American Pastor: Recent Episodes
americanpastor
Ephesians 1:20 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,"
Job 6:1 "But Job answered and said,"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifth in the series on the Book of Job, Job's Initial Response to Eliphaz, chronicles Job's response to the first of Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite:
Ephesians 1:15 "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,"
Ephesians 1:11 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"
1 John 2:25 "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the sixth in the series, 1 John 2:25-3:2, highlights what the believer will be when Christ appears for the second time:
Ephesians 1:9 "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:"
This sermon, from American Pastor J.D. Montieth, is the fourth in an expositional study on the Epistle to the Ephesians titled The Mystery of Christ: Ephesians 1:9-15. Significant points from the sermon include:
Ephesians 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"
This sermon, from American Pastor J.D. Montieth, is the third in an expositional study on the Epistle to the Ephesians titled The Mystery of Christ: Ephesians 1:5-10. Significant points from the sermon include: "The Greek word for predestinated is #4309 proorizó. Strong’s defines it as “to predetermine, foreordain.” Its usage is “I foreordain, predetermine, mark out beforehand.” What this teaches us is that those called in Jesus Christ were foreordained and predetermined by God to be adopted as His sons. That those called in the Son of God, and foreknown to become part of His glorious body, would share in the same holiness, righteousness, and purity as their Savior. This is a very important element in the mystery of Christ, revealing those who will be saved through the Son of God, were priorly chosen by God. It is predestined will and purpose that ultimately saves men, and not, as most believe, some innate good quality in man.
"We cannot know why God predestined those called in Christ to be part of His heavenly body, only that He did. We cannot know why such an abundance of mercy has been shed upon us, only that it has. Ultimately, God’s actions should be meditated upon and not His reasons. Since there is no human reason capable to fully understand the mind of God, and His wish to purpose for heaven, a people created for Himself.
"If men believe themselves to be either equal, or even superior to the Lord, they will question the concept of predestination. That God has no right to pursue and accomplish His own will, though sinners do the same thing regularly. Yet, how hypocritical is it, when it is thought and reasoned among the lost, that whatever they choose to do, is pronounced by them, a righteous and noble thing, but if God exercises His own divine choice, then there is an immediate outcry of heavenly injustice. Hence, according to human thought, men can will to live as they desire, and function according to their own human will, yet it is considered indictable if God does the same. Teaching us that sinners both believe and insist that they have full right and authority to do as they desire, but refuse to allow or tolerate a Being so much greater and holier than them, this same right. Astoundingly, it is sinfully reasoned that men can sin as they want, but God cannot save as He wants.
There is nothing in regards to the cause and reason for the believer’s salvation, other than the good pleasure of his (God’s) will. Those who will enter the kingdom of God, will do so, simply because they have been first chosen, and called by God, to enter it. Just as salvation is itself a gift so is entrance into Christ’s coming kingdom, a result of heavenly generosity. (Luke 12:32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. It is not because of who we are, or what God has even raised us to be, which provides for our salvation. This eternal blessing can be traced solely to the good pleasure of divine will. Though this is not a complicated truth, it is a profound one—that saints shall share with Christ in heaven, because it is God’s good pleasure that they should. All salvation therefore has its origination in the goodness of God, and His prior will to adopt as sons those purposed for heaven.
"A man might feel a call to ministry, but this is only experienced after God has preordained him for it. Hence, both the call to heavenly sonship and ordination, is only extended, after men have first been selected for each. Therefore, when repentant sinners feel the inward need and internal longing to leave all things for the pursuit of God, it is because they have first been chosen by God. It is therefore only after men have been preordained to enter the kingdom, that they will experience an inward compulsion and spiritual desire to move towards it. Just as with any summons or invitation, to respond to the invitation requires that it is first sent. Hence, no man could properly respond to the call of Christ, unless first there is heard a call to believe upon Him.
"It takes great and continued humility to realize that Jesus chose us, and we did not choose Him. That it is God Who has made us accepted in the beloved, and not anything we have done ourselves. Predestination also lays the foundation for adoration, praise, and worship of God, simply because man’s complete salvation is God’s own workmanship.
"It is critical for saints to believe that they have been saved through God’s purpose and grace, lest the praise that should be directed towards God, is intercepted, and men praise themselves instead. This is what the Pharisee did in Christ’s parable of the Pharisee and the publican, when he believed that God should save him, because of himself. Whom a man believes makes him worthy of heaven, is ultimately who will be praised for it. If it is God, it will be God. If it is himself, then praise will be directed inward, and surely not upward.
Without death, which is the only adequate payment for sin, redemption from sin is not possible. Sin must be punished, and only death, can accomplish this divine punishment. Therefore, for true remission from sin, death and the shedding of blood must precede it. Ultimately, death and sacrifice for past sin must precede the future impartation of eternal life. For none can be given everlasting life, until first their sins against God have been atoned for.
"The death that would have held sinners eternally captive, was overcome by One, Whom God gave the power over death. Hence, what would have eternally destroyed sinners, could not, He Who was Himself eternal. Where death would have sealed the sinner’s fate, it did not His Savior. By then Jesus dying for sin, the punishment for sin is met. But Christ’s resurrection from the dead proved that death could not hold God’s Son.
"Practically, man’s mind is not capable to know by itself, the eternal counsels of God. Hence, if either God or His will is to be known, then it must require revelation from the Lord to learn anything of those hidden things purposed by Him. Yet, without the Spirit of God, this wisdom cannot be grasped by mere human ability.
"The spiritual realm to an unsaved man is foolishness, simply because he possesses no adequate power or ability to perceive it. For him, God does not exist, and the false reasoning is that He cannot be seen through mere physical means. Thus, according to the unsaved, there is no God based solely on the presumption, that if there were, He could be seen through natural sight. Unknown though, to those absent the Spirit, is that only through its influence on the heart, can spiritual truth, be made known, and God be properly perceived. Because God is Spirit, it will require His own spiritual nature sent to man, to enable true sight of Himself.
"The mystery of God’s will, which He hath purposed in Himself, and is now revealed, is that God, in the fullness of times, shall gather all things to be subject to His One appointed Head, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, in the very One, through Whom the believer is saved, will be culminated God’s plan, for the entire world. It is for this reason that those saved through Jesus Christ, should never doubt the security of their salvation. Simply because, He, Who has previously died to save them, has been purposed by God to rule the entire race of man. The Savior of the Christian therefore will soon be revealed to all mankind as the appointed Lord of all things both in heaven and in earth."
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"
This sermon, from American Pastor J.D. Montieth, is the second in an expositional study on the Epistle to the Ephesians titled The Mystery of God: Ephesians 1:3-4. Significant points from the sermon include: "
Ephesians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:"
This sermon, from American Pastor J.D. Montieth, is the first in an expositional study on the Epistle to the Ephesians titled The Mystery of God: Ephesians 1:1-3. Significant points from the sermon include: "There is great spiritual depth needed to be made to understand the mystery. For this the Spirit of God is necessary to enlighten men, to God’s eternal purpose in Christ. Because all the elements and particulars of the mystery are spiritual and heavenly in nature, nothing in the natural realm can help us in gaining belief in it. And as with many things heavenly, it is faith, which is a gift of God, that can allow men to understand the hidden things of God. Faith is that internal spiritual ability which allows sight of the unseen spiritual world. Since faith is a gift of the Spirit, then its spiritual power can lift us to understand things of the spiritual realm that mere reason and speculation could never accomplish.
"This mystery has direct relationship to Jesus Christ, the Son of God and an entirely new heavenly body formed through Him. It has been referred to as church invisible, which will later be revealed as church triumphant. The mystery has its practical origin in those born of the second man, the last Adam, Jesus Christ, who ultimately will be transformed and made to share in His spiritual image. And just as the original Adam begot men in his fleshly and sinful image, so will those born of Christ share in Christ’s spiritual and holy image.
"If men reject and/or do not feel the need to be instructed and led by those spiritual ministers that Christ has placed in His church, it is viewed the same as rejecting the Lord Himself. Yet sadly, this is not uncommon, as many who claim to be Christians, negate the spiritual importance not only of ministers of the gospel, but also the Holy Spirit which Christ Himself sends to secure a man’s salvation. Hence sadly, for most, it is far more important for men to try and get to heaven on their own, than leaning upon God, the Word of God, the Son of God, and those ministries that have been divinely sent30 to declare both, which is critical for salvation.
"All saints are separated ones, whom God has by divine choice, chosen to be His own. This is also why if a man will not separate himself from the world, then you can be sure that he still remains part of it. Since no true saint holds a greater love for the world, than their Savior.
"It is God Who is the Source of all blessings, and God alone that possesses the power to bless men in heavenly places. Therefore, no matter the blessings that a saint has been blessed with while on this earth, greater and more eternal blessings await him in heaven. And just as Israel needed to enter Canaan to receive their full inheritance, so must Christians be lifted to heaven to receive theirs. Because all spiritual blessings are in Christ, then it is fitting that He must be the One to escort and lead believers into them.
The Lord delights to give, and especially so regarding those gifts, blessings, and celestial possessions, which are themselves eternal. There are no greater gifts than spiritual gifts, and no more beneficial gifts, than those which are eternal. Ultimately, the believer is blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, simply because God is in heaven and His spiritual nature is eternal. The scripture is also plain to remind us that all eternal blessing must have connection with He, Who has ascended and now sits in heaven. For the Christian, or for that matter any other man, all spiritual and heavenly blessings are connected to the Son of God. Teaching us that believers will be blessed, not because of themselves, but only because of their connection to He, Who brought both grace and truth to man."
Broadcast live on 05/27/2023
1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the ninth in the series, 1 John 5:13-21, closes out the epistle of 1 John with a final warning against idolatry: "If Christ is possessed, then a man will know that there is something dwelling within him, apart from his physical and material makeup, which has its origin in God. This is also, the reason why the gospel should be preached today, and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, be declared to the world. Because only through Him, can men be both given, and come to practically know that God’s eternal life is theirs. To therefore preach Christ and make Him known, is to preach that precious gift of spiritual regeneration. It is to reveal the wonderful revelation that God’s eternal life can be found in the One sent to declare Him to the world.
"It is not enough to merely believe upon Jesus Christ for a moment, or a brief period of time; to do this offers no sure hope of gaining the life offered through Him. True faith is an enduring faith, which shall always manifest
itself as genuine by remaining faithful to God once it has begun. In reality, there is no such thing as a temporal or momentary faith that will save men. As both belief in the Son of God and subjection to His lordship, must continue until this earthly life is over, or we are received into heaven by Him.
"A practical point which encourages faith in God is focusing not on the specific petition, but on the Lord Himself. It is therefore by trusting in the Lord, and not simply our specific petition, that provides the best way to keep our hearts at peace, until such time that our needs are met. Understandably, no faith can really be developed in God, by over-focusing on every request made to Him. It also goes without saying, that it is not confidence in self that gives hope of answered prayer, but only trust and confidence in the One we are praying to.
"Intercessory prayers are an important responsibility in the believer’s life, where prayers are not simply offered to God for our own needs, but to also help brothers and sisters, deceived and snared by sin. Just as intercessory prayer can save the sick, so can it assist in bringing those who have sinned against God, to regaining fellowship with Him. Ultimately, prayer for other members in the body of Christ, is as essential as praying for our own needs to be met.
"Where then sin has abounded and grown to epic proportions, the grace of God, and the gift of Jesus Christ, surpasses even the abundance of sin committed. Thankfully, the vast amount of sin in the world, is not unpardonable, and can and will be for given through repentance, and Christ sacrificing Himself for sin.
"It is a spiritual reality, and an established truth, that those born of God, neither can, wish, nor desire, to continue in sin. The very nature of God, imparted to those born of Him, prohibits this. What this verse plainly and uniquely teaches, is that true Christians cannot remain living in sin, and if some claim they can, they never were truly born of God.
"Once saved by the Son, a person has crossed over, that great chasm which separates death and life, and as such, it is impossible that his new standing in heaven, can be taken away. Never again can true saints fall under God’s condemnation and be separated from Him.
"Though these last words of the Apostle seem to take a digression, the truth revealed is that for even those born of God, there remains a danger of unintended idolatry. Idolatry, where personal pursuits, worldly pleasures, and cares of this world, wrongly assume a place in the believer’s heart, reserved only for God and God’s Son. For this reason, care should be taken, and the heart regularly inspected to ensure that nothing assumes the rightful place of God in His children’s heart or life.
"If God and Christ are not fully loved, and highly esteemed over all things, then it should not be thought, that Either are really loved at all. There is no middle ground for the Christian to balance love for God and love for the world—to love not what the flesh desires, but that which the Spirit wills. Thus, if men desire to be saved, then love for God, and the Son of God, must rise above every other carnal and worldly desire in their heart. It is only by doing this that Christ’s first commandment is obeyed, and any form of idolatry abandoned. Simply because, any continuance in sin, is a form of unrighteousness, will prevent entrance into Christ’s coming kingdom.
"It is possible for men to be deceived that they can continue in sin, yet still enter Christ’s kingdom. This is undoubtedly not true, as the simplicity and clearness of this verse cannot be denied. For this reason, continued care and effort should be taken to remove anything in the heart, that rivals God and the new spiritual life gained through belief in God’s Son."
Broadcast live on 04/23/2023
1 John 4:13 "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the eighth in the series, 1 John 4:13-5:13, highlights the importance of love: "The recognition of Christ’s deity, is not something that can occur merely in the head, but must be a genuine and sincere belief that originates in the heart, and then is made public to the world. It is an act of submission and subjection to the Son of God, that leads to God’s salvation.
"If any then desire to know whether or not they are saved, and have true fellowship and union with the heavenly Father, then they need only to ask themselves if both God’s Spirit and God’s love dwells in them.
"By following Christ’s example of love, His people are assured that they shall have nothing to fear in the day of His judgment. Because Christ’s love lives within the hearts of those saved by Him, and they live as He lived in the world, then nothing more is needed for them to have met God’s will for their life. Having obeyed Christ’s two commandments to love both God and his neighbor, allows the believer to approach the tribunal of Christ, with the spiritual confidence that the life lived was in obedience to his Lord.
"There is no fear in love, since perfect love casts out all fear of God, and any sheepishness to be judged by Him. Yet, if fear of divine judgment remains, this is strong evidence, that love still remains an unfinished work in the believer. Just as love is a fruit of the Spirit, fear is a characteristic of the flesh. Because of this, not until love has grown and accomplished its full purpose, revealing obedience to divine will, will all fear of heavenly judgement be removed.
"Ultimately, there is no such thing as a disobedient Christian, or a Christian lacking love, or a Christian who has not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, simply because these three divine signs both confirm and establish where true salvation exists, and where it does not.
"It is sin that weighs men down, and is a heavy weight to bear, and surely not obedience to God’s will. This is because the Lord puts nothing on a man, that is not profitable for his life and good for his soul.
