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A collection of message outines, thoughts, and
devotions.
I
pray they may be a blessing to you.
Genesis 1:14-19
God's
Attributes Seen in the Stars
Genesis 4:16 God's Mercy with
Cain
Genesis 8:1 The
Wind
1 Samuel 1:1-28 Prayer of Hanna
Psalm 3 In Times of Trouble
Proverbs 11:7 What Do You Expect When You Die?
Isaiah 1 The Overall Situation With The
Followers Of God
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Faith
Brought the Bones Together
Hosea 1:2 A Great Love Story
Jonah
1:1-4:11 Jonah,
A Picture of the Preacher
Nehemiah
13 Financial Giving and Faithful
Attendance
Matthew 1:1-16 Getting
Into the
Family
Matthew 5:13 The Salt of the Earth
Matthew 6:1-18 Giving, Praying, and
Fasting
Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye First
Matthew
12:41
Greater then Jonah is here.
Matthew 16:24-28 Being a True Christian
Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness
Matthew 22:1-10 The Invitation
Mark 1:1-10 Preach like
John the Baptist
Mark 2:1-12 When Jesus Is In The
House
Mark
9:38-40 Getting the Job Done
Mark
10:46-52 You Haven't Seen Anything
Yet
Luke 4:16-20 A Surrendered Life
Luke 10:38-42 Who Can the Lord Use?
Luke 12:13 - 21 Rich Toward God
Luke 15:11-28 What You Find At The Father's House
John 13:38 - 14:1 Operations of Simon Peter, Satan, and our Saviour
John 5:1-5 I Am the
Vine
Acts 6:9-15 A
Picture of the Church through a Portrait of Stephen
Acts 8:26-38 A New Follower and a True Follower
Acts 14:8-10 Stand Upright On Thy
Feet
II Corintians 5:17-21 Salvation
Galatians 1:1-24
The Gospel Has Not Changed
Galatians 6:7-8 You Reap What You Sow
Ephesians 4:26 Be Ye Angry And Sin Not
Colossians 1:5-6 The Truth of the Gospel
I Timothy
1:15 Christ Came to Save Sinners
I Timothy 3:1 Perilous Times
II Timothy 2:19 I'll Serve God In Spite of
the World
Titus 2:11-15
The Greatest Doctrine of
All
Hebrews 10:25 Assembling
Ourselves Together
Hebrews 11:
5-6 Enoch: What We Can Learn From His Life
Hebrews
11:7 Noah
Hebrews
11:8-14 Abraham: A Picture Of A Christian Life
Hebrews 11:15-16 What Keeps Us From Returning
James 1:1-4 How To Keep Temptation, Temptation
James 5:17-18 Elijah
I Peter 4:1-5 What We Need To Serve God
I Peter 4:12 Trials
II Peter 1:1Like Precious
Faith
Apostles: Where are
they in this church age?
Windows (Topical Message)
Satan (Topical Message)
What About Rock and Roll? (A short tract for parents.)
Getting Into the Family
Genealogies are not usually the highlight of Bible
reading. We do find some interesting facts when we read the genealogies of
God's people in His Word. Here in Matthew we see the plan and work of
salvation in our lives through the four women mentioned in the genealogy of
Christ.
As we see these four women, we could ask, "How did they get in
there?" The same question could be asked as to how we got
"into" the family of God.
The questions will be answered by a brief study of these women.
I. Tamar - Sin Before we come to God we have to admit that we
are sinners.
Read Genesis 38. That neat little chapter snuggled into the
story of Joseph. You will find that Tamar is not noted for her morality
and integrity. Judah is not remembered for his either.
In Tamar we see that we are sinners. The reason God loved Israel is
not because of there sinless, god fearing attitude. He loved them because
it was His nature to love. Israel made a calf a week into the journey with
Moses, yet God did not give up on them. Our sin separated us from God, but
not from His love. Tamar is a reminder that we have all sinned and
come short of the glory of God.
II. Rehab - Through Rehab we see the next step of
salvation.
Rahab's story is in Joshua 2. We find that this, not so virtuous,
woman was received with gladness by the spies because of her faith in the God
that the Israelites served.
It is through faith in the story of Jesus that we come to the saving
knowledge of Christ.
III. Ruth - Everyone knows the theme of the book of Ruth is
grace. It is also the theme of our salvation.
Where would Ruth had been if she had not found grace from others.
She found grace from her mother-in-law when she moved back to Bethlehem with
her. She found grace from Boaz in the barley fields. She found
further grace from the nearer kinsman in allowing her to be redeemed.
Our salvation plan begins and ends with grace.
IV. Bath-Sheba - We see the security of the believer.
When we think of Bath-Sheba, we usually do not think of honor, respect,
or loyalty. We don't think much about her at all. Our minds
quickly turn to that moment in time when King David slipped into the realms of
sin to satisfy his fleshly desire.
Bath-Sheba shows us our condition in Christ after salvation. We all
know the results of sin is death. This was the initial result of the sin
of David and Bath-Sheba. Yet, sin did not separate God from
Bath-Sheba. We can see in her life the security of the believer.
One good thing about being born again from above and to fellowship with
others of like faith is that major doctrines do not have to be explained again
and again. On the mission field where security has never been taught it is
a lot different than to be in the midst Baptists and make the statement,
"Once saved always saved." One of the most difficult doctrines
to drive home on the field has been eternal security.
The result of sin in the life of a believer is broken fellowship, not
relationship. We can see this in Bath-Sheba.
Through these four women we see the plan of
salvation. 1. We must admit we are sinners. 2. We must come to
Christ through faith. 3. We receive salvation through grace and not of
works. 4. When we are saved, we are saved.
TOP
Satan
Names for Satan in the Bible are: Lucifer, serpent,
accuser, devil, Beelzebub, Bellial, Ruler of this world, prince of the power of
the air, adversary.
I. Origin of Satan
He was a created angel for the specific task to
cover God as the Holy Cherubs cover the mercy seat of God in the
Tabernacle.
His fall was in the Garden (Ezekiel
28:11-15) He has manifested himself in many people. Judas, Peter,
and here King Tyre. We know this text is not the attributes of King Tyre.
This text gives us the fall of Satan.
From the beginning v.12 he was beautiful. No horns and wart faced.
v. 13 Very musical, v.14 important to God, held a high position,
v.15 he was perfect until INIQUITY was found in him.
For all the gap theory people out there and pre-adamite
racers, it is Bible truth that death did not exist until after the fall of Adam
in the garden. Death entered the world by Adam's sin.
Satan fell in the garden. This is where iniquity
was found in him v.15. Where he was is told in v.13. He was full of
beauty there. His pride against God was manifested there.
II. Objective of Satan
To deceive, destroy (1Peter 5:8), accuse (Job 1:6; Rev.
12), etc...
Although Satan is not omnipresent, omnipotent, nor
omniscient, he is dangerous, ruthless, powerful, destructive, and evil.
Jesus said He beheld him like lightning coming down out of heaven in Luke
10. I believe He was speaking of these negative characteristics I just
mentioned. Although the disciples experienced power and we will too, we must not
overlook our enemy.
His objective is to make you fall, make you of no use to our Savior.
III. Outcome of Satan
These two verses sum up the final destination of
our enemy. Rev. 20:9 and Isaiah 14:3-17
I will spend no time on these verses for they are
self explanatory. He has a deadline.
IV. On the Move.
His time is short. He has much
wisdom. He knows our weaknesses. He is no stranger to human vulnerability. He will use every tactic to bring the child of God down to
nothing. (1 Peter 5:8)
We have this verse to claim and proclaim James 4:7
Let us draw nigh to God at this moment. Satan WILL have to flee.
TOP
Titus
2:11-15
The Greatest Doctrine of All
The purpose of Titus was to establish local churches in Crete.
There was much to do and much opposition (1:5-16). Paul stressed the need
of doctrines being taught (2:1).
Of all the doctrines that Titus could had been concerned about, Paul knew
that without salvation, doctrine was only head knowledge that would lead to
puffed up attitudes.
When we have a church that is saved and full of the Word, we have a
church that wants others to be saved. When we have a church that has emphasized
doctrines above personal salvation, we will have a church that could care less
about a lost and dying world.
Paul taught the greatest doctrine of all was the doctrine of
salvation. It is foremost the most needful doctrine of all.
I.
It Appeared to All (v.11)
1. Reaches as far and wide as east and
west. The gospel is like the wind, blowing to every corner of the world
carrying the life changing message of Jesus.
2. Respects no one. "to all" Regardless
of race, religion, color, or background, the gospel is not afraid to enter the
heart of all men. When a man sees himself in need of a God, God sees that
man hears the gospel.
II.
It Affects All (v.12)
Teaching us. Not demanding. The gospel
causes us to repent of sin. To change the way we think of Christ. It
teaches us purity. We grow in grace (2Pet. 3:18).
III.
It Assures All (v.13)
Salvation through the gospel makes it all become
real. "Looking For"
The Rapture of the Church. Our hope in a heavenly
home. Our love for
Jesus. These truths are meaningless until the Holy Ghost moves into our
heart.
IV.
It Atones All (v.14)
We have been redeemed because of what Jesus has
done. It is the gospel that proclaims that truth, and it is the gospel
that permeates that truth in our hearts and minds.
V. It
Gives Authority to All (v.15)
We now have a voice that thunders the gospel message
across the sea as well as next door with much authority. We can't stay
quiet.
We are in much assurance of what we say is the
truth.
The
Gospel is for All. The Gospel will clean a dirty heart. The
Gospel will give us assurance in the faith. The Gospel has redeemed us and
gave us the unction to tell others of this saving grace. The Gospel is the
greatest doctrine that any man can ever learn.
TOP
Ezekiel
47 1-12 The Dead Sea
The name "Dead Sea" never occurs in the
Bible. It was known as the Salt Sea in Genesis 14:3, Sea of the Arabah in
Deuteronomy 4:49, East Sea in Joel 2:20, and simply the Sea in our text Ezekiel
47:8.
We will compare the Dead Sea to ourselves in this scripture with the
saving grace of God in our lives.
The Dead Sea is
1. Sunken. It is the lowest lying part of
land on the earths crust not covered with ocean. It lies 1300 ft. below
sea level with it's water at a depth of 1300 ft.
2. Barren. No fish live in the sea. No birds
flourish on it's coast because there is no food to support life. No plants
thrive in the sea or near it's coast line.
3. Uselessness. Other then recent extractions of
chemicals and minerals, the sea held no purpose. Many religions flock to
the sea in search of it's healing properties, but they could get the same effect
from a box of Epson salt and a tub of warm water.
4. Helpless. Millions of tons of fresh water pour
into the Dead Sea each day from the Jordan river and several tributaries.
The fresh water reaches it's destination only to be evaporated by the sun and
the heat that surround the Dead Sea. Leaving behind the sediments picked
up during it's journey.
The only hope for this sea is mentioned in this prophecy
in Ezekiel that one day water flowing from the house (Temple of God) mentioned
in 47:1 will reach the sea and heal it.
We too were like the Dead Sea. We were:
1. Sunken. We were under the penalty of sin as
fallen man. Depraved in nature and in deed. We could have not gotten
any lower then the state that we where in at birth. Destined for hell and
an eternity of ruin.
2. Barren. The works of our flesh and the deeds of
our body produced no fruit of any lasting significance. Towards God, our
life yielded no fruit.
3. Uselessness. What good were we to God.
There could have been no good thing come out of our lives. Enlightening
others with our view on God, the universe, and the state of man with no comprehension
of true Bible doctrine. What good were we for the Kingdom of God? We
were useless.
4. Hopeless. We had no hope in the world.
Aliens from the common wealth of Israel. All that was good around us was
soon taken away by the heat and environment of the world leaving behind only
that which was filthy and unrighteous.
The only Hope we had is the same hope that the
dead sea has. Water coming from the Throne of God to flood our
souls, to cleanse our hearts, to make us pure. To raise us to the standard
accepted by God through His son, to produce fruit in our lives and yield useful
results toward his Kingdom. The Hope we have is the Word.
Water is a type of the Word of God in the Bible.
The Water: Promises Hope to all who believe. e.g. Moses at the
well (Ex. 1),The woman at the well (John 4).
