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Judah was under God's chastening hand. God was using a pagan warmonger to bring Judah to repentance while bringing this wicked nation of idolaters to account for their cruelty. Chapter 2 is a powerful message to all nations who live according to their make-believe gods.
When living in times of national distress, Habukkuk reveals three vital truths about God that the Righteous must cling to in order to live by Faith.
Habakkuk reads more like a verdict than a lesson. Habakkuk teaches us what faith looks like when the people of God are compromised and prevails all around.
It's important to let holy Scripture speak and not add to or take away from it. Divorce is a doctrine that has a varying degree of understanding and application. So what did Jesus say about it when asked-
Professing Christians, like their biblical counterparts still justify their sin by twisting Scripture to validate their indulgence. The so-called Christian polygamist is guilty of this. This sermon address the Moral nature of Monogamy. Like other cults, this fringe group will not see or hear what they don't like, this is the earmark of a cult, not Christianity. They focus on the exceptions, not the norm.
This sermon is an introduction to a series that sets forth the importance of the Gospel. In our day the Gospel has been made so broad it's lost its distinctiveness. Its value has been diminished by hyper-spiritual language sounds good but it theologically wrong.
Here we look into the Deceitful Heart. A deceitful heart is a hard calloused heart, hardened by the practice of sin and distrust. If we are not trusting in God we are trusting in ourselves, or others and is accursed by God.
The Pearl of great value looks at the kingdom of Heaven from a different perspective than it's twin, hidden treasure. This parable focuses on the believer and his sanctification. The believer is always to seek and the Lord and all of his benefits knowing that in this life it will never be fully attained.
Our Lord is teaching His disciples in the following parables. Here he teaches them that the elect will see the kingdom has a treasure. Christ, when eyes and hearts are opened, will see Christ as highly valuable and precious. This high esteem may wain but it can never be completely extinguished. The Apostel Peter is an example of this.
In this parable, you will discover the goodness of God and how effectual His saving grace is towards His elect. You will learn that His salvation is complete salvation bringing everyone to full maturity and to the Unity of the faith.
The Mustard Seed parable provides us with reasons not to lose confidence in God's Kingdom. Even when the church is in the greatest dangers there are good reasons to keep your confidence.
This sermon addresses the controversy surrounding Jesus prompting him to teaching parables.--It also addresses the first three soils-hearts and how they fit into the current circumstance.
This sermon was originally preached by J.C. Ryle. I used it because of its timeless truths and his unmatched practicality. -Credit as follows-Tony Capoccia-Bible Bulletin Board -Box 119-Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022-Our websites- www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com -Email- tony-biblebb.com-Online since 1986--There are times I emphasize a point here and there as needed for my congregation's edification but for the most part, it is as it was originally preached.
This morning I began a series titled -Great Sermons of the Past.- I have a two-fold purpose- 1.- To connect Christians today with those of the past. I am doing this by bringing them in contact with the messages preached long ago. 2.- To fortify God's people against detrimental self-fixation they forget to walk the well-trodden path all saints must walk.
This sermon takes the last two verses in James and uses them to examine the two characters in James' closing scenario. Once the Soul Winner is described then the next step is to decide which one best suits me right now. The Wanderer or the Soul Winner.
The Wanderer is described and Christians are encouraged to examine their own hearts and draw near to Christ.
A Healthy Church is one that loves each other with the love begotten of the Spirit. Reclaiming an erring brother or sister is not easy nor fun. However, this may be a mark of the church that suffers the most in our day. This sermon is only an introduction to the last two verse of James' letter. To God be the glory-
Christians need to pray and need to be prayed for. James demonstrates the power of prayer and why those afflicted, happy, and sick, need it so much.
James puts his finger on a grievous habit among those believing Jews in his letter. Profane speech and swearing is the sin and has become a habit among God's people. Like today it's become the norm to profane God's name with careless words and promises with no intention of keeping the promise if things get difficult.
