Preach the Word Podcast

Episode 69

Title: “The Heartbeat of the Beatitudes”
Text: Matthew 5:7

Introduction:
What is mercy?
“Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm:” (Webster)
“Having or exercising mercy; compassionate; tender; disposed to pity offenders and to forgive their offenses; unwilling to punish for injuries; applied appropriately to the Supreme being.” (AV 1611)

Here is a wonderful story of mercy:
“A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son.”
-Luis Palau, Experiencing God's Forgiveness, Multnomah Press, 1984.

Saint John Chrysostom once said that “Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan.”
“And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” – Exodus 34:6
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”- Psalm 103:8
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”-Ephesians 2:4,5

Mercy comes from God. Here are some examples of God’s children who in return of God’s mercy showed others mercy:
- Joseph showed mercy to his brothers despite being betrayed by them and sold into slavery.
- David showed mercy to King Saul despite Saul’s unfair treatment of him and multiple attempts on his life.
- The Good Samaritan showed mercy to the man who had been beaten and left for dead on the side of the road.

Of all the Biblical examples of acts of Mercy, none can compare to the Lord Jesus himself. As His entire ministry was full of Compassion and Mercy.
“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” – Matthew 14:14

“And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.3 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?” – Matthew 2-:30-31

To better introduce mercy:
A. Our Condition
To truly grasp mercy, we must understand our need for it and how the lost condition of man separates us from God.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” – Romans 5:12
We do not obtain mercy through merit. To truly grasp and understand the condition of man’s sinful condition is very sobering and also terrifying. The prophet Isaiah said that our self-righteousness is as “filthy rags”. Tod escribe God’s Mercy, Paul says in Ephesians 4:2, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…”. Mercy is not something that we earn. Mercy is God’s undeserved kindness and compassion despite our sinful condition.

B. Our Cultivation
When a person is saved, they are born again and new creature in Christ. We now have an internal struggle where the old man (the flesh) and the new man (the Spirit) are warring against the other. “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” – Titus 1:15.

One thing to note, is that when we hunger for Righteousness and desire the Holiness, we can become very irritated and angry at wickedness. “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” – James 1:20. The important thing here, is that we do not lose sight that the God that we serve is a merciful God. Not only, should we not forget our own need for Mercy, but we should never lose sight that God is not willing than any should perish, but that all should repent. This is not accepting sin. This is showing kindness and compassion to others. God cultivates us to show others mercy as He showed us.

C. Our Command
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” – Luke 6:36.
Mercy is an attribute of God, and as God’s children we are commanded to show others mercy. One thing to note though, this is not something that goes against our new nature in Christ. To be merciful and show compassion is our identity. Apart from Jesus, this is something that would be very foreign and strange to us. Just like the other beatitudes, Mercy is not something that we just do, it is one of the many evidences of faith in Chris and a heart that has been forever changed.

Outline:
Mercy has been labeled as the very heartbeat of the Beatitudes. Jesus commanded us to be Merciful as our Father in Heaven is Merciful. What does it mean to be merciful?

I. The Call to Perceive: Matthew 14:14
“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)
To perceive means to “become aware or conscious of (something); come to realize or understand:” (Oxford)
Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion on them. Showing kindness and compassion starts with an awareness of those in need for it. How many people do we pass on a daily basis that are in need of mercy? We are called to notice. Jesus noticed Zacheus, the woman with the issue of blood, Mary Magdalene, Mathew the tax collector, and Peter.
There is a very sad story of a woman in Italy who died in her home and was not discovered until 2 years later. The most heartbreaking part of that story was captured in an article written about it in the guardian, “The mystery of Marinella’s invisible life behind the closed gate of her cottage teaches us a terrible lesson. The real sadness is not that the others did not notice her death. It is that they did not realise Marinella Beretta was alive.”

Pray for the discernment and wisdom to notice. To notice those who: are hungry; poor; without hope; on the verge of giving up; terrified; unfairly treated; lonely;
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36

II. The Call to Pity: Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2
Pity – “the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others:”
Suffering with our neighbor can be called empathy. On the subject of Empathy, John Calvin says, “We must assume their identity, as it were, so as to be deeply touched by their suffering and moved by love to mourn with them.”

Jeremiah Burroughs further adds, “Mercy causes one to put himself into the same state, to be in bonds with those that are in bonds, and to weep with those that weep.”

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” – Romans 12:15
“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

III. The Call to Pardon: Ephesians 4:32
“Because God alone can fully heal our wounds and revive the dead, we need to acquire his heart if we are to forgive others. In view of this, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

“Should we say anything less? In this way, forgiveness is not an example of mere benevolence; it is an act of faith and hope. By extending forgiveness to others, we demonstrate our belief that Christ will return and mercifully set all things right.” - Castaldo, Chris. The Upside Down Kingdom:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Thank you to Mike Barnette for the song “All Things New” and Dave Compton for the opening remarks.

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Episode 68

Title: The Pivotal Beatitude
Text: Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” – Matthew 5:6

Introduction:
“Social change is a term used to describe variations in, or modifications of, any aspect of social processes, social patterns, social interaction or social organization” (Sociology discussion)
Social change, in any time period, is important regardless which side a person takes. Some examples would include: Education, women rights, poverty, civil rights, pay gaps, etc. Some social changes happen over time, others happen immediately, depending on circumstances. One thing to keep in mind though, is that society is made up of individuals, and real change comes from within.
“Everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself” – Leo Tolstoy
We now come to what is known as “the pivotal Beatitude”. Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
There is an old saying, “you are what you eat”, it implies that if you eat healthy you will lead a better life, and that bad food choices can have bad outcomes. This is also true in the spiritual sense.
“How can we elevate our hunger for kingdom priorities, a longing for the good, the true, and the beautiful? In other words, a longing for God? How do we avoid the mental and emotional gluttony of this world—the malnourishment of soul that craves the next high, a spirituality du jour, a moral framework and lifestyle that makes sin appear normal and righteousness look strange?4 Such questions need careful attention.” - Castaldo, Chris. The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes (pp. 56-57).
A. Malnourishment from Sin
When we attempt to satisfy the hunger of the flesh, we will be left famished. If we consume a steady diet of greed, lust, and pride… those things will eventually become our identity. Those things will also prevent us from proper spiritual health and growth, and leave us spiritually malnourished.
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” – Hebrews 5:13
“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
B. Manna from the Savior
Notice, Jesus said those who hunger and thirst after righteousness… “they shall be filled”.
John 6:35 – “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
Psalms 107:9 – “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
“Manna is the miraculous "bread of heaven" (Psalm 78:24) that God provided for the Israelites while he led them through the Red Sea on dry ground and into the Wilderness of Sin (Exod. 16).” (crosswalk)
Spiritually speaking, we must truly understand that only manna (bread from heaven) will satisfy our hunger and shape our identity to be like Christ.
Illustration of the difference between longing and liking an idea. Many people, like the idea of being like Christ, but they don’t yearn for it. When I was younger I used to always hear that one way you know a Christian is out of God’s will is because they are miserable. This is not always true. A Christian who hungers and thirsts after righteousness, but feeds on the world, is miserable. But a Christian who hungers after sin is not.
C. Menu for the Saints
The longer you stick to a diet, the more it will impact your health. The key to good health is exercise and diet, not just one or the other. There are some Christians who do neither, some who only pick one, but the key is to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and put our faith into practice. Think about physical exercise for a moment. There comes a time in any persons life when they realize that physical exercise does not work without a healthy diet. Some folks can eat anything they want and still look great, but it does not mean that they are healthy.
Christians must put our faith into practice, but we must also be fed spiritually.
Philippians 4:9: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Faith is best put into practice when hunger and thirst after righteousness. Going through the motions is not only empty, but it’s also exhausting and dangerous. Just because a person looks the part, doesn’t mean that he is. A man can look tough, but not know how to fight. A person can look in shape, but gas out on a hike very quickly. The best illustration for this would be a runner. Runners must not only train, but carefully watch their sleep and diet. They need exercise, rest, and nutrition. It’s a balance.
Notice what Paul said, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me…do”. “learned, received, heard”
Submitting to the Lordship of Christ; Yielding to the Spirit; Repentance; Obedience; Forgiveness…
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” – Psalm 1:1,2

Outline: How do we?
I. Re-habituate our Desires
Indeed, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus extols such hunger as “blessed.” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matt 5:6). And Jesus offers himself as the only satisfaction of such hunger: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). If the heart is like a stomach . . . we could render Augustine’s prayer in line with the metaphor: “You have made us for yourself, and our gut will rumble until we feed on you.” – James K.A. Smith
Jeremiah 31:31-34 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:” – Psalm 139:23
To re-habituate means to re-accustom, or re-familiarize. Not to be redeemed or re-born. That is the work of the Holy Spirit at the time of Salvation. Only through Christ can we be born again. For the Christian who is carnal and hungers and thirst after the world, they need to be re-accustomed. There is a new man within. We need repentance, restoration, and refreshment. To hunger and thirst after righteousness is there. It is apart of the new birth. At times, there needs to be a purge and a re-dedication of ones life.
II. Refine our Diet
“Just; accordant to the divine law. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Integrity, virtue, and purity of life.” (AV 1611)
What we consume becomes our identity. Again, if we are on a steady diet of materialism, satisfaction, and strife that will be our identity. We become what we consume, who we are around, and what we desire.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” – Job 1:8
Yes, we must spend time in the Word, in prayer, and at Church, but it’s more than just doing. Philippians 4:9: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Obedience; Repentance; Confession; Faithfulness; Fellowship. Spiritual disciplines can keep us here.

III. Restore our Devotion
To be devoted means to be very loving or loyal. How we truly love and be loyal to God above all is by hungering and thirsting after righteousness. I believe this is why this is called the pivotal beatitude. This truly defines a persons motives and desires.
“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” – Samuel 13:14

Conclusion:
- What do you truly desire? What is it that your hungering and thirsting over?
- If we are what we eat, who are you?

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dear friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 67

Title: “The Combination of Gentleness and Strength”
Text: Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37
Key Verse: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5

Introduction:
What does it mean to be meek? The word meek is define as “mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality.” (Webster) The Hebrew word, “anav” means “a state of being humble, lowly, or oppressed.” The Greek word, “praus” means “gentle or mild; kind, humble and patient; even under provocation.” To be meek, means to be “mild of temper; soft, gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielded; given to forbearance under injuries (AV 1611).

Meekness is truly a trait of a Godly person and evidence of one who is filled with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22,23 says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

What are some other scriptures on meekness?

“Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” – Proverbs 16:19
“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” – 1 Peter 3:4
“For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” – Isaiah 66:2
“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” – Psalm 37:11

We see that Jesus is quoting Psalm 37:11 in Matthew 5:5.

“The Meek shall inherit the earth.” Let’s look at the context of Psalm 37 to help better understand this teaching.

Outline: Psalm 37

This Psalm deals with the adversity of Righteous people and prosperity of the Wicked. It was written by David in his last days on earth during the events of 2 Kings chapter 2, right before Solomon takes the throne. This Psalm clearly teaches us how we are to behave amongst the wicked, that we use the power we have been given to serve others, and that Divine Justice is inevitable.
Note four things about Psalm 37…

I. The Righteous and his Conduct (Psalm 37:1-11)
David was very troubled over the wicked and their prosperity. If the spiritual warfare that takes place inside the Believer is not enough, the prosperity of the wicked can be very depleting and devastating to us if we are not careful. David is encouraged to know that not only the wicked will one day be judged, but also that “The Meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” The first thing we learn in Psalm 37 is how we are to conduct ourselves despite the wickedness that surround us. David gives us several commands that we should all heed to:
- Don’t worry or be envious of the wicked.
The Child of God, the one who’s new nature is to be gentle, kind, slow to anger, and humble will one day inherit the earth and live in peace.
- Trust and Delight in the Lord.
One of the best ways to be intimate with anyone, is to trust them. With intimacy, trust is key. The more we trust in God, the closer we are to Him, and the more we can rest and delight in His Word. When the wicked distract us, trust in God and be thankful for His Mercy and Grace. Remember what Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 6:11, that “such were some of you.”
- Commit your ways unto to the Lord.
The word commit means to devote yourself, pledge, and to carry out. As we discovered in our last lesson, that Joy is not the opposite of suffering, but that life with Christ is that we can find joy in suffering. As citizens of the Kingdom, we can experience the benefits of God’s Kingdom here and now. Not only is there Joy in the life of one who lives in Christ, but there is also Peace. Devoting our life to God and His commands, results in a life of peace. The peace that Paul says in Philippians 4:7, “Passes all understanding”.
- Rest in the Lord and wait patiently on Him.
The word patience is one that many in the Church shy away from. You may have heard someone say something like, “Don’t pray for God to teach you patience–you won’t like what he’ll put you through to learn it!” Not only does this make God look like an awful Master, but it also undermines the fruit of the spirit we mentioned earlier from Galatians. (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance). All 9 of these are evidences that the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit of God. A Christian who finds rest in God, and can wait patiently, is a Christian who has truly yielded their heart to God and forsaken their flesh.
- Don’t give in to anger.
Another evidence of a life with God is to be longsuffering. This means to not lose our temper and not be easily provoked. There is a fine line of compromising with wickedness and tolerating it while still maintaining a good witness. There is a reason that Paul told Timothy to “Fight the good Fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). This means the believer is to persevere despite the wickedness that surrounds them and ultimately lay hold on eternal life.
David ends this section with how the meek will one day inherit the earth. Before we explore this more, let’s look at the remainder of the chapter which goes hand in hand with our study.

II. The Wicked and their Consequence (Psalm 37: 12-20)
Verse 12-20 show that God not only see’s the present of who is wicked and who is righteous, but He also see’s the future. For the wicked, evil will come back to them like a boomerang and they will be judged. Of course, it is not God’s will that any should perish, but all that should come to repentance. This is the only hope for a wicked world. To repent and trust in Christ. As mentioned in our previous lessons, the Beatitudes are not just things we do, but they are our identity in Christ. Because of Christ, we are new creatures. Our old nature, the wicked man, only wants to please itself. Our new nature, is a pure and clean heart that has been declared Righteous by the Blood of Jesus Christ. How can such a filthy sinner naturally become gentle, kind, humble and patient… even when they are provoked and suffer persecution? How can a person so wicked, who may respond in anger or selfishness, eventually feel great remorse and conviction over their actions and want to repent? It is all because of Christ. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. Wickedness has a price, a price which Jesus paid on the cross for us. He became sin for us and became the propitiation for our sins, which means His sacrifice on the cross appeased the wrath of God. The wicked man who rejects the Grace of God and refuses to put their Faith in Christ as Savior will suffer God’s wrath for all eternity.

III. The Righteous and their Claim (Psalm 37:21-31)
God’s law should determine not only the conduct of how we live, but impact our overall view of the world and our eternity. We must remind ourselves that because of Christ, we wil one day inherit the earth.
“The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” – Psalm 37:29;
“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” – Psalm 37:11
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5
Right now, it is easy to get discouraged because it is obvious that the meek are not inheriting the earth in this time period. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”( Ephesians 2:2-4) But when Christ comes back and will one day reign, the meek will inherit the earth. This is our claim, our inheritance. We are heirs with God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are God’s adopted children, and what is now Christ’s, will also be ours. Our claim is to one day inherit the earth and live in peace.

IV. The Contrast between the Righteous and the Wicked (Psalm 37:32-40)
It is often that the wicked may seem to succeed and the righteous may be in trouble. But we must understand that this is not permanent. Not only is their contrast with the behavior between the Wicked and the Righteous, there is also contrast with our natures, and our eternities. Remember, the Wicked (the natural man) have not yet come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Their nature is to sin and live in disobedience to God, under the influence of Satan. The heart of the believer has been changed. We are declared Righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

So, we conclude by asking ourselves, how do we become meek?

Jesus was meek and lowly and we know that He will inherit all things. We also know that we are joint-heirs with Him, and we will one day inherit the earth also.
To become meek, we must understand that we cannot do it with our own effort. A very important scripture that must be used with the beatitudes is 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.” Only by denying ourselves, yielding to the spirit of God, and allowing Christ to live through us, can we be meek.

“The Beatitudes present goals which the child of God wants to realize in his own life, but he can’t do it on his own.” – J. Vernon McGee
So, what are some things we can do?

Understand the true source of meekness.

We have driven this point home, but something we must truly understand is that if we could attain meekness on our own, it would produce pride.
Every believer is indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God (But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” – Romans 8:9) but not every believer is filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus said to take up our cross… daily. Paul said that he himself died to the flesh…daily. Denying our flesh and yielding to God is a daily thing that we must do. This is something we must ask in Faith. One of the evidences of being filled with the Holy Spirit is meekness.

Understand the true definition of meekness.

Meekness is not weakness. To be meek, means to be Humble, gentle, and submissive to the Lord. None of those things have anything to do with feebleness. To be meek, does not mean to lack strength, but it means to have strength under control. Don’t confuse a person who is easily offended and very timid as meek.

Understand what meekness looks like.

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” – Titus 3:2
How can we cultivate meekness into every day life? We understand what it means and where it comes from. Here are some examples of what meekness looks like in every day life…
- Be Gentle (“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1)
- Be Humble (“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” – Philippians 2:3-9)
- Be Kind (“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32)
- Be patient. Jesus was constantly being interrupted. During His solitude, His teaching, His Sabbath, His travels, etc. Jesus saw interruptions as opportunities. Jesus was also provoked, tempted, falsely accused. The list goes on and on and on. One of the first excuses we give for reactive sinful behavior is that we were interrupted, or provoked, or tempted, etc. We must understand that meekness is strength under control. During those times of being interrupted, provoked, and falsely accused, can also be times where we can be the best witness for Christ. Remember, just about anyone can be kind on a Sunday morning during fellowship time. But what about when we get a flat tire, are bullied, or suffer trials.
- Be sober and vigilant. There are many practices we can put into place, but this one needs to be at the top of the list. Remember what Paul told the believers at Corinth about Satan, that we are not “ignorant of his devices.” We must be watchful and alert because our sinful nature is to be the opposite of meek. Remember what Paul said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus..”. To live in constant obedience of Christ, means we must be watchful and recognize the attacks of the enemy. Jesus wasn’t taken aback by the Pharisees. He wasn’t shocked when Satan tempted Him in the desert. He was well equipped and prepared after spending time with the Father.

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Episode 66

Title: Finding Comfort in our Sorrow
Text: Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” -Matthew 5:4

Introduction:

Misery is defined as “a state or feeling of great distress or discomfort of mind or body” (oxford).
“Suffering keeps its face hid from each while making itself known to all… we are one in suffering. Some are wealthy, some are bright; some athletic, some admired. But we all suffer. For we all prize and love; and in this present existence of ours, prizing and loving yields suffering.” - Nicholas Wolterstorff

Suffering is inevitable in the human experience. No one is immune to it and we all experience it in one way or another. Job said in Job 14:1, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Job is one of the best examples to use for someone who suffered, as a series of events saw him losing his wealth & possession, children, and then eventually his health. Other examples of suffering in the Bible:
- Joseph was lied on by his own brothers and sold into slavery because his father loved him. When he prospered in the house of Potiphar he was lied on once again by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison.
- Jonah was swallowed by a whale after refusing to go to Ninevah.
- Samson had his eyes gauged out and was made sport of in front of the Philistines after giving his heart to a strange woman.
- The blind man in Jerusalem in John chapter 9 was introduced as being blind since his birth.

All of these situations are different in that some of them the individual did absolutely nothing wrong, in other situations the individual put themselves in the positions they were in. Regardless, they all experienced suffering. A good question to ask ourselves then, is why do we suffer? The best way to answer that is by going to the beginning of our story to the Garden of Eden. Paul said in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” That one man of course was Adam, and this verse is referring to the story found in Genesis 3. The moment Adam disobeyed God is the moment suffering was brought on our world. This suffering was physical, psychological, and social.

