Text: Ezek. 33:30 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.
31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
Introduction. The aim of this message is to seek compliance to Truth through committed lives, as opposed to acknowledged truths in complacent lives.
Israel never denied God, they only ignored Him. Their worship became ritualistic and habitual. God became the 'background music' for their lives and desires. There is a big difference between habitual and purposeful Christian living.
Proposition: To acknowledge Truth without that Truth being acted upon, is a deceptive danger.
I. Consider the danger in only acknowledging these truths;
A. The existence of God may comfort us that we aren't orphans spinning through space on a doomed sphere, hurtling to eventual destruction in the collapse of a chaotic universe. However, that comfort is like the short beds and narrow blankets of
Isa.28:20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
IF HE IS GOD, WE MUST BE SUBJECT TO HIM!
B. So easy to go to sleep and freeze to death! God made the plan of salvation simple. so that anyone might understand and be saved. Many are lulled into the comfortable sleep of death by Satan's version of the simplicity of salvation. He serves up his arrangement as soothing background music and they peacefully doze off only to wake up in hell!
II Tim.4:3 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;
1.Something smacks of superstition in every verse of Satan's song: The 'magic' of a prepared prayer is seen as an 'open sesame' to heaven. So, with the signing of a card, the raising of a hand. Then for the 'intellectual', he sings the verse about historical or philosophical belief without any commitment. For the ritualistic, he has a whole series of 'sacraments'.
2. The elements of a REAL salvation is more like the thunder of Wagner's music.! When you are saved you will KNOW it!.
To hear the Gospel, be convicted, to repent and Trust is a life changing event. You can't sleep through it!
3. The Devil's version of security is a travesty of 'Amazing Grace'
Rom.6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
C. The seductive perversion of God's love.
I Tim. 4:4:1 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;
1. "He loves you so much he will give you lots of other opportunities"
The Truth is, God's grace does have limits.
Deut.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.
a. Toward the human race.
Gen.6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Rev.10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
b. Toward Nations. [Even his chosen nation}
Amos 7:8 And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
Amos 8:2 And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
Ezek. 8:18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
c. Toward individuals. In both salvation and in service, there is a point of NO RETURN.
Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Ecc.11:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
I 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.
D. The Siren Song of the future Promises of God. Satan doesn't care how much you know about it, as long as you don't prepare for it!
1. 'Rewards' are great, but some of the saved won't have any.
I Cor.3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2.No Tears in Heaven, may be a beautiful song but
Rev.21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. takes place 1,000 years AFTER the resurrection and judgment seat of Christ!.
It is not sufficient that we just keep on breathing until we die or are raptured.
3. The Bride of Christ is wonderful teaching but remember that even the best wedding music doesn't make a marriage.
.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
SOWING AND REAPING
Text: Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Intro: Nature teaches us that harvest always follows seed time. This rule is as true in the spiritual and intellectual realms as well as the natural.
It is no wonder that there are so many frustrated people in our society who are so despaired when faced with life's small problems. After all, they have sown the seed of trashy literature and immoral entertainment. Nearly everyone enjoys a good ball game, but if the reading of the sports page is the highest of our literary attainments, then where are we to get the strength we need when faced with a real personal crises?
In amoral sins also, one reaps what he sows. We remember the story from our childhood of the boy who cried 'wolf' so many times that when the wolf really did come, no one believed him. It still holds true; One who sows deceit will reap suspicion. One who sows anger toward others will reap malice toward himself. One who sows violence will reap fury
Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:
The examples of the truth of this are many. There are the broken bodies and lives on the skid rows. The despair and dashed hopes in the prisons and in homes, as mothers and wives weep over those who have wasted their lives. Unwed mothers and broken homes are multiplied. Society is reaping what it has sown in the schools by disavowing God and in the population as a whole by putting the seal of approval on illicit sex and loose morals.
While all these are tragic, by far the greater catastrophe is in the realm of the spirit. Here we aren't dealing with wasted years but with eternity. We are not concerned with man's relationship with man but with his outlook for eternity and his relationship with his creator. We are not worried about cirrhosis of the liver, altered genes or a prison record, but the eternal banishment of his soul from the presence of God and an eternity in a burning hell.
Let's take another look at the text with which we began. The first part of the verse reads, "be not deceived". The word, as used here means to be led astray by false teachers. Eve was led astray in the Garden of Eden as she was deceived by Satan. He lied to her about the penalty of disobeying God. The statement of God was the first posting of the edict of the Law of Sin and Death. "In the day thou eateth thou shalt die." As proclaimed by the prophet Ezekiel it is,
Ezek 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Satan's deception was,"Thou shalt NOT surely die." and he is still spouting the same lie to mankind today. To some he says,"Sin is only relative. As long as you are only average or better you are okay. To others he says that sin is only in the mind and can be erased by denial. To others he assures them that it can't really be evil if it makes you feel good! To still others he is busy trying to convince them that God has more important things to think about than to worry about them and their little lives.
In spite of what the devil and his minions say, the Word of God still declares,
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;
Don't be deceived by false teaching, God is not mocked! This phrase means to turn up the nose in derision. The Bible is filled with the accounts of those who have thought to treat God with contempt. There were kings who scoffed at the God of Israel, but learned to their great sorrow that God is not mocked.
II Chronicles chapter thirty two records how the armies of Sennacharib, king of Syria, went home in shame after making fun of God. The Book of Daniel records the account of king Nebuchudnezzar and how he was made to live like a wild beast until he learned that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men.
