EXPOSITORY: ACTS 27
Introduction: Let us not look at this account of the shipwreck as a story in the life of Paul or even as an unusual example of God's Providence, but as an allegory of life. It is an almost perfect outline of the life of multitudes!
I. The inspired warning is disregarded.
Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
Acts 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
A. Except ye repent --
B. How many times is the Gospel message brushed aside.
C. Providential warnings of near death or disaster are soon forgotten.
II. They accepted the conclusions and the advice of the worldly.
Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
A. Most any kind of sophistry or blind reasoning is preferred over the Word of God. Man's twisted reasoning convinces him that it is degrading to acknowledge God, but it is somehow uplifting to think of himself as an animal with no eternal destiny!
III. Seeking the worldly haven of security and comfort.
Acts 27:12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
A. A cocoon of make believe is no substitute for the security found in Christ.
B. Men will go to almost any length to find social or economic well-being and security but have no thought of God.
IV. Deceived by the seductive 'South wind' of hedonism.
Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
A. The world still hears the soothing,'Thou shalt not surely die--' of Satan
B.Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luke 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
C. The 'Now Generation' says, grab it all.
V. The sure 'Euroclydon' of trial and temptation.
Acts 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
A. The law of seed time and harvest is sure.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
VI. There are some irresistible evils sent upon the disobedient.
Acts 27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
Nebuchudnezzar, the prodigal son, human derelicts, broken homes, broken lives, broken health, broken hearts. Defiance of God WILL bring about the wages of sin!.
VII. Resorting to worldly helps and expedients.
Acts 27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
Acts 27:17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven.
A. Where can a man find comfort and help when caught in the squeeze of sins effects?
VIII. Willing to sacrifice everything to try to save one's life.
Acts 27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
Acts 27:19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
A. What will a man give in exchange for his soul?
B. Many who couldn't find a few minutes for God, have spent years in jails and sick-beds.
C. Some who couldn't conquer pride to walk the aisle for Christ have walked the streets in total despair.
D. Many who couldn't afford a dollar for the cause of Christ have seen their fortunes fade away overnight.
E. How much of his great wealth would the rich man in Luke 16, have given for that one drop of water?
IX. Compelled to give up in despair.
Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
A. This is the point to which all must come. The choice now, To surrender to Christ or to hopelessness.
X. In man's despair is God's opportunity.
Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
Acts 27:22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Acts 27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
A. When man has exhausted every possibility, God is only beginning!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
WHO STRUCK CHRIST?
Have you ever read the account in the gospels of the trial and crucifixion of Christ and tried to actually picture it in your mind as if you were really there? Luke tells us of something that happened on that occasion that we ought to consider.
In Luke 22:63-65 "And the men that held Jesus mocked him and smote him. and when they had blindfolded him they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him."
Doesn't it make shivers run up your spine to think of this scene in the house of the high priest? It was here in the home of a religious leader that Christ received his most shameful treatment! They seemed not to realize that they abused their only hope of eternal life! There was none left to defend him or even to sympathize with him. Peter was the last of the disciples to leave, but now even he is gone out into the dark before the dawn, to pour out his bitter tears for having denied the one he had vowed to follow even to death.
Christ has truly placed himself into the hands of wicked men! The prophecy of Isaiah is becoming only too real. Isa. 50:6 "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."
Consider how absurd are these, who think that a cloth around his eyes will hide their actions from Him who knows even the thoughts of their hearts! How typical is this of the whole human race! This folly began with Adam as he tried to cover his own sin and shame with the fig leaves. Adam and Eve were unable to even hide their shame from themselves.
Cain slew his brother and hid him in the earth, but God said "The blood of your brother Abel crieth to me from the ground!
Aachan was a man in Israel who thought that to hide his sin from the eyes of man was to hide it also from God. It nevertheless brought defeat to Israel in battle and death to himself and his family! In the early Church we have a record of a man and wife that tried to hide something from God, but He made it known and they suffered the consequences! Men still think that to do something in secret is to fool God.
The men who held Jesus covered the eyes of the Lord; but he knew. He knew not only those who struck his face and those who spat upon him, but even those who stood by and watched! After all, here is one who knows even the thoughts of the heart! In the sixth chapter of Luke we see him confounding the Pharisees with a question, because as it is stated in the eighth verse, "But he knew their thoughts!"
As he sat at meat in the house of Simon the Pharisee, Luke records that Simon spake within himself, (Lu7:39) and immediately we are told in (v. 40) Jesus answered him!
Here is one who knew Nathaniel before he ever approached him and had even seen him as he rested under a fig tree a great distance away.
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
Mark tells us of the woman with an issue of blood who only touched the hem of his garment, and IMMEDIATELY he knew it!
Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
Mark 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
Yes, He knew the hand that struck each blow and the mouth from which each blasphemous word came, and it is still true today that he knows all about us. He has warned us in Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Is there one alive today who would join in such cruel activities and foolish actions as those in which they engaged on that night? We like to think that in our times. such things wouldn't happen, but Christ IS still being slapped and scorned by sinful men!
A life of rejecting Christ as Saviour is as a blow to his cheek! Remember Isaiah tells us he was "bruised for our iniquities" Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed..
Paul said he died for OUR sins. Though you might be so very tender-hearted and gentle that the thought of participating in the beating of Christ is an abomination to you, yet the rejection of such a love as his is an act of cruelty. They only did it because they didn't want him as saviour and king. Man still rejects him and grieves the Holy Spirit for the same reason. Don't add your scorn to the blasphemers of that day, but rather accept him and the life that he offers you.