Christians are to exercise the spiritual grace of patience when they are in a trial. James, after pointing us to examine a farmer now points to the Prophets but especially Job. Job's patience in his great affliction was renown. What can learn from Job- Listen to the sermon and find out for yourself.
Patience is a Grace. A Grace along with so many other graces that the Holy Spirit brings into our lives when we are made Christians. -Afflictions, hurt, and pain often brings out the worst in folks but that should not be the case if we are Christians. This sermon addresses James command to be patient. Here I explain what patience is and how we are to see it work in our lives. I also handle Christ' coming in regard to this command.
Woe to those who squander their lives in pleasure. Especially those who are given so much and do so little with their wealth. It is a great sin to trust in riches and take advantage of others to gain wealth. This sin does not get overlooked by God. He notices. He brings grave judgment on those who abuse others for the sake of personal gain.
Dear Christian, be so careful when you know to do right and not do it. This is when conscience is scorned. TO scorn one's conscience is to scorn God. Listen to James 4-17 explained and give glory to God in every circumstance.
Time is a precious gift, how we spend it says a lot about us. James describes it as a vapor, very short. Yet we often treat time with less meaning than it truly has which often leads to bad habits, arrogance, and more worldliness. This is evil according to James.
We may show contempt for God's providence without even know we are doing so. James gives us several clues to help us examine ourselves.
How should a Christian understand -free speech- from God's perspective- The Christian now more than ever needs to strap on his discernment and take notice to what is going on in him and around him.
This sermon defines worldliness. This is part two of three directed to the sin of worldliness. -Here James calls it 1- Adultery 2- Friendship with the World 3- Opposition to God.
In order to recognize worldliness in your life or in your Church, you need to know what it looks like. James helps us with 6 ways worldliness perverts Christians and their lives.
The Power of the Tongue. -1. The power to set the course of ones life -2. The power to destroy -3. The power to determine one's destiny -4. The power to discourage
A sin that has plagued Social and Church courts is the sin of favoritism. This sin is destructive and has no place in the life of one who professes Faith in Christ.--Our profession of Faith and how we live matters.
Religionist vs. Practitioner The Religionist doesn't please God, while religion or orthodoxy isn't the problem what he is not doing with the Truth is. This sermon focuses on bringing conviction to the Religionist to trust in Christ and become a practitioner.
James warns believers not to be deceived. He does this because believers can be deceived and are in need of understanding what causes or fosters self-deception in believers. Plus, James gives the remedy also.
Sin is bad, and it comes with it's own judgements. But, we can also aggravate our sinning when we blame God for them and fail to take responsibility. .--James teaches us what is wrong and how we can over come it- having a right understanding of God's goodness is paramount.
Learning how one thing is connected with another. In this case how temptation when yelled to brings in sin and sin leads to death.
There are many ideals what the blessed life is, but, James tells us concretely what it is and why.
Those who have been blessed with wealth bear a huge responsibility and are subject to many temptations. They need wisdom.
There are many temptations for the Poor. James here addresses the poor with the purpose of making them wise and glorifying God instead of the being angry, bitter, and envious over their low condition.--these emotions can be easily manipulated and exploited.
The Kavanaugh accusation has been enlightening it's exposed the so much of what is eroding this country. This is the result of so much church compromise and lack of addressing sin wherever it is found.--Think about it, if all someone has to do is make an accusation and that accusation is to be believed even without evidence NO-ONE is safe.--The social justice engine is rolling and this is a spiritual battle. Remember these words ..Matt. 5-15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Do you lack Wisdom- Do you know what wisdom is really- Do you know here to get true wisdom- Do you know what is required to get true wisdom- --All of these questions are answered and more in this sermon on Lacking Wisdom.
