Central Assembly: Recent Episodes
Central Assembly of God
Central Assembly podcasts are positive messages to help encourage and strengthen your walk with God.
Unfortunately, there was a technical issue that resulted in the loss of audio at the beginning so this final lesson begins in the middle.
Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge exists to provide youth, adults, and families with an effective residential, biblically based solution to life-controlling problems. Our purpose is to produce graduates who function responsibly and productively in society, and who have healthy relationships in the workplace, family, church and community.
Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge exists to provide youth, adults, and families with an effective residential, biblically based solution to life-controlling problems. Our purpose is to produce graduates who function responsibly and productively in society, and who have healthy relationships in the workplace, family, church and community.
Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge exists to provide youth, adults, and families with an effective residential, biblically based solution to life-controlling problems. Our purpose is to produce graduates who function responsibly and productively in society, and who have healthy relationships in the workplace, family, church and community. http://www.laatc.com
"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." - Matthew 2:2
"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." - Matthew 2:2
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem," - Matthew 2:1
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem," - Matthew 2:1
I. THE FEAR OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES (Luke 1:7)
II. THE FEAR OF SOCIETAL PRESSURE (Luke 1:10)
III. THE FEAR OF INADEQUACY (Luke 1:18)
"And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” - Luke 7:49-50
Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” - Luke 7:43-48
"And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” - Luke 7:40-43
"Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” - Luke 7:36-39
True Growth is Measured by Choosing the Right though it is Difficult
Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free." - Galatians 4:30-31
True Growth Rejoices in Truth
"Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" - Galatians 4:16
True Growth Rejects Dead Works
"But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?" - Galatians 4:9
True Growth Results from Relationship
"And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." - Galatians 4:6-7
Grow Up!
"Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" - Galatians 4:16
Freedom is Inherited by Promise
"And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3:29
Freedom is Exemplified by Faith
"So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham." - Galatians 3:9
Freedom is Found in Faith
"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?" - Galatians 3:1
Foolishness or Freedom
"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham." - Galatians 3:8-9
Define the Faith
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
Defy His Friends
"Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;" - Galatians 2:11
"And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy." - Galatians 2:13
Defend the Gospel
"And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." - Galatians 2:4-5
Freedom's Fight
"Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain." - Galatians 2:1-2
Freedom's Testimony
"For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it." - Galatians 1:13
"But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me." - Galatians 1:23-24
Freedom's Enemy
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." - Galatians 1:6-7
Freedom's Source
"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." - Galatians 1:3-5
You Can Be Free
"Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)," - Galatians 1:1
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." - Romans 8:14-17
Recognizing Our Spiritual Inheritance (A Joint-Heir with Christ)
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” - 2 Timothy 2:12
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” - John. 17:24
Embracing Spiritual Sonship (Being a Child of God)
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" - Romans 8:16
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” - Hebrews 2:11-13
Knowing God as “Abba Father” (The Fatherhood of God)
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." - Romans 8:15
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” - Romans 8:14-17
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” - Colossians 1:12-13
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” - John 1:12-13
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” - 1 John 3:1
Jesus is our healer.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old." - Acts 4:13-22
The Eyewitnesses
"And that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:5-8
The Resurrection
“That he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” – 1 Corinthians 15:4b
The Crucifixion
“That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3b
The Importance
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3a
- Give
"But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." - 2 Corinthians 8:7
- Giving is part of God's nature.
- Giving reflects our priorities and attitudes towards God.
- Giving allows us to participate in God's purpose.
- Giving must be done with the right attitude.
- Giving bring God's blessings.
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Tell
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The need and opportunity.
- The mission.
- The relationship factor.
- Tell your story.
- The main message.
- Serve
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16
- Serving follow Jesus' example.
- Serving removes barriers and opens doors to share Christ message.
- Serving develops spiritual maturity.
- Serving puts your God-given abilities to use for his purpose.
- Serving allows you to do things directly for Jesus.
- Live
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12
- Know and live God's word.
- Boldly identify with Jesus.
- Show people what Jesus is like.
- Be positively different.
- Show integrity.
- Inspire people to consider Christ.
- Pray
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:2-6
- Prayer is the foundation for effective influence.
- Prayer aligns us with God's desires and plans.
- Prayer prepares us to serve God's purposes and communicate Christ message.
- Prayer prepares others hearts to receive the message.
- Prayer prepares others to partner with us.
"And it happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver.
Then, as the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”
And he said, “If the Lord does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or from the winepress?” Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you?”
And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ So we boiled my son, and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.”
Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body." - 2 Kings 6:24-30
The Solution to the Siege
"Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’ " - 2 Kings 7:1
The Severity of the Siege
" And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver." - 2 Kings 6:25
The Strategy of the Siege
"And it happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria." - 2 Kings 6:24
Under Siege
"And it happened after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver.
Then, as the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”
And he said, “If the Lord does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or from the winepress?” Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you?”
And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ So we boiled my son, and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.”
Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body." - 2 Kings 6:24-30
Shake Off the Devil
"In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." - Acts 28:7-10
Shake Vigorously
"But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm." - Acts 28:3-5
Feed the Fire
"And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand." - Acts 28:2-3
Find Your Refuge
"Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta." - Acts 28:1
Shipwrecked and Snake Bit
"Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." - Acts 28:1-10
"Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word." - Matthew 28:1-8
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Despite the Tears that Blind You (John 20:11-16)
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Despite Your Preconceived Ideas (Luke 24:15-16)
3, Despite Your Unbelief (John 20:24-28)
Proclaimed
"Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;" - Romans 1:5-6
Powerful
"And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." - Romans 1:4
Personal
"Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh," - Romans 1:3
Prophetic
"…which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures…" - Romans 1:2
What's So Special About the Resurrection?
"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;" - Romans 1:1-6
The Miraculous comes through Faithful Obedience
"And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." - 2 Kings 5:13-14
The Miraculous is not for Sale
"Then the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”
So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing." - 2 Kings 5:5
A Miracle is Possible
"And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." - 2 Kings 5:2-3
"Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper." - 2 Kings 5:1
- Resurrection, Protection, and Restoration
"And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out.
And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets." - 2 Kings 4:36-38
- A Testimony that "It Is Well!"
"So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.”
And she said, “It is well." - 2 Kings 4:23
- Experienced Tragedy on the Season of Harvest
"And the child grew. Now it happened one day that he went out to his father, to the reapers. And he said to his father, “My head, my head!”
So he said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died." - 2 Kings 4:18-20
- Blessed with New Life and Growth
"Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.”
And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!”
But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her." - 2 Kings 4:16-17
- Made Room for the Holy Spirit
"And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there." - 2 Kings 4:9-10
A Pattern and a Promise
"And the child grew. Now it happened one day that he went out to his father, to the reapers. And he said to his father, “My head, my head!”
So he said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out. Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.”
So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.”
And she said, “It is well." - 2 Kings 18:23
Jesus Blesses the Workers in His Service
"So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." - John 6:12
Jesus Makes Us Extensions of His Hand
"And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted." - John 6:11
Jesus Requires Only What We Can Give
"One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" - John 6:8-9
Jesus Sees the Need Before We Do
"Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" - John 6:5
Point of Light
"But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do." - John 6:6
You Are Meant for God's Glory
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
You Are Meant to Bless Others
"Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." - Matthew 5:15
You Are Meant to be Seen
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14
Are You Illuminated?