1. (v1-5) Partake in His Word Get into
the Word. Not just your feet wet, but swim in it. The more you get
into it the more you see that it grows and grows. Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another.
2. (v.6-10) Provides Health. The Word of God will
purify the heart, clean the mind, and consecrate our lives for the service of
our Lord. Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word.
3. (v.11) Partially Hindered. We may have places in
our lives that we do not want God to deal with. These places are no good
to God or to us. Let us pray for the exposure of these places in our
hearts and for God to deal with us on these matters. James 1:22 But be
ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
4. (v.12) Produce a Harvest. There should be
evidence of fruit in our life because of our conversion to God, our commitment
to Christ and our obedience to His Word. John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Has the Word of God made a difference in your life? Allow His
Word to flow into your life and heal every need.
TOP
Matthew
12:41
Greater then Jonah is here.
Mt 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of
Jonas; and, behold a greater than Jonas is here.
Jesus is greater then Jonah in his:
1.Calling
Jonah was called to go to Nineveh; Jesus was called to go to
the whole world. 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.
2.Commitment
Jonah refused to go to Nineveh; Jesus said, “I’ll go”.
Philippians 2:6-8 Who, being
in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made
himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
3.Compassion
Jonah ran through Nineveh not caring about anyone but
himself. He didn’t stop to
help out a beggar, blind man or a widow woman.
Jesus went out of His way to talk with
a hated woman, to touch diseased men and to give more life to those in need.
Mt 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on
them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no
shepherd.
4.Completion
Jonah ran outside the city to watch God destroy it and
complained about a little suffering; Jesus climbed a mountain outside the city
to watch God save the whole world through His suffering.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
TOP
Mark
9:38-40
Getting the Job Done
What
we will look at in this text is the fact that every Christian will not act
neither be in the same ministry as we are.
Sometimes
Christians don’t act like we want them to.
Sometimes we don’t follow every movement other
Christians want us to.
Does
it mean that they are wrong, or we are wrong?
In
this text we will look at how John the beloved treated another believer who
didn't want to follow him in his ministry. We will see what Jesus had to
say about it all. I believe the story is still true today and needs to be
meditated on.
Mark
9:38-40 And
John answered him, saying Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and
he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus
said Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my
name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is
on our part.
Could this be the maniac of Gadara that Jesus had recently cast the
demons out of and instructed him to stay and tell his friends in the area and
spread the word?
Gadara was only six miles south of the Sea of Galilee, all these
cities mentioned where around the Sea of Galilee and could have been traveled by
the healed maniac as he spread the news.
Mark
5:18-20 And
when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed
him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto
him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done
for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed and began to
publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did
marvel.
With this in mind we want to look at the subject Getting the Job Done
This
man was:
I. Where God wanted him. (5:19-20)
Regardless of what the others thought.
He wanted to go with Jesus, but was given
different instructions
II.
Doing what God wanted him to do.
Publishing the Word (5:20)
Casting out Devils (9:38)
III.
Not pleasing the crowd, only God (9:38)
He stayed where Jesus had commanded
IV.
Was getting the Job Done
He told the works of God (5:20)
He cast out demons in the name of Jesus
(9:38)
All men did marvel (5:20)
TOP
Windows
When you mention windows today
computers come to mind. When you look at the windows in the Bible
spiritual applications come to mind. People looked out , where thrown out
, escaped out , sat in, fell out , and prayed out of the windows mentioned in
the Word of God.
Today windows let in air, let in light, allow us to see out, etc...
God's word does the same.
Let's look at some of the different people, places and circumstances relating to
windows in the Bible and ask your self, "What window am I at?"
I. Windows of the World
1. Jezebel's Window of Destruction (II Kings 9:30-37)
She was a blasphemer, a God hater, a
preacher hater, a liar, a thief, a murderer, etc....
She got what was coming to her when she was
thrown from the window.
God's word says the wicked will
perish. Jezebel's wicked lifestyle caused her destruction and the
wicked lifestyles of the worldly will one
day bring destruction.
2. Michael's Window of Discouragement (II Samuel 6:16, 20-21)
She tried to discourage others from
worshipping. She tried to say that God was not in it.
There are people sitting in this window all
the time and looking for anyone to look down on and
discourage.
3. Eutychus's
Window of Danger (Acts 20:6-12)
Here sits the church member. Here
sits the one on the pew of the local Fundamental Church.
Sitting in the church, surrounded by
saintly Christians and a man of God preaching the word, yet
having his eye's on the things of the
world.
Present but not Participating,
Professing but not Possessing.
Eutychus had good surroundings.
Lights, true doctrine, Christian fellowship, etc...
Even though his slothfulness caused a great
fall there was still hope. And there is hope for any one
in this dangerous position. Fellow
brethren we must bring them back.
II. Windows of the
Wise
1. Rahab's
Window of Deliverance (Joshua 2:1-18)
(v.1) She was a harlot --- we are sinners
(v.10) She believed ---- we are to
believe in God's salvation
(v.12) She asked for deliverance ---
we are to call out to God
(v.18) She let down the Scarlet cord
from the window --- we are to have faith which produce works.
2. Noah's
Window of Discernment (Genesis 6:16, 8:6-12)
(8:7) Raven is a type of the old
nature.
(8:8) Dove is a type of the new
nature.
(8:10-12) The new nature inside of us
should long for the things that bring life. We should know the
difference between life and death. We
should have discernment after deliverance.
3. Daniel's
Window of Dedication ( 6:10)
The world tries to regulate our belief,
they even use scare tactics against our convictions and
morals.
Daniel didn't suffer the consequences, he
faced them. We need to be at the window of dedication
Through ridicule and misunderstanding,
God's blessings are at this window of dedication.
Are you in a window of the world or a window of
the wise?
TOP
A
New Follower and a True Follower
Acts 8:26-38
A
look at the conversion of a lost man and the faithfulness of a true believer.
I.
The Eunuch
1. Social Status (v.27)
2. Spiritual Status (v.28)
3. Scripture he Studied (v.30-31) not an uncommon
verse.
a. Silence of the Lamb (v32)
b. Slaughter of the Lamb (v. 33)
4. Sincere Search (v.34)
5. Salvation Secured (v.36)
a. Faith Exercised (v.36)
...everything led to Jesus, what wasn't found in Jerusalem.
b. Faith Exposed (v.37) ...not
condition but confession
c. Faith Exhibited (v.38)
...identified with Christ
II.
The Evangelist
1. Willing to go (v.26) Here I am send
me.
2. Witness for Christ (v.29-30)
3. Knew the Word of God (v.35) We need to know God's
word to witness to the lost.
TOP
Jonah
- A Picture of the Preacher (Evangelist/Missionary)
We are still the same today.
This world is still the same
with it's sin and it's struggles. And still the same with it's
Savior. God is still the same. His Word has not changed, His desire
has not changed, His man has not changed.
1. God still calls men
(v.1:1-2a)
Calls to salvation
Calls to service
2. Men still need God
(v.1:2b) Wicked men and religious men.
3. Men still run from God's
calling (v.1:3)
4. God still prepares fish
(v.1:17) He has a way of getting our attention.
The storm didn't convince Jonah.
5. God still hears our
prayers (v.2:1)
Look at other's prayers for help: Peter, Elijah, Jehoshaphat.
6. God still gives second
chances (3:1)
Adam, David, Gomer
7. God still uses men to
proclaim His word (v.3:2)
Modern technology has changed and communication along with
it. We still have the method of
one-on-one preaching that God has ordained.
8. God still deals with
wicked hearts (v.3:5)
Nations and Individuals
9. Men are still apathetic
(4:1,10)
What will it take to move the heart of men? Of God's
men?
TOP
I Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come.
We are living in perilous, dangerous times.
This present evil world has drawn a host into its clutches. Satan has
blinded the eyes of unseen millions leaving heaps of destruction in their
path.
Gunmen and murderers challenge the ability of our law enforcers causing
adults to live with anxiety, while Hollywood and drug pushers defy every moral
we have tried to impart upon our children leaving us exhausted with concern
for their future.
Earthquakes, fire, and floods, may not be an immediate threat in our
homes, yet could strike at any moment without warning.
We travel sixty miles an hour among people we have never met. At
any time they could decide to run us off the road, intentionally or accidental
because of drunkenness.
In the midst of all this uncertainty and peril the most dangerous place
a man can be is walking through this world without a trouble or care, without
a worry or fear, and yet walk through this world lost, without God, and on his
way to a devils hell.
Perhaps unknowingly, unaware or just unconcerned. Whatever the
reason their is imminent danger.
I heard someone say, "The most dangerous
place a man could be is inside his mothers womb. For it is there that
his life could be taken without warning in a most horrible way." I
disagree on the fact that the small life will live in eternity if he should be
taken out of this world prematurely. The man who has made it into this
world and reached an age of understanding is in the most crucial danger.
Will his soul be lost for eternity because of unbelief, unconcern, or unaware
of the gospel?
We can obliterate this danger in the life of man with the simple plan
of salvation. Giving real hope and real assurance of the future.
This is our duty, our desire, our destiny.
We need to preach the word to reach the lost during these perilous
times.
TOP
Mark
1:1-10
Preach Like John
(A
look at John the Baptist as a comparison to our life.)
I.
The Person of John the Baptist
- The
Role of John the Baptist….to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
- He
prepared the people for Christ’s first coming
- We
prepare people for Christ’s second coming
- He
prepared by preaching repentance
- We
preach, “Repent.”
- His
ministry was short, yet very needy and effective.
- Our ministry at
time may seem "short" but the Lord can use it in a mighty way.
2. The Resources of John the Baptist… the Holy Ghost and Parchments.
·
We need God’s Word,
mind of Christ, obedient spirit.
·
Prayer and Ministry of
the Word. (Acts 6:4)
3. The Response of John the
Baptist…(John 3:30 He must increase but I must decrease)
- I
am unworthy to loose the latchet of His shoes
- He
knew he was unable to make a lasting impact. It was only through Christ.
- If
we meet a preacher and hear a sermon and miss Christ, we miss the truth and
the life.
II.
The Presence of John the Baptist
John was noticeably different in his
1.
Dress - What people saw / how he was perceived. People are looking at
us and measuring us up. We must have a countenance of Christ.
2.
Diet – What John took in. - What we take in effects our
ministry. Spiritually and physically.
3.
Duty – Concern for others. We are involved
with people because we have a duty. We
are concerned.
III.
The Purpose of John the Baptist
- Voice
– personal contact. (Jonah,
Nathan) Preaching method is
still the same today.
- One
– We may not win the popularity vote Noah, Elijah, Jesus (One supreme sacrifice,
not millions of half hearted.)
- Crying
– to speak with a strong voice
- Serious
heart and soul – passion
Tearless
hearts can proclaim truth but cannot herald passion.
Town
criers believed in their words.
4. Wilderness – dry,
barren, no fountains or pools.
He will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish.
Seven years, Carry in India, Judson in Burma.
Can’t dry out or blow away the truth.
IV.
How can we Participate in the Kingdom of God like John?
·
John was born out of a
miraculous circumstance. We
were born again.
·
He died in an
uncompromising situation. We died to the things of this world.
·
He had to be taken out of
the way for the advancement of the
Kingdom of God.
We too must move aside and let God work.
Let God take us out of the way.
Let God use us to usher in His
kingdom
“May your kingdom come”
TOP
God's Mercy (Seen through His
Dealing with
Cain)
Genesis 4:16
In chapter four we find God's
mercy reaching out to a rebellious man, Cain, giving him every opportunity to turn
from his rebellion and follow the God of creation.
Let's look at Cain and God's Mercy
-
Cain's Rearing (v.1)
a. Parents - Good
godly parents. No doubt wanted the best for Cain.
b. Brother - The personalities of siblings can be as different as night and
day. One turns out completely different than the other. Both had
the same parents, education, and surroundings.
c. Education - He didn't go to a university, instead he learned from his
parents.
d. Occupation - He was a tiller of the ground. We can look into this
and ask if Cain was ever jealous over the fact that Able had the
visibly easier job of watching over the sheep compared to the laborious duties of tilling the ground and raising crops.
We do not always have it as easy as our brother.
