including death. He is God and He is good and He is love and He has yesterday, today and tomorrow in His hands. He is God and He is real and He demands that His people who are called by His name to not only worship, but praise and more importantly serve Him. Will you repent and call out to Him right now. He is calling you to walk with Him by faith, not sight and He holds the future. Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. Amen
God keeps shaking the Church and there is an interesting statement in 1st Chronicles 12- verse 32 - 32 of the sons of Issachar who understood the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; This is an amazing verse which God flows us - Of all the tribes of Israel, special mentions is made of the tribe of Issachar who understood the times, to know what Israel ought to do…and all their brethren were at their command. In the prophetic book of Hosea Chapter 4, verse 6 God’s word says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”From these scriptures we can draw two conclusion - First that Gods people perish for a lack of knowledge not because they don’t have an opportunity to know truth but because they reject the truth. But God wants and values a people who are like the sons of Issachar who understand the times and apply the truth of God’s word to know the truth and to use it. And the scripture says to when given this trust and blessing all our brethren should listen and apply their commands. I believe God want us as sons of Issachar today.So if you catch the meaning, God’s people have departed from God, and have rejected Him and from knowing the truth. Similar to Israel, America, our nation is just not spiraling away from God it is accelerating rapidly. And just when you think there couldn’t be more confusion in a messy market place God terminates the life of Ruth Vader Ginsburg and takes her away. And you think that God didn’t know this was to happen. Folks there is no uncertainty here or in heaven except in our minds - God is in control of the events on this earth. So where should the church be - they should be the sons of Issachar who understood the times, to know what Israel ought to do. Notice in Hosea 4. the people perish for a lack of knowledge but it isn’t because there is no knowledge but they have rejected knowledge and because of this they are destroyed. So you should be informed for you, if you are a believer, you should have knowledge and wisdom. Are you truly yielded to the Holy Spirit? He is the Teacher and will give you all truth. And when He speaks, He speaks right from the throne room of Heaven. (Romans 8:27)Prophetically, in History our times today parallels what happened in the days of Elisha. It is called spiritual rebellion; the Nation had turned away. The Israelites called good evil and evil good and sacrificed their children to Moloch. Because of this rebellion God sent hard times and prophets to proclaim His truth to the people. God also sent sickness, plagues, conquest by foreign nations - Assyria, Greece, Rome and others just like He promised in the 28th chapter of the Deuteronomy that He would follow through on either blessings or cursing’s based upon their heartfelt devotion to God.So God proceeds to warn the people and to draw them back to Himself, even in their most difficult and terrible sins. He sends prophets with testimonies, instructions and assistance Ezekiel, Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah includes Hosea, and deliverers the nation to plagues, sickness but maybe today God will serve to wake up to God’s activity. These are the days of Elisha. We are in the days or repent or perish because we have turned away.Wake up you are living in America, you are living in the days of Elisha today for it is God calling to His people to Return. Return to Me- Zechariah 1:3 says. Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. In Historically, There have been two nations specifically founded by God. In the Old Testament He called Israel to be His people and In the New Testament God has established a covenant people in America. If you have read the Harbinger you know the story of the covenant established her by the founding fathers. The hand of God was deeply upon the revolution and the establishment of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. That is the truth of our History no matter what lies are told today. Both Nations have a founding covenant, but America’s founding is derived from the founding of Israel. Now who establishes Covenants? God does we don’t. As God used men and the Holy covenant of Abraham He built the nation of Israel. The Abramic covenant has been extended to America by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The foundation of the principles of separation of powers into three branches of government is from the Bible and was put there by leaders who were biblical scholars and chosen by God. Do you suppose the picture of George Washington in Valley Forge was put there by accident? America was to be a city set on a Hill, it was to be a people distinctly used by God. And it has been - we became a world power not because of greatness and goodness but because it was God’s design to counter evil. We have lost our way. One of the reasons for the separation of powers in the constitution was because the founders understood the sin in man’s heart.America was used of God in the new world and it has been, until the early 1950’s. If we are to be the Sons of Issachar we need to know that God works to draw a people back to Himself. As since we have spiraled away from God and departed, God have begun using measures of Judgement and discipline to draw us back to Himself. One of the prophetic steps of God is to remove His protective hand from His people and since the 1960’s we have more rapidly departed. God struck the land at the gates of His people in past times and 9/11/ 2001, was God striking the gates of America. When God brought a nation against Israel, they struck the gates of Jerusalem. New York is where the covenant was sealed and established. God removed His hand from the gates of New York and you must realize at the gate of the covenant cities there were two towers set up. 9/11 struck the twin towers and there was an immediate quick turning back to God. Churches were full and the people cried out to God, but there was no long-term repentance by the people. We quickly turned back to our continuing sins.Since then there has been a period of 19 years since the Twin Towers which is prophetically proclaimed using a time table established in the Old Testament. In that 19 years our sinfulness has accelerated because the people of God have not repented and turned back to God. Brethren if we continue to miss the harbingers which God has been sending then perhaps we have finally found one we can recognize. It is COVID -19. God sent another harbinger the plague- a shaking of His people and according to how God functions there is a 7-year cycle which God uses to punish our nation. The financial disaster initiated by the COVID -19 disaster is part of God calling us back to redemption, are you listening?So to be sons of Issachar we need to depend on God’s word to lead us go to II Chronicles 7:14, but begin first with verse 13 - 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Repent or perish is the call from God and He gives us the method and the practice needed to discover Himself and return to Him. We must return - 9/11/2001 was the call to return when God struck the land. Yes there was movement and people went to church and prayed but there has been no genuine repentance and returning to God by His people. Remember this is the principle God uses His church to build a nation. Where are the churches of God? I see Southern Baptists being more concerned with homosexual rights, the social gospel and Black Lives matter that the things of God. We are departed and our hearts are far from God. Quickly after a few weeks we returned to what we had been doing before. You say what are we supposed to do? God told us what to do 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. To turn back to God, is to repent and to devote yourself to His call, to give Him all your heart and soul and mind and strength. This begins with humbling yourselves before God and praying in repentance. Where is our heart today? Are we really the people of God? Are we seeking Him is penitent, persistent and petitioning prayer? Prayer Father is where your power is. Remember those in the upper room were all in one accord and they received power in prayer.Ezekiel 33:11 says - 11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’Joel 2:1 says - Blow the [a]trumpet in Zion,
And sound an alarm in My holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble;
For the day of the Lord is coming,
For it is at hand:
Joel 1:14-15 says Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;
Gather the elders
And all the inhabitants of the land
Into the house of the Lord your God,
And cry out to the Lord.
15 Alas for the day!
For the day of the Lord is at hand;
It shall come as destruction from the Almighty.
Brethren this is Old Testament and I don’t believe it relates to the final coming and ultimate destruction of all kingdoms and powers. These calamities came to the Kingdoms of Israel northern and southern because of the stubbornness of their hearts and desire to worship other Gods. This may be what is happening in America today. That is why I believe we need to do what is says in Joel. To repent and call for a solemn assembly to pray and fast and seek God for His provisions. What we are seeing are signs of Judgement upon the land and upon the people. Go back to II Chronicles 7:13 and reread this verse. Do you realize this is happening today in our world -13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,There has been unprecedented drought in the world today. Yes, we have seen torrential rains and destruction by powerful storms across our nation. There are locusts in increasing numbers across our world- News flash - 450 billion locusts have been killed this year, but devastating swarms still ravage Africa, India and the Middle East.Another news flash - The Central American Locust: another plague threatening Mexico. Drought in Colorado, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Africa, and all over the world.Do you suppose God is calling His people by shaking the foundations? Yes that is God. While President Trump is not a deep man of God, God is using Him to forestall final judgement and deliverance. Sons and children of Issachar must see and know what God is doing. But first we have to recognize the Hand of God. This shaking created by God has manifested in COVID 19. The root word for Covid has the meaning for the word crown. The shaking and intervention of God has been His hand to call for His people to repent and arise.Some of God’s people are responding to the call for a Solemn Assembly, some are responding to the call for the Prayer Walk sponsored by Franklin Graham - God is stirring the heart of His people.Remember this point when the people of God depart and their heart turns away and they no longer hear, they begin to worship and then finally serve other Gods. God beings to chastise, then discipline and then finally judge His people. These interventions into the life of the nation, these shakings including the 2016 election reflects God’s activity and follows His ways. But these don’t cease until the people repent or perish. The first step in repentance is to cry out to God for His help and His mercy. We need to remember who we serve. He has defeated all the enemies of Israel past and present. Every nation that has attacked Israel no long exist. He has used America as an ally of Israel. He has defeated all enemies including death. He is God and He is good and He is love and He has yesterday, today and tomorrow in His hands. He is God and He is real and He demands that His people who are called by His name to not only worship, but praise and more importantly serve Him. Will you repent and call out to Him right now. He is calling you to walk with Him by faith, not sight and He holds the future. Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. Amen
Sermon September 13
Today we begin a personal and profound spiritual journey to reconnect with God, our Father. You say what is this? I have not departed from God at least I don’t think I have departed from Him, so why are you intimating that we, that is you and I have. It is plain before your face, look at what is happening here in America. Yes, we look at the circumstances and we may be tempted to say it is Spiritual Warfare as we have discussed beforehand. And there is definitely elements of spiritual warfare involved in our personal battles. But, before you and I make a definitive judgement about what we are experiencing in America and personally, perhaps we should check out what the Word of God indicates.12 times in the Old Testament there are times when the people departed from God and God pricked the heart of a leader to cause the people to return to Him. You can begin in Exodus and go through the book of Joel, including 1st and 2nd Kings and Chronicles and all the prophets of God, major prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah; Ezekiel and all the minor prophets discuss the actions of God and His response when His people descend into depravity. Go with me now and let’s discuss what happens when the people drift away and gradually depart from God. Now mind you this has been happening here in America since the late 1950’s, more evidenced in the 1960’s and later by multiple Supreme Court decisions about prayer, use of Bible in the classroom and courtroom, until today where you have gross sexual sin openly displayed in Child pornography, gender issues, and free range on abortion and foul language tolerated in the streets. Tolerance for pornography on television and in the movies and all sorts of murder and killing is a daily thing. Now we are specifically focusing on how God’s people respond in the midst of this mess.So how do we depart it is quite simple, write these down these steps in departing -1. Initially God Himself calls a people to be on mission with Him - redeem a lost world2. Depart - His people gradually fall and substitute other things for His presence, His purposes and His ways. This is a self-destructive condition3. God brings discipline His people to lead them back to Himself because of His love for us. He can use anything natural disasters, health problems, relationship issues, economic or social problems to discipline us even foreign armies, pestilence and calamities.4.God’s people cry out for Him to help. The intensity of what we face will increase until God’s people cry out and begin to return to Him. It gets to a point where His people can no longer ignore Him or what He is saying check out Deut. 28:15-68. We see this same process and end result played out when we look repeated at the parable of the prodigal son in the New Testament in Luke 15. When the Son comes to full repentance and awareness of His sin He confesses and, in that confession, prepares Himself to come back to His Father. We see the results when we look at verses 17-23- 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, [f]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’Here we see recognition of his condition only after his circumstances were abominable and he had no friends, or resources to draw up. So how did he get in this condition lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and pride of life are always the way we depart.5. God calls His people to repent and return to Him or perish. This has happened several times in scripture where the nation of Israel, whether northern or southern kingdom were destroyed. Yes there remained a remnant but never to glory once held before. If we do not repent, we perish.6. If God’s people repent, He brings revival by restoring them to a right relationship with Himself. 12 times God revived His people in the OT under Moses, under David, under Asa, Hezekiah, under Jehosephat and others. And when God brings revival to His people like His did at Pentecost with those praying in the upper room a 7th event occurs. If they don’t repent they perish.7.Those who have been revived by Jesus Christ see God draw unbelievers to Himself for salvationWhere might we be today in these 7 steps? I believe we are in step 3, God is bringing discipline against His people for the purpose of bringing us to revival. But to have revival you must awaken and become aware of what is happening. You cannot be revived if you are unaware of your fetid condition before God. If you continue in your attitude and sin you will surely perish. You need to remember that God pursues a continuing love relationship for His stubborn, arrogant and foolish people who are unaware of what He is doing. Only recognition of the love of his father caused the prodigal son to repent. It is the same with us. Until we recognize that God relentlessly pursues us to draw us unto Himself we have limited awareness of His activity. Jeremiah 7:13 tells us that God pursues us even when we would not answer back.1 Peter 2:9 says, 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;This is where our Father wants us to be. He wants us in right relationship with Himself. Hebrews 3:12-13 should give us caution however, 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but [b]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.When our hearts become hardened is when we depart. Look at how America has turned our back on God in the Court cases and rejection by a political party, we have seen rendered against God being part of our nation and our heritage. We should be affronted not on the basis of what we have lost but because our God has been dishonored and His great name disparaged. And the people called by His name don’t’ appear to care or understand. If not why?Do you suppose there might be a problem? Our hearts have turned away and we no longer hear and we have gone off and worshiped something else and are now serving them. Let’s be honest before God - we are not where we need to be before Him. Many of us have substituted religious activity for a genuine relationship with our God. We find many substitutes for God look at the woman at the well in John 4. She substituted sexual relations for a real relationship. She was starving and yet when she replied to Jesus she brought up religious activity and other actions which were substitutes for God’s activity. Until Jesus reached her she did not know her need which was for a savior.Anger, backsliding, pornography are all means of backsliding away from God and His provision. They are spiritual indicators of issues within the person which can lead to an outright rejection of God caused by accumulated sin and our hardness of heart. Sin and the hard-human heart are the problem.Yes sin in our is the problem. Do we think that all this disaster, distress and on-coming persecution is the result of a personal attack from Satan, or is this perhaps the discipline of the Lord? Repeat the question. Understand, when we sin and we walk away from God if our hearts are hardened and we have departed from Him we may believe that our distress is spiritual warfare when in fact it is the discipline of God upon us, drawing us back to Himself. Think about it deeply.In the Old Testament book of 1st Kings 17, we have the story of King Ahab and his corrupt wife Jezebel. They worshiped Baal and believed he was the one who brought the rain crucial for harvesting and prospering the nation. Offerings were made to Baal to ensure the rains would come and to ask for bumper crops. God responded to the apostacy of His people by sending a famine for 3.5 years, for God’s people had abandoned Him. Elijah was the prophet of God who announced this disciple and judgement given by God upon the people. Do you think that the God who is the same perpetually has changed in these latter days? Open your eyes and behold the hand of the Lord who has removed His protective hand upon our country and allowed the removal of all restraint to happen After 3.5 years of unproductive Baal worship and failure to provide the needed offerings God sent Elijah to the people to demonstrate His power; make them aware of His person and His position as deliverer. You can use the words of Joshua to state the question which Elisha was asking --- choose today whom you will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. They were to chooseGod in Elijah had a great victory that day for God prevented the sacrifice of the priests of Baal upon their altar and Elijah mocked them in front of 50K+ Israelites. God then in spite of all the water on the bull consumed the sacrifice with a blue flame. Then God removed the evil in the land for 400 prophets of Baal and 450 others were slain below Mt. Carmel. God uses civil unrest, wars, plagues, all sorts of natural disasters, fevers leprosy and personal conflict to bring judgement and discipline upon his people.God may also hide His presence and cause a famine for the Word of God, not speaking to His chosen people. God may allow your loved ones to suffer the consequences of your sin by removing the hedge of protection He has provided. Your personal sin is also a hard barrier. Check out Isaiah 59:1-3 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with [a]blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.Your sin separates you from God. So how about an honest assessment - have you seriously pursued your love relationship and been obedient to all that God has called you to do? Or has there been a great lull in hearing the voice of God. Do you sense God speaking to you from His word? Is there a need for a fresh encounter? You can meet Him today at the altar in prayer and He will do business with you right now. Are you prepared to meet Him? He is a consuming fire.Will you covenant to meet with God for 10 days of prayer and fasting in preparation for a solemn assembly on Saturday 26 September 2020?
Today we begin a personal and profound spiritual journey to reconnect with God, our Father. You say what is this? I have not departed from God at least I don’t think I have departed from Him, so why are you intimating that we, that is you and I have. It is plain before your face, look at what is happening here in America. Yes, we look at the circumstances and we may be tempted to say it is Spiritual Warfare as we have discussed beforehand. And there is definitely elements of spiritual warfare involved in our personal battles. But, before you and I make a definitive judgement about what we are experiencing in America and personally, perhaps we should check out what the Word of God indicates.12 times in the Old Testament there are times when the people departed from God and God pricked the heart of a leader to cause the people to return to Him. You can begin in Exodus and go through the book of Joel, including 1st and 2nd Kings and Chronicles and all the prophets of God, major prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah; Ezekiel and all the minor prophets discuss the actions of God and His response when His people descend into depravity. Go with me now and let’s discuss what happens when the people drift away and gradually depart from God. Now mind you this has been happening here in America since the late 1950’s, more evidenced in the 1960’s and later by multiple Supreme Court decisions about prayer, use of Bible in the classroom and courtroom, until today where you have gross sexual sin openly displayed in Child pornography, gender issues, and free range on abortion and foul language tolerated in the streets. Tolerance for pornography on television and in the movies and all sorts of murder and killing is a daily thing. Now we are specifically focusing on how God’s people respond in the midst of this mess.So how do we depart it is quite simple, write these down these steps in departing -1. Initially God Himself calls a people to be on mission with Him - redeem a lost world2. Depart - His people gradually fall and substitute other things for His presence, His purposes and His ways. This is a self-destructive condition3. God brings discipline His people to lead them back to Himself because of His love for us. He can use anything natural disasters, health problems, relationship issues, economic or social problems to discipline us even foreign armies, pestilence and calamities.4.God’s people cry out for Him to help. The intensity of what we face will increase until God’s people cry out and begin to return to Him. It gets to a point where His people can no longer ignore Him or what He is saying check out Deut. 28:15-68. We see this same process and end result played out when we look repeated at the parable of the prodigal son in the New Testament in Luke 15. When the Son comes to full repentance and awareness of His sin He confesses and, in that confession, prepares Himself to come back to His Father. We see the results when we look at verses 17-23- 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, [f]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’Here we see recognition of his condition only after his circumstances were abominable and he had no friends, or resources to draw up. So how did he get in this condition lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and pride of life are always the way we depart.5. God calls His people to repent and return to Him or perish. This has happened several times in scripture where the nation of Israel, whether northern or southern kingdom were destroyed. Yes there remained a remnant but never to glory once held before. If we do not repent, we perish.6. If God’s people repent, He brings revival by restoring them to a right relationship with Himself. 12 times God revived His people in the OT under Moses, under David, under Asa, Hezekiah, under Jehosephat and others. And when God brings revival to His people like His did at Pentecost with those praying in the upper room a 7th event occurs. If they don’t repent they perish.7.Those who have been revived by Jesus Christ see God draw unbelievers to Himself for salvationWhere might we be today in these 7 steps? I believe we are in step 3, God is bringing discipline against His people for the purpose of bringing us to revival. But to have revival you must awaken and become aware of what is happening. You cannot be revived if you are unaware of your fetid condition before God. If you continue in your attitude and sin you will surely perish. You need to remember that God pursues a continuing love relationship for His stubborn, arrogant and foolish people who are unaware of what He is doing. Only recognition of the love of his father caused the prodigal son to repent. It is the same with us. Until we recognize that God relentlessly pursues us to draw us unto Himself we have limited awareness of His activity. Jeremiah 7:13 tells us that God pursues us even when we would not answer back.1 Peter 2:9 says, 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;This is where our Father wants us to be. He wants us in right relationship with Himself. Hebrews 3:12-13 should give us caution however, 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but [b]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.When our hearts become hardened is when we depart. Look at how America has turned our back on God in the Court cases and rejection by a political party, we have seen rendered against God being part of our nation and our heritage. We should be affronted not on the basis of what we have lost but because our God has been dishonored and His great name disparaged. And the people called by His name don’t’ appear to care or understand. If not why?Do you suppose there might be a problem? Our hearts have turned away and we no longer hear and we have gone off and worshiped something else and are now serving them. Let’s be honest before God - we are not where we need to be before Him. Many of us have substituted religious activity for a genuine relationship with our God. We find many substitutes for God look at the woman at the well in John 4. She substituted sexual relations for a real relationship. She was starving and yet when she replied to Jesus she brought up religious activity and other actions which were substitutes for God’s activity. Until Jesus reached her she did not know her need which was for a savior.Anger, backsliding, pornography are all means of backsliding away from God and His provision. They are spiritual indicators of issues within the person which can lead to an outright rejection of God caused by accumulated sin and our hardness of heart. Sin and the hard-human heart are the problem.Yes sin in our is the problem. Do we think that all this disaster, distress and on-coming persecution is the result of a personal attack from Satan, or is this perhaps the discipline of the Lord? Repeat the question. Understand, when we sin and we walk away from God if our hearts are hardened and we have departed from Him we may believe that our distress is spiritual warfare when in fact it is the discipline of God upon us, drawing us back to Himself. Think about it deeply.In the Old Testament book of 1st Kings 17, we have the story of King Ahab and his corrupt wife Jezebel. They worshiped Baal and believed he was the one who brought the rain crucial for harvesting and prospering the nation. Offerings were made to Baal to ensure the rains would come and to ask for bumper crops. God responded to the apostacy of His people by sending a famine for 3.5 years, for God’s people had abandoned Him. Elijah was the prophet of God who announced this disciple and judgement given by God upon the people. Do you think that the God who is the same perpetually has changed in these latter days? Open your eyes and behold the hand of the Lord who has removed His protective hand upon our country and allowed the removal of all restraint to happen After 3.5 years of unproductive Baal worship and failure to provide the needed offerings God sent Elijah to the people to demonstrate His power; make them aware of His person and His position as deliverer. You can use the words of Joshua to state the question which Elisha was asking --- choose today whom you will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. They were to chooseGod in Elijah had a great victory that day for God prevented the sacrifice of the priests of Baal upon their altar and Elijah mocked them in front of 50K+ Israelites. God then in spite of all the water on the bull consumed the sacrifice with a blue flame. Then God removed the evil in the land for 400 prophets of Baal and 450 others were slain below Mt. Carmel. God uses civil unrest, wars, plagues, all sorts of natural disasters, fevers leprosy and personal conflict to bring judgement and discipline upon his people.God may also hide His presence and cause a famine for the Word of God, not speaking to His chosen people. God may allow your loved ones to suffer the consequences of your sin by removing the hedge of protection He has provided. Your personal sin is also a hard barrier. Check out Isaiah 59:1-3 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with [a]blood,
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken lies,
Your tongue has muttered perversity.Your sin separates you from God. So how about an honest assessment - have you seriously pursued your love relationship and been obedient to all that God has called you to do? Or has there been a great lull in hearing the voice of God. Do you sense God speaking to you from His word? Is there a need for a fresh encounter? You can meet Him today at the altar in prayer and He will do business with you right now. Are you prepared to meet Him? He is a consuming fire.Will you covenant to meet with God for 10 days of prayer and fasting in preparation for a solemn assembly on Saturday 26 September 2020?
Sermon September 6
In today’s market place we are to contend for the truth. Our truth is in a person who is the TRUTH – His name is Jesus Christ. In addition to the Truth, He is the Way to salvation and deliverance from sin; and He is the life for today and for eternity, for without Him there is no life except in Christ.With all the hostility and anger being expressed in today’s media and in all the protests, you sometimes wonder how can we function. And to make matters worse there is an absolute test case of liberals, who hate the church in the state of California. If you think this is a one off and it is not going to come to a church near you just wait. If Biden wins the election AOC will shut down churches nationwide in an absolute heartbeat because of your hate for equality and justice and the non- inclusiveness of you homophobic sanctimonious fools. But in the middle of all this Jesus has a message for you - Pray for them who despitefully use you. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 13:11 - But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.Jesus further promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. That where you are He is with you. We can become so focused on those who taunt, curse and shout at us to the point where we become angry and wish to retaliate and ensure justice is done on these perpetrators. Now some people actually hate you and what you represent, but many are just plain lost sheep and following the herd. Why, because they are dumb sheep, as Jesus told us, who have no Shepherd; especially a Good Shepherd who desires to lead them in paths of righteousness for His Names sake. Even to lead us in the valley of the shadow of death, there He desires to comfort them.So God wants us to remember who is the enemy of our souls - Satan, and who is the perpetrator of deception upon those who are disoriented to God. But God is always at workThis week I heard the testimony of Starr Parker a wonderful Christian witness who was saved out of drugs, disease, and sexual sin, because someone confronted her with the fact that God hated her life style. Here is a black woman in the depths of sin, who is challenged at the very point of her sin as she was trying to get Christian business people to augment her welfare check under the table and they would not do it. She was told her lifestyle was unacceptable and she challenged them. Wo doesn’t like my lifestyle and the answer was God doesn’t like your lifestyle. She never considered there was a God in heaven who actually cared about how she lived. Because of this question and the persistence of these men calling her to come to church - she found she was a sinner, who God loved and He was calling her to salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. She became a whosoever will, who called upon the name of the Lord to be saved and she received a savior and salvation. This was because of a hard question and statement about her sin filled lifestyle. AmenIt says in 1 Peter 3:15,- that you and I should; always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;Did you hear this word for you and I. So how do we prepare for combat. That’s right warfare and serious it is. More serious than you know. As many of us can testify we believe there is renewed urgency because the time is short and we are called to go, for today is the day of salvation. So what do we need to do - turn to the Word of God.II Corinthians 10:1-6 - The Spiritual War1Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal {earthly} but mighty in God {of the Holy Spirit} for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God {internal and external}, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. {personal requirement for obedience}We must understand 4 truths from this passageI. We do not walk according to our flesh- if we do we fail {verse 3}II. Our Weapons are not carnal or earthly, but are of the Holy Spirit {verse 4}III. Applying these weapons we are to tear down {strongholds and arguments} everything internally and externally which exalts itself against what we are to know about God. {verse 5}IV. Bring every thought captive to Christ until our personal requirement for obedience is fulfilled {verse 6}So, how is this done? It begins with a desire in the heart of the believer to do what we are commanded “Be ye holy” as Christ is holy and righteous.This urge from God may require you to repent. Here is what I have found - as I walk closer to Christ each day I discover how far away I am from His standard of perfection. At the same time that standard of perfection is His desire for my life, yet I am not able to achieve it without surrendering myself, my life my all to Him. This sounds difficult and it is but it isn’t at the same time. Foliow along and see if this makes senseThe promise of God In James 5 is this: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.I guess the basic question is how to draw close to God? Well I can give you the standard formula of prayer, bible study, worship and fellowship. But to many this means nothing so try this one Eph 6:Step 1 recognize the battleground and your enemy 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Step 2 Know you must make preparations for combat . Begin by understanding to stand in the evil day will take work and practice 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.Step 3 use the Word of God to surround your life and be armed with Christ’s righteousness by learning from God the Father’s book the Bible 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Step 4 Understand your battle plan is the exact opposite of Human battleplans 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; This battle plan is God’s plan of peace through strengthStep 5 will require you to walk by faith and not by sight- meaning you should expect this to happen. You should also remember that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God - 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Step 6 requires alertness and awareness of what is happening around you and praying with the understanding that as a child of God you have access by the Holy Spirit to the Heavenlies, praying as God leads you17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Remember you have been saved by grace through faith, Christ is your salvation in Him alone, by faith alone and He is at work in you to achieve His purposes.This all begins with repentance and the need for personal revival are you committed to being obedient?
In today’s market place we are to contend for the truth. Our truth is in a person who is the TRUTH – His name is Jesus Christ. In addition to the Truth, He is the Way to salvation and deliverance from sin; and He is the life for today and for eternity, for without Him there is no life except in Christ.With all the hostility and anger being expressed in today’s media and in all the protests, you sometimes wonder how can we function. And to make matters worse there is an absolute test case of liberals, who hate the church in the state of California. If you think this is a one off and it is not going to come to a church near you just wait. If Biden wins the election AOC will shut down churches nationwide in an absolute heartbeat because of your hate for equality and justice and the non- inclusiveness of you homophobic sanctimonious fools. But in the middle of all this Jesus has a message for you - Pray for them who despitefully use you. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 13:11 - But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.Jesus further promises that He will never leave you or forsake you. That where you are He is with you. We can become so focused on those who taunt, curse and shout at us to the point where we become angry and wish to retaliate and ensure justice is done on these perpetrators. Now some people actually hate you and what you represent, but many are just plain lost sheep and following the herd. Why, because they are dumb sheep, as Jesus told us, who have no Shepherd; especially a Good Shepherd who desires to lead them in paths of righteousness for His Names sake. Even to lead us in the valley of the shadow of death, there He desires to comfort them.So God wants us to remember who is the enemy of our souls - Satan, and who is the perpetrator of deception upon those who are disoriented to God. But God is always at workThis week I heard the testimony of Starr Parker a wonderful Christian witness who was saved out of drugs, disease, and sexual sin, because someone confronted her with the fact that God hated her life style. Here is a black woman in the depths of sin, who is challenged at the very point of her sin as she was trying to get Christian business people to augment her welfare check under the table and they would not do it. She was told her lifestyle was unacceptable and she challenged them. Wo doesn’t like my lifestyle and the answer was God doesn’t like your lifestyle. She never considered there was a God in heaven who actually cared about how she lived. Because of this question and the persistence of these men calling her to come to church - she found she was a sinner, who God loved and He was calling her to salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. She became a whosoever will, who called upon the name of the Lord to be saved and she received a savior and salvation. This was because of a hard question and statement about her sin filled lifestyle. AmenIt says in 1 Peter 3:15,- that you and I should; always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;Did you hear this word for you and I. So how do we prepare for combat. That’s right warfare and serious it is. More serious than you know. As many of us can testify we believe there is renewed urgency because the time is short and we are called to go, for today is the day of salvation. So what do we need to do - turn to the Word of God.II Corinthians 10:1-6 - The Spiritual War1Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal {earthly} but mighty in God {of the Holy Spirit} for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God {internal and external}, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. {personal requirement for obedience}We must understand 4 truths from this passageI. We do not walk according to our flesh- if we do we fail {verse 3}II. Our Weapons are not carnal or earthly, but are of the Holy Spirit {verse 4}III. Applying these weapons we are to tear down {strongholds and arguments} everything internally and externally which exalts itself against what we are to know about God. {verse 5}IV. Bring every thought captive to Christ until our personal requirement for obedience is fulfilled {verse 6}So, how is this done? It begins with a desire in the heart of the believer to do what we are commanded “Be ye holy” as Christ is holy and righteous.This urge from God may require you to repent. Here is what I have found - as I walk closer to Christ each day I discover how far away I am from His standard of perfection. At the same time that standard of perfection is His desire for my life, yet I am not able to achieve it without surrendering myself, my life my all to Him. This sounds difficult and it is but it isn’t at the same time. Foliow along and see if this makes senseThe promise of God In James 5 is this: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.I guess the basic question is how to draw close to God? Well I can give you the standard formula of prayer, bible study, worship and fellowship. But to many this means nothing so try this one Eph 6:Step 1 recognize the battleground and your enemy 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Step 2 Know you must make preparations for combat . Begin by understanding to stand in the evil day will take work and practice 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.Step 3 use the Word of God to surround your life and be armed with Christ’s righteousness by learning from God the Father’s book the Bible 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Step 4 Understand your battle plan is the exact opposite of Human battleplans 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; This battle plan is God’s plan of peace through strengthStep 5 will require you to walk by faith and not by sight- meaning you should expect this to happen. You should also remember that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God - 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Step 6 requires alertness and awareness of what is happening around you and praying with the understanding that as a child of God you have access by the Holy Spirit to the Heavenlies, praying as God leads you17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Remember you have been saved by grace through faith, Christ is your salvation in Him alone, by faith alone and He is at work in you to achieve His purposes.This all begins with repentance and the need for personal revival are you committed to being obedient?