All this is exactly what God has pronounced upon those who scorn Him. Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore
Things have not changed. God is still not mocked. One who lives without faith must face death with uncertainty. One who lives without hope goes into the next world with hopelessness. Those who reject the love of God must face judgment without Christ, who is the gift of God's love..
While most of our remarks thus far, have been directed toward those who are lost, the words were actually written to those who were saved, and were members of the churches of Galatia. We who are saved NEED this admonition. Jesus said that he who saves his life shall lose it but he that shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Paul informs us;
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Jesus was teaching the same lesson in
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Picture the man who claims to have been saved, but has never committed his life to Christ. Sunday after Sunday he spends the day fishing, working in his yard or polishing his car instead of obeying the command of
Heb 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.
The years pass and the house is condemned as unsafe, the fishing place is polluted, the car is rusting in a wrecking yard, the well-tended yard is overgrown with weeds, and his body is moldering in a grave while he waits for a judgment he had hoped would never come.
Another spends so much time 'improving his mind' that he never has time to meditate upon God or to serve Him. He finds himself standing before his maker and discovers that the wisdom of the world is but foolishness with God.
There are many ways in which man can sow to the flesh. Whether it be seeking pleasure, wealth, fame, status, or power, the reaping is all the same. When the flesh decays, all efforts put forth for its enhancement fade away.
Those who sow to the spirit shall reap life everlasting! No, this isn't speaking of how to be saved, but rather about how to make this present life have eternal significance.
There is no need for all the accomplishments of our earthly existence to be left behind to decay and be lost. The answer is simply, SOW THE RIGHT SEED! Sow to the Spirit. What does this mean? Jesus said,
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
Then, he identified the Truth.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Paul Instructed Timothy,
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
It is clear that if one is to sow to the Spirit, he MUST act in obedience to the Word of God, for the Holy Spirit will never act or lead contrary to the revealed word of God.
As the children of God stand at the judgment bar, the criteria for hearing the words, "Well done--" is not simply to have been saved, but to have been faithful to the savior by finding, uniting with, and serving in a New Testament Church!.
They will have served him faithfully all the days of their lives.
They will have been constant in their stewardship, prayers, Bible Study, witnessing to the lost and allowing the love of God to be shown through them.
According to the third chapter of I Corinthians, they will find their life's work purified by the fires of judgment, while those who have sown to the flesh will see their's consumed.
The first step toward laying up treasures in heaven is to lay the proper foundation.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If you can't say with full assurance, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." then this is the time to come to Christ, repenting of your sins, and let Him save your soul. Then and only then can you begin to sow the right seed in preparation for the harvest to come.
.
.
Intro: Nature teaches us that harvest always follows seed time. This rule is as true in the spiritual and intellectual realms as well as the natural.
It is no wonder that there are so many frustrated people in our society who are so despaired when faced with life's small problems. After all, they have sown the seed of trashy literature and immoral entertainment. Nearly everyone enjoys a good ball game, but if the reading of the sports page is the highest of our literary attainments, then where are we to get the strength we need when faced with a real personal crises?
In amoral sins also, one reaps what he sows. We remember the story from our childhood of the boy who cried 'wolf' so many times that when the wolf really did come, no one believed him. It still holds true; One who sows deceit will reap suspicion. One who sows anger toward others will reap malice toward himself. One who sows violence will reap fury
Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:
The examples of the truth of this are many. There are the broken bodies and lives on the skid rows. The despair and dashed hopes in the prisons and in homes, as mothers and wives weep over those who have wasted their lives. Unwed mothers and broken homes are multiplied. Society is reaping what it has sown in the schools by disavowing God and in the population as a whole by putting the seal of approval on illicit sex and loose morals.
While all these are tragic, by far the greater catastrophe is in the realm of the spirit. Here we aren't dealing with wasted years but with eternity. We are not concerned with man's relationship with man but with his outlook for eternity and his relationship with his creator. We are not worried about cirrhosis of the liver, altered genes or a prison record, but the eternal banishment of his soul from the presence of God and an eternity in a burning hell.
Let's take another look at the text with which we began. The first part of the verse reads, "be not deceived". The word, as used here means to be led astray by false teachers. Eve was led astray in the Garden of Eden as she was deceived by Satan. He lied to her about the penalty of disobeying God. The statement of God was the first posting of the edict of the Law of Sin and Death. "In the day thou eateth thou shalt die." As proclaimed by the prophet Ezekiel it is,
Ezek 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Satan's deception was,"Thou shalt NOT surely die." and he is still spouting the same lie to mankind today. To some he says,"Sin is only relative. As long as you are only average or better you are okay. To others he says that sin is only in the mind and can be erased by denial. To others he assures them that it can't really be evil if it makes you feel good! To still others he is busy trying to convince them that God has more important things to think about than to worry about them and their little lives.
In spite of what the devil and his minions say, the Word of God still declares,
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;
Don't be deceived by false teaching, God is not mocked! This phrase means to turn up the nose in derision. The Bible is filled with the accounts of those who have thought to treat God with contempt. There were kings who scoffed at the God of Israel, but learned to their great sorrow that God is not mocked.
II Chronicles chapter thirty two records how the armies of Sennacharib, king of Syria, went home in shame after making fun of God. The Book of Daniel records the account of king Nebuchudnezzar and how he was made to live like a wild beast until he learned that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men.
All this is exactly what God has pronounced upon those who scorn Him. Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore
Things have not changed. God is still not mocked. One who lives without faith must face death with uncertainty. One who lives without hope goes into the next world with hopelessness. Those who reject the love of God must face judgment without Christ, who is the gift of God's love..