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16
- Saints Who Love One Another
"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" - 1 John 4:20-21
- Supernatural Power
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us." - 1 John 4:17-19
- Spiritual Witness
"No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." - 1 John 4:12-16
- Salvation of Man
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:7-11
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us. We know that we live in Him, and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way God’s love is perfected in us, so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? We have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." - 1 John 4:7-21
- The Supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit
"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." - Acts 1:4-5
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." - Acts 1:8
- The Church
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18
- The Word of God
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- The Family
"Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come." - Acts 27:29
"And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come." - Acts 27:18-29
A Prophecy Fulfilled
"And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” - Matthew 24:2
To the Ends of the Earth
"And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night…" - Acts 23:23
Watch Out for Pride
So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied. - Acts 12:21-24
Who Can be Saved?
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” - Acts 10:1-3
Who Do Men Say that I Am?
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” - Matthew 16:13
Possessing the Gates of Your Enemies
Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. - Genesis 14:14
Worship is Not Convenient
Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. - 1 Kings 12:28-29
When You Leave God's Portion
"When you go, you will come to a secure people and a large land. For God has given it into your hands, a place where there is no lack of anything that is on the earth." - Judges 18:10
- Divided Loyalties
"And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:61-62
- Societal Pressures
"Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:59-60
- Selfish Ambition
"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” - Luke 9:57-58
"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”- Luke 9:57-62
- A Mighty King is Needed
"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." - Judges 21:25
- The Word of the Lord is Needed
"And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation." - 1 Samuel 3:1
"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." - Judges 21:25
"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." - Judges 21:25
- Do Not Make Excuses for Sin
"So Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out." - Exodus 32:22-24
- Intercede for Others
"Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?" - Exodus 32:11
- Receive the Word of God
"And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God." - Exodus 31:18
- Hear and Act upon Good Advice
"So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said." - Exodus 18:24
- Do Your Part When the Enemy Attacks
"But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." - Exodus 17:12
- Do Not Whine
"hen the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness." - Exodus 16:2
- Always Give God Praise
"Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying:
“I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!" - Exodus 15:1
- Allow the Lord to Fight for You
"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." - Exodus 14:14
- Share the Lamb with Family and Friends
“This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you." - Exodus 12:2
He Values All People
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night." - Luke 2:8
He Shines Brightest when the Night is Darkest
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid." - Luke 2:8-9
He Will Move Nations to Move Us
"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city." - Luke 2:1-3
The Lord's Provision
"And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:35
The Lord's Peace
"Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." - Luke 1:30
The Lord's Presence
"And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” - Luke 1:28
The Joy of Favor
"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” - Luke 1:26-28
Faithful Despite Failure
"And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” - Luke 1:18
Faithfulness in Responsibility
"So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense." - Luke 1:8-10
Faithful Though Criticized
"But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years." - Luke 1:7
The Joy of Faithfulness
"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years." - Luke 1:5-7
He Knew the Men that Made the Law Did Not Make the Lion
"And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”- Daniel 6:20-22
He had a Past that Prepared Him for God's Provision
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." - Daniel 6:10
He had a Promise Bigger than His Problem
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." - Daniel 6:10
He Had No Fault but Serving God
"So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” - Daniel 6:4-5
How Can you be Thankful?
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." - Daniel 6:10
Have You Refused to Repent in the Face of God's Judgement?
"“But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
“And this is the inscription that was written:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain." - Daniel 5:22-30
Have You Ignored or Forgotten the Man of God?
"The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”
Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah?" - Daniel 5:10-13
Is Your Confidence in Wealth and Power?
"They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone." - Daniel 5:4
The Party's Over
"Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. While he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Now all the king’s wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation." - Daniel 5:1-8
Praise God, Now I Understand!
"Nebuchadnezzar the king,
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me.
How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation." - Daniel 4:1-3
Living for God will Manifest the Miraculous
"And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire." - Daniel 3:23-26
Living for God will Produce Holy Boldness
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” - Daniel 3:16-18
Living for God will bring Temptation to Compromise
"Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” - Daniel 3:13-15
Living for God will Bring Opposition
"Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews." - Daniel 3:8
"There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” - Daniel 3:12
Living For God will go Against the Conventional Wisdom
"So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up." - Daniel 3:7
"There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” - Daniel 3:12
Living for God
"Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon." - Daniel 3:1
God Gives of His Nature to Those Who Seek Him
"He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.
“I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.” - Daniel 2:22-23
God Overrules the Rules of Nature and Men
"And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding." - Daniel 2:21
We are concluding the series from the Book of Galatians entitled THE GOSPEL OF FREEDOM. In the last message entitled YOU WHO ARE SPIRITUAL ARE RESPONSIBLE, we examined Galatians 6:1-10. In that message we saw if we examined the responsibilities of those who are spiritual. Spiritual people are responsible to: BEAR BURDENS (Galatians 6:1-5) SOW TO THE SPIRIT (Galatians 6:6-8) DO GOOD (Galatians 6:9, 10) Our text today begins with an interesting remark by the Apostle…
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! Galatians 6:11
Paul’s preferred method of letter writing was by dictation. He would speak, and one of his friends would write it all down. In the last paragraph of Galatians, Paul himself picks up the pen, if you will, and writes down his final thoughts. This is so important that he doesn’t want them to miss the point.
November 8, 2020 AM Galatians Sermon 8
3 Until this point, Paul has effectively explained the distinctions between the believer living under grace and the one living under law. They are diametrically opposed. This is not simply a matter of different doctrinal opinions; it is a matter of two ways of life. What were the choices presented to the Galatians as they debated Grace and Law? Would they choose bondage or freedom (Galatians 5:1-12)? Would they choose the flesh or the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-26)? Would they live for themselves or would they live for others (Galatians 6:1-10)? Our text presents one more idea that Paul wants to present. It is such an important thought that Paul writes it in his own hand, in large letters. The thought is this: Will the Galatians live for the praise of men or for the glory of God (Galatians 6:11-18)? Now Paul is hitting on the most important part of why we do things: Motive. A good work can be spoiled by a bad motive. This is a chance for those in Galatia (and all the church) to check their own hearts. In verse seventeen, we see Paul declaring that he is a man who bears in his body the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ. While the word “marks” in Greek is “stigmata” it is not referring to the cultish examples found today in people who seem to bleed from their hands, feet, and other parts of the body mimicking Christ. He is referring to the scars he gained through intense persecution as a result of preaching Christ and Him crucified. These final words of Paul to the Galatians present three groups/people who were MARKED. A mark or a brand will distinguish you. God placed a mark upon Cain that no one would kill him (see Genesis 4:15). The antichrist will one day require his followers to take a mark in order to buy or sell (see Revelation 13:17). But God also sets a mark upon those who belong to Him (see Ezekiel 9:4-6). Let’s examine those whom Paul is referring to as being marked.
Daniel's Thanksgiving Prayer
God Speaks When We Are In Need
"Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His." - Daniel 2:19-20
He Was Empowered
"As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm." - Daniel 1:17-20
He Was Purposed
"Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." - Daniel 1:6-8
He Was Prepared
"Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king." - Daniel 1:3-5
Living Above Your Circumstances
"Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus." - Daniel 1:21
A Fruitful Life
"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” - Ruth 4:13-15
A Wonderful Promise
"And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.” - Ruth 4:11-12
A Strong Redeemer
"Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.” - Ruth 4:8-10
We are continuing our look at The Gospel of Freedom, Paul’s letter to the Galatians. At the close of chapter five, the Apostle Paul writes:
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26
This comes on the heels of him contrasting the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. As Christians, we are to live Spirit-led lives, which is true spirituality. True spirituality is the result of acquiescing to the will of God and yielding oneself to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In Galatians 5:22, 23 Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit. But how do these fruit manifest in our daily lives? With the stage set for what the character of the Christian must be, Paul turns his attention to the practical aspect of the fruit being at work in our lives. In fact, the apostle uses a phrase to describe those who are walking in the Spirit and exhibiting fruit in their lives, he calls them “you who are spiritual” (Galatians 6:1).