Sermon August 30
Is there fear of the Lord in America? Apparently, there is none is the U.S. Senate nor in the U.S. House of Representatives. Stenny Hoyer the other day opened a meeting by reciting the Pledge Allegiance to the flag, only omitting “under God.” The same thing was done by a House chairman in opening a committee meeting in the House of Reps. The Democrats evince no respect for God or America. If we reject God now we will be in serious trouble nationally.
Here is some addition things happening in our country. Our president just tweeted that “he was honored to be the most active and supportive gay president ever?” What do you think of that statement. Do we not know there is a great conflict between what
God days and what men choose to do? God declares LBGT activities whatever as sin. Despite what Liberals theologians and the media preach and say. And we continue to kill babies despite the Pandemic shutdown- oh in case you didn’t know Abortion clinics hardly ever shut down to preserve women’s right to death. Oh excuse me that pro-choice.
What is happening in America-there is extreme delusion on many people, including our President. That is why we have been commanded to pray for those in authority over us. Especially for those in the House of Representatives who are all in for abortion. It is apparent from the behavior in the Leadership there is No fear of God, no respect for God and outright hate for Christians as demonstrated by mayors and governors in 9 states that forbid worship, prayer and meeting with God.
So what should believers be doing. First understand what God’s word says about these days specifically related to Fear of the Lord. Let’s sample a few OT references and orient ourselves to His teaching.
Proverbs 1:7 says, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2 Kings 17: 24-26 says the following: 24 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities. 25 And it was so, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they did not fear the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations whom you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, and indeed, they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land.”
The ravaging of Portland, New York, San Francisco and LA are the fruits of our desolation, rejection of God and lack of fear of God. 9/11 was a wake-up call which we have basically ignored. We need to be aware God is allowing all this to happen. You do not need to fear but prayerful, unafraid and aiding others who are provoking and involved with this destruction. Remember we are to pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. (Matt 5:44)
2 Chronicles 2 1:
And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. God gives protection to the people that fear and honor Him. If we do not fear and honor the Lord on who He calls His people He will discipline and judge us just like the nation of Israel/Judah. God will bless those who fear Him
Psalm 33:8
Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. Are Christians believing this word of God or are we paying lip service to God and His activities
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. I challenge you to believe and to trust God for all things beyond what you are currently doing. So how should we respond to God? We can begin by understanding and doing what we have been commanded to do in Him. Let’s look first at :
Proverbs 8:3 - The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
So as we walk through the Scripture God’s word is very plain, there are actions which our Lord despise and actions which we should be developing.
Read Deuteronomy 10: 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your [f]good? 15 The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their [g]descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked[h] no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. Here are multiple activities which we could review in depth to explore what the Spirit of God today for all believers is assisting us growing in wisdom and grace of the Lord
You have probably been drowning in the recent hype over well you name it and it has been trashed in the media. A some would call it the foolishness de jour. Isaiah29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths. And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Our behavior is a direct result of hard heartedness toward of Lord and our God. This is what is in the heart of people today and there is no fear because people don’t really know the God of Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. Yet despite their hate and anger many are thirsty and just don’t know it because of their hearts are far from Him
So what should the activity of believers in the churches be doing to enable the church to prosper? Let’s take our cue from Acts 9:31-Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.Our problem is orienting ourselves to the activity and actions of God and not of men. The church has always been and will continue until the end. Jesus told Peter about His church in Matt.16:18 - and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So no matter what activities are happening in your world which seem cataclysmic and terminal; and no matter what men may say and think Jesus will preserve His church against all comers. Maybe the church may not be in the form we know it now but maybe in house churches or tents or caves our however we need to gather and meet. We are commanded to Not forsake{ing} the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb. 10:25)So how are Christians to cope in the days which follow knowing the folly of men and the sin which so easily besets us? Begin by reminding yourselves with the help of the Helper, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth and the one who lives in you the truth packed into these verses and then where do they lead. First Eph 2:8-10 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.God’s Grace is extended to save us and give us enough faith to believe in the Lord Jesus. This is totally a gift from God. No way can we work for it and earn it. Then an amazing statement – for we are His workmanship created in Jesus for His good works. And He chose us and set us apart to do this work and we should accomplish them according to His will.Now all these gifts are from above and come down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. So God has gifted us to become His and now we know that each and every gift we receive comes down from Him. (James 1:17). So we begin to understand that God is working this out and into us by His activity. But are you starting to get the point this begins in your heart with the fear of the Lord.Then we run smack into this portion of scripture and it scares us, for it says as a believer, (Phil. 2:12-13) but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; How can I work out my salvation if Jesus is gone or Paul or the Apostles? Each of us is different, so there is no rubber stamp but the Holy Spirit is the person who enables us to grow. Now read verse 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Growth for the one who has a heart with the fear of the Lord is the one God develops and grows. It is God’s will and God’s work to grow you according to His desires and pleasure that is why He is sovereign and Lord. Our FatherTo gain the mind of Christ you will have to allow God to transform your heart and mind. Consider this if we are to worship Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30) then He needs to have a means of changing you from what you are to His child. This is what spiritual rebirth is about creating a newborn child of God.Paul in Romans reminds us we need continued renewal, remembrance and revitalization as we walk in Christ. He tells the church in Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God and to not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Transformed beyond just understanding the truth of God’s word but to be radically changed and have your mind continually renewed.Where does this happen and when does this happen? If we have the fear the Lord in our hearts, this happens every time we encounter Him in our prayer time; or in a time of intense bible study or challenging fellowship with other believers. Or it could be when we sense God moving in our lives to fill us with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ. Wisdom is granted to those who seek Jesus Christ and He works to change our attitudes and give us a reverent fear for God.Good things comes to those who wait upon the Lord. Our Hymns tell us to – Let every soul by sin oppressed come to the Lord and He will surely give you rest by trusting in the Lord. Only trust Him Only trust Him only trust Him now. He will save you! He will save you! He will save you now!A change of pace from serious to sanity and laughter – a story for you- A kindergarten teacher was telling her students about different kinds of animals. Whales are the largest, she said, “but they cannot swallow people, because their throats are too small.” “But in the Bible, it say that Jonah was swallowed by a whale,” said a little girl.“You can’t always believe what you read, the teacher replied.” “Well, when I go to heaven”, said the little girl, “I’ll ask Jonah.” “And if Jonah didn’t go to heaven?”“Then you can ask him.”
Is there fear of the Lord in America? Apparently, there is none is the U.S. Senate nor in the U.S. House of Representatives. Stenny Hoyer the other day opened a meeting by reciting the Pledge Allegiance to the flag, only omitting “under God.” The same thing was done by a House chairman in opening a committee meeting in the House of Reps. The Democrats evince no respect for God or America. If we reject God now we will be in serious trouble nationally.
Here is some addition things happening in our country. Our president just tweeted that “he was honored to be the most active and supportive gay president ever?” What do you think of that statement. Do we not know there is a great conflict between what
God days and what men choose to do? God declares LBGT activities whatever as sin. Despite what Liberals theologians and the media preach and say. And we continue to kill babies despite the Pandemic shutdown- oh in case you didn’t know Abortion clinics hardly ever shut down to preserve women’s right to death. Oh excuse me that pro-choice.
What is happening in America-there is extreme delusion on many people, including our President. That is why we have been commanded to pray for those in authority over us. Especially for those in the House of Representatives who are all in for abortion. It is apparent from the behavior in the Leadership there is No fear of God, no respect for God and outright hate for Christians as demonstrated by mayors and governors in 9 states that forbid worship, prayer and meeting with God.
So what should believers be doing. First understand what God’s word says about these days specifically related to Fear of the Lord. Let’s sample a few OT references and orient ourselves to His teaching.
Proverbs 1:7 says, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2 Kings 17: 24-26 says the following: 24 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities. 25 And it was so, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they did not fear the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations whom you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, and indeed, they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land.”
The ravaging of Portland, New York, San Francisco and LA are the fruits of our desolation, rejection of God and lack of fear of God. 9/11 was a wake-up call which we have basically ignored. We need to be aware God is allowing all this to happen. You do not need to fear but prayerful, unafraid and aiding others who are provoking and involved with this destruction. Remember we are to pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. (Matt 5:44)
2 Chronicles 2 1:
And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. God gives protection to the people that fear and honor Him. If we do not fear and honor the Lord on who He calls His people He will discipline and judge us just like the nation of Israel/Judah. God will bless those who fear Him
Psalm 33:8
Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. Are Christians believing this word of God or are we paying lip service to God and His activities
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. I challenge you to believe and to trust God for all things beyond what you are currently doing. So how should we respond to God? We can begin by understanding and doing what we have been commanded to do in Him. Let’s look first at :
Proverbs 8:3 - The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
So as we walk through the Scripture God’s word is very plain, there are actions which our Lord despise and actions which we should be developing.
Read Deuteronomy 10: 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your [f]good? 15 The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their [g]descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked[h] no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. Here are multiple activities which we could review in depth to explore what the Spirit of God today for all believers is assisting us growing in wisdom and grace of the Lord
You have probably been drowning in the recent hype over well you name it and it has been trashed in the media. A some would call it the foolishness de jour. Isaiah29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths. And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Our behavior is a direct result of hard heartedness toward of Lord and our God. This is what is in the heart of people today and there is no fear because people don’t really know the God of Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. Yet despite their hate and anger many are thirsty and just don’t know it because of their hearts are far from Him
So what should the activity of believers in the churches be doing to enable the church to prosper? Let’s take our cue from Acts 9:31-Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.Our problem is orienting ourselves to the activity and actions of God and not of men. The church has always been and will continue until the end. Jesus told Peter about His church in Matt.16:18 - and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So no matter what activities are happening in your world which seem cataclysmic and terminal; and no matter what men may say and think Jesus will preserve His church against all comers. Maybe the church may not be in the form we know it now but maybe in house churches or tents or caves our however we need to gather and meet. We are commanded to Not forsake{ing} the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb. 10:25)So how are Christians to cope in the days which follow knowing the folly of men and the sin which so easily besets us? Begin by reminding yourselves with the help of the Helper, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth and the one who lives in you the truth packed into these verses and then where do they lead. First Eph 2:8-10 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.God’s Grace is extended to save us and give us enough faith to believe in the Lord Jesus. This is totally a gift from God. No way can we work for it and earn it. Then an amazing statement – for we are His workmanship created in Jesus for His good works. And He chose us and set us apart to do this work and we should accomplish them according to His will.Now all these gifts are from above and come down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. So God has gifted us to become His and now we know that each and every gift we receive comes down from Him. (James 1:17). So we begin to understand that God is working this out and into us by His activity. But are you starting to get the point this begins in your heart with the fear of the Lord.Then we run smack into this portion of scripture and it scares us, for it says as a believer, (Phil. 2:12-13) but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; How can I work out my salvation if Jesus is gone or Paul or the Apostles? Each of us is different, so there is no rubber stamp but the Holy Spirit is the person who enables us to grow. Now read verse 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Growth for the one who has a heart with the fear of the Lord is the one God develops and grows. It is God’s will and God’s work to grow you according to His desires and pleasure that is why He is sovereign and Lord. Our FatherTo gain the mind of Christ you will have to allow God to transform your heart and mind. Consider this if we are to worship Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30) then He needs to have a means of changing you from what you are to His child. This is what spiritual rebirth is about creating a newborn child of God.Paul in Romans reminds us we need continued renewal, remembrance and revitalization as we walk in Christ. He tells the church in Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God and to not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Transformed beyond just understanding the truth of God’s word but to be radically changed and have your mind continually renewed.Where does this happen and when does this happen? If we have the fear the Lord in our hearts, this happens every time we encounter Him in our prayer time; or in a time of intense bible study or challenging fellowship with other believers. Or it could be when we sense God moving in our lives to fill us with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ. Wisdom is granted to those who seek Jesus Christ and He works to change our attitudes and give us a reverent fear for God.Good things comes to those who wait upon the Lord. Our Hymns tell us to – Let every soul by sin oppressed come to the Lord and He will surely give you rest by trusting in the Lord. Only trust Him Only trust Him only trust Him now. He will save you! He will save you! He will save you now!A change of pace from serious to sanity and laughter – a story for you- A kindergarten teacher was telling her students about different kinds of animals. Whales are the largest, she said, “but they cannot swallow people, because their throats are too small.” “But in the Bible, it say that Jonah was swallowed by a whale,” said a little girl.“You can’t always believe what you read, the teacher replied.” “Well, when I go to heaven”, said the little girl, “I’ll ask Jonah.” “And if Jonah didn’t go to heaven?”“Then you can ask him.”
Sermon Aug 23
Is there fear of the Lord in America? Apparently, there is none is the U.S. Senate nor in the U.S. House of Representatives. Stenny Hoyer the other day opened a meeting by reciting the Pledge Allegiance to the flag, only omitting “under God.” The same thing was done by a House chairman in opening a committee meeting in the House of Reps. The Democrats evince no respect for God or America. If we reject God now we will be in serious trouble nationally.
Here is some addition things happening in our country. Our president just tweeted that “he was honored to be the most active and supportive gay president ever?” What do you think of that statement. Do we not know there is a great conflict between what
God days and what men choose to do? God declares LBGT activities whatever as sin. Despite what Liberals theologians and the media preach and say. And we continue to kill babies despite the Pandemic shutdown- oh in case you didn’t know Abortion clinics hardly ever shut down to preserve women’s right to death. Oh excuse me that pro-choice.
What is happening in America-there is extreme delusion on many people, including our President. That is why we have been commanded to pray for those in authority over us. Especially for those in the House of Representatives who are all in for abortion. It is apparent from the behavior in the Leadership there is No fear of God, no respect for God and outright hate for Christians as demonstrated by mayors and governors in 9 states that forbid worship, prayer and meeting with God.
So what should believers be doing. First understand what God’s word says about these days specifically related to Fear of the Lord. Let’s sample a few OT references and orient ourselves to His teaching.
Proverbs 1:7 says, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2 Kings 17: 24-26 says the following: 24 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities. 25 And it was so, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they did not fear the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations whom you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, and indeed, they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land.”
The ravaging of Portland, New York, San Francisco and LA are the fruits of our desolation, rejection of God and lack of fear of God. 9/11 was a wake-up call which we have basically ignored. We need to be aware God is allowing all this to happen. You do not need to fear but prayerful, unafraid and aiding others who are provoking and involved with this destruction. Remember we are to pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. (Matt 5:44)
2 Chronicles 2 1:
And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. God gives protection to the people that fear and honor Him. If we do not fear and honor the Lord on who He calls His people He will discipline and judge us just like the nation of Israel/Judah. God will bless those who fear Him
Psalm 33:8
Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. Are Christians believing this word of God or are we paying lip service to God and His activities
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. I challenge you to believe and to trust God for all things beyond what you are currently doing. So how should we respond to God? We can begin by understanding and doing what we have been commanded to do in Him. Let’s look first at :
Proverbs 8:3 - The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
So as we walk through the Scripture God’s word is very plain, there are actions which our Lord despise and actions which we should be developing.
Read Deuteronomy 10: 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your [f]good? 15 The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their [g]descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked[h] no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. Here are multiple activities which we could review in depth to explore what the Spirit of God today for all believers is assisting us growing in wisdom and grace of the Lord
You have probably been drowning in the recent hype over well you name it and it has been trashed in the media. A some would call it the foolishness de jour. Isaiah29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths. And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Our behavior is a direct result of hard heartedness toward of Lord and our God. This is what is in the heart of people today and there is no fear because people don’t really know the God of Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. Yet despite their hate and anger many are thirsty and just don’t know it because of their hearts are far from Him
So what should the activity of believers in the churches be doing to enable the church to prosper? Let’s take our cue from Acts 9:31-Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.Our problem is orienting ourselves to the activity and actions of God and not of men. The church has always been and will continue until the end. Jesus told Peter about His church in Matt.16:18 - and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So no matter what activities are happening in your world which seem cataclysmic and terminal; and no matter what men may say and think Jesus will preserve His church against all comers. Maybe the church may not be in the form we know it now but maybe in house churches or tents or caves our however we need to gather and meet. We are commanded to Not forsake{ing} the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb. 10:25)So how are Christians to cope in the days which follow knowing the folly of men and the sin which so easily besets us? Begin by reminding yourselves with the help of the Helper, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth and the one who lives in you the truth packed into these verses and then where do they lead. First Eph 2:8-10 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.God’s Grace is extended to save us and give us enough faith to believe in the Lord Jesus. This is totally a gift from God. No way can we work for it and earn it. Then an amazing statement – for we are His workmanship created in Jesus for His good works. And He chose us and set us apart to do this work and we should accomplish them according to His will.Now all these gifts are from above and come down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. So God has gifted us to become His and now we know that each and every gift we receive comes down from Him. (James 1:17). So we begin to understand that God is working this out and into us by His activity. But are you starting to get the point this begins in your heart with the fear of the Lord.Then we run smack into this portion of scripture and it scares us, for it says as a believer, (Phil. 2:12-13) but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; How can I work out my salvation if Jesus is gone or Paul or the Apostles? Each of us is different, so there is no rubber stamp but the Holy Spirit is the person who enables us to grow. Now read verse 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Growth for the one who has a heart with the fear of the Lord is the one God develops and grows. It is God’s will and God’s work to grow you according to His desires and pleasure that is why He is sovereign and Lord. Our FatherTo gain the mind of Christ you will have to allow God to transform your heart and mind. Consider this if we are to worship Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30) then He needs to have a means of changing you from what you are to His child. This is what spiritual rebirth is about creating a newborn child of God.Paul in Romans reminds us we need continued renewal, remembrance and revitalization as we walk in Christ. He tells the church in Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God and to not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Transformed beyond just understanding the truth of God’s word but to be radically changed and have your mind continually renewed.Where does this happen and when does this happen? If we have the fear the Lord in our hearts, this happens every time we encounter Him in our prayer time; or in a time of intense bible study or challenging fellowship with other believers. Or it could be when we sense God moving in our lives to fill us with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ. Wisdom is granted to those who seek Jesus Christ and He works to change our attitudes and give us a reverent fear for God.Good things comes to those who wait upon the Lord. Our Hymns tell us to – Let every soul by sin oppressed come to the Lord and He will surely give you rest by trusting in the Lord. Only trust Him Only trust Him only trust Him now. He will save you! He will save you! He will save you now!A change of pace from serious to sanity and laughter – a story for you- A kindergarten teacher was telling her students about different kinds of animals. Whales are the largest, she said, “but they cannot swallow people, because their throats are too small.” “But in the Bible, it say that Jonah was swallowed by a whale,” said a little girl.“You can’t always believe what you read, the teacher replied.” “Well, when I go to heaven”, said the little girl, “I’ll ask Jonah.” “And if Jonah didn’t go to heaven?”“Then you can ask him.”
Is there fear of the Lord in America? Apparently, there is none is the U.S. Senate nor in the U.S. House of Representatives. Stenny Hoyer the other day opened a meeting by reciting the Pledge Allegiance to the flag, only omitting “under God.” The same thing was done by a House chairman in opening a committee meeting in the House of Reps. The Democrats evince no respect for God or America. If we reject God now we will be in serious trouble nationally.
Here is some addition things happening in our country. Our president just tweeted that “he was honored to be the most active and supportive gay president ever?” What do you think of that statement. Do we not know there is a great conflict between what
God days and what men choose to do? God declares LBGT activities whatever as sin. Despite what Liberals theologians and the media preach and say. And we continue to kill babies despite the Pandemic shutdown- oh in case you didn’t know Abortion clinics hardly ever shut down to preserve women’s right to death. Oh excuse me that pro-choice.
What is happening in America-there is extreme delusion on many people, including our President. That is why we have been commanded to pray for those in authority over us. Especially for those in the House of Representatives who are all in for abortion. It is apparent from the behavior in the Leadership there is No fear of God, no respect for God and outright hate for Christians as demonstrated by mayors and governors in 9 states that forbid worship, prayer and meeting with God.
So what should believers be doing. First understand what God’s word says about these days specifically related to Fear of the Lord. Let’s sample a few OT references and orient ourselves to His teaching.
Proverbs 1:7 says, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
2 Kings 17: 24-26 says the following: 24 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities. 25 And it was so, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they did not fear the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations whom you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the rituals of the God of the land; therefore He has sent lions among them, and indeed, they are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land.”
The ravaging of Portland, New York, San Francisco and LA are the fruits of our desolation, rejection of God and lack of fear of God. 9/11 was a wake-up call which we have basically ignored. We need to be aware God is allowing all this to happen. You do not need to fear but prayerful, unafraid and aiding others who are provoking and involved with this destruction. Remember we are to pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. (Matt 5:44)
2 Chronicles 2 1:
And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. God gives protection to the people that fear and honor Him. If we do not fear and honor the Lord on who He calls His people He will discipline and judge us just like the nation of Israel/Judah. God will bless those who fear Him
Psalm 33:8
Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. Are Christians believing this word of God or are we paying lip service to God and His activities
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. I challenge you to believe and to trust God for all things beyond what you are currently doing. So how should we respond to God? We can begin by understanding and doing what we have been commanded to do in Him. Let’s look first at :
Proverbs 8:3 - The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
So as we walk through the Scripture God’s word is very plain, there are actions which our Lord despise and actions which we should be developing.
Read Deuteronomy 10: 12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your [f]good? 15 The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their [g]descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked[h] no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. Here are multiple activities which we could review in depth to explore what the Spirit of God today for all believers is assisting us growing in wisdom and grace of the Lord
You have probably been drowning in the recent hype over well you name it and it has been trashed in the media. A some would call it the foolishness de jour. Isaiah29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths. And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Our behavior is a direct result of hard heartedness toward of Lord and our God. This is what is in the heart of people today and there is no fear because people don’t really know the God of Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. Yet despite their hate and anger many are thirsty and just don’t know it because of their hearts are far from Him
So what should the activity of believers in the churches be doing to enable the church to prosper? Let’s take our cue from Acts 9:31-Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.Our problem is orienting ourselves to the activity and actions of God and not of men. The church has always been and will continue until the end. Jesus told Peter about His church in Matt.16:18 - and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. So no matter what activities are happening in your world which seem cataclysmic and terminal; and no matter what men may say and think Jesus will preserve His church against all comers. Maybe the church may not be in the form we know it now but maybe in house churches or tents or caves our however we need to gather and meet. We are commanded to Not forsake{ing} the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Heb. 10:25)So how are Christians to cope in the days which follow knowing the folly of men and the sin which so easily besets us? Begin by reminding yourselves with the help of the Helper, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth and the one who lives in you the truth packed into these verses and then where do they lead. First Eph 2:8-10 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.God’s Grace is extended to save us and give us enough faith to believe in the Lord Jesus. This is totally a gift from God. No way can we work for it and earn it. Then an amazing statement – for we are His workmanship created in Jesus for His good works. And He chose us and set us apart to do this work and we should accomplish them according to His will.Now all these gifts are from above and come down from the Father of lights in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. So God has gifted us to become His and now we know that each and every gift we receive comes down from Him. (James 1:17). So we begin to understand that God is working this out and into us by His activity. But are you starting to get the point this begins in your heart with the fear of the Lord.Then we run smack into this portion of scripture and it scares us, for it says as a believer, (Phil. 2:12-13) but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; How can I work out my salvation if Jesus is gone or Paul or the Apostles? Each of us is different, so there is no rubber stamp but the Holy Spirit is the person who enables us to grow. Now read verse 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Growth for the one who has a heart with the fear of the Lord is the one God develops and grows. It is God’s will and God’s work to grow you according to His desires and pleasure that is why He is sovereign and Lord. Our FatherTo gain the mind of Christ you will have to allow God to transform your heart and mind. Consider this if we are to worship Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30) then He needs to have a means of changing you from what you are to His child. This is what spiritual rebirth is about creating a newborn child of God.Paul in Romans reminds us we need continued renewal, remembrance and revitalization as we walk in Christ. He tells the church in Rome to present their bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to God and to not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Transformed beyond just understanding the truth of God’s word but to be radically changed and have your mind continually renewed.Where does this happen and when does this happen? If we have the fear the Lord in our hearts, this happens every time we encounter Him in our prayer time; or in a time of intense bible study or challenging fellowship with other believers. Or it could be when we sense God moving in our lives to fill us with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ. Wisdom is granted to those who seek Jesus Christ and He works to change our attitudes and give us a reverent fear for God.Good things comes to those who wait upon the Lord. Our Hymns tell us to – Let every soul by sin oppressed come to the Lord and He will surely give you rest by trusting in the Lord. Only trust Him Only trust Him only trust Him now. He will save you! He will save you! He will save you now!A change of pace from serious to sanity and laughter – a story for you- A kindergarten teacher was telling her students about different kinds of animals. Whales are the largest, she said, “but they cannot swallow people, because their throats are too small.” “But in the Bible, it say that Jonah was swallowed by a whale,” said a little girl.“You can’t always believe what you read, the teacher replied.” “Well, when I go to heaven”, said the little girl, “I’ll ask Jonah.” “And if Jonah didn’t go to heaven?”“Then you can ask him.”
Sermon August 9
There is an urgency in this hour for those who are being called of God. What is the urgency, I would suggest it is the same calling that has been since eternity and that is to be about our Father’s business? What is that? To do what Jesus said, Matthew 28, 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
But in our day do you suppose that God is caught unaware of the peril of the hour.
No I don’t believe there is any panic in heaven, but being about our Father’s business of redeeming His people and applying what He has already told us in His Book – The word of God. Panic only exists if we don’t trust in God. Was their panic while the plagues were occurring in Egypt by the Israelites? Was their panic while sitting at the edge of the Red Sea with the horde of Egypt’s army was riding down on the nation? Yes there was until God spoke through Moses and showed the people the hand of God. God’s people were not in jeopardy.
Do plagues, world wars, cancer, hate and cursing’s impact God’s will for His children? The answer is no. History is just that, this life is His Story. He writes the pages of life and death, He controls the hours and seasons. He set the path of the moon and the stars and He established when you would be born and where. The is no fate, there is no kismet, there is no happenstance there is only God and His timing. When will we learn that He is God and there is nothing too hard for Him.
So in the midst of the Coronavirus Meltdown of planet earth do you suppose this was a random event, a mistake, or was this in God’s planning to slow everyone down. God has a way of interrupting our everyday lives. What about the plagues that struck in Moses day, or the bubonic plague? God has allowed these events whether we like it or not. Modern, plugged in, woke, liberated, sophisticated, mobile and cool men and women want to discount that there is a God might find a new reality as they see death surrounding them in horrible events and wake up.
In the economy of God then He is working His timeline and His events bringing things to a close. He reminded His people years ago of His dissatisfaction with their rejection of Him through the prophet Malachi. Remember Malachi means My messenger and after He preached these words 400 years of silence reigned until the coming of Christ in Bethlehem. The 30 years until Jesus ministry began in full as revealed in the Gospels of the New Testament.
Because of the hardness of heart which has been enabled by sin the people turned away and were not obedient to the commands of Leviticus, Deuteronomy, including the 10 commandments but worshiped other Gods and served them. They refused to give freewill offerings to God, denied the truths found in the book, didn’t teach their children, intermarried and actually began child sacrifice to other Gods. Can you believe it? What do you suppose abortion is – child sacrifice to a woman’s choice? What do you suppose the NBA, NFL, Baseball and all the others are? To some people they are Gods, to the players I thinks some of themselves think they are Gods, who hate the freedoms they have been given and never earned. We have banned God and prayer from schools, our courthouses and our homes because of political correctness. We have denied the sanctity of marriage, define race as black and white when there is only the human race. We have also denied the family and male and female as the only genders when God said He made them male and female. Don’t blame me for what God’s truth as presented in Holy Scriptures.
Now in the verses we are about to read God is saying something is coming and we should be prepared but the people of Malachi’s day didn’t think it would be 400 years plus until it arrived.
Let’s ask God to guide us in the study of His word. Father open our eyes and clear our ears and give us hearts to receive your truth. In Jesus name we ask this Amen.
Read with me from Malachi 3: 1-3
Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
2 “But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And [a]purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness.
May God add His blessing to the reading of His word.
I believe this is the time we are in right now. God is bringing the refiners fire to us and the people of God. His word says 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thes. 2).