-
Cain's Religion (v.3)- He believed in
God. He knew God existed and brought offerings to Him. Many
people are religious like Cain was. Many are religious like Cornelius
was. Religion does not save.
-
Cain's Rebellion (v.4-7)- He refused to acknowledge
the blood, the death, the offering God set up.
I believe that his parents told them the whole story about the Garden of
Eden and how God provided a way of fellowship with him through the death of
a substituted sacrifice. Cain was no doubt rebellious to this thinking
in his mind that there was some other way to please God.
-
Cain's Revenge (v.8) He came against
his brother.
-
Cain's Reward (v.11-12) Cain had
the opportunity to do the right thing, yet he chose not to and therefore he
received his just reward.
-
Cain's Reaction (v.13-14) Before
Cain was very short with God in asking, "Am I my brother's
keeper?" Here Cain cries to God for mercy.
-
God's Response (v.15)
Mercy. God had every reason and every right to destroy Cain from the
face of the earth, yet he protected him from the threat of others wanting to
kill him.
The
conclusion of this lesson on the life of Cain is to see God's mercy displayed on
the life of a rebellious man. How much more is God's mercy shed on the
life of a child of God. He has mercy for us. Mercy in
abundance. Mercy ever enduring and ever true.
His forgiveness is for ever and ever. TOP God's
Attributes Seen in the Stars
Genesis 1:14-19 I read an
article in the Palm Beach Post by an atheist in 1996. The man claimed to
turn atheist while attending Sunday School at a young age. He said the
teacher taught how God made light the first day, but didn't make the sun until
the forth day. He asked, "How could you have light without the
sun?" He said the teacher couldn't give him a good answer so he
decided right then there was no God. The Bible says, " Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."
(Proverbs 20:11) This young child had been influenced by others before
this Sunday School adventure.
I would like to tell the man that if he kept reading the Bible he would
have found out that God doesn't need the sun to have light.(
After this message see "God Hath Revealed Them To Us")
Acts 14:8-10
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being
a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked The same heard Paul speak
who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed Said
with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
Stand Upright On Thy Feet
Let’s look
at this story through spiritual eyes.
We see the
lame man as a picture of the world. The
only way to walk and leap is to be saved. This
world cannot offer any true way of healing other then man made ideas and
philosophies.
This World v.8
1. Is Unable
to get to where they need to be.
This man was Impotent in his feet. Impotent
means without strength. He was
unable to get where he needed to be without help from another source.
This is the condition of the world.
We cannot get to where we need to be on our own.
We must have help.
Where is it that we need to be? We
need to be in heaven with God.
Praise God there is One who is not impotent but omnipotent!
He has the power and ability to get us where we need to be.
2. Is born with a depraved nature.
This man was crippled from his mother’s womb. He didn’t have an accident that rendered him lame.
It was a condition that started from conception.
Something in the makeup of his genes caused him to be born crippled.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered
into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men. For that all
have sinned:
Man is born a sinner. When
the cripple in this text was born he was many months away from trying to make
his first step, yet he was still a cripple.
When a baby is born into this world it has several years before it will
get entangled with the clutches of sin, yet he is still a sinner by nature.
No doubt children who are unable to comprehend the gospel message because
of age are under the grace of God. However
when they stand in front of God it will not be their sinless record that grants
them salvation. The Bible teaches
that we are sinners by nature, that it is an inherited trait, we are born with a
nature that wants to sin. It is not
possible for anyone to live in this world without sin (1Kings 8:46; 1 John 1:8).
Suppose someone could make it through his or her whole
life without committing an outward or inward sin. They would still be guilty of
being a sinner according to the Word of God because it is not what we do it is
what we are. We are born from our
mother’s womb a sinner.
We need to get to heaven but we cannot get there on our own.
We are not holy enough to get into heaven because we are sinners.
3. Has never walked.
Man was created to walk.
God designed man with two feet, two legs, knees, thighs, muscles and
bones that work together making it possible to motivate the body.
This cripple was not able to do what he was created to do because of a
defect.
God created
man in His own image. We where
created to fellowship with God, but we are unable to fellowship with God because
of sin. Like the cripple, we cannot
do what we where created to do.
The cripple couldn’t walk ---
our lips cannot praise
Our hands will not rise
Our hearts will not overflow
……..unless there is a change.
As we continue to look at the cripple as a picture of
this lost world, it is easy to see what the world has done.
We have used braces, crutches, surgeries, medicines in the form of
religion, rehabilitation, psychology, and the like that no one really knows what
it is like to actually walk and leap naturally.
The world thinks it is normal to rely on outward substances to create a
pleasant environment. We as Born
Again Christians rely on the inward filling and the outward manifestations that
are produced by the Holy Spirit.
Something had to happen.
v.9-10) 1.
The Word had to be Preached.
The same heard Paul speak…
Whenever any one heard Paul speak there would have to be a reaction to
what was said. Paul never spoke
about anything other then the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the full counsel.
All that need be said is “Paul spoke”.
The word of God has to be preached.
For faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
We need fewer dramas and singings and more heart filled preaching.
2.There
must be Faith
Since we are born with a depraved nature, we are also void of faith to
believe in God. We do have a will
that allows us to make up our own mind. I
can stop typing this message right now and go have a cup of tea if I want to.
I can choose to do or not to do whatever is in my power.
When it comes to having faith to believe in God, we are given the faith
we need from God to believe. We
have the opportunity to accept or not to accept.
To believe or not to believe. But the ability to have faith is because
God gives us the faith. No one is
greater or less then another when it comes to God giving the required amount of
faith (Rom. 12:3).
Paul perceived that he had the faith.
Paul could tell when God was dealing with a man.
Spirit filled preachers are able to tell when God was dealing with
people.
Paul said with a loud voice (yes Paul was a loud preacher) “stand
upright on thy feet”.
3.There will be a change.
A change for the better.
He leaped and walked.
The world doesn’t know what they are missing. They are content with crutches and braces.
Once you get saved and experience the freedom of life you can start
living.
TOP
Matthew
6:1-18 Praying, Giving, Fasting.
In Matthew (6:1-18) we are given three areas in our
Christian life that God will reward us openly for if we do what He asks.
Giving is the
first, followed by prayer, then finally fasting. We can’t say that they are in order of importance.
What we can say is they must all hold an importance in our Christian
life, for God said He would reward us openly if we do these things providing we
have the right motive in mind. That
motive would be to please God and not to impress man.
We are told to do all these things in secret, behind closed doors, where
only the father can see.
Prayer is
most bragged about in today’s “professional” Christian circles.
No doubt the disciples of Jesus gathered together in the upper room to
pray together. Much mention of
corporate prayer is given to us in the New Testament.
Yet, if we pray for the sake of others to hear us and if our prayer is
not directed to God Himself, our
prayer will not merit any rewards from God. .
God said get alone by yourself and pray in secret and I will reward you
openly.
How many
books have been written on prayer? Thousands.
How much more do we need to know then what is given us by the words of
Jesus Himself?
The outcome
of private prayer is an open reward from God.
The act of
giving is mentioned in the Bible several times one particular time shatters
our meager attempts to give sacrificially. “The widow gave all she had”.
Many have given all they had in their wallet at a particular service but
few have depleted the checking and savings.
Any way, we
fall short of God’s advice on prayer and giving according to this text.
We also
fall short of the last subject at hand. Fasting. How much needs to be said about it than actually doing it.
If we are trusting in the God of the universe and the protector of our
soul and body we should just do it. No
need for a doctor’s approval. We
have the great physician’s approval. You
may say that my advice is mad, I say that God is big and He did provide a table
in the wilderness. Man does not
live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes out of our father’s mouth.
God will
protect us in our fast. He will
provide for us in our fast. We just
need to do what He said and that is to do it in secret.
IN SECRET.
When a man
prayers much in public it might be a sign of a shallow personal prayer life.
When a man gives much with the expectation of praise, he may be a
tightwad with God. When a man
proclaims all of his sufferings and sacrifices that he has done for the Lord, he
may be seeking praise from men.
Pray,
Give, Fast. Do these in secret and
the Lord will openly reward you.
TOP
What
do you expect when you die?
Pro. 11:7 When
a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish and the hope of unjust men
perisheth.
Death: Not
a popular subject, and even less popular when dealing with the lost, with
those uncertain of what lies ahead. to e
It is the
topic of this evening’s message. What
expect when you die.
Many people
go through this life unprepared for death.
I will venture to say that professing saved people fight death as much as
lost people. I have rarely met any
proclaiming Christian that faces death and accepts it with excitement.
This was not the case of Paul when he said (Php
1:21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Paul also extended his welcome with
(2Ti 4:6-7) For
I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
There are
also many lost people in the world who think that they are ready to die.
Many religions have pumped lies into people so long that they believe
every thing they have been taught. Many
people feel religion is a waist of time and emptiness is at the end of the road.
Christian
friend we know what waits for us at the end (1Cor. 2:9-10) But as it is written Eye hath not seen
nor ear heard neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him. But
God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth
all things, yea, the deep things of God.
We do not
have to see them to get a good look at them, this is the mystery
(1Co 15:51) Behold I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep but we
shall all be changed. Along
with the scenes of heaven laid out for us in Revelation we have a good view of
what to expect.
Wicked: When
we use the word wicked we often think of a vile sinner, a criminal, an evil
person with satanic influence. This
is true to a degree, because all people absent of the spirit of God are under
the influence of Satan. However the
word wicked used in this passage carries the same meaning as the word condemned,
guilty, one that has done wrong. Is
this not the state of all who have not trusted in the Lord Jesus?
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth
not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.
An unbeliever
is a wicked person regardless of their outward deeds. An unbeliever will have their part with the vilest of
sinners; they will be in the condemnation of the lost.
Expectation: A
measuring cord. A comparison. To
bind together. When you try to
explain something to someone who has never saw what you are talking about, you
try to give examples of things that they are familiar with.
This gives an expectation to the person of what to “expect.”
We often here “it did not
come up to our expectation.”
The reason
why the wicked, or the condemned, or better put the unbelievers expect or
speculate is because they have nothing to establish a confirmed report of what
lies after death other then myths and false teachings.
I had an
uncle that told me when you die if you go to heaven you will be able to do what
ever you want to do. If you like
fishing then fishing will be what you do.
Mormons
believe that you will yourself become a God and control worlds.
Heaven has definitely been distorted by the wicked in this world.
Rock and Roll has been accredited to reversing the outcome of heaven and
hell. They say that hell ain’t no
bad place to be.
Perish:
The final realization of the truth will appear no later then when the
last breath is breathed. (Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the
judgment:
It is a sad
commentary that many will realize to late what lies after death.
Hope: I believe that even sadder is the fate
of a Bible believing Church member who dies trusting in his or her own merits.
And what about the member of the cults of the world who for years have
followed the teachings of their doctrines with the hope of an exalted level in
the afterlife to face the grim reality of hell.
To perish.
(Joh 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.
Unjust: There
is no excuse to die unjust. God
offers us all the gift of justification. Salvation.
To be born again.
What do you expect when you die?
TOP
In Bible study
there is a law of first mentions. The
first time a truth, a doctrine or a single word is found we can follow it
through the whole bible and see the consistency with the first use.
Since Genesis is the book of beginnings it would make since that Genesis
would be the book in which we get most first mentions.
I want to
focus on the first mention of wind in the Bible as found in Genesis 8:1.
Gen. 8:1 And God remembered Noah, and every living
thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a
wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged
I.
The Understanding of Wind through Biblical principles
1, God is the Creator of wind:
Amos 4:13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and
createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that
maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The
LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.
2. God Controls
the wind by it’s circuit: Eccl.
1:6 The wind goeth toward the
south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually and the
wind returneth again according to his circuits.
God is not on the throne
directing wind. Much like our blood
has it’s own circuit and rivers have there own course so does the wind have a
set direction that God put in motion.
3. God is not always Present
in the wind: 1Kings 19:11
The LORD passed by and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in
pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind:
4.
God allows Satan to use wind in His Conditions:
Job1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in
thy power;
Job 1:19 And, behold,
there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four
corners of the house
Here is an example of God allowing Satan to use wind.