“Physical: With sweat on their brows, the first couple encountered fatigue, hunger, nakedness, exposure, sinus infections, cavities, and other maladies. Psychological: They would know the suffocation of loneliness, alienation, addiction, anxiety, shame, regret, depression, and despair…Social: Sin corrupted, undermined, and even destroyed their relationships. All manner of social conflict suddenly entered the picture: resentment, envy, animosity, impatience, bullying, one-upmanship, abuse, and rage. Such is the legacy we have inherited and now perpetuate in our worldy societies” - Castaldo, Chris. The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes (pp. 25-26).

To “Mourn” means to “feel regret or sadness about” (Oxford). One of many responses to our physical, mental, and social suffering is to mourn. In our society, a person who is “in mourning” usually refers to a person who is grieving a loss of a loved one. Which of course, is a great reason to mourn. But there are other reasons for a person to feel sadness and regret.

Mourn about Physical Suffering: In addition to losing a loved one, there are other reasons to mourn physical suffering.
- Growing older is a blessing, but also brings pain. “Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.” (Ecclesiastes 12:6) Solomon was talking about the cord of life. He is speaking of aging and approaching death. There are many examples we can give. Some over time, others can be sudden. Regardless, we suffer physically.
- Death is inevitable. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27,28)

Mourn about Mental Suffering:
- The Psalmist said in Psalms 42:11, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?”
- Nearly 1 in 4 adults feel lonely (CNN)
- “Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment” (Addiction center)

Mourn about Social Suffering:
- In October of 2024, the CDC reports suicide as being one of the leading causes of death in the United States. (CDC)
- This year, it was reported that 309 million people in over 71 countries experience acute hunger. (WH Foods)
- From 2016 to 2020, over 5,000 children were separated from their parents at the United States borders.
- In 2023 alone, there were over 1 million abortions in the United States.
- In 2019, it was reported that 20% of students,(1 out of every 5) were bullied. (PACER)
So, we not only see that because of sin, there is suffering. But we also see, that because of suffering, there is a reason to mourn. In our key verse, Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted”. To some, this may even sound like a contradiction. The word Blessed, is another word for happiness. Happy is the person that…mourns? Of course, the happiness comes from the comfort one finds in Christ. One of the best examples of one that finds comfort from God in mourning, was the Old Testament Prophet Micah. (Reference Micah chapter 7)
- “Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.” – Micah 7:1
- “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.” - Micah 7:5-8
- “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” – Micah 7:18

We read earlier from Psalm 42:5. To finish this verse, it says “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” To live from the heart of God, means to find comfort in our sorrow.

Outline: What should we do with our Suffering?

I. Acknowledge it: Embrace our Suffering in a Healthy Way
One very unhealthy way of handling our suffering is to refuse to acknowledge it. Many people have tried to escape suffering by simply ignoring it. This is unfortunately true in Church life as suffering and sorrow are defined as the enemy of joy, and that we must carry a positive and encouraging attitude. How many times have you heard someone say “you’re in Church, you need to smile!” or show negative feelings or emotions to an individual that is cast down? Gloria Grahame, known for playing Violet Bick in “It’s a Wonderful Life” was diagnosed with Breast cancer in 1974. She was treated and went into remission, but in 1980 the cancer came back and Gloria refused to acknowledge it. She went on about her life without accepting or treating the cancer diagnosis resulting in a rapid decline of her health. She passed away the following year at the age of 57. The refusal to accept our pain can be devastating but also dangerous. The first step in mourning anything, is to acknowledge it. David, Micah, Joseph, and Job all acknowledged their pain. The healthy way of doing this, is to embrace it knowing that God will comfort us.

II. Admit it: Express our Suffering in a Healthy Way
The Psalms is full of suffering, because they expressed it. Life is a “Mere Breath” (Psalms 39:11); Our life is full of “toil and trouble” (Psalms 90:10). In fact, it has been said that 40% of the psalms are words of mourning. To some people, this may come across as whining and can be seen as very negative. We must understand, there is a big difference in complaining and mourning. To feel and show sorrow for pain and suffering is a normal part of life. Expressing our pain in suffering by complaining, is very unhealthy. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:14, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings”. We can express our suffering in a Godly way by being honest about it.
“Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.” – Psalms 25:18
“O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee” – Psalm 42:6
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29

III. Assign it: Ease our Suffering in a Healthy Way
There are many ways to ease our suffering, but they are not all healthy. Self-medicating, binging, complaining, bitterness, strife, the list goes on. But God wants to ease our suffering. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” It is scriptural to acknowledge and admit our suffering. It is scriptural to mourn over that suffering, and it is scriptural to take that and give it to God.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
To assign our suffering, means to give it, project it, and to cast it all on Christ.

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Episode 65

Title: "Where to Begin"
Text: Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Introduction:
What does it mean to be poor in Spirit? 2 Corinthians 6:10 says, "As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." The Apostle Paul references the many riches available in Christ despite our poor condition. Christian people are poor in spirit, yet we possess something more valuable than money could ever buy.

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" - Ephesians 3:8.

“Unsearchable” mean they are unfathomable. Paul is literally telling us that our riches in Christ are too deep to be measured. For a person to truly experience the riches of Christ, we must first become poor in spirit. Charles Spurgeon once said, “You will never know the fullness of Christ until you know the emptiness of everything but Christ.”

The Beatitudes begin with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” The poor in spirit describe a person who is spiritually bankrupt. The Puritan preacher Robert Harris once said, "Such poverty of spirit is the starting point of life... God undoes a man before He saves him, mars him before He makes him, takes him all to pieces and then joins him together forever."

“Mike Vetrone was accustomed to luxury sports cars and beachside mansions during his years as a drug runner for the New York Mafia, a lifestyle that is now a distant memory. “With judges, court clerks, and casino officers on the payroll, I pranced through Atlantic City like the mayor,” he says now.1 Yet Mike soon began a descent into a heroin addiction that threatened his life. After a customer discovered that Mike had stolen some of his drugs, Mike packed a bag and fled to Florida. Menacing death threats followed him, intimidation that continued for months. “I remained alone,” he remembers, “bound by my addiction, facing a dismal future.” He began thinking of suicide. “I was now haunted by what was, in fact, a not altogether unpleasant idea of ending my misery with the click of a trigger,” Mike says. ‘My .22 caliber handgun, which was usually within arm’s reach, held a fresh cartridge. After two years, the moment of reckoning had come.’ On an uncharacteristically overcast morning in South Florida, Mike dropped by a favorite haunt, Big Apple Bagel, to pick up what he assumed would be his last meal. Back in his apartment, he flipped on the television, looking for company one last time as he ate. On came a television preacher. With a distinct southern accent, the man exclaimed, “Life has a way of grabbing you by the collar, forcing you down to your knees.” Mike turned up the volume. “There’s a chain that binds every soul,” the preacher exclaimed, “and that chain is sin—an addiction from which Jesus’s death and resurrection sets us free.” Suddenly, as the television evangelist invited viewers to embrace Christ, Mike felt energy pulsing through his veins and found himself shouting at the television, “Yes!” In that moment, he no longer felt alone but sensed an encircling presence. Mike was facing not the end of his life, but a new beginning.” - Castaldo, Chris. The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes (pp. 7-8). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

The title of the lesson is “Where to begin”. No doubt, a life in Christ as a citizen of the kingdom begins with being poor in spirit .Something to note about the Beatitudes is that Jesus begins and closes them with the Kingdom of Heaven. As discussed in our previous lesson, the Beatitudes are not things that we necessarily do, but are our identities in Christ. As a Christian, we just do not up and decide that we are going to be merciful and hunger and thirst after righteousness. These are the laws of the kingdom that have become our identities on earth because of our new nature in Christ. Remember, Jesus is speaking indirectly to the crowd, but is speaking directly to His Disciples… His followers. For a person to be in Christ, to be “Poor in Spirit” is where to begin.

Outline: “Where to Begin”

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Here are three things:

I. The Poor in Spirit Recognize Sin. Received Christ because we were Broken (2 Kings 5:1-14)

2 Kings 5 is a wonderful application of being poor in spirit. Naaman, a Captain of the Host of Syria, has developed Leprosy and is referred to Elisha by his wife’s servant girl, who was from the land of Israel. Naaman, instead of going directly to Elisha, went first to the King of Syria, who wrote a letter to the king of Israel and sent Naaman with money and riches to give. Already, this story shows the pride of man. Naaman was given “ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.” And went directly to the King of Israel to heal him of his leprosy. The focus was not on his condition of leprosy, but his riches and wealth in order to get what he wanted. The rest of the story shows that the King of Israel is terrified because of Naaman’s request, and Elisha eventually intervenes. In order for Naaman to be cured of his leprosy, Elisha commands him to dip into the Jordan river 7 times. Naaman is very upset and initially it seemed he was going to leave with his leprosy, but is eventually persuaded by one of his servants to listen to the man of God. How does this illustrate Salvation? In order for Naaman to be healed, he had to humble himself. He had to realize his condition, his sickness, his disease. He had to understand that there was nothing that he himself could do or give, and only through faith and Obedience in God could he be healed. Like leprosy, sin is a disease. It is the chain that binds mankind. In order for us to be freed, we must recognize (acknowledge) our sinful condition. We receive Christ as broken people. There is nothing great about the Jordan River. This is a wonderful illustration of how Calvary is a very dark place. To be poor in spirit means we understand our sinful condition. We see Christ dying for our sins and paying a debt we ourselves could never pay. This is a very dark and humble place.

II. The Poor in Spirit Relinquish Self. Rely on Christ because we are Bound (Luke 9:23)

The word bound means limited. Although Christians are new creatures in Christ, we are still limited to what we can do. Paul boldly said in Philippians 4:13, “ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Mankind, in our nature is very limited. Without Grace, we cannot be saved. Without Grace, we cannot serve. The Lord Jesus told his disciples that “without me, ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) A key part of being poor in spirit is to truly understand that we have nothing to offer God, but ourselves. This is not only true in salvation, but in every aspect of our Christian life. The “self “ can really get in the way and cause us to sin. There are three main enemies that the Bible speaks of. 1.) The Devil. 2.) The World. 3.) Our Flesh.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

To relinquish means to “cease to keep or claim something, give up.” (Oxford) what did Jesus mean when he told us to deny ourselves?“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.” (Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬) This means we are to deny our ambitions, our comforts, our failures and follow Jesus. To relinquish self, and rely on Christ means that it is no longer us living, but Jesus that lives in us. These are the marks of a true citizen of the Kingdom.

Going back to our three main enemies. The devil attacks our spirit. He did this with Peter during the denial at the crucifixion. We cannot defeat the devil on our own power, but our told what to do when we are attacked by him. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” (James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ) The world attacks our soul. To overcome the world, we must use Faith. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬) Just like these, only through Christ, can we get victory over the flesh. “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭Romans 8:1) The poor in spirit, relinquish their self and rely on Christ.

III. The Poor in Spirit Relish Salvation. Rest in Christ as Beloved people

“Who can even begin to appreciate this royal marriage? What can comprehend the riches of this glorious grace? Here, this rich, upstanding bridegroom, Christ, marries this poor, disloyal little prostitute, redeems her from all her evil and adorns her with all his goodness. For now it is impossible for her sins to destroy her, because they have been laid upon Christ and devoured by him. In Christ, her bridegroom, she has her righteousness, which she can enjoy as her very own property.” -Martin Luther

“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.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬ )

To relish in something means to take “great enjoyment” (Oxford) The poor in spirit truly understand their brokenness without Christ and their total need for dependence on him. Not only is there great joy in the free gift of salvation, but there is also great joy in a life of abiding in Him.

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭)

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” ‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ )

Conclusion:
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? To be poor in spirit is to be spiritually bankrupt. To understand the inadequacy and helplessness of the human condition. To come to Jesus in our broken state, and fully accept Him as our Lord and Savior by grace through faith. To relinquish our self by following him and allowing him to live through us.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, thank you to my dear friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 64

Title: “Kingdom Living”
Text: Matthew 5:1,2

Introduction: (Read Matthew 5:3-12)

The word "Beatitude" is defined as “supreme blessedness”. The “Beatitudes of Jesus” were given as part of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 through 7. In verses 1 and 2, it is worth noting that Jesus did not give the Sermon on the Mount to the multitudes directly, but indirectly. He gave the discourse to the Disciples after seeing the multitude and their needs. This is extremely important and a key to understanding the passage. We must come to Christ first, then learn how to live.

One mishandling of the Sermon on the Mount is that it is the Gospel of Salvation. What is the Gospel of Salvation? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Another way the Sermon on the Mount is mishandled is by totally ignoring it. Some people single it out as the Gospel of Salvation and present it to an unsaved person as a standard of living, while others avoid it. Go back to the key of not only the Beatitudes, but the sermon on the mount. Jesus spoke indirectly to the multitudes, but directly to His Disciples, His Followers, and those who believed in Him. This teaching is not to be ignored or avoided...but to be upheld and obeyed.

We must note that the Beatitudes are not contrary to the life a Christian is supposed to lead. First and foremost, we must grasp that this is a way of life, and this way of life is shaped by the mind of Christ, which should be the mind of Christians also.

Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. We must also understand that Bible teaching shows us that when we are saved, not only are we new creatures and Children of God, but we are citizens of another country. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” - Ephesians 2:19

A common theme in the Book of Matthew is the Kingdom. The King, the Lord Jesus Christ, has presented himself. Matthew 3:2, "And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."; Matthew 6:10, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” The Sermon on the Mount is to set before us the laws of the Kingdom. As believers, we are citizens of that Kingdom.

Mark 12:17: “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.”
1 Timothy 2:2 “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

This is a study to help believers in Christ understand that:
1. We belong to God’s Kingdom
2. How we are to Live according to God’s Heart (“Let this mind be in you…”)

Outline: “Kingdom Living”

I. Our Residency
We often pray the Lord’s prayer as if the Kingdom is far away, not applicable, or in another timeframe. Jesus instructed us to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” in Matthew 6:10. Paul tells us our citizenship is in Heaven. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” – Philippians 3:20.

Our current Residency is here on earth, but our official residency, our permanent home, is in Heaven.
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” – John 14:2

Paul tells us in Colossians 3:2 to “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” This means our hearts must be in Heaven. The things of this earth are temporal, but the Kingdom, our true residence, is eternal.

II. Our Rules
The Beatitudes have been presented to us before as, “be-attitudes”, ways to make us happy and live a good life. Although there is some truth with this teaching, we must be careful about using them as rules for happiness, and see them as what they are... commands for present living and rules of the kingdom.

Not only could seeing the Beatitudes as rules for happiness take away the importance of them as commands, but it could also lead someone to see them more as just references or allegories. The Beatitudes are not just a checklist of things we should do to be happy and find joy, but they have become our identity as new creatures in Christ and are evidence of our residency in the Kingdom.

As mentioned earlier, we are to render to Caesar the things that are his, be law-abiding citizens, and lead a quiet and peaceful life.

It is extremely important to note, that we can live from God's heart and achieve Kingdom living here on earth while being law-abiding citizens.

III. Our Role (Way of Life - Identity “Blessed”)

“This is the vision of the Beatitudes—a vision that invites us from the shadows of alienation into the purpose and joy of Christ’s kingdom. But, as we shall see, this blessedness is both counterintuitive and countercultural. The Beatitudes pour gasoline on our contemporary ideals—and then light a match. To satisfy our hunger for wealth, Jesus offers poverty. He extols meekness over hostility. Rather than personal pleasure and fame, he proposes patience and a commitment to justice. Instead of lust and greed, he commends purity of heart. For the soul riddled with anxiety and fear, he offers peace. Rather than vanity and pride, he bestows security and inner strength. The Beatitudes dig beneath the surface, exposing what we really need to value and practice.”
- Chris Castaldo, "The upside-down kingdom: Wisdom for life from the Beatitudes"

So, what is our role? What should we do with the Beatitudes now?

Learn them, memorize them, and know them. Remember it starts with identity, then community, and then ministry.
Live them. We must put them into practice. They eventually become our habits and instincts.

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31,32

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Episode 63

Title: What We Can Learn from Herod the Great
Text: Matthew 2:1-20

Introduction:
A. His Rise
"Herod" was the name used for a number of Palestinian Rulers most famously used for "Herod the Great - King of Juda" (the Herod of this story)
History tells us the Romans conquered Jerusalem around 60 B.C.
Herod the Great's Father, Antipater the Idumean, (a descendent of Esau) was made the procurator of Rome by Caesar in B.C 47 after Pompey invaded Palestine. The same year, young Herod the Great would be made Governor of Galilee. (Around 15 at the time)
In B.C. 40, the Roman Senate would make him king of Judea.

Procurator-an officer of the Roman empire entrusted with the management of the financial affairs of a province and often having administrative powers as an agent of the emperor.

B. His Reign
Herod is famously known for erecting the Temple during his reign.
It was finished around 62 AD only to be destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans.
His reign was from around 40 B.C. to the time of Christ's Birth (Matt 2:19)

The Tabernacle (mobile Temple) about 1444 B.C.- Detailed plan received by Moses from the Lord

Solomon's Temple - 966-586 B.C. Envisioned by Zerubbabel Constructed by Zerubbabel and the elders of the Jews. Desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes

Herod's temple

C. His Reputation
He is also known for his cruel and determined ways
History tells us that Herod would kill his own sons due to fear he would lose his throne. When he heard that the King of the Jews was born he ordered the killing of all infant boys in an attempt to kill Christ. (Matthew 2:16)

Outline: What we can learn from Herod

I. The Announcement Distressed Him- Matt 2:1-6
v.3 "…When Herod the King heard these things he was troubled"

The King of Judah heard that the King of the Jews had come, and he was troubled. He was troubled by the coming of Jesus because his throne was in danger. The question of the hour is, what does the coming of Jesus do to you?

This of course was the first coming of Jesus. What about the Second? (The next one)
Think of this, what if Jesus were to return for His Church tonight? What does that do to you?

Does it make you trouble you? ( I wish I had more time to… serve God, spend with family, do the things you like, enjoy life.) We learn from Herod that the news of Jesus coming troubled him.
The news of the coming Jesus will trouble you if…
-You like to be in charge, power, in control
- You love your material things, life, country, possessions

II. His Actions Displayed Him Matt 2:7-16
v.7,8. He was upset, He lied, he wanted to trick them, and ended up murdering innocent babies in an attempt to kill the very one who came to save Him. (Think about it… Jesus came to die for Herod.)

The real Herod came out. He asked about the events of Jesus Birth, and then lied about wanting to Worship the real King, King Jesus. Why?
“… for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” – Matthew 12:34

The Wise men knew he was lying (They were wise men) they were praying men, who could discern

“What’s in the well, comes up in the bucket” Coburn Dean Carmichael, Sr, aka Grumps, aka Horsebite Jack

Not only do we learn from Herod that the News of Jesus coming reveals who we are, we also learn that our actions in light of His coming reveal who we are.

Have you ever asked yourself, why do you say the things you say, or do the things you do?
(Christmas) A season of Hope, but we are troubled, angry, jealous, and envious. What is it?
(Our Behavior to others) “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”…. Actually, “it’s not what you say, it’s who says it.”
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The same mouth that said he wanted to worship the Lord Jesus was the same mouth that ordered babies to be murdered.
(The same mouths that say Jesus is Lord are the same mouths that lie, gossip, and slander)

III. His Aggression Destroyed Him v.17-20
Herod acted in aggression and hate.
He took lives to ensure his position. The coming of the Lord Jesus distressed him and put his evil actions on display.

This is the legacy of Herod the Great.
His Son, Herod Antipas would be the one who mistreated Christ during the trial of His crucifixion. His Grandson, Herod Agrippa the First, would go on to persecute the Church.

Shortly after the killing of the infants, Herod the Great met his demise..

Notice in verses 17 and 18. All the crying and great distress caused by Herod. Then the next verse, “But when Herod was dead”

We learn from Herod that a life without Jesus is a life of destruction.

IV. His Arrogance Defined Him

When Herod heard of Christ, he saw competition. He was envious and jealous and had a sense of urgency to do something about it. He saw those things because he wanted to. We will see what we want when we look for it. A definition of Herod the Great’s life is that he was Envious, jealous, hateful, and cruel.

