BEHOLD THE GLORY OF GOD
Text: Isa. 40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
INTRO. A man’s handiwork and his possessions reflect his glory. As we behold the glory of God, we are awed by His handiwork and the riches of His possessions.
A story is told of two men on a hunting trip. One a devout Christian and the other an agnostic. Around the evening campfire they discussed the subject of God., The agnostic stated emphatically that since he couldn’t see, hear nor touch God, he couldn’t believe.
The next morning at the breakfast campfire the agnostic said,"There was a mountain lion outside the tent last night," He was asked,"Did you see it?" "No". " did you touch it?" "No" "Then how do you know it was there?’ "I saw its footprints outside the tent, this morning." Waving his hand toward the sun rising over a distant snow capped mountain and the panoramic view of nature spread out before them, the Christian said,"Behold! The footprints of God!"
I. Behold His Glory
A. In the heavens:
Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.
There is more accuracy in the timing of the sun, moon and stars in their orbits, than in man’s finest instrument.
B. In His word;
1. It has stood the test of time and critics down through the ages. Yet, it has never been (legitimately) found in error, ever! It agrees with proven science in every instance, even being ahead of it for centuries. Every prophecy has come true, or we can believe the ones yet to come, because of the ones which have come to pass.
2. Martyrs were willing to die in the ‘dark ages’ to preserve the truths of His word.
This is the Glory of God!
C. Behold the lilies of the field.
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
D. In the tiny seed that breaks through the pavement to reach upward.
E. Behold his glory in the sinner turned from sin to the will of God!
F. In a church willing to pay any price to preach the gospel in its purity. People from all walks of life, and with nothing in common by nature, yet all working in one spirit toward one common goal, through the church. This is the glory of God.
G. In the dedicated child of God
II Behold His glory in His Son as in no other way!
Heb.1:3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high.
A. In His Birth - Glory to God in the highest.
B. In His Life - Even His enemies could find no fault in Him.
C. Death - Laying aside divine power, he faces sin and all its terrors, as a man. The enemy of the human race goes down in defeat, as Christ charges into its lair which is death.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
II Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
D. The glory of the empty tomb.
E. The glory of His coming again. At a time when the world has given up hope, His glory will be revealed!
F. Behold His glory and be changed.
II Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Moses was never the same after seeing God’s glory. See Exo. 34:29-35
G. His glory revealed in saving and keeping.
John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. .
BEHOLD THE GLORY OF GOD
Behold the glory of God!
In field, in wood, and sky;
Behold it when the storm clouds
Bring lightning flashing by!
Behold His glory when leaves unfold,
And blossoms scent the air;
Behold it when by grace He comes
And takes our every care!
Behold His glory in sun-warmed earth,
In mountain and in sky!
Behold it in the one who died
For such a worm as I.
His glory is told by all He made;
It bears the print of His mighty hand.
His glory, His love, His wonderful grace,
He offers it ALL to man!
His glory He gave to my saviour;
His love was made known on the cross.
By grace, He saved me and promised
I’d never suffer loss.
His glory is shown in the mountain,
In field, and forest, and sea.
But His glory and love and wonderful grace
Are best seen at Calvary!
fcc
Friday, April 07, 2006
MYSTERIES
Text: 2 Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Intro: mysteries = Silence imposed by initiation into religious rites. The world can't see the truths of the kingdom but WE can.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Let us examine some of these things which are ours to see if we will.
I. The mystery of the cutting off and restoration of Israel.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
II. Mysteries of church truths..
1 Cor 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
We are NOT obligated to share the truths with the lost of the world but only with those who have been saved and have submitted to baptism..
III. The mystery of the resurrection.
1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
The lost are not looking forward to it, and will not understand it when it happens.