"It is easy to obey God when the heart is right;
"A true child of God therefore cannot be, nor ever will be overcome by this world, as so many who are not the children of God, confirmably are. Hence, Christians are not, and should never be considered victims of this world, simply because through Jesus Christ and His triumphant ministry, they have defeated it.
"Many a sinner has had this world beat them down, drain them of all strength, and ultimately ruin their life. Yet, there is no true Christian that it can be said was overcome in this manner. Because of faith in the Son of God, Christ has made all those born of the Spirit to overcome all the oppressiveness, sin, death, and evil forces in this world.
"There is no true Christian who does not possess a spiritual witness in his own heart, that Jesus is the Son of God. This witness is the Spirit of God, given through Christ, which abides in him. Understandably, no man can ever fully believe upon Jesus Christ, without having a personal witness of experiencing the Lord himself. This is accomplished by the Holy Spirit being given to all who believe upon Him as the Son of God and yield their lives to His lordship.
"There is hardly a verse which is so simple, solid and succinct regarding who has been given eternal life: it is those who possess the Son of God. So that if a man hath the Son, he hath the life of God, but if he hath not the Son, then neither does he possess that spiritual life, that comes only through Him. Ultimately, it is a man’s faith in, obedience to, and relationship with the Son of God, that allows for the gift of eternal life being given to him.
"Because God’s life resides in the Son, and cannot be found in any other place, the apostle’s great aim in writing this epistle is purposed, to lead people to belief in the Son of God, to gain the eternal life of God offered through Him. If Christ is possessed, then a man will know that there is something dwelling in him, apart from his physical and material makeup, which has its origin in God. This is also, the reason why the gospel should be preached today, and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, should be declared to the world. Because only through Him, can men be both given, and come to practically know that God’s eternal life is theirs. To therefore preach Christ and make Him known, is to preach that precious gift of spiritual regeneration and the divine life offered through belief in the Son of God. To preach Christ, is to preach the wonderful revelation that God’s eternal life can be found in Him."
Broadcast live on 04/02/2023
1 John 3:20 "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the seventh in the series, 1 John 3:20-4:12, explains the importance and benefit of keeping God's commandments: "Whatever a man thinks he knows of his sin, because God is greater, God knows more and could prosecute and bring charges, exceeding even what the human heart and conscience recognizes as sin. Consequently, to maintain both peace and fellowship with God, there can be no hiding or indulging in sin, especially so in the heart. Wherever sin is, it must be confessed, and dealt with in order for a man to maintain trust in God. A condemning heart does nothing to inspire greater confidence and trust in the Lord and His ability to come to our aid; in fact, it does quite the opposite.
"The condition of the heart greatly effects a man’s faith and trust in God. To properly grow and develop in faith, we must so live that our heart does not accuse us of sin, but rather commends us for living rightly before the Lord.4 Though it is not known by most, a good conscience is as critical to true piety, as love and faith are. Possessing these three godly characteristics is the ultimate end of God’s will for the Christian.
"If our faith or love is insincere and has no real depth in it, our conscience will inform us of such. Hence, the conscience plays a very key and important role in leading our soul to God’s salvation, by exposing if insincerity exists, or our faith and love towards God is pure.
"How foolish is it to believe that any can live as they will, sin as they desire, and God will still hear them. The truth is that God will not hear, nor come to the aid of any who regard iniquity in their heart. If men then embrace sin, they should not think that they will be heard of God.
"Sinners therefore should never be so presumptuous to believe that by deliberately walking in sin, that God will still hear them in their time of need. This is the truth of God’s Word: absent repentant prayer that acknowledges sin and does not defend and attempt to hide it from God, a sinner’s pleas will not be heard. For God to hear men, they must keep His commandments and do those things pleasing in His sight. It is only by living this way, that they can be sure that all asked of God will be granted.
"Belief in the Son of God and love for the brethren are therefore eternally bound. To obey one, will lead to embracing the other. Just as disregarding one, ensures that there can be no true possession of the other. This teaches us that whenever there is true belief in Jesus Christ, there will always be love for those born of Him. Hence, whenever there is sincere faith in the Savior, there will be corresponding love for His brethren.
"For the true Christian, God is much more than simply around him, He is in all respects now living within him. The true church of Christ is not formed when men enter churches, but rather when the Father and Son, enter them.
"Antichrists are at their core, worldly. It is the world they are of, the world they will speak of, and those of the world who will hear them. This teaches us that whom a man hears, listens to, and enjoys the company of, reveals whom he is really of. If it is the world, then he is of it; if it is God, then he is of Him.
"The Christian’s call through Jesus Christ is to come out and separate himself from the world. If this is not done, and a man believes that he can straddle the fence between love for God and love for the world, then it is certain that true love for the Father does not exist.
"Love therefore is the primary test to determine whom God has saved and made His sons, and whom He has not. This is why there is no such thing as a true Christian, if divine love is lacking in them. Even as those who lack love do not hold any true knowledge of God. Love is therefore that quality that reveals both being born of God, and coming to know a genuine knowledge of Him. Because God is love, He will birth children that manifest the very essence of Himself. If a man then has God’s love lacking in him, you can be sure he has never been born again, by God. There is also nothing that will give a man more confidence that he is of the truth, than when God’s love abounds both in his heart and his life.
"The timing of when God sent Jesus Christ to die for sin, reveals the undeniable goodness that dwells in God. Before then men ever developed love for God, God loved them. Many a man also has wondered why God would absolve him of sin. The answer is because goodness and generosity are the essence of God’s holy character. Consequently, it was not because men deserved Christ dying for their sin, but rather that they were in need of compassion, lest they die in their sins.
"By divine and benevolent love is the reality of God revealed to His people."
Broadcast live on 03/19/2023
1 John 3:3 "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the sixth in the series, 1 John 3:3-19, teaches on the evils of sin and the benefits of love: "The glory and beauty of the Savior, first resides in the fact of His purity. It is not just that Jesus did not sin and was able to resist the sinful urges of His body, but rather that in Him is no sin. He was sinless, holy, and without defect or blemish. (Heb. 7:26) For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; It is also this purity, cleanliness of heart and soul, that Christ passes on the those who believe on Him.
"If a man remains indifferent to his sin, and perceives no harm in breaking God’s commandments, then you can be sure that Jesus Christ is not his Lord. Practically speaking, those born of God and filled with His Spirit will be recognized by their obedience and subjection to the gospel, and not their rejection and breaking of it.
"While it is true that a person is saved by grace, through faith, it is equally true that neither grace nor faith, allows men to continue in sin and break divine law. Grace gives no man the right to sin, because if it did, it would totally negate the purpose of God imparting to men His Spirit, which infuses Its recipients with the strength, power, and ability to keep God’s will and statutes.
"It is always a lie that implies that a man can sin, not pursue a life of righteousness, and still be a true son of God.
How a man walks, and not what he says, reveals whom he is of. By continuing in sin, men show themselves to have aligned themselves with the very one who has sinned since the very beginning. The language is strong because the truth is certain, he that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil.
No one, not one person, not one man, woman, or child can continue in sin, if actually born of God. This is a biblical impossibility and the apostle seeks to make this very important revelation abundantly clear. That once someone is born of God, been filled with God’s Spirit, and made Jesus Christ their Lord, they cannot, and will not continue in sin. The reason therefore that true saints cannot continue in sin, is because God’s seed, the Holy Spirit, has changed their heart, and now God’s holy nature abides in them.
"For true Christians, continuing in sin is infeasible, undesirable, and loathsome. Sin cannot be continued in once God and Christ, make Their abode in a new son of God’s heart. Sin’s power has been broken, and a new holy energy now lives within, enabling a pursuit of union and communion with the Lord.
"Love, and specifically love for the brethren, ultimately reveals if a man has truly been saved by Christ, born of God, or just merely walks in the company of those who have been.
"In contrast to love is envy and hate, which are the devilish qualities that led Cain to kill his natural born brother, Abel. The evil spiritual influence also that led Cain to slay Abel, had for its origin, the devil.
There was no divine love in Cain, and this vacuum, left the door wide open for envy and hate. The lesson is, that even as love will prevent sin,(I Cor. 13:4-8) its absence allows full space for it. Thus, when men do not obey Christ’s command to love, there is no other path for them to follow, than that which is harmful not only to themselves but sadly, to others as well. Where love is not, the devil will gladly take its place.
The divine qualities of love, joy, and peace, as well as the other fruits of the Spirit, cannot exist in an unsaved man. They are fruits of the Spirit of God, and cannot be truly manufactured, nor properly imitated, by those who have not the Spirit. Love for the brethren proves a man has been acquitted of his sins, and now is declared righteous before God.
"In contrast to a world filled with hate, is the example of love found in Jesus Christ. Hence, where Cain’s hate took the life of his brother, Christ’s love, gave His own life as a sacrifice for others. The contrast is seen in the world’s first murderer, Cain, and this world’s Savior, Jesus Christ. Cain and Jesus Christ therefore are set as examples of what hate will end in, and what true love also will ultimately produce. By Christ’s love in laying down His life for the brethren, divine love became visible. In Jesus Christ we have the very essence of what true love is. Surprisingly, Christ did not reveal a higher form of love, which of course He could reveal no other, but only that in Him, is seen what true and divine love really is. This is why not until a man is willing to give his life to God, as Christ also first did, for the benefit of others, is Christ’s love possessed.
"One of the chief ways to determine if men love or not, is if they are willing to give up their own earthly resources when a brother is in need. All love gives, and there is not true love that can ignore and not come to the aid, of those in need. If the heart remains closed to the lack and necessities of those around us, especially our brethren, then it is certain God’s love has no true place in us.
"It is only by sincerely walking in love, that assures the believer that he is of the truth. Where a hypocrite has no inward assurance that he is of God, the man who genuinely loves, does. Teaching us that love does more for the conscience and soul, than any religious duty ever could. It is thus only by doing the Word and not merely hearing it, that the conscience is quieted, and assurance is given to ourselves, that we are indeed God’s children. Obedience to the gospel therefore has for its unsuspecting end, producing internal confidence in our own standing, of being the children of God.
Broadcast live on 03/05/2023
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the fifth in the series, 1 John 2:19-24, examines the difference between apostates who leave the faith and of true believers in Christ: "They went out from us, but they were not [ever] of us is solid proof that those who depart from the faith, were never really of it. Apostates for a time can and will remain with true believers, but there must come a time when their false professions of faith becomes manifest. Impure motives while in religion are not enough to keep men faithful to it their entire lives. Like with Judas, though he walked with the Lord Jesus for a number of years, the truth is he never truly was subject to Him.
"By the Lord allowing the departure of those who once labeled themselves as Christians, the influence they once had, or could have had in the true church of Christ, is greatly diminished. Practically speaking, when men depart from Christ, Whom they once professed to follow, all real authority to influence others remaining loyal to Him ends. To understand apostasy properly, one needs to know that 1) Those who leave the faith were once considered part of the church. They took on the habits of conversion but were never truly converted. 2) God allows departure, so that the pretenders might be fully known, resulting in removing much confusion as to what true faith really is. 3) By the counterfeit believer’s exodus, the church is more able to grow in the divine qualities of love and spiritual unity. When schism is removed, if even undetected by most, then harmony and peace is more freely enabled to flourish in Christ’s true church.
"There are but two forms of government that men can choose to align themselves with. The first is that government, which the god of this world, Satan, sets the parameters of how men can live while in it. In this worldly institution much freedom is promised, whereby men can not only live as they will, with no judgment, but are actually encouraged to embrace self-will and self-government. In Satan’s world self-love and self-will are much more preferred than love for God, and subjection to divine will. Those who love the world, and are willing to depart from the faith for it, ultimately reveal themselves as preferring human government, or the government of self, man, and Satan, over the heavenly rule of God.
"It is this standard of leaving all to follow Christ, which is the true test of discipleship. It is a standard which Jesus Christ Himself set, and should not be lowered by men, who themselves have not enough love for divine things, to keep it. To be saved by the Son of God, then a man must be willing to leave everything for Him.
"In contrast to those who were never true followers of Christ and depart from the fellowship of the godly, are true saints, who have as a gift from God, the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
"There are two distinct elements in recognizing Jesus Christ’s true person. 1)That He is God’s appointed Ruler of the world, in the form of the Messiah. 2) That His right to rule the world stems from His unmistakable relationship with God, as God’s only begotten Son.
"To not recognize these two truths, is to be anti-Christ. It is therefore not nearly enough to know Jesus as a mere historical figure. This is insufficient for salvation. Because to be saved by God, the power, authority, right, and supremacy of the Son of God must be both believed in, and submitted to.
"To deny the Son is to deny His authority over your life. It is to not submit to His Word, and not follow His person. It is to foolishly believe that we can be saved by God, without yielding to His Son. Yet, there are none who deny the Son, who have any true relationship with the Father. In the Son, God has made Himself known; consequently, to reject and/or deny Him, is to reject the very One Whom God had sent to reconcile sinners unto Himself.
"When there is an acceptance of the Son of God, and genuine belief in His heavenly identity, then it is certain that true relationship with God has begun. Reception of Christ also has as its reward, being given power by Him, to become a Son of God. Through Christ, and Christ alone, are men made to become sons of God themselves, and by his it can be said that they hath the Father.
"Once made a son of God, a person must remain loyal to His calling for true fellowship to be maintained with both the Father and Son. There is no place in scripture, nor should any think it can be found, which allows for unfaithfulness, after conversion. He who has been made a son of God through Christ, must maintain both belief and obedience to Christ’s words and Christ’s Spirit, in order for fellowship with God to be continued. There is no second renewal, nor another regeneration that God can provide for any who when once exposed to the Holy Spirit, walk away from it and return to their previous course of living. This is also why there is no such thing as once a Christian, always a Christian, if Christ’s words and His authority over the soul, is abandoned. To make Jesus Christ Lord of your life, is to make Him the ultimate authority in it; consequently, to desert from His rule, is to forfeit the salvation offered by Him."
Broadcast live on 02/19/2023
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the third in the series, 1 John 1:9-2:7, examines forgiveness of sin: "Forgiveness of sin, without exception in scripture, in every age, and every generation, demands that confession of sin precedes it. Hence, if a man desires divine forgiveness for his sins against God, then he must openly confess them, and not deny their existence.
"For forgiveness and pardon, therefore, there must be acknowledgement of the wrong done, and a genuine desire to not do it again. So that if men are willing to turn away and depart from their sin, then God will eventually and completely remove all previous sin done by them.
"Because God is faithful, provided there is genuine and sincere confession of sin, then God’s promise to sinners is twofold: 1. There is a promise of forgiveness, 2. There is a promise of complete and thorough removal of sin.
"God’s faithfulness to His people is also seen throughout scripture, in that He will not let them be tempted above that which they are able, and will likewise protect those called to Himself, from the evil one. Where sin, temptation, and the evil one is, then God’s faithfulness is the strong abiding force that prohibits men from being completely overtaken by sin and its deceptive nature.