I believe the falling away is in progress and the Coronavirus is being used as a sifter of men’s souls. Those who were of God’s church but not really part of the fellowship are now given an excuse to depart, be drawn away, so they no longer hear and to worship and serve other Gods. I believe this is really happening in America today. Why should a church the size of Andy Stanley’s decide to not open until 2021? People can claim they are afraid of the virus and have medical exemptions but God knows the heart. And who knows if this is not the first of many trials.
Also look at what is going on in many states – California, Nevada, Michigan, Maryland and to some extent in Virginia. There is a great experiment in progress. GOV. Newsom in CA has mandated no church and the Mayor of LA is his henchman, threatening to cut off power and water to churches who disobey. Bet that happens today across LA. This is to see if Christians will really fight or just give in. The days of easy Christianity in America have ended, the battle lines have been drawn. That is why I believe that the falling away is in progress and that events are proceeded for the revelation of the son of perdition. He is the one who is going to solve the world’s problems and bring Hell on earth, Satan’s minion and servant.
Simultaneously, I believe God is bringing the Holy Spirit to enable the refining of His people. Remember what happened at Pentecost – tongues of fire rested on each one, gifts of tongues and speech were given for every tribe and ever nation to hear the truth of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior of the world proclaimed
God sent, Jesus and then the promised Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth, given as the Paraclete to be present and in each believer as they walked with God on mission to spread the gospel of peace.
But the active presence of the Holy Spirit requires cleansing and Jesus came to the disciples after the resurrection and said receive the Holy Spirit. They had already been cleansed by Jesus because of they were already clean because of the word which Jesus had spoken to them. But the Spirit did not come until Pentecost and they had been in extended prayer in the upper room.
The text makes several points going back to Malachi. Verse 2 – who can endure the day of His coming? (only those who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb)Who can stand when He appears (the redeemed of the blood of the Lamb; those who have clean hands and a pure heart)?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And [a]purge them as gold and silver,
You know how metals are purified correct? By superheating and burning off the dross metals. That is what the Holy Spirit will do. How can He achieve this? The process of refinement is both an internal and an external process. Internal to the life of the believer and externally as God allows life’s events and experiences to temper and refine your life. That’s right God uses and will continue to use the Virus and many other circumstances, bank failures, diseases, droughts, famines of the word of God and food famines to bring all this to pass to refine us and make us like Jesus.
So who is the Holy Spirit? Well first He is God’s Helper and He is our Helper as well, John 14:26-27: 26 But the [g]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Have memory problems God has a helper for you and He will teach you all things. He brings peace and confidence without fear is His activity.
His roles is to bring scripture to memory and assist is in living it out. He takes verses like John 15:5-6 and enable us to learn it, think on it and actually accomplish it. He also Helps us know the truth of it
John 15: - 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:26 But the job of the Holy Spirit is to testify of who is Jesus and to remind us He comes from God - 26 “But when the [c]Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
The Holy Spirit is the refiners fire and He is coming and is present today to convict us of Sin, our sin; righteousness- His Righteousness; and judgement – our Judgement (John 16:7ff). Repentance and the desire to confess and repent does not exist in the heart and breast of man, without God’s direct intervention. Recall John the Baptist and Jesus beginning word for preaching – Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Encountering Jesus is encountering God. He is God. And without the Holy Spirit’s activity there would be no awareness of sin, no crying out in pain because we have offended and dishonored God by how we are living. We have no understanding of holiness and righteousness with God intervening in our lives. Praise God in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He came, He saw we were sheep without a shepherd.
So not only internally but externally God is walking this world toward end times.
What should happen then is when God confronts us with His truth, the Holy Spirit who is the refiner’s fire should open our hearts to His truth and it should penetrate our hearts and minds to understand God wants holiness in all of us. Every corner of our lives should be touched and absolutely exposed to Him to whom we must give an account.
So you look at me and ask me, when does God desire you to come to Him? I would suggest that every time He speaks to you is when He wants you to come. In your quiet time, your prayer time, your times of worship, bible study, when a song or someone else’s prayer touches your life. Actually if you think about it according to the psalmist and the word of God, everything in life should turn you to God.
Let’s get real if your heart is hard and is filled with external noise - you will walk into His presence with your mind filled with those things. You will miss God and it will never bother you. There will be no grief, no sorrow you will just turn it off. Is that where you are right now then stop and think – delusion.
Is your heart and mind now causing you to understand this dilemma? Are you understanding He is calling us to faithfulness in all things- God wants faithful servants, if as you apply the word of God and we don’t see God responding the way Scripture says He will. Hold fast, God is not the problem!! We are.
Isaiah 66:2 says, “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. Is this your heart today? If not come to Jesus Christ now!
There is an urgency in this hour for those who are being called of God. What is the urgency, I would suggest it is the same calling that has been since eternity and that is to be about our Father’s business? What is that? To do what Jesus said, Matthew 28, 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
But in our day do you suppose that God is caught unaware of the peril of the hour.
No I don’t believe there is any panic in heaven, but being about our Father’s business of redeeming His people and applying what He has already told us in His Book – The word of God. Panic only exists if we don’t trust in God. Was their panic while the plagues were occurring in Egypt by the Israelites? Was their panic while sitting at the edge of the Red Sea with the horde of Egypt’s army was riding down on the nation? Yes there was until God spoke through Moses and showed the people the hand of God. God’s people were not in jeopardy.
Do plagues, world wars, cancer, hate and cursing’s impact God’s will for His children? The answer is no. History is just that, this life is His Story. He writes the pages of life and death, He controls the hours and seasons. He set the path of the moon and the stars and He established when you would be born and where. The is no fate, there is no kismet, there is no happenstance there is only God and His timing. When will we learn that He is God and there is nothing too hard for Him.
So in the midst of the Coronavirus Meltdown of planet earth do you suppose this was a random event, a mistake, or was this in God’s planning to slow everyone down. God has a way of interrupting our everyday lives. What about the plagues that struck in Moses day, or the bubonic plague? God has allowed these events whether we like it or not. Modern, plugged in, woke, liberated, sophisticated, mobile and cool men and women want to discount that there is a God might find a new reality as they see death surrounding them in horrible events and wake up.
In the economy of God then He is working His timeline and His events bringing things to a close. He reminded His people years ago of His dissatisfaction with their rejection of Him through the prophet Malachi. Remember Malachi means My messenger and after He preached these words 400 years of silence reigned until the coming of Christ in Bethlehem. The 30 years until Jesus ministry began in full as revealed in the Gospels of the New Testament.
Because of the hardness of heart which has been enabled by sin the people turned away and were not obedient to the commands of Leviticus, Deuteronomy, including the 10 commandments but worshiped other Gods and served them. They refused to give freewill offerings to God, denied the truths found in the book, didn’t teach their children, intermarried and actually began child sacrifice to other Gods. Can you believe it? What do you suppose abortion is – child sacrifice to a woman’s choice? What do you suppose the NBA, NFL, Baseball and all the others are? To some people they are Gods, to the players I thinks some of themselves think they are Gods, who hate the freedoms they have been given and never earned. We have banned God and prayer from schools, our courthouses and our homes because of political correctness. We have denied the sanctity of marriage, define race as black and white when there is only the human race. We have also denied the family and male and female as the only genders when God said He made them male and female. Don’t blame me for what God’s truth as presented in Holy Scriptures.
Now in the verses we are about to read God is saying something is coming and we should be prepared but the people of Malachi’s day didn’t think it would be 400 years plus until it arrived.
Let’s ask God to guide us in the study of His word. Father open our eyes and clear our ears and give us hearts to receive your truth. In Jesus name we ask this Amen.
Read with me from Malachi 3: 1-3
Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
2 “But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And [a]purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness.
May God add His blessing to the reading of His word.
I believe this is the time we are in right now. God is bringing the refiners fire to us and the people of God. His word says 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thes. 2).
I believe the falling away is in progress and the Coronavirus is being used as a sifter of men’s souls. Those who were of God’s church but not really part of the fellowship are now given an excuse to depart, be drawn away, so they no longer hear and to worship and serve other Gods. I believe this is really happening in America today. Why should a church the size of Andy Stanley’s decide to not open until 2021? People can claim they are afraid of the virus and have medical exemptions but God knows the heart. And who knows if this is not the first of many trials.
Also look at what is going on in many states – California, Nevada, Michigan, Maryland and to some extent in Virginia. There is a great experiment in progress. GOV. Newsom in CA has mandated no church and the Mayor of LA is his henchman, threatening to cut off power and water to churches who disobey. Bet that happens today across LA. This is to see if Christians will really fight or just give in. The days of easy Christianity in America have ended, the battle lines have been drawn. That is why I believe that the falling away is in progress and that events are proceeded for the revelation of the son of perdition. He is the one who is going to solve the world’s problems and bring Hell on earth, Satan’s minion and servant.
Simultaneously, I believe God is bringing the Holy Spirit to enable the refining of His people. Remember what happened at Pentecost – tongues of fire rested on each one, gifts of tongues and speech were given for every tribe and ever nation to hear the truth of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior of the world proclaimed
God sent, Jesus and then the promised Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth, given as the Paraclete to be present and in each believer as they walked with God on mission to spread the gospel of peace.
But the active presence of the Holy Spirit requires cleansing and Jesus came to the disciples after the resurrection and said receive the Holy Spirit. They had already been cleansed by Jesus because of they were already clean because of the word which Jesus had spoken to them. But the Spirit did not come until Pentecost and they had been in extended prayer in the upper room.
The text makes several points going back to Malachi. Verse 2 – who can endure the day of His coming? (only those who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb)Who can stand when He appears (the redeemed of the blood of the Lamb; those who have clean hands and a pure heart)?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And [a]purge them as gold and silver,
You know how metals are purified correct? By superheating and burning off the dross metals. That is what the Holy Spirit will do. How can He achieve this? The process of refinement is both an internal and an external process. Internal to the life of the believer and externally as God allows life’s events and experiences to temper and refine your life. That’s right God uses and will continue to use the Virus and many other circumstances, bank failures, diseases, droughts, famines of the word of God and food famines to bring all this to pass to refine us and make us like Jesus.
So who is the Holy Spirit? Well first He is God’s Helper and He is our Helper as well, John 14:26-27: 26 But the [g]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Have memory problems God has a helper for you and He will teach you all things. He brings peace and confidence without fear is His activity.
His roles is to bring scripture to memory and assist is in living it out. He takes verses like John 15:5-6 and enable us to learn it, think on it and actually accomplish it. He also Helps us know the truth of it
John 15: - 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:26 But the job of the Holy Spirit is to testify of who is Jesus and to remind us He comes from God - 26 “But when the [c]Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
The Holy Spirit is the refiners fire and He is coming and is present today to convict us of Sin, our sin; righteousness- His Righteousness; and judgement – our Judgement (John 16:7ff). Repentance and the desire to confess and repent does not exist in the heart and breast of man, without God’s direct intervention. Recall John the Baptist and Jesus beginning word for preaching – Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Encountering Jesus is encountering God. He is God. And without the Holy Spirit’s activity there would be no awareness of sin, no crying out in pain because we have offended and dishonored God by how we are living. We have no understanding of holiness and righteousness with God intervening in our lives. Praise God in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He came, He saw we were sheep without a shepherd.
So not only internally but externally God is walking this world toward end times.
What should happen then is when God confronts us with His truth, the Holy Spirit who is the refiner’s fire should open our hearts to His truth and it should penetrate our hearts and minds to understand God wants holiness in all of us. Every corner of our lives should be touched and absolutely exposed to Him to whom we must give an account.
So you look at me and ask me, when does God desire you to come to Him? I would suggest that every time He speaks to you is when He wants you to come. In your quiet time, your prayer time, your times of worship, bible study, when a song or someone else’s prayer touches your life. Actually if you think about it according to the psalmist and the word of God, everything in life should turn you to God.
Let’s get real if your heart is hard and is filled with external noise - you will walk into His presence with your mind filled with those things. You will miss God and it will never bother you. There will be no grief, no sorrow you will just turn it off. Is that where you are right now then stop and think – delusion.
Is your heart and mind now causing you to understand this dilemma? Are you understanding He is calling us to faithfulness in all things- God wants faithful servants, if as you apply the word of God and we don’t see God responding the way Scripture says He will. Hold fast, God is not the problem!! We are.
Isaiah 66:2 says, “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. Is this your heart today? If not come to Jesus Christ now!
Sermon July 19
As I come before you I want you to know that I must allow the word of God to wash over my life before presenting it to you. God is serious about His servants and His message and He wants our hearts available and open as He leads. Recently, He has been leading a more rigorous path for me. He has and is calling me to be called and accountable as a Highway of Holiness. That means I cannot halfheartedly respond to His urgings. If there is no change in the lives and behavior of the people of God then that reflects upon me as the servant of God. I take this very seriously. I believe that our church has not understood the righteousness or holiness of God and what He expects. To be what God demands this church to be, begin with me anew prayerfully and let’s allow God to call us all to biblical accountability.
The called according to His purpose phrase comes from Romans 8:28, which as we know begins with all things work together for good, to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.
To further refine our focus let’s go back to the theme from last week – which is God desires that your life become a highway of Holiness of which God can use to reach and draw others into the Kingdom of Heaven and this comes from the Old Testament Isaiah 35:8 – 10.
In 1996 there was a deep and penetrating revival in Brownwood Texas, Holiness was evident there The people who were present there absolutely could not stand in the holiness of God but constantly confessed enormous sin – in setting that would not be normal for them. People came to the pastor’s door the day after stating “I’ve just got to repent.” Great dimensions of people’s lives were radically changed. That Sunday night possibly 20 different kinds of churches closed their services and came to be where God was moving. “If you were to ask them why they came they would be unable to tell you why they came.” God had drawn them and as the invitation was given simultaneously, such weeping and utter brokenness erupted before the Lord. Despite different denominations it was as if one people had come before the Lord in His presence and sin was exposed.
Could I dare say to you that wherever else you are, you are not in the presence of God if sin is not being exposed? You may simply be practicing religion if sin is not exposed. You will know when a Word from God is being shared as opposed to a sermon. When God’s word is shared it is different as in the scripture when Jesus shared a word as opposed to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Remember the comments from the New testament where it says He taught as one with authority.
You know when you stand in the presence of the living Word of God and it is shared, it is different because the Spirit of God, takes the Word of God as a sword, the Spirit of God is swift, and powerful and divides the soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow. He divines the absolute thoughts and intents of our hearts (Heb. 4.12) Trust me you know when God is wielding His Word.
God is holding my life accountable to Himself and His Word. My work is to be obedient and allow God to examine my heart freely. I need to periodically allow His word to course over and through my heart. If my life is to be a Highway of Holiness over which God can use to reach others and sin remains in their lives then the problem is not with them, but me. Hear this if God’s word is true then the conviction of the power of God should be happening if it is not functioning according to the Word of God, then the problem is with the messenger. This is what it means to be called and accountable not just for me but for us all.
If the word of God you are applying, preaching or praying is not changing others, answering prayer or meeting needs, the problem is not with God’s word, He never changes but we have. His word never fails, we have departed and we are not being consistent with God as His servants. We have fallen away. Scripture says when God builds a highway, it is a highway of Holiness. Is God requiring of you to be a Highway of Holiness for Himself.
Let’s re-read the text Isaiah 35:8-10
A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there,
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Let’s highlight the first verse - A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
In examining this text let’s remember the end portion, not only is God building a Highway in the life of His church but it is a Highway of holiness. Whose Holiness are we discussing? God’s holiness is building in our lives as we are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. He is the one. But note what it says the unclean shall not pass over it. Now you may be saying that’s not me after all I am part of the redeemed. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, born by water and the blood in the Holy Spirit and have confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. Then you’re indeed saved and part of the redeemed. But just as part of Israel was under the blood some became unclean. Christians if you have departed from God and are coveting secret sins then you are unclean before your God. Why else would scripture say Repent therefore and return that your sins may be washed away in order that times of refreshing can come from being in the presence of the Lord (Acts 3.19) Believers can depart from God and do.
The promise of God is that the unclean and cannot be on the Highway of holiness because they have and are sinning against the truth which God’s Truth not mans. Wonder why your prayers aren’t answered, wonder why there is not joy in your worship, how hard it is to hear a word from God, how the preaching is screeching and you think the pastor is long winded. You see no value is coming Wednesday nights, it’s just a waste of time you have better things to do. There is not joy in giving your time, your talents or your money- after all, that church only wants my money. Or those sermons they are never relevant to my life and they are boring, too long, too weak, too demeaning, too difficult to understand.
Have you heard these types of comments before or recently? Maybe you are the ones who made them?
My friend Henry relates that an 88-year-old woman came forward with tears in her eyes during a revival session at Howard Payne University where he was preaching and leading a teaching on Highway of Holiness. As the session progressed God moved as in a refiners’ fire upon the participants and people all over began to cry out and acknowledge that they had sinned grievously against God. She came forward with canes, tears streaming, saying, “I am and 88-year-old woman and I desire purity before God more than anything in the world. Do you think God can make me clean and use me at 88?”
This is the power of the Word of God when applied by one who walks cleansed on the Highway of Holiness and is in sweet fellowship with Jesus Christ. And is a person in whom the Holy Spirit is fully operating. You see the unclean cannot walk on it. They will not, it is for others. It is for those who rightly related and understand the holiness of God. Many today do not operate in this environment because they have no experience with the absolute surrender, crying out and holiness demanded by God for our lives as His children. We are prisoners of easy believism, not fear of God, no major consequences from sin after all it is God’s job to forgive and we are all going to heaven. These are absolute lies, fake news, from the father of lies the Devil.
Further we are experiencing a generation with no reference points for God’s cleansing or the purity which God achieves in revival.
Our generations are deluded beyond measure both in our expectations of God, and in: COVID 19 cases- lies as to the number, distribution. Mail is ballots – fraud the democrats are intending to steal the elections and if you allow it the you deserve the destruction of America. JB will transform America- lies. He will destroy it. Socialism fat chance, Communism will take your money, lands and make you dependent upon the government for everything. Big brother will tell you all you need to know. You must do something now
So if we are deluded about these then we won’t really believe the word of God has the power it does. Let’s take an example if we read Hebrews 4:12-13 - 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Now if God’s word is true then according to this text, if the servant of God’s heart is a highway of Holiness over which God can reach, then what should be happening when you and I are exposed to these truths?
What should happen then is when God confronts us with His truth, the Holy Spirit who is the refiner’s fire should open our hearts to His truth and it should penetrate our hearts and minds to understand God wants holiness in our inward parts, not partial but total. Every corner of our lives should be touched and absolutely exposed to Him to whom we must give an account.
So you look at me and ask me, when does God desire you to come to Him? I would suggest that every time He speaks to you is when He wants you to come. In your quiet time, your prayer time, your times of worship, bible study, when a song or someone else’s prayer touches your life. Actually if you think about it according to the psalmist and the word of God, everything in life should turn you to God.
Let’s get real if your heart is hard and is filled with external noise - video games, work, hobbies, sex, drugs, alcohol, you will walk into His presence with your mind filled with those things. You will miss God and it will never bother you. There will be no grief, no sorrow you will just turn it off. Is that where you are right now then stop and think – delusion.
Is your heart and mind now causing you to understand this dilemma? Are you understanding He is calling us to faithfulness in all things- with all our hearts and soul, and mind and strength (Mk 12.30). God wants faithful servants, if as you apply the word of God and we don’t see God responding the way Scripture says He will. Hold fast, God is not the problem!! We are.
Isaiah 66:2 says, “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
I don’t know if you are sensing the urgency of the hour but the time is short not just for America which is in extreme peril but for this world. As the church goes so goes the nation and for that matter our world. Jesus instituted and called us together as the church to be the agent for redemption in this time and in this world. We have a choice and we cannot be of two minds. We cannot be doubleminded, for if we are we will miss the time for which we are called. Lt’s become the Highway of Holiness which God can use, remember no unclean are there.
Malachi 3: 1-3
Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
2 “But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And [a]purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness.
The refiners fire is coming soon to you!
As I come before you I want you to know that I must allow the word of God to wash over my life before presenting it to you. God is serious about His servants and His message and He wants our hearts available and open as He leads. Recently, He has been leading a more rigorous path for me. He has and is calling me to be called and accountable as a Highway of Holiness. That means I cannot halfheartedly respond to His urgings. If there is no change in the lives and behavior of the people of God then that reflects upon me as the servant of God. I take this very seriously. I believe that our church has not understood the righteousness or holiness of God and what He expects. To be what God demands this church to be, begin with me anew prayerfully and let’s allow God to call us all to biblical accountability.
The called according to His purpose phrase comes from Romans 8:28, which as we know begins with all things work together for good, to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.
To further refine our focus let’s go back to the theme from last week – which is God desires that your life become a highway of Holiness of which God can use to reach and draw others into the Kingdom of Heaven and this comes from the Old Testament Isaiah 35:8 – 10.
In 1996 there was a deep and penetrating revival in Brownwood Texas, Holiness was evident there The people who were present there absolutely could not stand in the holiness of God but constantly confessed enormous sin – in setting that would not be normal for them. People came to the pastor’s door the day after stating “I’ve just got to repent.” Great dimensions of people’s lives were radically changed. That Sunday night possibly 20 different kinds of churches closed their services and came to be where God was moving. “If you were to ask them why they came they would be unable to tell you why they came.” God had drawn them and as the invitation was given simultaneously, such weeping and utter brokenness erupted before the Lord. Despite different denominations it was as if one people had come before the Lord in His presence and sin was exposed.
Could I dare say to you that wherever else you are, you are not in the presence of God if sin is not being exposed? You may simply be practicing religion if sin is not exposed. You will know when a Word from God is being shared as opposed to a sermon. When God’s word is shared it is different as in the scripture when Jesus shared a word as opposed to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Remember the comments from the New testament where it says He taught as one with authority.
You know when you stand in the presence of the living Word of God and it is shared, it is different because the Spirit of God, takes the Word of God as a sword, the Spirit of God is swift, and powerful and divides the soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow. He divines the absolute thoughts and intents of our hearts (Heb. 4.12) Trust me you know when God is wielding His Word.
God is holding my life accountable to Himself and His Word. My work is to be obedient and allow God to examine my heart freely. I need to periodically allow His word to course over and through my heart. If my life is to be a Highway of Holiness over which God can use to reach others and sin remains in their lives then the problem is not with them, but me. Hear this if God’s word is true then the conviction of the power of God should be happening if it is not functioning according to the Word of God, then the problem is with the messenger. This is what it means to be called and accountable not just for me but for us all.
If the word of God you are applying, preaching or praying is not changing others, answering prayer or meeting needs, the problem is not with God’s word, He never changes but we have. His word never fails, we have departed and we are not being consistent with God as His servants. We have fallen away. Scripture says when God builds a highway, it is a highway of Holiness. Is God requiring of you to be a Highway of Holiness for Himself.
Let’s re-read the text Isaiah 35:8-10
A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there,
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Let’s highlight the first verse - A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
In examining this text let’s remember the end portion, not only is God building a Highway in the life of His church but it is a Highway of holiness. Whose Holiness are we discussing? God’s holiness is building in our lives as we are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. He is the one. But note what it says the unclean shall not pass over it. Now you may be saying that’s not me after all I am part of the redeemed. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, born by water and the blood in the Holy Spirit and have confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. Then you’re indeed saved and part of the redeemed. But just as part of Israel was under the blood some became unclean. Christians if you have departed from God and are coveting secret sins then you are unclean before your God. Why else would scripture say Repent therefore and return that your sins may be washed away in order that times of refreshing can come from being in the presence of the Lord (Acts 3.19) Believers can depart from God and do.
The promise of God is that the unclean and cannot be on the Highway of holiness because they have and are sinning against the truth which God’s Truth not mans. Wonder why your prayers aren’t answered, wonder why there is not joy in your worship, how hard it is to hear a word from God, how the preaching is screeching and you think the pastor is long winded. You see no value is coming Wednesday nights, it’s just a waste of time you have better things to do. There is not joy in giving your time, your talents or your money- after all, that church only wants my money. Or those sermons they are never relevant to my life and they are boring, too long, too weak, too demeaning, too difficult to understand.
Have you heard these types of comments before or recently? Maybe you are the ones who made them?
My friend Henry relates that an 88-year-old woman came forward with tears in her eyes during a revival session at Howard Payne University where he was preaching and leading a teaching on Highway of Holiness. As the session progressed God moved as in a refiners’ fire upon the participants and people all over began to cry out and acknowledge that they had sinned grievously against God. She came forward with canes, tears streaming, saying, “I am and 88-year-old woman and I desire purity before God more than anything in the world. Do you think God can make me clean and use me at 88?”
This is the power of the Word of God when applied by one who walks cleansed on the Highway of Holiness and is in sweet fellowship with Jesus Christ. And is a person in whom the Holy Spirit is fully operating. You see the unclean cannot walk on it. They will not, it is for others. It is for those who rightly related and understand the holiness of God. Many today do not operate in this environment because they have no experience with the absolute surrender, crying out and holiness demanded by God for our lives as His children. We are prisoners of easy believism, not fear of God, no major consequences from sin after all it is God’s job to forgive and we are all going to heaven. These are absolute lies, fake news, from the father of lies the Devil.
Further we are experiencing a generation with no reference points for God’s cleansing or the purity which God achieves in revival.
Our generations are deluded beyond measure both in our expectations of God, and in: COVID 19 cases- lies as to the number, distribution. Mail is ballots – fraud the democrats are intending to steal the elections and if you allow it the you deserve the destruction of America. JB will transform America- lies. He will destroy it. Socialism fat chance, Communism will take your money, lands and make you dependent upon the government for everything. Big brother will tell you all you need to know. You must do something now
So if we are deluded about these then we won’t really believe the word of God has the power it does. Let’s take an example if we read Hebrews 4:12-13 - 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Now if God’s word is true then according to this text, if the servant of God’s heart is a highway of Holiness over which God can reach, then what should be happening when you and I are exposed to these truths?
What should happen then is when God confronts us with His truth, the Holy Spirit who is the refiner’s fire should open our hearts to His truth and it should penetrate our hearts and minds to understand God wants holiness in our inward parts, not partial but total. Every corner of our lives should be touched and absolutely exposed to Him to whom we must give an account.
So you look at me and ask me, when does God desire you to come to Him? I would suggest that every time He speaks to you is when He wants you to come. In your quiet time, your prayer time, your times of worship, bible study, when a song or someone else’s prayer touches your life. Actually if you think about it according to the psalmist and the word of God, everything in life should turn you to God.
Let’s get real if your heart is hard and is filled with external noise - video games, work, hobbies, sex, drugs, alcohol, you will walk into His presence with your mind filled with those things. You will miss God and it will never bother you. There will be no grief, no sorrow you will just turn it off. Is that where you are right now then stop and think – delusion.
Is your heart and mind now causing you to understand this dilemma? Are you understanding He is calling us to faithfulness in all things- with all our hearts and soul, and mind and strength (Mk 12.30). God wants faithful servants, if as you apply the word of God and we don’t see God responding the way Scripture says He will. Hold fast, God is not the problem!! We are.
Isaiah 66:2 says, “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
I don’t know if you are sensing the urgency of the hour but the time is short not just for America which is in extreme peril but for this world. As the church goes so goes the nation and for that matter our world. Jesus instituted and called us together as the church to be the agent for redemption in this time and in this world. We have a choice and we cannot be of two minds. We cannot be doubleminded, for if we are we will miss the time for which we are called. Lt’s become the Highway of Holiness which God can use, remember no unclean are there.
Malachi 3: 1-3
Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
2 “But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And [a]purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness.
The refiners fire is coming soon to you!
Sermon July 12
We have looked in the past times at why the church of today has failed in its due diligence to God in America. We have looked at the church from a human perspective and not from God’s perspective. Tragically, the church in America has gone the way the nation of Israel has gone in the Old Testament. We have departed from God.
I repeat a several verses to refresh our memories and to bring us to where God wants us to be start with
Deuteronomy 30:16 – 20, 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
Key verses are 17- 18: 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish.
There is nothing that needs interpretation in these verses – if your heart turns away you shall surely perish; so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them. Pretty simple to understand for each one of us. We perish.
We have also asked ourselves, why has the church, and remember we are not talking about a building, but the people of God, not been able to complete God’s purposes?
I. We have identified and discussed one element – there is no fear of God in great detail. And because there is no fear of God we treat sin casually with no regard for the holiness and majesty of our God. We have fallen away from true fear and the awesome wonder of our Father and His Son. We have discussed that the sin is the churches sometimes is greater than it is in the general population. Do you know that 38 % of those who have abortions claim that they are believers? And do you know why they don’t come to the church for aid? They say all the churches will do is condemn and criticize and not help? Is this true of Oakland Baptist Church are you reaching out to the unborn and to unwed mothers through your prayer and giving?
II. The Second element of why the church is weak stems also from the lack of fear of God is we have not looked at sin from God’s perspective. To see sin from God’s perspective should cause us to tremble. Sin is the persistent, perennial and perpetual antagonist to all who call themselves human and live on planet earth. None escapes from this vile disease nor from its effect. To know what this looks like we have only to turn on our TVs, read our newspaper’s and see the hate destruction and desolation which sin produces. This is never what God desired for man but it is was freely taken by the choice of Adam and Eve. We are their heritage on one hand.
Let’s quickly go back: to if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away- the Supreme Court decision in 1963 opened the flood gate for the departure of God from our education, which led to the removal of our standard for education, removal of our standard for the courtroom, and the removal of our standard in our homes. You see when the word of God is removed from His people’s hearts they turn away so that we do not hear God’s voice or seek His counsel. Then we are drawn away by our own lusts. Do you not understand if the family is no longer between a man and a woman, it can be a village? Look at our children who now rebel and seek after their own lusts - hence drugs, any kind of hook up or demand sex that we have seen and heard in our schools happens. Gangs, rapes, shootings all come from the destruction and breakdown of family, which leads to the chaos in law and order. This is what is worshiped today not God. The church is no longer the church – in many pulpits there is a famine for the word of God as promised by God Himself when hearts turn away. Why because God says if we abandon Him we will surely perish. Our nation is in death throws and we are like those in Rome wondering what that smell is, as our bright Republic burns to the ground. Think about this truth- can you refute it; can you deny it? (Amos 8:11)
Thirdly, because the church has little fear of God and has a low regard for sin from God’s perspective, then God finds us unable and unprepared to assist. Remember Romans 3:23- All have sinned. There is none righteous, no not one. Our people who call themselves Christians are not turning away from evil but embracing it and bringing it into the churches. We are an affront to God. He is looking for a bride, cleansed and ready for His bidding. But what He sees in our hearts is clinging to sin not repenting and weeping for our lives. (Read Rev. 1-3)
Read from the Old Testament what God’s desire is for the church Isaiah 35, begin with verse 5-
5Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.