IV. The wonderful mystery of future things.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
V. The mystery of the incarnation.
1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
VI. Mystery- Babylon.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
VII. The Mystery of Iniquity.
2 Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
A. It is to the Lord's Churches that this hidden rebellion is revealed..
It is no secret that sin and crimes of all kinds are rampant across the world. It is the hidden rebellion that the harlot of Babylon has planted in the Lord's Churches which does the damage.
Our F.B.I and C.I.A. are in a position to know more of the hidden works of organized crime and terrorism, but only those who are close to the Lord in His Churches, are in a position to know the danger, as error and moral degradation gnaw away at our glorious liberty we have in Christ.
Text: 2 Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Intro: mysteries = Silence imposed by initiation into religious rites. The world can't see the truths of the kingdom but WE can.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Let us examine some of these things which are ours to see if we will.
I. The mystery of the cutting off and restoration of Israel.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
II. Mysteries of church truths..
1 Cor 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
We are NOT obligated to share the truths with the lost of the world but only with those who have been saved and have submitted to baptism..
III. The mystery of the resurrection.
1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
The lost are not looking forward to it, and will not understand it when it happens.
IV. The wonderful mystery of future things.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
V. The mystery of the incarnation.
1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
VI. Mystery- Babylon.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
VII. The Mystery of Iniquity.
2 Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
A. It is to the Lord's Churches that this hidden rebellion is revealed..
It is no secret that sin and crimes of all kinds are rampant across the world. It is the hidden rebellion that the harlot of Babylon has planted in the Lord's Churches which does the damage.
Our F.B.I and C.I.A. are in a position to know more of the hidden works of organized crime and terrorism, but only those who are close to the Lord in His Churches, are in a position to know the danger, as error and moral degradation gnaw away at our glorious liberty we have in Christ.
If You Had Only Known
IF YOU HAD ONLY KNOWN
Theme; When God's Grace runs out!
Text. Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Luke 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
Luke 19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
Luke 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Intro: God has always made known to man the limits of His Grace, but only those whose hearts are tuned to the guidance of His Spirit know when the time is near..
I. Israel didn't know the opportunities that faced her because she refused to open her eyes and see Christ.
A. They had the prophets
1. Concerning His birth.
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
2. Concerning his miracles.
Micah 7:15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show unto him marvellous things.
B. They had the witness of the angelic host.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
C. They had the pictures of the Law.
D. They had the testimony of the Father.
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
E. They had the witness of the Holy Spirit.
F. They had the witness of the Son concerning himself.
John Chapters 3 & 4
G. Yet Israel and the world still close their eyes to the Christ.
1 Cor 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
H. The day of Israel's opportunity ended when she said, "We will not have this man to rule over us."
II. The day of the lost is appointed.
A. Today is the day of salvation.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
B. The lost MUST come while God gives the opportunity. When the gates of hell are opened and all restraint removed, it is too late.
C. Today the lost have the opportunity to know;
1.By the Word of God
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. By the preaching of the Gospel.
D. Sooner or later, God will say,"It is enough."
III. The day of service is appointed..
A. Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
This can only be done by using each day for Him.
B. There comes a time when labor is over.
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
C. The way to serve is appointed.
2 Tim 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
D. When God is done waiting on us, we become castaways.
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
IV. There is a day of judgment appointed.
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
A. God will wait no longer.
Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
B. At a time when men do not expect it.
Ezek 11:3 Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.
C. 2 Pet 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Remember they waited 120 years for the flood to occur and it finally did!
V. If they had only known!
A. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Foretold in Deut.28: This was why Jesus wept over the city.
B. If OUR nation could only know.
Deu 32:41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
C. The torment of the damned. See Luke 16.
D. The chastising hand today and the rebuke at the judgment seat. If they had only known.
E. The tribulation about to come upon the world!
Theme; When God's Grace runs out!
Text. Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Luke 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
Luke 19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
Luke 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Intro: God has always made known to man the limits of His Grace, but only those whose hearts are tuned to the guidance of His Spirit know when the time is near..