To accept Christ as saviour but then refuse to follow is an insult to him who died for you. Yet there are those who claim that they have been saved but who will not serve him. These fine folks wouldn't think of saying a cross word about Christ, they would shrink back in horror from the suggestion that they join those who scorned and spit upon him, and yet their lives tell the world, `He died for me, but I don't think he's worth living for!'
If you have ever professed Christ as your saviour then why not separate yourself for all time from those who hate him. Show the world that the one who thought you worth dying for, is worth your living for!
There was a man who was a laborer with Paul named Demas who was worthy to be mentioned, as Paul wrote the letter to the Colossian Church (Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.). Later, however, Paul wrote concerning him, to his everlasting shame, 2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;
He was as those in Galatia, to whom Paul wrote in Gal. 4:9, "but now, after that ye have known God, or rather, are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"
This is the kind of individual about whom the Lord spoke in Luke 9:62, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Little do these people realize the insult to the Lord when they say, "Oh, I used to serve him, but I quit!" This is to say to him, I've tried walking with you, but I would rather have the world! How sad to see one who starts out with such joy and promise in the Lord's service, to falter and turn away. There are many in the world today who aren't happy and don't know why. Maybe it's because you've been looking for happiness in the wrong place!
AWAY VILE HAND
Shall I turn again and shake the hand
of the fiend who drove the nails,
and have the hand that plucked his beard
laid in friendship on my shoulders?
When the devil and his crowd assails
the cross, where will I stand?
Beside the saints who never feared;
Or with men whose hatred smolders?
To turn my back on him, my Lord
and bow to sin's dread reign
is but to join the ones who mocked
and lift the sponge with bitter gall
that adds new sorrow to his pain.
He died for sin's vast captive horde
that heaven's gates might be unlocked!
Away, Vile Hand! He loved me more that all!
fcc
Will you take your stand for Christ today? If your are lost you need only come repenting of your sins and receive the free pardon he offers you. If you have been saved but haven't started your life of service, or you started out but fell by the wayside, will you say even now, "I'll not strike a blow to his cheek nor will I stand any longer with those who do, but I'll live for him who died for me!
In Luke 22:63-65 "And the men that held Jesus mocked him and smote him. and when they had blindfolded him they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him."
Doesn't it make shivers run up your spine to think of this scene in the house of the high priest? It was here in the home of a religious leader that Christ received his most shameful treatment! They seemed not to realize that they abused their only hope of eternal life! There was none left to defend him or even to sympathize with him. Peter was the last of the disciples to leave, but now even he is gone out into the dark before the dawn, to pour out his bitter tears for having denied the one he had vowed to follow even to death.
Christ has truly placed himself into the hands of wicked men! The prophecy of Isaiah is becoming only too real. Isa. 50:6 "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."
Consider how absurd are these, who think that a cloth around his eyes will hide their actions from Him who knows even the thoughts of their hearts! How typical is this of the whole human race! This folly began with Adam as he tried to cover his own sin and shame with the fig leaves. Adam and Eve were unable to even hide their shame from themselves.
Cain slew his brother and hid him in the earth, but God said "The blood of your brother Abel crieth to me from the ground!
Aachan was a man in Israel who thought that to hide his sin from the eyes of man was to hide it also from God. It nevertheless brought defeat to Israel in battle and death to himself and his family! In the early Church we have a record of a man and wife that tried to hide something from God, but He made it known and they suffered the consequences! Men still think that to do something in secret is to fool God.
The men who held Jesus covered the eyes of the Lord; but he knew. He knew not only those who struck his face and those who spat upon him, but even those who stood by and watched! After all, here is one who knows even the thoughts of the heart! In the sixth chapter of Luke we see him confounding the Pharisees with a question, because as it is stated in the eighth verse, "But he knew their thoughts!"
As he sat at meat in the house of Simon the Pharisee, Luke records that Simon spake within himself, (Lu7:39) and immediately we are told in (v. 40) Jesus answered him!
Here is one who knew Nathaniel before he ever approached him and had even seen him as he rested under a fig tree a great distance away.
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
Mark tells us of the woman with an issue of blood who only touched the hem of his garment, and IMMEDIATELY he knew it!
Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
Mark 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
Yes, He knew the hand that struck each blow and the mouth from which each blasphemous word came, and it is still true today that he knows all about us. He has warned us in Num 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Is there one alive today who would join in such cruel activities and foolish actions as those in which they engaged on that night? We like to think that in our times. such things wouldn't happen, but Christ IS still being slapped and scorned by sinful men!
A life of rejecting Christ as Saviour is as a blow to his cheek! Remember Isaiah tells us he was "bruised for our iniquities" Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed..
Paul said he died for OUR sins. Though you might be so very tender-hearted and gentle that the thought of participating in the beating of Christ is an abomination to you, yet the rejection of such a love as his is an act of cruelty. They only did it because they didn't want him as saviour and king. Man still rejects him and grieves the Holy Spirit for the same reason. Don't add your scorn to the blasphemers of that day, but rather accept him and the life that he offers you.
To accept Christ as saviour but then refuse to follow is an insult to him who died for you. Yet there are those who claim that they have been saved but who will not serve him. These fine folks wouldn't think of saying a cross word about Christ, they would shrink back in horror from the suggestion that they join those who scorned and spit upon him, and yet their lives tell the world, `He died for me, but I don't think he's worth living for!'
If you have ever professed Christ as your saviour then why not separate yourself for all time from those who hate him. Show the world that the one who thought you worth dying for, is worth your living for!