Have you been rescued then perhaps you should pay attention? This is how God wants you to be available as a believer. Sure we find the same ideas embedded in Jesus’ teachings in Matt. Chapters 5 to 7
God wants us to be for Himself a Highway of Holiness over which He can use you to begin to reveal Himself and begin revival of all the church; and to have all the nations be able to come to God and meet Him in His glory. Salvation, revival, repentance and renewal is how God wants to use the church.
But, before any of this can happen, the church must come to know the Holiness of God, stand in His righteousness to repent and confess they are not anywhere near what God needs them to be. This applies to each one of us? Where are you as this word strikes your heart? Are you happy in the way you are, even knowing this is the truth? Or do you say don’t lecture me, what about the others who don’t attend any more or who don’t care.
I don’t mean to scare you but the word of God has a clear warning for those who depart after knowing the truth – it says in Heb 10 26-31
– there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [g]says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Scripture says take heed lest you fall.
But let’s not get side tracked- the emphasis and teaching today is to alert your heart to call for your heart to be a highway of holiness for God’s use.
The Bible says the heart is desperately wicked and who can know it? God knows our hearts that’s how Samuel found David in 1st Samuel 16:7: 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [c]refused him. For[d] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God is inward focused.
Jesus also gave us parables about the heart with the sower and the seed and the good soil. Jesus also said, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
So how does one get good treasure in his heart and not only how to get a good heart but how to keep and maintain it in that good condition?
Psalm 14 - Read with me - 14 The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.” They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
3 They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
God has provided the cure for the human heart. Himself. In Romans 5:12, confirms this truth that in Adam came death and in Christ came Life, 12 Therefore, just as through one-man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Life in Jesus is the cure for the human heart. How else could we say at baptism, Buried with Christ in the likeness of His death, raised in glorious likeness of His resurrection! He makes all things new in His grace.
To cure the sin problem and to cure the human heart, God hated sin so much He had to give His greatest offering possible – His only begotten Son. Salvation is the only cure for sin. So to those who by faith have been born again not by flesh and blood but by the Holy Spirit have a new nature. When will we learn to walk in the Spirit? We as the church have sought the world and not God. God cleanse us and forgive us. But God make good out of all things, so rejoice.
Acts 3:19 says Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (NASB)
But we may say how have we departed? If you say this in your heart you have a hard heart and the word of God has not touched you. If so, then Joel 2:12 – offers a Call to Repentance
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
We must turn to God, when He speaks. Now not later is when we are commanded. Today, now is the time. If we do not recognize the hour of our visitation we will miss Gods call and miss His moment for our lives. Let’s not miss our moment.
1. Listen to this counsel - Draw near to God – read you Bible seek Him, not the pages you turn to complete your reading. Seek the author.
2. Pray over a word from the Word of God.
3. Mediate on His truths – My sheep hear My voice and I call them.
Do we not understand as did Jesus when He wept over Jerusalem when they did not know the hour of their visitation and that judgement was coming swiftly? Do we as the church think we will escape judgement that’s not what my Bible says?
4. Live for Christ. We are called to be Holy as He is holy, His standard of holiness not ours. We are given His righteousness not ours – ours are as filthy rags. Do we really think living as the world lives and not taking up our crosses to serve Him will just be Ok? After all He forgives.
Do we have hope? The answer is yes!
Every day is a gift from God and He is your hope. Live for Him, with Him and in Him and all will work out for good. He is our righteousness- Amen
We have looked in the past times at why the church of today has failed in its due diligence to God in America. We have looked at the church from a human perspective and not from God’s perspective. Tragically, the church in America has gone the way the nation of Israel has gone in the Old Testament. We have departed from God.
I repeat a several verses to refresh our memories and to bring us to where God wants us to be start with
Deuteronomy 30:16 – 20, 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
Key verses are 17- 18: 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish.
There is nothing that needs interpretation in these verses – if your heart turns away you shall surely perish; so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them. Pretty simple to understand for each one of us. We perish.
We have also asked ourselves, why has the church, and remember we are not talking about a building, but the people of God, not been able to complete God’s purposes?
I. We have identified and discussed one element – there is no fear of God in great detail. And because there is no fear of God we treat sin casually with no regard for the holiness and majesty of our God. We have fallen away from true fear and the awesome wonder of our Father and His Son. We have discussed that the sin is the churches sometimes is greater than it is in the general population. Do you know that 38 % of those who have abortions claim that they are believers? And do you know why they don’t come to the church for aid? They say all the churches will do is condemn and criticize and not help? Is this true of Oakland Baptist Church are you reaching out to the unborn and to unwed mothers through your prayer and giving?
II. The Second element of why the church is weak stems also from the lack of fear of God is we have not looked at sin from God’s perspective. To see sin from God’s perspective should cause us to tremble. Sin is the persistent, perennial and perpetual antagonist to all who call themselves human and live on planet earth. None escapes from this vile disease nor from its effect. To know what this looks like we have only to turn on our TVs, read our newspaper’s and see the hate destruction and desolation which sin produces. This is never what God desired for man but it is was freely taken by the choice of Adam and Eve. We are their heritage on one hand.
Let’s quickly go back: to if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away- the Supreme Court decision in 1963 opened the flood gate for the departure of God from our education, which led to the removal of our standard for education, removal of our standard for the courtroom, and the removal of our standard in our homes. You see when the word of God is removed from His people’s hearts they turn away so that we do not hear God’s voice or seek His counsel. Then we are drawn away by our own lusts. Do you not understand if the family is no longer between a man and a woman, it can be a village? Look at our children who now rebel and seek after their own lusts - hence drugs, any kind of hook up or demand sex that we have seen and heard in our schools happens. Gangs, rapes, shootings all come from the destruction and breakdown of family, which leads to the chaos in law and order. This is what is worshiped today not God. The church is no longer the church – in many pulpits there is a famine for the word of God as promised by God Himself when hearts turn away. Why because God says if we abandon Him we will surely perish. Our nation is in death throws and we are like those in Rome wondering what that smell is, as our bright Republic burns to the ground. Think about this truth- can you refute it; can you deny it? (Amos 8:11)
Thirdly, because the church has little fear of God and has a low regard for sin from God’s perspective, then God finds us unable and unprepared to assist. Remember Romans 3:23- All have sinned. There is none righteous, no not one. Our people who call themselves Christians are not turning away from evil but embracing it and bringing it into the churches. We are an affront to God. He is looking for a bride, cleansed and ready for His bidding. But what He sees in our hearts is clinging to sin not repenting and weeping for our lives. (Read Rev. 1-3)
Read from the Old Testament what God’s desire is for the church Isaiah 35, begin with verse 5-
5Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.
Have you been rescued then perhaps you should pay attention? This is how God wants you to be available as a believer. Sure we find the same ideas embedded in Jesus’ teachings in Matt. Chapters 5 to 7
God wants us to be for Himself a Highway of Holiness over which He can use you to begin to reveal Himself and begin revival of all the church; and to have all the nations be able to come to God and meet Him in His glory. Salvation, revival, repentance and renewal is how God wants to use the church.
But, before any of this can happen, the church must come to know the Holiness of God, stand in His righteousness to repent and confess they are not anywhere near what God needs them to be. This applies to each one of us? Where are you as this word strikes your heart? Are you happy in the way you are, even knowing this is the truth? Or do you say don’t lecture me, what about the others who don’t attend any more or who don’t care.
I don’t mean to scare you but the word of God has a clear warning for those who depart after knowing the truth – it says in Heb 10 26-31
– there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [g]says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Scripture says take heed lest you fall.
But let’s not get side tracked- the emphasis and teaching today is to alert your heart to call for your heart to be a highway of holiness for God’s use.
The Bible says the heart is desperately wicked and who can know it? God knows our hearts that’s how Samuel found David in 1st Samuel 16:7: 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [c]refused him. For[d] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God is inward focused.
Jesus also gave us parables about the heart with the sower and the seed and the good soil. Jesus also said, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)
So how does one get good treasure in his heart and not only how to get a good heart but how to keep and maintain it in that good condition?
Psalm 14 - Read with me - 14 The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.” They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
3 They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
God has provided the cure for the human heart. Himself. In Romans 5:12, confirms this truth that in Adam came death and in Christ came Life, 12 Therefore, just as through one-man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Life in Jesus is the cure for the human heart. How else could we say at baptism, Buried with Christ in the likeness of His death, raised in glorious likeness of His resurrection! He makes all things new in His grace.
To cure the sin problem and to cure the human heart, God hated sin so much He had to give His greatest offering possible – His only begotten Son. Salvation is the only cure for sin. So to those who by faith have been born again not by flesh and blood but by the Holy Spirit have a new nature. When will we learn to walk in the Spirit? We as the church have sought the world and not God. God cleanse us and forgive us. But God make good out of all things, so rejoice.
Acts 3:19 says Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (NASB)
But we may say how have we departed? If you say this in your heart you have a hard heart and the word of God has not touched you. If so, then Joel 2:12 – offers a Call to Repentance
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
We must turn to God, when He speaks. Now not later is when we are commanded. Today, now is the time. If we do not recognize the hour of our visitation we will miss Gods call and miss His moment for our lives. Let’s not miss our moment.
1. Listen to this counsel - Draw near to God – read you Bible seek Him, not the pages you turn to complete your reading. Seek the author.
2. Pray over a word from the Word of God.
3. Mediate on His truths – My sheep hear My voice and I call them.
Do we not understand as did Jesus when He wept over Jerusalem when they did not know the hour of their visitation and that judgement was coming swiftly? Do we as the church think we will escape judgement that’s not what my Bible says?
4. Live for Christ. We are called to be Holy as He is holy, His standard of holiness not ours. We are given His righteousness not ours – ours are as filthy rags. Do we really think living as the world lives and not taking up our crosses to serve Him will just be Ok? After all He forgives.
Do we have hope? The answer is yes!
Every day is a gift from God and He is your hope. Live for Him, with Him and in Him and all will work out for good. He is our righteousness- Amen
Sermon July 5
We have looked in the past two weeks at why the church of today has failed in its due diligence in America. We have looked at the church from a human perspective and not from God’s perspective. Tragically, the church in America has gone the way the nation of Israel has gone in the Old Testament. We have departed from God.
Deuteronomy 30:16 – 20, 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
The key verses here are verses 17- 18: 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish.
There is nothing that needs interpretation in these verses – if your heart turns away you shall surely perish; so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them. Pretty simple to understand for each one of us. We perish.
We have also asked ourselves, why has the church, and remember we are not talking about a building, but the people of God, not been able to complete God’s purposes? We have identified and discussed one element – there is no fear of God in great detail. And because there is no fear of God we treat sin casually with no regard for the holiness and majesty of our God. We have fallen away from true fear and the awesome wonder of our Father and His Son. We have discussed that the sin is the churches sometimes is greater than it is in the general population. Do you know that 38 % of those who have abortions claim that they are believers? And do you know why they don’t come to the church for aid? They say all the churches will do is condemn and criticize and not help? Is this true of Oakland Baptist Church are you reaching out to the unborn and to unwed mothers through your prayer and giving?
The second element of why the church is weak stems also from the lack of fear of God and is what we will delve into today –we have not looked at sin from God’s perspective. To see sin from God’s perspective should cause us to tremble.
Thirdly, because the church has little regard or fear of God and has allowed themselves to create God in their image and has no regard for sin from God’s perspective, then God cannot use us. God wants us as a Highway of Holiness over which to begin revival and have the nations meet God in His glory which is the church. Before this can happen, the church must repent and confess they are not where God wants them to be. This applies to each one of us? Do you have a heart which is from the good soil, available for new growth? Let’s see.
So how do you think God sees sin? Do you understand Genesis Chapters 1 through 3? Adam and Eve were created perfectly in the garden of Eden. Everything God created was good. God’s creation had but one temptation do not eat of the fruit of the tree or you will surely die! Everything else including the opportunity to fellowship and walk with God was given in the garden to man and woman. That’s right man and woman only. God’s standard was obedience and not to eat but man sinned. So what was God’s response to sin banishment from the garden-death. Curses upon the women in child bearing and made dependent upon the husband. Curses upon the man made to toil and sweat for his future.
The ultimate punishment was death for all men from here on in time. There are no exceptions, there is no release 100% or all will live and die.
From then all men have Sinned and come short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23 Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of our sin is death. This is eternal death not just physical death, meaning separation from God and His loving presence.
Romans 3:9 says - What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
You see, there are no exceptions for sinful men no matter how good you are, no matter how smart, wealthy, intelligent, or able, you cannot and will not be able to escape death and being held accountable for you sin.
The word of God in Romans 5:12, confirms this truth that in Adam came death and in Christ came Life. Please read with me this truth, 12 Therefore, just as through one-man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
So how does God feel about sin? Sin is first mentioned in Gen 4 after Adam and Eve began having children after the fall. Cain was envious and was thinking about killing His brother Able. God no less comes to Cain and warns Him that sin is crouching at the door, waiting to consume Him.
God is so serious about sin that there was no human being who was going to be able to pay the price for their sin. After God had called the Israelites to Him and David wrote Psalm 14 do you think God didn’t understand there was a basic flaw in man. Even in a perfect world, the first man had a flaw and it passed to ever other human being, except one and that was Jesus Christ. Here is God’s heart on Man and his sin very clearly. Read with me - 14 The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.” They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
Because of God’s perfect holiness He cannot abide to be in the presence of sin, so none of us would be allowed in His presence in our current state. To pay the sin debt, God had to send a savior. A sinless, perfect offering was need to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus was the offering, the scapegoat whose dying on the cross at Calvary payed our debt.
You want to know how God feels about sin – He hates sin. And He hates rebellion after what He has done. He hates sin so much He had to send the greatest offering possible – His only begotten Son.
That was the gift of God. But what was the awesome perfect gift- Son of God and Son of Man, the God man. He was and is perfect on every way. He lived and died on this earth and was holy and righteous in all things. He never told a lie, He never cursed, He never blew His stack completely and lost His temper. God hates sin that to save you He had to send His Son. Romans 5:16 says, And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. So the church needs to understand that God hates sin both personal and corporate as a body. Our Father is calling this body of believers to understand the depths of our sin and to know that we must repent and return to Him now. Sin must be seen from the heart of God not from our perspective.
Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Joel 2:12 - A Call to Repentance
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
We have looked in the past two weeks at why the church of today has failed in its due diligence in America. We have looked at the church from a human perspective and not from God’s perspective. Tragically, the church in America has gone the way the nation of Israel has gone in the Old Testament. We have departed from God.
Deuteronomy 30:16 – 20, 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
The key verses here are verses 17- 18: 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish.
There is nothing that needs interpretation in these verses – if your heart turns away you shall surely perish; so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them. Pretty simple to understand for each one of us. We perish.
We have also asked ourselves, why has the church, and remember we are not talking about a building, but the people of God, not been able to complete God’s purposes? We have identified and discussed one element – there is no fear of God in great detail. And because there is no fear of God we treat sin casually with no regard for the holiness and majesty of our God. We have fallen away from true fear and the awesome wonder of our Father and His Son. We have discussed that the sin is the churches sometimes is greater than it is in the general population. Do you know that 38 % of those who have abortions claim that they are believers? And do you know why they don’t come to the church for aid? They say all the churches will do is condemn and criticize and not help? Is this true of Oakland Baptist Church are you reaching out to the unborn and to unwed mothers through your prayer and giving?
The second element of why the church is weak stems also from the lack of fear of God and is what we will delve into today –we have not looked at sin from God’s perspective. To see sin from God’s perspective should cause us to tremble.
Thirdly, because the church has little regard or fear of God and has allowed themselves to create God in their image and has no regard for sin from God’s perspective, then God cannot use us. God wants us as a Highway of Holiness over which to begin revival and have the nations meet God in His glory which is the church. Before this can happen, the church must repent and confess they are not where God wants them to be. This applies to each one of us? Do you have a heart which is from the good soil, available for new growth? Let’s see.
So how do you think God sees sin? Do you understand Genesis Chapters 1 through 3? Adam and Eve were created perfectly in the garden of Eden. Everything God created was good. God’s creation had but one temptation do not eat of the fruit of the tree or you will surely die! Everything else including the opportunity to fellowship and walk with God was given in the garden to man and woman. That’s right man and woman only. God’s standard was obedience and not to eat but man sinned. So what was God’s response to sin banishment from the garden-death. Curses upon the women in child bearing and made dependent upon the husband. Curses upon the man made to toil and sweat for his future.
The ultimate punishment was death for all men from here on in time. There are no exceptions, there is no release 100% or all will live and die.
From then all men have Sinned and come short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23 Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of our sin is death. This is eternal death not just physical death, meaning separation from God and His loving presence.
Romans 3:9 says - What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
You see, there are no exceptions for sinful men no matter how good you are, no matter how smart, wealthy, intelligent, or able, you cannot and will not be able to escape death and being held accountable for you sin.
The word of God in Romans 5:12, confirms this truth that in Adam came death and in Christ came Life. Please read with me this truth, 12 Therefore, just as through one-man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
So how does God feel about sin? Sin is first mentioned in Gen 4 after Adam and Eve began having children after the fall. Cain was envious and was thinking about killing His brother Able. God no less comes to Cain and warns Him that sin is crouching at the door, waiting to consume Him.
God is so serious about sin that there was no human being who was going to be able to pay the price for their sin. After God had called the Israelites to Him and David wrote Psalm 14 do you think God didn’t understand there was a basic flaw in man. Even in a perfect world, the first man had a flaw and it passed to ever other human being, except one and that was Jesus Christ. Here is God’s heart on Man and his sin very clearly. Read with me - 14 The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.” They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
Because of God’s perfect holiness He cannot abide to be in the presence of sin, so none of us would be allowed in His presence in our current state. To pay the sin debt, God had to send a savior. A sinless, perfect offering was need to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus was the offering, the scapegoat whose dying on the cross at Calvary payed our debt.
You want to know how God feels about sin – He hates sin. And He hates rebellion after what He has done. He hates sin so much He had to send the greatest offering possible – His only begotten Son.
That was the gift of God. But what was the awesome perfect gift- Son of God and Son of Man, the God man. He was and is perfect on every way. He lived and died on this earth and was holy and righteous in all things. He never told a lie, He never cursed, He never blew His stack completely and lost His temper. God hates sin that to save you He had to send His Son. Romans 5:16 says, And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. So the church needs to understand that God hates sin both personal and corporate as a body. Our Father is calling this body of believers to understand the depths of our sin and to know that we must repent and return to Him now. Sin must be seen from the heart of God not from our perspective.
Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Joel 2:12 - A Call to Repentance
“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
Sermon June 14
Christ Loved Me 1 John 4:7-11
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence and knowledge in Christ's love for him; and in the offering of his love to Christ. Let’s reread out scripture text again and make some notations:
Verse 8 stands out - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
If your conscience, assuming you still have one, is bothering you concerning this statement we should relook at our roots for believing we are really a Christian. According to our text - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
The cross of Jesus defines this for us. The main post or beam of the cross points us upward towards heaven. Meaning the heavenly relationship toward the Father from the Son should be a love relationship, with a full understanding of the price which was paid for your sonship with God – you have been bought with a price. The love of God should then dwell in you richly. Point being if you don’t really know the love of God, where are you? The answer is lost. The horizontal beam or crossbar is where Jesus spread His arms open to “whosoever will may come.” Remember the thief on the cross – Jesus even in death had time to minister love to others. If you have no love in you from God you will not be able to truly share with others.
You see this in the angry crowds willing to reap and destroy what doesn’t belong to them because they have no understanding of the love of God. Many of these young people have been so indoctrinated in schools all the way through higher education if you can call it that. The don’t have the same values you do, they don’t believe America is a great idea, they hate American and all it stands for today.
You know those hippies of the 60’s have taken over the schools and radical Marxism, communism and socialism are what is being taught to our children. We have allowed the radical fringe access to indoctrinate the next generations and the end product is hate.
Without prayer in schools, without the moral compass of the Bible there is a sliding scale of moralism with no fixed boundary, we must take back our children. Many Christians today ask why when our kids come back from higher education, do the reject our values. The answer is political correctness and Godless professors and teacher who are instilling them with radical ideas. This must stop. Along with defunding planned parenthood we must defund these Universities. When a college dean in making $400Km per year you now know where your tax dollars are going.
We have lost our way and we must exert a path back to this scripture. We must tell others these truths - 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
This truth needs to be taught that God loves us and sent His Son.
Do you think that God can’t change hearts? He changed yours, didn’t He? Otherwise you would not be here today. In our individual rebirths to faith, the Holy Spirit had to sets His seal upon each man and woman to enable that unique soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me."1
Then the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts so that His love overflows and stamps upon our hearts with His gratitude and love to Jesus in return. This overflow is the only way we can make the statement "We love Him because He first loved us."2
In ages past, in our Christianity, this double mark referenced above which overflowed in our lives was clearly seen and evident in all believers in Jesus; they were men and women who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has proved.
This newborn love that they felt toward the Lord God was not a quiet emotion that they hid within in the secret place of their souls and that they only spoke about in private or when they met on the first day of the week and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the crucified; it was a bold passion with them of such a vibrant and all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their lives, in actions, evident in their conversation, and seen in all they did and accomplished.
Love for Jesus was a flame that fed upon the core and heart of their being and therefore by its own force burned its way into their demeanor and shone there. Zeal for the Lord was evident and to honor the glorious of King Jesus was the seal and mark of every genuine Christian. Where is our zeal of the Lord today? Am I in love with Him? Is there a desperation for me to be in His presence? Am I aware of the hour of His visitation and the shortness remaining until He returns?
Am I so unaware of the changes going on around me in our culture and in the world that I miss the connection between ongoing riots, lying in the media and other events and I have to sense of being on mission with Christ. Then what is wrong? Are we like the blind Pharisees, whitewashed tombs doomed for destruction? God help us to get the message out. So what can I do? So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; Amplified Bible
For those brave Christians in the past, it was because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love for Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love.
According to the Scriptures the love of Christ constrains them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to them, and then by being made grateful, they love the Savior and seek Him with all their heart and mind and strength. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart Jer. 29:13
So, do you love Him? Jesus that’s who. Before you sleep, give an honest answer to this weighty question!
Jesus Atoning Love a Study in Isaiah 53:
53:1, 2. In these verses we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin. His message is rejected (v. 1); His person is refused (v. 2); and His mission is misunderstood (v. 3). Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering provides atonement for our sins (vv. 4–6); and though He suffers (v. 7) death (v. 8) and burial (v. 9), He will ultimately be exalted (vv. 10–12). To miss the fact that Jesus Christ is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornerstone and foundation of all the gospel. The rhetorical question Who hath believed our report? is more of an exclamation than an interrogation. Speaking for all the prophets, Isaiah calls attention to the world’s lack of faith in general. The arm of the Lord is the emblem of divine power (cf. 51:9; 52:10). The Servant is described as a tender plant(yōnēq, “suckling” or “shoot”) and a root out of a dry ground, which has already been described as springing from the stump of Jesse (hence the Davidic line).
No form nor comeliness denotes His humble origin rather than His personal appearance. Beauty may be read “elegance.” This description does not mean that He will be homely or ugly, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king. He will come as one who is common. Nothing could better describe the humble appearance of Jesus as a common rabbi.
53:3–5. To provide a detailed description of His suffering, the prophet uses a series of verbs with an assumed subject (the Servant). Despised (from bazah, “to disdain or scorn”) and rejected [chadal, “abandoned”] of men. He is further described as a man of sorrows (mak’ōbōt, severe pains) and acquainted with grief (chōlî, “injuries”). Because of His severe personal suffering we hid as it were our faces from him. The description of Christ’s suffering in the New Testament Gospels clearly indicates the severity of His physical suffering: the agony in the garden, His battered face, the severe scourging, and the torture of the crucifixion itself. His substitutionary atonement is clearly taught. He hath borne our griefs (lit., “spiritual sickness”). The New Testament says that He Himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). Thus He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. We (mankind in general) thought He was judged of God. But he was wounded [or “pierced through”] for our transgressions (sins).
The verb bruised translates daka’, meaning “to be utterly crushed.”
Our iniquities (‘awōn) means moral “evils.” Chastisement [mūsar, “correction” or “discipline”] of our peace refers to that which procured our peace with God. With his stripes (or “wounds”) we are healed (rapa’, to mend or cure) refers to our spiritual condition being made whole. In Isaiah the term is always used of spiritual healing and forgiveness.
53:6, 7. All we (lit., “all of us”) are compared to sheep. .. gone astray to illustrate the desperate condition of mankind, lost, without a Shepherd (Matt. 9:36). All and every are used in parallel, emphasizing the totality of sinful humanity. Laid on him is a causative verb meaning “to strike violently.” Thus Christ propitiates {satisfies} the violent wrath of God for us. The fact that He opened not His mouth is illustrated by a lamb being brought to the slaughter. See John 1:29 and Revelation 5:6, 12.
53:10–12. It pleased the Lord to bruise [from daka’, “to crush”] him refers to the same condition in verse 5. Put him to grief reads “pierce” Him in the Dead Sea Scroll copy of the text (1 Q Is.). His seed refers to those who will come to believe in Him. An offering for sin (asham, “guilt offering”) involves the trespass offering described in Numbers 5:5–10. The phrase he shall prolong his days indicates that the Servant’s ministry will not end with His violent death, and certainly implies His resurrection. The pleasure of the Lord refers to God’s ultimate purposes which will be accomplished by the atoning death and resurrection of the Servant.
These triumphant verses end with the glorification and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord. His intercession refers to His high priestly ministry, by which He makes intercession on the basis of His own substitutionary death. He prays continually for us day and night.
Christ Loved Me 1 John 4:7-11
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence and knowledge in Christ's love for him; and in the offering of his love to Christ. Let’s reread out scripture text again and make some notations:
Verse 8 stands out - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
If your conscience, assuming you still have one, is bothering you concerning this statement we should relook at our roots for believing we are really a Christian. According to our text - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
The cross of Jesus defines this for us. The main post or beam of the cross points us upward towards heaven. Meaning the heavenly relationship toward the Father from the Son should be a love relationship, with a full understanding of the price which was paid for your sonship with God – you have been bought with a price. The love of God should then dwell in you richly. Point being if you don’t really know the love of God, where are you? The answer is lost. The horizontal beam or crossbar is where Jesus spread His arms open to “whosoever will may come.” Remember the thief on the cross – Jesus even in death had time to minister love to others. If you have no love in you from God you will not be able to truly share with others.
You see this in the angry crowds willing to reap and destroy what doesn’t belong to them because they have no understanding of the love of God. Many of these young people have been so indoctrinated in schools all the way through higher education if you can call it that. The don’t have the same values you do, they don’t believe America is a great idea, they hate American and all it stands for today.
You know those hippies of the 60’s have taken over the schools and radical Marxism, communism and socialism are what is being taught to our children. We have allowed the radical fringe access to indoctrinate the next generations and the end product is hate.
Without prayer in schools, without the moral compass of the Bible there is a sliding scale of moralism with no fixed boundary, we must take back our children. Many Christians today ask why when our kids come back from higher education, do the reject our values. The answer is political correctness and Godless professors and teacher who are instilling them with radical ideas. This must stop. Along with defunding planned parenthood we must defund these Universities. When a college dean in making $400Km per year you now know where your tax dollars are going.
We have lost our way and we must exert a path back to this scripture. We must tell others these truths - 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
This truth needs to be taught that God loves us and sent His Son.
Do you think that God can’t change hearts? He changed yours, didn’t He? Otherwise you would not be here today. In our individual rebirths to faith, the Holy Spirit had to sets His seal upon each man and woman to enable that unique soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me."1
Then the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts so that His love overflows and stamps upon our hearts with His gratitude and love to Jesus in return. This overflow is the only way we can make the statement "We love Him because He first loved us."2
In ages past, in our Christianity, this double mark referenced above which overflowed in our lives was clearly seen and evident in all believers in Jesus; they were men and women who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has proved.
This newborn love that they felt toward the Lord God was not a quiet emotion that they hid within in the secret place of their souls and that they only spoke about in private or when they met on the first day of the week and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the crucified; it was a bold passion with them of such a vibrant and all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their lives, in actions, evident in their conversation, and seen in all they did and accomplished.
Love for Jesus was a flame that fed upon the core and heart of their being and therefore by its own force burned its way into their demeanor and shone there. Zeal for the Lord was evident and to honor the glorious of King Jesus was the seal and mark of every genuine Christian. Where is our zeal of the Lord today? Am I in love with Him? Is there a desperation for me to be in His presence? Am I aware of the hour of His visitation and the shortness remaining until He returns?
Am I so unaware of the changes going on around me in our culture and in the world that I miss the connection between ongoing riots, lying in the media and other events and I have to sense of being on mission with Christ. Then what is wrong? Are we like the blind Pharisees, whitewashed tombs doomed for destruction? God help us to get the message out. So what can I do? So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; Amplified Bible
For those brave Christians in the past, it was because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love for Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love.
According to the Scriptures the love of Christ constrains them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to them, and then by being made grateful, they love the Savior and seek Him with all their heart and mind and strength. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart Jer. 29:13
So, do you love Him? Jesus that’s who. Before you sleep, give an honest answer to this weighty question!