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Episode 62

Title: What we can learn from The Shepherds

Text: Luke 2: 8-20

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Episode 61

Title: What we can learn from the Wise Men

Text: Matthew 2:1-13

Introduction:

Envy - days of Herod. One thing Herod did not want was competition
Expedition - Wise men traveled to Jerusalem
Excitement - Matthew is written to Religious people. It is written for the Jew to present Jesus as Messiah.

Outline:

They gave Him their Time - v.1-10
Their Desire - v.1-4

Wise men from the east traveled west following a Star. Illustration of hearing prophecy

They gave Him their time because they desired Him. Do you desire Him today? A lot of us do not give Him our time.

WE CAN COME UP WITH ALL OF THE EXCUSES IN THE WORLD AS TO WHY WE CANNOT SERVE GOD. AT THE END OF THE DAY, DO WE DESIRE HIM? A lot of us have time, we just don't use it wisely

Their Destination - v.5-10

Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

They knew where to find him because they had read God's Word. Instead of listening to everyone else, read the Bible! (illustration of 3 wise men - we know more about Christmas from Christmas cards than we do the Bible)

They gave Him their Treasure - v.11
Their Devotions - v.11a

"devotions" simply means - object of Worship

Illustration of when they saw Jesus with Mary, they worshipped Jesus

Their Dedication- v.11b

To set apart and consecrate to God, to give wholly or chiefly

Gold - His birth, He is born a king

Frankensense - The frangerence of His life

Myrrh- speaks of His death - - - - This was brought at His first coming

Isa 60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.

This speaks of His Second coming - no Myrrh, He will not comie to die the second time

III. They gave Him their Trust - v.12,13

Their Dependence- v.12
Their Departure - v.13

Conclusion:

1Ti 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.

Does He have your Time?

Does He have your Treasure?

Does He have your Trust?

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Episode 60

Title: What we can learn from the Angels

Text: Luke 2:1-15

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Episode 59

Title: “The Approachable Jesus”

Text: Hebrews 4:15

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15

Opening thought

Introduction:

Approachable: “Friendly and easy to talk to” (Oxford)
What makes a person approachable?
- Friendly, welcoming, and open (Initially)
- Genuine, Kind, Truthful (Consistently)
The Opposite of Approachable…
- Unfriendly, out of place, or someone who is distracted/ preoccupied, someone who is upset, or people that are closed to a group, until they learn more (initial)
- Two faced, inconsistent, lack of trust (continual)
(Initial vs continual: Time is the best truth teller…linked-in; dating; friendship, etc.)
Being approachable shows the truth of a person. Essentially, it shows how do they care about others and what are their priorities? It reveals our character traits…
- Selfishness; Kindness; Intolerance/Prejudice; Truthfulness; Dishonesty; Compassionate; Cold; Gracious/Merciful; Judgmental
When it comes to being approachable, the greatest example is Jesus
- “Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.”— Blaise Pascal
- “In a sense the most approachable Person this world has ever seen was the Lord Jesus Christ.”— Martyn Lloyd-Jones
- Past examples:
  - Luke 8:41-55
- Present Examples: Hebrews 4:15
  - “In all points”; “Yet without sin”
  - Jesus is just as approachable and available to sinners and sufferers now as he was when he was on earth.
  - “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Outline: “The Approachable Jesus”

He’s Reachable: Find Him
Go to Him, Seek Him, Pursue Him!
The one thing about Jesus was that He was reachable in so many different places:
- At Work: Matthew 4:21,22 “And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.”
- At Home: Mark 1:29-31 “29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
- The Temple: John 2:18-22 “18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?21 But he spake of the temple of his body.22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.”
- Various locations throughout the city: Matthew 11: 19,20 “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:”
Reachable = Accessed
Jesus was and is accessible
A lot of the times He was introduced was by others:
- Matthew invited the tax collectors and other sinners ( 9:9-13)
- Philip told Nathanial (John 1:45-51)
- The Scribes brought the Adulterous Woman (John 8:1-11)
In every one of those situations, Jesus was welcoming and spoke to the truth
He’s Reasonable: Favor Him
Prefer Him, Regard Him, Choose Him!
He’s Reasonable, meaning He is not only Truthful, but He is also Practical
Jesus understands what we go through and still offers a way to a Holy God
- “In every respect” (Heb 4:15)
  - Temptations
  - Trials
  - Troubles
- “Yet Without sin”
We live in a world where it’s cool to relate. We must instead preach that Jesus understands
He’s Reliable: Follow Him
Follow Him, Obey Him, Practice His ways!
Jesus is Reliable, meaning He is always the same and will give us more than we even bargain for.
Hebrews 4:15,16 “1For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 58

Title: A Change of Mind
Text: Luke 15:11-24
Theme: Repentance

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Introduction:
• “Repentance will not make you see Christ; but to see Christ will give you repentance.” - Charles H. Spurgeon
• Definition of Repentance:
o Repentance: “sincere regret or remorse” (Oxford)
o Bible Repentance: “Turning to God. A change of mind toward God that results in a changed life.” - David Cloud (Way of Life Encyclopedia)
• There are two types of Repentance in the Bible:
1.) Initial Repentance (For Salvation)
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 2:38
- The initial “change of mind” where we realize we need God.
- Repentance is a belief in what the Bible says and seeing yourself exactly how you are.
2.) Continual Repentance (For Sanctification/Consecration)
“ Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” – Revelation 2:5
- Illustration of lost people having repentance and the “not sorry for what you did, sorry you got caught” one size fits all false narrative. A Lost person can have sincere remorse and change but not have a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
• This is a story of Repentance. A changed mind that led to a changed life.
Outline: “A Change of Mind” Luke 15:11-24
I. His Independence v. 11-13
A. The Delusion of Independence
- Usually in this story we will hear words like Rebellion, Retaliation, or Selfishness.
- Independence – “free from outside control; not depending on another's authority” (Oxford)
- “From a biblical perspective, true independence is not about being self-sufficient or autonomous, but rather about being dependent on God.” Huh?!?!
Matthew 6:24 KJV: 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.
Mammon = Material Wealth

B. The Dangers of an Independence
“Practical atheism”
Freedom = Not being enslaved or under the power of sin. It’s not about not being under someone’s control, it’s about turning to God and submitting to His Control.
We live in a day where people are Independent and only dependent on God when it’s convenient for them.
The Prodigal lived a “Riotous” life. Meaning, an unrestrained life. Meaning, he was independent.

Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
(Deliverance from the Law to Christ)

II. His Insight v. 14-19
- “When He came to Himself”
- 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44
- The Voice of Reason
A. His Deterioration
- The moment of realization
B. His Decision

III. His Improvement v. 21-24
A. His Difference
- turned to the Father
- Surrendered to the father
- Col 1:21,22 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

B. His Dependence
- Provided for
- John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
- Fellowship with the Father
“I knew Him but did not know his name”- Helen Keller
- God is willing to Forgive and Fellowship

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 57

Title: The Greatest Preacher to Ever Preach

Text: Matthew 4:17

Theme: The sermons of our Lord

Introduction: Jesus has just began His public ministry in Capernaum and is about to begin Preaching.

John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

read key verse- title

A.Jesus never preached Fables

Fable- False Teaching

John 14:6 "the way, the truth and the life"

Jesus never preached Flattery

Flattery- Insincere praise to further ones selfish purpose

Rebuked the Pharisees- Luke 11:39-44

Ceremonial cleansing was a religous rite and Jesus didn't do it. When asked about it He rebuked the Pharisees because they had false values and were outwardly religous.

He never watered down the truth so mans ego would not be hurt.

Mark 7- Traditions of men "hypocrites, heart was far from him, they worshipped Himin vain teaching doctrines for the commandments of men.

He preached sin was sin

"evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, mrder."

Mark 9- Fortold His death and Ressurection (nothing flattering about Calvary)

illustration of Naaman.

Jesus never preached Funerals- When Jesus was on earth there is not a time on the Bible where someone died in His prescence.

Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Joh 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

verse17- laid in the grave four days. The Jews had an old superstition that you could pray someone alive again within 4 days.

Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Outline: Read Matthew 4:12-17

Three things about the Preaching of our Lord Jesus

There is Light in His Preaching- v.14-16

Is. 9:1,2

Is. 42:6,7

Around the Sea of Galilee there was a lot of people, but they were very, very wicked.Because of Roman Empire many people migrated to Galilee. This is where Jesus spent His childhood.

His Light Shown - v.16,17

"sat in darkness"

"sat in the region of the shadow of death"

"saw a great light"

His Light Snubbed - Matt 11:20,21

Snubb- rebuff or ignore

Mat 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Mat 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There is Love in His Preaching- v.17a
His Love Demonstrated- Repent

This is not watered down Preaching

Illustration of the sin problem

His Love Denied- Repent- to turn away

This is why a lot of people rather believe in un-truth. There is an Authorty to Chrstianity. And that Authority commands us to Repent.

They saw His mighty Works, His Mighty Wonders, and heard His Mighty Words. But they refused His love because of that word- Repent

III. There is Lordship in His Preaching- v.17b

"kingdom of heaven it as hand" The Kingdom of Heaven was at hand in the person of the King. They could not have the Kingdom of Heaven without the King.

Kingdom of Heaven- reigns of the heavens over the earth

Established on earth through Israel

Jesus is Messiah

His Lordship to Redeem- He's Prophet, Preist, and King

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

His Lordship to Receive

Not willing that any should perish

Thru His name there's wondrous power,

Power to redeem, making sinners clean.

By His pow'r He cleansed the leper,

Opened blinded eyes, caused the dead to rise.

What a lovely name, the name of Jesus.

Reaching higher far, than the brightest star.

Sweeter than the songs they sing in heaven.

Let the world proclaim, what a lovely name.

Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Review Points

Conclusion: Those in darkness in Galilee had heard the truth but did little with is. What do we do with the truth of Christ?

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 56

Title: David’s Great Motivation

Text: Psalm 108

Theme: How David was able to keep coming back

Interlude:

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are... it will beat you to your knees and keep you there if you let it. You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit... and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward.” – Rocky Balboa

Introduction:

David was an overcomer.
He overcame many things in his life. A lion, a bear, and a Giant are only the introduction to the things David overcame.
Rocky Balboa Quote
- “It aint about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward”
- It doesn’t matter which Rocky movie is your favorite, I think most people can say if there is one line in entire Rocky saga that sums up Rocky the most, it’s that line from the movie Rocky Balboa.
- Over and over again, Rocky is the underdog, but he overcomes. He keeps moving forward.

The same thing happens with David…

Goliath wanted to Defeat him : this could have broken his Body (1 Samuel 17) Goliath was the champion of the Philistines who defied God and Israel and openly challenged someone. He was almost 10 ft. tall.
King Saul wanted to Destroy him: This almost broke his Spirit (1 Sam 19)

David became famous and Saul (the King of Israel) became jealous. So jealous that he tried to kill David. This is probably notably David’s greatest foe. The hope in David, his very spirit, was attacked when Saul sought to kill him. ( Psalm 142 A Prayer when he was in the cave.) I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.)

Yet David clung to His God and sparred Saul’s life (twice)

The Amalekites Drained him: This almost broke his Mind (1 Sam 30) They invaded Ziklag, burned it with fire, and then took the women and the children. (3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep…6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.) God told him to pursue and he won.
Ahithophel Deceived him: This almost broke his Soul (mind emotions and will) (2 Samuel 15:31-37)

A counsellor and friend of David who he trusted. Ahithophel betrayed David and help lead absolom’s rebellion. ( Psalm 41: 9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.) Nothing can be more damaging to our soul than the betrayel of a friend. Yet he finishes the psalm with…

11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Absolom Defied him. This broke his Heart (2 Samuel 15-18)

His own son leads a revolt against him. No doubt this break’s David’s heart.

“And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” – 2 Samuel 18:33

Goliath wanted to Defeat him : this could have broken his Body (1 Samuel 17)
King Saul wanted to Destroy him: This almost broke his Spirit (1 Sam 19)
The Amalekites Drained him: This almost broke his Mind (1 Sam 30)
Ahithophel Deceived him: This almost broke his Soul (mind emotions and will) (2 Samuel 15:31-37)
Absolom Defied him. This broke his Heart (2 Samuel 15-18)

… but he kept coming back! (Psalm 108)

Overcomer: “An overcomer is a person who overcomes something, or one who succeeds in dealing with or gaining control of some problem or difficulty”
The key to overcoming obstacles is to have motivation (The Driving force)

What was the driving force behind David being able to overcome so many things?

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” – Psalm 118: 6

“And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” – Psalm 39:7

David’s driving force, his motivation, was His God. “A man after God’s own heart”

Outline: 3 things in Psalms 108…

David’s Praise v. 1-6

108 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.3 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.

His Praise was Steadfast

David’s worship starts out with that he is “fixed” (steadfast)
- Which literally means he is unwavering. He is firm in his faith to God.
- “There is unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.” - Ann Voskamp
- “For I am the Lord, I change not” – Malachi 3:6
- This is coming from a man who has seen time and time again who God is. He has experienced the Promises of God, Peace (battle, betrayal, etc.) fugitive, countlelss times his hope was almost lost yet God delivered time and time again. Here is a man who failed God multiple times, was a great sinner, but was forgiven and redeemed.
- To be fixed on something means you are established (many people are established in religion, politics, church, or the idea of Christianity.. but not Christ himself.
- If we are fixed on God, so is our praise. It’s hard to worship for some people on Sunday because we don’t worship the rest of the week.

His Praise was not Selfish

“even with my glory” David gave all praise to God.
- He used his talents (very skilled, used it for God’s glory)
- He woke up early (how we start our day is a good indiciator of what is important to us)
- He proclaimed God to everyone ( time is the best truthteller)
David’s Proclamation v.7-9

7 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.

David was a Prophet. In fact, this psalm is a prophecy of how God is going to bring Israel back to the land.
There is confidence in God that He is going to do exactly what He said he would do
Now this goes back to the topic. David’s motivation. How he was able to keep coming back. Keep overcoming. He knew His God would do what He said He would.
He knew God would Redeem, Forgive, shew Mercy, be longsuffering. He knew God was Faithful.
A verse that gets so many of us in trouble is Proverbs 3:5b “lean not unto thine own understanding”
David’s Plan v.10-13

10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?11 Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

David’s had a simple formula here. “Without God, it was impossible.”
His plan was simple “Trust God, Praise God, Obey God, and press on!

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 55

Title: “David’s Great Life”

Text: 1 Samuel 13:14

Theme: God can give us a life worth living. He can make our lives Great.

Interlude: “14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” – Acts 13:14

Introduction:

King David was one of the greatest men in History. He was God’s choice for a king. He was a born leader, very mature, and beloved (his names meaning). He was a prophet, He wrote 73 of the 150 Psalms. He was a King, for 40 years. 7 Years for Judah and 33 years in Jerusalem.
David also had a dark side.
- Uzzah – 2 Sam 6:1-9
  - Field of Abinadab, Kirjath-jearim
  - During the time of Samuel, the Phillistines captured the Ark. They became very superstitious and sent it back on a cart to the Field of Abinadab. (8 miles west of Jerusalem)
  - Transporting the Ark to Jerusalem (the new capital)
  - David had a passion and a love for God
  - He wanted to bring the Ark back to Israel and put it in it’s Capital
  - He did it his way – v.2
  - The result was catastrophic – v.8
  - Compare vs.5 to vs. 8
  - God had specific instructions on how to move the Ark
    - Ex 25:14,15; Joshua 3:3,4
    - Was constructed with rings on the four corners. Staves were put through the rings and the Ark was carried on the shoulders of the Levites.
  - David did things his way
- Bathsheba (2 Sam 11)
  - Adulterer – 2 Sam 11:1-8
  - Liar – 2 Sam 11: 13-15
  - Murderer 2 Sam 11: 16-18
  - The child conceived died
- Absalom (2 Sam 13)
  - Incest, rape, and murder (2 Sam 13:14-29)
    - Amnon, raped his sister Tamar (focus on vs. 21-22)
    - Absalom revenged her by killing his own brother (23-30)
  - Rebellion – Absalom led a rebellion against his own Father in order to take his throne.
  - Lost a son – Battle of Ephraim (David told his men not to harm Absalom, but Joab would slay him) 18:9,10,13-16
- The Plague ( 2 Sam 24:1-4,10,15) David’s census of the people
  - David put his faith in statistics instead of God

The Bible is very clear, the only person to have never sinned was the Lord Jesus. The only one. However, there are some it’s hard to find fault with them (Daniel, Joseph, Timothy, Ruth, John the Baptist) “all have sinned”

Abraham and Isaac both lied; Rachel (Jacob’s wife) Lot and his sin with Sodom, how Moses murdered a man; Peter’s denial, the Disciples that forsook Jesus; Jonah’s disobedience… there were commandments that we find that different people God used broken. Not picking on David but he pretty much broke all the commandments.

James 2:10 KJV: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

David had a dark side. One thing we can say about David is he was a great sinner. But another thing we can say about David is that he was an even better repenter. (Psalm 51)

51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

David was a man after God’s own heart who God blessed with a Great Life. Let’s look at a few things in the life of David:

Outline:

He was a Shepherd: This shows that he was Dependable
- Saul failed as a king, Samuel is instructed to go to the House of Jesse to anoint one of his sons
- 1 Samuel 16:7 7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
- God rejects the first 7 sons of Jesse, but then sends Samuel to find David in the sheep pasture to be anointed.
- Being a Shepherd shows that David was Dependable in His Walk with God
- Cared and protected for the flock.

(Who are the people God has given us today to take care of? Family; Widows & Orphans; The Poor; Edify our brothers and sisters in Christ; spread the Gospel)

He was a Songwriter: This shows that he was a Devout man
- King Saul was troubled by an evil spirit and the music of David would comfort him
- David’s talent as a musician gave him fame in Israel and was also commanded by Saul to play for him
- Being a Songwriter showed that David was Deep in His Walk with God
- He had an intimate relationship with God. He was very personal

138 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

If Someone were to ask you right now what your walk with Jesus is like what would you tell them?
There are a lot of Christians who can talk about Church; Politics; Themselves; famous preacher; Religion; even common Bible knowledge. But what about your walk with God?
The more we trust God, the more intimate we are with Him
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse yourhands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” – James 4:8
Devout - Yielding a solemn and reverential attention to Godin religious exercises, particularly in prayer.
Psalm 1 (David) a life of Holiness is summed up in Psalm 1:1-3
He was a Soldier: This shows that he was Determined
- Very bloody battles “Great Slaughter”
- Invaded the land of the Geshurites, Gezrites, and the Amalekites
- Destroys the Amalekites to avenge what they did in Ziklag (Amalekites invaded Ziklag, burned it with fire, took women and children captive)
- Attacks the Jebusites in the city of Jebus, renames it Jerusalem and makes it His capital.
- Victory over the Ammonites and Syrians

David was a man of War!

He was also a man who was constantly being sought after and betrayed… There was always conflict

Saul was impulsive and Jealous and wanted David killed
- Attempts to kill David numerous times
  - Falsely promises his daughter in attempt to kill him; Javelin
  - David escapes another attempt by being lowered through his own bedroom window; David spares Saul’s life twice, once in a cave another on a hillside
- His own son Absalom sought after him

David was always in a fight it seemed. Rather if it was Warfare, Betrayal, things that were brought on him because he was Godly, and then things he brought upon himself because at the time he sinned and made a mistake. But one thing you can say about David, David was determined.

1 Sam 17:29 “Is there not a cause?” A man after God’s own heart.

Conclusion: David’s Great Life

He was a Shepherd: This shows that he was Dependable
He was a Songwriter: This shows that he was a Devout man
He was a Soldier: This shows that he was Determined

“the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart” God can make your life Great!

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 54

Title: David’s Great Comeback

Text: Psalm 51

Theme: How David, a man after God’s own heart, recovered after committing a great sin.