There was a man who was a laborer with Paul named Demas who was worthy to be mentioned, as Paul wrote the letter to the Colossian Church (Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.). Later, however, Paul wrote concerning him, to his everlasting shame, 2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;
He was as those in Galatia, to whom Paul wrote in Gal. 4:9, "but now, after that ye have known God, or rather, are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"
This is the kind of individual about whom the Lord spoke in Luke 9:62, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Little do these people realize the insult to the Lord when they say, "Oh, I used to serve him, but I quit!" This is to say to him, I've tried walking with you, but I would rather have the world! How sad to see one who starts out with such joy and promise in the Lord's service, to falter and turn away. There are many in the world today who aren't happy and don't know why. Maybe it's because you've been looking for happiness in the wrong place!
AWAY VILE HAND
Shall I turn again and shake the hand
of the fiend who drove the nails,
and have the hand that plucked his beard
laid in friendship on my shoulders?
When the devil and his crowd assails
the cross, where will I stand?
Beside the saints who never feared;
Or with men whose hatred smolders?
To turn my back on him, my Lord
and bow to sin's dread reign
is but to join the ones who mocked
and lift the sponge with bitter gall
that adds new sorrow to his pain.
He died for sin's vast captive horde
that heaven's gates might be unlocked!
Away, Vile Hand! He loved me more that all!
fcc
Will you take your stand for Christ today? If your are lost you need only come repenting of your sins and receive the free pardon he offers you. If you have been saved but haven't started your life of service, or you started out but fell by the wayside, will you say even now, "I'll not strike a blow to his cheek nor will I stand any longer with those who do, but I'll live for him who died for me!
EMMAUS ROAD SYNDROME AND ITS CURE
EMMAUS ROAD SYNDROME AND ITS CURE
Lesson: Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Luke 24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
Luke 24:15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
Luke 24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
Luke 24:17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Luke 24:18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
Luke 24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Luke 24:22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
Luke 24:23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
Luke 24:24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luke 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
Luke 24:29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luke 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
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?
Luke 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Luke 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Text: Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
Introduction: On this occasion the disciples were suffering from a shortcoming which is common to most of us in some degree, at many points in our lives.
The psychologist might call it egocentrism. Piaget's theory expresses it thus, 'The inability of a person to take the perceptual frame of reference of another person.' The philosopher, on the other hand might say this is an ethical egoist. "The goal of a person's actions should be his own self interest. The promotion of whatever is to his own long term advantage should be the end at which he aims.
The dictionary states, 'the ego-centrist relates everything to himself' We simply refer to it as being self-centered. To keep things in proper perspective, some self-interest is good and even essential to our survival and well-being:
1. IN conviction, one must see HIMSELF as the sinner. Seeing mankind as depraved is not enough.
2. Christ must be seen as a PERSONAL savior and not the general savior of the human race.
3 In our daily spiritual needs. 'Not my brother. nor my sister, but it's ME. oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer"!
I. The problem: self-centered Christian lives. NONE ARE IMMUNE FROM THIS PLAGUE!
A. Examine our examples;
1. They were saved but unhappy.
2. One of them apparently had a wife more dedicated than he! Cleopas. His wife was one of the Marys at the cross.
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.John there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
They hadn't listened to her testimony. v-22-24 [lesson]
3. Just associating with other Christians is not necessarily the answer. This syndrome seems to feed upon itself.
4. These were in the very presence of Christ and were still unhappy! He is always in our midst but we are not always aware of His presence
II. The most dedicated and powerful servant can fall prey to this evil.
A. Samuel.1 Sam 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
1 Sam 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
B. Moses- took Israel's weaknesses personally and disobeyed God.
C. We perceive every personal injury or trial as the cause for worry or unhappiness in our life. Usually, not one will be caused by a personal shortcoming!
III. The answer to THEIR problem is also the answer to ours!
'WHEN HE OPENED UNTO US THE SCRIPTURES"
A. Psa 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
B. Just searching the Bible isn't enough. It must be applied.
C. An example of opening the scripture and seeing Christ;
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Do you see Christ here as an example? As a helper? As an aide in conquering.? These are NOT what Paul had in mind! The secret was to see Paul IN Christ and Christ thus in-powering him. Another word used for this process is 'infusing'
Illus. The strongest tea leaves make no difference until they infuse the water, or become one with it.
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.
D. When we really experience the 'fellowship of his suffering' [Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;] we will also know the victory of the joy which was set before him.
Heb 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,
Heb 12:2 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.
IV. There are legitimate appeals to the self-conscious Christian. These can touch them emotionally.
A. I'll have a new body!
B. I'll have no more sorrows!
C. I'll have a crown! rewards.
D. I can have the pleasure of winning someone to Christ.
E. Some things can reach them intellectually.
1.I've learned new truths.
2. I've solved some problems through Christ.
V. When Christ becomes all in all to us, we are touched 'spiritually'.
Lesson: Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Luke 24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
Luke 24:15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
Luke 24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
Luke 24:17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Luke 24:18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
Luke 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
Luke 24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Luke 24:22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
Luke 24:23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
Luke 24:24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luke 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
Luke 24:29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luke 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
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?
Luke 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Luke 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Text: Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
Introduction: On this occasion the disciples were suffering from a shortcoming which is common to most of us in some degree, at many points in our lives.
The psychologist might call it egocentrism. Piaget's theory expresses it thus, 'The inability of a person to take the perceptual frame of reference of another person.' The philosopher, on the other hand might say this is an ethical egoist. "The goal of a person's actions should be his own self interest. The promotion of whatever is to his own long term advantage should be the end at which he aims.