I. Israel didn't know the opportunities that faced her because she refused to open her eyes and see Christ.
A. They had the prophets
1. Concerning His birth.
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
2. Concerning his miracles.
Micah 7:15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show unto him marvellous things.
B. They had the witness of the angelic host.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
C. They had the pictures of the Law.
D. They had the testimony of the Father.
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
E. They had the witness of the Holy Spirit.
F. They had the witness of the Son concerning himself.
John Chapters 3 & 4
G. Yet Israel and the world still close their eyes to the Christ.
1 Cor 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
H. The day of Israel's opportunity ended when she said, "We will not have this man to rule over us."
II. The day of the lost is appointed.
A. Today is the day of salvation.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
B. The lost MUST come while God gives the opportunity. When the gates of hell are opened and all restraint removed, it is too late.
C. Today the lost have the opportunity to know;
1.By the Word of God
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. By the preaching of the Gospel.
D. Sooner or later, God will say,"It is enough."
III. The day of service is appointed..
A. Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
This can only be done by using each day for Him.
B. There comes a time when labor is over.
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
C. The way to serve is appointed.
2 Tim 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
D. When God is done waiting on us, we become castaways.
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
IV. There is a day of judgment appointed.
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
A. God will wait no longer.
Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
B. At a time when men do not expect it.
Ezek 11:3 Which say, It is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.
C. 2 Pet 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Remember they waited 120 years for the flood to occur and it finally did!
V. If they had only known!
A. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Foretold in Deut.28: This was why Jesus wept over the city.
B. If OUR nation could only know.
Deu 32:41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
C. The torment of the damned. See Luke 16.
D. The chastising hand today and the rebuke at the judgment seat. If they had only known.
E. The tribulation about to come upon the world!
Judged By The Risen Christ
JUDGED BY THE RISEN CHRIST
Text; Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Introduction;
Concerning the dead;
Jesus, "Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
Paul, "1 Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
While we honor the memories of our departed loved ones, our obligations are to the living. Jesus deserves the highest honor of all; The honor paid to dead heroes and to the living great.
Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
1.The Authority of this Judge.
A. Text says HE [God] will judge the world.
B. God has committed this judgment to His Son.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
C. Authority stems from His righteousness. Men often judge, when they are, themselves, guilty;
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Not so with this judge.
II. The Standard of this judgment. The volume of His commands and man's shortcomings will be cited as the authority.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
A. The responsibility of the world, as a whole to this law.
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Forget what the implications are to past generations, the clear command for THIS generation is REPENT!
The ability to discern good from evil makes man responsible to God.
B. The responsibility of the Church as a whole is to discern and and practice Truth. ['religion' is as confusing today as it was in ancient Athens.]
1.We will be judged as to our faithfulness to his Word.
1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2. How do we stand on moral issues.
C. Responsibility of individual members.
1. Live for Christ each day.
Lu 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
2. Contend for the faith.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
3.Separate from sin and sinfulness.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1 Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Th 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1 Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
D. Responsibility of the individual lost soul
1. Repent. See text.
2. Believe.
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.
His death saves those who believe, His LIFE condemns those who refuse--
Text; Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Introduction;
Concerning the dead;
Jesus, "Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
Paul, "1 Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
While we honor the memories of our departed loved ones, our obligations are to the living. Jesus deserves the highest honor of all; The honor paid to dead heroes and to the living great.
Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
1.The Authority of this Judge.
A. Text says HE [God] will judge the world.
B. God has committed this judgment to His Son.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
C. Authority stems from His righteousness. Men often judge, when they are, themselves, guilty;
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Not so with this judge.
II. The Standard of this judgment. The volume of His commands and man's shortcomings will be cited as the authority.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
A. The responsibility of the world, as a whole to this law.
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Forget what the implications are to past generations, the clear command for THIS generation is REPENT!
The ability to discern good from evil makes man responsible to God.