Jesus Atoning Love a Study in Isaiah 53:
53:1, 2. In these verses we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin. His message is rejected (v. 1); His person is refused (v. 2); and His mission is misunderstood (v. 3). Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering provides atonement for our sins (vv. 4–6); and though He suffers (v. 7) death (v. 8) and burial (v. 9), He will ultimately be exalted (vv. 10–12). To miss the fact that Jesus Christ is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornerstone and foundation of all the gospel. The rhetorical question Who hath believed our report? is more of an exclamation than an interrogation. Speaking for all the prophets, Isaiah calls attention to the world’s lack of faith in general. The arm of the Lord is the emblem of divine power (cf. 51:9; 52:10). The Servant is described as a tender plant(yōnēq, “suckling” or “shoot”) and a root out of a dry ground, which has already been described as springing from the stump of Jesse (hence the Davidic line).
No form nor comeliness denotes His humble origin rather than His personal appearance. Beauty may be read “elegance.” This description does not mean that He will be homely or ugly, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king. He will come as one who is common. Nothing could better describe the humble appearance of Jesus as a common rabbi.
53:3–5. To provide a detailed description of His suffering, the prophet uses a series of verbs with an assumed subject (the Servant). Despised (from bazah, “to disdain or scorn”) and rejected [chadal, “abandoned”] of men. He is further described as a man of sorrows (mak’ōbōt, severe pains) and acquainted with grief (chōlî, “injuries”). Because of His severe personal suffering we hid as it were our faces from him. The description of Christ’s suffering in the New Testament Gospels clearly indicates the severity of His physical suffering: the agony in the garden, His battered face, the severe scourging, and the torture of the crucifixion itself. His substitutionary atonement is clearly taught. He hath borne our griefs (lit., “spiritual sickness”). The New Testament says that He Himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). Thus He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. We (mankind in general) thought He was judged of God. But he was wounded [or “pierced through”] for our transgressions (sins).
The verb bruised translates daka’, meaning “to be utterly crushed.”
Our iniquities (‘awōn) means moral “evils.” Chastisement [mūsar, “correction” or “discipline”] of our peace refers to that which procured our peace with God. With his stripes (or “wounds”) we are healed (rapa’, to mend or cure) refers to our spiritual condition being made whole. In Isaiah the term is always used of spiritual healing and forgiveness.
53:6, 7. All we (lit., “all of us”) are compared to sheep. .. gone astray to illustrate the desperate condition of mankind, lost, without a Shepherd (Matt. 9:36). All and every are used in parallel, emphasizing the totality of sinful humanity. Laid on him is a causative verb meaning “to strike violently.” Thus Christ propitiates {satisfies} the violent wrath of God for us. The fact that He opened not His mouth is illustrated by a lamb being brought to the slaughter. See John 1:29 and Revelation 5:6, 12.
53:10–12. It pleased the Lord to bruise [from daka’, “to crush”] him refers to the same condition in verse 5. Put him to grief reads “pierce” Him in the Dead Sea Scroll copy of the text (1 Q Is.). His seed refers to those who will come to believe in Him. An offering for sin (asham, “guilt offering”) involves the trespass offering described in Numbers 5:5–10. The phrase he shall prolong his days indicates that the Servant’s ministry will not end with His violent death, and certainly implies His resurrection. The pleasure of the Lord refers to God’s ultimate purposes which will be accomplished by the atoning death and resurrection of the Servant.
These triumphant verses end with the glorification and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord. His intercession refers to His high priestly ministry, by which He makes intercession on the basis of His own substitutionary death. He prays continually for us day and night.
Sermon June 7
Christ Loved Me 1 John 4:7-11
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence and knowledge in Christ's love for him; and in the offering of his love to Christ. Let’s reread out scripture text again and make some notations:
Verse 8 stands out - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
If your conscience, assuming you still have one, is bothering you concerning this statement we should relook at our roots for believing we are really a Christian. According to our text - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
The cross of Jesus defines this for us. The main post or beam of the cross points us upward towards heaven. Meaning the heavenly relationship toward the Father from the Son should be a love relationship, with a full understanding of the price which was paid for your sonship with God – you have been bought with a price. The love of God should then dwell in you richly. Point being if you don’t really know the love of God, where are you? The answer is lost. The horizontal beam or crossbar is where Jesus spread His arms open to “whosoever will may come.” Remember the thief on the cross – Jesus even in death had time to minister love to others. If you have no love in you from God you will not be able to truly share with others.
You see this in the angry crowds willing to reap and destroy what doesn’t belong to them because they have no understanding of the love of God. Many of these young people have been so indoctrinated in schools all the way through higher education if you can call it that. The don’t have the same values you do, they don’t believe America is a great idea, they hate American and all it stands for today.
You know those hippies of the 60’s have taken over the schools and radical Marxism, communism and socialism are what is being taught to our children. We have allowed the radical fringe access to indoctrinate the next generations and the end product is hate.
Without prayer in schools, without the moral compass of the Bible there is a sliding scale of moralism with no fixed boundary, we must take back our children. Many Christians today ask why when our kids come back from higher education, do the reject our values. The answer is political correctness and Godless professors and teacher who are instilling them with radical ideas. This must stop. Along with defunding planned parenthood we must defund these Universities. When a college dean in making $400Km per year you now know where your tax dollars are going.
We have lost our way and we must exert a path back to this scripture. We must tell others these truths - 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
This truth needs to be taught that God loves us and sent His Son.
Do you think that God can’t change hearts? He changed yours, didn’t He? Otherwise you would not be here today. In our individual rebirths to faith, the Holy Spirit had to sets His seal upon each man and woman to enable that unique soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me."1
Then the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts so that His love overflows and stamps upon our hearts with His gratitude and love to Jesus in return. This overflow is the only way we can make the statement "We love Him because He first loved us."2
In ages past, in our Christianity, this double mark referenced above which overflowed in our lives was clearly seen and evident in all believers in Jesus; they were men and women who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has proved.
This newborn love that they felt toward the Lord God was not a quiet emotion that they hid within in the secret place of their souls and that they only spoke about in private or when they met on the first day of the week and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the crucified; it was a bold passion with them of such a vibrant and all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their lives, in actions, evident in their conversation, and seen in all they did and accomplished.
Love for Jesus was a flame that fed upon the core and heart of their being and therefore by its own force burned its way into their demeanor and shone there. Zeal for the Lord was evident and to honor the glorious of King Jesus was the seal and mark of every genuine Christian. Where is our zeal of the Lord today? Am I in love with Him? Is there a desperation for me to be in His presence? Am I aware of the hour of His visitation and the shortness remaining until He returns?
Am I so unaware of the changes going on around me in our culture and in the world that I miss the connection between ongoing riots, lying in the media and other events and I have to sense of being on mission with Christ. Then what is wrong? Are we like the blind Pharisees, whitewashed tombs doomed for destruction? God help us to get the message out. So what can I do? So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; Amplified Bible
For those brave Christians in the past, it was because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love for Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love.
According to the Scriptures the love of Christ constrains them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to them, and then by being made grateful, they love the Savior and seek Him with all their heart and mind and strength. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart Jer. 29:13
So, do you love Him? Jesus that’s who. Before you sleep, give an honest answer to this weighty question!
Jesus Atoning Love a Study in Isaiah 53:
53:1, 2. In these verses we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin. His message is rejected (v. 1); His person is refused (v. 2); and His mission is misunderstood (v. 3). Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering provides atonement for our sins (vv. 4–6); and though He suffers (v. 7) death (v. 8) and burial (v. 9), He will ultimately be exalted (vv. 10–12). To miss the fact that Jesus Christ is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornerstone and foundation of all the gospel. The rhetorical question Who hath believed our report? is more of an exclamation than an interrogation. Speaking for all the prophets, Isaiah calls attention to the world’s lack of faith in general. The arm of the Lord is the emblem of divine power (cf. 51:9; 52:10). The Servant is described as a tender plant(yōnēq, “suckling” or “shoot”) and a root out of a dry ground, which has already been described as springing from the stump of Jesse (hence the Davidic line).
No form nor comeliness denotes His humble origin rather than His personal appearance. Beauty may be read “elegance.” This description does not mean that He will be homely or ugly, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king. He will come as one who is common. Nothing could better describe the humble appearance of Jesus as a common rabbi.
53:3–5. To provide a detailed description of His suffering, the prophet uses a series of verbs with an assumed subject (the Servant). Despised (from bazah, “to disdain or scorn”) and rejected [chadal, “abandoned”] of men. He is further described as a man of sorrows (mak’ōbōt, severe pains) and acquainted with grief (chōlî, “injuries”). Because of His severe personal suffering we hid as it were our faces from him. The description of Christ’s suffering in the New Testament Gospels clearly indicates the severity of His physical suffering: the agony in the garden, His battered face, the severe scourging, and the torture of the crucifixion itself. His substitutionary atonement is clearly taught. He hath borne our griefs (lit., “spiritual sickness”). The New Testament says that He Himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). Thus He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. We (mankind in general) thought He was judged of God. But he was wounded [or “pierced through”] for our transgressions (sins).
The verb bruised translates daka’, meaning “to be utterly crushed.”
Our iniquities (‘awōn) means moral “evils.” Chastisement [mūsar, “correction” or “discipline”] of our peace refers to that which procured our peace with God. With his stripes (or “wounds”) we are healed (rapa’, to mend or cure) refers to our spiritual condition being made whole. In Isaiah the term is always used of spiritual healing and forgiveness.
53:6, 7. All we (lit., “all of us”) are compared to sheep. .. gone astray to illustrate the desperate condition of mankind, lost, without a Shepherd (Matt. 9:36). All and every are used in parallel, emphasizing the totality of sinful humanity. Laid on him is a causative verb meaning “to strike violently.” Thus Christ propitiates {satisfies} the violent wrath of God for us. The fact that He opened not His mouth is illustrated by a lamb being brought to the slaughter. See John 1:29 and Revelation 5:6, 12.
53:10–12. It pleased the Lord to bruise [from daka’, “to crush”] him refers to the same condition in verse 5. Put him to grief reads “pierce” Him in the Dead Sea Scroll copy of the text (1 Q Is.). His seed refers to those who will come to believe in Him. An offering for sin (asham, “guilt offering”) involves the trespass offering described in Numbers 5:5–10. The phrase he shall prolong his days indicates that the Servant’s ministry will not end with His violent death, and certainly implies His resurrection. The pleasure of the Lord refers to God’s ultimate purposes which will be accomplished by the atoning death and resurrection of the Servant.
These triumphant verses end with the glorification and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord. His intercession refers to His high priestly ministry, by which He makes intercession on the basis of His own substitutionary death. He prays continually for us day and night.
Christ Loved Me 1 John 4:7-11
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence and knowledge in Christ's love for him; and in the offering of his love to Christ. Let’s reread out scripture text again and make some notations:
Verse 8 stands out - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
If your conscience, assuming you still have one, is bothering you concerning this statement we should relook at our roots for believing we are really a Christian. According to our text - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
The cross of Jesus defines this for us. The main post or beam of the cross points us upward towards heaven. Meaning the heavenly relationship toward the Father from the Son should be a love relationship, with a full understanding of the price which was paid for your sonship with God – you have been bought with a price. The love of God should then dwell in you richly. Point being if you don’t really know the love of God, where are you? The answer is lost. The horizontal beam or crossbar is where Jesus spread His arms open to “whosoever will may come.” Remember the thief on the cross – Jesus even in death had time to minister love to others. If you have no love in you from God you will not be able to truly share with others.
You see this in the angry crowds willing to reap and destroy what doesn’t belong to them because they have no understanding of the love of God. Many of these young people have been so indoctrinated in schools all the way through higher education if you can call it that. The don’t have the same values you do, they don’t believe America is a great idea, they hate American and all it stands for today.
You know those hippies of the 60’s have taken over the schools and radical Marxism, communism and socialism are what is being taught to our children. We have allowed the radical fringe access to indoctrinate the next generations and the end product is hate.
Without prayer in schools, without the moral compass of the Bible there is a sliding scale of moralism with no fixed boundary, we must take back our children. Many Christians today ask why when our kids come back from higher education, do the reject our values. The answer is political correctness and Godless professors and teacher who are instilling them with radical ideas. This must stop. Along with defunding planned parenthood we must defund these Universities. When a college dean in making $400Km per year you now know where your tax dollars are going.
We have lost our way and we must exert a path back to this scripture. We must tell others these truths - 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
This truth needs to be taught that God loves us and sent His Son.
Do you think that God can’t change hearts? He changed yours, didn’t He? Otherwise you would not be here today. In our individual rebirths to faith, the Holy Spirit had to sets His seal upon each man and woman to enable that unique soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me."1
Then the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts so that His love overflows and stamps upon our hearts with His gratitude and love to Jesus in return. This overflow is the only way we can make the statement "We love Him because He first loved us."2
In ages past, in our Christianity, this double mark referenced above which overflowed in our lives was clearly seen and evident in all believers in Jesus; they were men and women who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has proved.
This newborn love that they felt toward the Lord God was not a quiet emotion that they hid within in the secret place of their souls and that they only spoke about in private or when they met on the first day of the week and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the crucified; it was a bold passion with them of such a vibrant and all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their lives, in actions, evident in their conversation, and seen in all they did and accomplished.
Love for Jesus was a flame that fed upon the core and heart of their being and therefore by its own force burned its way into their demeanor and shone there. Zeal for the Lord was evident and to honor the glorious of King Jesus was the seal and mark of every genuine Christian. Where is our zeal of the Lord today? Am I in love with Him? Is there a desperation for me to be in His presence? Am I aware of the hour of His visitation and the shortness remaining until He returns?
Am I so unaware of the changes going on around me in our culture and in the world that I miss the connection between ongoing riots, lying in the media and other events and I have to sense of being on mission with Christ. Then what is wrong? Are we like the blind Pharisees, whitewashed tombs doomed for destruction? God help us to get the message out. So what can I do? So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; Amplified Bible
For those brave Christians in the past, it was because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love for Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love.
According to the Scriptures the love of Christ constrains them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to them, and then by being made grateful, they love the Savior and seek Him with all their heart and mind and strength. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart Jer. 29:13
So, do you love Him? Jesus that’s who. Before you sleep, give an honest answer to this weighty question!
Jesus Atoning Love a Study in Isaiah 53:
53:1, 2. In these verses we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin. His message is rejected (v. 1); His person is refused (v. 2); and His mission is misunderstood (v. 3). Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering provides atonement for our sins (vv. 4–6); and though He suffers (v. 7) death (v. 8) and burial (v. 9), He will ultimately be exalted (vv. 10–12). To miss the fact that Jesus Christ is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornerstone and foundation of all the gospel. The rhetorical question Who hath believed our report? is more of an exclamation than an interrogation. Speaking for all the prophets, Isaiah calls attention to the world’s lack of faith in general. The arm of the Lord is the emblem of divine power (cf. 51:9; 52:10). The Servant is described as a tender plant(yōnēq, “suckling” or “shoot”) and a root out of a dry ground, which has already been described as springing from the stump of Jesse (hence the Davidic line).
No form nor comeliness denotes His humble origin rather than His personal appearance. Beauty may be read “elegance.” This description does not mean that He will be homely or ugly, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king. He will come as one who is common. Nothing could better describe the humble appearance of Jesus as a common rabbi.
53:3–5. To provide a detailed description of His suffering, the prophet uses a series of verbs with an assumed subject (the Servant). Despised (from bazah, “to disdain or scorn”) and rejected [chadal, “abandoned”] of men. He is further described as a man of sorrows (mak’ōbōt, severe pains) and acquainted with grief (chōlî, “injuries”). Because of His severe personal suffering we hid as it were our faces from him. The description of Christ’s suffering in the New Testament Gospels clearly indicates the severity of His physical suffering: the agony in the garden, His battered face, the severe scourging, and the torture of the crucifixion itself. His substitutionary atonement is clearly taught. He hath borne our griefs (lit., “spiritual sickness”). The New Testament says that He Himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). Thus He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. We (mankind in general) thought He was judged of God. But he was wounded [or “pierced through”] for our transgressions (sins).
The verb bruised translates daka’, meaning “to be utterly crushed.”
Our iniquities (‘awōn) means moral “evils.” Chastisement [mūsar, “correction” or “discipline”] of our peace refers to that which procured our peace with God. With his stripes (or “wounds”) we are healed (rapa’, to mend or cure) refers to our spiritual condition being made whole. In Isaiah the term is always used of spiritual healing and forgiveness.
53:6, 7. All we (lit., “all of us”) are compared to sheep. .. gone astray to illustrate the desperate condition of mankind, lost, without a Shepherd (Matt. 9:36). All and every are used in parallel, emphasizing the totality of sinful humanity. Laid on him is a causative verb meaning “to strike violently.” Thus Christ propitiates {satisfies} the violent wrath of God for us. The fact that He opened not His mouth is illustrated by a lamb being brought to the slaughter. See John 1:29 and Revelation 5:6, 12.
53:10–12. It pleased the Lord to bruise [from daka’, “to crush”] him refers to the same condition in verse 5. Put him to grief reads “pierce” Him in the Dead Sea Scroll copy of the text (1 Q Is.). His seed refers to those who will come to believe in Him. An offering for sin (asham, “guilt offering”) involves the trespass offering described in Numbers 5:5–10. The phrase he shall prolong his days indicates that the Servant’s ministry will not end with His violent death, and certainly implies His resurrection. The pleasure of the Lord refers to God’s ultimate purposes which will be accomplished by the atoning death and resurrection of the Servant.
These triumphant verses end with the glorification and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord. His intercession refers to His high priestly ministry, by which He makes intercession on the basis of His own substitutionary death. He prays continually for us day and night.
Sermon May 31
Christ Loved Me 1 John 4:7-11
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence and knowledge in Christ's love for him; and in the offering of his love to Christ. Let’s reread out scripture text again and make some notations:
Verse 8 stands out - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
If your conscience, assuming you still have one, is bothering you concerning this statement we should relook at our roots for believing we are really a Christian. According to our text - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
The cross of Jesus defines this for us. The main post or beam of the cross points us upward towards heaven. Meaning the heavenly relationship toward the Father from the Son should be a love relationship, with a full understanding of the price which was paid for your sonship with God – you have been bought with a price. The love of God should then dwell in you richly. Point being if you don’t really know the love of God, where are you? The answer is lost. The horizontal beam or crossbar is where Jesus spread His arms open to “whosoever will may come.” Remember the thief on the cross – Jesus even in death had time to minister love to others. If you have no love in you from God you will not be able to truly share with others.
You see this in the angry crowds willing to reap and destroy what doesn’t belong to them because they have no understanding of the love of God. Many of these young people have been so indoctrinated in schools all the way through higher education if you can call it that. The don’t have the same values you do, they don’t believe America is a great idea, they hate American and all it stands for today.
You know those hippies of the 60’s have taken over the schools and radical Marxism, communism and socialism are what is being taught to our children. We have allowed the radical fringe access to indoctrinate the next generations and the end product is hate.
Without prayer in schools, without the moral compass of the Bible there is a sliding scale of moralism with no fixed boundary, we must take back our children. Many Christians today ask why when our kids come back from higher education, do the reject our values. The answer is political correctness and Godless professors and teacher who are instilling them with radical ideas. This must stop. Along with defunding planned parenthood we must defund these Universities. When a college dean in making $400Km per year you now know where your tax dollars are going.
We have lost our way and we must exert a path back to this scripture. We must tell others these truths - 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
This truth needs to be taught that God loves us and sent His Son.
Do you think that God can’t change hearts? He changed yours, didn’t He? Otherwise you would not be here today. In our individual rebirths to faith, the Holy Spirit had to sets His seal upon each man and woman to enable that unique soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me."1
Then the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts so that His love overflows and stamps upon our hearts with His gratitude and love to Jesus in return. This overflow is the only way we can make the statement "We love Him because He first loved us."2
In ages past, in our Christianity, this double mark referenced above which overflowed in our lives was clearly seen and evident in all believers in Jesus; they were men and women who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has proved.
This newborn love that they felt toward the Lord God was not a quiet emotion that they hid within in the secret place of their souls and that they only spoke about in private or when they met on the first day of the week and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the crucified; it was a bold passion with them of such a vibrant and all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their lives, in actions, evident in their conversation, and seen in all they did and accomplished.
Love for Jesus was a flame that fed upon the core and heart of their being and therefore by its own force burned its way into their demeanor and shone there. Zeal for the Lord was evident and to honor the glorious of King Jesus was the seal and mark of every genuine Christian. Where is our zeal of the Lord today? Am I in love with Him? Is there a desperation for me to be in His presence? Am I aware of the hour of His visitation and the shortness remaining until He returns?
Am I so unaware of the changes going on around me in our culture and in the world that I miss the connection between ongoing riots, lying in the media and other events and I have to sense of being on mission with Christ. Then what is wrong? Are we like the blind Pharisees, whitewashed tombs doomed for destruction? God help us to get the message out. So what can I do? So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; Amplified Bible
For those brave Christians in the past, it was because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love for Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love.
According to the Scriptures the love of Christ constrains them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to them, and then by being made grateful, they love the Savior and seek Him with all their heart and mind and strength. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart Jer. 29:13
So, do you love Him? Jesus that’s who. Before you sleep, give an honest answer to this weighty question!
Jesus Atoning Love a Study in Isaiah 53:
53:1, 2. In these verses we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin. His message is rejected (v. 1); His person is refused (v. 2); and His mission is misunderstood (v. 3). Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering provides atonement for our sins (vv. 4–6); and though He suffers (v. 7) death (v. 8) and burial (v. 9), He will ultimately be exalted (vv. 10–12). To miss the fact that Jesus Christ is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornerstone and foundation of all the gospel. The rhetorical question Who hath believed our report? is more of an exclamation than an interrogation. Speaking for all the prophets, Isaiah calls attention to the world’s lack of faith in general. The arm of the Lord is the emblem of divine power (cf. 51:9; 52:10). The Servant is described as a tender plant(yōnēq, “suckling” or “shoot”) and a root out of a dry ground, which has already been described as springing from the stump of Jesse (hence the Davidic line).
No form nor comeliness denotes His humble origin rather than His personal appearance. Beauty may be read “elegance.” This description does not mean that He will be homely or ugly, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king. He will come as one who is common. Nothing could better describe the humble appearance of Jesus as a common rabbi.
53:3–5. To provide a detailed description of His suffering, the prophet uses a series of verbs with an assumed subject (the Servant). Despised (from bazah, “to disdain or scorn”) and rejected [chadal, “abandoned”] of men. He is further described as a man of sorrows (mak’ōbōt, severe pains) and acquainted with grief (chōlî, “injuries”). Because of His severe personal suffering we hid as it were our faces from him. The description of Christ’s suffering in the New Testament Gospels clearly indicates the severity of His physical suffering: the agony in the garden, His battered face, the severe scourging, and the torture of the crucifixion itself. His substitutionary atonement is clearly taught. He hath borne our griefs (lit., “spiritual sickness”). The New Testament says that He Himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). Thus He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. We (mankind in general) thought He was judged of God. But he was wounded [or “pierced through”] for our transgressions (sins).
The verb bruised translates daka’, meaning “to be utterly crushed.”
Our iniquities (‘awōn) means moral “evils.” Chastisement [mūsar, “correction” or “discipline”] of our peace refers to that which procured our peace with God. With his stripes (or “wounds”) we are healed (rapa’, to mend or cure) refers to our spiritual condition being made whole. In Isaiah the term is always used of spiritual healing and forgiveness.
53:6, 7. All we (lit., “all of us”) are compared to sheep. .. gone astray to illustrate the desperate condition of mankind, lost, without a Shepherd (Matt. 9:36). All and every are used in parallel, emphasizing the totality of sinful humanity. Laid on him is a causative verb meaning “to strike violently.” Thus Christ propitiates {satisfies} the violent wrath of God for us. The fact that He opened not His mouth is illustrated by a lamb being brought to the slaughter. See John 1:29 and Revelation 5:6, 12.
53:10–12. It pleased the Lord to bruise [from daka’, “to crush”] him refers to the same condition in verse 5. Put him to grief reads “pierce” Him in the Dead Sea Scroll copy of the text (1 Q Is.). His seed refers to those who will come to believe in Him. An offering for sin (asham, “guilt offering”) involves the trespass offering described in Numbers 5:5–10. The phrase he shall prolong his days indicates that the Servant’s ministry will not end with His violent death, and certainly implies His resurrection. The pleasure of the Lord refers to God’s ultimate purposes which will be accomplished by the atoning death and resurrection of the Servant.
These triumphant verses end with the glorification and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord. His intercession refers to His high priestly ministry, by which He makes intercession on the basis of His own substitutionary death. He prays continually for us day and night.
Christ Loved Me 1 John 4:7-11
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence and knowledge in Christ's love for him; and in the offering of his love to Christ. Let’s reread out scripture text again and make some notations:
Verse 8 stands out - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
If your conscience, assuming you still have one, is bothering you concerning this statement we should relook at our roots for believing we are really a Christian. According to our text - 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
The cross of Jesus defines this for us. The main post or beam of the cross points us upward towards heaven. Meaning the heavenly relationship toward the Father from the Son should be a love relationship, with a full understanding of the price which was paid for your sonship with God – you have been bought with a price. The love of God should then dwell in you richly. Point being if you don’t really know the love of God, where are you? The answer is lost. The horizontal beam or crossbar is where Jesus spread His arms open to “whosoever will may come.” Remember the thief on the cross – Jesus even in death had time to minister love to others. If you have no love in you from God you will not be able to truly share with others.
You see this in the angry crowds willing to reap and destroy what doesn’t belong to them because they have no understanding of the love of God. Many of these young people have been so indoctrinated in schools all the way through higher education if you can call it that. The don’t have the same values you do, they don’t believe America is a great idea, they hate American and all it stands for today.
You know those hippies of the 60’s have taken over the schools and radical Marxism, communism and socialism are what is being taught to our children. We have allowed the radical fringe access to indoctrinate the next generations and the end product is hate.
Without prayer in schools, without the moral compass of the Bible there is a sliding scale of moralism with no fixed boundary, we must take back our children. Many Christians today ask why when our kids come back from higher education, do the reject our values. The answer is political correctness and Godless professors and teacher who are instilling them with radical ideas. This must stop. Along with defunding planned parenthood we must defund these Universities. When a college dean in making $400Km per year you now know where your tax dollars are going.
We have lost our way and we must exert a path back to this scripture. We must tell others these truths - 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
This truth needs to be taught that God loves us and sent His Son.
Do you think that God can’t change hearts? He changed yours, didn’t He? Otherwise you would not be here today. In our individual rebirths to faith, the Holy Spirit had to sets His seal upon each man and woman to enable that unique soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me."1
Then the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts so that His love overflows and stamps upon our hearts with His gratitude and love to Jesus in return. This overflow is the only way we can make the statement "We love Him because He first loved us."2
In ages past, in our Christianity, this double mark referenced above which overflowed in our lives was clearly seen and evident in all believers in Jesus; they were men and women who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has proved.
This newborn love that they felt toward the Lord God was not a quiet emotion that they hid within in the secret place of their souls and that they only spoke about in private or when they met on the first day of the week and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the crucified; it was a bold passion with them of such a vibrant and all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their lives, in actions, evident in their conversation, and seen in all they did and accomplished.
Love for Jesus was a flame that fed upon the core and heart of their being and therefore by its own force burned its way into their demeanor and shone there. Zeal for the Lord was evident and to honor the glorious of King Jesus was the seal and mark of every genuine Christian. Where is our zeal of the Lord today? Am I in love with Him? Is there a desperation for me to be in His presence? Am I aware of the hour of His visitation and the shortness remaining until He returns?
Am I so unaware of the changes going on around me in our culture and in the world that I miss the connection between ongoing riots, lying in the media and other events and I have to sense of being on mission with Christ. Then what is wrong? Are we like the blind Pharisees, whitewashed tombs doomed for destruction? God help us to get the message out. So what can I do? So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; Amplified Bible
For those brave Christians in the past, it was because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love for Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love.
According to the Scriptures the love of Christ constrains them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to them, and then by being made grateful, they love the Savior and seek Him with all their heart and mind and strength. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart Jer. 29:13
So, do you love Him? Jesus that’s who. Before you sleep, give an honest answer to this weighty question!
Jesus Atoning Love a Study in Isaiah 53:
53:1, 2. In these verses we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin. His message is rejected (v. 1); His person is refused (v. 2); and His mission is misunderstood (v. 3). Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering provides atonement for our sins (vv. 4–6); and though He suffers (v. 7) death (v. 8) and burial (v. 9), He will ultimately be exalted (vv. 10–12). To miss the fact that Jesus Christ is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornerstone and foundation of all the gospel. The rhetorical question Who hath believed our report? is more of an exclamation than an interrogation. Speaking for all the prophets, Isaiah calls attention to the world’s lack of faith in general. The arm of the Lord is the emblem of divine power (cf. 51:9; 52:10). The Servant is described as a tender plant(yōnēq, “suckling” or “shoot”) and a root out of a dry ground, which has already been described as springing from the stump of Jesse (hence the Davidic line).
No form nor comeliness denotes His humble origin rather than His personal appearance. Beauty may be read “elegance.” This description does not mean that He will be homely or ugly, but that He will not appear on the scene in the regalia of a king. He will come as one who is common. Nothing could better describe the humble appearance of Jesus as a common rabbi.
53:3–5. To provide a detailed description of His suffering, the prophet uses a series of verbs with an assumed subject (the Servant). Despised (from bazah, “to disdain or scorn”) and rejected [chadal, “abandoned”] of men. He is further described as a man of sorrows (mak’ōbōt, severe pains) and acquainted with grief (chōlî, “injuries”). Because of His severe personal suffering we hid as it were our faces from him. The description of Christ’s suffering in the New Testament Gospels clearly indicates the severity of His physical suffering: the agony in the garden, His battered face, the severe scourging, and the torture of the crucifixion itself. His substitutionary atonement is clearly taught. He hath borne our griefs (lit., “spiritual sickness”). The New Testament says that He Himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24). Thus He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. We (mankind in general) thought He was judged of God. But he was wounded [or “pierced through”] for our transgressions (sins).