David is known in the Bible for his comebacks (Underdog with Goliath; Running from King Saul; Amalekites invading Ziklag;) . Psalm 51 covers what may be his greatest comeback of all.
“King David, though a man after God’s own heart, was a great sinner. He committed adultery and, in covering it up, he committed murder. But David was also a great repenter, and Psalm 51shows us how to come back when we’re down.” -Adrian Rogers
The Temptation (Before sin) = It’s okay if you do this…you can get away with it. The Accusation (After sin) = I can’t believe you did that… you’ll never get away with it

Introduction: Psalm 51 (Sin in the life of the Believer) Psalm 51:5-19

The Ability of Sin in the Life of the Believer: Psalm 51:5
There is a Capability to sin
Christians still have the Capability to sin (John 1:5-10)
Christians cannot lose Salvation because of sin, but we can lose other things. (Fellowship with God and others; our Testimony; Ability to grow; etc.)

Romans 7:15 “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”

Verse 5: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Our flesh is sinful (Man that is born of a woman is a few days… and full of trouble (Job) “In my flesh dwelleth no good thing” (Paul in Romans 7:18)
The Aftermath of Sin in the Life of the Believer v. 6
There are consequences to sin

“Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.” – Proverbs 30:3

Sinning (lying, strife, envy, jealousy, gossip, slander, etc.) does not bring forth good fruit. It does not please God.
(Illustration) It is amazing how so many Christians, can provoke, prod, and play around with sin… and the moment: someone falls we are quick to Judge and hold on to grudges; we are quick to want to give up; we are quick to say things like “ I don’t know what happened”
(Illustration of the drunk constantly going to bars and relapsing; the pornography addict watching sexual content; the Gossip starting a conversation out with “I love Dean, but…”)
The Churning of milk bringeth forth butter… you are bound to sin, you are bound to suffer. You play with fire, you get burned.
6 “Inward parts” ( Jesus said, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh) God is not interested in the surface… He wants truth on the inside. (the more our heart is right, less we are to sin)
The Anguish of Sin in the Life of the Believer v.7-19
There is Conviction of sin (Thank God)
“David committed adultery and then tried to cover it up. At best, he committed manslaughter; at worst, he committed cold blooded murder” – Adrian Rogers
God sent Nathan to speak to David about his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-7)
The lamb of the story was Bathsheba. David was quick to judge someone whom he thought had stolen a lamb, but he was guilty of stealing Bathsheba. David was quick to judge someone who he thought had killed an animal, but he was guilty of killing Uriah.
When we are backslidden, we tend to judge people for less sin than we have in our own lives.
Nathan looked at David and said … “Thou art the man”. The Man of God gave the Word of God which brought Conviction to the heart of David. “Thou art the man!”

v.7 – He admits he’s Dirty

(7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.)

v.8 – He admits he’s devastated

(8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.)

9-12 – He admits he’s Degraded

Degraded = reduced to a lower rank… His sins are in the open, his heart is dirty, and he’s out of fellowship with the Father (9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.)

13-17 – He admits his desperateness – he wants to teach transgressors, convert sinners, sing praises, and give sacrifices. T

(13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

This is a man who wants to get back into fellowship with the Father but has fallen flat on his face.

Outline: David’s Great Comeback: Psalm 51:1-4

David’s Assurance (Confidence) v.1
David trusted in God (according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies)
David believed God was who He said He was. David believed God would do what he said he would do!
Want to come back like David? Put Confidence in God. (1 John 1:9)
Illustration: The difference between Conviction and Shame
David’s Admission (Confession) v. 3,4

(For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.)

Did David sin against Bathsheba? Uriah? His Family? His Kingdom? (Yes!)
But above all, David sinned against God. (A man after God’s own heart. He wanted to make things right with God first… the rest will follow, and unfortunately sometimes others don’t forgive)
Want to come back like David? There was no excuse, no alibi, and no pointing fingers… David takes ownership for his sin. Take ownership for your sin.
David’s Absolution (Pardon, Forgiveness, Cleansing) v. 2

(Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.)

7, 10 speak of this also
David was pardoned because He went to God
Want to come back like David? Ask God for forgiveness,
Illustration of how we try to move on (counselling, time, acts of service, etc.) Those are all good, but above all… we need the forgiveness of God.
103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.6 The Lordexecuteth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Conclusion:

We looked at the Ability, the Aftermath and the Anguish of sin in the life of a believer.
We learn how David had Assurance that God was longsuffering and forgiving, Admitted and took ownership of his sin, and was Absolved and put back into Fellowship with God.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.

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Episode 53

Title: “All Things New”

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Theme: A New Creature in Christ

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

Introduction: “A New Creature/Creation”

Questions:
- What does it mean to be a new Creature?
- How can a person be in Christ?
- What does it mean that old things are passed away and all things become new?
Quote:
- “The Lord knows very well that you cannot change your own heart and cannot cleanse your own nature. However, He also knows that he can do both. Hear this and be astonished. He can create you a second time. He can cause you to be born again.” – Charles Spurgeon

Romans 5:12-19

The Sentence for the Human Race: 12-14

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

12: Because one man sinned, death spread upon all of the human race
13: From Adam to Moses sin was not a “transgression” but labeled as rebellion. (The Law had not been written) For example, not one of them broke the law, because there was no law. However, they were judged because they were sinners.
14 Despite the fact that the law was not given, death reigned from Adam to Moses because the human race were sinners.
This is the human races sentence, death. Because of sin there is Death. (Three types of death because of sin)
- Physical Death = separation of body and spirit. Because of Adam’s sin we will die a physical death. (Hebrews 9:27: “27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”)
- Spiritual Death = separation from God. Our sin nature inherited from Adam. “Dead in trespasses of sins” ( Eph 2:1 : “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”)
- Eternal Death = eternal separation from God
The Sacrifice for the Human Race: v.15,16

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

15 The easiest way to explain this: Because of Adam’s Disobedience (his sin), death came upon all of the human race (Physical, Spiritual, Eternal). Because of Christ Obedience (His Death on the cross) it is possible for the human race to be Saved.
16: Life is superior to Death. Jesus Christ Blood is more powerful than our sin.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

The Salvation for the Human Race: v. 17-19

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Because of Adam’s disobedience, there was Condemnation of Death
Because of Christ Obedience, there is Justification of Life

So now we see that because of one, there is death… but because of another there is life… a New Life. A New Birth. Because of Him we can be new Creatures.

Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” – John 5:24

Let’s go back to our key verse:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Outline: “All Things New”

A New Purpose v.14,15

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

14 “constraineth” actually means “pushes out”
The love of Christ Pushes us out… it motivates us.
Because of Jesus Christ we now have a new purpose. His love is the motivator for life!
A New Perspective v.16

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

“The born-again Christian see’s life not as a blurred, confused, meaningless mass, but as something planned and purposeful.” – Billy Graham

We now see others through different eyes
We no longer look at things “through the flesh” Christ has changed us from within. We are born again. We have a new nature.
A New Person v. 17

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

A New nature (spiritual warfare)
A New reason for living
A New Position v. 18-21

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

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.

Justified = To be rendered Righteous
We are now positioned in Christ. When God see’s us, He see’s the blood of Jesus

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Episode 52

Title: Next level Intimacy with God

Text: Exodus 33:12-17; Philippians 3:10

Theme: God’s Presence

Introduction:

Who: Moses & Israel
What: The promise that God would go with them
Where: From Egypt (Bondage) to the promised land (Rest)
When: 1446 BC (the Twelve Spies is 1445 BC in Numbers 12)
Why: To have intimacy with God
How:
Power of God: God’s power was revealed in the deliverance of Bondage
Promise of God: God promised He would deliver them from Bondage to Rest
Presence of God: Moses wants more, let’s read…

Exodus 33:12-17

12 And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

You commanded me to do something and I did it. You tell me you know me personally and that I Have found favor but I want to know your ways. Do you promise to go with me? If you don’t, then don’t send us.

Questions:

Can you relate to Moses?
Why do you think some people are content with God knowing them but they only have a limited knowledge of Him?

Outline:

Philippians 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;”

Trust
Acceptance
Support

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Episode 51

Text: Exodus 7:1-12
Title: “Trust the Process”
Theme: Obedience
Key Verse: Exodus 7:6

Process- “a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end:”
Trust is vital in our relationship with God. It is the key to not only faithfulness but intimacy.
• Why do you think trust is so vital to intimacy with God?
• What are the dangers of physically being faithful but not trusting Him?

Introduction:
• Who: Moses & Aaron
• What: The Contest with Pharoah (second demand)
• Where: Egypt
• When: Before the Exodus
• Why: Fulfillment of God’s plan of Deliverance
• How:
A. Relinquish
• Relinquish “voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up:”
• Why is it so difficult for us to do this?
o People still want to think there is good in man.
o We have a hard time, even those who believe “All have sinned and come short”
B. Reliance v.2,3
• “hardened” is a figurative word that means “twisted” … it means God was going to get out of Pharoah what He wanted. It doesn’t mean Pharoah was a really good guy but God made him evil so He could beat him.
• Moses and Aaron needed to trust in God and only God.
• What are some battles we have to fight after surrendering when we are actually doing the task?

C. Resilience v. 4-7
• Score = 20. Moses was 80 and Aaron was 83.
• Pharoah refused to listen.
• Resilience – “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness:”
• Egypt would know that it was the Lord God who would deliver Israel.
Outline: answer but with a verse, and let’s write down in our journals.
1. What is the Process here in Exodus 7?
2. How can this be related to God’s Will today?
3. How can we Relinquish ourselves to God? (give a scripture)
4. How can we better Rely upon God? (give a scripture)
5. How can we have Resilience when doing god’s will regardless of the outcome?

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Episode 50

Title: Our Passover

Text: 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:1-13

Theme: Jesus Christ is our Passover

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 5:7

1 Corinthians 5:7 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Exodus 12:1-13

3Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Type – “A divinely appointed illustration of some scriptural truth.”

Derived from Greek word “tupos” – impression, stamp, pattern, or form

“A type must never be used to teach a doctrine, but only to illustrate a doctrine elsewhere explicitly taught.” – Dr. J. Edwin Hartill

The Passover

“To set forth the great truth of the whole Bible, the deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery to sin and the world.” - Dr. Tom Wallace, Digest of the Old Testament.

The older I get, three things I realize more and more:

Life is precious
1. Shortness of life
2. Survival of life
The enemy is real (Devil, World, Flesh)
1. Spirit
2. Soul
3. Self
God is Love. His Grace and Mercy

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”- Eph 2:4

Introduction: Exodus 12:1-13

Who?
- Israel
What?
- The Passover
Where?
- Egypt
When?
- 1446 B.C.
Why?
- To deliver the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt
- The 10th and final plague
  - Water turned to blood
  - Frogs infested the land
  - Lice throughout the land
  - Grievous swarm of flies
  - Cattle of the Egyptians died, but the Israelites cattle lived
  - Boils to man and beast
  - Hail
  - Locust
  - Darkness
  - The Firstborn slain

Psalm 78:49-51 King James Version (KJV)

49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

What is the type of this story? What is the truth that is set forth?

“To set forth the great truth of the whole Bible, the deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery to sin and the world.” - Dr. Tom Wallace, Digest of the Old Testament.

The deliverance of man from the bondage of sin.

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

“For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”

Outline: “Our Passover”

Exodus 12:1-13

The Prison

Exodus 2:23 23And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

70 people went into Egypt, now they are numbered at over 2 million
Joseph died, there was a new Pharaoh, and the people were enslaved
You can divide Exodus up into three parts
- Captivity (1-12)
- Deliverance (13-18)
- Consecration (19-40)

The Prison –Type of sin’s bondage

They were in slavery – in bondage - They could barely bear their own burdens
They did not fight, join, or go to man’s methods, they went God’s way through the “Exodus”
Sin has this world in bondage – The sin problem must be dealt with
Only God can provide a way out of bondage. Jesus Christ our Lord

(The Penalty)

Israel was not only prisoners, but they were where they were as a penalty for their sin
Turn to Ezek. 20:33-38

33 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: 34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. 36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

Israel had something the Egyptians didn’t have, they had a light. They had the knowledge of God and His promises, yet still they sinned. They worshipped the gods of the Egyptians, they were sinners.

The Penalty (Israel’s sin) –Type of man outside of Christ

Israel never got out of Egypt, that is why some of them wanted to go back
They were contaminated
“For all have sinned and come short” (“sin in sin”)

2 Corinthians 5:21 King James Version 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.

The Passover
Up to this point there were 9 other plagues, Israel had been spared. But, they still had to be Redeemed.
They were sinful slaves under condemnation and the only way for them to be saved was to meet God’s requirements; which was the blood being applied to their home, the blood of the lamb without Spot or blemish.
They were to take the blood of the lamb and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post. (Shape of a Cross)
Notice: This was specific to the home. They were not segregated. They were to apply the blood to their home. If it was a small family, they could join together.
The little ones were not left behind

The Passover – Type of Jesus Christ, our Passover

Exodus – “The way out”
“To set forth the great truth of the whole Bible, the deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery to sin and the world.” - Dr. Tom Wallace, Digest of the Old Testament.

Hebrews 10:9-13

9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

(The Payment)

God is very specific, a lamb without spot or blemish, male of the first year
There had to be blood shed.
The blood needed to be applied

The Payment (first born slain) – Type of sin’s payment.

All the first born were slain
Calvary was a dark place
The Purge
They were to take the leaven out of their homes and eat unleavened bread for 7 days
Leaven – “evil” You have to stop the leavening process or the bread just keeps rising higher and higher “PURGED”

The Purge – Type of consecration

1 Corinthians 5:7 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:

Leaven – “evil” You have to stop the leavening process or the bread just keeps rising higher and higher “PURGED”

O.T. Days after the feast of the Passover they would have the feast of unleavened bread. So, Paul is saying here, that Christ is our Passover, and that we should purge the leaven and be a new lump.

The Pardon

The New Year
God actually changes the calendar in Exodus 12 for Israel in the beginning f the 7th month
Six months had passed
Based on the Passover, there was a new beginning

The Pardon (The new year)– Type of Salvation, 6 is man’s number. After 6 months, God started a new calendar. Old things are passed away.

Conclusion:

The Prison
The Passover
The Purge

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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If you grew up in Church like me, maybe you have heard the term "Full-time Christian Ministry (or service)" ... this is a term used to describe people who are Pastors, evangelists, or Missionaries (who have gone abroad). All these are wonderful, but the question is, can a person who goes to school, works a 9 to 5 secular job (any job for that matter), and lives what constitutes a "normal" life in their current culture, be in "Full-time ministry"?

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Episode 48

"The Foundation of our Faith (The Resurrection and Paul)"

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Why is Resurrection Day so important? Join me this week as we discuss the very foundation of the Christian Faith.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Have you ever wanted to get away? Have you ever felt that you are in a rut and perhaps some alone with God is your best option? This week I decided to embark on my own personal adventure to find solitude. I had west to the mountains of North Carolinato spend some alone time with God and was taught some wonderful life lessons that I wanted to share with you

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Episode 47

"Put up your sword" John 18:11

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Who: Peter
What: Cutting off the ear of Malchus
Where: The Garden of Gethsemane
When: Before the Crucifixion
Why: Judas betrayal of Jesus
How: with a sword
How much:

I. Peter’s Troubling Response

He responded in a way that was contrary to the big picture.
- The difference cups in Scripture
  - Cup of Salvation: Psalm 116:13
  - Cup of Consolation (comfort): Jeremiah 16:17
  - Cup of Joy: Psalm 23:5
  - Cup of Judgment: Matthew 26:39
    - He bore this for us on the cross
    - Those who reject Christ must drink this cup
    - He, sinless and in perfection, drank this cup for us and bore our sins (Hebrews 12:2)
  - Wise (understanding of big picture)

Wisdom: “having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment”

Jesus foretells His Death and Resurrection: Matt 16:21

II. Peter’s Thoughtless Response

Sober (keeping your head despite circumstances)

Jesus tells the Disciples that one would betray him: John 13:21

III. Peter’s Treacherous Response

Vigilant (Keeping watch to detect Danger)

Jesus specifically tells Peter to pray against temptation: Matthew 26:36-46

Despite being taught the big picture of Jesus mission, being told that Jesus would be betrayed, and being directed to pray against temptation; Peter acted in carelessly in haste without thought of consequence.

“Put up your Sword”

Jesus tells Peter in v.11 “put up thy Sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

Matthew 10:34 “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (“strife, discord, conflict; deadly opposition between eternally hostile priciples” – Jamieson Fausset and Brown)

Who is Jesus talking to? The twelve, commissioning them to go to the Nation Israel and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Who were the Jews looking for? The Messiah (a warrior Messiah to overthrow the Romans
What is the Kingdom? Kingdom of God that originates in Heaven, and will be established on earth through Israel. Jesus was born of the seed of David and presents himself as Messiah to the nation of Israel. “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” – Matthew 4:12 (The promised King was present)
So now that we have the context… what does Jesus mean?

“As a result of His visit to earth, some children would be set against parents and a man’s enemies might be those within his own household This is because some who follow Christ are hated by their family members. This may be part of the cost of discipleship, for love of family should not be greater than love for the Lord. A true disciple must take his cross and follow Jesus.” – John Walvoord

The Sword is referring to the strife that will be caused in a fallen world due to the first coming of Christ.

Luke 22:36 “Then said he unto them, but now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one”

The Sword was needed for personal protection. Jesus pointed out during the last supper, that when they were with Him, they never lacked anything. But since he was about to go away, they would need some things for their ministry: 1.) a purse; 2.) a bag; and 3.) a sword.

Now, this goes hand and hand with Jesus words to Peter. “put up thy Sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

Forbear: “To stop; to cease; to hold from proceeding;”

Peter could have easily been arrested and no longer a vessel for God’s use. (John 18:8-10)

A lack of Wisdom and Understanding can be catastrophic

Peter could have caused those present to misunderstand Jesus Mission (John 18:11)

Three things that can help:

Clearness
Caution
Charity (love)

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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"Uncharted Territory" Joshua 3:1-5

(This is a re-recording and more concise version of episode 31)

“In Joshua 3, the children of Israel were on the brink of blessing. Between them and a land of opportunity was a raging river of difficulty. However, they had with them the Ark of the Covenant, a reminder of God’s presence with His people, and their guide to the Great Unknown.” – Adrian Rogers

Uncharted Territory – an unknown place not yet explored.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Episode 46

"How to Prepare for a Sermon"

"The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not 'what a lovely sermon,' but, ' I WILL DO SOMETHING" - Francis De Sales

I. Pray before preparation

Is there anything in your life that shouldn’t be there? “search me O God…”

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalms 139:23,24

What text do you need to preach from?
What’s the theme?
Spend time in prayer and really seek God’s Will for your message.

II. Prepare a sermon using the LIPS acronym

LEARN: Learn the text and context (read and re-read)

*Tools needed: Bible, Strongs Concordance or equivalent, Journal or pad/computer to take down basic notes

Remember this is you are learning the text:

Dispensation (who is God talking to, period, etc.)
Interpretation (the exact meaning of the text)

Capture what you are learning in your journal/notepad

Who:
What:
Where:
When:
Why:
How:
How much:

Learn the themes of the passage

Tools needed: Bible, Concordance, your Journal you have been using for notes, (this is a time of prayer and reflection and seeing which direction you are headed with the text.)

Essentially you are taking what you have learned from the text and seeing what the theme is going to be for your sermon.

Learn from others.

Tools needed: books, magazines, phone, computer, etc.

Listen to other sermons/podcast/interviews on text; read commentaries, articles, reach out to Brothers/Sisters in the faith for their own commentary, etc.
(be sure to do this after you have spent solitude with God praying over and reading the text directly from the Word and concordance.)
INSCRIBE (pen to paper)
Inscribe a detailed summary (pen to paper) of what was learned and what you want to tell the audience. These are not rough draft notes from reading as before.
Essentially, you are writing down what you want to tell them, what you’re going to tell them, and what you told them. It is as if you are giving your audience the sermon in essay form.
Plan (outline the sermon) Begin the final draft of the sermon by taking the inscription and putting it in outline form.