We know trials come from the hand of our loving, merciful, God who cares for us and provides for us in the midst of afflictions. --If we are going to benefit from these trials we need to have certain personal convictions- 1- know that Grace begets Grace- 2- trials are temporal momentary 3- the goal of Grace is Christlikeness 4- God is the giver of more grace like wisdom
True Joy isn't based on some felling but upon the reality of God being in control of all things and His special grace towards His Church.
How do you respond to trials- Do you act no like those who are not Christians- James commands that our attitudes be that of a person who is completely convinced of God's sovereignty. God's sovereignty is the ground for us responding in joy knowing that our testing of faith brings about patience and patience having its way bringing us to maturity.
As Christians, trials are apart of of lives. How we endure, how we walk through a trial is a commentary on our spiritual maturity and faith. --If we are God's and Christ servants we are to expect trials and we are to expect our brother and sisters to face trials. The church on earth is a community of suffering but never without hope. Christ is the true and only head of the church and He has suffered victoriously on our behalf. Praise the Lord for such a gracious Savior who has experienced trials and knows how to comfort those in need.
Are you a servant of God and HIs Son Christ Jesus- You see the question is not if you are a servant because you are- You are either serving the flesh and sin or you have been redeemed to serve God, in keeping with the first commandment. --Now, as a christian can you give testimony and say like James you are a servant of God and Christ Jesus and it be without hypocrisy-
The book of James is an outstanding book for eery believer to commit to memory.--It's Theme is Undefiled Religion. Something we desperately need in our day is wisdom to discern between true religion to that which is altered and changed by human invention.
The Apostle Paul gives some prescriptions to the Thessalonians as he brings his second letter to a close.----How healthy is your church- How well does it measure up to Apostolic tradition- Are busybodies allowed to roam through the congregation- Have the faithful become weary in doing all that they are supposed to do-
Church discipline is a mark of a true Church. However, how it is carried out is just as important.
Paul closes this epistle with three essential blessings every church member should strive to see in their own fellowship. The blessing of Peace, the Lord's Presence, and Grace are I think undervalued and replaced with the innovative.
Ever Christian sitting in any church worth sitting in has learned that there primary goal is God's glory.--But what does this look like when the church is a minority and suffers for the kingdom of God- Paul helps us with this by addressing the Thessalonians, exhorting them to stand fast because they are glorifying God and edifying the Body of Christ.
It's a common understanding that the main priority of the Christian life is to Glorify God and second to that is edify the brethren.--This sermon addresses how the Thessalonian Church glorified God and edified the broader visible church. Paul clearly points to their increasing faith and their abounding love for one another.
To the Church has been given the Ministry of Grace.--We find here Three tremendous Blessings- Gifts that have fallen on hard times. Little to no thought is given to those Ministers that remain steadfast in the harshest conditions bringing the Word of truth. in most evangelical circles If a Minster suffers he must be doing something wrong.----Second is the ministry.-worship, praise, prayer, preaching, discipline, catechizing, blessings- Instead of taken what Christ, the Head of the Church has given to the church and growing in it, desiring the latest and greatest techniques to add to the numbers is more accepted.----Third is Peace. Seeking a peace that is form God is every believers desire. Not the peace of comprise or the world.
Learning to praise God when we pray is something we must work towards and be conscience of, making a particular effort to do so.--God's kingdom, His power, and His glory are great areas to praise Him for and the Church has been doing so since the beginning of Creation.
There are common misconceptions regarding Temptation that needs to be addressed if we are going to understand how to pray the Sixth Petition rightly. An example would be that God tempts his children to sin, James addresses this one. And another is satan has the power to make someone sin- so he is not only the provoker to sin but the enforcer of sin.--God's Word holds reveals the light needed to correct and make us wise unto satan's subtleness- the world's hypocrisy- and the flesh's desires.