Keep it always in mind that Satan is limited in his power by God.
Isn’t good to know that Satan has to get permission from God to touch
one of the redeemed.
II.
The Use of Wind in Bible Passages
With over one
hundred and forty references to wind in scripture there are fifteen recorded
windstorms out of which eleven where used for the good of man.
The first
time God records the use of wind we see that He made a wind.
No doubt the wind had been put in it’s circuit's from creation and at
this particular point had been taken away from it’s normal use and course to
fulfill God’s purpose.
God is aware
of our circumstances and concerned about our needs.
He can turn back the sun if necessary.
Much easier it would seem to allow a little wind to blow our way.
Let us look
at the times God used wind to meet man’s need and relate them to our daily
needs, keeping in mind God still allows the wind of His spirit to blow through
our lives.
God used wind to:
1.Retsore
the land for Living. Gen.
8:1 God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters
asswaged
Much went on while the wind passed over the
earth. Waters were stopped and
restrained, they returned from off the earth continually, Noah released the
raven and the dove. Finally six
months after the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat
(Gen. 8:13) Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked and,
behold, the face of the ground was dry.
Even though the face of the ground was dry in verse 13, the
earth was not dry until two months later in verse 14, And
in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth
dried.
Underneath the visible crust of the dry ground in verse 13
could have been a muddy situation. It
took time for God to fully prepare the earth for living.
Many times
our life is so polluted with the residue of our sinful past that spiritual
truths have a hard time taking root, or else they get so waterlogged with our
own thinking that the truth God wants us to see sinks in the mud of our own
opinions.
The Spirit of
God came to the first Christians as a mighty rushing wind.
We need to let God sweep through our soul and remove the elements that
are causing us to stay stationary in our Christian life.
Allow the wind to prepare an environment with the necessary conditions
for life.
(My barber
used an air hose to blow the tiny hairs off his customers clothes and then sweep
the floor with the pressure of the air. It
made a little more noise and you could defiantly feel it.
The end result was a much more cleaner job then a brush and broom.)
Noah stayed
on the ark long enough to let God do the job right.
It would be well with us if we would do the same.
Let God get the job finished in people’s life before expecting
spiritual perfection in there life.
Before a plant produces fruit it has to grow
Before wind can do it’s work it has to blow
And as we see the leaves dance and branches bend
We see the simple works of God in the wind
2.
Bring Victory. Ex. 14:21 And
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go
back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry
land, and the waters were divided
Salvation
came to the Israelites through the blood of the lamb applied to their doorposts
and mantles. Victory over the ever
pursuing enemy came at the Red Sea. Satan
uses us until we get saved, then he wants us destroyed. Egypt used Israel until their
deliverance, then they wanted them destroyed. Satan is a liar and so was Pharaoh.
Many
times victory comes over a period of testing and trials. There had to be fear in the hearts and minds of the people as
they walked on the dry ground with water on both sides, the enemy behind and a
wind blowing through the multitudes.
After
salvation we experience the enemies pursuit.
We need to let the spirit work in our life as we keep on the same path.
It is not a time to turn to the left or right and try to outrun or out
maneuver the enemy, it is a time to keep on the straight and narrow path and
allow God’s spirit to work.
3. Supply
Food Num. 11:31 And there went forth a wind from the
LORD, and brought quails from the sea
Even though
the Israelites were a complaining group they still had a Father in Heaven that
considered there wants and not only there needs. They had plenty to eat, in fact they ate “angels food.”
Still, God saw fit to feed them meat at their request.
We need to
pray for the spirit of God to blow through our lives and send the meat we need
during the dry days.
In the New
Testament there are fewer references to wind.
We have a wind named Euroclydon in Acts 27:7, and the wind is restrained
from blowing on the earth during the great tribulation in Rev. 7:1.
What makes the N.T. wind so dynamic is the presence of our Savior and His
power to control the wind. I want
to focus on only two.
Mat. 8:26
Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples west to east.
There arose a mighty storm and Jesus had to be awakened to calm the wind
and rain.
Mat. 14:24
Marks the crossing from east to west with the absence of Jesus on the boat.
In the midst of a storm Jesus appears to His disciples while walking on
the water. This is the story of
Peter walking on the water and sinking calling on Jesus to save him.
After Peter is rescued and the wind is calmed.
In light of
these references to the wind in both the New and Old Testament we can see these
three truths.
When the wind blows:
I.
God may be speaking to you.
The true essence of God is
grace. 1Kings 19:11 the LORD
passed by and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces
the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind:
God isn’t
always in the wind. When everything
is going full blast around you it may be time to settle down somewhere and
listen to God speak to you through His still small voice.
It isn’t the big things that God works through.
Many times it is the small and seemingly insignificant areas in our life
that God focuses on.
II.
God could be putting you through the winds of testing.
III.
No matter what the circumstance, Jesus is the one who controls the wind.
Let Him reach out His hand and
say peace be still, let Him be the one we cry to, let Him be the one we run to.
TOP
Hebrews 11:7
Hebrews 11:7 By
faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear
prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world,
and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
When we think
of Noah we think of the ark and the flood.
And rightly so, for it is the ark and the flood that Noah is famous for.
We also read
in 2 Peter 2:5 that Noah was a preacher of righteousness. What was the message in Noah’s preaching?
It was the same message that Able lost his life for.
The message proclaimed that God was holy and requires obedience.
The message was passed down from Seth in it’s accuracy but no doubt
corrupted by the descendents of Cain who flooded the world with their opinions
from their metropolis city Enoch.
In the
last days before God destroyed the earth with the flood their appeared on the
scene a man with a message, a man with a task.
He was not an angel, he didn’t perform healings and never spoke in
tongues. He was God’s man doing
God’s work and preaching to a lost and wicked world the truths that had been
revealed to him.
We to,
like Noah, have the responsibility to preach what we know.
1. The Coming of the Lord
(being warned of God of things not seen as yet).
Noah
had never seen the rain fall from the sky, much less waters rising above the
earth enough to raise a ship built on dry ground.
We
preach things not seen as yet. We
have never seen the clouds descend with the Son of God leading the way nor the
sound of a trumpet and the dead in Christ rise.
We still preach that it will one day happen.
1 Thes. 4:13-18 gives us the truths about the catching away or the
rapture.
2
Peter 3:1-4 tells us that many will deny it will happen.
This is prophecy in itself
being
fulfilled today through scorners and mockers.
2 Tim. 3:1-5 and 4:1-4 give us a clear detail of the climate at the
end of times.
Luke 17:26-27 and of
course we are told it will be just like it was in the days of Noah.
2. Clean Living (moved with fear
prepared an ark).
Noah
was a preacher of righteousness. We
are to be preachers of righteousness.
3. Compassion and Love (to
the saving of his house)
Noah
brought the message to all that would listen.
He cared about others.
4. Condemnation of the Lost (by
which he condemned the world)
There
is a sad part to this story. When
we tell of the good news of salvation through Jesus, we are also proclaiming an
eternal state of damnation in hell to those who reject our story.
Proclaiming Jesus is proclaiming judgment.
Conclusion:
We are to preach the full counsel of God.
These four points of preaching found in Hebrews 11:7 are major points of
our message we preach to the lost and to the saved.
The Lord is
soon coming, we should be prepared with a clean life. We are to have compassion on this lost and dying world
because of our awareness that there is an eternity of a godless hell to those
who reject our message.
TOP
What
About Rock and Roll?
It is a fact
that you reap what you sow. If you
plant potatoes you expect potatoes to grow.
If you plant a rose bush you expect to see roses.
You cannot expect to find potatoes on the roots of your rose bushes,
neither will you find roses budding on your potato plants.
Why? Because you reap what you sow.
What you plant will surely grow.
It is no
secret that the biggest majority of Rock and Roll is saturated with immorality,
obscenity, rebellion, and in general ungodliness. All you have to do is watch a couple music videos and you
will see what is being planted in the minds of those that watch and listen.
Nudity, immorality, adulterous overtones fill the images that are being
pumped into the minds of our youth.
I do not want
to fill this message with names of rock stars, titles or lyrics to their songs
just to convince you of the message they are putting out.
I do, however, challenge you as a parent to look at the CD covers, read
the lyrics, look at the images on their audio tapes, cd’s,
as well as movie videos and dvd’s.
Let’s take
time to see what God’s word has to say about what we watch and what we listen
to.
It is spoken
of Satan in Ezekiel 28 …the workmanship of music was prepared in thee
in the day that thou wast created. We
see that Satan has his hand in music. In
Ephesians 2 he is called the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the
children of disobedience:
Satan is
still up to his same goal. To turn
everyone as far from the truth as he can. We
are told in II Corinthians 4:4 the
god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine
unto them.
We have an enemy no doubt, and we have warnings.
We also have much positive instructions.
Philippians 4: 8 Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good
report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This would
have to be the Christians check list. Look
for these characteristics in the music, as well as the movies your children
watch. Remember, you reap what you
sow.
When we
influence young girls and boys with what these adult superstars have to say and
show, we are planting thoughts, images, actions, and attitudes in their minds
that will be planted and will grow. You
reap what you sow. When we keep
truth, honesty, virtues, and things that have a good report in front of them,
you should not be surprised what grows.
Remember
parent. You are in control of your
house, not your child. You have the
right and the authority to censor everything that comes into your house that
your child views or listens to. Go
ahead and censor what they want to look at and listen to right now.
Read the lyrics, look at the pictures.
If foul language and obscenity is present, get rid of it for the sake of
your child and take away much bad seed that Satan wants to plant in their minds.
TOP
When Jesus is In The House
Mark 2:1-12 ....it was noised that He was in the house.
V.
1 Gives us a picture of the religious world at the time of Christ as well as the
day in which we live in . The largest
religious place of worship in Capernaum, the town where Jesus was during this event, was a
Jewish Synagogue. Today the largest religious structure in the town
of Capernaum is a Catholic chapel built over the traditional site of Peter's
mother-in-law's house.
The point is this. The largest religious structures in the cities
and towns throughout the world are usually not where Jesus is. Sure, they
have a cross and depictions of Jesus throughout there buildings, but they do not
have the true message of the cross or the presence of Jesus in their midst.
Thank God for the small remnants scattered throughout the world that
worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth according to the pattern given us in the
New Testament.
Because Jesus was in the house
v.2 Preaching Will Be Prominent Not
singing, not drama's, not Bible studies, but Preaching.
v.3-4 There Will Be A Concern To Bring The Lost
To Christ
v. 5 Forgiveness Will Be In Place. When
John the Baptist saw Christ coming in John 1, he did not say, "Here cometh
the Lamb of God that will heal all diseases". Nor did he say,
"Here cometh the Lamb of God that will teach great doctrines."
Although Christ did all that, He was introduced as the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sin of the world. The Lamb that died to give us forgiveness.
v. 6 -7 When Jesus is present there will be
criticism. The ones who are "sitting there" doing nothing for
the cause of Christ will create the most problems.
Little did they know the truth when they
declared, "Who can forgive sins but God only."
v. 8 -11 When Jesus is present He will handle all
critics. He will be able to hush the mouths of the ones who doubt.
v. 12 We Never Saw It On This
Fashion. Every day with Christ is fresh. How many times have we ate
a meal and said, "That is the best meal we have ever eaten?" How
many times have we heard a preacher and made this statement, "That was the
best message he has ever preached?" It was probably not the best meal
or the best message, it was, however, fresh.
This is the way it is many times in the
House of God when He is present. We leave saying, "I never saw it on
this fashion."
Question: Is God present in your
church? Do you have the preaching, the witness, the forgiveness, etc...
I pray you do. And I pray that many times you leave your church
house saying, " I never say it like that!"
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Mark 10:46-52
You Haven't Seen Anything Yet (A look at Bartimaeus)
v. 46 Nothing is recorded in Mark of what went on
in Jericho, only what went on as Jesus left. Many times the greatest
accomplishments where achieved as He went out.
He went out of this world on a cross---What an accomplishment. He
went out of this world in a Cloud ---- What an accomplishment.
v. 47 The fame of Christ had no doubt spread to a
great magnitude even then.