The dictionary states, 'the ego-centrist relates everything to himself' We simply refer to it as being self-centered. To keep things in proper perspective, some self-interest is good and even essential to our survival and well-being:
1. IN conviction, one must see HIMSELF as the sinner. Seeing mankind as depraved is not enough.
2. Christ must be seen as a PERSONAL savior and not the general savior of the human race.
3 In our daily spiritual needs. 'Not my brother. nor my sister, but it's ME. oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer"!
I. The problem: self-centered Christian lives. NONE ARE IMMUNE FROM THIS PLAGUE!
A. Examine our examples;
1. They were saved but unhappy.
2. One of them apparently had a wife more dedicated than he! Cleopas. His wife was one of the Marys at the cross.
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.John there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
They hadn't listened to her testimony. v-22-24 [lesson]
3. Just associating with other Christians is not necessarily the answer. This syndrome seems to feed upon itself.
4. These were in the very presence of Christ and were still unhappy! He is always in our midst but we are not always aware of His presence
II. The most dedicated and powerful servant can fall prey to this evil.
A. Samuel.1 Sam 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
1 Sam 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
B. Moses- took Israel's weaknesses personally and disobeyed God.
C. We perceive every personal injury or trial as the cause for worry or unhappiness in our life. Usually, not one will be caused by a personal shortcoming!
III. The answer to THEIR problem is also the answer to ours!
'WHEN HE OPENED UNTO US THE SCRIPTURES"
A. Psa 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
B. Just searching the Bible isn't enough. It must be applied.
C. An example of opening the scripture and seeing Christ;
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Do you see Christ here as an example? As a helper? As an aide in conquering.? These are NOT what Paul had in mind! The secret was to see Paul IN Christ and Christ thus in-powering him. Another word used for this process is 'infusing'
Illus. The strongest tea leaves make no difference until they infuse the water, or become one with it.
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.
D. When we really experience the 'fellowship of his suffering' [Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;] we will also know the victory of the joy which was set before him.
Heb 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,
Heb 12:2 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.
IV. There are legitimate appeals to the self-conscious Christian. These can touch them emotionally.
A. I'll have a new body!
B. I'll have no more sorrows!
C. I'll have a crown! rewards.
D. I can have the pleasure of winning someone to Christ.
E. Some things can reach them intellectually.
1.I've learned new truths.
2. I've solved some problems through Christ.
V. When Christ becomes all in all to us, we are touched 'spiritually'.
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
Text: II Tim.2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Introduction: Contrast between two soldiers; One cowering in defeat and the other standing tall in victory.
I. Consider God's army;
A. Constantly seeking recruits..
Mat.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
B. It is a full time occupation. No room here for week-end soldiers!.
II Tim.2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
C. Must be conscientious
I Tim.1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
D.Must have a dedication of purpose.
Mat.16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat.19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
E. The benefits are good.
II Tim,4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
F. There is no 'early out'!
Ecc.8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
1.There are many deserters. These, alone are the defeated ones in His army.
Mat 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some frll among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
G. The battle we face.
Eph.6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
H. Our Armor.
Eph.6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1.The girdle of Truth.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2.Breastplate of Righteousness .
II Cor.5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3.Gospel of Peace.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
4.Shield of faith (in Christ)
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.
5.Helmet of Salvation. (Through Christ)
II Tim.2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
6.The sword of the Spirit. The Word of God,
I. To Don this armor is to put on Christ. [He is not to be an appendage to your life . He is to BE your life!]
Rom.13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
A. This armor is to overcome the world.
I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
J.Stand. Having done all - stand.! ("Having done all this, stand forth as a conqueror, with pride in a fight, well won")
A. We shall stand with Him in Glory
B. We shall come with Him in the clouds.
K. Christ set the example. He never once retreated even in the face of all hell's forces.
Text: II Tim.2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Introduction: Contrast between two soldiers; One cowering in defeat and the other standing tall in victory.
I. Consider God's army;
A. Constantly seeking recruits..
Mat.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
B. It is a full time occupation. No room here for week-end soldiers!.
II Tim.2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
C. Must be conscientious
I Tim.1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
D.Must have a dedication of purpose.
Mat.16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat.19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
E. The benefits are good.
II Tim,4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
F. There is no 'early out'!
Ecc.8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
1.There are many deserters. These, alone are the defeated ones in His army.
Mat 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some frll among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
G. The battle we face.
Eph.6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
H. Our Armor.
Eph.6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1.The girdle of Truth.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2.Breastplate of Righteousness .
II Cor.5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3.Gospel of Peace.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
4.Shield of faith (in Christ)
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.
5.Helmet of Salvation. (Through Christ)
II Tim.2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
6.The sword of the Spirit. The Word of God,
I. To Don this armor is to put on Christ. [He is not to be an appendage to your life . He is to BE your life!]
Rom.13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
A. This armor is to overcome the world.
I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
J.Stand. Having done all - stand.! ("Having done all this, stand forth as a conqueror, with pride in a fight, well won")
A. We shall stand with Him in Glory
B. We shall come with Him in the clouds.
K. Christ set the example. He never once retreated even in the face of all hell's forces.
THE PROBLEM OF STAYING IN SERVICE
Text John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Intro: Why will some leave the Lord's service? The question is not new. Pauls had to face it,"Demas hath forsaken me." "No man stood by me." He recognized the weakness of mankind when he penned these words,
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2 Th 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
How often have we spoken the wish,"If we could only have kept all those who have gone through our baptistry!"