This petition is about God's needed protection over his children. We sin- And we fall into seasons of sin and without His overruling favor towards us and Him limiting the strength of sin we would be consumed by the temptation.--Our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we even ask-
The 6th petition is another reason why humility is the essence of true Christian prayer.----If we are going to pray this petition rightly and not be guilty of hypocrisy, 3 vital presuppositions are necessary.--1. Our ever present weakness. We are weak and prone towards sin and even as christians we are dependent upon God's sovereign grace of strength and power to bring us through all trials and temptations. Second Presupposition---2. Our ever present danger. We are always in danger. Our enemies satan and the world are enough to ruin the best christian and couple that with the inward battle of the flesh.--The Third presupposition is 3. Our ever present Father who is willing to oversee and override what would necessarily ruin us--and use to our good.--Check these in your own life it will make praying this petition personal and meaningful.
The 5th Petition gives the Christian Two areas to look at in ones life for Assurance. If we see that we are walking in Fellowship with God, in the light, by confessing our sins then that is a good sign the we are truly justified. The Second area to look into is how gracious are we with others when they have sinned against us and seek our forgiveness- Are we gracious or cruel- Are we more willing to punish than to let go---If we are gracious then its a good sign that we have been forgiven ourselves. It's not a good sign if we are not gracious in forgiving others. walking in repentance not life and being a forgiving person are two areas we should look for assurance.--Be honest in what you see about yourself. God promises to forgive our sins if we will confess and forsake them.
The 5th petition teaches us to pray for pardon for our sins. Yet some Christians think sin isn't a problem and our asking for pardon isn't necessary. -We have repented of our sins, no need to do it again- they will say.--However, this isn't the case, we are to pray daily for the pardon of sins and this sermon begins to answer some of the arguments.
Technical note- this sermon is 53 min. not 68 min.----Here we are taught to pray for pardon for sins. This sermon first addresses the connection of this petition to the previous one which is -Give us this day our daily Bread.---This life is connected to the next life and what we do here follows us into the next life. Repentance of daily sins is the response of those who have been justified and born again. We walk in repentance because we have been truly forgiven and for Christ sake seek God's pardon for daily sins.----These blessings can never be our if we neglect repentance. And how can we ever know repentance is truly ours- But through the grace we show to others.
The fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer teaches us to ask God for His whole blessing in this life.--This petition destroys the popular teaching in many churches that God isn't concerned about this life only the life to come. This has bred a false piety that treats working hard and providing for ones family isn't as godly as sitting in church and praying all day.--This popular teaching doesn't pass the test of scripture.----We should ask God for all that is ours- not only that He would bless us and the work of our hands but that He would accompany His blessing with the graces of satisfaction and contentment. Lest we become greedy, glutinous, and malcontents.----Wether we are rich or poor- popular or unknown- let us agree with the Apostle Paul, -I have learned to be content in every circumstance- and -.....may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.-
In the third petition we are taught by our Lord to glorify and bless Him with submission to His providence and obedience to His commands.--That is we can enjoy Him and Be very happy obeying Him since we were at one time enemies and haters of His commandments.--Now, His mercy is seen in this, that, we never offer up total or complete obedience- only gospel obedience made acceptable because of Christ.--That our God would stir in us a holy zeal, passion, faithfulness, constancy as the angel enjoy in heaven.
It's become common place for preachers to preach about the ill state of American christianity. Rightly so. Our Lord made it plainly clear that He didn't come for the righteous- He has nothing for those who believe they are well and not sick -sinful-. --Churches are full of moral people but not reconciled people. Sin is so much worse than a deadly disease, sin separates and breaks fellowship with God and union and common with Him is man's greatest need.
Since the Fall man has cluttered his life with many broad and popular ideas regarding ways to God. However, there is only one way and that way is not easy one to find for any culture where religion is popular, fun and easy. This was true in our Lord's time and I think it is true in America. --Our Lord is clear, the way of life is narrow, hard to find and few find it in a religious environment where all views are considered good and protected -meaningful-. --Our Lord calls his hearers to consider their way, is it broad- popular- easy- details are not important- busy with many people- the masses love the popular path.