"Where forgiveness provides for separating sin from the sinner, cleansing entails its complete removal. Once the Lord provides forgiveness and cleansing for sin, it cannot, nor ever will surface unless it is returned to and committed again. Hence, if a man sincerely, genuinely, and deeply regrets and repents for his sin, then God will honor His promise to forgive him and cleanse him from all unrighteousness.
"Whenever there is a denial of sin, it will be simultaneously observed that God’s Word does not live in a man. By this it is easy to discern whether sin has been either confessed or denied. Denial of sin and truth are set in contrast one to another, in order that men may know that to embrace one will exclude the presence of the other. Whenever then the truth of God’s Word resides in men, then confession of their sin will follow. But if sin is denied, and a man will not agree with God that he is a sinner, then there will not be any true relationship nor affection for the truth. Since none can truly and genuinely hold the truth in his heart, love its purity, rejoice in its message, and not confess the sin that lives within himself.
"It is also both right and righteous that God is greatly displeased with sinners, and men should not try and diminish the truth that God’s anger exists towards all who transgress His laws. By Jesus Christ taking the place of the sinner and receiving divine judgment for him, God deems the penalty for sin has been met, and justice satisfied.
"Just as through one man’s (Adam’s) disobedience many were made sinners, so also through Jesus Christ’s obedience shall many be made righteous. Consequently, there will be many, a vast amount, an innumerable number of previous sinners, who shall, with utmost certainty, be made righteous through the Son of God. The only question is, who are these blessed souls, to whom God’s righteousness shall be imparted?
"For the second time the apostle reveals whom God reveals as liars. 1. If men refuse
to confess themselves as sinners. 2. If there is a claim and a false assumption of knowing God, yet the claimers do not keep His commandments. He thus who denies the presence of sin in himself is a liar, even as he who claims to know God, but does not keep His commandments, has also by divine revelation been marked out by God as a liar.
"If God’s Word is kept by His people, then God’s own love will be perfected in them. Love is a fruit of the Spirit and all who are truly led by it will manifest this fruit in their lives. It is also the increase and expansion of the love of God in the Christian’s heart, that causes him to know that he is in God, and God in him. Ultimately, love and obedience cannot be separated. This is also why whenever there is an absence of divine love, no real obedience to God exists.
"If any claim relationship with Jesus Christ, they should strive to walk as He walked. The standard for the Christian’s behavior is therefore seen in his Savior. It is through Christ that he has been born again, given a new heart, and become a completely new creature. When a man seeks to walk as Christ walked he will, like the Lord, be about the Father’s business, be willing to humble himself to serve the needs of others, follow Christ’s example of being meek and lowly in heart, lose his life to God, and ultimately fulfill the great commission.
"When men become imitators of Jesus Christ, they prove themselves as true followers of God."
Broadcast live on 01/22/2023
1 John 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the second in the series, 1 John 1:5-6, teaches that God is light, and those that walk in darkness have no fellowship with Him: "The message that Paul heard and declared unto his readers, that God is light, came from the Son of God. It is Jesus Who declared God’s true nature, which was also made visible through His walk on the earth. It was therefore that relationship that John had with Jesus Christ, that revealed to him the true nature of God, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
"Not only is God defined by the apostle as light, He is also revealed in scripture as Spirit and love. By these three descriptive revelations of God, it is possible to see the great glory of His divine nature and the primary components which make it up, which are Spirit, light, and love.
"All that is holy, good, benevolent, merciful, forgiving, and loving is contained in this simple axiom that God is light. From light also comes all that can be conceived as life in the universe. Light is the very source of life, without which it could not exist. It is also neither remarkable nor coincidental that the God Who is Himself divine light, brought into the universe material light as an emblem of Himself.
"Since God is light in every respect, then it is not reasonable that He would maintain fellowship with darkness on any level. A truly good and honorable man would never befriend nor share intimate fellowship with evil men, and the same can be said even more so concerning a holy God. And just as God instructs those who believe on Him, to depart and have no fellowship with darkness, it is unreasonable to believe that He would do, what He commands His people never do.
"Simply because it is incompatible that a God, Who is Himself pure light, would maintain any fellowship with
darkness. He will not, and John wants to make this abundantly clear that God will never fellowship nor maintain communion with darkness of any kind.
"Either there is a disconnect and a contradiction in what the Word of God reveals sin is, or in the people who sin yet claim relationship with God. No doubt the error lies not in scripture, but in those who will do their best to try and change the very description of good and evil, and/or light and darkness. Sinners thus who have chosen not to abide in what is good and holy, will seek to change it to fit their own carnal lusts and fallen nature. So that if men will not abide by the truth, then they will soon seek to change in others’ minds, what
truth is.
"It is also a sign of hypocrisy when men claim to know God but in works deny Him, when any profess Jesus Christ as their Lord but do not what He says, and when there is an honoring of God with the lips but the person’s heart and behavior is far from God. Therefore, very early in John’s epistle we see one of his main objectives, which is to refute the erroneous claims of those both in and out of the church, who walked in darkness yet professed they maintained relationship with God. This is contrary to the message that John heard from Jesus Christ Who Himself represented the light of God. Practically, if any man thinks differently, he has set himself as a rival to Christ."
Broadcast live on 01/08/2023
1 John 1:1 "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the Apostle John's first epistle in a series titled Am I Born of God. This sermon, the first in the series, 1 John 1:1-4, opens with the introduction of the epistle: "What is remarkable about this verse is that in a book that details what is necessary to gain fellowship with the Father and the Son, and a book which was written to confirm if a man has eternal life or not, that the emphasis is directly centered upon the personal, albeit spiritual, relationship the apostle John had with Jesus Christ. It is thus He, Whom John hopes to expose the world to, and He, Whom John knows, holds the key to gaining the eternal life of God. Ultimately, Christ is the Word of life, that manifested form of God, Who leads to life. The reason that John gives Jesus Christ this title is because through Him God’s knowledge of the way to gain eternal life is revealed. As the Word, Christ is God’s revelation to man, revealing also God’s path to heaven.
"The reason that a man is saved by Christ, is because He is the living Word of God. Ultimately, to hold Christ as Lord is to obey all of God’s commandments. So that where previously through the Mosaic Law obedience to the Law is what was purposed to lead men to life, now the lordship of God’s Son is how men can eternally be saved.
"Because God has given His Son authority over all things, to be saved men must agree with God’s transfer of divine authority to Christ, and subsequently make Him their Lord and Master of their life. Thus, by accepting the Word, and yielding fully to Christ’s present heavenly authority, this is viewed by God as subjection to His will for man. Christ’s lordship over a man’s life takes the place of needing to obey every commandment of God, which was necessary in the Old Testament in order to be saved, which in fact is impossible simply because of man’s weak fleshly ability to keep divine law.
"The Lord’s predestination of His people, is what makes Christ’s salvation so secure. This was the Son of God’s purpose in coming into the world, to save those purposed by God for heaven, and it has been proven to be astoundingly successful.
"There is but one door, one access point, where sinners like ourselves can find hope of heaven, and it is through the very One sent by God to reveal God’s spiritual and eternal life more fully to the world. That which a man has, he can give. Jesus as the Son of Man, and Son of God, can therefore give God’s eternal life to as many make Him their Lord.
"A man’s labor, therefore, should not merely be regulated to feeding his body and the desires it produces, but rather should be primarily directed towards that spiritual labor which leads to the saving of the soul. It is this meat which is a knowledge of the Son of God and a pursuit of the higher spiritual realm that provides the opportunity for everlasting life.
(I John 5:12) "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." On this one single maxim, is contained the entire Christian gospel. If this were believed and relied upon, then very little else would be needed to be preached in attempting to bring others to salvation. It is also this question which all who profess to believe in Jesus, need to ask themselves, “Do I hold true belief in the Son of God in my heart, or do I merely know Christ’s name in my mind?”
"Joy is, therefore, a spiritual fruit which is produced in a person’s heart, whenever faith is present, and confidence and trust in God is held. He, therefore, who genuinely exercises faith, will experience joy in his soul, a spiritual joy that proves not only the existence of a heavenly Father, but also the true nature and disposition of heaven itself. Teaching us that heaven is not a gloomy, nor oppressive habitation, but rather is a place of supreme happiness, freedom, and delight. Spiritual joy is an element of the nature of God, and it is what all of heaven reflects. By believing on the Son of God, men can experience a portion of that joy, which will be their full possession when received into heaven."
Broadcast live on 12/11/2022
2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the seventeenth and final in the series, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, closes out the epistle with Paul's final exhortations: "Though the Thessalonians were brethren, Paul and the other apostles with him maintained the spiritual right to command them regarding certain behaviors in the church. Gift ministries, like apostles and prophets, are placed by Christ. Because of this, they have been given divine authority by the Son of God to carry out God’s will when led by the Spirit of God. It is thus both the right and responsibility for true ministries to come in God’s name, hold forth His Word, and reveal His will to man. This is a heavenly charge and should not be taken lightly.
"For true servants, Christ’s will is always superior to their own, and the influence of the Spirit of the Lord is greater than human flesh. Ultimately, God gives no man spiritual authority over another unless he is first willing to subject himself to Christ’s Lordship. This ecclesiastical order encourages unity and harmony in the body of Christ and provides the means for spiritual growth.
"The truth is that no man should think he has met the spiritual criteria of being a servant of Christ until he has labored not only to care for his own needs but also to help others as well. Idleness, though not recognized by many as spiritually harmful, is one of the great dangers to any society. The law of Christ demands not only bearing one’s own burdens but also assisting with the burdens of others.
"Though men are saved by grace and not by works, this does not imply that they carry no personal responsibility for salvation. Ultimately, God works in the called to do according to His own good pleasure, inspiring them to pursue the narrow gate that leads to salvation.
"To do good should be the Christian’s main purpose in life, a heavenly charge that is abundant in scripture. Yet, when men know to do good, but do it not, then as far as God is concerned, evil has been committed. The absence of doing good therefore, when it is known it should be done, is viewed as nothing less than sin in God’s eyes.
"Simply put, if a man does not seek to do good, it is impossible for him to walk in any real, true unity and fellowship with the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ.
"Every true Christian knows the inward stabilizing force of the Christ Spirit within, which produces the spiritual fruits of joy and peace. This spiritual peace, which has God as its source, surpasses human understanding. Paul prayed for the Lord Jesus to impart that supernatural encouragement which is His alone.
"True Christianity is a religion of divine favor, spiritual gifts, and heavenly blessings. These realities become available through exposure to and belief in the Son of God. It is He Who reveals the true nature of heaven, and He Who, through the sacrifice of His own life, provides a path for sinners to be accepted by God.
"Since Christ has brought us to God, then it is only fitting that we should live the remainder of our earthly lives for Him. (2 Cor. 5:15) 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. This has been our heart in writing and publishing The Word of the Lord: An Expositional Study of I&II Thessalonians."
Broadcast live on 11/27/2022
2 Thessalonians 2:10 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the sixteenth in the series, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-3:5, highlights the importance of having a love for the truth: "When men do not love truth and count it as their greatest joy, they place themselves in a position fertile for deception. Ultimately, it is the engrafted Word that saves a man’s soul and the kept Word that keeps him from sinning against God. Both will only be accomplished when men love the truth, without which they can easily be deceived. Hence, at the core of all apostasy is the reality that those who apostatized held no real affection for the truth, which itself reveals no real affection for God and the holiness contained in His divine nature.
"When a deep and affectionate love for truth is absent, all that is left for men to have affection for, is sin. What people love directly affects what they believe. This is why a man’s appetites will eventually determine his destiny. The heart and what it cherishes most, whether God or the world, greatly determines what is believed. So, if sin is embraced and not God, it is impossible to escape deception. Observe as well that love for truth is directly linked to love for God. Therefore, when men cease to love the truth, it sends a very clear message that love for self, sin, and the world is preferred above God.
"In comforting contrast to those who will be damned because of their affection for sin, the apostle now turns to what God has purposed for the Thessalonians, who had exhibited a belief and love for the gospel. Whereas damnation awaits the deceived, salvation and sanctification await those who choose Christ.
"Jesus Christ now possesses a glory, and those who have believed upon Him will share in it. Hence, as dark and dreary as the apostasy and the man of sin’s rise to power will be, equally as brilliant will be the glory of the Son of God and the spiritual glory He will give to those saved by Him.
"Whenever we think of heaven and life beyond this earthly abode, we should think of it as God describes it and not as we might be misled to believe it will be. Thus, it is not simply that a man will enter a land of heavenly bliss, but rather that those called by Christ shall obtain and share in the glory of Jesus Christ. Saints, therefore, shall possess a portion of the Son of God’s celestial glory. This is the true hope of the gospel, and it provides great spiritual encouragement when believed.
"Concerning prayer, there lies a very important truth; it is that whatever a man believes is his greatest strength is what he will lean on when setting about to do a work. Hence, if men believe that it is through their own power and ability that the gospel is advanced and believed in, it is to themselves that they will turn to for strength. A man’s prayer life, therefore, or perhaps a lack of it, reveals the true source of his confidence.
"As much as God is love and light, He is also faithful. This is seen in His faithfulness to uphold His promises, provide forgiveness for sin, and receive those called to heaven through His Son. The Lord is faithful, and this shall be proven when He establishes His saints, and keeps them from evil. How a man views God also directly affects his confidence in Him. Hence, if he does not believe that God is faithful, it will be difficult for him to gain and maintain consistent trust in the Lord. Consequently, at the foundation of any true walk with God, is held a firm belief in God’s faithfulness.
"Love is the divine quality that, when manifested in Christians, reveals their true knowledge of God and the higher spiritual realm. Ultimately, all who are truly born of God through the Spirit will manifest a deep love for not only their Savior but those born of Him. This is something a merely religious man can never possess. Ultimately, divine love is that spiritual fruit that confirms true relationship with God. For those who dwell in love, dwell in God, and He in them. Hence, whenever divine love is present, we can know that that person indeed has fellowship with the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus with him."
Broadcast live on 11/13/2022
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the fifteenth in the series, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9, explains the events that will occur before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the churches being gathering together unto Him, we learn a very significant truth—that this event will not occur, that the day of Christ will not come, until there first commences a great falling away from the faith, directly influenced by the revealing of the man of sin, the great instigator in leading the world away from the worship of God to become worshipers of himself.
"When sin reaches its peak, led by the man of sin influencing men to betray God, Jesus Christ will return not only to destroy the son of perdition but also to remove all spiritual rebellion once and for all. Thus, when the man of sin is revealed and sin is embraced as righteousness should be, very soon afterward the Son of God will appear with heaven’s glory to destroy all who have, by freedom of choice, rejected God’s rule over their lives.
"The rebellion orchestrated by the little horn spoken of in Daniel will be a universal condemnation of God’s laws. Led by him, the apostasy that began in Genesis with Adam and Eve departing from God’s Word will be allowed to grow until it has engulfed the entire world. Because a great majority of this world’s inhabitants will freely and willingly join themselves to the man of sin and his rebellion against God, heaven, in the person of Jesus Christ, will intervene one last time to deal with sin.