What we discover in Paul’s teaching is this: YOU WHO ARE SPIRITUAL ARE RESPONSIBLE. Anyone who says they are spiritual, but lives an irresponsible life, is not really spiritual, they are hypocrites. We must ever remember that true spirituality is not just an emotional high we experience in a church service it is demonstrated in concrete ways every day of our lives. How do we know who is spiritual? Galatians 5 holds that answer. The spiritual: • Have fruit in their lives (Galatians 5:22, 23). • Are sacrificial, self-denying, in other words, they are crucified with Christ (Galatians 5:24). • Are actively walking in the Spirit and living a life consistent with their position in Christ (Galatians 5:25). • Walking in the Spirit they have rejected the deeds of darkness and the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:25). So the question is: “If I’m Spiritual, what am I responsible to do?”
Beautiful Redemption
"Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’ ”
And he said, “I will redeem it.”
Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.”
And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” - Ruth 4:1-6
Sit Still
"Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” - Ruth 3:18
Stay Obedient
"And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” - Ruth 3:5
Stop Whining
"Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?" - Ruth 3:1
Better Days
Your decisions determine your destiny. Ruth, so far in the story, has made 2 great decisions:
- She decided to stay with Naomi.
- She decided ti glean and stay in the field of Boaz.
This is without a doubt one of the most important sections of Scripture, in regards to the believers walk with the Lord, in the Bible. Yet, many believers fail to grasp the significance of this section of Scripture for one reason or another. At times the emphasis is so heavy on the works of the flesh that it is easy to miss out on the beauty of the fruit of the Spirit. At other times, the focus on the fruit of the Spirit is so strong that we miss the warning of the ugly works of the flesh. An understanding of both the flesh and the Spirit is absolutely essential in the Christian life.
The consequences of walking in the flesh are not only manifested in our everyday life, but also result in the loss of our own souls. But when we walk in the Spirit, we are promised that out of this will come an abundance of fruit that will be displayed in our character. The life of Christ will be at work in us and displayed through us. We must know the difference between THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT.
Favor Will Bless You
"Now Boaz said to her at mealtime, “Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back. And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.” - Ruth 2:14-16
Favor Will Warn You
"Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Have I not commanded the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn.” - Ruth 2:8-9
"Ruth the Moabitess said, “He also said to me, ‘You shall stay close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’" - Ruth 2:21
Favor Will Lead You
"So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”
And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech." - Ruth 2:2-3
When Favor Finds You
"But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” - Ruth 1:16-17
The Goodness of God is at Work Even When We're Wrong
"Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread." - Ruth 1:6
"Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." - Ruth 1:14
"So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest." - Ruth 1:22
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" - Galatians 5:1-15
It Is Wrong to Blame When We Should Bless
"Turn back, my daughters, go—for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” - Ruth 1:12-13
"But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” - Ruth 1:20-21
It Is Wrong to Run When We Should Remain
"Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband." - Ruth 1:1-5
Even When I'm Wrong, God is Good
"Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband." - Ruth 1:1-5
Holy
"Then Haggai answered and said, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the Lord, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean." - Haggai 2:14
Vision
‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” - Haggai 2:9
Work
"Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts." - Haggai 2:4
I Will Bless You
"‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’
“For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” - Haggai 2:3-9
Recognize Our Purpose
"Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord." - Haggai 1:8
Realize Our Poverty
"You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” - Haggai 1:6
Re-evaluate Our Priorities
"Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!" - Haggai 1:3-5
The Time is Now
"“Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ”
Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
“You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” - Haggai 1:2-11
Speak Up We have a duty to speak up, show up, and vote life!
"Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die." - Proverbs 31:8
Ways to Help the Unborn Pray, Give, Adopt
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." - James 1:27
Choose Life God chooses life-shouldn't we.
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;" - Deuteronomy 30:19
The Blood of the Innocent The aborted have a voice, and God will not hold us blameless.
"And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground." - Genesis 4:10
"Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked." - Exodus 23:7
"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3
The Baby Leaped The unborn have a voice.
"For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb." - Luke 1:15
"And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." - Luke 1:41
"For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy." - Luke 1:44
One Blood
"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings," - Acts 17:26
Set Apart from the Womb
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5
The Heritage of the Lord
Children are a blessing - not a curse.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate." - Psalm 127:3-5
Created in Love
God loves the unborn, even those conceived through tragic reasons.
"You have clothed me with skin and flesh, and have knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and loyal love, and Your care has preserved my spirit." - Job 10:11-12
"Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” - Galatians 2:1-21
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:27
"The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life." - Job 33:4
"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them." - Psalm 139:13-16
The Author of Faith
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." - Hebrews 12:1-3
Suffering Faith
"Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." - Hebrews 11:35-40
Miraculous Faith
"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again." - Hebrews 11:32-35
Faith Keeps Alive
"By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace." - Hebrews 11:31
"Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me." - Galatians 1:1-24
Faith Destroys Strongholds
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days." - Hebrews 11:30
Faith Passes Through
"By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned." - Hebrews 11:29
Faith Endures
"By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them." - Hebrews 11:27-28
Faith Refuses Sin
"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." - Hebrews 11:24-26
Faith is not Afraid
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command." - Hebrews 11:23
Faith Looks Forward
"By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones." - Hebrews 11:22
Faith Blesses
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff." - Hebrews 11:20-21
Faith Receives
"By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." - Hebrews 11:11
Faith Obeys
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." - Hebrews 11:8
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
Over the last few weeks we have been in a series entitled THE THIEF. Jesus said…
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
The devil is the greatest thief of all time, and he is constantly on the prowl. He is not satisfied with simply stealing, he wants to kill and destroy as well. In the first sermon, we examined the TOOLS OF THE THIEF, which are:
IMAGINATION (Matthew 15:19, 20) INTIMIDATION (Revelation 21:7, 8) ISOLATION (Genesis 2:18)
Last week we looked at STOLEN TREASURES. In that sermon we examined the things that the thief steals from our lives and from God’s house. He steals:
OUR FOUNDATION AND STRENGTH (2 Kings 25:13) OUR SERVICE AND USEFULNESS (2 Kings 25:14) OUR FIRE AND PRAYERS (2 Kings 25:15)
The title of the message this morning is: THE THIEF ARRESTED. The story of Achan illustrates succinctly how to truly arrest the thief. This is a sobering chapter in Scripture that comes on the heels of one of the greatest victories in the Bible, the miraculous victory over Jericho. God had instructed the children of Israel to take nothing from Jericho. It was to be considered a first fruit offering to the Lord. (This is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible on the importance of tithing, because that’s in essence what Achan stole, the offering that belonged to the Lord.) But during the battle, a man named Achan takes things from the city. In his later confession to Joshua he says…
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it. Joshua 7:21
His thievery would have tragic consequences. Joshua and the children of Israel found out the hard way that there was a thief in their midst. In fact, from the story we can learn, as Joshua and the children of Israel did, how to recognize when there is something wrong. It was a downward spiral. Because they had a thief in their midst… • They had an over confidence in the flesh (Joshua 7:3). • They were easily defeated by a much smaller army and saw death among their own soldiers (Joshua 7:5). • They were confused and whined about their defeat (Joshua 7:7). These were all results of an unchecked thief among them. The thief moved in secretly and brought defeat, death, and doubt among God’s people at the very time when they should have been walking in victory. Joshua could not understand what the problem was. In fact, his actions and prayers demonstrate that he felt that everything befalling them was the fault of the Lord. He is in essence whining, when the Lord speaks to him:
10 So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. Joshua 7:10, 11
Because there was a thief among them that had stolen the things that were consecrated to the Lord the children of Israel were in a precarious position. The Lord told them the consequences of the thief’s activity among them in verse 12: • They could not stand before their enemies. • They had become doomed to destruction. • The Lord would no longer be among them. Only one thing could save them. They had to find the thief and destroy the accursed thing from among them. This would require Joshua to take action in order to arrest the thief. As we look at this chapter, we will see the steps necessary to arrest the thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives as well.