How does one understand, -come as you are- and -forsake all and follow me-- It has become apparent that many christians today believe coming as you are means giving up nothing. Yet this text teaches us something very different. Jesus will not be second place or even equal with anything else in our lives. He most have prominence. To follow him is costly, it is calculated and it requires making assents about those things and people in our lives that may hinder such true discipleship.
What looks like a contradiction turns out to be a glorious presentation of the Gospel. Our Lord Jesus displays his strong uncompromising righteousness and demand for men to accept him as their Lord and Savior and he gives the best of invitations. Come to me all who are weary and burdened-- A truly impressive Teacher Jesus is-
How much is your soul worth- Jesus uses this question to provoke his listeners to consider what they truly valued. However, if what we value in this life forfeits life eternal with Christ then is it a reasonable exchange- Of course not. The value of the soul is seen as something precious in God's sight and it brought our Lord to earth and to that cross where He paid the ransom for souls.
Biblical preaching has fallen on hard times in America Churches. The Innovator has replaced the Preacher- Instead of passionate preaching of the precious Gospel of Christ it's been replaced with story telling, psychologizing moralisms. The Preacher is hard to find these days. May God raise up men to Preach the Word and congregations who want the preached word. Until biblical Preaching is welcomed back in our pulpits, which is God's ordinary ordained means of spreading the Gospel, can we expect a vast spiritual harvest- I think not.
80- of bibles printed in this world are in the english language, due to the marketing of various types of bibles. A huge blessing and a huge money maker for publishers. The blessing comes to those who treat God's word as precious and treasure --the message. But more than that love the God who authored it and is the subject and over all them of all its teaching. To know God by knowing His word must be our chief end. But are we careless with it- The way we treat God's word reflects how we thank about Him.
Most Christians today would rebuff the idea that they quench the Spirit or hinder in some degree the advancement and well being of a local body of Christ. But we do. And if we don't know scripture especially the examples we are given there then we are probably guilty of quenching the Spirit. Praise God for giving us light. If we find ourselves in any of the examples given in the seven churches of Revelation let us repent.
Are you guilty of hindering God's work- The growth of the local Body where you are a member- The advancement of the gospel in your local community- If you are not sure, listen to this sermon. This is one of the greatest sins of the American Christian community today- church hopping after causing trouble or not being a blessing to those you worship with but with unreasonable expectations expecting them to be a blessing to you. May we repent of such petty indifferences and watch God's kingdom grow-
Can one of the greatest sins of the 21st. Century Church be that of thanklessness- If so, what does Paul mean when he calls for the Church to be thankful and enforces this injunction with the same purpose clause he uses for abstaining from sexual immorality. We should see the work of giving thanks as important as being sexually pure. Two ideas today we do not connect together but Paul does.
Prayer is vital to the Christian life but also and more importantly to the life and advancement of the visible Church. This sermons covers the need for praying churches- the uses and need for knowing what prayer is, and what it is not. What constitutes true prayer and why it is so vital to the life of a healthy congregation.
Rejoice in the Lord, always- Rejoicing is what we do outwardly, it comes from a heart that takes great delight and pleasure in God. Are you rejoicing in the Lord- Why not- What is keeping you from outwardly expressing your delight in God in Christ-
Staying in shape and maintaining ones health is at an all time high in America. But what about your faith- Your walk with God in Christ- What about how you walk with other Christians- How can you walk faithfully with God if you are not walking faithfully with God's people- Take a spiritual, see where you are.
In America, the Christian is as fickle as any club or human organization. When circumstances don't suit them they find another place that does. How much growth does the Christian forfeit by this kind of reaction- Yet, this is not the way it should be. What are the rules Christians should live by- This sermon plainly lays out the need for Christians to fellowship under the rule of the Spirit and the Word. Everything else is idolatry.
The Day of the Lord, it's reality is ignored by those who do not love Christ or His truth. A day of surprise and affliction for any not trusting Christ.