To face the problem of keeping men in service, we must find out why they leave it. This requires searching for the various motivations people have for entering the service of the Lord in the first place. When one enters the Lord's service for the right reason he will not find so many excuses for leaving it.
I. Why some start to follow Christ. (Some are saved, others are not.)
A. To satisfy the desires of the flesh.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
The need was a real one but not a lasting one.
1.Some turn to the Lord to try to save a faltering marriage.. This might work if one sees himself a sinner before God and truly repents. Otherwise, when the situation changes, the desire to serve God leaves.
2. At a personal crisis in one's life. Fear of death; Facing a jail sentence; loss of a job,\; bankruptcy etc. When health is restored, the charges are dismissed or another job is offered and the bank account begins to grow, then where will Christ be, in the scheme of things?
3. For social contacts. One soon finds these can be had in less demanding organizations.
4. As a showcase for one's talents. "I can do this group a lot of good!" Then a larger stage beckons.
5. The emotional pressure of the moment. 'Summer-time religion. Soon looks for a new 'high' somewhere else.
B. To meet a recognized and deeply felt spiritual need. These are the ones who stick.
1.They see God, not as a crutch or a temporary aide, but as the Holy and Just Creator who is the giver and sustainer of life.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
2.They have not come in pride, bearing gifts to appease Him, but in the abject humility of repentance. (Not only admitting sin but changing their views of it to see it with horror.)
3. They have come, not to put God on trial to see if religion will work, but rather in complete trust and surrender.
4. They have come in complete commitment to Him.
Peter, James and John left their ship, Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Matthew left his tax gatherers table. Luke 5:28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
5.You can't commit your life to Christ and expect 'business as usual'
a. You family life will be changed.
b. You goals in life will change.
c. You might have to find a different job.
d. You may have to give up a lot of friends. (If you can't win them to Christ!)
e. You might have to thin out your wardrobe! (or thicken it up)
f. You will probably have to learn a new way of talking!
6. Yet the cost is small compared to what He has done for us.
2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
II. Commit yourself.
A. Not to the preacher but to Christ.
B. Not to follow christians but to Christ.
C. Not to a certain job within the church but to serve Christ,
D. Not to satisfy some need within yourself but to meet the demands of a righteous God.
He alone is unchanging and when we commit ourselves to Him for His purposes, we will stick and find our needs are met in Him.
Intro: Why will some leave the Lord's service? The question is not new. Pauls had to face it,"Demas hath forsaken me." "No man stood by me." He recognized the weakness of mankind when he penned these words,
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2 Th 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
How often have we spoken the wish,"If we could only have kept all those who have gone through our baptistry!"
To face the problem of keeping men in service, we must find out why they leave it. This requires searching for the various motivations people have for entering the service of the Lord in the first place. When one enters the Lord's service for the right reason he will not find so many excuses for leaving it.
I. Why some start to follow Christ. (Some are saved, others are not.)
A. To satisfy the desires of the flesh.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
The need was a real one but not a lasting one.
1.Some turn to the Lord to try to save a faltering marriage.. This might work if one sees himself a sinner before God and truly repents. Otherwise, when the situation changes, the desire to serve God leaves.
2. At a personal crisis in one's life. Fear of death; Facing a jail sentence; loss of a job,\; bankruptcy etc. When health is restored, the charges are dismissed or another job is offered and the bank account begins to grow, then where will Christ be, in the scheme of things?
3. For social contacts. One soon finds these can be had in less demanding organizations.
4. As a showcase for one's talents. "I can do this group a lot of good!" Then a larger stage beckons.
5. The emotional pressure of the moment. 'Summer-time religion. Soon looks for a new 'high' somewhere else.
B. To meet a recognized and deeply felt spiritual need. These are the ones who stick.
1.They see God, not as a crutch or a temporary aide, but as the Holy and Just Creator who is the giver and sustainer of life.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
2.They have not come in pride, bearing gifts to appease Him, but in the abject humility of repentance. (Not only admitting sin but changing their views of it to see it with horror.)
3. They have come, not to put God on trial to see if religion will work, but rather in complete trust and surrender.
4. They have come in complete commitment to Him.
Peter, James and John left their ship, Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Matthew left his tax gatherers table. Luke 5:28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
5.You can't commit your life to Christ and expect 'business as usual'
a. You family life will be changed.
b. You goals in life will change.
c. You might have to find a different job.
d. You may have to give up a lot of friends. (If you can't win them to Christ!)
e. You might have to thin out your wardrobe! (or thicken it up)
f. You will probably have to learn a new way of talking!
6. Yet the cost is small compared to what He has done for us.
2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
II. Commit yourself.
A. Not to the preacher but to Christ.
B. Not to follow christians but to Christ.
C. Not to a certain job within the church but to serve Christ,
D. Not to satisfy some need within yourself but to meet the demands of a righteous God.
He alone is unchanging and when we commit ourselves to Him for His purposes, we will stick and find our needs are met in Him.
REBELS AGAINST GOD
Lesson and text: Judges17:5 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.
8 And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.
10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.
11 And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.
12 And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.
Introduction: What is right and what is wrong? Whether it be a question of law, morals, learning, business, or social customs, there must be authority if chaos is not to reign!
I. Rebellion in action today.
A. Children against parental authority Result; runaways etc.
B. Parents against parental responsibility; Result: throwaway children.
C. Students bring anarchy to the campus.
D.Riots in the streets for just about any 'cause'.