- Faith Walks
"By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." - Hebrews 11:5-6
- Faith Worships
"By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks." - Hebrews 11:4
"For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
“For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul." - Hebrews 10:36-39
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:1-3
"Not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed." - Joshua 23:14
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:45
Last week, we began a series entitled THE THIEF. Jesus said…
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Satan is a thief. In fact, the greatest thief of all time is the devil. For millennia he has been on an unabated crime spree in which he not only steals, but also kills and destroys. All thieves have their tools that the use in order to pray upon unsuspecting victims. Last week we looked at THE TOOLS OF THE THIEF. In that sermon we examined the three tools that the devil utilizes to steal from us. He uses: IMAGINATION (Matthew 15:19, 20) INTIMIDATION (Revelation 21:7, 8) ISOLATION (Genesis 2:18) The fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587 BC is one of the most important moments in history. Nebuchadnezzar and the mighty Babylonian Empire decimated the nation of Judah. The king of Judah, Zedekiah, watched as his sons were killed before his eyes, then his eyes were gouged out, and he was carried in chains to Babylon (2 Kings 25:7). The inhabitants of the land, except for the poorest were also taken captive into Babylon (2 Kings 25:11, 12). Long before Nebuchadnezzar marched on Jerusalem, the spiritual decline had robbed a once godly people of their place of honor among the nations. The priests had polluted God’s house with idols and encouraged the people to break the covenant with God (2 Chronicles 36:14; Lamentations 4:13; Ezekiel 8, 9). The leaders of the nation had refused to listen to God’s servants, so God sent judgment (2 Chronicles 36:15, 16). There was “no remedy” the day of judgment had arrived (Proverbs 29:1; 2 Chronicles 36:16). Our text deals with the things that the Babylonians looted from the Temple. These were things that played an important role in the spiritual life of God’s people. The title of my message is STOLEN TREASURES. Never forget that the Bible teaches that believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Just as the Temple in Jerusalem had many important items in it, so too, our lives must be marked by these things as well. The enemy was able to steal these things because of neglect by the people. The writer of Hebrews warned:
1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? Hebrews 2:1-4
If we neglect these spiritual treasures, the enemy will eventually come in a take them from us.
"Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." - Genesis 6:5
"And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." - Mark 3:5
"“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." - Jeremiah 17:9-10
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8
If ever there was something that people generally despise it is a thief. We especially get upset when someone steals from us. In fact, thanks to the proliferation of personal camera’s and social media, people are posting pictures of thieves as they steal packages off of front porches, out of vehicles, and of course in stores. We want these people captured, off the streets, and making restitution.
Yet, as much as we say we hate thieves there is that segment of society that romanticizes them. Our culture is filled with the tales of famous thieves such as Jesse James, Bonnie and Clyde, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Sadly, we sometimes fail to see the victims because we idolize the despicable. The Bible, like contemporary American history, tells the stories of many thieves: Adam and Eve took what belonged to God and we still suffer for their sin (Genesis 3:6, 7). David unscrupulously robbed Uriah of his wife and his life (2 Samuel 11). Absalom stole the hearts of the people (2 Samuel 15:6). Judas, the disciple of our Lord, robbed the treasury of Jesus (John 12:6). Each one of these stories demonstrates the unsavory nature of thieves. Not only that, we truly see through their lives that crime doesn’t pay. The greatest thief of all time is the devil. Jesus called him a thief and said that as a thief he had three main goals: to steal, to kill and to destroy. Jesus also said that if the master of the house knew what hour the thief would come in that he would be on guard. Paul tells us that we are not ignorant (nor are we to be ignorant) of the devil’s devices. Satan is a thief. He steals and is stealing every day. Not only does he steal, but he also kills and destroys. The lost are being robbed every day of their very souls. Believers also find that all too often the enemy comes in and steals their joy, their peace, their finances, and a myriad of other things. Over the next few weeks, I will be preaching a series entitled THE THIEF.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!" - Galatians 5:1-12
"I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of the Lord’s wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long.
He has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones." - Lamentations 3:1-4
"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:10-13
"And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." - Exodus 17:11
"Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia." - Daniel 10:12-13
This morning we are completing our series on the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus found in the book of John. In each of the “I AM” statements, Jesus revealed His divinity and His nature. So far, we have seen Jesus announce His identity as… The Bread of Life The Light of the World The Door The Good Shepherd The Resurrection and the Life The Way, the Truth, and the Life In our text Jesus makes this profound statement concerning Himself, “I AM THE VINE.” Our text this morning is a continuation of the discourse of Jesus at His last Passover meal with His disciples. He is hours away from the cross. Some theologians believe that the words recorded in John 15 are the words of Jesus as He and the disciples make their way to Gethsemane. The cultivation of vineyard was important to the life of the economy of Israel. A golden vine adorned Herod’s temple (could it be that Jesus made this statement as they passed the ornamentation?). When our Lord used this image, He was not introducing something new; it was familiar to every Jew. Jesus is the “True Vine,” that is, “the original of which all other vines are a copy.” As Christians, we do not live on substitutes! The symbolism of the Vine and branches is similar to that of the Head and the body: we have a living relationship to Christ and belong to Him. Of all the I AM statements, this is the only one in which the Master immediately tells us who we, as believers, are in relation to Him. He says, “I am the Vine, you are the branches.” These words of Jesus are rich with promise. Yet, it is a promise that is contingent upon our cooperation with Him. When you abide in the vine, there are promises that belong to you, but you must abide. Let’s examine these promises from the Scripture.
- Amalek Attacks when We are at Rest
"Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim." - Exodus 17:8
- You Must Know Your Reward
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said:
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
And he gave him a tithe of all.
Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.” - Genesis 14:18-21
- You Must be Ready
"Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus." - Genesis 14:14-15
- You Must Have a Reason
"Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan." - Genesis 14:14
"And they captured two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued Midian and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan." - Judges 7:2
We’re continuing our series on the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus found in the book of John. In each of the “I AM” statements, Jesus revealed His divinity and His nature. So far, we have seen Jesus announce His identity as… The Bread of Life The Light of the World The Door The Good Shepherd In our text Jesus makes this profound statement concerning Himself, “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.”
Dig In | Week 7
We are back for week 7 of Dig In! We are learning about another unlikely example of faith from Hebrews 11.
"And the men of Israel gathered together from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh, and pursued the Midianites.