While most of our remarks thus far, have been directed toward those who are lost, the words were actually written to those who were saved, and were members of the churches of Galatia. We who are saved NEED this admonition. Jesus said that he who saves his life shall lose it but he that shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Paul informs us;
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Jesus was teaching the same lesson in
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Picture the man who claims to have been saved, but has never committed his life to Christ. Sunday after Sunday he spends the day fishing, working in his yard or polishing his car instead of obeying the command of
Heb 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.
The years pass and the house is condemned as unsafe, the fishing place is polluted, the car is rusting in a wrecking yard, the well-tended yard is overgrown with weeds, and his body is moldering in a grave while he waits for a judgment he had hoped would never come.
Another spends so much time 'improving his mind' that he never has time to meditate upon God or to serve Him. He finds himself standing before his maker and discovers that the wisdom of the world is but foolishness with God.
There are many ways in which man can sow to the flesh. Whether it be seeking pleasure, wealth, fame, status, or power, the reaping is all the same. When the flesh decays, all efforts put forth for its enhancement fade away.
Those who sow to the spirit shall reap life everlasting! No, this isn't speaking of how to be saved, but rather about how to make this present life have eternal significance.
There is no need for all the accomplishments of our earthly existence to be left behind to decay and be lost. The answer is simply, SOW THE RIGHT SEED! Sow to the Spirit. What does this mean? Jesus said,
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
Then, he identified the Truth.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Paul Instructed Timothy,
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
It is clear that if one is to sow to the Spirit, he MUST act in obedience to the Word of God, for the Holy Spirit will never act or lead contrary to the revealed word of God.
As the children of God stand at the judgment bar, the criteria for hearing the words, "Well done--" is not simply to have been saved, but to have been faithful to the savior by finding, uniting with, and serving in a New Testament Church!.
They will have served him faithfully all the days of their lives.
They will have been constant in their stewardship, prayers, Bible Study, witnessing to the lost and allowing the love of God to be shown through them.
According to the third chapter of I Corinthians, they will find their life's work purified by the fires of judgment, while those who have sown to the flesh will see their's consumed.
The first step toward laying up treasures in heaven is to lay the proper foundation.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If you can't say with full assurance, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." then this is the time to come to Christ, repenting of your sins, and let Him save your soul. Then and only then can you begin to sow the right seed in preparation for the harvest to come.
.
.
CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL
Text:John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Introduction: Because of the depraved nature of man, lies are more often believed than is the truth. Men will often accept a colossal lie rather than a simple truth. The more bizarre and outlandish the lie, the better some folks like it. That's one reason so many 'conspiracy theories' abound and will not die.
Because of this quirk in human nature, confidence men, fortune tellers, medical quacks, religious charlatans, and politicians are with us and thriving. The greatest liar and most prolific teller of untruths is the father of lies, the devil.
I. A few of the devil's offsprings;
A. Definition of a lie. Anything said or done with intent to deceive.
B. Regardless of their intent, lies are against God.
Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
C. Lies, like all living creatures multiply. [Oh, What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.- scott]
D. Being against God and having the ability to multiply, makes even the smallest lie, something to shun.
Ezek 35:13 Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them.
E. Even Truth, when mixed with error, becomes a lie.
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
II. Meet a few of the devil's children. Like all proud fathers he would desire that everyone accept his family.
A. His firstborn.
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: This one is still around.
B. In imitation of Adam, this firstborn has a brother.
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
-
C. 'The Rebel' - 'You can be your own god!' This one caused Moses problems, Judas to betray Christ, false churches to multiply and he's still stirring up fusses in the Lord's churches.
D. The child called 'Broken Vow'
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Eccl 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Eccl 5:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
C. The child called ''miss Goody Two Shoes" Self righteous, Salvation by works etc.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
D. The son called 'Church Hater'. He has many aliases.
1. "Church of your Choice.'
2. 'Don't need-a-Church'
3. Sometimes he joins a church and then changes his name to 'It's none of their business what I do.
4. 'Miss Snooty' She keeps looking for a church worthy of her and her great talents.
E. 'No Hell' this is Satan's child who hasn't a care in the world because he thinks this is all there is.
F. Mr. Not Now. This is the procrastinator of the family. His intentions are to somehow do better someday.
III. You must either break away from Satan's family or become one of the bunch.
IV. The only effective weapon against this family of lies is Truth.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Introduction: Because of the depraved nature of man, lies are more often believed than is the truth. Men will often accept a colossal lie rather than a simple truth. The more bizarre and outlandish the lie, the better some folks like it. That's one reason so many 'conspiracy theories' abound and will not die.
Because of this quirk in human nature, confidence men, fortune tellers, medical quacks, religious charlatans, and politicians are with us and thriving. The greatest liar and most prolific teller of untruths is the father of lies, the devil.
I. A few of the devil's offsprings;
A. Definition of a lie. Anything said or done with intent to deceive.
B. Regardless of their intent, lies are against God.
Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
C. Lies, like all living creatures multiply. [Oh, What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.- scott]
D. Being against God and having the ability to multiply, makes even the smallest lie, something to shun.
Ezek 35:13 Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them.
E. Even Truth, when mixed with error, becomes a lie.
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
II. Meet a few of the devil's children. Like all proud fathers he would desire that everyone accept his family.
A. His firstborn.
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: This one is still around.
B. In imitation of Adam, this firstborn has a brother.
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
-
C. 'The Rebel' - 'You can be your own god!' This one caused Moses problems, Judas to betray Christ, false churches to multiply and he's still stirring up fusses in the Lord's churches.