The introduction is what you want to tell them, the discussion is what you are telling them, and the conclusion is a recap of what you told them.

The goal is that this is continuous. As if one big run-on sentence. The goal is to not take a break, but simply let the entire thing flow
Use alliteration to help audience remember points (optional)
Stay (dwell on the sermon)- Meditate on the sermon; Live the sermon (practice what God is telling you to preach. Remember, the Holy Spirit has preached this sermon to you before you will ever preach it to anyone else. This is your sermon to receive, live, and then proclaim. What an honor!)

III. Practice the sermon

Here are some tips:

Record yourself preaching to get rid of any bad habits when you are speaking( “we see here…”; “um”; “uhh when you uhh look uhh here uhh” )
Practice over and over so you are not depending too much on your notes. What happens if you leave your notes at home? You going to still give the Word?
Give the Word to your family and close friends. There is nothing like practicing a good sermon your wife in the car on the way somewhere.

IV. Pray again

Sermon preparation is stressful, and the enemy is also at work. You can never pray too much for a sermon. You never know who is going to hear it and what they stand in need of. The enemy is also very crafty, a lot can happen from the time you finish sermon preparation and when you actually preach it. (Frustration, fear, shame, over-confidence, the list goes on and on!)
Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit while preaching, pray for the audience, and pray for a right heart and humble spirit. Pray without ceasing!

V. Preach (let it fly!)

Try not to go into “preaching mode” meaning you flip a switch and turn into a robot. (Refrain from cliches, crowd-pleasing, and humble bragging.)
The main thing here is that you have gotten this message directly from God, you are in fellowship with God, you have been living this and meditating on it, and now you have the wonderful opportunity to give it to others.

Question: How much time should I spend a week in preparation for a sermon?

Answer: 168 hours.

Think about it.. in Psalm 1, the Blessed man (Happy man) meditates on the Word “day and night”. In the Epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul told the Church to “pray without ceasing” which essentially means to have our minds on God and be in constant communication with Him. Now, you may not be spending day and night meditating over the text God has given you to preach, nor may you be spending your days in the attitude of prayer over your sermon, but it all goes together. Let the Holy Spirit lead and direct your thoughts and actions. I would recommend a solid 3 to 4 hours on the LIPS method to construct the specific sermon. But you will be amazed how much of what goes on every day in a life with God that is apart of the sermon He is giving you.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Episode 45

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18

Feeling connected is a basic human need. Solitary confinement is now being argued as inhumane and ineffective. Studies show that there are multiple negative mental and physical health effects. There is a need for connectivity and community. But before we have good relationships within community, we first must have to explore our connection to God.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Episode 44

There is a great picture in the Old Testament of what happens when we reject sound Doctrine.

Amos 7:10 “the land is not able to Bear his words” (maintain, contain, receive)

2 Timothy 4:3 “when they will not Endure Sound Doctrine” (hold up; to sustain, to bear)

When Amos prophesied against the other nations, his prophesy was accepted. But when he prophesied against Israel's specific sin, they told him to leave. The question we must ask ourselves, is "how do we respond to the truth?" Not only the truth that we accept, but the entire truth, even the parts that call out our own personal sins and disobedience.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Episode 43

“People often tell me I could be a great man. I’d rather be a good man.” – JFK Jr.

“Great” in the world’s eyes can be defined as a person who has accomplished more than ordinary and is celebrated. Sometimes, we can focus so much on being great people, that we forget how to be good people.

What does God want for us? To be great, good, or both? In this episode, we will talk about how we can pursue a life with God, and not only achieve Great things, but be Good people in the process.

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

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Christmas episode special. When a person believes in the true meaning of Christmas they are changed from the inside out. What can be nothing more than another excuse to horde, indulge, and binge on all the activities of the Holiday season, actually can be a life changing experience that leads to joy and utter fulfillment. It's easy to become a "Grinch" (character of Dr. Seuss "How the Grinch Stole Christmas") when we look around and see so much greed, consumption, and noise during this time of year. But Christmas is actually about so much more. Join me as we discuss the Meaning, the Message, and the Merriment of Christmas.

Quoted material:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (TV special) - Wikipedia

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Episode 42

What is Christian Nationalism?

“Patriotism is the love of country…It is different from nationalism which is an argument which is how to define our country. We are thankful for the United States as a country, as a land… as a Christians we can and should love the United States. Which also means working to improve our Country by holding it up for critique and working for justice when it errs. Christian Nationalism is the belief that the American Nation is defined by Christianity and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way…” - Christianity Today

Why is it so Dangerous?

Fashions the Corruptible, not the Incorruptible: Matthew 6:19-21
Focuses on the Community, not Identity: Ephesians 4:20-24
Favors the Country, not Instruction: Matthew 28:18-20

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Episode 41.

Zechariah gives a message of comfort and reassurance to Israel.

Zechariah and Haggai were prophets who were tasked with purging the remnant who returned to Israel from Babylon. The rebuilding of the temple was stopped by the remnant due to opposition. With Haggai, and Zecharia they prompted the restart of the building project and saw it completed soon after.

When the foundations were laid, it was very small compared to Solomon’s temple. Rivals doubted, supporters doubted, I can only imagine that the fellow-labors were very distraught. Notice what Zechariah says in 4:10.

“For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth” - Zechariah 4:10

Who hath despised the day of small things?

Israel was Renovating. They had been in captivity, and now the returned remnant needed to be purged. The renovation was needed. Not only Israel but their hearts.

We want BIG:

Responsibility – We want to go big (hard to say no) seems like you are a part of everything. A false mindset that busy means productive.
Results – Professions, baptisms, numbers, Facebook likes, youtube views.
Knowledge – Be able to debate; teach/preach eloquent messages/sermons, etc.

God used a small boy named David, to take 5 smooth stones and a slingshot and slay a giant.

God took only a handful of flour with a little oil to feed Elijah, a widow and her son

5 barley loaves and 2 fishes to feed a crow of five thousand

To help a man with anxiety and depression who just wanted to give up, God made Himself known to Him through a still small voice.

To call a mighty prophet, who would be used to establish a monarchy in Israel, and anoint Israel’s first two kings, He spoke softly to a small child.

Instead of despising the small things, we should be thankful for them. We can learn from a small child who responded to the voice of God…

“And the LORD came and stood and called as at other ties, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for they servant heareth.” 1 Samuel 3:10

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Episode 40

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Edify – “to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge: uplift, enlighten, inform” (Webster)

When you focus on those words: instruct, improve, uplift, enlighten, inform… you think of the job of a coach. A coach determines the success of a player/athlete. Without a good coach, a team will crumble. The best way to build chemistry on any team is by having good player-coach relationships.

7 tips to build a player-coach relationship (traceup.com) read list first then go one by one

Create goals: This should be more than just winning, especially in youth sports.
Use video: communicate ideas clearly… videos provide new insight and perspective.
Pay attention to body language: Kids are different, people are different. What works for one may not work for another (this includes you)
Talk with your players, not to your players: Lecturing only goes so far. This is why we must know what we believe and why, not just “the way we always done it…”
Listen more: This is critical and it must meet the definition.
Repeat important messages.
Be honest and encouraging.

This is a two-way street. It’ s not just up to the coach. The players must be coachable. (Listen, remember the goal, ask questions, no excuses, keep ego in check; be willing to learn from not only the coach but everyone on the team, seek constructive criticism)

When you have this, you have harmony. (Agreement) The player/coach analogy is so great, because we must be both to each other.

The Christian life can be related to that of an athlete and a coach

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

We are to aim for a prize; therefore, we must live a life of discipline and direction. Our crown should not be the corruptible crown, but the incorruptible. Which means we are not only to ensure that we achieve the goal, but that our brothers and sisters in Christ do also. We are to have the role of the athlete and the coach. We must edify one another, which means, not only do we edify, but we allow others to edify us.

Introduction: What it means to Edify;

Inform: Acts 1:8; Romans 10:17 (We cannot just hear, we must tell)
Instruct: 2 Timothy 3:16 (We must learn so we can then teach)
Improve: Colossians 3:16 (There must be progress. Define progress as maturity, not just statistics)

In Romans 14:19-23, the theme is “Harmony in the Church”. The theme of Romans 14 is the weak and the strong. Christian principles and practices are encouraged in this chapter. When you outline the book of Romans it can be divided up into three sections:

Doctrine: Romans 1-8
Dispensation: Romans 9-11
Duty: Romans 12-16

This is very typical of Paul, who we see use this pattern of Doctrine then application in his epistles. Chapters 12-16 touch on our service and relationships. What should our relationships be with God; Spiritual gifts; other Christians; non-believers; government; our neighbors; and how we are to conduct ourselves,etc. We are to live holy and separate lives but do it in a way that strengthens other believers and draws the unbelievers to Christ. Three words to really sum this up would be conviction; conscience; and consideration.

Outline: Be an Edifier, not…

I. Be an Edifier, not a DESTROYER (Mutual Upbuilding) Romans

II. Be an Edifier, not a DISTRESSER (Not living in Regret) Romans

III. Be an Edifier, not a DOUBTER (Faith in what you are doing) Romans 14:23

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Episode 39

Comfort: “Relief from pain; ease; rest or moderate pleasure after pain, cold or distress or uneasiness of body; relief from distress of mind; the ease and quiet which is experienced when pain, trouble, agitation or affliction ceases; supporting; consolation; encouragement” (Webster)

The word “Comforter” is a name for the Holy Spirit because of His ministry of strengthening and encouraging.

God comforts us so we can comfort others.

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Episode 38

A battle can be defined as a struggle — some examples would be financial difficulties, health problems, work issues, mental health, or being bullied. In 2 Chronicles, we have an example of a Godly king who rested on God to fight his battles.

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Episode 37

Is it okay to watch shows or movies that have nudity/sexual content in them?

This podcast is in response to an episode of the "Ask me anything" podcast by Pastor J.D. Greear, "Should Christians Watch Game of Thrones? (Or Anything With Nudity) I was recommended to check out this podcast and I am glad I did. I highly recommend it. A link to the podcast is below.

Should Christians Watch Game of Thrones? (Or Anything With Nudity?) – JD Greear Ministries

The first half of the question in the podcast referenced for most Christians is easy, but the last part is the one I think we have trouble with. There is a danger to Christians creating a "middle-ground" to sin.

Please reach out to me if you would like to discuss this further or have anything questions.

preachtheword87@outlook.com

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Episode 36

"Kill them with Kindness” is unfortunately actual advice you will hear as a way to get back with someone who is being mean to you. The reality is, you cannot hurt someone by being kind to them. This "kill them with kindness" thing is nothing more than a form of passive-aggressive hypocrisy that plagues the Church. Like forgiveness, there are no strings attached to kindness. To keep means to protect someone, like a fortress or castle. Real kindness goes hand in hand with the love and gentleness we are to show others for Jesus sake. In this episode, we will explore the context of Ephesians 4, and how we as Christians are to walk in Kindness and Forgiveness and then look at some Biblical examples of how we are to live.

Please email me any questions or comments you have to preachtheword87@outlook.com

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Episode 35

The house of Saul, once a kingdom, a royal line, is now down to a hopeless crippled living in Exile by the name of Mephibosheth. David is raining over all of Israel, his army is strengthened, and there was a victory, praise, worship, and all glory was given to God. he visits the house of his weight friend, Jonathan, to see if there is anyone left that he could bless.

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Episode 34

There are many ways to draw nigh and stay close to God. Pray without ceasing, meditating on the Word of God, but also our music. Our prayer time is important, but it should be more than just taking certain times to pray over things, we are in fact commanded to pray without ceasing. This means staying in an attitude of prayer all day. Reading our Bible is the same way. Yes, we want to set apart a time each day to read our Bibles, but in order to live a life with God, we must be like the Psalm 1 man and meditate on it day and night.

Music is no different. We should have times when we worship, and be purposeful just like we are with Prayer and Bible Reading. But we also must understand that in order to live a life in fellowship with God, our music, like the rest of our lives, must honor God.

I share with you in this podcast 3 songs I have picked for my songs for 2023 and why.

A. Song of Abiding

B. Song of Adhering

C. Song for Adoration

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Episode 33

Title: “Living a Psalm 23 Life”

Text: Psalm 23

Introduction:

Psalm 23 is by far, probably the most famous psalm, but one of the most famous Bible passages as well as words were ever written. You could put Psalm 23 right up there with John 3:16
Psalm 23 is also a wonderful lesson we learn in the Bible as believers. We learn that everyone who belongs to God (trust in Christ as Savior) is a member of God’s flock and that we are cared for as individual sheep.
- The Shepherd gives His life for the Sheep
- The Shepherd leaves the 99 to find the 1 lost sheep.
- No man can pluck the sheep from the Shepherd.
Psalm 23 is also a picture of a life of Fellowship with Christ. (Read Title: “Living a Psalm 23 Life” What does it mean to live a Psalm 23 life?

We are faced with so many obstacles in this life:

Pressure to achieve – the preset standard, make so much by a certain time, achieve certain things by a certain age, etc.
Pressure to keep up – all the latest things
Pressure to conform – comply with ideas
Pressure to isolate – withdrawal from society and go to a happy place. Binge shut down, and go from one extreme to the other.

Not only do our souls need restoration, but we face a world full of souls that need redemption, and Churches that need reviving. But we are so bogged down by this world.

Meanwhile, God is calling us back to Him. We have been faced with the Question recently of How to really live in the Will of God. Our lives do not belong to us; Our life’s purpose is to pursue God; true riches are found in a life that is lived in faithful pursuit of the Will of God.

Living a Psalm 23 life is a timely message and calls us to a life with God. (Read Psalm)

Outline: The Psalm 23 Life:

A Life of Resources v.1
- Resources needed to live: air (suffocate); water (organ failure from dehydration); soil (starve); minerals (essential organs would shut down) plants (no oxygen); and animals (we could not survive without animals = bees pollinate 1/3 of our global food supply. They keep crops and plants alive; Butterflies are also pollinators of our fruits & veggies. Food pollinators are responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food we consume.)
- Spiritual resources: His Word; The Holy Spirit; Direct access to God; The Body of Christ;
- God is the source; Romans 11:36 “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen”
- “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” Ps 23:1; Translated, “The Lord is my shepherd I need no other”
- The very Source of all creation; power; knowledge; understanding; strength, etc. comes from God… who David says “is my shepherd…keeper…watcher…protector…friend”
- Who is your Shepherd? Before you say “The Lord” I want you to honestly ask yourself…
  1. Who am I following?
  2. Who or what do I turn to for supply, comfort, or hope?
    1. Your job, paycheck, Your 401k, social security, retirement
    2. Religion/Church
    3. Movement or social media page
    4. Family
    5. TV or Computer or Phone
    6. President or well the guy who was in there last

That must be the question we ask ourselves… “Who am I following, who or what do I turn to for comfort? The Psalm 23 life is a life of Resources (All Christians have these resource but a psalm 23 life makes the most of the resources we have been given: if not careful, we can:)

Bible – live in disobedience; neglect; ignorance (lack of knowledge)
Holy Spirit – Quench and Grieve the Holy Spirit ( let God be God)
Prayer – Pray with ceasing (light switch) pray in vein repetitions
Church – Be a stumbling block; the source of all envy and strife. (illustration of sour stomach and pagan)
(where is it coming from – love/kindness/ministering/ submitting to God Will = Jesus; envy, jealousy, strife, argumentative, comebacks, confusion, lying, gossip, slander,being mean to your waiter, shame = satan)
God is our Source. We don’t stand in want, we lack nothing. He has given us every resource we need to live a full life that is pleasing to Him.

A Psalm 23 life is a life of Resources. You make the most of the resources God has given you and you can honestly say, The Lord is my Shepherd, I need no other!

A Life of Rest v.2
- “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” Ps 23:2
- Lying down in green pastures is sufficiency. Sheep do not lie down if they are hungry, so if they are lying down it means they are full.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of life: He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and He that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

John 6:67,68 “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”

“living below in this old sinful world, hardly a comfort can afford, striving alone to face temptation so, where could I go but to the Lord…Where could I go, Oh where could I go, seeking a refuge for my soul, needing a friend to help me in the end, where could I go but to the Lord”

Leading beside the still waters. Sheep do not like turbulent water, it frightens them. Turbulent means disturbed. Sheep do not like stagnant water (not flowing or running, a pool of water) Sheep don’t want to eat the filth the hogs eat.
This is a good illustration of us. We can’t rest while living an insufficient life. A life that is lacking. A life full of anxiety and fear. A life where we have to eat the sloppy seconds of the world.

Psalm 55:6” and I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for I would fly away, and be at rest.” (you ever just want to escape? You ever get tired of it all and wish you could just isolate yourself and find rest? Unfortunately that wont do it. But the good news is, there is a way to find rest.)

Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The Sheep does not lie down if it’s hungry. We cannot rest if we are hungry, if we are troubled, if we are anxious.

A Life of Renewal v.3a
- “He restoreth my soul”
- If anyone knew anything about being restored it was David.
- He was the little lost sheep who got away from the fold that the shepherd had to come and restore.
- Illustration of David’s sin with Bathsheba – the Devil is the great tempter, and the great accuser. The Great Psalm of Psalm 51
  1. Confidence: v. 1,2 (For a multitude of sins there is a multitude of mercies!)
  2. Confession: v. 3 NO ALLIBY FOR SIN
Cleansing: v.2, 7
1. Blot out = erase the record, clear the penalty
2. Wash me = remove the pollution. Cannot tell a pig that it’s dirty.
3. “Whiter than snow” = purge me

“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Also we are renewed because living this life is depleting. Even Jesus knew when virtue would go out of Him (Luke 6:19 KJV And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.) He did not sin. Not talking about restoration of when we sin; but the restoration of the soul as we love, serve, and offer our strength. We need a season of restoration.

A Life of Righteousness v.3b
- “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His names’s sake”
- The Will of God and giving God the glory. (The perfect Will; The prescribed Will; and the Personal Will. This is that Prescribed Will. It’s God’s Wil but we have a life in it.
- “God is my co-pilot” illustration
- Proverbs 3:5a is fun to quote and say it’s our life verse, but Proverbs 3:5b is the hard part.
- He is leading and we are following. Not watching from afar or going in the opposite direction, etc. but we are following. SHEEP WILL FOLLOW THEIR OWN SHEPHERD.
  1. Ever heard someone who uses God as a buzzword; or cliché but it’s obvious that they are following someone else? “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” “For as he thinketh in His heart so is he.” (politics, famous preacher, facebook group, finances, family, etc. comes in)
  2. Illustration of dog and owner. When God comes between a person and their real master sometimes the claws come out.
A Life of Reassurance v.4
- “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
  1. Here is where we find great courage and comfort. Not just a deathbed experience, but like itself.
  2. “Your all going to die!” The moment you are born, you start dying. We all live in the shadow of death. But because of Jesus we do not have to fear evil. If we die in the shadow of death (or loved one who Is saved) To be absent from the body is to present with the Lord. HOW REASSURING!
- “For thou art with me” When you’re a child you want to know that your parents are there. Children as stubborn as they are, if they go a moment without their parent they begin looking. Reaching for a hand at a time of discomfort. “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee!”
- “Thy Rod and thy staff they comfort me”
  1. Rod = Defense (The God of our defense. Our protector)

“The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence . . . As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." 2 Samuel 22:3, 31

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7, KJV

Staff = Direction/ Correction
1. We are bound to stray. We are all bound to sin, therefore we are bound to suffer. We need correction. We need guidance. But remember, this is not shame. This is God’s conviction to restore us! How reassuring is it to know that when God convicts us it’s for our own good. It’s for fellowship, for comfort, for rest!
A Life of Respect v. 5
- At the time the psalm was written, this verse was a promise to Israel for physical blessing. To Christians, this is a promise of Spiritual blessing.
- In the presence of our enemies; we have Joy. We contentment, fruitfulness, and fullness. This comes from the Joy of the Lord.
  1. Annointest my head with oil = this refers to the life we cannot live alone. This is the Holy Spirit
  2. My cup runneth over = Joy found in a life with God

Proverbs 16:7 - When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Romans 12:9-11 9 Let love be without dissimulation (deception by pretending). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

A Life of Requirements (provisions) v.6

Provisions (supplies, food, necessities) What does a Christian need. We spoke earlier of the Resources available to us. But there are also Requirements (provisions)

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
- Goodness = “all things work together for good”
- Mercy =
“and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”
- Hope, expectation “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done”

Conclusion:

A Life of Resources v.1

A Life of Resources v.1
A Life of Rest v.2
A Life of Renewal v.3a
A Life of Righteousness v.3b
A Life of Reassurance v.4
A Life of Respect v. 5
A Life of Requirements (provisions) v.6

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“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” – Psalm 16:8,9

Journaling is a spiritual discipline that I have begun to really benefit from. Since I started a daily journal to log my journey with God, I have found myself more focused during my devotion time and spiritually minded. In this episode, I discuss the importance of journaling and give you a roadmap to start one if you haven't done so already. This sermon was inspired by way of Holiness conference journaling workshop. (link below)

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9lMGY2ZDg0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/MmY2MTFmYzktNGU0YS00NjE4LWEyZTYtMzVjNTAxZDZjOGU2?ep=14

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An uncharted Territory is an unknown place not yet explored. As we come to a new year, we are facing "uncharted territory". This week we will look at the Children of Israel crossing over into the promised land as an application of how we should cross over into the year 2023.