Then Gideon sent messengers throughout all the mountains of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites, and seize from them the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.” Then all the men of Ephraim gathered together and seized the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan." - Judges 7:23-24
"When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath." - Judges 7:22
"Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. And he said to them, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!’ ” - Judges 16-18
"It happened on the same night that the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand." - Judges 7:9
"And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” - Judges 7:15
"Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.” - Judges 7:7
Dig In | Week 6
We are back for week 6 of Dig In! We are learning about another unlikely example of faith from Hebrews 11.
"But the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ the same shall not go.” - Judges 7:4
"Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.’ ” And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained." - Judges 7:3
"And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ - Judges 7:2
"Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the well of Harod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley." - Judges 7:1
"Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel." - 2 Samuel 5:3
"So the women sang as they danced, and said:
“Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”
Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day forward. - 1 Samuel 18:7-9
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah." - 1 Samuel 16:13
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah." - 1 Samuel 16:13
"Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul.” - 2 Samuel 2:4
"Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel." - 2 Samuel 5:3
"So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”
And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”
Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” - Exodus 33:17-19
"Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.” - Exodus 33:15-16
"Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” - Exodus 33:12-13
"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." - Ephesians 2:19-22
"He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap." - Ecclesiastes 11:4
"The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." - Ecclesiastes 7:8
"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad." - Proverbs 12:25
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise." - Proverbs 11:30
"Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God." - Ecclesiastes 2:24
"Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.” - Psalm 142:7
"Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work." - Acts 15:37-38
"Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not." - Jeremiah 20:9
"But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” - 1 Kings 19:4
"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops." - 2 Timothy 2:3-6
"Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." - Psalm 2:10-12
“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” - Psalm 2:7-9
"He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” - Psalm 2:4-6
"Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” - Psalm 2:1-3
"Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” - 2 Samuel 5:17-19
- Truthful in His Deeds
"Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me." - John 10:24-25
If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” - John 10:37-38
- Careful in His Character
'You do the deeds of your father.”
Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” - John 8:41
- Obedient to God's Will
"Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ” - Hebrews 10:5-7
- Prayer
"Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” - Luke 11:1
- The Word of God
"But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ - Matthew 4:4
- The House of God
"After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. " - Luke 2:46
"He said to them, “How is it that you searched for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”" - Luke 2:49
"For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.”
When He was reviled, He did not revile back; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but He entrusted Himself to Him who judges righteously. He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. “By His wounds you were healed.” For you were as sheep going astray, but now have been returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:21-25
The Cross is the Source of our Power and Emblem of Our Victory
"God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world." - Galatians 6:14
The Cross is the Heart of Our Message
"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with eloquent words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For to those who are perishing, the preaching of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:17-18
The Cross is the Indication of His Method
"For you know that you were not redeemed from your vain way of life inherited from your fathers with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." - 1 Peter 1:18-19
Last week we examined THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
In that message we saw that we should cultivate communion with the Holy Spirit because: GOD IS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH US (Exodus 34:14) THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS JESUS TO US (John 14:15-18) THE MEASURE OF OUR FAITH IS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO OUR COMMUNION WITH HIM (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
As believers it is imperative that we daily seek the communion with the Holy Spirit that is available to us. It is such an important aspect of the life of faith.
The title of my message this morning is WHY THE SPIRIT CAME. Just as we know that it is important to seek the communion of the Holy Spirit, there are other aspects to the coming of the Spirit that we likewise need to understand. Jesus went away, but He sent the Holy Spirit for a reason.
The Cross is the Father's Way of Declaring His Love
"While we were yet weak, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rarely for a righteous man will one die. Yet perhaps for a good man some would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8
The Cross is God's Deepest Expression of Our Needs
"For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.”
When He was reviled, He did not revile back; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but He entrusted Himself to Him who judges righteously. He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. “By His wounds you were healed.” For you were as sheep going astray, but now have been returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:21-25
Listening "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10
Intercession "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. But I will teach you the good and the right way." - 1 Samuel 12:23
The Promise of the Father is what Jesus was promising when He promised to us another helper, the Holy Spirit. Fellowship with Him, the Third Person of the Trinity, will have a marvelous impact upon your life and in the lives of people around you.
God has promised to us a wonderful helper. Are you ready to see why it is important to cultivate communion with the Holy Spirit in our lives?
Confession "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me;" - Psalm 66:18
Thanksgiving "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him, and bless His name." - Psalm 100:4
Praise "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him, and bless His name." - Psalm 100:4
“Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." -Matthew 6:9-13
"But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." - Isaiah 43:1
"They went to the other side of the sea to the region of the Gadarenes. When He had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met Him." - Mark 5:1-2
The Bible and history are replete with stories of godly women who believed and feared the Lord that we still applaud today. Ladies, whether you have children or not, your life and example have a great impact. Men, we can learn a lot from godly women, and should try to emulate their faith and virtuous life. Mary was blessed because she fit into that special category of women who truly believed the Lord.
This Mother’s Day let us with gratitude reflect upon those special ladies in Scripture, and in our lives that have had such an impact upon us and society.
"He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is that you have no faith?”
They feared greatly and said to one another, “What kind of Man is He, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” - Mark 4:40-41
"A great wind storm arose, and the waves splashed into the boat, so that it was now filling the boat. He was in the stern asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” Then the wind ceased and there was a great calm." - Mark 4:37-39
"That same day, when the evening came, He said to them, “Let us go cross to the other side.” When they had sent the crowd away, they took Him in the boat just as He was. There were also other little boats with Him." - Mark 4:35-36
"Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
“I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.
“In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
“You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone— until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance— the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
“The Lord reigns for ever and ever.” - Exodus 15:1-18
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." - 2 Timothy 4:3
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. It is not the purpose or plan of God for us to live wasted lives. His will for our lives is in Abundant Living. So the question is, just how does a person live an abundant life?
"...Having a from of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. - 2 Timothy 3:5
"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." - 2 Timothy 2:3
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:6-7
"Remember this: There are some terrible times coming in the last days. People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud and boast about themselves. They will abuse others with insults. They will not obey their parents. They will be ungrateful and against all that is pleasing to God. They will have no love for others and will refuse to forgive anyone. They will talk about others to hurt them and will have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. People will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking and will be so proud of themselves. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure." - 2 Timothy 3:1-4 (ERV)
"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." - Hebrews 12:1b
"The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 5:20-21
You may say, "I'm not living the lifestyle the young man in this story was living. How can I be wasting my life?" There are more ways of wasting our lives than the young man in this story. Hopefully these weeks of inaction caused by the Coronavirus have cause you much introspection. Perhaps you are looking at things you once thought were important and are finding that the words of King Solomon ring true to you today...
"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:39-40
"Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it." - Psalm 22:30-31
"One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.
Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say." - Luke 14:1-6
"The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me— A prayer to the God of my life.
I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." - Psalm 42:8-11
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar. Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me." - Psalm 42:5-7
"As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast." - Psalm 42:1-4
It goes without saying that these last few weeks have been interesting indeed. Life as we know it has changed. As I was seeking the Lord for what He would have me to preach, He dropped a question in my heart: What will it be like after the plague has passed?
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:3-11
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." - Psalm 121:1-8
"Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it." - Psalm 22:30-31
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." - Acts 16:31
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!" - Psalm 117:1-2
Happy Resurrection Sunday! The greatest hope in all the world can be wrapped up in the words of the angel to the women at the tomb: “He is not here. He is risen!” At the moment of the resurrection everything changed. Brother J.A. Hendrix, my pastor when I was around 13 years old said, “I wonder if those ladies realized just how beautiful the sunrise was that morning as they made their way to the tomb of Jesus.” In all probability, they didn’t notice the glory of that morning because it is hard to see the beauty of a sunrise through tears of sorrow. They were soon to discover the truth
The last week of the life of Jesus was an eventful one. He cleansed the Temple, taught the crowds, and spent time with His disciples. He was anointed by Mary in Bethany and betrayed by Judas. Arrested, condemned to die on the cross, crucified and laid in a borrowed tomb. It seemed as if it was all over, the hopes and dreams of His followers had died with Him that day on Calvary.