The verb bruised translates daka’, meaning “to be utterly crushed.”
Our iniquities (‘awōn) means moral “evils.” Chastisement [mūsar, “correction” or “discipline”] of our peace refers to that which procured our peace with God. With his stripes (or “wounds”) we are healed (rapa’, to mend or cure) refers to our spiritual condition being made whole. In Isaiah the term is always used of spiritual healing and forgiveness.
53:6, 7. All we (lit., “all of us”) are compared to sheep. .. gone astray to illustrate the desperate condition of mankind, lost, without a Shepherd (Matt. 9:36). All and every are used in parallel, emphasizing the totality of sinful humanity. Laid on him is a causative verb meaning “to strike violently.” Thus Christ propitiates {satisfies} the violent wrath of God for us. The fact that He opened not His mouth is illustrated by a lamb being brought to the slaughter. See John 1:29 and Revelation 5:6, 12.
53:10–12. It pleased the Lord to bruise [from daka’, “to crush”] him refers to the same condition in verse 5. Put him to grief reads “pierce” Him in the Dead Sea Scroll copy of the text (1 Q Is.). His seed refers to those who will come to believe in Him. An offering for sin (asham, “guilt offering”) involves the trespass offering described in Numbers 5:5–10. The phrase he shall prolong his days indicates that the Servant’s ministry will not end with His violent death, and certainly implies His resurrection. The pleasure of the Lord refers to God’s ultimate purposes which will be accomplished by the atoning death and resurrection of the Servant.
These triumphant verses end with the glorification and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord. His intercession refers to His high priestly ministry, by which He makes intercession on the basis of His own substitutionary death. He prays continually for us day and night.
May 17 Sermon
Monty Roberts’ work with horses inspired the movie called The Horse Whisperer. And during a 60 Minutes episode, Monty Roberts taught the world the secret of his horse whispering. It involves his getting into the corral with the untamed mustangs and staying as far away from the animal as possible, without leaving the enclosure. He also refuses to allow any eye contact between him and the horse. By moving slowly, but surely, away from the horse, and by keeping his eyes averted from the animal’s gaze, Monty slowly draws the horse to himself. Even though the beast is pounding the earth with his foot, and snorting and circling with great speed, Monty keeps steadily moving away from the horse. He won’t look at it. He won’t approach it. As astounding as it sounds, Monty can have a wild mustang saddled and carrying a rider quite happily. When asked about his secret, he says, “The animals need to be with others so much, they would rather befriend the enemy than be left alone.” (Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, The Shaping of Things to Come, Hendrickson, 2003, p. 98; www.PreachingToday.com)
People will befriend even the enemy of their souls rather than be left alone. They will do things in the search for intimacy that are only self-destructive in the end. They will look for it in the bars. They will look for it in internet pornography. They will look for it in bad relationships.
But there is a better way to find intimacy. There is a better way to find the companionship we’re all looking for. There is a better way to find the fellowship and joy we all so desperately need. If you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to 1 John 1, 1-4, where the Bible shows us that way.
1 John 1:1-4 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (ESV)
Find fellowship and joy through the Word of Life. Find the delight of intimacy in a relationship with Christ. Find the pleasure of companionship in Him.
That’s where John, the one who penned these words, says he and his friends found it. They were rugged fisherman, used to the hard life of the sea. They worked hard to earn a living, putting up with the unpredictable storms that often arose on the Sea of Galilee. Life was not easy for them.
In fact, John and his brother, James, were actually nicknamed “Sons of Thunder,” not because they were nice, easy-going fellows. No. They were the ones that wanted to call fire down from heaven on a town in Samaria that rejected Jesus. They were not woose in any sense of the word, and yet these rugged fishermen found challenges and joy in their companionship and walking with Jesus. I sense that they had a lot of experiences and challenges together.
So Who is this one whom John speaks so highly of in this text
I. Who is the HIM of whom JOHN is Speaking? -- "that which was from the beginning." What God is in His nature, persons, life, blessedness, glory, immortality, and eternity, is, and ever will be, incomprehensible (Job 11:7, 8, 9). The person of Christ was from the beginning. He was as God-man before the world, and had a glory with the Father before the world was (John 8:58). {Before Abraham was I am} This most glorious one, who was God-man before the world was, became incarnate {God became man} in the fulness of time. John lived in the days of Christ's Incarnation; he had the honor to see Christ, the Messiah, and was favored with a precious love relationship with Him. This was grace and glory inexpressible. How could God come to earth and love a sinful man and mold him into a disciple.
II. John has HEARD, HE has SEEN, HE has handled or touched Him. So had others also. These terms of hearing, seeing, looking, handling, are necessary to express the very real reality of our Lord's coming to earth as a man. Yes, He had a real body. It was a palpable one; it was seen; it was touched; it was heard. The truth of this is denied even today by heretics today; to refute which the John expresses himself, as he here does in this testimony. There was satisfaction, and such demonstration given to every sense of body and mind, that Christ had a body just like bodies, and no greater proof could be given. He was made in all things like unto us as body and soul. It was in His nature that He obeyed the Father and still did His will. He bore the sins of many in His own body on the tree. The person of Christ is a most wonderful and excellent person beyond all comparison. The Incarnation of Christ, a deep and most unfathomable and precious subject. For By His stipes and His blood we are healed. Can I have a witness for Jesus- Amen!
III. John says people had seen Him and knew Him— "which we have heard," etc. They were the apostles themselves. John speaks in his own name here, that is why it is a testimony or evidence of a real activity. Only other saints beside the disciples saw the Lord after His resurrection on earth; yet they were not called and appointed to be witnesses exactly the same way, as the individual apostles had. The evidence the apostles had of His Jesus and His life on this earth was more intimate and different from our own. They knew Jesus eye to eye. We receive Jesus today by faith and the witness of the Holy Spirit. But we all must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. They had the evidence of their senses as truly as we have the evidence of faith. Those who come to believer hear the voice of Christ in His Word, and in hearing this word they come to life. They see Christ in the light of the gospel, and behold salvation and everlasting life in Him; but this is with the eyes of their mind. They touch, they taste, and handle Christ mystically and representatively in their fellowship with Him in the Lord’s Supper, yet this is different from what the apostle is here speaking. Yet it is as effectual to us for our souls' benefit as it theirs was to theirs.
Yet notwithstanding this, the different ends answered by the same are so essential, that they ought to be distinguished. The apostles were to give record of His life, His words, His miracles, His threatening’s, His promises, His prophecies, His holiness, His righteousness, His passion, His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His session at the right hand of the Majesty on high, His coronation in glory, and His sending down the Holy Ghost from heaven, to prove Him to be the Lord's Messiah, the Savior of the world.
Now the apostles who were to be witnesses of all this unto the people, saw God incarnate, and conversed with Him on this earth — a sight you and I may never behold. We shall see God incarnate, God-man, in heaven — we shall see Him in the state of ultimate glory, unless we are here post tribulation. We see Him now, in the everlasting gospel, as truly as the apostles did, in our measure and degree, though not as they did with their bodily eyes.
We see Him with the eye of faith, as certainly as those persons did with the eyes of their body, and as truly, yet not so clearly and fully, as saints in heaven do by sense and vision. See 1 Cor. 13:
IV. THE TITLE JOHN GIVES THIS MOST WONDERFUL ONE. He styles Him "The Word of life." The word is the index of the mind. By what is contained in the mind is expressed. So Christ, as one in the self-existing Essence, speaks from the mind of our heavenly Father. It was by His Almighty fiat the heavens and the earth were created, and all the host of them. It was by Him all the secrets of the Most High were spoken and proclaimed, and the invisible God brought out of His invisibility to be present with men. It is in Christ that the full revelation of Godhead is made known. It is in the essential Word all the mind of God is opened, all the love of God expressed, the whole of God declared.
Jesus is the essential Word, and the only begotten Son of God. He shines forth as the God-man, in His most glorious person, mediation, work, grace, and salvation, in the everlasting gospel, and enlightens His Church therewith, that they in Him and His light see light and life.
(S. E. Pierce.)
Go with me now to the next step the application of this text. You remember in Matt 28: 19-20 Jesus tells us to: 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
Application #1 - The epistle or book of 1st John reflects the transition of this external command to go and shows us that the new life given, after we are born again, becomes internal. His life, that is Jesus Christ’s life becomes part of us and the outgrowth of that indwelling relationship is given in light and life, active and living, within us who are the believers. This is what happened at Pentecost. This was the first indwelling and not only did He immediately fill his disciples, but the upwelling flowed to all around them, the first believers who were filled with the Spirit, that group who had gathered in Jerusalem. Then as we look further in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit moved from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the World, Believers and disciples filled with the indwelling presence shared with others the love and witness of Christ.
Application # 2. A love and gift so amazing, that the most holy, Son of God would come and become like us, shedding the glories of heaven to bring redemption and forgiveness. Have we forgotten what it felt like when Jesus forgave us of our sins. When repentance and renewal were not words but what was happening inside us, how can we forget? Why do we not share this joy with others regardless of how they respond. If the Holy Spirit is leading why be timid, Jump and just do it – tell someone today!
Application #3 – go to these verses - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Where are you today right this minute with your Lord? Did you really see and hear? If you have truly seen and heard then proclaim be a witness. Have courage that what He tells us to do, He will enable. In Experiencing God – it tells us God purse you, God calls you and invites you to join Him in His work. The invitation is to be on mission with Jesus. According to this verse part of being on mission is to have fellowship and that fellowship is with brothers and sisters who have the same Father and know Jesus as Lord. Our Lord told us He would never leave us or forsake us. The testimony of John the revelator is this is true. In John’s 60+ years since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, he has walked many miles with his Savior. He is telling you that you too can walk confidently with Jesus in all of your life. And I would bet if we could have a word with John today, he would testify that this is true event in dying.
Today in this world we need faithful disciples who have a testimony of trusting in Jesus and telling someone what He has done in your life, just like John did by writing this letter to the churches. Will we be found faithful in obedience to the command of our Lord first to fellowship and relationship, then to sharing that love with others wherever we go in this life and in the days remaining,
You are the breath of salvation to those who need to hear about His love and grace. Remember you are His letter in the flesh to others – in 2020 you as a believer are His message of love now. Be faithful to your calling Amen.
Monty Roberts’ work with horses inspired the movie called The Horse Whisperer. And during a 60 Minutes episode, Monty Roberts taught the world the secret of his horse whispering. It involves his getting into the corral with the untamed mustangs and staying as far away from the animal as possible, without leaving the enclosure. He also refuses to allow any eye contact between him and the horse. By moving slowly, but surely, away from the horse, and by keeping his eyes averted from the animal’s gaze, Monty slowly draws the horse to himself. Even though the beast is pounding the earth with his foot, and snorting and circling with great speed, Monty keeps steadily moving away from the horse. He won’t look at it. He won’t approach it. As astounding as it sounds, Monty can have a wild mustang saddled and carrying a rider quite happily. When asked about his secret, he says, “The animals need to be with others so much, they would rather befriend the enemy than be left alone.” (Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, The Shaping of Things to Come, Hendrickson, 2003, p. 98; www.PreachingToday.com)
People will befriend even the enemy of their souls rather than be left alone. They will do things in the search for intimacy that are only self-destructive in the end. They will look for it in the bars. They will look for it in internet pornography. They will look for it in bad relationships.
But there is a better way to find intimacy. There is a better way to find the companionship we’re all looking for. There is a better way to find the fellowship and joy we all so desperately need. If you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to 1 John 1, 1-4, where the Bible shows us that way.
1 John 1:1-4 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (ESV)
Find fellowship and joy through the Word of Life. Find the delight of intimacy in a relationship with Christ. Find the pleasure of companionship in Him.
That’s where John, the one who penned these words, says he and his friends found it. They were rugged fisherman, used to the hard life of the sea. They worked hard to earn a living, putting up with the unpredictable storms that often arose on the Sea of Galilee. Life was not easy for them.
In fact, John and his brother, James, were actually nicknamed “Sons of Thunder,” not because they were nice, easy-going fellows. No. They were the ones that wanted to call fire down from heaven on a town in Samaria that rejected Jesus. They were not woose in any sense of the word, and yet these rugged fishermen found challenges and joy in their companionship and walking with Jesus. I sense that they had a lot of experiences and challenges together.
So Who is this one whom John speaks so highly of in this text
I. Who is the HIM of whom JOHN is Speaking? -- "that which was from the beginning." What God is in His nature, persons, life, blessedness, glory, immortality, and eternity, is, and ever will be, incomprehensible (Job 11:7, 8, 9). The person of Christ was from the beginning. He was as God-man before the world, and had a glory with the Father before the world was (John 8:58). {Before Abraham was I am} This most glorious one, who was God-man before the world was, became incarnate {God became man} in the fulness of time. John lived in the days of Christ's Incarnation; he had the honor to see Christ, the Messiah, and was favored with a precious love relationship with Him. This was grace and glory inexpressible. How could God come to earth and love a sinful man and mold him into a disciple.
II. John has HEARD, HE has SEEN, HE has handled or touched Him. So had others also. These terms of hearing, seeing, looking, handling, are necessary to express the very real reality of our Lord's coming to earth as a man. Yes, He had a real body. It was a palpable one; it was seen; it was touched; it was heard. The truth of this is denied even today by heretics today; to refute which the John expresses himself, as he here does in this testimony. There was satisfaction, and such demonstration given to every sense of body and mind, that Christ had a body just like bodies, and no greater proof could be given. He was made in all things like unto us as body and soul. It was in His nature that He obeyed the Father and still did His will. He bore the sins of many in His own body on the tree. The person of Christ is a most wonderful and excellent person beyond all comparison. The Incarnation of Christ, a deep and most unfathomable and precious subject. For By His stipes and His blood we are healed. Can I have a witness for Jesus- Amen!
III. John says people had seen Him and knew Him— "which we have heard," etc. They were the apostles themselves. John speaks in his own name here, that is why it is a testimony or evidence of a real activity. Only other saints beside the disciples saw the Lord after His resurrection on earth; yet they were not called and appointed to be witnesses exactly the same way, as the individual apostles had. The evidence the apostles had of His Jesus and His life on this earth was more intimate and different from our own. They knew Jesus eye to eye. We receive Jesus today by faith and the witness of the Holy Spirit. But we all must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. They had the evidence of their senses as truly as we have the evidence of faith. Those who come to believer hear the voice of Christ in His Word, and in hearing this word they come to life. They see Christ in the light of the gospel, and behold salvation and everlasting life in Him; but this is with the eyes of their mind. They touch, they taste, and handle Christ mystically and representatively in their fellowship with Him in the Lord’s Supper, yet this is different from what the apostle is here speaking. Yet it is as effectual to us for our souls' benefit as it theirs was to theirs.
Yet notwithstanding this, the different ends answered by the same are so essential, that they ought to be distinguished. The apostles were to give record of His life, His words, His miracles, His threatening’s, His promises, His prophecies, His holiness, His righteousness, His passion, His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His session at the right hand of the Majesty on high, His coronation in glory, and His sending down the Holy Ghost from heaven, to prove Him to be the Lord's Messiah, the Savior of the world.
Now the apostles who were to be witnesses of all this unto the people, saw God incarnate, and conversed with Him on this earth — a sight you and I may never behold. We shall see God incarnate, God-man, in heaven — we shall see Him in the state of ultimate glory, unless we are here post tribulation. We see Him now, in the everlasting gospel, as truly as the apostles did, in our measure and degree, though not as they did with their bodily eyes.
We see Him with the eye of faith, as certainly as those persons did with the eyes of their body, and as truly, yet not so clearly and fully, as saints in heaven do by sense and vision. See 1 Cor. 13:
IV. THE TITLE JOHN GIVES THIS MOST WONDERFUL ONE. He styles Him "The Word of life." The word is the index of the mind. By what is contained in the mind is expressed. So Christ, as one in the self-existing Essence, speaks from the mind of our heavenly Father. It was by His Almighty fiat the heavens and the earth were created, and all the host of them. It was by Him all the secrets of the Most High were spoken and proclaimed, and the invisible God brought out of His invisibility to be present with men. It is in Christ that the full revelation of Godhead is made known. It is in the essential Word all the mind of God is opened, all the love of God expressed, the whole of God declared.
Jesus is the essential Word, and the only begotten Son of God. He shines forth as the God-man, in His most glorious person, mediation, work, grace, and salvation, in the everlasting gospel, and enlightens His Church therewith, that they in Him and His light see light and life.
(S. E. Pierce.)
Go with me now to the next step the application of this text. You remember in Matt 28: 19-20 Jesus tells us to: 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [c]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [d]Amen.
Application #1 - The epistle or book of 1st John reflects the transition of this external command to go and shows us that the new life given, after we are born again, becomes internal. His life, that is Jesus Christ’s life becomes part of us and the outgrowth of that indwelling relationship is given in light and life, active and living, within us who are the believers. This is what happened at Pentecost. This was the first indwelling and not only did He immediately fill his disciples, but the upwelling flowed to all around them, the first believers who were filled with the Spirit, that group who had gathered in Jerusalem. Then as we look further in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit moved from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the World, Believers and disciples filled with the indwelling presence shared with others the love and witness of Christ.
Application # 2. A love and gift so amazing, that the most holy, Son of God would come and become like us, shedding the glories of heaven to bring redemption and forgiveness. Have we forgotten what it felt like when Jesus forgave us of our sins. When repentance and renewal were not words but what was happening inside us, how can we forget? Why do we not share this joy with others regardless of how they respond. If the Holy Spirit is leading why be timid, Jump and just do it – tell someone today!
Application #3 – go to these verses - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Where are you today right this minute with your Lord? Did you really see and hear? If you have truly seen and heard then proclaim be a witness. Have courage that what He tells us to do, He will enable. In Experiencing God – it tells us God purse you, God calls you and invites you to join Him in His work. The invitation is to be on mission with Jesus. According to this verse part of being on mission is to have fellowship and that fellowship is with brothers and sisters who have the same Father and know Jesus as Lord. Our Lord told us He would never leave us or forsake us. The testimony of John the revelator is this is true. In John’s 60+ years since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, he has walked many miles with his Savior. He is telling you that you too can walk confidently with Jesus in all of your life. And I would bet if we could have a word with John today, he would testify that this is true event in dying.
Today in this world we need faithful disciples who have a testimony of trusting in Jesus and telling someone what He has done in your life, just like John did by writing this letter to the churches. Will we be found faithful in obedience to the command of our Lord first to fellowship and relationship, then to sharing that love with others wherever we go in this life and in the days remaining,
You are the breath of salvation to those who need to hear about His love and grace. Remember you are His letter in the flesh to others – in 2020 you as a believer are His message of love now. Be faithful to your calling Amen.
May 10 Sermon
REBIRTH
“It was Jesus who first declared that spiritual rebirth was an absolute necessity for entering the kingdom of God. He declared to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). The word unless in Jesus’ teaching signals a universally necessary condition for seeing and entering the kingdom of God. Rebirth, then, is an essential part of Christianity; without it, entrance into God’s kingdom is impossible.
Regeneration is the theological term used to describe rebirth. It refers to a new generating, a new genesis, a new beginning. It is more than “turning over a new leaf”; it marks the beginning of a new life in a radically renewed person. Peter speaks of believers having “been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:23).
Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit upon those who are spiritually dead (see Eph. 2:1–10). The Spirit recreates the human heart, quickening it from spiritual death to spiritual life. Regenerate people are new creations. Where formerly they had no disposition, inclination, or desire for the things […]”
“It occurs by God’s divine initiative and is an act that is sovereign, immediate, and instantaneous. An awareness of our conversion may be gradual. Yet rebirth itself is instantaneous. No one can be partially reborn any more than a woman can be partially pregnant.
Regeneration is not the fruit or result of faith. Rather, regeneration precedes faith as the necessary condition for faith. We also do not in any way dispose ourselves toward regeneration or cooperate as coworkers with the Holy Spirit to bring it to pass. We do not decide or choose to be regenerated. God chooses to regenerate us before we will ever choose to embrace Him. To be sure, after we have been regenerated by the sovereign grace of God, we do choose, act, cooperate, and believe in Christ. God does not have faith for us. It is our own faith by which we are justified. What God does is quicken us to spiritual life, rescuing us from darkness, bondage, and spiritual death. God makes faith possible and actual for us. He quickens faith within us.”
Excerpt From: The Reformation Study Bible. “The Reformation Study Bible.” Apple Books.
Gospel of John 15:9-24
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
Father guide me and these in the study of Your word by the power of the Holy Spirit our teacher and guide. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight Oh Lord our strength and redeemer. Amen
Key verses -verse 9 & 10 - 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
One might say this is the key principle given by Jesus. These words will enable the disciples to grasp in the years to come and in the ideas that follow, how Jesus was able to abide in His Father’s love and how we will be able to abide in His love.
These words portray the wonder in the heart of Jesus - As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you. How much does God love you? As much as God loves Jesus, that is how much. Isn’t that amazing? Then Jesus adds; abide in My love. Remain in fellowship with Me, stay close to Me, continue to put your faith in Me, even when the boat is rolling and filling with water in the storm. Yes Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so!
Now verse 10 is no less spectacular. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. Here Jesus is claiming unbroken fellowship with God in terms of His law and in His love relationship with no sin ever, since His coming to earth. This is quite a claim. And you know it’s true because why? The resurrection proved His claim was true and His ascension proved God agrees.
Now add to that- Jesus promises you can have the same relationship with Him that He had with His Father. So then why do you and I find it so hard to take time to pray, or worship Him, or work for Him, or give to Him as He asks of us? Why because we do not abide in His love as He abided in His Father’s love. Maybe you ought to try this one on for size- who has it harder to live on Earth, your or Jesus?
Now we covered these verses last week - 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Remember as we read these verses keep verses 9 and 10 close to your heart. For as you look at these verses you can see a trend where first Jesus promises you joy in your relationship with Him. You thought you were going to have to sacrifice all your neat things you enjoy because you came to Christ. He says, I give you My Joy; remembering that the Lord God has a monopoly on joy, not as the world gives, give I joy unto you.
Next Jesus for the third time reminds us that His love is different. It is God’s sacrificial love which Jesus has demonstrated before coming to earth. He agreed in the time before creation that He would be the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. He says to His men - 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Then Jesus improves upon it by upping the value for He tells us the dimension of His love 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life. But He doesn’t stop there but adds this amazing statement - for his friends. For His friends. Here Jesus moves the bounds of relationship to a deepening fellowship with Him as a friend. We sing “what a friend we have in Jesus” not fully understanding the depth of what that means. He calls us His friends if we love one another, keep abiding in Him, and verse 14 - 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
He, the master, tells us the servants what He is doing and He has called us friends. It is conditional to be the friend of Jesus. We have to keep our Lord’s commands and abide in His love. Wow what a promise and a gift.
Now verse 16 -16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. Now this verse does not mean that the disciples, including you and I, exercised no will of our own, we have to choose to follow Him. Rather Jesus is indicating, that the first initiative, the original and saving choice is His. We would not have chosen Him unless He chose us first. His sovereign will. The call-in verse 16 is election to salvation in faith alone, in Christ alone. From salvation, in faith and abiding in Jesus comes fruit and the fruit which abides.
Next phase to look at in v. 16 is appointed you – refers to eh sovereign choice of God for you personally to be selected as belonging to Him. Then, the next word is Go, meaning to complete your work as a disciple sharing the word and love of God -evangelist. Then the last part is to bear fruit. There are 2 types of fruit – personal fruit which leads to your continued growth and sanctification and second to personal witness and evangelism. Fruit which remains is fruit that spawns from the love of God and what He purposes in your lives. As a period or as some say, full stop Jesus adds one more time -17 These things I command you, that you love one another. This is the key principle in His dealings with His children.
The World Hates -18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Here is the great contrast between the world in verse 18 and the love of God in verse 17. Was Jesus hated because He did something wrong or evil? No. They hated Him and because the hated who He was and, they hated Him who sent Him. The love of this people was not toward God from the rulers or many of the people as it is today. Jesus was warning us that the world hates what is not just like itself. If you are in God or like Him, just like they did with the Prophets in the OT, when they spoke the word of God the citizens hated it and they in many cases killed the prophets. Read these verses again. Jesus was warning His friends now of what was to come- Judas having departed. He is telling it like it is, if they hated Me they will hate you. If they persecuted Me they will persecute you. You are not of the world, you’re different. Why do they hate you and this is a wonderful verse - but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Why, God chose you Himself and they sense it and don’t like it one bit.
Finally to verses 21 & 22 - 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. The particular sin here is the unforgivable sin of hating Jesus and hating the Father. It is quenching the Holy Spirits regenerative prompting to believe and trust in Jesus and by rejecting Jesus they have also rejected the Father.
REBIRTH
“It was Jesus who first declared that spiritual rebirth was an absolute necessity for entering the kingdom of God. He declared to Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). The word unless in Jesus’ teaching signals a universally necessary condition for seeing and entering the kingdom of God. Rebirth, then, is an essential part of Christianity; without it, entrance into God’s kingdom is impossible.
Regeneration is the theological term used to describe rebirth. It refers to a new generating, a new genesis, a new beginning. It is more than “turning over a new leaf”; it marks the beginning of a new life in a radically renewed person. Peter speaks of believers having “been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:23).
Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit upon those who are spiritually dead (see Eph. 2:1–10). The Spirit recreates the human heart, quickening it from spiritual death to spiritual life. Regenerate people are new creations. Where formerly they had no disposition, inclination, or desire for the things […]”
“It occurs by God’s divine initiative and is an act that is sovereign, immediate, and instantaneous. An awareness of our conversion may be gradual. Yet rebirth itself is instantaneous. No one can be partially reborn any more than a woman can be partially pregnant.
Regeneration is not the fruit or result of faith. Rather, regeneration precedes faith as the necessary condition for faith. We also do not in any way dispose ourselves toward regeneration or cooperate as coworkers with the Holy Spirit to bring it to pass. We do not decide or choose to be regenerated. God chooses to regenerate us before we will ever choose to embrace Him. To be sure, after we have been regenerated by the sovereign grace of God, we do choose, act, cooperate, and believe in Christ. God does not have faith for us. It is our own faith by which we are justified. What God does is quicken us to spiritual life, rescuing us from darkness, bondage, and spiritual death. God makes faith possible and actual for us. He quickens faith within us.”
Excerpt From: The Reformation Study Bible. “The Reformation Study Bible.” Apple Books.
Gospel of John 15:9-24
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
Father guide me and these in the study of Your word by the power of the Holy Spirit our teacher and guide. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight Oh Lord our strength and redeemer. Amen
Key verses -verse 9 & 10 - 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
One might say this is the key principle given by Jesus. These words will enable the disciples to grasp in the years to come and in the ideas that follow, how Jesus was able to abide in His Father’s love and how we will be able to abide in His love.
These words portray the wonder in the heart of Jesus - As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you. How much does God love you? As much as God loves Jesus, that is how much. Isn’t that amazing? Then Jesus adds; abide in My love. Remain in fellowship with Me, stay close to Me, continue to put your faith in Me, even when the boat is rolling and filling with water in the storm. Yes Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so!
Now verse 10 is no less spectacular. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. Here Jesus is claiming unbroken fellowship with God in terms of His law and in His love relationship with no sin ever, since His coming to earth. This is quite a claim. And you know it’s true because why? The resurrection proved His claim was true and His ascension proved God agrees.
Now add to that- Jesus promises you can have the same relationship with Him that He had with His Father. So then why do you and I find it so hard to take time to pray, or worship Him, or work for Him, or give to Him as He asks of us? Why because we do not abide in His love as He abided in His Father’s love. Maybe you ought to try this one on for size- who has it harder to live on Earth, your or Jesus?
Now we covered these verses last week - 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Remember as we read these verses keep verses 9 and 10 close to your heart. For as you look at these verses you can see a trend where first Jesus promises you joy in your relationship with Him. You thought you were going to have to sacrifice all your neat things you enjoy because you came to Christ. He says, I give you My Joy; remembering that the Lord God has a monopoly on joy, not as the world gives, give I joy unto you.
Next Jesus for the third time reminds us that His love is different. It is God’s sacrificial love which Jesus has demonstrated before coming to earth. He agreed in the time before creation that He would be the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. He says to His men - 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Then Jesus improves upon it by upping the value for He tells us the dimension of His love 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life. But He doesn’t stop there but adds this amazing statement - for his friends. For His friends. Here Jesus moves the bounds of relationship to a deepening fellowship with Him as a friend. We sing “what a friend we have in Jesus” not fully understanding the depth of what that means. He calls us His friends if we love one another, keep abiding in Him, and verse 14 - 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
He, the master, tells us the servants what He is doing and He has called us friends. It is conditional to be the friend of Jesus. We have to keep our Lord’s commands and abide in His love. Wow what a promise and a gift.
Now verse 16 -16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. Now this verse does not mean that the disciples, including you and I, exercised no will of our own, we have to choose to follow Him. Rather Jesus is indicating, that the first initiative, the original and saving choice is His. We would not have chosen Him unless He chose us first. His sovereign will. The call-in verse 16 is election to salvation in faith alone, in Christ alone. From salvation, in faith and abiding in Jesus comes fruit and the fruit which abides.
Next phase to look at in v. 16 is appointed you – refers to eh sovereign choice of God for you personally to be selected as belonging to Him. Then, the next word is Go, meaning to complete your work as a disciple sharing the word and love of God -evangelist. Then the last part is to bear fruit. There are 2 types of fruit – personal fruit which leads to your continued growth and sanctification and second to personal witness and evangelism. Fruit which remains is fruit that spawns from the love of God and what He purposes in your lives. As a period or as some say, full stop Jesus adds one more time -17 These things I command you, that you love one another. This is the key principle in His dealings with His children.