D. The child called 'Broken Vow'
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Eccl 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Eccl 5:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
C. The child called ''miss Goody Two Shoes" Self righteous, Salvation by works etc.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
D. The son called 'Church Hater'. He has many aliases.
1. "Church of your Choice.'
2. 'Don't need-a-Church'
3. Sometimes he joins a church and then changes his name to 'It's none of their business what I do.
4. 'Miss Snooty' She keeps looking for a church worthy of her and her great talents.
E. 'No Hell' this is Satan's child who hasn't a care in the world because he thinks this is all there is.
F. Mr. Not Now. This is the procrastinator of the family. His intentions are to somehow do better someday.
III. You must either break away from Satan's family or become one of the bunch.
IV. The only effective weapon against this family of lies is Truth.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
CHRIST IS GOD
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
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;
Heb.1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
I 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.
Isa.40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD,[Jehovah] make straight in the desert a highway for our God.{Elohim]
Mat.3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Psa.24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
I 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.
James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Pro.16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Col.1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Psa.45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Jno.20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
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;
Heb.1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
I 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.
Isa.40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD,[Jehovah] make straight in the desert a highway for our God.{Elohim]
Mat.3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Psa.24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
I 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.
James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Pro.16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Col.1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Psa.45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Jno.20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
'Nuff Sed!
A CHRISTIAN'S I D
A CHRISTIAN'S I D
Text: Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Introduction: Meaning of 'marks' - stigma - a brand. When a person accepts Christ he is immediately marked as God's property.
I. The mark of a changed heart.
A. The heart as the seat of man's affection is the place of the beginning and completion of man's regeneration.
1.The Word searches it.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
2. Man's heart is changed at salvation.
Ezek 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Ezek 11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezek 11:21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
3. Walking and fellowshipping with Christ affects one's heart.
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
II. The Watermark of Baptism.
The authenticity of a watermark can be determined by holding it up to the light. Let the light of the Word test YOUR baptism.
Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
III. The shoulder marks of service. [The callus on the shoulders of a plow horse.]
A. Take my yoke.
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.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
IV. The knee marks of the prayer life.
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
V. The mark of God's love in us.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
VI. The mark of a dedicated servant, the pierced ears.
Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Exo 21:5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
Exo 21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.
VII. The footprints of a Christian. Where will yours lead?
YOU"RE TREADING HOLY GROUND
The way was steep and rocky.
There were pitfalls all around.
The Lord said,"Take your shoes off,
You're treading Holy ground."
"But, Lord, You can't be serious!
I need them for protection,
Satan’s snares are all around;
I could stumble into subjection.
Stones and thorns and clever traps
Surround me everywhere.
I'm sure I'd be defeated soon
If my feet were bare."
"Just trust me, child, take off your shoes,
The path is clearly marked,
Your savior blazed this trail for you
Long ere you embarked.
Then I laid aside my heavy shoes
And the path beneath my feet
Instead of feeling rocky
Felt soft and warm, and somehow sweet!
Looking down, I saw the answer,
For, right there, where I stood,
I saw the savior's footprints,
Each, outlined with his blood!
If your path is hard to travel,
Filled with pitfalls, thorns and snares
And your burdens seem too heavy
With toilsome pains and cares'
Then loose your shoes and place your feet
Where His footprints are found.
You'll find that walking where He walked,
You're treading Holy Ground!
fcc
Text: Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Introduction: Meaning of 'marks' - stigma - a brand. When a person accepts Christ he is immediately marked as God's property.
I. The mark of a changed heart.
A. The heart as the seat of man's affection is the place of the beginning and completion of man's regeneration.
1.The Word searches it.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
2. Man's heart is changed at salvation.
Ezek 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Ezek 11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezek 11:21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
3. Walking and fellowshipping with Christ affects one's heart.
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
II. The Watermark of Baptism.
The authenticity of a watermark can be determined by holding it up to the light. Let the light of the Word test YOUR baptism.
Mat 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
III. The shoulder marks of service. [The callus on the shoulders of a plow horse.]
A. Take my yoke.
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.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
IV. The knee marks of the prayer life.
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
V. The mark of God's love in us.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
VI. The mark of a dedicated servant, the pierced ears.
Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Exo 21:5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
Exo 21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.
VII. The footprints of a Christian. Where will yours lead?
YOU"RE TREADING HOLY GROUND
The way was steep and rocky.
There were pitfalls all around.
The Lord said,"Take your shoes off,
You're treading Holy ground."
"But, Lord, You can't be serious!
I need them for protection,
Satan’s snares are all around;
I could stumble into subjection.
Stones and thorns and clever traps
Surround me everywhere.
I'm sure I'd be defeated soon
If my feet were bare."
"Just trust me, child, take off your shoes,
The path is clearly marked,
Your savior blazed this trail for you
Long ere you embarked.
Then I laid aside my heavy shoes
And the path beneath my feet
Instead of feeling rocky
Felt soft and warm, and somehow sweet!
Looking down, I saw the answer,
For, right there, where I stood,
I saw the savior's footprints,
Each, outlined with his blood!
If your path is hard to travel,
Filled with pitfalls, thorns and snares
And your burdens seem too heavy
With toilsome pains and cares'
Then loose your shoes and place your feet
Where His footprints are found.
You'll find that walking where He walked,
You're treading Holy Ground!
fcc
IF YOU WANT TO CLIMB MOUNTAINS, WHY ARE YOU GOING DOWNHILL?
Song: Each Step I Take.
Lesson Texts:Ecc.1:3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
Ecc.2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Ecc.12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Introduction: Many things trigger the thought process which leads to sermons,
It may be a statement overheard, which illustrates the attitude of most of the world. It could be an observation of acts, facts or conditions.