The fame of Jesus has spread in
this present world with great magnitude. However, few people want to
accept His truth.
v. 48 - 49 The same people in verse 48 who
were demanding Bartimaeus to be quite are the same people in verse 49 who are
calling him to come to Jesus.
Interesting how
quickly peoples minds can be changed.
v.50 The long upper garment is what hindered his
movement. He cast this away. Just like Peter cast away his net,
Matthew cast away his tax money, etc...
v.51 -52 It wasn't because of the importunity
Jesus answered the blind mans request. It was because of Bartimaeus faith.
He could not follow before, but now he gladly went the way of Jesus when
commanded by our Saviour to "Go thy way."
Through all this, Bartimaeus hadn't seen anything
yet.
1. He followed Jesus on earth. One
day he would follow Jesus into glory. There came a time when they laid
Bartimaeus down. He no doubt went to his grave telling the great story of
what Jesus did for him. Jesus said, "Rise and cast off thy
garment." This is what we are going to hear Jesus tell us one
day. Rise and cast off that old garment of sin. We will be changed
in the twinkling of an eye.
2. He saw the face of Jesus for the first
time with his physical eyes on this great day of healing. However, He had
not seen anything yet. There would come a day when he would be able to
view the Lamb of God as He sat on the throne in Glory. Worshipping around
the feet of our Lord.
John walked with Jesus long before he got a good glimpse of Him on the
isle of Patmos. We will one day get a good look at the one who reached
down and caused our spiritual blind eyes to see.
3. He witnessed the healing powers of
Jesus. He had not seen anything yet, for one day he would be in glory
witnessing the promises of no more sickness, death, pain, suffering, tears,
etc..... The same with us. We have seen Jesus do much while we have
been serving Him down here below. One day, and one day soon, we will
witness the fullness of His glory in heave.
We haven't seen anything yet. But I
look toward the day when I see it all. While here below the half
cannot be told.
TOP
Like
Precious Faith 2 Peter 1:1
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of
Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through
the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:
We want to deal with the word "faith" today, and its meaning as
found in the text of 2Peter 1.
We are living in a world of many "faiths". We know ours to be
the only true faith as spoken of by our Saviour Jesus Christ, "No man
cometh unto the Father, but by me." There is
no other name under heaven whereas a man can be saved, other than Jesus.
The last days are among us and we are bombarded with serious issues even
within our own faith. eg...bible versions, music, church attire,
denominational ties (ecumenical).
Warnings about faith in the Bible.
Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in
the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to
thy trust, avoiding profane and
vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some
professing have erred concerning the faith.
2Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their
ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
The faith that we preach and live by has never been the most popular faith.
Jesus warns us of the decline of faith in the last days. We are to be prepared.
We are:
We are justified by faith in Rom 3:28,
Saved by grace through faith Eph. 2:8,
Kept by the power of God through faith 1Pe 1:5
Ye should earnestly contend for the faith Jude 1:3..
In the end we should say like Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good
fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
The faith that Peter was speaking of and what we will deal
with today is a
I. Life Changing Faith (v.1-4)
1.Not through our righteousness (v.1) Only through the work of Jesus on
the cross.
2.Through a Divine
Power (v.3) I couldn't change in my own power. I tried, but to no
avail.
3.Gives a Divine Nature (v. 4) Holy Ghost dictates our actions. My
old nature, although still present, is now at conflict with this new
nature. The one that wins is the one I nurture and feed the most.
II. Growing Faith (v.5-7) ever maturing in the work of God. We
are to constantly grow and mature in the Lord.
Diligence- continual effort for the cause.
virtue - moral goodness
knowledge - A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of
truth and fact;
temperance - habitual moderation to the indulgence of the natural appetites
and passions;
patience - the suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation
or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or
fretfulness.
godliness - A religious life; a careful observance of the laws of God and
performance of religious duties,
brotherly kindness - contributing to the happiness of others, which is
exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or
alleviating their distresses;
charity - it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.
Inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men
III. Sharing Faith (v.8) Want to tell others. When the new birth
takes place, there is a want to tell others. Remember the lyrics in
the old song, "I said I wouldn't tell it to a single soul how He wrought
salvation and made me whole," Well the writer goes on to say that
they couldn't keep it quite. The love that Jesus gives can not be
contained.
Peter and John were told not to preach Jesus in Acts
4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor
teach in the name of Jesus. Their response, But Peter and John answered
and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto
you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things
which we have seen and heard.
IV. Establishing Faith (v.9 -15)
Settled and grounded. Not forgetting, being sure, remembering, shall be,
showed me.
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and
settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel,
V. Proven Faith (v.16-18)
The faith that I have and that every born again believer should have is faith
that rests on a personal experience with Christ. First hand information.
Not another's story. What happened to me was personal. I don't have
to rely on another persons story, I can depend on my own experience.
VI. Available Faith (v.19 -21) (Take Heed)
God has made available His Word to a lost and dying world.
He has made available this faith to you.
Conclusion: Where are you lacking in this faith?
You must have the Life changing faith and the proven faith.
As Born again believers you want to have Growing Faith, Sharing Faith and
Establishing Faith.
God is here today to make available what ever you need.
TOP
What
You Find at the Father's House
Luke 15:11-28
We want to deal with the Christian in the pew but
far away from the Father's House.
What is the Father's House? The father's
house is that place of peace and joy in the Lord even in the midst of
adversity. During trials, troubles, heartaches, and setbacks, when you are
dwelling in the Father's House there is a very strong sense of peace. You
can only explain it with a Bible verse.
Phi 4:7 And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
This verse only becomes real when the preceding verse is
taking place in your life.
Phi 4:6 Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.
At the Father's House we will find a place of prayer, a place
of communication with our Father. You see, already we can ask ourselves if
we are dwelling at the Father's House. Do I have a place of prayer in my
life? A time of prayer? A need for prayer?
What is the Father's House? I hope that you are
beginning to understand what the Father's House is. If you have been Born
Again, you definitely know what the Father's House is. Remember that
"new life" you found in Christ as a young Christian? Remember
the joy you had at the beginning of your Christian journey?
If you remember these things and are aware of the joy you found with Jesus then
you are one step ahead of multitudes in this world.
Not everyone knows where the Father's House is. What a privilege
you have in knowing where you can find the peace that this world is so
desperately searching for. And how sad it is that you continually
put off the open door of opportunity to get back to the Father's House.
There are some things that are good to be reminded of. Some
things that you find At the Father's House.
I. (v.20) The Father Will Meet You Where You Are.
1. A great way off. The son was no where near the home, for the
Bible says he was a great way off. You in your rebellious state. You
in your backslidden state. You in your stooper of unrepented sin.
God is there to meet you where you are. For only in Him can you find
strength to repent, to ask forgiveness, and to have the desire to return His
house of peace. He will meet you a great way off.
2. With much compassion. The Lord is a God of Judgment, no
doubt. He is also a God that delights in mercy. No evangelist, no
preacher, no missionary, no Christian worker all combined together can even come
close to the compassion we can find in the Lord.
3. With undeserving protection. The father fell on his neck.
Under Jewish lay (Deut. 21:21) a son that was rebellious could be brought
outside the city and stoned to death. After the stoning, the person's neck
was crushed with one's foot. The father falling on his son's neck, a great
way off remind you, possibly out of the city, was a sign to everyone saying,
"I am going to protect my son from any harm."
The Lord of heaven will surely bring protection to you when you return to
Him.
These are a few things you find at the Father's House.
II. (v.22-24) You'll Find More Than You Expected
Expecting and desiring only to be treated as a servant. The son
found much more that he expected. We too will find more that what we
expect or deserve.
1. Robe - covering the sin and shame of a wasted life.
2. Ring - When people saw the ring on his finger they identified him with
the Father. God is not ashamed to call us brethren.
3. Shoes - He went out shoed and came back barefooted. His
father wanted him to once again be protected from the thorns, broken glass, and
hot coals of this world. God wants us to keep our feet clean. As
signified in the washing of feet. Sin has to be dealt with on a daily
basis. God is there to deal with it.
4. Meat - This world can not satisfy like the Lord can satisfy.
This world knows nothing of the meat that we will find sitting at the Table of
God in the Father's House. What meat we find in the Word of God.
What joy we find in those blessed pages. What fulfillment we experience in
His abundant library of truth.
At the Father's House you will find more than you expect. Just like
you did when you first got saved. You definitely received more than you
expected.
Remember the Queen of Sheba. She got more than she
expected. As a matter of fact, she said, "The half has never been
told." This is our testimony when we return to the Father's House.
III. (v.28) It Will Make You Have Enemies.
This world is not your friend.
Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me before it hated
you.
Not everyone is going to get excited about your testimony.
Satan will not be happy. He doesn't mind how much you attend
church, he doesn't mind how much you read you Sunday School lesson. Satan
doesn't mind how much you give to the church or missions. He does,
however, get stirred when you take that journey back to the Father's
House. For it is there that He knows you are protected from him, you are
against him, you are receiving the ever loving care of the Heavenly
Father. He doesn't like it when you get close to Jesus.
If you find yourself away from the Father's House. Today is a day to
recognize what you will find when you return.
TOP
Hebrews
11:15-16
Why do people fall away?
Why do people get out of church?
Reasons:
They get their mind off of God and on the things of this world.
They center their lifestyle around the old life and the new life in
Christ wears thin. V.15 warns us
of being continually reminded of our old life.
If our past is always brought to memory there is a great possibility of
returning.
You play with fire, you get
burned.
There is a danger of falling
away. Not loosing your salvation,
but falling away. 1Cor. 3:15; 5:5
Three things that keep us from
falling back into the old life.
I. Our
life is Dictated by Gods Word. (Truly)
The Bible is full of absolutes. Not maybes.
Every promise is true.
The greatest is Romans 10:13;
Heb. 13:5;
God’s Word is true from cover to cover.
Every prophecy is true. Birth of Christ; Gen. 3:15; pouring
out of the Spirit;
the soon return of Christ.
II.
We have been Delivered from a sinful World. (They
came out)
Remember
where God brought you from.
2
Cor. 5:17. Col. 3:8-13; Eph. 4:25; We
claim 2 Cor. 5:17
III. Our
Desire to wander has been replaced with a desire to
serve Christ. ( now
they desire) 1 John 2:15; 3:3; 3:8-9
TOP
Character Studies: Enoch
a.He was the first recorded prophet in the Bible? Jude 14-20
b.He never died.
c.Two things are recorded about
this prophet?
1. He walked with God. 2. He pleased God.
Three areas of our life that we learn from Enoch
are:
I. Our belief in the soon return
of Jesus is not in vain.
Jude
14 - 20
1.
Not all will taste death. Gen. 5: 21
2.
Judgment will come on this wicked world. Jude 14 – 20
3.
The determining factor of our fait is the Holy Spirit. 19 – 20
II. Our
belief without physical evidence is not in vain.
It takes faith to please God Heb.
11: 5 -6
1.
Substance of things hoped for
2.
Evidence of things not seen
3.
Comes From hearing God’s Word
4.
Not all will believe, all need to hear.
III. Our
belief without a testimony is in vain.
What
is your testimony. Compare it
with Christ.
Today I
thought of Christ’s testimony.
1. The world’s view. He is a joke, a
fake, something to laugh and poke fun of.
2. The Father’s view. This is my
beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
3. My brother’s view. He is who He said He is.
TOP
Noah: A Modern
Day Message
Ark - salvation
Wood -
People
Pitch -
covering, atonement
Door -
one way in
Window -
one mediator
Water -
Word that judges and saves
We have a modern day parallel in Noah’s Message:
I.
Coming of the Lord (Luke
17:26-27) Things not seen as yet
II.
Concerned about Life ( 1 Peter 1:13 – 16) Prepared and ark
III.
Compassion and Love (2 Timothy 3:3) Saving of his house
IV.
Condemnation of the Lost ( Our lives reflect this truth; John 3:18) By
the which he condemned the world
V.
Choices today effect our Lifetime and beyond.
His obedience, his patience, his consistency, long-term commitment,
TOP
Hebrews
11: 8-14
O.T. Patriarchs.
A picture of our Christian Life
-
Died in Faith. So
shall we if the Lord does not return before our departure.
-
Not having received the promises.