The World Hates -18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Here is the great contrast between the world in verse 18 and the love of God in verse 17. Was Jesus hated because He did something wrong or evil? No. They hated Him and because the hated who He was and, they hated Him who sent Him. The love of this people was not toward God from the rulers or many of the people as it is today. Jesus was warning us that the world hates what is not just like itself. If you are in God or like Him, just like they did with the Prophets in the OT, when they spoke the word of God the citizens hated it and they in many cases killed the prophets. Read these verses again. Jesus was warning His friends now of what was to come- Judas having departed. He is telling it like it is, if they hated Me they will hate you. If they persecuted Me they will persecute you. You are not of the world, you’re different. Why do they hate you and this is a wonderful verse - but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Why, God chose you Himself and they sense it and don’t like it one bit.
Finally to verses 21 & 22 - 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. The particular sin here is the unforgivable sin of hating Jesus and hating the Father. It is quenching the Holy Spirits regenerative prompting to believe and trust in Jesus and by rejecting Jesus they have also rejected the Father.
April 26 Sermon
In 2020 we should be striving to establish new goals for ourselves compared to how we lived in 2019. Some of our goals or aspirations could be financial, maybe they are improving our work performance; could be improving sales if that is our line of work. But as believers we should take a spiritual inventory and challenge ourselves to improve spiritually. What that may mean to you could be significantly different than what it means to me. For our improving should be led by our relationship with God. Is it hot, medium to lukewarm or is it cold. The question should be for each of us as we read the Bible, pray and seek fellowship with our Lord and one another is how is God speaking to us? Are we seeking Him and His voice or are we a lot like the Church in Revelation where Jesus tells them “you have lost your first love.”Should we not look at ourselves as believers and ask is my relationship and my fellowship today lukewarm to cold, has God changed, or have I? If we remember our scripture God is immutable, meaning He never changes, and the promises in the Bible is that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.Remember the disciples when did they enjoy the fellowship of Jesus? When they walked with Him day by day in the way. Even after the crucifixion when unknowingly Jesus walked with the brothers on the road to Emmaus, they related later – “didn’t our heart burn within us as He opened the scriptures to us? Does your heart burn or did it burn in the past for your relationship with Jesus when it was fresh and challenging? Have you lost the edge and you no longer have that eagerness to meet with Him?Folks, all the promises of God are fulfilled in Him, Amen! This means that everything you and I need to know and believe is wrapped up in the person of Jesus. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.Our relationship with Him is the key to our faith an ultimately in the quality of our fellowship. You see that is what the term abiding means. Learning to walk daily in the presence of God. Brother Lawrence not a scholar but a servant wrote to others about being called to learn how to live by Practicing the Presence of God.This is what abiding is, living in the presence of God. This is not easy nor is it simple. It requires concentration, dedication and a desire from your heart which comes from the heart of God. That what scripture says. The Holy Spirit is the one who enables and sustains this.Let’s review Jesus’ words to His disciples the night in which He would be betrayed. Here Jesus wishes to grant insight as to how important our relationship is with Him. Turn to John 15 begin in verse 1. Thanks you. Let’s pray – Oh Father lead us into the richness and a deep understanding of the words of this text. One word from You Lord can change our lives. Speak Lord, allow us to hear and obey in Jesus name. Amen Read with me!
Jesus is the True Vine15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for {apart from} without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Love and Joy is Perfected in Abiding9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Let’s go through the verses and mine some gold for our understanding and more importantly our use. Verse 1- sets the stage of who is involved and uses references which are easily understandable about who is what. Jesus is the vine. The vinedresser is the Heavenly Father.
Verse 2 Every branch in Christ that does not bear fruit He takes away; if you are a believer and you hear this verse and there is no fruit in your life according to Christ you should be wary, even afraid. Remember what Jesus did to the fig tree which promised fruit but had none. He cursed it and it died. Out of the wonder and love which God has poured out on us there should be fruit. Fruit in your life for change; fruit in your life for witnessing and telling others about Jesus. There should be new life in Christ, new ways of thinking, new ways of problem solving. There should be a conscious change in your heart to seek and know God more completely?
Question is, is there a new heart? Even if you are half hearted the rest of the verse says if you bear some fruit even weakly or imperfectly it says He prunes you so you bear more fruit. Remember sometimes pruning hurts because it cuts away and that can be difficult.
Verse 3- If you wondered about your condition as a believer maybe this verse will put your heart to rest. An infidel who has been saved by grace and prepared for entry by His activity in washing you by the Word of God -r3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you
Verse 4 – Because He has made you clean or whole now He provides direction for abiding in Him. None of us are worthy but He has given us favor and He says 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
None of us can remain in Christ unless we devote ourselves to this pattern, there is no other way to have a relationship with Jesus than to search for Him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. This has been true since day one and remains true today.
Here is more of the story – Verse 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for {apart from} without Me you can do nothing.
This is your position in Christ. Paul gives us more depth in his discussions in the book of Corinthians about being ingrafted into Israel because of Christ’s actions. He is the vine. And the key is apart from Him nothing survives.
Verse 6 is a true verse of caution for believers - 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
What happens to a branch that fails to abide in Jesus is serious. Are you aware of others who have fallen away from Christ? Sometimes we see their lives turn bad and are consumed or just fail. Here is the reason why. Remember the Kings of Israel in the book of Kings and Chronicles where a King turns from God. What was the outcome? Do you suppose God is pleased with them?
Verses 7 and 8 go together - read with me -7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. Jesus is relating to His followers that they need to become devoted followers and there will be a cost to becoming a disciple. But there are rewards as well. Because you walk closely with Jesus and have intimate fellowship and are seeking Him with all you have – He will hear and answer your prayers and you will know what is on His heart. This is the neat thing His will becomes your will because of your love and obedience to Jesus. With this relationship in place and precious then will My Father be glorified. What is the chief end of man - The chief end of man is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b]
[a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev.4:11
[b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4
When you do this you will bear much fruit and so you will be His disciples. Isn’t this interesting the key to fruit bearing is in the quality of our relationship with God. Perhaps each of us now needs to take a spiritual inventory and be honest before God to repentance?
Why should we do this look at verses 9-11-9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. He offers love and Joy. Do you have joy in you life today with Christ. Jn. 10:10
In 2020 we should be striving to establish new goals for ourselves compared to how we lived in 2019. Some of our goals or aspirations could be financial, maybe they are improving our work performance; could be improving sales if that is our line of work. But as believers we should take a spiritual inventory and challenge ourselves to improve spiritually. What that may mean to you could be significantly different than what it means to me. For our improving should be led by our relationship with God. Is it hot, medium to lukewarm or is it cold. The question should be for each of us as we read the Bible, pray and seek fellowship with our Lord and one another is how is God speaking to us? Are we seeking Him and His voice or are we a lot like the Church in Revelation where Jesus tells them “you have lost your first love.”Should we not look at ourselves as believers and ask is my relationship and my fellowship today lukewarm to cold, has God changed, or have I? If we remember our scripture God is immutable, meaning He never changes, and the promises in the Bible is that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.Remember the disciples when did they enjoy the fellowship of Jesus? When they walked with Him day by day in the way. Even after the crucifixion when unknowingly Jesus walked with the brothers on the road to Emmaus, they related later – “didn’t our heart burn within us as He opened the scriptures to us? Does your heart burn or did it burn in the past for your relationship with Jesus when it was fresh and challenging? Have you lost the edge and you no longer have that eagerness to meet with Him?Folks, all the promises of God are fulfilled in Him, Amen! This means that everything you and I need to know and believe is wrapped up in the person of Jesus. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.Our relationship with Him is the key to our faith an ultimately in the quality of our fellowship. You see that is what the term abiding means. Learning to walk daily in the presence of God. Brother Lawrence not a scholar but a servant wrote to others about being called to learn how to live by Practicing the Presence of God.This is what abiding is, living in the presence of God. This is not easy nor is it simple. It requires concentration, dedication and a desire from your heart which comes from the heart of God. That what scripture says. The Holy Spirit is the one who enables and sustains this.Let’s review Jesus’ words to His disciples the night in which He would be betrayed. Here Jesus wishes to grant insight as to how important our relationship is with Him. Turn to John 15 begin in verse 1. Thanks you. Let’s pray – Oh Father lead us into the richness and a deep understanding of the words of this text. One word from You Lord can change our lives. Speak Lord, allow us to hear and obey in Jesus name. Amen Read with me!
Jesus is the True Vine15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for {apart from} without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Love and Joy is Perfected in Abiding9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Let’s go through the verses and mine some gold for our understanding and more importantly our use. Verse 1- sets the stage of who is involved and uses references which are easily understandable about who is what. Jesus is the vine. The vinedresser is the Heavenly Father.
Verse 2 Every branch in Christ that does not bear fruit He takes away; if you are a believer and you hear this verse and there is no fruit in your life according to Christ you should be wary, even afraid. Remember what Jesus did to the fig tree which promised fruit but had none. He cursed it and it died. Out of the wonder and love which God has poured out on us there should be fruit. Fruit in your life for change; fruit in your life for witnessing and telling others about Jesus. There should be new life in Christ, new ways of thinking, new ways of problem solving. There should be a conscious change in your heart to seek and know God more completely?
Question is, is there a new heart? Even if you are half hearted the rest of the verse says if you bear some fruit even weakly or imperfectly it says He prunes you so you bear more fruit. Remember sometimes pruning hurts because it cuts away and that can be difficult.
Verse 3- If you wondered about your condition as a believer maybe this verse will put your heart to rest. An infidel who has been saved by grace and prepared for entry by His activity in washing you by the Word of God -r3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you
Verse 4 – Because He has made you clean or whole now He provides direction for abiding in Him. None of us are worthy but He has given us favor and He says 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
None of us can remain in Christ unless we devote ourselves to this pattern, there is no other way to have a relationship with Jesus than to search for Him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. This has been true since day one and remains true today.
Here is more of the story – Verse 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for {apart from} without Me you can do nothing.
This is your position in Christ. Paul gives us more depth in his discussions in the book of Corinthians about being ingrafted into Israel because of Christ’s actions. He is the vine. And the key is apart from Him nothing survives.
Verse 6 is a true verse of caution for believers - 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
What happens to a branch that fails to abide in Jesus is serious. Are you aware of others who have fallen away from Christ? Sometimes we see their lives turn bad and are consumed or just fail. Here is the reason why. Remember the Kings of Israel in the book of Kings and Chronicles where a King turns from God. What was the outcome? Do you suppose God is pleased with them?
Verses 7 and 8 go together - read with me -7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. Jesus is relating to His followers that they need to become devoted followers and there will be a cost to becoming a disciple. But there are rewards as well. Because you walk closely with Jesus and have intimate fellowship and are seeking Him with all you have – He will hear and answer your prayers and you will know what is on His heart. This is the neat thing His will becomes your will because of your love and obedience to Jesus. With this relationship in place and precious then will My Father be glorified. What is the chief end of man - The chief end of man is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b]
[a]. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev.4:11
[b]. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4
When you do this you will bear much fruit and so you will be His disciples. Isn’t this interesting the key to fruit bearing is in the quality of our relationship with God. Perhaps each of us now needs to take a spiritual inventory and be honest before God to repentance?
Why should we do this look at verses 9-11-9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. He offers love and Joy. Do you have joy in you life today with Christ. Jn. 10:10
April 19 Sermon
Focus verse is - Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
There is a subtle temptation in today’s world that encourages Christians to be “practical.” That is, they try to do God’s work in man’s way. “Getting results” becomes the primary focus. It almost seems that we believe that the end justifies the means. Don’t be led away by the world’s reasoning. An examination of God’s Word shows that the means God uses are sometimes even more important than the results. The world tries to convince you that as long as you can accomplish something for the kingdom of God, that’s all that matters. For example, Ananias and Sapphira gave an offering to their church, which was a good thing, but they did it deceitfully. God judged them immediately, not for what they did, but for how they did it (Acts 5:1-11).
Satan tried to trap Jesus with this same temptation. Satan did not question the worthiness of Jesus’ task, but simply offered “practical” solutions to accomplish Jesus’ goal more quickly and at lesser cost. God’s ways are not like man’s ways.
“Efficiency” from man’s perspective is not prized by God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ
In the Old Testament in Isaiah 5, beginning in verse 8 God records these thoughts –
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
What a challenging concept to have exclusive confidence in God and His Son and in the words which they have given to us in His Book – the Bible. It amazes me that to think every time you open The Bible you have direct access to the author.
This opportunity of course this assumes that you are in the right spiritual condition of clean hands and a pure heart. Sometimes in my life this preparation requires an intense adjustment performed by the person of the Holy Spirit using the washing of the water by the word of God. In other words God first uses scripture to change my heart as He speaks through the Word.
New living in Christ demands we understand and apply His words correctly. With verse8 begin with me. The verse says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
Can you understand creation, or the galaxies, or your body; life, death or why one person lives and another does not? Why there is a Satan? How much did Christ suffer to save me? Or the mystery of heaven and what lies in the future. Why is there all this hell on earth now and how it is going to become worse over time? I thought we teach in schools that man is basically good? Here is the difference and we continue to need to grasp this basic idea. God while He created you in His image is in no way like you? He is all knowing? Can you grasp that idea? He know everything. There is no math, physics, or time question that He cannot answers.
Verse 9 - 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
God is nothing like us. He knows our every way and our every need. That was one of the reasons He sent Jesus. He made Him who knew no sin to be just like us but without sin. The disease of sin was external to Jesus but He needed to be sent as a servant not as a king. He was mean to suffer and die so that no man could stand before God and shake his tiny fist at God and say, you don’t know what it is like to be human. Yes, He does. But you understand now why His ways of doing things are as important and in some cases more important that the what He is doing.
Why is the Bible so important to us because in that book God has recorded the thoughts He has given to men? And in doing so He has shown why His way of reasoning and His thoughts are higher than our own. When a believer opens the Bible the author is present to guide and direct. The author is God but His Holy Spirit is the teacher, counselor, guide the paraclete who goes with us. He is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere and this is not a new testament concept. Psalm 139 and other verses in the New Testament, book of Romans say neither height nor depth, nor any created thing can separate us from the love {and therefore the person of God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.}
Verses 10 and 11 finish these thoughts by giving us the understanding of:
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Nothing is able to stand against the will of God. He is all powerful. The fancy word we use is omnipotent. This means all powerful. But God is all powerful and able to accomplish all that He desires. But despite this power you have your will. You are given free will to resist Him. God respects that. So, God will not overpower your will. If you choose to join Him by faith in Him you have the option, because He is a loving God who is not willing that any should perish. But nothing in creation is able to stand against His will. Look at the Kings who rejected Him in the OT, they each came to ruin. Yes you can reject Him but you cannot overcome Him. Do not go against God or flaunt His laws there is an absolute punishment, called judgement that comes to the one who rejects God and tries to overcome Him. Satan paid this price when He rebelled against God
Verse 7 of Isaiah 55, speaks to this
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
God’s answer is always return and be forgiven before it is too late. You only have as long as you breath to make this decision. But the heart of men as it is apparent today can become so perverted and rejecting of God and His will that He wants nothing to do with God. That is the force of Anti-Christ present in America today. Only revival and returning to God will work read verse 7 and our God will have mercy and only our God will abundantly pardon.
So I ask you if you are in sin return to God and be pardoned by the blood of Jesus Christ - Amen
And Amen. If you don’t know Jesus and want to know more about Him, contact us today.
Focus verse is - Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
There is a subtle temptation in today’s world that encourages Christians to be “practical.” That is, they try to do God’s work in man’s way. “Getting results” becomes the primary focus. It almost seems that we believe that the end justifies the means. Don’t be led away by the world’s reasoning. An examination of God’s Word shows that the means God uses are sometimes even more important than the results. The world tries to convince you that as long as you can accomplish something for the kingdom of God, that’s all that matters. For example, Ananias and Sapphira gave an offering to their church, which was a good thing, but they did it deceitfully. God judged them immediately, not for what they did, but for how they did it (Acts 5:1-11).
Satan tried to trap Jesus with this same temptation. Satan did not question the worthiness of Jesus’ task, but simply offered “practical” solutions to accomplish Jesus’ goal more quickly and at lesser cost. God’s ways are not like man’s ways.
“Efficiency” from man’s perspective is not prized by God.
- It did not seem efficient to have the children of Israel march around Jericho thirteen times and then blow their trumpets, but it brought the walls down (Josh. 6). Do you think God knew something that men didn’t?
- It did not appear wise to select the youngest of Jesse’s sons to become the next king, but God saw a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 16:11). Do you think God knew something that men didn’t?
- At first glance, it does not seem logical for Jesus to have picked the twelve disciples He did, yet through them God dramatically affected their world. {Matt, Mk, Luke, John} Do you think Jesus knew something more?
- It never appeared efficient to have important people in the life of the nation’s integrity to arrive as a “baby.”
- Moses – to be the deliverer used to lead His people to God
- Samuel – to become the priest of Judah in which a King was crowned
- John the Baptist - to prepare the way of the Lord, set paths straight
- Jesus – as a baby who in Himself is Savior, Immanuel, and a Holy Sacrifice
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ
In the Old Testament in Isaiah 5, beginning in verse 8 God records these thoughts –
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
What a challenging concept to have exclusive confidence in God and His Son and in the words which they have given to us in His Book – the Bible. It amazes me that to think every time you open The Bible you have direct access to the author.
This opportunity of course this assumes that you are in the right spiritual condition of clean hands and a pure heart. Sometimes in my life this preparation requires an intense adjustment performed by the person of the Holy Spirit using the washing of the water by the word of God. In other words God first uses scripture to change my heart as He speaks through the Word.
New living in Christ demands we understand and apply His words correctly. With verse8 begin with me. The verse says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
Can you understand creation, or the galaxies, or your body; life, death or why one person lives and another does not? Why there is a Satan? How much did Christ suffer to save me? Or the mystery of heaven and what lies in the future. Why is there all this hell on earth now and how it is going to become worse over time? I thought we teach in schools that man is basically good? Here is the difference and we continue to need to grasp this basic idea. God while He created you in His image is in no way like you? He is all knowing? Can you grasp that idea? He know everything. There is no math, physics, or time question that He cannot answers.
Verse 9 - 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
God is nothing like us. He knows our every way and our every need. That was one of the reasons He sent Jesus. He made Him who knew no sin to be just like us but without sin. The disease of sin was external to Jesus but He needed to be sent as a servant not as a king. He was mean to suffer and die so that no man could stand before God and shake his tiny fist at God and say, you don’t know what it is like to be human. Yes, He does. But you understand now why His ways of doing things are as important and in some cases more important that the what He is doing.
Why is the Bible so important to us because in that book God has recorded the thoughts He has given to men? And in doing so He has shown why His way of reasoning and His thoughts are higher than our own. When a believer opens the Bible the author is present to guide and direct. The author is God but His Holy Spirit is the teacher, counselor, guide the paraclete who goes with us. He is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere and this is not a new testament concept. Psalm 139 and other verses in the New Testament, book of Romans say neither height nor depth, nor any created thing can separate us from the love {and therefore the person of God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.}
Verses 10 and 11 finish these thoughts by giving us the understanding of:
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Nothing is able to stand against the will of God. He is all powerful. The fancy word we use is omnipotent. This means all powerful. But God is all powerful and able to accomplish all that He desires. But despite this power you have your will. You are given free will to resist Him. God respects that. So, God will not overpower your will. If you choose to join Him by faith in Him you have the option, because He is a loving God who is not willing that any should perish. But nothing in creation is able to stand against His will. Look at the Kings who rejected Him in the OT, they each came to ruin. Yes you can reject Him but you cannot overcome Him. Do not go against God or flaunt His laws there is an absolute punishment, called judgement that comes to the one who rejects God and tries to overcome Him. Satan paid this price when He rebelled against God
Verse 7 of Isaiah 55, speaks to this
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
God’s answer is always return and be forgiven before it is too late. You only have as long as you breath to make this decision. But the heart of men as it is apparent today can become so perverted and rejecting of God and His will that He wants nothing to do with God. That is the force of Anti-Christ present in America today. Only revival and returning to God will work read verse 7 and our God will have mercy and only our God will abundantly pardon.
So I ask you if you are in sin return to God and be pardoned by the blood of Jesus Christ - Amen
And Amen. If you don’t know Jesus and want to know more about Him, contact us today.
Sermon Easter Sunday
The Miracle of Easter is the deliberate passion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to die for you and me. Is there a greater gift than a man would lay His life down for His friends? Not only was He obedient to the will of the Father but He freely gave us all things.
1 Corinthians 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 Peter 2:24 _ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [g]stripes you were healed. {Isaiah 53:5}
The first verse1 Cor. 5:21 expresses the Father’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Again the verse says- For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. God made Jesus accept all our sin and the disease to cure it. The righteous Son of God pure and Holy became your sin and my sin to pay the righteous penalty for sin which is death. God’s will was done to make you and I acceptable to God by paying our sin debt for now through eternity. You are a blood bought child of the King in Jesus and because of this you now have Peace and not enmity with God. Sin no longer separates you from God if you have truly asked and become one of the whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord.
The second verse we read is that Jesus willingly died and accomplished for us what we are not able to do. Listen again to 1 Peter 2:24 -_ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [g]stripes you were healed. {Isaiah 53:5} There was and is healing only in the wings of Jesus. And In Jesus only and exclusively have you been healed by His stripes. One and only one sacrifice is and remains sufficient for paying the penalty of my sin and that is by the blood of Jesus. There is no other name given among men whereby you can be saved, no matter what man may say. God has not and will not accept any other means of salvation for you and I, now is He likely to change His mind ever. This is why there is no other way but the one way to heaven. No other has paid this incredible price for your salvation and deliverance. So how can there be many ways to heaven. There can’t be and there are none. The One and only one who loves you is Jesus the Christ.
Having set your minds on this, just think if you had just completed some taxing and strenuous ordeal for family and friends what would you expect when you returned – accolades, a band, cheering? What did Jesus receive upon HIs return from the dead? Do you suppose the disciples finally got it? No they didn’t get it. Jesus did not have such good fortune or understanding.
Jesus comes back fully knowing He must encourage His young believers to have faith in Himself for He has proven by His return that He is God. That may be where you are today on this Resurrection Sunday. Perhaps you may need encouragement in your faith, maybe you need to be renewed or strengthened your faith in God! Or maybe you are maturing as a person of faith by understanding God’s gift to you in Jesus.
But before you can have faith you must have received Jesus to have peace with God. Sinners and those apart from the savior who really have no personal relationship with Him and have not called upon the name of the Lord, can’t be and aren’t saved. You know in your heart if Jesus is speaking to you now have peace with God.
II. Let’s examine how Jesus greets His disciples after the resurrection. Let us go to the Gospel of John, Chapter 19 vs.19 - Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
The disciples had spent the last three days in absolute terror and disappointment.
There was no release for some almost all had deserted Jesus. Judas had betrayed Jesus and Peter who swore he would defend Jesus to the death had denied Him. They were frazzled in their understanding and the Holy Spirit had not yet come to give them clear understanding of Scriptures which Jesus spoke to them. So how does Jesus enter? “Peace be with you. This is what is missing for you and I today in the midst of all that is happening in CV-19, all the political unrest and hate. Jesus says that same to you as He said to them “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Why would there be any difference? This is why we remember Easter
III. So how should Easter orient us toward our lives as Christians. Check out Philippians 3: 7 -14. To many these are words we have heard before but perhaps never understood they are for us personally. Paul writes to the church, the body of believers at Philippi- {everything I did for self.} 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ {faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love}, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead. There are what Paul values at the end. But He is not finished with life or with the purposes of God. So he says next that he is Pressing Toward the Goal. What goal read with me beginning in verse 12 -
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The Miracle of Easter is the deliberate passion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to die for you and me. Is there a greater gift than a man would lay His life down for His friends? Not only was He obedient to the will of the Father but He freely gave us all things.
1 Corinthians 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 Peter 2:24 _ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [g]stripes you were healed. {Isaiah 53:5}
The first verse1 Cor. 5:21 expresses the Father’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Again the verse says- For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. God made Jesus accept all our sin and the disease to cure it. The righteous Son of God pure and Holy became your sin and my sin to pay the righteous penalty for sin which is death. God’s will was done to make you and I acceptable to God by paying our sin debt for now through eternity. You are a blood bought child of the King in Jesus and because of this you now have Peace and not enmity with God. Sin no longer separates you from God if you have truly asked and become one of the whosoever would call upon the name of the Lord.
The second verse we read is that Jesus willingly died and accomplished for us what we are not able to do. Listen again to 1 Peter 2:24 -_ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [g]stripes you were healed. {Isaiah 53:5} There was and is healing only in the wings of Jesus. And In Jesus only and exclusively have you been healed by His stripes. One and only one sacrifice is and remains sufficient for paying the penalty of my sin and that is by the blood of Jesus. There is no other name given among men whereby you can be saved, no matter what man may say. God has not and will not accept any other means of salvation for you and I, now is He likely to change His mind ever. This is why there is no other way but the one way to heaven. No other has paid this incredible price for your salvation and deliverance. So how can there be many ways to heaven. There can’t be and there are none. The One and only one who loves you is Jesus the Christ.
Having set your minds on this, just think if you had just completed some taxing and strenuous ordeal for family and friends what would you expect when you returned – accolades, a band, cheering? What did Jesus receive upon HIs return from the dead? Do you suppose the disciples finally got it? No they didn’t get it. Jesus did not have such good fortune or understanding.
Jesus comes back fully knowing He must encourage His young believers to have faith in Himself for He has proven by His return that He is God. That may be where you are today on this Resurrection Sunday. Perhaps you may need encouragement in your faith, maybe you need to be renewed or strengthened your faith in God! Or maybe you are maturing as a person of faith by understanding God’s gift to you in Jesus.
But before you can have faith you must have received Jesus to have peace with God. Sinners and those apart from the savior who really have no personal relationship with Him and have not called upon the name of the Lord, can’t be and aren’t saved. You know in your heart if Jesus is speaking to you now have peace with God.
II. Let’s examine how Jesus greets His disciples after the resurrection. Let us go to the Gospel of John, Chapter 19 vs.19 - Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
The disciples had spent the last three days in absolute terror and disappointment.
There was no release for some almost all had deserted Jesus. Judas had betrayed Jesus and Peter who swore he would defend Jesus to the death had denied Him. They were frazzled in their understanding and the Holy Spirit had not yet come to give them clear understanding of Scriptures which Jesus spoke to them. So how does Jesus enter? “Peace be with you. This is what is missing for you and I today in the midst of all that is happening in CV-19, all the political unrest and hate. Jesus says that same to you as He said to them “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Why would there be any difference? This is why we remember Easter
III. So how should Easter orient us toward our lives as Christians. Check out Philippians 3: 7 -14. To many these are words we have heard before but perhaps never understood they are for us personally. Paul writes to the church, the body of believers at Philippi- {everything I did for self.} 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ {faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love}, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead. There are what Paul values at the end. But He is not finished with life or with the purposes of God. So he says next that he is Pressing Toward the Goal. What goal read with me beginning in verse 12 -
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Sermon April 5
From Experiencing God Day by Day Devotional.
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:3-4
John the apostle never ceased to marvel at the life-changing relationship he enjoyed with his Lord. It overwhelmed him to know that, at a particular time in history, the God of the universe chose to have fellowship with him, a simple fisherman. John was so overjoyed that he earnestly wanted to share his joy with others so they, too, might experience the same joy. A special fellowship or “bonding” developed between those who had personally encountered Christ as they rejoiced together at God’s goodness to them.
Those around you desperately need to be encouraged by your latest encounter with Christ. Some have lost hope that they can experience the reality of God’s presence in their lives. They don’t need your philosophies or theological speculations. They don’t need to hear your opinions on what they should do. They need to hear from someone who has just come from a personal, life-changing encounter with the living Christ.
When you have had such an experience you will be like the apostle John, unable to contain yourself as you rush out to tell others of your amazing encounter with God. Your responsibility will not be to convince others of the reality of God, but simply to bear witness to what your Lord has said and done for you. The change in your life will be your greatest testimony of your relationship to Christ. There is nothing more appealing or convincing to a watching world than to hear the testimony of someone who has just been with Jesus.
Today’s Lesson - Palm Sunday.
I can hardly contain myself I have a word for you from our Lord “Be encouraged, be inspired and be giving praise in the middle of the battle. For God is at work, He is here and He is present to defend you, love you and care for you. Follow this narration of the events of Palm Sunday:
In the accounts of the four gospels Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem takes place in the days before the Last Supper, marking the beginning of His Passion, his time of suffering, death, and resurrection celebrated during Holy Week. We celebrate Jesus's entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, which begins a week of celebrations known as Holy Week ending on Easter Sunday.
In John 12:9–11 the crowds gather around Jesus and believe in him after he raised Lazarus from the dead, and the next day the multitudes that had gathered for the feast in Jerusalem welcome Jesus as he enters the city. In Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, and John 12:12–19, Jesus descends from the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem, and the crowds lay their clothes on the ground to welcome him as he triumphantly enters Jerusalem.
The historical context of these events:
In the accounts of the four Gospels, Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem takes place a week before his resurrection. The Gospel of John presents a timeline of these events, dated six days before the Passover (John 12:1).
Before this, Jesus talked to two of his disciples, taking to Himself using the Greek word of Lord (Κύριος, trasl. Kýrios), written with a capital letter in the original text, as a proper noun.
The raising of Lazarus is mentioned only by the Gospel of John, in the previous chapter. The Jewish calendar dates begin at sundown of the night beforehand, and conclude at nightfall.
Christians believe that the passion of Christ is captured graphically in the Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9"The Coming of Zion's King – See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey", which is quoted in the Gospels. It suggests that Jesus was declaring he was the King of Israel, to the anger of the Jewish ruling body of Pharisees and Sadducees called the Sanhedrin.
In the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, and the celebrating people there laid down their cloaks and small branches of trees in front of him, singing part of Psalm 118: 25–26 – Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The symbolism of the donkey generally refers to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, unlike the horse which is the animal of war. A king would have ridden a white horse where he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Jesus' entry to Jerusalem symbolizes his entry as Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.
"Flevit super illam" (He wept over it); by Enrique Simonet, 1892
The triumphant entry begins in Luke 19:41 as Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he looks at the city and weeps over it (an event known as Flevit super illam in Latin), foretelling his coming Passion and the suffering that awaits the city in the events of the destruction of the Second Temple. 41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
The Lord Jesus being fully God and simultaneously fully man at this time knew the events which were to occur at this Passover celebration. He had already warned His disciples three times that the Pharisee’s were about to kill Him on a cross. He had to chastise Peter for coming against the will of God, versus the will of Satan for Him to pay the price of the cruel cross.