This message stems from all of these.
1. Concerning young people being allured by the world.
2.A 'flower child' of the 60's stating she had been driven by facts and logic to accept the long-rejected moral standards of her mother.
3.The fact that many of God's professed people are searching, some quite aimlessly, with no concept of the object of their search.
4. The ACTIONS of many Christians which state , loudly and clearly, that their Christian experience is ineffective in giving purpose and direction and in changing their lives.
5. The condition of aimless, joyless, powerless 'spectator Christians'. These simply look on and perhaps 'wish I could do that', but never seem to get the ambition to begin! [Sometimes they even approach the task with the same determination many dieters seem to have. 'Someday I'll lose weight.', 'I'll break it just this once' etc
I. The Analogy of the Christian journey [Pilgrims Progress.]
Between the cross and the judgment seat of Christ, there are snares, blessings, traps, side roads, dead ends, trials and opportunities..
A. Without a clear view that the ultimate goal is the 'well done' of our Master, the journey itself becomes pointless. We might as well be saved and go home!
B. To become obsessed with self-accomplishments makes the evasion of pitfalls, the gaining of blessings, etc. the ultimate goal and we lose sight of Christ.
The Pilgrim's purpose was NOT to simply evade 'Vanity Fair'. He steered clear of the place because he had a clear view of the heavenly city!
II. Our Goal as stated in the Scripture. [Until you set your sights on this, all intermediate activity is an exercise in futility, however hard you may labor at it.]
["I've tried so hard, but they----"]
A. Have you done this?
He.12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
B. Or this?
Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark [scopos- an object or a goal set up in the distance, toward which a person races.] for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15.Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
First proposition; Will you make THIS your goal in life? The Bible makes no room for any other.
III, The Journey toward that goal.
However bright and clear the goal it cannot be reached except by following the course laid out. We MUST have a determination to press toward the mark.
A. Avoid the pitfalls.
1.Escaping from the lion.
I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
In whatever endeavor you find yourself, you must ask, 'Is this God's will for me?" If it isn't, Satan will use it to destroy you!
B. The snare of making GAIN your goal.
I Tim.6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
C. The trap of youthful lusts. [These can trap you even in your old age!]
II Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
D. The briar patch entanglement of foolish questions. Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. [How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?]
E.The short-sightedness of making intermediate blessings the final goal.
Phil.3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Israel didn't want to leave the wells of Elim. Two and one half tribes chose to remain on the wrong side of Jordan, but had to fight the battles anyway! Application? You WILL have tribulation. Whether because of Christ or BY Christ, it's up to you!
Propositions:
Adults - Young people aren't getting proper guidance if you are drifting.
All - Will you commit yourself to faithfully following the path of Christ to the proper goal? Steer clear of snares. Escape them when caught. Not long for past blessings but reach out for new ones.
Lost; Will you place yourself at the starting point of the journey? The Cross.
Lesson Texts:Ecc.1:3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
Ecc.2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Ecc.12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Introduction: Many things trigger the thought process which leads to sermons,
It may be a statement overheard, which illustrates the attitude of most of the world. It could be an observation of acts, facts or conditions.
This message stems from all of these.
1. Concerning young people being allured by the world.
2.A 'flower child' of the 60's stating she had been driven by facts and logic to accept the long-rejected moral standards of her mother.
3.The fact that many of God's professed people are searching, some quite aimlessly, with no concept of the object of their search.
4. The ACTIONS of many Christians which state , loudly and clearly, that their Christian experience is ineffective in giving purpose and direction and in changing their lives.
5. The condition of aimless, joyless, powerless 'spectator Christians'. These simply look on and perhaps 'wish I could do that', but never seem to get the ambition to begin! [Sometimes they even approach the task with the same determination many dieters seem to have. 'Someday I'll lose weight.', 'I'll break it just this once' etc
I. The Analogy of the Christian journey [Pilgrims Progress.]
Between the cross and the judgment seat of Christ, there are snares, blessings, traps, side roads, dead ends, trials and opportunities..
A. Without a clear view that the ultimate goal is the 'well done' of our Master, the journey itself becomes pointless. We might as well be saved and go home!
B. To become obsessed with self-accomplishments makes the evasion of pitfalls, the gaining of blessings, etc. the ultimate goal and we lose sight of Christ.
The Pilgrim's purpose was NOT to simply evade 'Vanity Fair'. He steered clear of the place because he had a clear view of the heavenly city!
II. Our Goal as stated in the Scripture. [Until you set your sights on this, all intermediate activity is an exercise in futility, however hard you may labor at it.]
["I've tried so hard, but they----"]
A. Have you done this?
He.12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
B. Or this?
Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark [scopos- an object or a goal set up in the distance, toward which a person races.] for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15.Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
First proposition; Will you make THIS your goal in life? The Bible makes no room for any other.
III, The Journey toward that goal.
However bright and clear the goal it cannot be reached except by following the course laid out. We MUST have a determination to press toward the mark.
A. Avoid the pitfalls.
1.Escaping from the lion.
I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
In whatever endeavor you find yourself, you must ask, 'Is this God's will for me?" If it isn't, Satan will use it to destroy you!
B. The snare of making GAIN your goal.
I Tim.6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
C. The trap of youthful lusts. [These can trap you even in your old age!]
II Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
D. The briar patch entanglement of foolish questions. Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. [How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?]
E.The short-sightedness of making intermediate blessings the final goal.