Yet the women, in their love for Jesus, wanted to give His body a proper burial. Even though Joseph had anointed the body of Jesus for burial it had all been done hastily. They were on their way to give Him the last level of love and respect they could offer to Him. Little did they realize that they brought their ointments to the tomb in vain.
On the way to the tomb they began to discuss among themselves a dilemma that faced them. They had witnessed a large stone begin pushed in front of the tomb’s door. Their question was, “Who Will Roll the Stone Away?”
"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah" - Psalm 24:7-10
"Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah" - Psalm 24:3-6
"The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters." - Psalm 24:1-2
"David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” - 2 Samuel 6:9
"The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah
Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah" - Psalm 24:1-10
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." - Psalm 34:1
This week in our Kid's Church series on emotions we learn about confusion.
Submit your completed Family Devotion to facebook or email Pastor Jeff at jeff@churchofthecross.cc.
Also...on April 9-11 we will be "egging" yards of families with children 12 and under. Easter is going to look a little different this year, but we still want you to know that Central Assembly loves you very much! If you would like your yard to be egged, please private message us, or email at jeff@churchofthecross.cc, your address and best contact number by Tuesday, April, 7. We will divide up into teams to reach as many yards as possible, and we will be using all necessary precautions to ensure that your family stays safe.
Today is Palm Sunday. It seems unreal that we are having to meet together online, but that is where we find ourselves. It’s the reality of our day, and only the hand of God at work will bring it to a conclusion. My text this morning may seem a bit odd when it comes to a Palm Sunday message. However, by the end you will see that it ties in beautifully with this important date on the Christian calendar, and it speaks to where we are presently.
On any given day you can find headlines that make you wonder what God is doing in the world. It seems like every day we hear of more bad news. Politicians, scientist, doctors, and religious leaders are searching for the answer to the crisis our world finds itself in. The question that many people are asking the Lord is this, “Are You Going to do Anything About This?”
Moses must have wondered many times the same question as he thought of God’s people enslaved and mistreated under the godless pharaoh of Egypt. But there came a day in the life of Moses as he tended the flocks that God Himself came to answer and let Moses know what He was doing in the world and that He cared.
Moses had tried in his own power to remedy the plight of his people with disastrous consequences. The deliverance of his people would not come through human strength alone; it would require the supernatural power of God. But before God ever began to move on the situation, there needed to be a cry from the people to come up to Him.
"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise." - Psalm 57:7
"David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam..." - 1 Samuel 22:1
"I cry out to the Lord with my voice; With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble." - Psalm 142:1-2
"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise." - Psalm 57:7
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." - Psalm 34:1
"Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." - Psalm 90:13-17
"The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:10-12
"For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh." - Psalm 90:7-9
"You turn man to destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night. You carry them away like a flood; They are like a sleep. In the morning they are like grass which grows up: In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers." - Psalm 90:3-6
"Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." - Psalm 90:1-2
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever." -Psalm 23:6
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over." - Psalm 23:5
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
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Today we come to the conclusion of Paul’s short letter to Titus. Though it is a short letter, it contains a big message. The theme of the letter is the inseparable link between faith and practice, belief and behavior. What you believe will manifest itself in how you behave!
This truth is the basis for its critique of false teaching as well as its instruction in Christian living and qualifications for church leaders. As one minister put it: Christianity is the least concerned about religion of any of the world’s faiths. It is primarily concerned about life.
At the end of the day we will not be judged by what we have started, but by how we finished. These are FINAL WORDS TO FINISH STRONG. As believers, as a church, if we are going to finish strong, then we need to hold to these last words of Paul to his protégé Titus.
We don't have to be afraid of anything because God is with us! Submit your completed Family Devotion to facebook or email Pastor Jeff at jeff@churchofthecross.cc
"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name name's sake." - Psalm 23:3
"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads beside the still waters." - Psalm 23:2
The Word of God is a very practical book. It gives us instructions on every facet of our lives. It is profitable to read, study, hear, and do what the Scriptures say. It is a fountain in a dry wilderness, bread to the hungry soul, light to those who walk in darkness, and truth in a world of lies.
Paul’s little letter to his young protégé wonderfully instructs us on how we are to live the Christian life. What we believe will be exemplified in how we live, in what we do in life. There is no exception to this rule. If you believe it, then you will ultimately live it.
Our text this morning deals with an important aspect of living for God, namely, our work for Him. A few weeks ago, we saw how Paul gave instructions for Christian employees/slaves. However, the work we are referring to this morning is the good work of Christian service to the Lord.
Ask yourself the questions: If everyone in the church worked just like me what kind of church would this be? Are you following the Lord in faithful service to Him? If not, it is time to GET TO WORK. We have a world that needs to be won, we have feeble hands that need to be strengthened, and we have a cause worth fighting for. So, what does Paul tell Titus in regard to our work for the Lord?
No doctrine of Scripture is more precious to mankind than the doctrine of salvation. And no word is more crucial to the doctrine of salvation than the word grace. That the sovereign God of creation would reach down from heaven and rescue undeserving sinners from the bondage and slavery of sin, from spiritual death and eternal separation from God in a place called hell, can only be described in one word: grace.
Salvation is a wonderful doctrine in the Bible. It is a badly misunderstood doctrine as well, especially as it relates to our understanding of the work of Christ and how it applies to sinners. It is not popular in our day to claim that Jesus is the only way to God. Modern culture and theologies see this as too narrow and restrictive, intolerant, unloving, and unworthy of the God we imagine God to be. But the Bible is clear on this issue, speaking of Jesus the Apostle Peter said…
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
In Titus 2:11-15, Paul expounds upon the doctrine of grace. What we discover is that we have A TEACHER CALLED GRACE. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit… But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26
The writer of Hebrews calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29), and thus we see that through the power of the Holy Spirit we are beneficiaries of A TEACHER CALLED GRACE. What does grace teach us?
We are continuing our series through Paul’s letter to Titus. Last week we examined Paul’s admonition to Titus concerning the older and younger men and women. Today, our text contains one of the more troubling passages of Scripture in the Bible. Paul is addressing himself to Christian slaves, and he is telling them to be obedient to their masters. Many people who oppose Christianity point to this passage, and others like it, to prove that Christianity approved, condoned, and propagated the evil institution of slavery.
Few things reveal the depth and breadth of the total depravity of mankind like the institution of slavery. Treating those made in the image of God as a commodity to be bought and sold is a terrible sin. This barbaric social structure reared its ugly head almost from the beginning of human history and has continued its cruel exploitation and abuse right on to the present. Ripping children from parents as if they were nothing more than a litter of puppies, separating husbands and wives because it was economically prosperous with no regard for the heartache and devastation it inflicted, the institution of slavery is a blight on the human race and demonstrates just how wicked the human heart can be.