"The mystery of iniquity is a concealed force that seeks to advance sin and rebellion against God. This power can be observed in government, media, and many other places where men hold an extensive amount of influence in the world.
"Whatever delusions the Antichrist has tricked the world into believing concerning his authority to rule as God will also be openly exposed as a lie when the Son of man, Jesus Christ, returns to the earth.
"In the end, the Word of God on the lips of the Son of God, accompanied by the brightness of His glory, will consume and destroy the man of sin. Good will overcome evil, and light will be proven to be so much greater than darkness. Christ, therefore, will destroy with the brightness of His coming the one who deceived a great part of this world."
Broadcast live on 10/30/2022
2 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the fourteenth in the series, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, highlights the introduction to the second epistle written to the Thessalonians:
"Paul’s second epistle to the Thessalonians begins, much like the first one, by reminding these early believers of the grace and peace sent to them by God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is God’s purpose in calling sinners to Himself through the redemptive work of Christ, that both His grace and peace might be given to men where previously they deserved only wrath and judgment.
Grace is that kind disposition of God that desires good for the sinner and not evil. It is the Greek word #5485, charis. Strong’s Concordance defines it as “grace, kindness.” HELPS Word-studies states, “5485 (xáris) is preeminently used of the Lord’s favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is ‘always leaning toward them’).” It is because of God’s grace, His kind disposition towards man, that when men sin against Him, if they sincerely repent for their sins, they can be forgiven. Informing us that it is God’s will that no man die for the sin nature he was born in. That God is both willing and able to forgive the penitent is seen in His sending His Son to die for sin. It is also solely through the Lord’s grace that any are saved, or can be. For if there was not grace, there could be no true salvation.
It is faith and love sprouting in people’s lives, that proves true spiritual growth and genuine godly advancement. By possessing faith and love, this proves that men are walking in God’s will in their lives. There is also no such thing as true spiritual development, which has not the increase of these two fruits of the Spirit. Hence, where knowledge, even if it is biblical, is not an accurate measure of either God’s salvation or spiritual growth, manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit given by Christ to the saved, surely is.
Ultimately, at the base of any true walk with God, is a sincere and honest trust in God. Hence, if a man does not trust the Lord when in trial, then we know, that very little true faith in God exists. Understandably, faith can do so much more for the human heart, than a room full of biblical knowledge ever could. Since it is not knowledge that allows men to endure both religious persecution and worldly trial, but rather only a genuine and sincere trust in God’s ability to deliver them.
All fathers maintain a right to defend their own, and our heavenly Father is no different. It is thus right in heaven’s eye to recompense tribulation to those who persecute God’s saints. What men sow they shall also reap; therefore, those who trouble and bring consternation upon the beloved, will have trouble and tribulations, recompensed to them.
The object of Christ’s vengeance will be those who have rejected His rule. It is not a small thing to set at naught the good news brought by the Son of God, purposed to save the sinner. Not a small transgression to choose disobedience toHe, whom God has purposed should rule the world. Undoubtedly, most do not consider it a great offense to reject the gospel. Nor do the spiritually blind consider it as worthy of judgment, if they do not obey Christ’s words. Yet, the scripture is clear, what the results shall be for any who have counted the blood of the covenant, and new testament of Christ, an unholy and unattractive thing.
Paul’s prayer is that such faith that had begun in the Thessalonians when they believed the gospel, would continue to grow in order that, first they might be found worthy of their heavenly calling, and secondly that this advancement of faith and obedience to God’s Word, might allow them to receive all the good that God had purposed for their lives. In short, Paul prayed that what God had begun by exercising His power to produce faith in the Thessalonians, might be finished, resulting in all God’s good pleasure purposed for them, being able to be fulfilled."
Broadcast live on 10/16/2022
1 Thessalonians 5:20 "Despise not prophesyings."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the thirteenth and final in the series, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-28 concludes Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians with his final exhortations and blessings: "
"It is critical in the church that all things should be proven and examined to see if they pass the test for truly being of God, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. This will include not only using spiritual discernment to perceive true Christians over those who only profess Christ, but also all doctrines, that are said to come in God’s name. Discerning of spirits is essential, in order that nothing is allowed into Christ’s church, without having its source in God.
"Once a nation or generation forsakes God, through choosing sin, then it will simultaneously try and change the definition of what God considers divinely good. It is not enough for evil men to depart from the light, without them also attempting to pervert what true light really is. Sinners thus, when apostatizing from divine rule, will assert that sin is righteousness, and righteousness is sin. Not content with merely breaking God’s commandments, those who practice sin, and have chosen to live lives through being governed by it, will attempt to deceive others as to what truth really is.
"Jesus saves the whole man, his whole being, and men should not think that just because the Spirit returns to God at death, that the entire man will not be fully restored at Christ’s second coming. Understanding that God saves the entire Christian, then it is reasonable that all that the Christian both is and has, should be used in service to the Lord. Because the entire man will be saved at Christ’s second coming, the entire man should be yielded to God, for God’s service, in preparation of that day.
"Hope in Christ’s return also is a mark of a true Christians, since none will both expectantly and longingly wish for Christ’s second appearance, who are not Sons of God themselves. The hope of Christ’s return changed the Thessalonian church and those converted to Christ through it, even as, if we believe the same message, it will transform our lives as well.
"There is hardly anything more that will purify the Christian’s faith and manner of life more, than belief in the Son of God’s return. When a man’s eyes are set on the second appearance of Christ, neither worldly affection nor carnal lust has the power to draw him away from God’s call for his life. It is those who cannot see Christ afar off, and set their hearts on such insignificant things such as worldly fame, temporal abundance and/or pleasure, and human approval. What a man navigates by forms his character, and this is why when men set their eyes on holy things, then they shall themselves, like Moses, be transformed in the process.
"Very appropriately the apostle closes his epistle to the Thessalonians, in like manner that he began it— reminding all the holy brethren of Thessalonica that it was by the grace of God that they were saved, and nothing of themselves which could accomplish this glorious work performed upon them. Leaving us with the simple truth that all Christianity is, at its core, a religion of grace, the only form of religion also that sinners like ourselves could remain faithful to. Thankfully, this grace, comes to us as a gift from God, which gift we must also possess if we are to be received and have our bodies changed by the Lord Jesus at His glorious return. Amen."
Broadcast live on 08/28/2022
1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the twelfth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-19 teaches of those who "sleep in the night" and are completely unaware of Christ's second coming: "When men are asleep to the spiritual realm, they cannot perceive, and are not aware of either the opportunity for salvation, or future judgment for sin. The opposite of sleep is when a man is alert and watching to both hear God’s voice and avoid the danger of not obeying divine commandments. A watchful man, biblically speaking, is one who is looking to fully do God’s will in his life, while also preparing for God’s Son’s return to the earth.
"In seeking to destroy men’s lives, the devil does all he can to intoxicate the unsuspecting through leading them towards sin, which will produce spiritual slumber in any who engage in it. Sin therefore will, if lived in and maintained, completely separate a man from any true awareness of God and God’s judgment for sin.
"Man, in his fallen state, is at war with the Lord, and the Lord with him. Thus, it is only when faith in God is desired and held, that men prove themselves as willing to come under God’s government. For no man will seek to believe, if he has not first determined within himself, that he will yield to the One he is seeking to believe in.
"There is no greater evidence of purity of religion, than when divine love is manifested in Christians. It is this that proves their relationship with God as sincere, and their affection for Him as genuine.
"True ministers are spiritual gifts provided to the church by Christ. Because Christ has given these spiritual ministries to the church, it is a great affront to His own spiritual authority if their divine positions are not properly respected. To be under Christ’s rule requires that men freely become subject to not only Jesus’ words and His Spirit, but also, as evidenced here, to those ministers whom He has placed in the church for the church’s growth and spiritual development. Without also these gift ministries being placed by the Son over His people, believers would be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every false and misleading doctrine meant to deceive the elect.
"When children are young, they are most vulnerable to deception. This is especially so concerning those who, though born of God, remain young because of spiritual immaturity. And like a toddler that will place virtually anything in his mouth, even if it is dangerous to him, so can new believers, because of their lack of spiritual perception, be easily deceived to receive false doctrines purposed to do them spiritual harm. Consider as well that, just as there are true ministers in Christ’s church, so also are there an equal amount, if not more, men sent by Satan to deceive the elect. Their devilish aim is to not only bring disgrace to the gospel, but also by teaching falsities, to lead people away from true religion, and a proper understanding of the Son of God."
"All recompense for sin must be left to the Lord Who alone has sufficient wisdom to justly exercise it. Ultimately, it is God, Who will manifest Himself as His people’s avenger, and not they who should take this responsibility upon themselves. There is but One power and authority in the world, and no man has the right to believe himself equipped to do what is solely the right of God.
"The Lord is good beyond all measure, and none know this more than those whom He has saved and made His own. The reason also that Christian are instructed to rejoice evermore, is because there is no time in the future that there will be any just causes not to rejoice. We have been given life eternal, and because of this, we will have even more reason in the ages to come, to rejoice evermore.
"Prayer is that quality which reveals dependence upon God, and thankfulness to Him. If a man has a genuine relationship with the Lord, this will manifest itself in prayer without ceasing. Ultimately, prayer is the means, whether it is rendered for thanks, for seeking direction, or for asking for forgiveness, that believers reveal their great affection and dependence upon their Savior. He, who prays knows he needs the Lord, and cannot do anything successfully without Him.
"It is common that men wish to think of God as they desire Him to be, and not as He really is. Thus, if a man does not wish to believe in certain qualities of the Lord, like the reality that God is as a consuming fire, then he will throw out clear revelation concerning the true nature of God, and believe of the Lord only what he chooses. It was in a burning bush that God first revealed Himself to Moses. Mount Sinai it is said was both wrapped and covered with smoke, when the Lord descended upon it, in the form of fire, when also the whole mountain trembled violently. God also led Israel, through His presence being manifested in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. When David received his vision of the ancient of days, the Lord sat upon a throne ablaze with flames, and its wheels were a burning fire. When also the Lord spoke to Israel on Mt. Sinai, He spoke from the midst of a fire. Psalms speaks of the Lord as having fire devouring all before Him, with also a stormy tempestuous around Him. In the New Testament, it was revealed that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were in the temple at Jerusalem, obeying Christ’s command to wait for the promise of the Father that the scriptures state that the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of cloven tongues as of fire. Christ has also said that He will try every man’s work with fire, to examine it, to determine if it will pass His test for holiness and sincerity. Fire is thus often used to denote the presence of the Lord, and if necessary, both His anger and judgment for sin. Lastly, Jesus Christ, your Savior and mine, in the vision John received from Him is said to have eyes as a flame of fire. Revealing the spiritual power that lies within Him, that all men should wisely fear and reverence."
Broadcast live on 08/14/2022
1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the eleventh in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:17-5:5 highlights what the believer's end is when Christ returns: "Those who have believed upon Christ, will at Christ’s return, be raised to meet Christ. The reward of their faith, then will be, sight of their Savior. The manner in which saints will be caught up to meet Christ in the air is first seen in Enoch, whom the scriptures state, walked with God before God took him.
"Ultimately, the unity that was established on earth between Christ and His people will reach its purposed end, when both the living and the dead, are eternally joined to the Savior. Some have speculated that one of the reasons that the saved will join Christ in the air, is that the earth could not contain such a great number of redeemed saints for such occasions as the church’s final salvation, and the judgment of God.
"Man, as we know him today in his fallen state, has lost the right to rule or be given stewardship over anything; therefore a new race of men, created in the image and likeness of the Son of God will replace him. This people, because of having new hearts created in them by God, shall forever remain loyal to God, faithfully keeping God’s laws and commandments. Having already then been given new hearts, Christ shall complete His people’s salvation by providing for them new spiritual bodies.
"When then men do not respect or have a high regard for that which is holy, they prove themselves ripe for judgment. The two greatest sins in man, absent blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, are unbelief and ungodliness. These sins are committed directly against a holy God and as such are worthy of divine judgment. The Day of the Lord will demonstrate and prove how distasteful the Lord finds the pride and the insolence of man to be.
"Once raptured by the Son of God, the saved shall never again be separate from Him. It is common today in those who possess the Spirit, that any separation from the God, no matter how brief, causes pain to the soul. Whether it is because of personal sin, or simply the trials of life, there is nothing that disturbs and causes inner consternation more than when spiritual fellowship with our heavenly Father and Savior is damaged. This is why once the believer is joined to the Lord Jesus, all such fear will be eternally removed. Our spiritual hearts will be at peace, simply because of our close proximity to the Lord of peace. In God’s presence is fullness of joy, and this joy will be exceedingly felt in the saved, once they join their Savior in heaven.
"The day of the Lord is that day when Jesus Christ will be openly manifested to the world. It is stated that Jesus’ return and appearance to the world will cause many to wail. This wailing is directly related to those who have rejected God’s sovereignty, and have become aware that divine judgment is ready to be revealed upon them. All the previous rejoicing of sinners will cease, once then they realize that God’s authority has returned to rule the world. What a contrast this is, to when Jesus was crucified, and His followers mourned and wept for His absence. The complete opposite scene is described here, for now it is sinners who cry because righteousness has come.
"Sinners have foolishly surmised that they could reject living under divine rule, as well as evade any future judgment for doing so. This human reasoning will be proven demonstrably wrong. It is a predominant characteristic of the ungodly, that they wrongly estimate the danger of sin, as well as God’s final judgment for it."
Broadcast live on 07/31/2022
1 Thessalonians 4:14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the tenth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16 teaches Christianity's criteria for salvation, belief that God raised Jesus from the dead: "Christianity has a criteria for salvation that no other religion does, it is for a man to be saved by God, then he must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. As Romans reveals, salvation requires two essential elements: 1. A confession of Christ’s lordship. 2. Belief, that God raised Jesus from the dead. On these two great spiritual truths, salvation rests, without which no man can be saved. Understanding this, for God’s salvation to be given, it is essential that there is in the penitent, a solid and sure belief, that God raised Jesus from the dead.
"Simply put, if a man did not believe in Christ’s power to deliver him, then Christ could not. The record of Jesus healing the two blind men in Matthew’s gospel shows us that to be delivered by the Son of God, men need to believe in His ability to deliver them.
"Ultimately, the two men had exhibited the necessary faith to be delivered by the Lord. 1. They had believed Him to be the Messiah. 2. They had the faith to follow and pursue Him where He went. 3. They held sufficient faith that Jesus could do the impossible, and heal them of their blindness. Thus, it was their total and complete faith in the Son of God, that yielded to them a miracle from God.
"Practically speaking, every man possesses all those elements—body, soul, and spirit—which comprises his being. He has a body of the earth, he has a soul like the beasts of the field, and he has a spirit. What is unique though in a Christian, someone who has believed upon the Son of God, is that they are given a Holy Spirit, a divine Spirit directly related to and connected with Christ’s own resurrected nature. This nature is both holy and everlasting. Possessing this Holy Spirit is necessary for entrance into heaven.