E. Terrorism by groups ranging from PETA to 'religious' fanatics.
F. Citizens rebelling against lawful authority.
G. Human rebellion at it's worst: Defiance against God.
II Thes.2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
II. Religious rebellion.
A.Those who,"Will not have this man to rule over us", are not confined to Jerusalem of A.D. 33!.
1.Some will rebel against church authority but this is rebellion against Christ for it came from Him.
Matt.18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
2.Rebellion against Christ destroys Christian homes.
3. Rebellion against God destroys Christian testimony.
4. Rebellion against God robs Him of Glory and men of opportunity in everything from service to giving. Statements which begin with, "I don't think--" should stop with that honest expression.
a.IT will cause the work to suffer and to be discredited.
5. It will cause disunity between brethren and disrupt the fellowship of the church.
III. Rebellion of the lost.
A.God doesn't ask you how you would like to be saved.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.
B. He doesn't ask if you think you need to be saved.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.
IV. When rebellion is ended, find peace with God.
6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
7 And there was a young man out of Bethlehemjudah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there.
8 And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.
9 And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am a Levite of Bethlehemjudah, and I go to sojourn where I may find a place.
10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.
11 And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons.
12 And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah.
13 Then said Micah, Now know I that the LORD will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest.
Introduction: What is right and what is wrong? Whether it be a question of law, morals, learning, business, or social customs, there must be authority if chaos is not to reign!
I. Rebellion in action today.
A. Children against parental authority Result; runaways etc.
B. Parents against parental responsibility; Result: throwaway children.
C. Students bring anarchy to the campus.
D.Riots in the streets for just about any 'cause'.
E. Terrorism by groups ranging from PETA to 'religious' fanatics.
F. Citizens rebelling against lawful authority.
G. Human rebellion at it's worst: Defiance against God.
II Thes.2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
II. Religious rebellion.
A.Those who,"Will not have this man to rule over us", are not confined to Jerusalem of A.D. 33!.
1.Some will rebel against church authority but this is rebellion against Christ for it came from Him.
Matt.18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
2.Rebellion against Christ destroys Christian homes.
3. Rebellion against God destroys Christian testimony.
4. Rebellion against God robs Him of Glory and men of opportunity in everything from service to giving. Statements which begin with, "I don't think--" should stop with that honest expression.
a.IT will cause the work to suffer and to be discredited.
5. It will cause disunity between brethren and disrupt the fellowship of the church.
III. Rebellion of the lost.
A.God doesn't ask you how you would like to be saved.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.
B. He doesn't ask if you think you need to be saved.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.
IV. When rebellion is ended, find peace with God.
JUDGED BY THE RISEN CHRIST
Text: Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Introduction: Concerning the dead;
Jesus,"Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
The Apostle, Paul says in "1 Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
While we honor the memories of our departed loved ones, our obligations are to the living. Jesus deserves the highest honor of all; The honor paid to dead heroes and to the living great. Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
I. The Authority of this Judge.
A. Text says HE [God] will judge the world.
B. God has committed this judgment to His Son.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
C. Authority stems from His righteousness. Men often judge when they are, themselves, guilty.
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Not so with this judge.
II. The Standard of this judgment. The volume of His commands and man's shortcomings will be cited as the authority.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
A. The responsibility of the world, as a whole to this law.
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Forget what the implications are to past generations, the clear command for THIS generation is REPENT!
The ability to discern good from evil makes man responsible to God.
B. The responsibility of the Church as a whole.
['religion' is as confusing today as it was in ancient Athens.]
1.We will be judged as to our faithfulness to his Word.
1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2. How do we stand on moral issues.
C. Responsibility of individual members.
1. Live for Christ each day.
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.
2. Contend for the faith.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
3.Separate from sin and sinfulness.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1 Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Th 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1 Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
D. Responsibility of the individual lost soul.
1. Repent. text.
2.Believe.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
His death saves those who believe, His LIFE condemns those who refuse--!
Introduction: Concerning the dead;
Jesus,"Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
The Apostle, Paul says in "1 Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
While we honor the memories of our departed loved ones, our obligations are to the living. Jesus deserves the highest honor of all; The honor paid to dead heroes and to the living great. Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
I. The Authority of this Judge.
A. Text says HE [God] will judge the world.
B. God has committed this judgment to His Son.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
C. Authority stems from His righteousness. Men often judge when they are, themselves, guilty.
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Not so with this judge.
II. The Standard of this judgment. The volume of His commands and man's shortcomings will be cited as the authority.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
A. The responsibility of the world, as a whole to this law.
Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Forget what the implications are to past generations, the clear command for THIS generation is REPENT!
The ability to discern good from evil makes man responsible to God.
B. The responsibility of the Church as a whole.
['religion' is as confusing today as it was in ancient Athens.]
1.We will be judged as to our faithfulness to his Word.
1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2. How do we stand on moral issues.
C. Responsibility of individual members.
1. Live for Christ each day.
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.
2. Contend for the faith.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
3.Separate from sin and sinfulness.
1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1 Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Th 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1 Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
D. Responsibility of the individual lost soul.
1. Repent. text.
2.Believe.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
His death saves those who believe, His LIFE condemns those who refuse--!
MAN'S GREATNESS BECAUSE OF GRACE
As the writer of the 8th Psalm meditates upon the greatness and the majesty of God, he considers all the work of His hands; the sun, moon and the stars. He is made to think of the honor bestowed upon the creature called man.
In the fourth verse we can almost hear the awe in his voice as he says, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him: and the son of man that thou visitest him?"