B. The responsibility of the Church as a whole is to discern and and practice Truth. ['religion' is as confusing today as it was in ancient Athens.]
1.We will be judged as to our faithfulness to his Word.
1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2. How do we stand on moral issues.
C. Responsibility of individual members.
1. Live for Christ each day.
Lu 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
2. Contend for the faith.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
3.Separate from sin and sinfulness.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1 Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Th 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1 Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
D. Responsibility of the individual lost soul
1. Repent. See text.
2. Believe.
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.
His death saves those who believe, His LIFE condemns those who refuse--
OUR BLESSINGS THROUGH CHRIST;
Text; Eph.1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Context; Rom.8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Introduction: Too often we see the shared glory with Christ as something off in the wonderful future instead of rejoicing in the ‘here and now’ promises which are ours. In the next few verses of this first chapter of Ephesians we shall see the Present Blessings we have through Christ.
THROUGH HIM WE ARE:
I.Chosen.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if theyhave kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
II. Sanctified;
Eph 1:4. 'that we should be holy and without blame before him in love':
I Cor. 1: 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
John 17: 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
III. Adopted;
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Gal.4: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
IV. Accepted;
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
This can be accomplished ONLY through Christ!
V. Redeemed;
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
VI. Forgiven;
'the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;'
VII. Enriched;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
VIII. Enlightened.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
IX. Sealed.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
X. Quickened;
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
XI. Exalted;
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
XII. Consecrated;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
XIII Reconciled;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
XIV. United in ONE BODY!
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
XV Paul prays that we might KNOW these things!
Eph.1: 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Text; Eph.1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Context; Rom.8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Introduction: Too often we see the shared glory with Christ as something off in the wonderful future instead of rejoicing in the ‘here and now’ promises which are ours. In the next few verses of this first chapter of Ephesians we shall see the Present Blessings we have through Christ.
THROUGH HIM WE ARE:
I.Chosen.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if theyhave kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
II. Sanctified;
Eph 1:4. 'that we should be holy and without blame before him in love':
I Cor. 1: 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
John 17: 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
III. Adopted;
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Gal.4: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
IV. Accepted;
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
This can be accomplished ONLY through Christ!
V. Redeemed;
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
VI. Forgiven;
'the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;'
VII. Enriched;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
VIII. Enlightened.
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
IX. Sealed.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
X. Quickened;
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
XI. Exalted;
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
XII. Consecrated;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
XIII Reconciled;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
XIV. United in ONE BODY!
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
XV Paul prays that we might KNOW these things!
Eph.1: 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
FOUR DOWNWARD STEPS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
Text: Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Intro: People fall aside from service for various reasons,
1. Demas loved the world
2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
2. Some give heed to seducing spirits;
1 Tim 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;
3. For some, the hold of sin is not broken, or is allowed to return
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
4. Many cannot take 'hard' teaching and turn aside.
John 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
John 6:61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
John 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
What if none of these fit, and we still find ourselves drifting away and waxing cold? Perhaps the answer may be in these four steps downward.
They are: Excitement, Exhaustion, Exasperation and Expiration.
1. Excitement without content
(An exercise for the congregation) Everybody say "Amen" Now say it again and louder. Again! Everyone is now awake and alert; everyone feels good, .....BUT ABOUT WHAT? This is excitement without content!
Now say AMEN to these great truths:
1. You are a sinner
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2. You were justly doomed to hell
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; 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.
3. Christ died to save your soul
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
4. You now have eternal life!
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
5. He allows you to serve Him!!
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
6. His Church will be here 'till He comes again!!
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
7. Her doctrinal Truths are more precious than any of the world's knowledge.
8. The blood of her martyrs is more precious than that of all the world's political battlefields.
Hold these truths fast and your excitement will grow with evry bit of added knowledge from the Word of Gd!! AMEN AND AMEN!!