But Jesus is reflecting upon the nation of Israel and all those who would eventually reject Him. He begins -“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Jesus had come to bring salvation from sins and to give the Kingdom of Heaven to the nation of Israel. But Jesus knew the heart of man and it was far from Him. Note His appeal is personal If you, even you; and when was the appeal relevant? It was made especially in this your day. A great judgement was coming - sin was soon to be condemned and Jesus was the one to accomplish this. But Jesus had been rejected by the nation of Israel then and down through the ages it would be the same. He would come but He would be rejected.
Jesus’ great condemnation is “because you did not know the time of your visitation.” The King in the form of a man had come but because of sin in the world, the desire to do our own will over the will of God; and to be willfully obedient to the Prince of the Power of the air – Satan, we reject God even in the time of our visitation by the Son of God. But there is a great wonder. And this wonder is despite the condemnation and destruction which is to visited upon the nation of Israel in 70 AD., and upon all those who reject Jesus and die in their sin.
The wonder is this, that the purpose of the triumphant entry is the success of God’s plan from eternity past and for eternity future to defeat sin and death and set the captives free. It is and was assured by the obedience of Christ in going to the cross. You see the passion of the Christ is to complete the will of the Father. Jesus had not come to do His own will but the will of Him who sent me. The Passion of Christ was to set you, the captive, free from the law of sin and death and to provide you a future and a hope.
The world sees Jesus death as a tragedy, but God foresaw the death as the necessary payment to allow you and I to have free access and be delivered from our sins. Jesus has made available to us ever spirit in the heavenlies, all that was needed for release from the bonds of sin. The presence of the Holy Spirit was given to all who would believe in Him by faith. What an awesome and wonderful gift is the Spirit of God who takes up residence in the human heart. He gives us new life and a new Spirit dwells within us to give us a future and a hope. God’s future is to be our future and our hope becomes not what we can do but what Christ can do in us.
So despite what is happening in today’s world, so despite what appearances faith in God transcends all for the Prince of Peace, the Son of God and the Son of Man, the Lord has command of all events and He is working all things to conform to His will. While world events and the power of evil seem so strong He is the ruler yet. He will prevail. e wil He is overall. So let us praise God despite what we see and hear. Let us have faith if the God who sees me and knows me.
I pray that the LORD GOD would bless you and keep you and the power of Christ would rest upon you on this glorious day of God’s creation – Palm Sunday where God is triumphant and Son of God enters the completion of His work triumphantly. God bless you all in the coming days Amen
From Experiencing God Day by Day Devotional.
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:3-4
John the apostle never ceased to marvel at the life-changing relationship he enjoyed with his Lord. It overwhelmed him to know that, at a particular time in history, the God of the universe chose to have fellowship with him, a simple fisherman. John was so overjoyed that he earnestly wanted to share his joy with others so they, too, might experience the same joy. A special fellowship or “bonding” developed between those who had personally encountered Christ as they rejoiced together at God’s goodness to them.
Those around you desperately need to be encouraged by your latest encounter with Christ. Some have lost hope that they can experience the reality of God’s presence in their lives. They don’t need your philosophies or theological speculations. They don’t need to hear your opinions on what they should do. They need to hear from someone who has just come from a personal, life-changing encounter with the living Christ.
When you have had such an experience you will be like the apostle John, unable to contain yourself as you rush out to tell others of your amazing encounter with God. Your responsibility will not be to convince others of the reality of God, but simply to bear witness to what your Lord has said and done for you. The change in your life will be your greatest testimony of your relationship to Christ. There is nothing more appealing or convincing to a watching world than to hear the testimony of someone who has just been with Jesus.
Today’s Lesson - Palm Sunday.
I can hardly contain myself I have a word for you from our Lord “Be encouraged, be inspired and be giving praise in the middle of the battle. For God is at work, He is here and He is present to defend you, love you and care for you. Follow this narration of the events of Palm Sunday:
In the accounts of the four gospels Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem takes place in the days before the Last Supper, marking the beginning of His Passion, his time of suffering, death, and resurrection celebrated during Holy Week. We celebrate Jesus's entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, which begins a week of celebrations known as Holy Week ending on Easter Sunday.
In John 12:9–11 the crowds gather around Jesus and believe in him after he raised Lazarus from the dead, and the next day the multitudes that had gathered for the feast in Jerusalem welcome Jesus as he enters the city. In Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–44, and John 12:12–19, Jesus descends from the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem, and the crowds lay their clothes on the ground to welcome him as he triumphantly enters Jerusalem.
The historical context of these events:
In the accounts of the four Gospels, Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem takes place a week before his resurrection. The Gospel of John presents a timeline of these events, dated six days before the Passover (John 12:1).
Before this, Jesus talked to two of his disciples, taking to Himself using the Greek word of Lord (Κύριος, trasl. Kýrios), written with a capital letter in the original text, as a proper noun.
The raising of Lazarus is mentioned only by the Gospel of John, in the previous chapter. The Jewish calendar dates begin at sundown of the night beforehand, and conclude at nightfall.
Christians believe that the passion of Christ is captured graphically in the Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9"The Coming of Zion's King – See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey", which is quoted in the Gospels. It suggests that Jesus was declaring he was the King of Israel, to the anger of the Jewish ruling body of Pharisees and Sadducees called the Sanhedrin.
In the Gospels, Jesus Christ rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, and the celebrating people there laid down their cloaks and small branches of trees in front of him, singing part of Psalm 118: 25–26 – Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The symbolism of the donkey generally refers to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, unlike the horse which is the animal of war. A king would have ridden a white horse where he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Jesus' entry to Jerusalem symbolizes his entry as Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.
"Flevit super illam" (He wept over it); by Enrique Simonet, 1892
The triumphant entry begins in Luke 19:41 as Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he looks at the city and weeps over it (an event known as Flevit super illam in Latin), foretelling his coming Passion and the suffering that awaits the city in the events of the destruction of the Second Temple. 41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
The Lord Jesus being fully God and simultaneously fully man at this time knew the events which were to occur at this Passover celebration. He had already warned His disciples three times that the Pharisee’s were about to kill Him on a cross. He had to chastise Peter for coming against the will of God, versus the will of Satan for Him to pay the price of the cruel cross.
But Jesus is reflecting upon the nation of Israel and all those who would eventually reject Him. He begins -“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Jesus had come to bring salvation from sins and to give the Kingdom of Heaven to the nation of Israel. But Jesus knew the heart of man and it was far from Him. Note His appeal is personal If you, even you; and when was the appeal relevant? It was made especially in this your day. A great judgement was coming - sin was soon to be condemned and Jesus was the one to accomplish this. But Jesus had been rejected by the nation of Israel then and down through the ages it would be the same. He would come but He would be rejected.
Jesus’ great condemnation is “because you did not know the time of your visitation.” The King in the form of a man had come but because of sin in the world, the desire to do our own will over the will of God; and to be willfully obedient to the Prince of the Power of the air – Satan, we reject God even in the time of our visitation by the Son of God. But there is a great wonder. And this wonder is despite the condemnation and destruction which is to visited upon the nation of Israel in 70 AD., and upon all those who reject Jesus and die in their sin.
The wonder is this, that the purpose of the triumphant entry is the success of God’s plan from eternity past and for eternity future to defeat sin and death and set the captives free. It is and was assured by the obedience of Christ in going to the cross. You see the passion of the Christ is to complete the will of the Father. Jesus had not come to do His own will but the will of Him who sent me. The Passion of Christ was to set you, the captive, free from the law of sin and death and to provide you a future and a hope.
The world sees Jesus death as a tragedy, but God foresaw the death as the necessary payment to allow you and I to have free access and be delivered from our sins. Jesus has made available to us ever spirit in the heavenlies, all that was needed for release from the bonds of sin. The presence of the Holy Spirit was given to all who would believe in Him by faith. What an awesome and wonderful gift is the Spirit of God who takes up residence in the human heart. He gives us new life and a new Spirit dwells within us to give us a future and a hope. God’s future is to be our future and our hope becomes not what we can do but what Christ can do in us.
So despite what is happening in today’s world, so despite what appearances faith in God transcends all for the Prince of Peace, the Son of God and the Son of Man, the Lord has command of all events and He is working all things to conform to His will. While world events and the power of evil seem so strong He is the ruler yet. He will prevail. e wil He is overall. So let us praise God despite what we see and hear. Let us have faith if the God who sees me and knows me.
I pray that the LORD GOD would bless you and keep you and the power of Christ would rest upon you on this glorious day of God’s creation – Palm Sunday where God is triumphant and Son of God enters the completion of His work triumphantly. God bless you all in the coming days Amen
Sermon March 22
Psalm 27:1-6
HOPE for the believer in the Battle
Intro: As we read the words of this psalm, we see the imagery of battle being portrayed in these verses. Words like “enemies” and “foes” in verse 2; “host” in verse 3; “war” in verse 3; and “enemies” in verse 6 all speak of warfare. Phrase like “though an host encamp against me”, verse 3; and “though war should rise against me”, verse 3 speak of a battle being waged against David. It appears that he is in a difficult situation. Yet, it is also very clear from reading these verses that even in the battles he is fighting, David has hope.
Hope is a powerful thing. G. K. Chesterton said, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.” Emily Dickinson, in one of her poems said, “Hope is a thing with feathers, / That perches in the soul.” O. S. Marden said, “There is no medicine like hope . . .” Pliny the Elder wrote, “Hope is the dream of a waking man.” Martin Luther said, “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.”[1]
The dictionary describes hope- “to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true, especially something that seems possible or likely.”[2] Hope, from the world’s viewpoint is just what that definition describes. The world sees hope as a wish or a desire. Hope, for the world, is a longing for something that may or may not take place.
The Bible teaches us a completely different definition of hope. Listen to the words of Jeremiah, “Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is,” Jer. 17:7. Hear also Paul, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity,” 1 Cor.13:13. The world says that hope is merely a fond wish or desire. But, the words used for hope in the Bible tell a different story. They teach us that hope is “A deep settled confidence that God keeps His promises!”
Now, I know you have battles; but do you have hope? Are you resting in the sure confidence that God will do just as He has promised He would? That is the essence of hope and hope is a possession we all need to be sure we own in large quantities. I want to look into these verses today and I want to teach about Hope In The Midst of our Battles. I want to show you, from the words of Scripture, why you and I have a reason to hope in the Lord. Let us begin with prayer.
I. v. 1-3 Our confidence in the Lord provides HOPE
(Ill. David begins his psalm of hope by declaring his personal faith in the Lord. Notice the three-fold use of the word “my” in verse 1. David has a personal relationship with God. This is the basic foundation for hope.)
A. v. 1 Confidence In The Person Of The Lord – David tells us that God is his “light”, his “salvation” and his “strength.” There is a tremendous blessing in these three titles attributed to our God.
1. As Light, God delivers His people from Darkness – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:,”Colossians 1:13. As Light God guides our Steps – (Psa. 37:23; John 16:13; Psa. 119:105)
2. As Salvation God delivers His people from Damnation – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life,” John 5:24. As Salvation God secures our Souls – (John 10:28; 1 Pet. 1:5; John 6:37)
3. As Strength God delivers His people from Defeat – “thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1Cor.15:57. As Strength God guarantees our Success – (Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14; Isa. 54:17)
These three great characteristics of God serve to give us hope even in the midst of battle! Because of Who our God is, we need not fear any enemy that should arise against us. Satan himself is no match for our sovereign God!
B. v. 2-3 Confidence In The Performance Of The Lord – David declares that his present hope in the Lord rests upon that which the Lord has done for him in the past. God did not fail him then, and He will not fail His child today.
This confidence is ours today! The God we serve is unchangeable, Mal.3:6;Heb.13:8. He has never, and He will never change. Because He has been faithful in the past, we can count on His present faithfulness.
(Ill. Think of all God in Christ has done; victories He has won; enemies vanquished; the mountains He has moved; the victories. Think on these things and remember that the God who performed wonders in the past is still that same God today! He gives His people hope!)
II. v. 4 OUR commitment to the LORD provides HOPE (what should we do)
(Ill. Not only does living with our faith give us hope; but also living faithful to the Lord provides a measure of hope that cannot otherwise exist. David mentions three goals in this verse. These three goals all arise from a single commitment to serve the Lord faithfully from a heart of love. Notice how David’s commitment to the Lord shows itself.)
A. David is committed to lingering near the Lord – David wants to spend his entire life in the house of the Lord. He wants to be in that place where the Lord dwells and where the Lord’s presence is real. This is a theme David repeated in Psalm 84:1-4. There, David envies the little birds that make their nests around the tabernacle. They can be near the house of God all the time, while David cannot. He has a desire to be where God is; to be in that place where God is worshiped and honored. That is his heartbeat.
That ought to be our desire as well. We need that same passion to be where the Lord is honored and where He is worshiped. Of course, we have the church and we are commanded to be in attendance, Heb. 10:25. But, I think there ought to be a desire to find that place of closeness and intimacy within us for the Lord.
If there is a genuine desire to be near Him, it will become clear by actions. There will be a commitment to prayer and to the study of the Word of God. There will be a commitment to public and private worship. Those who want to linger near the Lord will find a way. And, when we make a move toward Him, He will make a move toward us, James 4:8. (draw near to ME)
B. David is committed to loving the Lord – David wants to “behold the beauty of the Lord.” That is to “seek Him.” You see, not only is David committed to being where the Lord is; but he is also committed to worshiping the Lord. That is a goal for our lives!
This should be the goal of every believer. If we are going to worship the Lord, we are going to have to do it His way. Jesus told us how to worship in John 4:24. As we yield to the Spirit of God and worship God for Who He is as He is revealed in the Word of God, we will be engaged in the business of loving Him. How long has it been since you just loved on the Lord?
C. David is committed to leaning on the Lord – David also expresses his desire to call upon the Lord; to commune with God; and to make requests of God. This is another image of worship. David here declares his total dependence upon the Lord for all the necessities of life. David looks beyond his own abilities and sees the limitless provisions of the Lord. Therefore, he wants nothing more than to be able to call upon the Lord
My, what a limitless resource we have been given in prayer! We are invited to pray, Jer. 33:3; Matt. 11:28. We are promised that God will hear and answer our prayers, Isa. 65:24; John 14:13-14; John 16:23-24. Therefore, let us also learn to lean upon Him! Instead of worry and fear, let us learn to turn to the Lord. He will meet our needs, Phil. 4:6-7; 19.
Our commitment to Him provides hope in the day of our battles. As we Linger near Him; Love on Him and Lean on Him, we can have the absolute confidence that He will see to our needs and to the things that would cause us to worry.)
III. v. 5-6 Our comfort in the LORD provides HOPE
A. v. 5 God has A sheltered place for us – David tells us that the Lord will hide him in His pavilion. A king’s pavilion was a tent that erected in the middle of the army’s encampment. The tent was then surrounded by an army of brave soldiers. With all the host of the army camped about, the king’s pavilion was the safest place on the battlefield. Those who were fortunate enough to be allowed to enter the king’s pavilion were protected by the soldiers and entertained by the king during the battle! (Note: The word “hide” here means “to treasure away.”)
As the battles of life rage about us, we are safely tucked away in the King’s pavilion. The Bible tells us that “your life is hid with Christ in God”, Col. 3:3! Could there be a safer place in all the universe? Of course not! Those who have entered His pavilion are protected by Him and, even while the battles rage around them, they are entertained with the peace and joy of the King Himself. This is promise to those who will abide in that close place! No enemy can penetrate the defenses and enter this private place. It is protected from the enemy!
This assurance of His sheltering place allows us to weather the storms and have hope. This was what allowed David to face Goliath. This was the confidence that kept Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This was the assurance that gripped the heart of Daniel! This was the knowledge that allowed Paul to continue, even when he suffered greatly, 2 Cor. 12:7-11.
B. v. 5 God has a secret place for us – The word “tabernacle” brings to mind the place of worship. The “secret” refers to the “holy of holies”. That place which was off limits to all but the High Priest, and he could only enter there one day per year, and the only with the blood of an innocent sacrifice. It was a place that other men entered under the penalty of death.
Yet, it is that secret place, to which God takes His friends. The Holy of Holies was a place where the very presence of God dwelt and the glory of God could be seen. It was there that God took David during the battles of his life. It was there David found himself shut up with God and shut off from the world around him.
In a king’s home, this place referred to the private apartment of the king. It was a place no one could enter unless they did so at his bidding. To do otherwise invited instant death. (Note: The word “hide” means “to conceal”.)
It is amazing that there is a place of solitude in a world filled with people. There is a place that you and I can flee to during the crushing battles that rage about us. A place that affords us quiet, peace and the profound presence of God. Those who have learned to abide in Him have been to that place and know the glory of it. It is a place where the enemy dares not follow. It is a place reserved for those who love the Lord their God. Have you ever been to that place? That place where God meets with you and you alone. That place where all else falls away and you are left with Him and Him alone? That is the place He invites those who abide to enter!
Stephen was in that place at the moment of his death, Acts 7:55-56! Paul was in that place during his life, 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Acts 27:23. It is possible for us to enter that sacred, secret place where the world dims away and God becomes larger than everything else!
C. v. 5-6a God has a secure place for us – David has the assurance that even when life threatens to overflow him, the Lord will set him on a rock, a place that is unchangeable, powerful and immovable. Of course, this Rock he refers to is none other than the Lord Himself, Psa. 40:1-2. The rock referred to in these verses is a “great craggy rock”. It is a rock that juts far above the battles below. It allows us to rise far above the storms below!
This is the gift to all those who know Him! We are promised that we have a place of refuge that will lift us far above the stormy seas that would threaten to drown us. Like the eagle, who takes refuge above the storm until it has passed; those who abide in Him are given grace that bears them higher than the storms and keeps them safe until danger has passed, Isa. 40:31. Those who wait upon the Lord and wish to rise above circumstances are given wings to do so!
(Note: Notice the passive nature of all the things mentioned in verse 5. All of these things David mentions are not things he does to himself; but they are things done to him by the Lord. The believer is required to do nothing but be in a close relationship to the Lord. These things are done by the Lord for His child.)
D. v. 6b God has a special place for us – David says that he will worship the Lord; he will praise the Lord because of the things the Lord has done for him. Because the Lord has lifted him above the battles; because the Lord has hidden him away in the secret place; because the Lord sheltered him away from the terrors of the battles; he will praise His name
What a lesson to us! When hope has turned to reality in our lives; when the Lord has come through for us again and delivered us from the enemy; we should be quick to praise Him and offer to Him the worship and adoration He deserves. When He brings us through our battles, He will put us in a special place from which we can exalt His lovely Name, Heb. 13:15!
Conc: Are you fighting some battles today? But, in the midst of these battles, do you have hope? Do you have the spiritual confidence in your soul that everything is going to be alright? If so praise the Lord, for He has already brought to that special place of blessing where you can offer praise to Him.
But, if you lack that hope today, it can be obtained. How? You can do this by Reaffirming your Confidence in the Lord; by Renewing your Commitment to the Lord; and by Resting in your Comfort in the Lord. Do you need to talk to Him about your battles and about your hope? If you do, this. altar is a good place to take care of that business!
[1] All quotes from “An Encyclopedia of Compelling Quotations.”
[2] Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2004. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Psalm 27:1-6
HOPE for the believer in the Battle
Intro: As we read the words of this psalm, we see the imagery of battle being portrayed in these verses. Words like “enemies” and “foes” in verse 2; “host” in verse 3; “war” in verse 3; and “enemies” in verse 6 all speak of warfare. Phrase like “though an host encamp against me”, verse 3; and “though war should rise against me”, verse 3 speak of a battle being waged against David. It appears that he is in a difficult situation. Yet, it is also very clear from reading these verses that even in the battles he is fighting, David has hope.
Hope is a powerful thing. G. K. Chesterton said, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.” Emily Dickinson, in one of her poems said, “Hope is a thing with feathers, / That perches in the soul.” O. S. Marden said, “There is no medicine like hope . . .” Pliny the Elder wrote, “Hope is the dream of a waking man.” Martin Luther said, “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.”[1]
The dictionary describes hope- “to have a wish to get or do something or for something to happen or be true, especially something that seems possible or likely.”[2] Hope, from the world’s viewpoint is just what that definition describes. The world sees hope as a wish or a desire. Hope, for the world, is a longing for something that may or may not take place.
The Bible teaches us a completely different definition of hope. Listen to the words of Jeremiah, “Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is,” Jer. 17:7. Hear also Paul, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity,” 1 Cor.13:13. The world says that hope is merely a fond wish or desire. But, the words used for hope in the Bible tell a different story. They teach us that hope is “A deep settled confidence that God keeps His promises!”
Now, I know you have battles; but do you have hope? Are you resting in the sure confidence that God will do just as He has promised He would? That is the essence of hope and hope is a possession we all need to be sure we own in large quantities. I want to look into these verses today and I want to teach about Hope In The Midst of our Battles. I want to show you, from the words of Scripture, why you and I have a reason to hope in the Lord. Let us begin with prayer.
I. v. 1-3 Our confidence in the Lord provides HOPE
(Ill. David begins his psalm of hope by declaring his personal faith in the Lord. Notice the three-fold use of the word “my” in verse 1. David has a personal relationship with God. This is the basic foundation for hope.)
A. v. 1 Confidence In The Person Of The Lord – David tells us that God is his “light”, his “salvation” and his “strength.” There is a tremendous blessing in these three titles attributed to our God.
1. As Light, God delivers His people from Darkness – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:,”Colossians 1:13. As Light God guides our Steps – (Psa. 37:23; John 16:13; Psa. 119:105)
2. As Salvation God delivers His people from Damnation – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life,” John 5:24. As Salvation God secures our Souls – (John 10:28; 1 Pet. 1:5; John 6:37)
3. As Strength God delivers His people from Defeat – “thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1Cor.15:57. As Strength God guarantees our Success – (Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14; Isa. 54:17)
These three great characteristics of God serve to give us hope even in the midst of battle! Because of Who our God is, we need not fear any enemy that should arise against us. Satan himself is no match for our sovereign God!
B. v. 2-3 Confidence In The Performance Of The Lord – David declares that his present hope in the Lord rests upon that which the Lord has done for him in the past. God did not fail him then, and He will not fail His child today.
This confidence is ours today! The God we serve is unchangeable, Mal.3:6;Heb.13:8. He has never, and He will never change. Because He has been faithful in the past, we can count on His present faithfulness.
(Ill. Think of all God in Christ has done; victories He has won; enemies vanquished; the mountains He has moved; the victories. Think on these things and remember that the God who performed wonders in the past is still that same God today! He gives His people hope!)
II. v. 4 OUR commitment to the LORD provides HOPE (what should we do)
(Ill. Not only does living with our faith give us hope; but also living faithful to the Lord provides a measure of hope that cannot otherwise exist. David mentions three goals in this verse. These three goals all arise from a single commitment to serve the Lord faithfully from a heart of love. Notice how David’s commitment to the Lord shows itself.)
A. David is committed to lingering near the Lord – David wants to spend his entire life in the house of the Lord. He wants to be in that place where the Lord dwells and where the Lord’s presence is real. This is a theme David repeated in Psalm 84:1-4. There, David envies the little birds that make their nests around the tabernacle. They can be near the house of God all the time, while David cannot. He has a desire to be where God is; to be in that place where God is worshiped and honored. That is his heartbeat.
That ought to be our desire as well. We need that same passion to be where the Lord is honored and where He is worshiped. Of course, we have the church and we are commanded to be in attendance, Heb. 10:25. But, I think there ought to be a desire to find that place of closeness and intimacy within us for the Lord.
If there is a genuine desire to be near Him, it will become clear by actions. There will be a commitment to prayer and to the study of the Word of God. There will be a commitment to public and private worship. Those who want to linger near the Lord will find a way. And, when we make a move toward Him, He will make a move toward us, James 4:8. (draw near to ME)
B. David is committed to loving the Lord – David wants to “behold the beauty of the Lord.” That is to “seek Him.” You see, not only is David committed to being where the Lord is; but he is also committed to worshiping the Lord. That is a goal for our lives!
This should be the goal of every believer. If we are going to worship the Lord, we are going to have to do it His way. Jesus told us how to worship in John 4:24. As we yield to the Spirit of God and worship God for Who He is as He is revealed in the Word of God, we will be engaged in the business of loving Him. How long has it been since you just loved on the Lord?
C. David is committed to leaning on the Lord – David also expresses his desire to call upon the Lord; to commune with God; and to make requests of God. This is another image of worship. David here declares his total dependence upon the Lord for all the necessities of life. David looks beyond his own abilities and sees the limitless provisions of the Lord. Therefore, he wants nothing more than to be able to call upon the Lord
My, what a limitless resource we have been given in prayer! We are invited to pray, Jer. 33:3; Matt. 11:28. We are promised that God will hear and answer our prayers, Isa. 65:24; John 14:13-14; John 16:23-24. Therefore, let us also learn to lean upon Him! Instead of worry and fear, let us learn to turn to the Lord. He will meet our needs, Phil. 4:6-7; 19.
Our commitment to Him provides hope in the day of our battles. As we Linger near Him; Love on Him and Lean on Him, we can have the absolute confidence that He will see to our needs and to the things that would cause us to worry.)
III. v. 5-6 Our comfort in the LORD provides HOPE
A. v. 5 God has A sheltered place for us – David tells us that the Lord will hide him in His pavilion. A king’s pavilion was a tent that erected in the middle of the army’s encampment. The tent was then surrounded by an army of brave soldiers. With all the host of the army camped about, the king’s pavilion was the safest place on the battlefield. Those who were fortunate enough to be allowed to enter the king’s pavilion were protected by the soldiers and entertained by the king during the battle! (Note: The word “hide” here means “to treasure away.”)
As the battles of life rage about us, we are safely tucked away in the King’s pavilion. The Bible tells us that “your life is hid with Christ in God”, Col. 3:3! Could there be a safer place in all the universe? Of course not! Those who have entered His pavilion are protected by Him and, even while the battles rage around them, they are entertained with the peace and joy of the King Himself. This is promise to those who will abide in that close place! No enemy can penetrate the defenses and enter this private place. It is protected from the enemy!
This assurance of His sheltering place allows us to weather the storms and have hope. This was what allowed David to face Goliath. This was the confidence that kept Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This was the assurance that gripped the heart of Daniel! This was the knowledge that allowed Paul to continue, even when he suffered greatly, 2 Cor. 12:7-11.
B. v. 5 God has a secret place for us – The word “tabernacle” brings to mind the place of worship. The “secret” refers to the “holy of holies”. That place which was off limits to all but the High Priest, and he could only enter there one day per year, and the only with the blood of an innocent sacrifice. It was a place that other men entered under the penalty of death.
Yet, it is that secret place, to which God takes His friends. The Holy of Holies was a place where the very presence of God dwelt and the glory of God could be seen. It was there that God took David during the battles of his life. It was there David found himself shut up with God and shut off from the world around him.
In a king’s home, this place referred to the private apartment of the king. It was a place no one could enter unless they did so at his bidding. To do otherwise invited instant death. (Note: The word “hide” means “to conceal”.)
It is amazing that there is a place of solitude in a world filled with people. There is a place that you and I can flee to during the crushing battles that rage about us. A place that affords us quiet, peace and the profound presence of God. Those who have learned to abide in Him have been to that place and know the glory of it. It is a place where the enemy dares not follow. It is a place reserved for those who love the Lord their God. Have you ever been to that place? That place where God meets with you and you alone. That place where all else falls away and you are left with Him and Him alone? That is the place He invites those who abide to enter!
Stephen was in that place at the moment of his death, Acts 7:55-56! Paul was in that place during his life, 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Acts 27:23. It is possible for us to enter that sacred, secret place where the world dims away and God becomes larger than everything else!
C. v. 5-6a God has a secure place for us – David has the assurance that even when life threatens to overflow him, the Lord will set him on a rock, a place that is unchangeable, powerful and immovable. Of course, this Rock he refers to is none other than the Lord Himself, Psa. 40:1-2. The rock referred to in these verses is a “great craggy rock”. It is a rock that juts far above the battles below. It allows us to rise far above the storms below!
This is the gift to all those who know Him! We are promised that we have a place of refuge that will lift us far above the stormy seas that would threaten to drown us. Like the eagle, who takes refuge above the storm until it has passed; those who abide in Him are given grace that bears them higher than the storms and keeps them safe until danger has passed, Isa. 40:31. Those who wait upon the Lord and wish to rise above circumstances are given wings to do so!
(Note: Notice the passive nature of all the things mentioned in verse 5. All of these things David mentions are not things he does to himself; but they are things done to him by the Lord. The believer is required to do nothing but be in a close relationship to the Lord. These things are done by the Lord for His child.)
D. v. 6b God has a special place for us – David says that he will worship the Lord; he will praise the Lord because of the things the Lord has done for him. Because the Lord has lifted him above the battles; because the Lord has hidden him away in the secret place; because the Lord sheltered him away from the terrors of the battles; he will praise His name
What a lesson to us! When hope has turned to reality in our lives; when the Lord has come through for us again and delivered us from the enemy; we should be quick to praise Him and offer to Him the worship and adoration He deserves. When He brings us through our battles, He will put us in a special place from which we can exalt His lovely Name, Heb. 13:15!
Conc: Are you fighting some battles today? But, in the midst of these battles, do you have hope? Do you have the spiritual confidence in your soul that everything is going to be alright? If so praise the Lord, for He has already brought to that special place of blessing where you can offer praise to Him.
But, if you lack that hope today, it can be obtained. How? You can do this by Reaffirming your Confidence in the Lord; by Renewing your Commitment to the Lord; and by Resting in your Comfort in the Lord. Do you need to talk to Him about your battles and about your hope? If you do, this. altar is a good place to take care of that business!
[1] All quotes from “An Encyclopedia of Compelling Quotations.”
[2] Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2004. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.