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"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." - Psalm 42:11

“Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them but they are talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now this man’s treatment [in Psalm 42] was this: instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” he asks. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says, “Self, listen for a moment, I will speak to you.” ― Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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If you had asked me three years ago what advent was, I would not know what to tell you. If someone were to tell me that advent was to Christmas what Lent is to Easter, I probably would have responded with “oh, that’s for the Catholics.”

In reality, Advent (and Lent) are both Christian Traditions. (Traditions within the Church, like rules/regulations/rituals/programs/etc. are okay as long as they don’t replace or take away from Doctrine. Especially if they draw you closer to Christ.

Advent (arrival) is a Christian Tradition, which is a season of anticipation. We are anticipating the coming of Jesus Christ and what He gives to us

Matthew 1:23 “23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

“Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent Splendor.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Advent is a time of celebration and anticipation of the coming of Christ

(First Coming at Bethlehem): The Gift of His Redemption

Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Last Adam

(Future Reign): The Glory of His Return

Revelation 19

(His Daily Coming): The Grace to the Receiver

So not only has Jesus come (first advent) not only is He coming again (second advent), He is also with us. He is present in our daily lives and with us in the journey of life. The reality of God’s presence in our daily lives can be overshadowed by things of the world. (Secular culture which Satan rules). Being a follower of Christ is not about life in the Church, but life in Christ. (this season helps because it turns our attention to the coming of Christ in our daily lives)

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Season 2, Episode 2

Noah Hooper (Taught by Grace Podcast) makes a guest appearance to give us a concise overview of the book of Exodus. Noah is a Bible student at the Calvary Baptist Bible College & Seminary in King, NC, and is the Host of the Taught by Grace Podcast.

Taught by Grace • A podcast on Anchor

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Season 2, Episode 1

Title: The Wonderful Book of Deliverance

Text: Exodus

Exodus – “A departure” or “a way out”
Second Book of the Bible, second book of the Pentateuch (1st five books, means 5 books. They are the books of Moses)
Exodus is literally the sequel to Genesis. Nothing is started and nothing is finished.
Genesis covers a time period of 2,315 or so years. Exodus covers a time period of 216 years (focus is really on 94 of those years.
There is a lapse of time between Genesis and Exodus, however it is a continuation of the story of Genesis.
- Genesis 15:13 13And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
- Exodus 12:40 40Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
- There is a lapse in time of at least 3 ½ centuries between the two books.
- 70 people went into Egypt, now they are numbered at over 2 million
- Joseph died, there was a new Pharaoh, and the people were enslaved
Theme: Redemption through the Blood
Hebrews 11:23-29 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
- Israel is in Bondage 1-11
- The Passover 12
- The Exodus of Israel 13-19
- The Law is given 20
- The Tabernacle is built in 35-40
Theme: Redemption through the Blood
Key Verse: Exodus 12:13 13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
Read Title: “The Wonderful Book of Deliverance” to introduce this book we are going to focus on the theme and key verse.

Type – “A divinely appointed illustration of some scriptural truth.”

Derived from Greek word “tupos” – impression, stamp, pattern, or form

“A type must never be used to teach a doctrine, but only to illustrate a doctrine elsewhere explicitly taught.” – Dr. J. Edwin Hartill

Egypt is a type of the World
Pharaoh is a type of Satan
Israel is a type of the total depravity of man and our need for a Savior
The Passover is a type of Jesus Christ

“What redeemed Israel from the house of bondage was the blood of the Passover lamb. Israel sheltered behind that blood, feasted on the slain lamb, and trusted God for salvation full and free. Suddenly, the people were set free from bondage and death. Pharoah’s power was broken, and Egypt lay in ruins under the judgment of God. The whole story is a studied Old Testament type of our redemption by the blood of Jesus, the Passover Lamb.” – Dr. John Phillips

The Passover
- To deliver the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt
- The 10th and final plague
  1. Water turned to blood
  2. Frogs infested the land
  3. Lice throughout the land
  4. Grievous swarm of flies
  5. Cattle of the Egyptians died, but the Israelites cattle lived
  6. Boils to man and beast
  7. Hail
  8. Locust
  9. Darkness
  10. The Firstborn slain

Psalm 78:49-51 King James Version (KJV)

Outline:

The Captivity (Egypt a type of the world)

They were in slavery – in bondage - They could barely bear their own burdens
Sin has this world in bondage – The sin problem must be dealt with.
The Captor (Pharaoh is a type of Satan)

The Great Red Dragon – Revelation 12:3,4

Revelation 12:3-4 3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

“Great”
- Matthew 4:8-9 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
- (Immense Power)
- He is the prince and power of the air, here in this verse he offers the Lord Jesus the nations if He will fall down and worship him.
“Red”
- John 8:44 44Ye 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.
- (Does not care about human life)
- We see the spirit of this today with abortion
- 6 million jews and 11 million others
- Over 61 million babies murdered
Dragon
- His Viciousness.
Seven Heads
- Ezekiel 28:12 12Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
- (he was created perfect in beauty)
Ten Horns & Seven Crowns upon his heads
- This represents the revived Roman Empire that will be under Satan’s rule during the Great Tribulation
His tail
- Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:
- Drew (Pulled) they were persuaded to go with him
- Isaiah 14:12-15 12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
The Woman and the Child
- Why does he hate this child so much?
- Genesis 3:15 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Pharaoh:

Ruler of Egypt, very powerful. (remember, Egypt is a type of the world and Pharaoh ruled this land) Pharaoh made slaves out of the children of Israel just like this world is enslaved by Satan.
No value for human life, very viscous, and hatred for the Jew – Exodus 1:16 16And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.”. Absolutely no value for human life whatsoever, viciously murder off ale babies as they were born.
Wanting to destroy the man child
- This is one of many times satan tied cutting off the line leading to Jesus Christ. Notice the hatred the Red Dragon had in that scripture for the Woman and her Child. This woman represents the nation Israel and the Child (Jesus Christ)
- Why does he hate this child so much?
  - Genesis 3:15 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
- The Woman is Israel
- Revelation 12:1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
- Genesis 37:9 9And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
- Question 1: Who is the man child that is to rule the nations with a Rod of Iron?
- The Lord Jesus Christ
- When Jesus Christ comes back the second time it will be to Judge. It will be a Theocracy. He is not going to come like He did the fist time. So many people today want peace, but they want it on there terms. “We want peace – now do as we say or else!” Well, when Jesus Christ comes back He will literally break this world with a Rod of iron.
- The Day of the Lord= The Second Coming of Jesus Christ when He comes at the battle of Armageddon to defeat the nations and will set up His Millennial reign.
- During the Millennial reign, He will do it with a Rod of Iron. This is only one phase of His eternal reign, because at the end of the 1,000 years satan will be loosed and there will be the battle of Gog and Magog. But please note, Jesus reign will continue for all of eternity.

Pharaoh is no doubt a type of Satan: His power, lack of value for human life, hatred for the nation Israel and trying to prevent Moses from being born who is also a type of Christ

The Corruption (Total Depravity of Man)

Israel is a type of man’s need for Salvation. We are totally depraved.

Romans 3:12 - They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 5:12 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Genesis 3:6 - And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Adam failed – Revelation 5:1:1-4

Revelation 5:1-5 1And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23
(illustration of good people)
1. Jonas Salk(polio) Winston Churchill, FDR, George Patton, Douglas Macarthur, Harry S. Truman fought the evil Nazi Germany and their Allies (eliminate anyone deemed to be "defective")
2. Some more good people, Abraham Lincoldn, Chris Kyle, Fred Rogers (good people)
Adolph Hitler, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Ed Kemper
There were good people, there were awful disgusting people, but the Bible tells us, we are all the sons of Adam, and we have ALL fallen short.
Illustration of all mankind falling short
1. We are all sinners, we need to be reminded that we are unworthy!
  1. A lot of arrogant Christians today (arrogant preachers)
  2. Israel got the leader they wanted (Saul) just like a lot of Churches are getting the leader’s they want instead of the ones they need

8 Dispensations

Dispensation – A period of time in which God is working out a particular aspect of His will. (8)

Innocence – (Adam and Eve)
Conscience (Flood)
Human Government
Promise (Egyption bondage)
Law (Calvary)
Grace (Church age)
Tribulation
Millennium (Kingdom)

What does each dispensation have in common?

They end in man’s failure and God’s Judgment!

The Cure
- Exodus – “The way out”
- “To set forth the great truth of the whole Bible, the deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery to sin and the world.” - Dr. Tom Wallace, Digest of the Old Testament.
“In Exodus it is made crystal clear that redemption rests upon the shedding of the blood of the Paschal lamb. Each individual personally must shelter behind the blood. The lamb must be without spot or blemish. The date of it’s death was set by divine decree.” - Dr. John Philips, Exploring the Scriptures
All the first born were slain
Calvary was a dark place

Exodus 12:13 13And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt

Romans 5:6-9 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

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We have now wrapped up the book of Genesis which means we will continue our study in the scriptures by looking at the thrilling book of Exodus! Please look for Season 2 Episode 1 as we dive into "the book of Deliverance". "Exodus, in Hebrew Shemot (Names) after its first word, is in many ways one of the most important and spiritually interesting books in the Old Testament. It tells the story of how God freed his people from Egypt and bound them to himself by a covenant. we are given an insight into the way this link with God modified the people's traditional law, and how God's Grace reacted to a broken covenant. Finally we are given through the symbolism of the Tabernacle, which finds New Testament expression in the Epistle to the Hebrews, a picture of how man should approach God in Worship." K.L. Ellison

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Episode 24

Previously recorded in 2015 at Five Forks Baptist Church in Hillsborough, NC. "Do Right" is a biographical message on the life of Joseph and can be applied to all believers. This will conclude our series in the book of Genesis as we explore the life of the last of the four great people of the first book of the Bible.

Title: "Do Right-The Life and Times of Joseph"Text: Genesis 37-50 Preach on the life of Joseph and apply it to our lives as Christians. 7 main points on 6 of the garments that Joseph wore. I. The Garment he wore that was Designed- Gen 37:2,3 -Designed just for him by his Father, put on by his fatherGod has put something on every one of His Children- His RighteousnessIllustration of Self RighteousnessThis Garment Represents the believer's Change- Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. II. The The Garment he wore when he was Despised-Gen 37:4,8,18-27We will be hated for God's sakeIllustration of Joseph, honest, told the truth, and was hated for it. This Garment Represents the World's Cruelty - Gen 37:20 they compromised with selling him to the Ishmaelites, at least they wouldn't have to deal with him againMat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. III.The Garment he wore that Deceived- Gen 39:1-14, 21Because he left his garment it looked like he had sinnedMislabeled*This Garment Represents his Character - 39:2-4 ( illustration of what's in our hearts) 39:11

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. IV. The Garment he wore when he was in the Dungeon- Gen 40:1-8,14-16,23*This Garment Represents his Commitment 40:8The time you may need to be closest to God is in the dungeon,that's when God may use youAttitude

Why would we be in the dungeon? Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Seven - the number of completeness. It simply means man will just keep falling, but the just man will get up again. (illustration of Peter and Judas) Psalms 55:22- Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. V. The Garment he wore when he was Delivered - Gen 41:14-16,37-40,44This Garment Represents his Consistency(time is the best truth teller) illustration of whats in the well comes up the bucket VI. The Garment he wore that showed his Devotion-Gen 45:1-9This Garment Represents his ChoicesProverbs 3:5,6 VII. The Garment he wore in his Death - Gen 50:22-26*This Garment Represents his Conclusion Read Title- Do Right "Do right, Do right, Do right till the stars fall, Do right." -Dr. Bob Jones "Bavarian-born Herman Kahn (1828-1897), whose sons founded theCone textile empire in North Carolina during the 1800's, was onlyseventeen when he left Germany for the United States in 1846.Arriving in America, he joined his sister, Elise Kahn Hirsch, andher husband in Richmond, Virginia, where he changed his nameto Cone and became a peddler. A few years later, he began a wholesalegrocery business in Jonesboro, Tennessee, and in 18f6 Hermanmarried Helen Guggenheimer, of Lynchburg, Virginia. Some fourdecades later, his sons founded the Jirst Cone Mill in Asheville,North Carolina, and the Proximity Manufacturing Company atGreensboro.Though in 1846 the immigrant teen-ager brought with him toAmerica little of material value, he did not arrive on these shores emptyhanded, for as one of his sons, probably Julius W. Cone, was towrite proudly of him . Herman Cone did include among his baggagethe "intangible possession" of a "vitalizing heritage." That heritagewas eloquently embodied in a letter written to young Herman by hisbrother-in-law, Joseph Rosengart,"Do right, trust in God, and fear no man."(Signed) JOSEPH ROSENGART"

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Joseph, the son of Jacob was the most complete type of Jesus Christ in all the Bible. What is a type?

“A divinely appointed illustration of some scriptural truth.” Derived from Greek word “tupos” – impression, stamp, pattern, or form “A type must never be used to teach a doctrine, but only to illustrate a doctrine elsewhere explicitly taught.” – Dr. J. Edwin Hartill

In this week's podcast, we will look at the divinely appointed illustration of the ministry and exaltation of Jesus Christ through the life of Joseph.

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A wrestling match that happens to be the turning point of Jacob’s life. A Turning Point is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as a point at which a significant change occurs.

Jacob was God’s representative. God made a promise to Abraham that he would be the Father of a nation, confirmed it with Isaac, and confirmed it with Jacob. The chosen line that would lead directly to Christ.

Before Jacob can bear any fruit and be of any service, he needed a turning point. Even though he was saved, he had made a lot of carnal decisions and needed to submit his life entirely to God.

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Jacob was a very important man in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac, the Grandson of Abraham, and the Father of Joseph. He inherited Abraham’s blessing and became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. He was God’s representative. God made a promise to Abraham that he would be the Father of a nation, repeated it to Isaac, and confirmed it with Jacob. The chosen line that would lead directly to Christ. In this story, his name is changed from Jacob (heel-catcher, crooked, deceitful, clever) to Israel (One who has power with God). He is also given a new walk as his thigh is out of joint from the result of the wrestling match. That’s what God can do for us. He can give us a new name and a new walk. He can take someone that is crooked and deceitful and turn it into one who has power with God. He can take a life full of heartache and defeat and turn it into triumph.

Want to make your life count? There must be three things:

A Place of Salvation
A Period of Seclusion
A Position of Surrender

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“My Way” was a song written in 1969 by Paul Anka, and composed and co-written by Jacques Revaux. It was written for and sung originally by Frank Sinatra. It was also sung by other popular artists such as Elvis Presley and Sid Vicious. The song is played a lot during funerals in the UK. The song is nothing more than a swan song and a summary of a man who lived his life “his way”. After a lifetime of decisions, regrets, and various outcomes, the song closes with “Yes, it was my way.” The song is blatantly selfish and focuses on one thing and one thing only, doing things our way. Pleasing the flesh, putting ourselves above others, making hard decisions based on what we want, facing the music, and having regrets because we have to be first.

In this story, we have 4 individuals who sang the same song. At the end of Chapter 27, a chapter of lies, betrayal, greed, selfishness, and a broken family, Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob could all simply say “Yes, it was my way.”

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Sermon Notes: Text: Genesis 24:61-67

Context: Genesis 24

(Groom, Bride, Wedding)

Title: Here Comes the Bride

Theme: The Bride of Jesus Christ

Key Verse: v.65

Type – “A divinely appointed illustration of some scriptural truth.”

Derived from Greek word “tupos” – impression, stamp, pattern, or form

“A type must never be used to teach a doctrine, but only to illustrate a doctrine elsewhere explicitly taught.” – Dr. J. Edwin Hartill

John 3:14 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Serpent = the sin of the people. They needed to look to it for healing.

Christ was made sin for us on the cross of Calvary. HE bore our sins.

As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” – A divinely appointed illustration

1 Corinthians 5:7 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Leaven – “evil” You have to stop the leavening process or the bread just keeps rising higher and higher “PURGED”

O.T. Days after the feast of the Passover they would have the feast of unleavened bread. So Paul is saying here, that Christ is our Passover, and that we should purge the leaven and be a new lump.

A divinely appointed illustration

First, let’s go to the interpretation, and then we will focus on the Type presented to us in this scripture

· Let’s look at the cast of Characters for this story; (literal interpretation)

A. The Father (Abraham)

o “Abraham was old, and well stricken with age” (Gen 24:1) He was about 140 years old

o Women in Canaan were idolatrous and wicked, so he turned his attention to Haran where he had once been, and his brother Nahor had established a family.

o Note: the way had been paved for Abraham to now send his servant to find his son a bride.

B. The Faithful (Unnamed Servant)

o It is rather obvious that the servant here is a man named Eliezer

o Genesis 24:2 2And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

o Genesis 15:2 2And Abram said, LORD GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

o However, in this story he is unnamed, you will see why later on in the message.

o He traveled a great journey that was well planned and thought out

o He would stand by a well and would ask for a drink, the woman who would give him water and then also draw water for his camels also, would be the woman for Isaac. (This was a hard test, 10 camels, 5 gallons each) Rebekah passed this test with flying colors -v. 12-20

o The servant gives Rebekah earrings and bracelts and when he learns of who she is begins worshipping and praising God.

o The Servant tells Rebekah who he is and she runs home to tell her Mother

C. The Flesh (Laban) – v.29-33

o Rebekah’s brother Laban was very interested in one thing – riches

o When he saw the gifts the Servant had given Rebekah, he went out to meet him

o He was also given gifts, but would later try and hinder the Servants work seeing that he was interested in pleasing his flesh by asking 10 more days with Rebekah (grieving, quenching his work)

D. The Follower (Rebekah)

o From the moment Rebekah met the Servant she was interested in the man he spoke

o After they had met, he was invited in the home and told Rebekah’s family his mission and his encounter with Rebekah

o NOTE: Everything that happened was very natural, and nothing was done by force. There was nothing mystical, magical, or mysterious. Abraham’s servant spoke of Abraham’s Son and Rebekah was willing to be the Bride– v.58 “I will go”

E. The Forbearer (Isaac)

o Isaac waited for his father’s servant to do his work. His work was already done

o The servant is taking Rebekah home to her Groom when she see’s him afar off – v.62-65

o Note: Isaac’s work was finished, the Servant was the one who called the Bride not him. He waited patiently to meet his Bride. Rebekah see’s him afar off. Before she meets him she covers herself with a vail.