We have not received all the eternal promises e.g. Mansions, health,
etc… yet we believe and are prepared to die in faith also.
-
Having seen them afar off.
God has surely given us a taste of them.
-
Persuaded: comforted,
pacify. Forget about the rest
and have complete assurance.
Let the scoffers rant and rave, let the scientists prove and study, let the
humanists continue to cry.
-
Embraced: Never
let go, seize like a rusty nut.
-
Confessed their position:
We have not permanent dwelling.
-
Stranger: Foriegneer, belonging to another country.
-
Pilgram: temporary residence, tents, wanderers.
-
Declare plainly. Easy
to spot, we are different.
I. We have a Position (Heb. 2:11)
We are the Sons of God
II. We have a Promise (Heb.
11:40)
We have a heavenly home.
III. We have a Purpose (Heb. 12:1)
We must go forward with the Gospel
TOP
Nehemiah 13
This
morning we are going to look at the prophet Nehemiah and some issues that he
faced with God’s people that were effecting the advancement of the work of
God. These problems are the same
problems that we are facing. I
stand accountable as much as everyone else in here does, mainly because of poor
training on my part as to how to start a New Testament Church.
I have been tip toeing on the tulips a little to long by being overly
concerned with the way I think people will react to the truth.
Well, it’s not me that I need to be concerned about, it is the Word of
God, His doctrine and leadership, and His pattern that has been laid out before
us that I need to be concerned about.
The Lord
wants to remind us of some truths found in the book of Nehemiah.
We are going
to see some problems that the people of Nehemiah’s day had. We are going to see that they are the same problems that we
have here at Roe Valley Baptist Church, and we are going to make a decision this
morning on what we are going to do with them.
These problems affect
- Our
witness in the community
- Our
effort to spread the Gospel around the world
- The
overall operations of this Local Church and its future existence.
I. (v.10-15) Finances
were being held back by the people.
I’ve got some good news this
morning. We have enough money to
purchase some land and build a building, or to buy an existing building.
There is only one problem. It
is still in your pockets.
As a new
testament church we are going to have to get serious about giving.
You men of the church need to tithe.
The word tithe is a word that we use to explain a specific amount of
funds that we give to the church as taught in the Old Testament and never
abandoned in the New Testament.
God set forth
a pattern of giving ten percent in the old testament The birth of the church stepped us up into a new level.
A new way of thinking. In
the new testament the people of the church gave abundantly from their income.
* I have been
pastoring people for nine years and have been involved in the ministry of the
church for fifteen. If there is one
thing I have heard over these years it is every excuse not to tithe.
Jesus
insisted that the people of that day should tithe.
Of course they were tithing everything they had.
All their crops, their livestock, and so forth, but they were also giving
money. It’s true that we can give
more than money to the church. We
can give our time, our talents, our energy, etc… But you want be able to pay the light bill with a bag of
potatoes.
The woman who
through in two mites was well commended by Jesus. He even used her as a good example that the men standing
around her could have given more.
When you think about it, look how much money you spend on
your self and how the things that you spend it on is going to burn up compared
to what you give God.
* You see, the
New Testament giver gives out of his heart.
Not out of a command. Don’t
you think that grace is a whole lot better than law.
Verses to back this up
are abundant in the New Testament.
If God doesn’t have control of your pocket book or
billfold, your bank account, or your assets, what ever and where ever they come
from, then God doesn’t have all of you.
If you have
been holding back, it’s time to let go and start supporting the work of God on
a regular basis and with much excitement and enthusiasm about the work that God
is doing.
II.
The day God set aside for remembering him had been forgotten.
Again, we are
not under old testament law. We are
under the influence of the Holy Spirit. How
many of you didn’t want to go to church when you got saved?
It was a strong desire. A
desire that Satan has worked at and got under control.
I’ve
noticed that Wednesday nights have been put on the back burner with many of you.
My question is, “Why?”
Is it not
important? Is it useless?
Should we stop the mid-week meetings all together?
Does a pastor study, prepare, and get his family excited about the
mid-week service to walk through the doors only to find that no one else cares
any more. Should we become like all
the other churches in the town and throughout the world and give up on Wednesday
night meetings?
What if
your neighbor gets saved? They ask,
“When should I go to church?” What
are you going to tell them?
- When
you feel like it.
- It
doesn’t really matter.
Why should I attend church on a regular basis?
It shows your family, your neighbors, and your friends what
is important in your life.
When you don’t go you are making a statement.
It isn’t important.
This morning I want to ask this question.
Do you want to go forward with God and see this New
Testament church move forward?
If so we need to go forward with Faith Promise mission
giving. We need to let it be known
that we are members of this fellowship.
As a preacher, as a pastor, I need some people who
are going to be committed to this cause. Financially
and Faithfully.
We need
to have a:
- Witness
in the community. The doors
open and the lights on in the church.
- Do
our part in spreading the Gospel around the world
- Desire
and a burden for the future generation of Limavady.
A church that is preaching and spreading the truth.
TOP
1
Timothy 1:15
Christ
Jesus Came To Save Sinners
This verse tells us Christ’s purpose for coming into the
world was to save sinners. We are
told in John 3:17…that the world through him might be saved.
This is the main objective of Jesus Christ.
To be the Saviour of the world.
As a Christian, our main objective should be to see
others saved.
When we become a Christian we are to develop a strong
relationship with God growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.(1 Pet.
2:2; Eph. 2:17) This is achieved through prayer to our heavenly Father for
wisdom and guidance, (James 1:5) through Bible reading and personal study, (Col.
3:16) and by learning sound doctrine from the scriptures from qualified
teachers.( 1 Tim. 2:2) All
knowledge that we attain about God is attributed to the Holy Spirit’s role in
our life as a believer. (John 14:26; 1 John 2:27; Mat. 16:17) Our knowledge is not an earthly knowledge, but a heavenly
knowledge. 1Cor. 2:12-14)
Having this knowledge leads us to want to tell others.
The Bible declares that it is our responsibility to tell others the good
news of the Gospel. We are given
the ability to be a great witness for Christ with our financial giving to world
missions. But it doesn’t stop
there. We too have the personal
responsibility to be a witness for Christ.
So, how can you be a witness for Jesus?
How can you lead others to Christ? You
may ask, “How can my lost, gospel hardened friend ever get saved?”
This can be answered by asking yourself this question, “How did I get
saved?” We want to further answer
this question by looking into the conversions of Paul in the Bible as given to
us in 1 Timothy.
Paul taught us much about salvation that he didn’t
know when he got saved. These are
truths that were later revealed to him through divine
intervention with God for the
inspiration of the Scriptures.
I. v.1 – 7) Paul taught we are
not saved through keeping the law or a list of
commandments.
One of the
largest problems Paul faced in his ministry was getting people to understand
that the law did not save nor keep saved. Acts
15; Galatians; 1 Tim. 1:4;6-7.
Many
churches have a do and don’t religion. God
provides a church with a done religion.
v.5)
Paul was happy enough with the teachings of Jesus.
Love, pure heart, good conscience, faith unfeigned.
He knew there was a necessity to live separated from the world. (Rom.
12:1;
1 John 2:15; 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23; 1 Pet. 2:16)
II. v. 8-10) Paul taught the law showed the lost were they are.
1. The law was given for the purpose of showing us how far we are away from
God’s standard.
2. The law was given to show us our inability to attain
God’s standard. (James 2:10)
3. The law was given to convince us that we are sinners.
The law is not the fruit of salvation.
The law is not the way to salvation.
III. Paul taught the way to salvation is through
Grace, faith, and love.
Adam and Eve, Mephibosheth, Ruth,
Thief on the cross.
IV. Paul shared the same
grace these other Bible characters did. We
shared the same grace
as all of theses did.
Here are four things that surrounded Paul at his
conversion.
- He
heard Holy Ghost Preaching (Acts 7:58)
- He
was saturated with floods of prayer. I
would do more than assume that the early church was praying for those who
persecuted them. Saul being a
chief leader in the persecutions was lifted up to God many times.
- He
was under a heavy load of sin. Weather
outwardly showing of not. Paul
had a massive amount of sin in his life.
-
He experienced Grace at its height.
(1Tim. 1:13-14)
TOP
Proverbs
18:13
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
The secret of
a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two
as close together as possible.
Our responsibility to keep
unity in the church as well as in the Kingdom of God is not to be ignored.
Much of, if not most of, or even all of our troubles rest on our
conversations we have with others.
In this proverb we come to a
few conclusions as to how we should respond to things we hear when involved in
conversations with fellow believers.
Satan has attacked our
church with unity problems. Discord,
backbiting, and childish attitudes have risen and need to be dealt with.
This message can and will clear up a few potential problems.
I.
Consistency in our Answer.
Before you jump on the bandwagon, you should find out the whole story.
That includes hearing both sides. Not
just half.
Before accepting one’s word
as Gospel Truth you should give the other person a fair chance to give his
story. No one in hear is above
being wrong, over judgmental, or above being corrected.
Listen to both sides.
Man in court for stabbing another man.
At least he got to tell his side of the story.
Hearing a matter is hearing
both sides, all sides, the whole thing, not portions. Then coming to a conclusion.
II.
Comprehending before you Answer
We should
never fill in the blanks.
Remember we have selective
hearing. Marsha talking to me. (T-bone
or rubbish bin)
Sometimes people speak in
parables. Ask them to explain.
Disciples asked this of Jesus.
Bereans gave what was said
much thought. Thes. Received.
You can not truly come
to a conclusion if you don’t understand everything the other person is talking
about.
III.
Conservative in your Answer
Our tongues get us into much
trouble. We are to be aware of
this.
Haman in Ester.
He should have asked a couple questions before giving his answer.
Let is soak in, let the
ink dry, sleep on it. Don’t be
hasty.
Jam 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath:
Proverbs 18:13. List of
proverbs. The answer to life is in the tongue.
TOP
James
5:17-18 Elijah: The Modern Day Man
Elijah: The Modern Day Man
James said, "Elijah was a man subject to
like passions as we are..." If this be the case, then we can compare
ourselves to this great man of God.
I. We have the same Problems
1. People Problems - Ahab, Jezebeel, etc...
2. Personal Problems- He wanted to die
II. Same Possibilities
1. Perceived. Effectual in the Greek means work.
Look at the work that was accomplished through prayer. (v.16)
2. Persistant. Fervent, over and over again.
consistant. (v.17)
III. Same Purpose
1. Produce fruit (v.18)
2. Praise our Father. This is what it is all
about. Who are we trying to please?
Our prayer life should reflect the
prayer life of men like Elijah. He was no different than us in his
ability. He was much different than us in his availability, in that he
gave himself to God completely. Don't let your problems get you side
tracked, count on the same possibilities as he did, and do all these things for
the same purpose as he did and we will see results flow.
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John
13:38 - 14:1
The Operations of Simon,
Satan, and our Saviour.
Chapter divisions were not placed in the
Bible until the 1500’s. These
divisions, although very helpful, are not inspired.
They do, for the most part, begin new paragraphs, new stories, move you
into a new time frame. However,
this is not always true. Here we
have a great example of a break in the words of Jesus, but not necessarily a
break in His instruction.
I find it very comforting to see the words in the first verse of
chapter fourteen coming right after the words in the last verse of the previous
chapter. The Lord rebukes Simon Peter for his future actions yet assures
him of His unending compassion and love.
In
these verses we see the operations of Simon Peter, Satan, and our Saviour.
Let’s
see what we can learn from this passage of Scripture.
I. The
Attitude of Simon Peter
1.
He wanted to Work with the Lord. When
Jesus called, Simon followed. What
an opportunity. To work with the
Lord. To do God’s work.
We are questioned, we are ridiculed, we are not alone. Christ went before
us.
2.
He wanted to Walk with the Lord. Peter
walked on the water. He only did
that to get to where Jesus was. No
one else wanted to.
It is scary, it is unreasonable, it is rewarding.
3.
He wanted to Worship the Lord. On
the mount of transfiguration.
II. Our Awareness of Satan’s Position
1. Satan’s Deception
. Twist and manipulate God’s
Word. His work, and His will.
2.
Satan’s Devices. He
uses jealousy (Peter with John’s future) He uses gossip, he uses fear.