In the first century one out of three persons in Rome and one in five elsewhere was a slave. Unlike the slavery that arose in the Americas, slavery in the ancient world was racially indiscriminate, cutting across racial, social, and national lines. Slaves had no rights, and yet the state of slaves varied in the ancient world. Some were forced to work in the fields and mines in gangs, while others were highly skilled workers and trusted administrators. It has been noted that frequently slaves were better off than free laborers. Still, if a slave attacked his master, every slave in the household was killed, and until the time of Christian emperors, the penalty for rebellion was crucifixion. To be sure, this was quite the deterrent to any type of slave rebellion.
The historical context shows that slavery in Paul’s day was not as oppressive as later forms of slavery. Many prominent people in the ancient world were slaves, including teachers, writers, politicians, artisans, and philosophers. Some slaves were better off financially than many who were born free or had purchased their freedom. Also, slaves often anticipated their freedom after 10 to 20 years of service to their masters, and some even chose to stay with their masters.
One would have thought that with the spread of Christianity, slavery would have met its demise. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Thankfully, however, one must also acknowledge that Christians led the way in bringing to an end this horrible institution. Men like William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp, John Wesley, and Charles Finney led the charge. Quakers and Moravians, Methodists, and other Christians voiced their opposition against great odds and were heard by God. Do not miss the point: only where there was a Christian impulse did slavery come to an end. To this day slavery continues its reign of terror in many parts of the world where the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ has not yet taken hold. Where the gospel has found fertile soil, the institution of slavery has vanished into the midnight of darkness. One may rightly ask, “Why didn’t Paul come right out and condemn slavery? Why didn’t he tell the slaves to resist their masters instead of telling them to be obedient and well pleasing to them?” Those are good questions that deserve a reasoned, Biblical answer. • The power structure of the day was prohibitive to any type of slave rebellion. • Paul knows that the only true way for slavery to end in the Roman world would be through a change of the heart in the people; thus, his ministry and teaching undermines the institution of slavery. o Paul tells slaves that if they have the opportunity, they should be free (1 Corinthians 7:21-24). o Paul reminds Philemon that his slave Onesimus is no longer simply a slave, but a brother in the Lord (Philemon 16). o Paul preaches the Gospel which is revolutionary in that it is the great equalizer: Neither bond nor free, neither Jew nor Gentile, neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28). • The fact that Paul is actually addressing slaves is proof that he sees them as people and not property! • The very nature of the Gospel undermines slavery, and inevitably leads to its demise. The Bible is very practical in that today we can apply to our lives instruction concerning slaves given so long ago. Paul’s instructions for slaves in the first century can be applied down through the ages for everyone who is employed. Paul’s letter to Titus also includes A MESSAGE TO EMPLOYEES! Paul put into action a strategy of servant evangelism whereby everyone in a position of service, everyone under authority, sees before them a fertile and open field for evangelism. Moving to our text, Paul lays before us six powerful principles that are instructive to employees today. This is a pastoral message. God’s people should be the best employees on the face of the earth. In everything we do we should do for the glory of God for we represent Christ. As we examine Paul’s admonition to servants, let us apply these principles to our own lives that the name of Christ not be sullied.
We are continuing our series through Paul’s letter to Titus. Last week we examined Titus 1:10-16 in a sermon entitled: WHO NEEDS CORRECTION? In that message we looked at three groups of people that are in need of correction. DIVISIVE PEOPLE NEED CORRECTION (Titus 1:10) DECEIVED PEOPLE NEED CORRECTION (Titus 1:12-14) DEFILED PEOPLE NEED CORRECTION (Titus 1:15, 16)
Never has the church needed more desperately to hear the words of Titus than it does today. Our text makes God’s plan, God’s assignments, and God’s roles for men and women in the church plain and clear. Sometime ago, Fox News had a story that said psychiatrists were saying that masculinity should be viewed as a mental disorder. These are the same experts who say it is perfectly normal for a man to identify as a woman.
Let me put it to you as plainly, succinctly, clearly, and lovingly as possible: the mentally disturbed and spiritually bankrupt are those who believe that men can be women, women can be men, and that masculinity in men and femininity in women is wrong.
We live in a culture that is drowning in gender confusion. The lines have become blurred, and we are groping about trying to understand what it means for a man to be a man and a woman to be a woman, what it means for a man to be masculine and a woman to be feminine. It is perfectly clear that the cultural engineers that dominate the media, our educational system – from the preschools to the university- and other strategic places of influence want to neutralize, if not eliminate, the gender distinctions and differences God has hardwired into human beings (Genesis 1:26, 27).
In our text, Paul outlined God’s expectations for each of the four major groups in the church in terms of gender and age. He defined godly living that is “proper for sound doctrine.” Though the word itself does not appear, the driving concept in these verses can be summed up in one important word: discipleship. Older men need to disciple younger men, just as older women need to disciple younger women.
The gospel is to produce godliness in the lives of those within the church, whether old or young, male or female. A healthy church should have both old and young, and they should both minister to one another. Paul gives us A MESSAGE FOR OLD AND YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN.
We are continuing our series through Paul’s letter to Titus. Last week we examined Titus 1:5-9 in a sermon entitled: THE HALLMARKS OF A GODLY LEADER. In that message we looked at four things that should characterize those who are the leaders of a church. Godly leaders are people with… GODLY COMMITMENTS (Titus 1:5, 6) GODLY CONDUCT (Titus 1:7) GODLY CHARACTER (Titus 1:8) GODLY CONVICTIONS (Titus 1:9)
Why is godliness so important in the life of the leader? Because a leader must always be credible, especially when it comes to confronting error. Our text today reminds us that God calls ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ not only to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), but also to the ministry of rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2).
It has been my observation that people really like the ministry of reconciliation, but they balk at the ministry of rebuke. It has also been my observation that some ministers relish rebuke and fail to see that its purpose must ever be reconciliation.
In Paul’s letter to Titus, he instructs his young protégé to fulfill the high and holy calling of correcting and setting right, those who were in error. Ministry is all about comforting the afflicted, but it is equally important to remember that ministry likewise must afflict the comfortable. Especially those who are comfortable in error.
The title of my message: WHO NEEDS CORRECTION? Paul addresses three groups of people that needed correction in the churches of Crete. Still today, nearly two thousand years removed from Paul writing this letter we find that there are still people, just like the ones on Crete who need correction too. So, who needs correction?
We are continuing our series through Paul’s letter to Titus. Last week we examined Titus 1:1-4 in a sermon entitled: HERE’S WHAT MATTERS! In that message we looked at four things that really matter with God, those things are:
- PEOPLE MATTER (Titus 1:1)
- TRUTH MATTERS (Titus 1:1, 2)
- PREACHING MATTERS (Titus 1:3)
- FAITH MATTERS (Titus 1:4)
In Titus 1:5, Paul reminds Titus why he left him on the Island of Crete:
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you…Titus 1:5
We know from the entirety of the letter that there were several things that Titus needed to set in order among the churches on the island, such as organizing the churches, refuting false teachers, and instructing in doctrine and conduct for the church family.
However, the primary task that was given to Titus was that of appointing elders in every Cretan town were a congregation was located.
Leadership is crucial for the success of any organization. As John Maxwell says, “Everything rises or falls on leadership.” The truth of the matter is, no corporation, no organization, no body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will rise above its leadership. The church especially needs competent leaders who by their integrity of life, maturity in Christ, sound theology, and authenticity in ministry, gain the allegiance of a congregation that knows the love and soul of their shepherd. They trust him (a trust that must be earned not demanded) to provide and protect, feed and lead, teach and tend to their spiritual needs.