When we consider the high aspirations of God for man, who was to be the crowning glory of His creation, our minds truly are staggered. Man was made in the image of God that he should show forth God's Glory. He was made upright that he might fellowship a Holy God. The wealth of the entire universe cannot match the value of one single soul of the creature called `man'. The angels, though they be great in might and power, and praise him continually before His throne, have never been privileged to be called the friend of God.
It is true that man in his natural, present condition is called the enemy of God, but this is man's own doing and not the will of his creator. He had in mind higher things for man, than that he should spend his days mired in sin, plagued with wars and disease, struggling against heart-break and with the specter of death constantly staring over his shoulder.
What happened that man, who had been created to commune with God, is suddenly subject to every evil? The answer is simply SIN. Rom 5:12 "For as by one man sin entered into the world, so death passed upon all man, for that all have sinned!"
Think of the loss to the human race even in terms of material blessings, that man, who was made to have dominion over the whole of creation is suddenly barred from its most desirable garden. The spiritual blessings intended for man are beyond our comprehension! Will God, who had such high purpose for man, now leave him floundering helplessly in sin?
Our thoughts go to that event in the life of Jeremiah when he was told to go down to the potter's house, where he saw the potter at work on a vessel, and he says in Jer 18:4 "and the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter, so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make it."
How like this, is the love of our God! It might have been easy for Him to have simply erased man and created another creature, but His love for man and man's high potential, as God's friend and companion wouldn't allow it. So He provided a way, a plan of salvation, through which man could still exercise that free will that set him apart from all the rest of creation, and be restored someday to all those blessings from which he now is separated by sin. And so, Jno 3:17 He sent His son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might have life.
Christ did far more than demonstrate to man how he should live. It is true that in His life He was perfect, and that He lived the kind of life in communion with God that had been intended for all mankind, but, simply showing man that it could be done was not enough, just as it isn't enough for one who is dying to be shown that there are others who are in good health! The cause of man's degraded condition must be removed if he is to again enjoy that lofty condition for which he was created. And so, I Pet 3:18 "Christ died for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." The problem of sin is solved. The way back to fellowship with God is opened!
Christ not only left us an example that we should follow him in his life, but paid the penalty for the disobedience which had plunged man into the despair of enmity with God. And thus, we might be restored to our intended fellowship with Him! But again, it is not enough to know the answer to the problem of sin. The answer MUST be applied.
Man must first of all, realize his condition; that he IS a sinner and that he is separated from God, and that this is NOT what God intended for him.
Then he must learn that it is NOT NECESSARY for him to remain in his present condition, which not only makes him miserable now, but condemns him eternally.
He must learn that while he cannot free himself from sin, Rom 8:3 "God, sending His own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh."
Then, the remedy for sin MUST be applied.
It is not enough that man demands that his dignity be recognized by his fellow man. He needs his real dignity restored through Christ!
Think of these words of John, in I Jno 3:1"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." Here is a place of honor far above any that man could possibly bestow. Friend of God? Yes, and far, far more than a friend. I am His son, having been born of His Spirit in receiving Christ as my savior.
Having been saved now by his grace I can not only join the Psalmist in thinking with awe upon the wonders of the future possibilities, but my present possibilities, position and responsibilities as well. Listen to John again,
I Jno 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be..." This is the present position of those who have availed themselves of the remedy of sin, BUT, this is not all there is to being a Christian. Listen to Paul, I Cor 3:9 "We are laborers together with God!" Not only objects of His wondrous love and recipients of his marvelous salvation, but offered the privilege of joining Him in His work!
We thank God for those men whose knowledge and ingenuity have, through invention and discovery, brought such blessings upon the human race, but mans greatest potential is not reached in the laboratory, the operating room or the market place, but as he labors with God in HIS vineyard. The senator who said, "I value my seat in my Sunday School above my seat in the Senate" elevates that senate seat to new heights. This is our purpose as a Church, to provide those who are saved, a place to work in God's work and so fulfill their responsibilities to God, themselves and their fellow man by doing God's will.
We have heard much about the so called `mind-expanding' drugs in past years, but there is nothing which can expand the mind of man as the comprehension of the dimensions of the love of God toward us! What heights of service could we reach if we could only learn to abandon ourselves to the love of God!
My Co-Worker
If no man stood beside me
In the vineyard of the Lord,
And I labored without earthly friend
To take the lost His Word,
Still I'd have a helper,
I'd not struggle on alone,
For the Lord would bear the heaviest
Of the work, and lead me on.
He lets me serve Him; blessed privilege!
He lets me serve Him; glorious thought!
(From man's weak puny efforts,
What wonders He has wrought!)
Side by side in labor,
As I follow His command,
He never shall forsake me,
And I feel His guiding hand.
My burden's always lighter
When I labor with the Lord,
And serve Him in His vineyard
According to His Word!
FCCreel
Yet, however high a plane of service and fellowship with God we might reach now, it can never be compared with Rom 8:18 "the glory that shall be ours hereafter."
When those of us who have trusted Christ as their savior are changed from our present state and given bodies fashioned like unto His glorious body, then and only then, will we have realized the fullness of our potential as those created in the image of God. Perhaps then, these prospects of man which caused the Psalmist to exclaim, "What is man?" will be real to us. We can only speculate now, as to the details of that time but we need not to speculate on this; I Tim 2:4 God would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
God desires that his people serve him now with joy, and that Christ who once came and died for the sins of the world, will someday come and then any little suffering that we might have to undergo now for His name's sake will pale into insignificance.
In the fourth verse we can almost hear the awe in his voice as he says, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him: and the son of man that thou visitest him?"