II Exhaustion This comes about from exercise without single-minded obedience.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Example: Two people come to church. One yawns through an endless boring sermon and is tired beyond measure at the end of the service. The other is alert, rejoicing and surprised, perhaps even a little disappointed when the service ends so soon. The difference? Attitude! Mechanical, fleshly service will cause God's people to say, as in Mal 1:13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.
There is a vast difference in physical and mental weariness, and the body can endure far more when the mind is set on the task.
III Exasperation: From misplaced hopes and personal plans gone awry.
A. The example of the Emmaus road disciples;
Luke 24:17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Luke 24:18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
Luke 24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
B. Some are disappointed when all problems don't disappear (If the Lord cares, why all the problems?)
Jesus tried to prepare us for the REAL world.
1 John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2. Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
3. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
4. Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
C. Real Bible-based hope will never let us down
1. We have sustaining Grace.
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
2. We have the presence of the Holy Spirit
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
3. We have the strength and comfort of Jesus' promises
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
4. We have the sure hope of the resurrection.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
IV Expiration
2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Who are these and what have they forgotten?
2 Pet 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Pet 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2 Pet 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2 Pet 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Pet 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Challenge: Get excited about exercising these things and you will never be exhausted emotionally
or exasperated in your expectations! Instead of being expired you will be inspired and so, will rejoice in the abundant life!
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Text: Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Intro: People fall aside from service for various reasons,
1. Demas loved the world
2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
2. Some give heed to seducing spirits;
1 Tim 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;
3. For some, the hold of sin is not broken, or is allowed to return
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
4. Many cannot take 'hard' teaching and turn aside.
John 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
John 6:61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
John 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
What if none of these fit, and we still find ourselves drifting away and waxing cold? Perhaps the answer may be in these four steps downward.
They are: Excitement, Exhaustion, Exasperation and Expiration.
1. Excitement without content
(An exercise for the congregation) Everybody say "Amen" Now say it again and louder. Again! Everyone is now awake and alert; everyone feels good, .....BUT ABOUT WHAT? This is excitement without content!
Now say AMEN to these great truths:
1. You are a sinner
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2. You were justly doomed to hell
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; 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.
3. Christ died to save your soul
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
4. You now have eternal life!
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
5. He allows you to serve Him!!
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
6. His Church will be here 'till He comes again!!
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
7. Her doctrinal Truths are more precious than any of the world's knowledge.
8. The blood of her martyrs is more precious than that of all the world's political battlefields.
Hold these truths fast and your excitement will grow with evry bit of added knowledge from the Word of Gd!! AMEN AND AMEN!!
II Exhaustion This comes about from exercise without single-minded obedience.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Example: Two people come to church. One yawns through an endless boring sermon and is tired beyond measure at the end of the service. The other is alert, rejoicing and surprised, perhaps even a little disappointed when the service ends so soon. The difference? Attitude! Mechanical, fleshly service will cause God's people to say, as in Mal 1:13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.
There is a vast difference in physical and mental weariness, and the body can endure far more when the mind is set on the task.
III Exasperation: From misplaced hopes and personal plans gone awry.
A. The example of the Emmaus road disciples;
Luke 24:17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Luke 24:18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
Luke 24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
B. Some are disappointed when all problems don't disappear (If the Lord cares, why all the problems?)
Jesus tried to prepare us for the REAL world.
1 John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
2. Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
3. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
4. Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
C. Real Bible-based hope will never let us down
1. We have sustaining Grace.
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
2. We have the presence of the Holy Spirit
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
3. We have the strength and comfort of Jesus' promises
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
4. We have the sure hope of the resurrection.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
IV Expiration
2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Who are these and what have they forgotten?
2 Pet 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Pet 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2 Pet 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2 Pet 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Pet 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Challenge: Get excited about exercising these things and you will never be exhausted emotionally
or exasperated in your expectations! Instead of being expired you will be inspired and so, will rejoice in the abundant life!