Phil.3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Israel didn't want to leave the wells of Elim. Two and one half tribes chose to remain on the wrong side of Jordan, but had to fight the battles anyway! Application? You WILL have tribulation. Whether because of Christ or BY Christ, it's up to you!
Propositions:
Adults - Young people aren't getting proper guidance if you are drifting.
All - Will you commit yourself to faithfully following the path of Christ to the proper goal? Steer clear of snares. Escape them when caught. Not long for past blessings but reach out for new ones.
Lost; Will you place yourself at the starting point of the journey? The Cross.
CASUAL CONTACTS WITH CHRIST IN AN EMOTIONAL WORLD
Text: Luke 7:31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
& 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Intro: The world says,"play our game, get excited about OUR activities. We'll let you take Christ along for the ride."
I The world's concept of Christianity is nothing for US to get excited about.
A. A socialistic religion; save the redwoods; save our beaches; save the birds; save the environment; save the criminals and addicts and kill the babies; march in this protest; picket this store; get involved in politics but keep religion out of it; mix up the races but preserve the ethnic heritages; etc. etc.
B. Nor do we need to be caught up in ritualistic religion.
1. Keepers of the Law have nothing for us to get excited about.
2. Observation of times, seasons, forms and ceremonies are not for us.
C.False emotional experiences are not for us,
Reject the 'turn on to Christ' philosophy. It implies that one can be beside himself with rapturous emotion but the true joy of Christ is rational, logical and can be explained to others.
II Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1. Have a ready answer.
I Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
2. Access true wisdom.
I Cor.1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
3.Paul had an air of joyful confidence that, no doubt, affected others but his reasoning with the scriptures, with confidence, won them.
II Tim.1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
II. A real and personal contact with Christ is an emotional experience because of what it means.
"It makes me feel good!" is not the reason for seeking his will, It is the result of finding and doing it.
A. It meant something to the woman of our lesson because of her condition without him. A sinner... Do you really know what you are without Christ?
B.Because of what he could do for HER. A very personal reason.. Christ as the savior of the world caused the angels to sing his praises, but it was Christ, as a personal savior, that caused the Samaritan woman to forget her waterpot, and this woman to go in peace. A potential savior is wonderful theology, but only a personal experience of a personal Christ can make the heart to rejoice.
C.Even in the absence of his PERSON we can still get excited about;
1.His Word. for he is ever alive in it.
2. His Church. It is his body and he loved it and gave himself for it. Those who would destroy or forsake it have no real love for Christ!. Like a woman who hastens to get rid of her husbands prize possessions.
3. His promises. "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Let us not be as the Pharisee --
III "I will come again and receive you unto myself."
A. No water for his feet. Is it nothing to you that the Son of God walked in the paths of men?
B. No oil for his head. Is it nothing to you that the head which shall wear the crown of King of kings wore a crown of thorns?
C. No kiss. Is all his great love worth nothing to you?
D. This man's needs and opportunities were just as great, yet he had no forgiveness, hence no happiness.I
32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
& 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Intro: The world says,"play our game, get excited about OUR activities. We'll let you take Christ along for the ride."
I The world's concept of Christianity is nothing for US to get excited about.
A. A socialistic religion; save the redwoods; save our beaches; save the birds; save the environment; save the criminals and addicts and kill the babies; march in this protest; picket this store; get involved in politics but keep religion out of it; mix up the races but preserve the ethnic heritages; etc. etc.
B. Nor do we need to be caught up in ritualistic religion.
1. Keepers of the Law have nothing for us to get excited about.
2. Observation of times, seasons, forms and ceremonies are not for us.
C.False emotional experiences are not for us,
Reject the 'turn on to Christ' philosophy. It implies that one can be beside himself with rapturous emotion but the true joy of Christ is rational, logical and can be explained to others.
II Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1. Have a ready answer.
I Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
2. Access true wisdom.
I Cor.1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
3.Paul had an air of joyful confidence that, no doubt, affected others but his reasoning with the scriptures, with confidence, won them.
II Tim.1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
II. A real and personal contact with Christ is an emotional experience because of what it means.
"It makes me feel good!" is not the reason for seeking his will, It is the result of finding and doing it.
A. It meant something to the woman of our lesson because of her condition without him. A sinner... Do you really know what you are without Christ?
B.Because of what he could do for HER. A very personal reason.. Christ as the savior of the world caused the angels to sing his praises, but it was Christ, as a personal savior, that caused the Samaritan woman to forget her waterpot, and this woman to go in peace. A potential savior is wonderful theology, but only a personal experience of a personal Christ can make the heart to rejoice.
C.Even in the absence of his PERSON we can still get excited about;
1.His Word. for he is ever alive in it.
2. His Church. It is his body and he loved it and gave himself for it. Those who would destroy or forsake it have no real love for Christ!. Like a woman who hastens to get rid of her husbands prize possessions.
3. His promises. "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Let us not be as the Pharisee --
III "I will come again and receive you unto myself."
A. No water for his feet. Is it nothing to you that the Son of God walked in the paths of men?
B. No oil for his head. Is it nothing to you that the head which shall wear the crown of King of kings wore a crown of thorns?
C. No kiss. Is all his great love worth nothing to you?
D. This man's needs and opportunities were just as great, yet he had no forgiveness, hence no happiness.I
BROKEN CISTERNS OR LIVING WATER?
Text: Jer 2:13 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.
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Intro: Jeremiah had a most difficult job. He witnessed to a disobedient people who hated him and his message. They even blamed the messenger for the evils their own disobedience brought upon them. They chose to believe the false prophets who tickled their ears with falsehoods.
Why are men constantly searching? Why are God's people so dissatisfied?