"The gist of the revelation is this, that there is no real advantage to be alive at Christ’s second coming, simply because the dead will be changed before the living. Thus, before the living are given new bodies by the Lord Jesus, the dead shall have already received them. In simple terms, the bodily transformation of the dead, shall be prior to those living at Christ’s return, given their new bodies. Thus, at this time, this glorious time when Jesus returns to the earth, to rightfully claim what God has given Him, it shall be more advantageous for the bodies of those who have fallen asleep in Christ, than even those saints still alive at His return.
"He shall come in the Father’s glory, and the heavenly sounds introducing Him, foretell of His glory. Practically speaking, Christ’s entrance will startle all the inhabitants of the earth. He shall interrupt all the noises of human activity and communication. Never before has the earth, the entire earth heard the trump of God, which also caused the Israelites to shrink in fear at Mt. Sinai, and summoned them to hear God’s voice. Never before has this voice of the archangel, been so loud and dramatic, that not even one will not recognize it as coming from God. So great also will be this shout that accompanies Jesus’ return, that it shall awaken and call from the grave, the bodies of those, who in death, maintained faith in the Son of God.
"If one should ask why such a public, and universal display of Christ’s glory, then it should be considered that Christ was first humiliated publicly; He was mocked and put to shame for all men to see by the Romans, the Jews, and the devil. Thus, as open and public as men sin in this world, and did sin against the Son of God, so shall Christ’s victory over hell and death be a grand and visual event in view of the world. Not only though will Christ’s glory, be made visible and open, but so also shall His people be glorified, who their entire life have been mocked by the entire world, and persecuted because of their loyalty to God. All faith therefore both of the Son of God, and those who have believed in Him, shall be proven true, and worthy to be openly glorified.
"There is no day that a true believer in the Son of God looks forward to more than this one, when their faith in God and His Son, is both justified and vindicated. So that when all they have suffered for, believing on the Son of God will redound to being glorified with Him. And though this glory is yet future, still it is certain. We know this because all that Paul has revealed, and will reveal, he assures us came from the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus will therefore descend from heaven in like manner that He ascended up into heaven, and His return shall consummate and put an end to this present age. For at Christ’s return it is not simply that saints will be raised, but the whole world shall be changed. All that once was will then pass, and all that God has purposed to come, will enter. At this time also, at Christ’s return, God’s kingdom will come. Whereby through the Son of God, God will rule all men. And this will be unmistakably proven by when through the power given to Jesus by God, Jesus will raise the dead bodies of the saints. This shall be a glorious day, and one which every true son of God should expectantly wait for."
Broadcast live on 07/17/2022
1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the ninth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 4:7-13 highlights why the Christian should not sorrow at the prospect of death: "The language Paul uses in his instruction to the Thessalonians that they should sorrow not, even as others which have no hope, is strong so that his point may be clear: the fate of an unsaved man is vastly different than that of a saved man. This teaches us that for Christians there is hope, but for those who have no relationship with the Son of God there can be only sorrow. And like the thieves crucified with Christ on the cross, two men can die at the very same time and in the exact same manner yet have two totally different futures. For this reason, Christians should not grieve as do those to whom physical death brings much sorrow. If a man has Christ in him, though his physical body is destined for death, his soul/spirit will live because of his connection to Christ.
"The key to a man continuing to live once his fleshly body dies is through the Christ Spirit living within him. The manner in which Christ lives with the Christian is through the Spirit of God Christ imparts to them. But how, though, does a man know that Christ lives within him? It cannot be just because he assumes it to be so but must rest on a much more concrete foundation than human assumption. Ultimately then, it is only by men keeping Christ’s commandments that it can be seen that Christ lives in His people. The proof therefore that the Holy Spirit lives within a man is that he will both keep and walk in God’s laws.
"Because of the presence of this divine spiritual nature, sent by the Son of God to the saved, spiritual death need not follow bodily death. Though the natural body must return to the dust from whence it was made, the spirit, because its source is God, returns to God. Practically speaking, the natural material realm, which is what the earthly body consists of, cannot pass over to the higher spiritual realm where God maintains His being. Each world, natural and spiritual, consists of two completely different substances, and because of this the natural body, whether alive or dead, cannot without transformation enter the higher spiritual realm of God.
"It was from the first Adam that we derive our natural, physical, and carnal nature, but it is from the last Adam, Jesus Christ, that a new spiritual life is given to us. This life is not natural; rather, it is spiritual and descends from the higher spiritual realm. Its source is God; its sender is the Son of God. Those of the last Adam, who have been born again or born from above, are made living spirits both like and by Christ. Hence, whereas the first Adam genetically passed natural life to his progeny, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, because He is a living Spirit, imparts eternal spiritual life to His children.
"Adam’s creation by God was a natural one. All the elements used in it came from the natural realm. Adam was the first of an earthly race of men who would populate and spread over a natural and organic world. A splendid and bountiful earthly garden was prepared for Adam’s residence, purposed by God not only to bless Adam’s life but also to provide the necessary sustenance for his survival. The first man, Adam, was earthly in every way. The next Adam, though, Jesus Christ, is not natural but spiritual, and for those called to heaven through Him, God has purposed heavenly habitation.
"For a man to enter the higher spiritual realm, biblically defined as heaven, he must be born again. This teaches us that for any to live beyond the grave, a new spiritual birth must be given to them by God, whereby through the Spirit they are given the same nature as God.
"Just as believers must share in the weakness, deficiencies, and death of the first man, Adam, they will also share just as equally in the glory of the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Being born of God through possessing the Spirit of God gives hope of glory in the world to come. Again, it needs to be emphasized that the connection to the second Adam, Jesus Christ, is not less than the one to the first man, Adam, once a man is born again. Thus, just as men must physically die because of their relationship to the first man, Adam, so too will they eternally live because of their relationship with God’s second Adam, Jesus Christ.
"For most men it would be enough to be saved by the Savior, but this is not what God’s Word reveals is the believer’s true hope. This hope is to be made through Christ’s power to share in Christ’s own glory and likeness.
"Hence, as surely as he who is without Christ will die eternally, just as certainly will believers who are given life through Christ live eternally. All that was lost in Adam through the fall has been regained, and then some, by the second Adam, Jesus Christ, in resurrection. Because of this, we who have believed upon the Son of God should sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."
Broadcast live on 07/03/2022
1 Thessalonians 2:19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the seventh in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-3:8, continues in the epistle and highlights the mark of a true minister: "Here is the mark of a true minister: it is that those whom God has given him care over, might abide in Christ’s presence at His coming. This was the apostle’s hope, and would ultimately be his own joy and crown of rejoicing at Christ’s coming. It is this full and complete salvation of God’s people, which will be the minister’s crown. Hence, a day of victory and celebration when the labor it took to both bring people to Christ, as well as help them remain in Him, is rewarded by God in Heaven.
"There is nothing that Jesus cares more for than the saving of a man’s soul. It was for this purpose He died, and it is still the primary purpose of His heavenly ministry today.
"Religious bonds are the strongest bonds, when it is faith in God’s Son and God’s Spirit that forms them. True Christians also will bear no greater allegiance, nor loyalty to, than towards those who are also themselves Christ’s. Spirit is thicker than blood, and spiritual ties, greater than earthly ties, when also men share the same heavenly Father and Lord and are bound together by the same Holy Spirit.
"Labor is the result of sincere faith in Christ. Thus, if men do not labor, and are not willing to expend sacrifice for the gospel, it is hard to conclude that they possess any deep faith. Consider as well, that if men will not labor for something, you can know that they do not really value it as important.
"Ask a man to endure long hours at business, for his own personal gain, and he will gladly spend himself. But ask him to suffer for Christ, and the extension of the gospel and rarely will he respond favorably. Yet, those who will not deny himself for Christ, shall never be glorified with Him. All Christianity demands that men, after being saved, must endure some form of tribulation. There is no road that leads to Heaven, which will not entail bearing reproach, or suffering some form of persecution, because of faith in the Son of God.
""There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." It is because God is both with and in His people, that no worldly force can overcome them. Hence, it is never human strength that propels and allows a man to continue in the midst of persecution, but only the power of God’s Spirit. God is the strength of His people’s hearts, and time shall prove that His presence was more than sufficient in sustaining their ability to persevere."
Broadcast live on 05/29/2022
1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the sixth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-18, primarily highlights why the Thessalonians were such a model of faith: "There is no verse so instructive as to why the Thessalonians were such a model of faith, than this one. Why their faith grew into love, and their love into hope, why they became examples to all other believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia, and why from them sounded out the Word of the Lord, that Word which proclaims Jesus as Lord—it was because they received the Word spoken to them, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. It is this principle of how men receive the Word, which shall ultimately determine whether men believe the gospel or not, and also whether it is given opportunity enough to save their souls. It is impossible for men to gain true faith, and receive salvation from It, if they do not believe the gospel preached to them, has God as Its source. He then, who does not believe the truth, to be of God, cannot be saved by it.
"The Thessalonians, because of their astute spiritual perception, realized that the gospel that Paul and his companions brought to them, had its origin not in man, but in God. Knowing that the gospel was from above, and sent from God, is what prompted them to believe upon Jesus Christ. Because the Thessalonians believed that the Word preached to them had Its source in God, they heartily and with great joy received Its message. At the base then of all true belief, lies the internal confidence that the Word of God can be trusted, because of both Its spiritual nature and divine source. This is what made the Thessalonians’ faith so unique, and it is also what separates out and distinguishes those called by Christ today. Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, know that it comes from Christ, and upon hearing, will seek to obey Christ’s commands.
"Jesus said, which is true concerning the entirety of the gospel He brought, that His words were both Spirit and life. (John 6:63b) "...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." By this it is meant that the words of Christ, contain the life and presence of God. Just as God’s breathing into Adam’s nostrils brought life to his organic body, so also has God’s breath brought life and holiness to the scriptures. It is for this reason that the Bible is so vastly different from any other secular book ever written. Since It has Its origin in God, God’s spiritual life remains present in it. In truth, the Word of God is supernatural in every respect. Because It is given to us by God’s own person, and because it contains God’s presence, It has accompanying with It, God’s spiritual power.
"The way then that God’s Word will prove Itself as God’s Word is by Its ability to practically, albeit supernaturally, move things from one point to another. This will include the conversion of sinners, the healing of diseased bodies, bringing peace to a troubled soul, or anything else whereby God’s power changes things. This teaches us that there is no such thing as blind faith to those who believe, simply because through belief, the spiritual power of the Word of God, will be experienced."
Broadcast live on 05/15/2022
1 Thessalonians 2:10: "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the fifth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 examines Paul's conduct among the Thessalonians, which is a model for all ministers: "How a man lives reveals the true character of his being. If a man is devout in his personal and everyday life, we can know his religion is pure. The opposite of a devout and holy man is a common man. This is someone who lives his life without any respect for the sacred Scriptures, fellowship with the Lord, internal devotion, or the pursuit of holiness in his heart. Natural men are both common and defiled by nature, having no desire to be holy. The unsaved will not sanctify God in their hearts nor have any real desire to pursue that characteristic of God that makes Him unique in creation. Yet without both holiness and sanctification, no man will see the Lord. Practically speaking, a common man, one who lacks the holiness of God, is unfit for Heaven. This is why, if a man does not seek holiness, he shall neither see nor experience God on this earth or in Heaven.
"A man’s religion, and the God he serves, is easily visible in the life he lives. So, if a religion is impure, it will be very apparent in the commonness its adherents live in. This teaches us that all religions can be seen as either clean or unclean by the people who practice them. The apostle’s life proved that his God was holy. Because of this, he could live in no other way than with holiness among the Thessalonians. Observe as well that a religion cannot be good if the people who practice it are not holy, since this is what the Lord demands of all who follow Him.
"A just man will have a strict code of conduct with others. It is only when we love our neighbors as ourselves that our dealings with them are fair, equitable, and generous. None should underestimate how righteous our dealings with other men must be if we are to properly fellowship with the Lord and witness for Him. There is no such thing as a righteous and holy man who does not deal thoughtfully and charitably with not only the people of God but even those who are not."
"The Kingdom of God is that Kingdom where God will rule His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was this Kingdom that Jesus preached about. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This Kingdom, Jesus warned men, could not be entered simply by claiming to be Christian and without doing the will of God.
"At first glance, the definition of glory might not arouse a person’s attention, but when we realize that man in his fallen condition has no intrinsic value or worth, or any actual glory, then the word takes on a unique meaning. This means that sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God have, in fact, lost any reason why God should think well of them. The stain of sin makes those who commit it unworthy of possessing any heavenly value. If a man falls short of God’s glory, he has no intrinsic value or worth before God. Just as Jesus said that the flesh profiteth nothing, before a holy and righteous God, those of the flesh are devoid of worth themselves. Ultimately, for sinners to have standing or value in Heaven, they must be cleansed of their sin, given a holy nature from God, and made part of Christ’s celestial body.
"Because of the power given to him by Jesus Christ, every child of God shall share in divine glory. Because God’s new children have been given God’s nature, it is legally fitting that spiritual inheritance should be theirs. Inheritance is by relationship right, and because they possess the same holy nature as Christ, God’s new sons are promised to share eternally with God’s only begotten Son. And just as there is no such thing as a partial Savior, there is also no such thing as a partial spiritual inheritance."
Broadcast live on 05/01/2022
Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth was preached on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. This sermon, Purposed for Himself, teaches what the purpose of the Lord Jesus is in redeeming His people: "Those whom God sent Jesus to save are purposed by Him to be His own. They were not redeemed so that they might be independent of the Lord Jesus but so that they might be accounted as belonging to Him. This is why all true Christians have relationship with Jesus Christ.
"This is what redemption means. In truth, a man is either completely redeemed by the Son of God or he is not. All means all, and if it did not, then God’s Word would clarify what other sins needed to be dealt with. So great is Christ’s work in giving Himself for sin that His people have been perfected forever.
"Jesus assures believers that He will not cast out those given to Him by the Father. He will not turn away those whom God has purposed His death on the cross should save. It is certain that if God is drawing a man to believe upon His Son, Jesus will receive and save him according to God’s will. It is also the Father’s will that each and every person purposed for Heaven shall gain it. Jesus will not lose even one.
"Jesus is such a caretaker of those purposed for Himself that no one that God has given Him shall be lost. Once a man’s soul is put in the care of the Son of God, He shall keep and preserve his life until the end of time.
"It is easy to recognize those whom Christ has sanctified and made holy for Himself, as they have a great zeal to live for the One Who died for them. They are not the “frozen chosen,” but rather, enthusiastically desire that the Gospel spread and others be saved by God. For the saved, obeying Christ’s words will not be considered difficult. When imposters are exposed to the strong and emphatic words of the Savior, they will deem them unreasonable. Consequently, those who merely profess Christ’s name will struggle to obey His commandments, while His true people will not.