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
CONSIDER
Text: Ecc.7:13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Introduction. As a boy and as a young man, my father often challenged me thus," God put that bump on your head for something beside a place to hang your hat. THINK!"
How sad it is that while we applaud those who apply their cognitive powers to understanding and solving the problems of life [inventions in medicine, industry, etc.], there seems to be an emphasis on the emotional in the realm of spiritual, often to the exclusion of the pragmatic. We must know that our God is a practical God and that He did, indeed place that bump on our shoulders for something besides a place to hang our hats.
I. As Children of God we must approach this consideration, contemplation, deliberation, and reflection ,with a mind made new. Otherwise we shall only reach the conclusions common to the lost world.
I Cor.2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Phil.2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
A. This mind is guided by the Will of God as expressed in the Word of God.
Col.1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col.3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
B. This approach to reality is disconcerting to the lost!
Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
II. Note a few of the things we are told to contemplate.
A. That He is the Creator and ONLY God.
Deut.4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Psalm 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
B. That this great God is aware of and cares about the welfare of His creatures.
Deut.8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
C. Judge and learn from His dealing with nations in the past.
Deut.32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
8 When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
D. He desires that we even learn from the natural world.
Pro.6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Mat.6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
E. Ponder the utter folly and futility of turning from God to idols [fleshly desires]
Jer.2:10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
1. Know the judgment that will result from backsliding!
Psalm50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
F. Give thought to the prophecies of the Word of God
Dan.9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
G. Consider the folly of sowing to the flesh.
Hag.1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
II. The ultimate object of our consideration
Heb.3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
A. His faithfulness
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
B. That he established His House [Church]
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
C. Consider the suffering of our Lord.
Heb.12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
III. What will be the result of such consideration?
A. It will lead to a righteous life.
Pro.23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
B. It will cause a spiritual testimony.
Matt.12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
C. It will insure a peaceful mind and a thankful heart in the midst of a mad, carnal world.
Phil.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.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Text: Ecc.7:13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Introduction. As a boy and as a young man, my father often challenged me thus," God put that bump on your head for something beside a place to hang your hat. THINK!"
How sad it is that while we applaud those who apply their cognitive powers to understanding and solving the problems of life [inventions in medicine, industry, etc.], there seems to be an emphasis on the emotional in the realm of spiritual, often to the exclusion of the pragmatic. We must know that our God is a practical God and that He did, indeed place that bump on our shoulders for something besides a place to hang our hats.
I. As Children of God we must approach this consideration, contemplation, deliberation, and reflection ,with a mind made new. Otherwise we shall only reach the conclusions common to the lost world.
I Cor.2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Phil.2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
A. This mind is guided by the Will of God as expressed in the Word of God.
Col.1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col.3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
B. This approach to reality is disconcerting to the lost!
Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
II. Note a few of the things we are told to contemplate.
A. That He is the Creator and ONLY God.
Deut.4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Psalm 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
B. That this great God is aware of and cares about the welfare of His creatures.
Deut.8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
C. Judge and learn from His dealing with nations in the past.
Deut.32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
8 When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
D. He desires that we even learn from the natural world.
Pro.6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Mat.6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
E. Ponder the utter folly and futility of turning from God to idols [fleshly desires]
Jer.2:10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.
12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
1. Know the judgment that will result from backsliding!
Psalm50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
F. Give thought to the prophecies of the Word of God
Dan.9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
G. Consider the folly of sowing to the flesh.
Hag.1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
II. The ultimate object of our consideration
Heb.3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
A. His faithfulness
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
B. That he established His House [Church]
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
C. Consider the suffering of our Lord.
Heb.12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
III. What will be the result of such consideration?
A. It will lead to a righteous life.
Pro.23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
B. It will cause a spiritual testimony.
Matt.12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
C. It will insure a peaceful mind and a thankful heart in the midst of a mad, carnal world.
Phil.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.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
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