Take heed lest you fall. (Luke 22:31)
3.
Satan’s Desire. For
you to fall. He wants to win the
victory. (1st Peter 5:8)
III. The Actions of our Saviour
1.
His truth is plain. (13:38)
2.
Our Troubles are Pacified (14:1)
3.
The Times He forgives is Perpectual.
(v13:38 – 14:1)
TOP
Eph.
4: 26 Be ye angry and sin not.
We live in an angry world.
Violence abounds in our movies, news,
everyday life.
Anger has been present since creation. Cain
slew his brother not out of love, but out of anger.
Take away weapons and man will beat each other to death with his hands.
No doubt, the kind of anger we are most acquainted with is dangerous.
What kind of anger can we have without sin?
What kind of anger is accepted by God? We call it righteous
indignation.
When is anger right?
When it is caused by our disgust for the sins of this world
2.
When it is directed toward the offence and not the offender.
The only person we can truly be angry with is the deceiver of the world.
The blinder of eyes, the hider of truth, the liar of liars, the accuser
of the brethren.
This kind of anger never does harm to our neighbor. Maybe his wicked possessions.
But not to the person.
Jesus became angry at the attitude of the Pharisees and at the actions of the
money changers. Yet there was no
sin in Him.
It
is too bad that a very small amount of anger comes in this form.
Usually the anger we experience and the anger we are familiar with is
sinful anger that produces bad consequences. I think we have all been
angry at times, and expressed our anger, each on different levels.
Can
you think of a time when you became very angry?
Healthy
families can recover from instances like this.
It is an everyday occurrence of rage that causes problems.
Let
me just say, if you are quick to become angry, or if you deal with an angry
partner, there is sincere hope for a tremendous change of attitude. Even if you
have occasional, mild, anger sweeps.
Let
me ask this question concerning your anger.
Are you happy when it is over? Are
you comfortable with your actions? Do you seek forgiveness?
I hope the answers to these questions are obvious.
I.
Why do we get angry?
1.
People do us wrong (Prov. 15:1) advance in queu
2.
We are talked about )Prov. 16:28)
3.
We are aroung others who are angry (Prov. 22:24)
Same way we start a conversation is the same way we end.
4.
Frustration (Prov. 17:14) We
take out on others who are not involved at all.
II.
How do we overcome anger?
Simple truths: We must develop self
control (Eph. 4:22-24)
Have
you ever broke a habit? You say it
isn’t easy, but it has to be done. Laughing
on video, fingernail biting, etc…
Anger
can be a habit. It can be
controlled. You say it can’t.
Let’s
look at this scene. You are
arguing, you are angry. The
telephone rings, you pick it up and act like nothing has happened.
III.
What do we do when we get angry?
1.
Walk Away
2.
Kneel and Pray
3.
Find Something nice to Say (Eph.
4:29-32) (Rom. 12:20) Usually anger leads to bitter words.
(Col. 3:8)
1. Let the
Holy Spirit work in your life
2.Let humbleness become part of your life
3. Let humor be part of the solution
TOP
John
15: 1-5 "I Am the Vine"
Jesus made seven “I Am”
claims in the book of John:
- 6:35 the bread of life – his life giving role, the
source of life
- 8:12 the light of the world –universal answer for
all spiritual truth
- 10:7 the door – only way to God’s kingdom
- 10:11 the
good shepherd – claim to fulfill all prophecy, focusing on love and
guidance
- 11:25 the
resurrection – he is not only the source of life, but also the power over
death
- 14:6 the
way, the truth, and the life – the method, the message, and the means.
This summarized His purpose for coming to earth
- 15:1 the
vine – In this title He emphasize the great need we have in Christ.
I. Problem with Society
a. Unbelieving in the Scriptures
– You cannot question the Bible negatively.
You can question it as far as asking, “What can I do about it?”
“How can I understand it better and more plainer?”
But not to ignore, disagree, or abolish.
(v.10)
b. Unaware of the Seriousness
– (v.6) it is the same thing as
days of old. Judgment is coming and
people continue in their sin. Walking
on a rotten plank, living a life of ease.
c. Unanimous in their Stand –
(v.22-25) Just as it was in the days of Noah, in Sodom, in Daniel, in Pilate, in
the World today.
II. Purpose of the Saved
a.
Bare Fruit. Be a Light in the World and Salt in the Earth – (v.8)
b.
Be aware of our situation – (v.18-19) If you are not causing a
stir, or no one is calling you “strange” then you are probably not standing
up for the things of God. Your
opinions and your actions will be contrary to the world.
c.
Become more like Christ (v.1-5) We are getting all of our
nourishment from Christ. All of our
well-being, all of our knowledge, all of our mind-set.
Renewed mind (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23) Christ like mind (Phi. 2:5)
III. Promise of the Saviour
a.
Purge His Children (v.2)– take away that which hinders.
b.
Produce Fruit (v.4; 16)
c.
Provide for His Children – (v.7; 16) we are more interested in
the earthly provisions we give him no opportunity to provide for us.
Verse 16 shows us the Lord’s
role in our salvation. What a
privilege it is to be part of the kingdom of God.
Part of the chosen few. Think
about it. Many are called, few are
chosen. Many go in on the broad
road. You have been afforded this
great responsibility. What are we
going to do with it? What are we going to become?
TOP
Luke
10:38-42
Who can the Lord use?
The answer to that question is "Anybody." He can use anything
and anyone from a donkey to a king. Can He use you? Yes He can.
In this passage we see Christ's visit to some special friends home in
Bethany. This was the home of Lazarus and Simon the Leper. Much was
done in this city to remind us of His work on this earth. He gave us this
story to show us many valuable truths and teach us lessons in life.
Tonight we want to look at this story and answer the question, "Who can the
Lord use?"
The Lord will use:
I. People Humble in their attitude. (v.38)
Small town, small town people. Jesus always dealt with the
humble and lowly.
His birth, his home town, his followers, his possessions, his triumphal
entry, his death. (Phil. 2:5-8)
We are told all the way through the Bible how God blesses those of
low estate. David is a prime example.
(James 2:2-3) (Rom. 12:3;16)
II. Available to Jesus with their time. (v.39a) Work to be done, things
to do, but the most important thing is Christ.
III. Teachable from the Scriptures (v.39b) Let the Word speak.
Jesus said it best in (Mat. 4:4) Men and women who want to come together
and learn the scriptures, study the Word, and listen to the teachings of Christ.
IV. Those who are not impressionable by outside influences. (v.40)
Importantly family members. (Luke 12:51-53) (Mark 10:29) Don't
let your friends and family keep you from the things of God.
V. With a singleness of mind. (Mat. 7:14) (Mat. 6:19-24) One view
point, (Straightway, Mat. 4:20 left their nets)
Can the Lord use you in His work? Will you give more of
your heart to the Lord tonight?
TOP
Being
a True Christian
Matthew 16:24-28
Many people claim to be Christian, yet act nothing like a true
Christian should act according to the New Testament pattern of a Christian.
It seems the levels of lying, cheating, stealing, and adulterous
acts are as high in professing Christians as in non-professing Christians.
A synonym for Christian in this generation is hypocrite, which
simply means a phony, a pretender.
There are three reasons why Christians do not act like
Christians in our text.
I. (v. 24) No Direction. Jesus said, "Follow Me."
If we followed Christ we would be walking in the way of Christ. One way we can
follow Jesus is to be a faithfully attend our local New Testament church.
Being faithful to church does not necessarily mean you are a true Christian.
Many hypocrites would never miss one of there church services. One of the
greatest silent witnesses one can give is dedication to church. Your neighbors
see it, your family sees it, and most of all your heavenly father sees it. The
consistency in ones life with church attendance does make an impression on a
lost world. It is also following scripture.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking 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.
Luke 4:16… as his custom was, he went into the synagogue
on the Sabbath day. Although we don’t worship the Lord on a Saturday in
a synagogue, Christ set a good example to his followers to set aside a day of
worship and scripture reading and teaching.
Having direction in our life in following Christ is a good way to show the
world you are not a hypocrite, but on the contrary, you are a true Christian.
II. (v.24) No Dedication. Jesus said, "Deny thyself, take
up your cross."
Most people are dedicated to self, (v.26) They ask, "What
can I get out of it?)
People do not want to accept a coming Savior and judgment.
(v.27)
Christianity demands we center our life around Christ, His
church, and the Bible.
This puts us at risk of being persecuted, ridiculed, and misunderstood.
It puts us as being in the same category as Jesus Christ Himself along with
the early church fathers and saints.
III. (v.25) No true Decisions.
You can’t live it if you don’t have it.
The number one reason why most professing Christians are living like
hypocrites is for this tragic truth, there has never been a true decision made
to give their life to Christ.
Without getting into a theological hair splitting debate on the sovereignty of
God and the free will of man. Let me try to make it simple.
It is God’s will that all humanity be saved. He has made a way of salvation
for every man born into this world since Adam and Eve. The problem does not
lie with God, election, or free will. The problem lies within the heart of
man. Romans 10: 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. Man is
disobedient, man is hard hearted, and man is self centered. Early in God’s
book to mankind He tells us that His spirit will not always stride with man.
In other words, God will deal with men to be saved, but it will be in His time
table.
I think of us who are saved. Are we always obedient to the
directions that God wants us to go in? I think not. So, how much more
disobedient is the heart of the unregenerated soul when it comes to God’s
spirit dealing with him to come and follow Him. To deny himself and Follow
Jesus. To make that decision to become a Christian.
Conclusion: Three reasons why all who claim to be Christian do
no live like a Christian. Let us evaluate ourselves. How does the world look
at our profession?
Have we been denying self, have we been taking up our cross and following the
One who saved us from hell.
As a Christian, to take up our cross means a willingness to suffer. Not to
demand sympathy, rights, understanding from the world, but to practice true
belief in Christ in this world.
TOP
Matthew 22:1-10
The Invitation
This parable can be looked at as a picture of an invitation to
be saved. When we get saved we become the bride of Christ and will be welcome at
the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9).
To be part of the bride is to accept the great invitation that
God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ.
In this parable we see it was an:
- An Immaculant Imvitation
(v.2-4)
The invitation was saying, "I want you to be part of my wedding."
The wedding consisted of witnesses, participants, same table and food,
fellowship with friends.
This is a picture of the offer of salvation that is given to us from Christ.
To be his bride. Such a commitment from Christ, the Bridegroom, to receive us
as His bride.
- An Ignored Invitation
(3-6)
They "would not." It’s not that they could not, but that they
would not. Everyone is bidden, but not everyone will accept the offer. It is
God’s will that all come, but men are disobedient to God and do not all obey
His will.
1. They made light of it. Gave no thought to the preparation, expense. They
mocked the arrangements.
2. Went their ways. This is the answer to many people when asked if they have
trusted in Christ as Savior. They answer, "I have my own
view." They have their own ways. Unfortunatly their ways are the
ways of death.
3. They became aggressive and abusive. (6.) How often those we witness to turn
very bitter and angry at the very mention of Christ.
- Not an Ignored Rejection
(v.7) Judgment day is coming. God does not
merely dismiss the rejection as we would a returned invitation that tells us
they can’t make it. When one turns down the invitation to salvation, they
reject God.
- An Impelling Invitation.
(v.8-10) Invitation is given twice. One more
than what was needed.
When we receive the first invitation it is grace. The multiple other dealings
in our heart from the Lord are no less than His mercy.
I like the simple definitions of grace and mercy: Grace = getting what we don’t
deserve; Mercy = Not getting what we do deserve.
- An Impartial Invitation.
As you look at the people invited you will
see that all were included. Rich, poor, healthy, lame, young, old, etc…
God is no respector of persons. All are invited.
I remember the hour the Spirit dealt very heavy my heart. I had said no many
times before and didn’t even realize what I was turning down. On December 17th,
1989 I was once again given the invitation through the Spirit of God to become
part of the Bride. I surrendered to the calling and was born into the Family
of God.
Now I have the responsibility of spreading the invitation. Every child of God
has that responsibility of spreading the greatest invitation that any one
could ever receive. We do this through 1. Prayer, 2. Pleading, and 3. Personal
Evangelism. We are not to hide Christ and be a secret agent, we are to share
Christ.