In this story, we have a Divinely Appointed Illustration of Jesus Christ and His Bride (The Church)

Outline: (Divine Illustration)

I. The Father – Abraham is a type of God the Father

o Abraham sending his servant to fetch a bride for his son, after the way had been paved is a Divine Illustration of God the Father.

o “It was thus, in a past eternity, that the eternal God took counsel with Himself in regard to His Son. He would have a bride for His Son, one fit for Him, one capable of sharing the lofty position that was Him. He would send the Holy Spirit into the world to find that Bride – but not until Calvary had paved the way.”

Dr. John Phillips, Exploring Genesis

o “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before hi in love.” – Eph 1:3-4

II. The Faithful – Unnamed Servant is a type of The Holy Spirit

o The Servant was unnamed, he went on doing the will of Abraham with Isaac in mind. This is a Divine illustration of the Holy Spirit!

o Unnamed man is a type of the Holy Spirit in scripture

o The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to himself (unnamed)

o The Holy Spirit draws attention to the Son

o He is seeking out for Christ His Bride

o Note: His message to Rebekah was simple and to the point and constantly pointed to Isaac with Abraham’s will in mind. At one moment, she had no idea who Isaac was, but after a simple message from his servant, she was hooked.

o Rebekah’s family wanted to hold her back and let her wait – v.56 “Hinder me not”

III. The Flesh - Laban (The Worldly Sinner)

o When the servant came he was focused on the riches

o This is a divine illustration of the World – (2 Tim 4:3,4)

(pleasure) his heart was focused on the riches not the message
(religion)The world tries religion, but they want it in a way that is pleasing to them and convenient.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” – Mark 8:36

IV. The Follower - Rebekah (The Bride, The Church)

o “There was something about the story of Isaac that kindled a response in her heart. She had never seen him, had come to know him indeed solely by the Word of the servant, but already felt that she knew him. Already gave him her heart.”

Dr. John Phillips, Exploring Genesis

o How intently the sinner under conviction of the Holy Spirit listens to the message of God.

o How much faith the sinner shows when making the decision to walk by Faith and accept the message of God

o The more Rebekah heard, the more real Isaac became.

o When she saw him, she covered herself with a vail. As Rebekah was clothed with the vail, we are clothed with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ.

o Romans 5:8-11

V. The Forbearer - Isaac (The Precious Son of God)

o Isaac was a well digger, he was at Moriah and his work was done. He was now waiting for his bride.

o Calvary is done, Jesus Christ said “It is Finished!” He’s in communion with the Father and He waits.

o “For Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

o “Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, ‘I WILL GO!’”

Conclusion:

I. The Father – Abraham is a type of God the Father

II. The Faithful – Unnamed Servant is a type of The Holy Spirit

III. The Flesh - Laban (The Worldly Sinner)

IV. The Follower - Rebekah (The Bride, The Church)

V. The Forbearer - Isaac (The Precious Son of God)

We have the Wedding party, now let’s have a wedding. (read Genesis 24:67)

Revelation 19:7-10

The Table is set
The Father is the host
The Son is the Groom
The guest “The friends of the Bridegroom” and also called “Daughters of Jerusalem” these are the Old Testament Saints.
John the Baptist called himself a friend of the Bridegroom, Jesus said in Matthew 11:11 “among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” this very well makes him the best man.
And then, in a fine linen, clean and white “Here Comes the Bride” for the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints

- The Honeymoon is ready – The King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s will take His Bride and we will go with Him as He destroys His enemies, binds up satan, and sets up His Kingdom.

"There is a Fountain" and "Jesus paid it all" performed by A Capella Hymns. www.youtube.com/acappellahymns

"Camel Train - The Eliezer Call" performed by Billy Kelly

A special thank you to my friend Dave Compton for the opening and closing remarks

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"The Promised Son, Isaac"

Genesis 18-23

Introduction:

The Promise: The Child of the Covenant

Abrahamic Covenant (Description)

Genesis 12:1-3 1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Abrahamic Covenant “God promised to bless Abraham and his nation and the entire world through his Seed. Jesus Christ is Abraham’s Son and inherits these blessings and bestows them upon those who believe.” – David Cloud

Genesis 17:21 21But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

The Covenant was given to three of the Patriarchs
- Abraham in Chaldea (Genesis 12:3)
- Isaac in Canaan (Genesis 26:4)
- Jacob at Bethel Genesis 28:14)
Isaac was the first to inherit the covenant and received the entire inheritance of Abraham (Genesis 24:35)

The Person: The Character of Isaac

His Faith
- A peaceful man who was deeply devoted to God through prayer and faith. He was a man wo lived in fear of His God.
His Flaws
- His deceitfulness (lied about his wife to Abimalech)
- His selfishness (chose Esau despite God’s Word)

The Picture: A type of Jesus Christ

His Birth
- Isaac was promised long before he was born
  - Genesis 12:3 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
  - 25 years went by after this promise before Isaac was born.
- Jesus was promise long before He was born
  - Genesis 3:15 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
  - 4,000 passed before Christ actually came.
- Isaac was born at the appointed time
  - Genesis 21:1-2 1And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. 2For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
  - Jesus Christ also came in the “fullness of time”
  - Galatians 4:4 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
- There was a supernatural conception
  - Of the Lord Jesus Christ we read;
  - Matthew 1:20-21 20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  - For Isaac we read:
  - Genesis 17:15-17 15And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 17Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
- The birth was foretold and it was miraculous. Isaac, who was supernaturally conceived, is nothing more than a type, a shadow of Jesus Christ and how He would one day come.
His Obedience
- Isaac being offered up as a sacrifice in Genesis 22 is one of the clearest types of Jesus Christ in all the Bible

Isaac

Jesus

The Description

Genesis 22:2 2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

John 3:16 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Direction

The exact location of the sacrifice was Mt. Moriah which is where Jerusalem was built.

Mt. Calvary was located in this region

The Days

The journey to Mt. Moriah was 3 days

Jesus was in the tomb three days and three nights

The Distinction

Genesis 22:6 6And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

John 19:17-18 17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

The Deference

Genesis 22:7-8 7And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

John 1:29 KJV: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

In regards to Genesis 22:7,8, let’s observe the words of M.R. DeHaan from his book “Portraits of Christ in Genesis”

“Notice it does not day, ‘God will himself provide a lamb’ but it says, ‘God will provide himself’ translated freely Abraham says God Himself is going to be the Lamb of Sacrifice.”

His Bride
- The Father – Abraham is a type of God the Father
- The Faithful – Unnamed Servant is a type of The Holy Spirit
- The Flesh - Laban (The Worldly Sinner)
- The Follower - Rebekah (The Bride, The Church)
- The Forbearer - Isaac (The Precious Son of God)

Outline:

There was Laughter with His Coming: This speaks of Christ and our Response
Abraham’s Response:

Genesis 17:17 KJV: Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall [a child] be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

This was a laugh of pure joy! (illustration of when a believer finds out about Jesus Christ and how He came, and what He did)

Luke 1:41 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

God had made a promise to Abraham, I’m sure there were times he doubted, but this was a birth that was a true miracle. Only God could have done this. His laugh was of joy and appreciation, I believe.

Sarah’s Response: Gen 18:12-14

Genesis 18:12-14 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my LORD being old also? 13And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? 14Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Sarah’s laughter = Cynical (skeptical)

Our Response to Christ:

The two responses of Isaac’s miraculous birth (one of joy, one of skepticism) is an illustration of how people react of Christ.

There was Loyalty with His Command: This speaks of Christ and our Responsibility: Genesis 22
Isaacs obedience to his Father as a type of Christ

Christ obedience to the cross

2 Corinthians 8:9 9For 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.

Philippians 2:8 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Our responsibility to accept Christ sacrifice
There was Love with His Companion: This speaks of Christ and our Redemption: Genesis 24
- “There was something about the story of Isaac that kindled a response in her heart. She had never seen him, had come to know him indeed solely by the Word of the servant, but already felt that she knew him. Already gave him her heart.” - Dr. John Phillips, Exploring Genesis
- How intently the sinner under conviction of the Holy Spirit listens to the message of God.
- How much faith the sinner shows when making the decision to walk by Faith and accept the message of God
- The more Rebekah heard, the more real Isaac became.
- When she saw him, she covered herself with a vail. As Rebekah was clothed with the vail, we are clothed with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5:8-11 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our LORD Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”

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The majority of the time Lot is mentioned is when he is in the midst of self-induced problems. The Great C.H. Spurgeon once said, "Beware of no man more than yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us." In this episode, we will see first hand what happens to a Righteous man when he fixes his heart on the world and rebels against God.

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"Abraham’s Choice"

Genesis 13

Key verses: Gen 13:1-4

Genesis 13:1-4 1And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. 2And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; 4Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Abram’s Return v. 1-4

In the previous chapter, we see Abram continue south after pitching his tent and building an altar and then leaving for Egypt when a famine came. This was not God’s Will for Him but he was backslidden. He goes to Egypt only to live in sin (lying and deceit) and hurt his testimony. Now he is going to return.

v.3,4 – He returned to the place where he had built the altar and pitched his tent. He goes back to the place where he last had fellowship with God.

In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul writes with the theme of “order in the Church” while addressing Division and contentions which arose in Corinth. Remember, Paul is writing to believers. (church is the body of Christ). There are three types of people (natural, spiritual, and carnal). The remedy for these carnal Christians is the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our LORD.

Notice what the Prodigal son does in Luke 15

Luke 15:17-19 17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

He goes back to the place he was before he left. Friend, are you backslidden? Do you know what you need to do? (I need to get back in Church, I need to quit this, that, or stop doing this) No, you need to go back exactly where you were before you were backslidden, the place of surrender. The place where Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.

There is always a way back to the altar, the place of Surrender.

1 John 1:9 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(interlude) v. 5-7

Abram and Lot returned wealthy men. The land was not big enough to contain them and there was a strife between their herdsmen.
We are going to see as this story progresses that there are now repercussions from Abram’s backsliding. The first time Abram comes to this land there was no fighting mentioned. Now, that they have left Egypt and returned very wealthy, they cannot get along.
Abram left Egypt; he has returned to this land to get back in fellowship with God. But what about Lot? Obviously, Lot left Egypt with Abram, but is he going to restore his fellowship with God also? Let’s look and find out:
Abram’s Re-focus v. 8-14

v.8,9 – Abram realized he was the cause of all this. He is now going to let Lot choose.

v.10 – There is no mention of Lot having an altar like Abraham. He chooses Sodom for personal reasons. Abram left Egypt completely, not just the land but he left the rebellious nature. He left his backsliding when he came back to the altar to restore fellowship. Lot did not.

2 Peter 2:6-8 6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

Lot was a Righteous man. By faith, he left with Abram.

Genesis 12:1-4 1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Hebrews 11:8 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Lot initially left the land of sin, put his faith in God and followed after Abram. Only problem, when they left for Egypt backslidden, Abram returned to the altar, Lot will now leave for another like Egypt. Notice v.10

Genesis 13:10 10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

The land that made him rich and wealthy. The land they left because there was a famine. There is a contrast between two Righteous men here, one that is consecrated (Abram) and one that is not (Lot).

v.14 – Now, Abram can re-focus on obeying God. Notice something, Lot lifted up his eyed. The backslidden Christian lifts their eyes. They open their own doors, they do what they want. God tells Abram “Lift up now thine eyes” There is a difference here. Lot lifts up his own eyes, God tells Abram to lift up his eyes. There is a re-focus with Abram. (illustration of letting God open and close doors.)

Abram’s Response v. 15-18

“Abram’s moves were ordered by the Lord and he moved on in obedience to the known and revealed will of God for his life – a truly spiritual man.” – John Philips

Luke 12:16-22 16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And 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. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But 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? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 22And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

Jesus called this man a fool. What do we know of this man just from outward appearance? He was a good man, neighbor, a law-abiding citizen, family man, the list goes on…except Jesus called him a fool. Why? He was a covetous man. He lived for himself. “Eat drink and be merry.” Here is a man who lived for himself. He laid up treasure for himself. He had his eyes on himself. Lot lifted up his eyes and saw Sodom. Abram returned to the altar physically, but also spiritually. He waited on God and when God spoke he obeyed

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The Call of Abraham: Genesis 12:1-20

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According to research, there are over 4,200 Religions in the world. A few of the main ones are Christianity, Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Muslims, etc. This is counting “main Religions”, but if you look within Christianity, there are many denominations. But a real question is how many Religions are there really? According to the Bible, there are only 2. We will look at a passage in the Bible that clearly shows each of these “Religions” and which way is the only way to God.

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Title: Adam and the Woman Text: Genesis 3:6-21 Introduction: Adam was alone and needed a helper - Genesis 2:18-24 Marriage - The act of uniting a man and woman for life “Marriage” Gen 2:18-24 A. Originated by God – v.18-22 · Woman was the last act of creation and not only completed creation, but completed man. · God created the woman for man. The animals had a companion, but man did not. Genesis 6:19 19And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Genesis 1:22-24 22And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. 24And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. · God created the woman specifically for the man. He took Woman from the side of man, not to be a master or a slave, but the helper. B. Ordained by God – v.22-24 · Ordain – appoint, consecrate, authorize · “Marriage was the first institution ordained by God after the creation of man, and it is the bedrock of the human society. Anything which corrupts marriage and the home is a direct threat to society as a whole.” – David Cloud · “The integrity and permanence of the individual home is of such great importace that God made it pain from the beginning that marriage was intended to be permanent until death. It is true, of course, that with marriage as well as with all other human activities, “God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions” (Eccl 7:29) Polygamy, concubinage, polyandry, easy divorce, adultery, promiscuity, and other distortions of the marriage covenant have permeated many cultures; but, as the Lord Jesus said: “From the beginning is was not so” (Matthew 19:8) – Dr. Henry M. Morris C. Overseen by God – v.24 · Who is the overseer of this great unity? God himself. · Mark 10:9 9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. · The Genesis record of marriage is not allegorical, but historical. Meaning, that marriage was originated, ordained, and overseen by God in its Holy unity. In order for a marriage to be truly be successful, it must follow the guidelines given by God himself. (Eph5:22-33) Ephesians 5:22-33 King James Version (KJV) “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Outline: “Adam and the Woman” Genesis 3:6-21 Let’s look at the relationship between Adam and the Woman after marriage was Originated, Ordained, and Overseen by God; through the fall and up to the conversion of Adam and the Woman. I. When Adam Chose the woman; it revealed his Failure: Genesis 3:6 · “Adam was not deceived by the serpent. Did you know that? Paul makes it clear in 1 Timothy 2:14—Adam did not fall because he was deceived. His sin was different; in some ways, it was more serious in that he did it with open eyes. We do not know how long it lasted, but there was a moment in Eden when Eve was fallen and Adam was not; she had eaten, but he yet had a choice. I believe something took place in his heart that went like this: I have lost my soul mate, the most vital companion I’ve known. I do not know what life will be like, but I know I cannot live without her. Adam chose Eve over God.” – John T. Eldridge, Wild at Heart · Satan did not tempt Adam, he tempted the woman. Why? Notice what Eve said: “Neither shall we touch it” God never said that. (Gen 2:16,17) · Genesis 2:16-17 16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. · Yes, this was the age of innocence. But it’s clear that satan knew he could get to Adam through Eve. · Satan knows how to get to us. Adam’s failure came when he chose the Woman over God. · Be warned of this Christian! This should be our prayer: “Thank you, Lord, for the spouse you have given us! Thank you, Lord for the Beautiful Children! Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings! But Lord, guard our hearts to keep you first, ‘Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices’ (2 Corinthians 2:11) Amen!” II. Why Adam Covered the woman; it revealed his Fear: Genesis 3:7-14 · Before the fall, man did not have a conscience, now they do and they realized they were naked. Not only were they naked, but they were separate from God. That’s what sin has done; it separates us from God. He tries clothing himself but it does not get Him back in fellowship with God. Isaiah 64:6 6But 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. (illust. justifying anything)

III. What Adam Called the woman; it revealed his Faith: Genesis 3:15-21 · God promises that there would be a redeemer – v.15 · Adam comes to God by Faith – v.20 Genesis 3:20 “And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living” · Notice: “the mother of all living” God promised He would send a Redeemer through the seed of the woman. So, Adam named her Eve because, by faith, He trusted that God would send a Redeemer. He could have called her many names at this point, but instead he decided to put Faith in his Father. · When Adam realizes he is lost and without hope (those fig leaves weren’t going to cut it!), he comes to God by Faith, and is clothed after the blood of an innocent was shed. God planned man’s redemption before ever forming Adam. He promised us a Redeemer, and that redeemer came. His name is Jesus Christ and He became sin for us. The day I realized I was lost, I came to God by Faith, and the Blood of Jesus Christ covered me, declaring me righteous.

Conclusion: I. When Adam Chose the woman; it revealed his Failure: Genesis 3:6 II. Why Adam Covered the woman; it revealed his Fear: Genesis 3:7-14 III. What Adam Called the woman; it revealed his Faith: Genesis 3:15-21

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Title: “The Great Conflict” Text: Genesis 3:7-24 Theme: The Great Conflict between Good and Evil Key verses: Genesis 3:15 Introduction: The seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman The first prophecy of the Bible o Genesis 3:15 15And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it (Christ) shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. o This verse promises a Redeemer would come, and that He would come from the Human Race (her seed). o Galatians 3:16 16Now to Abraham and his seedwere the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. o Romans 1:3 3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our LORD, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; o 1 Timothy 3:16 16And 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. o This verse also promises that there would be a constant struggle between Satan and Christ. o “The most prominent thought is not the ultimate victory that would come, but the long-continued struggle. This verse reveals the fact that now there is to be a long struggle between good and evil. This is exactly what you will find in the rest of the Scriptures.” – Dr. J. Vernon McGee o You want a classic story of Good vs Evil? (read the Bible!) o Jesus made the distinction between children of God and children of Satan (The Devil) John 8:44 44Ye 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. John mentions this conflict in 1 Joh 3:10 1 John 3:10 10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. o This conflict of the Serpent and Christ, is typified in the story of Cain and Abel. § Abel – is a type of Christ, “the seed of the woman” § Cain – is a type of “the seed of the Serpent”