When we consider the high aspirations of God for man, who was to be the crowning glory of His creation, our minds truly are staggered. Man was made in the image of God that he should show forth God's Glory. He was made upright that he might fellowship a Holy God. The wealth of the entire universe cannot match the value of one single soul of the creature called `man'. The angels, though they be great in might and power, and praise him continually before His throne, have never been privileged to be called the friend of God.
It is true that man in his natural, present condition is called the enemy of God, but this is man's own doing and not the will of his creator. He had in mind higher things for man, than that he should spend his days mired in sin, plagued with wars and disease, struggling against heart-break and with the specter of death constantly staring over his shoulder.
What happened that man, who had been created to commune with God, is suddenly subject to every evil? The answer is simply SIN. Rom 5:12 "For as by one man sin entered into the world, so death passed upon all man, for that all have sinned!"
Think of the loss to the human race even in terms of material blessings, that man, who was made to have dominion over the whole of creation is suddenly barred from its most desirable garden. The spiritual blessings intended for man are beyond our comprehension! Will God, who had such high purpose for man, now leave him floundering helplessly in sin?
Our thoughts go to that event in the life of Jeremiah when he was told to go down to the potter's house, where he saw the potter at work on a vessel, and he says in Jer 18:4 "and the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter, so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make it."
How like this, is the love of our God! It might have been easy for Him to have simply erased man and created another creature, but His love for man and man's high potential, as God's friend and companion wouldn't allow it. So He provided a way, a plan of salvation, through which man could still exercise that free will that set him apart from all the rest of creation, and be restored someday to all those blessings from which he now is separated by sin. And so, Jno 3:17 He sent His son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might have life.
Christ did far more than demonstrate to man how he should live. It is true that in His life He was perfect, and that He lived the kind of life in communion with God that had been intended for all mankind, but, simply showing man that it could be done was not enough, just as it isn't enough for one who is dying to be shown that there are others who are in good health! The cause of man's degraded condition must be removed if he is to again enjoy that lofty condition for which he was created. And so, I Pet 3:18 "Christ died for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." The problem of sin is solved. The way back to fellowship with God is opened!
Christ not only left us an example that we should follow him in his life, but paid the penalty for the disobedience which had plunged man into the despair of enmity with God. And thus, we might be restored to our intended fellowship with Him! But again, it is not enough to know the answer to the problem of sin. The answer MUST be applied.
Man must first of all, realize his condition; that he IS a sinner and that he is separated from God, and that this is NOT what God intended for him.
Then he must learn that it is NOT NECESSARY for him to remain in his present condition, which not only makes him miserable now, but condemns him eternally.
He must learn that while he cannot free himself from sin, Rom 8:3 "God, sending His own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh."
Then, the remedy for sin MUST be applied.
It is not enough that man demands that his dignity be recognized by his fellow man. He needs his real dignity restored through Christ!
Think of these words of John, in I Jno 3:1"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." Here is a place of honor far above any that man could possibly bestow. Friend of God? Yes, and far, far more than a friend. I am His son, having been born of His Spirit in receiving Christ as my savior.
Having been saved now by his grace I can not only join the Psalmist in thinking with awe upon the wonders of the future possibilities, but my present possibilities, position and responsibilities as well. Listen to John again,
I Jno 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be..." This is the present position of those who have availed themselves of the remedy of sin, BUT, this is not all there is to being a Christian. Listen to Paul, I Cor 3:9 "We are laborers together with God!" Not only objects of His wondrous love and recipients of his marvelous salvation, but offered the privilege of joining Him in His work!
We thank God for those men whose knowledge and ingenuity have, through invention and discovery, brought such blessings upon the human race, but mans greatest potential is not reached in the laboratory, the operating room or the market place, but as he labors with God in HIS vineyard. The senator who said, "I value my seat in my Sunday School above my seat in the Senate" elevates that senate seat to new heights. This is our purpose as a Church, to provide those who are saved, a place to work in God's work and so fulfill their responsibilities to God, themselves and their fellow man by doing God's will.
We have heard much about the so called `mind-expanding' drugs in past years, but there is nothing which can expand the mind of man as the comprehension of the dimensions of the love of God toward us! What heights of service could we reach if we could only learn to abandon ourselves to the love of God!
My Co-Worker
If no man stood beside me
In the vineyard of the Lord,
And I labored without earthly friend
To take the lost His Word,
Still I'd have a helper,
I'd not struggle on alone,
For the Lord would bear the heaviest
Of the work, and lead me on.
He lets me serve Him; blessed privilege!
He lets me serve Him; glorious thought!
(From man's weak puny efforts,
What wonders He has wrought!)
Side by side in labor,
As I follow His command,
He never shall forsake me,
And I feel His guiding hand.
My burden's always lighter
When I labor with the Lord,
And serve Him in His vineyard
According to His Word!
FCCreel
Yet, however high a plane of service and fellowship with God we might reach now, it can never be compared with Rom 8:18 "the glory that shall be ours hereafter."
When those of us who have trusted Christ as their savior are changed from our present state and given bodies fashioned like unto His glorious body, then and only then, will we have realized the fullness of our potential as those created in the image of God. Perhaps then, these prospects of man which caused the Psalmist to exclaim, "What is man?" will be real to us. We can only speculate now, as to the details of that time but we need not to speculate on this; I Tim 2:4 God would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
God desires that his people serve him now with joy, and that Christ who once came and died for the sins of the world, will someday come and then any little suffering that we might have to undergo now for His name's sake will pale into insignificance.
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