"Saved people need not rely on just the cross but the entire life of the Son of God. This truth is so much stronger than the idea that only one act of Jesus saves; in fact, it is the entirety of the Lord Jesus’ time on earth that secures the salvation of His people. By both Christ’s life and death are men redeemed from sin and given access to Heaven."
Broadcast live on 04/17/2022
1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 "For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the third in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-5 explains where the Christian's victory comes from: "The adversity that men are willing to go through to preach the gospel is a testimony to the sincerity of their faith. When also tribulation and persecution arises for the Word’s sake, they will not, like imposters, abandon faith. Thus, though Paul and his companions had suffered and were shamefully treated at Philippi, this did not prohibit them from continuing to hold fold forth the Word of the Lord boldly. The power of Christ’s nature within the Lord’s people, also is far greater than all the powers of darkness in this world.
"The devil will stoop to any means possible to discourage saints from pursuing God or from holding forth His Word. Satan has no rules nor etiquette that he abides by, and we should never consider that his methods will be anything less than harsh and unfair. Yet, for all the maliciousness in his heart, and all the influence he has over the children of disobedience, Christ’s power—because He lives in His people—is greater. This is why saints will prevail, even if their own fleshly strength is weak and feeble. Ultimately, it is not by any strength of our own that we, who are called by Christ, overcome, but only because of He, Who lives within us. And because Christ is greater than Satan, His people will overcome Satan’s attacks. The greatest spiritual power always prevails, and Jesus Christ is the greatest power in the world today.
"Because Christ is supreme, and has been given divine power over all things by God, the saved are therefore made more than conquerors through Him. When this is properly understood, saints will realize, that all victory lies in the fact, that Christ is supreme, and has Himself, conquered all. And though the Holy Spirit may seem to be at times only a small part in the heart of the Christian, because God and Christ are the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s people shall be made to be more than conquerors.
"It is the Lord who truly knows a man or woman’s heart, and this is why not until people are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, can we know that they have become willing to forsake self-governship, and have instead freely chosen Jesus Christ as Lord of their life. Thus, only those who are subject to the Son of God, will be given as a witness to their obedience, the gift of the Holy Spirit. By God’s Spirit we can know, all who have obeyed the gospel, and all who have not. And like with all things that are spiritually genuine, God will bear testimony, that a man or woman has become a Son of God, when also they are given the Spirit of God."
Broadcast live on 03/27/2022
1 Thessalonians 1:9 "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the fourth in the series, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 & 2:6-10 is a teaching on two different sections of 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 & 2: "What causes men to yield their lives to divine service, is their sincere belief in God. This is why tradition or handed-down religious beliefs will do nothing to inspire energetic and inspired service to the Lord. This takes the presence of a living Being, Whom then men can actually believe in, to inspire them to abandon lives of sin, to devote their lives to God. Dead things, whether it be dead religion, or dumb idols, do not inspire people to offer themselves as living sacrifices. Hence, at the core of all true Christian service, lies an understanding, and an enlightenment, that God actually is, and will reward those who diligently seek Him. It is this single belief that God exists and will either reward men for their faith, or punish them for their unbelief, that those who turn to the Lord to serve Him, possess.
"What Christ’s coming will mean to the saved, will be the complete opposite to the unsaved. Where Jesus’ return from Heaven will be salvation to some, it will result in divine judgment for others. It is this coming wrath that shall coincide with Christ’s second appearance that faith in Christ saves men from. Sin must be reckoned with. God’s justice demands it. So that if men will not come to Christ repentant for their sin, then through the Lord Jesus, their disobedience, will be punished. Ultimately then, through the Lord Jesus will either come God’s salvation or God’s punishment for sin; Christ will reveal himself as both this world’s Savior, as well as its Judge.
"Because sinners cannot see, nor perceive the glory of the Lord, they are left with nothing more than pursuing the temporal and fading glory of a condemned world. Yet, when men are enlightened, refreshed and illuminated by God’s Spirit, then the spiritual wisdom given to them by Christ, will prompt them to navigate their lives, in pursuit of that heavenly glory that God alone gives."
"True love for the Lord’s people will extend far beyond religious duty, and will include the willingness to lay down our lives for them. Because the Thessalonians were precious to God, the apostles esteemed them as worthy of being sacrificed for."
Broadcast live on 04/10/2022
1 Thessalonians 1:6 "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the second in the series, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 examines the lives of the Thessalonian believers and how they were examples of faith: "In many places the apostles and those sent by Christ were persecuted, but here with the Thessalonians, the godly lives they lived were emulated and imitated. What also separated the Thessalonian believers from the Corinthians, is that they became followers of the faith and love of those who brought them the Word of God, but did not, like the Corinthians, seek to divide God’s messengers, in an attempt to prove their own self-righteousness.
"Ultimately, all men will follow and pattern themselves after something; this will include their own foolish thoughts and ideas, the godless world around them, or, hopefully, a good and benevolent God that is trying to save them.
"Joy is that spiritual quality that forms the essence of God’s Kingdom. Joy also is that internal spiritual delight, that God uses to strengthen His people, which is part of Heaven Itself. When men both love and believe in the Father through the Son, then they are filled with joy unspeakable. What the Father and Son are, they can give, and joy is no doubt, an element of Their own spiritual possession. This is also why whenever men walk in fellowship with God, they will experience joy in their hearts. Since ultimately, it is fellowship with the Father, through His Son, that produces joy in the believer.
"They received the Word brought to them, as the Word of God, and not as the word of men. By being able to perceive Christ’s Spirit in the apostles, this caused them to spiritually realize that an invisible God existed. Ultimately, they received the gospel as the Word of the Lord, simply because they could spiritually detect the Lord’s own divine nature in It.
"When men truly believe the gospel, they will seek to spread the gospel. This is also why from the Thessalonians, sounded out the word of the Lord. Teaching us that, any true church, if it is truly being led by the Spirit of Christ, will be an evangelical Church. Out of the abundance of the heart men speaketh, so that if God’s nature permeates a man’s soul, God’s Word must be spoken. Ultimately, when Jesus Christ is sincerely loved, and men desire to walk worthy of Him, then the Word of God He came to reveal to the world will be spread.
"That which the Thessalonians preached, and sought to bring others into an awareness of, was the Word of the Lord. The Greek word for Lord is kýrios #2962. It is defined as “a person exercising absolute ownership rights” or “an owner (master) exercising full rights.” To the Thessalonians then Jesus was not simply their Healer, Deliverer, or even their Savior, but rather Christ held the grand title in their hearts as Lord.
"The gospel, therefore, that the Thessalonians sought to spread, was that gospel of God, that reveals Jesus Christ as Lord. It is also this divine revelation that is the genesis of all true evangelism. Since those who know Christ to be Lord, will desire nothing more, than to spread this knowledge to others."
This sermon was preached live in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8, Daniel 7:13-14.
Broadcast live on 02/13/2022
Job 42:1-2 "Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the sixteenth and final sermon in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter 42, chronicles Job's confession to the Lord and the Lord's restoration of Job: “Once a man has been sufficiently humbled, then all the agitation that previously existed in his soul subsides. Faith in God, and submission to God’s sovereignty, brings calmness to the heart, where previously there was contention and confusion. How wonderful it is when erring and rebellious men confess their sin and admit their guilt before God. This is what God demands of sinners, and it is the only way reconciliation with the Lord can be achieved.
“It is not until we are able to see God’s greatness that true humility will be evidenced. This is because man is not made humble by merely seeing personal error, but also, and perhaps more importantly, by coming to spiritually realize the beauty and majesty of God.
“Job’s confession to God, revealed his new understanding that no thought can be hidden from the Lord, since part of God’s splendor is His supernatural ability to see both the thoughts and hearts of men.
“Sin lies not simply in what men do, but is equally convictive in what they think. It is the inside of the cup that is the most unclean. As the thoughts sinners think, are generally far more sinful than even the deeds they do, or the words they speak.
“Job confesses to uttering things he understood not, and things so wonderful, that he knew not. The “I” is repeated and used with force, simply because Job had come to know that the source of his sin, was himself. His friends were not blamed, because when men are truly repentant, it is not others’ sins that are brought to the altar of God, but only our own.
“Where many will remain content with simply hearing, God’s true children cannot cease in their search for the Lord, until they by grace are brought to see Him for themselves. It is sight of Christ also which will be the ultimate reward of faith, for those who have believed upon the Lord Jesus.
“Here we see that it is no longer self-righteousness, but rather self-incrimination, that Job utters. Through then God’s influence on his life, Job’s evaluation of himself had changed. With accurate spiritual sight, came Job’s repentance. True repentance also will not merely consist of confession of sin, but will go so much further, ultimately resulting in an abhorrence of self. Hence, if men say they have repented but do not despise themselves, then we know that there is still great lack in their acknowledgement of sin. For true repentance will always touch the soul of a man, and not merely be a mental thing. Sin therefore pangs the sinner, whereas casual confession surely will not.
“Though God’s children must undergo trials in this life, God’s pity and mercy shall help them overcome them. Hence, though spiritual lessons are necessary to be taught, God’s pity will remain with the afflicted while under their trial, and God’s mercy shall in the end, await them after it. And just as with Jesus’ trial in the wilderness, when it was necessary that He be tempted of the devil for forty days and forty nights, after His trial the Lord sent angels to minister unto him. Ultimately, all trial has an end, and it is after the trial that God’s love will be fully evidenced.”
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 42:1-17.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 40:5 "Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifteenth in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter 40:5 to 41:34 chronicles the Lord's reproof of Job and Job's response: "Job’s words and thoughts have gotten him in trouble with the Lord, and now he has gained sufficient wisdom to hold his peace and quietly humble himself to the Lord’s correction. No longer will he speak of the perceived errors of God’s ways; instead, he will confine his speech to the subject of his unworthiness. Contrite, he rejects saying anything that might tempt him to be lifted with pride again. It is in humility that men find God and learn more about Him, whereas in human pride, the Lord will not be found at all.
“Every man will have to stand and give an account of himself before God, as Job must do here. Human cowardice will not be tolerated, nor will any be able to plead weakness to escape God’s correction or judgment for their sin. Like with Adam and Eve, no matter what effort is made to hide, a full account for transgressing God’s Word will have to be given.
"For the believer, it is God’s hand and the Lord’s mighty arm, that gains victory in his life. Because without God’s strength being exhibited in the Christian’s life, there would be absolutely no chance of victory. This includes victory over death, and sin, as well as all other earthly afflictions.
"Because they lack this heavenly glory and are merely corrupted flesh, they are unworthy of entering God’s presence. A naked man is completely vulnerable; he cannot protect himself from God’s judgment nor defend himself in God’s courtroom. Because of his destitute condition, he is estranged from the Lord’s holy presence. Unless God clothes sinners in His righteousness, they will be found unfit to enter His celestial presence.
“To a proud and rebellious man, his strong internal and unchanging confidence is, that God should receive him as he is. Even if, how he is, is only fleshly and carnal. Hence, for the pretentious, they think they need not to repent for sin, simply because, they are not themselves unrighteous. Instead, when challenged by the Lord for sin, they deem God’s correction itself as sinful.
“The reason God draws such attention to this mighty beast’s strength is to further impress upon Job His own strength. All this is meant to produce humility in Job so he might consider the vastness of the power of the One he so foolishly contended against. Men would never even consider wrestling with a creature such as behemoth, so why would they imagine they could successfully strive against God and be successful?
“Pride also can so inflate a man, that he loses all real touch with reality. To then be reminded of his inability, is purposed to bring back some sensibility to his true strength. Until then Job could subdue and domesticate fierce creatures in the earth, he should not think himself as equal to the Lord. Sinners also frequently manifest characteristics of megalomania, whereby grandiose thoughts of themselves, tempt them, to foolishly believe that they are at least minimally, co-equal with God in wisdom and strength. For none will resist God’s will, unless they first think themselves strong enough, to not do God’s will in their life. Hence, whenever men buck the truth, they believe themselves sufficiently strong enough to not have to submit to it.
“There are so many creatures in this world, including the hippo, the elephant, the crocodile, the lion, the tiger, and even the North American grizzly, that men have the natural sense not to stir up and disturb, lest the creature’s great power and strength be exerted towards them. Yet, it is astounding how seldom this same fear is attributed to God. So that where men are rightly afraid of the fierceness of so many of the earth’s creatures, stunningly, most share not the same fear of the Lord. This is evidenced by the casualness in which they break God’s laws, and lightly esteem His commands. Divine wisdom should also teach us, that just as it is foolish to stir up the anger of creatures like the crocodile, how much more foolish is it to stir up God’s anger?”
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 40:5-41:34.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 38:37 "Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourteenth in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter 38:37-40:4 explores the power and wisdom of the Almighty through creation and Job's response to the Lord's questioning: "Shifting from the heavens, the Lord now directs Job’s attention to the creatures of the earth, that solely by God’s providence are cared for. Lions are mentioned, which are regarded by many as the most regal of nature’s animals, to show that even towards them, through either natural instincts or patience, their needs are provided for. And just as man cannot, through his own power, care for himself, without an environment supplied by God, likewise man does not care for, nor does he sustain the well-being of any other of earth’s creatures. This is the Lord’s work, and He alone should be praised for it.
"Moving to the wild goats which live in the high mountain, the Lord asks Job what he really knows about these majestic creatures. If Job could speak very little about the wild goat, which inhabits the highest regions of the earth, how could he really know a God, Whose habitation is Heaven? If also the mountain goat, which makes its home in the highest peaks of the earth, cannot be fully known, without great and extensive human effort, how could the God of Heaven, Whom no man can approach, thought to be so easily understood?
"Speaking pointedly to Job, the Lord now asks him, if the hawk has gained its extraordinary power of flight by Job’s wisdom. When one examines the prominent features of birds like the hawk, their gift of flight, as well as the great speeds and distances they fly, you have to wonder if men ever really even consider, that God is the Creator of all things living. Simply because no man can deeply ponder the gifts and abilities given to God’s creatures, and not be spellbound by God’s wisdom. So that if men refuse to attribute glory to God, it is only because they have removed themselves from believing in the evidences of Himself, in creation.
"From the hawk to now the eagle, another glorious creature is brought to Job’s attention, highlighting the Lord’s spectacular wisdom in creating birds such as this. Like with the mountain goat, which lives in the highest regions of the earth, the eagle ascends to the highest atmosphere of the earth. The Lord, no doubt, chooses majestic creatures like these, simply because His own home is high, and unobservable by earthly men.