If my child was sick I would take them to a doctor, if my car was broken I
would seek a mechanic, how much more should we bring the lost to Christ.
- An Immediate Invitation.
Don’t delay in asking those you love to come to Christ. Get them to church,
and until then request prayer for them at prayer time. God knows what they
need and knows what you want. He has instructed us to bring our petitions to
Him. How much greater a petition for a lost loved one to be saved than a
personal need met in our own life. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all
these things shall be added unto you. When we seek what is on the top of God’s
agenda than surely these lesser things will be given freely to us in great
abundance. Surely these things will not seem as important when we focus our
attention on the Kingdom of God.
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Ezekiel 37:1-14
Faith Brought the Bones Together
This O.T. passage is a picture of the shape of Israel and how
God is going to bring them together again. It was a message of hope.
Why did they need a message of hope? Because, like the bones
that God referred to, they were lifeless, drained, dry, and forgotten. Israel
had forgotten about God and they were put into bondage, scattered, and their
zeal for the things of God was gone.
Kind of reminds us of the church today.
We have gotten used to the sin around us, in the lives of those who claim to be
Christian, we have gotten used to not seeing souls saved, we have gotten used to
prayerless lives, and we have grown accustomed to hearing the statistics and the
news without it even touching our hearts.
What does God require of us today?
If we are to see revival, if we are to see our lost loved ones
saved, if we are to see the church grow not in numbers because of special
meetings, but because of changed lives, it is going to take prayer and faith.
Look at this situation. Dry Bones, not just wounded lives and
diseased bodies, but dry bones, scattered and thrown into a valley.
To get that way it must have been an open grave as a result of a
large slaughter.
Stench, reproach, loathsome.
The word, IMPOSSIBILITY was hanging over the valley.
No faith is needed for the possible, only the impossible.
Only an atom of faith is needed to accomplish the impossible.
God asks men not to do what they can, but what they can’t.
To prove that only the omnipotent God could have achieved it.
Men can do the possible, only God can do the impossible.
Ezekiel didn’t call a committee, send out a prayer letter, or
solicit funds for this operation.
He didn’t bring a new definition of God into the message.
We don’t need a new definition of the Gospel, but a new
demonstration of the power of the Gospel.
No faith is needed to give statistical evidence that all hell
has broke loose in the world.
Doctrine? We have enough teaching on doctrine to last us a long
time.
We reprint the words and teaching of dead men by the millions of
tons of paper and thousands of liters of ink. To what avail? Where is it getting
us? To repeat what we already know, to try to explain to a lost man the doctrine
of transubstanciation?
We need a fresh dose of the Holy Spirit. We need what Ezekiel
had.
v. 1-2 …in the Spirit.
If Ezekiel were living today, he would have had a press
photograph of this.
He would have counted the bones
When the bones began to move He would have had others to come
witness his abilities.
v. 3-6If we do what God tells us to do, we will see God
do what He said He would do.
God says, "I".
v.7 Most of us would have stopped here.
We mistake rattle for revival, commotion for creation.
We have to many "skeletons" come to the place where we
can get them to pray, but what have we then?
Even when we get flesh on them, where are we? We have an army of
corpses.
v. 9-10 It took the spirit to give life.
It took following the commandment. "I prophesied as I was
commanded."
Can we say that?
We sow, we water, God gives the increase.
v.11-14 Here is hope.
God only uses broken things.
The lad’s bread that Jesus broke,
The alabaster box that was broken
The body of Jesus that was broken
Salvation Army officers wrote William Booth telling him they
tried every way to get a move and failed.
He replied, "Try tears." They did and they had revival.
Bible schools don’t teach tears. They can’t.
Preachers laden with doctorates and degrees has not gotten far unless he knows
soul-bitterness.
We weep over the sin. Dry bones. Death. (seven deadly sins) all
sins are deadly.
We weep over souls perishing. Who is there to help? Who will stand up to a
valley of dry bones, as ignorant as it seems.
It was Isaiah that said, "Here am I, send me." After he heard the
question God asked, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
Jer 9:1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of
tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my
people!
Psa 119:136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they
keep not thy law.
TOP
Hosea1:2
A Great Love Story
The book of Hosea is about a prophet who marries an unfaithful
wife.
Yet, he loves her and repeatedly brings her back into his home.
The purpose of the life of Hosea is to reveal the greatest love
story ever written.
How can the greatest love story be laced with adultery, lies,
and unfaithfulness?
God used this story to show how He has dealt with the nation of
Israel.
We also see a great parallel to the church.
Hosea being Christ and Gomer being the Church.
When we look at this great love story we see:
I. Family Structure
1. Pattern
The home is the fabric that holds society together. We see homes everywhere we
go. The structure of the home relies on the marriage within the home of the
husband and the wife.
We can already see we are in trouble with this generation.
Marriage has been so distorted through this past century. Yet,
the message of Hosea still holds its truth.
It is within the framework of marriage that God has chosen to
populate the world.
Marriage is honorable in all, (Heb. 13:4)
Marriage is used as a pattern, ( 1 Tim.)
God performed the first wedding ceremony.
If God’s blessings are not on a marriage what good is it?
God will perform the last wedding ceremony.
2. Problem
What happens when a marriage is broken? Sadness
(Rom. 7:2) death was accepted, sad also.
(Adultery was accepted with consequences.)
Hosea was to jump right into a relationship that would be
plagued with infidelity.
Does this bring to light our relationship with Jesus?
(Rev. 2:4)
II. Falling into Sin
1. Power of Sin.
"great whoredoms" Why is sin so attractive? It
shouldn’t be.
Yet the church is so mingled with the world it is hard to
separate the two.
Don’t you know Hosea warned Gomer, counseled Gomer.
"The land." When I look at what this world has to
offer, it is scary.
2. Product of Sin.
Why was the woman always at fault? Even in the O.T. laws there
was such an emphasis put on the woman.
We see a picture of God and His wife, of Christ and His bride.
Christ is never under suspicion, never at fault.
The woman’s sin carries with it far more of a consequence than
a man’s sin.
There has always been a difference between men and women. There
should always be a difference. It is for the benefit of the church.
Society has broken this wall down and the church is right behind
the views of the world on this.
We see the product of sin working in the church today.
Gomer’s sin produced three children:
- Jezreel, v.3, God will scatter
- Lo-Ruhamah, v.6, unpitied, who’s father?
- Lo-Ammi, v.8-9, not my people / not my child
In this love story we see the greatest action of all.
III. Forgiveness from the Savior.
1. (3:1-2), Pardon
Forgiveness from the sinless one.
He sought, he bought, and he brought.
2. Plea 6:1
Spoken by the prodigal son.
Offered by Jesus Rev.3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with me.
Here is our challenge:
Where are you with our Savior this morning?
When He saved you, He knew where you would go.
The question is, are you ready to come home. Or will you stay
out in the world and let it have its way with you?
TOP
1 Samuel 1:1-28
Our
Responsibility in the Gospel.
Our desire as a
Christian on this earth should be to point others to the cross.
It is not about
what we can obtain on this earth, what we can achieve in this life, or all we
can experience in a lifetime.
It is what we
can do for Christ and what an impact our life will have on eternity.
The only impact we can make on eternity is to build up the Kingdom of God
through leading others to Christ. (Phil. 1:21)
When I say
“Leading others to Christ,” I mean just that.
The end result
it salvation, but before one can be saved he must be shown the way, he must be
led down the right path. So many
are led down the wrong path, the Bible calls it the broad road, and we must lead
them to the narrow road. (Matthew
7:13-14)
It is up to us
to show the world the narrow road, to show them the way, the truth, and the
life.
There is a
parallel of our responsibility in the Gospel found in 1 Samuel 1.
1. A Desire
O that we had a desire
to see one birthed into the kingdom.
She wanted a child.
(v.5-8)
What is a desire that you have?
2. A Dilemma
The Lord has shut up her womb.
She had an ever-present adversary. (v.6-7)
(v.2-4) Sometimes others have more than us.
Where do the blessings come from? (Psalm 73:3-5)
3. A Determination
She prayed. (v.9-10)
(Psalm 126:6)
((James 5:17 Elijah prayed) (Mat. 10:37-38)
4. A Destiny
I will give him unto the Lord, (v.11)
(James 4:2-3)
We are to do all for the glory of God.
5. A Demonstration of God’s mercy.
God will answer our
prayers. (v.19)
6. A Duty
We have a reasonable service. (v.27-28)
Again, it should not be our desire
to “build bigger barns” but to build the Kingdom of God.
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Seek Ye First
*The subject is "all these things." (vs. 32 and 33) *
We find out what they are from (v.25-30) *Our generation, our culture has no
clue to what it would be like to be concerned about food and raiment. Worried.
*Jesus was dealing with concern more than comfort. (v.34) He was speaking to
people that lived day to day.
We can't store up peace and contentment. We have to receive it day by day.
Money can't buy it, vault's can't contain it, memory will not keep it for you.
What Christ was dealing with was concern, worry.
Jesus gave a clear division of people in v.32. Gentiles Two groups, Jew -
Gentile Believer - Non-Believer Saved - Unsaved God's children - Children of the
Devil People of this world - People of the world to come
The Gentiles concerned themselves with these things. How much more can we
have, how much variety can we obtain, how much can we store up.
Jesus said to His children, these things are additions. Not multiplied…,
but additions. Health and wealth is out!
Jesus asked these questions? 1. v. 19-21 What are you Fond of? The things of
this world or the things of the world to come? Heaven is real
2. v. 22-23 What are you Focused on? The truth or deception. Things that will
last forever or things that will only deceive. He was dealing with having a
clear focus, a steady focus, a healthy focus, an unwavering focus. Have you mind
made up, have you mind full of truth.
3. v.24 Who are you Faithful to? The riches of God or the Riches of the
world. Rome was very influential. The extravagance of the world was as appealing
in the days of Christ as they are today. Even in the Garden of Eden, before neon
lights and glossy photographs, the things of the world were appealing.
If you gave in to Rome you could enjoy their bounty. The same today. But
where did it leave you? On the front line to be slaughtered and then forgotten.
Where is your supreme affection. Where is it going to be when you are
tempted? Where is it going to be when you are harassed?
If you want "all these things" That is; not having worries,
concern, etc.. If you seek Peace, happiness, contentment, all you have to do is
put God first. When you seek these things on your own.
Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye First
*The subject is "all these things." (vs. 32 and 33) *
We find out what they are from (v.25-30) *Our generation, our culture has no
clue to what it would be like to be concerned about food and raiment. Worried.
*Jesus was dealing with concern more than comfort. (v.34) He was speaking to
people that lived day to day.
We can't store up peace and contentment. We have to receive it day by day.
Money can't buy it, vault's can't contain it, memory will not keep it for you.
What Christ was dealing with was concern, worry.
Jesus gave a clear division of people in v.32. Gentiles Two groups, Jew -
Gentile Believer - Non-Believer Saved - Unsaved God's children - Children of the
Devil People of this world - People of the world to come
The Gentiles concerned themselves with these things. How much more can we
have, how much variety can we obtain, how much can we store up.
Jesus said to His children, these things are additions. Not multiplied…,
but additions. Health and wealth is out!
Jesus asked these questions? 1. v. 19-21 What are you Fond of? The things of
this world or the things of the world to come? Heaven is real
2. v. 22-23 What are you Focused on? The truth or deception. Things that will
last forever or things that will only deceive. He was dealing with having a
clear focus, a steady focus, a healthy focus, an unwavering focus. Have you mind
made up, have you mind full of truth.
3. v.24 Who are you Faithful to? The riches of God or the Riches of the
world. Rome was very influential. The extravagance of the world was as appealing
in the days of Christ as they are today. Even in the Garden of Eden, before neon
lights and glossy photographs, the things of the world were appealing.
If you gave in to Rome you could enjoy their bounty. The same today. But
where did it leave you? On the front line to be slaughtered and then forgotten.
Where is your supreme affection. Where is it going to be when you are
tempted? Where is it going to be when you are harassed?
If you want "all these things" That is; not having worries,
concern, etc.. If you seek Peace, happiness, contentment, all you have to do is
put God first. When you seek these things on your own.
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