You can go to the bookstore, and I go often, and see entire sections of books about leadership. Some of them are written from a Christian point of view, some are written from the secular point of view, and some are a combination of both. While it can be helpful at times to read these books and receive council from them, we must remember that godly leaders find their job descriptions in the Word of God and not in some marketing guide or CEO manual.
Contrary to what some leadership experts say, we are shepherds; we are not ranchers, managers, or corporate heads out to raise money, build buildings, draw crowds, and measure up to the world’s criteria for success.
Leadership in the local church is of such importance that the Holy Spirit addressed it in detail four times in the New Testament: Acts 20:28-38; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
In each of these lists the Spirit emphasizes the personal character and theological competency of the individual. God is interested first in the person, and then in their ministry. True ministry will come from a pure heart.
To be honest, this is one of those messages that make me squirm. Why? Because in a very real sense it is about me, and what God has called me to be and to do here at this church. As I studied this portion of Scripture, I kept thinking, this is what I aspire to be, a leader with all the qualifications that Paul addresses here. Not only that, as the Pastor, I must make sure that when I’m gone (either through retirement, the grave, or the Lord calls me elsewhere) then I must ensure that you know what to look for in a leader. Therefore, title of my message is this: THE HALLMARKS OF GODLY LEADERS. So what is it that should be those characteristics of those who lead God’s people?
Titus is one of the three pastoral letters written by the Apostle Paul (1 & 2 Timothy are the other two). Though it is a short letter, it contains a big message. The theme of the letter “is the inseparable link between faith and practice, belief and behavior. This truth is the basis for its critique of false teaching as well as its instruction in Christian living and qualifications for church leaders.”
As one minister put it: “Christianity is the least concerned about religion of any of the world’s faiths. It is primarily concerned about life.”
Paul had left Titus, a young man that he had personally won to the Lord (Titus 1:4), on the island of Crete to set things in order.
One could say that Titus was Paul’s troubleshooter. Titus was a Greek believer (Galatians 2:3), and he had served Paul on many spiritual assignments in Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:13, 14; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18). In fact, Paul wrote:
If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. 2 Corinthians 8:23
Paul had many that he called “fellow workers,” but few are really “partners” or “fiduciaries.”
Crete was not an easy place to work. There was a great deal of mythology and tradition on the Greek island. Paul actually found something to agree with one of the false teachers about when it came to the people of Crete:
12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Titus 1:12, 13a
It was to these lying, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons that Paul would assign young Titus the assignment of putting the churches on the island in order. Paul’s letter to Titus is an important one. It was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and as such it is instructive for us today. The Word of God is always relevant, insightful, and powerful. Over the next few weeks, I will be preaching through this short epistle. I would also like to invite you to Wednesday Bible study as well, for we will further dissect this little letter and go even deeper into the truths contained within it. The first four verses serve as a very long introduction (at least as far as Paul’s writings is concerned), to Titus. From these four verses we see the tone set for what is ahead. The title of my message is this: HERE’S WHAT MATTERS! It is amazing the amount of truth that one can find in just four short verses.
When one realizes what really matters to God, it suddenly will begin to matter to you as well. Once we believe it, it will transform our behavior. Our faith will become our practice when we figure out what really matters. We can find the answer in these four verses.
Last week, we began looking at a story found within the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. It is a powerful little two-verse story tucked away in the fourth chapter of the book about a man named Jabez.
As far as we can tell, Jabez lived in southern Israel after the conquest of Canaan and during the time of the judges. He was born into the tribe of Judah and eventually became the notable head of a clan. Yet his story really begins with his name:
“…and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” (1 Chronicles 4:9)
Happy New Year! Can you believe it is the year 2020? Believe it or not, we have arrived at a point on our calendar that was impossible to imagine a few short years ago. Once again, we are in a presidential election year, and it seems as if the divide in this country is getting even greater than ever before.
Let there be no mistake about it, forces of evil are plotting to take this nation down a path of even greater evil than it has ever known. Their desire is to silence the pulpit, and to intimidate the pew to be inactive. More than ever before, we need bold pulpits that will preach truth and call for action among those in the pew. It’s going to be an exciting year! But today, I’m not getting into all that!
Those of you who have read the book of 1 Chronicles know how tedious it can be. The first nine chapters are genealogies, or “the begats.” Many people arrive in the first chapter and just jump right on over to the tenth chapter and pick up with the story of Saul’s death. If you do that, you’ll miss two marvelous verses. Forty-two names into chapter four the author pauses and suddenly we have a powerful two-verse story about a man name Jabez.
Twenty or so years ago, Bruce Wilkinson wrote a little book called, The Prayer of Jabez. Over the years, I avoided preaching this section of Scripture because so many people made that book (which is a wonderful book from what I can remember) into a magic talisman. In the process they turned a beautiful passage of the Bible into little more than a “Hail Mary.” But if we are not careful, we can miss a very important passage that God placed by inspiration in the divine record.
As far as we can tell, Jabez lived in southern Israel after the conquest of Canaan and during the time of the judges. He was born into the tribe of Judah and eventually became the notable head of a clan. Yet his story really begins with his name:
Last week we began a series entitled THE SEASON OF OUR JOY. More than any other holiday, the Christmas Season is marked by joy that is evident in the many songs of the season. In the Christmas season we reflect upon the birth of our Lord and Savior, and celebrate the fact that in the Nativity, God became man. One cannot fully appreciate the Christmas story without first understanding the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth. They were the parents of the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist. When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias in the Temple, he was the first person since the Prophet Malachi (four hundred years before) who had a prophetic encounter. In that encounter we saw THE JOY OF FAITHFULNESS: FAITHFUL THOUGH CRITICIZED (Luke 1:7) FAITHFUL IN RESPONSIBILITY (Luke 1:8-10) FAITHFUL DESPITE FAILURE (Luke 1:18) Our text today is the story of Mary’s encounter with the same angel, Gabriel, who appeared to Zachariah just a few months before. Theologians call this encounter the Annunciation. It marks one of the most significant moments in human history. The first woman, Eve, had witnessed a significant promise given by God in the Garden of Eden to the serpent:
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. Genesis 3:15
Now, the seed of the woman would finally be revealed. When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he told her to “Rejoice,” because she was highly favored. God favored her so much that He chose to use her as the vessel for the birth of Christ. She has a reason to rejoice! The title of my message is, THE JOY OF FAVOR. Think about the impact of those words. We can have joy as God’s children because He has favored us and given us His grace (unmerited favor). How is the joy of favor found?
Can you believe that the Christmas Season is upon us? Of course, some of you have had your tree up since the weekend after the fourth of July, but for the rest of us slackers, it’s finally here. Many of you have everything ready for the Season, the tree is up, the Christmas cards have all been mailed, the presents are wrapped, and the anticipation is mounting. It truly is a wondrous time of the year.
Sadly, for others, the Christmas Season is a tough time. It could be rough because of loved ones who are no longer with us. Perhaps times are difficult financially and you can’t do what you would like for your family and your friends. Whatever the case may be, it can be a lonely, sad time for some. This morning, I’m beginning a new series. Whatever your outlook on the season may be, as we consider the birth of Christ, this should be THE SEASON OF OUR JOY. More than any other holiday, the Christmas Season is marked by joy that is evident in the many songs of the season. It truly is a season of Joy. The book of Luke tells about a man and a woman whose story is integral to the narrative of the Nativity. Christ would not come until the forerunner came, and that forerunner would be John the Baptist. Luke sheds light on the events surrounding the birth of the great prophet by focusing upon his godly parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth. Their godly example speaks to us more than twenty centuries later. Their story is one of joy for themselves and for others.