Why are churches so disspirited? Why is society disrupted? Perhaps God has the answer in our text.
I. The Broken Cisterns. It is bad enough to have to drink stale water filled with wiggle-tails and scum, but it is worse yet to find that the cistern has emptied itself!
A. The broken cistern is a promise that cannot fulfill its expectations.. Man's carnal nature is such a broken cistern.
1. False teachers.
Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
False religion always appeals to the carnal nature of man. Healing, excitement, social events, salvation by works, ritualism.
2. Those things man seeks as 'fulfillment' The vanities of Ecc.
3. The promise of pleasure without cost is a broken cistern.
4. Church- hopping Christians who look for something which will please them are trying to drink from a broken cistern. Better to simply seek His will!
5. Many seek the wrong thing from God's service and are left wanting.
Peace is not to be found in searching but in submitting!
II. The Living Water available.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
On the last day of the feast they were going through an empty ritual which was but a broken cistern!
A. This water satisfies the one who has it. There is no satisfaction for the spirit in that which appeals to the flesh.
1. Out of his belly. This satisfaction doesn't depend on the preacher, the song service or the attitude of others. It comes from within the individual.
2. To enjoy spiritual things one must BE spiritual.
For this one MUST be born again.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
3. Jesus was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
THEREFORE;
1 Pet 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1 Pet 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
4. To drink deeply of the living waters, one must crucify the flesh--and realize that we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God.
B. Through this water, we too can experience the contentment of Paul and the peace of which Christ spoke.
C This will make us to become a blessing to those about us. Are you one?
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Intro: Jeremiah had a most difficult job. He witnessed to a disobedient people who hated him and his message. They even blamed the messenger for the evils their own disobedience brought upon them. They chose to believe the false prophets who tickled their ears with falsehoods.
Why are men constantly searching? Why are God's people so dissatisfied?
Why are churches so disspirited? Why is society disrupted? Perhaps God has the answer in our text.
I. The Broken Cisterns. It is bad enough to have to drink stale water filled with wiggle-tails and scum, but it is worse yet to find that the cistern has emptied itself!
A. The broken cistern is a promise that cannot fulfill its expectations.. Man's carnal nature is such a broken cistern.
1. False teachers.
Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
False religion always appeals to the carnal nature of man. Healing, excitement, social events, salvation by works, ritualism.
2. Those things man seeks as 'fulfillment' The vanities of Ecc.
3. The promise of pleasure without cost is a broken cistern.
4. Church- hopping Christians who look for something which will please them are trying to drink from a broken cistern. Better to simply seek His will!
5. Many seek the wrong thing from God's service and are left wanting.
Peace is not to be found in searching but in submitting!
II. The Living Water available.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
On the last day of the feast they were going through an empty ritual which was but a broken cistern!
A. This water satisfies the one who has it. There is no satisfaction for the spirit in that which appeals to the flesh.
1. Out of his belly. This satisfaction doesn't depend on the preacher, the song service or the attitude of others. It comes from within the individual.
2. To enjoy spiritual things one must BE spiritual.
For this one MUST be born again.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
3. Jesus was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
THEREFORE;
1 Pet 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1 Pet 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
4. To drink deeply of the living waters, one must crucify the flesh--and realize that we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God.
B. Through this water, we too can experience the contentment of Paul and the peace of which Christ spoke.
C This will make us to become a blessing to those about us. Are you one?
OF HUMAN BONDAGE
OF HUMAN BONDAGE
Text: Isa.50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
Intro: The devil is like a pawn broker - he claims all the unredeemed goods.
I. Humanity has been sold!
A. As nations, humanity has been sold out to sin.
Psa.9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
B.As individuals, men are sold.
Rom.7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
C.Satan has made his bids and millions accept his offer.
1.Whosoever committeth--
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
2. ALL have sinned.
Rom.3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
3. Even those who deny being sinners are slaves!
I Jno 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
D.Check out Satan's bids!
1.A care free life. His advice to the prodigal son was ."don't worry! Be happy!' This led him and millions of others into satan's hog pens!
2.'A chance to get ahead in the world' What does this mean? If the whole world stands condemned without Christ, what is the eternal advantage? 'The Top Banana is still just one of the bunch.' His worldly position and a billion dollars could not have bought the rich man one drop of water in hell.
3.Fleshly desires satisfied.
[Illus. the poster showing the beautiful woman and white-tied man with fancy car before a mansion, advertising some liquor. They don't show the beggar in the gutter, begging for enough money to buy another bottle) Satan is not bound by 'truth in advertising laws either. Jails. hospitals, and cemeteries are filled with those who accepted satan's bid and hell's population is increased.
II. God's purchased possessions;
A. Redeemed without money!
I Peter:1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
B. The price paid, tells the value of the goods to the buyer.
1.Our testimony is precious,
Prov.20;15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
2. Our souls are costly.
Psa..49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
3.Our afflictions are precious.
Psa.72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
Psa.56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
4. Our fellowship is rare.
Psa.133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
5.Our passing from this life to the next is cherished.
Psa.116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
B. What our redemption means to us.
1.That we should glorify God in body and soul.
I Cor.6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
2.That we are FREE to serve God!
I Cor.7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
a. Our bondage to Christ must be a WILLING service.
Deut.15:16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
17 Then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
b.David Identified himself with Christ this way.
Psa. 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
c.This is in imitation of Christ who became our servant by identifying himself with man.
Isa.50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
d.Paul bore the mark of being the Lord's servant.
Gal.2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal.6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
e. We must do the same..