"Here we see a dramatic change in Job’s demeanor, for now instead of confessing personal self-righteousness, he openly confesses his own vileness. No doubt the vileness that Job experienced in his soul, was directly related to his understanding of being proud of heart. Such pride also that was previously willing to condemn God, in order to justify self. Ultimately, Job’s entire view of life changed. Whereas before he thought God was at fault, and himself righteous, now he sees God as righteous, and himself as vile. Through then God’s Spirit, via the entrance of God’s Word, Job had come to realize the true condition of himself. No longer would he lodge false claims against the Lord, accusing God of injustice. No longer would he complain against God’s government. For now he fully realized, that it was not God who had sinned against him, but he against God."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 38:37-40:4.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 34:5-6 "For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the twelfth in the series on the Book of Job, Elihu Confronts Job, continues to chronicle Elihu's response to Job: "Whenever we have improper beliefs of our own righteous character, it is wrongly assumed that tragic events in our life are divinely unfair. So that if we lack faith in God’s greater plan for our lives, then all we can see is our present misery. Job’s words contain an absoluteness on two accounts: first, in his own pure righteousness; secondly, in his wound being incurable. Both assumptions were proved wrong by the Lord. For Job was not as righteous as he thought and God did restore his life back to health. Sickness and pain can easily cause men to view themselves as overly pure, and their hope of recovery as potentially unrecoverable. But like with Job, neither of these conclusions will prove true.
"The sin in a man, no doubt, causing him to believe himself, so much more pure than he really is, and because of this, he will often lack the perception to know, that his own heart, life, and actions, are the cause of his misery, and not God.
"Elihu’s argument is thus, if men think they have a right to challenge God in earthly judgments, and/or the trials they might need to endure, then they have completely forgotten that their entire existence, is dependent on God’s grace. Elihu’s position then is, do not question God in smaller judgments, lest a far greater judgment be administered. For if God set His heart upon man, to fully execute judgment for his sins, then God could gather all breath life, and return it solely to God’s own possession. Teaching us that all life is God’s, whether it is flesh life, or spirit life. Even as all life is either extended or shortened, according to God’s will. For He Who first gave man life, can just as easily, if He so wills it, remove it from him.
"It is not man who makes the rules regarding sin, but God. Not man who sets the terms for chastisement, or its duration, but the Lord alone. Not until men realize that God sets the terms for all things, will they then humble themselves sufficiently enough to learn and yield to Him. How often also do men get lost in the lie, that they can set the terms for either salvation, or blessing. The pride of man often assuming that God must meet his terms, and not he, God’s."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 34:5-35.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 32:15-16 "They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the eleventh in the series on the Book of Job, Elihu Silences Job’s Critics: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar examines the characteristics between true and false prophets and whether they have been sent by the Lord to speak on His behalf: "Immediately we see the effectiveness of Elihu’s spiritual ministry. As Job’s friends were: 1) amazed, 2) ceased to formulate reasons in their minds to refute any of his words, and 3) left off, no longer speaking. Teaching us that there is hardly anything more effective in stopping men’s mouths from presuming they know, than when one sent from God, begins to deliver revelation from God. Then, even the most imperceptive men seem to be able to detect that God has entered the room.
"Where human wisdom is anything but pure, heavenly wisdom is. And because the wisdom from above has as its source in God, it will be felt to possess the very same holy attributes as the Lord. Hence, where carnal and human wisdom will agitate further the confused, the Lord’s wisdom will promote peace. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s words had done nothing but to provoke Job and cause him internal unrest. Yet now Elihu’s message would do just the opposite. Having its origin from above, it would prove itself as easy to be entreated. Elihu therefore would become a breath of fresh air to Job, whereas previously debate and strife had ruled the day. Job’s friends had spoken of their own will, but Elihu would speak under the direction of God’s will.
"Job’s friends, unintentionally, had carried themselves no differently than false prophets. God did not send them to speak for Himself, yet they ran, egotistically thinking they could perform service for the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:21) "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." It is easy to see why Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s words manifestly failed, simply because they spoke to Job, things not of the truth, and focused on arguments devoid of God’s Spirit leading them. It is not enough then to claim that we come in God’s name, if God has not commissioned us to speak for Him. Job’s friends, unintentionally, had carried themselves no differently than false prophets. God did not send them to speak for Himself, yet they ran, egotistically thinking they could perform service for the Lord. It is easy to see why Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar’s words manifestly failed, simply because they spoke to Job, things not of the truth, and focused on arguments devoid of God’s Spirit leading them."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 32:15-Job 33:2-3.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 32:1-2 "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the tenth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Elihu, introduces Elihu, the one who speaks on God's Behalf: "Elihu is the only individual whose message Job does not refute, the only individual who could silence Job’s critics, and the only human character in the book whom God does not reprove and correct. This alone should draw our attention to this relatively obscure biblical figure. Perhaps Elihu was exactly who he claimed to be—one sent to speak on God’s behalf.
"Job could not be persuaded of his guilt, nor have his conscience convict him of sin, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Yet when men are righteous in their own sight and claim innocence before God, He will often send a minister. This is repeated throughout human history. The blindness of men requires physical messengers led by the Holy Spirit to help open men’s ears so they can hear the great lessons critical for their deliverance, like that personal righteousness is never more than God’s and that it is always a sin against Heaven to justify the self more than God. Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, was chosen to introduce these lessons to Job to prepare his heart for the entrance of Jehovah. Elihu’s ministry was purposed to prepare for a much greater ministry to follow, the ministry of God Himself. As John the Baptist prepared the world for Christ, Elihu does the same in preparing Job for God. Thus, for five uninterrupted chapters, Elihu speaks, and Job offers no retort nor disagreement with any of his words, though he had previously done so with his other accusers. While Job resisted his friends’ harsh reasoning before, once Elihu begins his address, he remains silent.
"This is the impact when a man filled with God’s Holy Spirit brings forth prophecy from the Lord—the power of God’s Spirit ultimately brings men to the conviction of sin. Hence, by God’s own holy Word, produced by the inspiration of the Spirit, sinners will be brought to their knees to both worship and acknowledge God as He should be.
"Immediately we see the effectiveness of Elihu’s spiritually inspired words, as Job’s three friends were amazed and stopped speaking. This teaches us that when prophecy hits its mark, it will often produce silence and amazement. When men come to understand that it is truly the Lord speaking to them and they find themselves unable to defend themselves against His righteous words, their mouths will cease speaking."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 32:1-15, Job 42:1-6.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 12:1-2 "And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the ninth in the series on the Book of Job, Job’s Initial Response to Zophar, illuminates the topic of God's Sovereignty: "What Job said in sarcasm is not too far removed from what his three friends believed to be true—that their wisdom was rare and, without them, the earth would be devoid of wisdom. They each desired to tell Job what they believed to be the truth of his situation, but in reality, there was absolutely nothing they brought forth that could be deemed enlightening or spiritually profitable. What Job said in jest was meant as a reproof of men who had far higher opinions of themselves than merited by the superficial wisdom they brought forth. They all spoke at length but helped Job not at all. Though men may speak much, it does not mean that either God or those they think themselves able to reprove will hear them.
"In God’s hand are the soul and breath of every living thing. All is under His overarching control. God can take life away as easily as he gives it. No doubt, what Job knew of Jehovah is what men are woefully ignorant of today, that the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind are in the hands and will of God. All life is solely in accordance with God’s will. It can be either lengthened or shortened if God so desires. The soul that lives in eternity will only do so because God has willed it, just as others souls are forbidden entrance to His kingdom because He never willed it. Though man thinks he can control his destiny, he cannot unless a path is given him through God’s will. If men knew this profound truth, that all life is in God’s hands, then they would hold a much greater and reverential fear of the Lord. He who does not properly fear the Lord and His power and dangerously mocks the eternal truth that all life is governed by Him will, ultimately, face His power. What God wills on earth shall be done. That God controls all life is a truth not known by most men.
"All life comes from God or is taken away by God. Ultimately, God is the final Governor of all who will live or die. No other has a say in the courtroom of life and death, simply because none could ever be found fit for such a critical decision as this. He Who created the heavens and earth determines the fate of every living thing.
"It is not man who seeks and finds out God, but God who calls men who, prior to His call, did not even know His name. The Church also exists because of predestination. In other words, it exists because God determined beforehand that it should. By God’s will are sons of God brought forth.
"Saints are purposed for Heaven because of God’s will. They shall share an eternity with Christ because it is according to God’s will for their lives. All salvation has for its roots predestination. The Lord chooses who will inherit His promises, and then He exercises sufficient power so that all goes as He has determined. No man has ever been saved whom God did not first choose for salvation. His will is the source of all blessing, whether earthly or heavenly. When men enter into promised abundance, we can know that it was the Lord’s own eternal will that initiated that entrance."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 12:1-25, Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6, Job 13:1-2, Isaiah 45:1-4.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 11:1 "Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the eighth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Zophar, examines the words and the heart of Zophar the Naamathite, the third of Job's three friends: "Zophar enters into the discussion with an even more caustic attitude than his other two friends. No doubt he is frustrated that Job could defend himself against Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s pretend wisdom, and this has incensed him. From the moment he first speaks, neither love nor compassion compels him, but only his own unrighteous anger, a personal anger that Job could not be humbled.
"When men are not governed by love and a true desire to help those afflicted, malice and self-righteousness often fill the soul. It is also common for bitterness to enter self-righteous men when their arguments and decisions are rebutted. This seems to be the case with Zophar, as he is incensed that Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s words were easily rejected by Job and did nothing to change his opinion. Unrighteous anger fills Zophar because he thinks himself, as well as his other two friends, superior to Job. When men think themselves higher than their fellow man, especially in religious matters, then their words are dispersed with indignation. True religion is the opposite of this, for a renewed mind does not think of itself more highly than it ought. The core of men’s sin has always been the belief that they are bigger, wiser, and more virtuous than they really are.
"When men are full of themselves, they pretend to be judges for God, but in reality, He has said nothing to them at all."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 11:1-20, 1 Corinthians 4:5.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 9:2 "I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the seventh in the series on the Book of Job, Job Asks, How Should Man Be Just With God? explores the most important question for man to ask, "How should man be just with God?" and the resulting answer: "No other question is as important as this one, and it is essential for man to learn its answer if he wants to reach the Lord or learn His way of saving the soul. If men do not have the depth of thought to consider and contemplate how they may be found just before God, it is because they do not really care to be. If God’s Word is not brought to sinners, they will have little to no idea as to the degree that they have sinned against God. This is because sin deceives men about their true condition. It blinds them to how their fleshly and carnal nature offends God. Sin, because of its corrupting influence, deceives man, leads him from the right path and blinds him to his true condition. Man should fear nothing more than the sin that lives within him. Ultimately, self-deception is the greatest deception of all.
"Yes, the world is meant to deceive and lead men deeper into sin, but at the core of the problem is man’s sinful nature. Man’s greatest enemy is himself, and he must look to God to be delivered from his fleshly conceit. Sin also produces a delusional effect on its victims. When coupled with evil spirits, further deception is created. The results are catastrophic. The only force able to cut through the spiritual blindness caused by sin and the evil spirits sent to deceive men is the Word of God. Consequently, the deception sin causes can be removed only when God’s Word is believed.
"Since God’s Word is a spiritual Sword, It can cut to the very core of a man, even unto the thoughts and intents of his heart, where unbelief has made its home. Men should thank God for this because, without the aid of God and His Word to try and test their hearts, sin would deceive them all the way to the grave. Oblivious to their nature leading them to hell, they would follow it until there was no possible way to escape. Therefore, God’s Word is critical to first making known the unbelief that lives in the heart and then to planting seeds of faith in God to replace it. Without the Word of God, it is impossible for any man to see himself properly as a sinner.
"Sinners can be saved from their sin because Christ exists as a Mediator for sin. There is but one Mediator for sin between God and man, and without this Mediator, only God’s wrath awaits sinners. Without Jesus as a Mediator for sin, men would be required to die for it themselves. Ultimately, for men to be found just before God, they need to confess themselves as sinners before God and then lean upon Christ as their Mediator for sin, because it is only when Christ’s ministry for sin is embraced that God’s mercy will be found."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 9:2, Hebrews 4:11-12, Mark 7:20, Romans 3;10, Job 33:27-28, Luke 18:9-14, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16-17, Hebrews 7:25.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 9:1-2 "Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the sixth in the series on the Book of Job, Job's Initial Response to Bildad, chronicles Job's response to the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite:
"In Job’s words is the very attribute God praised him for—a very deep and profound fear of the Lord—but at the same time, he makes a great accusation against Him. Job loved, praised, and honored the Lord, but he knew little about himself and the self-righteousness that filled his heart. Job also did not know how any man, including himself, could be found just before God, a topic also that must be directly addressed before we finish this study. To a godly man, there is no question in life more important than this one.
"Though Job was not aware of how to be just before God, he was aware that hardening himself against the Lord was not the answer, because no one, not even one person, has ever hardened themselves against God and won. To harden one’s heart is to make oneself insensible to sin. It is to close the ears so truth can no longer be heard. The result of this is always calamity and further brokenness. Resisting the Lord only brings tragedy to those foolish enough to oppose God’s will. Pharaoh proved this, but he is just one of many who have suffered the awful consequences of hardening the heart against the Lord. The religious leaders in Christ’s day also hardened themselves against Christ, and as a result, they crucified the very One sent to save them. Bent on rebellion, a man with a hard heart will shut out all other voices, especially God’s, to do what he wants. This teaches us that the base of all hardening of the heart is the stubbornness to do one’s own will.
"It is true that men need an arbiter, and Jesus Christ is just that for the sinner. In Him, forgiveness is found, but it can never be found in ourselves. The Lord Jesus is man’s Advocate with God, and to stand righteous before God, all men need Him. To understand this is to begin to move towards receiving God’s salvation. For men to stand righteous before the Lord, a mediator is needed to intercede on their behalf. Since Jesus is the Mediator between God and man, if a man wants to stand righteous before God, then Christ must stand with him. In Christ, men can be made righteous, whereas, through themselves, they can never be."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 9:1-35.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 8:1-2 "Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Bildad, introduces the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite:
"Bildad, showing little patience towards Job, voices his irritations with Job’s response to Eliphaz. It is worth considering that though men improperly apply truth to the wrong situations, the truth itself still retains its own integrity. Hence, though men may speak God’s Word where it does not apply, it is still the truth. Bildad’s words, though spoken by a miserable comforter, are still true words. As God will neither pervert judgment nor deny justice. He cannot deal either unjustly or unrighteously with men. There is nothing for Him to gain by doing so, and nothing unrighteous in Him, that could cause such an action. Therefore, as a fair and just God, He cannot, and will not ever judge any man unrighteously. Men reap as they have sown, and they themselves determine their own fate. Teaching us that if God executes judgment in men’s lives, for either good or evil, it is what is deserved, according to His divine laws. To infer otherwise, must conclude God to be a corrupt Judge Who perverts justice.
"Job’s belief was that he was treated as a guilty man, without a proper trial and ability to defend himself. Thus, he infers that God not only perverted judgment, but would not even allow defense. But in the end, it would be God Who would demand of Job for what he had done, and not Job complaining to God about God’s unfairness. Job, after being corrected by the Lord, repeats none of his previous claims against God, but rather confesses his own vileness. This because after Elihu’s and Jehovah’s reproof, Job’s heart had turned from accusation against God, to conviction of himself.
"What is learned here in Job’s life, should be considered by all men: that it is one thing for the atheist and God-rejector, and even professing Christians to indict God on this earth, but quite another thing to stand before the majesty of God’s power in Heaven. One thing for even God’s children to question God’s judgments in their life, and another to have to give account of their own.