This takes place in the Garden of Eden, after the fall of mankind, in Genesis 3. o What are the results from the fall? Evil thoughts, Fear, Excuses, Pain during child birth, Cursed ground, Labor and sorrow, Banishment from God, Death. o Oh, but it doesn’t stop there, my friend. Let's go back for a moment to chapter 2. o Genesis 2:4 “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,” o Notice something special about Genesis 2:4. In Chapter 1, we saw the name “God” 32 times in 31 verses. The Hebrew name “Elohim” which we talked about being plural. (Trinity) The Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. A plural noun that is almost always used with a singular verb or adjective. Three distinct persons but one God. In verse 1 we see the first mention of LORD. (Jehovah God) o Jehovah “A name for God used in the O.T. It refers to God as the One who keeps covenant and mercy with His People.” – Dr. David Cloud “Here in the closing review of creation, the name Elohim is connected with the name Jehovah (LORD). Jehovah is the same God, only viewed as being in covenant relation with those He has created. The first appearance of the name Jehovah follows the creation of man, for pre-eminently it is God’s redemptive name. As Elohim, He tossed the worlds into space; as Jehovah, He plans man’s redemption before ever He fashioned Adam’s clay.” – Dr. John Phillips o Go back to chapter 2, what is God doing? He’s resting because His work was perfect. o Now, He is not resting. Once sin enters the picture in Genesis Chapter 3 there is nothing else in the Bible regarding God resting. The Bible tells us that the Triune God becomes involved in man’s redemption. o After the fall, Adam and Eve try clothing themselves with fig leaves – Genesis 3:7-11 Before the fall, man did not have a conscience, now they do and they realized they were naked. Not only were they naked, but they were separate from God. That’s what sin has done; it separates us from God. He tries clothing himself but it does not get Him back in fellowship with God. Isaiah 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. (illust. justifying anything) So, what happens next? 1. God promises that there would be a redeemer – v.15 2. Adam comes to God by Faith – v.20 Genesis 3:20 “And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living” Notice: “the mother of all living” God promised He would send a Redeemer through the seed of the woman. So, Adam named her Eve. By faith, He trusted that God would send a Redeemer. He could have called her many names at this point, but instead he decided to put Faith in his Father. 3. God clothes them – v. 21 This is the best part of the story by far. Adam comes to God by Faith, so blood is shed to cover his nakedness. “There, in Eden, in paradise itself, blood was shed for the very first time. Adam and Eve must have stood there aghast as they saw the creature taken in their stead and slaughtered before their eyes – it’s bloodshed, its covering made theirs. It was the first dramatic illustration of the ultimate cost of Calvary, of the horror and dreadfulness of sin. Sin is a radical disease and it calls for a radical cure.” – Dr. John Philips When Adam realizes he is lost and without hope (those fig leaves weren’t going to cut it!), he comes to God by Faith, and is clothed after the blood of an innocent was shed. God planned man’s redemption before ever forming Adam. He promised us a Redeemer, and that redeemer came. His name is Jesus Christ and He became sin for us. The day I realized I was lost, I came to God by Faith, and the Blood of Jesus Christ covered me, declaring me righteous. Genesis chapter 3 can be summarized by Man’s Failure and God’s Grace Man is a failure. Sin is sin! Certain sins don’t make us worse or better than others. The fall of man separated us from God. God knew that Adam would fall, but He sent us a Redeemer. May we never forget the Grace of God! “Men go astray from God by nature, but they only return to God through Grace.” – C.H. Spurgeon Romans 3:20-24 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Outline: Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it (Christ) shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. I. The Struggle: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;” “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman” · Enmity – the quality of being an enemy; ill will · First off, it is evident that the serpent = Satan. This prophecy is not between snakes and woman, but Satan and mankind. SATAN, IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. This world is not your friend. · 1 John 2:16 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. “and between thy seed and her seed” · Constant battle of good verses evil. You have the seed of Satan vs the seed of the woman. · Satan is the prince and the power of the air. He is the father of all sin, lies, deceit. He is here to destroy and devour. Jesus Christ came to seek and save that which is lost. · Ephesians 2:1-3 1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. II. The Savior: “it shall bruise thy head,” Who is this? Christ, is bruising satan’s head. Let’s go back and read the verse up to this point. And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it (Christ) shall bruise thy head, This is best described in a commentary by Adam, Clarke “The address is not given to Adam and Eve, but to Eve alone; and it was in consequence of this purpose of God that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin; this, and this alone, is what is implied in the promise of the seed of the woman bruising the head of the serpent. Jesus Christ died to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself and to destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the Devil. Thus he bruises his head – destroys his power and lordship over mankind turning them from the power of Satan unto God.” – Adam Clarke 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD. III. The Serpent: “and thou shalt bruise his heel” Satan bruised the heel of Christ. God required that the salvation of mankind only be through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ through His death on the Cross. Isaiah 53:5-8 5But 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. 1 Peter 3:18 18For 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: Hebrews 10:10 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. This also refers to the followers, spiritual seed, of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our heel is bruised by Satan because we are followers of Christ. 2 Timothy 3:12 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

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Sermon Notes Title: “The Source of the Problem” Text: Gen 3:1-6 Theme: the devil and his ways Key Verse: Gen 3:1-6

Introduction:

· Who? The Devil · What? Deception, Devices and destruction of the Devil · Where? Garden · When: In the beginning · Why? To Disobey God · How? Trickery and deception · How much? A. Beginning - He was created by God Col 1:16 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:

B. Beauty - Ezek 28:12-16 "annointed cherib" he was a very lovely, with amazing musical talents (pipes and tabrets) lucifer - shining

C. Blasphemy - IS. 14:13,14

The Devil- Rev 12:9 (slanderer) Prince of the Power of the air - Eph 2:2 Prince of this world - John 12:31 god of this world - 2 Cor 4:4 (men rebelled against the true God and serve satan, some knowingly and some unknowingly) The Dragon - Rev 12 Old Serpent - Rev 12 Roaring Lion - 1 Peter 5:8 Ruler of Darkness - Eph 6:12 Beelzebub - Matt 12 (dungeon god) Apollyn - Rev 9:11 (destroyer) The Wicked one - Matt 13:19 Belial - 2 Cor 6:15 (worthless) Tempter - 1 Thess 3:5 The Enemy - Matt 13:39 Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

His name is satan The Bible does not portray satan as an evil influence, but an evil individual -Job1:6-12 Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Matt 4:1-11 (Jesus being Tempted) Joh 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.

"Sympathy for the Devil" is a song by The Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and credited to Jagger/Richards. Sung by Jagger, the song is an homage to the Devil, written in the first-person narrative from his point of view, recounting the atrocities committed throughout the history of humanity in his name."

In today's society, people would rather blame God

Outline: The Source of the problem: the source is the Devil!

I. The Devil’s Deception – Gen 3:1-6

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

ASK QUESTION - Who want's to live a peaceful life? he's a liar, a trickster, a deceiver he's a murderer he destroys homes he destroys nations he destroys lives satan has been opposing God's plans for ages. Whatever God plans and hopes for this World, satan opposes it and does anything and everything he can to stop it from happening. Deception - (of a person) cause (someone) to believe something that is not true, typically in order to gain some personal advantage. First thing - He attacked The Word " Hath God said?" the enemy of God has done everything in his power to attack the Bible 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. Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

II. The Devil’s Devices – 2 Cor 2:9-11

2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians - Paul is writing to the Church of Corinth about restoring a sinning saint. We are to forgive but not overlook immorality. satan uses his devices 1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: - Pride The very opposite of charity, it does parade itself, it is puffed up. Example of lucifer -Envy and Strife Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. -Itching ears 2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (Today's youth) -Lust, Doubt, Rage Illustration of keeping a country divided

III. The Devil’s Destruction – 2 Cor 4:1-4

Jesus gives the Light to men The Holy Spirit convicts men It is up to man to respond Rejection of Jesus Christ will send you to hell

Conclusion: The Deception of the enemy - satan decieves, he is the god of lies and deceit. God is the God of truth The Devices of the enemy - satan uses pride,envy,strife,doubt,lust,rage, and fables. God uses truth. God told His nation Israel that no weapon formed against them shall prosper The Destruction of the enemy - satan destroys lives. God can make you whole.

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

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"The Two Trees" Genesis 2:8,9

Genesis is a marvelous book;

· The book of beginnings (origin of heaven, earth, man, woman, marriage, sin, sacrifice, prophecy, human government, etc.)

· God creates the earth, populates it and destroys it only to re-populate it

· 4 great events, 4 great people

· Covers a period of 2,000 years - There is a lot in this book

· Full of Types / Spiritual illustrations, symbols, and pictures of Jesus Christ and scriptural truth

Type – “A divinely appointed illustration of some scriptural truth.”

Derived from Greek word “tupos” – impression, stamp, pattern, or form

“A type must never be used to teach a doctrine, but only to illustrate a doctrine elsewhere explicitly taught.” – Dr. J. Edwin Hartill

A divinely appointed illustration

What are some types of Christ in Genesis?

· The Ark - The Ark is a type of Christ, offering salvation from judgment and destruction.

· Isaac – promised before he was born, he was offered up as a sacrifice on Mt. Moriah (as a test to Abraham but most importantly a type of Christ) His Father, sends His servent to go fetch Him a Bride after his work as a well digger had been completed.

· Joseph - despised by his brothers who sold him into slavery for 30 pieces of silver. He was banished into a far country and later forgotten. Eventually he would be exalted to the second highest position in Egypt where he would obtained a Gentile bride and later redeemed the same brothers who had sold him into slavery.

Some other types in Genesis:

· Leah is a type of the Church, and Rachel is a type of Israel. Dr. M.R. DeHaan writes: “Leah represents the Church of the Lord Jesus; Rachel, the nation of Israel. He desired her first, but when He came to present Himself to her nineteen hundred years ago, He did not receive her, but she rejected Him, and now Rachel is barren and despised, and Leah, the Church, is bearing fruit in the millions of the redeemed who are being brought in during this present dispensation.

· Jacob was a type of Israel, his life was a type of Israel’s history. His whole life he would struggle with others and then he wrestled with God in the Wilderness before his name was changed to Israel. Israel’s history is a struggle with others and a struggle with God.

Genesis 2:9; Acts 5:30; 1 Peter 2:24

Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

· Just after the 6 days of creations and the seventh day of Rest.

· God’s creation is perfect and He is now creating a home for man.

· He creates every tree (pleasant to the sight and good for food) and in the midst of the garden there are two trees

o Tree of life

o Tree of knowledge of good and evil

o These tree’s cease to exist so we know very little of them.

Let’s focus on the Tree of knowledge of good and evil (we know very little):

· Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of it

· Do not know the fruit

· Adam was not a puppet; God gave him a choice, and he chose to disobey.

Let’s look over at a tree in the New Testament:

Acts 5:30 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

1 Peter 2:24 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Notice in each of these passages, the cross of Calvary is called a “Tree”.

As mentioned before, the book of Genesis of full of types, pictures, and scriptural illustrations placed by the Holy Spirit.

“This first book in the Word of God is full of typical pictures, prophetic foreshadowings, and dispensational adumbrations, as well as important practical lessons,” - Arthur W. Pink, Gleanings in Genesis

Let’s look at the “Two Tree’s.” The Tree of Knowledge of good and evil and the Cross of Calvary.

The Contrast of these two trees:

A. Planting of the Trees

· Father planted – Genesis 2:8,9

(read verse 8)

– “Man’s first home was a garden; his final home will be a city. When Adam first opened his eyes to the light of day he looked out upon a scene of matchless beauty and tranquility. The fields were emerald green, the hedgerows ablaze with blossoms, the atmosphere laden with the fragrance of flowers, the forest ringing with joyous song.” - Dr. John Philipps

– Just like his final home, man’s first home was perfect. The first home was made by God for unfallen man. God rested in the first 3 verses of this Chapter, not because he was tired, but because His work was perfect.

(read verse 9)

– And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food;

· “Pleasant” (khaw-mad';) primitive root; to delight in: — beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, (X great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing).to desire, covet, take pleasure in, delight in

· Fallen planted – Matthew 27:35

Matthew 27:32-35 32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Matthew 27:40-42 40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

– Cross was two wooden beams used for capital punishment to execute criminals. They pierced the hands and the feet and the cross would be put upright and the victim is left to hang until dead. (death by asphyxiation deprived of oxygen, which can result in unconsciousness or death; suffocation.) This is an awful way to die. It is interesting to note that crucifixion originated with the Persians and was then perfected by the Romans. “The earliest historical record of crucifixion dates to c. 519 BC, when King Darius crucified 3,000 of his political enemies in Babylon. However, Psalm 22 was written hundreds of years before by David as a Messianic Psalm Prophesying the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

B. Picture of the Trees

· Fair to Look at – Genesis 2:9; 3:6

i. Again, this was for unfallen man. The ground had not yet been cursed. These trees were not only everything beautiful but imagine the food that was produced from these tree’s.

· Frightening to look at – Isaiah 53:2

Isaiah 53:2 2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 52:14 14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Illustration of Naaman.

C. Presenting of the trees

· Forbidden to eat – Genesis 2:17; 3:3

· Free to eat – Psalm 34:8; John 6:35

Psalm 34:8 8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

John 6:35 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

2 Peter 3:9 9The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Outline: The Two Tree’s

I. The Location of the Tree’s

a. The Garden of Devastation: Genesis 3:6,17

Genesis 3:6 6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis 3:17 17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

· Garden of Eden was a garden of devastation

· This is where Adam disobeyed God and brought sin unto all mankind

· It shows our failure (illustration of Hollywood, total depravity)

b. The Garden of Deliverance: John 19:41

John 19:41 41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

· We do not know the exact location, but we know that Christ was crucified in a Garden

· The first Adam and the Last Adam both died in a Garden

1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

The first Adam brought Death in a Garden, the Second and Final Adam brought life in a Garden.

Romans 5:12-21 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Everything mankind ever needed before the fall was right there in the garden of eden. Everything mankind needed after the fall was in the garden of the crucifixion.

II. The Learning of the Tree’s

Eden and Calvary both have something in common: They were dark places. Eden is where the perfect man God created willfully disobeyed Him and brought death unto the World. Calvary is where the Son of God manifested in Flesh became sin and died for us. He came to us because we could not go to Him. They both teach us something; that because man disobeyed God, God had to come to man. The Cross, is just as much a tree of knowledge of good and evil as the tree that was planted in the Garden of Eden.

a. The Knowledge of Sin: Gen 3:6,7

· Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

· Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

· Isaiah 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.

· Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

b. The Knowledge of Grace: Genesis 3:15

· 2 Corinthians 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.

· Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ:

III. The Lasting Effects of the Tree’s

Two of the greatest events in human history; The Fall of man and the Final sacrifice of sin by the Son of God. Both have had lasting effects that cannot be undone.

1 Timothy 1:15 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

a. The Decision of Disobedience: Genesis 3:6,7

b. The Decision of Obedience: John 14:6; Matthew 11:28; Romans 10:13

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“And on the Seventh Day…” Genesis 2:1-7

We come to the second Chapter of Genesis where we are introduced to some important subjects: the Sabbath, the garden of Eden, making of woman, and the institution of marriage. Before we get any further let’s turn our attention to an important principle of studying the Bible, the first mention principle. The First mention principle – “that principle by which God indicates in the first mention of s subject, the truth with which that subject stands connected with in the mind of God.” – Dr. J. Edwin Hartill “This is a law we gave long since noted, and have never yet found it to fail. The first occurrence of a word, expression, or utterance, Is the key to its subsequent meaning, or it will be a guide to ascertaining the essential truth connected with it.” – Dr. A.T. Pierson Remember, Genesis is the book of beginnings. There are a lot of first in Genesis. Today, we are going to look at the first seven verses in Chapter two which focus on the Sabbath and a summary of the previous chapter, the creation.

I. Sabbath: v.1-3 a. The Creator and the Sabbath – v.1-3 · Verse 1,2 - It’s important to note two key things in these verses; 1. God did not command man to rest. God does not give the sabbath as a duty to Adam. He will not give the Sabbath as a duty to man until the book of Exodus (more on that to come.) Genesis 2:1-3 is about God Resting, not man. 2. God is not resting because He is tired or weary, He is resting because His work is finished. The Creation of the entire universe is now complete so God has set apart a day for His Rest. Note: Once sin enters the picture in Genesis Chapter 3 there is nothing else in the Bible regarding God resting. The Bible tells us that the Triune God becomes involved in man’s redemption. · Verse 3 – God does two things to the seventh day; 1. “Blessed it” 2. “Sanctified” - set apart, consecrated. Why? Because He rested from all His work. Rested - shaw-bath'; “to cause to cease, put an end to” The finished work of God was absolutely perfect. “Thus the Heavens and the earth were finished” “‘It is finished!’ the words rang out at the close creation as, on the cross, they rang out again at the close of redemption. There is a great satisfaction in surveying a finished work. God stood back, as it were, to cast an admiring, contented eye over the finished work of His hands.” – Dr. John Phillips · We will look back at the finished work of God and this word “Resting”, but before we do let’s look at the Children of Israel and the Sabbath. b. The Children of Israel and the Sabbath – Exodus 20:8-11 Exodus 20:8-11 8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” · God gives this to the Children of Israel, not Adam. Exodus 31:16,17 “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” · Nehemiah 9:13,14 tells us the Sabbath was given to Israel Nehemiah 9:13-14 13Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: 14And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant: Genesis 3:1-3 is not giving man the Sabbath it is God blessing and setting apart the seventh day because He Rested from His creation. c. The Christian and the Sabbath (How does this apply to the Christian?) · The Sabbath is a symbol of the believer’s Rest in Christ - Hebrews 4 Hebrews 4:4-10 4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. · When God finished His work, He looked at it and saw that it was perfect, so He rested. Romans 5:1 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ: · When Jesus died on the cross, He paid it all. He did all the work. When we believed and trusted in Him He saved us. It’s all been done. We can now rest in Him because we have been declared Righteous in the sight of God through the Blood of Jesus Christ. · “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe, sin had left the crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” · The Christian does not need to keep the Sabbath because of our Liberty in Christ. Colossians 2:9-17 King James Version (KJV) 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” · Jesus kept the Sabbath, why? Matthew 5:17 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. He fulfilled the law and came to redeem His people from the penalty and bondage of sin

II. Summary: v.4-7 In verses 4-7 we are given a recap of creation, a summary if you will. a. The Center of Creation v.4 · Verse 4 – Notice something in this verse. In Chapter 1, we saw the name “God” 32 times in 31 verses. The Hebrew name “Elohim” which we talked about being plural. (Trinity) The Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. A plural noun that is almost always used with a singular verb or adjective. Three distinct persons but one God. In verse 1 we see the first mention of LORD. (Jehova God) Jehova “A name for God used in the O.T. It refers to God as the One who keeps covenant and mercy with His People.” – Dr. David Cloud “Here in the closing review of creation, the name Elohim is connected with the name Jehova (LORD). Jehova is the same God, only viewed as being in covenant relation with those He has created. The first appearance of the name Jehova follows the creation of man, for pre-eminently it is God’s redemptive name. As Elohim, He tossed the worlds into space; as Jeohva, He plans man’s redemption before ever He fashioned Adam’s clay.” – Dr. John Phillips Ephesians 1:4-5 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, God planned man’s Salvation before the creation. This does NOT mean God chooses who will go to Heaven and who will go to Hell. 2 Peter 3:9 9The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God is omniscient, He knows EVERYTHING. He knows who and who will not come unto Him, but it is His will that ALL be saved. John 3:16 “Predestination is based on God’s forknowledge and has more to do with what the Christian is predestined TO than who is predestined.” – Dr. David Cloud 1 Peter 1:2 2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Romans 8:29 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (before the foundation of the world….) · Notice, in chapter 1 “God created the Heaven and the earth” but yet in chapter 2 it’s “The LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” We are the center of the universe here. God, before the foundations of the World planned our salvation. b. The Condition of Creation v.5,6 · Verse 5,6 – it was a much different time then. Before the flood, men and women lived to be very old. There was no rain, there were dinosaurs. There is a lot of questions surrounding this issue, but remember in the story of creation, man is the center. God is preparing a home for man to live in and have dominion over. Psalms 53:1 King James Version (KJV) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. c. The Conclusion of Creation v. 7 · Man came from the ground. The same 15 or 16 elements that make up our bodies are found in the ground. · I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

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"The Six Days of Creation" Genesis 1

I. Day 1- vs. 1-5 · Heaven · 1st Heaven – clouds · 2nd Heaven – Outer Space · 3rd Heaven – Throne of God · Earth · Was empty, no form (the way God created it) · Light – physical light (v.14-19 sun moon and stars but those are light sources)

II. Day 2- vs. 6-8 · Firmament and waters · Waters separated i. Oceans rivers and lakes ii. Atmosphere and vapor

III. Day 3- vs. 9-13-dry land, plant life

IV. Day 4- vs. 14-19- sun, moon, stars

Job 38:7 suggest God created angels on this day

Job 38:7 7When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

V. Day 5- vs. 20-23- fowl and fish

VI. Day 6- vs. 24-31- Animals and Man

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Offseason episode 2

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12) What does the Bible say about forgiveness? According to Strong’s concordance, Forgiveness in Greek means to “release from bondage or imprisonment” and in Hebrew “to pardon or forgive”

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Offseason episode 1

Revelation 19:11-18 11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And LORD Of Lords. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Revelation 6:1-2 1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Questions? Comments? Contact me at preachtheword87@outlook.com

A special thank you to our friend Dave Compton for the opening and closing remarks.

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The Preach the Word Podcast will return on October 1st, 2021!

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Thanksgiving Special "Make Haste, O God, To Deliver Me" Psalms 70 McLeansville Baptist Church 11/22/2020

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Preach the Word Podcast: Recent Episodes

Dean Carmichael, Jr

- The Honeymoon is ready – The King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s will take His Bride and we will go with Him as He destroys His enemies, binds up satan, and sets up His Kingdom.