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Rom.6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
III. The final question -- Whose servant are you?
Mat.6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Text: Isa.50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
Intro: The devil is like a pawn broker - he claims all the unredeemed goods.
I. Humanity has been sold!
A. As nations, humanity has been sold out to sin.
Psa.9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
B.As individuals, men are sold.
Rom.7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
C.Satan has made his bids and millions accept his offer.
1.Whosoever committeth--
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
2. ALL have sinned.
Rom.3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
3. Even those who deny being sinners are slaves!
I Jno 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
D.Check out Satan's bids!
1.A care free life. His advice to the prodigal son was ."don't worry! Be happy!' This led him and millions of others into satan's hog pens!
2.'A chance to get ahead in the world' What does this mean? If the whole world stands condemned without Christ, what is the eternal advantage? 'The Top Banana is still just one of the bunch.' His worldly position and a billion dollars could not have bought the rich man one drop of water in hell.
3.Fleshly desires satisfied.
[Illus. the poster showing the beautiful woman and white-tied man with fancy car before a mansion, advertising some liquor. They don't show the beggar in the gutter, begging for enough money to buy another bottle) Satan is not bound by 'truth in advertising laws either. Jails. hospitals, and cemeteries are filled with those who accepted satan's bid and hell's population is increased.
II. God's purchased possessions;
A. Redeemed without money!
I Peter:1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
B. The price paid, tells the value of the goods to the buyer.
1.Our testimony is precious,
Prov.20;15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
2. Our souls are costly.
Psa..49:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
3.Our afflictions are precious.
Psa.72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
Psa.56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
4. Our fellowship is rare.
Psa.133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
5.Our passing from this life to the next is cherished.
Psa.116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
B. What our redemption means to us.
1.That we should glorify God in body and soul.
I Cor.6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
2.That we are FREE to serve God!
I Cor.7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
a. Our bondage to Christ must be a WILLING service.
Deut.15:16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
17 Then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
b.David Identified himself with Christ this way.
Psa. 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
c.This is in imitation of Christ who became our servant by identifying himself with man.
Isa.50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
d.Paul bore the mark of being the Lord's servant.
Gal.2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal.6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
e. We must do the same..
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Rom.6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
III. The final question -- Whose servant are you?
Mat.6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
IT'S GETTING CLOSER
Text: Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Intro: This is the second of two reasons Paul gives for us to serve God;
1.Because Love is the fulfilling of the Law.
2. Because we are getting nearer to our time of gathering together unto Him.
Let us divide the text into three thoughts and a conclusion.
I. First Thought; God isn't through with us yet.
A. Salvation from the penalty of sin comes at the time of believing.
B. Salvation from the power of sin comes through the sanctification of our daily commitment.
Luke 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.
C. Salvation from the presence of sin will come with our glorification..
There is something great ahead for us!
1. Hope of salvation.
1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
2.Now we are kept by the power of God.
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
II. Second thought; Urgency of the relentless passing of time..
A. Only once has time actually stood still. Question: Do you think God would have caused this to occur while Israel dallied with the enemy?
B. If you would learn the value of time, don't inquire of a youth. AsK at the death bed of one dying of old age.
C. Methuselah lived longer that any other man. and yet it is said of him as it is for the infant son of David, 'He died'.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
Job 7:7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
III. Third Thought; The surety of the completed work.
Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
A. This gives meaning to our having believed and makes all our present suffering worthwhile.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Cor 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
B. Without this assurance we would have reason to be miserable.
1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
C. We WILL be glorified!
Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
IV. Conclusion;
Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
A. God has taken care of the past through the sacrifice of His Son. He has taken care of the future through the promises of His Word. The present is yours. What will you do with it?
1. Salvation is a glorious experience when we get our will out of the way and let God take control.
2. Our final redemption will be glorious when God exercises his power on those who have believed.
3.Your present life can also be glorious by the same power!.
Therefore;
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Consider this folly; Dreading to throw away life all at once but thinking nothing of throwing it away piece by piece!
Intro: This is the second of two reasons Paul gives for us to serve God;
1.Because Love is the fulfilling of the Law.
2. Because we are getting nearer to our time of gathering together unto Him.
Let us divide the text into three thoughts and a conclusion.
I. First Thought; God isn't through with us yet.
A. Salvation from the penalty of sin comes at the time of believing.
B. Salvation from the power of sin comes through the sanctification of our daily commitment.
Luke 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.
C. Salvation from the presence of sin will come with our glorification..
There is something great ahead for us!
1. Hope of salvation.
1 Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
2.Now we are kept by the power of God.
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
II. Second thought; Urgency of the relentless passing of time..
A. Only once has time actually stood still. Question: Do you think God would have caused this to occur while Israel dallied with the enemy?
B. If you would learn the value of time, don't inquire of a youth. AsK at the death bed of one dying of old age.
C. Methuselah lived longer that any other man. and yet it is said of him as it is for the infant son of David, 'He died'.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
Job 7:7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
III. Third Thought; The surety of the completed work.
Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
A. This gives meaning to our having believed and makes all our present suffering worthwhile.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Cor 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
B. Without this assurance we would have reason to be miserable.
1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
C. We WILL be glorified!
Phil 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
IV. Conclusion;
Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
A. God has taken care of the past through the sacrifice of His Son. He has taken care of the future through the promises of His Word. The present is yours. What will you do with it?
1. Salvation is a glorious experience when we get our will out of the way and let God take control.
2. Our final redemption will be glorious when God exercises his power on those who have believed.
3.Your present life can also be glorious by the same power!.
Therefore;
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Consider this folly; Dreading to throw away life all at once but thinking nothing of throwing it away piece by piece!
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