"Christ shall sit on His throne, and every man shall have to give an account, of the things done in His body. This will include things done by his tongue, his hand, and his heart. See, all men will have to give account to the Lord. Job, as perhaps the oldest book of the Bible, then clearly teaches this—that those who complain against God’s justice, will have to stand and give an account before God’s throne."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 8:1-22, Job 34:1-5, Job 27:2, Job 34:6-12, Job 9:1-2, Matthew 7:24-27, Galatians 6:7.
Job 8:1-2 "Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Bildad, introduces the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite:
"Bildad, showing little patience towards Job, voices his irritations with Job’s response to Eliphaz. It is worth considering that though men improperly apply truth to the wrong situations, the truth itself still retains its own integrity. Hence, though men may speak God’s Word where it does not apply, it is still the truth. Bildad’s words, though spoken by a miserable comforter, are still true words. As God will neither pervert judgment nor deny justice. He cannot deal either unjustly or unrighteously with men. There is nothing for Him to gain by doing so, and nothing unrighteous in Him, that could cause such an action. Therefore, as a fair and just God, He cannot, and will not ever judge any man unrighteously. Men reap as they have sown, and they themselves determine their own fate. Teaching us that if God executes judgment in men’s lives, for either good or evil, it is what is deserved, according to His divine laws. To infer otherwise, must conclude God to be a corrupt Judge Who perverts justice.
"Job’s belief was that he was treated as a guilty man, without a proper trial and ability to defend himself. Thus, he infers that God not only perverted judgment, but would not even allow defense. But in the end, it would be God Who would demand of Job for what he had done, and not Job complaining to God about God’s unfairness. Job, after being corrected by the Lord, repeats none of his previous claims against God, but rather confesses his own vileness. This because after Elihu’s and Jehovah’s reproof, Job’s heart had turned from accusation against God, to conviction of himself.
"What is learned here in Job’s life, should be considered by all men: that it is one thing for the atheist and God-rejector, and even professing Christians to indict God on this earth, but quite another thing to stand before the majesty of God’s power in Heaven. One thing for even God’s children to question God’s judgments in their life, and another to have to give account of their own.
"Christ shall sit on His throne, and every man shall have to give an account, of the things done in His body. This will include things done by his tongue, his hand, and his heart. See, all men will have to give account to the Lord. Job, as perhaps the oldest book of the Bible, then clearly teaches this—that those who complain against God’s justice, will have to stand and give an account before God’s throne."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 8:1-22, Job 34:1-5, Job 27:2, Job 34:6-12, Job 9:1-2, Matthew 7:24-27, Galatians 6:7.
Job 8:1-2 "Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Bildad, introduces the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite:
"Bildad, showing little patience towards Job, voices his irritations with Job’s response to Eliphaz. It is worth considering that though men improperly apply truth to the wrong situations, the truth itself still retains its own integrity. Hence, though men may speak God’s Word where it does not apply, it is still the truth. Bildad’s words, though spoken by a miserable comforter, are still true words. As God will neither pervert judgment nor deny justice. He cannot deal either unjustly or unrighteously with men. There is nothing for Him to gain by doing so, and nothing unrighteous in Him, that could cause such an action. Therefore, as a fair and just God, He cannot, and will not ever judge any man unrighteously. Men reap as they have sown, and they themselves determine their own fate. Teaching us that if God executes judgment in men’s lives, for either good or evil, it is what is deserved, according to His divine laws. To infer otherwise, must conclude God to be a corrupt Judge Who perverts justice.
"Job’s belief was that he was treated as a guilty man, without a proper trial and ability to defend himself. Thus, he infers that God not only perverted judgment, but would not even allow defense. But in the end, it would be God Who would demand of Job for what he had done, and not Job complaining to God about God’s unfairness. Job, after being corrected by the Lord, repeats none of his previous claims against God, but rather confesses his own vileness. This because after Elihu’s and Jehovah’s reproof, Job’s heart had turned from accusation against God, to conviction of himself.
"What is learned here in Job’s life, should be considered by all men: that it is one thing for the atheist and God-rejector, and even professing Christians to indict God on this earth, but quite another thing to stand before the majesty of God’s power in Heaven. One thing for even God’s children to question God’s judgments in their life, and another to have to give account of their own.
"Christ shall sit on His throne, and every man shall have to give an account, of the things done in His body. This will include things done by his tongue, his hand, and his heart. See, all men will have to give account to the Lord. Job, as perhaps the oldest book of the Bible, then clearly teaches this—that those who complain against God’s justice, will have to stand and give an account before God’s throne."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 8:1-22, Job 34:1-5, Job 27:2, Job 34:6-12, Job 9:1-2, Matthew 7:24-27, Galatians 6:7.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 4:1-21, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30: The Introduction of Eliphaz
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Eliphaz, introduces the first of Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite: "Eliphaz begins speaking before the other two, either because he was the most aged, or thought himself the most knowledgeable. Either way, he thinks himself more than able to set Job right. As we shall see, he is the only one of Job’s friends that God calls out by name and personally labels him for divine correction, later in the book.
"Hence, since Eliphaz placed himself first, by singling himself out as leader of the other two, then God determines that he shall have to also be singled out for personal correction. Eliphaz continues, but notice how all he can do is speak of God, and we sense no power whatsoever that he was sent to speak for God. No doubt here is a man who liked to talk, but had very little to actually say.
"Those thus who say they speak by the Spirit, should be tried. This can be done by observing the sincerity by which men confess Jesus Christ as their Lord. By also if it is a Holy Spirit or not. Hence just because men speak in either God or Christ’s name, does not mean that the Holy Spirit accompanies them when they speak. Even as human reason and religious speculation, are not proof whatsoever of the Holy Spirit's influence."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 4:1-21, James 1:17, Romans 11:33, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30.
Job 4:1-21, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30: The Introduction of Eliphaz
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Eliphaz, introduces the first of Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite: "Eliphaz begins speaking before the other two, either because he was the most aged, or thought himself the most knowledgeable. Either way, he thinks himself more than able to set Job right. As we shall see, he is the only one of Job’s friends that God calls out by name and personally labels him for divine correction, later in the book.
"Hence, since Eliphaz placed himself first, by singling himself out as leader of the other two, then God determines that he shall have to also be singled out for personal correction. Eliphaz continues, but notice how all he can do is speak of God, and we sense no power whatsoever that he was sent to speak for God. No doubt here is a man who liked to talk, but had very little to actually say.
"Those thus who say they speak by the Spirit, should be tried. This can be done by observing the sincerity by which men confess Jesus Christ as their Lord. By also if it is a Holy Spirit or not. Hence just because men speak in either God or Christ’s name, does not mean that the Holy Spirit accompanies them when they speak. Even as human reason and religious speculation, are not proof whatsoever of the Holy Spirit's influence."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 4:1-21, James 1:17, Romans 11:33, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 3:1 "After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the third in the series on the Book of Job, Job Curses His Day, analyzes Job's dialogue with himself during his time of affliction and what we can learn from it:
“Where previously Job had not sinned with this lips, he would not be able to claim this by the end of the book. Because in chapter 38 the Lord reproves Job for darkening His counsel by uttering words without knowledge. (Job 38:2) Although Job does not directly curse God, he does curse his day. Perhaps unknown to him at this stage of his trial, is that once men begin to curse the circumstances of their life, then soon reproach upon God will follow. See, where previously Job had praised God, now he begins to despise the day of his birth. How fickle then are we as men whereby where once came praise and worship, now comes bitterness and cursing.
“So often in trials we are misled to think that we must ourselves find a way out. Yet, the truth is, for every trial, God already has a plan in place, after it has accomplished its designated purpose. So that in the end it shall not be men’s wisdom that delivers them, but God’s mercy. As none shall find divine deliverance, unless by God’s mercy it is brought to them. Whenever then Satan binds us, it must be God’s involvement that delivers us.”
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 3:1-26, James 5:15-16.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 2:1-3 "Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the second in the series on the Book of Job, Satan’s Assault Against Job’s Life, highlights Satan's assaults on Job, Job's response, Satan's aims in the assaults, and God's ultimate purposes for Job:
"It is very tempting for people to read a trial like Job’s and then themselves be tempted to blame God. As the book has no doubt caused many to bring accusations against the Lord, simply because they have lacked the insight to see God’s ultimate purpose. It is for this reason that men should not foolishly judge God, because also they lack the wisdom of His divine purpose. And just because men might fail God’s test, through their own lack of trust in God, does not mean that divine trials are wrong. Ultimately it will be seen that what Job endured did not exceed the limitations of his faith, but actually in the end strengthened it. The justice of God prohibiting that any man shall be tempted above that which he can—by his continued reliance and trust in God—also overcome. It is important to remember this, lest we judge Job as a victim, and God’s decision to allow Satan’s assaults as wrong. Simply because whatever God purposes for men, if they remain confident in Him and His will for their life, the trial will be proven to have been purposed for their own good. See, God will never bring men through difficult times unless He knows, through His foreknowledge of them, that it shall be for their final profit."
"Though Job’s trials were extreme, the Lord knew that he possessed sufficient strength of faith to endure Satan’s assaults and ultimately reach God’s end for his life. This teaches us that if men sin while undergoing even the most difficult trials, it is not because they do not have the ability to overcome them. God’s grace will make sure that when such a trial comes, we will be able to handle it by remaining subject to the Lord and confident in His will for our lives."
"It is very tempting for people to read a trial like Job’s and then be tempted to blame God. There’s no doubt that the book has caused many to bring accusations against the Lord simply because they lack the insight to see His ultimate purpose. Men should not foolishly judge God, though, because they lack His wisdom and do not know His divine purpose. And just because men might fail God’s test through their lack of trust in Him, it does not mean that divine trials are wrong. Ultimately, what Job endured did not exceed the limitations of his faith but strengthened it. The justice of God does not push any man beyond that which he can—by his continued reliance and trust in God—overcome. It is important to remember this lest we judge Job to be a victim and God’s decision to allow Satan’s assaults to be wrong. No matter what God purposes for men, if they remain confident in Him and His will for their lives, their trials will be proven to be for their own good. See, God will never bring men through difficult times unless He knows, through His foreknowledge of them, that such trials are for their final profit. Consequently, whenever we see great trials permitted by God, at the core, the Lord knows that those who are being tried have the ability to endure until the trial has produced its divine purpose and relief comes."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 2:1-13.
For more sermons visit www.AmericanPastor.com
Job 1:1 "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the first in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter One, touches on God's dealing's with man, angels, the devil, and all of our trials and circumstances in life:
"Job was not perfect in that he had no flaws, but rather is defined as one whose inward heart was sincere in his reverence for God, and his distaste for evil. Observe also that those whom God first delivers and then teaches greater truth about Himself, are those who fear Him, and seek to live their lives as perfectly before the Lord, as their weak flesh permits. See, God works with no man, who does not possess an inward desire to be both upright and blameless before Him. For the true Christian then, not even one sin will be deemed as a small and allowable thing. And though the righteous will sin, and far more than they would ever desire, in their souls no sin will be deemed as permissible. Job was such a man as this. Where God is concerned, if men make casual allowances for their sin, they shall neither be reckoned as of God’s company, nor used for His service. There is no evil greater than sin, and if men do not flee it, and highly esteem what an affront it is to God, then it will prove impossible for them to have any true and lasting relationship with God. God is righteous, and so for any to be numbered among His people, it is His own righteous integrity that they must pursue.
"Practically speaking, men should not assume that anything they have in this world can prevent unforeseen calamity. Human affluence, whether it be our status in the community, the number of friends we have, or the wealth we have accumulated, will do nothing to protect us if there are gaps in our spiritual armor. Regardless of whatever material things men possess, they should never be misled into believing that these carnal possessions will keep them impervious to spiritual attack. This teaches us that for all true believers, who are, in fact, strangers, pilgrims, and spiritual sojourners in this earth, this world is always a dangerous place. Thus, absent a God to both protect and deliver His people, all men would be nothing but helpless prey. Because man lives in an evil and corrupt world, he cannot survive without a holy and benevolent God to assist him. Job is described as the greatest of all the men of the east, but even this could not protect him from what was to come. Remember that every man’s true help comes from the Lord and only He can protect men against attacks, which are often invisible to the human eye and proceed from spiritual wickedness from on high. To trust in anything less than the Lord, especially in times of trial, will bring heartbreaking disappointment."
This sermon was preached in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 1:1-22, 2 Peter 1:5-8.
For more sermons visit www.americanpastor.com
1 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a new series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the first in the series, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 introduces the first epistle to the Thessalonians : "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy came to the Thessalonians with one voice declaring unto them the Word of the Lord. A threefold cord is not quickly broken, and as such, three believing servants of God, were a unified voice confirming the truth that would be revealed. In regards to establishing something as the truth, two or three witnesses are required.
"The reason that both the Father and Jesus Christ are mentioned, is because one cannot truly possess One, without possessing the Other. As God is seen and made visible through the Son, and no man can see the Father, but through the One sent to declare Him. Thus, it is impossible by biblical standards to hold one Member of the Trinity and not hold the Others. So that for a man to be truly saved, then all three Members of the Godhead—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—must be embraced. The great commission demands that men are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Simply because all three are divinely bound, and to truly believe in One, will lead to belief in the other Two.
"It is thus only when men take on the care and well-being of the people of God, that proves, that in their heart, they have true love for Him. So that if a man does not truly love the brethren, whom he can see, we know he does not love God, Whom he cannot. Ultimately, no man can properly be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have God as his Father, and lack the supernatural element of divine love in his heart. So that if there exists an absence of love, then there is also no true knowledge of God held. Teaching us, that without love, though men may claim they know the Lord, His Word tells us they really do not. Since any who love not, know not God, nor have any true relationship with Him. Just as love reveals that God is in men’s lives, its absence reveals that He is not.
"It is worthy of note, that a man’s faith in God is not the basis of God choosing him, but the result of it. Those then who ultimately believe, are those first selected by the Lord to be His own. What is true of Christians, is equally true of apostles and all other ministries in the Church. So that for any to properly and successfully function in Christian ministry, they need to be first chosen and ordained by Christ for their ministry.
"If a man has not spiritual power in his ministry, then you can know that God has not inspired it. If we learn anything in the study of Thessalonians, then let it be this, that the true gospel of Jesus Christ will always carry with it spiritual power, and not as many suppose, only words. What also separated the ministry of Christ from the pedantic and uninspired religion of the scribes and Pharisees, was that He taught as One having authority.
"As the Son of Man, Jesus has right over man, and as the Son of God, Jesus has right to that which is God’s. By then these two qualities of being both the Son of Man and the Son of God, Jesus Christ will reign the world. Hence, the Word of the Lord will always carry authority with it, simply because it is the Word of He, Who will one day rule all things, both in this world, and all other heavenly regions beyond it."
This sermon was preached live in the In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5.
Broadcast live on 02/06/2022